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	January 1
The Making of a Champion

1 Corithians 3:13-15

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

What makes a champion?
Champions are people who made the mark and got the prize. Not everyone who expended energy in a race wins.
The winners of the prize are the ones who compete by the rules, endure to the end and hit the mark.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain (1 Cor 9:24)

Quitters are not even included in the equation.
Since you know that your works will be tested, what adjustments can you make to ensure that you become a champion in this life? What do you need to do to earn a commendation and a crown of achievement from the Father for completing the task assigned to you on earth; to hear the Lord say СWell done good and faithful servant?Т
The good news is everyone can be a champion in Jesus.

Look out for the topics from СThe making of a ChampionТ series every 1^st and 15^th of each month

Pastor Rachel

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	January 2
Be Diligent

Nehemiah 2: 1-6

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (Proverbs 22:29)

Nehemiah must have been a diligent worker, blessed with favour as a shield (Psalm 5:12). This is because, on the day he was making the request, the queen just happened to be there (v.6)!
Now, if the queen had previously observed him as a sloppy person, not worthy of the kingТs attention, not to mention the extra request he was making, then she would have offered her contrary input
Psalm 37:4 says to Сdelight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heartТ. Nehemiah did not even have to come out openly with his request. Because he focused on what was important to God, delighting in the LordТs house, God granted him through the king, the desires of his heart.
There are kings today, waiting to be the channel (not source) of blessings in your life. It would appear that the kingТs sole purpose was to dispense favour to Nehemiah because after this incident, he is not really mentioned anywhere else.
God has kings at His disposal that He has reserved for us. They are to bless us each step of the way. We have boldness and access to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in times of need. Only serve the Lord!

Are you showing forth diligence in your work today?

Can people other than your primary СbenefactorТ see that?

Ask God for favour today so that those who are close to your benefactors do not have an evil report of your testimony.

Work today as unto the Lord.

Bro Ted

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	January 3
A Time to be Quiet

Nehemiah 2: 9-19

Nehemiah was humble and wise in the use of the authority and favour that God had given him, through the king.
When he got to Jerusalem (v.12) he did not tell anyone what God had put on his mind to do. There is a time and a place to declare GodТs glory and there is a Сhow toТ in executing GodТs will. He went alone at night to do the inspections.
Sometimes we get a glimpse of the goodness and favour of God towards us and we begin to flaunt it before it truly blossoms.
Nehemiah was different. He was a meticulous planner and executioner. This is shown in his reaction to the news of the ruins, in how he prayed and fasted and in how he handled the initial visit to Jerusalem.
Even after he told his brethren what the Lord had done through the king, he still did not flaunt if before the enemies i.e. Sanballat and his friends.
This is because, in v.19, we see Sanballat and his friends accusing them, Сwhat is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?Т In his response, Nehemiah did not specifically say that they had letters from the king that authorised the work, granted free materials and even physical protection (v.9).

How much of your premature plans are you sharing with others?

Who are you confiding in?

Is the listener a faith-builder?

Even nature tells us that there is an incubation period before the manifestation. Exposing the larvae too soon might mean you will never have a butterfly. Before you share that thought, strategy or plan with someone else today, ask yourself СЕ what will go wrong if I do not share my plans with this person?Т

Bro Ted

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	January 4
Act Today

2 Peter 1:3

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

In 2 Peter 1:3, Peter reminds us that GodТs divine power has given us everything that we need for life and godliness, but do we really have them? How evident are these in our lives?
The Bible tells us that since the days of John the Baptist up till now, the kingdom of God suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force (Matt11:12). Not everything, infact, very few things will come our way just by themselves.
Even the laws of physics teach that everything is in a state of inertia until it is impacted by an equal or greater force (velocity and mass). So, why do we as Christians want to wait for things to just happen by themselves?
Jacob was not like that. He was a determined man. He was ready to take his destiny and make it happen for him. Jacob was never one to let an opportunity pass by. Why should you?

In what aspect of your life are you procrastinating?

Where do you need to make a move today to make something happen for you?

Nothing just happens on its own. Ask God for strength and courage to rise up and ACT today. Remember, СЕ the violent take it by forceТ.

Pastor Rachel

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	January 5
Pursuit

Mark 6:53-56

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went-into villages, towns or countryside-they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Jesus was recognized by people as having power to heal and to perform other miracles. Not every one recognized or acknowledged that ability in him but many who did, desired to receive a miracle or healing.
Many begged him to let them touch the edge of his garment. All who touched were made whole. Many desired to touch so they could receive. They knew what their desire was and they identified the way to receive it.
They desired to follow the Way. But there were obstacles such as crowds, traditions, fear of the religious leaders, etc.
We see that those who pressed to touch or gain his attention had their needs met Ц the paralytic who had his friends remove the roof tiles to lower him to where Jesus was (Mark 2:4-5) and the woman with the issue of blood who pressed through the crowd to touch his garment (Mark 5:25-30).
Pursuit is indeed the proof of desire. When you have identified the way to achieve your goal, you must press into it, to make it a reality and not leave it at the stage of wishful thinking (Matt 11:12).

Pastor Rachel

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	January 6
Discretion

John 7:4

No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret

This is a fallacy and is not of God. It was stated by people who were mocking the way that Jesus was leading and planning his mission.
God hides us while He is preparing us for the work (Isaiah 49:2).
He told Joseph to take baby Jesus to Egypt to hide out for a while. He did not expose His messiah to unnecessary danger. Neither did He make clear the salvation plan to the enemy:

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor2:8)

Even Jesus acted discretely. An insider had to reveal his schedule and location to those who wanted to kill him, though it was part of his purpose that he be apprehended (Mark14:21).
We must be careful about sharing our vision and purpose especially our plans. Share with people who appreciate and who have a part in fulfilling your purpose just like God did.
He revealed to the prophets His plan for salvation through the ages to set the stage for the appearance of the Son and though the enemy was snooping around all through the ages, he still could not decode GodТs plan, but he recognized the messiah.

Pastor Rachel

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	January 7
The Importance of the Transfiguration Experience

Matt 17:3

Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Acts 7:30-32

СAfter forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.

The Mount of Transfiguration is likened to a place where high powered meetings are held to get instruction, and direction concerning the affairs of your life and the world at large.
It is good to spend time on the Mount of Transfiguration because you need to get the instruction for your next assignment right. You need heavenТs glory to overshadow you and to anoint you for that task. You need to commune with heaven to prepare you for the challenge and glory ahead of you.
Communing with heaven to get instructions can be a very touching and sometimes spectacular experience in which you must bask. It is a good experience, and it gives you confidence that you have heavenТs backing on your assignment.
Moses got his own instruction from a burning bush. He held a discussion with the Lord God there. It was there that he got to know who the Lord God is, but he did not remain on that mountain forever.
He needed to make a journey back to Egypt to carry out the instructions he received from the high powered meeting where the direction for the affairs of the world and GodТs people were discussed!
So you have to move beyond getting the instruction to carrying out. DonТt stop at listening, move to complete the instruction (James 1:22).

Pastor Rachel

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	January 8
Worthy of His Calling/ A Prayer for You

2 Thess 1:11
with this in mind we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act that is prompted by your faith

This is how Paul prayed for the church in Thessalonica after he told them to expect the second coming of the Lord and judgment. I believe that this prayer still applies to those of us who still await the coming of the Lord today. Let us see what that prayer is all about.
СWorthy of callingТ that is, you may have done the things He called you to do excellently, without any part lacking or neglected; no stone left unturned- a job well done!
That the Lord's report on you on that day will be 'well done, good and faithful servant enter into your master's rest.Т ( Matt 25: 21)
СFulfilling purposeТ that is, you may realise that every purpose and dream is fulfilled only by His power, not by your power and might. God will establish the work of your hands (Psalm 89:17).
Every inspired dream, goal and action you take by faith will be actualised. God will honor your faith actions to glorify the name of Jesus and you in Him.
Pray the same prayer for yourself and the body of Christ today.

Pastor Rachel

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	January 9
The Fear of God-Reverent Submission

Heb 5:7

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Elijah obeyed the command of the Lord to deliver an unfavourable word to the king of Samaria who sent men to capture him (2 Kings1).
Elijah refused to go along with them and decreed their destruction. If I be a man of God let fire come down (v.10) and it did!
God honoured ElijahТs decree because of his submission to the call of God on his life and his obedience to the instruction.
Reverent submission comes with the fear of God. It is not being scared of God but having the utmost respect for the person of God, knowing that He is almighty and He cares. Whatever He tells you is usually for your own good and the good of mankind in general. Even when you cannot see the good immediately or you cannot make sense of the instruction right away.
Jesus was not heard because of his tears and shouting, all the outward signs of fervent prayer. He was heard because of his reverent submission

Pastor Rachel

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	January 10
Perseverance and Patience

2 Thess 1:4

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Heb 10:36

СFor you are in need of patience after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promiseТ

You need to give the Word time to produce in your life. There is no magical word but the miraculous name of Jesus.
God needs to also work on you so that you can handle the provision maturely and purposefully, so your success does not become an obstacle in your life. There is also timing and seasons for events with God.
Patience and perseverance have to do with calmly and assuredly waiting for God's promises to manifest. It is not putting up with mediocrity or the devil while hoping for the sweet bye and bye.

for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (2Tim1:12).

Pastor Rachel

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	January 11
Succumbing to Ungodly Pressure?

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Temptation to sin must come, but woe to that man through whom they come (Matt 18:7).
In 1 Sam 22:6-19, Saul wanted to kill the priest of the Lord, but his servants refused to put their hands to the sword because they would rather obey GodТs word СЕ touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harmТ (1 Chron. 16:22).
It took Doeg the Edomite, who presumably did not know or possibly care about the law of God, to slay the priests.
2 things really worth emphasizing are that:
The priests, at the risk to their lives, refused to succumb to ungodly pressure from Saul (v.14 Ц15).
The men who attended to Saul, the guards also refused to succumb to ungodly pressure (v.17)

Where are you succumbing to or resisting the devil today?

Bro Ted

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	January 12
Right Timing

John 7:1-6

Therefore Jesus told them, СThe right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.

If you do not have a purpose to fulfil and goals to pursue, then, anything goes.
Jesus told his brothers that timing was not crucial for them but he had to be sensitive to timing. He had to move with purpose and precision because his life was planned. Moreover, there were those who hated his mission and would like to put an end to it (v.1).
So, how fast people around him were moving or what they were doing and the level of their success did not matter to him. He could not let others dictate his schedule. He had to painstakingly follow the schedule the Father had planned for him. In John 4:34, Jesus said, СMy meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his workТ.
This should be an example for us to follow today; we must never run our race with other peopleТs clock and timing. Our own timing is with the Lord and we must seek to know and follow that.
Do not compare yourself with others, as this is not right because your call or timing is different from that of the other person. Therefore, the premise on which the comparison is based is wrong and not uniform in measure and thus is foolish.

Еbut they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (2 Cor 10:12).

Pastor Rachel

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	January 13
Put the Past Behind and Move On

Phil 3:12-14

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Do not look back at the past, thinking of it as better than your present; the way the Israelites constantly did.
They thought living in slavery was better than moving on to where God was bringing them simply because they met with obstacles on the way and because they had not seen what the Lord had in mind for them.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jer 29:11).

Although He had described the land as one flowing with milk and honey, they just could not perceive it.
It was the same way LotТs wife looked back in regret to the land of sin and iniquity from where the Lord had delivered her and her family and she became a statue. Thus she could not move on with the rest of her family because her heart was fixed on the past and possibly her belongings (Gen 19:26).
If God has asked you to leave things behind, do not fear; He is able to give you new and better things.
When you keep looking expectantly and steadfastly towards the mark set before you; that is, GodТs promise, word and prophecy given to you, then you will walk in it and enjoy the promise.

Pastor Rachel

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	January 14
The Cause of Captivity

Isaiah 50:1a

СThus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you?ЕТ

But this seems to contradict many passages that say СAnd the Lord sent them into captivityТ or СThe Lord gave them over to their enemiesТ.
Why then do God's people even get into captivity? СBecause of your sins you were sold; because of your transgression your mother was sent awayТ (Is 50:1b).
Continuous sin and transgression: breaking God's law and not working in His ways bring grave consequences that the Lord does not want His children to go through.
Remember that God did not intend for people to go to hell. Hell was made for the devil and his cohorts and all those who refused God's pardon (Matthew 25 :44, John 3:16-19)

Сwhen I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer?Т(v.2)

When you make yourself unavailable and you are uninterested in fulfilling His purpose for your life, then you send yourself into exile from Him and space is thereby created for people who will carry out His will.

You are the salt of the earth but if you loose your taste, then you are only fit to be trodden under foot. Isaiah 59:1-19 (please read) states that the Lord wants to save you from captivity but your un-atoned sins stand between you and him. СTheir feet run into sinЕ.Т (v.7). You make yourself unusable.
Your case can be different today if you reconsider your ways.

Pastor Rachel

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	January 15
Champions DonТt Make Rushed and Rash Decisions

Rev 13:7-8

All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast-all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

Champions do not make rushed and rash decisions. They do not make important decisions under pressure or when they are tired. They take time to consider the options and the consequences of their intended actions. They rely on the instruction of the Holy Spirit at the end of it all.
We understand that Jesus is the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world. His death was planned even before he appeared on earth.
God made the provision for redemption at the beginning of creation He did not panic and act under pressure when man fell because he already had all ends covered. He had predestined us before the foundation of the world to be His. God had everything planned out before he began.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, (Eph 1:11)

Think and plan ahead. Failure to plan is planning to fail.

(Excerpt from СThe Making of a ChampionТ)

Pastor Rachel

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	January 16
Cause of Captivity part two Ц Redemption

Isaiah 59:20

СAnd the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.Т

The redeemer will make atonement for the sins of those who believe God's report.

The punishment that brought us peace from oppression, sorrow, etc was placed upon Him (Isaiah 53:1-6). After you have accepted the atonement work of Christ, you must abstain from all appearances of evil.
Whilst continuous sins lead to captivity, repentance clears the obstacle between you and God's help.

СIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.Т (1 John 1:9)

After that, when a man purges himself of all those ungodly deeds (as outlined in Isaiah 59) then he will be vessel unto honour fit for the master's use and not be disgraced.

СTherefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.Т (2 Tim 2:21)

The latterТ refers to the sins and things that are listed in this chapter, which can bring dishonour and render one useless.

Do not run away so that God can find you at the crucial moment. Instead, do the things He tells you to do. Take the pains to listen, carry out instructions and obey despite inconveniences. Then you can boldly say you will not be disgraced (Isaiah 59:4&7).

Pastor Rachel
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January 17
Renewing your mind
Rom 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For you to grow in your Christian walk and live the life of a champion you must conform to the kingdom mode.

You cannot make any visible difference in the lives of the people of the world if there is no change in your life; if people cannot see God in you.

To become godly and to understand GodТs will you have to expose yourself daily to the Word, His presence and fellowship with the Holy Spirit and put what you learn to practice; do the word daily (James1:22).

It requires consistency, determination and being practical about your needs and schedule. You have to make room for God in your daily routine. Therefore, identify clutters and the not so important things you can eliminate.

Then the transformation process will begin to take place in you.

Pastor Rachel
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January 18
Abide in His presence and rule from there

Nehemiah 4: 22-23

There are times in our lives when we need to take our weapons even when going to get a drink of water. There are times when we need to be prepared on our side; even though the Lord fights for us.

In Psalm 110, David refers to the principle behind this when he said, СThe Lord says to my Lord. СSit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feetТ

Sitting at the right hand of God means being in the presence of God continually - which is what the people who were with Nehemiah were doing by taking the weapons to work.

As long as we take our place in prayers and hold on to the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, then in our day, just like in theirs, we will be carrying our weapons and will be in the presence of God.

Then, God begins to make our enemies our footstools. We must seek to dwell in GodТs presence in times like these.

It is when we are in GodТs presence that He begins to stretch out His strong scepter (of authority, of glory, of wisdom, of power) saying СRule in the midst of your enemiesТ (Ps110:2).

Are you clothed for the battle today as in Ephesians 6: 1-10?

Cultivate GodТs presence around you today. Pray, praise, speak in unknown tongues todayЕ

Cultivate His presence as you go about your daily routine today.
Bro Ted
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January 19
Finishing the race

2 Tim 4:7

СI have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.Т

Zechariah 4:9

СThe hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto youТ.

Finishing the work is also proof that God has sent you.

Jesus, Paul and a host of others started and finished the work committed into their care. It was not from a human viewpoint of completion but according to the design of Him who sent them. GodТs power and grace was upon them.

Jesus purpose on earth was to die as a sin offering for mankind. When he hung on the cross he knew his work had been completed so he said, Сit is finished!Т (John 19:30)

It is possible to start and finish your project because you are God's child and have His nature.

Purpose in your heart to always complete any God inspired project or work assigned to you. Completion brings satisfaction and encouragement to your heart.

Pastor Rachel
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January 20
Not by Power

Zechariah 4:6

С Not by might nor power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord almighty. What are you o mighty mountain before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.Т

Your God given assignment will require effort and cooperation from you, but you cannot muscle it into success. It takes GodТs grace and help from above to finish the race.

СWith this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.Т (2 Thess 1: 11)

Wait on the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and work through you so that you will not be expending power of the flesh.

Knowledge, expectation, faith, diligence, patience, reverence for God, obedience, and staying power are the basic things required of you ( Hebrews 4:6 & Ephesians 5:14-16).

Take every opportunity, work while it is still day, do not waste time, expect God to back up His work and do not entertain any fear.

When you are appropriately armed with these then you can be sure of finishing the race set before you.

Pastor Rachel
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January 21
Refuse Every Oppressive Request
1 Kings 20:2-22

And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad, Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine. (v.2-3)

The king of Syria, Ben-Hadad made a request of GodТs people that was meant to oppress them. It was the same type of request that Sennacharib king of Assyria, sent to Judah asking them to make a peace treaty with him; a treaty that involved displacing them from their inheritance and giving them a substitute.

Unfortunately, Ahab king of Israel, who was at that time, still in covenant with the God, was intimidated and he agreed for peace sake. If you consent to Сindecent proposalsТ and oppressive requests, your situation will only get worse, and there still will be no peace. In consenting, you show that you are a weakling and have no support from anywhere.

This is what happened in this case. In v.6, we see that the silver and other things were not what the oppressor was after in the first place. They were just tools to oppress and keep that kingdom in perpetual servitude. Because they succumbed to the first request, he boldly made another request

'Е I sent to demand your silver and gold, your wives and your children. But about this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything you value and carry it away.' (v.5-6)

This time king Ahab consulted with the elders, and they received a word from God, which gave them the assurance that God was with them, and the boldness to refuse the request.

God helped them to defeat their oppressive foes. God is forever looking out to show Himself strong on behalf of the righteous.(2 chron 16:9)

Pray that any one trying to put you in bondage and hoping to take away the joys of your life will meet their defeat and destruction.
Pastor Rachel
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January 22
By Many or Few

1 Sam 14:6

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

And the Lord gave the two, just two men; Jonathan and his armour bearer the victory over a whole army!

God is not expecting you to work with the majority vote or opinion; He wants you to choose His instruction for yourself. One with the Lord is majority. He will not wait for a whole city or clan to be saved before He begins to move.

He was ready to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if He found only ten righteous people there (Gen 18). The Lord told Gideon to reduce the size of the army Ц He would not share His glory with anybody.

In the battle of Сwho is worthy of worshipТ that Elijah was championing, the opposition had more people in their camp. During this contest, there were four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal who had the support of the king against Elijah who the king had labeled Сtroubler of the countryТ (1Kings 18:16).

But God does not deliver by few or many. So do not look at the fact that you seem outnumbered and possibly disadvantaged, when you have to decide whether to enthrone God or man or systems or ideology, and you have no support.

Enlist God as your help and do the right thing. DonТt do what is popular.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","1","23","","","","
January 23
Launching Out into the Deep

Luke 5:4-5

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Obey Him inspite of the situations you have faced or facing, (Luke 5:1-8).

The experienced fishermen had toiled all night and failed. Despite their failure and harrowing experience they still obeyed and went back to the place where they had experienced failure and defeat. Only that this time around, they were launching out, at His word; His promise. It had nothing to do with the weather situation or what they or others might think.

Obeying His command to launch out at an unusual time produced a net breaking miracle. They caught more than they could carry, their net started breaking and they had to bless other people from their blessing.

As there was not room enough in their boat to contain the blessing, they called to their friends to come share in the catch.

If you honour His word today, you will become blessed to the point of being a blessing to those around you.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","1","24","","","","
January 24
Ask for Wisdom and Favour
Nehemiah 2: 1-8

Nehemiah had the spirit of holiness and wisdom because, even though he was a slave, he was able to articulate his position and his request, with clarity.

Imagine being a slave or exile in your host or conquering country. Then, imagine asking none other but the king himself, for time-off, protection and materials to go and rebuild your native country.

Now, if you can, visualize yourself as a manager being asked by your employee, for time off (outside regular leave) and in addition, use of the companyТs resources for their personal matters. Let us suppose that this request is from an immigrant worker - without the full rights and privileges of a citizen.

No wonder the Bible says that СWhen a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with himТ(Proverbs 16:7)

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. (Prov 21:1)

What do you need to ask for today that seems impossible to ask, from that person or situation?

Ask God for the same wisdom and favour that operated in the life of Nehemiah to come upon you and make a difference in your circumstance today.

There is no (kingТs) heart that God cannot reach.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","1","25","","","","
January 25
You Can Have it All.
3 John 2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

God intends for you to have it all; wealth, health, both in your soul and materially.

He is the one who gives power to make wealth in order to establish His covenant. So it is not morally wrong to have material wealth in addition to spiritual richness towards God.

The problem is the attitude you have towards the wealth Ц being preoccupied, or having an attitude, can lead you into trouble.

The rich fool Jesus used as an example was preoccupied with wealth and amassing wealth and reorganization. He paid no attention to the spiritual, and the state of his soul.

GodТs desire as expressed in John is for you to prosper as your soul prospers. That is, your soul precedes the material. You should concentrate on enriching your soul, the unseen part, and then the physical will be impacted (2 Cor4:18)

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","1","26","","","","
January 26
Mockers

John 7:2-5

But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, СYou ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.Т For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Sometimes you may have to bear with mockers. This is especially difficult when they are members of your own household.

You expect that those who grew up with you and witnessed the supernatural, those who saw your potential, your actions and your character, when unguarded, and could testify that you are no hypocrite, would at least support you, or leave you to do what God has called you to do. You donТt expect them to mock GodТs hand upon your life.

Well, take heart if you have faced or are facing such a situation, Jesus did too! They definitely confessed that he did mighty works. They just refused to believe in his purpose. Therefore, they mocked him, asking why he was hiding.

Jesus understood timing and the workings of his Father whom he represented in the flesh. So he did not take offence at his brothers. He diverted their attention from him and he did not feel compelled to prove to them that, indeed he was the Messiah and they were privileged to share his lineage. He also did not change his schedule to accommodate those who did not celebrate or acknowledge the call on his life.

Time and God will tell! We must learn to allow God prove us right in His own time. Our energy must be geared and conserved to fulfil His purpose and work.

And a man's enemies will be those of his own household (Matt 10:36).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","1","27","","","","
January 27
Let Him be Your God

1 Kings 18:21

How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.Т

Acts 2:21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Life is not a game; it is a battle for the souls of men. That is why you must know where you belong and whom you serve.

Staying in the comfort zone, unwilling to raise any dust or risk confrontation by stepping forward in faith will just not enthrone God in your situation. Worse still, playing church and doing activities are not enough to get anyone into the kingdom life.

You need to get hold of the Word, believe it and shun other gods- alternatives to GodТs Word and principles. When you hold on to God in honour of His integrity, He will come through for you, you will see His power in demonstration (1 kings 18:21-39).

He does not leave His people to be disgraced because He has the power to back His word.

Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (Rom 10:11).

You have to be decisive and single minded to see and walk in the manifestation of the kingdom of God. You cannot alternate between two opinions. Sitting on the fence is not allowed in kingdom reign. That is why Elijah said in essence, choose you this day whom you will serve.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","1","28","","","","
January 28
You Can Have a New Start Too

John 11:43

СLazarus, come forth.Т

Lazarus got a second chance at life. So can you.

When you face an unyielding situation and you've done all you know to do, or you have lost your zest for life, roll it over on Jesus and watch him bring life and meaning.

When he speaks, even dead things respond to the voice of his word (John 5: 25)

СVerily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.Т (John 5:24-28).

Your place is in the Word and in faith that Jesus is the resurrection and life. Those were his words before he called Lazarus back to life from the grave, giving him a new lease.

СJesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.Т (John 11:25)

Believe in him and speak the word of life to your situation and watch it come alive. He can give you a new start too.

Prayer: Begin to command every situation in your life (body, ministry, job, home, etc) experiencing death to receive life in the name of Jesus.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","1","29","","","","
January 29
New Era
2 Cor 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Jesus told the story of the rich man at whose gate Lazarus begged for crumbs (Luke 16:20-31).

Lazarus was a man of low estate, who lived a life of torment and begging. He was irrelevant in the scheme of affairs. Moreover, he was a wounded man and dogs licked his wounds. He was a disgraced beggar. Dogs make wounds deeper and septic.

But that story ended, and a new era came in. A new regime was born; a government, which does not calculate worth in riches and possessions, luxury or suffering or in Euros came into power. The currency of the new regime is based on beliefs and faithfulness.

If you find yourself in a situation like Lazarus was in, your story will change in your lifetime if you put Jesus on the throne of your life and present your case to him. The new you that will emerge will no longer go on old errands for the Devil or any other oppressor.

Lazarus had received a new status and the rich man had not received proper notification concerning him. He thought he could still push Lazarus around as he did previously. Well, he got his answer from father Abraham.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","1","30","","","","
January 30
Midnight Hour

Acts 16:22-26

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. So he took no chances but put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. (NLT)

Midnight hour is a time of distress, intense pain, and disappointment and of great trial of your faith. Jesus said you will have trouble in this world but you should not be afraid because he has conquered the world (John 16:33).

What do you do in your midnight hour? Do you sit, mope and indulge in self pity or do you get into GodТs presence and encourage yourself when there is nobody to encourage and pat you on the back.

It could also be that the person you are expecting to understand and support you is also having a difficult time and even blaming it on you as it happened in DavidТs case.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God (1 Sam 30:6).

How did he encourage himself in the Lord? He probably broke into praise and worship, reminding himself of GodТs past goodness and confessing that God who had done greatly in the past will do it again.

The same way Paul and Silas did in the prison. They praised and worshipped the Lord inspite of their chains and the Lord moved on their behalf for victory the way He did for David

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","1","31","","","","
January 31
Reach Further

Gen 17:18-20

And Abraham said to God, СIf only Ishmael might live under your blessing!Т Then God said, СYes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him;

You need to stretch and enlarge the place of your tent to make room for more blessing.

СEnlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes (Isaiah 54:2).

Do not be content with half measures go for the full mark. If God promised you something, stick to His picture. It may tarry but it will come, donТt be afraid of failing or anticipate more stress.

You see, Abraham was so glad that he finally had a son even though his birth was not the way the Lord promised. This son was not from his wife, the one with whom the Lord said He would make a covenant.

Since Abraham had faced several challenges and had waited so long to even get to this point, he thought that it was good enough. There was no need to stretch too much before he appeared too demanding or wore himself out.

Even when God approached him to discuss the plans concerning Isaac, he was quick to remind God that he was satisfied with Ishmael and was no longer eager to go on that stretching faith journey again.

He said Сo that Ishmael may live before youТ. The Lord had to remind him again that His promise was for a covenant child but, He would still bless Ishmael because he came from his loin too.

Go back to the drawing board. Have you veered off GodТs original promise to you? DonТt settle for half-measures, dare to reach further.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","1","","","","
February 1
Champions Compete by the Rules
1 Cor 9:24

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

1 Peter 2:12

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Champions compete by the rules. They are honest men. They do not cheat and cut corners nor do they look for ways to beat the system in an evil way.

You can count on champions to not take undue advantage. They are trustworthy. You can place them in any position of authority without worrying that they would compromise.

They run to win in a just manner. The prize they get is from honest work.

When it was time to appoint people to oversee the daily distribution of food in the early church, they searched for champions- men of honest report (Acts 6:3).

(Excerpt from СThe Making of a ChampionТ)

Pastor Rachel

"], ["Y","2","2","","","","
February 2
Counting the Cost

Luke 14:28-30

СFor which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, С'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.Т

Before you get started on anything, sit down and think it through it and plan for it.

You may not have all the necessary data but at least prepare your mind. This is the age long wisdom of Christ that the business management gurus still have as the top of the Сmust doТsТ for every business step.

Talk about market research, business plan, budget, planning even how you spend your time is all part of counting the cost!

However as Christians we must remain flexible in the hand of our maker and listen out for direction from the Holy Spirit. In other words, do not cast your plans in stone.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","3","","","","
February 3
Retribution

Rom 12:18-21

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: СIt is mine to avenge; I will repay,Т says the Lord. On the contrary:ТIf your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.Т Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Nahum 1:2

Еthe LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries,

RobinhoodТs method of setting things right falls short of scriptural principle-two wrongs donТt make a right, and retribution is divine.

Playing Robinhood is not a godly solution inspite of how you may feel about the oppressive class and irrespective of how lofty and emotionally satisfying your plots are.

RobinhoodТs strategy involves stealing from the rich, sometimes violently, to meet the needs of the poor. He is gratified by the happiness his actions bring to the poor; he is their hero.

David was also tempted to take justice into his hands. When Nabal treated him with disdain, he felt justified in seeking retribution (1 Sam25:2-33).

Abigail showed up in time, to dissuade him from his planned act of vengeance. She said, СЕ the LORD has kept you, my master, from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands ЕТ (vs26).

If your plot involves taking vengeance by your own power then, you are playing God. And God says vengeance is His not yours. Leave Him to do the retribution.

For we know him who said, СIt is mine to avenge; I will repay,Т (Heb 10:29-30).

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","4","","","","
February 4
And the People Imagined a Vain Thing

Nehemiah 4: 11-14

Psalm 2:1 explains what the challenge and attack of Sanballat and his friends was about. People (adversaries) will always imagine vain things, they will take their stand (v.2) and they will take counsel together Е . What is really important is the response of the Lord. He has installed His king upon Zion, so let the adversaries take their stand.

Our hope, our trust and our faith are built upon our God and what he has laid in store for us. In Isaiah 49:25, God says He will contend with those who contend with us. We need to take a cue from Nehemiah and call on Him.

God has promised that He would expose and reveal to us the works of Satan and his plans against us. Thus, in v.11, when the enemies said let us kill them, СЕ for they will not know until we come against themТ, God used the Jews who were living close to them to expose their plans. As long as our focus is on God, He will expose the works of Satan.

One sure way to respond to these threats is to recall the splendour and awesomeness of our God, just as Nehemiah did in v.14. Our God is an awesome God.

Ask God today to expose those who have planned to come against you and the work of your hands.

Stand on the Word of God today and do not worry about their gathering (Isaiah 54:15).

СGodТs Word says that they will surely gather, but for noughtТ (Isaiah 8:10). So, declare that every gathering against you today will be for nought and that they shall surely be dispersed

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","2","5","","","","
February 5
Covering

Genesis 3:7

СThen the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.Т

Immediately after the fall Adam and Eve attempted to cover their nakedness because their eyes were opened, and they realized they were naked.

Before this time, they were both naked and were not ashamed because the glory of the Lord was their covering (Genesis 2: 25).

At this point, it was not only their nakedness that bothered them, but also, the voice of God which they normally welcomed, made them afraid, so they hid from Him (Genesis 3: 8-10).

Something had definitely changed about them. Probably the loss of innocence and confidence, their nature had been altered! They now required a covering even spiritually before they could stand before God.

The blood of bulls and goats were a temporal measure till the final ATONEMENT.   Jesus made the final offering and has remained before God, ever interceding for us. He is our covering.

Man's attempt to cover his nakedness has always been flimsy and inadequate hence God made a covering from animal skin. Spiritually man's attempts to be right before God has always been inadequate and tends to religion.

God has this to say, Сtheir righteousness is like filthy rags before me.Т But accepting God's provision just as He gave to Adam and Eve in the Garden will always yield the desired result.

Don't meddle your way through with your own plan and solution, allow God to sort things out for you.

Call and wait upon the Lord.

СFor they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.Т ( Romans 10:3)

Pastor Rachel

"], ["Y","2","6","","","","
February 6
Envy

Acts 13:45-46

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

When PaulТs ministry to the gentiles started prospering the Jews became envious and spoke against the work. In some places they even made moves to run him out of town.

You see, when God starts blessing you and the work of your hands, people who did not take any notice of you when you were struggling to make ends meet, when you were oppressed and beaten down, will begin to take note of you and feel uncomfortable at your new found blessing.

They cannot simply sit by and watch you rise. They will try to take the glory for your blessing and if that is not possible, because God will not share His glory with anybody, they will begin to look for ways to bring you down, to work against your interest, to backbite you, and some will get so enraged that they will openly oppose you.

Do not be bothered still. God has anticipated that the envious devil will come around to try to kill your testimony, but he will fail in your case because God will not leave you to the desires of your enemy.

The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes (Psalm 41:2).

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","7","","","","
February 7
You are able

Isa 41:9-10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This is one of the several good promises we have in God. Therefore make up your mind to stop entertaining fear concerning your situations. Fear of the unknown, of failure, of ridicule from men.

All sorts of founded and unfounded fears keep you from stepping out and making progress. You hold on to the world you know, the little in your hand instead of launching out in the deep at His Word.

Believe that He is with you today and He will strengthen you to accomplish every project He has commissioned you to undertake.

Therefore, step out in boldness; you are able because you Сgot help from HimТ.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","8","","","","
February 8
A Piece of Your Mind

Colossians 4:6

СLet your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.Т

Think about what you would say before you utter those words, and ask questions; would it edify, correct, or influence the person in a positive way or are they empty, angry or spiteful words?

Things may flash through your mind because you have not taken the time to renew your mind in that area or because you are angry at the moment.

Don't utter such words. It takes much more to remedy the damage caused. Your mind needs renewing so don't give anyone a piece of it except a piece of your renewed mind (Romans 12:2)

СThe Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (Isaiah 50:4)

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","9","","","","
February 9
Dealing with Caesar- the earthly authority
Mark 12:17

Then Jesus said to them, СGive to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.Т

We live in this world and we have to deal with the government of this world. Jesus prayed that the Father should keep us from the evil that is in the world not that He should take us away from the world (John 17).

We are admonished to obey civil authorities as believers (Rom 13: 1-7).

When Jesus was questioned by the mischievous folks, who were seeking for a way to trap in him in civil offence, he explained to them how the system should be. Jesus did not advocate stealing from or depriving Caesar what is due to him.

Many of us would have reasoned that withholding from Caesar should have served him right, since his was an oppressive regime that exacted too much from people. But Jesus said to give to Caesar what is due him as the earthly authority, and to God what is due Him as God.

You must learn to differentiate and understand the differences in the two affairs. Of course God takes pre-eminence in any case where there is conflict of ideas, opinions or rule.

Do not follow an ungodly rule in the guise of giving to Caesar his due. You should recognize that giving to Caesar his due is about carrying out your civic service conscientiously.

Whether it involves paying appropriate taxes, where applicable or putting in quality and required time at work, no matter where you work, in the church, or in the secular place, you must work as unto the Lord.

Your unbelieving employer does not deserve a bad deal because he is not a brother neither should you take for granted your employer who is a brother and short change him (Col 3:22-24).

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","10","","","","
February 10
The supply of the Spirit
Nehemiah 3

Psalm 110:3 tells us that your people shall volunteer freely in the day of your power.

God had given Nehemiah the sceptre of authority and in that СdayТ of his power; the people were all willing to rebuild the temple and the wall.

When God sends us on a mission or gives as a vision, he always gives us people to help us bear the burden, to help us fulfil the vision and make true that mission.

From the palace to the streets, Nehemiah did not want for support. He had the materials and more importantly, men to do the work.

Today, ask God to show you and bring to your pathway, resources and people He has commissioned to help you accomplish his purpose in your life.

Also ask God to put into the hearts of those people, the willingness to work and support you unquestionably.

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","2","11","","","","
February 11
You Can Have it All (Part 2).
3 John 2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

Remember that God caused Abraham to be rich in material things because Abraham was not too attached to anything. He left when God asked him to leave. His allegiance was to God, not to himself or the gain, and yet he got the gain (Gen 12:1-2).

Get your mind prepared to be rich. However, be prepared to make sacrifices when God calls on you to do so, knowing that He is not punishing but is directing you to establish His covenant with you and He will bless you for that.

Abraham also treated people well. He always avoided strife and gave preference even to one younger and less influential than himself.

His nephew Lot who went with him was an example; when there was strife between LotТs herdsmen and his, he called Lot to settle and allowed him to choose first, even though it meant getting a seemingly less attractive place.

His confidence in God as his source and supply made him not to panic and fear being cheated, and losing out on fertile grazing ground for his cattle.

And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee Еfor we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me:Е.. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where Еeven as the garden of the LORDЕ (Gen 13:8-11).

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","12","","","","
February 12
Growing and Bearing fruit

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit Ч fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

When I heard Dr Mike Murdock say that God kills anything that is not growing, I thought to myself, Сthat sounds a bit too extremeТ.

But then again, I thought about it as I walked out of my office Ц you know itТs true. Jesus said every tree which does not bear fruit my father cuts

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful (John 15:2).

God wants us to grow, to bear fruit and multiply in everyway.

He wants our fruit to also abide- proliferation without consideration for quality is not GodТs idea of fruitfulness. That is why He still prunes the fruit bearing branches, so they can do better and produce more fruit.

He is not in the league of sleeping giants like some corporations that have become so big, and lost the benefit of growth so they become unprofitable.

There is what is called production loss due to size, if things are not pruned and carefully managed.

As we grow and bear more fruit we should consider things we need to do to improve the quality of fruit we bear and search for ways to be more effective.

"], ["Y","2","13","","","","
February 13
Building Tabernacles- Stagnation

Matt 17:2-4

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Staying in a comfort zone or on one level for too long without moving forward is not GodТs plan for you. God expects you to move deeper in your walk with him. He expects you to move higher in your pursuits.

DonТt build a tabernacle on the mount of transfiguration, that is, on your present level of glory and achievement. It is good to celebrate your victory, and accomplishment. Thank the Lord, enjoy it, but realize you need to move on to greater heights. The enemy of excellence is good not bad.

In any endeavour you must move beyond what is good to the best. Always seek for a way to improve on what you are doing; donТt stop at one level of success. Though you should learn to be satisfied with the level you are on, while moving ahead.

Peter saw the glory and the glitter of the mount of transfiguration and requested that they build tabernacles to capture the glory and bask in that glory.

He thought that was the greatest experience ever; he didnТt know it was just a necessary experience along the way that they must move on. You cannot blame him considering his limited knowledge at that point, but he learnt quickly that there is no stagnation with the Lord.

Even when you think you have arrived, He will still do exceedingly abundantly above what you can ever imagine.

Ask the Lord to help you see beyond your horizon. That way, you can enlarge your tent and prepare to move onto higher ground.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","14","","","","
February 14
LoveТs Prioritized Sequence
Matt 22:37-40

Jesus replied: С'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.Т

People read the above as love God first, then your neighbour, in place of yourself. I have believed this same sequence of priority for so long that people call me and ask me to at least take care of myself too. Religion can put you in bondage.

Jesus did not advocate self neglect nor did he excuse over involvement with self- self centeredness. You get into these extremes when you do not know the scriptures well; (half knowledge) and when you do not allow the Holy Spirit who is the power of God that gives life to the Word to quicken the word in you.

You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God (Matt 22:29)

Jesus said to love the Lord and then your neighbour as yourself.

You must learn to love and accept your self first then you can appropriately love your neighbour.

The irony is, if you do not love yourself or take care of yourself you may make all the effort but you will fail in loving your neighbour well. This is because you may not even consider his needs as valid since you do not meet your own needs as well.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","15","","","","
February 15
Champions guide their focus
Hebrews 12:2

Looking 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 set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Champions guide and maintain focus on their desired goal. They look up to GodТs Word to carry them through difficulties. GodТs promise is enough for them to face any Goliath.

They keep GodТs word as their anchor and focus. They accept the efficacy of the Word because they are men of integrity too.

Just like the centurion who Jesus said had great faith. He was willing to accept the power of JesusТ word (Matt 8:5-10) because as a man familiar with power and authority he understood integrity of words.

Jesus focused on what he wanted to achieve (the joy set before him) not on the obstacles on the way. Unlike the Israelites who saw the Promised Land and agreed that the land was exactly as God said it would be. However, the sight of the opposition freaked them out to the extent that they could not enter into GodТs promise (Numbers 13).

(Excerpt from СThe Making of a ChampionТ)

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","16","","","","
February 16
Beware of Dream Killers

Gen 37:10-11

And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, what is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

Not many people have a fatherТs heart. Having a fatherТs heart has nothing to do with gender. It is about the personТs disposition towards others. Somebody who believes in you and watches over you, who encourages, guides and disciplines you if necessary, to help you line up with GodТs purpose for your life is a father. Paul called Timothy his son in the Lord because he trained him and gave him the opportunity to express GodТs gifting on his life.

Search out a worthy mentor- father in the Lord today. 1 Cor 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

And prayerfully choose your circle of confidants. Do not share your dream with people simply because they are brethren, not to mention sharing such sensitive issue with the ungodly.

People who are worth sharing your dream with will encourage you or they may simply keep quiet and observe if they do not yet understand it.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","17","","","","
February 17
Releasing the supernatural

Acts 16:26-30

26 Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, СDon't do it! We are all here!Т Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and asked, СSirs, what must I do to be saved?Т

In acts 16 when Paul and Silas who were imprisoned and afflicted got a supernatural intervention they became instant celebrities. Witnesses to that miracle asked for their advice.

When the power of God begins to manifest in your situation you will become an advertisement for GodТs kingdom. People will come to you to know what the secret is.

Success and excellence is not about selfish ambition it is also about demonstrating GodТs power and the kingdom.

Paul and Silas were facing opposition and affliction because of righteousness and their work for God. God seeks for ways to show Himself strong on behalf of the righteous. He therefore delivered them in a very spectacular way- with an earthquake and chains falling off them and all the other prisoners, supernaturally.

Their instrument of oppression, the jailer, had only one question for them after the incident- What must I do to be saved?(v. 29)

When you become totally committed to praising and honouring God in every situation, and not only at your convenience, then you will experience the supernatural to the degree that men will see their own condition as deficient and fall on their knees before you asking for your advice.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","18","","","","
February 18
Praying in the Spirit

Rom 8:26-28

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The Bible admonishes us to pray always with all kinds of prayer and to pray without ceasing.

God listens and answers your prayers, especially, when you pray according to His will.

Using your prayer language inspired is a powerful tool that gives many advantages- it helps you to eliminate praying outside the will of God because you are praying with the help of the Holy Spirit and your mind cannot meddle in that request or whatever it is you are praying about.

Praying in the spirit helps your prayer life and other language and knowledge limitations. When you do not know how to go praying about a situation or what to pray about, that is, when you are lost for words. Rom 8 : 26

It builds your faith and brings inspiration. Jude 20
СBut ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,Т

When you do not know what to do, you can pray in the spirit for direction.

Praying in the spirit is like using a code, but it is not learnt, it is inspired. The enemy cannot break this code it is fool-proof and transmitted on a hotline straight to God (1 Cor 14:2)

Determine to pray more in the spirit whenever you have the opportunity, while working, driving, cleaning, resting, meditatingЕ just muttering to yourself can sharpen your spirit and make tremendous difference in your life. If you have not receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in your prayer language and you desire to receive ask the Lord to fill you today or go your Pastor to pray with you.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","19","","","","
February 19
Partakers of GodТs Divine Nature

2 Peter 1:3-9

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodnessЕ

We need to add virtue to our faith to obtain the promise. Obtaining the promise is to be and to get all that God has in store for us

You need to obtain the great promises of God because that is the only way you can enjoy His divine nature. That is, to partake of, or to participate in, and have experiential knowledge of GodТs nature is only possible through obtaining His promises to us.

We are not talking about having the victory in heaven. We are talking about what we need to live godly in this life. To live godly is to demonstrate who God is and how He wants man to dominate and rule over all earthly elements.

Dominating the earthly elements also involves not being corrupted in person and deeds by worldliness. GodТs promises will help you to escape corruption; even the ones caused by evil desires- thoughts, things you see around that you have allowed to influence you.

God desires that we be like Him, so He gave us the list of virtues/goodness that we must exhibit in addition to our faith. This means that faith is not enough to make us be like God in this life.

It is not who you are or what you claim to be or have. You can have all the faith in the world, but if you are not walking in the love of God your faith is truncated (Gal 5:6).

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","20","","","","
February 20
Power Changed Hands

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Col 1:13

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

When we got delivered from the power of darkness and translated into GodТs kingdom, power changed hands at that same time.

According to the account in Luke16:20-31, Power also changed hands in the lives of both Lazarus and the rich man. But neither of the men recognised the new status. Lazarus was not even aware of his new rights.

When you donТt realize that power has changed hands you get cheated. The devil keeps sending you previous messages and on previous errands.

You need to begin to act according to your new nature and take advantage of your privileges and rights.

Angels took Bro Lazarus to AbrahamТs bosom after his death, while the rich man ended unceremoniously in hell. Seeing Lazarus afar off relaxing was infuriating and rightly so too; this was the man who begged him for crumbs! But Government had changed! This is a new regime, power had changed hands but Mr Richman could still not see the hand writing on the wall.

He could not bear the change; Lazarus must at least, be useful to him here. After all, Lazarus was allowed to stay at the gate to beg crumbs.

He should therefore pay back now by running some errands; More so, if he had got any crumbs at that time (which I doubt he did, if he had Mr Richman may not have ended up in this mess).

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (Prov 14:31) NIV

Mr Richman was forced to observe the new protocol -Lazarus is not running old errands again! He has entered into his inheritance and rest in AbrahamТs bosom.

The same way we are seated in heavenly place in Christ Jesus.

Eph 1:17-22-18 СThe eyes of your understanding being enlightenedЕ.Т

Pray:

That you will understand your status in Christ and you will remain above all elements the Lord has delivered you from. Also, that you will not regress in anyway nor draw back into perdition. Pray that you will rise above and continue to stay above any form of oppression. That you will not be a tool in the hands of the enemy in the name of Jesus

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","21","","","","
February 21
Living above Reproach

Nehemiah 5

Nehemiah was governor for 12 years. During that time he refused to receive any wages. He was already putting into practice what he wanted his fellow Jews to do.

He was quite different from the other governors before him. Unlike him, they imposed financial burdens upon the people and so, were partly responsible for the usurious practices in the community because of their example.

As leaders, and as Christians called to be light of the world, we should live our lives with such high standards that men are left with nothing but to give glory and praise to the Almighty.

Nehemiah started this practice, as soon as he became the governor. He did not wait till he saw that there were wrong practices. It was a way of life and as such, it was quite easy for him to require this from the other Jews.

God blesses the work of our hands. It is what we devote our time and attention to, that God puts his seal of blessing on. The wages was his entitlement, but he sacrificed it given the grand scheme of things and in accordance to his prayer (v.19), God did remember him and prosper the work of his hands.

We may sometimes get caught in the web of entitlements and allowances that we fail to see or remember that our work is unto the Lord and not unto man. Remember that your labour is unto the Lord and that reward is truly from the Lord even though sometimes it may not appear so.

Are you showing the type of leadership example that is worthy of your calling today?

Are your walking the talk and talking the walk?

How can your behaviour today reflect the leadership and light of Christ?

What task, assignment, and calling do you have today?

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","2","22","","","","
February 22
Endure to the End

Nehemiah 6

An СinsiderТ, a prophet, was lured to prophesy fear and bondage to Nehemiah. This is hardly surprising, the enemy after all, does not stop at anything and will use anyone in his bid to harm, deceive or mislead.

This is one reason why we should pray, so that we do not fall into temptation.

Judas was from the inner circle. This Prophet in Nehemiah 6 was also an Israelite.

Test every spirit to see if they are of God (1John 4:1). There is a spirit, a force behind every action, behind every activity and that is why we must test to see, to understand and to constantly be in the will of God.

The Bible tells us in Matt 10:22 that it is he who endures to the end that will be saved. This last attack came at the very end of the building project, because we can see that in the very next verse, the building is completed.

JesusТ temptation happened at the end of the 40 day fasting period.

Pray that God will expose СinsidersТ who have turned around into betrayers.

Pray that their counsel be like that of Ahitophel and that their attempts to deceive you will fail.

Ask the Spirit for staying power to endure till the end!

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","2","23","","","","
February 23
Facing Inner turmoil

Gal 5:16-18-С So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you wantТ. NIV

Just before the climax of JesusТ earthly ministry, he had to face his own flesh, not external opposition from people, but internal turmoil. That is the flesh warring against the spirit which is willing to carry out GodТs instruction.

He had to recall GodТs will - the Word, which is able to differentiate between flesh and spirit.

He also examined himself and what he was doing , to make sure he was not suffering in vain or by self device but that he was doing GodТs will in GodТs way. There is no need to add more burdens to your life or to fight unnecessary battles.

Facing the flesh is probably one of the toughest battles because it has to do with you warring within your own members.

The challenge here is how to tell when it is flesh or when it is the spirit influencing you. This is especially true in cases that are not so glaringly seen as sins, because the flesh can camouflage as common sense or good reasoning.

At the point of conflict, GodТs Word is the only discerner you can employ and rely on to get you out; as you submit yourself to the Word which is GodТs will, not your reasoning.

СFor the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.Т (Heb 4:12-13)

This was the way Jesus handled his situation too.

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matt 26:39)

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","24","","","","
February 24
Taking the Grace of God for Granted
Rom 6:1

Should we continue to sin that grace may abound?

God is long suffering and so merciful that He is slow to wrath and quick to bless; He forgives iniquityЕ(Ex 34:6)

Many do not see this attribute of God as a lifeline to call if they make a mistake (1John 1:9). Instead, they take it for granted and continue in sin. This is especially true, when repercussion does not come immediately.

This attitude can cause you to lose the fear of God that gives wisdom and discretion.

Ordinarily, the fear of judgement motivates people to avoid doing things that incur judgement. Well, there is a higher judgment coming over the way we live our lives. This awareness should make us live carefully as wise (2 Tim4:1).

Do not despise the commandment of God.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","25","","","","
February 25
Righteousness Delivers

Prov 14:34 С Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.Т

The Lord promised Abraham that he would not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if He found 10 righteous people in there. (Genesis 18)

Are you living out and manifesting your righteousness in the nation or town where you live? Then do not СundulyТ complain about what you see because you just might be the reason that the Lord is sparing that city.

As Jesus said in Matt 5:13-15, we are the light of the world and the salt of the earthЕ of that city.

The more we preserve that city by keeping His light and His word, the more God will look with favour upon that city and upon us.

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","2","26","","","","
February 26
You Can Have More Than One Lot
Psalm 2:8 'Ask and I will give you (even) the heathen for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for a possessionТ.

In Josh. 17:14, the children of Joseph complained to Joshua about the fact that they were only given one inheritance despite the fact that they were numerous.

JoshuaТs response to them was quite profound. In v. 15 he tells them to go and clear up a new forest and take possession of it.

Is your current place too narrow for you? What are you complaining about today? What has stopped you from going to possess the СforestsТ around you?

Enlarge your coast, your place of habitation. Arise and take possession.

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","2","27","","","","
February 27
Aggress towards your Call
Phil 2:12 СЕ. not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.Т

John 2:17 СAnd his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.Т

You have to work at making GodТs will come to pass in your life. It will not just fall on your laps. You have to pursue after the things of God and make plans to make them happen.

Jesus planned the journey to the mountain where the transfiguration took place. It did not happen by chance. He left the city, moved away from the crowd and took only a handful of his followers with him.

He could not have forced the transfiguration to happen, but he did prepare to be available and be a part of it when it happened. Jesus was ready to partake of that heavenly meeting!

СЕ.led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them.. . Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with JesusТ. (Matt 17:1-3)

Moses may not have gone up that mountain expecting to see a burning bush or to hear God, but he got into that wilderness in the first place because of his passion to set the Israelites free from oppression (Acts 7:30). He just acted too quickly by doing it on his own before he got the mandate from God.

You should prepare yourself for the next phase of your ministry and promotion. Work at it. Go through the necessary training or journey, whatever you need to do to prepare for it, and be sure you are in the right frame of mind to be a part of it.

Be passionate about your passion and wait on the Lord to get His direction.

Jesus also recognised that he must not stay there forever despite the glory that accompanied the meeting, and the applause from his followers, he must move on to complete the instruction.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","2","28","","","","
February 28
Prayer Priorities

Nehemiah 1:1-6

Nehemiah had a burden for Jerusalem.

He inquired about Jerusalem.

What you worry or care about is what you often take action about. Nehemiah wept and mourned, fasted and prayed for days. The period between when he heard the news and when he went before the king was four months. How much of that time he fasted and, or prayed is not specified.

He prayed for forgiveness and reminded God about His promises (His word).

He prayed day and night (v.6).

He not only prayed, but he got others to pray Ц СIf two or three shall agree concerning a thing, if shall be done for you by my Father in heavenТ (Matthew 18:19).

What do you have a burden for?

When was the last time you enquired about the thing you truly want and desire?

What are you doing today about the people you care about and love? Who and what are you praying for and with whom are you joining your faith?

Are you focused on the right priorities today?

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","2","29","","","","
February 29
Extra lease of life based on reasoning with God

God weighs actions and motives and he repays. it is not that Hezekiah was perfect but he had a perfect heart and did what was good in the eyes of the Lord he also understood that God is just and he knew that God recompenses each man and dared to ask for a new lease of life inspite of the verdict given through the prophet of God when he was sick unto death and sent for the prophet of God to bring him GodТs counsel.

Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live (2 Kings 20:1)

The news was not favourable -his life was over the prophet confirmed it, so it was no a case of walking by sight alone, because many of us would be quick to say he did not have faith to get his healing.

But Hezekiah did not give up he understood that it is not over until it is over. He went into prayer pleading his cause before God

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD (Isa 1:18)

I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.(2 Kings 20:3)

Here I see Hezekiah exercised great faith by drawing on the goodness of God

And he got his prayers answered; his faith in the goodness of God worked for him; he got an extra lease of life.

God confirmed His goodness with miracle with signs and wonder; he sent the prophet back to confirm it and he also turned back the sun ten degrees (2 kings 20:8-11)

Whatever you are going through do not give in or give up regardless of the verdict made against you. cry out unto God and watch the signs and wonder that will be released in your case.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","3","1","","","","
March 1
Champions Do Not Murmur
1 Cor 10:10

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Champions may not find a phase of an assignment favourable or pleasurable but they do it to get to what they are passionate about. They do not complain, murmur and generally frustrate everyone around them to make a point: -СI do not like this thing and somebodyСs got to pay for my pain!Т

They do not act like some do when they are angry; slamming doors and being grouchy to pass on a message; just like the children of Israel did when they were passing through the wilderness to the Promised Land, and were facing certain discomfort that were peculiar to their geographical location. They murmured and complained in spite of GodТs intervention and miraculous provision to cushion the effects of the harsh terrain. Therefore, God was sore displeased with them and swore that they would not enter into the Promised Land.

And ye murmured in your tents, and said, because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy usЕ And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying,

Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers (Deut 1:27-35)

Look out for the topics from the making of a champion series every 1^st and 15^th of each month

Pastor Rachel

"], ["Y","3","2","","","","
March 2
The True Test of Strength

Gen 25:27

The boys grew up, and Esau became a skilful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.

As a young man growing up, Jacob was a quiet man.
This description, or rather our interpretation of it has led quite a few folks to think of him as a lazy, indolent chap especially when compared to Esau who was described as a skilful hunter.
His quiet demeanour had nothing to do with his abilities, stewardship or sense of purpose. Staying amongst the herds, closer to his parents, he came to learn more about the custom and preferences of his parents.
This was manifested in several ways later: he married from his motherТs tribe/family and not from the Canaanites; he learnt how to take care of the familyТs flock a skill that he later employed at LabanТs. He could also cook.
When the Bible states that Isaac loved Esau, it did not state nor imply that he hated or did not love Jacob. Infact, his love for Esau seemed to be conditional, based on his love for wild game (Gen 25:28).
The other attribution of weakness to Jacob usually stems form the fact that the Bible records that Rebekah loved him. I have seen this statement misrepresented in some circles - as a sign of a child who required his motherТs support to succeed especially given the events that led to the blessing switch (Gen 27).
To put this into perspective, Mary also loved Jesus as a growing lad Ц would that now cause us to classify Jesus as lazy or lacking in character?
I guess the true test of the pudding is the eating. Every time Jacob was put to the (mental or physical) test, he always lived up to the challenge.
Jacob was a man of strength for in his different days of adversity he always stood strong - never wilting.
How have you characterized others because of something you heard or saw and how do you think others characterize you?

Do not let othersТ definition of you limit you and be careful not to judge others.

Ask God for wisdom to help you overcome the prejudices you hold against others and to forgive those who hold prejudices against you.

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","3","3","","","","
March 3
Clarity
Luke 14:28-30

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

Genesis 25: 29-34

In Gen 25:29, the Bible records that Jacob was cooking some stew, when Esau came in from the fields famished and asked for some food. The truth is Jacob was not cooking that day waiting in anticipation for Esau to come back famished.
We can look at what transpired differently. Jacob saw an opportunity to keep the benefits of the birthright within the family because Esau could have СsoldТ out the inheritance to an outsider someday anyway, given his comments and behaviour that day.
One lesson I find here, is the execution of closure that Jacob displayed here, by asking for an oath. When he wanted something that was important to him, he made it important. He gave it his full attention and we see this pattern also later in his life, in his wresting with an angel, with Laban, etc.
It is important to recognize what we need to give our full attention, earnest heed and formality to. That way we can give a ready answer, a thought through answer.
Know what is important to you as you converse and negotiate with people. Then, itТs easier to get what you want as your intentions are very clear and explicit. Sometimes, IТve been asked about what I want out of a situation and I could not clearly articulate it.
There is an obvious character trait that we see God manifesting during creation and all through the Bible Ц finishing before starting! No wonder he is the Alpha and the Omega the first and the last.
Jesus took this one step further in terms of clarifying the need to understand where you are going before investing your effort. Jesus emphasized the principle of clarity and purpose.
Are you clear about the needs you have today?

If God were to ask you to name the three most important needs you have, what will they be? On what scripture are they based on? Take some time to write them down today.

Can you execute with JacobТs sense of closure in your dealings with people or do you often leave money on the table? Pray to receive that ability.

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","3","4","","","","
March 4
Deliverance after Such Manner

Ex 15:11

Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you Ч majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

Ex 14: 31

And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
Who is like unto you? That was the song of praise Moses, Miriam and Aaron sang together with the rest of Israel after they witnessed a remarkable and timely deliverance when they were sore pressed just shortly after they had gone through a major breakthrough in coming out of slavery in Egypt. God over ran the enemy that was coming to overrun and annihilate them.

And when God was through, their dread turned into rejoicing and celebration. They sang because they realised no one can be compared to this God; His ways are far higher and more sophisticated than what they expected. That is what God wants to do for you. To deliver you with such a great and mighty hand from any situation or thing that is pressing hard after you, threatening to over run you.

None compares to this God that was the simple way the Israelite could express the wonders they saw and that is what your song would be in JesusТ name.

Pastor Rachel

"], ["Y","3","5","","","","
March 5
How Can You Avoid the Subtlety of Sin? -The Golden Calf

Rom 8:5-7

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.Т

What you have been exposed to constantly will influence your actions.

The people made a golden calf after they waited a while and did not see Moses who had gone up to meet with the Lord (Deut 9)

Why a calf and not any other image? They thought of making a calf because that was the popular pagan idol around them, especially in Egypt where they just came out from.

And Moses said, It is not suitable or right to do that; for the animals the Egyptians hold sacred and will not permit to be slain are those which we are accustomed to sacrifice to the Lord our God; (Ex 8:26 AMP)

They were influenced by popular practice, and now the animal they would have offered to God as a sacrifice and probably would have eaten, they made it sacred as an object of worship. That was why God also forewarned them that when they get into the Promised Land they should not imitate the people nor put their imagery Е. before them. (Lev 18:3; Ex 34:13)

What you focus on will affect you and influence your action. Therefore, put the right image before you and refuse to focus on and mingle with the prevalent evil practices around you.

This takes effort and determination.

The Lord commands us to be separated and He will be our God and show himself strong on your behalf (2Cor 6:17-18).

Our reaction to the practices around us will also determine whether we will fall into it or avoid its snare.

Notice MosesТ reaction to idolatry Ц Holy anger and disgust with such grievous sinful act. And God backed him up because a sizable multitude who did not repent of that treason lost their lives that day.(Deut 9).

Pastor Rachel

"], ["Y","3","6","","","","
March 6
You Will Not Go Under in Adversity

Ps 18:16-17

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

The same situations that defeat and drown people would lift you and you will get a song and a testimony.

When people are saying there is a casting down your own testimony will be there is a lifting up!

By faith the people of God crossed the red sea as if on dry ground but when the Egyptians attempted the same feat they drowned!

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned (Heb 11:29-30)

Situations and circumstances that drown and destroy the people of the world would be your own ground for miracles and greater glory if you walk in line with GodТs purpose and instruction.

God will not allow you to go under, He will stretch forth His hand from heaven and bow down His heaven just to save you from many waters and show you His salvation (Ps144:5-7).

The Bible say if you fail in the day of adversity then your strength is little.

For you to make sure the day of adversity does not meet you weak you need to build up strength. This is done in the word and in praying.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; (Isa 40: 31).

Pastor Rachel

"], ["Y","3","7","","","","
March 7
Purposeful Grace

Exodus 16:21-29

Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much Ч two omers for each person Ч Е Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any. Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no-one is to go out.

Manna was bread. Manna was Grace.

When God commanded them to gather manna, it was for a season and a reason. They were to eat of the manna before noon each day and of the quail before the next day. So there was a time to gather, if you wanted something available to be eaten on that day.

There is a time to soak up grace, and a time to СexpendТ it. No wonder the Lord told Elijah to arise and eat for the journey is long. What most of us do is to wait till there is a situation in our lives before we seek grace and power, like the Israelites did in v.27 by going out to look for manna on the Sabbath, instead of the day before the Sabbath.

The bible says if you fail in the day of adversity, your strength is small. We are not of those who would wait for the day of adversity before seeking the strength of the Lord.

Seek the Lord while He is near; call on Him whilst He may be found. Wait on Him daily because those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strengthЕ they shall mount up with wings as eagles.

Notice also that the grace (manna) that melted on weekdays at noon, stayed fresh through the weekend Ц Sabbath. That is purposeful grace. Grace, that is sufficient for the day. Grace that meets your need for that situation. We need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to understand that there is a time of visitation that is required so that there will be strength for the time of adversity or challenge. There is a time for in-gathering.
Bro Ted
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March 8
Seeing the Manifestation

Dan 10:12-13

СThen said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.Т

When you pray or receive a word from the Lord, sometimes there is a time lapse between receiving the promise and seeing it in physical manifestation.

You may not see physical result immediately because the battle is spiritual (Eph 6:12). The captain and the host fight in the spiritual realm and you see the result later in the physical. Just like when Daniel prayed and the angel later said that God answered the very first day and sent an angel to enlighten him, but the angel was withheld by the prince of Persia. The warring prince had to intervene and so it was on the 21st day Daniel finally got the answer because of the war that went on in the heavenlies (Dan 10:13-20 )

When God told Joshua to march with the Israelites seven days round the walls of Jericho, they had to patiently and obediently march without seeing any physical manifestation, not even a gradual ebbing away of the soil.

Maybe while they were busy marching the host was busy removing the foundation stones from the wall but they could not see.

The Israelites obviously had spears and arrows or some form of weapons but definitely not ballistic missiles and wall shelling mortars. Besides, they were not allowed to use any weapon at this time.

So it does not matter what you are armed with physically, though itТs good to be well equipped, God will come through for you based on His promise to you and your obedience to His instruction, not based on your ammunition.

Pastor Rachel
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March 9
Outward Piety

Matt 5:20

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Pharisees were known to be sanctimonious and yet they oppose the way of salvation. They often got offended by the truth and were jealous of JesusТ fame.

They even planned secretly to kill Jesus (Matt 15:12, John 7:25, Matt 27:18).

Jesus had referred to them as brood of vipers and hypocrites and yet they were well respected of men as custodians of the Law of God and examples of piety (Matt 23:13).

Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; (Matt 23:5-6).

Outward display of piety and religious activities can be very deceiving. In the end, it is very dangerous because it prevents people from ministering the true salvation to you since you appear like you already have it.

Jesus carefully warned that your righteousness has to exceed that of the Pharisees before you can enter the kingdom of heaven. You could do all the right physical activities and still end up in hell. Meaning your righteousness must be the type that originates from the heart, the inner man, the one that can only be imputed through faith in God.

This type of righteousness demonstrates your standing with God, not what man thinks of you because of litany and religious apparel that intimidates. True piety spurs you to good work too!

Pastor Rachel
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March 10
Ability to Create

Proverbs 8:1; 14

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.

Exodus 31

God had described to Moses how the tabernacle should be built. However, nothing like this had ever been done, so the skills and creativity were not available at that point.

However, in v.3 God tells Moses that He had called and filled Bezalel the son of Uri with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge and in all kinds of craftsmanshipЕto do the work of in the temple.

This certainly is yet another assurance from God that when He commanded us to be fruitful, multiply and dominate the earth, He would also give us the ability to create and breakthrough new situations.

God is able to give us the ability to be creative and innovative, because there is nothing made that is (was) made without God. There is no challenge that you will face that God cannot give you the wisdom, understanding and knowledge to overcome.

Bro Ted
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March 11
Rightfully using our God Given Potential

Rev 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

In the book of Exodus, precisely in chapter 32 and 35, we see the children of Israel on different but similar occasions, responding to the need to sow seed - to give an offering or at least make a contribution. On both occasion they willingly responded, both in the case of jewellery for the golden calf and the latter case, of bringing in all sorts of materials for the building of the LordТs sanctuary.

What this tells me is that they had a heart to sow into what they believed in. What the devil wanted to do in the case of the golden calf was to tap into that God given potential for the wrong purpose and in the same vein, deprive them of the joy and blessing of giving; so that when it was time for giving for the temple, they would have nothing. It was that same potential that the devil was after, which was put into us for GodТs glory!

Where is the devil trying to get us to use our God given potential in a way that is outside GodТs will?

Bro Ted
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March 12
Praise is Comely

Ps 33:1

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

Ps 147:1

Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Praise looks good on you

It makes the journey worthwhile. Besides, it speeds up the process.

If the Israelites had not stopped praising they would not have had the chance to murmur and complain about the type of food they were eating on the way to the plenty the Lord had promised them. Then, they would have spent less time in the wilderness and saved themselves a lot of hassle.

Nobody likes those who weary others out by constant complaints and murmuring. People seek the company of a person with a gracious heart.

Praise will set you apart and distinguish you from among the nations and the people- yes, among fellow Christians!

Form an attitude of thankfulness; praise God for the things you have and stop cataloguing the things you could have.

Pastor Rachel

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March 13
Non Reciprocity

Luke 6:33-36

Е if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.    And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

СYou rub my back and I rub your ownТ is a popular saying in some parts of the world, an expression that is widely accepted as norm for choosing who to help.

Jesus however teaches differently. He admonishes that Christians should do good even to their enemies especially to those who appear like they cannot repay it and for you to look up to God to repay you.

Dr Mike Murdock says that God will make happen for you what you make happen for others according to Ephesians 6:8. So expect God to bless you for your good works!

DonТt do a good deed for someone and start bugging them overtly or subtly to repay you using the tab Сyou owe me oneТ each time someone thanks you for your good deed.

Pastor Rachel
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March 14
Compassion - Do Away With the Stony Heart

John 11:33-36

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Compassion is different from sympathy and empathy. In the sense that it goes beyond seeing your pains and beyond making you know that somebody understands what you are going through, to the level of being involved in finding solution to your problem.

Compassion also moves you emotionally and goes deeper to touch your spirit the power house where the Holy Spirit resides

They said a man is not supposed to cry. Well the creator, the Master and model, the one after whom the world is dated, the one who cannot be ignored; whom you must make a decision to receive, ignore or reject, WEPT!

Compassion makes a demand on your spirit. It releases the power residing in you.

His compassion for people unlocked the power in him to solve their problems.

Show compassion towards people around you because you are able; the love of God has been shed into your heart by the Holy Spirit. This means that you can even love the people who are difficult to love- the so called undesirablesЕ.. Rom 5: 5b

Pastor Rachel
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March 15
Champions donТt exhibit complexes

Matt 4:3-4-3

And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Champions donТt exhibit complexes they are comfortable with who they are.

Champions do not try to show how superior they are to others; they just carry out their God given assignment with the spirit of excellence and maintain focus on who they are in God.

They have no need to prove who they are or any other matter to people.

Time and anointing will tell and differentiate. Notice that Jesus did not rise to the challenge when the devil questioned his position as the son of God.

Whatever the Devil said or did will not change the fact about who he is.

Instead of debating on who he is, he addressed the core of the matter and gave an answer that rendered the whole competition useless-man does not live to just satisfy the desires of the flesh.

Superiority complex is in fact, a symptom of hidden feelings of inferiority. When somebody is trying to prove to people he is who he thinks they do not think he is.

He begins to behave in a way to put the others down and seek to draw attention to self and proclaimed worth.

Pastor Rachel

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March 16
Empowered to Go in His Name

Matt 28:18-19

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Luke 10: 18-19

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

You have been empowered by heaven to enforce GodТs kingdom on earth. You have the power of an attorney to act and speak in place of Jesus because he transferred his authority to you in his will and you are called by his name.
Therefore, you must be bold and take your place.

Situations and kingdoms are subject to you (Isa 54:17).
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name (Luke 10:17)

Believe in the authority vested in you and speak the word of life to your situation and watch it come alive. He will watch over His word to perform it.
When you Speak and command situations, be rest assured that it shall be according to your word. After all, Jesus said in my name you shall cast out demons, greater work than I have done shall you do, all power have been given unto me in heaven and on earth go in my name, when you receive the Holy Spirit you shall receive power and so forth.

All of this is to make you see yourself as he has made you to be- his ambassador.
The secret to Jesus performing wonders does not lie only in the power of his character, it is also because he was empowered to do the work (Luke 5:17), and the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. (Acts 10:38).

Pastor Rachel
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March 17
You can have it all (Part 3)
3 John 2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

GodТs desire is for you to be blessed in every manner of the word. People prefer to think and teach that a Christian must remain poor and beggarly in other to remain spiritual and make heaven.

They always sight the story of Lazarus and the rich man whom I always refer to as brother Laz and Mr. Richman respectively ( Luke 16:19-23).

The reason Mr. Richman (in the Lazarus account Jesus gave) did not make it to heaven was not his wealth but his attitude. He ignored his fellow covenant brother and disregarded GodТs law about that issue and maybe more.

And brother Laz did not get to AbrahamТs bosom because he was poor and dogs leaked his wounds.

Jesus used the illustration to teach them about their attitude towards riches and what is important in GodТs sight. Riches will not get anyone into heaven nor should it send to hell. ItТs the attitude and importance attached to it that matters. The story was simply used to underscore these facts

So there is no problem with you being rich, youТve just got to have a different attitude about your possession. Do not neglect the laws of God and your duty towards the brethren.

Remember to further His kingdom work by supporting it in everyway not only when it suits your purpose. When you catch the revelation that God is your source, your resource should therefore be used to glorify His name then, you can have all the wealth without it becoming a snare to your soul.

Pastor Rachel
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March 18
Hindrances: Deceitfulness of Wealth
Luke 18:25

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God

Wealth is good if properly appropriated. After all, it is God who gives the power to make wealth (Deut 18:8).

Putting your trust in your possessions and loving it to the point where it hinders your following the Lord is the problem.

A vivid example is the young ruler whom Jesus spoke to in Luke 18. He could not part with his worldly goods in order to follow the Lord.

He did not understand that God is able to abound unto him in all good things again. The Lord did not want his confidence to be in his wealth.

The man went away sorrowful because he could not fulfil his desire to follow the Lord because of his possessions.

Many other things could hinder even a well meaning Christian, wealth just happens to be one of them.

СYou still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow meТ When he heard this,.. (Luke 18:22-25)

Jesus said anyone who leaves father; mother or house for the kingdom will receive a hundred fold return in this world meaning in his life time and also in heaven (Matt 19:29). Maybe the temporal discomfort was too much for the young rich man to bear.

Compare him with the Apostle Paul who called his entire hardships light affliction in the hope of the glory ahead.

Pastor Rachel
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March 19
Seek GodТs Face

Jer 10:21

СFor the shepherds have become stupid and have not sought the Lord; therefore they have not prospered and all their flock is scatteredТ

Note that the shepherds did not became stupid because they did not seek the Lord; rather it was because of their stupidity that they did not seek the Lord.

It is just like in Ecc 7:10b, where the Lord says we sometimes out of foolishness ask certain questions.

It is totally out of foolishness and stupidity that we do not seek GodТs face.

Sometimes, because we think we know better; sometimes we think someone else has a better or more practical answer so we go to them instead. Sometimes, we act like we do not know that God the Omniscient knows about everything we need.

Like Paul, wrote in Hebrew 4:15, we forget that we have Jesus who has been through all that we will ever go through. So why donТt we ask?

The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. If we truly revere Him, we would ask Him.

Bro Ted
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March 20
Vulnerability

Matt 26:14-16

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

People close to you, know you and they could also tell your weakness and strength. This can make you vulnerable to them depending on how they use such information- as an enemy or a friend.

You are vulnerable to the house hold enemy simply because they know your schedule and have other privileged information; the way Judas made use of inside information to compromise JesusТ security.

The priests and Pharisees who wanted him knew him too, but they needed inside information about his private whereabouts; so they could arrest him away from the crowd to avoid any uproar and protest and being mobbed (Matt 26:3-5).

They found an alibi in Judas who is a type of household enemy: a close companion who chose to trade inside information about Jesus schedule to his hunters.

Though Jesus was arrested, this is because it fulfilled GodТs purpose for his life, if not He could have called for angelic intervention like he told his disciples who wanted to defend him with physical means.

God will watch over you in every situation; especially where you are vulnerable. The inside information people could use against you would only birth GodТs predetermined will for your life.

Pastor Rachel

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March 21
Beautiful Inside Out

1 Sam 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

God wants us to look nice and be comfortable but that is not what impresses him about people.

He would not prefer if you were taller, shorter, darker fairer fatter or slimmer.

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart (1 Sam 16:6-7)

What your inside looks like is more important to God than your physical impression and success.

What did David do to make his heart beautiful before God?

He ministered to the Lord in worship, he loved and obeyed the laws of the Lord and respected God.

Pastor Rachel
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March 22
GodТs Law

Heb 8:10-11

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.Т

Rom 2:15

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another ;)

After God brought the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses, he gave them guidelines for their living. This is what we refer to as the Ten Commandments.

They are still valid today!

God gave the commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, when he called him to come to the mountain. God wrote the words of the commandments on the tablets.

The experience was so powerful and impacting that MosesТ face shone and the others were afraid to come to him when he came down.

Now God said He will write His law on menТsТ hearts. So His commandments are written in our hearts today.

As we observe to do what our hearts tell us as children of God, we will discover that they are no different from the Ten Commandments he had given us.

Pastor Rachel
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March 23
Possessing Your Possession
Joshua 17:12-13

СBut the sons of Manasseh could not take possession of these cities, because the Canaanites persisted in living in that landЕ they did not drive them out completelyТ.

This tells me a couple of things and raises a couple of important questions.

There was a clear instruction in Num. 33:51-56 that when you come into your possession, do ensure that you drive out all the former inhabitants from that land, else you will not be able to enjoy nor take full possession of that land.

The sons of Manasseh did not obey God here, just like some of us in this generation. When we get born again, do we truly strive to sever all former ties and links to the previous tenant(s) of our bodies so that we can truly allow GodТs Holy Spirit to take full possession? Except we consciously do this, it really may be difficult for us to enjoy all of the goodness and blessings that God has for us.

They got comfortable with the Canaanites and were using them as servants. What you donТt do away with may eventually find a place of СseemingТ importance and if care is not taken, it may take permanence in our lives. This may inevitably reduce our potential to relate with God and enjoy the fullness of His blessings. GodТs first task and command to man in Gen. 1:28 was to dominate the earth and subdue it. What have you (not) subdued today?

The Manassites were strong enough, but did not push out the Canaanites; rather they made them servants. There is a danger of substituting GodТs word and partial obedience of GodТs word. The act of disobedience was asking for GodТs wrath, which should not have been in this situation. They brought this limitation (of the extent of their possession) upon themselves as God had said in Num. 33:55-56 СYou shall not only have one lotТ.

Bro Ted
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March 24
Penetrating Barriers
Zech 4:6-7

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

Breaking through barriers takes place first in the heavens, in the spiritual realm before you see the manifestation.

Besides, those behind the walls do not want to concede their position to you in the first place. ThatСs why they have the gates and walls and any other sort of barriers; rules and regulations, prejudices and all sorts of things to keep you out.

Exclusiveness has always been a game played by those who are at an advantage, wealthy and at the top cadre

I had to listen to a real life conversation that I would be questioned about. On reading the question I quickly guessed what the answer was without first hearing the conversation. The option I completely ruled out happened to be the correct one, on listening.

It was a conversation on why there are very few certified notaries in the country despite the fact that many people are in the profession.

The answer is СexclusivenessТ created specially by the few certified ones. So they build walls and create bottlenecks and systems that should keep others happy or hopeful but under and out.

The wall of Jericho was one of such barriers. We are told that they locked the gate so the children of Israel would not come in. And the wall to the city was reputed to be impenetrable; it was so thick that houses were built on it.

But God gave them the strategy that broke it down and he will do the same for you.

Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour (Josh 6:1-2)

Realise that your penetrating defences and exclusive ranks require supernatural intervention, so go to the Father of spirits Himself to get the required strategy (John 4:24).

Stop struggling on your own, stop running helter skelter.

Pastor Rachel
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March 25
The Burning Bush

Ex 3:2-4

he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, here am I.

God used a spectacle, the burning bush to get MosesТ attention.

Moses turned to take a closer look at an unusual phenomenon. He was a seeker, who looked indepth and searched for answers to situations confronting him.

He did not take things for granted nor did he ignore and wish them away. He sought to understand and learn.

We see the same trait in his prayer, Lord if I have found favour in your sight teach me Your way.

It was at the point of drawing close and seeking that Moses got the instruction that made him the most powerful individual in the Old Testament.

Do you give God attention and seek to understand His way and word?

How do you do that and how often? If you need to repent and start again make that commitment today.

Pastor Rachel
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March 26
Seeking to Show Himself Strong on Your Behalf

2 Chron 16:8-9

Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.Т

The devil is not happy to let people be free to serve the Lord.

He enjoys tormenting the powerless and he loves the control he has over people.

But the Lord has won the victory for you and has forced him to let go of you. The same way Pharaoh was forced to let the Israelites go by the power of God.

Observe how the devil still incited the pharaoh to go pursue them and bring them back to slavery.

But the Lord who would not leave His children to the wiles of the enemy was watching over them to show Himself strong; He came to their rescue and silenced the enemy for good!

That was why He was not bothered that the enemy came that close to them at the red sea.

GodТs eyes still moves to and fro today watching to show Himself strong on your behalf.

The Lord will not leave you to the desires of the enemy. He will hear you when you call and deliver you with a mighty hand just like He did for the Israelites.

Read Psalm 91.

Pastor Rachel

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March 27
Seize the Blessing

Mark 4:26-30

He also said, СThis is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.....

.....As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.Т

Contextualising JacobТs story gives us more data and perspectives and hopefully, more insight and understanding.
Rebekah was in a very unique place in this story. She was the one who was barren for a while. She was the one who when she was pregnant, went to seek GodТs revelation, and was told that Сthe elder shall serve the youngerТ. To be sure, she was the mother of both of them (Gen 25:22-24).

One can only imagine how she would have felt watching these two grow up, very different in character - two nations, as was prophesied.
To be fair to her, when the actual conversation took place between Esau and Jacob about the birthright, she was not a part of that conversation. Some people may conjecture that she had told Jacob at some point about the prophecy Ц maybe!
But, Esau despised his birthright and like I mentioned earlier, if Esau had met somebody else on that day, he probably would have exchanged the birthright to satisfy the present.

It may be said that Rebekah СworkedТ the prophecy instead of allowing it to happen, by asking Jacob to prepare for the blessing before Esau returned from the fields.
The real issue for me is that the exchange had already taken place with the porridge event and the blessing ceremony was only the manifestation (Gen 25:33-34).
God has promised us that the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous (Prov 13:22).The question is СAre you sensitive and ready to ask for the title deed of that transfer (from the wicked) whenever the opportunity comes?Т
The prophecy is out, the exchange opportunity will come. The real question is. Are you ready like Jacob was? Pray that you eyes will be opened to seize those vital opportunities.

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","3","28","","","","
March 28
God Backs His Programme with Power

Jer 1:12

СThen said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.Т

God will always back up His word, message and instruction with His power supernaturally.

Elijah demonstrated how man could tap into the supernatural power of God- by following His command, trusting Him completely, praying to Him and acknowledging His supremacy.

СAt the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: o Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me , o Lord, answer me, so these people will know that that you , o Lord are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again,Т (1 kings 18 :36-37).

He did his sacrifice at the appropriate set time; at the time of sacrifice, during the contest between prophets of Baal and He JehovahТs servant.

His aim and purpose was to establish GodТs supremacy as directed by God, to confirm the source of his authority, and to turn the people back to God as proposed by God: He was carrying out GodТs programme and agenda!

God honoured His word as the true God and prevented the false wonders of Baal this time around. He sent down fire from heaven to consume ElijahТs offering in spite of the water filled trench.

This supernatural occurrence was enough to turn the people out to God -v39 СWhen all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried СThe LORD- He is God!Т

             And now they were ready to obey and follow Him.

If you want to experience and see God in action in the most spectacular way, obey Him and run according to His programme and timing there will be no stopping you. God would perform all sorts of wonders just to back you up and make people know that He sent you and He is your God

Pastor Rachel

"], ["Y","3","29","","","","
March 29
What the Word Does In Your Life

John 6:63

СThe words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.Т

People may say things that can hurt you, bring you down or discourage you. This is not so with GodТs word. His word produces life and gives hope.

GodТs word also keeps you holy which means spiritually clean, in the same way that taking a bath with water keeps your body clean.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you (John 15:3).

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Eph 5:26).

The word makes you grow mature to fullness in Christ (1 Peter 2:2).

It helps you overcome evil and temptation, (1 John 2:14).

You find GodТs love, comfort, power, answers, courage and Wisdom.

It builds your faith (Rom 10:17).

The word Brings light into your life (John 8:12).

It makes you bold (Acts 4:31).

Take GodТs word as priority and begin to search deeper into the word. Develop a hunger and passion for His word and you will begin to see all these benefits manifest in your life.

Pastor Rachel

"], ["Y","3","30","","","","
March 30
In His Time

Eccl 3:11

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:

Isa 60:22

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

In Gen 40: 23 it looked like the cupbearer forgot Joseph. But it would have been of no use to anybody if he had even remembered to mention him at that time to Pharaoh.

Besides, JosephТs mind was also settled by now that the cupbearer was unable to save him.

But when it was GodТs time; God who had preordained that Joseph will get to the throne, caused the same cupbearer to remember him, because his skill was once again required.

. The best timing is at the time that Pharaoh is desperate for an explanation to his dream. His wise men have been confounded by this particular matter because God wants to bring his own man out. A man who would acknowledge GodТs hand in the matter. (Gen 41).

But could you imagine if Joseph had ignored the cupbearerТs plight in the prison simply because he appeared like he was unable to be of help at that time?

DonТt forget to do good to people as long as it lies in your power to do so

God who programmed JosephТs success will work out what everything pertaining to your well being and success in His time and His time is timely, just perfect for you.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","3","31","","","","
March 31
Walking in the Spirit

Gal 5:16 & 25

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the fleshЕ: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit means following the leading of the Holy Spirit and your recreated human spirit; that is the part of you that is recreated after the likeness of God

Your recreated spirit has the fruit of the Spirit sitting there waiting for you to bring them out.

You will have to put aside the cravings of your flesh and what you feel like doing to obey the voice of your spirit and that of the Holy Spirit. This happens when you are sold out to the will of God (Gal 5:17).

God already did so much for you to enable you walk with Him; He restored you into fellowship and made you after the likeness of His son (2 corinthians 5:17) and sent His Holy Spirit to live in you (John 15: 26).

When He recreated your spirit, He put new fruits to replace the ones produced by our flesh.

This fruit helps us to walk in the Spirit thereby avoiding the works of the flesh (Gal 5:16-26).

Be careful to observe your innermost unction and follow after it .Read the word to also know how to handle situations, with the grace of God that is already upon your life it becomes a lot easy to walk in the spirit.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","1","","","","
April 1
Champions Invest their Time Wisely
Ps 90:12
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Eph 5:16-17
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Champions understand the passage of time therefore; they spend and invest their time wisely and productively.

We exist in time. Time will come and go, what are you doing with your time? How do you spend or invest your time?

Once, I heard Sister Gloria Copeland talk about time. She said that if you decide against studying for a degree because it will take too long, the time will come and go, but what else have you invested in it? Time will come and go, no matter your decision, but your outcome will be different depending on what you do.

What you get at the end of the time shows the worth of the time- what you are willing to invest in your time determine your outcomes in life.

How you spend your time matters.

Start today! - Plan how to invest your time; this will influence how your days go.

Begin by writing the things you want to achieve for the day and put a time frame on every action point. Rate each activity and attach more importance to things that will add to your life mission.

If itТs a challenge for you to follow your schedule because of indiscipline or any other reason, ask the Lord to teach you to number your days so they will count for something.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","2","","","","
April 2
Joy
Neh 8:10
Сfor the joy of the LORD is your strengthТ
Gal 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...
What joy does?

Joy is an attribute of the recreated human spirit that helps you to avoid depression and anger. It helps you to feel good about yourself and to easily accept others.

You can hardly get angry when you are exercising the joy of the Lord.

It produces both physical and spiritual strength. Joy is different from happiness though it produces happiness. It is deeper and more lasting. You can still express it even when you have pains and difficulties
How do I release the joy of the Lord?

The joy of the Lord is in your recreated human spirit and in the person of the Holy Spirit residing in your inner man. It can be released into the physical realm.

You activate this joy by praying in the spirit, worshipping the Lord; singing melodies in your heart and playing the type of music that can minister to your heart/soul (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Participate in activities that release the presence of the Lord keep the word and music flowing in your heart and around you- this changes a heavy atmosphere.

Keep your thoughts pure and think good thoughts; see possibility in the eye of your mind - this changes a heavy atmosphere. (Phil 4: 8).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","3","","","","
April 3
You Can Stop the Rage from Affecting You
Matt 16:19
СAnd I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heavenТ.
Why then is there so much chaos? Because:

Satan is the god of this world causing trouble.

People who are not lovers of God are controlled by the devil and they make other peopleТs lives difficult.

All have sinned and are under the power of Satan except those who accept Christ.
But mark this: СThere will be terrible times in the last days.Т (2 Tim 3:1-5)
С...In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.Т
(John 16:33)

People often ask why there is so much chaos in the world if we claim God is good. They fail to understand that the dominion over this world is presently in the hands of satan because of the fall of man.

But thank God that to those who receive Jesus as Lord, He gave the power to become the sons of God on this earth and to exercise His own dominion (John 1:12-14; Luke 10:17).

This means that as a child of God you can decree and change the so called normal course of events by the power vested in you as an ambassador of Christ (Matt 18:18).

You can speak to any chaotic situation threatening to unsettle you and command every storm to be calm in the name of Jesus. You donТt have to put up with satanic agenda to wear out the saints.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","4","","","","
April 4
God Has You all Sorted Out
1 Sam 9:3-6
Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, СPlease take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.Т So he passed through the mountains of Ephraim and through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, СCome, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us.Т And he said to him, СLook now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.Т
Saul was sent by his father to go with a servant to look for the lost donkeys. The fact that he had to go with a servant meant Saul was from a well-to-do family. We can liken that servant today to the Holy Sprit for Jesus promised:
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever Ч
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (John 14:16; 18)
It was the servant who encouraged Saul to go and see the prophet Samuel. When you are lost and confused, it is God, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, that shows you things to come (John 16:13). Listen to Him, talk to Him.
HeТs still waiting for you, for HE never changes!
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","4","5","","","","
April 5
Seize the Blessing
Mark 4:26-30
He also said, СThis is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground....
...As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.Т

Contextualising JacobТs story gives us more data and perspectives and hopefully, more insight and understanding (Read Genesis 25:19-34)
Rebekah has a very unique place in this story. She was the one who was barren for a while. She was the one who when she was pregnant, went to seek GodТs revelation, and was told that Сthe elder shall serve the youngerТ. She was the mother of both of them.
One can only imagine how she would have felt watching these two grow up, very different in character - two nations, as was prophesied.
To be fair to her, when the actual conversation took place between Esau and Jacob about the birthright, she was not a part of that conversation. Some people may conjecture that she had told Jacob at some point about the prophecy Ц maybe!
But, Esau despised his birthright and if Esau had met somebody else on that day, he probably would have exchanged the birthright to satisfy the present.
It may be said that Rebekah СworkedТ the prophecy instead of allowing it to happen, by asking Jacob to prepare for the blessing before Esau returned from the fields.
The real issue for me is that the exchange had already taken place with the porridge event and the blessing ceremony was only the manifestation (Gen 25:33-34).
God has promised us that the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous (Prov 13:22). The question is СAre you sensitive and ready to ask for the title deed of that transfer (from the wicked) whenever the opportunity comes?Т
The prophecy is out, the exchange opportunity will come. The real question is: are you ready like Jacob was? Pray that you eyes will be opened to seize those vital opportunities.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","4","6","","","","
April 6
The Crucifixion- He Lived to Die
John 10:17-19
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

He lived to die and died that you might have eternal life. He knew he was born to die ...
And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: ... ( Luke 22:22)

The fact is Jesus came purposely to die. The scriptures point to the fact that his death had been programmed before he appeared on earth.
...in the book of life belonging to the lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8).

Also, that no guilt was found in him; he died in our place to free us from punishment under Satan.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor 5:21).

He died to give us eternal life with God and a better life here on earth.
...he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

To set us free from Satan and bondage
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil
(1 John 3:8).

To free us from fear
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Heb 2:15).

Think on this great sacrifice he made and do not let his effort be in vain. If you have not acknowledged him as your Lord and saviour, now is a good time to do so.
It is also a good time to remember your loved ones and pray for the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened to receive the love of God and accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","7","","","","
April 7
That I Might Know HIM
Phil 3:10
СThat I may know him, and the power of his resurrectionТ
Luke 10:22
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

We can only attempt to explain the bits we know about Jesus, because he is beyond human comprehension. He introduced himself in various ways and forms in a progressive manner.

He is the I am. That is, the one who exists; the existing one.

He is Jehovah, that is, the reliable One who keeps covenants and agreements. The creator, ruler, redeemer, saviour and the lover of mankind.

He made you in order to relate with you, have fellowship with you and for you to dominate, subdue and rule the earth just as He is ruling heaven.

Do you see the connection now? He is ruling in heaven, He made you to rule the earth and he fellowshipped with Adam so Adam could take example from him. Remember JesusТ prayer-Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

How can you rule without knowing your rights and area of jurisdiction?

That is why you need to know Him and His power. Read about Him, talk to Him and ask Him to fill you with His presence and the knowledge of Him. Ask Him to open your spiritual eyes to see Him as He is.
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, (Acts 26:18).
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him (Luke 24:31).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","8","","","","
April 8
That I May Know HIM and the Power of His Resurrection
Phil 3:10-11
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

That I might know СHIMТ- that is first and most important. And the power of his resurrection Ц this is also important and it goes with knowing Him.

Some people just want to СseeТ, not СknowТ the power of His resurrection. Moses knew Him and His ways while the people of Israel only saw His acts (Psalm 103:7).

Some want to know and use His power without knowing Him. Simon the sorcerer thought he could buy the baptism of the Holy Spirit with money so he could continue with his trade of mesmerizing the whole community (Acts 8:9-21).

Some do not know him well and they think He has no power.

Some know about Him but do not know Him and He does not know them. They are most unfortunate, but they call him Lord. This is what he shall say about those on that day- Сdepart from me ye workers of iniquityТ (Luke 13:27).

Some think He is a myth and does not exist, those are the fools Ц only a fool says that there is no God. He says so in his heart; (Psalm 14:1),I presume idiots say it out to the hearing of others.

Some want to just know Him and are against, take exception to, and object to any kind of power.

Some know Him and the power of His resurrection but do not partake of the power. They see but do not enter into nor do they experience it.
The questions are Ц who is He? What is the power of His resurrection about?
How are we to relate to Him and His power? If indeed He is and has power, are we to make use of such? Why are we not seeing such power in manifestation?
The Conclusion is that He wants you to know Him, know His power, understand His suffering and make use of His power in your situation and ministration.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","9","","","","
April 9
Power
Matt 9:6
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Does God have power?

Yes, the power He exercised when He raised Jesus from the dead.

The power of His resurrection is the might He wielded to raise Jesus Christ from dead. Considering that the totality of manТs iniquity and transgression was placed upon him. That power that revived his body reversed the curse on his spirit and cleansed his spirit making it alive again!

The same is not true for Lazarus whose body was revived and the same un-recreated human spirit indwelled him.

Even the world we live in is being upheld by the word of His power. Satan would rather it is destroyed straight away so that you and I would not have the opportunity to exercise our ruler ship (Heb1:3).

Jesus said: even as the father has sent me so have I sent you; go in my name; all power in heaven and on earth has been given unto me (Matt 10:1; Luke 10:19)
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","10","","","","
April 10
Self-Condemnation
Rom 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Self condemnation is one of the worst things that can happen to you because you have already given up on yourself and are walking in the pathway of self destruction.

It demoralizes and mortifies. It simply prevents you from moving on in life.

Accusation and sin usually results in condemnation. Knowing that God has acquitted us of all guilt we should not move around with past guilt and condemnation; things you wished you could have done differently.

Let it go! You can not turn back the clock and undo them but you can count on the mercy of God to make all things work together for your good; as long as you love Him and you are walking according to His purpose for you.

This does not mean you should be carefree and careless because you are living under grace and continue in sin.

Be sober and watch out so you donТt repeat the same sin after you have received forgiveness of sin. When you have repented show fruit of repentance.

Since God knows how to deliver the righteous out of accusation and demonic influenced accusation, then a believer should watch out for self induced accusation.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","11","","","","
April 11
No other God ЦIdol
Ex 20:3
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Matt 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

What can constitute idolatry in todayТs world? Things that compete with your love for and service and time spent with the Lord your God.

Money is one of such. Jesus clearly said it is possible to worship mammon- money but that you cannot serve two masters effectively. That is, you must choose which one is supreme and is worth chasing after. That is, if God be God, then choose Him!

This implies you have to be alert and prayerfully watch out for any other thing that is raising itself against the love of God in your life and quickly cast it down.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor 10:4-5)

Take precaution and keep things in the right perspective. Some things like habits, hobbies, needs, friends, etc, sometimes creep in and look harmless and non demanding but soon they subtly become important. If allowed, they become more important as they take root and become increasingly demanding to service.

Take care that nothing becomes that important; not even His blessings and ministry work as to compete with your time and love for God.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","12","","","","
April 12
The Reality of a Promise
2 Cor 1:20
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
When God promises, rather when God speaks, His word is certain. It is definite. It is Truth and it is Life. When Jesus said, Сthe words that I speak are spirit and lifeТ, he was referring to the spiritual creation of the word and the eventual physical manifestation.
It is this certainty that makes the meaning of the word СpromiseТ, in the New Testament, come alive. It means: to anticipate (usually with all pleasure); confidence.
It is this certainty, assuredness and confidence that satan attacks and tries to distract in every way he can imagine. In Mark 4.17, the Bible says, Сwhen affliction or persecution ariseth for the wordТs sake, immediately they are offendedТ.
The plan of satan is to thwart our expectation of the promise (John 10:10). However, that is also why Christ was manifested, to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). GodТs word is true.
What has God promised you today? Hold on to it, with anticipation.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","4","13","","","","
April 13
Go and Sin No More
Gal 6:1
СBrethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be temptedТ

СGo and sin no moreТ, these were Jesus words to the woman caught in the very act of adultery (John 8:11).

How do you deal with other peopleТs weakness and sin? We are admonished to deal with

People who are overtaken in iniquity in love considering ourselves too. In 1 John 5:16, we are told to pray for such people except if it is sin unto death.

Jesus demonstrated this sort of mercy when he dealt with the case of the adulteress; he didnТt condone the sin but he questioned the motive and the righteous standing of those who brought the accusation against her.

He had only one statement for her accusers- let the person without a sin cast the first stone.

When they all left because none of them could fulfil the criterion, Jesus told the woman Сgo and sin no moreТ. He had shown her mercy in the very crime that should have cost her life. He only gave her a warning. How grateful and faithful will the woman be, for such an opportunity to make it good.
Pray that God will forgive your mistakes and ask for divine intervention that would turn all your accusers away from your case.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","14","","","","
April 14
Fear Not
Isaiah 41:10
СSo do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Т

Now that you have turned to Him to be your God Ц fear not.

Even if you have been involved in unwholesome sinful habits, or in demonic and occult   practices or you have been tormented and bound by the lies of the enemy, He is able to free you. Now that you are with him donТt be afraid because He will be with you and He is able to protect you.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Heb 7:25).

If Satan could kill you, he would have done so the moment you decided to come to God. God forbade him just as He did when he wanted kill Job; so you can live and see the goodness and blessing of God in the land of the living. You will not be destroyed! Fear not!!
СAll who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perishТ (Isaiah 41:11).

Protection is one of the several good promises we have in God. Therefore, make up your mind to stop entertaining fear concerning your situations. Fear of the unknown, of failure, of ridicule from men; all sorts of founded and unfounded fears that keep you from stepping out and making progress.

DonТt hold on to the world you know, you have come to mount Zion, so fear not!!!
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","15","","","","
April 15
Champions Discern Worth
1 Cor 9:25
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Matt 16:13-17
'Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.Т

To become a champion you must be able to discern people and judge and differentiate issues very quickly. Champions allow the Holy Spirit of God to speak into their hearts concerning people and events.

They do not work by what they see alone. They are therefore not easily fooled like others. They do not follow what men say , but they follow what they hear from heaven they can tell the difference between spiritual wisdom and earthly wisdom John5:30, 1cor 2:5-7
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (1 Cor 2:5-7)

They also discern the purpose for any course of action they embark on. Not that the action is wrong, but they are able to estimate the possible obtainable dividends and quickly evaluate if it is worth their effort.

Champions can tell the worth of crowns apart. They can discern goodness in others and reward it. They reward people according to their worth and productivity, and they do not delay nor withhold a labourerТs pay.

Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; Jer 22:13
Emulate the character of a champion and improve; become a champion today in these areas of your life.
(Excerpt from СThe Making of a champion SeriesТ)
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","16","","","","
April 16
The Lord our Provider: There is Enough for Today
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

When the Lord provided manna for the children of Israel in the wilderness, He made sure they had enough to last them (in abundance) for that day and that situation. So there was more than enough manna that they could pick, but it would not last until the next day.

No wonder the bible says in Matt 6:34 Сsufficient for the day is the evil thereofТ.

In that same chapter, Jesus continued teaching the principle that we should not worry about what to eat, wear, etc, for the next day(s). No wonder their sandals did not wear out for 40 years.

God provides for our needs, He ensures that we have what is needful for that day, every day. All we need to do is ask.
Give us day by day our daily bread.... 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? (Luke 11:3-12)

Our focus should be strongly fixed on Him, knowing that He is able to take us through each day and has already planned for tomorrow.

Jesus is our ever-present help in times of need
Thank the Lord and expect your needs to be met. Enjoy your daily bread as it comes.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","4","17","","","","
April 17
Getting Instruction and Guidance for Life
Luke 4:16-17
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

What takes up most part of your time and leisure? Where do you get instructions for your life? Is it from television talk show or soap operas, or ungodly magazines? Jesus, in his days here on earth spent time praying to get instruction from God.
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).

He read the scripture and he used it as his standard and tool to get rid of satanic assault in the wilderness. Can you imagine what would have happened, if he did not know the scriptures well, and faced the devil who was twisting the scripture to suit his own purpose?

Moses spent enough time with the Lord and the impact lingered long after the experience. God gave him the guidelines for his life and for all men. The instructions he got are still applicable to our lives today.

Daniel and all the other people who prayed and fellowshipped regularly with the Lord were able to face opposition. They were used powerfully by God and became shining stars in this life.

I encourage you today to look into the word of God for guidance and to make a habit of meeting regularly with the Lord in fellowship. Meeting with Him will make you shine too!
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","18","","","","
April 18
The Force of Dissatisfaction
2 Kings 6:1
The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, Look now, the place where we live before you is too small for us.
Isaiah 54:2-3
Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

The sons of the prophet were dissatisfied with their current situation. They were not only dissatisfied but were willing to do something about it.

They did not just complain, murmur or grumble about it. They sought the LordТs permission and direction through Elisha. They not only sought ElishaТs permission but also asked for GodТs presence with them.

Often we bear with our limitations or complain and grumble about them instead of making our request known to God on those issues.

If they chose to murmur and not make a move, they would have remained cramped into their small house, got cranky and possibly blame God for not providing.

God wants us to consult with Him and put our request before him not to just sit and complain.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

Imagine what would have happened when they got into problem, if they had not asked Elisha to come along?
Make a move today about your situation. Ask the Lord to send you a winning idea and help from above.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","4","19","","","","
April 19
Extremes of Warfare
Eph 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places

We wrestle ... and we wrestle not? Reading the scripture with doctrinal and religious goggles on, predisposes people to believing fallacies. Those who go to the extreme on whether Christians are involved in any type of battle may read the above verse in their own way, if they have religious goggles on.

Those who read it as we СwrestleТ maintain an attitude of perpetual battle. They see demons in everything, to them, every occurrence is demonically inspired. Life generally is one continuous wrestling match with no victor or vanquished. In trying to gain a little snippet of victory, they become battle weary, all because of their mind set. They believe their own power and might, will bring the victory.

The other extreme group reads Ephesians 6:12, as we Сwrestle notТ and thus for them life is just a game or a fair, there is nothing you can do to influence your outcome. Everything has been set by God. You do not have any foe. When you have major tragedies one after the other, it is GodТs will.

The devil loves nothing more than this attitude. At least, such people do not disturb his operation in their lives. They will not even challenge him when he is oppressing them or their loved ones because they have read the verse half way, believing wrongly that we wrestle not. Their favourite quote is the СLord giveth and the Lord taketh blessed be the name of the LordТ.

Nothing can be more erroneous than this. It is a complete misrepresentation of the person and the attributes of God. Jesus said that He came to give you life in abundance but the devil came to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

The truth is that we wrestle. However, not with everything and every one, but with principalities and powers. It is not by your power and might that you have the victory, Christ has disarmed principalities and made an open show of them triumphing in it (Col 2:15).

That should be your mind set when you face opposition in battle; that you are fighting a defeated foe and you are therefore just maintaining the victory Jesus already won.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","20","","","","
April 20
Validity of the Ten Commandments
Matt 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Matt 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

God personally wrote the Ten Commandments -ТAnd the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tablesТ (Ex 32:16).

We can also see that the commandments have to do with: 1) worship of God, 2) how you treat your own self and your basic relationship with others.

Jesus categorically said that he did not come to invalidate the Ten Commandments but to consolidate it and he summarised it into these: Love the Lord your God and worship Him only and love your neighbour as yourself.

When you love and honour God you will not put any other thing before Him or on the same level with Him.

You will show respect for Him and His word. You will not call His name in vain or use His name as a swear word. It grieves my spirit to hear people; especially Christians swear, and then, do so using the name of the Lord. That is just incredible!

When you love your neighbour as yourself you will not want to cheat or steal from them or try to kill them.

These tie in neatly in the two new laws of Jesus. СThe Ten CommandmentsТ is still relevant in todayТs world for as long as we live on the earth and have breath to worship God, and relate with others. We must continue to obey them if we want to fulfil the two greatest laws Jesus gave us in the New Testament.
Please give attention to them and teach them to your children.
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?Т 37 Jesus replied: С'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'
40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matt 22:36-40
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","21","","","","
April 21
Meditation
Josh 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Meditation means to ponder over, to brood, and to think about something. It is not thinking about things in a panicky manner, it is not worry.

The spirit of the Lord God brood over the surface of the deep (that is He weighed, painted the picture of new earth, and completed the creation in the spirit realm,), before the Lord spoke to the chaos to bring out the created things.
The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.
3 And God said ...AMP (Gen 1:2-3).

Meditation creates and births your future by first illuminating your spiritual and mental realm. Everything that was created came from things that are unseen (Heb 11:3).

Meditation is more important than you can even imagine especially because people do not stop to think of the connection between what goes on in their mind and the occurrences around them. Meditation can change the course of your destiny, if you are able to conceive the idea you are able to receive it.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","22","","","","
April 22
Identifying with GodТs Course
Heb 11:24-27
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.Т

Identifying with the move of God at a particular point in time may not be popular and may bring you persecution and suffering. But it is worth the pain because God rewards and never forgets your labour.

Moses refused to be called PharaohТs son, instead he chose to share ill treatment with GodТs people rather than the riches of earthly royalty. He did not take the easy way out; that is, to keep off and pray from a distance. He suffered along with them because he loved GodТs people; as a result, he is forever mentioned in the plan of God. He witnessed tremendous acts of God that he would not have seen as a prince in Egypt.

Riches and pleasure in their own right are not wrong. After all, God seeks to supply all our needs according to His own riches and we know that He is so rich that the streets of heaven are paved in gold. The writer of John says that СI wish above all things that you be in good health and prosper even as your soul prospersТ (3 John 2).

Circumstances can however make something good, wrong or not expedient. In this case the riches and pleasure in Egypt were sinful because they were built on the sweat of GodТs people who were being maltreated in slavery.

Paul also suffered in identifying with GodТs call He called all the afflictions and oppositions he suffered in the course of carrying out GodТs instructions light compared to the eternal glory and reward (2 Cor 4:17).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","23","","","","
April 23
Store up and Hold on.
Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
God cannot lie, so His promises, His word uttered is real.
The word of the Lord to you is perfect; His commandment is pure enlightening the eyes (Ps 19: 7-9). Therefore, we need to constantly place the word before our eyes to enlighten us concerning His desires and His promises for us.
This is what Paul wrote in Titus 1:9, Сholding fast the faithful word as he has been taught ...Т Then when persecution arises for the wordТs sake, the Spirit of the Lord will raise up the word as a standard against the devilТs wiles.
You can only hold on to what you have stored up. What are you storing up today?
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","4","24","","","","
April 24
Have What You Say-FAITH
Prov 12:13-14
An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things.

Your words are building blocks, they determine your future you can either build with them or tear down the blocks. Do not cuss or curse yourself and others even if it is playful or with a popular and accepted phrase.
In some society people say Сtalk about the devilТ when somebody they are talking about or would like to, talk to walks in coincidentally, or Сsee me see troubleТ when things go wrong or when they are wrongly accused.
I would avoid those kinds of phrases completely or change them to suit what God says about me. Like Сtalk about the saintТ or Сsee me see JesusТ.

Speak positive and faith filled words all the time; faith pleases God and it gives Him something to work with on your case. Fill your heart with GodТs word so you would know what to say.
Сfor as he thinketh in his heart, so is heТ (Prov 23:7).

Think good thoughts (Phil 4:8). Choose words that would bless you- donТt say bad things to yourself like calling yourself stupid. Let your words agree with GodТs word. Speak positive words and faith filled words.

Remember you have what you say, so say good things. CHOOSE YOUR WORDS today
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","25","","","","
April 25
God Repays
Mark 10:29-30
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Whatever you give to the Lord is never lost, He repays you with interest. It never comes back the same itТs always multiplied when it returns. God repays with interest when you lend to Him (Prov 19:17)

Peter lent his boat to Jesus as a pulpit and he got a draught, a net breaking catch where he had failed to catch anything previously. He also got a higher call to become a fisher of men for the kingdom (Luke 5).

Hannah gave her son back to the Lord even though it was tough, but she fulfilled her vow to lend him to the Lord if He gave her a son. She eventually had more kids and Samuel the one she loaned to God became a judge and president, the number one man in Israel.
Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there (1 Sam 1:28).
And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life (1 Sam 7:15).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","26","","","","
April 26
Peace
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Peace is the third fruit of the Holy Spirit deposited in the recreated spirit. It is not necessarily the absence of war or problems. Jesus said that in the world you will have tribulation but because he has overcome, we can be happy and keep our cool; that is, we can have peace no matter what.

He said so because he knows satan is still ruling in the world and is the author of confusion and disaster. The Bible clearly states that God is not the author of confusion and that the Devil is the god of this world, hence he is the source of confusion and sin.
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Cor 14:32-33).
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Cor 4: 4).
What peace does:

Peace gives you assurance, rest of mind and helps you maintain good health. It also helps you to focus and concentrate on the things God wants you to do so you can progress and become successful.

When you pray for peace, implying the absence of war then you have less to worry about. However, if there is war or trouble, you can also maintain the force of the spirit - the peace of Christ so you will not be affected in a negative way.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","27","","","","
April 27
By Their Fruit
Matt 7:17-18; 20
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit... Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Fruit has to do with product in general. Productivity can be physical, mental (abstract) or spiritual. It could be of plants, animals or man; of the land, earth, labour, idea, etc. The type of fruit makes for identification- if you see a kitten you know it was birthed by a cat not a cow. Hence Jesus said by their fruit they shall be known.
The type of fruit produced is dependent on the specie, that is, the stuff you are made out of. Even when you pretend, a spiritual person can see through it and unwrap the cover on your fruit to see its exact nature.
for the tree is known by his fruit (Matt 12:33).
What fruit are you showing forth in your day to day living? Let the love of God and the virtue placed in you by the Holy Spirit come out. Abstain from corrupt communication and shady deals. Let there be a distinction between you and the unbelieving and let the difference not be the type that will require a magnifying glass and the use of empirical formula to detect. The difference has to be clear. Be blameless children of God in this crooked and perverse generation....
... so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe (Phil 2:15)
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","28","","","","
April 28
The Spirit of PortipharТs Wife
Prov 6:24-26
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

There is an agenda from hell to derail you and void the call of God in your life. The agenda is to stop you and kill your God given dream. It is operated by the same spirit that operated in PortipharТs wifeТs life against Joseph.

Joseph had a dream and he was so passionate about it. When the devil failed in getting his siblings to void his dream, he took on a different approach to get the man to destroy himself. The spirit assigned to him was at work in the mistress of the house where he served as a slave. Joseph refused her and fled the presence of the adulteress, it could be an adulterer in your own case, still flee.

It is a spirit that seeks to seduce and distract, to corrupt faith in God, a spirit that entices to compromise oneТs stand and testimony. It is also the spirit of delay and vendetta that seeks to pull a frame on you to lock you up forever.

But God, who, fought for Joseph and finally set him up as prime minister in the same Egypt, will not leave you into the hands and devices of every PortipharТs wife waiting in the corner at your office, in the street or even lurking around your house.

He will deliver you swiftly and powerfully and set you before kings. He will create a scarcity and a challenge that will involve His supernatural intervention that only you can offer, in order to bring you to the throne to rule over every Portiphar. The Lord will fight your battle if any comes from maintaining your integrity in Christ.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not (Prov 1:10).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","4","29","","","","
April 29
Despite all, Hold onЕ
Jeremiah 1:12
Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.

Every promise of God for your life is a threat to satan, just like every promise God made to his children from old.
Matt 11:12 tell us that Сand from the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent taketh it by forceТ. We have to be СviolentТ in our belief in the manifestation of GodТs word towards us - because He watches over His word to perform it.
For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD (Ezek 12:25).

Every promise comes with a time for fulfilment, just as there is a time to every purpose on the earth. Sometimes, the attack comes before the word takes root. Sometimes it comes towards the fulfilment time of the promise. Whatever may be your case, HOLD ON!
May GodТs word concerning you be fulfilled today.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","4","30","","","","
April 30
Blessing Blockers
Prov 26:15
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
Genesis 27

Genesis 27 sets forth, the story of the blessing of Isaac. To cast this story by itself takes away form the perspectives and contextual meanings that enrich this story. In my view, a lot of the things that happened with the blessing СswitchТ, if I may call it that, were a manifestation of what was already settled.
Would it have been fair that a man, who had sold his birthright blessing, be blessed, with it? What СspiritualТ or foundational authority, did Esau have for receiving the blessing? Would it have been a case of putting water into a basket? What would have happened if Esau was indeed blessed by Isaac with the Сblessing of AbrahamТs lineageТ, when he had given it all away?
When I begin to think about it in this light, I can appreciate RebekahТs role in keeping the Abrahamic blessings within the family, a role that in my view has been quite understated.
Again, my conjecture leads me to think that Jacob must have told Rebekah the story of the birthright transfer and that was why she could make the connection when she heard Isaac summon Esau to prepare him for the blessing.
One more question to ask here is why did Esau not tell his father that he had sold his rights to being the firstborn? Is there something to be said here about his character? Was there something here about eating your cake and keeping it?
Are there blessings escaping from (or that are inactive in) your household today because of someoneТsТ complacency?
What are you doing spiritually and physically to redeem them or to stop them from being СsoldТ? How is your confession contributing to this?
Pray that you will become more insightful about what your inheritance is in Christ, and how to appropriate them.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","5","1","","","","
May 1
Champions Consider Before they Speak
Matt 12:36-37

But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Champions do not speak idle words. They watch what they say because they understand the importance and impact of spoken words. They wait to understand a matter before they say anything about it.

They evaluate their position and do not say empty words or take their vows lightly. Champions mean what they say and say what they mean. They direct their words to accomplish GodТs plan and they maintain their confession.

Jesus made a statement about building the church and the gates of hell not prevailing against it, based on the revelation Peter caught that He was the son of God (Matt 16:16-18).

Jesus understood and anticipated hellТs wiles and attacks. He knew that the power at work in him was able to sustain the church before he made the proclamation

Those were not idle words to make the disciples feel good about his person. They were words which contained eternal truth backed by heavenТs power.

Let your words be purpose driven and directed. Speak words that you want heavens to back up in power.

Mean what you say and only say what you mean.

Look out for the topics from the making of a champion series every 1^st and 15^th of each month.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","2","","","","
May 2
It Starts With a Seed

Gen 8:22-9:1

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

When the Bible says that God delights in the prosperity of His servants; it is because of this very fact - the increase we bring upon the earth. God is delighted because we activate His blessings upon the earth.

Jesus Christ was unhappy with the Сwicked and slothfulТ servant because he did not sow; rather he kept what he had been given.

Paul told the Philippians (Phil. 4:17) that he was not seeking increase for himself rather for their own good. This is because as they sow into other peoples lives, God is pleased and their harvest (reaping) increases. It is so exciting and important to God that He, personally, is in charge of the growth and multiplication process of the seeds once sown.

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase (1 Cor 3:6).

In obedience to God, one of the first acts of Noah (as recorded in the Bible) in Gen 9:20 was to plant a vineyard. In Gen 10:1, we are told of the fruitfulness of NoahТs family, procreating and increasing mankind upon the earth.

When you are blessed, it means you are fortunate to be envied. Why would you be envied if there are no signs of the manifestation of GodТs blessings? Man looks at the outward, so what is important to man is that they see the blessings, not just to hear you say you are blessed, without any evidence of it.

The evidence starts with sowing. Everything God created was in seed form or was created with a seeding process. Jesus, the Living Word, without whom nothing was made that was made, came as a seed. Faith, by which we please God, came as a seed from GodТs word. Sowing is so central to GodТs purpose for man on earth.

Pray for wisdom on where to sow today.

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","5","3","","","","
May 3
Move Heaven with Your Giving
Acts 10:1-5

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

Cornelius gave so much that his prayers and alms became a memorial before God. Therefore God intervened, and the apostles (which may equate in your case, to the CEO, the Minister, the Judge or whoever is in charge) thought differently about salvation for the gentiles. Peter had to obey the heavenly order to go and get CorneliusТ prayer answered.

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; (Acts 10:19-21).

When you give generously and in faith to God, He will cause men to act on your behalf and in your favour. Cornelius kept on giving because he was certain that his prayers were answered and that God had come through.

When God answers your prayers and men (like Peter) are hesitant about doing GodТs bidding, heaven will move on your behalf as it moved for Cornelius.

Be present in GodТs presence as you give today.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","5","4","","","","
May 4
The Love of God

Titus 3:4-5

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy

The Holy Spirit helps us to show GodТs kind of love called agape.

It is an unconditional love. Agape helps you to love people simply because they are GodТs creation not because of what they do or who they are.

When you practice this kind of love, you eliminate prejudice, discrimination and reduce the possibility of violence around you, because you are able to love the difficult, the wicked and all alike even though you may not approve of their actions.

God hates sin but loves sinners. That is why Jesus Christ still came to die for us while we were yet sinners. This shows that we can still show acts of love to people who are not of the same faith and even to those who are mean to us (Rom 5:4-6).

because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Rom 5:5b).

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","5","","","","
May 5
Celebrate

Rom 4:17-22

Е, Сin whom he believed Ч the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were., Е. Without weakening in his faith, he faced the factЕ. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Abraham gave glory to god during the difficult time of waiting to obtain the promise. Physically, receiving the promise appeared impossible considering their conditions but they still gave glory to God anyway.

Celebrate your success and/or victory before you see it. It shows you trust and know in whom you have believed that he is able.

It is the highest form of praise because it is based on faith in the integrity of GodТs Word.

God honours such high level trust (Heb 11: 6). Jesus said the centurion who trusted the authority of his word in such a manner had great faith. The centurion said:

Еbut speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel (Matt 8:8-10).

Jesus himself gave thanks to the Father before he performed any miracle. Just like he did when he fed the five thousand and when he raised Lazarus from the dead.

ЕJesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: (John 11:41-42).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","6","","","","
May 6
Favour and Preservation

Ps 79: 11

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

Ex 2:6

And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children

Moses was born in Egypt during the time that the Israelites were being oppressed severely in slavery. There was a decree to kill all male children born at that time because the Egyptians were afraid that the Israelites would grow so strong and could attack them later.

GodТs favour was on Moses hence his parents were so enthralled with him that could defy the decree to surrender the baby for destruction (Ex 2: 2). The princess, daughter of pharaoh, who found him, also favoured and protected him fully aware that he was a slave. It was God who gave his parent the boldness, wisdom and strategy.

God will also give you boldness and strategic wisdom in difficult situations. You will escape from situations that destroy and bring suffering to others. You will not go under as expected.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned (Heb 11:29).

Your case will draw favour the same way MosesТ did. Even his slave parents acknowledged the child was too fair to die.

God will open your eyes to see survival possibilities and give you the heart to do the right thing even when the odds are against you. Moreover, he will cause you to have favour before the wicked and ferocious Pharaohs of this world.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","7","","","","
May 7
СBut Will God Indeed Dwell With Men On The EarthЕ?Т

2 Chron 6:18

But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

When Solomon completed the temple of God and was dedicating it, there was still in his mind a lingering question on whether God would indeed dwell therein.

God wants to indwell us and empower us to affect this world. Thus Paul says, СI am crucified, yet I live and the life I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God who died for meТ (paraphrased Gal 2:20).

When we begin to allow Christ indwell and express his love through us, GodТs glory fills us, and no unclean, undesirable thing or thought should come near or even inherit our bodies Ц GodТs temple.

Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house. (2 Chron 7:1-2)

Rather from afar, men will worship God and be drawn to Him because of our dedication to Him. This will happen only when we are living sacrifices unto God and not unto men. It just thrills me to think of how even the priests could not enter the temple because GodТs glory had filled the temple. This holds a different meaning for us as believers in todayТs world.

Indeed, God has come and dwells on earth and in man. That is why Jesus is also called Emmanuel Ц God with us. In John 14:23 Jesus said that, Сif a man loves me, he will keep my words; and my father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode (dwelling place) with himТ.

When we obey His will, walk in His way and keep His commandments, then, we can truly know and be confident that He will hear our prayers and answer us. He has promised us, as He did to Solomon also, Сthat now my eyes shall be open and mine ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place for I have chosen and sanctified this house that my name may be there foreverТ. (2 Chron 7:15-16)

The question is... Has he chosen and sanctified you? If He sanctified you, then you need to allow Him/His glory truly indwell you (and cause your enemies and other worldly things to depart from you). Amen!

Bro Ted
"], ["Y","5","8","","","","
May 8
Who are You?

Isaiah 51:1

Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;

You derive your substance through what and who you are. It is possible to have conflict about who you are. This however does not change the fact about who you are, but it affects the health and manifestation of the fruit you bear.

Do not be misled: СBad company corrupts good character.Т 1 Cor 15:33

I had a neighbour who kept goats and had one dog. I observed that the dog hardly barked, it moved around with the goats. To my surprise I saw it trying to eat grass with the goats and after a while it gave up and just watched them.

The dog had obviously forgotten its identity for a while because of the company it kept and that made it ineffective as a dog neither could it transform fully to a goat. What a dilemma for this animal.

Some of us believers behave in this way. We get carried way by the people and the things of this world forgetting who we are and trying to be like the children of the world.

We cannot continue to live happily after the passion and elements of the world.

As children of God, we are not created to derive our substance and identity from them but from Christ in whom all the fullness of the Godhead resides.

See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the Head over every power and authority.(Col 2:8-10).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","9","","","","
May 9
You Have Come a LOOONG Way!

Isaiah 41:9

СI took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.Т

YOU HAVE COME A LOOONG WAY and He is still taking you higher!

You know where the Lord picked you from; you alone can tell the things you have done in secret and openly; the way you have maligned His name and yours, even after He saved you.

Your mind may keep running over the disappointing and disgraceful things you had engaged in but He has forgiven you. He did not cast you away because his covenant with Abraham got to you through Christ.

DonТt take His mercy for granted but take it for use.

СLet us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.Т (Heb 4:16).

Receive His forgiveness and dare to believe that he is taking you higher. Yes, you who have come a long way; you who appear like you are finished and this is the best that can ever come out of you, take heart your best days are yet to come. He is still taking you higher and making you better everyday.

You may have been just like Paul when he was Saul and was persecuting the Christians. But the Lord forgave him too, the same way He forgave you; and does not count your iniquity against you no more.

Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried. 8 Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him. (Rom 4:7-8)

He does not give us what we deserve but what He has planned for us.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jer 29:11).

Reach for mercy and grace in spite of your past and move higher with God.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","10","","","","
May 10
Genuine Limitations of Success

Num 32:1-5

Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.

Never allow your present situation (pleasant though it may be) determine your destiny. On the way to your desired future, there will be a lot of things that will appear pleasant, and dare I say, would be extremely pleasant.

In this case, the two and a half tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, had a (genuine) need for fodder, but that need of the moment, robbed them of the milk and honey of the Promised Land. For us, it may be the purchase of a car, a house, acquiring a degree, acknowledgement from people who hitherto would not look at us twice, etc that may stop us from raising up our heads to see where God wants us to move on to.

This is the kind of behaviour the Bible called profanity in the case of Esau. The land that the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh saw and desired was not given to them by God. Rather, it was Moses who, on seeing their profanity, allowed them to remain there.

There are current successes or situations today that could be keeping you away from GodТs best. If you read more of the story, the children of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh did not seem to have problems per se in the place they choose immediately, it looked like they had rest.

The fact that things are going well in a part of life (or otherwise), does not mean that you are there yet!
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","5","11","","","","
May 11
Tomorrow About This Time

2 Kings 7:1-2

Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

As you obey GodТs word today by doing what you read, rejoicing and being thankful for answered prayers; as you sow in thanksgiving over what God has done (and will do), you will begin to receive the greater things that God has stored up for you. Has He not said that eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man, what He has laid in store for us.1 Cor 2 :9

1 Sam. 9:16 says СTomorrow about this time...Т There are only about 5 to 6 times in scriptures that the Lord uses this phrase, and each time God uses it, He actually means tomorrow, as in 24 hours. It signifies imminence; that God wants to do something NOW.

Elishah told the king of Israel that God was going to do something miraculous. He was going to end famine in a day and make food available all over. We see the adviser of the king, another type of Haman, trying to stop the word of God (through the prophet) from coming to pass, by sowing disbelief into the king and those around the king.

When God speaks, listen. Stand against GodТs word and risk being shipped out or perish like the kingТs adviser in 2 Kings 7.

God wants to do a speedy work in your life in that Сarea of impossibilityТ, tomorrow about this time!
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","5","12","","","","
May 12
What is Man that Your Mind is Full of Him?

Ps 8:4

what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him?

Some of GodТs blessings cause me to wonder Сwho am I that you take note of your handmaid?Т The psalmist also wondered aloud that way when the Lord took him from being a shepherd to being the king.

Acknowledge the goodness of the Lord in your life even if you feel it is undeserved or people feel it should not be you, because they are used to seeing you in your low estate.

Well, God will not ask their permission before He promotes you. After all Ruth was a widow trying to sustain herself and her mother in law by picking the fields after harvesters. Yet God lifted her to be the mistress of that field.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: Ruth 4:13

The question in the harvestersТ minds could have been: how can Ruth become our mistress? We were her bosses and benefactors before now.

The tendency for some of us when we find ourselves in a position where God has lifted us above our peers, is to start downplaying and making light of His blessings so people will not be offended that we are doing better than they are.

DonТt in your naivety start negotiating or down playing GodТs blessing in your life. People should see what your Father is capable of doing in your life and be challenged to believe Him for theirs.

ItТs their problem how they choose to react; either to be happy for you while believing for theirs or to give in to the flesh and be envious.

Also do not be arrogant and fall prey to pride because the Lord has lifted you up. Let His fear and awe continue in your heart just like the psalmist did.

Remain humble and know that you were nothing He just chose you because His mind is full of you!

And do not entertain fear; God has a plan on how to maintain you on that higher ground
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","13","","","","
May 13
Discretion Pays! (Part 1)

Gen 9:20-27

And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; Е God shall enlarge JaphethЕ

A couple of life lessons can be drawn from this story. The first is the importance of discretion. When Ham saw Noah, he was not discrete about it. He probably told his brothers and to be СdiscreteТ, he then told them to Сkeep it only to themselvesТ. This, of course, is not being discrete.

Often we still get caught in HamТs same trap of carrying news, whether true or false is irrelevant, from place to place. God wants us to be discrete in managing the information we see and hear unless He instructs us otherwise.

Prov. 2:11 tells us that СDiscretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep theeТ:

Often discretion and knowledge are tied together (Prov. 1:4; 5:2; 8:12). What this means is that there are many things we see and know in life, but we should not say all of them; or rather, we need not say all of them.

Discretion guides, discretion protects, when we remain discrete we can sometimes have more occasion to protect ourselves, and others. When we remain discrete, we would often have more occasions to meditate and make sense of what we saw.

For example, Mary visited Elizabeth and heard a confirmation of what the angel said to her, but she was discrete. Jesus went to the temple at age 12, and was teaching (with wisdom), and they actually forgot him in the temple on their departure. When they came back for him, this was the subject of conversations, but Mary kept these things in her heart. Mary was discrete.

Discretion will keep you before kings. Kings, people in authority, important people, like and value discrete people
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","5","14","","","","
May 14
Focus

Matt 14:28-29

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

When Peter asked the Lord for the supernatural instruction and rhema, the Lord gave him the word СCOMEТ. His faith rose quickly, he stepped out in faith and began to do the impossible- walk on water.

So it is with most of us. We start off full of faith and excitement. Then when the wind starts blowing like it did with Peter we do the same thing; we quickly forget that God gave us the word and He is able to uphold His word even in the face of adversity.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sinkЕ (Matt 14:30)

The intention was to go to Jesus yet the wind still blew against him. He became afraid. Self preservation took over faith and immediately he began to sink! Take your focus off the wind keep it on Jesus and the rhema he sent to you. Then donТt be afraid to call on him for the umpteenth time!

he cried, saying, Lord, save me (Matt 14:30).

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faithЕ (Heb 12:2).

The Lord performed the emergency procedure first before addressing his weakness which was his waning faith. So he will always respond to your SOS message.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matt 14:31).
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","15","","","","
May 15
Champions Lay Aside Every Weight and Sins that Hinder Their Progress.

Heb 12:1-4

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faithЕ Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Champions recognise their besetting sins.

They do not fool around their area of vulnerability and they do not ignore and pretend it does not exist around. They lay it aside and avoid things that will possibly lead to it. They keep watch on the predisposing factors so they can cut off things that feed such sin or weaknesses.

This is the way God leads His children too. When He forbade the Israelites from eating certain flesh, He also told them not to keep the animals or look at or keep their carcasses around for any purpose. They were to regard everything about the animal as an abomination so that there would be no temptation to eat them.

Champions look into their inner man for the grace God has deposited to sustain them in laying aside these unhealthy habits. They also seek counsel from qualified Christians if necessary.

They cultivate the habit of walking with the Holy Spirit every step of the day to keep them in check, because they know they must continue to run the race set before them to make progress in this life.

Look out for the topics from the making of a champion series every 1^st and 15^th of each month.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","16","","","","
May 16
Acceptable Meditation

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight o Lord

Your thought life is quite important, so you must ensure that it is also pleasing unto God. Remember God looks on the inwards parts and measures our thoughts; anything that is not holy is not acceptable to God.

If your thoughts were going to be put on the screen for people to see I am sure some of us would take the next plane out town to avoid the embarrassment. We think that what we think about is not important so far it is not worry, or nobody else is harmed by it; but it is harmful to you if it is not acceptable to God.

Some even think that you can think about sin so far you are not committing it actively, it is okay. You must watch out for these kinds of fallacies they are traps because the Bible says as a man thinketh in his heart so is he (Prov 23:7). Jesus said he who commits the sin in his heart is already guilty of it.

I read a book about what is on your mind many years ago. The author wrote about the Christian leaders who fell into sin because they had been entertaining the sin in their hearts for long thinking it was safe, so far they could limit it to the mind.

But the Bible talks about abstaining from sinful desires because it wars against your soul (1 Pet 2:11). That word СwarsТ means to Сarraign against or to hold captiveТ. Meaning that when you lend your mind to unholy meditations you are setting your mind against your soul, to hold your soul captive.

Learn to occupy your mind with good thoughts and actively meditate on GodТs word and what you like to see happen so the Devil will not give you his own thoughts and sinful things to meditate on.

So what is on your mind now?!
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","17","","","","
May 17
Condemnation from Satan and Others

John 8:11

ЕJesus said neither do I condemn youЕ

Rom 8:33-34

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?

We know that God has justified us and is no longer counting our sin against us.

Who shall bring any accusation against us? It is definitely not Christ who came to set us free. It is Satan the accuser of brethren who raises persecution for you at your work, within your family, church, etc.

But thank God that He has assured us that none of those accusations and power shall separate us from His plan and purpose for our lives.

if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment (2 Peter 2:9)

That is why God warns us constantly to cease from accusing one another, as it is, Satan is already at work with his cohorts and we need not take on his job to perpetuate condemnation.

Christ has not condemned you, Satan seeks to accuse and condemn you. He wants you to be guilt ridden and become so burdened that you will not be useful to God, to yourself and anybody else at that.

Watch out and make sure you deal with guilt by repenting, asking God for forgiveness and moving away quickly from actions that would compromise your good conscience.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","18","","","","
May 18
DonТt Be Fooled

Habakkuk 2:3

But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

When God promised Abraham a seed, Ishmael showed up and seemed to have everything that the promise would have, but real as it seemed, he was not the promise. A manifestation may seem real, but it is not the same as the promise.

Hold fast to sound doctrine. Keep GodТs words before your eyes. As it is in heaven, so shall it be on the earth. Moses built the tabernacle, and Solomon built the temple, based on specific instructions from God, Who is particular about our purpose and the things He desires for us.

David was key in the plan and promise of God. He was in the lineage of Jesus, and central to the purpose of God for His people at that time. The lust of the flesh (focusing on what the flesh has to offer) almost caused his father not to put him up for selection, because his other brothers looked physically СmoreТ like a king than David, did.

But God insisted on his choice and purpose (of David as a king). On your day, God will insist on you.

Tarry for the manifestation of that word today.
Bro Ted
"], ["Y","5","19","","","","
May 19
Worshipping God in the Spirit

Philippians 3:3

Сwe are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the fleshТ

John 4:24

СFor God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship him in spirit and in truthТ

It is not that you may not have reasons to put confidence in the flesh even based on past victory or achievement before you came to know Him and the power of His resurrection.

When you choose to worship God in the spirit and truth, your focus shifts from self, flesh, (that is, personal preferences, goals, outlook and impression, wealth, position, charisma, strength, skills, arms, connection, ability) to just pleasing the one who has called you, to comprehending the reason you were apprehended.

You quit deceiving yourself that you did all by the power of your hands like Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4: 29-32). God also uses non-believers to further His purpose and He created us all and all our talents too.

Deeper spiritual insight would cause you to throw your crown and all that you stand for, down before Him. It puts your focus wholly on His person.

Know that the Father seeks such worshippers (John 4:23).

The hour cometh and now is, when the TRUE worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the father SEEKETH such to worship Him

.
Acknowledge him as the author of life and give Him worship and adoration.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","20","","","","
May 20
Cease to Worry

Phil 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You can decide to arrive at the promise in peace or pieces. Worrying makes sure you do the latter. Refusing to take thought for tomorrow after you have been assured, is the thing to do.

Things will take the course God has ordained which maybe different from your timing especially if there is a heavenly plan concerning the situation e.g. the appearance of Jesus and the birth of John the Baptist (John the Baptist was to be the forerunner for Jesus, meaning their pathways had to cross on this earth).

Also, if God is working on you so that what you are expecting may yield more fruit and benefit more people. For instance, Hannah had to get to the point where she offered the child to the Lord for He was seeking somebody to stand for the people.

Again, the disciples waiting to receive the Holy Spirit had to prepare themselves to receive and for the work that lay ahead. God knew that they would have to start work immediately and He knew what their schedule would be like. They needed to birth the work and cover their involvement in prayer. Waiting was needful, especially after the major events they had been through.

You really need to learn to be still and know that He is God so you donТt dissipate unnecessary energy.

Worrying and trying out pseudo solutions can complicate issues. Ask the matriarch Sarah about her nice plan to save herself and her husband some embarrassment after years of calling each other Сfather of many nations and mother of many nationsТ.

Note that ceasing from worry and laying it down at the feet of Jesus is not lethargy and СwhatТs gonna beТs gonna beТ. No, Not at all. It is the confidence that Сif He said it, He is ableТ. I will not fret IТll only do my part Ц believe, wait, calm my nerves, talk to myself and love not my life even unto death.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","21","","","","
May 21
Light

Matt 5:14-16

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Do you realize that you are the light of the world and ambassadors of Christ here on earth (2 Cor 5: 8); that you are to work in the light of GodТs word and not according to your old nature?

You must crucify your flesh and put off the old man who operates according to the standard of this world and put on the new man who is recreated after the likeness of Christ. Then, let the light of Christ in you shine by your good works.

This is your responsibility. God will not do it for you. He has given you the ability to do so and the one you could not do, which involved changing your very nature, He did by the power of His Holy Spirit (2 Cor 5:17).

Start from somewhere it doesnТt matter whether your light has the effect of a torch light or flood light you just need to get used to shinning for him. Eventually, you become more skilful at letting the quality of His impartation on your life show forth.

For God, who said, СLet light shine out of darkness,Т made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.( 2 Cor 4: 6)

Do not despise the days of little beginning. God shined his light into our hearts so we can shine it to the world. ItТs not about show off, itТs about witnessing. It involves handling the knowledge of GodТs word in love and concern to shine more effectively.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","22","","","","
May 22
Sustenance and Successive Breakthroughs

Deut 11:10-15

The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden. But the land Е is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end. So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today ЧЕ then I will send rain on your land in its seasonЕ so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

When you come into Christ and you start walking in His principles, expect things to change and watch out for the difference. The Lord told the Israelites that in Egypt they operated irrigation systems but in the Promised Land, the dew will water the ground. Therefore, they would not labour unnecessarily. He positioned them for blessings and abundant harvest.

Sustenance and successive breakthroughs will be the order of the day in your life as you begin to trust Him in your walk with Him and to operate the kingdom principles.

Yours will not be flitting passing success but it will be sustainable and available. It wonТt be the case of one breakthrough in 10 in years and while you are waiting for another, you   languish in want.

As a covenant partner God wants you to walk in blessings not breakthroughs the same way that Abraham did. Your kind of blessing will appear like breakthroughs to others but it will be a normal way of life for you.

Remember the conditions: obedience to His commandments, walking in His principles and His ways. Do not operate with a double mind because a double minded man will not receive from the Lord (James1:6-8).

Make up your mind to make the necessary changes, take the pains to undergo research, and study, then arise and begin the journey.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","23","","","","
May 23
GodТs Messenger

Jeremiah 1:5-10

СBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nationsТ. СAh, Sovereign LORD,Т I said, СI do not know how to speak; I am only a childТ. But the LORD said to me, СDo not say, I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,Т declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, СNow, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.Т

When God sends you to do something, people may not understand it or they may simply not believe you are qualified to be sent or they do not care about what God has to say at all.

Some will try to stop you, making your life and fulfilling the instruction difficult. Others will oppose GodТs message directly like Alexander the coppersmith opposed PaulТsТ ministry (2 Tim 4:14) and Pharaoh questioned who MosesТ God was

And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. Ex 5:2

He did find out eventually find out who the Lord was, though paid a high price. He did not have the intention to cooperate or obey the message of the God he disdained. But God made him.

And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they. Ex7:6;

And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses Ex 9:35; ЕЕ31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said Ex 12:31.

Take courage in this fact and dare to deliver GodТs message He will back you up with His power. He is an awesome God.

Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","24","","","","
May 24
Kinship in the Spirit

Rom 8:16

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

Sometimes your dreams cross with others, you meet with somebody for the first time and in a short while, it feels like you have known each other for eternity.

I sat beside a woman in a crusade; we exchanged pleasantries and worshipped together. We were both high in spirit and really expectant, we were just intimate strangers from different nations and races, but moved by the Spirit. Just as I was thanking the Lord for letting me meet with her and thinking Сwow it feels so good to be united with the children of GodТ, she turned to me and said Сit feels like weТve known each other for agesТ. I felt exactly the same way!

This is the same thing that happened when the baby in ElizabethТs womb leapt at the voice of Mary, JesusТ mother because the two childrenТs destinies were tied and their pathways must cross in life.

The unborn baby recognized the presence of the other destiny child that just came in. That is how we are in Christ. We can easily recognize each other, especially when we are walking in the spirit. We can also tell apart the wolves by their fruit and the wolves in sheep clothing by the operation of the Holy Spirit (discernment of spirits).

Make effort to gravitate towards those who have similar call to yours and who believe in what God is doing in your life. Your spirit will click with theirs, if you are working in the spirit.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","25","","","","
May 25
Teachable and Able To Teach

Gen 18:19

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

2 Tim 2:2

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

When someoneТs opinion differs from yours what do you do? Discard theirs, try to tear it down or, win them over?

Or do you sit back to consider and check if there is a truth you are missing, like the noble Berean Christians who always went to search the scriptures to ascertain that what they were learning lined up with GodТs word (Acts 17:11).

God chooses men who remain teachable and who are willing to teach others to be leaders in the kingdom. Knowledge transfer is very important in the scheme of God.

When Joshua and some others who did not choose successors died, the Bible records in Judges that everyone did as they pleased.

This attitude led them into problems; they went into captivity because they were no longer following GodТs way but theirs. God specifically instructed the Israelites to teach their children about the law of God so they would remember to observe it and thus avoid captivity stemming from ignorance.

How do you spend your time with your family and others? Do you remember to teach them what you have learnt and to learn from them as well? I take time to listen to other preachers because I need to keep learning.

I am not opposed to learning from any one who has what I need to learn. People who get hung up on age, title and position are unable to learn anymore than they already know. I have discovered in many ways that ignorance is very costly. The phrase just used to be a clichщ to me but now I know. I pay the price to learn whatever it is I need to learn and I strive to transfer my knowledge to worthy men who are willing to teach others.

      Are you meek enough to learn something new, to admit and give credit to whoever taught you?
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","26","","","","
May 26
Discretion Pays! (Part 2)

Gen 9:20-27

And Noah Е drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; Е God shall enlarge Japheth,Е

After Ham saw his fatherТs nakedness, he did not cover it. Rather, he chose to spread the word to his brothers. If he had covered him then, he would not have incurred a curse to his generation. Concerning the young, the writer of Proverbs says:

That prudence may be given to the simple, and knowledge, discretion, and discernment to the youth Ч (Prov 1:4).

It is not in what we do that we miss our blessings; it is often in what we do not do! Sometimes we hear a story about a believer. We could decide to keep quiet and tell no one, we could decide to tell others about it (often guised as a prayer point or a brotherly concern), or we could decide to pray about it in our closet, and support the person. This last option is the application of both wisdom and discretion.

Like I mentioned earlier, there are lots of things we could come to know and God will bring our way. It is how we handle it that would determine how much else we would see. Also, it is how we deal with the things we see, how we use the grace that is upon us to minister to those situations we hear about, that determines the extent that God shares things with us.

It is not in what we do that we miss our blessings; it is often in what we do not do! What are you not doing today?
Bro Ted
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May 27
How to Watch Our Words

James 3:6

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

Pray before you talk especially when you are angry!

Sometimes count to 20 or 10 before you talk.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, (James 1: 19).

Sometimes donТt answer at all.

Е a time to be silent and a time to speak, (Eccl 3:7).

Remind yourself to be kind and to say only encouraging words even when someone is wrong. Think about how you felt when somebody else said mean things to you or about you. (Do unto others what you want them to do to you).

Remember God is counting on you to show His love and that you are accountable for what you say to people and about people.

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken (Matt 12:36).
Pastor Rachel
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May 28
Obey In Parts, Obey In Whole

Gen 12: 1-3

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

When I read and meditate on the verses above, it is obvious to me that in order to walk with God and to inherit AbrahamТs blessings, we truly in the practical sense of it has to walk with God and deeply trust Him.

Imagine being asked to leave the trusted and familiar, where you have grown up, people you know, your job, etc, to go to a place that is nameless and unfamiliar. The only thing to look forward to is the promise, which if you could put yourself in AbrahamТs shoes and context (in time), would have to be a leap of faith.

Abraham, or Abram as he was then called, had no child and was told he was going to be father of many nations Ц great nations, to be precise. His wife Sara was also barren! Against all of these odds, Abraham believed and hoped. Even though there was little to hold on to and the people around him must have jeered at him, he believed.

Doing exploits for GodТs glory requires full faith in Him, suspending our beliefs, following His word and direction, everyday, even today. There are places that God will have us go, things HeТll have us do, and people HeТll have us interact with and/or dissociate from. His instructions need not make sense.

They may not sound credible to us and especially to others, for it was meant for us, not them. ItТs like tasting food or drink and recommending, or not, to others. Great food might not taste great in every mouth. What this means is that when God asks you to do something or go somewhere, it may sound strange to others, but that is what might differentiate you and indeed make His glory to be obvious on you.

It is very tempting, indeed comforting, for us to wait, and stay with those that we have always known. Departing from our place of necessary comfort to a place that has no links to, nor reminds us of the past can be a real challenge. This may explain AbrahamТs tie to Lot, his reluctance to let go of him, amongst other reasons.

Where is God asking you to go today; what is He asking you to do/stop doing today? Can you, and are you able to ear Him speak to you today? Have you been faithful in little; do you (still) tremble at His word?
Bro Ted
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May 29
The workings of the Holy Spirit

Rom 8:11

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

The resurrection power brought life back into Christ and hence into us and purged us of all sins

That power destroyed him that has the power of death (Heb 2:14-15) and delivered them who have been held all their life in fear and bondage.

It heals spiritual mental and physical sickness. The Spirit restores life into any dead situation He is invited to resuscitate.

The resurrection power is the Holy Spirit of God

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands (2 Tim 1:6).

Еcommanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me ЕFor John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence (Acts 1:4-5)

Еthat on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 10:45)

If you pray in the spirit and walk in the consciousness that the same powerful Spirit that raised Jesus from dead is residing in you, and you talk to him, appreciate him, give heed to the gentle nudge, (which is the way he leads you), fear will loose its grip on you. You will become totally free from bondage and other schemes from hell. Your life will experience a total turn around and you will experience renewed zest.

Ask the Father to fill you with the fullness of His Holy Spirit and Stir up the spirit in you
Pastor Rachel
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May 30
The Glory Must be to the Lord

Dan 2:27-28

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known Е

Joseph, David and Daniel are men who consistently acknowledged GodТs help in their successes.

Joseph and Daniel acknowledged the source of their giftings for dreams and interpretation to God openly. They were not ashamed neither did they feel inferior by admitting that they got divine help on the job.

David the great warrior acknowledged God as his teacher and helper because he was a covenant child. He said Сhe teaches my hands to war and my arm to bend bows of ironТ.

He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 2 Sam 22:35

On the other hand, Nebuchadnezzar and Senacharib amongst others insisted that their own hands had wrought the victory to their own detriment. At least Nebuchadnezzar had the opportunity to repent and ac knowledge God as supreme (Dan 4:16-35).

Always remember your maker and Him who cause you to triumph. Give Him thanks and the glory, and then more successes will crown your present success.
Pastor Rachel
"], ["Y","5","31","","","","
May 31
Mixing the Word with Faith
Heb 4:2, 12

СFor unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.ТЕFor the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

The word of God is likened unto two edged sword- which is powerful and more effective than any other weapons; intellect, seminars, skills, etc. You just have to trust in it to work for you.

When you face challenges and oppositions, do not ignore or deaden your sensitivity to and passion for the word of God, let it be what rouses you to action and not what you see.

Mixing the word with faith is a deliberate action and it takes effort and making choices; especially, when your body or senses are sending you a different message and you are torn between whose report to believe. You must dare to believe and trust God to fulfil His promise to you even in unlikely events.

Joshua and Caleb chose to believe GodТs promise over what they saw. They even tried to persuade the others to dare to believe and not rebel. They risked being stoned but for GodТs timely intervention.

Making such decisions in the face of contradicting facts is mind wrestling. Their action showed that they trusted in the Lord. They were not just following the crowd and hoping things work out fine, Сkeeping their fingers crossedТ like the world says. The people were ready to stone them for demonstrating such level of faith in GodТs promise but the Lord honoured that same faith that irritated the crowd.

Е.But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?... (Num 14:4-12).
Pastor Rachel
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June 1
Champions Define Their Relationships
Matt 12:50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

The fact that you are related to or grew up with somebody does not mean you must stick with them at the peril of your purpose. People who do not appreciate the gift of God on your life must be put at arms length.

You must understand that there are people who stand outside your scope. That means you are not called to minister to them or they do not appreciate your call. Such people will only hinder your progress through unnecessary debate and activities that will distract you. You should not avoid and disrespect people but you must be able to classify where different people belong in your life.

Jesus used different criteria other than what was acceptable to society for defining intimacy. While he was about his FatherТs business, preaching, he was told that his mother and brethren sought him. He was expected to terminate his work and go meet with them. He did not despise his mother; but at that time she was not championing his cause. He defined the criteria for access to his attention while he was at work. At that point they stood without not within where he was doing the work.

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren. (Matt 12:46-49)

Pastor Rachel<