Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy February 1, 2021
Discovering Christ In Ephesians
We saw from our last discussion on the prayer of Paul for the Ephesian believers that the Love of God for us surpasses understanding. A love covering all our sins. We saw that when we are strengthened to have a deeper revelation of this love, we become full of God, and God does exceeding abundantly above all we ask, or think according to his power at work in us.
Then the apostle begins the fourth chapter with this;
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Ephesians 4:1
Observe the word “therefore” in the above verse. An inference or a conclusion drawn in in view of all that he discussed from the first chapter to this place. He did very well unveil to these believers their privileges in Christ.
He revealed to them that they are saved absolutely by the sovereign grace of God, that they have become partakers of the commonwealth of Israel, partakers of the covenants of promise, a people seated together with Christ in the heavenly.
A people placed in the unconditional and all-surpassing greatness of God’s love.
So in view of all these invaluable favours bestowed upon the believers by the sovereign Lord, he now beseeches them, making mention of himself as a prisoner of the Lord for their sake, to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called,”
The procedure the apostle takes before he begins pleading with these Ephesians to walk worthy of their call to Christ is very important to note.
Firstly, they were taught to sit or rest in the grace of Christ. Then he begins pleading in love for them to walk worthy of who they are in Christ. This is how you handle a new born babe, and not the other way round.
The foundation for good works being revealed in the life of a Christian is to first of all receive the supplies of the riches of God’s love in Christ. Who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ, and what we can do in Christ.
When we know our identity in Christ, it is natural to walk worthy of who we truly are, and not to struggle to become who we already are in Christ.
A people created righteous and truly holy. Hence, we are to walk in our true nature,
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Ephesians 4:2
To think low of ourselves by esteeming others better. Not being covetous, but patiently enduring our trials. Forgiving and bearing one another’s burdens even as the Lord forgave and bore ours upon himself in love.
As a people saved and separated unto God, a people qualified to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, we are to walk in the peace of God toward one another;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
For unto this Peace we are called;
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15
Confession:
Thank you Father for your great love which you have opened my heart to see. I understand that I am unconditionally loved, there is no limit to your love for me.
Thank you that I have all things in Christ, and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. By your grace I walk worthy of my calling; I walk in love, being lowly of heart, meek, and forbearing one another.
I function in the peace of God toward everyone in Jesus mighty name, Amen.
Prophetic Insight:
In an encounter with the Lord, I saw a Child of God that was Locked up in a cell. It looked as though the charges leveled against him were those that it would be totally impossible for him to come out. But I saw as the Lord sent help, I saw an Angel walk in and settled all things and got this one out.
Dear beloved, If you can relate to this, if you are in a situation that looks as though it would take only the help of God to bring you out, God is speaking to you.
I heard the Lord say “I AM sending help. The breaker is going before you to breakdown the chains of your captivity. I have paid the price and nothing can stand in the way of your prosperity.
Do not be afraid, the gate is opening, the Lord your God is with you, holding your hand and you shall pass through this storm in the power of my presence.”
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them. Micah 2:13
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church.
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy January 28, 2021.
Discovering Christ In Ephesians
From our last discussion we observed an item in the prayer of Paul, and we saw that Paul entreated God for the Ephesian believers to be strengthened with might so Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17
Observe carefully the last part of the verse “that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”
This prayer of Paul carries tremendous weight. The above statement reveals that the root and foundation of our salvation is love. God did not just decide to send his son to die for us, for we hear;
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Observe the word “For ” at the beginning of the verse, an indication the reason God gave his son to die for us. Christ coming to procure salvation for us was all a thing born out of God’s love.
Therefore, for us to exercise full interest in the blessings of our salvation, our hearts must be rooted and grounded or founded in this love of God. O’ there is something about the love of God, we hear that;
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Proverbs 10:12
In this love The blood and Righteousness of Christ covers all our sins. Not just many of them, but all of them.
Instead of God exposing our sins to his justice, where we would definitely stand condemned, the love of God rather hides them, forgives them, and bears all of them upon himself.
This is deep, how can the imperfect be accepted and blessed with every spiritual blessing from a God who is holy and just? There is a depth to this love. Which is why we hear;
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; Ephesians 3:18
The breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the riches of God’s love, how unfathomable, a love spanning from eternity to eternity. O’ we are swallowed up in this love where there is no more separation;
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Nothing in existence, and nothing that shall be created can be able to separate us from the love of God.
Look around you, whatsoever you can see, think, or feel, that you think can separate you from the Love of God for you in Christ Jesus is just a vain imagination.
God’s love for you surpassing understanding, it cannot be quantified, it is incalculable and beyond comprehension.
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:19
This is why the apostle bows his knees in prayer to the father of our Lord Jesus.
You see, When we have a deep comprehension of this love, our minds are filled with the fullness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Prayer:
The Lord strengthen your heart with might by his spirit in your inner man according to the riches of his grace.
May you be empowered to see the Christ in you. May he dwell richly in your heart. May you comprehend the depth, height, breadth, length of God’s love which passes knowledge. May you be filled with the fullness of God.
And may God do exceeding abundantly above all you ask or even think, according to his power at work in you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy January 22, 2021.
Discovering Christ In Ephesians
We saw from our last discussion how Paul admonished the Ephesians not be sorrowful towards his afflictions for it was rather to their glory. Then we saw it revealed as the apostle began to to pray, that we are now of the generation of Christ, that we have been spiritually severed from evil genealogies, and are now named after God.
This the apostle prayed while he bowed his knees in reverence, praying to our heavenly father, even the to father of the family of Christ.
The apostle continues his prayer;
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 3:16
This is a prayer expressing total dependence on the grace of God. Although he had commended their faith in Christ even at the beginning of this letter, genuine perfection in matters of the spirit is a continual submission to grow day by day, from strength to strength, even from faith to faith.
Paul entreats God to give out of the abundance of his mercy and grace, strength to these believers.
Without divine grace we are altogether destitute of strength in accessing divine riches, but God comes to us while we are yet without strength.
Through fresh supplies of divine grace we are empowered with might by the Spirit of God, right in our inner man, even in the heart of the new creation to lay hold on divine realities.
In this request of Paul, two objects are to be observed, the means and the subject. The means is the Spirit of God, and the subject is the inner man, a thing totally of the grace of God.
This is not physical strength the apostle is praying for, but spiritual power infused into our inner man for us to be able to bear trials, overcome temptations, perform our Christian duties, and to be able to comprehend deeper spiritual truths, for we hear;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17
Observe carefully this statement “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith”
It is not as though Christ was not dwelling in them yet, for the Spirit of God was already in them, but for him to “dwell in your hearts by faith.” It is a prayer for them to be empowered to have faith that he dwells in them efficaciously.
It is one thing for Christ to dwell in you, it is another to believe that the Almighty God has taken residence in the quarters of your heart. Knowing God is with you, for you, and in you changes everything.
There was a time in scripture, God was with man named Jacob, but he never realised it. He was running away in fear from the wrath of his brother, and one day as he slept, God manifested himself to him in an encounter, and he discovered that God had being with him all along, but he had not realized it;
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. Genesis 28:16-17
Even so it is today, many believers are housing God, but they do not even know it. We may say it, but our actions deny the reality.
If you truly believe that the creator of the universe, the maker of the heavens and the earth, the head of all principality and power, the sovereign Lord dwells in you, you will not walk around in fear, for if God be for us, who can be against us.
You will never nurture a lack mentality, for the all sufficient one dwells in you. You will never be afraid of the devil, for the creator and the controller of the devil is right on your inside, for to this One the devil himself believes and trembles.
You will never agree to the belief that you are a failure, if you truly believe God dwells in you, you will never dare think anything is impossible, for with God all things are possible.
This is how the apostle prays that Christ would dwell in the hearts of these believers.
A dwelling by faith, where we become conscious of the God on our inside. For of a truth, he dwells in us;
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16
Confession:
Gracious Father, I thank you that you are with me, You are in me, and you are for me. I am grateful I have a father, even the creator of the universe.
As long as you are with me, glory is on my side, power is on my side, wisdom is on my side. My life is completely a display of your glory.
Help me Lord to be strengthened even more, that the consciousness of who you are in me be made more manifest to my soul. Thank you for loving me, in Jesus name! Amen.
Prophetic Insight:
In an encounter with the Lord, I saw a child of God who had felt stuck in this situation which looked as though God had left, But I saw excitement return as things that were lost, even people that had left began to return. The Lord returned in favour.
As I saw this, I heard this child of God declare with confidence and excitement before many, ‘my God has returned’ For the Lord had truly began fulfilling his promises
Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Zechariah 8:3
As I pressed on I heard the Lord say ” My dear child, I only allowed you to be tested, I AM aware you went through fiery trials, but I have returned. My Glory will now be seen in you, for I AM dwelling with might in your midst.
You have been refined through the fire, purified, and now a city of truth, the mountain of the Lord of host, a vessel hosting the presence of the almighty God.
Be joyful, be fearless, for you will see your God in manifestation.”
Blessings in Christ. Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church.
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy January 18, 2021.
Discovering Christ In Ephesians
We saw from our last discussion, that God has a plan, and that plan is eternal and made in Christ. We saw that we are a product of a predetermined plan. Today we are in Christ, having access and boldness to the Almighty God.
Then the apostle continues;
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Ephesians 3:13
O’ the gospel is worth dying for. When you have tasted the freedom it offers, and you see many in captivity, you can’t help, but lay down your life for others. This the apostle did for the Ephesians, and even for those that were to believe in Christ after him.
The declaration “I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you” can be viewed in two directions.
A desire for them to be firm in the faith, and not to retire as though he were suffering for a vain cause.
A desire for them to see the truthfulness of the gospel, and his love towards them which made him surrender to the sufferings, an indication that the gospel of God is worth dying for, and their faith in Christ is also worth dying for by the apostle, hence, “which is to your glory”
The apostle encourages them not to be weak, for they are worth his life being poured out. His tribulations were to their edification, his sufferings were an announcement of how much they were loved and valued by God. So it all was to their glory.
This is worthy of emulation, true Christian piety is laying our lives down that others may receive what we have experienced in Christ.
Then the apostle continues:
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 3:14
The apostle, that his tribulations be attended upon with benefits for the Ephesians, bowed his knees in prayer. A prayer position expressing genuine reverence, humility and submission before the gracious God.
There is no definite prayer gesture, what matters to God is the position of one’s heart! You can be kneeling, but standing in your heart.
But when we kneel right from our hearts, it is a sweet smelling sacrifice unto our God. I pray this returns to our churches even at public worship.
So the apostle bows his knees in prayer unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 3:15
This is an exceedingly powerful declaration. The whole family in heaven, saints already living in heaven, the elect angels, and then the family of God here on earth is named after God.
You see, understanding the above statement will set you free from the bondage of breaking ancestral or generational curses. A Christian has only one foundation, and that foundation is Christ.
When we become born of God, we become spiritually named after God, and no longer after our natural ancestry. Today even though my name is Jahfas Victor Ahua, spiritually, I am Jahfas Victor Jesus Christ. Or Jahfas Victor Jehovah.
These are simple truths, but the most powerful in breaking the chain of the fear of being under curses. Today, the bondage is not the curse itself, but the fear of the curse; for Christ was made a curse for us, but Most believers refuse to run along the lines of faith, and continue to waddle in bondage.
The real bondage is unbelief toward our present reality in Christ, and a continual praying and seeking for what we already have.
O’ beloved, you are named after God. Demons know this. Only believe God. You are of the generation of the Christ where God is you father. Spiritually, you are named after God, only God reserves the right to curse you.
But he already did that in Christ, God cursed his own son for you, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon you.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.Galatians 3:13-14
Today, spirit filled Christians, those that have received this blessing are still going for deliverance sessions. This is spiritual illiteracy. You have the blessing, you are speaking in tongues which is coming from the blessing on your inside, and you are still going to be delivered from generational curses so you can receive a blessing. O’ what spiritual blindness.
That you may dare walk by faith, and not by sight. When we are spirit filled, we ought to stop reading things by sight, where everything is an announcement that we are under a curse or under some demonic possession.
You are free O Child of God, come out of fear and speculation, and walk in the freedom of your father.
Confession:
Father I thank you for your work in Christ upon my life. Thank you for the blood of Christ that has made me your Child. I am in you, therefore I cannot be cursed. No curse can land upon my life for Christ is my life.
He cannot be cursed, I cannot be cursed.
Today, I am named after you as a Child of the living God. You are my father, and my spiritual ancestry.
I cannot be named with any curse, the curse of sin, poverty, sickness and disease, failure, and the bondage of the law is broken in my life by the death, burial and resurrection your Christ.
Today, my resurrection with Christ is an announcement that I am no longer of the lineage of death, but of eternal life! Glory to Jesus for all these overwhelming riches. Hallelujah!!
In an encounter with the Lord; I saw a Child of God, and I saw as things so attacked this one that ought to have wrecked the pursuit of God, but instead of accepting the work of the enemy, I saw this one press on.
As I saw this, I felt the tangible Love of the father flow toward this beloved, and then I saw as the Lord wrote these words, “I love you”
Then I heard “I will now reveal how much I love you to the world.”
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church.
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy January 13, 2021.
Discovering Christ in Ephesians
We saw from our last discussion that, God intends that the Church make manifest his multifaceted wisdom in saving the wretched to principalities and powers. O’ it is pure wisdom for the ungodly to be freely justified, and yet not left in his ungodliness.
Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Then we hear the apostle continue;
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:Ephesians 3:11
Observe the statement “According to the eternal purpose”
It is impossible to get away from the Truth that God has a plan for the salvation of Man which is eternal. If God purposed that the Church should display his glory to all principalities in his eternal counsel, then God in his eternal counsel, even in the council of his purposes has chosen many, and ordained them for salvation in Christ Jesus.
All dispensations were arranged in this counsel before the earth was created. The time set forth for the manifestation of the Son, the place, the where, and all the hands involved in fulfilling God’s purpose were all ordained in this eternal plan.
Judas had absolutely no choice, but to fulfill what was ordained and prophesied of him:
Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. Acts 1:16
Every thing done was the eternal purpose of God being fulfilled. A purpose determined before the creation of the world;
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. Acts 4:27-28
This eternal Will was purposed not in any one else, but “in Christ Jesus our Lord” a purpose determined in the eternal one, which makes it immutable, unalterable and consistently constant in all its predetermined articles.
Then we hear;
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Ephesians 3:12
Two things are mentioned above that are worthy of note,”In whom we have boldness” We have boldness? Yes. But pastor, how do we receive this boldness in our hearts?
When we understand what the blood accomplished for us, when we purify our consciences by the blood, we become bold.
Walking in this boldness we have received in Christ is key to seeing divine results. Without boldness and confidence, no answered prayers!
We make our hearts bold by accepting that the blood has satisfied the justice of God for all our sins; past, present and future.
This is not just what we know in our intellects, but what sinks into our souls becoming our way of life. Most times we believe that all our sins are forgiven, but our actions do not agree with what we profess we believe.
The proof that the blood of Christ has given us boldness is when live above guilt and condemnation.
Knowing there is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ is one thing, and experiencing the freedom of no condemnation in our consciences is another thing.
When we are walking in guilt at every failure, when we take on us the yoke of trying to purify our consciences by our own good works, we have not actually received divine boldness through a blood purified conscience.
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. Hebrews 10:2
When you truly believe, you stop offering works so your conscience would be free “For then would they not have ceased to be offered?” You rest in the blood “because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.”
When you are still conscious of your sins, you have not actually trusted in the blood that purged you from all sins; past, present, and future. When you are in him, you cannot help but stay purified, for you cannot be living in the blood and not be cleansed.
Then in him whom we have “access with confidence by the faith of him.”
The moment we are in him, we cannot help, but admit that we have access to the Almighty God. How can you be living in him and still be struggling to have access to the one you live in?
It is necessary that we purify our hearts by the blood through relying on what the word so says, so we can walk in confidence;
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:20-22
O’ In him we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Our faith in Christ means no more condemnation, no more guilt, no more reproach, for we live in the body of the Lord, where his blood daily cleanses us of all unrighteousness.
Beloved, you are loved, you have express access to our God, not by your own goodness, but the by the blood of Jesus. You are forever in the bosom of the Lord.
Refuse to accept the voice of condemnation from the enemy, stand strong in your liberty in Christ, for of a truth, you are free to access all the riches of the Son of God.
Confession
Father I thank you for this love, this inexpressible love you have placed me in. You have chosen me according to your eternal plan to manifest your glory before creation.
O’ I am truly a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, called out of darkness, into your marvelous light, to show forth your praises.
By the blood, live in you, having access to all your riches, I refuse to carry a guilty conscience.
I declare, my conscience is purified by the blood, for I know, and I am satisfied with the truth that, my sins; past, present, and future are completely forgiven by the death, burial and resurrection of the Christ! Thank you Jesus!!
In an encounter with the Lord, I heard; “Do not be afraid, I am appearing for you. Do not limit me to your insufficiencies, I will help you. I AM appearing in this situation for your salvation.”
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Isaiah 35:4
“I can see you feel overwhelmed by what is before you, you ask in your heart, how can this thing be?”
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35
“Not by power, nor by might, but by my spirit says your God. I will overshadow you with my anointing and cause you to inherit my blessings. So shut your ears to the lies of the enemy and let your faith rise.
Your case is peculiar to me. You are a child of my love. Look back and see that I have always shown you mercy by giving you deliverance, and this will not be different.
“Only trust in your God, only be strong. For I will not leave you nor forsake you, Your God is on your side as your help, what can man do unto you? Only be strong and wait in hope for my salvation.”
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5-6
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church.
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy January 5, 2021.
Discovering Christ in Ephesians
We saw from our last discussion, that the grace to unveil scriptures is a divine gift, which God gives and energises in the heart of men to help them demystify scriptures.
This was a gift Paul had, which he engaged in the interpretation of the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles.
Then we hear the Apostle continue;
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Ephesians 3:9
“And to make all men see” a statement suggesting that, the natural state of man is in darkness, until the light of the Gospel of Christ shines in our hearts, then we become participators of the glorious gospel of God.
It is a declaration that, it is the intent of God that the discoveries of the gospel be made known to all men, regardless of their condition, for salvation has become a free gift for all.
God has nothing hidden he wants not to be unveiled to common men. The gospel of Christ has no reserved doctrines. There are no truths reserved for some kind of sacred priesthoods. All those ideas are man-made doctrines.
God wants all men to see the fellowship of the mystery, he desires all believers to become partakers, or participators of these truths.
“The fellowship of the mystery” above speaks of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul received the gift to make all men see, Jew and Gentile, this inestimable mystery and to have communion with this unsearchable riches of Christ “which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God”
The word “hid in God” suggests the preciousness, the invaluable blessed nature of the gospel. It is a treasure that was hid in God for his beloved sons.
O the sovereignty of God. This mystery of salvation by grace was hidden from the old testament saints, and even from the angels. The shocking truth is that, it was hidden from the Gentiles who for thousands of years knew not God, and were living without God. For thousands of years, they would live, die and go to hell.
What a privilege for us to be accepted today in Christ. God has never been under any obligation to give unto us salvation. To be born at such a time as this, to be born under this gospel dispensation, where the grace of God has been extended to all men, is the highest privilege that has ever existed.
To walk away, to turn a blind eye , to tread underfoot this precious grace of God, would be the biggest mistake any man would ever make! To reject God’s love by refusing to accept his son, is to accept his wrath and eternal damnation. This would be blunt malady!
Today, this grace has appeared to all men, and we will not reject him.
Then we hear “who created all things by Christ Jesus”
God created all things by The Word. Reality was produced by The Word, wherefore, reality cannot exist, function nor bear fruit outside of God’s word.
You want reality? You must go for the word, sow it into your heart, and speak it out into your situation, for out of the heart men bring forth good things.
A life void of the word is a life void of divine reality. A life void of divine fruitfulness. But a life full of the word is a life full of God and divine realities.
Then we hear the apostle continue;
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Ephesians 3:10
What a declaration; nothing took God by surprise, for he is truly the all knowing God. The fall of man was never a shock to God, God did not react, for in his hidden counsel, the lamb was slain from the foundation of the world.
God prepared a package “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God”
A lot of Christians have asked and continue to ask; if God knew that Adam was going to fall, why did he still create him? Why did he not make a different plan for Adam?
You see, Christians and a lot of people have made the mistake of thinking God created us for ourselves. Because of this wrong belief, whatever is not comfortable with our way of thinking, we often feel should not be allowed by God.
But when we think thus, we are far from the truth. God created all things for himself. God made all things for the manifestation of his attributes, even his excellencies.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Proverbs 16:4
Observe it says “even the wicked”
There are these attributes of God as merciful, gracious, kind, loving, Severity, and many more. Most especially, grace, this cannot be seen by God’s creation except there is a falling short, except there is a weakness there can be no manifestation of divine grace.
How can God’s creation see his grace without man falling? How can God show his attribute of mercy without someone breaking his law?
Wherefore, everything was done;
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7
Thus, God intending to make known to his creation his multifaceted wisdom, allowed the fall, that in Christ Jesus, men should see his mercy, kindness and ultimately his love and grace!
The will of God for the Church today is to demonstrate, to preach to all creature, holy and evil angels, the multifaceted wisdom of God. This is the mystery of the gospel.
The intention has never been about you, so stop struggling and rest in the love and grace of the father. The intention is to make manifest his wisdom in loving the wretched as you and I in the grace of our lord Christ Jesus.
Confession:
Father, I thank you for this invaluable love and grace. By your wisdom, I am accepted in Christ, holy and blameless.
Today, my life is a declaration to all principalities and powers, that you are a gracious God. Loving and merciful. I am your vessel of mercy, even the vessel of the manifestation of your beauties.
I am the glory of God in Christ Jesus. As He is, so Am I in this world. Full of wisdom, power ,love , joy, peace. I am divinely wired for the transformation of this generation. Glory to Jesus!
In an encounter with the Lord, I saw someone buried in a grave, It was as though this one was written off as dead and buried.
But I saw divine light hit on this person and the entire being was transformed and renewed, brightly emanating the glory of resurrection life as he rose and went about life.
Then the Lord said “This is for many of my sons who have felt forsaken and completely laid aside. I am opening your graves and bringing you out of the dead situations in your life.
This is not the end, I have not forsaken you, by my Spirit I AM breathing resurrection life into your situation. Do not fear, for you shall rise and reflect the glory of your God”
Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. Ezekiel 37:12-14
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy January 1, 2021.
Discovering Christ in Ephesians.
Yes, we saw in our last discussion that, we are under a new dispensation, even the dispensation of the grace of God, and not the dispensation of the law. Today, we are to dispense the unmerited favour of God to his children as partakers of the promises of God in Christ.
Then we hear the apostle continue;
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Ephesians 3:7
Paul declares “Whereof I was made a minister” of the gospel of Christ. A statement that reveals he was not called of men, but called of God and “Made” a minister. I have seen a lot of people with gifts refuse to submit to the hand and process of God, to be Made ministers.
It is good to know you are called of God, but it is better to submit first under God’s hand and under an authority, to be properly discipled for the fulfilment of God’s call upon your life.
A minister without character is one who was never made by the hand of God, one who is not a disciple, and one who will never last in the work of the ministry.
But the apostle was a man, made a minister by the hand of God. Then we hear “according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me”
Not according to his natural abilities, not according to his talents or skills, not according to his Queen’s English or acquired learning, not according to any excellencies in him, but according to the gift of the grace of God.
According to a ministerial gift bestowed upon the apostle. This gift of grace mentioned here does not suggest the gift of grace wrought in his soul for salvation, nor the grace that makes other ventures of the gospel successful, but the gift of demystifying the mysteries of the gospel. The gift of interpreting scriptures and making them understandable by the common man.
This was a special bestowment on the life of Paul. God gives this to the sons of men as he sovereignly wills. Every man has his own proper gift from the Lord. This was what Paul received from the Lord, to assist him in making the Gentiles understand the revelation behind the scriptures.
This was not a natural gift, but a spiritual endowment which came “by the effectual working of his power”
The word used above for effectual is from the Greek word ἐνέργεια energeia which means efficiency, energy (Strong’s Concordance G1753).
This is a gift of divine power. The energy of God was wrought mightily upon the heart of Paul to enable him see and understand divine mysteries. This is how spiritual gifts operate. Until you are energized by God, a spiritual gift cannot work in your life.
You may receive a prophetic word that you have so and so gift on your life, but until God, under his divine timing, sovereignly energises your gift by his divine power, it can not be effectual.
Then we hear the apostle continue;
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
O’ what a statement of humility “who am less than the least of all saints”
The greatest saints, men of great spiritual stature normally keep a low opinion of themselves. They entertain the meanest view of themselves. They are the most humble of all men. These are men who can receive instruction even from the meanest believers.
Even though God uses them mightily, they glory not in their work, but in their nothingness. This is because, they have understood deeper, the love and grace of God. Here, they have seen themselves as the nothings that they truly are, and are constantly aware of the grace of God upon them. Whatever privileges the enjoy, they see them as outpourings of God’s love and grace.
The more revelation of God a man has, the more humble he is, for he is such a man that has definitely understood the mystery of humility.
So, Paul admits he is the least of the saints, but this grace was given to him. This grace given to him is what we have explained above as the divine power to interpret holy writ, for we hear “that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”
O’ the riches of our God. The word translated above for unsearchable, is from the Greek word ἀνεξιχνίαστος anexichniastos, meaning, not tracked out, that is (by implication) untraceable (Strong’s Concordance G421).
And the word translated above for riches is from the Greek word πλοῦτος ploutos, which means, wealth (as fulness) that is (literally) money possessions or (figuratively) abundance richness (specifically) valuable bestowment (Strong’s Concordance G4149)
O’ the untraceable wealth of his love. This wealth is underived, inconceivable and ineffable. O’ this valuable bestowment of pardoning grace. O’ The Blood’s mediatory interpositions for the wretched. The joys and peace of the Spirit within.
O’ my heart often wonders, how can the ungodly stand before a righteous God, accepted and looked upon with favour? All these are incommunicable.
The world and all its glories, things present and things to come, freely given to the one who has offended and keeps failing in the presence of the justice of God. How can we properly relate these truths to our finite minds?
Truly, the Gospel is the untraceable, the unsearchable riches of the Christ, reserved for his chosen ones, even as you and l.
If there is one thing you should always remember, God loves you, he has always loved you, and will forever love you in Christ, even though your mind may not understand the depths.
PRAYER
Father I thank you for Christ, in him you have given me treasures untold, wealth, eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, neither had it entered the heart of man.
But you have revealed this glorious mysteries to us by your Spirit.
Lord, I ask that this year, my heart be illuminated, my understanding be enlightened.
Energize my frail heart to see and to grasp even more, the unsearchable riches of the Christ in me.
Take my entire being, my mind, will and all my faculties, and cause to me become more fruitful this year, even as you have willed it, in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.
2021 PROPHETIC WORD.
Even though God has done a lot for many of us last year, where people took over territories and did mighty things in God, yet a lot of us hoped until we have felt as though it is against hope to hope. For in the lives of many, God allowed things to dry up, but it was because the Lord was refining and repositioning many of us to bear much fruit in this year, 2021.
As I sat with the Lord in prayer and meditation, the Lord Spoke and declared 2021 as THE YEAR OF FRUITFULNESS!
Where things have been barren, The Lord declared that things will now grow, even with the increase of God.
“”Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Let your hands be strong, you who in these days hear these words from the mouths of the prophets who, on the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, foretold that the temple might be rebuilt. For before those days there were no wages for man or animal; nor was there any peace or success for him who went out or came in because of his enemies, for I set all men against one another But now [in this time since you began to build] I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ declares the LORD of hosts. For there the seed will produce peace and prosperity; the vine will yield its fruit, and the ground will produce its increase, and the heavens will give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit and possess all these things. And as you have been a curse among the nations, O house of Judah (Southern Kingdom) and house of Israel (Northern Kingdom), so I will save you, that you may be a blessing. Fear not; let your hands be strong.'” — Zech 8:9-13 AMP
Now, this is it, when God declares Fruitfulness, it means it is a time to sow. Fruits come from a seed. Without a seed, there can be no fruits. 2021 is a year to first of all sow God’s word deeper into the soil of our hearts.
It is a year to sow our lives completely into kingdom advancement to experience divine fruitfulness. It depends on where we need the miracle, if it is a financial miracle, we must learn to be faithful with the little, we must cultivate a sowing habit in this 2021.
If it is healing, we will need to give ourselves wholly to the word, to continue in it, receiving and confessing it until we know the truth that set us free.
Prophecies are given to us to help us war, not for to us to sit back and ask the prophets of God to prove it to us.
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 1 Timothy 1:18
The Lord bless and keep you all. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Love and Grace in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy December 28, 2020.
Discovering Christ in Ephesians
We saw in our last discussion, that we are citizens of a different kingdom, even the kingdom of Christ, saints whose spirits are perfected forever.
Then the apostle continues;
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, Ephesians 3:1
“For this cause” for the cause of the Gospel, that the Gentiles should receive the revelation of the truths he has been shared, right from the beginning of this book. That the Gentiles should receive the divine revelation of the will of God for them, Paul voluntarily became “the prisoner of Jesus Christ” for the Gentiles.
This is worthy of emulation. You see, I am for all the blessings the Son of God has brought to us through his death, burial and resurrection. But I do not believe Christianity is just religion of comfort at this side of life.
When we truly love the brethren, it is seen in our letting go of our comforts, a letting go of our freedom for the sake of others. We desire that others also receive the salvation that we already found in Christ, and as such, even if its means we becoming poor, homeless, becoming prisoners, laying down our lives even to death for the sake of the Gospel, it is well pleasing to God, for this is his will for all Christians;
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.1 John 3:16
Without a Paul letting go of all his comforts for the sake of the brethren, you and I would not be celebrating deep revelations of grace today. May the Lord help us to become living sacrifices for his kingdom’s sake.
Then we hear the apostle continue;
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: Ephesians 3:2
Observe this statement carefully “the dispensation of the grace of God”
The word used above for dispensation is from the Greek word oikonomia, which means an administration or an economy.
O’ that you may see this, we are under a new administration. We are under a new economy. We are under a new divine government called the dispensation of the grace of God.
The administration of the law has been abolished, as we saw in our last discussion. God has brought in a new economy, even the economy of the grace of God. The economy of the underserved, unmerited and unearned favour of God upon the ungodly.
To be under this government and to go seeking to live under the administration of the law is spiritual adultery, caused by spiritual dyslexia; an abnormal spiritual condition where we read things upside down.
You see, Paul says this administration was given to him towards the Gentiles. Before this administration came into play, we were aliens in the commonwealth of Israel, a people without hope, and without God in the world.
The only reason we are ingrafted today in the covenant blessing, is because of this new dispensation. Under the old, under the law , there was a partition between us and the Jew, and even with God. That administration was totally against us, we were viewed as a profane people. A totally unclean people.
O’ may we be grateful for the grace of God we have realised in Christ Jesus. So, this dispensation was committed to Paul towards the Gentiles,
The we hear him continue;
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Ephesians 3:3
The preaching of the grace of God is the revelation of the mystery of the love of God.
O’ it is a mystery which is why natural minds cannot comprehend the overwhelming love of the father.
Paul says “by revelation he made known unto me the mystery;” It must come to you by revelation, for it is hidden, a divine mystery. If you do not fully comprehend this mystery, you will always be thinking its a license to sin.
Then we hear “as I wrote afore in few words.” But why did he write to them?
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Ephesians 3:4
Observe carefully this statement “understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ”
Paul personalises his revelation in the mystery of Christ and calls it “my knowledge” Paul had his revelation of Christ, even as the other apostles. At a point Peter had to consent to the fact that, Paul’s revelations of The mystery of Christ were somehow hard to be understood. (2 Peter 3:15 – 18)
It does not matter what people say about Christ, what is your knowledge of him?
This is all we need; to have a personal revelation of the saviour, where we are no longer tossed to and fro by the doctrines of men.
When you read this letters that I write, you get into my knowledge of Christ. It may not be the familiar knowledge of what you hear in your local Church, but if you follow keenly, sooner or later, you will be filled with my personal knowledge of the mystery of Christ.
Desire to have your own revelation of Christ. Know him personally and intimately.
Then we hear the apostle continue on this mystery of Christ;
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Ephesians 3:5
Today, the mystery of Christ is demystified to the sons of men. The apostles and the prophets being the first custodians of these oracles.
It was hid to men of old, they could not fully comprehend how a virgin will give birth. How the law which was right and holy in their eyes be abolished. How a God to whom the sinner is an abomination unto him will turn around and unconditionally love the ungodly. How God will come down to take his abode in his mortal bodies of men.
All these were mysteries to the old covenant saints. Why? Because it was not for them. They were under a different economy, even the old dispensation of the law. The prophets prophesied of the grace that was to come to us, and not to them at that time;
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.1 Peter 1:10-12
Observe the statement “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things,”
The grace of God was revealed to the old testament saints, but it was not “unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things”
This is why you don’t have to compare your walk with God with the old covenant saints. Grace was not for them, Jesus brought in grace and truth. Because God judged so and so by fire and brimstones doesn’t mean you will be judged thus, You are under a new economy, an era of God’s unmerited favour.
We are in the times of the revelation of the mystery of God’s grace. Today, we have been ingrafted into a new covenant, even the covenant of grace. This is what God committed to Paul for the Gentiles;
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Ephesians 3:6
Today we are “fellowheirs” not slaves, not those that work to earn. An heir just receives an inheritance. We are recipients of the promises of God.
We are of the same body; Today, the Jew and Gentile are of the body of Christ, no partition between us, no special people before God.
And today , we are partakers of the promises of God in Christ, not partakers of the wrath of God but the promises of the father in the one he loves, even Christ.
Concession:
Father I thank you for bringing me forth at such a time as this. I am born a generation of Christ. A child of grace. Born under the dispensation of the grace of God.
Thank you making me a partaker of your everlasting covenant. A covenant of promise, ordered in all things.
In my health, your promise of life is manifesting for me, I have the health of God. In my finances, you have ordered your covenant and your promise of prosperity is manifesting for me. Christ my favour and prosperity.
As I minister your word, Christ is the life in every seed I sow in the hearts of men, He is my divine reward. Thank you father for all these blessings in Jesus’ name, Amen!
In encounter with the Lord, I saw a child of God, I saw this dark wind around which came from every side and closed in on this one. it was as though this beloved couldn’t see anyway forward, feeling completely empty as I perceived.
Then I heard this word from the Lord “Do not be anxious about the emptiness you feel, the emptiness you see. I AM emptying the the old, for what I AM about to do in your life. I AM destroying the old, making room for the new chapter I have opened in your life.”
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua. Living Hill Christian Church
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy December 21, 2020.
Discovering Christ in Ephesians.
We saw in our last discussion that, Christ has brought all men near unto God, having broken down the middle wall of partition between the Jew and the Gentile, having slain the enmity even the law of carnal commandments through his body. Today we all have access to God by his Spirit in us.
Then we hear the apostle continue
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Ephesians 2:19
Today we “are no more strangers and foreigners” in the commonwealth of Israel, We are no longer strangers to the grace of God, not strangers to the love, power, mercy of God, but we have become partakers of the promises, even of the divine nature. And are today “fellowcitizens with the saints”
First, we are citizens of heaven. We are citizens of the kingdom of God. partakers of the heavenly calling by the blood of Jesus. Our stay on this earth today is to carry out our ambassadorial ministry as ambassadors of Christ’s Kingdom, reconciling the world to God.
But we must see ourselves as citizens of a different kingdom. We are not to accept to be governed by the elements of this world. Sin, sickness, poverty, disease, failure are not part of God’s kingdom, wherefore our mentalities ought to change.
When we start shifting our attention to the realities in our kingdom, knowing that even though we are here, we are still under the government and authority of the Son makes all the difference.
Once our paradigm shifts to kingdom thinking, where we know and live above the elements of this world, far above all principalities and powers, all of a sudden the business begins to work, the drive begins to rise on our inside. The ministry begins to harvest more souls into God’s kingdom. We begin to see things shift from being under this world to operating in the realm of the Spirit. Even the realm of God
Second,Observe this statement again carefully “fellowcitizens with the saints” We are citizens together with the saints. Which saints are these;
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Hebrews 12:22-23
Observe the statement “to the spirits of just men made perfect”
We are fellow citizens with the saints whose spirits are made perfect. This is a radical declaration; that our spirits are created or made perfect together with all saints, every saint that has ever lived.
There are no imperfections in our spirits. And remember the spirit is the real you. When we leave these bodies, we still live, for we are spirit beings living in these earthly temples.
Today, its a privilege that we are members of Church of The firstborn in company of innumerable angels. A people perfected forever.
These things have been hid for along time from the eyes of many, which is the reason a lot of people make prayers to dead saints thinking they are more saints than we are.
Some pray to dead saints to help them reach out to God as though God is angry with us, as though God is an inch away from us and as though Christ the only way to the Father does not suffice.
We are already fellow citizens of the kingdom and life of God.
Then we hear the apostle continue:
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Ephesians 2:20
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets”? But What is this foundation the apostles and the prophets built these believers upon?
We are are clearly told the foundation:
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11
Christ is the only foundation and nothing else. Not works of the law, not our goodness but In righteousness he is our righteousness, in holiness he is our sanctification, in deliverance he is our salvation, Christ is our all.
The reason why most believers are always unstable is because, they have not learned Christ. How can you be saved and still be under an evil generational foundation.?
A truly saved person does not have foundations but is built upon the foundation of Christ who is the foundation of the apostles.
But we have a knowledge problem. We are unstable because we have believed the lie that we are still under evil foundations, thus daily we are fighting to destroy what we have never been under as children of a different kingdom — which is the reason we find it had experiencing the peace of God. When we have foundations they can be broken:
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalms 11:3
But upon this foundation to which Christ Jesus is the chief corner stone, even the foundation himself, if we build our faith on him, we shall stand, we shall not be unstable and carried away by cunningly devised fables, doctrines of devils, crafted skillfully by the sleight of men. We will be confident that he is our all knowing that;
“the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
Then we hear the apostle continue;
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: Ephesians 2:21
This speaks of spiritual growth and the numerical growth of the Body of Christ. This is referring to the church universal firmly fitted in Christ; we are growing with the increase that comes from God, growing up into a holy temple in the Lord.
For;
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22
As the church universal, the Spirit of God dwells in us corporately. We are God’s habitation. Then as particular Christians God dwells in us by his Spirit.
Confession:
Father I thank you for what you have done for me in Christ. Today, I am an ambassador of Christ’s kingdom. A Fellow citizen with the saints whose spirits are made perfect.
A partaker in the commonwealth of Israel, a habitation of the Living God — a host of the almighty, a the dwelling place of God’s Spirit. Built upon the foundation of Christ, even upon a sure foundation unshakable against the storms of life.
I may not have arrived in my external walk with you Lord, but I am grateful that you are growing me up as I am being built up by your Spirit into a holy temple in the Lord.
I am growing up into you in all things, in wisdom, in power, in love, in longsuffering, in faith, in knowledge, in understanding, in wealth, growing up even into your full stature.
Thank You Jesus for this precious Grace!
In an encounter with the Lord, I saw a child of God enter a province, before the arrival of this child of God, it was as though all things were always known to remain dead.
But because of God’s grace upon this one, things began to yield, not just for this child of God but for the entire province as I saw the presence of God change things.
In was led to;
But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts. For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. Zechariah 8:11-13
Then I heard ” My Chosen one, my presence has arisen over you and things are changing this moment. Where things were dead, my face is turned to you in grace. What you sow shall yield a great harvest. The seed you sow shall now be prosperous — for I AM giving you the increase of God.
Because I AM with you, the heavens are opened over you to bless the work of your hands. Not just to you alone but those that are of the faith your God shall be blessed by My Hand upon you — for I have given unto you the place your foot is standing on, even the entire province shall now be prosperous because of my presence.
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church.
Royal Life Daily Devotional & Prophecy December 14, 2020.
“I Am Destroying The Power Of Covetousness!”
Discovering Christ in Ephesians
We saw in our last discussion that we are saved by grace through faith, but this entire work is the gift of God. Whatsoever we have done, we are only walking in his predetermined will for us.
Then the apostle continues;
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; Ephesians 2:11
“Wherefore remember” the apostle intends to bring the Ephesians to a place of humility as he had declared before that they were without reason to boast, since their salvation was entirely a free gift of God’s grace.
He reminds them of their former state. By them being called uncircumcision, it was a name used by the Jews referring to those who were not part of the covenants. They were dimmed a profane people by that title.
This circumcision made by hands refers to the carnal removal of the foreskin, which was a covenant rite foreshadowing the spiritual circumcision of the heart and spirit in the new creation in the day of the Christ.
It was a vital sign in those days as those without it were those who were not partakers of the covenants of God, so were these Ephesians.
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Ephesians 2:12
Before the arrival of Christ, before the door of faith was opened unto the Gentiles, we were totally destitute, aliens from the covenants of promise and totally without God in the world.
All we knew was sin. Even our good works were for self-righteousness.
Paul makes these statements to reveal to us the state of the unregenerate man. He desires to remove the idea of God just been an icing on the cake to a place of nothingness were God is all.
We were hopeless, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, absolutely nothing before the Almighty God.
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
O’ the blood. The hope of an hopeless me. The blood, the reconciling power of him that looks to Jesus. We only come near by one door, and that is the door of the blood of Christ, even as we hear the apostle state that we were “made nigh by the blood of Christ”
No amount of good works could bring us near. The blood was, is and will always be the only power that washes us, purifies us and brings us near to become partakers of the Commonwealth of Israel.
Partakers of the covenants of promise. Possessors of the living God as our very inheritance in Christ.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Ephesians 2:14
Observe the statement “For he is our peace”
Peace is a person and not a feeling. Christ is the peace between the Jew and the Gentile. Christ is the peace between the sinner and an holy God. You and I are not the peace, for it is not found in us.
We may not feel that God is at peace with us, especially when we are not on our best behaviour, but it is not a feeling, it is knowing, it is a reality.
As long as Christ is in you God is always at peace with you. The war is over. Christ is the end of the warfare between God and man.
For through his blood “he hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” bringing us near and reconciling us to our God and father.
Before the shed blood, there was a wall of partition between the Jew and the gentile, even between us and God.
The Gentiles were not given the law and the Jews that had it could not meet up with its demands, hence, even the Jew with the law, though he felt superior to the Gentile could not break down this middle wall.
This is why we hear;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Ephesians 2:15
Please carefully observe this words “having ABOLISHED in his flesh The ENMITY”
Abolished is past – tense and not present or future – tense. He is not going to abolish but has already abolished, cancelled, destroyed in his flesh the enmity by his death on the cross.
Enmity? What is this that was our enemy, a middle wall, a hindrance, our unfriendly disposition between God?
We hear “even the law of commandments contained in ordinances”
The law and all it’s ordinances were the enmity between us and God. Because we could not meet up with the demands, it became a hindrance, even an enemy between us and God.
The law hinders relationship between man and God. It never gave relationship but took it out of the way. The law was never our friend but our enemy before God.
Today a lot of people are fighting to maintain this in our Churches. It is a demonic deception. The law is the enmity between man and God, even as it was an enemy between the Jew and Gentile.
But Christ is our peace, for he has removed and abolished this enmity, creating a new man, the new creation, where the Jew and the Gentile are both one and God and man united in Christ.
To bring back the law would be to seek to separate man from God and the Jew from the Gentile. This is not of God.
To seek to have peace with God by the works of the flesh is to altogether remove Christ and deny him of who he is, the peace of God, the unity of God and man.
Peace between God and man is realised by the blood of the cross and not by self-righteousness. It only comes by the blood and not by works. To triumph over the law, you must go to the cross
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:Ephesians 2:16
You see, the enmity is slain, it is dead. We are dead to the law and all its requirements by the body of Jesus Christ. Our Lord has “slain the enmity” and our job is to keep it dead and not to revive it!
Only one body had power over the law, the sinless body of the Son of God slew the giant and gave us the victory of divine union.
Today we are not seeking to be united to God, but are already united, not seeking to be blessed by God but we are the heirs of God the creator and owner of all. Heirs of the divine being.
The Lord Jesus did the work and came and preached peace unto us and not the law; And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Ephesians 2:17
Observe carefully that it does not say he only came and preached to the Gentiles that were far off, but “and to them that were nigh”
Even the Jew that seemed to be near through the law was still far in God’s exonomy and was shown the way of peace, not by the law he was under, but by the Person of Jesus.
The access point to God today is not through ordinances, we don’t have to run to a natural Jerusalem. We don’t have to worship at a designated mountain.
We don’t need the law to have access to God, The Jew and the Gentile alike; For there is only one access point;
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.Ephesians 2:18
You see, you do not need to observe laws and duties before you can have access to God, you do not need to do anything to deserve God. For he that is All is already in you, as your access and as your inheritance.
May the Lord open our eyes to see this.
Confession:
Father I thank you for this great work of salvation. Through the body and blood of Jesus I am today unified with you. Today I have Christ as my peace with my father.
The middle wall of partition, the enmity, even the law has been abolished and taken away. I have free access unto you by your Spirit in me. I am delivered from the bondage of the law.
The mentality of a slave to a child of the living God, even one with you my dear father.
I proclaim, Christ is my Shalom, my perfect well-being, my all round prosperity! O’ glory to you Jesus!
In an encounter with the lord, I heard” Dear Child, I Am the fire upon your heart. Because you are dear to me, and I have a good end for you in my will, I am burning away the dross over your heart.
I am destroying the power of covetousness upon your heart until I truly remain your only desire even as you have ever desired.
Yes, there is my fire. Yes, it is hot, but I Am only refining you. Purifying you for a greater yield.
Bringing you to a place where you shall boldly say ‘the Lord is my helper, what can man do unto me’ for I am with you and will never forsake you. Therefore be glad — you have help “
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5-6
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua Living Hill Christian Church.
