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Mercy Chinwo, Peterson Okopi Wins At CLIMA Africa Awards 2022

The ‘Excess Love’ crooner shared photos of the award plaque online. She wrote: “To God be the Glory, Great things He has Done”. 

In the same fashion, the ‘Osuba’ crooner expressed gratitude, says there is more to come. “As I journey along with Christ and man. I find a balance… and I’m grateful that it pleases the Father to put me in this space to function for Him. I’m dying daily, staying awakened in prayers whilst my hands get to work the works he has called me to do”, Peterson wrote.

“Award is not the reward. It just says (There’s more) and that is golden , Your reward is in Christ. Stick with Jesus the Reward while you appreciate the award “, he added.

Mercy Chinwo won the Africa Gospel Artist of the Year category, while Peterson Okopi secured the Africa indigenous song of the year award.

Righteousness A Gift For All Men

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Righteousness is one of the three cardinal gifts of God, and it was offered to the whole world. The gift of righteousness is for all men. You might argue, “Why then does the Bible say, ‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one?’” (Romans 3:10). That’s the reason Jesus came, suffered, and died for all men.

He came into this world to make a righteous creation out of the unrighteous man. He died once so that every man who hitherto was unrighteous could believe in Him and become righteous. Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Legally speaking, every sinner in the world, including the atheist, has already been made righteous. However, because they haven’t activated the life of righteousness by being born again, they can’t experience the vital realities of the life of righteousness. They can’t produce the fruits and works of righteousness.

It’s the reason we preach the Gospel; the world needs to know that the death and resurrection of Jesus has freed all men from the bondage of sin. Now, righteousness is available in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Now that you’re born again, you’ve been brought into a new life of righteousness: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Righteousness is the nature of God that gives you right standing with God and the nature to do right. This is your new nature in Christ; an intimate relationship with God is now possible. Hallelujah!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Righteous Father, I thank you for giving me your righteousness and granting me the ability to boldly stand before you without guilt, condemnation, inferiority or blame. I’m righteousness-conscious. I rejoice in the gift of righteousness bequeathed to me through the death of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I reign in righteousness; I reign over circumstances and the elements of this world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Jesus Is Lord And King

…Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:14-15).

The Lord Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. When He was born, the Bible says, “…there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2). He didn’t become a king; He was born a king.

In John 18, we find His own testimony when Pilate asked Him, “Art thou a king then?” Jesus responded, “… Thou sayest that I am a king…” (John 18:37). His response meant, “You’re right.” He spoke in the affirmative. In fact, in the 39th verse, speaking to the Jews, Pilate confirmed Jesus’ affirmation when he said, “…will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”

Had Jesus denied being a King, Pilate wouldn’t call Him the King of the Jews. In Acts 2:30, speaking to an audience, Peter said, “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him (David), that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.”

e, the elders of the Jews were offended and told Him to silence those who praised Him and received Him as King (Luke 19:39). But Jesus responded, “…If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers” (Luke 19:40 NLT). In other words, even the stones will affirm the same. Hallelujah!

The Lord Jesus is the exalted God, the immortal God, living in unapproachable light of divine glory. There’s none like Him. We’re not serving a mere religious leader, but one who is King and Monarch of the universe. He has all authority in heaven, in earth, and under the earth. Be unapologetic in your identity with Him, and speak boldly of Him. Glory to His Name forever!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Lord Jesus, you’re the King eternal, immortal, with all power, glory and majesty. You’re the joy of heaven and hope of the earth. You’re the Most High God, who alone is worthy of all praise, honour and adoration. You’re King of the ages. I worship you today and forever. Amen.

Your Behaviour In The House Of God

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

The Church of Jesus Christ is the ground and pillar of truth; it’s not an organization or association of believers. The Church is the house of God, and the Bible is clear as to how we’re to comport ourselves in the house of God; there’s a behaviour that’s expected.

When we say the Church is the house of God, it also means, firstly, that as an individual, your body is God’s house. Secondly, the members of a particular local assembly—the local church—is God’s house. Thirdly, the place or building where we carry out our worship activities is also called the house of God.

Now, in all three references, the house of God demands and deserves reverence. The Lord is holy. The Lord is pure. The Lord is righteous. Therefore, our manner of life, our comportment in His “house”—in serving and worshipping Him—must depict His nature. It must be according to the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As you study the Scriptures, you discover the things He says we should do and not do. These aren’t commandments but pictures of who we are and how we should live. For example, for your physical body, He says, “Present it as an instrument of righteousness” (Romans 6:13). Then in Romans 12:1, He says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Also, Romans 16:17 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” In the house of God, in the church, you don’t cause divisions and offences amongst God’s people. You don’t walk in rebellion or disobedience, but in faith, hope, love and humility. Hallelujah!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

As I study and yield myself to the ministry of the Word, my spirit is inundated with divine truths; my mind is elevated to think Kingdom thoughts, causing me to display the character of the Word in my daily walk, with an increased manifestation of the glory of God in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Good Morning God: How To Powerfully Pray In the Morning

Things We Should Pray for in the Morning

It’s easy to get caught up in spiritual things and have no idea how to apply them personally to your life. 

So, I want to break down on things you can pray during your morning prayer time. And for more inspiration please check out:

7 Powerful Morning Prayers To Inspire your Prayer Time

But don’t feel like it has to look a certain way or go in some kind of order. Let yourself be real and open before the Lord. Share with Him the things that are on your heart. This can include your family, work, church, and/or world events.

Alright, let’s get started! 

Thanksgiving

Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name. – Psalm 100:4 AMP

Giving thanks to God for your day is a wonderful way to worship and show your appreciation. But according to Psalm 100 it says we enter His gates with thanksgiving. This means that giving thanks draws us closer to God and His presence.

Protection

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. – Psalm 91:1-3 NKJV

Praying for protection for yourself and your family is a wonderful and powerful thing to do. Another thing you can pray for is put on the full armor of God on. (Ephesians 6:10-18) 

Guidance 

Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. – Psalm 119:133

I always ask the Lord to guide me through my day. And that things He has planned for this day would come to pass. That I would be at the right place and the right time. 

Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. – James 1:5

As I ask for God’s guidance I always like to like to ask that He gives me wisdom throughout my day. Wisdom in my dealings with people and wisdom with work…

Peace

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

We are constantly bombarded with things that want to steal our peace. Ask the Lord to give you peace throughout your day. That whatever comes your way would roll off you back and that you can put your trust in Him.

Devotion 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. – Romans 12:1  

I am a big fan of praying for our hearts to draw closer to the Lord.  We should desire for more hunger, passion, and dedication to the Lord. And one way we can stir this up is by asking for it in prayer. 

Blessing

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26

Morning prayer is also a good time to pray for blessings over yourself, family, friends and whatever the Lord leads you to.

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