Be Ye Transformed

Text: “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

Introduction
According to the English dictionary, to pray is to make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving.

The text has admonished us to pray without ceasing. And to pray without ceasing in Christianity simply means continuous rendering of supplications to God through our only Saviour Jesus Christ.

The most painful aspect of the Christian life is when you feel your prayers are just hitting the ceiling and returning to you. In other words, you feel your prayers are not being answered. This feeling is normal when you are frustrated and you want a quick solution to your problem or challenge.

Dear beloved, have you given up on prayer? Even though you may feel your prayer is not being answered, don’t give up on prayer.

First of all, know that it is a feeling from the devil and his demons to make you give up on prayer. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ admonished his disciples in Matthew 26:41 saying “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”. There are lots of tribulations surrounding our living but consistent prayers makes temptations to be averted in our daily lives.

Secondly, if truly your prayer is not being answered, then you are living in doubt. James 1:6-7 says “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord”. Every elements of doubt should be removed from our lives but instead let us have faith in God.

Finally, if truly your prayer is not being answered, then you are not praying according to the Word of God. James 4:3 says “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts”.

Beloved, you can overcome this feeling by rebuking the feeling and the devil or demons behind it. In addition, declare words of faith by saying, for example, “Thank you, Jesus Christ, for rewarding my faith, glory to God!” and burst into thanksgiving and rejoicing. We should learn to declare the word of God in our lives. The psalmist in Psalms 119:46-47 says “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved”. As a child of God, let us not be ashamed in declaring the word of God and obeying His commandments.

Finally, pray on the basis of the Holy Scriptures, and let them be the evidence of your faith. Having the right motive for your prayers, your faith will be rewarded physically.

Remember that any time you pray correctly, God will initiate the process spiritually for the answer to manifest physically, so be patient. Write the prayers down so that you can easily recognize their answers and give glory to God. The more you give glory to God for answered prayers, the happier He will be to do more for you.

Prayer Point : Dear heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me from your Word not to give up on prayer. Please create a burning desire in me to always pray without ceasing, in Jesus’ Name Amen.

From the scripture above, the children of God has been given divine promise to overcome challenges militating against them.
Matthew 10:1 says “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”.

Mighty and everlasting Father, give us the grace to cast out unclean spirits, diseases in Jesus name.

“Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.” Psalm 91:13–14 (KJV)

There are two worlds in the universe: the spiritual world and the physical world. The laws that operate in these two worlds vary. We must understand that mankind is first a spirit, having a soul and living in a body.

Thus mankind has the ability to relate with spiritual things and physical things. The level of knowledge and revelation about evil spirits and how to handle them are much clearer in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. For example, in the New Testament, the doctrine of casting out demons and devils was started by Jesus Christ (Mark 1:25–27).

After defeating them and making public ridicule of them, He asked us to do the same to the devil and his demons (Mark 16:17–18).

Dear beloved, never entertain the devil and his demons, because they are sinful, wicked, and destructive. They operate mainly through deception and lure their victims into their net to destroy them. They are responsible for sin, diseases, disappointment, failure, sicknesses, death, etc.

Any time you sense their presence, cast them out in the name of Jesus Christ; never give them room to operate, and you will always win. When you indulge in sin, you give them room to be around you and harm you. Love God, and He will always give you power over them so you can keep trampling them underfoot.

Yes, as a child of God, you are not free from the devil’s attack. The devil is always looking out for Christians to win back into his kingdom. No wonder Jesus cautioned his disciples in Mathew 26:41 to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation.

More so, 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”.

No matter the antics of the enemies, let us find solace in the promises of God upon our lives as recorded in Philippians 4:6-7. We are not afraid because he that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. You are an overcomer.

Prayer Point: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word about how to keep the devil and demons away from me. Please continue to inspire me to love you and people, and always keep the devil and his demons far away from me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 (KJV)

Deception is the greatest weapon of the devil, who is the archenemy of the children of God. No wonder Jesus Christ described him as a murderer and a liar from the beginning.

Jesus said in John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it”.

Satan’s nature is all about telling lies to deceive people in order to make them sin against God and end their career, vision, joy, life, etc. He achieves his plan through his children (agents) such as prophets and anyone who will buy into his lies.

A lot of people had been lured into the satanic enclave through so many means especially through getting rich. Satan has the capability to make someone rich and after which the person becomes an agent of his.

Satan will deceive some people that he will make them have husband, pregnant, give them societal recognition etc. but will end up hypnotising them. This is peculiar to miracle seekers going from one spiritual house to the other.

People no longer study the Bible to gain understanding of the dictates of God’s word but instead navigate from one place to another looking for miracle workers who are devils incarnate deceiving and luring their victims into the dark kingdom. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ admonished his disciples in Matthew 26:41 saying “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”. Are you watching and praying?

Remember that satan deceived Eve to sin against God, and Eve then influenced Adam to sin against God (Genesis 3:1–6). This sin plunged the whole world into sin, but thanks be to God for sending Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ overcame all the deceptive strategies of the devil to show us that we can also overcome all the devil’s deceptive strategies as recorded in Matthew 4:1–11.

Dear beloved, have you been deceived by any false prophet? Any time you lose your hold on the Word of God or become ignorant of the Holy Scriptures, you become vulnerable to the false prophets.

Remember, they also use the Holy Bible, or Holy Scriptures, but twist them to lure people to believe in them and then subsequently deceive them and rob them of their dignity, money, reputation, virginity, property, or any valuable in their possession. No wonder the Word of God describes them as wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Beloved, if you have been deceived by any of them, learn from your experience. You can also report them to the authorities, and always be on your guard by being a student of the Holy Scriptures; don’t be afraid to confront them by using the Scriptures if they try to lure you again. Pray for discernment of spirits, and the Holy Spirit will always alert you to know them.

On the other hand, if you haven’t yet been deceived by them, please watch out for them by studying the Word of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you. Then you will not become a victim.

Prayer Point: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word about false prophets. Please give me the gift of discernment of spirits to be able to know these false prophets, and also give me a retentive memory of your Word to retain your Word and overcome the activities of false prophets. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

Being heaven conscious makes one ready at all times for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven is the ultimate eternal reward for the upright in Christ, thus missing it leads to eternal disappointment.

The opening scripture gives us a picture of the wonderful events in heaven. It is a place of real perfection, where there is no decay, death, sorrow, or pain. It is also good to know that the former things, that is, things associated with decay, death, sorrow, pain, disappointments, and everything associated with sin, have passed away.

Dear beloved, are you conscious of heaven? Being conscious of heaven in our decisions, choices, and everything we do makes us ready for the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ Jesus.

This consciousness is needed for us to focus on our God-given assignment and to finish it to the glory of His name (John 4:34, 19:28–30).

Prayer Point : Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your timely word. Please make me conscious always about heaven that I may focus on the assignment you’ve given me and finish it to the glory of your name, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Psalms 119:46-48 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
v.47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
v. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Introduction
Let me begin by saying that faith is at the centre of Christian life. Faith plays significant role in our spiritual growth and development. The Bible declares in Hebrews 11:1 that “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. Also Romans 10:17 stated that “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.

What does it mean to declare ones Faith in God?
To declare ones faith in God simply means acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior. Apostle Paul admonished us in Romans 10:9 “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”.
Declaring one’s faith in God also means declaring the truth overs errors, trespasses and other involvement in worldly practices. Declaring faith in God is to speak fearlessly and courageously about the goodness and Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the more reason why Apostle Paul declared in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”.

These declarations are actions of faith and complete trust in God. The psalmist in chapter 119:46 says “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed”. This statement identified David declaring his faith in God.

The fundamental question
How often do you declare your faith in God? Do you testify God’s goodness in your life?
Therefore, declaring faith in God is also declaring the word of God.

When one testifies the goodness of God, you are proclaiming the word of God to people as a result of your previous meditations of the the word of God.
So as a child of God, how often do you meditate on the word of God? The scripture is very resolute in 1 Timothy 4:15-16 which says “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee”. Also Psalms 119:48 says “My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes”.

Some people meditate on the word of God but are ashamed of declaring it. These group of people need revival because they are spiritually deformed. This is negating the divine command give to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20 which says “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen”.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ warned in Mark 8:38 that “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels”.

So why are people still ashamed in declaring the word of God?

1. They still conform to this world as against the admonition given in Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
2. People still fellowship with darkness as against the admonition given in Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them”.
3. People do not have the mind of Christ as against the admonition given in Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”:
4. They are filled with the works of the flesh as recorded in Galatians 5:19-21.
5. They still belong to the synagogue of Satan as recorded in Revelation 2:9 “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan”. And also Revelation 3:9 says “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee”.
6. Prayer
   Almighty and everlasting Father, empower me to declare my faith in you always in the areas of my life, my family, my job, my business, my ministry and every aspect of my life in Jesus Mighty Name Amen.
7. Almighty God, let your word empower me with spirit of discernment to identify and differentiate between good and evil in Jesus Mighty Name Amen

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

This is a question that will enthrone our mindset into activities that impact positivity in our environment. Is your light shining in your living place, place of work, professional setting, church, family, community and the society at large?

The scripture under consideration says let your light so shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Are people seeing your good works? Are people glorifying God for your sake?

If people see you as confussionist in the environment, if you are a trouble maker, if you fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, if you are always seeking the down fall of your colleagues, if you pretend to be a friend but damages behind, then your light is dim and need to brighten up.

Light is very good. It enables us to see in darkness, it dispels darkness, and it also enables green plants to grow. Thus it is not surprising that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. He is the source of light (John 1:4).

He makes every person who believes in Him the light of the world (Matthew 4:14). Dear beloved, if you are born again, you are the light of the world. This presupposes that the world is dark and full of sin and wickedness.

Thus you must make a difference for Christ Jesus for the world to see, follow, and come to Christ Jesus. Shine so bright in doing good, righteousness, and holiness. Be a good example in studying, exercising, and teaching the Word of God, and many lives will be transformed, giving glory to the Most High. Keep shining as a child of God.

Prayer Point : Dear heavenly Father, thank you for making me the light of the world. I promise to shine brightly in conduct and in preaching Jesus Christ to as many people as you lead me to, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14”

Devotion : There is a good reason for us who are born again to give thanks to God. The reason being that God gives us grace to triumph in all circumstances whether in sickness or other challenges of life, so that the world will know that we have a great God.

Everywhere we find ourselves, God uses us to witness to the world around us about Jesus Christ of Nazareth; His love, His saving grace, His mercy, His provision, His might, etc.

Dear brethren, are you winning your battles? As for me, I am winning and will continue to win whether the devil likes it or not because I and my family dwells in the secret place of the most high. Psalms 91:1 says “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”.
The psalmist went further in verse 13 to tell us that “Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Are you a witness to the goodness of Christ in the world around you? By the special grace of God, I am a witness to the goodness of Jesus Christ, because he made me to overcome sicknesses trying to subdue me. Acts 2:32 says “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses”. I pray for someone in the house, you will live to testify the goodness of Jesus Christ in your life.

Are you facing difficulties due to health challenges? Never mind, please consult Jeremiah 17:14 which says “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise”.

Can you now see that the word of God is there for us in all situations? It is only left for us to declare it in our situation and God will answer. Thank you Jesus. No wonder Job 22:28 says “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways”.

PrayerPoint
I stand on the word of God to decree and declare that you shall not be condemned in Jesus name

You will be a witness and testimony to your generations in Jesus name

The devil is a liar and an attacker, May God empower you to attack the attacker in Jesus
name

Every spirit of weakness trying to weigh you down, preventing you from having excellent relationship with God, be destroyed in Jesus Mighty Name.

So shall it be in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

1. Respect 3 People.
   Teachers. Parents. Elderly
2. Keep 3 things in you.
   Honesty. Faith. Good Deeds
3. Be Free from 3 things.
   Arrogance. Cheating. Debts
4. Control 3 things.
   Tongue. Anger. Appetite
5. Reject 3 things.
   Bad deeds. Backbiting. Jealousy
6. Obtain 3 things.
   Knowledge. Understanding. Wisdom
7. Build on 3 things.
   Good counsel. Good Manners. Godliness with contentment
8. Keep 3 things pure.
   Body. Clothes. Thoughts
9. Remember 3 things.
   Death. Hell. Heaven
10. Protect 3 things.
    Family. Future. Friends
11. Work on 3 things.
    Vision. Trust. Faith
12. Run away from 3 things.
    Sin. Pride. Bad Association
13. Love 3 People.
    God. Yourself. Others

May GOD protect us, our families and have mercy on us

“Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” Revelation 1:11 (KJV)

Who you make your alpha and omega determines your destination on Earth and eternity. Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They are the A and Z in English. It is vital who you choose to be the first and last in your life. For some, it is their parents so when their parents pass on, their life becomes purposeless. Others have made riches, fame, and political power their first and last; when they lose them, their lives are turned upside-down.

Dear beloved, Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, but if you don’t allow Him to play His role as the first and last in your life, you will also live a purposeless life. If you are born again, then He is in your life as the Holy Spirit.

Make time to fellowship with the Holy Spirit through the Word of God every day before you start the new day, and success, victory, peace, and joy will be your portion. He will always lead you to the finest of wheat and honey in the rock (Psalm 81:16).

It is quite unfortunate that some people who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, Alpha and Omega still conforms to this world (Roman’s 12:2) by walking according to the flesh instead of walking according to the spirit (Roman’s 8:1).

Prayer Point : Dear heavenly Father, thank you for making Jesus Christ the Alpha and Omega of my life. I submit my spirit, my soul, my body, my wife, my children and all my resources to Him. Amen!

For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalms 18:28 (KJV)

The opening Scripture admits that darkness can make entrance into the child of God’s life. Darkness represents weakness, failure, disease, lack of progress, and death. In other words, anything negative could be termed as darkness. No wonder Ephesians 5:11 states “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them”.

It is our duty as children of God to resist darkness from our lives. The Bible says in James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. Submitting oneself to God simply means doing the will of God in every aspect of our daily living.

However there is good news from the LORD; the Lord being light will enlighten the darkness in our life. He will do that by enabling our spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Any time we are experiencing any form of darkness in our lives, let’s try to use the Holy Scriptures against it.

The Word of God is the light of God, hence where the Word of God is darkness departs. As a child of God, saturate your spirit with the Word of God and your spirit which is the candle of the Lord will light up and give you the victory that you deserve.

Prayer: Everlasting Father, I give you praise, honour and adoration. Enable me to shine as light so that every forces of darkness within and around me will depart in Jesus Mighty Name Amen