Category Archives: Word of Faith

New Year: How Christian Should Start a New Season!

Posted by Jan 12, 2021 Holy Word, Family, Word of Faith Leave a Comment
New Year: How Christian Should Start a New Season!

The beginning of a new year is an opportunity for Christians to check and balance their relationship with the LORD. It is time to seek GOD’s face for a new improved design of another fruitful year.

Today’s message elaborates steps to take in the early part of a new year to gain fruitfulness.

12 Steps to Take as You Start a New Year

1. Give thanks to the LORD for last year and appreciate Him for the new one.

2. Highlight the achievement and shortfalls of last year for better planning.

3. List and present your wonderful wishes for the new year to the LORD.

Proverbs chapter 13 verse 16: “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.”

4. Forgive yourself and everyone that offended you.

5. Do a spiritual audit of your life using the scriptures.

6. I recommend the first 7 days of the new year for intensive prayers to seek GOD’s face and to know HIS plan for your life.

First Chronicles chapter 16 verse 11 to 12: “Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! Remember His marvellous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.

7. List every response from the LORD.

8. Don’t be afraid if you hear nothing after 7 days, the Holy Spirit would communicate as you obey the word of GOD.

9. Sustain your Bible reading plan for the year.

Hebrew chapter 4 verse 12: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

10. Make a list of Bible verses that would improve your spiritual. life.

11. Itemize the things that negatively affect your financials the previous year and seek help to avoid its repetition.

12. Every action that hampered your performance last year must not be repeated in the new year.

7 Bible verses that Helps for a Good Start!

1. Choose to strictly follow GOD

“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)

2. Put Faith in the LORD and not in the Money

“So, Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

3. Be Hopeful for a better year

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

4. Look to the LORD and not to any person

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills-From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

5. Don’t worry about the unknown in the new year

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

6. Don’t dwell in your last year shortfalls

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

7. The determinant of a wonderful year is your choice

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34)

 

A Guide on a New Year Plan

It goes beyond a thoughtful posture on your couch, so a pen and a paper (or iPad) is essential for a good planning. Many points to write are not limited to the following:

1. Important new decisions to make for the year.

2. Your financial goals and how to achieve them.

3. How to improve your spiritual relationship with the LORD.

4. Mistakes of last year and its corrections for this year.

5. The aspect of your life that needs to change and how to get it done.

6. How you want to be a source of blessings to the poor.

7. Things to do to make the new year better than last year.

8. Identifying the time-wasters of your life and how to curb them.

9. Additional steps to take to improve the bond of your family.

10. How to contribute to the great mission of evangelism.

When you list your points, then you would have the confidence and assurance that the new year would be a great one for you. Present your points to the LORD for guidance and approval. I tried this every year and it works well for me.

 

A fruitful new year starts with intensive personal planning, presenting the plans to the LORD who has the power of fulfilment and obedience to the guidance of the LORD as the events unfolds every day. I pray that the LORD would make you enjoy this year in a spectacular form in Jesus name.

Horoscope; 10 Reasons to Avoid Astrologers!

Posted by Nov 28, 2020 Holy Word, Word of Faith Leave a Comment
Horoscope; 10 Reasons to Avoid Astrologers!

Astrologers use the horoscope as an art of divination to predict your future events or character. They ask for your birthday to relate its position in the sky, sun, moon and planets.

The horoscope originated from the eastern world but it’s becoming popular in our society. Today’s message tells more about astrology and at the end of this article you would know if it is truly for fun or not.

I was shocked when I read this publication: “A survey by Pew Research published in 2018 found that almost one in three adults in the United States believe in astrology.

More than one in four Christians also believe in astrology, including 24 percent of Protestants and 33 percent of Catholics. At 18 percent, evangelicals are tied with agnostics as the second-least-likely group to believe in astrology.

At 34 percent, Protestants are the second-most-likely group to believe in astrology, following those who claim their religion is “nothing in particular” (47 percent).

If you are someone who believes in astrology, please I appeal to you to stop because it is deceitful and unhelpful. The comment below was the experience of a Christian family who indulge in horoscope:

“They’re so funny because they are not true at all! My mom read hers and it told her that she would find the love of her life in a month and to leave the guy she’s with now… my dad laughed pretty hard at that!

But don’t listen to them, they are lying and have nothing to do with God, which is what we Christians want to stay away from!”

Is It Safe for Me to Read Horoscope?

This might be a worrisome question going through your heart now. I have the correct answer for you!

Marcia Montenegro was former professional licensed astrologer who practiced astrology for over 8 years; former President of the Metropolitan Astrological Society, former Chairperson of the Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners; former teacher of astrology for over 5 years. But, listen to her testimony:

“The very roots of astrology are in ancient paganism and worship of the planets as gods, making astrology a true form of “fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness”.

Most astrologers are involved in other forms of occultism and New Age practices such as tarot cards, numerology, belief in reincarnation, having spirit guides, Eastern meditation practices, and so forth.

Thus, reading horoscopes (as well as consulting an astrologer) is to be receptive to something coming from this kind of spiritual worldview.

Being an occult art, astrology is connected to the paranormal powers of the occult.

This paranormal effect manifested for me when I would concentrate on a chart in preparation for a reading or during the session with the client: I would feel a distinct energy flowing between the chart and myself. I called it “tuning into the chart.”

I usually felt guided through the chart, and seemed to know where to go in the chart for information and which information was relevant for the client.”

Marcia’s testimony shows that horoscope is not safe for Christians!

The secret of astrologers is to work on your psyche to believe their prediction and if you do, then it comes to pass.

10 Reasons You Must Stay Away from Horoscope

Astrology is currently enjoying a broad cultural acceptance due to the advent of the personal computer, accelerated with the Internet, and has reached new speeds through social media.

The Devil is doing his best to lure everyone into the end-time destruction, so Christians must know this secret and run away from reading horoscope.

The following points were carefully confirmed to show that astrology is not for you:

1. People who follow their stars are more likely to abandon their commitments and be self-indulgent if they’re predicted to have a bad day.

2. There is divine punishment for those who believe in astrologers.

Isaiah chapter 47 verse 13 and 14 says: “…Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from what shall come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble, the fire shall burn them…”

3. Horoscope is usually vague and general in its predictions and can be open to a number of interpretations.

4. Astrology was based on the idea that the earth was the centre of the solar system, but their theory was proved to be wrong in 1543 when Copernicus discovered that the sun is the centre of the solar system.

Hence, the authenticity of horoscope had failed.

5. Three new planets were discovered; Uranus in 1781, Neptune in 1839 and Pluto in 1932, but the astrologers find it difficult to include them to the seven planets on their chart.

Thus, their readings would forever be inaccurate.

6. Their predictions are always untrue. For instance, how could twins born in the same place and at the same time develop widely varying lifestyles?

7. Horoscope looks harmless but it is occultism. It links the clients to the dark world which takes their hearts away from the LORD.

8. Many people who love this divination suffer demonic oppression while some become demonic possessed.

9. If you love horoscope for fun then you are funnily practicing idolatry.

10. Your LORD does not want you to adore the stars, moon or any heavenly bodies. The LORD says:

“…If there is found among you…who has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded…

…then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has committed that wicked thing, and shall stone to death that man or woman with stones.” (Deuteronomy chapter 17)

 

The cogent points above show that horoscope is inaccurate, occultism, deceitful and idolatry. So, don’t download the application and ignore their enticement on the internet.

Evil thought; 20 ways to stop Sinful Thought

Posted by Nov 5, 2020 Holy Word, Word of Faith 7 Comments
Evil thought; 20 ways to stop Sinful Thought

Evil thought is the voice in your heart that tells you to do ungodly action. Who owns the evil voice that purges unclean thought to your mind? Where is the source? Do you want answers to these questions and how to be saved from the troubles of evil thoughts? Alright! Today’s message is good for you.

“In a landmark experiment back in the 1980s, psychologist Eric Klinger, of the University of Minnesota, asked volunteers to record what they were thinking when a handheld device chirped over the course of a week.  Within a 16-hour day, he found, people have about 500 thoughts that are unintentional and intrusive and that last about 14 seconds on average. 

While most thoughts dealt with the concerns of everyday life, 18 percent were unacceptable, uncomfortable, incorrect, mean or bad thoughts. A remaining 13 percent were ugly, out of character, or shocking (for instance; murderous or perverse ideas).”

This finding shows how little control we seem to have over the timing and content of evil thoughts. But thank God for the Power of His Holy Spirit who can give us the victory!

Is it a Sin to Have Evil Thoughts?

The bad thoughts you analysed with interest to execute or for pleasure in your heart is a sin. For instance; Jesus says it was a sin to see a woman and have a sexy thought filled with interest in your heart to put her on bed.

However, the bad thoughts you wrestled with does not make you a sinner. You are not a sinner when struggling with sinful thoughts in your mind, but you become one when you dance to the tune of the impure thoughts.

For instance; Devil’s temptation to Jesus was a thoughtful one, but Jesus never sinned as a result of the bad thought. Though, He was hungry but He rejected the idea and said: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

20 Ways to Stop Evil Thoughts in Your Heart

1. Make covenant with your 5 sense of sight, taste, hearing, smell and touch to be for holiness.

2. Die to sin and acknowledge your new status of righteousness.

3. Dedicate your body to be the temple of the LORD.

4. Assessment of evil thoughts with the Will of God gives victory.

5. Accept the responsibility to wipe off the evil thoughts. Don’t cross your arms enjoying the sinful thoughts and expecting God to come and wipe it off for you.

6. Learn to scold yourself. It strengthens your heart to do the right-thinking.

7. Respect the Power of your Mind. It’s so good in painting pictures.

8. Fear God in all your thoughts.

9. Respond with the Word of God and you would overcome sinful thoughts.

10. Give the Holy Spirit the chance to deal with thoughts that fill your heart.

11. Cast down sinful imagination!

12. Meditate on the Word of God every time.

13. Sing gospel songs and not the popular secular music.

14. Pull out from church that tells you to always come and confess you sins every service day.

15. Say goodbye to friends that spent their strength on sex, alcohol or drugs.

16. Stop vulgar language!

17. Pull out from watching movies; the imaginations terribly trouble your heart.

18. Don’t give room for depression.

19. Make friends with those who tell you the scriptural truth.

20. Don’t think deeply about evil thoughts but delete instantly.

What Does Bible Say About Impure Thought?

1. Job chapter 31 verse 1: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?”

2. Romans chapter 8 verse 12 and 13: “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors–not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

3. Second Corinthians chapter 7 verse 1: “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

4. Colossians chapter 3 verse 2: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

5. Matthew chapter 22 verse 37: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”

You can overcome evil thought when you practice the points above, they are all vital points that give me victory as well. 

God First: How God Can Be Your Chief Planner!

Posted by Oct 19, 2020 Holy Word, Word of Faith Leave a Comment
God First: How God Can Be Your Chief Planner!

Many responsibilities such as academics, family, work etc. calls for your concentration every day. Have you taking fast actions on some issues and later backfired? Did you ask why? Not putting God first can be a strong reason for the loss.

Today’s message would enlighten you on how to put God first in all your plans and how to be saved from distractions during critical moments.

What does Putting God First really mean?

To put God as your Chief Planner means nothing should be more important than the Lord’s contribution to your matter. You don’t prioritize the thought or comments of people above God’s message to you.

When God is your Chief planner then your love for His instructions would supersede that of your parents, boss, friends, spouse, children or anyone.

Jesus knew you would go through many tough and happy situations which require critical decision to take. He knew how people or circumstances could be misleading.

So, He says: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

5 Ways to Put God First in Your Plan

1. Knowing His Word for You

Reading the Bible and studying the scriptures through the help of the Holy Spirit are vital ways to know the Will of God for you. When you know His Will then you would find it easy to make Him first in all your actions.

2. Exercise your Spiritual Gift

If you don’t know your spiritual gift then it would be difficult to put God as your Chief Planner. Read first Corinthians chapter 12 and Joel chapter 2 verse 28… and see if you can identify your special spiritual gift.

 

God gives a spiritual gift for you and others to benefit. For instance, I don’t joke with my dreams because the LORD speaks to me through visions, so I allow God to be my Master Planner.

3. Respect the Holy Spirit

Some people disrespect the quiet voice in them because His opinion is different from the decision they love to take. Holy Spirit is the Spirit of GOD, so one of the vital ways to put God first is to respect and not to shun the gentle voice.

4. Regular Communication

If you always browse the internet, ask friends or visit the fortune tellers before taking your final decision then you may not be far from missing the Will of God for you.

Consistent prayer is a good practice that opens your eyes to see and your ears to hear from the LORD. It’s easier to put God first when you communicate always with Him.

Regular Prayer was the secret success of Jesus which made it easy for Him to insist that the Will of God should prevail that night He was arrested at mount Olives.

5. Act of Obedience

Moses obeyed God’s command, put the LORD first and he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Joshua put God as his Chief Planner and he led the Israelites to the promised land. Your act of obedience to Jesus’ commandments would make it easy for you to put God as your Chief Planner in all your dealings.

10 Benefits of Having God as Your Chief Planner

1. God does not make mistake, so you can’t make mistake.

2. You won’t miss your target of brilliant success in life.

3. The journey might be slow but you would arrive gloriously.

4. No loss for you but big gains.

5. You won’t find yourself in trouble!

6. Confusion won’t be your share but clear understanding of life.

7. No false prophets can dupe you.

8. God would be proud of you on earth and in Heaven.

9. Everyone would finally celebrate with you.

10. You won’t miss Heaven!

It is wise to put God first in everything you do by obeying God’s commandments and receiving personal confirmation from the LORD before you go ahead on your plans. I tried it and it works, you would enjoy life forever if you do the same.

Difficult times: 5 Ways to Survive the Tough Situation!

Posted by Oct 11, 2020 Holy Word, Word of Faith Leave a Comment
Difficult times: 5 Ways to Survive the Tough Situation!

No one prays for difficult times but it comes like an uninvited visitor. You might have questions like; Can I live without tough times? Why do I have to go through difficult situations? Is my Christian life not immune against difficult times? I also have questions, but it does not change the fact that God is Able to do all things!

Imagine the hurdles of John who was born in the year 1900. World War 1 began when he was 14 years old and never end until his 18th birthday. He survived the tough times but 22 million people perished. 

Just as everyone was trying to breathe a sigh of relief, Spanish Flu pandemic hits the world later in the year. And, John struggled through this period until he was 20 years old, but the flu infected about 500 million and killed 50 million people.

He believed in the Word of the LORD and made his faith stronger than before.

The four years of Great Depression began when he was 29 years old when the unemployment hits 25% and the World GDP dropped 27%.

When John was 39 the World War II starts, and about 79 million people died when he was 50 years old. He survived difficult times repeatedly because he did not stop trusting God for a better life.

Yes! he spent 75 years on earth, but the unique virtue about his story is that he did not allow the difficult times to steal the joy of his salvation.

What to Do During the Difficult Times

You don’t have to be miserable, frustrated and unhappy during the tough times. God is never going to put you into a condition or let you into a trial, without giving you the ability to be in it with joy.

Jesus says: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Five things you need to do include:

1. Kick off Bias

Difficult times suck faith but you must be firm and focused on your path of Salvation. Don’t look at the hardship but always look at the LORD. No matter how tough it is, don’t take God for granted. Believe in the Power of the LORD for your survival.

2. Praise the LORD

This is a difficult thing to do when going through difficult times but I discovered it shortens the troubled time. It saves you from depression and connects you stronger to the LORD.

Paul who went through many troubles knew this secret and he said: “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

3. Learn to be Calm

Don’t be aggressive to the LORD, your spouse, children or anyone around you. Aggression steals your joy. It would make you stay longer in the unwanted situation, so make yourself gentle in your thoughts and actions.

There was a time I do not know the way out of my trouble because I was just too aggressive, it was so difficult for me to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit- the Great Counsellor…

4. Pray for Grace

Everyone would have to go through one or more difficult times. If tough time starts from the life of Adam and Jesus was not spared from troubles, then you have to be ready to conquer yours too.

Emulate Jesus by engaging in prayers. Don’t cry to hurt your eye balls and don’t bleed your heart to depression but live a prayerful life!

5. Avoid Shortcuts

It is natural for you to think of the shortest route to your breakthrough, but my friend most of the shortcuts are trap of the devil who want you to miss the will of God for your life.

God may delay but HE would surely come to help you. Your timing is different from God’s timing. Remember the story of the ten virgins in the book of Matthew chapter 25.

 

As you follow the steps above you would surely survive the difficult times without backsliding. May the LORD strengthen your heart and make a way for you in Jesus name.