For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20).
I love the story I heard many years ago of a Chinese brother. It’s a powerful expression of our consecration to the Lord and oneness with Him. The story goes that he was travelling on the same train as three gentlemen who wanted to play a card game that required a fourth person. So, they asked him, “Sir, would you mind joining us to play this game?” He replied, “Oh, I’m sorry. I would have joined you, but I’m not here with my hands.” “You’re not here with your hands?” they chorused in bewilderment. “No, I’m not,” he affirmed. They looked at him closely; he seemed complete and his hands didn’t look like prostheses. “So, what about these hands here?” they queried. “They’re not mine,” he replied. Now they thought he was out of wits. Knowing their thoughts, he quickly spoke up and explained: “I’ve been bought with a price. I now belong to Jesus. These hands now belong to Him and I only use them for what He wants.” He then went ahead and explained the Gospel to them to receive Christ. What a beautiful thought this is! What a mindset this brother had! This is what happens when you understand the significance of the salvation you’ve received from Christ. You recognize that you’re not your own; it’s no longer you that live, but Christ that lives through you. You belong to Him, and can only do the things that He approves; only those things that please Him. You glorify Him in your spirit, soul, and body, for they’re His. Hallelujah! CONFESSION I’ve been crucified with Christ; it’s no longer I who live, but Christ lives in and through me. Therefore, I present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord, which is my reasonable service. I glorify the Lord in my spirit, soul, and body, making them vents for His righteousness. Hallelujah!
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The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all) (Acts 10:36).
A certain man had just given his life to Christ but was still being buffeted by the devil. He called on the Lord complaining, “I thought that with you in my life, I wouldn’t have any more problems!” The Lord, in His response, showed the man how he had given Him only one room in his entire house. In that revelation, God was in that one room when the devil came into the house, fought the man and wounded him. The man thought about it and said, “All right Lord, I give you three additional rooms.” That night, the devil came again and troubled him. This time, he was mad at God. He asked angrily, “I’ve now given you four rooms and still you allowed the devil in. What more should I do?” Then the Lord answered him kindly, “The house isn’t mine; you gave me four rooms in your house and the devil can’t come into any of those rooms.” Finally, the man got the message and said, “All right, Lord, I turn the entire house over to you; it’s all yours now.” The next night, the devil came again, but there was a new owner. God was at the gate and the devil couldn’t come in. That’s what happens when Jesus has it all in your life. Christianity isn’t just a casual acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Saviour; He wants to be Lord (Master or Boss) of your life, not just legally but vitally. If He isn’t Lord of your life and everything about you, then He isn’t your Lord at all! He said in Luke 9:23, “…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Today, this statement is largely interpreted as enduring the persecution, ridicule, harassment and criticism the world throws at us, but at the time of Jesus, “taking up a cross” meant going to one’s death by crucifixion. That Jesus implied this is obvious from His next statement: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24). True consecrated Christianity isn’t a flippant, casual relationship but a radical commitment to Christ and His cause. You’re to give Him your all, and live for Him fully and truly. Hallelujah! CONFESSION I boldly declare that Jesus is Lord of my life; He’s the Lord over my finances, family, career and all that concerns me. He’s my all and my life is for His glory now and forever. Amen. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office (Numbers 3:3).
Consecration is a word mostly used in the Old Testament section of the Bible in reference to items that were to be set apart as holy for sacrifices and worship. It’s also used to describe the “setting apart” of the priests who were to be dedicated to the Lord. It generally refers to devoting or sacredly setting apart anyone or anything to the worship or service of the Lord. In the Old Testament, the tribe of Levi were thus consecrated to the service of God in the priestly order (Numbers 3:12). The Hebrews consecrated or devoted their fields and cattle, and sometimes the spoils of war, to the Lord (Leviticus 27:28-29). Also, according to the Law, the first-born of both man and beast were consecrated to God. For us in the New Testament, the Scriptures describe us as consecrated to the Lord; holy and sanctified, not because of our works, but by God’s choice. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” However, too many of God’s people aren’t living in the vital reality of this consecrated life. As a result, they’ve missed out on the blessings of living and functioning with the knowledge that they’ve indeed been set apart unto God; set apart from sin, sickness, poverty and death, unto righteousness, holiness, victory, prosperity and divine health. See yourself this way and walk accordingly. Ephesians 1:4 says, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” We’re His “called out” ones; His chosen and sanctified ones. No wonder we’re holy and without blame before Him in love. Hallelujah! CONFESSION What a blessing to be chosen and sanctified unto God for His divine use! I’m holy and sanctified, because I belong to Jesus; my life is dedicated to Him in worship and service, and His righteousness is expressed in and through me always. Thank you, blessed Lord, for setting me apart for holiness, success, victory, prosperity and divine health, in Jesus Name. Amen. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:6).
When Jesus walked the earth, He demonstrated humility. When it was time for Him to be baptized, He didn’t feel superior to John the Baptist, even though He was the Son of God. Rather, He allowed the Scriptures to be fulfilled (Read Matthew 3:13-15 NKJV). That’s because truly great people are humble and motivated by one thing only: fulfilling God’s Word; doing things God’s way. They’re also inspired to serve. Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever must be great amongst you, must have the heart of a servant” (Matthew 20:26). Not only did He say this to them, He acted it by washing the feet of His disciples. Then He explained His action, saying, “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:13-17 NKJV). In Philippians 2, we read again about His unparalleled humility. Though He was Himself God, He humbled Himself and died a criminal’s death in our behalf. But see the result of His humility: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV). Hallelujah! Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”; meaning, emulate His humility. It’s the pathway to greatness; there’re no shortcuts. Pride goes before a fall, but humility promotes. PRAYER Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the enlightenment of the Scriptures. I’m a product of your Word, and I walk in humility and love, conscious of your grace that pilots me in my upward and forward journey of greatness, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body (James 3:2).
The words you speak are a true measure of your spirituality. It makes no difference what others might think or say about you; what matters are the words that come out of your mouth every day, irrespective of who you may be talking to: God, men, yourself, circumstances, or nature. Be sure to only and always speak faith-filled and spirit-filled words. The Apostle James likened the tongue to the rudder of a great ship that the captain uses to navigate the ship aright, irrespective of the fierce winds driving against it (James 3:4-5). This means that with your words, you can keep yourself in health, in faith, in success, and in excellence. Don’t talk fear, lack or your inabilities. Consciously speak faith-filled words. There’s no need praying and asking God to make His promises real in your life; they’re already real. Simply acknowledge and affirm who you are in Christ and your inheritance in Him, and walk accordingly. Don’t say, “Lord, you promised to bless me; you promised to make me fruitful”; rather, say, “Lord, I thank you for you’ve blessed me with all things; you’ve made me fruitful and productive.” Hallelujah! It’s wonderful that with your faith-filled words, you can disallow sickness, disease, infirmity and weakness from your body. Always speak health, strength and abundance. Use your tongue to come out of trouble, depression, poverty and frustrations. Today, where you are, and what you are in life, are the result of yesterday’s words. Jesus said you shall have what you say (Mark 11:23). Therefore, beautify your life with your faith-filled words. PRAYER Dear Lord, I thank you for the blessing of your Word and the wisdom it imparts to me. I declare that my faith is working and I live a life of total joy and fulfillment in Christ. I’m sound, excellent, full of life and aglow in the spirit. I walk in the glory of God, manifesting the righteousness of Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak (2 Corinthians 4:13).
Our opening verse parallels the principle in Romans 10:9-10; the “believe and affirm” principle. It says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” In Christianity, we speak our believing. Remember, believing is acting your faith. Faith must speak; it doesn’t remain alone; you affirm the Word. Express your faith with your mouth; it’s the instrument with which you chart your course in perfection, prosperity and success. You’re to use the power of words to create and sustain your victorious life. Our salvation has already been consummated and made available in Christ Jesus, but to catapult yourself into the blessings and benefits of salvation, you must go beyond believing in the heart, to speaking. This is because with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. This is the reason some people, even though they’ve been Christians for long, have never really enjoyed the blessings of Christianity. They haven’t acted on the Word. You’re to make confessions of the Word; that means you speak the same things that God has said concerning you. That’s your faith-response to the Word. He gave you His Word so you might respond. Your confession or affirmation is that response, and it activates the power of God’s Word in your life. Until you make those confessions, your faith won’t produce results. Your believing and your “speaking” must go together. That’s what we read in our opening verse. So, speak the Word only, and always, for a life of constant victory and excellence. Praise God! CONFESSION The Word of God is in my heart and in my mouth and prevails in and through me today. I believe and therefore I speak, because the Word of God is my life, and the glory and blessings therein are evident in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16).
The scripture above is so profound. It shows that the throne of God is in your heart, since He lives in you in His fullness. The same thought is expressed in 2 Corinthians 6:15-17. It says, “… for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people….” What a blessing this is! The word translated “temple” is the Greek word, “naos.” It doesn’t refer to the ordinary everyday temple, but to an inner shrine; the shrine that houses the image of the “god”; the inner sanctuary where the image of the god is kept. For the Jews, it was the Holy of Holies; that’s where the presence of God was. They didn’t have an image inside, but the presence of Jehovah was there. When the Holy Spirit took up His abode in the quarters of your heart, you became that “shrine”; the place of His presence. Think about that! It means you carry heaven in you. When Jesus came to this world, He came with heaven in Him to bless the world with. He brought it in His heart, because the Holy Spirit lived inside Him. He came with the throne of God in His heart. No wonder He was such a blessing to the world! The same applies to you. You’re much more than a religious person; by reason of the New Birth, you’ve been translated into the Kingdom of God, and now carry His throne in your heart. You’re heaven’s ambassador to this world. In reality, everywhere you go, God goes, because you’re His house. He talks in you, and He looks through your eyes. Therefore preach the Gospel; cast out devils; heal the sick; cleanse the lepers; raise the dead. Bless the world with the grace and glory of heaven that’s in you. Hallelujah! PRAYER Dear Father, I thank you for making me a partaker of your life and glory. I carry your divine presence in my heart and impact my world with the blessings of my divinity, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Question: Sandra from ZIMBABWE asks:
Dear Pastor, thank you for the opportunity to ask my question. You said in the book ‘The Power of Tongues’ that one should automatically start speaking in tongues when you receive the Holy Ghost. What if the tongues do not come instantly? Does it mean that you do not have the Holy Spirit? Is it correct to copy the tongues of other people and make them yours? ANSWERNo, it is not correct to copy the tongues of other people because if you do that, it would come from your head. When we speak in tongues, the Bible says, the utterance is given to us by the Holy Spirit. So, if you are copying from someone else, yours would not come from the Spirit or even from your spirit it would come from your mind because you memorized it. So, it’s coming from your mind. Now those of us who speak in tongues, we don’t wait to pick what we speak from our minds because the language is not resident in our minds- it comes from the Holy Spirit who gives that utterance to our spirits. All we do is just connect our vocal organs to our human spirit and the flow takes place., you've got to learn that: how to look within you, how to contact your own spirit, connect your vocal organs to your spirit and you’d be amazed at how simple that really is. Now, because I used that term ‘connect’, don’t get lost with it and say, “ok, Pastor says to ‘connect’ them’. How do I connect them?” It's just your act of faith, in the same way that you received Christ into your heart and now you tell others you are born again. They may ask you how do you know you are born again? You've got to give them the word. See? You're going to say, “I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life and I asked him to come into my heart. And that’s it! He lives in me now, he gave me eternal life and I’m living that life now!” See? It’s your response to God's word. How simple it is! But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him… (Isaiah 53:5)
The Lord Jesus suffered and endured the pain and shame of the Cross, not because of His sins or for Himself, but for us. He took our place and bore the punishment for sin on our behalf. While on the Cross, bearing the burden of our sins, He cried out in anguish, “…My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) God turned His back on Jesus because our sins were laid on Him. Habakkuk 1:13 tells us that God is holy and doesn’t behold iniquity. The separation from the Father, on account of our sins, was what Jesus never wanted, for which He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if you be willing, take this cup away from me, nevertheless not my will, but your will be done” (Matthew 26:39). The Father’s will prevailed. Jesus died on the Cross, and descended into hell. He was put to grief. Upon taking all the punishment that was necessary, the Bible says He was justified in the Spirit (1 Timothy 3:16) and was raised back to life. He was raised to life for our justification: “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). To be justified means to be acquitted of guilt; to be declared righteous. He was our substitute in death as well as our substitute in resurrection. When He died, you died with Him; when He was buried, you were buried with Him. When God raised Him from the dead, you were also raised together with Him in newness of life! Now, you’re sin-free; at complete liberty to serve the Lord and live for Him in glory and righteousness. You’ve become not just righteous, but also the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Such a blessed reality! PRAYER The Word of God is the light of my life, and by the Word, I see and take a hold of my righteousness and inheritance in Christ, walking in holiness and manifesting the glory of God everywhere. Now I stand justified forever in God’s presence, with dominion over sin and circumstances, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. God’s Word is the solution to every challenge. Its potency and efficacy are undeniable.
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22). The word translated “health” in our opening text is the Hebrew word “marpe,” which means medicine. So, that verse should actually read, “…For they are life unto those that find them, and health [medicine] to all their flesh.” The Word of God is medicine; it has curative powers. If you’ll meditate on the Word, it’ll destroy every, and any form of disease and infirmity in your body. The Bible says, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20). God’s Word is the solution to every challenge. Its potency and efficacy are undeniable. The Word has the ability to transform your life, energize you for victory, and programme you for excellence. As you meditate on the Word, a metamorphosis takes place in your life. If you’re facing challenges in your health, don’t despair. Get a hold of God’s Word and there’ll be a change. When you don’t study or feed on the Word as you should, you starve your spirit, and that’s dangerous. It’s like people who stay without eating physical food for a long time; they become weak and eventually susceptible to sickness and disease; their immunity against germs and viruses rapidly dissipates. But if you’re feeding well, chances are, you’re unlikely to have the same problems. The Word of God does much more for your spirit than physical food. If you’ll stay in the Word, you’ll always be healthy and sound. If you’d meditate on the Word, it’ll cure that blood condition, get rid of the HIV, heal your bones, heart, and skin, and produce life in you! It’ll cure that wound that has defied treatment. Speak the Word to that infirmity; talk to that cancer; talk to your blood cells; command the diabetes to be healed! Keep yourself in health with the Word. |
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