The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:2, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” In the original Greek, it actually says, “through the knowledge of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
So God’s unmerited favor and His shalom-peace (health, provision, and total well-being) are multiplied in your life through the knowledge of JESUS. The more you know Jesus, the more you will be able to tap into the ever-flowing supply of His favor, healing, and provision!
Beloved, every answer you need, whether it has to do with your finances, health, career, or family life, is found in knowing more about Jesus in a personal and intimate way.
I pray that every day, as you study the Scriptures or listen to Christ-centered sermons, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see more of Jesus—His beauty, His love and grace toward you, and His finished work at Calvary!
The Bible tells us, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.” This means that while there is wisdom in ungodly counsel, a blessed man does not depend on it nor walk in it. On the contrary, his delight is in the Word of God, which is the person of Jesus!
My friend, let your delight be in Jesus. See Him in every page of the Bible as you meditate on God’s Word day and night.
Beloved, whose counsel are you walking in today for your provision? Be wary of ungodly counsel that promises you quick short-term gains that could cause you to get into a debt trap.
Conversely, as you meditate on Jesus daily, you will enjoy the blessings of abundance as a by-product of just being in His presence! As you delight in Jesus, you will bring forth fruit in season, your leaf (your health) will not wither, and whatever you do becomes abundantly blessed!
A Pig with Lipstick: The Case of Kettle Calling Pot Black
By Livy-Elcon Emereonye
In politics, business, and even everyday life, hypocrisy often struts with a painted face. We live in a world where those most guilty of a crime shout the loudest when others are caught, and those steeped in corruption become self-righteous accusers. It is the age-old case of the kettle calling the pot black—but now, the kettle has learned the art of cosmetics. What we see is not honesty, but a pig with lipstick.
The pig, no matter how much you groom it, remains a pig. As one wit put it, “You cannot perfume a carcass and call it fresh.” Cosmetic pretence cannot erase filth, just as fine speeches, colourful policies, or staged humanitarian gestures cannot wash away the stains of bad governance, greed, or deceit. Dressing up failure in flowery language is nothing more than deception—a way to distract the public eye while the rot continues unchecked.
Hypocrisy is most dangerous when it wears the mask of morality. Leaders falter, yet condemn others for the very sins they commit daily. Institutions crumble from negligence, yet parade themselves as watchdogs of accountability. Such contradictions are not just laughable—they are insulting to the intelligence of the people. After all, “When the thief cries ‘catch the thief,’ confusion becomes justice.”
But no matter the type and concentration of perfume the anus wears, it will still ooze out foul smell. A bigot will always remain a bigot. No amount of political patronage can change the toga of a bitch.
As the saying goes, “You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Lipstick will eventually fade, and the ugliness beneath will be revealed. Likewise, hypocrisy has a short shelf life. Truth may stumble, but it does not fall. “Pretence has no backbone; it collapses under the weight of reality.”
Today, the world stands akimbo watching the Nigerian drama as it unfolds; and tomorrow will come when people will look back and ask, “But why?”
“A pig with lipstick is still a pig. The kettle calling the pot black is hypocrisy at its peak. Cosmetics can cover a face, but never a character. Truth may stumble, but it never falls.”
Societies thrive on sincerity, not showmanship. Until we stop rewarding cosmetics over character, and until hypocrisy is called out for what it is, the cycle of kettle and pot will continue—each accusing the other while both remain blackened by the same soot.
But for psychosis, how best can one describe a bastard begotten of no one and responsible for no root always attacking a people and a race, accusing them of what she is guilty?
In the final analysis, one cannot cry more than the bereaved. It is time the Igbo home and abroad understood the hand writing on the wall and do the needful.
A word is enough for the wise.
It’s at best a mistake taken too far, and at worst a display of open madness that defies medical attention.
But is it a mere coincidence that everyone who seeks a cheap attention attacks the Igbo or there’s something Ndígbo are being called to notice and act?
Today’s Word Today’s Scripture There he built another altar and dedicated it to the LORD, and he worshiped the LORD. Genesis 12:8, NLT
Do It in Advance In Genesis 12, God told Abraham that he was going to become the father of many nations, that his descendants would own all the land, that he was going to be blessed and become a great blessing. When Abraham heard this incredible promise, he built an altar and worshiped the Lord. What’s interesting is that the promise hadn’t come to pass. He wasn’t a father, and his wife, Sarah, was barren. He didn’t own any land. Yet he built an altar simply to thank God for what He promised.
This is showing us a principle. Don’t wait for the promise to come to pass. Thank God in advance for what He said He would do for you. “God, You said my children will be mighty in the land.” Your child might be running with the wrong crowd, but build your altar now. Thank God before you see the promise. That’s what faith is all about. When God sees your altar, when He hears you thanking Him, praising Him, declaring His goodness, that’s when doors will open, healing will come, favor is released.
A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You that my faith and trust are anchored to You and the promises in Your Word. Thank You that I don’t have to be moved by the tests and troubles I face because I am fully persuaded You will do what You promised. I declare that my hope is in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
You don’t need a financial miracle when you are consistently walking in the wisdom of God. In other words, when you walk in His wisdom, you won’t be surviving from one bailout to another, nor be in a constant state of financial crisis and lack.
My friend, God’s provision of wisdom is abundant and I want to challenge you to tap into this powerful resource from heaven.
Before you make a career move, start a new business, or make a significant purchase or investment, involve Jesus. Don’t exclude the Lord.
When someone pressurizes you to sign an agreement because the offer is “only valid for today,” take a step back. Don’t make an emotional decision and rush into it. Wait upon the Lord. Be prepared to walk away from this “great opportunity” if you don’t sense His peace and wisdom. Learning how to flow in divine wisdom will save you both precious time and money.
I always encourage my church to be mindful of their eye- and ear-gates. Essentially, this means that we need to be conscious of what we watch and hear on a regular basis.
The Book of Proverbs, which is chock-full of God’s wisdom, tells us, “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.”
God tells us to guard what we hear, what we see, and what is in our hearts. He wants us to have our ears full of the gracious words of Jesus, our eyes full of the presence of Jesus, and our hearts meditating on what we have heard and seen in Jesus.
That’s what “give attention to my words” means today in the new covenant, for Jesus is God’s Word made flesh. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace [unmerited favor] and truth.”
It is all about beholding Jesus, and as we behold Him, we are transformed more and more into His likeness, full of unmerited favor and truth! Don’t miss this powerful promise, my friend. The result of tuning our ear- and eye-gates to Jesus is that He will be life and health to us.
The Bible shows us that there is a direct correlation between hearing and seeing Jesus, and the health of our physical bodies. The more we hear and see Jesus, the healthier and stronger we become! Our mortal bodies become infused with His resurrection life and power!
If we are only feeding on the news media, magazines, or the unending stream of information on the Internet, it is no wonder that we feel weak and tired. There is just no nourishment for us there.
Please hear what I am saying. It is all right to keep yourself abreast of current world events and be in the know about what is happening in the Middle East, trends in the economy and developments in the political arena. Such information may even be necessary for the industry that you are in.
I am not asking you to become an ignoramus or to live in a cave. What I am saying is this: Know what is good for the wholeness of your body and mind. Be wise—don’t overdose yourself on information and knowledge that does not infuse you with God’s life and power.
Today’s Word Today’s Scripture Zacchaeus tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. Luke 19:3–4, NLT
Your Tree Is Already Planted Sycamore trees can live for hundreds of years. Here’s how strategic God is. Long before Zacchaeus was born, God said, “I have to plant a tree here, because in a few hundred years, a crooked tax collector who needs My mercy will come here. This tree is going to be necessary for him to meet My Son who will bring him into his purpose.” That tree didn’t happen overnight. Generations back, God was thinking about Zacchaeus. It was from that vantage point that salvation came to Zacchaeus that very day.
There are blessings you’re going to come into that God has been working on for generations. You don’t have to worry about the right doors opening, the right people showing up, He’s already lined up what you need for your purpose and been working on what looks impossible to you. You’re goingr how you’ll overcome that heartache. God has already planted your tree. to come into something that you couldn’t make happen. It’s the hand of God moving you into your purpose.Rest in faith, knowing that God has it all lined up.
A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for the trees You’ve planted for me long ago and the blessings You’ve already lined up. Thank You for the people, the favor, and the promotion You’ve ordained to come across my path. I believe that You are directing my steps and orchestrating everything around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
SECTION TWO
The best way to know if you are embroiled in the things of the world is to be objective and ask yourself this: “Is my heart troubled?”
I believe that the number one killer in the modern world is stress. Medical doctors in my church have told me that if a patient has high blood pressure, they can advise the patient to cut down on sodium. They can also advise their patients to cut down on other excesses such as sugar or cholesterol. But as doctors, there is one thing that they cannot control in their patients, and that is their patients’ stress levels.
I personally believe that the physical root cause of many medical conditions today is stress. Stress can produce all kinds of imbalances in your body. It can cause you to age prematurely, give you rashes, cause gastric pains, and even lead to abnormal growths in your body. To put it succinctly, stress kills!
Doctors tell us that certain physical symptoms are “psychosomatic” in nature. That’s because these symptoms are brought about by psychological problems such as stress. Stress is not from God. Peace is from Him!
I trust that you are beginning to understand why Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
Now, Jesus would not have used the word “peace.” The Greek New Testament renders “peace” as eirene, but since Jesus spoke Aramaic-Hebrew, He would have used the word “shalom”—”Shalom I leave with you, My shalom I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”
In the Hebrew vernacular, “shalom” is a very rich and loaded word. There is no English word that can accurately encapsulate the fullness, richness, and power contained in the word “shalom.”
Hence, English Bible translators were only able to translate it as “peace.” But while the word “shalom” includes peace, it means so much more. Let’s look at the Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon to get a better idea of what Jesus meant when He said, “Shalom I leave with you.”
The Hebrew Lexicon describes “shalom” as completeness, safety, soundness (in body), welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment, peace used of human relationships, and peace with God especially in our covenant relationship. Wow, what a powerful word!
This is the shalom that Jesus has bequeathed you: His completeness, His safety, His soundness, His welfare, His health, His prosperity, His peace, His quietness, His tranquility, His contentment, His peace in human relationships, as well as His peace with God through the covenant made at the cross. All these, my friend, are part of your inheritance in Christ today!
Can you picture the full implications of what it means to experience Jesus’ shalom in your life? Can you picture your life being free from regrets, anxieties, and worries? How healthy, vibrant, energetic, and strong you will be!
Thank Him for this blessing today and start enjoying Jesus’ shalom in every area of your life.
Is it possible that valuable resources lie within trash that people create wealth from waste?
In Nigeria’s bustling cities, where waste heaps rise daily, scavengers work tirelessly, searching for items others have discarded but that still hold value. Scavenging, termed ‘iron condemn’ in the south and ‘baban bola’ in the north, has transformed into a crucial business that thrives on competition.
For numerous young men and women, scavenging serves as a necessity rather than a choice. With unemployment rising and opportunities scarce, thousands turn to waste for their daily bread. All it takes to begin is a sack or wheelbarrow, and the hunt starts—plastic bottles, aluminum cans, copper wires, and even electronic scraps are picked, sorted, and sold.
Each day is a contest of speed and determination. Dumpsites and roadside bins attract crowds of pickers, each trying to secure the most valuable finds. To the typical bystander, it may look like waste, but for someone, it represents a way to make a living.
Various reasons have led to heightened competition in scavenging. The strong need for recyclable materials plays a crucial role in the operations of recycling companies and factories. The business has almost no entry barrier, drawing in more people by the day. As cities in Nigeria grow, the amount of waste they produce rises, leading to both opportunities and competition.
For many, it is a race against hunger. A kilogram of aluminum or copper can fetch several times more than plastic, making every piece contested. Scavengers often admit to quarrels and clashes over valuable items. In this business, speed and sharp eyes mean survival.
Scavengers
However, behind the individual scavenger lies an informal but well-structured system. Middlemen purchase materials in bulk from street pickers and stockpile them in small warehouses. From there, truckloads move to recycling companies that melt, crush, or reshape them into raw materials for industry.
Unseen by many, scavengers keep Nigeria’s recycling industry alive. Reports suggest that most recycling plants rely on waste pickers for up to 80% of their inputs. Without scavengers, many industries would struggle.
Despite its harshness, scavenging offers hope. It provides daily income for thousands who might otherwise remain jobless. It eases the pressure on landfills, reduces environmental waste, and even serves as a stepping stone for some to small-scale trading or business. Stories abound of scavengers who, over time, saved enough to employ others or become dealers themselves.
The flip side is equally real. Scavengers face dangerous conditions—handling sharp objects, inhaling toxic fumes, and enduring long hours in unsanitary environments. The work carries stigma, often regarded as dirty and degrading. Many scavengers face harassment, not only from society but also from authorities who sometimes treat them as nuisances.
The sector also carries a darker reputation. Some individuals hide under scavenging to steal manhole covers, cables, and building materials, creating mistrust between communities and genuine waste pickers.
Whatever the case, the scavenging business in Nigeria continues to expand as poverty and urban waste grow. Yet its future depends on recognition and reform. If organized into cooperatives, given protective gear, and integrated into official waste management policies, scavengers could become respected contributors to Nigeria’s circular economy.
Right now, the competitive landscape is quite fierce. At every dumpsite and street corner, scavengers battle daily for scraps that mean food, survival, and sometimes, the chance at a better tomorrow—and the current harsh economic reality makes things worse, so one would hysterically ask, “When will things improve?”
Today’s Word Today’s Scripture O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you. Psalm 125:4, NLT
Tune Out, Tune In David was careful about who he allowed in his ear. When Samuel came to choose the next king, David’s father didn’t believe enough in him to call him in from the shepherds’ fields. Feeling the sting of rejection, he could have let his father’s opinion of him cause him to be insecure and intimidated. David’s oldest brother, Eliab, tried to make him feel small, as if he wasn’t up to par. When David told King Saul he wanted to fight Goliath, Saul said, “Don’t be ridiculous! You’re just a boy.” If David would have listened to those voices, we wouldn’t be talking about him.
The enemy would love to use people to discourage you, to talk you out of your dreams, to convince you to live intimidated by giants. But you wouldn’t be facing a giant if you weren’t already equipped to defeat it. If that obstacle was too big, God wouldn’t have put you there. Tune out those negative voices. Tune in to what God says about you. You’re a giant killer, a history maker, a barrier breaker.
A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You that I am not limited by what the people around me say or think about me. Thank You that You have equipped me to do what You have destined me to do. I will not allow others to get in my ear and put a limitation on what You have put in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
SECTION TWO
Psalm 34, one of David’s most powerful psalms, was written by him in the cave of Adullam. I find it really interesting that David wrote it during one of the most challenging seasons in his life.
It’s by no stretch of the imagination for us to see that this was one of the lowest points in David’s life—on the run from King Saul, full of fear, and groveling in the presence of the king of Gath, then hiding in a cave. How the mighty had fallen!
After such a demeaning episode, in his darkest hour, David could have indulged in self-pity and condemnation, but instead he chose not to be defeated by his circumstances. Rather, he chose to bless the Lord and let the praises of the Lord be continually in his mouth.
Was he fearful? Absolutely! However, despite his fear that King Saul would capture him or that the king of Gath would slay him to avenge Goliath, he sought the Lord in worship in that cave.
And God in His faithfulness did not just deliver David from all his fears, but He also transformed all the men who were gathered in the cave with him. They went from being distressed, in debt, and discontented to becoming fearless warriors, giant-slayers in their own right, and faithful, mighty men who served David all the days of their lives (2 Sam. 23:8–39).
Today, do you believe that God loves you and is faithful to deliver you? It doesn’t matter if you are feeling fearful, if you are in distress, in debt, or discontented. Believe right. Believe that when you seek the Lord in worship as David did, the Lord will indeed hear you, deliver you from all your troubles, and transform you.
Worship is one of the easiest, yet most powerful ways of being free from self-occupation. Look away from the painful symptoms or the fearful circumstances that are bothering you and worship Jesus. Be occupied with Him and everything will work together for your good.
Would you do me a favor? I would like you to visit josephprince.com/power, where I have included a worship video of me leading my church in singing the words of David in Psalm 34. I want to demonstrate to you through the video how worship is one of the quickest ways for you to focus on Jesus and overcome your feelings of defeat.
I am believing that as we worship the Lord, you will be completely free from any trouble or area of defeat that you are struggling with today. Let’s agree together that your body will be healed, that all your fears will disappear, and that all your addictions will be gone in the mighty name of Jesus.
Come magnify the Lord with me, come worship Jesus with the words of David, and experience His goodness and deliverance!
Today’s Word Today’s Scripture O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you. Psalm 125:4, NLT
Tune Out, Tune In David was careful about who he allowed in his ear. When Samuel came to choose the next king, David’s father didn’t believe enough in him to call him in from the shepherds’ fields. Feeling the sting of rejection, he could have let his father’s opinion of him cause him to be insecure and intimidated. David’s oldest brother, Eliab, tried to make him feel small, as if he wasn’t up to par. When David told King Saul he wanted to fight Goliath, Saul said, “Don’t be ridiculous! You’re just a boy.” If David would have listened to those voices, we wouldn’t be talking about him.
The enemy would love to use people to discourage you, to talk you out of your dreams, to convince you to live intimidated by giants. But you wouldn’t be facing a giant if you weren’t already equipped to defeat it. If that obstacle was too big, God wouldn’t have put you there. Tune out those negative voices. Tune in to what God says about you. You’re a giant killer, a history maker, a barrier breaker.
A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You that I am not limited by what the people around me say or think about me. Thank You that You have equipped me to do what You have destined me to do. I will not allow others to get in my ear and put a limitation on what You have put in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” [03/09, 2:05 am] Odia Abuja: Psalm 34, one of David’s most powerful psalms, was written by him in the cave of Adullam. I find it really interesting that David wrote it during one of the most challenging seasons in his life.
It’s by no stretch of the imagination for us to see that this was one of the lowest points in David’s life—on the run from King Saul, full of fear, and groveling in the presence of the king of Gath, then hiding in a cave. How the mighty had fallen!
After such a demeaning episode, in his darkest hour, David could have indulged in self-pity and condemnation, but instead he chose not to be defeated by his circumstances. Rather, he chose to bless the Lord and let the praises of the Lord be continually in his mouth.
Was he fearful? Absolutely! However, despite his fear that King Saul would capture him or that the king of Gath would slay him to avenge Goliath, he sought the Lord in worship in that cave.
And God in His faithfulness did not just deliver David from all his fears, but He also transformed all the men who were gathered in the cave with him. They went from being distressed, in debt, and discontented to becoming fearless warriors, giant-slayers in their own right, and faithful, mighty men who served David all the days of their lives (2 Sam. 23:8–39).
Today, do you believe that God loves you and is faithful to deliver you? It doesn’t matter if you are feeling fearful, if you are in distress, in debt, or discontented. Believe right. Believe that when you seek the Lord in worship as David did, the Lord will indeed hear you, deliver you from all your troubles, and transform you.
Worship is one of the easiest, yet most powerful ways of being free from self-occupation. Look away from the painful symptoms or the fearful circumstances that are bothering you and worship Jesus. Be occupied with Him and everything will work together for your good.
Would you do me a favor? I would like you to visit josephprince.com/power, where I have included a worship video of me leading my church in singing the words of David in Psalm 34. I want to demonstrate to you through the video how worship is one of the quickest ways for you to focus on Jesus and overcome your feelings of defeat.
I am believing that as we worship the Lord, you will be completely free from any trouble or area of defeat that you are struggling with today. Let’s agree together that your body will be healed, that all your fears will disappear, and that all your addictions will be gone in the mighty name of Jesus.
Come magnify the Lord with me, come worship Jesus with the words of David, and experience His goodness and deliverance!
Joel Osteen Ministries
Today’s Word Today’s Scripture O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you. Psalm 125:4, NLT
Tune Out, Tune In David was careful about who he allowed in his ear. When Samuel came to choose the next king, David’s father didn’t believe enough in him to call him in from the shepherds’ fields. Feeling the sting of rejection, he could have let his father’s opinion of him cause him to be insecure and intimidated. David’s oldest brother, Eliab, tried to make him feel small, as if he wasn’t up to par. When David told King Saul he wanted to fight Goliath, Saul said, “Don’t be ridiculous! You’re just a boy.” If David would have listened to those voices, we wouldn’t be talking about him.
The enemy would love to use people to discourage you, to talk you out of your dreams, to convince you to live intimidated by giants. But you wouldn’t be facing a giant if you weren’t already equipped to defeat it. If that obstacle was too big, God wouldn’t have put you there. Tune out those negative voices. Tune in to what God says about you. You’re a giant killer, a history maker, a barrier breaker.
A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You that I am not limited by what the people around me say or think about me. Thank You that You have equipped me to do what You have destined me to do. I will not allow others to get in my ear and put a limitation on what You have put in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” [03/09, 2:05 am] Odia Abuja: Psalm 34, one of David’s most powerful psalms, was written by him in the cave of Adullam. I find it really interesting that David wrote it during one of the most challenging seasons in his life.
It’s by no stretch of the imagination for us to see that this was one of the lowest points in David’s life—on the run from King Saul, full of fear, and groveling in the presence of the king of Gath, then hiding in a cave. How the mighty had fallen!
After such a demeaning episode, in his darkest hour, David could have indulged in self-pity and condemnation, but instead he chose not to be defeated by his circumstances. Rather, he chose to bless the Lord and let the praises of the Lord be continually in his mouth.
Was he fearful? Absolutely! However, despite his fear that King Saul would capture him or that the king of Gath would slay him to avenge Goliath, he sought the Lord in worship in that cave.
And God in His faithfulness did not just deliver David from all his fears, but He also transformed all the men who were gathered in the cave with him. They went from being distressed, in debt, and discontented to becoming fearless warriors, giant-slayers in their own right, and faithful, mighty men who served David all the days of their lives (2 Sam. 23:8–39).
Today, do you believe that God loves you and is faithful to deliver you? It doesn’t matter if you are feeling fearful, if you are in distress, in debt, or discontented. Believe right. Believe that when you seek the Lord in worship as David did, the Lord will indeed hear you, deliver you from all your troubles, and transform you.
Worship is one of the easiest, yet most powerful ways of being free from self-occupation. Look away from the painful symptoms or the fearful circumstances that are bothering you and worship Jesus. Be occupied with Him and everything will work together for your good.
Would you do me a favor? I would like you to visit josephprince.com/power, where I have included a worship video of me leading my church in singing the words of David in Psalm 34. I want to demonstrate to you through the video how worship is one of the quickest ways for you to focus on Jesus and overcome your feelings of defeat.
I am believing that as we worship the Lord, you will be completely free from any trouble or area of defeat that you are struggling with today. Let’s agree together that your body will be healed, that all your fears will disappear, and that all your addictions will be gone in the mighty name of Jesus.
Come magnify the Lord with me, come worship Jesus with the words of David, and experience His goodness and deliverance!
Not too long ago, Lydia, a sister from South Africa, wrote to me. I believe that many of you would be able to identify with what she shared about her struggles in relating to God as her Father:
Dear Pastor Prince,
I grew up with very low self-esteem, having been labeled the difficult child in my family. I was an unplanned baby, and my parents already had one child—a girl, so they really wanted a boy. They were disappointed when I turned out to be a girl and even considered giving me to a paternal family member who did not have children.
My dad comes from a very cold, strict family, and he has a very bad temper, so I grew up naturally fearful of him and always felt like I was walking on eggshells around him. My mom also grew up in a household where she had not received love. Both my parents are extreme perfectionists, very organized, and raised us with military discipline and no compassion.
Thus, I could never relate to God as a Father. God was unapproachable and sitting with a lightning bolt ready to strike me whenever I wasn’t good enough, didn’t pray enough, or wasn’t obedient enough. I was under the impression that God was only pleased with me when I obeyed the law, that I never met His expectations, and I was always under condemnation.
Since encountering your teaching resources, the veil in my life has been torn. For the first time, I am free. I no longer walk under the heavy burden of condemnation. I learned that God loved us first, and I can now have a love relationship with my heavenly Father and Jesus.
I have experienced victory over fear and sin that kept me captive for years—not by trying to be obedient, but by just learning that my sins have already been forgiven on the cross. And no, I am not sinning more now. I am actually overcoming more and sinning less, and I have a grateful heart for what Christ has done on the cross.
Do you feel as though you are never good enough, can never do enough, and be obedient enough for God to love and accept you? Do you feel you are always living under perpetual condemnation? Perhaps you can’t relate to God as a loving Father because you’ve never experienced the love of your earthly father or because your own father has hurt you terribly.
My friend, I pray that as you begin to meditate on today’s Scripture, 2 Corinthians 6:18, you will supernaturally experience the intimate love of your heavenly Father in a deep and personal way as never before. I pray that this experience will heal, renew, restore, and transform you in a spectacular way because His love for you is nothing less than spectacular.
One of the most evil teachings I have heard is that God will chastise His own with sicknesses, diseases, accidents, and tragedies.
When I was a teenager, one of the youth leaders in my previous church was involved in a horrible accident that nearly killed him. A church leader gathered some of us youths to go visit that youth leader and began to lament, “Why did this happen to him? What did he do to cause God to chastise him this way?”
Can you imagine how I felt when I “realized” that God was behind the accident? Honestly, it frightened the living daylights out of me to think that God would chastise a believer using such a harsh method!
I remember praying, “God, please don’t ever chastise me this way. Whatever it is, please, just tell me, all right? I will listen, I promise!”
I didn’t want to draw near to Him also because I was afraid of Him, afraid that if I made a mistake, He would not hesitate to chastise me with an accident that could leave me crippled for life or even dead!
Do you know that this erroneous teaching is actually based on the old covenant and not the new covenant? In Leviticus 26:28, God says to those who fail to obey His commandments, “I will chastise you seven times for your sins.”
But guess what? You are no longer under the covenant of law. You are under the covenant of grace! Jesus has already borne all your chastisement and punishment on the cross. Read it for yourself in today’s Scripture, Isaiah 53:4–5, then reread it and reread it once more.
The prophet Isaiah saw a prophetic vision of our Lord Jesus on the cross, bearing the punishment for our transgressions. He declared that the chastisement we deserved came upon Jesus so that you and I will never have to go through what He endured on our behalf. And by the stripes laid on Him as He bore our chastisement, we are healed! Hallelujah!
So how can anyone have the audacity to say that God will still chastise us with sicknesses, diseases, and accidents today? To say this is to negate the finished work of Jesus Christ! Under the new covenant, God will never again chastise the believer for his sins!
Whatever condition you have today, it is not from the Lord! Look to Jesus on the cross. See Him beaten and scourged for you, and receive healing and wholeness from Him. He has paid the price for your total healing. By His stripes you are healed!
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