WHEN THE GAME IS OVER….WE SHALL ALL RETURN HOME.

20/08/23

PUBLISHER: HOLY SPIRIT

WHEN THE GAME IS OVER….WE SHALL ALL RETURN HOME.

A Boy was sent by his father to urgently buy him food from a restaurant. On his way going, he was in a hurry because of the urgency of the assignment. However, on his way back, he passed where his mates were playing football. He slowed down, began to watch the game, gradually slowing down until he finally stopped. He watched for a while and got carried away, he became interested, and indicated his interest in playing, he was invited. He left the food in the care of some unknown people and entered the field. He forgot the assignment completely and played his heart out. He became the man of the match, dribbled opponents, created chances, scored goals and changed the face of the entire game. When night came, the owner of the ball picked it up. It was time for everyone to go home; to go back to their parents, the game was over! It now dawned on the boy after everyone had left that he had actually been sent to buy food by his hungry father. He went to where he kept the food, it had already been eaten by goats and dogs, “but I kept this food with some guys here a moment ago.” He said. He picked the plates, but was no longer happy, all the excitement of the game disappeared, the people clapping for him were all gone, the opponents he was playing against were all gone, the ball itself was gone, time was gone, those selling food were gone, he couldn’t buy another! Regrets took over him, he sluggishly walked home, with tears of sorrow and regrets whilst hiding in the dark. When people saw him, they asked him why he was crying and hiding in the dark with empty plates! He had left with clean plates full of excitement, but returned with same empty plates, so dirty and stained ! When they asked him “Why he couldn’t go home, he said his father will beat him”. He knew the implications of a wasted time. So sad, too late. Hear this: We have a home and a Father to return to at the end of life’s journey when all is said and done. Don’t be distracted, don’t rejoice when people are clapping for you while doing the wrong things, they won’t be there when you are to give an account. Avoid Distractions, we are sent here for an assignment, the Father is waiting for us, this ball we are busy playing, when night comes, the owner will pick it, the crowd will disappear, we’ll be left alone to go back and give a report to our Maker. What will you tell Him ? Think about it. WHEN THE GAME IS OVER…..WE SHALL ALL RETURN HOME.

GOSPEL CORNER: THE SPIRIT OF FAITH IS CLEARLY ABOUT BELIEVING AND SPEAKING. SO IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY SERMONS OR BOOKS ON RIGHTEOUSNESS YOU HAVE HEARD AND READ. YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IT AND SPEAK IT.

20/08/23

Let me say something about faith. You cannot have faith without speaking it. When you study Romans 10, you will notice that it says that “the righteousness which is of the law…. does…. But the righteousness of faith speaks.” The law is about doing, whereas faith is about speaking. It is not enough to just know in your mind that you are righteous. It is not enough to just read this chapter or hear a sermon on righteousness and mentally agree that you are righteous. You need to open your mouth and say by faith, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:21). This is where many believers are missing out on the blessing of Abraham. They are not speaking their righteousness by faith.

Our first response to a trying situation is very important. Our first response when we discover a symptom in our body, when we receive a bad report or when we are faced with a trial, should always be to say, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” Come on now, this is where the rubber meets the road. This is when we need to speak it. You need to not only know that you are righteous, you need to believe and speak your righteousness in Christ. It is not faith until you speak it! Paul said, “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13). The spirit of faith is clearly about believing and speaking. So it does not matter how many sermons or books on righteousness you have heard and read. You need to believe it and speak it.

When you fail and fall short of the law’s perfect standard, that is the time you should exercise your faith to say, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” At that very moment when you are seething in anger at your spouse, or when you have just lost your cool on the road, it takes faith to say that you are righteous because you know that you have missed it. And you know what? The moment you say it, even if you are still in the midst of your anger, you will feel like you have ushered something good into that situation. You take a step back and start to relax, and the anger dissipates as you begin to realize your true identity in Christ.

Men, if you see a scantily clad woman on television or on the cover of a magazine and you are tempted, what is your first response? Are you sin-conscious or righteousness-conscious? Sin-consciousness will draw you to succumb to your temptation, whereas righteousness-consciousness gives you the power to overcome every temptation. That is why the enemy wants to keep you sin-conscious. Confessing your sins all the time keeps you sin-conscious. It is as if Jesus did not become your sin on the cross. Righteousness-consciousness keeps you conscious of Jesus. Every time you speak it, you magnify the work of Jesus on the cross. So believe and speak the truth: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” Then, you cannot help but see the results of magnifying the Lord Jesus and His finished work!

https://www.josephprince.com/meditate-devo/the-righteousness-of-faith-speaks

GOSPEL CORNER: ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO ACCEPT IS THAT GOD BRINGS SOME PEOPLE INTO OUR LIVES FOR ONLY A SEASON, TO HELP US THROUGH A CERTAIN STAGE OF LIFE OR A DIFFICULT TIME.

19/08/23

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place?
Amos 3:3, MSG

THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS
The word “crutch” is used to describe someone we may rely upon to help us get through a period of challenge, just until we heal or can get by on our own. The term takes on a bad connotation when used to describe someone whom we’ve become unnecessarily dependent upon, usually to the detriment of our physical, mental, or emotional progress.

One of the hardest things to accept is that God brings some people into our lives for only a season, to help us through a certain stage of life or a difficult time. If God didn’t move them away, we would become too dependent, and they would limit our growth.

Just as God brings people into our lives, He moves some out. You have to recognize when someone’s part in your life story is over. When a person walks away and you think you can’t get along without them, that’s God saying, “It’s time for you to go to a new level. Your destiny is not tied to them. Let them go, and the right people will show up.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I can submit every relationship in my life to You. I trust that You are connecting me to the right people and removing people who are no longer tied to my purpose. Give me wisdom and grace to choose the best relationships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”


SECTION TWO

Do you know what Mary saw as she looked into the tomb? She saw the substance of the ark of the covenant. Just as we saw that there were two cherubim or angels on the mercy seat, there were two angels sitting where Jesus had lain—one at the head and the other at the feet. It was an empty tomb that our Savior was laid in after He had paid the full price for our sins with His own blood.

Today, this tomb remains empty because all our sins are forgiven and our Lord is risen! Our hope, confidence, and assurance of salvation are found in the nail-pierced hands of our resurrected Savior. The mercy seat is a picture of the throne of grace (see Heb. 4:16). That is where we want to be—at the throne of grace, under the protective covering of His feathers and His wings.

I want to encourage you with this praise report from Veronica, who lives in New York City.

“A few nights ago my husband, Casey, and I were stuck in a traffic jam for five hours. So we put on a sermon by Pastor Joseph Prince titled The Secret Place Where You Find Protection and Long Life. Later, we found out that a fatal accident had taken place just five seconds ahead of us before we got stuck. Five seconds. The Lord had protected us from the accident!”

“Today, Casey was again protected miraculously. It appeared that a driver had had a heart attack while driving and passed out. It led to a chain collision and all the cars in front of and behind Casey got hit. And the drivers were taken to the hospital.”

“Despite all this, Casey’s car was completely untouched. Everything happened so quickly that he had no time to react. It was the Lord who protected him once again because that very morning, Casey was reading a devotional by Pastor Prince that drew Bible references from Psalm 91…”He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.””

“Truly, there is no safer place in the universe than under the protective shelter of our Savior’s wings. What blessed assurance we can have today, knowing that even if destruction rages around us, there is always refuge and comfort in the Lord, our unfailing peace, protection, and supply.”

I completely agree with Veronica that there is no safer place in the universe than under His wings, and I rejoice that the Lord’s protection over her and Casey is for us as well!

ATHLETICS INTEGRITY UNIT LIFTS SUSPENSION ON AMUSAN

18/08/23

VICTORIOUS TD

The Athletics Integrity Unit AIU has lifted the suspension of reigning 100 metres hurdles World Champion, Tobi Amusan who was previously sanctioned for missing three out of competition tests OCTs.

The 26-Year-Old had last week faced a panel of Independent Disciplinary Tribunal where She defended herself for missing three whereabouts tests within 12 calendar months.

The majority verdict from the Disciplinary Tribunal proved that the petit athlete who achieved sporting immortality after breaking the world record in 100 metres hurdles at the 2022 World Championship in Oregon did not commit any Anti-Doping Rule Violation ADRV.

The lifting of the suspension paves way for the Champion to defend her Title at the World Championship which begins this weekend in Budapest, the Capital of Hungary.

Amusan who at the time of her shocking suspension denied any wrong doing, promised to fight to clear her name at the Tribunal.

Taking to her Instagram page, the El Paso, Texas based Runner expressed delight on the verdict and stated She is looking forward to competing at the Budapest Championship, while also reiterating her stance as an Ambassador of Clean Sport.

Nigerian Athletes have in recent years been in the eye of the storm as it relates to anti doping issues and if Amusan’s case had gone South, it would have attracted a lot of negative attention to the country’s performances at international events going forward.

GOSPEL CORNER:NO MATTER HOW FAR YOU GO OR HOW DEEP YOU FALL, GOD IS ALWAYS THERE. ” START DREAMING AGAIN, START HOPING AGAIN, START BELIEVING AGAIN.

18/08/23

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Psalm 139:8, NIV

Great Lengths
If you have read the book of Jonah, you know that when God told Jonah to go and preach repentance to the city of Nineveh, Jonah went the other way. Yet God didn’t say, “I’m done with you, Jonah. You’re on your own.” Instead, God had a big fish already in place to rescue Jonah when he was thrown overboard. It swallowed him up, carried him to his destination like a cruise liner, then spit him up on shore. God gave him another chance. This time Jonah went, got back on course, and fulfilled his purpose.

You may be thinking you’ve made so many mistakes that you’ve missed your destiny. If you only knew what great lengths God is going to go to get you back on course. If you only knew there are great fish waiting to rescue you, to protect you, to bring you back into your purpose. You can’t outrun the mercy of God. No matter how far you go or how deep you fall, God is always there. ” Start dreaming again, start hoping again, start believing again.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father, thank You that when I’ve made mistakes and gone my own way, You didn’t say, ‘Too bad that you messed up. Now you’re on your own.’ Thank You for Your mercy that covers me and gives me second chances. I believe You will get me to where I’m supposed to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO
I am sure that you have heard a lot of teaching on fearing the Lord. I do believe in a reverential honor of the Lord. But I am not for any kind of teaching that promotes this idea that God wants you to be afraid of Him. God delights in having us close to Him. He welcomes us to dwell in His secret place, to be so close to Him that we come under His shadow.

These are all pictures of intimacy. In any relationship, fear and intimacy cannot coexist. If you fear God today, you won’t be able to believe Him for His protection. That is why it is so important for you to be strong and established in His grace.

The author of the book of Hebrews says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). This is a picture of the ark of the covenant, God’s throne of grace. Because our Lord’s blood has been shed on the mercy seat, today, we can come boldly into His presence without any sense of inferiority or shame, and receive His favor, His supply, His protection, and His help in our time of need.

Jesus defined the fear of the Lord as the worship of the Lord. In the wilderness temptation, Jesus responded to the devil by saying, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” (Matt. 4:8–10). Our Lord was quoting from Deuteronomy 6:13, which says, “You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him.” Our Lord substituted the word “fear” with the word “worship.”

Jesus was showing us how to accurately understand the fear of the Lord. In the new covenant, it has nothing to do with being afraid of the Lord; it has everything to do with coming into His presence with boldness and worshiping Him. Stop living in fear, my friend. Instead, follow our Lord wholly like Caleb did and worship His wonderful name. The prayer of protection in Psalm 91 is a psalm of worship. When you worship Jesus, all your fears will fade away. When you worship Him, the angel of the Lord encamps around you like a shield of protection. When you worship your Savior, His Spirit of wisdom and counsel will lead and guide you with rivers of peace!

TINUBU HAILS GEN. IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA AT 82

PRESS RELEASE

SHINA JO

17/08/23

President Bola Tinubu has shared in the joy of celebration with family members, friends, and associates of former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd), who turns 82 on August 17, 2023.

President Tinubu congratulated the former military President, who had served in many capacities in the Nigerian army with distinction and reached the peak of his career as Chief of Army Staff with indelible legacies for his gallant defense of nationhood during the Nigerian Civil War.

The President in a statement issued by his special adviser on Media and Publicity Ajuri Ngelale affirmed the contributions of Gen. Babangida to national development, which include the creation of many states to strengthen the federal structure, physical infrastructure, the liberalization of the media industry, and other initiatives across the health and defense sectors.

President Tinubu noted the influential position of the former Nigerian leader, who has, after 30 years outside of power, consistently remained a voice of wisdom and counsel for many political leaders, both within and outside of Nigeria.

The President prays for the continuous well-being of Gen. Babangida and his family.

GOSPEL CORNER: STOP STRIVING AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I Will BE EXALTED ON THE EARTH.”

17/08/23

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
“Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”
Psalm 46:10, NASB

STOP STRIVING
It’s easy to go through life thinking we have to make everything happen—make our business grow, make ourselves get well, make our child do right. There’s this constant pressure to fix something, to improve in some area, so we live striving, trying to force doors to open, to do better, to work harder. There’s no rest, no peace inside. You weren’t created to live that way. As long as you’re in this striving mode, trying to fix everything, you’re not going to know that He’s God, and you’re not going to see His favor and His goodness as you should.

It’s very freeing when you realize that if you keep God first place, He’ll bring what you need. All the striving does is to wear you out, causing you to feel overwhelmed, keeping you awake at night, giving you digestive problems.

Take the pressure off. You can’t make people do what’s right, make your coworker like you, make your finances turn around. Your job is to be your best each day, to honor God, and He will bring dreams to pass.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I can stop striving and know that You are God. Help me to stop trying to change what only You can change and stop trying to fix things over which I have no control. I declare that I’m going to stay in peace and know that You are in control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PART TWO

This is the most important verse in Psalm 91! If you ever had any doubt that God desires for you to live a long, good life, let this verse be your answer. You may be battling with a health condition right now, but by faith let’s hold fast to this verse together. In Jesus’ mighty name, I see you healed, healthy, and whole. I see you strong in Christ and ready to take on any giant that is ahead of you.

One of my favorite pictures of long life is found in the biblical character Caleb. When he was eighty-five years old, he said, “I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war” (Josh. 14:10–11).

The faith picture here of long life is not just in terms of quantity—the number of days—but also quality—health and strength. Caleb remained as strong at eighty-five as he was when he was forty-five. Which means in the last forty years in the harsh wilderness, his strength, youth, and vigor didn’t diminish. There was no leaking, no receding, and no fading away of his strength!

If perhaps you think that Caleb was just talking big, look at what he said next: “Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said” (Josh. 14:12).

At eighty-five, Caleb was ready to fight with giants to gain possession of a mountain! And Caleb did as he said! Read the evidence for yourself: “Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel” (Josh. 14:14).

You were impressed when a teenage shepherd boy picked a fight with one giant named Goliath? We should be completely blown away by this eighty-five-year-old, who took on a whole mountain packed with giants! Caleb was zealous for the Lord’s glory. As far as he was concerned, there was unfinished business because the Lord had promised them the mountain forty years ago. My personal belief is that his biological clock stopped ticking and he basically stopped aging because he kept his eyes not on himself, but on the promises of the Lord. As you meditate on and find strength in God’s promises, the same can happen for you!

https://www.josephprince.com/meditate-devo/he-satisfies-you-with-long-life

PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU RELEASES PORTFOLIO’S OF MINISTER’S DESIGNATE.

16/08/23

SHINA J.O

PART ONE – MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, INNOVATION AND DIGITAL ECONOMY
BOSUN TUANI

MINISTER OF STATE, ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT
ISHAK SALAKO

MINISTER OF FINANCE AND COORDINATING MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY
WALE EDUN

MINISTER OF MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY
BUNMI TUNJI-O10

MINISTER OF POWER
ADEBAYO ADELABU

MINISTER OF STATE, HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE
TUNJI ALAUSA

MINISTER OF SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT
DELE ALAKE

MINISTER OF TOURISM
LOLA ADE-JOHN

MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION
ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA

MINISTER OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
DORIS ANITE

MINISTER OF INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
UCHE NNAJI

MINISTER OF STATE, LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
NKIRUKA ONYEJEOCHA

MINISTER OF WOMEN AFFAIRS
UJU KENNEDY

MINISTER OF WORKS
DAVID UMAHI

PART TWO

NORTHWEST
Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy – Hannatu Musawa
Minister of Defence – Muhammad Badaru
Minister of State Defence – Bello Matawalle
Minister of State Education – Yusuf T. Sunumu
Minister of Housing and Urban Development – Ahmed Dangiwa
Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development – Abdullahi Gwarzo
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Atiku Bagudu
Minister of Environment and Ecological Management – Kaduna
Minister of State, FCT – Mairiga Mahmud
Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation – Bello Goronyo
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security – Abubakar Kyari
Minister of Education – Tahir Momoh
Minister of Interior – Sa’idu Alkali
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Yusuf Tuggar
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development –Ali PAto
Minister of Police Affairs – Ibrahim Gaidam
Minsiter of State, Steel Development – U MAIgari Ahmadu

NORTH CENTRAL

Minister of Steel Development – Shuaibu Audu

Minister of Information National Orientation – Muhammed Idris

Attorney General of Federal and Minister of Justice – Lateef Fagbemi

Minister of Labour and Employment – Simon Lalong

Minister of State, Police Affairs – Imman Suleiman Ibrahim

Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs – Zephianiah Jisalpo

Minister of Water Resources and sanitation – Joseph Utsev

Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security – Aliyu Sabi Abdullah

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo

Minister of Youth, Abubakar Momoh

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu

Minister of State, Gas Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri

Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh

Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike

FRESH CHARGES AGAINST EMEFIELE, TO BE ARRAIGNED ON THURSDAY OVER N6.9BN PROCUREMENT FRAUD


16/08/2023

The suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele will be arraigned on Thursday, before the federal Capital Territory High court, by the Federal government over a fresh 20 count charge, bothering on procurement fraud allegations.

Emefiele will be arraigned alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 6.9 billion naira procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.

This fresh charge is coming after federal government announced its withdrawal of the charge on “illegal possession of firearms” before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, when the matter came up.

Emefiele is accused of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro, a director in April 1616 Investment Ltd, an offense contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, which holds a penalty of Five years imprisonment, without an option of fine.

The section reads, “Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine.’’

In the charge the three accused persons were alleged to have bought a fleet of over 98 exotic vehicles and armoured buses valued at about N6.9bn.
Some of the vehicles bought between 2018 and 2020 included 84 Toyota Hilux vehicles, 10 armoured Mercedes Benz buses, three Toyota Landcruisers and one Toyota Avalon car.

Count one read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of N854,700,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which she is a director and thereby committed an offence.

Count 10 read, “That you, Sa’adatu Rammala Yaro, female, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being employed at the CBN knowingly held directly a private interest as director in April1616 Investment Ltd., in a contract awarded to the said company, for the supply of 47 Toyota Hilux vehicles at the cost of N1,085, 700,000 and thereby committed an offence.’’

Count 11, “That you, Sa’adatu Rammala Yaro, female, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being employed at the CBN knowingly held directly a private interest as director in April1616 Investment Ltd., in a contract awarded to the said company, emanating from the CBN where you are employed, for the supply of 10 Mercedes Benz armoured buses at the cost of N2,222, 500,00 and thereby committed an offence.’’

Emefiele, has been in detention since he was suspended from office on June 9 by President Bola Tinubu, before he was arraigned by the federal government before the federal high court in Lagos, over possession of illegal fire arms.

GOSPEL CORNER : DON’T DISQUALIFY YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU COMPROMISED AND GAVE IN TO TEMPTATION. DON’T LIVE GUILTY,

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
“Now bring your brother Aaron near, and his sons with him from among the sons of Israel, so that he may serve as priest to Me.”
Exodus 28:1, AMP

Don’t Disqualify Yourself
When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, he left his brother Aaron in charge of the Israelites. But because Moses was gone for so long, the people demanded that Aaron make them gods to worship. Aaron gave in to the pressure and made them a golden calf. Aaron had spoken for Moses before Pharaoh and declared God’s words. He had seen God’s miracles up close over and over, yet he compromised and partook of what was a great sin. You would think God would be done with Aaron. But God doesn’t write us off. In His mercy, He chose Aaron to be the first high priest of Israel, the only priest who could go into the Holy of Holies once a year and offer the sin offering for the people on the Day of Atonement.

Don’t disqualify yourself because you compromised and gave in to temptation. Don’t live guilty, condemned, feeling washed up. God forgave Aaron, and He has forgiven you, but you have to forgive yourself. God still has something awesome in your future.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that because of what Jesus has done on the cross, You remove the shame from my life. Thank You that You have redeemed and forgiven me and even made me a priest unto You. I believe that You have something awesome in my future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
[8/16, 1:38 AM] Odia Abuja: Do you often feel as though God is displeased with you because you can’t seem to break out of a bad habit? Are you facing a situation that just seems impossible to overcome? Let me share Colton’s testimony with you to show you how believing in Jesus’ finished work and receiving His grace are key to receiving your breakthrough.

SECTION TWO

Since Colton was a little boy, he tried to please God by his performance and obedience. Whenever he sinned by doing or not doing something, he would feel totally condemned and depressed. He found that the more he tried to get rid of certain bad habits by self-discipline, the more he continued in them.

Right after graduation from high school, this young man from Texas received one of my books. Through reading the book, he understood that God is fully pleased with him—not based on his works, but on the perfect, finished work of Jesus at the cross.

Colton began confessing that he was still righteous in Christ through His perfect sacrifice whenever he missed the mark. The result? Listen to what he says: “I was finally able to overcome many wrong habits and attitudes. I also went from a 1.76 grade point average (GPA) in high school to a 4.00 GPA in my first semester in college. As I began to be more conscious of Jesus and not my performance, faith was just there and things that held me back fell away.”

When Colton decided to pursue further education in the field of medicine, it appeared to be an impossible situation as the tuition fee was simply unaffordable for his family. But as this brother continued to believe God and receive His grace through Christ Jesus, he began to see “obstacle after obstacle removed.” He shared happily with me, “Today, half of my tuition fee has been paid off, and Jesus is already working on clearing the rest for me!”

Beloved, God still sees you righteous even when you fail, because you are forever perfect and accepted in Christ. God judges you not based on your imperfect performance, but on the perfect performance and sacrifice of Christ. The more you believe and receive this truth, the more you will, like Colton, overcome every bad habit and receive your breakthroughs.