THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, January 1
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Ezra 7:9 NKJV "On the first day of the first month he began his journey..."

As I closed my eyes to begin to pray and worship in church sometime in December last year, I was shown a vision of open doors. There were so many open doors before me than I could count. The verse that came to mind right after the vision was Revelations 3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."

Right there and then I knew what 2014 would be: The Year Of Open Doors! Hallelujah!

On this first day of the first month of the year 2014, we have begun a journey through countless open doors! In 2014, you will not struggle or beg to gain access because the doors have already been opened in the name of Jesus!

To do: Thank God for your open doors; ask Him to anoint your eyes to see your open doors, and to give you faith to walk through every open door.

Welcome to 2014: The Year Of Open Doors! Happy New Year!

PREPARING WELL FOR THE NEW YEAR

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, December 28
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

PREPARING WELL FOR THE NEW YEAR

James 4:3 NKJV "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."

As years end, we make plans for the new one; we also begin to make our requests known to God in prayer. I hope you have begun to do that: don't start the year without plans and expectations; start now if you haven't.

But to ask God for something is one thing, to receive from Him is another. Also, it's one thing to make plans, and another for you to achieve them. As we have read, one major reason why we don't receive from God is because we want to spend on OUR pleasures instead of HIS own pleasures. Prayer and fasting with wrong motives is a waste of time! So you desire that 2014 be a better year; why? Just so you can have more members in your church or fellowship and be more famous, increase the finances and capabilities, and probably earn more respect? Or so you can have more money to do whatever you want whenever you want and be more recognised in society? They may not be bad reasons; but do you think they are projects God would consider financing?

We were created for God's pleasure and for His glory. In other words, your first priorities should be to please God and to glorify Him. To receive swiftly from God, attach God-pleasing/glorifying motives to your requests and goals. Let pleasing and glorifying God be the foundation upon which every other thing is done. Not only that, beyond making requests that please God, let Him also be pleased with you! All things were commanded to hear Jesus because God was pleased with Him. Do as I've advised.