Rest

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 29 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Rest

"For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: 'And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.'" Hebrews 4:4 NKJV

Is it not interesting that God Almighty, the Omnipotent One, the One Who neither slumbers nor sleep, took some time off work to rest? I think it is. He worked for six days, and then He rested on the seventh day.

Some people don't stop; they work Mondays to Saturdays; I've met people who work even on Sundays! What a life! There are those who don't do office work on weekends, but their weekends seem to be even busier than their week days; they are here and there; they find it difficult to stay still for up to four hours; they just don't rest.

Brothers and sisters, if God rested then we must realize our need for rest. A good rest enhances your productivity and improves your health. Find ways to relax: maybe you find staying at home boring; okay, there are many cool spots where you can go to, or hangout with your family members and friends. You just have to make resting one of your priorities.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Start A Church In Your House

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 28 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Start A Church In Your House

"To the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house." Philemon 1:2 NKJV

Not everyone wants to be called a pastor; the truth is that you don't have to be called one but that doesn't exempt you from fulfilling the great commission. Everyone of us was commanded by Jesus Christ to make disciples and to teach men the gospel. The first place to start is your neighbourhood.

Be willing and excited to have a house fellowship or cell in your house or anywhere around you that's convenient; get your friends and neighbours to attend and hear the gospel. There are people looking for ways to be a blessing to members of their community; giving people the opportunity to receive the gospel is the greatest good you can do for them, because the word of God is the power of God and the solution to all human needs.

And don't forget the members of your own household! Some of you don't take praying and studying the word of God with your family members seriously. They used to say that a family that prays together stays together. The more you fellowship together, the stronger the bond between you all gets. You are the priest in your home; you are the man and woman of God in that your compound.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Working With The Right Attitude

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 27 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Working With The Right Attitude

"Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." Titus 2:9-10 NKJV

I don't think that anyone will like to be called a bondservant today; employee or apprentice is a more acceptable term in our day. As Christian workers in any capacity, whether in the highest or lowest positions, there are certain expectations that we are meant to live up to.

Always remember that we exist for the glory of God. This truth is meant to guide you at all times. You and I are ambassadors of the word of God, we are living epistles; therefore, every action of ours should promote and glorify the word and should never bring it into disrepute.

God says to be obedient to your bosses; submit yourself to their authority; don't be rude to them; do your best to obey their rules and regulations; be a man and woman of integrity at work. If you serve well, you too will soon be served; if you humble yourself under others, God will surely elevate you to heights of authority and influence.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Spiritual Nourishment

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 26 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Spiritual Nourishment

"If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." I Timothy 4:6 NKJV

Nourishment refers to the food necessary for growth, health, and good condition. Jesus said that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. God's word, therefore, is the nourishment for our spirits.

1 Peter 2:2 says, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." First, you've got to know your true position; are you still a babe? Take milk. An adult? You need strong meat. Second, you've got to have a desire for nourishment. You've got to love the word of God the way some people love food. Spend time studying and meditating on the Scriptures.

Finally, ensure that you are nourishing yourself with good doctrines. This is very very important. There are some literatures you should not read; they are some people you should not listen to; and there are some centres you should not visit. Prioritize your spiritual well-being highly.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Trouble For Your Troublers

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 25 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Trouble For Your Troublers

"Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you." II Thessalonians 1:6 NKJV

“Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble" according to Job 14:1. Troubles are not good things; they make you feel worried and upset, they disturb and bother you, they cause pain and inconvenience you.

There are different types of troubles: some are not intentionally caused by anyone; while others are a direct result of wicked and evil actions of others against you. Paul said, "From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." (Galatians 6:17). Which means that you too can decide today that you have had enough of that trouble!

The Word of God tells us that it is a righteous thing for God to repay those who trouble us with tribulations! Sennacherib troubled the Israelites greatly; because of which King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, prayed and cried out to heaven. The Lord heard their prayers, and sent an angel who killed every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So Sennacherib returned shamefaced to his own land. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring killed him with a sword right inside there. Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Paying Attention To Your Ministry

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Paying Attention To Your Ministry

"And say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.'” Colossians 4:17 NKJV

To take heed is to pay attention. Paul told Archippus to take heed to his ministry so that he could fulfill it. In other words, you will only fulfill your ministry by paying attention to it. Receive wisdom in Jesus name. Amen.

Solomon said something very important that's applicable to all professions: "Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations." (Proverbs 27:23-24). You can't take your ministry for granted if you want to succeed at it. The same applies to your business and your job. You must pay continuous attention to it at all stages of it, else you risk losing it. Don't ever get to the point where you become too big to personally pay attention to your ministry!

You will not lose your ministry in Jesus name. Receive grace to fulfil it, in Jesus name. And I pray for your business; it will endure for several generations in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Using Your Spiritual Gifts

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Using Your Spiritual Gifts

"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:7 NKJV

It's clear from the scripture above that everyone of us has a gift. You've got to understand that. You see, you are not meant to be a bench warmer or an inactive member of church; there's a gift that was given to you for the benefit of the body of Christ. To not use it is to deny others of some kind of blessing.

Romans 12:6-8 says, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

I Corinthians 12:7-11 says, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Remembering The Poor

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 22 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Remembering The Poor

"They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do." Galatians 2:10 NKJV

Here's what Paul said: "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do."

It's noteworthy that the only request, wish, instruction, advice, or whatever you call it, that James, Peter and John, the most senior elders of the church then, gave to Paul when he met with them was that he should remember the poor. That was all! I can imagine the kind of advice older and senior pastors and leaders of churches and ministries give to the younger ministers today; they tell them every other thing except this.

We've got to understand what true Christianity is really about: it's about love. James put it this way: he said that faith without works is dead. And John said, "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." You and I, as individuals, ministers and ministries, must have a deliberate plan and programme for reaching out to the poor and needy among and around us.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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In The Presence Of The Most Powerful

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 21 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

In The Presence Of The Most Powerful

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

When people meet with a president, governor or any other powerful person they are very respectful. Do you know why? It's often because they know that that person has the power to grant their requests and to change their lives.

But what those powerful men can do for you is limited. We don't need to argue about the fact that they cannot do everything for you even if they wanted to: but the Bible says that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask Him or imagine!

But do we maximize the opportunity of being in His presence? How do we comport ourselves in His presence? Do we go to His presence with expectations? Do we approach Him with an attitude that pleases and delights Him?

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Stand Fast In Your Liberty

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 20 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Standing Fast In Your Liberty

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 NKJV

Christ made us free! Hallelujah! And he who the Son sets free is free indeed. We are free indeed! Amen!

But there are some teachers who try so hard to enslave us again and again. They dig up stuff from the Old Testament and from their own imaginations and attempt to force us to obey such doctrines: they want us to believe that we will be cursed if we don't obey, or that God will be unhappy with us if we don't adhere to their teachings; or they offers us promises of more blessings if we give them money at a particular season or for some special people, places or projects.

The Bible says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Manifested Life Of Christ In Us

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 19 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Manifested Life Of Christ In Us

"Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." II Corinthians 4:10 NKJV

When something manifests, it becomes clear and obvious. Something that is manifested is not hidden. So when we talk about the life of Christ being manifested in our bodies, we're talking about it being evident to all that we are living with a superior and supernatural life here on earth.

We all, that is Christians, have the life of God in us. We received it when we were born again. The Bible says that we were born again by an incorruptible seed. But it is obvious that the life of Christ is not yet manifested in a lot of us, that's why there's no difference between a lot of us and the world. We are afflicted with the same viruses, sicknesses and diseases as them!

But when that divine life is manifested in you, everyone can tell that you are different. It wouldn't matter how many mosquitoes bite you, you still would not be afflicted with malaria! Romans 8:11 says, "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." May the life of Christ be activated in your physical body in the name of Jesus!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Practising Love

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Practising Love

"Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being." I Corinthians 10:24 NKJV

I shared on Facebook my experience with a lady: she said to me, "I don't want to be rich, I just want God to bless me and my husband with money to buy a car, to send our children to school and to live well." My response to her was that she was selfish. There are beggars and needy people in the world, who will provide for them?

God doesn't answer such prayers because it is contrary to His will. What's God's will? "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being." But instead of seeking the wellbeing of others, that lady was being selfish.

Love is probably one of the most used words in the world, but it is about the least practised act. Aren't we all being lovers of ourselves as Jesus said predicted? How often do we go out of our ways to make sacrifices for others? If we really can do all things then we must love people genuinely. To love is being like God.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Relying On His Mercy

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Relying On His Mercy

"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy." Romans 9:16 NKJV

Jesus spoke a parable of a rich fool: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’"

Here's the point: the rich man relied on his own will and ability instead of the grace and mercy of God. He had the ability to do all he said quite alright, but he didn't have power over every other factor, including his life.

That you are able to do something doesn't mean that you should rely solely on your wisdom, connection and ability; that would be foolishness! Not everything is within your control; not everything happens the way we expect it to happen; we must therefore always rely on God for His grace and mercy.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Speaking With Tongues

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Speaking With Tongues

"And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied." Acts 19:6 NKJV

The evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit is speaking with other tongues. There are people who want us to believe otherwise, but they are wrong. Read the Bible, from the beginning, that is the day of Pentecost, men and women spoke with tongues when they received the Holy Spirit.

There are two types of tongues: tongues of men and tongues of angels. Tongues of men are human languages. The Holy Spirit can enable a person to speak with languages that he never learned or knew how to speak before. That's what happened on the day of Pentecost. Tongues of angels are heavenly languages. This one no man understands. They are understood only by God and the angels, except they are being interpreted by one with a gift of interpretation.

1 Corinthians 14:4 says that he who speaks with tongues edifies himself. So how often do you edify yourself by speaking with tongues? You've got to make speaking with tongues a habit in order to be constantly energized.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Believe In Your Dream

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 15 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Believe In Your Dream

"For even His brothers did not believe in Him." John 7:5 NKJV

Have you had a similar experience before? I have. I've had very close people who didn't believe in me and didn't support my vision. Some still don't; I don't hate or dislike them, but I have learned to do without them. In other words, I don't let whatever they think affect me; they are entitled to their own opinions; they are free to think whatever they like, but I remain focused on my dreams, my visions and my assignment; and I surround myself with people who believe in me.

Let me tell you now; not everyone will believe in you; not everyone will be as excited as you are about what you are passionate about; not everyone will support you, especially in the beginning: I've heard many successful people say that some of their parents didn't support them when they started, until when they began to notice some success.

Choose not to be distracted by your doubters. It is said that the father of the guys who invented the first successful plane, Wilbur and Orville Wright, didn't think that God wanted men to fly. He said that if God wanted men to fly He would have given us wings. But the brothers weren't dissuaded; and because they believed in the importance of what they were doing, they succeeded and will never be forgotten for as long as the world exists.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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A Strong Desire For His Presence

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 14 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

A Strong Desire For His Presence

"And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way." Luke 19:3-4 NKJV

Jesus was passing through Jericho. In Jericho was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and a rich man. Zacchaeus had heard a lot about Jesus, so much that he sought to see Who Jesus was. But Zacchaeus was of short stature, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to see Jesus because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him.

A rich man would normally have arranged for a private meeting with Jesus; he would have sent his personal assistants to invite Jesus for a private dinner at his house. But not Zacchaeus; he was a very humble man; he didn't care about what people were going to say about him; he wasn't bothered about what the newspaper headlines would be; his desire to see Jesus was very strong, it was all that mattered to him.

Psalm 42:1-2 says, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" God is looking for men and women who are hungry for His presence. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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There's Something For You To Do

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 13 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

There's Something For You To Do

"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

Even Paul who had been persecuting the Church knew immediately that there was something he had to do for Jesus; he knew that he must have been divinely visited for a reason.

And Jesus too, already had an assignment for him, even before he asked. Jesus didn't say, "Em, let Me think about it and see if there's something for you to do"; no, Jesus knew exactly what Paul was supposed to do, and may I add that He knew what Paul was supposed to do even before the foundations of the earth were laid! And that's because our existence isn't a surprise to Him; He has plans for each and every one of us. Hallelujah!

So you've got to discover exactly what He saved and called you for. Maybe He wants you to reach out to people in the corporate world; or to the political class. Maybe He wants you in a particular state or country for a specific assignment. Or maybe He wants to use you to solve a specific problem. You've got to find it. Jesus said to the apostles, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain." Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Sin And Problems

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 12 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Sin And Problems

"Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, 'See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.'” John 5:14 NKJV

A lot of us don't realize the effects of sin on our lives; we like to trace our problems to witches and wizards in our villages, we blame other people and several factors for the problems in our lives; but what if it's our sins that are responsible?

Jesus made the man well, but later warned him that he could lose his healing, and not only that; Jesus told him that something worse than what he was delivered of could happen to him if he went back to a life of sin. That tells me that sin opens up doors of problems and challenges to a man's life; it tells me that sin robs us of whatever blessings that we receive from God!

Is that why Christians are sick, broke and afflicted? Maybe! Brothers and sisters, let's choose to live a life of holiness and righteousness. The truth is that we can't keep expecting to enjoy the blessings of God if we continue to live in sin. Jesus set us free from sin and the effects of sin; let us therefore live a life well pleasing unto Him.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Doing Ministry As Jesus Did

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 11 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Doing Ministry As Jesus Did

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people." Matthew 4:23 NKJV

Jesus went about teaching, preaching and healing. You see, one without the other is incomplete! But what do a lot of us do today? We are teaching and preaching, and motivating people, but not healing sicknesses and diseases. That's not what Jesus did; why then are we not ministering like Him.

I'm not referring to only pastors here; I'm talking to every child of God: when you go out for evangelism do you heal the sick? Jesus' instructions were quite clear: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 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.” (Mark 16:15, 17-18)

You've got to determine to do ministry as Jesus did. Ministry is actually a lot easier when we minister with the power of God. The earnest of the creature await the manifestation of the sons of God.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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How Great Is Your Love?

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 10 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

How Great Is Your Love?

"To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless." I Corinthians 4:11 NKJV

I hear people say, "I have to look good, drive a good car and be rich so that when I preach the gospel people will believe." We are in a world full of vain people; a lot in church are also vain and materialistic! What a shame.

When did being a true Christian or being a true minister of the gospel have anything to do with being rich? Does God make rich? Yes. Does God want us to be rich? Yes. But are riches a measurement of faith, a qualification, or a criterion for ministry and service? The answer is No!

Apostle Paul wrote many of the verses many of us use in believing for financial blessings, yet the man said that he was hungry, thirsty, poorly clothed, beaten and homeless! Yet he continued to preach the gospel and live for Christ. The man was not motivated by material things; his love for God had nothing to do with whatever he could or would receive from God; he was not interested in using God or ministry to meet his needs, but in God using him to save more and more people. His love for God was great, sincere and unconditional!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Doing Only The Perfect Will Of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Doing Only The Perfect Will Of God

"Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him." Numbers 22:22 NKJV

Balak wanted Balaam to curse the people of God because he was afraid of them. Balaam sought the will of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” Now that was God's perfect will concerning that situation, and it was enough for all time.

But after Balaam refused to go to Balak the first time, Balak sent more superior men to him, with a much bigger offer to persuade him to come. Now, all Balaam needed to do was to say that he wasn't going with them based on the perfect will of God that was revealed to him; but he went back to God the second time, probably hoping to hear something different. Well, he did hear a different word; God said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.”

Balaam got both the perfect and permissive wills of God, but he would have also gotten death for not sticking to the perfect will of God because an angel would have killed him on his way to Balak. Here's the lesson: it pays to do only the perfect will of God concerning any situation. You may cry, and make God change His mind, but you can be sure that whatever you get as a result of God's permissive will, will never be as good as what you would have gotten as a result of His perfect will. God's perfect will is always the best for us. It is wisdom to stick to His perfect will.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Life Of Christ In Us

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 8 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Life Of Christ In Us

"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." I John 4:9 NKJV

In Galatians 2:20, Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." A lot of us haven't really understood this revelation and aren't always conscious of it.

The man said that it was no longer him that lived! He said that the life which he lived, he lived by the faith of the Son of God! He said that Christ was living in him! Those are powerful truths right there. God sent His Son not only to die for us, but also that we might live through Him. Please take time to meditate on this.

Brothers and sisters, I put it to you that we are not ordinary people. Stop seeing yourself as ordinary; stop thinking that you are subject to the same things as other men and women who aren't born again! There's a special kind of life in you that is divine, and greater than the normal human life; it is the very life of Christ! And that's why you should think differently, speak differently, and act differently from the rest of the world! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Submitting To The Elders

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 7 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Submitting To The Elders

"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'” I Peter 5:5 NKJV

To submit is defined thus: "to accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person." Another dictionary says that it is "to yield to the authority, control, or choice of another."

You see, submission is a choice. True, it's possible to be forced or coerced into submission, but that's not what it is in the house of God; God's will is for us to submit willingly and wholeheartedly to those who are ahead of us.

Who's a proud man? He's one who refuses to submit to authority. A proud man feels too big, too important to submit himself or herself to someone else. A proud man likes to be the one that others submit to, ignoring the fact that he must first submit himself to others before God will lift him up to a position of authority. Many men have gone to start up their own churches and businesses because they refused to submit to those they were under; but God resists the proud and He gives grace to the humble.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Recognize The Gift Of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 6 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Recognize The Gift Of God

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.'” John 4:10 NKJV

The gift of God that Jesus was referring to was Himself. You've got to understand this very important truth. God's servants are gifts to you and to humanity. But a lot of us fail to realize this, and so we lose and do not benefit from the graces upon their lives.

The woman in Shunem recognized the gift of God. The Bible says that when Elisha went to Shunem, where she lived, she persuaded him to eat some food. She made it a custom; as often as Elisha passed by, he would visit her house to eat some food. The woman then said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.”

That's a woman who recognized the gift of God; read 2 Kings and you will she how blessed she became and the miracles and favours that she received from God as a result of her recognition of the gift of God in the person of prophet Elisha. Be wise.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Year Of Actualization

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 5 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Year Of Actualization

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:3

As soon as I began to seek the will of the Lord concerning this New Year in November 2015, I saw everything coming together. It was like a gathering; everything, from everywhere, coming together. That's the best way I can explain it. But here's what it means: it signified that those things I had always dreamed about were about to be actualized and everything I need for the vision to be actualized has been made available. Hallelujah!

Every vision has its time. Every assignment; every purpose has its time; but there is what the Bible calls an end. You are not meant to carry that dream or vision with you into the grave, no, there is an end when it is supposed to speak; a time when it comes alive; a time for its actualization. Habakkuk says that time will surely come.

I've had a vision for ten years! Waiting for ten years is not that easy; there were times I wanted to start, there were times I was angry and frustrated because I didn't understand why I still had to wait! But if Jesus waited for thirty years, come on, what's ten years? If Moses was made to wait for forty years before his dream of rescuing his people could be actualized, then ten years is nothing.

Do you have dreams and visions you would love to see actualized? Key into this! This year is the year of actualization; they shall all come to pass in the name of Jesus! Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Inspiration Of The Almighty

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Inspiration Of The Almighty

"And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” John 7:15 NKJV

In this day and age of endorsements, awards and recognitions, people feel proud to be given awards, to have titles and to be identified with certain associations. Those things are okay, but there's a danger of us losing focus of what really matters.

Jesus did not go to school! Yet, He was known for being very wise. His words made people marvel! He was wiser than the professors of His day, even they were astonished by His wisdom. It's okay to acquire degrees, you really can't do without them in certain fields, but in all your getting, as a child of God, ensure that you have what truly matters. Knowledge fails, you know.

Elihu said to his older friends and to Job, in Job 32:6-8: “I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, and dared not declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding." Hallelujah! Is that same Spirit always at work in you?

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Ultimate Secret Of Success

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Ultimate Secret Of Success

"Then the Lord appeared to him and said: 'Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you." Genesis 26:2 NKJV

You must have heard or read quite a lot of success secrets by now; I teach them too, and yes some of what you've heard or read are true and scriptural. I encourage you to put them all into practice so that you can succeed.

But there's one secret of success that I call the ultimate secret of success; you can call it the mother of all secrets; it's listening to God and obeying His instructions. It's so important and key that Jesus Himself did nothing until He had heard from the Father.

To succeed in 2016, you must decide to be more attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in you. And that means that you must spend good time in prayer always and meditate on the word. It's not old-fashioned to seek God's will concerning investments, job selection, marriage, etc; it is actually a must if you want success without stress. You will excel in life in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Delighting In The Word

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Delighting In The Word

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." Psalms 1:2 NKJV

Have you met someone who loves movies, or football? If they had their way they could sit down watching movies or football games all day! I know a guy who had a full exercise book for all games played by Manchester United Football Club; in it were scores and other data about the club for over five years! I don't think I've met anyone more passionate about football or a team, than him. That's what it means to delight yourself in something.

Are you sincerely delighting yourself in the word of God? Tell me, how often do you read the Bible? And when you do read it, do you read it as an obligation or with passion? Does reading and meditating on the Scriptures excite you? Does sharing it with others make you feel fulfilled and satisfied? David said that he rejoiced at the word as one that found a great spoil!

Psalms 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Comfort Of The Scriptures

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 1 February 2016
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Comfort Of The Scriptures

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4 NKJV

Words are powerful; they can heal, they can destroy; words can inspire and motivate people to achieve great deeds, words can inflict pain; and words can affect a person's perception of himself. But words, even though they are powerful, their impact on your life or on your circumstances depend on how you receive them.

Let me explain: the Bible says in Hebrews that the word received did not profit the hearers because they did not receive it with faith. A word is effective only if you believe it and receive it with joy. You've got to submit yourself to the word; you've got to give the word the permission it needs to operate in your life and on your behalf.

The word of God gives comfort; hallelujah! When you are overwhelmed by the challenges of life; when your heart has been broken; when you are in a state of confusion; when you need answers to issues of life; the word of God is there for comfort. Maybe you have a friend or client who has gone through tough and rough times, and you're wondering what to say to them; check the word! There's a word in there for them. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 says, "Therefore comfort one another with these words." Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56