The breath of God

Job  33:4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

The words of Job in the above verse reminds us of the intimate and sustaining power of God’s breath in our lives.

The breath of God brought about the life in man at creation. In Genesis 2:7, we read that God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.

This divine breath is not just the initiation of life but also its continuous source. Every breath we take is a reminder that we are sustained by the same breath that brought us into existence. Job acknowledges this truth, recognizing that his very life is a gift from the Almighty.

The breath of God is a source of inspiration and wisdom. In 2 Timothy 3:16, it says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” The breath of God imparts wisdom and understanding, guiding us in our daily walk. When we seek His wisdom, we open ourselves to the guidance that only the Spirit can provide. Job’s recognition of God’s breath as his life source also implies his reliance on God for wisdom amid his trials.

Also, the breath of God signifies spiritual renewal. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet is taken to a valley of dry bones, where God asks him to prophesy to the bones. As Ezekiel speaks, the breath of God enters the bones, and they come to life.

This powerful image of renewal shows that no matter how desolate or dry our spiritual lives may feel, the breath of God can bring revival and restoration. In moments of despair or spiritual dryness, we can call upon God to breathe new life into us.

And lastly, living in the consciousness of God’s breath should inspire us to live lives of gratitude and purpose. Recognizing that every breath is a gift from God calls us to use our lives wisely, to serve Him wholeheartedly, and to love others as He loves us. It calls us to a deeper relationship with the Creator, appreciating the intimate act of His breath within us and living in a way that honors this divine gift.

In conclusion, the  breath of God  is not only the source of our physical existence but also our spiritual vitality and wisdom. Let us seek to live each day in the awareness of this divine breath, allowing it to guide, inspire, and renew us. May we always be grateful for this intimate connection with our Creator and strive to live in a way that reflects His life-giving presence within us.   Amen

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.

2. Lord, help me to live on the awareness of tour presence in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, let your breath renew my life daily in all areas of my life in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

God’s Glory

Isaiah  66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

God’s glory is the very essence of His being. Glory, in the biblical sense, encompasses His holiness, power, and the radiant beauty of His nature. It is the manifestation of all His attributes combined in perfect harmony.

Holiness:  God’s glory is  tied to His holiness. It signifies His purity and moral perfection. Isaiah 6:3 declares, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” God’s holiness sets Him apart, and His glory is the visible manifestation of this separateness and moral excellence.

Power:  The power of God is another aspect of His glory. It is displayed in creation, sustenance, and redemption. Psalm 19:1 proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Every star, every mountain, every ocean wave speaks to the boundless power and glory of our Creator.

Beauty:  The beauty of God’s glory is seen in His perfect nature. It draws us into worship and adoration. As we read in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

Isaiah 66:18 speaks of a future where all nations and tongues will come to see God’s glory. This vision highlights the inclusiveness of God’s plan of salvation and His desire for all people to know Him.

Gathering of Nations:  The gathering of nations signifies God’s universal outreach. No one is excluded from the opportunity to witness His glory. This is a call to evangelism and mission, echoing the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”

Unity in Diversity:  In gathering all tongues, God’s glory brings unity amidst diversity. Revelation 7:9 gives us a understanding of this future: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

What should be our response to God’s Glory?

Recognizing the glory of God calls for a response. We are called to recognise, be active and also proclaim His glory wherever we are through the following means.

Worship: Our primary response to God’s glory is worship. True worship is not just an act but a lifestyle. Romans 12:1 urges us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Transformation: Experiencing God’s glory transforms us. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” As we behold His glory, we are changed to reflect His character and love.

Proclamation:  Finally, witnessing God’s glory compels us to share it with others. We are called to be light in the world, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

In conclusion, Let us embrace  His call, worship Him with our whole lives, be transformed by His presence, and boldly proclaim His glory to all nations. May we live in the light of His glory, reflecting His beauty and love in everything we do.

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.

2. Lord, grant us the grace to see and reflect your holiness, power and beauty in our lives in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, gather us and all nations to witness and proclaim your glory in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

Love the Father not the World

1 John  2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The world was once a perfect place to live, a place of peace and no evil, a place of joy and happiness. But after sin crept in and devil was cast into it, it became a place of sorrow, pain, death and  anguish.

The god of this world the devil, try as much as possible to create a distance between us and our father the Lord God through three distinct elements…

These three elements has been the tool the devil uses to fight against man in other to become an enemy of God.

The three elements are well listed in the book of 1 John  2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Lust of the flesh:

Our sinful nature, dominated by sin and rebellion, is so closely tied to the physical aspect of mankind that it is called “the flesh.” Every human being is born of the flesh, the union between a man and a woman that produced another flesh-bound human. Desires that arise from being fleshly creatures in a fallen world can quickly become sinful lusts.

Desires that arise from the fact that we are earth-bound, fleshly creatures are not sins in themselves. We desire food, water, shelter, sex, and comfort. God created us with those desires.

However, we are born sinful, desiring to please ourselves, regardless of God’s moral law (Romans 3:10, 12). When fleshly desires rule us, taking priority over God’s will, they cause us to violate God’s righteousness.

They become lusts. For example, hunger propels us to find food. Eating is good. It is not sin. Jesus ate and drank when He was on the earth (Luke 24:42–43). But when hunger becomes a lust for food, it turns into gluttony, which is a sin (Proverbs 23:20–21). When natural sexual desires turn perverse, they lead to homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and other sexually related sins. Those are lusts of the flesh.

Lust of the eyes:

This is the first  element that devil used against man in the garden of Eden, Satan present a fruit of the forbidden tree to Eve, not that she has not been seeing it for the time she has been in the garden, but Satan want her to see beyond just fruit, thereby she Lust after it.  (Genesis  3:6)

In same way Cain Lust after the sacrifice of his brother, that Lust of the eyes made him the fist murderer in the Bible. (Genesis 4:5)

David through the lust of the eyes took the wife of Uriah, and sin against God.. Such act Leeds to murder and death.

Pride of life:

anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. John makes it clear that anything that produces the pride of life comes from a love of the world and “if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

anything that exalts us above our station and offers the illusion of God-like qualities, wherein we boast in arrogance and worldly wisdom. Eve wanted to be like God in her knowledge, not content to live in a perfect world under His perfect grace and care for her. Satan tried these same three temptations on Christ during His 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).

Remember Nebuchadnezzar who exulted himself and says by his power he has made the kingdoms under his domain.. But God sent him to the Bush to learn for seven years (Daniel 5:20-30)

Satan  tempted Jesus with the lust of the flesh, bread for His hunger (Mathew 4:2-3), the lust of the eyes, “all the kingdoms of the world with their splendor” (vv. 8-9), and the pride of life, daring Him to cast Himself from the roof of the Temple in order to prove that He was the Messiah by an ostentatious display of power that was not in the will of God or His plan for the redemption of mankind (vv. 5-6). But Jesus, though He was “tempted in every way, just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15), resisted the devil and used the Word of God to ensure victory over him.

The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.” In other words, if we follow the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, we cannot do the will of God, and therefore will not inherit eternal life (Matthew 7:21; 1)

Loving the world is dangerous because it displaces our love for the Father. When we prioritize the fleeting pleasures and treasures of this world, we risk losing sight of the eternal joy and satisfaction found in a relationship with God.

Jesus warned us about the deceitfulness of riches and the cares of this world, which can choke the word and make it unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). Our hearts are designed to be enthroned by one master only. If we are captivated by the world, there is no room left for God.

Those who have been born again in Christ Jesus will continually put to death the desires of the flesh.

Are you born again? You can’t be born again and still love the world. Let Christ make a difference in you and instil the love of God the father in your heart.

God bless you.

Prayer key :

1. Lord thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.

2. Lord help me to crucify all the lust of the flesh, eyes and pride of life in Jesus name.

3. Lord help me to love you and not the world in Jesus name.

4. Thank you for answered prayer in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

The Lord’s departure

Judges  16:18 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.  16:19 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.  16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

From birth, Samson was marked for greatness. He was a Nazirite, dedicated to God, and blessed with supernatural strength to deliver Israel from the Philistines. His life was a testament to God’s power and purpose. Yet, despite his extraordinary gifts, Samson’s story is marred by repeated disobedience and a gradual drift away from his divine calling.

Samson’s downfall didn’t happen overnight. It was a slow erosion of his commitment to God’s commandments. He compromised his vows, engaged in reckless behavior, and formed relationships that led him astray. Each step away from God’s will brought him closer to the moment described in Judges 16:20.

This gradual drift serves as a warning to us all. Our spiritual decline often begins with small compromises, a little neglect of prayer here, a slight disregard for God’s Word there. Over time, these seemingly minor lapses accumulate, leading us further away from the presence and guidance of God.

When Samson awoke to face the Philistines, he assumed his strength would be there as always. He had grown accustomed to the Lord’s presence and power, believing it would never depart from him. But this time was different. The Scripture tells us, “But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”

What a tragic realization! Samson’s strength was not his own; it was a gift from God. In his arrogance, he failed to recognize that his disobedience had severed his connection to the source of his power. This moment of awakening was too late to avoid the consequences of his actions.

The presence of the Lord in our lives is a precious gift, a privilege that we must cherish and nurture. It is not something to be taken for granted or presumed upon. Like Samson, we may assume that God’s favor and blessings will always be with us, regardless of how we live. But Scripture reminds us that persistent disobedience and neglect of our relationship with God can lead to His departure.

So, what can we learn from Samson’s story? First, we must remain vigilant in our walk with God. Daily prayer, regular study of His Word, and a commitment to living out our faith are essential to maintaining our connection to Him. We must guard against the slow drift of compromise and sin that can distance us from His presence.

Second, we need to seek renewal and repentance. If we recognize areas of our lives where we have strayed, let us return to the Lord with humble hearts. God is merciful and gracious, ready to restore and renew us when we turn back to Him.

In conclusion, Samson’s tragic realization serves as a powerful reminder that we must never take the Lord’s presence for granted. Let us cherish our relationship with God, nurture it with care, and remain vigilant against the subtle temptations that can lead us astray. May we seek His face continually, that we may never find ourselves in the place where we say, “But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” Amen.

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.

2. Lord, help me to be vigilant both spiritually and physically in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, let it not be too late for me to realise my mistakes in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

The world will hate you.

John  15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Jesus was speaking to His disciples on the need to understand that a life as His follower will bring enmity to the world.

These words are not easy to digest. They confront us with the reality that as followers of Christ, we are called to stand apart from the ways of the world.

We are called to live lives that are guided by love, compassion, and righteousness, in stark contrast to the values often upheld by society. And because of this, the world may reject us, scorn us, and even hate us.

But let us not despair, for in this rejection lies great blessing. When we are hated by the world, we are reminded that we are not of the world. We are reminded that our allegiance lies not with earthly powers or fleeting pleasures but with the eternal kingdom of God.

In the words of the apostle Paul, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

It is of certainty that the hatred of the world serves as a confirmation of our identity as children of God. It is a reminder that we are walking the narrow path that leads to life eternal, a path that may be marked by hardship and persecution but is illuminated by the light of Christ’s love.

So let us embrace this divine discomfort with courage and conviction. Let us not be swayed by the allure of worldly approval but instead remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that we have been chosen and set apart by our Lord.

And let us remember the words of Jesus, who said, “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven” (Luke 6:22-23).

May we find strength in the face of persecution, comfort in the midst of rejection, and joy in the knowledge that we are beloved children of God, called to shine his light in a world shrouded in darkness. Amen.

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.

2. Lord, grant me the grace to stand firm in the face of the worldly persecutions in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, grant strength to those who are being stigmatised in the world because of your name in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

The God that sees secret prayers

Matthew  6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Prayer is not a performance for others to witness us or a show of how spiritually inclined we are, but a sacred communion between us and our Heavenly Father. Christ encourages us to seek a quiet place, away from the gaze of others, to pour out our hearts in prayer.

Why does God value secret prayers? It’s not because He wants to hide from us or keep us in the dark. Rather, it’s because He desires an intimate relationship with us, one that is built on sincerity and authenticity.

When we pray in secret, we lay bare our souls before God, free from the desire for human approval or recognition. In those moments, we are truly ourselves, vulnerable and honest, knowing that God sees us as we are and loves us unconditionally.

But why does God reward secret prayers? It’s not because He needs to be persuaded to act or to be reminded of our needs. No, it’s because secret prayers reveal the depth of our faith and trust in God.

When we pray in secret, we demonstrate that our relationship with God is not dependent on outward appearances or public praise. We trust in His goodness and His faithfulness to hear and answer our prayers, even when no one else is watching.

In conclusion, let us embrace the privilege of secret prayer. Let us not be swayed by the applause of men or the desire for recognition but instead seek the quiet solace of our prayer closets, knowing that our Father who sees in secret will reward us openly.

May our secret prayers be a sweet fragrance to the Lord, a testament to our unwavering trust in His love and provision. And may we experience the rich blessings that come from communing with the God who sees secret prayers. Amen.

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, grant me the spirit of humility and sincerity in prayers in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, answer all my secret prayers according to your will in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.