Arise!

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 31 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Arise!

“In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, In the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, and the travelers walked along the byways. Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel." Judges 5:6-7 NKJV

When the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, He let Jabin king of Canaan, capture them. And for twenty years Jabin harshly oppressed them. As a result, a lot of things went from bad to worse in Israel. But you see, a time comes when you have to say that enough is enough.

And that's just what Deborah did. Out of the hundreds of thousands of Israelites she arose, took charge, set things in motion, mobilized the army, fought with their oppressor, won the war, and got freedom for the Israelites. If Deborah did not make a move, the Israelites would have been delivered, but at a much later time.

The time has come for you to arise. Something always happens when men arise; it gets God to move! The four leprous men said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also.” The Bible says, "And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there. For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so that they all abandoned everything and fled!” Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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You Have Overcome The Devil

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 30 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

You Have Overcome The Devil

"I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one." I John 2:14 NKJV

To overcome is to succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty). To overcome is to defeat (an opponent). To overcome is to overpower or overwhelm. Do you understand? When you have overcome something you don't worry about it anymore! That's why Jesus said, Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!

Brothers and sisters, we have already overcome the devil! Are you not aware that Jesus gave us the power to tread upon serpents, scorpions and over all the power of the devil, and that He said that nothing shall by any means hurt us? Listen to me, we are far above principalities and powers, and we are seated in Christ in heavenly places! Amen!

Hear me; Satan is not your problem, ignorance and fear are your problems. John wrote that to the young men: meaning that you don't have to be a general overseer of the largest church in the world for you to exercise your authority over the devil. Whenever the enemy shows up, resist him and he will flee from you!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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A Chosen Generation

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

A Chosen Generation

"Also today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.” Deuteronomy 26:18-19 NKJV

When the Israelites proclaimed the Lord to be their God, and that they would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that they would obey His voice, God also proclaimed them to be His special people. And He magnified them; He made them a great and prosperous nation.

Now, that promise in the Old Testament wasn't for the Israelites alone. Today, through Christ, we too have become heirs of His promises. Since we have believed, we too have become His special people. 1 Peter 2:9 days, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." Hallelujah!

That's not all! Being His special people God will also set us high above all people and nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honour! Yeah! Say Amen! Glory to God!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Image Of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Image Of God

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV

Genesis 1:27 says that God created us in His own image. A lot of us haven't really understood it. What exactly is the "image of God"? It's simple if you ask me: the image of God refers to His glory!

When God created Adam and Eve, they were clothed with the glory of God. That's why Adam and Eve did not realize that they were naked until they sinned. Sin made the glory to depart from man. Romans 3:23 says it clearly, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And when the glory left, man became ordinary.

But now, in Christ, the glory has been restored! Hallelujah! And it keeps increasing as we continue to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Glory to God!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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A Wall Of Fire

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

A Wall Of Fire

"The Lord stopped your punishment. He destroyed your enemies’ strong towers. King of Israel, the Lord is with you. You don’t need to worry about anything bad happening." Zephaniah 3:15 ERV

When God is with you, there's no cause for fear. When God is with you, you don't need to be worried about the safety of your children in school, your job and anything else. When God is with you, you can sleep peacefully at night. When God is with you, you can travel in the day or at night, to anywhere you want, without being afraid.

Psalms 125:2 says "Like the mountains that surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds and protects his people now and forever." Zechariah 2:4-5 says that "'Jerusalem will be a city without walls, because there will be too many people and animals living there.’ The Lord says, ‘I will be a wall of fire around her, to protect her, and to bring glory to that city, I will live there.’” Hallelujah!

Live every day with this consciousness. It doesn't matter if you live within the global headquarters of the witches and wizards; it doesn't matter if your landlord buried charms in the ground; fear not! For God is a wall of fire around you! David said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Yes!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Spiritual Prosperity

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 26 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Spiritual Prosperity

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." III John 1:2 NKJV

We talk so much about financial prosperity and health, based on this scripture, ignoring the fact that Apostle John said that the man's soul was already prospering! The ERV says, "My dear friend, I know that you are doing well spiritually. So I pray that everything else is going well with you and that you are enjoying good health."

Here's the question I need you to answer today: are you doing well spiritually? What's your actual spiritual condition? Are you already prospering spiritually?

The church in Laodicea focused more on financial prosperity, while they were in a terrible spiritual condition. Just like most of us today, right? But Jesus said to them: “You say you are rich. You think you have become wealthy and don’t need anything. But you don’t know that you are really miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy gold from me—gold made pure in fire. Then you will be rich. I tell you this: Buy clothes that are white. Then you will be able to cover your shameful nakedness. I also tell you to buy medicine to put on your eyes. Then you will be able to see."

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Understanding The Times

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Understanding The Times

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

We talk a lot about taking action, and that success happens when we take action. But the whole truth is that actions bring about success only when they are taken at the right times. Not every time is right, and you've got to understand that. It is very possible to be labouring in vain even though you're doing the right things, just because you're doing them at the wrong times. Some things will just not happen; they will not just work, until the right time comes. Habakkuk 2 says that "the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie."

Jesus said to the disciples, "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.” In other words, wait for the time when the promise will be fulfilled. They waited, and Acts 2:1-4 says, "When the Day (the time) of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Hallelujah!

The sons of Issachar were said to have understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. When you understand the times you don't panic unnecessarily. May the Holy Spirit give you understanding of the times in Jesus name.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Receiving The Word

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 24 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Receiving The Word

"For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." Hebrews 4:2 NKJV

With the parable of the sower, Jesus taught us that the same seed, that is the word which we all hear, will either germinate or not germinate depending on the recipient of the word and what we do with the word. That's why two people can hear a message on salvation and one gets saved and the other doesn't; two people can hear a message on healing and one gets healed and the other one remains the same.

The problem is never with the message; it's either with the messenger or the hearer. Matthew 11:20 talks about cities in which Jesus did mighty works; and then in Mark 6:5 it was said that the same Jesus could do no mighty work in Nazareth, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. What was wrong? It wasn't because Jesus didn't pray or fast well enough, no, it was because of the unbelief of the people who heard Him.

Brothers and sisters, what do you do with the words that you hear? The word of God is powerful and it can do for you whatever you need it to do for you, but you've got to receive it with the right attitude.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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All Will Be Well

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 23 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

All Will Be Well

“Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings." Isaiah 3:10 NKJV

When all is well, "everything is in a good or acceptable state." Meaning that your health, finances, relationships, businesses, job, and everything else is OK. As a child of God, God's promise to you is that all will be well with you.

Psalms 128:1-3 says, "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table." Say Amen!

Things may not be well right now; you may be struggling financially, you may be having health challenges, no children, no job, business may be slow, challenges at work, marital problems, children misbehaving; yes, these may be your current realities, but God says to tell you today that all, not some, will be well. Weeping may endure for the night but joy will surely come in the morning. God is faithful. He will do it.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Be Ready

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Be Ready

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15 NKJV

Jesus is coming back again! Hallelujah!

But He warned, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour  in which the Son of Man is coming." Jesus said, "Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left." I fear nothing else, other than being the one left behind on that day.

Imagine sleeping with your wife and waking up to realize that she has been raptured; imagine going to the salon with your friend and while your hair is being made, your friend is raptured; imagine having lunch with that wonderful brother who you're hoping would propose to you and all of a sudden, he's raptured; imagine you in church, singing and dancing when suddenly, about half of the members vanish!

I was about 8 years old when I was going on an errand, and the sky was red; I thought that Jesus was coming back. I did not want to be left behind so I asked Jesus to come into my heart and to be my Lord and Saviour. Every day of my life, I live with that consciousness that He is coming back again. And I want to be ready when He returns! I want to see God! I want to be with Him forever! I want to ask Him some questions! I want to meet David, Paul, Abraham, Ruth, Dorcas, Samson and many other great guys! And I also want to be reunited with my mum who died four years ago. I'm so sure that like me, you too want to make heaven; we must therefore be ready so that we are not taken unawares.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Use Your Rod

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Use Your Rod

"But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." Exodus 14:16 NKJV

Pharaoh was chasing the Israelites in order to recapture them. As he got closer, the children of Israel saw them and were very afraid, and they cried out to the Lord. Moses tried to encourage them, “Do not be afraid," he said, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Moses was waiting for God but God said to him, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." Moses had a rod but hadn't fully understood the power and the potentials of it. God told him, "In your hand is something powerful to bring about the miracle and change you seek, use it!"

Elijah knew what his mantle could do; when he and Elisha got to the bank of Jordan river, he didn't ask God what to do; he took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. Elisha learnt very fast; on his way back, he also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, stood by the bank of the Jordan, struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and he crossed over! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Co-labourers With Christ

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Co-labourers With Christ

"And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life." Philippians 4:3 NKJV

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he was a co-worker with Christ. And here in the verse above, he mentioned certain women who laboured with him. Therefore, labouring with Paul meant labouring with Christ.

Is there anyone you're labouring with in the fulfilment of the great commission? Is there any minister of God you're supporting with your presence, your prayers, and with your resources? It's important that you are. We are all supposed to be partners in the fulfilling God's divine assignments.

I encourage you today to become an active partner. Being a member of a church or ministry is not enough; after a while you should become a part of whatever is being done. When you do, you're not just working with a man, you're co-labouring with Christ. And you know, when you do anything for Christ He will reward you handsomely.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Our Sufficiency Is Of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 19 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Our Sufficiency Is Of God

"Then said I: 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.'” Jeremiah 1:6 NKJV

It's common for men to complain when they are called by God: Moses first said, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Then he later complained about his speech. When God called Isaiah, he said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips."

The way of God is to call "inadequate" and "imperfect" men and women. 1 Corinthians 1 says that God chooses the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise; it says that God chooses the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised He chooses, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

I love 2 Corinthians 3:5; it says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God." Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Healing For Your Marriage

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 18 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Healing For Your Marriage

"So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:6 NKJV

One newspaper headline some years ago was that "lawyers lament the high rate of divorce in the country". Divorce rates, according to reports, are on the increase. In the world, the United States of America and the United Kingdom are said to be the countries with the highest rates of divorce.

We've got to understand that divorce is not the perfect will of God. Malachi 2:16 actually says that God hates divorce. Brothers and sisters, just as God heals broken bodies and hearts, He heals broken marriages and relationships too.

It doesn't matter how bad things are right now, God can still heal and restore your marriage. The Bible says that the heart of a king is in the hand of God, and that He turns it wherever He wills. Your spouse may be very difficult and stubborn but I assure you that God can change him or her. Today, I speak peace to your home; I speak calmness, I speak love and restoration, in the name of Jesus. Let there be a restoration of love and happiness! Let there be a restoration of understanding and mutual respect, in the name of Jesus. No strange man or woman will succeed in ruining your marriage; I destroy their hold, in the name of Jesus! Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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You Are Untouchable

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

You Are Untouchable

"When they went from one nation to another, and from one kingdom to another people, He permitted no man to do them wrong; yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, saying, 'Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.'” I Chronicles 16:20-22 NKJV

To be untouchable means that you cannot be touched! Do you know that you cannot be touched? Children of governors, presidents and other top leaders are usually well protected, you dare not try to get close without authorization: do you realize that you are the child of the Most High God? Zechariah 2:8 says that he who touches you touches the apple of His eye!

Isaiah 54:14-15, 17 says, "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. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord , and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord."

Psalms 91:5-7, 11 says, "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." Say Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Touch Him By Faith

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 16 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Touch Him By Faith

"And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well." Matthew 14:35-36 NKJV

Healing starts with knowledge. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. What you hear becomes what you know; and with what you know, you can receive whatever you want from God. When the people recognized Jesus - they had heard about Him, maybe they had also seen Him before; they knew Him - they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. Hallelujah!

They asked to touch the hem of His garment. Maybe they had heard about the woman with the issue of blood; that became a standard for them. You know, our faith cannot be exercised beyond our knowledge. They didn't have to touch Him before they received their healings, they could have asked Him to speak to them, and they would have still been healed!

You can touch Him by faith today. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! If they touched Him, and were all  made perfectly well, then you too can be made perfectly well. There's no sickness that Jesus cannot heal if you believe in Him. Receive your healing now, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Keeping Things In Perspective

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 15 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Keeping Things In Perspective

"Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was  vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:11 NKJV

Solomon was the richest man in the world in his time; he acquired male and female servants, he had servants born in his house, he had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before him, whatever his eyes desired he got them. Solomon did not withhold his heart from any pleasure. But surprisingly, he looked on all the works that his hands had done and on the labours; and he said that all was "vanity and grasping for the wind". He said "there was no profit under the sun."

A man met Jesus and said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” Then He turned and said to everyone, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Brothers and sisters, I know that we all desire the good life; we want to own assets and acquire properties; but it's very important that we keep things in perspective. God is not against us owning and acquiring possessions, what He's against is when we are possessed by those things. Some people are crazy about certain things; and some will rather die than give up their belongings: and then there are those who are greedy and covet what doesn't even belong to them. Such should never be descriptions of us.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Flee Sexual Immorality

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Flee Sexual Immorality

"Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." I Corinthians 6:18 NKJV

Sex is pleasurable to most people and that's why it's one of the most common sins. Sex itself is not bad; but unlawful sex is not only bad, it's dangerous. By unlawful I mean contrary to the will of God, because men and governments are authorizing abominable acts in our time; but that doesn't make it right; it's only right if God's word says it is. Let all men be liars and let God be true.

Paul told the Corinthians not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, he said that they should not even to eat with such a person. Now that's really serious! Hebrews 13:4 says that God will judge fornicators and adulterers!

Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. That's enough to keep us in check. It's not a fact that we should ignore at all. The Spirit of God dwells in us! There will be temptations, but we must learn to say no and flee. There are wayward people who demand for sex as a condition for their assistance: don't give in whatever the consequences may be. God is able to do much more for you than any man on earth can. And He will if you are faithful and honour Him.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Your Esther Will Speak For You

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Your Esther Will Speak For You

"But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letter that this wicked plot which Haman had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows." Esther 9:25 NKJV

The king had decreed that the Jews be wiped off the surface of the earth, as a result of a plot conceived by Haman. But the Bible says that when Esther came before the king, his decree was reversed. Won't it be wonderful to have someone like Esther speaking on your behalf to the people who matter? Sure.

Another story that comes to mind is that of the Shunammite woman who left the land for seven years based on Elisha's advice. By the time she returned, her property had been taken over by the king and she went to appeal to recover her property. Meanwhile, Gehazi was already in the palace telling the king about the exploits of his master Elisha; just as the woman was coming in, Gehazi was telling the king about how Elisha raised her son back to life. What a divine coincidence! As soon as Gehazi saw her, he said, “My Lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” That's how the king ordered that they restore all that was hers, and all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until that moment. Awesome!

I prophesy to you in the name of Jesus; men will speak for you in places that matter. Today, we silence every evil voice speaking negative words about you and your family. God will cause people to tell your story, to defend you and to recommend you, in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Don't Be Deceived

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 12 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Don't Be Deceived

"Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words." Colossians 2:4 NKJV

Deception is as old as the world! Eve was first deceived, according to the scriptures. Isaac was deceived by Jacob, Joshua and all the Israelites were also deceived by the Gibeonites. The list is endless.

Everyone is a target for deception. You've got to understand that. Jesus warned that false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But signs and wonders are not the only tools that the devil uses; he uses persuasive words too. And that's exactly how he deceived Eve - he twisted the word of God and got her to believe it.

Isn't it amazing that so many denominations and even religions make references to the Bible, yet we don't all agree on issues about the faith? Why? Because the spirit of deception is at work! Refuse to be deceived. I tell people that it's their own fault if they are deceived; because we can all be like the Berean Christians who did not just swallow every word they heard: they went back home, searched the scriptures for themselves to confirm whatever they heard. We should all do same, being guided by the Holy Spirit.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Refuse To Be Discouraged

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 11 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Refuse To Be Discouraged

"Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way." Numbers 21:4 NKJV

Life is a journey; Christianity too is a journey. And the truth be told, it's not a pleasure voyage where you have fun on a cruise ship; no, it can be really demanding and challenging. Jesus said to a man that wanted to follow Him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Just imagine living that kind of life.

Christianity is a journey characterized by the carrying of crosses. Sadly many of us, especially younger Christians think it's all about fun. And because we have wrong expectations we easily become discouraged when we begin to experience challenges and tough times. The Israelites spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.”

Brothers and sisters, refuse to be discouraged. We're told in Hebrews 12:2 to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. We too will be rewarded if we continue in our journeys, with the right attitude, until the very end.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Finishing The Race

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 10 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Finishing The Race

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
II Timothy 4:7 NKJV

Just before Jesus died on the cross, He said "It was finished." In another place, He said that the hour had come for Him to leave the world. Jesus finished His race; He finished His assignment; in a sense, He finished His own part of the overall plan of God, and He passed the baton on to the apostles.

In 2 Timothy, Paul made it clear too, that he had finished his race. Brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who ran their race successfully to the end. In every generation there have been faithful and uncompromised Christians who ran the race and finished it. They passed the baton to us, and it's very important that we pass it on to the next generation, if Jesus tarries.

In these last days, we're seeing powerful individuals, corporations and even governments joining forces to attack the faith and to punish whoever stands against them. But we must decide today to fight the good fight of faith; to finish the race, and to keep the faith. Apostle Jude wrote that we should contend earnestly for the faith that was delivered to us. You will finish strong, in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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If God Is For Us

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 9 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

If God Is For Us

"Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak the word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.” Isaiah 8:10 NKJV

God is your greatest assurance of safety and protection. You can hire and surround yourself with the best security personnel in the world; you can acquire the best security doors and gadgets; but unless the Lord is with you all your efforts are in vain.

But God is with us! Hallelujah! Jeremiah 20:11 says, "But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten." Amen!

Never be afraid of threats. When you hear that people are talking about you, ganging up against you, and plotting to pull you down or to stop your momentum, do not be afraid. Romans 8:31 says, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" No one! They may try, but they are bound to fail. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Sons Through Faith

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 8 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Sons Through Faith

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."
Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV

We've got to realize that we were not under the Law. That should be easy to comprehend; the Law was given by Moses to the children of Israel and not to the Gentiles (Romans 2:14). And that's why Christ came, He redeemed the Israelites from the Law, thereby making us all one; therefore, now, we are all sons of God by faith in Him. Hallelujah!

Ephesians 2:14-19 says, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

Galatians 3:26 says that we are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And if sons, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Building By Righteousness And Justice

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Building By Righteousness And Justice

“Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed, who establishes a city by iniquity!" Habakkuk 2:12 NKJV

Here, God is talking about how people acquire their wealth and achieve their goals. Some people don't mind killing in order to get what they want; some will deny their workers their entitlements; others, especially those in public offices, embezzle funds meant for payments of pensions, and for developmental purposes, not minding if people die as a result of their negligence. Then there are those who believe in rising by climbing on others or by eliminating them somehow: they set people up, frame them, tell lies against them, just to rise.

Jeremiah 17:11 says, "As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool.” And Jeremiah 22:13 says, “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by injustice, who uses his neighbor’s service without wages and gives him nothing for his work."

Brothers and sisters, we must be different. God can bless and prosper you without you having to soil your hands. And if God has graciously elevated you to an exalted position, please use it to His glory: give people what is due to them, don't withhold what is due to others; resist the temptation to be corrupt. Build by righteousness and justice and God will truly bless you. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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You Will Give Account

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

You Will Give Account

"So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 14:12 NKJV

Companies appraise the performances of their employees from time to time; in some organizations, the employees are given the opportunity to appraise themselves first. Appraisals are a kind of judgment day; your performance determines if you'll get a bonus, a promotion or if you will be asked to resign.

Every one of us needs to understand that we all will one day stand before the judgment seat of God to give account of all that we have done in our bodies. We will give account of every word spoken, of every thought and of every action. You will give account of how you did your job, of how you did your business, of how you treated your family members, of how you treated your employees and domestic staff, of the programs you watched; you will give account of every thing!

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil." And note, Hebrews 4:13 says, "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." What you do may escape the eyes of men, but it can never escape the eyes of God, whose eyes are everywhere!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Calling Of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 5 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Calling Of God

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

Amos reminds me of David. Psalm 78:70-72 says, "He (God) also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands."

It's an awesome privilege to be called and chosen by God to work for Him; what a great honour. In these last days, God is calling more and more people to work for Him in different capacities; He's calling people who never even dreamt that they would have anything to do with the ministry.

Is God calling you to work for Him? I wrote the following some years ago: "It is good to work for others, better to work for yourself, and best to work for God." Yes, that's true! There's no job in this world that's more rewarding! None at all. You're not only rewarded here, you'll also be rewarded in heaven! It doesn't matter what you're doing now; Peter and Andrew were fishermen, Matthew was a tax collector, yet God used them to change their world. Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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There Must Be Signs

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

There Must Be Signs

"Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased."
John 6:2 NKJV

Some people have tried to relegate signs and wonders and miracles to history; they say that it is not necessary in our day. But that's a lie! It has never been more necessary, in fact, we need them now, more than ever before.

Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Then the Bible says, "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."

Signs are a proof that the Lord is working with us. You see, we're not the ones doing the signs, it's the Lord; so when He's working with us as we preach, He confirms our words with signs. Much of the world will not be convinced by mere grammar! If we want our witnessing to be more effective, if we want to bear more fruit, then we must become hungry and believe for God to do signs, wonders and miracles as we proclaim His message.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Destined To Be Great

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 3 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Destined To Be Great

"Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly." Job 8:7 NKJV

Never predict your future with your past or your present, especially as a child of God. I don't care what your background was; I don't care how poor and insignificant you are now; it doesn't matter that you're struggling right now; your past and your present are not in anyway deciders of how your story will end: "Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly!" Amen.

God doesn't need ten years to turn things around: twenty four hours is sufficient. Genesis 26:12-13 says that Isaac sowed in the land of Gerar, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous! Wow! In the same year, he began to prosper; in the same year, he continued to prosper; and in the same year, Isaac became very prosperous!

Psalm 71:21 says, "You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side." Make it your confession for today.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Beyond Repentance

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 2 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Beyond Repentance

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
Matthew 3:11 NKJV

John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” And all Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. John was a powerful preacher. But he was quick to tell the people, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

What John offered was great, and it is essential; but repentance is just the first bus stop, and it's sad that a lot of believers have stopped there. Jesus came with something more amazing, He baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire! Hallelujah!

Jesus said to the disciples, "John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” And the Bible says that "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Glory to God!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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He's Awaiting Your Words

Spirit And Life Devotional
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

He's Awaiting Your Words

"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." Genesis 1:2 NKJV

To hover is to remain in the air, not moving in any direction, just waiting. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit was hovering over the face of the waters. Doing what? He was waiting for God to speak and set Him in motion.

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep, yet the Holy Spirit was there! Doing nothing, just hovering. Until God spoke, the Holy Spirit did nothing; until God spoke, nothing happened. Isaiah 34:16 reveals to us that when God gives an order, His Spirit acts upon it. It says, “Search from the book of the Lord, and read: not one of these shall fail; not one shall lack her mate. For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them."

The Holy Spirit is here with us today, just as He was with God in the beginning, and with Jesus when He was here on earth. You may have been wondering why things have remained the same despite the fact that the Holy Spirit is with you. He's awaiting your words! There was darkness until God said, "Let there be light". The moment God said it, the Holy Spirit swung into action and fulfilled the word of God. Hallelujah! Don't be quiet, be a talker! When you want something done, get the word of God into your mouth and speak it into existence! If you dare to say it, the Holy Spirit will bring it to pass. Amen

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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