Ayelbire A. Joshua
Daily Devotional (March-30-2023) Do you have time for others?
Scripture Reference: Genesis 40: 8-9. And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph…
Joseph's story is filled with remarkable moments, and one such moment is his genuine interest in the dreams of the butler and the baker. Despite being in prison under false accusations and experiencing the pain of betrayal by his brothers, Joseph remained compassionate and attentive to the needs of others. He could have easily been consumed by his own hardships, questioning the validity of dreams after what had befallen him. Yet, Joseph continued to believe in his own dream and the power of dreams in general. He was willing to set aside his own concerns to listen and show interest in the dreams of his fellow prisoners.
The fascinating part of this story is that Joseph's act of interpreting the butler's dream led to a chain of events that ultimately fulfilled his own dream. When Pharaoh needed someone to interpret his dream, the butler remembered Joseph's gift and recommended him. This turn of events teaches us an essential lesson:
By investing in the dreams and well-being of others, we may open doors for our own dreams to come true. When we prioritize the needs of others, God recognizes our selflessness and showers blessings upon us.
Let us strive to embody Joseph's empathy and compassion, offering support and encouragement to those around us. In doing so, we not only grow in our relationship with God but also foster a community where dreams can flourish. As we put others first and walk in the footsteps of Jesus, our own dreams may find their way to fulfillment through God's grace and providence.
Christian Daily Devotional (March-29-2023) His Word: Our Lifeline.
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The importance of immersing ourselves in God's Word cannot be overstated. As followers of Christ, it is essential that we dedicate time each day to study His teachings and apply them to our lives. Our beliefs, perceptions, and assumptions shape everything we do, and they have been formed by our upbringing, experiences, and acquired knowledge.
To align our thoughts and actions with God's will, we must allow His Word to penetrate our hearts and effect the necessary transformations. The author of Hebrews likens the Word of God to a sharp, double-edged sword, capable of cutting deep into our being. Just as a sword pierces flesh and bone, God's Word reaches the innermost thoughts and attitudes hidden within our hearts. By doing so, it enables us to confront and correct the core beliefs that govern our lives.
Through the transformative power of His living and active Word, we can overcome habits, addictions, compulsive behaviors, and negative emotions. By yielding to the influence of the Holy Scriptures, we open ourselves to God's wisdom and guidance, allowing Him to shape us into the people He intended us to be.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, I ask that You use Your Word to shape, refine, and transform me into the person You desire me to be. Allow Your powerful Word to reach my innermost thoughts and beliefs, so that I may evaluate them, correct them, and align them with Your will. In Jesus' Name, I pray. AMEN!
May we commit ourselves to the study of the Holy Scriptures, so that we can grow in our understanding of God's character and His plan for our lives. As we encounter challenges and trials, let us turn to the Word for comfort, strength, and guidance. By doing so, we will find the encouragement and inspiration we need to persevere in our walk of faith.
Moreover, let us share the transformative power of the Word with others, so that they too may experience the life-changing love of Christ. Through our testimonies, encouragement, and acts of kindness, we can demonstrate the impact of God's Word in our lives, drawing others to the hope and salvation found in Jesus.
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the Word, we will grow in spiritual maturity, becoming more like Christ each day. Through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, our hearts will be transformed, and our lives will bear witness to the truth and love of our Savior. May we always cherish the gift of God's Word, allowing it to guide us on our journey toward eternity with Him.
Daily Devotional (March-28-2023) Do you have his nature?
Scripture Reference: Gen 2:21-23 - 2 1And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
This is a beautiful picture of Christ and his church. When Christ was ”at sleep” on Calvary, God took out from Christ a church. When we are born again, we receive HIS blood, and HIS Spirit. The church is called the body of Christ. Just as Adam wouldn’t join together with anything that was not his nature, so it is with Christ. That’s why we need his Spirit. That’s why we need his blood. I wonder if Jesus is searching through the churches today, just like Adam was searching for a helpmate. When he found Eve, he said, this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. Could it be that Christ says when he finds the true church: This is now blood of my blood, this is now Spirit of my Spirit. They are holy as I am holy.
Do you have his nature? Do you have his Spirit? Do you live a Holy life? Can he say about you, that you shall be called Christian, because you have been taken out of Christ, and because you have been formed into his image? You shall be called my bride. To become the bride of Christ, we must have his nature. He will not join together with anything not having his nature. He became one of us, and took our nature upon him, so that we can become like him, and take his nature upon us.
Daily Devotional (March-27-2023) Pray According To His Will.
Scripture Reference: I John 5: 14-15 (ESV) - “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.”
John shares a very significant secret about praying. If we want to see answers to prayer, then we need to pray according to God’s will. It sounds like circular logic, but is it? Think about it. Jesus came to do what? The will of His Father. He said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” Why should we be any different? But, you say, “I’m not Jesus.” How true, but again, what did Jesus say? He said, ‘“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. – He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” But this is different than our normal way of praying. We need to learn to pray according to His will. It is like watching a sports game for the first time. You don’t understand anything. But what happens after you start to play? You start to understand what is going on and you get better and better at it. Likewise, God invites us to JOIN Him in His work in this world. Let’s get to know Him. Let’s spend time with Him. Instead of just praying, let’s ask God, “Father, how do You want me to pray? What is Your will in this matter? How can I join You in this?” As we seek His will and learn to wait on Him, we will grow in confidence and He will give us the direction we need. He will answer our prayers.
Prayer: Dear Father, teach me to pray. More than that, teach me what to pray. I want to do Your will. I want to join You in Your work. As I seek Your will, show me what to pray. I want to ask according to Your will. In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Daily Devotional (March-26-2023) My Lord and my God.
Scripture Reference: John 20:27-28 - Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
After seeing and hearing Jesus, Thomas makes two confessions. First he says to Jesus; you are my Lord. This is the first and most important confession we can make. Paul says in the letter to the Romans that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord you shall be saved. To confess that he is Lord is more than just believing he is the Lord of the universe. It is more than believing he is Lord over all powers. It is to confess like Thomas did. You are MY Lord. I hereby give ruler ship over to you. From this moment I declare that you are My Lord. You will make the descisions in my life from now on. This is a confession modern Christians don’t like. They like to “receive” him as their personal savior, and not as Lord. They want him to save them, but not rule over them. Jesus can only be savior, if he is also our Lord. He is Lord AND savior.
The second confession Thomas makes is that Jesus is God. He is not just a second person in the Godhead, or a demigod. He is God. Everything that God is, he is. ALL the fullness of the Godhead dwells in him. Not just a part. This is also something religious people don’t like. It is ok to make him devine. It is ok to make him supernatural. But don’t say that he is God. This is what nailed him to the cross. This is the reason they picked up stones to stone him, because as they said; you declare yourself to be God.
There are two confessions the enemy hates. One is that Jesus is Lord, and the other is that he is God. The enemy wants us to be in the drives seat of our lives, because we are easily manipulated and influenced. He cannot manipulate Jesus. That’s why I confess Jesus to be Lord of my life. He hates the confession that Jesus is God, because that makes him scared. The bible says the Devil believes that there is but One God and he trembles.
Let us make the Devil tremble. Let us make him upset. Let us confess Jesus; My Lord and my God
Daily Devotional (March-25-2023) A true worshipper.
Scripture Reference: John 4:23 - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
What is a true worshipper, and what is true worship? To answer the question we have to know the difference between praise and worship. Praise comes from the Hebrew word Halal, and it means to boast, give thanks and to praise. Worship comes from the Hebrew word Shachah, and it means to shine, to prostrate, to bow down and to do reverence. It latterly means to “lay prostrate with face touching the ground.” In other words it means to completely surrender.
Whenever anyone came into a King they had to “worship” him, or to completely surrender, and bow down. With all your body language you would communicate to the King that I am nothing, you are everything. I am as invisible as possible. I don’t want my presence to take any focus away from the King. This is what John the Baptist tried to say when he said; he shall increase, and I shall decrease. THAT’S worship. Anyone can praise him. Psalm 148 says that the stars, the heavens, the angels, and even the animals praise him. But not anybody can worship him. It takes a conscious, humble act of surrendering to him. That we communicate through our words, song and body language that there is no one greater than Jesus Christ. It is about making Jesus shine, and making myself invisible. It is the opposite of a lot of modern worship when its all about making ourselves shine and visible.
Are you a true worshipper? Do you make Jesus shine? Do you communicate that he is great, and that he is the only one you want people to see? Who is in focus? Is it you, or Jesus? That’s what makes a true worshipper. And if you convince him that you really mean he is Lord and he is King, you empower him to rule and do great things in your life.
Daily Devotional (March-24-2023) Strong And Courageous.
Scripture Reference: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
One of the first things they teach you in marriage communications is to stay away from using emotionally fatalistic words like “never” or “always”, as in, “You never help around here!” or “You always waste money.” It is very rare that human behavior is “always” or “never”. But what about God? The Bible makes it clear that His ways are not our ways. In Romans 3:4 it says, “Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true!” Now consider today’s verse in light of the fact that God does not lie. Moses tells us to be strong and courageous and not afraid. Why all the optimism? Why the courage? Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” God Himself has said to you and I, “Never.” Never. NEVER! Let it sink in – He will never leave you or forsake you! Today, right now, let this fact change your day. Let it reshape your emotions. Let it precede all your decisions. He will never leave you or forsake you.
Prayer: Father, I wander through most days with so much apathy. I live as if you don’t exist. I haven’t taken your promises seriously. Most the time I am not strong or courageous. Forgive me for this. Instead, help me today really grasp what it means that you will never leave me or forsake me. In Jesus Name. AMEN
Watch SCOAN Mass Prayer - BE FREED FROM YOUR CAGE OF DELAY! Leading the SCOAN Evangelists during the Mass Prayer session on Sunday, March 19, 2023, Pastor Evelyn Joshua proclaimed: "I cancel every negative pronouncement against your life, in the name of Jesus Christ!" As the fiery session went on, the aura of the Holy Spirit overshadowed The Arena Of Liberty, causing demons to run helter-skelter as people received their healing and deliverance for breakthrough in the name that is above all names: Jesus Christ. Concluding the session was a clip of Prophet TB Joshua wherein God's servant declared: "I can see you being healed! I can see you being delivered!" Wherever you are, get ready to receive your own freedom right now, in Jesus' name!
Daily Devotional (March-23-2023) God’s Immense Love.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 3:16-18 (NLT) - “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”
When times get rough or I am burdened and overwhelmed with thought, this passage pulls me through. It is more than a prayer that Paul gave to the Ephesians, it is a statement of a reality that you and I can have. It is God’s desire that you and I experience an inner strength. A super natural strength that is powered through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit resides inside us and helps us understand how much God loves us. The heart of Paul’s prayer was that you and I would experience the love of Christ and be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Isn’t that incredible? Isn’t it time that we become complete in Christ? We can. Get to know Him. Spend time in His word, abide in Him and you will experience what Paul did, that God is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Prayer - Father, I pray that from Your glorious, unlimited resources that You will empower me with inner strength through Your Holy Spirit. Give me the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. I put my trust in You. AMEN
Daily Devotional (March-22-2023) Love the Giver More Than The Gifts.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:26, 66-67 (NLT) - “Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. – At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, ‘Are you also going to leave?’”
Sometimes we don’t get it. Our priorities get all mixed up. Like many of Jesus’ disciples, we follow Him for the food and miracles. We want His blessings. We have the offer of a deep relationship with God and yet we would rather have the blessings than the blesser. After all the time they spent together, Jesus still had to ask His disciples, “Are you also going to leave?” In his book, “The Pressures Off”, Dr. Larry Crabb writes, “Until we develop a taste for God, we prefer a better life of blessings from God over a better hope of intimacy with Him.” But what happens when blessings don’t come? What happens when the job we wanted doesn’t pan out, when sickness interrupts our plans, our children don’t act the way we think they should? When our eyes are on our circumstances and not our creator, it is easy to get discouraged. We can lose hope and become bitter. Why, because we have worshipped the gifts and not the giver, the blessings and not the blesser. Today, we need to renew our love for God. Knowing Him is the real blessing. We need to love God, who alone is our source of our joy. No matter what circumstances come our way, as we develop a relationship with God and truly love Him, we will find true peace and joy in life.
Prayer: Father, help me love You today more than ever. Help me seek You more than Your blessings. Help me understand Your love for me and the incredible joy that is mine as I follow You. AMEN
