COVENANT UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE ADVANCE FOR 2021/2022 - TOWARDS DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY | BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO

The day learning stops, development stops. 

When you stop learning, you start dying. 

Continuous learning is proof of real life. 

When you think through, knowledge becomes profitable. 

1 Timothy 4:13/15

It is findings that gives meaning to readings. 

Leadership is not just talking the lead, but taking the lead. 

Leadership is not just by appointment but a product of accomplishment. 

All real leaders are thinkers and thinkers are potential leaders. 

Everybody needs time to think. 

What truly sells is not just products but time invested. 

Just anybody can becomes a leader if he or she is willing to give it all it takes. 

Every child of God is a potential leader. 

It is taking responsibility that makes your restored leadership rights a reality. 

Only thinkers can make the best of knowledge. 

Thinkers mould and shape the world. Thinkers are destiny moulders. 

Scientific discoveries has its roots in great thoughts..

Great scientist such as Archimedes - law of floatation, Albert Einstein - physicist, law.of.photoelectric, theory of relativity, The wright brothers - aviation industry initiators, Isaac Newton - discoverd the law of gravity. 

Men that shape the world are great continuous thinkers. We no doubt live in a thinkers world. 

It is thinking that leads to findings, and it is findings that lead to products. 

Thinking leads to study and study leads to findings and findings leads to product. 

First citizens of the earth are focused individuals. 

Many leave where they are celebrated to where they are tolerated. 

"Scientific problems are familiar to me, but i have no natural tendency to handle human beings." Albert Einstein

Focused men are not easily distracted. 

When trials fail, return is the only real option. 

Every findings first begins with a noise before graduating to a voice. 

We live in a thinkers world. We however have too many talkers but few thinkers. 

Most scientific inventions are from committed and robust thinkers. 

The number of cells in the human brain is the same for all human beings irrespective of the race or colour. 

What you do with your brain is what defines its output. 

What makes brain output different is on tis robustness of engagement. 

The greatest treasure we trade on earth is knowledge and wisdom. 

The himan brain is a great gift of nature which is upgraded by the operation of the mind of Christ as a redeemed of God. 

Committed thinkers are solution providers. 

Nothing is unthinkable until we think so. 

Only 5% of himans think

25% thibk they are thinking

70% would rather die than think. 

Light is sweet. 

JOHN CHAPTER 5

ECCCYI

There's a great irony found in today's passage from the Gospel of John. In verses 39 and 40, Jesus is talking to the Pharisees--the religious leaders of the day. The Pharisees were angry at Jesus for two reasons: He broke the Sabbath (by healing a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years), and He referred to Himself as equal with God. To see a man flaunting religious tradition and yet declaring Himself God was blasphemy in their eyes.

But in confronting them, Jesus says: "'You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.'" The Pharisees had become so caught up in trying to please God by following the religious law they missed the point of the Scriptures they loved. It's no wonder that wherever Jesus went, more and more people followed Him, worshipping their Savior.


PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for being a compassionate God who not only provides our spiritual necessities, but can heal our broken bodies as well. We pray that as we go about this day that we will be able to exercise the same compassion you showed to those we encounter.

John 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic[a] called Bethesda,[b] which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. [c] 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews[d] said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Jesus Is Equal with God

18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

The Authority of the Son

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[e] does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Witnesses to Jesus

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”


REFLECTION & APPLICATION
Jesus identifies Himself with God the Father several times in this chapter.

How do you see God's heart on display through Jesus' actions here?

Why do you suppose Jesus didn't just say to the crippled man, "stay here, I'll be back tomorrow," but instead healed the man immediately?

It's important to show proper reverence for God in our actions, but part of that means following the example Jesus set while He walked the earth.

We look forward to your comments and questions below!

If you found value in this post, please share your comments, questions, and prayers with us!
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JOHN CHAPTER 4 | Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

ECCCYI

We have a tendency to think everybody's fine and nobody really wants to hear the message of Jesus. I would say that's totally false. As a matter of fact, it's completely backwards. I don't think most people are fine. I think most people are experiencing deep pain, frustration, despair, hopelessness and, actually, they would very much like a meaningful, respectful, compassionate conversation about Jesus. I think, if you look at our culture, the evidence of pain is everywhere--from our addictions, from our busyness, to our materialism, to our immorality, there are so many evidences that we are a people in pain.

Our challenge is to see people through a biblical lens rather than this lens that is so driven by the media that divides the world into "us" and "them." If you take away the behaviours and the labels, at the end of the day, we're people that want to love. We want to be loved; we want to find happiness; we want to find joy; we want to have meaning and purpose in life. If we separate all that other stuff that divides us, we're very much alike, we're a people in pain. It is sobering to realize that we, as Christians, have the message of hope to carry into the darkness to meet people at their point of pain and to let them know there is hope. When you read John 4, you'll be able to see Jesus put this love into action.

PRAYER

Father, as we read of Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well, we pray that You'll remind us of those in our lives who have yet to meet Jesus. We pray that you would provide opportunities to share the Good News with our friends and family. Help us to see the world as You see it; to see the hurts and pains might otherwise go hidden. Give us the words to say to shine the message of hope brightly to the world around us.

John 4 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

4 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.[a]

7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[b] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

27 Just then his disciples came back. They marvelled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.”

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.”

43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honour in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

Jesus Heals an Official's Son

46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you[c] see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants[d] met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour[e] the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

REFLECTION & APPLICATION
In the last chapter, we saw a theme begin--the theme of a new spiritual life, of being born again into an everlasting life through belief in Jesus. In this chapter, we find that spiritual lives, like physical lives, need nourishment. Jesus begins by discussing spiritual thirsts. The woman Jesus talked to at the well had a spiritual thirst for a relationship, but after five husbands, she was still thirsty. That's the thirst Jesus wants to quench--the thirst for a deep, meaningful relationship.

Jesus talks later to His disciples about spiritual hunger that is satisfied through doing the will of God.

There's many people who have yet to hear about God, many opportunities yet for the spiritually hungry to be filled. Is your spirit being nourished today?

We look forward to your comments and questions below!

If you found value in this post, please share your comments, questions, and prayers with us!
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PRAYER OF VENGEANCE

Ptay this kingdom advancement prayer to establish Gods vengeance in the camp of all the enemies of Jesus and his kingdom this year. 

Father, I decree your vengeance upon every agent of the devil resisting the continuous growth of works of Jesus Christ on the earth and let the effect of this be practically evident in amount of souls that gallop out of hell regions into heavenly places where satan and its cohort have no operational space. Isaiah 63:4

THE DYNAMICS OF SOUL

ECCCYI

The wholeness of the soul talks about the connectedness of the soul, ones or integrity of the soul. 

This is a state wherein the Imagination (vision, faith, spiritual understanding), Memory (knowledge), Intellect (Wisdom), Emotion (Nexus, feel, attraction) and Will (Decision, Choices or counsel) are all in synch. 

This is holiness of the soul or Integrity. 

And the soul can only attain to this level of holiness when the spirit man is powered by the Spirit of the Lord. 

The body also has to be put under subjection by the operation of the spirit of might. 

Isaiah 11:1-3

CCYI GOSPEL MEDIA

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© 2021

JOHN CHAPTER 3

ECCCYI

In today's Chapter 3, there's one quality of Jesus that stands out above all the others; can you guess what it is? It's love! "For God so loved the world..." is a phrase familiar to many people whether or not they've spent any time in a church. But do you remember the rest of the verse? "...that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This verse is, of course, John 3:16.

This is an incredible promise! As you read through John 3, count the number of times this promise is restated (John 3:15 is a good place to start.) As you do, you'll start to see a bigger picture here: God's not just providing salvation--eternal life--to you and me for no reason. He's providing it because we need it; we're doomed otherwise! And given that we cannot save ourselves, it's up to God to provide it. Jesus is God's provision for eternal life and all you have to do is believe it.

See you tomorrow,


PRAYER
Father, as we read through these verses, help us begin to grasp the enormity of your love. Lord, we are so grateful for the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. We pray also for opportunities to share this truth with others. Bring others into our lives--or show us who's already there--who needs to know of Your love and Your salvation.


John 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

You Must Be Born Again

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you[f] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[g] 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[h]

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,[i] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John the Baptist Exalts Christ
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”[j]

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.


REFLECTION & APPLICATION
Meeting Jesus is a central theme of the Gospel of John. But meeting Jesus is a lot like meeting anyone. An introduction and handshake doesn't mean that we trust our new acquaintance. And Jesus won't settle for being among our acquaintances. That's not why He came. He came to provide eternal life to all who go beyond meeting Him to believing in Him. How would you describe your present relationship with Jesus?


If you want to read ahead, here is a link where you can find the scripture:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+3&version=ESV

We look forward to your comments and questions below!

If you found value in this post, please share your comments, questions, and prayers with us!
Discipleship Tip: Sharing is discipleship. Invite a friend to join you each day for a morning coffee and conversation about God. Click the sharing button below to get the conversation started.

JOHN CHAPTER 2

ECCCYI

Today we continue to get to know Jesus in our study of the Gospel of John. A lot happens in today's chapter (John:2) including the very first miracle Jesus performed: turning water into wine at a wedding feast.

In John chapter 2 we see Jesus celebrating a wedding with friends and family. It's not uncommon to think that we as Christians must always be serious as we go about Christ's work. But then we miss out on the joy and fellowship that comes from celebrating God's good work!

We learn more about Jesus in the second half of the John:2 when He visits the temple in Jerusalem. As John describes Jesus chasing out the merchants, he quotes a verse from the Psalms: "zeal for your house will consume me." When Jesus saw people dishonoring God in the very place designed for worship, He couldn't let such a thing stand.

The Apostle Paul would later describe our own bodies as a temple to God. So, how are you honoring God today?


PRAYER
Our Father, We understand that we can't provide our own internal fulfillment and joy and that we need you. You are the only one who can bring joy and fill all the empty parts of us. We pray that as we continue in our reading of John that our faith in you would deepen and that we would get continue to know and understand who you were and your heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.


John 2 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Wedding at Cana

2 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.[a] 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers[b] and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,[c] and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Jesus Knows What Is in Man

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

***

Now here's a memorable story: Jesus turns water into wine. But has it ever struck you as kind of an odd miracle? I mean, Jesus is known for healing the sick and the lame and for driving out demons. But did He really get his start performing "social miracles" like this? It's a bit like watching a Before They Were Stars special.

So, why is this story important? That's a good question, but there's a danger to avoid in answering it. Be careful how much you read into the specifics of any Bible story. If you wanted to, you could launch an in-depth study of how the word "water," for instance, is used in the Bible. What was wine like in Jesus' day? The word "bridegroom" comes up elsewhere in Scripture--in Revelation Jesus is seen as the bridegroom of the Church. Is that important here?

These are interesting questions, but the Bible actually tells us quite plainly why this story is here. "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him" (2:11, ESV). This miracle was done for the disciple's benefit.
A lot of bad theology comes from reading too deeply into the words of the Bible. But God hasn't made the truth hard to find. You just have to accept it when you see it.

REFLECTION & APPLICATION
Think about what you read today, Does it change how you view Jesus at all? Do you find yourself becoming too serious sometimes? Have your forgotten God created joy and fun and fulfillment? Or are you like the merchants in the temple? Uncaring and unconcerned about how your actions reflect upon God. We need to have a healthy respect and awe of God but we should ask ourselves is this God's Kingdom I'm living in our my own? Do I let God fill me with Joy or do I look to this world?

If you want to read ahead here is a link where you can find the scripture:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+2&version=ESV

We look forward to your comments and questions below!

If you found value in this post, please share your comments, questions, and prayers with us!
Discipleship Tip: Sharing is discipleship. Invite a friend to join you each day for a morning coffee and conversation about God. Click the sharing button below to get the conversation started.

TOWARDS.ACTUALIZING YOUR BIRTHRIGHT OF MORE THAN A CONQUEROR BY BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO | 2ND JANUARY 2022

Those who pray for you or against you does not really matter. All that matters is your faith in Christ. 

To actualize your more than conquerors status, you need the following: 

1. Commit to building your faith

Habakkuk 2:1-4

Faith has unlimited power for growth. 

2 Thess 1:3, Mark 9:23, Romans 1:17

Faith goes from faith to faith. 

Faith is not just faith, it is actually in degrees. 

Revelation 3:18 Free yourself from the laodecian syndrome. 

Always create room for continuous learning. What you score yourself  determines how committed you are to contnuous learning  1 Corinthians 8:2

You never stop changing class in the school of faith. 

Why do you need to continue buidling your faith. 

LITTLE FAITH cannot successfully cross the red sea. 

Hebrews 11:11 Little faith cannot conceive at old age. 

Romans 4:20 Refusing to starger is the strong faith needed for conception atbood age. 

Little faith cannot stop the mouth of lions

Little faith cannot calm the storms of life.

Little faith cannot quench the fiery furnace. 

Muscles dont develop on their own, there is need for a conscious approach. 

Faith develops by hearing and understanding the word of God. 

Spiritual understanding of the truth is been able to see what God is saying. 

Faith grows by hearing and understanding the word of God. 

It is taking personal responsibility that speed up the rate at which we develop our faith mucles. 

Hebrews 11:33-34 Faith is not what you wait for, but what you go after or consciously develop. 

A genuine kingdom dream would always lead you to financial fortune. 

Books you buy but wont read would not benefit your life. 

What you do with what you acquire is what defines or gives value to your salvation. 

The quality of the books you read would define the quality of your visions and revelations.

2. Be committed to a lifestyle of prompt, delightsome and tireless obedience. 

Psalm 112:1-3 

Thrones are not for babies. There is a need to mature. 

Deuteronomy 28:1 Diligence to do what you are commanded is what makes a more than a Conqueror. 

Genesis 12:4, Genesis 22:2, Genesis 17:10,22 The prompt obedience of Abraham. 

Prompt, delightsome and tireless obedience would always a qualify a man for a sworn blessing. 

When giving stops, the flow of blessings stop. So giving must be tireless. 

Haggai 1:1-13 When you stop doing the things that opens up the heavens, there is a shutting up. 

Exodus 20:4-5, Daniel 3:28 God never watch those who obey him die. 

3. Be committed to engaging with prayers of enquiries when confronted with battles. 

Lord, what must I do? 1 Samuel 30: 6-9, 17-18, 2 Samuel 5:19, 23

4. Be committed to growing your love for God. 

Grow your love to the realm of  that of God. 

1 John 4:16, John 3:16, Ephesians 3:17

You need to be rooted and grounded in love. 

Romans 8:35 Nothing should be able to take you away from the love of God. .

Philppians 1:24 - 25, Acts 14:19, Ephesians 3:17-19, 1 Corinthians 2:9

We must grow our love to the level that God loves. 

5. Be committed to a life style of Thanksgiving and praise to secure and sustain Gods presence. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 10:36, Romans 8:31

CCYI GOSPEL MEDIA

speak the word only

©2022

JOHN 1 - DAY 1 READING

ECCCYI

In today's reading, John 1:18 stands out. "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known."

Did you know that the responsibility of Jesus was to explain God for us? Jesus' life as a man was God's way of putting on sandals, walking around on this earth and saying, "This is Me! This is my heart! This is my compassion! This is my love! This is my kindness!" Sometimes we can get some crazy ideas about who God is. But if you really want to know who He is, there's no better place to look than at the One who's assigned the responsibility to explain God for us: Jesus.

PRAYER

Our Father, we are thankful that You love us, that You sent Jesus to be the Word made flesh in order to explain your heart to the world. Lord, I pray over the next several weeks that You would open our eyes to the truth of who Jesus is. We pray that for the next 21 days our hearts and our minds would be opened in a new and fresh way, that we would find Jesus irresistible. We pray we would fall more deeply in love with the One who has poured out grace upon grace to us as sinful people. This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

John 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own,[b] and his own people[c] did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[e] 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God,[f] who is at the Father's side,[g] he has made him known.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight[h] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[i] of God.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.[j] 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus[k] was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter[l]).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,[m] you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

If you want to read ahead here is a link where you can find the scripture:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+1&version=ESV

REFLECTION & APPLICATION

As you read through the Gospel of John in this 21 day challenge, pay attention to how Jesus lived. Look at how He treated the sinners and the strugglers and the misfits. Look at how they responded to Him! And as you watch Jesus and His ministry remember that you're not just seeing the actions of man, but you are seeing the heart of God on full display for everyone to see.

Finally, as we go through this 21 day challenge, if you find Jesus compelling, if you find Him irresistible, if you find yourself saying, "This is the Jesus that I want to identify with!" then we here at Back to the Bible want to know.

Until tomorrow, feel free to leave your comments below...

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THE PROPHETIC FOCUS FOR 2022 - STEP UP TO GREATNESS Ezekiel 31:4

As I began to seek the face of the lord as it relates to what the year 2022 holds, my spirit man tapped into the fountain of the Holy Spirit. The success story of the Chinese bamboo suddenly came up in my mind, and I went forth in a search.

Like any plant, the growth of the Chinese Bamboo Tree requires nurturing – water, fertile soil, sunshine. 

In its first year, we see no visible signs of activity. In the second year, again, no growth above the soil. The third, the fourth, still nothing. Our patience is tested and we begin to wonder if our efforts (caring, water, etc.) will ever be rewarded.

And finally in the fifth year – behold, a miracle! We experience growth. And what growth it is! The Chinese Bamboo Tree grows 80 feet in just six weeks!

What did not grow in five years now unleashes its greatness within 6 weeks, as it grows to 80 feet.
* The year coming is a year of phenomenal growth and expansion.
* It shall be a year of extraordinary growth.
* It shall be a year of extravagant grace.
* A year of supernatural speed.
* A year of extraordinary accomplishments.

* A year with a new name. 

* A year of stepping up the ladder of greatness. 

The year 2022 shall demand active patience, faith, perseverance, growth & personal development. It shall also reveal the power of human potential.

The earth was without form, empty and darkness had a filled day while the Spirit of the Lord moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

Incompleteness in the face of the Spirit moving upon the waters required declaration that brought about a unique manifestation. Genesis 1:3

Let there be light and there was light. The instant response of light came as a result of the uncommon declaration.

* The year 2022 would demand an ever-advancing faith.
* The year 2022 would demand uncommon patience.
* The year 2022 would demand perseverance.
* The year 2022 would witness phenomenal growth.
* The year 2022 would culminate in massive development.
* The year 2022 would inspire the unleashing of greatness in human potential.

It is the year that would unveil the mystery of strong meat anointing. This anointing would bring about the sporadic rise of strong meat ministries.

Many organizations, companies, and institutions founded on strong biblical principles shall begin to arise from all around the continent of Africa, culminating in the birth of new breed leaders, entrepreneurs, and agents of change.

Many shall be stepping out of mediocrity and stepping up to greatness. This greatness shall come at the instance of waters - revelational inspiration, information, interaction, intercession, and impartation.

Habakkuk 2:14 (KJV) For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

The strong meat anointing which would culminate in strong meat ministries would operate primarily on kingdom revelations. Deep insights and knowledge that might seem hidden from many religious people.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (KJV)  But if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Many unfulfilled dreams and aspirations would come alive in the year 2022. It is the year of the making of the man. 

The year 2022 shall be a year of STEPPING UP TO GREATNESS. 

Ezekiel 31:4

WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF YOUR MAKING. YOUR NEW STATUS WILL COME WITH A NEW NAME, NEW STATUS, NEW LEVELS AND NEW BEGINNING. 

Kay Daniels

JANUARY 2022: PROPHETIC FOCUS

The spiritual force field around a person is the capital determinant of his or her greatness.

 In the multitude of people is the kings honour. The host that surrounds a man says a lot about his greatness.

 When a man is in the convoy of the president of a nation, whatever salutes the president automatically salutes him. 

Whatever bows to the president bows to him. Whatever defines the greatness of the president defines his greatness for as long as he stays true to the presidential company.

 God is the carrier of the ultimate force field known as divine presence. This is what commands unstoppable greatness. 

In the month of January, divine presence will surely make all the difference. It is the capital stepping stone to greatness. 

As we engage in fasting and prayers and intense word study, pressing unto revelation, we build greater force fields that helps us develop greater command in the affairs of life. 

We share the same nature or DNA with God who created us. His breath is in us and where carry his kind of life. At salvation, we reconnected with the very breath that Adam and Eve lost. 

That life is the very life of God that makes us gods in himan flesh. Exodus 7:1. Psalm 82:5-7. John 10:34-35, John 14:12 

The only way we can actually walk in this divine reality is to catch a revelation of God's divine presence that makes the difference in the life of the carrier of the life of God. 

• By reason of divine presence, everywhere you step into from now, contrary forces would bow at your appearance. 

• Everything you call for will answer to your command. 

• Barriers will of their own accord crumble as you approach. 

• Supernatural favour would attend to you speedily. 

• Whatever cannot stop the way against God would no longer survive your presence. 

• Whatever cannot challenge the way against God, that dares you from hence forth suffers sudden destruction. 

• Whatever cannot refuse God would not have the capacity to refuse you.

The prophetic focus for January 2022 is: DIVINE PRESENCE: KEY TO STEPPING UP TO GREATNESS. Psalm 29:1-11 

Welcome to the Year 2022 - STEP UP TO GREATNESS. 

CCYI GLOBAL

©2022

THANK YOU FOR SOWING A SEED OF FAITH

ECCCYI

THANK YOU FOR SOWING 

YOUR SEED OF FAITH INTO THIS MINISTRY