2.The resurgence of old habits and lifestyles: Despite once being distant from CHRIST, Ephesians 2:12&13 reminds us that we are now united with CHRIST JESUS, a new creation according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, and seated with HIM in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Despite this profound heritage, the devil seeks to destroy and bring about our downfall. When we observe our former habits and lifestyles attempting a comeback, it’s crucial to recognize it as the devil’s attempt to pull us back. To overcome these challenges, we should remain steadfast in the LORD, relying on HIS mighty power against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10). The caution from Hebrews 6:4 advises us to resist the devil repeatedly, as emphasized in James 4:7, to avoid turning away from GOD.

3.Loss of interest in the things of GOD serves as a significant indicator of spiritual attacks. A genuine desire for GOD is the initial step in knowing HIM, a key to confidently overcoming the devil. The devil’s strategy involves pulling individuals away from GOD’s pursuits, hindering them from fulfilling GOD’s plans for prosperity, as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:11. Staying connected to GOD provides access to HIM and, consequently, victory over Satan. Access to GOD’s life (Zoe life) makes us unbeatable, which is why the devil endeavors to distance us from activities that draw us closer to GOD, such as attending church, reading the Bible, and prayer.

4.A lack attack involves a person losing everything suddenly, drawing attention away from GOD and emphasizing materialistic pursuits. Satan tempts individuals to prioritize wealth over GOD, shifting focus to money. When worries replace worship, decisions rely on emotions rather than anointing, and trust in personal control surpasses reliance on GOD, it signifies succumbing to this form of spiritual attack.

5.Distancing oneself from GODLY relationships, including church gatherings and GODLY friends, signals a detachment from spiritual connections and community. This withdrawal often indicates a spiritual challenge or temptation leading one away from the supportive and nurturing environment of faith-based relationships.

6.Experiencing overwhelming feelings of helplessness and similar emotions often signifies a state of vulnerability and struggle. These sensations may indicate a need for support, encouragement, or spiritual guidance during challenging times.

Indeed, finding strength in one’s faith and relying on the guidance of scripture, such as Ephesians 6:10-11, can provide a source of comfort and resilience in the face of challenges. It’s a reminder to stay steadfast in living according to one’s beliefs.
Absolutely, relying on prayer and God’s word can provide strength during spiritual challenges. In our next blog, consider exploring strategies like prayer, scripture, and seeking support from a spiritual community when facing spiritual attacks.

Source: Christian Fellows, Author: Bright Agbelengor

The post 6 SIGNS YOU ARE UNDER A SPIRITUAL ATTACK appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

In both the Old and the New Testaments, God requires and insists on obedience from his people. Obedience attracts blessings from God. For instance, because Jesus humbled himself under the Father’s authority and obeyed his commands even on to death, his Father blessed him: He exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave him the name above all other names (Philippians 2:5-11).

In today’s anchor text, there is a promise of divine blessings to all who will obey the Lord: “You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God.” The rest of today’s passage details some of the blessings that go to the obedient, including the following:

The Lord will protect them against their enemies; the Lord will bless everything they put their hands to; the Lord will grant them abundant prosperity-the fruit of their womb as well as their crops and livestock will be blessed; the Lord will make them the head, not the tail, etc.

The Bible is full of examples of how God blesses his people for their obedience. Take Abraham, for instance. God blessed him
greatly when he obeyed God’s instructions to sacrifice his only Son Isaac to him. Jesus has promised the blessing of divine presence to those who obey him: “.. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:21). Do you want God to bless you? Then, commit yourself to obeying him.

Meditation And Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to obey you always.

Further Reading: John 15:9-12.

Key Lesson: God blesses those who obey him.

SOURCE: GEC, the Word Daily Devotional, Posted by: Rashida Yakubu

The post THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

There’s those who even though revere the Bible, merely think of it as magnum opus. By this, they mean the Bible is a great work or masterpiece, as it were, one of the most significant or renowned piece of work in any field, often used to describe a literary, artistic, or musical work of exceptional quality or significance.

But all such nice descriptions still fall short of what the Bible is and represents. First, the Bible is Spirit inspired: “Every scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) …” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMPC). Thus, the Bible is a revelation; a compilation of the out-breathings of God; It’s God’s revelation given in words.

When we read the word, from the Old Testament into the New Testament, we’re reading God’s message, or what God said – His testimony. Of course, the Bible also contains what others said, such as Angels, humans, demons, and even Satan. Even what an animal (a donkey) said is recorded for us in Numbers 22:28-30. But still, the Bible is God’s testimony that they all said what they said. Therefore, much more than a magnum opus, the Bible is God’s document of truth, and it’s trustworthy and dependable. Let your Faith in it be unshakeable.

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the privilege of having your Word, the Holy Scriptures. I acknowledge that Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. My heart and mind are open to receive the truths and wisdom contained therein. I’m guided by your Spirit and Holy Scriptures, as my faith is strengthened and my mind renewed, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER READING

Psalm 119:105, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMPC

Source: Rhapsody of Reality, Posted by: Rashida Yakubu

The post MORE THAN A “MASTERPIECE” appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

Jesus was with His disciples in the boat one day, and a tempest arose. The disciples became afraid and the Bible says, “…they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm” (Luke 8:24).

The Master turned to the disciples and asked them a very pertinent question: “Where is your faith?” That’s the big question in life. With your faith, you can do anything; you can move mountains; you can achieve great results. Faith is a tool. Use it. If you’d learn to use your faith, you’ll live triumphantly every day.

Stop crying for help! Use your faith to make your life glorious. With your faith, you can destroy cancer, diabetes or heart trouble. You can change the circumstances of your life! So, build your faith. Make a choice to feed your faith by learning and living on God’s Word.

The Bible is a compendium of divine revelations from God’s Prophets and Apostles; the message has been proven again and again. Irrespective of the issues in your health, family, finances, job, academics, or ministry, you can prevail gloriously by growing your faith in the Word and putting it to work every day. Remember, our faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).

CONFESSION:

With my faith, I consistently frame my life in the path of glory and excellence, living the life of victory, success, joy, health and prosperity which God has ordained for me. I refuse to be disadvantaged or helpless in this life; my faith in the Word is effective and prevailing. Praise God!

FURTHER STUDY:

1 John 5:4; For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Hebrews 10:38-39; Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.(39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 16:1-24 & Proverbs 10-11

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 & Jeremiah 19-20

Source: Rhapsody of Realities Devotional

The post Your Faith Is A Tool appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

There’re times you may be confronted with so many predicaments that you wonder, “How am I supposed to pray about all of these problems?” The truth is, if you decide to pray about every problem or issues around you one after the other, you may spend eternity on your knees. Moreover, you may not even remember all of them.

But the good news is, God doesn’t expect you to carry your own burden. The Bible says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). In fact, He doesn’t expect you to pray about your problems, because you don’t even know about all of them. So how do you handle them? It’s part of the reasons He gave you the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bears you up in the time of weakness or limitation.

When you don’t know what to do, what to pray for or how to go about a certain situation, He steps in. God gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us in all situations of life. When it comes to dealing with everyday problems, the same Holy Spirit stands in the gap (intercedes) for us as read in our theme verse. He takes charge in our behalf.

Be ever conscious and yielded to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your personal life. He prays through you with groanings and deep sighs which can’t be uttered in articulate speech, making intercession for you according to the will of God.

This is why it’s important that you pray often in other tongues; it helps you to activate your spirit and give vent to the divine utterances of the Holy Spirit. When you pray through your spirit, you inevitably address every necessary issue in your life that needs attention.

The psalmist remarked, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me…” (Psalm 138:8). As you pray in the Spirit, the Lord would indeed put everything that concerns you into shape, even those things that you’re unaware of. You only need to trust Him with your life, realising that He’s big enough and willing to take care of you. Blessed be His Name forever!

PRAYER:

Dear loving Father, thank you for the extraordinary ministry of your Spirit who imparts to me the knowledge of your will concerning issues of importance, and helps me pray aright, causing circumstances to align with your perfect will for me and my loved ones, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

1 Corinthians 14:2; For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Romans 8:26-27; Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.(27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Jude 1:20; But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 12 & Psalms 146-150

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Colossians 4:1-9 & Jeremiah 14

The post He Bears You Up appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

In yesterday’s devotion we learnt that as members of the body of Christ, we have been given unique functions to build up the entire body. God expects us to be successful in these functions. To be a success in the body of Christ you must first function in love for all members of the body (Ephesians 5:29, 1Corinthians 12:25-27).

Whatever you do must be to the benefit of the entire body. When you accidentally hit your foot against a stone, the whole body is in pain. In the same way, when a member of the body is hurt, the whole body is affected. The next time you hear something unpleasant about a brother or sister or Christians in a country being persecuted, go on your knees and pray for them because it
affects you too.

Secondly, to be a success in the body of Christ, you must function in grace. Every member of the body has been given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7, 11). Neglecting your gift is neglecting grace and this can cause you to malfunction in the body of Christ.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus I pray for the body of Christ that we will take our
place in love and authority to function excellently in manifesting
divinity.

Credit: Emancipator (The Good Life Devotional)

The post Your Success in the Body of Christ appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

Some Christians not discerning the body of Christ, think that only the gifts such as pastors, evangelist, prophets etc. are the important ones in the body. It is important for you to value
yourself as a member the body of Christ. Not only are you important, you are a necessary part of the body of Christ. The whole body cannot function without you. You have a unique role
to play in the body. Many Christians have made themselves ‘pew warmers’, depriving the rest of the body of their unique grace in building up the body. This is so unfortunate. For the gifts, you are first a member of the body of Christ. Do not lord your calling/ office over the other members. You need them as much as they need you.

Confession

I am not just a member of the body of Christ I am a necessary member. I matter in the body of Christ. I matter in my local assembly therefore I contribute to the success of the entire body
of Christ. Hallelujah

Credit: Emancipator (The Good Life Devotional)

The post You are a Necessary Member of the Body of Christ appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

To be effective in the body of Christ you must understand its structure. Many Christians are busy serving in their local assemblies in various capacities but do not necessarily contribute anything to the body of Christ. God has appointed Jesus Christ the head of the body (Ephesians 1:22-23). All Christians alive and asleep in Christ make up His body. In His body, Christ has chosen some members and given them as gifts of grace to various parts of the body. Their role is to equip (build up) the rest of the body for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). No gift chooses himself/herself (Hebrews 5:4) and he/she cannot function outside the Word, who is Christ. The remaining part of the body is formed by unique members with unique functions for the overall self-building of the body (Ephesians 4:16).

Thanksgiving

Thank You Jesus for making me part of Your body and giving me a gift after Your own heart to build me up for the unique work You have assigned to me.

Credit: Emancipator (The Good Life Devotional)

The post The Structure of the Body of Christ appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

Have you ever been ill-treated? I believe many of us, at one time or the other have suffered some sort of ill-treatment or injustice. But how God expects us to respond in such a situation is clear in His Word. He said in James 5:13 AMPC, “Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray….” How remarkable!

It parallels what Jesus also said in Luke 6:28; He said, “…pray for them that despitefully use you.” God is aware of such situations in our lives where we face persecutions or put up with mistreatments from other people. However, He doesn’t ask us to pity ourselves, complain, or get bitter at those who mistreat us; rather, He tells us to pray!

It’s very tempting to react in the exact opposite when maltreated. Some may even try to retaliate or get back at those mistreating them, and in the process, behave in a way different from who they truly are. Never allow someone else’s bad behaviour change your good conduct, or character.

Perhaps you were nice and loving to someone who in return treated you unfairly. Don’t decide never to show love to anyone else because of the betrayal; that won’t be Christ-like. If you succumb to that, you’ll be allowing someone else’s flawed attitude or poor judgement control your character.

The question you should ask yourself is this: “Was it right for me to have helped and shown love?” If it was right, then keep doing what’s right. That way, you protect your spirit from unhealthy infiltrations and deny the devil the opportunity of a traction in your life.

No matter how you’re treated, maintain the Christ-attitude. He said, “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee…love ye your enemies, and do good…and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:28-35).

PRAYER:

Dear Father, thank you for the ability to do right and display your goodness and love to all. I walk in righteousness and dispense your blessings to my world. Through me, many come to know your truth and embrace your righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Luke 6:28-35 AMPC; Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].(29) To the one who strikes you on the jaw or cheek, offer the other jaw or cheek also; and from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold your undergarment as well.(30) Give away to everyone who begs of you [who is in want of necessities], and of him who takes away from you your goods, do not demand or require them back again.(31) And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.(32) If you [merely] love those who love you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them).(33) And if you are kind and good and do favors to and benefit those who are kind and good and do favors to and benefit you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the preeminently sinful do the same.(34) And if you lend money at interest to those from whom you hope to receive, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? Even notorious sinners lend money at interest to sinners, so as to recover as much again.(35) But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked.

Matthew 5:38-45 TPT; “Your ancestors have also been taught, ‘Take an eye in exchange for an eye and a tooth in exchange for a tooth.’(39) However, I say to you, don’t repay an evil act with another evil act. But whoever insults you by slapping you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.(40) If someone is determined to sue you for your coat, give him the shirt off your back as a gift in return.(41) And should people in authority take advantage of you, do more than what they demand.(42) Learn to generously share what you have with those who ask for help, and don’t close your heart to the one who comes to borrow from you.”(43) “Your ancestors have also been taught ‘Love your neighbors and hate the one who hates you.’(44) However, I say to you, love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them.(45) For that will reveal your identity as children of your heavenly Father. He is kind to all by bringing the sunrise to warm and rainfall to refresh whether a person does what is good or evil.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 9 & Psalms 128-134

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Colossians 2:8-15 & Jeremiah 9

Credit: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

The post Christ-Inspired Response appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.

God’s desire is for you to be highly successful and happy, so you can reach out to help others who are despondent, for He said: “…I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). Instead of seeking attention and expecting someone to make you happy, He wants you to be the one offering care to others.

There’re those who get frustrated because they think others don’t care about them. The more they crave attention, the more it seems they’re ignored, and this upsets them. Philippians 2:4 TLB says, “Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too….” Even in prayer, don’t be self-centred, conscious of your needs only; be conscious of the needs of others.

I remember a dear brother who was brought in for one of our meetings, sick and so weak. While he was still trying to keep his broken body stable on the chair, another sick person in a more terrible state was brought in and laid beside him. His debilitating condition moved this brother to tears, and he later said when he saw this sick man and how dire his state was, he forgot about himself and began praying for him to be healed. The man received his healing and he also was healed!

When you get concerned about others, God will take care of your own desires. Maybe you’ve been praying and asking God for a new job for a while now, why don’t you pray for others who are out of jobs too? Rather than being overwhelmed by the issues in your family, begin to pray for other families around you. When you live with this consciousness, miracles will happen in your life without your having to ask. Hallelujah!

Always be gracious enough to help others, and loving enough to care about them. You’re God’s outstretched arm of blessings, love and care to your world. Think this of yourself today, because it’s God’s perception of you.

CONFESSION:

God is able to make all grace—every favour and earthly blessing—come to me in abundance, so that I may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient, possessing enough to require no aid or support, and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY:

Matthew 7:12; Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7:12 GNB; “Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 4 & Psalms 113-116

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Philippians 4:14-23 & Jeremiah 4

Credit: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

The post Give Care and Attention to Others appeared first on Chrife.com.gh.