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Mercy of God

Devotion 3 (by Dr. Joseph Agbi): Transformed by the glory of His Face

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God is everywhere, but He doesn’t turn His face and His favor everywhere. That is why He tells us to seek His face. Yes, He is present with you every time you meet with believers in a worship service, but how long has it been since your hunger caused you to crawl up in His lap, and like a child, to reach up and take the face of God to turn it toward you? Intimacy with Him! That is what God desires, and His face should be our highest focus.

(The God Chasers, 38)

The face of God is beautiful to behold. When I get to heaven I will see his face always because He will be my Light and my sun. I will be raptured perfect and His Light will be all over me. On earth here I must still “struggle” to keep myself holy and full of light because the devil is always chasing after me to overcast me with his shadow of darkness. I refuse to stay under the canopy of the enemy. God’s wings and Light is all over me. Cloth me with your Light daily Lord!

Lord I seek your face. I hunger more and more for you. I want to get lost in rapturous worship always, beholding your face. I crawl into your arms where I feel most secure, Lord. I behold your face. Look at me Lord. I behold you face-to-face! Keep your face on me Lord. Do not remove your face from me. Watch over me everywhere I am, my ever present and living God.

The Lord wants us to have the heart of a little child when we come to Him (Matt. 19:14). When a little child comes to his earthly father, it is usually in sincerity and trust. Oh Lord, grant me a tender heart, one that loves you and reverences you always in Jesus name.

Devotion 2 (by Dr Joseph Agbi): A heart full of love and faith

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“There is much more of God available than we have ever known or imagined, but we have become so satisfied with where we are and what we have that we don’t press in for God’s best. Yes, God is moving among us and working in our lives, but we have been content to comb the carpet for crumbs as opposed to having the abundant loaves of hot bread God has prepared for us in the ovens of Heaven! He has prepared a great table of His presence in this day, and He is calling to the Church, “Come and dine.”

(The God Chasers, page 22)

I would like to go for God’s heart like David did. God called David a man after His own heart. When God presently see me, does He see me as a half-hearted believer or a full-hearted believer? There is a spectrum in which God sees every one of us. On a scale of one to ten where do I think God sees my heart? Perhaps four or more likely two! He told a Babylonian king, “you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting! The barrier of five could very hard to break. He wants me to be like David who had ten in His sight. David was not the best of examples in scriptures of men who did not carry the weight of heavy sins committed in their resume in God’s sight. That award could have gone perhaps to Daniel or Joseph or King Jehoshaphat or Josiah or any other seeming more righteous bible character than David.

David committed adultery, told a lie to cover up the act, killed Uriah the man and husband to the adulteress Bathsheba; but what singled him out was he knew how to touch God’s heart with his love. He was in love with God and was great in the act of love. When two people are truly in love, they tend to outdo each other. That is how love thrives and becomes long lasting. David and God played the love game and each really enjoyed it. That is why perhaps when David sinned, it grieved God’s heart. In return, David aggressively repented when he knew his sins before God had found him out (Psalm 51). He had a lively heart for God. That is one of my prayers! Oh Lord, make my heart lively like David’s.

In the aspect of nurturing my faith, I don’t want to be satisfied with the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. Have mercy and help me Lord to have aggressive faith like the Syrophoenician woman whose child was demon-possessed and she cried not only to eat the crumbs that fell on the ground but also to dine with you on your Table as her Master and you were impressed with her faith. You commended her that her faith had saved her daughter (Matt. 15:21-28). Oh Lord, let my faith be strong like Caleb’s so I can say with all trust in you, “Oh Lord, give me this mountain and I shall have it.” (Zech. 4:4-9; Joshua 14:12-15; Mark 11:23)

Devotion 1 (by Dr Joseph Agbi): Spiritual awakening and repentance opens the gate to His presence

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I like to share with you some things the Lord taught me in my devotion in the recent past that brought healing to me body, soul and spirit. This will be a series of articles and devotions and here is the first one:

Here is a quote from the book I read “The God Chasers by Tommy Tenney, page 14”

“Repentance prepares us for His presence. In fact, you cannot live in His presence without repentance. Good things have become the enemy of the best things. I challenge you and release you right now as you read these words to let your heart be broken by the Holy Ghost. It’s time for you to make your life holy. Quit watching what you used to watch; quit reading what you used to read if you are reading it more than you read His Word. He must be your first and greatest hunger.” .

Based on my reading the book, below is God’s revelation to my heart and my devotion to the Lord:

Some people believe repentance is only at the point of salvation. That is actually a half-truth. It begins at the point of salvation but continues throughout all our lifetime. The fact is that we need to continue in the attitude or repentance after salvation if we desire to see His glory. We need to do this from the cradle that is from the moment of our salvation, to the grave, that is, until the moment we go to be with the Lord if He tarries. The basic premise is Rom. 3:23 that say for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. God is a holy God and He only wants those who are ready to be serious and forsake the ways of the world to stay in His presence.

Jesus said of the publican that he continued to beat upon his chest saying, Father forgive me while the Levite was perhaps jeering at Him and justifying himself (Luke 18:9-14).

The Psalmist said in Psalm 15:1-6 KJV

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

I need to take the steps the psalmist advised. I don’t want to be moved from the holy hill of God, I want to be a man of integrity in all I do. I want to walk uprightly and work righteousness. I want to speak the truth in my heart always. I want to stay away from back-biting my neighbour with my tongue. I want to stay at peace and love my neighbours. I don’t want to take advantage of others or take bribes. In my life now I still fall short of the glory of God. There are a lot of clean-ups I need to do in my life. I want to be like the publican rather than the Levite in the eyes of God. I want to go home blessed that God has heard my prayers. I need to continue to do this until I see not only the glimpse of His glory but a blare of His glory on me on a daily bases. This is what turns me into a true Levite in His presence. Then truly I would see Jesus in all His beauty and glory (John 12:21; Heb. 1:3). Amen.

Trust in the Lord

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What is the meaning of Trust?
Trust means reliance, faith, confidence, or dependence on a person for his or her ability to perform. When a person makes a promise and keeps that promise no matter the odds, it means that person is trustworthy or reliable.

Because man is fallible no matter how perfect a person could be, the scriptures tell us to put our trust in God and not in man.

Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

Why we should Trust God
Our trust in God should not only be for our eternal salvation but also for every day issues in life. We can trust God because of:

1. His name.
Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

For example when you are faced with imminent danger, e.g. a car accident, and you call the name of Jesus, God sends his angels and miraculously, the accident is avoided.

2. His Word
Although God’s name is important, in terms of magnitude, He magnifies His word above His name. The Psalmist said,

Psalm 138:2 (NKJV) “I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for you have magnified Your word above all Your name.”

A person’s name is esteemed when his word is good or the person keeps his promises. God’s name is magnified because He keeps His promises. His word is more magnified than the name because the word signifies His nature and character.

When a person is summoned before a judge, more often than not it is not because of the name but what the person has done (e.g. a thief, a rapist or murderer would need to answer to his or her deed not to his or her name). God’s character or integrity is inherently built in Him keeping his word. In other word’s He magnifies His word above His name. E.g. God’s promise to Abraham:

Hebrews 6:13-18
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

The reason why a child of God is not allowed to swear is because his word is not infallible. Only God’s word is infallible (Matthew 5:33-37). On the other hand, God’s promises in Christ are yea and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Using God’s name to do gospel work and yet living a life of sin is hypocritical, futile and could end the person in hell (Matt. 7:21-23). God’s name and word synchronize so his will is done. If you speak in God’s name, your character must synchronize with His word. The scripture says: “Let everyone who name the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19). This is why some preachers that come in God’s name and yet their lives do not match what they preach bring disrepute to the church. Jesus is coming only for the church that has no spot or wrinkle, a church or people that has not maligned His name.

3. His Power
God is a stronghold for his people

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. ”

His power is working in you and for you. Trusting the Lord means you trust in His power and ability to see you through a situation no matter how tough the thing is or what you may be going through. When you trust God for something there need NOT be a basis for your trust, because trust is like “blind” faith.

2 things to consider when trusting God are: Your faith on God’s word – it is your responsibility to ensure you are standing solidly on God’s word not on ideas or what the scriptures call “the wisdom of men” or the “wisdom of this world”. The second thing is your understanding of what the Spirit and Power of God can do (1 Cor. 2:1-5; Mark 11:20-24).

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The key word of trust in trusting God is all your heart. Half-hearted trust is as good as doubt which does not please God.

Brief Case Study
King Asa (2 Chronicles chapters 14 to 16)

He started his reign on a positive note. He was very zealous spiritually and he enjoyed rest all around for 10 years (2 Chronicles 14:1-7). Thereafter he began to build defenses around the city which the enemies came in their score to test those defenses. The defenses were useless against the enemy. Asa cried to the Lord and he rescued them (2 Chronicles 14:8-15. As long as Asa’s trust was in the Lord, his defense was secured. The Ethiopians had over a million troupes against Asa and God defeated them because Asa cried to the Lord for help

2 Chronicles 14:11-12
11 And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee. 12 So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.

In 2 Chronicles 15:1-11, we read of the great revival when Asa obeyed the instructions of God through his prophet Azariah, son of Oded.

12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

Sometimes, there is a subtle line between trusting in God and trusting in your ability and you need to be careful. Scriptures says as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the son of God. Trusting in the Lord means you rely heavily on His Spirit to lead you.

In 2 Chronicles 16 Asa later began to use his human wisdom to reign. He listened to the king of Syria and broke the league with Baasha king of Israel. He formed a league with the king of Syria almost similar to Balaam aligning with Balak of Moab against Israel (Numbers 22). Asa took it upon himself to let a heathen nation war against his kinsmen. Hanani the seer told king Asa that God is looking for hearts perfect towards Him.

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Asa’s reign did not end well. He oppressed the people and even imprisoned the seer. He died of a disease in his feet, and yet in the disease he did not trust the Lord but the physicians (2 Chron. 16:12-13). How sad for a king to trust the Lord half-heartedly. Asa was better than many of the kings of Judah and Israel, but His life still fell short of God’s expectation.

When we trust in the Lord, He fights our battles for us and we exude His wisdom. The Lord is pleased with those who trust in Him one hundred percent. I would like to be that person. Wouldn’t you?

Enroll in Christ Our Wisdom Bible Institute Today!!!

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Jesus had 12 Disciples. The Bible record their names as follows:
1. Peter (Simon, also called Cephas)
2. Andrew, brother of Peter.
3. James, son of Zebedee.
4. John, brother of James, son of Zebedee.
5. Philip.
6. Bartholomew (could be Nathaniel).
7. Thomas.
8. Matthew.
9. James the son of Alphaeus
10. Thaddaeus
11. Simon the Zealot
12. Judas Iscariot (betrayed Christ)
[Matt. 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-19; John 1: 29-51]
These were men the King of kings and the Lord of lords Himself personally nurtured and they followed Him with their whole heart (except Judas Iscariot of course). What are we doing in our time? Do we have a servant heart like they had and are willing to learn fully about the Master? More knowledge about Him gives you divine wisdom and endows you with more of His power. We only have one lifetime like the disciples had. Lets examine our hearts?
At Christ Our Bible Institute, our programs are geared to make everyone grow spiritually.
Enroll in our programs:
– Diploma in Theology
– Diploma in Ministry
– Diploma in Prophetic Ministry
and you will be amazed how much the Holy Spirit will nurture your heart to be like His first century disciples. For more information or to jump-start your enrollment send me a message.
God Bless you.
Dr Joseph Agbi

WALL PLATE OF PROPHETIC BLESSINGS

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TRACK AND CLAIM YOUR YEARLY PROPHETIC BLESSINGS
These are the blessings of the Lord to “Christ Our Wisdom and Power Pentecostal Ministry” and its members over the last seven years. We testify that the Word of God has produced a lot of blessings in our lives. Wonderful blessings! Please read, ponder on each scripture and claim your blessings at the end as the Lord touches your heart. You can also claim all the blessings over the years as yours. For a blessing to stick, you must claim the blessing and work on your life with the scriptures throughout the year. If you want to claim all the years it’s even better. Change your destiny today!

2012: YEAR OF VICTORY AND LIBERTY IN CHRIST
2 Cor 2:14-15a 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ.

Gal. 5:1 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
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2013: YEAR OF UPLIFTMENT & DISTINGUISHED BLESSINGS
Num. 17:8 8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

Psalm 3:3-4 3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. ________________________________________

2014: YEAR OF MANIFOLD INCREASE
Jude 1: 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Psalm 104: 23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
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2015: YEAR OF WALKING IN COMFORT & GREAT GRACE
Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Hosea 10:12: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
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2016: NEW EXPLOITS AND EXPANDED BLESSINGS (1CHRON. 4:38-43)
1 Chron. 4:40 ….and they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable…

Psalm 92:10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
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2017: YEAR OF INCREASE IN DIVINE WISDOM AND GOD’S FAVOUR (Luke 2:52)
Luke 2:52 ….. Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Psalm 30:7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.________________________________________

2018 THEME: My Year of victorious recovery and glorious testimonies
(aka My year of shaking off all venomous beasts)

Col 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it

Acts 28:3, 5 ….. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand….. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

1 Sam. 30:8 David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop (Amalekites)? shall I overtake them? And God answered David, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

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