STRENGTHEN THE INNER MAN:

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:14-16).

Man is a spirit and he dwells in a body. That spirit or inner man is the real you. As the body or outward man can be weak, so can the inner man be weak if not properly nurtured spiritually. Your inner man must be strengthened with might—miracle-working ability—at all times for you to be able to deal effectively with the crises of life.

Food is to the physical body what the Word of God, prayer, and meditation are to your inner man. Your inner man is strengthened as you spend time studying and meditating on the Word, and praying in the spirit, in other tongues. You also develop the right character and are able to do the things of God more effectively.

Christians who vacillate, not being able to do the things they should do, or strong enough to refuse those things they shouldn’t do, demonstrate an inner weakness. When the inward man is energized, he’ll make the body do what it’s supposed to do, and refrain the body from doing what it shouldn’t do. You need that divine inner fortitude and strengthening in your spirit to forge ahead in life.

You may say, "I like to pray, but sometimes I just can’t get myself together to do it"; or "I want to win souls, but somehow I feel too shy and intimidated to speak." Such things happen when your spirit is not energized. When your inner man is strengthened, you become fervent in the things of God all the time. You’ll love to pray and praise God; studying the Word will become an exhilarating experience for you! It won’t be hard for you to talk to somebody about Jesus; because you are energized for the Gospel from within; you’re on top every day, bubbling for the Lord!

Further Study: 

Colossians 1:11 

Psalm 84:7  

Colossians 1:29


Andy Agim
Christ Realities

WAY TO PROGRESS:

"And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." (Acts 20:32).

As Christians, we live by the Word because we are born of the Word. The whole creation came into being through the Word of God. The Bible says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). He tells us all things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. He upholds all things by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). In other words, the Word of God sustains all things.

Your origin is the Word of God, and the only material that God gave you to build your spirit is His Word. There is no hope for anyone that ignores the Word. Walking in the Word—living it out—is the way to consistent progress. The Bible says in Proverbs 13:13AMP: "Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] is rewarded."

To live contrary to the Word is to programme yourself for failure. You must open your heart to the Word, receive it voraciously and live by it: "So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls" (James 1:21AMP).

Whenever you have the opportunity to hear God’s Word, go for it with rapt attention and a wide appetite, and apply it to your personal life. Prove His Word in your life. He isn’t afraid or intimidated to be put on the spot; He asked us to prove His Word (Malachi 3:10). Put the Word to work and it will effect relevant changes in your personal life. The Word of God is God’s material for building your life and having you established on the path of consistent growth, progress and success in life.

Further Study

Isaiah 55:10

Andy Agim 

Christ Realities

REFUSE WRONG PICTURES:

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23).

The Bible tells us of a certain man named Jairus, whose daughter was sick to the point of death. In his worried and troubled state, someone told him to get the Master’s attention, and he did: "And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him" (Mark 5:22-24).

As they journeyed, word came that the young girl was already dead, therefore no need for Jairus to trouble the Master. But the Bible says "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe" (Mark 5:36). How comforting! The Master wanted Jairus to stop the fear and refuse the wrong picture. He’s saying the same thing to you today.

Perhaps you’ve been wondering what to do about a certain situation that seems to have defied every solution; refuse to fear; only believe! Refuse to be overwhelmed by the extent or enormity of the challenge. Rather, believe in the ability and power of the Spirit to see you through victoriously. To believe means to be in a state of expectancy, where you envision in your spirit a positive outcome in every situation! When you receive unfavourable or discouraging news, don’t despair; don’t give up; only believe! That means stop the fear and refuse to doubt; envision only a positive outcome.

When life looks dark, and things seem impossible and difficult, and everything seems to be going down, hold your head up high and declare "I’m a victor in Christ Jesus!" Refuse to let your heart be troubled with unbelief, fear and doubt, and keep proclaiming in faith that you’re more than a conqueror.

Further Study: 

Hebrews 11:6

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

PROTECT THE ANOINTING:

"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2:27).

Ignoring the Lord’s instructions could hinder the flow of the anointing in a man’s life. For example, on a certain occasion, a prophet from Judah prophesied to King Jeroboam, but the prophecy got the king offended and pointing at the prophet, he demanded that he be killed. But immediately, the king’s hand dried up and became stiff. Terrified, he said to the prophet of God, "…entreat now the favour of the Lord your God and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me. And the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored and became as it was before" (1 Kings 13:6 AMP).

Something instructive is recorded for us when you study the entire account in 1 Kings 13. This same prophet had been commanded by God not to eat bread, drink water or return through the same way by which he came to the city. The prophet affirmed this himself when King Jeroboam invited him to his palace to reward him for restoring his hand; he declined (1 Kings 13:9).

However, upon the invitation of another "senior prophet," who deceived him, this man of God went in to eat bread, and drink water, thus disobeying the instruction he had hitherto received from the Lord (1 Kings 13:19).

The Bible records that when he was through, "a lion met him by the road and slew him, and his corpse was cast in the way, and the donkey stood by it; the lion also stood by the corpse" (1 Kings 13:24 AMP). The same anointing that protected the prophet from the anger and wrath of King Jeroboam could have protected him from the beast but it didn’t because the prophet didn’t protect the anointing. Was it God’s fault? No! God already laid the principle; He said in Ecclesiastes 10:8, "…whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." The prophet breached the hedge by not following God’s instruction.

God wants the best for you at all times; He’ll never give you a task without ensuring that everything you require to accomplish it is available to you. He is good; He’s a perfect planner that you can trust, but He requires you to protect the anointing so you can be fully established in your life and ministry.

Further Study  

1 Kings 13:1-34

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

TO LOVE IS HIGHER:

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." (John 15:12).

There is a big difference between liking someone and loving someone. God commands us to love everyone, including those you might not like; and there shouldn’t be anyone you don’t like. To like or dislike someone is an operation of the flesh and you must never base any relationship on that. It’s like when you say, "I like the president of my country." That’s nice, but it’s in the flesh, so God has no respect for it; and because it’s in the flesh, there is always the possibility that someday, due to some reasons, you may not like him anymore.

Sometimes, we like or dislike people or things for no special reasons. That’s why it’s possible for a new employee to be disliked by his colleagues, right from that employee’s very first day in the office. It might be something he said—something that naturally shouldn’t offend anyone—but a colleague hears it and starts to dislike him. Living this way is fleshly or carnal, and it’s the cause of the factions and nepotism that exist in families, groups and society at large.

God’s desire for His children is for them to rise above this fleshly mental appreciation of one another. He wants you to love people not because they are nice or kind to you but because He said you should love everyone. He wants you to choose the love-highway! When you do, your emotions will line up with God’s Word and you’ll find that you are able to love unconditionally. There’ll be a transformation in your relationships, and people will seek to identify with you because they can experience the love of God through you.

Further Study

2 Corinthians 5:16; 

1 John 2:7-11

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

LYING VANITIES:

"They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy." (Jonah 2:8).

It would be unwise to think that because you put God’s Word to work and experienced a miracle of healing in your body for instance, the symptoms may never return. However, whether or not they do makes no difference, because they’re lying vanities; a mirage!

Of course, Satan won’t be happy at your miracle, and don’t expect him to congratulate you on the healing and say, "I‘ll never come back." He will throw symptoms at you to make your faith waiver so you can question the veracity of God’s Word. Don’t accede to his gimmicks. Stand your grounds in faith. Remember Peter, sinking into the raging tempest when he shifted his gaze from the Master to the boisterous waves, and became overwhelmed with fear.

Instead of musing over the symptoms of an ailment that no longer exists in your body, focus on the Word; maintain your confession and keep declaring your health. It’s a fight of faith where you must ward-off Satan’s deceptive schemes and lies with your faith-filled proclamations.

Like Jesus, learn to use the Word against Satan. Right after God announced concerning Jesus: "...This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 4:17), the Bible says, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil" (Matthew 4:1). Satan said to Jesus, "If thou be the son of God, command these stones to be made bread" (Matthew 4:3). He tempted Jesus by questioning Him on what exactly God had said.

Load your spirit with the Word, so that whether the symptoms return or not, you’re unshakable; you will perpetually remain victorious. As long as you have the Word in your spirit, it doesn’t matter what comes out against you, you’ll live triumphantly always.

Further Study 

2 Corinthians 4:18

Andy Agim 

Christ Realities

YOU ARE HIS TEMPLE:

"Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him." (John 14:23 AMP).

Some people look for special places of prayer when they have very serious things to pray about. At such times, they say they are "going to the mountain" to meet with God, much like how the children of Israel regularly went to meet with Him in places where they built Him an altar.

As new creations, we don’t need to go through such a routine to fellowship with the Lord because we are His altar and He dwells in us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "...know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost...." The word "temple" could also be rendered as "home," but Paul chose to use temple in order to communicate the religious nature of your body as regards its service to the Lord.

One time, a Samaritan woman asked Jesus what He thought of the different places where the Jews and Samaritans worshiped. She said, "Our fathers worshiped God on this mountain, but you Jews say we ought to come to Jerusalem to do that." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father…But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him" (John 4:21, 23).

The hour Jesus was referring to has come; it’s the day of the new creation. You don’t have to go about looking for where to meet or worship the Father, for God lives in you now. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost; you carry Him with you everywhere you go.

Understand however that as your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, you are also a member of the body of Christ, which is made up of other believers like you. So as you worship the Lord at your private moments, you must also participate in corporate worship with fellow believers by attending church services. That is where you will hear the Word, grow spiritually, and be effective in the work of the Kingdom.

Further Study

Acts 7:48; 

1 Corinthians 3:16 

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

SEE WITH YOUR HEART:

"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

The portion of our opening verse refers to the limitless nature of the human spirit. God has set eternity in the hearts of men so they may have extraordinary capacity to contemplate, envision or see. The reason God can relate with man and instruct him to dominate his world is because He has set eternity in man’s spirit. There is no limit to the extent, reach and capacity to which the human spirit can function.

For example, in Genesis 13:14-15, the Lord said to Abraham: "...Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever." Romans 4:13 reveals that by faith, Abraham encompassed the whole world with his spirit from where he stood; and on that premise, God willed the whole world to him. This shows you can envision and encompass territories, cities, nations and even the whole world in your heart through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit can open your understanding for you to become aware and be able to comprehend the wonderful blessings God has prepared for you to enjoy (1 Corinthians 2:12). The principle is: See it inside first—with your heart—the eyes of your spirit. This is beyond seeing with your physical eyes or the imaginative power of your mind. It has to do with the power of the Holy Spirit catapulting you into God’s realm, where your spirit can see as God wants you to see, and interpret what He shows you.

Consciously practice seeing with your heart by meditating on the Word, and contemplating the realities of the heavenly Kingdom, to which you belong. This will make you a creator; a maker and a wonder to your world because of the ability of the Spirit granted you to see things that are hidden to the natural man.

Further Study

Joel 2:28

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

SANCTIFIED UNTO GLORY:

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"(1 Corinthians 6:19).

The temple of God is where the presence of God is; that’s where He resides in all His glory, power and majesty. In the Old Testament, this presence resided in the Ark of the Covenant, kept under the tent that Moses constructed. This was until Solomon built a temple filled with articles of silver and gold. This temple had an outer court, the holy place, and then the most holy place. After the construction, the temple was only a building, but it became the temple of God when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into it (2 Chronicles 5:12-14).

But blessed be God; His presence is no longer in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24). Now, He dwells in our hearts by His Spirit. When Jesus died on the cross, the Bible says "...the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent" (Matthew 27:51). This signified that the presence of God had departed the man-made temple.

Now that you’re born again, you’ve become a prepared vessel; a sanctified vessel unto God. As a result of His indwelling and abiding presence you have become consecrated (set apart) unto God. You have become His living tabernacle. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says for you to glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the Lord is glorified in you—His temple.

Glorify God in your body and forbid sickness, disease or death from ravaging it because your body is the temple of the living God, though you’re the custodian of it. Therefore, the only activities you must permit in your body are those that bring the Lord honor and glory to His Name; for you’re His sanctified vessel of glory.

Further Study

1 Corinthians 3:17; 

1 Corinthians 12:27

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

YOUR PRESENT LOCATION:

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

The latter part of our opening text above lets us know our present location; we’ve been brought into God’s marvelous light; His awe-inspiring light. God wants you to know that there is no darkness about your life. It brings to mind the words of Jesus in John 8:12: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." We are the children of Light, dwelling in the Light, and the Lord is the Father of lights (James 1:17).

The Lord did something remarkable for the children of Israel back in the Old Testament; He brought them out of Egypt—a type of darkness—into the land flowing with milk and honey: the Promised Land, which represents light! Always, He brings you out, to bring you in. He didn’t bring the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt to leave them in the wilderness; rather, He took them into the Promised Land.

In the same way, having brought you out of darkness, He at once translated you into the Kingdom of His dear Son: "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:12-13). Darkness represents sin, death, evil and all the negativities associated with Satan. You have been brought out of sin, sickness, disease, depression, poverty, frustrations and everything that’s of the devil, into the gracious and glorious life in Christ. That’s your present location.

God wants you to know that He has given you the supernatural life of glory, where you reign and rule in life over Satan and the cohorts of hell. You now dwell in God’s Kingdom of light where love reigns. You must therefore not allow the works of darkness manifest themselves in your life, for there’s no more darkness in your life; you have been brought into God’s marvellous light. That light is the light of life that shows you the path of success, victory and dominion.

Further study: 

Colossians 1:12-13; 

Proverbs 4:18; 

Isaiah 60:1-3  

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

EXPRESS YOUR JOY:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." 
(Romans 14:17).

Is it possible to be full of joy when faced with temptations or hard times? Emphatically yes! As a matter of fact, there’s no better time to express the joy of the Spirit that is in your heart than in the face of adversity. You were created by God to be joyful at all times. Therefore no matter the challenges or trials that you face, express joy in the Holy Ghost; it’s a demonstration of your faith in the Lord.

James 1:2-3 says "…Count it all joy, when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." This doesn’t necessarily mean that we should be joyful for every adverse situation, but that you be exuberant with praise to the Lord in spite of them. This kind of attitude sets the forces of heaven in operation on your behalf and causes all that concerns you to be perfected. For you, it’s victory all the time; but the key is learning to keep your joy afloat, irrespective and independent of circumstances.

Whether you feel happy or not, you should continually make melodies of joy, praise and thanksgiving in your heart to the Lord! The Bible tells us something striking about joy in Isaiah 12:3, it says, "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."

Salvation refers to all the good things that are yours in Christ Jesus divine health, prosperity, success, progress, protection etc. The Word says with joy shall you draw out; that means experience or cause to come into manifestation those great and wonderful blessings that are yours in Christ. It emphasizes the connection between your faith and being joyful.

Make up your mind that this year, nothing is going to rob you of the joy of the Lord that is in your spirit. Decide that you will be joyful no matter what. This is important because your joyful attitude in the face of tests and trials is a demonstration of your faith in the Lord, and in His ability to put you over and above every situation.

Further Study  

Psalms 5:11; 

Psalm 149:5-9

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

YOUR TRUE PURPOSE:

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." (1 Peter 2:9).

Romans 8:19 says, "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." Then in Matthew 5:16 Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’’ This is your true purpose on earth. It’s your responsibility to make your light shine; you’re to make the personal decision and commitment to manifest the glory of God and be a blessing to your world.

It’s not enough to be passively preoccupied with the blessings and advantages that Christianity offers. You are to be passionate about God’s work and see to it that His Kingdom is established in your home, street, place of work, school and in your sphere of contact.

The life of Jesus while He walked this earth showed us a practical example of how to live as the light of God to our world today. His life was solely dedicated to fulfilling His God-given purpose and assignment. Throughout His earthly ministry He left no one in doubt as to His purpose on earth. He seized every opportunity to demonstrate the love of God to all people. He came that men may have life to the full (John 10:10). This was the purpose for which He lived and died and was raised back to life. In John 4:34, He said to His disciples "...My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." He underlined the work of God as His all-consuming passion.

As a Christian you are an ambassador of Christ in this world, you have a God-ordained purpose to illuminate your world with the light of God and be a blessing. This is your calling and I urge you to take heed to this ministry which you’ve received of the Lord, that you fulfill it (Colossians 4:17).

Further Study

Colossians 4:17

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

STAND FAST IN FAITH:

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Some people are ineffective in their Christian-walk because they’re burdened by the cares and desires of this life, and these choke God’s Word in their hearts and dissipate their faith (Mark 4:18-19). One of the many things you must be resolute about this year is to stand firm in the faith by setting your heart on the Lord; give Him your undivided attention. Proverbs 23:26 says, "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." In Proverbs 4:20, the Lord said, "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings."

Why is this important? Why does the Lord require you to give Him your heart, and incline your ears unto His sayings? It’s because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). For your faith to grow and prevail, you have to attend to God’s Word and incline your ears to His sayings. That means you focus and give all attention to the Word in your life. The necessary result of this is that your thoughts, words and actions will be in sync with the Word, making you unshakable.

Many vacillate and are unstable in their lives because they give room to too many distractions instead of attending to the Word. Never allow anything sway your confidence away from God’s Word. Jesus said in (Luke 21:34), "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." It is your responsibility to take charge of your heart and stop yourself from veering off course.

The coming of the Lord is near and it’s important for us to be grounded in the Word and keep our eyes on the goal, standing firm in the faith. This isn’t the time to vacillate or cower, but a time to focus on doing the Master’s will and fulfill His call on your life: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Further Study

Colossians 2:6-7; 

Hebrews 10:38-39

Andy Agim

Christ Realities