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Speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men

25 Mar
Mike

Mike (Photo credit: Tom Gill (lapstrake))

Speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men
-Titus 3:2

Years ago when I was in college, I was a young man running as hard as I could away from God. I was angry – angry at life, angry from disappointments, and working very
hard to feed that empty feeling in my gut with whatever the world had to offer.

During that time, one conversation in particular affected me significantly. I’ll
never forget sitting across the table from a fellow student I’ll call Mike. The
words that poured out of my mouth that day certainly reflected my state of mind.
“I don’t get it,” I said, “the hypocrisy of it all. All these people claim to be
Christians, yet they treat each other worse than most atheists I know.” Mike just
sat there and sipped his coffee as I continued my rant about the many things wrong
with the church, and those who walked through church doors each week. After I had
cooled down just a bit, I finally said to Mike, “Go ahead and tell me I’m wrong.”

Mike just smiled and said, “No, you’re not wrong. Christians can be no better or
worse than anybody else can. They’ve just been forgiven. Whether someone chooses
to let Christ change his or her life is a different question. Some don’t. They tuck
their fire insurance policy in their back pocket and go on with life in whatever
way they please. Then there are the ones who truly take up their crosses and follow
Jesus. They are the lights of the world that Jesus talked about. They stand out.
You see the evidence of that change all over their lives. The fruits of the Spirit
- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control – permeate
their lives. It doesn’t mean they’re perfect; they just get up each morning hoping
and trying to do what Jesus would have them do, and love the way that Jesus would
have them love.“

Then he looked me right in the eye and said, “So, the question is, what kind of
Christian do you want to be? Just forgiven – OR – forgiven AND changed?”

PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, change me. You said to those who believe in You to take up their crosses
and follow You. Lord Jesus, I’m Yours. Wherever you lead, I will follow. Let all
see the evidence of change in my life because of You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Do you feel forgiven by God? Since asking Jesus to be the Lord of your life, how
have you increased in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control?

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

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Posted by on March 25, 2012 in Peace

 

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For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind

16 Mar
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“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound
mind.” -1 Timothy 1:7

Turn on the Power
Many years ago, I saw a film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, a high-energy
action film created to entertain the masses. One scene in this film hit me with
one truth that I’ve never been able to wipe from my mind. A large table holds dozens of ornate cups, each representing a goblet Christ could have used at the last supper.
Most are shiny gold with precious stones inlaid into the sides or bases. Yet, the
film’s star bypasses them all, reaches for a simple cup that appeared to be carved
out of wood, and says, “This looks like the cup of a carpenter.”

Indeed, the world expected the Messiah to come in glory, to be born in a royal household,
to have the privilege of wealth. Someone who would have a goblet inlaid with precious
stones. Instead, He was born in a manger and endured the hardships of life that
you and I experience every day. He knew hunger, He knew thirst, He knew what it
felt like to lack resources, and to work with His hands to make a living. Jesus
lived this life because that’s what the Father asked of Him. Yet, despite hardships,
poverty, and no roof over His head to call His own, He looked people in the eye
and said, “God loves you and so do I. Let me show you how much.”

Always remember that the real power in your life is not in your means but in your
knowledge. Today you can take your eyes off your circumstances for you know Jesus
and He knows you. He knows what you are going through. He lived it Himself. He knows
your hardships and says to be joyful and love anyway. Frankly, your biggest battles
in this life will not be fought against negative circumstances or people, but against
the thoughts in your own mind. Today, you can turn on the power and win that battle
for your mind. Invite Jesus in. He is all you need.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I feel in turmoil so much of my day. I worry and I fear decisions, relationships,
and lack of resources. I feel as if I’m drowning in anxiety. But You said, “Be of
good cheer for I have overcome the world.” Today, I pray that Your Holy Spirit would
penetrate my mind and give me the courage and strength to overcome these self-defeating
thoughts. Today, thanks to You, I’ve just won the battle for my mind. Let Your joy
reign within me today! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What causes you worry and fear? When you think of Jesus, who is able to help in
all circumstances, how do you feel?

May The Good Lord Save Nigeria And Israel From All Our Enemies And Prosper Us Beyond Our Imaginations, In Jesus Christ Mighty Name We Pray, Amen!

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Posted by on March 16, 2012 in GOD

 

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Beloved, let us love one another: For love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for God is love

17 Sep
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BELOVED, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER: FOR LOVE IS OF GOD; AND
EVERYONE THAT LOVES IS BORN OF GOD, AND KNOWS GOD. HE THAT LOVES NOT KNOWS NOT
GOD; FOR GOD IS LOVE (1 JAMES 4:7-8)

The Lord Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?”
and He insisted on a respond each time (John 21:15-17). Though Jesus knew Peter
loved Him, He wanted him to say it. In Matthew 17:5, God the Father, spoke from
heaven of His love for Jesus. You see, God doesn’t only love, He talks it too.

Some people find it difficult to say, “I love you.” Some
parents find it difficult to say to their children, “I love you.” “My kids know
I love them”, they’ll say. If you ask them how they came about that conclusion,
their response may be, “I feed, house and educate them; so they ought to know I
love them.”

Well, that’s not good enough. Convicts in prisons are fed,
housed and even clothed and it’s not that the government loves them; rather,
it’s out of their responsibility. “I love you” is part of the love-language in
the Kingdom of God. Therefore, as God’s child, you must train yourself not only
to demonstrate love through your actions; but also speak its language.

When Christ fills your life, it will become easy for you to
talk love. The Bible tells us that God sent Jesus because He loved you and not
that you were very nice and kind (Romans 5:8). You’re a product of love. When
you begin to think this way, you’ll see others through the eyes of love; you’ll
see them the way God sees them, as valuable and priceless. You’ll also learn to
say, “l love you” not out of weakness, but out of the understanding that love
is the greatest power in the universe. Make up your mind to speak the language
of love always. Even if you were treated badly or spoken to in an
uncomplimentary way, refuse to respond with harsh or bitter words. Remember
that “……the love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). You are
a love-child of a love-God, therefore, let your words be full of love.

CONFESSION

The love of God has been deposited in my heart by the Holy
Ghost, and I walk in love every day of my life. I refuse to walk in malice,
anger and bitterness. I am a love-child of a love-God. Amen!

www.rhapsodyofrealities.org

Thank You Daddy for Our nations Nigeria and Israel! In Jesus Mighty
Name, Amen!

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Posted by on September 17, 2011 in Love

 

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Bible – Prepare your heart for the word of God by speaking in tongues at all times

19 Jul
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If you want a harvest of crops from your seed, you must sow
in a fertile ground. A good farmer wouldn’t sow his seed just anywhere. He’s
trained to cultivate the soil so his seed can produce much harvest. The Lord
Jesus likened the heart of man to the soil in the parable of the sower in Mark
4:2-8. In the same vein, if you want the Word of God to produce results in your
life, you must prepare your heart to receive the Word.

The first thing you must do is, cultivate the ground of your
heart in readiness for the seed of the Word of God. The Bible says, “…….Break
up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns” (Jeremiah 4:3). This is done
by praying in other tongues.

When you pray in other tongues, you’re actually charging up
yourself (1 Corinthians 14:4). That way, you become more susceptible to the
move of the Holy Spirit and you can easily pick up revelations from the realm
of the spirit. Soon, you’ll begin to declare faith-filled words as they well up
from your inner man. These words act as the water and fertilizer for your
heart. Keep at it, until you’re charged to maximum.

The next thing you must do is to quieten your mind to
receive the Word. The reason your mind is important is that it is the doorway
to your spirit. As such, it must be kept quiet to avoid being distracted by
what I call “spiritual noise”. When you’re distracted your mind easily wanders,
and you can’t receive the right thoughts from the Word. There’s a great difference
between listening to and actually hearing the Word. You listen with your ears,
but hear with your heart.

I encourage you to make effort always to create the right
environment for the Word of God in your heart. This is how to make the harvest
of the Word of God thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as was
planted in your heart. Make every Word of God count today!

CONFESSION

I REFUSE TO WALK IN
UNBELIEF; I HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE WHERE THE WORD OF GOD OPERATES IN MY
LIFE IN SPITE OF THE PREVAILING SITUATIONS. I CONSTANTLY GAZE AT THE WORD AND
REFUSE TO BE DISTRACTED FOR AS I CONTINUE TO LOOK I’M BEING TRANSFORMED TO THE
IMAGE OF HIM THAT CALLED ME. HALLELUJAH! AMEN!!

www.christembassy.org

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Posted by on July 19, 2011 in Bible, Holy Spirit

 

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Holy Spirit is With You Forever

16 Jul
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And I will pray the Father, and He
shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever (John
14:16).

Some Christians
think the Holy Spirit sometimes goes on a break, or takes a recess just because
at such times they didn’t “feel” His presence. You don’t have to “feel” God to
know that He’s with you. Rather, you ought to know that He’s with you always,
because the Word says so. Jesus said, “…….and,
lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew
28:20). He didn’t say, “I’m with you only
when you can “feel” that I am.” Many have reduced their experience of Christianity
to the carnal realm of feeling, and that’s so wrong, for we walk by faith and
not by sensory perceptions (2 Corinthians 5:7).

But you
might want to ask, “What if someone, having received the Holy Spirit at the New
Birth, backslides and feels that the Holy Spirit has left him or her, is this
just a feeling or was the Holy Spirit actually frustrated with all the sin in
such a person?” Well, God is not a man (Numbers 23:19), and He doesn’t act like
some earthly parents who wouldn’t relate with their kids for doing something
wrong. Sadly, this is the poor perception of God that some folks have.

That you did
something wrong won’t make the Holy Spirit leave you. Remember, you weren’t
made right with God because of your own righteousness; it came because God gave
you His righteousness. Thus, His presence with you isn’t dependent on what you
did right or wrong, or the way you feel. His presence is dependent on His
infallible Word; because of His love! That’s the reason He’ll never leave you
nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Read again
the words of Jesus in our opening verse, He said”And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter,
that He may abide with you forever” (John 14:16). God the Father, through
the Holy Spirit abides with you forever, not sometimes. Don’t consider what
your feelings tell you. As long as you haven’t wilfully rejected Christ and His
sacrifice of salvation for you on the Cross, the Holy Spirit cannot and will
not leave you!

Even when
you err and start feeling as though the Holy Spirit has left you, it’s still
the Holy Spirit who guides you unto repentance, proving His presence with you
even at such times. If He left you, you could never return to Him! But He
wouldn’t, for He’s with you to fulfil His ministry in your life, till Jesus
comes. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

PRECIOUS LORD, I THANK
YOU FOR THE RICH FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH I ENJOY LAVISHLY TODAY,
AND FOREVER. WHAT JOY TO KNOW THAT I’M ORDAINED INTO THIS WONDERFUL UNION AND
FELLOWSHIP WITH YOU FOR ETERNITY! AMEN!

www.rhapsodyofrealities.org

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Posted by on July 16, 2011 in Holy Spirit

 

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Faith Is Based On The Word Of God, Not “Optimism”

10 Jul
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So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

The faith that works and produces result is the one that’s
based on God’s Word. Someone may say, “I’m very hopeful and confident about the
future; I’m optimistic that the miracle I’m expecting will come to pass!” as
beautiful as that may sound, it’s not faith. You must have the Word of God as
the basis for your believing and confession, for faith is based on God’s Word;
it’s the response of the human spirit to the Word of God.

Faith is expressed when you act on the Word. The Apostle Paul
expounded in the Book of Romans how Abraham demonstrated strong faith on the
basis of what God told him in Genesis 17:5 “……for
a father of many nations have I made thee” . hence the Bible says “He staggered
not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving
glory to God” (Romans 4:20). Abraham had God’s Word as evidence and spoke in
agreement with God; that was how his faith prevailed.

Another example is the story of the Syrophenician woman in
mark 7 ; a remarkable example of true faith. Her young daughter had an unclean spirit,
so she came and fell at the feet of the Master and beseeched Him to cast the
devil out her daughter (Mark 7:25-26). But in verse twenty seven, Jesus said to
her, “……let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the
children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.” Her response was “……yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table
eat of the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:28). Commending her faith, the Lord
Jesus said “…..For this saying goes thy
way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house,
she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed” (Mark
7:29-30). Observe that she acted on what Jesus said and went home; when she got
home she found her daughter healed. She didn’t act on mere optimism or impulse
of what she thought would happen, but on the Master’s infallible word.

Mere optimism is not a substitute for faith, for it doesn’t
have its foundation on God’s Word. It doesn’t matter how much you anticipate or
are hopeful for the best possible outcome in an endeavour, it still wouldn’t
work if your hope doesn’t translate to faith. True faith transcends the realms
of human theories, reasoning, impulses and optimism because faith is spiritual
and only come to you through the Word of God. So, for your faith to work and
produce results, it’s got to be based on God’s Word.

PRAYER

DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, I
REJOICE TODAY AT YOUR WORD THAT’S BUILDING MY FAITH STRONG AND ENRICHING ME IN
ALL THINGS. YOUR WORD IS MY LIFE, AND THE LIGHT THAT SHOWS ME HOW TO WALK IN
THE PATHS OF VICTORY, PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS, FROM DAY TO DAY, IN JESUS CHRIST
NAME, AMEN!    

www.christembassy.org

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Posted by on July 10, 2011 in Faith

 

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The Transforming Presence Of God

09 Jul
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Repent ye therefore, and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing
shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19)

It’s such a
blessing when believers come together in unity to worship the Lord. The Lord’s
presence in such an environment is uplifting and transforming; you’ll never
remain the same afterwards. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here…..” (Matthew 17:4). He enjoyed
the Lord’s presence so much that he didn’t want to leave. This experience
transformed him forever. In fact, he referred to it many years later in his
letter to the churches (2 Peter 1:16-18).

The Bible
says, “The hills melted like wax at the
presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth”  (Psalm 97:5). The power of God will become
more real to you and all your problems will melt and fade away. Put differently;
God becomes bigger than everything else.

The psalmist
described the anointing of the Holy Spirit as “…..the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountain
of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore”
(Psalm 133:3). The presence of God will transform you forever. In that presence
is the answer and solution to your nagging concerns and doubts. In that
presence, you’ll see a new picture of yourself the way God sees you in His
Word. So you see, you can’t trade that presence for anything in this world. This
is why you cannot afford to miss your church services or meetings.

God isn’t so
concerned about the number of the people gathering. The Lord Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”  (Matthew 18:20).

PRAYER

DEAR FATHER, I THANK
YOU FOR THE HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE OF FELLOWSHIPPING WITH YOUR SPIRIT AND WITH
OTHER BELIEVERS: THANK YOU FOR BINDING OUR HEARTS TOGETHER IN YOUR LOVE AND
TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES WITH THE GLORY OF YOUR PRESENCE. I YIELD MY HEART TO YOU
AND I RECEIVE EVERY BLESSING WHICH YOU’VE PREPARED FOR ME IN YOUR PRESENCE, IN
JESUS CHRIST NAME, AMEN!

www.christembassy.org

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Posted by on July 9, 2011 in GOD

 

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Your body needs rest

06 Jul
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And He said unto them, “Come ye
yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile: for there were many
coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat (Mark 6:31)

Many times
we just work and work and don’t know when to give our bodies the necessary
rest. It’s good to be hardworking and very diligent at work but at the same
time it’s equally important to realize that the human body has a limit of
exertion it can endure. Stretching it beyond that limit makes the body subject
to unnecessary wear and tear.

It’s
therefore important you take very good care of your body, not only in the
things you eat and do to your body, but also in making sure your body is well
rested. The Bible tells us how that God blessed and sanctified the seventh day:
“because that in it He had rested from
all work…..” (Genesis 2:3).

The Lord
Jesus, as our opening scripture indicates, took time off with His disciples to
rest. Then in Mark 4:38, we learnt that He rested His body in sleep when He got
tired: “And He was in the hinder part of
the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto Him, Master,
carest thou not that we perish?”  On
another occasion, He rested at the well of Samaria as revealed in John 4:6: “Now Jacob’s well was there: Jesus
therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well: and it was
about the sixth hour”

The Lord
rested because He was tired. So it’s possible to get tired, and when you get
tired, you need to rest your body so it can recover. Many don’t do this and the
implication is that they stand the risk of wearing out their bodies. Giving
your body adequate rest is a way to maintain good health, so take it very
seriously.

PRAYER

DEAR FATHER, THANK YOU
FOR YOUR WORD THAT HAS ENLIGHTENED ME ON THE NECESSITY AND IMPORTANCE OF TAKING
GOOD CARE OF MY BODY. THROUGH YOUR HELP, I’M ABLE TO GIVE MY BODY THE NECESSARY
REST IT REQUIRES TO REMAIN HEALTHY, STRONG AND FIT FOR THE TASK AHEAD. I THANK
YOU, LORD, FOR YOUR WORD, INDEED, IS GAINING THE MASTERY OVER MY BODY, EVEN AS
IT RENEWS THE STRENGTH OF MY INNER MAN DAILY, IN THE MIG HTY NAME OF JESUS,
AMEN!

www.rhapsodyofrealities.org

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Posted by on July 6, 2011 in HEALTH

 

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You are established to shine in Zion

01 Jul
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THEY THAT TRUST IN THE
LORD SHALL BE AS MOUNT ZION, WHICH CANNOT BE REMOVED, BUT ABIDETH FOREVER
(PSALM 125:1).

As a child
of God, you dwell in Zion. That’s the city of your habitation, and you’ve been
planted there to shine. In Psalm 1:3, the Bible talks about the man whose
delight is in the Word and meditates on it day and night: “…….he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that
bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”.

This verse
of Scripture is talking about the saints; that’s you. You’re like the tree
planted by the rivers of water; you’re bringing forth your fruit in season, and
your leaves shall not wither. Anything you do; whatever you’re connected with,
shall prosper. What a blessing this is! That’s another way of letting you know
that you’ve been established to shine in Zion. You’ve been ordained to prosper,
experience divine health, succeed and excel in every area of your life.
Hallelujah!

But this is
not so for the ungodly (non – Christians) – they are like the chaff blown away
by the wind; therefore, are unable to stand in the judgment and their ways end
in destruction (Psalm 1:4-6). The judgment the psalmist is talking about here
is not the great judgment of the bye–and–bye; he’s referring to the winds of
opposition. In other words, when contrary winds blow, the ungodly will not
stand.

You are like
Mount Zion and have been established on the Rock, Christ Jesus. He is the Rock
of your salvation as well as your success, prosperity and divine health.
Therefore, you’ll forever remain unshakable in the face of adversities and oppositions,
for you’ve been plucked out of the miry clay of fear, defeat and death, and
established to experience eternal glory, victory, peace and prosperity. You’ve
been established to be fruitful and productive, and shine all the days of your
life.

PRAYER

DEAR FATHER IN HEAVEN,
I’M SO GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR ESTABLISHING ME IN THE PATH OF PROSPERITY, SUCCESS,
HEALTH, PEACE AND JOY. AS I DELIGHT MYSELF IN YOU, I ASK THAT YOU CAUSE MY LIFE
TO BLOSSOM IN AN EVER INCREASING MEASURE AS I MAKE YOUR WORD MY STAY AND
MEDITATION ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, IN JESUS CHRIST NAME, AMEN!

www.christembassy.org

 

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Posted by on July 1, 2011 in Zion

 

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Keep Shining

30 Jun
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Do you know
that you are the light in your world?
The Lord Jesus Christ wasn’t kidding when He said, “Ye are the light of
the world…..” (Matthew 5:14); He meant every word He said.

What is
light? Light is that which makes manifest; it gives direction and shows the
way. Also light brings fulfilment and joy. This is why He gave you the
responsibility of teaching the people of the world the way to live (Matthew
28:19). What a calling, what an honour, what a commission!

Jesus
announced to the people that He is the Light of the world (John 8:12). You are
the light of the world today, in the same sense as Jesus was the light of the
world in His day. If you are a student, you are the light of your school. If
you are a businessman, you are the light of your industry. If you are a
policeman, you are the light of the service. If you are a soldier, you are the
light of the army.

Jesus has
made you the light of the world! When you understand this truth, it’ll put
springs in your steps. There can be no darkness in your life anymore for you
are the light of the world. Sickness, poverty, discouragement and death are no
longer part of your life. There’s something special about you. You’re unique
and different; you’re a shining light. Begin to walk in this reality today.

CONFESSION

I’VE FOUND MY PLACE.
I’VE DISCOVERED WHO I AM – THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. I AM SHINING FOR JESUS
CHRIST TODAY! I WILL NEVER WALK IN DARKNESS. I WILL NEVER WALK IN CONFUSION OR
DEFEAT BUT IN VICTORY, IN JESUS CHRIST NAME, AMEN! 

www.christembassy.org

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Posted by on June 30, 2011 in BLESSINGS

 

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