FAITH CAPSULE: It does not matter how huge or small is your proposal; take it to Him today in prayer.

Genesis 11:1-9

God spoke to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) The word of God to Jeremiah speaks to all without any exception. Evidently, God knows our end from the beginning. By virtue of this, it is true that whatever God propose no man can dispose. What God dispose no man can propose it. Have you been proposing without God? Have you taken your proposal before God to find out whether or not it is in line with Him? As a redeemed child of God, it is important for all of your proposals to involve God. It does not matter what you are, who you are, or where you are. You have to remember that you are under heaven and not beyond your Creator’s reach. Genesis 11:4, “And they said, ‘Come let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.’” The proposed building was not the problem, but the motive behind the proposal was in conflict with the Almighty God of creation. Having been blessed with a plain land where there is hardly obstruction to construction, the people wanted to construct and grow beyond their boundary. Are you in process of abusing God’s blessing by attempting to make yourself a name instead of having His name to be glorified? If they were Godly minded, they would have consulted Him who is above before making a proposal of building into the above. What are you trying to accomplish with the proposal that is impending in your heart? Do you want to stand tall above and beyond your level? Are you also considering raising your shoulder above you head? Do you want it to be proclaimed all over that “you have made it”? Have you taken this to God? Nothing is wrong in proposing to grow big or to multiply in the blessings of God. The proposal, however, that does not center on God is an indirect withdrawal from the only One who can make or unmake the fulfillment of the proposal. It does not matter how huge or small is your proposal; take it to Him today in prayer. Let it be that you are letting Him know what He has already known. He has seen the future from the past. He is a jealous God and He deserves all your attention so He can attend to you even more than you expected. Take all your proposals, desires, hopes and dreams to the Lord with a humble heart and He will increase you.

Prayer for today: Take time out to praise God with all your heart and glorify Him today.

FAITH CAPSULE:It is the combination of boldness and character that makes a believer a winner.

Numbers 33:1-4, Joshua 1

Boldness and character is what identifies a believer as a winner. Evidently we see the great handworks of God around every where we turn to. The Psalmist states, “…for your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1) The book of Proverbs also testifies, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) Both quotations are enough for one that believes to maintain a strong boldness that is rooted in the testimonies of God’s power to deliver. However, when challenges show up, the ability to maintain boldness, despite knowing both quotations sometimes freezes. Character, the Christ-like life that is identity of a believer is not enough when boldness is absent. It is the combination of boldness and character that makes a believer a winner in all areas of life. When boldness and character are intact in your persona, being victorious will never be a stranger to you in all areas of life. The children of Israel experienced all kinds of challenges while they were in the bondage of over four hundred years. There was a need for boldness at the time of their move out of bondage to their Promised Land. It is written, “They departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians.”(Numbers 33:3) They left with boldness, but there was no character to carry them through, except for Caleb and Joshua who maintained boldness and character of a believer. The children of Israel were able to leave with boldness because they had just witnessed the move of the great, good, and merciful hand of deliverance of God. They saw their slave-masters of many years bury their firstborn children, while their firstborn were full of life. They were glowing while their oppressors were groaning. They were endued with boldness. In the course of their journey, the smoke of bad character revealed itself when the complaining spirit in them surfaced. Complaints caused patience to subside, and their journey took a different course. Boldness, which arises from the testimonies of what God has done and is doing, will deliver victory into one’s life — if one’s character is rooted in the word of God. As a child of the Almighty God, your deliverance is meant for you to be a winner and an overcomer. God did not deliver us to lead us from bondage into another — you know better. God meant deliverance for our good.

Prayer for today: Ask God to endue you with the grace to hold on to His testimonies in all areas of your life.

FAITH CAPSULE: Prayer is work and it excludes no man regardless of title or position inside or outside of the church.

1 Kings 19:17-21, Matthew 7:7-12,

In the history of creation there is no time prayer is needed more like today. It is written, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7) Prayer is work and it excludes no man regardless of title or position inside or outside of the church. With God, prayer can never be too much but it has to be with understanding. The Bible pointed out how Jesus often withdraws to all night prayer by Himself. A prayer-less life is an open door for pain to come in. Regardless of how long one has been getting away in life without prayer, it will only take one day for pain to gain access. Apostle Paul, a giant in the hand of God knows better to pray for himself when he stated, “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly Kingdom. To Him is glory forever and ever, Amen!”(2 Timothy 4:18) He asked for deliverance despite being in position to carry out deliverance for many. He could not hide his need for being preserved by God. In these days when wickedness is the order of the day, a believer needs a constant prayer like Paul prayed. Will you take some time to pray this prayer if you believe that God answers prayer? Surely, the Hand of God is for deliverance and preservation. When God defends His children deliverance answered in the life of His children. When God preserves His children, surely His children are blessed by being rescued from the forces of wickedness. God does have His way of working out deliverance and preservation for His own. God told Elijah at the time he was running from Jezebel, after he had killed four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings19:18) It is only God who can keep us by divine reservation, not our determination or our strength. Anyone’s determination and strength will fail just as it failed Peter when he promised not to deny Christ. However, the faithfulness of God will not fail you. Today, take time out to sincerely ask Him for deliverance and preservation. Jesus commanded, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) If Paul the Apostle could ask for such, it is not beyond you to add such a prayer to your prayer list.

Prayer for today: What causes men to falter from God will not be your portion in the name of Jesus.

FAITH CAPSULE: Do you believe in the power of His word?

John 4:46-54

Jesus is Lord and the word of His mouth is power. The Bible recorded about a certain noble man, “…And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.” (John 4:46-47) How often have you heard of Him in the face of challenging situations? Jesus was coming from where He turned water to wine. As usual He was on transit terminating every terminating force in the life of people that went to Him for need. Many times you have heard of Him, but you never went to Him. Today, as you come in contact with the testimony that Jesus is Lord and the word of His mouth is power, breakthrough news will track you down. This day, as you go on your way to work, school, or journey, you will get breaking news of healing, favor, and deliverance–if you believe the Word of God. The nobleman’s son was dying when he came to Jesus. (John 4:49-50) “The nobleman said to Him, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your son lives.’ So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.”
The noble man set out on his way to seek healing and deliverance from untimely death for his son. The noble came across Jesus, the way, the truth and life. Jesus commanded him to go his way and the responded with obedience. At the moment he responded his expectation for the way of healing for his child became a manifestation. Do you believe in the power of His word? The same power that answered for the nobleman will answer for you this day in Jesus’ name. As the nobleman received direction to go on his way, he believed and went without question, hesitation or doubt. If you will believe and go on the way you have set for yourself this day, the same Word that is still alive today will locate you for breakthrough news. John 4:51, “And as he was going down, his servants met him and told him saying, ‘Your son lives!’” Because you have believed, you will receive your breakthrough news in Jesus’ name. Every pronouncement that is negative will become news of a positive nature to the glory of God. It is your day of “good news” as you go about your desired way in the name of Jesus.

Prayer for today: Ask for His word to sound in your direction.

FAITH CAPSULE: Knowing the name of Jesus is not enough if the one who claims to know Him is not known in Him.

Psalm 116

We serve the God that answers. He is the same yesterday and forever. David said, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:4) David was not entertaining with words but he was gaining entrance into the court of God. David was gaining entrance into the presence of God through praise because it is praise that grants access into His court. Psalm 100:4, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Thanksgiving will get you to the gate and praise will get you into the court. David wanted to get to the court when He declared praise worship for His salvation from his enemies. Praise that is driven by joy, not just mouthful praise, but praise from the heart is what will get you to His court.
How do you call Him? He has so many names no other god shares because He alone is the great God. Which of His name will you call? It is the name of God that you call that will answer for you. If you call on Him as a God of provision, He will answer to you; and if you call on Him as God of salvation, He will not deny Himself. The question is do you know Him? It is written, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”(Romans 10:13)  The word says whosoever calls, and whosoever could mean anyone.
Many respond to situations by screaming “Oh my God”, and sometimes you hear people say “Oh Jez”, but it is not an indication or demonstration of knowing Him. Many people know about His name and some actually know His name. Knowing the name of Jesus is not enough if the one who claims to know Him is not known in Him. To be known in Him is to be living the Word of God daily. It may sound impossible or challenging to be living the word of God, but it is possible to live the word. If the word of God were not livable, God would not have the expectation for us to live by His word. Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7) It is not enough to be fluent in His word if there is no abiding in His word. When you abide in Him you will be known in Him. The grace of God is sufficient, and it will make it possible to live the word of God.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to be consistent in calling on Him alone.