Hebrews 4:14 “ Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

The basis of Christianity is the Word of God. It is by God’s word that the world was created (Heb.11:3), it is by the same that we are redeemed (1 Pet.1:18), and it is by the Word that we know and understand every benefit that we have in salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). We know nothing about God or spiritual things except by God’s revelation which is through His Word.

Christianity is called the Great Confession. In redemption Jesus has perfected all men, and has given us all things. John 1:16 says “of His fullness we have all received grace upon grace”. The one who is in Christ Jesus is in lack of nothing. The problem though is that many are not enjoying the realities of redemption. Christians are stuck in defeat because of their wrong confession.

Confession simply means to say the same thing as. Jesus said He only says what God says (John 8:12). If Christianity means that we ought to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, then we ought to be saying only what God says. Jesus has been made the administrator of our confessions (Heb.3:1); this means that He takes the words of our mouth that are in line with God’s words and He judges accordingly.

When symptoms of sickness and disease try to invade your body, you boldly declare “By His stripes I am healed”. Jesus judges your words as righteous and you are infused with life to conquer defeat. When funds run low, rather than say “I am broke” you declare with boldness “The Lord is my Shepherd, I do not lack a thing.”

Understand the following truths and embrace them: redemption never becomes a reality until we confess it. Faith gives courage to confession and confession gives boldness to faith. Faith joyfully confesses its victory over the witnesses of the senses. So start speaking God’s word in your situation!

Scriptures to Meditate: Mark 11:23, 1 John 5:4, Prov.6:2; 12:14; 18:20-21, Heb.3:1

Sonship refers to the state of being an heir to the Father’s resources. When a person receives Christ, that person receives the right to be a son in the kingdom of God. This means by right of sonship the person can lay claim to all of heaven’s resources. The 13th verse of John 1 reveals that this sonship is not of blood, of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, in essence this right of sonship is not a  physical experience. It is by adoption. God’s word represents God’s will. When Scripture says that the one who receives Christ is born of the will of God, it refers to being born of God’s Word. By God’s word, sonship becomes a right and nothing can change it. Your past experiences and what anyone else thinks about you will not change the will of God for you as a son because it is settled!

The Bible reveals that at the beginning of this age that the world “was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:2). In the midst of confusion God’s first response was to speak words of life. Everything we see around us today is a result of the spoken word of God made alive. Hebrews 11:3 says that “by faith through the word of God the world was framed, so that the things which we see were made from things which we do not see”. Notice that the scripture didn’t say that the things we see were made from nothing, but they were unseen things.

Words are things (tangible realities) that are not visible to the naked eye. In the natural if you were to build a house you would consider what resources you have available to you: lumber, iron, nails, bricks etc. But the divine order of events is to start with words. Faith filled words are the building blocks of life. The words that you speak shape your heart’s beliefs, and the words that you speak from your heart form the world around you.

What’s the situation around you currently? Does it look dark? Are you confused? There is a solution; speak words of life. God’s word created all matter and rebuilt the world. His Words are filled with life. God has spoken His will concerning the different aspects of your life. You have a responsibility to seek out His will and appropriate it in your life. Do this by putting the words of God in your mouth. Speak them in faith and with conviction. The process of change in your life starts with you speaking the word of God.

Inspirational Scriptures to Meditate: Prov. 12:14; 18:21, Mark 11:23-24. Ps.141:3; 119:172

1 Timothy 4:8, NLT “

Godliness simply means to live like God. It is holy living, God commands that we be holy just as He is (1 Pet.1:16) and in another place He warns that without holiness, no man can see God (Heb.12:14). We know according to 1 Timothy 4:8, that just like the body requires physical training, which has its benefits, godliness is a form of spiritual exercise. Exercise requires nutrition, resistance, and rest of our muscles in order for them to grow strong and bigger. Likewise godliness requires the same. Nutrition is the feeding of your spirit by the Word of God. Jesus in Matthew 4:4 teaches that man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. In order to live a godly life, a proper diet of God’s word is required daily.

Notice what 2 Pet.1:3-4 says “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

The ability to live the godly life comes through the word of God, as we partake of the knowledge of God’s word (the exceeding great and precious promises), the divine nature of the Spirit within is released to give strength for godly living.

Resistance refers to the things we come into contact with on a daily basis that challenge the word of God. Galatians 5:16 says “walk in the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh”. This is where the resistance is. In resisting the desires of the flesh and walking in the reality of what the word says we can overcome the desires of the flesh. This is the part of spiritual exercise. It will be painful many times to act in accordance to what the Word of God says, but we have a responsibility to obey, so we can strengthen our muscles. This is why a proper diet of the Word of God is required. This is why we need to know what the Word of God says, and meditate on it intently, until the Word by itself begins to control our thinking. This is what Romans 12:2 calls the renewing of the mind.

Finally resting the muscles to allow for growth; there are times when we need to separate ourselves from the day to day hustle and bustle and spend time with God and His word, simply meditating. It is at this time we are strengthened and invigorated with life by the Spirit. Living a fasted life keeps your flesh under and allows your spirit-man find expression. James 4:4 says “friendship with the world is enmity with God”. We must from time to time separate from our daily lifestyle to refocus on our relationship with God.

See how 1 John 2:15-16 puts it:

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

When we have committed ourselves to godly living as described, then we are sure we will see results. Results of exercise ought to be evident. Not just to yourself, but also to others around. Likewise in godly living there is the assurance of enviable results in the life now, and there is the reward in heaven for living a holy life.

Commit yourself to godly living, ask God to help you, and dedicate yourself to the reading and meditation of the Word. Pray, pray and pray some more! Be unrelenting in your prayer life, take time out to fast, and never give in to the desires of the flesh. Make a practice of disciplining the flesh and beating it down. I’ll leave you with 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified

The mind plays a big role in the making of successful people. As we have said, man is a tripartite being― he is primarily a spirit being, possessing a soul and he lives in a body. The soul of a man comprises of his mind (reason), will (resolve) and emotions (feelings). The success of a man is born by the spirit of a man, but the spirit of a man acts as a gate keeper, the mind. Remember I said that we function as a result of the harmonious relationship between the inner-man (your spirit) and the mind. The impressions of the mind eventually photographed on the spirit of a man which eventually begins to produce fruit of the same kind.

James Allen in his book The Making of a Man said “the mind is the master weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance.”In essence we can trace the roots of our circumstances and behavior to the thoughts that dominant our minds. If you have learned to control your thought life, you will begin to experience control of your life.

Saturate your mind with thoughts on success by exposing yourself to stimuli that will write success in your spirit-man. Talk success, taste success, see success, hear success, feel success and smell success. As you receive this stimuli think about success. Don’t talk about failures and inadequacies because such speaking continues to write the same in you.

“Summing it all up, friends  I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” (Philippians 4:8, MSG)

Scriptures to Meditate: Prov. 4:18; 27:19, Jer.29:11-13, Matt.7:20-23, Josh.1:8, Ps.7712, Ps.119:11

PS: This is a good article on meditation

Others on #Success:

Be Forward Looking

Diligently Mine the Treasure Within #Success

Be Disciplined #Success

This was the mandate given to Joshua and the children of Israel on their way into the Promised Land of Canaan. As they followed the leading of God, wherever they went through God expected them to possess it. He even places a guarantee that no opposition will stand because His presence was with them.

Likewise we are to be led by the Spirit of God (Rom.8:14), and His leading is the place of profit and blessings (Is.48:17-18). God expects that wherever He leads us to that we take over. Not takeover in the domineering sense, but to be the people of influence. It was impossible for Daniel and his three friends not to be noticed in Babylon because of their excellence. They held solutions to the problems being faced so much so that Daniel became a top official in Babylon. When we follow God’s leading in life we know that there is more in store for us because God expects that we be the head always and not the tail (Deut.28:12).

It is also important to note that the leading of God does not necessarily have to be the path of least resistance. The journey is a faith journey and will require confidence in God and His word in order to overcome obstacles that may come along the way. God promised Israel the land, however they had to fight battles to take the land. Your battle will be the battle of faith through God’s word, but be rest assured that victory is sure, because God will never leave you nor forsake you!

Are you the type to make decisions without seeking God’s direction? What was the last thing God told you to do, did you quit because of opposition? Build your faith in God, and keep the communication lines open.

Scriptures to Meditate: Heb.10:35-36, 1 John 5:4, Isa.48:17, 2 Cor.4:18

To live the life you were called to live and fulfill the calling of your purpose, you must acknowledge the magnanimity of your life. There’s so much ahead of you that what is behind you should matter very little. Forget your past success, victories and failure. Leave the past where it belongs, in the past, and make a decision to press on to a higher goal. Look to the future, look to what you can be, what you can do, and have a plan to attain it.

You must first recognize where you need to be in life. Have an image of what success is in your life’s work and then evaluate your life now based on what you see as success. Write down a clear, concise and specific goal along with steps that you must take to attain the goal. Notice Paul said “I press toward the goal…” You cannot know where it is you’re going to until you have a destination in mind. A destination “anywhere” never gets anywhere. You must specifically know where it is that you’re heading to in life in order for you to know when you have arrived or if you are any closer to the goal

When your eyes are set on a goal and you focus your energy and resources on attaining that goal you will get there. Your success depends on a clear vision of your goals and purpose. Be forward looking, always seek to improve yourself, ask yourself what you can do to enjoy a better tomorrow. You may not be where you need to be, but that shouldn’t keep you away from where it is you are going. Your hopes must be bigger than your past failures! Your dreams must be brighter and more colorful than your nightmares! Your faith must be greater than your fear! Your vision must be clearer than your background! Your best days are ahead of you because better is the end of a thing than its beginning

Scriptures to Meditate: Eccl.7:8, Job 14:7, Hab.2:4, Prov.21:5

Also see:

Diligently Mine the Treasure Within #Success

Be Disciplined #Success

Every human is a tripartite being, having a spirit, soul and body. Your spirit man is the real man. That is the man beneath the surface. That is the part of you that was created to succeed, rule, and dominate. It is this inner-man that carries the potential, abilities and gifts that will make you a success in life. It is the ‘you’ behind the surface that hates failure and is destined for success.

Discipline simply means training of oneself in order to bring improvement. All three parts of man must be trained for improvement. You must be disciplined in your body, exercising and resting it and not giving to all the urges of the body. Likewise the mind, will and emotions which make up the soul must be developed. Develop your mind through the reading of books “A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge”. You develop your will by learning to make decisions no matter how inconsequential and following through with decisions made. Your emotions are the affective aspect of consciousness, and you develop them by learning to channel them positively and constructively.

While it is important that you develop your body and soul, success comes through training the spirit man primarily. You cultivate your spirit man through prayer, meditation and proper speech all based on the Word of God. Spiritual maturity entails knowing when to speak, how to speak, if to speak, and when you do speak, you speak words of Life (James 3:2). Learn to speak God’s Word only, learn to keep your focus on what God’s word says (meditation) and let your prayers be always based on the word of God. When you catch yourself speaking words that don’t line up with what God’s word says, catch yourself and correct it. Replace “i’m sick” with “I am healed”, replace “i lack” with “wealth and riches are in my house” replace “i don’t know” with “I have an unction from God and I know all things”.  Speak the word, think the word and pray the word only!
Scriptures to Meditate: James 3:2, Mark 11:23, Matt. 12:35-37, 1 Tim. 4:8, 15, 1 Thess.5:23, 3 Joh.1:2

In the book Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell says that it takes roughly ten thousand hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field. This is relevant information to anyone who desires to succeed in life.  Because every single person in this world is born with a unique set of abilities, this means that if you diligently commit yourself to the training, cultivation and refining your abilities it would be of great value to the world, in turn making you a success.

Success is a function of productive use of the senses. If you are always waiting for something to happen for you or for something to be given to you or for a question to be answered for you, then you will not make much progress in life. You must commit your faculties to training and development. Find out how and why about everything in you.

Many people are stuck in their comfort zone, but your next accomplishment is just a step outside your comfort circle. You must always challenge yourself to exceed higher goals. It takes pushing yourself to extend beyond your limits to break the shell of potential that keeps you trapped at the current level. Never stop making progress, and never stop willing. Every time you try to push forward it is normal and expected that there will be push back. I have not heard one success story that came easy, but everyone that desired to be successful fought through limitations and barriers. Note that It is the man who wills and keeps on willing who wins.

Friends I tell you, there is not shortcut or substitute for the intelligent application of hard-work in the making of success. Don’t let your abilities be wasted. Within you is everything that you need to be successful. You have the responsibility to diligently mine the treasure of abilities within you.

Scriptures to Meditate: 3John2, Eccl.10:10; 11:6, 1 Cor.15:10, Prov.10:4

Have you ever noticed that when negative people get into a bad situation, it just seems to go downhill, and each successive story from there makes the situation seem more tragic, whereas people who generally have a positive outlook on life tend to seem more peaceful, pleasant and more fun to be around? The simple answer to this is that negative people talk negative, while positive people generally talk positively. One may think that if it’s all bad, just say it as it is. Little do you understand that words are spiritual building blocks, and negative words reinforce already bad situations and establish them, while positive words restructure and bring light into dark situations.

Jesus taught His disciples this principle saying to them that if you believe from your heart, and speak what you believe, then you will see and have what you say. Isn’t that interesting, knowing that my words are the substance of my possession? A vivid example is seen in the story of creation in Genesis 1. The Bible records that the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. However God didn’t look over the banisters of heaven and say “it’s so dark and disgusting out there”. He spoke faith filled words, and these words were the building blocks of the universe (Heb.11:3)

What are you saying day by day? Are you careful about the words that come out of your mouth? You need to speak the Word of God only in the midst of any situation. God’s words are creative, and they come alive when voiced from your heart. Don’t just call things as they are, but rather call things the way you would like to see them, based on what God’s word says.

Scriptures to Meditate: Rom. 4:17-21, Heb. 11:3, Prov.18:21; 21:23 (NIV)