FRIDAY, AUGUST 5th
Fulfill Your Ministry

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Listed above are fivefold ministry gifts that God gave to the church. They are the office of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. They are given to the church to equip the Saints to do the work of the ministry. There is a job to be done and all hands must be on deck. God needs you and me to advance the cause of the gospel. Every child of God has a ministry to fulfill that contributes to the overall growth of the body of Christ.

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:4-

Do not be a dysfunctional member of the body of Christ. Find something to do in the house of God. Every local church should have a structure in place where all members should have relevance. You don't have to be called into any of the office listed above before you are motivated to serve. God does not reward office. What he rewards is faithfulness. So, if your duty is just to keep the church hall clean and you are faithful to it, you will be rewarded in the same way a pastor is faithful to his calling.

Not everyone is called into the five - fold ministry but we all do have a ministry to fulfill. So, make effort to be involved and fulfill your ministry as we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ one day to account of the ministry gifts you have and how you utilized them to serve him. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive , AUGUST 6th
We Wrestle Not Against Flesh And Blood - 1

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

It is an understatement to say that we are engaged in a spiritual warfare. But our battle is not against flesh and blood. Your real enemy is not your next door neighbour, uncle, grandma, mother in law etc. It is true that a lot of evil men and women devise evil against us. A lot of people have even lost their lives through the wicked works of these evil folks. Some have their lives frustrated while quite a few others are suffering one form of afflictions or the other.

However, the only enemy you are to deal with is the devil himself who is the man behind the mask. Just like Peter exhorted us; “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:. Notice he said ‘your adversary’ as in singular and he did not say, ‘your adversaries’ as in many.

You are not even at war with the devil himself. He has been defeated. You are only standing your ground against his tricks. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (tricks or deceit) of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11).

He plays his tricks on you through thoughts and imaginations he brings to your mind. When you allow these negative thoughts to stay long in your mind, they become strongholds that keep you in bondage. Never permit any negative thoughts to stay in your mind. Stand your ground on the truth of God's word and refuse to be swayed by his tricks. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Prayer/Confession: I thank you father for the victory you have given me in Christ Jesus. As I engage in spiritual warfare, I declare that every evil works of darkness against me are destroyed in the name of Jesus. Amen

Further Study: 1 Peter 5:8-9; Luke 10:17-19
Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 12-13; Genesis 7

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7th
We Wrestle Not Against Flesh And Blood - 2

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

As you engage in spiritual warfare, you need to know the armour you need to put on. Every soldier that goes to battle must be properly dressed and equipped for the fight to stand the chance of winning.

The first armour Paul mentioned is the belt of truth tied round your waist. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and …” (Ephesians 6:14). A lot of Christians today are ignorant of the truth of God’s word. You need to be conscious of the truth to stand your ground against the deceit of the wicked one. Hence our Lord Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).

It was the knowledge of truth that David had that made him face Goliath fearlessly. David knew the truth that his covenant relationship with God gives him an advantage over Goliath who is uncircumcised. (1 Samuel 17:36). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also knew the truth that the God they serve is able to deliver them from the furnace of fire prepared by King Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 3:16-18)

Some of the truths you need to be acquainted with are; 1. You are born to overcome - 1John 5:4. 2. All things are ordained to work for your good - Romans 8:28. 3. You have the authority to cast out demons and heal the sick - Mark 16:17-18. 4. You are indestructible - 1 Peter 1:23, 3:13. 5. Satan is defeated - Colossians 2:15. And lots more.

Make effort to be acquainted with the truth of God’s word and you will always triumph over the tricks of the evil one. “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalms 100:5)

Prayer/Confession: Father, as I stand my ground against the tricks of the evil one, I put my trust in your word. Your word is truth. I reject every lie of the wicked one. I prevail over my circumstances by the truth of your word in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Further Study: 2 Corinthians 6:7; Psalms 91:4
Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 14-15; Genesis 8

MONDAY , AUGUST 8th
We Wrestle Not Against Flesh And Blood - 3

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

Another armour you need to put on is the breastplate of righteousness as you stand your ground against the tricks of the devil. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14). Righteousness is the nature of God imparted to your human spirit at new birth. It gives you a right standing with God so that you can approach him without any guilt, condemnation or inferiority complex. Besides, it gives you the ability to stand fearless against the devil and his cohorts.

This righteousness which you have in Christ is a free gift. “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17). Even when you make a mistake, you have the right to forgiveness and receive cleansing from any form of unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9. Condemnation and guilt can rob you of your confidence before God and set you on the path of defeat.

When you are righteousness conscious, you won't be afraid when trials come. You know you can go boldly to God and obtain mercy and find grace for help. You can also boldly resist the devil and he will flee. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Don’t let the devil remind you of your past mistakes as it could rob you of confidence and give him the advantage over you. God does not keep records of your mistakes that you have repented of. If you haven’t repented of any known error, please do so now and face the devil fearlessly. You are born to reign in life as a king through this gift of righteousness.

Confession: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I refuse to allow guilt and condemnation to dominate me. I have boldness before God and I stand fearless against every forces of darkness arrayed against me. I declare I am favoured and I am coming out victorious in every circumstance I am faced with in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Further Study: Isaiah 59:17; I Thessalonians 5:8
Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 16-17; Genesis 9

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9th
We Wrestle Not Against Flesh And Blood - 4

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

When a soldier is dressed for war, he must put on his battle shoes. In the same way, you have a spiritual battle shoe you should put on as part of your armour. This shoe is the gospel shoe - readiness to preach the gospel at all time. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15).

The ultimate aim of the enemy is to get the believer complacent towards soul winning. As long as you are not involved in soul winning activities, you are not a threat to his kingdom. Satan guards his souls jealously and he does not want to lose any soul. He wants to take as many people to hell with him. This is the only way he can revenge God’s judgment on him. Virtually most of the times Satan and his cohorts gather, their plans are centered on how they can cause believers to backslide from the faith and also hinder those who are yet to embrace the gospel from seeing the light of it.

So, if you really want to win your spiritual battle, you must give priority to soul winning. The Bible says; “… How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Romans 10:15). Any believer that is not involved in soul winning has denied the faith and makes himself a misfit for the kingdom of God.

You are saved to save others. God is counting on you. Do it with so much enthusiasm and gusto. There is a great reward that awaits soul winners in heaven. No wonder the writer of proverbs says; “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30 ). Daniel adds; “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3). When your pass on from this earth to eternity without souls to present to the Lord, you have utterly failed in life no matter what you achieve in other areas of your life.

Prayer/Confession: Lord, I pray for your grace and wisdom to reach out to the lost. From this day henceforth, I will show more zeal in soul winning activities. I make myself responsible and fruitful in my father’s house by putting on my gospel shoe at all times.

Further Study: Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15. Daily Scripture Reading: JMatthew 18-19, Genesis 10.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10th
We Wrestle Not Against Flesh And Blood - 5

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

We are still on the protective armour we need to put on as we stand our grounds against the evil forces of darkness. Today, we will look at another armour slightly different from the others. This armour is known as the shield of faith. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Ephesians 6:16)

The shield of faith is the armour you need to protect yourself from the dangerous arrows the wicked one shoots at you. What are these dangerous arrows? They are negative thoughts and imaginations. It can also come in the form of symptoms of diseases or any form of afflictions. The way to unleash your faith to deal with it explained in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and it reads; “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. "

If it comes in the form of a symptom or affliction, rebuke it instantly. Don’t even speak about it. Rather speak to it and command the symptom to go in the name of Jesus and it will obey you.

The just shall live by faith, the Bible declares. Faith is the lifestyle that guarantee victory at all times. So, put it on as a shield and you will win over every situation and circumstances that you are faced with. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

Confession: I reject every negative thought and imaginations that is not consistent with the word of God. I cancel every wicked plan of the evil one to portend sickness or affliction on me in the name of Jesus. Amen

Further Study: Matthew 9:29; Luke 18:8; Hebrews 6:12
Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 20-21; Genesis 11

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11th
We Wrestle Not Against Flesh And Blood - 6

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

One more protective armour we need to put on is the helmet of salvation. “And take the helmet of salvation...” (Ephesians 6:17). A helmet protects the head. What then does it mean to take the helmet of salvation? It simply means to be conscious of the fact that you are saved. Quite a few professing believers do not have assurance of salvation. They keep responding to virtually every altar calls. Salvation is a onetime experience. The very moment you confess Jesus as your Lord and saviour, you are saved. “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.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Another way some believers display their unbelief is always looking for deliverance. If you are saved, then you are already delivered. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Don’t allow your circumstances to make you feel you need another deliverance other than the one Jesus gave you unless you are not living right. Then, it can open door of oppression against you. What you need is the knowledge of God’s word. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). The book of proverbs adds, “…through knowledge shall the just be delivered. (Proverbs 11:9)

Put on the helmet of salvation. Be conscious of what God has done for you in Christ Jesus. You don’t need any special Prophet to lay hands on you. When you believe God’s word and act upon it, you will always come out victorious over the tricks of the enemy.

Confession: Lord, I have a full assurance that I am saved and I know that I am delivered from the powers of darkness. I walk in this consciousness and refuse to listen to the lies of the devil.

Further Study: Isaiah 59:17; I Thessalonians 5:8; Titus 3:5
Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 22-23; Genesis 12-13

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12th
We Wrestle Not Against Flesh And Blood - 7

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

So far, different parts of the armour we have discussed in previous days are; the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, gospel shoe, shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. You have to put on the whole armour to successfully stand against the strategies of the devil. There is yet one more part of the armour that is different from the other - the sword of the Spirit. The sword of the Spirit has a dual purpose; it is defensive armour and also an offensive weapon against the enemy. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17)

When Jesus was tempted by the devil after his 40 days fasting, he used the word of God defensively against the devil. Three times he was tempted, three times our Lord Jesus quoted the scripture saying; “It is written…” This is an example of how to use the word defensively.

It is however much better to be on the offensive. You don’t have to wait for trials to come your way before you open your mouth to declare what God has said. Every believer should form the habit of speaking forth God’s word continuously. This puts the devil on the run. This was the attitude the Psalmist put up most of the times. In Psalms 23, he said; “The lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” In Psalms 27, he said, “The lord is my light and my salvation, who shall I fear…” “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD” was the Psalmist confession in Psalms 118:17. This is how to use the word offensively.

Take the sword of the spirit and use it with understanding. Satan cannot stand the word of God. As you speak forth faith filled words, the Lord himself with bring those words to fulfillment. “...for I will hasten my word to perform it, ” (Jeremiah 1:12) says the Lord.

Prayer/Confession: Father, I thank you for your word that is powerful and sharper than two edged sword. As I use it to defend myself and also to put the devil to flight, I know you will let any of the words I speak to fall to the ground in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Further Study: Mathew 8:16; Revelation 2:16, 19:15
Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 24-25; Genesis 14

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