TODAY! AS THE BEST:

"For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Some people are either regretting the failures of yesterday or fretfully dreading the challenges of tomorrow. But God doesn’t live in your yesterday; His name is "I AM," not "I WAS" or "I WILL BE." Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith is now; and the Bible says without faith it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

The life of faith is not about yesterday or tomorrow; it is about today! Faith works now. It is your response to God and His Word—NOW. So instead of having regrets of who you were or what you did in the past, or worrying about what the future holds for you, focus on the now! Ask yourself: "Who am I now?" This is what matters. Make the best of your today.

Regrets of yesterday and fears of tomorrow are enemies of today’s happiness. It doesn’t matter that yesterday’s assessments of you weren’t favourable; that was yesterday and it’s gone. Focus your attention on God’s Word to you now. Meditate on His truth about your personality and identity in Christ, and not on the failures of the past or the fears of tomorrow. A businessman who says for example, "I know my proposal won’t be approved," has already voiced his fears ahead of tomorrow. God doesn’t triumph in your fears; He triumphs instead in your faith.

Instead of anticipating tomorrow’s failures or the negative response you may get from people, choose to be positive and happy about today; make the day a success. When Elijah met with the Lord on Mount Horeb, God asked him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:9). It didn’t matter where he had been or where he was going; God was concerned about his current location. Today is what counts, so make a move to be your best today because tomorrow isn’t promised you. Tomorrow only belongs to those who take a hold of today because today is the springboard for tomorrow.

Further Study: 

Matthew 6:34

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

FIRST FRUITS SEPARATE:

"Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me." (Exodus 22:29).

Someone once asked if it was necessary to give the first-fruit offering only at the beginning of the year: Couldn’t one give it any other time of the year? First, you have to understand that God is not a man; He is a Spirit being (John 4:24), and the Bible refers to Him as "…the Father of spirits..." (Hebrews 12:9). So you don’t deal with Him as you would a man. When such a spiritual instruction comes to you in your local assembly, to give your first fruit at the beginning of the year, put it into action immediately. Delay or procrastination in giving your first fruits or other offerings to God is actually a delay in receiving from Him.

This is important at the beginning of the year, but as the Lord blesses you in the process of time, perhaps you received a raise in your salary, or a blessing of any kind, you should separate the first fruit unto the Lord, and pay it as well.

Romans 11:16 says "For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches." If you give God your first fruit at the appropriate time, the Lord will watch over the entire lump—your entire resources. He will sanctify, separate and consecrate everything you receive afterwards. He will see to it that you don’t encounter austere moments or dryness in your finances.

Always be prompt to pay your first fruits, tithes, and seed-offerings. Remember, the Word says "...God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]" (2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP). When you give, there is a promise for a harvest. Proverbs 3:9-10 says "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." This is one of the surefire recipes for financial abundance. So be excited to give your first-fruit offering, for it is holy unto the Lord.

Further Study: 

Psalm 116:12-14 

Proverbs 3:9-10

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

BELIEVE, DO THE WORD:

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22).

Some people are puzzled as to what to do to make the Word of God effective in their lives. Their concern is similar to the question the Jews put to Jesus in John 6:28-29: "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

To believe the Word is to believe in Jesus, for He is the living Word. Doing the Word of God is proof that you believe it. Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandment; that means do my word. The Word of God has the ability, potentiality and capacity to produce what it says. James, in his epistle describes the blessedness of the one who hears and does the Word: "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25).

The blessing is in doing and not just in hearing the Word. Be sure to provide a good ground in your heart for the Word of God because the Word will naturally produce results once it is sown in good ground. What guarantees its effectiveness in your life is your faith-response. Faith is action added to the Word that you heard; it’s the response of your human spirit to the Word of God.

For the Word to be effective in your life you must mix it with faith; you must believe and act on it. The Bible describes some in whose lives the Word wasn’t effective, not because the Word was void of power, for no Word from God is void of power, but they didn’t mix the Word with faith: "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Hebrews 4:2).

Further Study: 

Joshua 1:8

James 1:22-25

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

THE WORD INSPIRED:

"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." (Hebrews 4:2).

The Old Testament chronicles for us several inspiring miracles that God demonstrated amongst the children of Israel in the wilderness, but, for forty years, they wandered in the wilderness until a whole generation perished. Hebrews 4:2 tells us what happened: "…but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." Though they heard the Word of God and experienced astounding miracles, they refused to be influenced, moved or guided by it. They questioned the veracity of the Word of God and it failed to produce results in their lives.

Luke 5 tells us the story of Peter, a professional fisherman, who after an unsuccessful fishing trip gave his boat to serve as a pulpit for Jesus to teach the thronging crowd. When Jesus finished teaching, He told Peter to throw out his nets again for a haul. I want you to notice Peter’s response: "...Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net" (Luke 5:5). Even though Jesus’ instruction was contrary to his years of experience as a fisherman, his language depicted that he recognized the potency and efficacy of the Word. Notice his response again: "…Nevertheless at thy word…."

The result of Peter’s faith was a huge haul of fish, straining the net beyond its capacity, so much so he had to call out to his co-fishermen for help (Luke 5:6-7). Those fishes that came forth and navigated to Simon’s net were from the Word of the Master. The Word is trustworthy and dependable. In Luke 21:33, Jesus said "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

God’s Word is absolute reality, and you can stake your life on it. Let it motivate you to action today. Never question or negotiate God’s Word, believe it simply and act on it.

Further Study: 

Romans 10:17 

Hebrews 11:1-2

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

THE SURE GUIDE:

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (1 Corinthians 2:12).

The Holy Spirit is your guide to help you navigate your way through the crossroads of life. Isaiah 30:21 says, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Many today are groping in the dark, completely at sea as to how, and what to do in order to enjoy their glorious inheritance in Christ. Their unfortunate predicament is premised on their ignorance of the scriptures, and failure to recognize and yield to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit is the key to a successful life. He is the one called to go alongside with you, not only to lead you into, but also to help you walk in, your inheritance in Christ.

The greatest thing you could ever learn in this world is yielding yourself to the Holy Spirit; being led by Him. He alone can lead you into your inheritance—abiding health, victory, success and wealth! There is a place for you in God; a place of bliss and glory; where you have dominion over sickness, disease, poverty, lack and want! That is where I live! It is a place where failure is unknown, defeat is abrogated and death is defeated. It is our place of inheritance in Christ Jesus, where we prosper, and all our needs are in abundant supply.

Further Study:  

1 John 2:27

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

FAITH COUNTS:

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." (Proverbs 24:10).

Is it possible for a Christian to be attacked by the evil one? Yes, but it makes no difference. The attack or onslaught of the enemy against you will not amount to anything, because you are more than a conqueror: "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). The Bible however talks about "the evil day" (Ephesians 6:13) or "day of adversity," as read in our opening verse. It is not a day to dread, but the day when your faith is tested.

Your faith must remain unwavering and resilient in the face of adversity; that’s what matters—not whether or not Satan and his cohorts are against you. Isaiah 54:15 (MSG) says, "If anyone attacks you, don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them, And if any should attack, nothing will come of it." Here the Lord describes the futility of the enemy’s onslaught against you; nothing will come of it! No attack, ploy, maneuvers or machinations of Satan can work against you when you stand your grounds in faith: "…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

The word "STRENGTH" used in the opening scripture refers to your faith. When your faith is little or weak, it means your strength is small, and will not be able to withstand in the day of adversity. The cure for this is to feed more on God’s Word and put the Word to work in your life; that’s how to build your faith strong.

God doesn’t think Satan or his cohorts are factors; the factor is your faith. Ephesians 6:16 says "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." That sickness has attacked you is not a problem; the question is "Where is your faith?" It’s not about how bad the situation is. With faith in your spirit, every adversity will be a walkover. Your faith is the victory; so get into the Word and meditate on it consistently, and faith will be stirred in your spirit to walk through every adversity or opposition.

Further Study: 

Romans 10:17

Mark 11:23

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

RECEIVE LOVE:

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 

(1 John 4:10).

God created man with the ability to love and receive love. So love is not only meant to be given, it is also to be received. Receiving love is equally as important as giving it. Some people struggle in their relationship with God and with others because they don’t know how to receive love. Imagine a wife who says to her husband, "I know you really don’t love me." Such a woman is unknowingly dousing the love her husband has for her. The man may not be able to explain it, but he’ll gradually tend to love her less. The same will happen with the man who thinks his wife doesn’t love him.

Love has to be believed and received. It has to be acted upon. The Bible tells us about one of the disciples of Jesus named John. He described himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 21:20). This doesn’t suggest that the Lord loved John more than the other disciples; He loved them all equally. Any one of them could have placed his head on the Master’s chest (John 13:23), but only John believed and received the Master’s love enough to do so. That’s the right response to love.

John’s boldness to describe himself as one beloved of the Master wasn’t rooted in pride; rather, it was based on complete trust. He caught the picture of the Master’s love and dared to believe he was the object of such unfeigned and unwavering love. The Bible says the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). It is however up to you to choose how much of that love you’re going to receive and express. It is a personal response which, when understood, attracts even more love to you.

Further Study: 
John 13:23-25
Song of Solomon 2:4


Andy Agim
Christ Realities

EVER INCREASING GRACE:

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18).

Grace is the outward reflection of the inner workings of the power of God in your life. It’s a reflection of the beauty and influence of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God in you, producing acceptability, advantage, favour, joy, liberality, gift and pleasure. Every Christian has received grace in abundance (Romans 5:17); but the measure or degree to which it’s seen and reflected through you is dependent on you.

You have a responsibility to see to it that the grace of God upon your life increases in greater measure. 2 Peter 1:2 shows you how the grace of God can be multiplied in your life; it is through the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." As the knowledge of God and His Word increase in your life, you will walk in increased grace. Your testimony then becomes like that of the Apostles in the early Church: "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (Act 4:33).

Notice that the Bible didn’t say for you to pray to God for increased Grace, rather it shows you how to "ENLARGE" to the Grace that is already been made available to you in Christ. You do this through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

This means full knowledge that transcends mere awareness; an esoteric knowledge—a discernment or full understanding of God and of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Recognize, perceive, and become fully acquainted with God and His living Word—Jesus Christ—and you will walk in ever-increasing grace. That way, the grace of God that brings acceptability, advantage, beauty and excellence will function in you in ever-increasing measure.

Further Study: 

Act 20:32

Romans 5:17

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

HAVE COURAGE FOR GOSPEL:

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." (Ephesians 3:8).

The verse above lets us know our calling, as ministers of eternal verities. We have been ordained of God to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ; we are to tell the untold about Jesus and reach the unreached. It is a task for everyone who is in Christ; you have a ministry to your world. You’ve been charged with the responsibility to minister life, and the power of God, to the lost and hurting in the world. The Lord knows you’d require courage to achieve this, hence He gave you His precious Holy Spirit, to strengthen and empower you for the task.

To be an effective witness for Christ, you need courage—the boldness of the Spirit in increasing measure. It brings to mind the charge the Lord gave Joshua as he was about to launch out into the ministry; He said to him, "Only be thou strong and very courageous…" (Joshua 1:7). Courage is the ability to face danger and opposition fearlessly. It is also the will and ability to stand for what is right in spite of opposition. So being courageous for the Gospel means being willing and ready to do what’s right and necessary for the propagation of the Gospel, in spite of opposition.

What is needed in the ministry of the Gospel today are men and women of courage; courage to affirm your faith in Christ, no matter the adversity. The Lord Jesus, the apostles, and the early Church stood their grounds for the Gospel in spite of oppositions. They didn’t chicken out. They withstood kings and despots of their time; they weren’t scared to die for the Gospel. This positive courage and passion to minister life, to strengthen others—bring them into God’s light—and lift them out of the thralldom of spiritual darkness should spur you on for the Gospel.

Have that inner motivation to make the Gospel known at all cost. That is the spirit that makes you do anything for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your highest pursuit in life should be making the Gospel known; it’s the greatest cause to live for.

Further Study: 

Matthew 28:19

2 Corinthians: 3:5-6

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

MADE FOR GOD'S GLORY:

"For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]." (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)

One of the biggest and most inspiring truths of the Gospel ever to be communicated to us is that as Christians, we are actually God’s reproduction; His handiwork! You are His excellently created masterpiece. This ought to stir faith in your heart and make you value yourself more. To think that God created you, and ordained you to a life of eternal fruitfulness and productivity, even though humbling, is absolutely worth shouting about!

God has never made a failure; that He gave birth to you means you are a success already. Sickness, poverty, disease, death and defeat are not consistent with your life; they are not part of your "Spiritual DNA." God made you for His glory; therefore your life is to the praise and glory of His Name; never look down on yourself.

You are the glory of God. It doesn’t matter what your experiences may have been; believe and receive the Word of God to you today. Refuse and refute any description that tends to portray you otherwise. Call yourself what God has called you. He has made you healthy, victorious, super-intelligent, prosperous, strong, influential and rich! Therefore, say "Yes, Lord, I’m what you say I am. I’m healthy, victorious, super-intelligent, prosperous, strong, influential and rich!"

Believe and keep talking like this everyday! Some people may say you’re boasting, but as Pastor Chris always says, "Keep saying it; don’t stop talking it!" Keep declaring who you are; you are God’s best. He gave birth to you to show you off as first-class and the crown of all His creation (James 1:18). You are called to display the virtues and perfections of divinity! You were made for His glory and perfected for the good life!

Further Study: 

1 Peter 2:9

Philippians 4:13

James 1:18 

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

EFFECTIVE PROCLAMATIONS:

"…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available" [dynamic in its working] (James 5:16b).

1 Kings 17 tells us the story of how Elijah went out to Ahab the king one day and said, "…As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word" (1 Kings 17:1). This verse of scripture reveals something striking about the man Elijah; his audacity of faith. But then, until you study this particular account in context you may not get the true picture or appreciate the import of what Elijah actually did.

1 Kings 17:1 doesn’t tell us Elijah prayed or consulted with God before he went ahead to give King Ahab the message about the drought. Rather, the impression we get is that he just proclaimed there would be no rain and stormed out of Ahab’s palace. Now, that would mean the man just went, spoke a Word of faith and that was it. No! It’s true he spoke a Word of faith, but James’ account shows us there was something behind the word of faith Elijah spoke.

James 5:17 says "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." Before Elijah came to Ahab to speak the Word of faith, he had already spoken to the Lord in his closet. Besides, it was beyond Elijah’s legal jurisdiction to stop or cause it to rain; that is solely God’s domain. Hence all Elijah could do was to pray an earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer, and make tremendous power available to effect the change he desired.

This is where some have missed it. They say, "I confessed; I made a faith proclamation, yet nothing happened." Be clear on this: faith always works! But before making a public proclamation of faith, there must first be a private dealing with the Lord. This is important especially when you are dealing with a case that is outside your personal jurisdiction. Jesus prayed like this many times, and the power of God was always available to Him throughout His earthly ministry.

The key is being filled with the Spirit at all times; this will make your faith proclamations effective: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…" (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Further Study: 

1 Corinthians 14:4 

Mark 11:23

Ephesians 5:18-20

Andy Agim

Christ Realities

MAINTAIN GOOD CHARACTER:

"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God---what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." (Romans 12:2).

Often times you find people who allow their good character to be corrupted or negatively influenced by the bad behaviour or ill treatment they receive from others. For instance, someone could decide to stop greeting a neighbour or a colleague, because each time he greets that neighbour or colleague, he or she doesn’t answer. To make such a decision would mean that you are allowing someone’s bad behaviour change your good character. Never allow that happen to you.

That a friend or an acquaintance took undue advantage of your good behaviour is no justification for you to change for the worse. Maintain your good character. Keep on being the nice, loving and caring one; it will pay off. The question to ask before making a decision to change your good behaviour should be: "Was it right for me to do what I did?" If it was right, then you shouldn’t change it because someone else doesn’t like it.

Don’t be moved by the negative actions, comments or ill-treatments from others. Rather, respond in love to those who hurt or despitefully use you. If you act this way, you will be protecting your own spirit and at the same time promoting love, harmony and unity. Make the quality choice not to allow someone’s bad behaviour change your good character.

Further Study: 

Romans 12:2; 

Philippians 2:15

Andy Agim

Christ Realities