Memorize: For the weapons of our warefare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; 2 Corin:10: 4
Devotional Reading: 1 Timothy 6:1-12
We are currently in perilous times as predicted by Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3, spiritual battles is raging stronger & fiercer, some are falling away, denying the faith. Paul admonished his spiritual son Timothy and us today in 1 Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses, Apostle Paul is referring to Spiritual battles, not physically warfare.
Unfortunately not many Chrisrians are fighting this good fight of faith, many have compromised their faith for filthy lucre and perishable earthly gain, they are no longer gazing at the finished line where eternal reward awaits the righteous and faithful ones.
Some minister’s of God too are not laying hold on eternal life, rather, they are holding unto the pleasures, fame and gains of this world. Some will place a demand for their earthly reward before they consider an invitation to minister in a church, some based their acceptance on the numerical size of the congregation, if the church is too small, it is not for them. Some will lay down their personal requirements; i.e, class of hotel, car & driver, protocol security etc, this means sinners and backsliders in such small churches cannot be benefactors of the grace of God from these ‘Ministers’ The book of Matthew 10:8 stated clearly the instructions of Jesus who is our employer as minister’s of God; “Freely you received, freely give” There is no minister of God that paid for the salvation of their soul, none paid for the anointing they carry, none paid for the Holy Spirit which is the power of God in their lives. Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:13; “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” None of us can do anything by our own strength. But by the the strength of Jesus. Christ in us, the hope of glory.
The case of the 15 year old Dapchi girl Leah, who was one of the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in North East of Nigeria pose a very great challenge to me. She is an unknown little girl of no significant status in the sight of man. She was given an option to denounce her faith in Christ and secure her freedom; her friends even encouraged her with much persuasion to accept the offer, but Leah resisted the entreaties of her classmates to pretend to accept what she does not believe. She would rather die than deny her faith in Christ. What a challenge! This is another form of Spiritual warfare. How many believers, including minister’s of God, can fight such a good fight of faith? We should all be challenged and reassess the confession of our profession and faith.
Leah joined the group of faithful few remnants who are true followers of Christ like – Shadrach, Mechach and Abednego, including Daniel; all of these boys were also teenagers like Leah. God defended them in Babylon; they were not put to shame.
I pray for those who are gradually loosing their faith in Christ that God will rekindle his fire of love in them today and refill them with strenght from above to fight this spiritual warfare unto VICTORY in Jesus name.
Prayer point: Heavenly father, help me fight the spiritual battles in my life and give me victory in Jesus name.
Key Dose: You have assurance of outright victory in Christ Jesus if you can resist the devil.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)
