Bnice Syllogi

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
By Pastor Mensa Otabil​

Saturday 15th July 2023
(Day 24 of 40 Days of Power)

*FAITH BY HEARING*

*Scripture Reading:* Acts 14

And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. *Acts 14:8-10*

A man in a difficult circumstance heard the Apostle Paul preaching God’s Word at Lystra. The outcomes of the man’s encounter with God’s word is a remarkable testimony about what happens when we hear the words of our Creator.

*The Man’s condition:*

The man was crippled from birth. The reason for the man’s condition can only be left to speculation. It may have possibly been due to a congenital disease or some other factor. But the scriptures record that he had been crippled from his mother’s womb. As such, he had no strength in his feet right from birth.

The man had never walked. He had had no experience of walking from infancy. The norm would have been that after birth, he would grow and then learn to walk. But this was not the man’s case. He lacked the ability to walk. Seeing others walk and never having the ability to do the same, would have been depressing.

The Man’s response:

*He heard the preaching of God’s word.* The crippled man might have lived his entire life never considering the possibility of ever walking someday. But after listening to Paul preach, his perspective began changing. Faith comes by hearing God’s word. What we listen to affects what we believe. Spend time today reading and listening to God’s Word.

*He had faith in his heart.* Faith began to grow in the man’s heart when he heard Paul preach God’s word. The man who had never walked began to believe it was possible to walk. When we hear God’s word on salvation, healing, prosperity or any other subject, it inspires faith to claim that reality in our lives. In this season, it’s possible to do what you have never done before as you pray and hear God’s word. You can start a new business, build a house or get married. Get ready to step into new possibilities.

*He acted on his faith.** “Stand up straight on your feet!” The man made the important transition from hearing the word to believing it and acting on it. And at that moment, faith bypassed the man’s history and current circumstances and produced a miracle. No matter what may have happened to you in the past and is long-standing in your life, change is possible. Find and believe God’s word concerning that situation, act upon it and change will come.​

*Prayer:* Heavenly Father, I give my full attention to your word. By faith I act on your word, believing you for a miracle. In Jesus name, Amen!

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Friday 16th June 2023

*THE JUDGEMENTS OF THE LORD*

*Scripture Reading:* Psalm 19

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. *Psalm 19:9*

God’s revelation through nature and through Scripture each has its place. The natural world gives plain evidence of the glory and power of God. God’s law, however, goes beyond that to instruct us on how to live our lives. The fear of the Lord is our response to God’s revelation.

*• Reverence for God enables us to live pure lives before Him.* The fear of the Lord is clean and enduring. God’s revelation to us is weighty and demands our highest esteem.

The fear of the Lord has to do with the reverence we have for God and the respect we have for His creation. Without it, we would take God’s instructions for granted and they would not be beneficial to us. Fearing the Lord causes believers to obey Him and live righteous lives. It is not a fear intended to make us run from Him. God’s revelation teaches us to demonstrate proper reverence for Him. That must be the human response to God’s instructions.

As Christians, we must live in reverence to God and ensure that we live our lives in a way that pleases Him.

*• The judgements of the Lord are true and righteous.* God’s judgements are declarations of His will. In His judgments, He reveals how He expects us to govern ourselves as well as how He will judge people on the last day. It is His revelation of what is true and best for His children.

God’s judgments accurately reflect God’s moral will for his people and are an expression of his just character. We can be assured that His judgment will always be in our interest and wellbeing.

*Prayer:* Heavenly Father, your judgments are true and righteous. You always do what is right for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.