Receive Strength

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

There are different types of strengths – physical strength, spiritual strength, mental strength, economic strength and many others that you can come up with.  

The Bible recorded instances of people receiving physical strength after taking food. Some cases include the case of Elijah who received strength after eating (`1^st Kings Chapter 19 verses 1 to 21, the Apostle Paul in Acts Chapter 9 verse 9, the Egyptian servant of the one of the Amalekites who raided and burnt down Ziklag in 1^st Samuel Chapter 30 verses 11 to 16. If the young man had not received strength from the food he ate, he would not have been physically strengthened to lead David and his men to the Amalekites. Significantly, the Bible cautions against feasting for the sake of feasting as feasting is designed to strengthen one physically. Please read Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 verses 17.

The Apostle Peter was instructed by Jesus Christ to strengthen his brethren after his temptation. Please read Luke Chapter 22 verses 31 to 34.

The Apostle Paul also spoke of being strengthened with all might. Please read Colossians Chapter 1 verses 10 to 11.

Significantly, divine strength comes from God to His own people. He strengthened the prophet Jeremiah. Please read Jeremiah Chapter 16 verse 19. The prophet Jeremiah also referred to God as His strength and fortress as well as his refuge in the day of affliction. A study of the life and ministry of Prophet Jeremiah throws up several challenges and afflictions experienced by the Prophet who is sometimes referred to as the weeping prophet. In some of these emotionally challenging, physically traumatizing and battering situations which almost had a negative impact on the spiritual life (albeit giving up on speaking on the word of God) of Jeremiah, Jeremiah learnt over time to draw strength from God and could therefore confidently refer to God as his strength and fortress and refuge.

No More Indefinite Waits 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Procrastination on account of ignorance, lack of clarity, vagueness, confusion, fuzzy mindedness can a keep a person grounded in a spot for eons; no forward movement, stagnating into retrogression. The man at the pool alongside a number of other people came to the pool to be healed. But rather than get healed, they stayed in the same condition in which they came to the pool; not for a few weeks, months, a year or two but a number of years; probably in pain, in tears, in anguish, daily hoping for the elusive cure as someone always stronger somehow always got into the water before them.

In the case of the man who was healed by Jesus Christ, he had been in that state of physical, spiritual and mental paralysis for thirty eight long years and had come to the conclusion that there was no exit door out of his problem. So even when Jesus Christ asked if he wanted to be made well, the lame man gave a string of excuses for not getting well. The situation had overwhelmed him and blurred his initial vision and goal of getting healed; the reason for which he went to Bethsaida in the first place. But after thirty eight years, he gave up on the vision of getting healed and was content to simply remain at Bethsaida; lamenting his woes, throwing pity parties through the string of excuses he gave. Getting healed was no longer his goal as pity from whoever was what he wanted.

Fortunately, Jesus Christ had greater interest in him than a pity party. Jesus had great plans for the man, to take him back to his original vision and goal of getting healed in addition to restoring him to the original purpose for which he was created; a fully enriching and fulfilling life in Christ Jesus. The man’s conclusions that his case was completely hopeless and would only require pity from people were illogical before Jesus Who immediately rewrote the man’s history from hopelessness to a bright future as the man suddenly received his healing in His spirit, soul and body by the spoken word of Jesus Christ.  His whole being was energized, revitalized to a new life of joy, happiness in Christ Jesus. For one, he was physically capacitated to earn an income; he was spiritually and mentally rejuvenated and revitalized to take on the real world he had stayed away from for thirty eight years. The man who hitherto was full of lamentations boldly retorted that Jesus Christ Who made him well was the One Who authorized him to carry his bed, though it was the Sabbath. Prior to the encounter with Jesus, this man would not dare carry his bed on the Sabbath.

Beloved, the man was spiritually and mentally and physically prepared to take on the world because he had received a great touch from God through Jesus Christ. You can also take on the world if you will simply rise in faith above whatever dampened your enthusiasm, zest for life because Jesus paid the full price for you on the cross. Please read Isaiah Chapter 53 verses 1 to 5, Colossians Chapter 2 verses 13 to 15; whatever challenges your progress in any area of life.

No More Indefinite Waits

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. Psalm 102 verse 13.

Do you want to be made well; get well? Please read John Chapter 5 verses 1 to 9, note verse 6 for details of what prompted Jesus Christ to ask this question.

Jesus Christ broke and destroyed the limitations of waiting indefinitely, usually over a period of time for the moving of the water; considering that only one person usually the first to step into the water got healed. So the other people described as a great multitude of lame, impotent, etc who could not step in immediately the water was stirred by an angel kept waiting; for yet another move by the angel. The wait was such that no one there knew exactly when they could get in which explains why the man who was healed by Jesus Christ spent thirty eight long years at the pool; waiting for the moving of the water, as well as anyone who could come to his aid and drop him in the water when the water was moved.

Fortunately for him, Jesus showed up and broke with tradition. The man did not have to wait for the moving of the water because the Creator of the water as well as the angel who stirred the water was there to make the man whole without the man stepping into the water. At His word, His spoken word and sent word which always accomplishes divine purpose, the man was healed and freed from the limitation of waiting endlessly. 

ACT, DO SOMETHING

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Healing come in diverse forms. Sometimes, Jesus the Healer requires you to act. He asked the man at the pool to rise, take up his bed and walk, in essence; act, do something by and for yourself to get out of the unpalatable predicament that ideally should not be your portion but which you have gotten used to because there appears to be sufficient justification for the excuses you make. For instance, the man at the pool complained of having no one to put him in the pool when the water was stirred coupled with his inability to get in to the pool before the other supposedly smarter people. He did not mention the fact that he was sluggish and his sluggishness was the reason he could not get into the pool before the supposedly other smarter people at the pool.

The man at the pool was comfortable; in point of fact very comfortable with his situation at the pool. To put it mildly, he had come to love the situation as it helped him to excuse away his destiny in addition to unknowingly celebrating his weaknesses. Weaknesses, you may ask! Certainly and quite a number! For instance, he loved to depend on people; to have people do for him what he could actually do for himself if only he put his mind to it. For example, he could actually find creative ways of getting into the pool without the assistance of anyone if he was really determined to do so. But like Professor Lazy who always comes up with a dozen excuses for not tilling his land when he should – a fierce lion was parading the street in desperate search of Professor Lazy; his body aching from inactivity required a little rest, a little sleep: the man at the pool hung at the pool for thirty eight years waiting for someone to put him in the pool.

Cash in on Opportunities

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The blind man who sat by the road begging near Jericho understood the full import of cashing in on opportunities. He realized that certain opportunities do not present themselves every day. He therefore took ample advantage of the opportunity of Jesus passing by him because he knew that Jesus in His earthly ministry may not likely pass by him a second time. He therefore utilized the one time life opportunity of meeting with Jesus Christ to achieve a life time goal of receiving his sight. Significantly, the blind man was expectant that Jesus would give him back his sight. He also believed that Jesus had the power and would be willing to restore his sight. If only he could come near Jesus. Fortunately for him, the great opportunity came as Jesus traveled to Jericho.

The blind man could definitely not see Jesus and he probably had no one to lead him to Jesus. Rather than lament and hold a pity party about what he lacked, he chose to utilize what he had in great measure – his voice and mouth to great advantage.

But he could hear and so heard the noise of multitudes moving around him. He asked people around what the noise was all about and they informed him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. What an opportunity! Though he could not see, he could shout. Definitely, Jesus could hear him. So the blind man raised his voice and cried out for mercy to Jesus. Though people tried to restrain him urging him to be quiet, he shouted the more to gain Jesus’ attention. Significantly, Jesus granted him audience and his life time goal was achieved as his sight was restored.

Beloved, the hitherto blind man had little or nothing at his disposal to deal with the challenge of visual impairment. But rather than blame anyone or circumstances, he worked at getting out of the predicament which made him a beggar.

Jesus Christ

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

My weaknesses for His strength

His strength for my weaknesses

His blood for my redemption

Wiping away every accusation

His blood for my justification

His blood for my sanctification

Ever flowing, ever cleansing

The most precious fount for humanity

His wealth to lift me out of poverty

His stripes for my healing

His shame for my dignity

His pain for my joy

His humiliation for my dignity

Accomplishments, successes and honor

He lifted me from the dust and ash heap

To royalty, wealth and honor

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God Heals the Broken Hearted

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Broken heartedness is an ailment that can cause a lot of degeneration in the body and the mind if left untreated. Fortunately, God heals broken heartedness. The case of Hannah the mother of Prophet Samuel best illustrates the instance of perverse tongue and unmet desires culminating in a broken spirit. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 1 verses 1 to 8, and 15.  Peninah’s perverse use of her tongue on Hannah was designed to make Hannah miserable and to an extent, Peninah succeeded. Hannah was broken hearted as Peninah’s frequent recourse to taunting and mocking Hannah with the fact that Hannah was childless hit a sore point in Hannah. Hannah was so broken hearted that she wept, refused food because her heart was grieved. But one day, Hannah decided to rise above the heartache, the pain and sorrow of childlessness that was usually heightened by Peninah’s taunts and mockery especially in the house of the Lord. Hannah took the bull by the horns and made a deal with God who could help her. Though Peninah made Hannah’s life bitter, Hannah realized that Peninah was not her problem. Hannah’s problem was childlessness which God; the El Shaddai Who said that none would be barren in His house could easily solve. So Hannah ignored and left perverse tongued Peninah to meet with God and make a deal with God. Can you beat that! ‘God, give me a male child to take away the reproach of childlessness and that child is all yours.’ Great bargaining power for a deeply broken hearted woman to whom weeping and hunger strike had become a way of life. Fortunately, God not only heard her words but took note of the terms of the contract. Significantly, Hannah was still broken hearted even while making the deal. Her response to the priest Eli testifies to this. Please see verses 15 to 16 of 1^st Samuel Chapter 1.

Beloved, truthfulness accelerates and perfects every healing process. Please see Luke Chapter 8 verses 43 to 48 for details of the woman with the issue of blood who publicly admitted to touching the hem of Jesus’ garment because of the affliction of unceasing blood flow for twelve years. The word of peace came from the Prince of Peace and she was completely whole. The widow of the indebted prophet acknowledged the financial situation of the family and was set free. Hannah’s admission of the grief and sorrow in her heart prompted the Priest Eli to pronounce the blessings of peace and answered prayers on her. Hannah was comforted because the Bible records in verse 18 that she was no longer sad. Joy unspeakable was birthed in her spirit and not quite long, Hannah conceived and bore Samuel, the beginning of unnumbered comforts. How? Hannah kept her own side of the bargain and returned Samuel to God and God who always rewards in multiples gave Hannah additional children – three sons and two daughters. Please see 2^nd Samuel Chapter 2 verses 20 to 21. Indeed, a good report always brings healing to the brokenhearted.

Allow God to Guide You

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

A person without divine direction is like a rudderless ship, adrift in the sea of life, vulnerable to peer pressure and influences, some negative and some positive. Divine direction through divine guidance guarantees holy living and abundant divine provision coupled with divine protection, healing, and eternal security in Christ Jesus as well as many benefits that you can think of. When God guides you, He leads you to right relationships and associations that bring you life and wealth as well as keep you on track for heaven. Divine guidance is a gift of love. God promises to guide you with His eye. You guide what and who you love because you want the best for them. God who loves you guides you because He loves you. Also, you will always be guided in the right paths that lead to profit and success. Please see Isaiah Chapter 48 verse 17, Jeremiah Chapter 31 verse 3, Psalm 78 verses 52 to 53, 81 verse 10, 32 verse 8. Therefore, get out of the way and allow God to guide you so that you can experience INCREASE (FINANCIAL INCREASE), God’s way. This is because God will give you divine direction and guidance; order your steps to still waters, favor, wealth, honor, fame, righteousness so that you partake of and enjoy durable wealth and riches. Please see Psalms 112 verse 3 and 105 verse 3.

Gifts vary and come in diverse packages. Everyone loves to receive gifts but honestly, it is great to receive great gifts from the only One Who gives great gifts. One of the greatest gifts you can receive from God after the gifts of salvation and indwelling of the Holy Spirit is divine guidance on a daily basis. God speaks in diverse ways and reveals His plans and purposes to human beings. One of the surest ways to hear God clearly is through His infallible word. The word does not fail, does not contradict God, and does not lead you to evil or sinful actions. Rather, the word of God gives clear directions that lead to everlasting life through Christ Jesus. Therefore, eat, enjoy and celebrate the word of God for divine guidance. Please find some instances of the word of God for divine direction in Psalms 89 verse 15, 119 verse 105, 130, Proverbs Chapter 4 verse 18.  

The Greatest

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

 He was born in a lowly manger

Announced by angels

Visited and celebrated by wise men from the East

Dedicated in the temple

Recognized by Spirit led Simeon and Anna the prophetess

Baptized by John the Baptist

Tempted by the devil but overcame

Preached and taught kingdom principles

Performed several miracles

Nailed to the cross

Died and resurrected

So that you and I can be saved.

His name is Jesus Christ

The reason for Christmas

Celebrate the Greatest

Love the Greatest

Worship Jesus

As you celebrate Christmas

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Thank You Lord 2

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

 Shall I sacrifice a thousand bullocks like Solomon?

They will not be enough

Shall I build You Churches, orphanages and hospitals?

Shall I build You hostels for the homeless?

And forget or even refuse to thank You

They will be worthless pieces of architecture

Shall I be a voice for the voiceless?

Despised, hated and imprisoned?

Give my body to be burnt for the gospel?

Sing like angels, dance all day for You?

Yet, I do not say thank You

Because I believe it is my power?

God, I love You

Appreciate Your extravagant grace in my life

Thank You for Life, salvation, mercies

Forgiveness of sins, Healings

Love, Compassion, mighty deliverances

Promotions, Favor, Honor

I love you, Lord; Thank You

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Thank You Lord

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

In the midst of the storms

Raging, fierce and even disastrous

You rescued me, saved me and kept me

In Your Hands

As famine ravished the land

And hunger redesigned faces and bodies

You gave abundant provision

That I neither deserved nor earned

Diseases swept across regions

Maimed and killed quite a number

Young and old, strong and wealthy

But you safeguarded and healed me

Stand on the Promises of God 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Forgiveness of Sins

God loves you and desires to forgive you whatever sins the enemy deceived you into committing. That is one of the reasons Jesus Christ died for you, to separate you from and deliver you from sin. However, sin must be repented of to be forgiven. Please see 1^st John Chapter 1 verses 8 to 10

Longevity

Longevity is the will of God for believers. Do not allow the devil deceive you into untimely death by accepting that sickness is of God to test you, or that you are bearing a burden for someone. Ask God for healing and deliverance if you are sick. It is significant to note that David prayed for healing and deliverance in life threatening situations. Please, see Psalm 71 verses 9 to 18.

Many saints such as the Apostle Paul (Philemon 9), Abraham (Genesis Chapters 24 verse 1 and 25 verses 7 to 8), Isaac (Genesis Chapter 27 verse 1, 35 verses 28 to 29), Job (Job Chapters 5 verses 25 to 26; 42 verses 16 to 17), David (1^st Chronicles Chapter 29 verses 26 to 28, 1^st Kings Chapter 1 verses 1 to 4), Jehoiada the Priest (2^nd Chronicles Chapter 24 verses 15 to 16), Daniel, Nehemiah, Mordecai, Solomon (1^st Kings Chapter 11) and many others in the Bible lived long and died in old age to be with the Lord. Pease see also Psalm 71 verses 9 to 18, 1^st Kings Chapter 1 verse 1 and Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 16, Proverbs Chapter 10 verse 27, Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 16 and Psalm 41.

Stand on the Promises of God 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The promises of God which are yea and amen in Christ Jesus are not in the stratosphere. They are within easy reach in the word of God. However, these promises can only be identified through a diligent study of the word of God. Do you want to know the promises of God concerning you? Then speedily commence a diligent study of the word of God to unravel the promises which cover about every area of life; some of which are:

Healing and Divine Health

I am the Lord that healeth thee (Exodus Chapter 15 verse 26) as well as other Scriptures on healing are clear pointers that it is the will of God for you to be in divine health at all times. God takes the trouble to heal you and keep you in divine health because He wants you to succeed. He wants to showcase you to the world which is why He does not allow you to be affected by sicknesses and diseases, be bedridden and incapacitated for success. A sick body and mind cannot succeed. That is why God ensures that you are mentally whole and capacitated to reflect on Philippians Chapter 4 verse 5. That is also why God keeps you physically strong, whole and capacitated to move about, engage in physical and mental as well as spiritual activities that generate money. God loves you. He says He will heal you of any disease the enemy may want to afflict you with. Please see Psalm 103 verses 3 to 4, Exodus Chapter 23 verses 25 to 26.

Lessons from the Healing of the Waters of Jericho

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The city of Jericho was a pleasant place, geographically well situated. People including prophets loved the place and lived there. Yet the water was bad and made the land unproductive. How can a place so pleasant and geographically well situated be barren? The bad water was responsible. Fortunately, the men of Jericho were wise people. They presented the case to Elisha, newly commissioned for great exploits after having been mentored by Elijah for years. Elijah had departed to heaven in a whirlwind leaving Elisha with a double portion of his spirit.

Elisha requested for a new bowl and he instructed them to put salt in the new bowl. He took these to the source of the water, poured the salt in it and prophesied the healing unction of God upon the waters and the Bible records that the waters were healed, there was no more death from water poisoning and the land became productive.

Lessons

Elisha went to the source of the water to throw the salt in it. Why? The healing of the water had to commence from the source of the water and progress to every other part of the water. Beloved, problems, challenges, barriers, blockades, satanic oppositions have to be dealt with and removed from the root source because when the root source of a challenge is dealt with, then it is destroyed completely. But if it is handled at the branches, it will resurface again in an even greater dimension. Therefore, deal with whatever issues that are troubling your nation from the root.

God Can Do It Again

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power [belongeth] unto God. Psalm 62 verse 11.

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke Chapter 1 verse 37.

God can and will do it again; not necessarily because He wants to please you, prove to you that He is God (He does not need to do that, God is God and He is Almighty, all power belongs to Him and everything created, located wherever in the universe submits to Him and bows to His Lordship because He is God). What is impossible with humans is possible with God. God does not tell lies, is not partial and is not intimidated, by anyone or anything. Rather He cares; He loves you with a love you cannot understand and fathom its depth until you probably find yourself in Christ’s eternity.

Beloved, God loves you and needs you so that you can fulfill His high purpose designed to do you good and uplift you from the dungeons of life that the enemy of your soul wants you bound to. That is why the enemy keeps you in the miry clay of life so you will believe his lies that God does not love you and wants you to remain in the miry clay. But the truth is that God wants you out of that miry clay as fast as you are willing to get out of it if only you will allow Him to help you do it. Getting out of the miry clay is like getting out of quick sands; extremely always difficult and in most cases, always impossible except God intervenes.

The Power of Words

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Words are powerful. They frame thought patterns. What a person hears and believes is very important as words always have the capacity to impact people and their lives either positively or negatively. That is why you should cross check the source of the words you hear, internalize and believe. Therefore, whoever you pay attention to; internalize the words and speak the words is very important. Who you listen to is very important.

Words that originate from God always have the capacity to enrich and enlarge you and make you a better person. These words are like the rain that comes in due season; that is at the right time to bless the earth. The word of God is powerful. The word of God gives believers advantage over the world by giving believers advance information of what God has done concerning our lives and whatever situation confronts us.

It is a battle of words and words that originate from the kingdom of darkness are like the polluted waters of Jericho that was causing barrenness and death in the land. Please see 2^nd Kings Chapter 2 verses 18 to 22, Exodus Chapter 15 verses 22 to 26. That is why Elisha went to the source of the water where the water was polluted to bring about healing of the water, decontamination from source and healing in the land.

This is why the devil manipulates through negative reports. Refuse to entertain and believe negative reports. The devil consistently uses his agents to create and foster contrary and negative situations through their speeches and actions – daily confessions of negativity, impossibilities and what have you to make you think, focus on and reflect on impossibilities, and how to cope; sometimes resulting in worries, anxieties, and fear and of course, unbelief and consequently recourse to sinful actions, usually suggestions from the pit of hell.