FAITH CAPSULE: Gossip Christ and a book of remembrance will be opened on your behalf.

Luke 24

Gossiping is also a way of conversing and reasoning positively. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Bible documented what a considerable positive gossiping is about. It is written, “Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.” (Luke 24:13-16) A positive gossiping is one that will get the attention of God. A positive gossiping will cause God to acknowledge one. Also, a positive gossiping will draw God to man. The two men that were travelling to Emmaus had nothing negative to gossip but positive when Jesus drew near to them. The two men on the way to Emmaus passionately engaged gossiping and could not recognized Jesus’s visitation. Whenever He visits at the ground of positive gossiping, He will give understanding that terminates foolishness and He will quicken the slow at heart just like He did to the two men on the way to Emmaus. 
At work, school and at home you have claimed to be a born again believer. How often have you engaged in “gossip” about Christ with the ones who have crossed your way? For a change, gossip Christ and let a book of remembrance be opened on your behalf. When positive gossiping becomes centered on God, it demonstrates the fear of God in the life of the gossipers. The book of Malachi 3:16 states, “Then those who fear the LORD spoke to one another and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. Anytime people gather in His name, it is an invitation for the presence of the Omnipotent, Omnipresent God. He will listen and He will hear and a book of remembrance will be opened on gossiper’s behalf. Can you see why your gossiping should be changed and focused on what will add blessings to you? Encourage yourself in the Word of God. The Word is alive and the Word of God is true to perform.  Allow a book of remembrance to be opened on your behalf. When God remembers you, He will add to you goodness and mercy, truth and blessings. Get yourself into gossiping Christ and a book of remembrance will be opened on your behalf.

Prayer for today: Pray to God and ask for the grace to permanently disengage every kind of negative gossiping.

FAITH CAPSULE: It is impossible for one not to imitate the Word of God that is being meditated.

Acts 19                                                            
The wording of a song states, “I want to be like Jesus.” Who do you want to be like? It is not enough to sing it, but to live daily by His Word which will make you like Jesus. Living by the Word will make one to imitate Jesus. To live life by the Word of God is work. Jesus was asked, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” (John 6:28) Jesus did not hesitate when responded to the people’s question by stating, “…this is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:29) One that truly believes the Word of God meditates day and night on the Word of God. With Meditation in place imitating the Word takes charge of one’s life. 
Evidently, meditation is what will bring forth imitation. Joshua 1:8, “This book of law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have a good success.” It is impossible for one not to imitate the Word of God that is being meditated. The Word points out that, with meditation you will be observing every step you take so you can do according to what the Word says. When doing what the Word says becomes constant and consistent, your behavior and actions will be as that of the Word Himself.
Today, ones that truly meditate and become imitator of the Word of God are hard to be found because to be-living (believe) the Word of God is work. Working the Word of God is commitment and commitment is not often convenient. Many acclaimed believers wants to work miracles like Paul but do not want to work the work like Paul. The Bible records that the apostle Paul worked miracles. It is written, “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:11-12) Paul was imitating Jesus, because he was absorbed in His Word. Paul walked the walk and also worked His works. Paul was speaking from a depth of understanding when he requested in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” As a believer, pastor, teacher of the Word, are you bold enough, by virtue of your walk or work to ask anyone to imitate you just as you imitate Christ? It is only possible to imitate Him if you are walking His walk and working His works. Meditate His Word and you will imitate Him in His walk.    

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to constantly and consistently engage meditating His Word.

FAITH CAPSULE: Good courage is God’s courage.

Numbers13

Courage is the quality of mind which enables a person to face any kind of difficulty, danger without fear. Courage is what we need to access God’s blessings that are already in place for our life. In the absence of courage it is discouragement that will take place. Every blessing which God put in place for us the enemy wants to replace. It takes courage that is rooted in trusting in God to deny the enemy from denying our access ability to God’s blessing for us.
When it was time for the children of Israel to access God’s promise, Moses directed the children of Israel to go and spy the Promised Land. It is written, “Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains, and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds;whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.”(Numbers 13:17-20) Moses knew what it takes to access God’s promise as a result he attempted to discourage them from becoming discouraged regardless of what they see when they spy the land. He commanded the spy to be of good courage. Good courage is God’s courage. Good (God’s) courage is what will allow us to see and receive what God has packaged for our life. It is good courage that will allow us to hear and to have what God has promised. Good courage is the vehicle that will bring forth results in every pursuit in our life. Moses knew that without good courage, the children of Israel would not be able to get to where God was taking them. Good courage is seeing positive in the face of negative. As a child of God, Moses knew that God would not promise good and give bad. It is important for us also to see the good in the journey of life where others may see nothing but the bad; to be able to be positive where others are negative. How do you see God’s promises manifested in your life? Based on Moses understanding and knowledge of God, he was able to face danger with bravery. After the death of Moses, God commissioned Joshua. Joshua 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous…” God commanded Joshua to be courageous and we have to be of good courage.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to be constantly and consistently be of good courage.

FAITH CAPSULE: knowing God is living life constantly in obedience to the Word of God.

2 Kings 5:1-5

Knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. By virtue of ignorance, many only know about God thinking they actually know God. Just by going to church on Sundays or being very active in the church is not enough to know Him. Also, just by answering to different title in the church is not enough to know God. There more apostles, prophet and every other title in the church today that only knows about God and not know God. Going to church on Sundays could become a religious ritual for you and not Jesus-reality. Above all, knowing God is living life constantly in obedience to the Word of God.
The story of Naaman, the commander of the army of the King of Syria, demonstrates what it means to know about God and not know God. At a time when Naaman needed healing from leprosy he realized the difference between knowing God and knowing about God. He was permitted to go and see Elisha by the King of Israel. Naaman knew he was going to meet a man of God. He had the knowledge about the God of Israel who can get him cleansed from leprosy but he did not know God. In traveling to Israel, Naaman could not get to see Elisha as he expected, but received direction about what he was to do to be cleansed. He was told to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman responded with anger generated from his pride, 2 Kings 5:11, “But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, ‘Indeed, I said to myself, “He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.”’”Are you having anger issues like those of Naaman? If you are you need to address your pride first. Pride was the root of Naaman’s anger. Later on, Naaman was reasoned with and went back to follow the directions from the man of God and received his healing, 2 Kings 5:15, “And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, ‘Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.’” Naaman was proof that it is impossible for one to know God until one become obedient to his Word. You may only know about God, and if so you need to ask Him to reveal Himself to you.

Prayer for today: Ask God to open your understanding and fill you with knowledge of His holy name.

FAITH CAPSULE: Understanding that is rooted in listening to the word of God will bring forth breakthrough.

Luke 5: 1-11, Acts14:6-10

A word from God is enough to terminate a life long struggle. When the word of God sound where there is listening ability in place, struggle will be replaced with breakthrough. In time of struggle, the word of God that sound in one’s direction is enough to bring forth breakthrough. Jesus asked and gave an answer to the reason for lack of understanding in John 8:43, “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.”Understanding that is rooted in listening to the word of God will bring forth breakthrough over challenges. All that the fisher men which toiled all night without catching any fish needed was in the word of God that sounded in their direction. Jesus sent His word “…Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)  It was a sound of breakthrough from Jesus to the disciples because they had the understanding of what to do after listening to the word of breakthrough.
A man crippled from birth that had never walked before was stranded, with nowhere for him to go without someone helping him. Various words most likely had been communicated regarding his condition as people passed by. This crippled man must have heard words of discouragement and ridicule. It had been a long time since he had heard anything positive from anyone. Does that sound like you? Have you been grounded in one area of life where it seemed there was no way for motion? Have you ever considered what or whom you have been listening to? Would you like to consider a change in what you have been listening to? The crippled man’s miracle came to life when he heard Paul speak. Acts 14:9-10, “This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed said with a loud voice, ‘stand up straight on your feet’ and he leaped and walked.’’ All his life, the crippled man had never heard healing spoken to him. The words that had been sent in his direction were never ones of healing. Psalm107:20, “He sent His word to heal them, and delivered them from their destructions.” The Word will only serve healing for those who will listen and hear it with open ears. The crippled man heard the Word of God through Paul. Not only did he stand on his feet as Paul prayed, but he leaped! You have been grounded for too long. Listening to the word of God is the key to understanding that leads to breakthrough. Listen to the positive sound that comes in your direction. You will end up dancing for the Lord again.

Prayer for today: Pray that agent of listening disability shall not have a place in your life. Also ask that all stagnation will be converted into motion, in Jesus’ name, Amen.