The Spirit of the Word

Text: II Cor . 3:5-6
MORE LESSONS: James 1: 18-27
Bible Reading in one Year: James 1-2

As we learn about the things of God through various means such as preaching the Word, fellowshipping with believers, studying the Bible and other anointed books and devotionals, the most important element that Jehovah uses to evaluate us is the transformation that occurs in our lives. The intention of God is the impartation of His life into us through His Word; so no matter how much knowledge of the things of God we accumulate, if it doesn't translate into our transformation to a more Christ-like life and attitude, we are not growing spiritually.

The Word of God is not to be approached with the analytical and critical mind and it is not to be treated like an academic treatise. Rather, with humility, we are to absorb the reality, grace and life in the Word and become more like Christ. A man can delve into the Word of God and become more and more religious but not more spiritual. Religion has to do with a set of rules of do’s and don't’s which does not necessarily give one the power to do or not to do. When men dwell on the letters of the Word, they become very religious and have quotations and knowledge in their head but which they have not experienced.

However, when you allow the life of the Word to change you so that you live and practise the Word, you become truly spiritual. We are to approach the Word of God as students and not as scholars. Scholars are experts that are so knowledgeable in a field that they can critique and analyse any topic. On the other hand, a student approaches each topic with a heart to learn. One difference between the attitude and the student attitude to the Word is humility and being teachable. James enjoins, So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener , God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life: James 1:21 (The Message).

Throw away all the confusing and complex garbage that men analyse out of Scriptures and, in humility and simplicity, receive, believe and practise the Word of God so that your soul will remain saved.

You have the Spirit of the Word when you practise the Word; you have the letters of the Word when you read it, write it, preach it and write volumes on it but never practise it. Go for the Spirit and not the letter of the Word because the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life: 2 Cor 3:6 ( NKJV) Don’t just be a hearer or talker of the Word, be a doer of the Word.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to grant you the revelation knowledge of His Word.
* Pray that you will begin to understand God’s Word beyond the letters.
* Pray that God’s Word will not stop impacting your life.
*Ask that you will never resist the Word of God in your life.

The Gift of Healing

Text: Acts 3:1-11
MORE LESSONS: I Cor . 12:9
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezra 8-10

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of healing. And as with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is given for it to glorify the Lord and help people. The gift of healing is the supernatural ability that the Holy Spirit gives to a person to heal all manners of sickness without human aid or medicine. God uses this divine enablement to confirm His message through His human vessels and provide an open door for the gospel to be preached and believed. When Peter and John ministered healing to the cripple at the Beautiful gate, immediately the people gathered and Peter and John were able to give them the Word of God.

It is a privilege, a promise, even the responsibility of every believer to pray for the sick, no matter the sickness, and they will be healed, And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover: Mark 16:17-18. However, some have a special grace and anointing in the area of healing. This is the gift of healing and God can give it to you.

Many say that the days when God gives the gift of healing to people are over, but God is the same and there are still many sick people as ever and the message of the gospel still needs to be confirmed by the manifestation of the power of the Spirit as ever; so God has not withdrawn this gift. I have seen the operation of this gift bring glory to God and draw many souls to the Kingdom.

You don't have to be in a crusade before the Holy Spirit operates this gift through you. A long time ago I went on door-to-door evangelism with a partner and as we were preaching to a woman, her child started convulsing. The woman, who was not yet a believer, started shouting and making a scene and claimed that our presence was responsible for the child's convulsion. Then people began to gather. Immediately we began to pray and suddenly the boy became normal.

The mother knelt down and said, I want to give my life to Jesus. She later confessed that the child had been suffering from recurrent convulsion and each time it happened, it would take so long that the child would nearly die. After the prayer the child got healed in a matter of minutes and she confessed that that was a miracle. Remember that every gift of the Spirit is given to profit the Kingdom, help people and glorify God and not for making a show or to merchandise. Ask God to empower you with this gift today to enlarge the Kingdom of God.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to anoint you today with the gift of healing to populate His Kingdom.
* Ask that God will use you to profit His Kingdom on earth.
* Cast out the spirit of fear and doubt that can hinder the operation of the gift in your life.
Go pray for a sick person today.

The Gift of Faith

READ: I Cor . 12:1-1 1
MORE LESSONS: Heb 11:30-39
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezra 5-7

A brother once gave his testimony: He was taken to the hospital after a sickness and he died; he was confirmed dead by the doctor. When the wife was told, she laughed and said her husband could not die. The doctor thought the woman had lost her mind and was trying to calm her down. But the woman calmly replied, Oh I'm fine. My husband is not dead. The doctor felt her response was due to the momentary shock and he contacted the other members of the family.

When they came she told them that the husband was alive and would wake up and that they should join her in praying and believing God for him. The family members agreed. On the second day the sister was still praying and confessing; however the man still laid dead, so the relatives said they should bury him. Their faith had run out, but the woman insisted that the man would not be buried because he was not dead. It became a tug of war as the relatives claimed that the man was their son and must be buried and the woman claimed her right to say where her husband should be, and that they could not bury him without her permission. They threatened her with legal action but she was unwavering.

After a while the Lord opened the dead man’s eyes to see what was happening on the earth and he saw his wife kneeling beside his body and praying, O God, this man is not dead, send him back here, in Jesus’ name. For it is written, By faith women received their dead raised to life again...: Heb 11:35 Jehovah told the man, I can't deny such faith, go back. And the dead man woke up.

There is the general faith but there is the gift of faith which the Lord imparts upon a person's heart in times of demand and the person does some things that are so daring and the impossible becomes possible by the Spirit of the Lord. Every believer has a measure of faith, . . . according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith: Rom 12: 3. In fact, we know, by grace are ye saved through faith . . . . Eph 2: 8. However, for victory in the battles of life and to achieve the impossible, you need this higher level of faith.

The relatives of the man had general faith while the woman who believed to the end had the gift of faith. May God impart that gift upon your spirit for exploits starting from today, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for the gift of faith for trying times.
* Ask God to help you trust Him for impossible situations.
* Pray that you will be an addition to the roll call of men of faith.
Tell yourself, “With God all things are possible”. ?

God Cares

Text: Psa. 34:15-22
MORE LESSONS: Job 36:5-12
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezra 1-4

Our text today is the answer to one of the greatest questions we are confronted with in life. God is Jehovah the breasted One, ever ready to help all those who come to Him. If you want to know whether someone cares about you or not, check whether he often offers you a listening ear, a helping hand, and encourages you when you are downcast. These are some of the things that the Lord does in the lives of His children.

Sometimes you hear people say, No one will ever know how I feel, and no one seems to care. David had a similar experience of abandonment by his friends and allies. However, understanding the God in whom he trusted, David insisted, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble: Psa.46:1.

How comforting it is when we are in trouble to know that God cares. The Lord is always near but especially tender with us when we are broken-hearted. No situation is too difficult for God to handle and He is ever willing to help His own. Knowing this, Peter encourages, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you: I Pet. 5:7T o receive constant care from the Lord you must learn to call upon Him in prayer and live in His presence daily. Thereafter, He will command people to give you succour and care for you in any situation.

Moreover as a child of God, if you are in need, feel free to talk to other children of God about it. God can use them to meet your need and He will, in Jesus' name. Many times children of God languish in their troubles because they listen to the enemy. Satan may try to convince you not to tell people your problems because they can’t help you. It’s satan's gimmick to keep you in trouble perpetually. Break the chain today and be free forever. God cares for you and so do other children of His.

Prayer/Action
* Father, help me to always remember that You care for me.
* I receive the grace to give and receive care from others.

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