Seek To Grow In Christ
In Ephesians 4, you will read about Apostle Paul earnestly beckoning believers to seek maturity in Christ. This maturity comes from spending time in studying the word of God, praying fervently in all kinds of prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to invade your life, direct you and lead you to an understanding of the truth in Christ Jesus. This advice is so important especially in our world today where you seem to have religious organizations popping left and right. There’s a desperation for men and women of God to ‘prosper’ and some are literally convoluting the word of God with their own doctrine that is not of Christ. A lot of men and women of God are called, but many have not been sent. That is a whole message for another day.
Many people are desperate for answers to their problems and afflictions and rightly so, who would want to keep suffering? But, seeking just the solution to your problems and not understanding how to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ will lead you into the wrong sects and misguided teachings.
Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV teaches us best:
“14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ”
Here’s my encouragement to you, that you will desire to grow in Christ Jesus so you do not become a religious victim this year. When you are grounded in the Scripture, Prayer and walking with the Holy Spirit, you will know when you meet or see a preacher or some self-proclaimed men and women of God if they are truly operating under the authority of the Holy Spirit or something else. Don’t forget that Jesus Himself said that “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”, John 14:26 NIV.
So, who’s teaching you this year and who are you learning from? I pray for you that the Lord will stir up a grace in your life this year that will propel you to earnestly seek Him, study His word and mature into becoming more like Him. I decree it is so and it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
January 2023 Declarations
The Lord laid in my spirit to assure you that in this new year that you have started;
There will no longer be an infant who lives only a few days, or an old man who does not finish his days;
For the youth who dies at the age of a hundred, and the one who does not reach the age of a hundred will be thought of as accursed.
You will build houses and live in them.
You will plant vineyards and eat the fruit.
You will not build and another person will occupy.
You will not plant and another will eat [the fruit].
For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of His children.
The Lord says we will fully enjoy [and long make use of] the work of our hands.
We will not labor in vain, or bear children for disaster for we are the descendants of those blessed by the Lord and our offspring too.
It shall also come to pass that before we call, He will answer; and while we are still speaking, He will hear us.
(Isaiah 65:20-24 AMP, paraphrased)
I declare it is so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
All I Ask Of You In 2023
Let me start by wishing you a Happy New Year and I am sure you are super stoked with all the great and hopeful messages from your spiritual leaders, community, family and friends. I desire the same blessings for you and more but there’s something else that I desire above all these well-wishes you have received for 2023, that this will be the year that you reach out for help if you need one.
The amount of self-inflicted deaths, depression and mental-illnesses that seem to be on the rise is unbecoming. We cannot live our lives in silos. You will be surprised to learn that most people are willing to help more than you think. Human beings are not naturally mind-readers so if you need help, reach out to someone. If you’re ill, go to a hospital. If you’re starving and have no food to eat, reach out to friends and neighbors. Asking for help doesn’t make you less desirable. It’s dying without help that is the problem. If you need someone to talk to, please call someone.
There are many good people out there and I’ll ask you to pray earnestly this year that God will connect you with genuine people that you can develop a trusting relationship with. People that can be there to support you and will go the extra mile to find you help even if they don’t have the means to help you directly. I pray above everything that you will strive to be that kind of a person to others as well.
All I am asking of you this year is to reach out and reach in. Don’t do life alone. Be blessed in 2023!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.