The Rest
Hebrews 4:10-11 (KJV) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us LABOUR therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Question: pastor, I read yesterday’s Devotional and I totally agree that repentance is a work of faith. What if after repenting you find that there are still some stubborn habits and sins that refuse to leave you. What do you do? Thank you for this very practical question. When a person repents of his sins, it means he determines not to go back to them again. But if it happens that there is a besetting sin that easily entangles, the believer needs to wait on the Lord and receive strength to overcome it consistently. The way to this is looking unto Jesus (see Heb 12:1-2). The psalmist puts it this way: I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken (Psalm 16:8). What weights (and the sin that easily entangles) try to do is to shake you, but walking in the Spirit is the way to put to death the works of the flesh (Roms 8:13, Gal 5:16). Walk daily in the consciousness of the Lord’s presence within you. People pray and fast and apply much force when they perceive that there is a demonic assault against them, but they should devote much more spiritual energy to overcome sin. They should labor to enter into God’s rest, a place where they no longer struggle with the flesh. (Read Matt 6:33, Matt 11:12). Go into today remembering that Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness (not yours) means seeking to enter the place of rest where you no longer struggle with the flesh because grace has taken over your life. Here it becomes easier for you to walk in the spirit than to walk in the flesh. Not yet saved? Click☞ streamglobe.org/33 —Abraham Damilola Arigi Today’s Streamglobe Word Encounter is a Miracle and Deliverance HolyGhost Service. Come expecting a miracle. Come with the sick. 11am @ Children Hall 1, Bethel Covenant Family Church, Adjacent The Bells Junction, Ota-Lagos. Ministering: Pst. Abraham Damilola Arigi Yearly Plan: Joel 1-3 (In Devotional Audio) Download Sermons Here: streamglobe.org/34
God Confirms His Word
Hebrews 2:3-4 (NKJV) 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? Shade had a hard time discerning false prophets from true ones. She observed that some of the false prophets had become very smart by embracing ‘holiness’ doctrines. But she had a personal encounter with one of such holiness preachers and realized he was as greedy and filthy as the rest. She also realized that most of the false prophets were not interested in winning souls for the Lord, they were only interested in the money. We can see from today’s Bible verses that salvation was first preached by the Lord Jesus Himself, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him (His disciples who echoed His gospel). In Matthew 9:35 and Luke 8:1, we see that the Lord Jesus went to different towns and villages teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. We also see that His disciples did the same. Many wonder what gospel message Jesus and the Apostles preached since Jesus was not yet crucified? Well, Jesus preached the message of salvation. What makes a person receive eternal salvation is believing that Jesus is Lord(the Christ of God, the messiah). Even before Jesus died on the cross, people were being saved through believing in Him. We see in Luke 9:19 that Jesus said salvation had come to the house of Zacchaeus [because he believed in Him] (see Luke 19:9). Before or after His death and resurrection, believing that Jesus is Lord was the key to salvation. The resurrection was God’s token proof that He is Lord. The Jews crucified Him because He said He was the Christ (the Son of God, the King of the Jews). But God raised Him up on the third day as proof that He is indeed the Christ (Lord, Anointed One, the Messiah). The gospel we preach today now includes this vital truth that God raised Jesus from the dead (see Romans 10:9). In John 4, we are given a rear peek into the content of the gospel message that Jesus preached while He walked the streets of Israel. We see Jesus preaching to the Samaritan woman, and their conversation headed up to Him revealing to her that He is the Messiah(see John 4:25-26). The woman believed in Him and even invited others to come and see the Christ (see John 4:29). Whether then, or when the Apostles preached, or today, the gospel message has been about bringing people to receive the Lordship of Christ Jesus. People who receive the gospel live under the Lordship of Christ. That’s why they repent of their old ways that do not align with life under Christ’s government. Go into today remembering that God confirms His gospel with signs and wonders, miracles and gifts of The Spirit. The next time you want to discern whether a prophet is false or not, look at the fruits of his ministry (Matthew 7:16). Is he raising people whose allegiance is to Christ (this shows by their lives of submission to the Lordship of Christ) or is he raising people whose true allegiance is to him and to mammon? Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me be a true minister of your salvation. Stretch out your hand to confirm your word in life with signs and wonders, miracles and gifts of the Spirit, In Jesus’ name. Amen. —Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible in 1 Year: Proverbs 22 (in today’s audio) Get Sermons Here: streamglobe.org/34 You are invited to ‘Streamglobe Word and Power Encounter’. Sat 19th Oct. 11am @Bethel Convenat Family Church, Adjacent The Bell Junction, Ota. Ministering: Pst. Abraham Damilola Arigi
Joseph’s Bones
Genesis 50:24-25(NET): Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to you and lead you up from this land to the land he swore on oath to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He said, “God will surely come to you. Then you must carry my bones up from this place.” There is an assurance that God’s word must birth in you. Such assurance that makes the reality of what it says so real that everything else in comparison pales. This is God’s desire for every believer. Joseph had attained royalty in Egypt but yet, he never lost sight of the promise of God. He said to his brethren, SURELY God will come, God will lead you out of this land, and God will lead you into the land He promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Anyone can follow when physical evidences abound – The Israelites who perished in the wilderness are proof of that. They ate manna, ate quails, saw the Red sea part, walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, yet, they never truly believed God. Not so Joseph. He basically said to them, “God will do what he said he will do, to show how much I believe that, take my body with you when you leave here” Make the meditation of God’s word of utmost importance. Have a posture of mind that receives God’s word as an immutable revelation and not some divine opinion. Build yourself on your most holy faith. Then you will take God’s word as truth. A man who sees God’s word as truth will order his life according to God’s word. The voice of God, as spoken by the word, will be sharp and clear in his heart even in the midst of the deafening din of this world’s counsel. Are you ordering your life according to God’s word or are your cowering to this world’s counsel? Abide in God and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me order my life according to your truth and be fruitful in all things. Amen. Want to be born again? Go here ☞ streamglobe.org/33 —Ikechukwu Mpama Bible in 1 Year: Psalms 105-107 (in today’s audio) Get Sermons Here: streamglobe.org/34
The Glorious New Covenant
Hebrews 2:2-4(NET) For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him Mr. Ade had many safes in his house where he kept a lot of money and treasure. Some of the head servants in the house had the password to access them. But there was this one safe in his bedroom that no servant in the house but only he and his children had the access to. He would come and open it himself because of how important that safe was. It contained great treasures and the documents that controlled his entire estate. Cornelius was a good and God-fearing man. Because of this, God wanted him to be a partaker of His new [and most powerful] covenant, so God sent an angel to him. But the angel did not have the security clearance to preach the gospel to him, so the angel gave him directions on how to reach Peter and invite him to share the gospel with his household (see Acts 10). Everyone who is involved in the propagation of the gospel is a minister of the New Covenant(see 2 Corinthians 3:6). This is the most awesome privilege it the entire universe. Even the angels long to look into the things pertaining to the new covenant (see 1 Peter 1:12). While angels were qualified to be ministers of the old covenant, they are not qualified to be ministers of the new covenant. That’s how much greater the new covenant is compared to the old. One reason The book of Hebrews was written was to show the Hebrew believer how superior the new covenant is to the old (since they were people used to the old covenant). It shows how Jesus the mediator of the new covenant is superior, how the priesthood of the new covenant is superior, how the articles of the new covenant is superior, how the scale of the new covenant is eternal, and how the old was actually a shadow of the new, etc. (see Hebrews 8:6, 13, etc) No matter how wonderful a thing is, if the people that have it do not appreciate its value, they would not maximize its benefits. I have seen believers act in ways that show that they somehow believe that the old covenant of the Jews is superior to the new covenant of the believer in Christ. What a tragedy! Indeed, the old covenant is powerful and glorious. Because of it, the Jewish race is one of the most materially prosperous on the earth today. But the new covenant is a great great upgrade of the old. All the great promises and blessings in the old covenant can be appropriated in the new, and much more(see 2 Corinthians 1:20). In the new covenant, we don’t just get to inherit earthly benefits, we inherit and partake of eternal riches in the eternal kingdom. Our current minds are too small to grasp the scale of our eternal riches and greatness in Christ through the new covenant. And the good news is that the new covenant is received by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. It is not received as a resut of works so that no one can boast. It is the gift of God (See Ephesians 2:8-9). Go into today celebrating and giving thanks for the privilege to be a partaker of the new covenant. If you are not yet saved, you can click here to accept the Lord Jesus and become a partaker of the glorious new covenant☞ streamglobe.org/33 Prayer: Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your understanding so that you may know the riches of your inheritance in Him and walk accordingly (Ephesians 1:18). —Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible in 1 Year: I Chronicles 20-24 (in today’s audio)
Sermon- Streamglobe Word Encounter- The Blessed Hope 2b
‘The Blessed Hope’ as revealed by Titus 2:14 is the ultimate hope of the Believer. Believers should know this hope and make it the basis of their faith because faith is the substance of things hoped for. Download this Sermon By Pastor Abraham Damilola Arigi. You can share it with friends.
Sermon- Streamglobe Word Encounter- The Blessed Hope 2a
‘The Blessed Hope’ as revealed by Titus 2:14 is the ultimate hope of the Believer. Believers should know this hope and make it the basis of their faith because faith is the substance of things hoped for. Download this Sermon By Pastor Abraham Damilola Arigi. You can share with friends. http://listen.streamglobe.org/Word%20Encounter-%20The%20Blessed%20Hope%202a-%20Pst%20Abraham%20Damilola%20Arigi.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
Lay Hold on Eternal Life
Hebrews 2:1 (NET) Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Nonye had believed in the Lord since when she was on campus, but it now appeared that her faith in the Lord was waning. Years ago, she believed in divine healing, enjoyed it and even ministered it to others, but she was now doubting if she could be healed supernaturally. She decided that she was no longer just going to let her life go by, but was going to “[f]ight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:2). She determined to be more deliberate about her spiritual growth. She took a break and went on a three-day retreat in which she basically prayed and read faith-building books- the ones she used to read ten years ago when she was spiritually on fire. During the retreat, her fire was rekindled and she started walking at a higher level of faith. She was so engrossed in God’s word that she did not remember to worry about the disease that was troubling her. Many days passed and she found that she was now totally healed. The kingdom of God allows violence, and the violent take it by force(see Matthew 11:12). Many times, if believers are not deliberate and violently intentional about their spiritual growth, they may just find that their faith is waning, and they are being cheated by the devil daily. Naturally speaking, after we have learned and understood something, we tend to keep it aside and go for the next new thing. That is not the way the word of faith should be handled. We must pay closer attention to what we have heard before so that it does not slip away(Hebrews 2:1). Every word that has ever become Rhema to you should become your daily bread. Not an occasional menu. Go into today remembering to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on the realities of your divine(eternal) life daily. Remember that our weapon is the word of God (see Ephesians 6:17). Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me walk in an increasing measure of your grace daily. Amen. —Abraham Damilola Arigi Want to be saved? Go here☞ streamglobe.org/33 Bible in 1 Year: Numbers 13-16 (in today’s audio)
Marriage and Integrity
1 Corinthians 7:1-2 (KJV) Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Before the epistle of First Corinthians was written, some members of the church at Corinth wrote a letter to Apostle Paul asking certain questions. They wanted to know if they were permitted to get married as unmarried men and women who now believed in the Lord Jesus. They wanted also to know if those married to unbelievers could remain with their spouses even if their spouses did not believe. Today’s Bible verses address the first question the Corinthians raised. Apostle Paul makes it clear here that even though celibacy is a good thing, sexual immorality is a bad thing and marriage helps to avoid it. One of the strongest attributes of God that His children inherit is His integrity (Psalm 15:4). God even exalts His word above His name (Psalm 138:2), that’s how much a Person of integrity our God is. Marriage adds the layer of integrity into the reasons why a believer must flee all sexual immorality. If a married person commits immorality, he not only sins against God and his body but sins against his wife and breaks his integrity. Some have taught that celibacy is a secret to spiritual power. That could be true for some inferior form of spiritual power, but God’s power doesn’t work that way. The only reason in the word of God why unmarried people can serve God better is because a married man would have to be concerned about the things of this world—how to please his wife. But marriage becomes a big plus to ministry when one marries the right person who would help him/her fulfill his divine mandate. Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you marry the right person who would help you fulfill your divine destiny. If you are married, ask the Lord to help you and your spouse help each other fulfill destiny. —Abraham Damilola Arigi Want to be saved? Go here☞ streamglobe.org/33 Bible in 1 Year: II Timothy 3-4 (in today’s audio) http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%201757.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
The Fear of The Lord
Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV) 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. One of the most painful things is having to deal with believers who have no integrity. Some so-called believers are outright frauds, but they profess the name of Christ and are even decorated members of big church congregations. Many professing believers now walk unrepentantly in iniquity and claim that they are under grace. What delusion! Because of this, the name of our Lord is blasphemed among unbelievers (Romans 2:24). And it is becoming harder and harder for certain people [who reason critically] to come to the light of Christ because of the filthy shadow cast by lukewarm believers everywhere. When I was growing up as a child, I remember that the church in my country was not as wealthy and large as it is today, but it was much more powerful. True conversions to the faith by even those who were the biggest antagonists were commonplace. The name of the Lord was more revered and honored even in the media. No comedians dared mention the name of the Lord or make a caricature of his ministers(something that has become too common today). But some things changed along the way and everyone now felt comfortable in church with unrepentant hearts. The fear of the Lord was skillfully and gradually removed from the Christian creed. All of a sudden, believers no longer walked in the fear of the Lord. Foolishness now became celebrated in the organized church because politicians who are known thieves were given titles in the church. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom(Prov 9:10). To fear the Lord less and less is the beginning of foolishness. Some have argued that believers should not fear the Lord but only have ‘reverential awe’ towards Him because He is our heavenly father. Some have argued that today’s Bible verse was not properly translated, that we are to work out our salvation with ‘reverential awe’ towards God, not with fear. The problem with this view is that reverential awe does not invoke trembling. But the verse clearly says “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. Believe me, whatever it is that awaits believers who do not obey this command(to work out their salvation) is something that should be terribly feared and dreaded by anyone. It is time for the fear of God to return to His people everywhere because when God comes to judge the world, it would begin at the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). May we not be found wanting. May we not be cast away after laboring in God’s house. Go into today praying with this verse: 1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. —Pst. Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible in 1 Year: John 10-12 (in today’s audio) http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%202091.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
Faithful in Unrighteous Mammon
Luke 16:11 (KJV) If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? Ekene worked in his boss’s shop where he served as an apprentice. He often added to the price of the goods sold and stole from his boss so that he could make some extra money. He did this all through his years as an apprentice and was never caught. After he had finished his apprenticeship, he began his personal business, but he never prospered. He became so frustrated that he sought help from his pastor. By prophecy, his pastor told him about how he had been an unfaithful apprentice; and told him what to do if he wanted his lot to change. Luke 16:12 (KJV), “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” Before God commits true riches to your hands, he will first of all test your faithfulness with the unrighteous mammon (money). For Ekene, he had to work under a boss. For you, it may be managing the finance of a little group such as a church, family and even your personal earnings, for example, tithing, offering, giving to others and how you spend money, etc. When you are unfaithful with the little at hand, you will not receive the much that is desired. Luke 16:10 (KJV), “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” If you desire the true riches of the kingdom, you must learn to be faithful in the unrighteous mammon (money), because, except you are found worthy of trust, God will not entrust you with the riches of His kingdom which includes earthly wealth. Go into today knowing that God is willing to give you true riches. However, you must forsake all your unrighteous ways of seeking money. Prayer: Lord, help me walk in your true riches and living above all limitations. Amen. —Dr. Emmanuel James Bible in 1 Year: Hosea 8-14 (in today’s Today’s audio)