Remember The Day

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

Remember The Day

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

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

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

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

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Life Is More Than Food And Clothing (2)

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

Life Is More Than Food And Clothing (2)

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Life Is More Than Food And Clothing (1)

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

Life Is More Than Food And Clothing (1)

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

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Unchanging Nature of God

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

The Unchanging Nature Of God

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Called To Be Fishers Of Men

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

Called To Be Fishers Of Men

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Prayer Answering God

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

Prayer Answering God

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Lovers of Money

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

Lovers Of Money

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Loving Your Neighbour As Yourself

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

Loving Your Neighbour As Yourself

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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It Is For Your Own Good

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

It Is For Your Own Good

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Give Me Success This Day

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

Give Me Success This Day

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Obey God's Instructions

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

Obey God's Instructions

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Use Me

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

Use Me

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Loving The Word

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

Loving The Word

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Introduction of Prophetic Declarations To Spirit & Life Devotionals

Introduction of Prophetic Declarations To Spirit & Life Devotionals

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

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

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

Prophetic Declaration For Today

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

Deliverance From Oppressors

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

Deliverance From Oppressors

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Not Time To Die

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

Not Time To Die

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Total Surrender

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

Total Surrender

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Power Of Your Love

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

The Power Of Your Love

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Giant Killers

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

Giant Killers

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

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Astonishing Miracles

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

Astonishing Miracles

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Pray And Act

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

Pray And Act

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Pleasing The Lord Always

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Pleasing The Lord Always

"Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him." II Corinthians 5:9 NKJV

Brothers and sisters, true Christianity is not about pleasing ones self, but about pleasing the Lord. That's what it's really all about. The day pleasing the Lord is no longer our primary objective, then it has ceased being Christianity! All our words, actions and thoughts must be to please the Lord. Teachers too must teach constantly on the need and importance of us pleasing the Lord: you know, we were actually created for His pleasure.

Here's what Paul wrote to the Colossians: "For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things– That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]." Colossians 1:9-10 AMP

Here's what he also wrote to the Thessalonians: "Brothers and sisters, now I have some other things to tell you. We taught you how to live in a way that will please God. And you are living that way. Now we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live that way more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:1 ERV

It's my prayer that you will always be pleasing to the Lord. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Shake It Off

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 9 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Shake It Off

"But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm." Acts 28:5 NKJV

Apostle Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, when a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. Paul was not in any way terrified, he simply shook off the creature into the fire, and he suffered no harm. The people who saw what happened kept watching him, expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god! Haha! Hallelujah!

What has fastened itself on you? Sickness? Disease? A sore? Poverty and lack? Pain? What's that thing that has been on you, whether on your hands, legs, chest, your body, your mind; that is making you uncomfortable, making life miserable for you, making you have sleepless nights?

Do you know that it doesn't have to be on you? Do you know that it has no right to be on you? Do you know that it has no power at all over you? Do you know that it can be off your life if you command it to get off? Do you know that you can be free of it in less than an hour? Yes! When I used to be sick, I would get up in faith and go and play football, and the sickness would vanish! I shook sickness off my body! That was over twelve years ago! You too can exercise your faith today, and just shake whatever shouldn't be there, off into the fire! Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Law Of Partnership

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 8 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Law Of Partnership

"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you." Leviticus 26:8 NKJV

From the very beginning, God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Our mind immediately thinks about marriage when we read this particular verse of the Bible, but it's much more than that; it's applicable to nearly all aspects of a man's life, women too of course; it is not good for a man to be alone.

Think about it; Jesus was God on earth; He was mightily anointed, filled with the fullness of God, His words alone could do many wonders, angels were at His beck and call, but it's quite interesting that Jesus still chose 12 disciples to be with Him and to work with Him. And we see in scriptures Jesus sending them to preach and to teach, and to heal the sick.

Partnership multiplies results. Normally, if five will chase a hundred, then hundred should chase two thousand: but the Bible says that a hundred will chase ten thousand! I don't know if the scientists have laws, principles and formulas that can explain such results! It's simply amazing! That's an idea of what can happen when we join forces and team up to fulfill the assignments given to us by God.

Let me use this as an opportunity to encourage you to consider partnering with me in furthering the gospel. We're printing and distributing hard copies of the devotional free to some people in prisons, hospitals, parks, schools, football fields, etc, as a means of getting them saved and delivered. God will bless you as you do.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Don't Be Idle

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 7 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Don't Be Idle

"One day Ruth, the Moabite, said to Naomi, 'I think I will go to the fields. Maybe I can find someone who will be kind to me and let me gather the grain they leave in their field.' Naomi said, 'Fine, daughter, go ahead.'" Ruth 2:2 ERV

It is said that an idle mind is the devil's workshop. Global unemployment rates are quite high that's why there are so many evils. But it's not just about the evils associated with idleness, idleness is not in anyway encouraged, especially for the children of God.

We're looking unto Jesus, right? Jesus was a very hardworking Man while here on earth. And that's why the Pharisees disliked Him, because He refused to be idle even on the Sabbath days. Jesus said, “My Father never stops working, and so I work too.” John 5:17. You see, even God never stops working! So if we're His children, we too must love and enjoy working.

Refuse to be idle. That there's no job is not an excuse to be idle! There might be no job, but there's always work. You may not be able to create a job, but you can create work for yourself by solving problems for other people with your skills, talents and ideas! And then you can grow to create employment for others.

May you find favour in the name of Jesus. As you step out, men and women will be willing to help and patronize you, in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Called To Teach

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 6 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Called To Teach

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food." Hebrews 5:12 NKJV

Just before Jesus left the earth, He gave us what is called The Great Commission. He said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Everyone one of us was commissioned to teach. And we must all understand how important the teaching ministry is. Jesus, while He was here, spent a lot of time teaching. The Holy Spirit is also called a Teacher. But we don't start as teachers; we are first students. To be a great teacher, you must first be well taught. There's a problem though, when people remain students forever.

Wise people keep learning until they die; but a time must come when you are fit to teach others. Some people don't even know the basics of the faith despite being saved for years! So what have you been learning? Movies or fashion? Come on! It's OK for a baby to suck milk from his mother's breasts for a while, but as the baby grows, he stops sucking and begins to eat solid foods. That's what God expects of us; that we should all grow up strong and sound in faith and to fulfill our responsibilities. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Praying For Increased And Greater Impact Of The Gospel

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Praying For Increased And Greater Impact Of The Gospel

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you." II Thessalonians 3:1 NKJV

In only two years, Apostle Paul and his team of a few men preached the gospel, "so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." The Bible says that the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed!

How is it that Paul was able to achieve such a remarkable result when despite the fact that there are so many professing Christians today, there are still lots of people who haven't heard the gospel? We've got the technology, we've got better education, we too have the Holy Spirit!

The harvest is still plenty! Make no mistake about it; there are still many remote areas yet to receive the gospel; there are also nations with devilish policies that have prevented the penetration of the gospel: that's why we've got to pray. We've got to pray for speedy growth of the gospel; we've also got to pray that the gospel that is preached have greater impact on the lives of the hearers. We don't want the gospel falling by the wayside, on rocks and among thorns; we want the gospel to be sown in good soils as the gospel is being preached. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Able For The Work

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Able For The Work

"And their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God." I Chronicles 9:13 NKJV

Proverbs 20:29 says that "The glory of young men is their strength." Now, being young has nothing to do with ability: at eighty five Caleb was still doing exploits! He said to Joshua: "As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in."

You've got to get yourself involved in whatever work that's being done in the kingdom. Don't be the one to always give excuses. Don't see yourself as being incapable either. God has graced you with sufficient wisdom, unction and abilities to do whatever service He's leading you to do.

You are able! Yes, you are. God said to Jeremiah: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,' says the Lord." Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Meeting Kingdom Needs

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Meeting Kingdom Needs

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

There was a need: a multitude of people pressed about Jesus to hear the word of God, Jesus, standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, saw two boats standing by the lake; He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. The Bible lets us know that Peter got his reward immediately Jesus was done teaching the people.

There are always needs in the kingdom of God here on earth; and you've got to realize that every need is an opportunity to be blessed. Things did not go well for Peter the night before Jesus used his boat, but there was an immediate turnaround as soon as he solved a problem for the Lord.

Maybe there's a need in your life; is there something not working? Is there something that you want the Lord to fix for you? Your children, your marriage, your job, your business, etc? Try meeting a need in the kingdom. Hebrews 6:10 says that God is not unjust to forget whatever we do for Him. Sometimes the rewards are instant, and at other times they come later; whatever the case, keep meeting the needs of the kingdom because you will surely be rewarded. Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Doing Good To The Glory Of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 2 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Doing Good To The Glory Of God

"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17 NKJV

We were called by God to do good. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Even Jesus went about doing good.

Now, Apostle James said that it is a sin to know to do good and not to do that good. If we were called to good, then it means that we know what is good; the Holy Spirit will always show us ways we can do good; but if we don't do those good works, we are sinning!

Wondering how many of us are innocent. When last did you support a worthy cause financially? When last did you do good to someone? When last did you provide for the needy? When was the last time you assisted the disabled and the fatherless? If Jesus went about doing good, then we too should be known for doing good. The Bible says that the strong should support the weak, it says that we should bear one another's burdens. With whatever God has blessed you, physical strength, financial strength, intellectual strength, etc, use it to do good, to the glory of God.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Understanding Miracles

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 1 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Understanding Miracles

"So the man of God said, 'Where did it fall?' And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float." II Kings 6:6 NKJV

I asked Google if iron can float on water; he's the first response I got: "A block of wood will float, but a lump of iron exactly the same size will sink. This is because a piece of wood of a certain size weighs less than the same volume of water, so wood floats on water. However, iron is much heavier than either wood or water." Iron floating on water was a miracle!

The common Hebrew word for miracle is nes ( נס ), which translates as something that is raised up or elevated. So a miracle is an elevated and elevating event. It is something extraordinary that happens, where we see God's hand clearly. In English, a miracle is defined as an event not explicable by natural or scientific laws; an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. A miracle is an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God. 

God did so many miracles in Bible days, both in the Old and New Testaments: John 20:30 says that a lot of them were not even recorded! Our God is a God of miracles, never to be limited by natural, scientific or any other known laws. For with God, nothing shall be impossible. Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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