PERSONAL STUDY TIME

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Bible study is very important for all believers. It is the very means by which you are equipped for God’s work. It is not just for those called to vocational ministry but for all believers. Our text verse says when you study, you will rightly divide the Word of Truth. How does one go about "rightly dividing the word of truth?" It begins with a preparation and a proper perspective. When we study God’s Word we must see it as it is; God’s holy, infallible and inspired Word.

Studying your Bible is for your personal growth and development, why? because you can only give what you have inside you. If you put scriptures in your head, it'll stay in your head; also if you put scriptures in your heart, it will definitely stay in your heart. Always let the Word of God enter and settle into your heart (your spirit), so when you're communicating it, the Holy Spirit amplifies your Words and puts His stamp on it. You must take time to study the scriptures for yourself. When you don't do this, you'd be ashamed when that knowledge is required and you're not able to showcase it. 

Also don't presume or assume anything about God that is not true; study for yourself. You have to find out things for ourselves, and not just assume its correct because one preacher or Pastor said it. When you have the Word of God in you, you'd find out that you will always be motivated and excited whenever you hear anyone talking or sharing the Word. 

Further Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 3:16 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I will spend more time studying Your Word. I know It is profitable to anyone who reads it, therefore I will do as You've instructed in Jesus name Amen.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOU

"Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." 1 Timothy 4:16 AMP

Development is the act of improving by expanding, enlarging, or refining. So personal development means improving yourself inside, refining yourself for the purpose of being more effective in the work God has committed to your trust. It is a process of growing and getting better, there are people who are static and do not make progress, it's very important to make progress. Set yourself on track to develop further and make big progress.

Paul admonished Timothy to pay close attention to himself; to develop himself in the Word of God. We all have a situation or a trend where we require a change. Don’t always seek to change the situation externally; change most times begins with you. You don't need to struggle so much to enforce a change, it happens naturally as you grow yourself in the Word. God is more concerned and interested in who you are, and who you are becoming. This is why you need to pay attention to yourself.

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 4:20; 2 Timothy 2:15 

Declare This: Dear Father, I will continually pay attention to myself and ensure I am making progress and accelerating in every area of my life in Jesus name Amen.

RECOGNIZE HIS VOICE

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me". John 10:27 NIV

If you got a phone call from your doctor today and he said, "I need to see you tomorrow at 8am. Would you keep that appointment? I bet you would. From that moment your mind starts wondering the reason he wants to see you, it could be he wants to tell you that you're in the best shape ever, but whatever it is you can't wait to hear from him. This is the same way God calls on us daily. He is the doctor of our souls and He wants to speak to us every day. He wants to talk to you.

The more you listen and obey God’s voice through His Word, the more successful you become. Success is knowing God’s will and being right in the center of it. If you want to be successful in life, if you want to be productive, if you want to be effective, tune into God, listen to what He says and do what He has asked you to do.

Further Scripture Study: James 4:8; Proverbs 4:20-25

Declare This: Dear Father, I acknowledge that Your Word is all I need for a productive life. I will always recognize your voice which You've given me through Your Word in Jesus name Amen.

EXPECT TEMPTATION

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" 1 Corinthians 10:30 NIV.

Temptation can be both a curse and a blessing. As Christians, we should expect to be tempted because we're in a world full of temptations. Satan does his best to deceive Christians into living a life of sin so that they are useless to God and ministry. 

Overcoming temptation is something every believer needs to learn how to accomplish and prevail over. We can also learn to use temptation as a means to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can defeat temptation successfully on a regular basis. Stay in God's Word and consistently have faith in God to see you through. Your temptation advances you to your next level of accomplishment, success and victory.

Further Scripture Study: John 14:18 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I know that You always make a way for me to escape any temptation. I refuse to negotiate with any, rather I stand in faith of Your Word and ensure I win always in Jesus name Amen.

GIVE TIME TO READING

"Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching". 1 Timothy 4:13 NIV

Timothy was instructed by Paul to make sure that his Church was continually exposed to the Bible. He tells Timothy "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture...; He was to be hard at work in the reading the Word of God. As the pastor, his main task was to be the one who maintained a godly life for others to see and then show them the truth of God’s Word.

Too many Christians read the Bible only when they want to and when they need to quote a particular scripture to help them in time of a need. The Bible is not meant to be complicated or misunderstood. It conveys the basic truths that we need at all times and whatever clarification(s) you require, you'll definitely find it in God's Word. Every knowledge in the world today are all included inside the Word. 

If you are going to grow spiritually in the things of God, you will have to find time to study the Word of God for yourself. Being gifted and called does not preclude the need to Improve. For the fact that you're reading this devotional right now means you're ready for the next level of greatness. It's your responsibility to read and study for yourself; no one can read for you especially when you know that you have to study to show yourself approved on to God.

Further Scripture Study: Hosea 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:15 

Declare This: l will give time to reading and studying of Your Word. I recognize its my responsibility to study and show myself approved unto You in Jesus name Amen.

COMMITTED TO GOD

"Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work". John 4:34 AMP

The middle of a race is no time to stop running and evaluate where you stand; evaluation starts based on your commitment from the beginning. Commitment is a state of being dedicated or devoted to a course. Commitment is following Jesus. Before a man can commit himself to anything, he has to be committed to God first. A man that has not given himself to God cannot be a blessing to others. "Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ ". 

Knowing God's Will through commitment to His Word and cultivating faithful relationship with Him guarantees a rewarding and productive life. Paul, during his ministry was so committed to Christ that he was jailed, beaten, starved, stoned, ridiculed, run out of town, and eventually killed just like our Lord Jesus Christ. Commitment is a self sacrifice, It is taking responsibility in spite of negative circumstances or difficulties. It is deciding not to look or depend on your abilities but on God's Ability and Strength.

When you are committed to God, He will also be committed to you. He will increase your ability and create avenues for your promotion in every area of your life. Sickness cannot come close to your body and nothing will ever be impossible for you to do. Be committed to the Source.

Further Scripture Study: 2 Corinthians 8:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:1 

Declare This: Dear Father, I am committed to serving You all the days of my life. I stay connected to the Grace You've given me in Jesus name Amen.

WALK IN LOVE ALWAYS

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Love is a very common word that we use daily. It is believed to always express how strongly we feel about a person or thing. It is a deep emotion that makes us feel good about ourselves. In the Bible we learned that one of the gifts of the spirit is Love, and that it never fails. The amplified version in 1 Corinthians 13:8 further elucidate it as never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.

The book of John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that who so ever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". Even when we were yet sinners wallowing in sin, God gave us His precious Son to die that we might all be saved. He won over the power of sin and death through the ultimate sacrifice of His dear Son. 

You must recognize that in order for you to win and make progress completely in every area of your life, you must make up your mind and be determined to walk in Love always. Owe no one nothing but love. 

Further Scripture Study: ‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭

Prayer Guide: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your dear Son who paid the ultimate sacrifice of love. I declare that the same power of Love is walking in and through me in Jesus name Amen.

PERSONAL PRAYER

"Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18 AMP

It seems that we are constantly being barraged with images of battles being fought around the world. There hardly seems to be a day that goes by without the news telling us of one problem or the other that is being fought over race, religion, power, territory, resources and many more. There is a battle being fought today and it has nothing to do with one race or Country; It is a battle that every Christian will have to fight against evil and one sure way to fight is through prayer (your personal prayer time with God).

Don't take your personal prayer time lightly. Prayer is a time of fellowship with the Lord, and you must keep that relationship aflame, putting into consideration that Jesus said that without Him, you can do nothing. The Lord must have your attention and should be able to talk to you. We live in an age where there are all kinds of communication gadgets around us through which people seek to communicate with one another. Don't let all your communications with people rob you of your fellowship with God. You need to pray and spend time with God regularly. Let this become your custom. When people lack constant fellowship with God, they burn out but as Christians, we don't burn out here, rather we burn on for God. Learn to talk to God about everything that concerns you. 

Further Scripture Study: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I know You always want to have fellowship with me. I've made up my mind not to allow my environment dictate my fellowship with You in Jesus name Amen.

IN SPEECH

Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 AMPC

Paul admonished Timothy to be an example in speech; that is, in words (the way he talks). The people at Ephesus at that time held on to what you say and they would carry your words far and wide. Your mouth is so important for your future and when Paul says be a pattern in what you say, it means people are listening to you. People pay attention to the words that come out of your mouth; in what you said and the way you said it. Your mouth is the driver of your life, either in the right direction or the wrong direction. You have to control your mouth (tongue) at all times.

We are warned in God’s Word (Matt.12:36-37) "But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced". What comes out of the mouth is first manufactured in the heart; Out of the superabundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Watch the way you talk; don't tell off color jokes, don't participate in conversations that are not pleasing to God. Someone wants respect, but talks as bad as the world. You gain respect because you live right. 

When things don’t go right on your job, what kind of words do you use? when you're having financial issues, what comes out of your mouth? when you see a symptom in your body, how do you respond with your words? We need to pray everyday the words of the Psalmist in Psalms 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight.." Be mindful, watchful and always alert with your words; it can destroy and it can also build.

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 16:24; Matt.12:34 

Declare This: Precious Heavenly Father, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight always in Jesus name Amen.

I CAN DO

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 NIV

Paul the same man who was once called Saul of Tarsus, who killed Christians, now stands and says he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength. He had a lot of confidence in that verse, he said I can do "ALL" things. He didn’t say I can do some things, much things, many things, or a few things; he said I can do ALL things. You hear some Christians say "I don’t know if we are able to do that, I don’t know if we have the finances to do that, I don’t know if we have enough people to help? Well Paul said, I can do all things through Christ who gives him strength. 

The world is always telling us that we can’t do this and we can’t do that, but we need to be more like Paul. Paul had to have a lot of trust in the savior to make such powerful statement. He had to have a lot of confidence in his Lord and Savior. How about you? When you realize that you can’t do anything and God can do all things, that’s when you can put your confidence in him. You have to be totally convinced that you can truly do all things and when you put your spirit, soul and body into it, doubt runs away and the ability to carry out whatever you need to do comes to you. 

Further Scripture Study: Zechariah 4:6 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I declare that I can do all things through You who gives me strength. I refuse to be negative but rather depend solely on You for ability, direction and guidance in Jesus name Amen.

STEWARDSHIP

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God". 1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV

Stewardship is the management of that which belongs to another. A steward is a trustee, caretaker, manager, one who supervises. He is responsible and accountable to God for the management of all the things with which he has been entrusted. Man was created a steward. In the garden of Eden, it was the full intention of God that man would have far reaching, responsibilities and privileges. There was to be an intimate sharing between God the owner and the man the steward. An environment of openness where God talked to man and man talked to God. 

When stewardship is understood as a relationship of trust between a person and his creator, immediately the question of responsibility and accountability comes into focus. Every man, in order to be effective, has to understand what are the tools of his trade, these varies with the size, type and scope of whatever is to be managed. Adam and Eve were entrusted with certain tools at creation to enable them to administer their dominion of the earth. You likewise have been given a responsibility by God to carry out His mandate. Stewardship is a relationship, as well as management; Be a manager of God's mandate. The only requirement is your faithfulness.

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 22:29 

Declare this: Heavenly Father, thank You for entrusting this Gospel unto me. I will do the needful always and I promise to make You proud of me in Jesus name Amen.

MESSENGER OF GOD

"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2 NIV

Paul's writing to Timothy was very straightforward in what he had to say. His words seem to be filled with encouragement and assurance so he can finish the course. The finish line is just ahead and we are going down the stretch. We have made many sacrifices and faced many battles. Everything that we have done up till now will all be in vain if we don’t finish the race.

Paul told Timothy to be diligent in preaching the Word. He said, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge (verse 1). He told Timothy, it is your responsibility to be prepared at all times because the opportunity to share God’s Word is his number one priority. 

Preaching of God's Word is our responsibility and as Christians, we all have to preach the Word as official messengers of God and be ready whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, and whether welcome or unwelcome. You have a divine responsibility to change lives, makes them different and make a difference for yourself in the world with the Word of God.

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 11:30; Matthew 28:20; Mark 16:15 

Declare This: Dear Father, I acknowledge it's also my responsibility to preach the Word in season and out of season. My world will know me as Your official messenger in Jesus name Amen.

CALL HIM

"Then you will "call on Me" and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:12 AMP

Do you have a cell phone? I'm sure you do. We carry it everywhere we go (in our pockets, purses & bags), we flip through it several times a day, we turn back to go get it if we forgot it, we travel with it, we make and receive calls; all this and many other functions too. The sad side of it is that the cell phone is a form of distraction that has led to so many unwanted endings (Accidents, death, failure etc). 

If you are going to receive or make a call with it, the phone has to have a connection signal that helps make the call go through. When there is no connection, you are limited to communication with friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances etc. This is the same with God, when you call Him, you can be rest assured that the signal is forever up. He will always answer you, just like the opening verse above, when you call on the name of the Lord, He will hear your voice and listen to you. It is your responsibility to call.

To ensure the battery life of your cell phone is charged, you have to plug it to a source of power to charge it. Same goes to the Christian, when you want to stay connected and be constantly full, you have to be plugged into The Source God. He will always fill your tank up, as long as you stay in total connection with Him. The amount of time you call on God will determine the amount of God you want in you. 

Further Scripture Study: John 15:5 AMP

Declare This: Dear Lord, I choose to stay connected to You. You are the Way, Truth & Life I need to remain fully charged always in Jesus name Amen.

HIS LOVING-KINDNESS

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” ‭‭Psalms ‭63:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, He created them by speaking them into existence (Genesis 1:1-31). When He created man, He formed him from the dust of the ground breathing into his nostril the breath of life. This was the first account where God physically created something by pouring His Own Life into it, bringing it to existence and not speaking it to existence. This shows how God values and loves the man He created and formed.

Remember when Jesus was teaching on the mountain top in the book of Matthew Chapter 5:43-45; He taught us on loving our enemies and be like our Father who causes the sun to rise and rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteousness. This just goes to prove that God has extended His arms of love to everyone and He desires for all to prosper. The only distinctive difference for the righteous is that we know His love, recognize His love, and accept His love; this singular act sets up far above the unbeliever thus creating faith in us to prosper. Truly His loving-kindness is better than life.

Further Scripture Study: Genesis 2:7; Psalms ‭136:1-3; 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I give You praise for Your love endures forever. Thank You for I do not take Your love for granted, I declare that this same love is expressed through me to others in Jesus name Amen.

GIVE NO ROOM

"Neither give place to the devil". Ephesians 4:27 KJV

You and I never have to fall prey to the devil. If we can shut every door, close every window, and seal every place in our lives through which the enemy would try to access us, we can prevent him from getting into the middle of our affairs.

In the above scripture, Apostle Paul writes, “Neither give place to the devil.” The word “place” is the Greek word topos. It refers to a specific, marked-off, geographical location. It is from this word that we get the word for a topography. Because the word topos depicts a geographical location, this lets us know that the devil is after every region and zone of our lives; money, health, marriage, relationships, employment, business, love and ministry. 

The Bible calls him the prince of this world, so he wants it all. But to start his campaign, he must first find an entry point from which he can begin his campaign of unleashing his devilish destruction. Don't give room to the devil, ensure every entry point is sealed, put on the whole Armor of God and be on the constant alert for his tricks.

Further Scripture Study: Ephesians 6:10-18 

Declare This: Lord, I thank You for Your protection and covering. I will keep the doors to my heart and soul closed to the devil in Jesus name Amen.

NEGLECT

"Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you....."1 Timothy 4:14 AMP

I believe Paul hit the nail on the head when he cautioned Timothy about neglecting the gift that he had. It has been said that a house that is neglected will fall in upon itself. When you look around, there are so many things that has been left unattended to. Think of people you know that were talented in certain areas, but have lost that talent. The reason for this is simple...Neglect. 

Neglect is a dangerous thing, this is why Paul instructed Timothy not to neglect his God given gift. Neglect means to disregard, inattention or unconcerned, to fail to carry out an expected or required action through carelessness or by intention. When we neglect Bible study, we neglect God’s command to “study” His Word (2 Timothy 2:15) and as a result we will forget what we have learned; that is, "what you neglect, you will lose”. 

God’s Word forbids Negligence and if you neglect the gift that is in you, you can lose the capacity to exercise that gift. Don't neglect your responsibilities at home, your job place and especially the house of God. When you faithfully in obedience carry out your duties in church, promotion is guaranteed. 

Further Scripture Study: Jeremiah 18:15; Jeremiah 13:24; 2 Thess. 1:7-9 

Declare This: Dear Father, whatever it is I've neglected knowingly or unknowingly; I ask You to forgive me. From this day, I make a turn around and ensure I do all I have to do in Jesus name Amen.

YOU ARE THE OVERSEER

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;" Hebrews 12:15 KJV

One of the most powerful verses in the New Testament is Hebrews 12:15. I want you to especially notice the words “looking diligently” in this verse. This phrase comes from the Greek word "episkopos", taken from the two words "epi" and "skopos". The word epi means "over", and the word skopos means "to look". When these two words are compounded into one word as in Hebrews 12:15, the word means "to look over or to take supervisory oversight".

You are the overseer of your own heart and as the overseer, it is your responsibility to look over, guide, direct, and give oversight to what goes on inside your emotions and thinking. You alone are responsible for what you allow to develop inside your head and heart. Like an overseer, you are personally responsible for both the good and the bad that occurs within your thought life.

The text verse says, “Looking diligently.…” It takes diligence to keep your heart in good shape. The only way you can stay free of the weeds the devil wants to sow in your “garden” is to be attentive, careful, thorough, and meticulous about the condition of your own heart. Don’t let anything and everything get in you; and also don't expect others to take care of your heart for you either. It’s your heart.

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 4:23 

Declare This: Heavenly Father, I deal diligently with my heart to keep it in good shape. I don’t make excuses for whatever I allow in my heart because I am the overseer of my own heart. I refuse to let wrong attitudes fester or take root in me in Jesus name Amen.

GOD'S CHARMING LOVE

"Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV

This verse is so powerful that when you catch the revelation it carries, you will be forever grateful for what God did. The verse has been called "the gospel in a nutshell" and also "a love letter from God" written in blood and addressed to all. If ever there was a verse that Satan would love to blot out of the Bible, it would be John 3:16. This is a verse that makes hell to tremble, it lightened the path to heaven for multitudes and brought beauty to all of mankind.

God’s love is not merely some abstract concept. It isn’t just a philosophy or a theological construct. God’s love was made manifest in this world through the person of Jesus Christ the only Son of the Father. Jesus Christ came into this world to reveal to us the love of God in human form. Because God loved us, He gave us His Only Begotten Son. This is what I call relationship, His Love is so personable and presentably charming.

It is our job as Christians and God’s ambassadors to spread this love to the world. God’s love is charming because it was made manifest through a person "Jesus Christ" and on the other hand, because it is bestowed on a person "you". 

Further Scripture Study: Deuteronomy 7:7-8 

Declare This: Dear Precious God, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die for me. I am wholeheartedly grateful for this charming love You have bestowed on me. I carry it everywhere and ensure this love will not be forgotten in Jesus name Amen.

PATH OF LIFE

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. John 16:11 AMP

Every road will have it’s twists and turns. Every path has it’s unseen dangers and unexpected surprises. Each course once initiated will bring the traveler to it’s ultimate destination. David from the verse above acknowledges that God is the One to show him the path of life. In other words, the path that David followed in the journey of his life was the path God gave to him. 

There is an old saying that says, "All roads lead to Rome" and some have mistakenly thought that this principle also applies to Spiritual destinations. They have mistakenly thought that "all paths lead to God." But this is not what the scriptures teach. The scripture clearly teaches that the way to God is singular, that the pathway of life and righteousness is but one. He said "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but through me (John 14:6) and in John 10:9; He said "I am the door, if any man enters through Me he shall be saved…" God clearly offers us the right pathway of life to follow through His Son Jesus Christ and you cannot begin the journey if you do not know Christ. He wants to direct and guide the course of your Life. 

God’s Word is His Divine Will for our lives. His Word will make Known the Path for your life. When you know the right path for your life, you will continually have joy to the full and eternal pleasures forevermore.

Further Scripture Study: Psalms 119:105; Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25 

Declare This: Precious God, I choose the right path and direction You want for me. I will not go in the path that seem right but rather follow the perfect direction for me in Jesus name Amen.

NO LIMITS

“How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy.” Psalms 78:40-42 NIV.

Ask a man in a wheelchair to climb three flights of stairs and he will say, “I can’t"; Why can’t he perform the task; the reason is because he is limited in what he can do. I didn’t say he is useless by no means, but he is limited in certain areas of what ability he has. You see while each of us are limited in some form or another because we are human, there are absolutely no limits to what God can do.

Do you know its possible to limit God in your life? Why do we place limits on God? Why do we run out and measure what God can do and what He can’t do in our lives? A lot of people have placed limits on Him but God is not limited by anything because He is before the creation of the world, He created the world and He is the end of it all. When you understand the power of God and His abilities, you will never place limits on the Limitless, Endless, Immeasurable, Incomprehensible, Inexhaustible and Unlimited God. When He does His thing, He doesn't need to do it according to your plans. God has no limits and if He made you in His image and likeness, then you are limitless too. Do it God's way, don't ever place a limit on God. 

Further Scripture Study: Matthew 17:20; Numbers 13:25-33 

Prayer Guide

Dear Father, thank You for Your ability in me. You are the limitless God and You made me limitless too. I refuse to place any kind of limits on You because You are Unlimited in Jesus name Amen.

PARTAKER

"Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:12 ASV

What a marvelous statement. This verse is rich with encouraging information for the believer in Christ. Reading our text scripture, it didn't say you are going to be a partaker, no! It says you are already a partaker. God wants you to know that you are already a "Part" and a "Taker" of the inheritance. Other translations of the Bible puts it that you are a participator, a sharer, a partner and a party to the inheritance. You are a member in the house and not a stranger or visitor in our kingdom. 

Don't look at yourself as a nobody, no! no!! you are a son and daughter in the house. A joint heir with Him and a child of the Most High God. In Philippians 1:7 KJV, Paul says ...we are all partakers of my grace. Note it didn't say partakers of disgrace, animosity, hatred or bitterness, but of the Grace of God resident in him. This means you carry a special grace in you that gives you the ability to win your world for Jesus at all times. 

This grace connects you with the exceeding great and precious promises of the kingdom and makes you a partaker of the divine nature of God; not partakers of the distractions of the world (2 Peter 1:4) KJV.

Further Scripture Study: 1 Peter 4:13 

Declare This: Dear Father, I sincerely thank You for showing and giving me all that pertains to me. I am a partaker now and always in Jesus name Amen.

MURMUR

So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them...." Numbers 14:1-3 NIV

The Israelites murmured against their gracious and loving God. Needless to say, their murmurings displeased Him. Sadly, many Christians are murmurers and grumblers. At home, on the job and even in the church; they grumble, murmur and complain. They see nothing good, to them everything is bad, their life is miserable and they want to make it that way for everyone else.

To murmur means to grumble, whine and complain in a low tone. There are those who murmur and complain silently; I can't afford buying that stuff I used to buy, I need to cut down on some necessary stuff, this job is killing me etc. When you murmur with such a mindset, you will begin to loose everything around you (be it living or non-living). Everything will start murmuring and complaining. Murmuring is a spirit, when it steps into your arena, before you know it - the murmuring spirit begins to affect things around you. Sadly, murmuring is one of the most prevalent with Christians. The more you murmur, the more you become discontent and discontent causes dis-trust. Reject murmuring and be content in life.

Further Scripture Study: Philippians 2:14-15; Philippians 2:4 

Declare This: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word has come alive in my spirit. I refuse to murmur or grumble going forward because I am Your child in Jesus name Amen.

LOVE DOES NOT JUDGE

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” ‭‭Ephesians ‭2:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

God’s goal in sending His Son from heaven to earth was not to condemn you, or show you how bad you are, how unworthy you are or how hopeless you are. God’s only desire in sending His Son was to show you His love and draw you into a love relationship with Himself. Jesus didn’t come into the world in order to rebuke you, He came to rescue you. He didn’t come to criticize you, He came to cleanse you. He didn’t come to punish you, He came to pardon you. He didn’t come to destroy you, He came to deliver you.

However this does not mean that God is not a God of judgment. For there is a huge difference between recognizing right and wrong and being judgmental. There is a difference between judging the unrepentant sinner and being judgmental. Being judgmental means having a critical spirit that only looks for the bad in people and then quick to condemn. 

God on the other hand will judge us for our sins, only if we refuse to accept His offer of Salvation and forgiveness. So never go around looking for the fault in others so you can judge or condemn them, remember that God is loving and He wants all His Children to do right and follow Him alone. 

Further Scripture Study: James 4:12 

Declare This: Just like You Father, I refuse to be judgmental on others, but instead I express genuine love, love that will make others see Your love shine through me in Jesus name Amen.

DON'T LET GO

"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Proverbs 4:13 NIV

What does it mean to hold on to instruction? It means to comply with or follow the commands or wishes, to submit or conform in action to (some guiding principle, impulse, one's conscience, etc.), It also means to put yourself under the authority of another and to agree to obey." 

After you've given your life to Christ, you start receiving guidance from the Word through the Holy Spirit and your Pastor (2 Timothy 3:16). The blessings of God are in most times simple instructions He gives. Many have neglected such instructions to their disadvantage.

There are several advantages to the one who holds on to instruction; he bears much fruit (John 15:5), no darkness can stand against him, he gains Wisdom and revelation (James 1:5) to carryout the work and lives in freedom. Obeying instructions keeps you free, it removes fear, it protects your mind and maintains your integrity. Also it gives you peace and stability that cannot be denied. The kind of peace that establishes your dignity, honor and personality.

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 4:10-12; Jeremiah 3:15 

Declare This: Heavenly Father, I yield and submit myself to Your Word for my life and I take advantage of the many blessings You give in Jesus name Amen.

TEACH

"Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching". 1 Timothy 4:13 ESV

Paul knew that people would look down on Timothy because he was young, so he admonished him; "Don’t give them a reason", devote yourself and heed to this instructions on how to live a spiritual and ethical life. He told Timothy to dedicate time to reading (studying), to exhortation and to teaching. As Christians we all need to also heed to this instructions too. 

Teaching is an art, a science and a Gift. Paul told Timothy to teach the undiluted Word of God to the believers. Everything we have learned in life is the direct result of somebody teaching us by word or deed and where we are right now, someone is still learning from us. Teaching is not only when you stand before a class of students, no! Your behavior, attitude, character and lifestyle is also a teacher. As a christian, how do you teach with your attitude and your character? The attitude you possess will always show itself outwardly, in other words, you cannot give what you don't have.

The greatest Teacher is Our Lord Jesus Christ and He has given us this same ability to teach. When He noticed there was unbelief in a particular city, what He did was to teach them so as to clear every unbelief. There is nothing we cannot do, be a teacher not only in words but also let it replicate in your way of life.

Further Scripture Study: Matthew 9:35 

Declare This: Father, I thank You for teaching me the way to follow. I will in return teach others to follow the way You have laid out for us all in Jesus name Amen.

GOD'S TEMPLE

“Know ye not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ”1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The verse above started with a question, know ye not that you are the temple of God? Now, Paul is saying that God's children are His temple, this is a very powerful statement indeed. The building where we meet is not God’s temple; it is only the place where God’s children gather for worship. The Bible says "when two or three of God’s people gather in the name of Jesus, He is there in their midst (Matthew 18:20); whether in a private home, park or cathedral. 

The Christian is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, God’s Holy Spirit dwells within the Christian believer. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit so you just can’t treat your body any which way, for you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

As Christians, We are not our own. These Corinthians thought that their bodies were their own and that they could do just what they wanted with them; how wrong they were. Always remember that you are God's temple and as His temple, He dwells in you richly. Therefore, constantly make a conscious effort not to defile God's dwelling place.

Further Scripture Study: Ephesians 2:19-22; 2 Corinthians 6:16 

Declare This: Thank You Lord for making me Your temple. I will not use my body wrongly, rather I live my life holy and acceptable only to please You in Jesus name Amen.

UNWAVERING FAITH

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬‬‬

Faith in a simple language is the ability to act and recognize what you can't see in spite of what you are seeing. In order words, it’s the ability to hold on to what God says about you in spite of what the situation or conditions around you says.

Abraham as we know was a man who held on to God's promises with regards having a son. Even when he was in the prime of his life, he held on to the promise; not thinking of the medical conditions of his body or that of his wife Sarah. Of course there were times when they doubted and wanted to do things on their own, an example of this was when Sarah gave her maid Hagar to Abraham so they can have children by her; which resulted in the birth of Ishmeal (Genesis 16; 21:1-7). Several years later, God visited them and she conceived and bore Abraham a son in their old age and they called him Isaac.

Keep calling those things that be not as though they were. Let your faith stay activated and always ready for the next level in spite of where you are right now. An unwavering faith pleases the Lord.

Further Scripture Study: ‭‭1 Corinthians 16:13; Romans 4:17; Hebrews 11:6

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Declare This: Thank You Father for my faith in Your Word is unwavering irrespective of the challenges I may face. Thank You for I am victorious always in Jesus name Amen.

PROTECT YOUR HEART

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Luke 6:45 NIV 

The dwelling place of our Lord Jesus Christ is not in any building, or cathedral, or historical site; No! that place is in your heart. The heart is the final stop before an action takes place, the heart knows, speaks truth, has secrets (1 Corinthians 14:25), believes and brings treasures (Matthew 12:35).

Whatever comes out of your mouth is exactly what is stored inside your heart. If God is in you, your mouth will speak and produce everything that God has. On the other hand, if all you have in you is hatred, malice and bitterness; this will definitely be produced outwardly too. You have the full responsibility to take care of what you allow inside you because "you are the result of what you allow". 

You carry Deity in you, don't let any kind of junk take root in you. Also be very mindful of the kind of information you take in. Refuse to give into fear, believe in God's ability to make good things happen over and over again for you. Strengthen your faith, keep pushing forward, trust in the Lord and see Him perform strong on your behalf. Hold on to God with all of your heart. 

Further Scripture Study: Proverbs 4:20-23: Jeremiah 24:7; Romans 10:9-10 

Declare This: Dear Father, my heart belongs to You. I will not allow any kind of junk into me, I will protect the walls of my heart against any intruder in Jesus name Amen.