Oluwafemi .The Word of God is a light to my Path.

  The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!” (Judges 6:12) Mighty Hero Gideon was hiding in the winepress, afraid of his enemies, when God said he was to deliver the people of Israel from the Midianites. He was feeling inadequate, weak, and intimidated, yet God called him a mighty hero. Gideon said, “God, not me. I come from the poorest family, and I am the least one in my father’s house.” He was saying, “My gift is too small.” Yet God gave Gideon favor, and he went out with three hundred men and defeated an army of over a hundred thousand. Gideon became a great leader and is now listed as one of the heroes of faith. Your gift may seem small, you may feel unqualified, the obstacles may look too big, but God is saying to you what He said to Gideon, “Hello, you mighty hero.” God sees what you can become. Stir up what’s in your heart and come out of hiding. God wouldn’t have put it there if He weren’t going to bring it to pass. A Prayer for To...

  Be a Signpost “ And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, ‘If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.’”   (2 Kings 5:2-3) Naaman was a great general who handed many military victories to the king of Assyria. But Naaman had a problem: he had leprosy. Fortunately, a young servant girl captured from the land of Israel worked for Naaman’s wife. At an opportune time, the servant girl told Naaman’s wife that Naaman could be healed if he would see the prophet, Elisha. Ultimately, Naaman acted on the information, and he was healed from his leprosy. This “unimportant” servant girl was a signpost who pointed the way for Naaman to experience salvation from this deadly disease. We may feel insignificant and unimportant.  However, as believers, we are messengers who are able to tell people about the cure for...

  Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:34) Live on a Mission We’ve all come through things that should have stopped us. Maybe you’ve been through a divorce or lost a loved one, and your heart was broken. You didn’t think you could go on. What you may not have realized is that Jesus was interceding for you that your faith wouldn’t fail. You wonder how you made it through that tough time. The Creator of the universe was praying for you. We’ve seen good breaks that we didn’t make happen, doors open that we couldn’t open, addictions broken that we couldn’t break. We’re on the other side now. What is our responsibility now? Pray and encourage others. Strengthen that person with cancer, intercede for that friend who’s going through a divorce and doesn’t want to go on, reach out to that coworker who’s fighting an addiction, spend time with that neighbor who’s lonely. Live on a mission: “God broug...

  Do You Serve God or the Things of This World? Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10 “… for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ” None of us want Demas’s choice to be a part of our legacy. We do not want it said of us that we so loved this world that we abandoned opportunities to live a life that will echo into eternity. Exchanging a life of eternal value for one that is perishing is not a good exchange at all. As a companion in the service of Paul, Demas was living a life that would echo into eternity. But the allure of the world deceived him. Scripture says that friendship with the world makes us enemies of God. We are not to love the things of the world more than we love God. This does not mean we cannot be  in  the world, and serve effectively for the Lord. God’s people are spread throughout the world system, joyously doing his work. Scripture tells us that even in Caesar’s househo...

  The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8) Daily Direction The Scripture says that when we acknowledge God in all our ways, He will direct our path. God has the wisdom, the guidance, and the direction we need, but it doesn’t happen automatically. Every morning you have to go to Him and say, “God, I’m ready for my assignment. Show me what to do and where to go, give me the words to speak, and make the path clear.” This is a daily act of surrender. Too often we make our plans without consulting God, and then we ask Him to bless them. We wonder why it’s a struggle. The right way is to ask God first. “God, is this what You want me to do? Should I start this project, should I take this trip, should I make this purchase?” If you feel peace about it, go forward. If not, hold off. God knows what’s best for you. He will not only keep you on the right path today, but He will keep you from making major mistakes....

  Victim or Victor? Scripture: Genesis 4:7 “ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”  Satan is in the business of stealing, killing, and destroying lives. Sin is crouching at our door, looking for the opportunity to gain control. God’s instruction to Cain still applies to us today. We must master sin. We can only do so as we are empowered by the Spirit of God. In Kingdom of God, we discuss three types of givers: the default giver, the philanthropist, and the strategic kingdom investor. Our objective is to be transformed from a default giver or philanthropist to a level-three giver, a strategic kingdom investor. The process of becoming a strategic kingdom investor is a daily battle. The power of the cross must continuously work, crucifying us to the lures of this world. We are never permanently immune to the deceitfulness of riches, cares, and th...

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing (Proverbs 12:18) Healing Words Somebody needs your healing words today. Why don’t you start with your own family? How long has it been since you told your spouse, “I love you; I’m so glad that you’re mine”? Don’t let strangers compliment your spouse more than you do. Don’t let a teacher, a coach, or a friend make your child feel more special than you do. Bless your children every day with your words. Tell them how proud you are of them. Tell them what they can become. Remind them that they are made in the image of Almighty God. Call out their seeds of greatness. They have enough people telling them what they can’t become. They face all kinds of bullying, negative chatter on social media, and people saying hurtful things. When you tell them you love them and are proud of them, that’s not just healing the wounds, that’s protecting them. That’s what helps those hurtful words bounce off them. Stay on the offensive. D...

  Open My Eyes! Scripture: 2 Kings 6:16–17 “’ Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. ”  We are in a spiritual battle. Seemingly insurmountable circumstances perplex us, frighten us, and unsettle us. Life seems like a planned obstacle course intended to test us and strengthen our faith. In today’s passage, Elisha’s servant was afraid when they were surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha reminded him not to be afraid since “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha asked the Lord to open the eyes of the servant so he could see this was the case. The world we see is in tremendous conflict and turmoil. In many ways it is the outward manifestation of the unseen battles that are taking place in the spiritual...

  …but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:7) Of No Reputation They disrespected Jesus, called Him a fraud, a cheat, and an imposter. But the Scripture says He made Himself “of no reputation.” That means He didn’t worry about His reputation. He knew He would be misunderstood. He knew people would be critical, jealous, and find fault. He didn’t waste His time trying to prove to His critics that He was the Son of God. He didn’t get upset because the religious leaders didn’t believe in Him. He didn’t get distracted fighting battles that didn’t matter. He just kept running His race, trusting His Father to vindicate Him. If you’re consumed with why someone isn’t giving you respect and you’re trying to convince them to believe in you, you’ll get distracted and miss your destiny. Quit trying to defend yourself. God is your defender. He said He will fight your battles. When people try to push you down, He’ll lif...

  Fix It With Philippians 4:6 Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ” One time I heard a person say, “Fix it with Philippians 4:6.” We experience a lot of turmoil and challenges we need help to overcome. Philippians 4:6-7 gives us a formula to cope successfully with these episodes. The key to overcoming challenges is learning how to pray. Everything good thing is sourced in God, and all of God’s promises have their “yes” or fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. This in itself should help relieve the anxiety or worry that the flesh wants to control us. With an attitude of thankfulness that God will hear our prayers and requests, we are to make our needs known to him. The promise is that the peace of God will, indeed, guard our hearts and minds i...

  I thank you, Lord God, for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Great are you, God Most High, and your glory is over all the earth. Amen.

  Root Your Zeal in the Knowledge of God “ For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. ” (Romans 10:2-4) What a huge red flag for us to heed in these verses from Romans! Indeed, zeal is a wonderful attribute to have in doing the Lord’s work. However, we must be sure our zeal is based on the right knowledge of Christ. We do not want to have a zeal that is unproductive. Instead, we need to be fueled by the Spirit of God. The religious establishment of Jesus’s day had a zeal for God, but it was based on the law, self-effort, works, and self-justification rather than faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus was in this world, zeal for his Father’s house consumed his life. When I think of our life, I thin...

Soaking in the Word of God “ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ” (Luke 2:19) Can you imagine Mary’s reaction when the shepherds told her about the supernatural events they experienced when Jesus was born? We learn an important lesson from Mary in this passage.  She treasured and pondered these things in her heart.  When we treasure things in our heart, they are special and we think of them often. They are the “go-to things” we reflect upon. These thoughts help us develop convictions that impact our behavior. In Kingdom of God, we believe in  soaking our heart  in the Word of God. The heart absorbs whatever it is soaking in, so a cursory reading of the Word of God is not enough. We must treasure its content and ponder what it is saying to us. Scripture is living and powerful; it impacts how we think, feel, and act. The supernatural exposure the shepherds experienced to the Word, as expressed by the heavenly hosts, so impacted them ...

  Loving and merciful God, I offer you my humble heart and place my trust in you. I know that you are on my side. Order my steps this day so I may walk in the light of your loving presence. Amen.

  The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall, it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. (Psalm 37:23–24) Recalculating Your Route Even though God is directing our steps, there are times when we make mistakes and go the wrong way. But God doesn’t say, “That’s it. I’m done with you.” He holds us in His hands and helps us get back on the right course. It’s like a GPS system in your car. It tells you precisely where to go, but if you miss a turn, it doesn’t say, “You loser! I’m done helping you.” It says, “Recalculating route.” The GPS system was designed for people who make mistakes. It just keeps recalculating your route no matter how many mistakes you make. How much more can the Creator of the universe recalculate your route when you make mistakes. God isn’t mad at you. He’s saying, “Recalculating route to your destiny. The mistakes didn’t stop My plan or cancel your purpose.” Why don’t you quit beating yourself up o...

  Sonshine: The Call to Be Lights in a Darkened World “‘So may all your enemies perish, Lord! But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.’ Then the land had peace forty years. ” (Judges 5:31) Think of the sun when it rises in its strength. We can feel its warm and comforting presence. It provides light so we can see where we are going. Christians are called to be lights in this darkened world. Scripture affirms our identity as light bearers: “ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness ” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Again, we are challenged to be lights: “… that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world ” (Philippians 2:15). Each Christian has the  daily opportunity to be a light  in their personal world. We are the message bearers of the good news, as attested in th...

  You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13) Be the Original You When God created you, He made sure you were fully loaded and completely equipped for the race that’s been designed for you. You didn’t get shortchanged. Now quit wishing you were something different: “If I had that person’s personality, I could do something great.” “If I came from their family…” “If I was just…” Don’t get distracted by what someone else has. As long as you want what they have, you’ll be frustrated. If you didn’t get what somebody else has, that means you don’t need it. You are equipped for your destiny. Have a new perspective. Next level thinking says you have the right looks, the right talents, and the right personality. If you needed to be taller, God would’ve made you taller. If you needed a different personality, He would’ve given you one. If you needed to be another nationality, you would be another nationality. God doesn’t make mist...