Are you a start-up brand? Do you own a business or run a company and you're looking for how to cut down on your cost?
Big news! Thebrand_Sochie will be offering incredible designs ranging from logos to flyers and all other design needs at affordable prices.
To get the best deals, click on the links below; For WhatsApp: https://wa.me/c/2348117595710
For Instagram- https://instagram.com/thebrand_sochie?r=nametag or call 09016294313
DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022
THANKSGIVING BRINGS WHOLENESS
BIBLE READING: LUKE 17:11-19; COLOSSIANS 1:12; JONAH 2:9-10
"Jesus said to him “Get up and go [on your way]. Your Faith [your personal trust in Me and your confidence in God's Power] has restored you to health.” Luke 17:19 (AMP)
The end of the year ushers in a Season of Thanksgiving which places the onus upon us to express our gratitude to God for all He has done thus far. The Scripture admonishes us to do this after keeping records of His Faithfulness that we may "forget not all His Benefits"(Ps. 103:2). One of the greatest benefits of Thanksgiving is restoration or wholeness. However, there is one major key that unlocks this in a thanksgiver's life.
An in-depth study of the Gospel according to Luke 17:11-19 shows us how to trigger off wholeness through Thanksgiving. Our Lord Jesus was passing through the midst of Samaria and Galilee en route to Jerusalem when He encountered ten lepers standing afar off: "And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (vs 13). Moved with compassion, He instructed them to go and show themselves to the priest. As they went in obedience, something remarkable happened: "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned and with a loud voice glorified God" (vs 15). The Scripture goes on further to say that this man, overwhelmed with gratitude, fell on his face before the Lord Jesus in Worship, giving Him thanks. Note the last five words of the following verse: "And he was a Samaritan."(vs 16). Why is this relevant? Well, there were ten lepers who were healed as they went in obedience to the Lord's instructions but only one returned to thank Him. That one was a Samaritan while the other nine were Jews.
For the purpose of context, Samaritans were the offspring of Jews who intermarried with Assyrians in the Northern Kingdom of Israel after they were taken into captivity during the reign of King Hoshea (2Kgs. 17). They were regarded as outcasts and scum to pure Jews and were not even allowed to assist in the rebuilding of the Temple after the exiles returned. (Ez. 4:1-3) They were treated like dogs and strangers to the Abrahamic Covenant. Even Jesus acknowledged this prejudice when He said: "Were there not found any who returned to give glory to God EXCEPT THIS FOREIGNER?" (vs 18). What does that mean? The other nine lepers who were Jews did not see the need to return to give Jesus thanks because they saw themselves as children of Abraham who had a right to healing. After all, healing was the children's bread.(Matt. 15:26) On the other hand, the Samaritan knew that he did not qualify for it was bad enough that he wasn't a Jew: He was a leper, a Samaritan leper for that matter! No wonder he was overwhelmed with gratitude to Jesus Christ which prompted Him to say: "Arise, go your way. Your Faith has made you well."(vs 19).
The word "well" in the aforementioned Scripture is derived from the Greek verb "sozo," which means "a total salvation and restoration or wholeness." Leprosy usually results in a loss of appendages as well as a loss of livelihood and relationships. The Samaritan got everything back because he gave thanks to the Lord Jesus for His Extravagant Grace and Mercy.
The foundation for ingratitude is a sense of entitlement. In other words, it becomes much easier to offer God the Thanksgiving that is due Him once you understand that He owes you nothing. The easiest way to enjoy Grace is to always remember that you do not qualify for it (Eph. 2:8-9).
PRAYER:
Thank You so much for Your Faithfulness, Heavenly Father. We know that Thanksgiving triggers off wholeness in our lives. O Lord, we come against every entitlement mentality we may have that insulates us from Grace. We honour You Lord in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.
DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2022
THE POWER OF THANKSGIVING
BIBLE READING: PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7; GENESIS 8:20-22
"Enter with the password: Thank You! Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him." Psalm 100:4(MSG).
According to the Gregorian Calendar, the month of December is the final month of the year. This is generally a period of celebration due to the Yuletide Season. However, this is also meant to be a period of gratitude to God for His Bountiful Mercies from January to December because "though your beginning was small, yet your latter end will increase abundantly." (Job 8:7).
The Power of Thanksgiving can never be overemphasized. After a successful three-day outreach programme by the Sea of Galilee resulting in numerous and diverse healings, Matthew 15 records a bit of a welfare crisis the Lord Jesus was faced with: "Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." (verse 32) His disciples were bewildered, prompting them to ask: "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to feed such a great multitude?" (verse 33) Following the Lord's Instructions, they could only find seven loaves of bread and a few fishes. Such a meagre supply for such a vast multitude! Any other person would probably have been at his wit's end but not the Lord. He understood the Power of Thanksgiving which He applied in that situation: "And He took the seven loaves and the fish AND GAVE THANKS, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude." (verse 36). Take note that Jesus didn't complain like most of us normally would when He looked at the seven loaves and the fish in His Hands. The Bible says He gave thanks, expressing gratitude to the Father for the supposedly meagre provision which was clearly inadequate. The subsequent results were recorded for generations to come: "So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left" (verse 37). Imagine that: Four thousand men, besides women and children, were fully satisfied as a result of the miracle of multiplication which took place, leaving behind leftovers which filled seven large baskets.
The year 2022 has been a truly challenging year with diverse turmoils in Nations. However, the Scripture says "In everything give thanks; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1Thess. 5:18). An attitude of gratitude determines your altitude in life. Provisions are never lacking on the table of a thanksgiver. Take a moment and take stock of this year which comes to an end in a matter of weeks. Cultivating a heart of Thanksgiving will ensure the year 2022 ends in praise for you. Remember that Thanksgiving still remains the password into His Abundance.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for being such a Faithful God towards us. O Lord, please help us understand the importance of giving You thanks in all things and in every situation. By Your Grace, this year will end in grand style for Your children in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022
THE ROLE OF TEACHING PRIESTS IN THE CHURCH
BIBLE READING: EZRA 7:10; JEREMIAH 3:15; MALACHI 2:7; 2TIMOTHY 2:24
"For a long time Israel has been without the True God, without a teaching priest, and without law." 2Chronicles 15:3(NKJV)
One of the greatest indicators of the Last Days is the rapid increase in deception.(Matt. 24:3). It's so tragic to know that many Christian believers get misguided on a regular basis while several others practice what we could term as "Buffet Style Christianity", selecting only that which they want to hear from the Holy Scriptures: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers." 2Tim. 4:3(NKJV). A vast majority of professing Christian believers fall victim to false teachers because they lack a Solid Word Foundation. Due to this problem, one of the Lord God Almighty's Greatest Desires is for the emergence of a generation of sound teaching priests.
While reprimanding the backslidden priests through the ministry of Malachi the prophet, the Lord made a profound statement: “For the lips of a priest should keep Knowledge, And people should seek the Law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts." Mal. 2:7(NKJV). Whenever there is a drought of Revelation Knowledge in any community, the blame must lie squarely at the doorstep of the priests. This then begs the question: Why is this so? This is simply because authentic priests are messengers of God as well as the custodians of His Truth, something the Ethiopian eunuch acknowledged about Philip when the writings of Isaiah the prophet confused him. Acts 8:30-31(NKJV).
The Lord Jesus had an Encounter with two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus during one of His Post-Resurrection Appearances. The Bible declares that "He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." Lk. 24:45 (NKJV). It's impossible to get someone to understand what you don't understand yet yourself. There is an urgent need for genuine teaching priests to rise up and produce the unique blend of discernment and a Revelation of God's Word which is the antidote to deception.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for granting us access into Your Mysteries as teaching priests. O Lord, please empower us to rightly divide the Word of Truth and deliver Your children from the spirit of deception in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2022
UNDERSTANDING THE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF THE PROPHETIC
BIBLE READING: 1SAMUEL 10:5-10; 1CORINTHIANS 14:1-4; EPHESIANS 4:11; REVELATION 19:10
"In addition, we have a Most Reliable Prophetic Word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the Day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts." 2Peter 1:19(Common English Bible)
Having a comprehensive understanding of the Dynamics of the Prophetic Realm gives certain Christian believers a major advantage over others. In the Holy Scriptures, the Lord God Almighty was recorded "Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm." (Ps. 105:15). Who were the prophets in question? He was referring to the Nation of Israel rather than certain specific people who occupied the office of the prophet. Simply put, God sees the Church of Jesus Christ as a Prophetic Nation that serves as His Own Mouthpiece to the nations of the Earth.
There are Four Key Levels or Dimensions of the Prophetic Ministry which are stated as follows in reverse order of importance:
(1.) The Spirit of Prophecy: This is the most fundamental dimension that is highly inclusive to all Christian believers. The Spirit of Prophecy is activated when two or three (or more) members of the Body of Christ gather together in a prophetic atmosphere (Matt. 18:2 whereby each individual present who keys in is "turned into another man." 1Sam. 10:6b(NKJV).
(2.) The Gift of Prophecy: This could be defined as "Inspired Utterance in a known language or tongue." It is one of the Nine Manifestations or Gifts of the Holy Spirit and is less inclusive as one delves deeper into the prophetic. (1Cor. 12:10a).
(3.) The Office of the Prophet This refers to one of the Fivefold Ministry Gifts according to Ephesians 4:8-11. All prophets prophesy but not all who prophesy are prophets because the Office of the Prophet comes with certain unique Spiritual Equipment. For example, the Lord Himself told Jeremiah the prophet during his calling: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you. I ordained you a prophet to the nations. Jer. 1:5(NKJV).
(4.) The Prophecy of the Scriptures: The Holy Bible is the Foundation of a sound prophetic ministry hence this is the Highest Level of all. Despite being an eyewitness of the Transfiguration Experience of the Lord Jesus, Apostle Peter still stated emphatically that "we have a More Sure Word of Prophecy." 2Pet. 1:19(KJV). In other words, the Holy Scriptures are far more reliable than any single prophetic encounter because "the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy." (Rev. 19:10b).
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we glorify You for granting us understanding of and access into the prophetic ministry. O Lord, please grant us the Grace and Wisdom to understand the dynamics thereof in order to fully utilize the prophetic as Your Church in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2022
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORETELLING AND FORTHTELLING
BIBLE READING: 1SAMUEL 9:9; JEREMIAH 23:28; MATTHEW 22:40; REVELATION 19:10
"But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies [who interprets the Divine Will and Purpose in Inspired Preaching and Teaching] speaks to men for their Upbuilding and Constructive Spiritual Progress and Encouragement and Consolation." 1Corinthians 14:3(Amplified Classic Translation).
By Divine Design, the Normal Christian Life is meant to be highly prophetic. The Holy Bible clearly states the following: "For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways and My Thoughts than your thoughts." Isa. 55:9(NKJV).
Simply put, there is a huge disparity between the Realm of God and the realm of man. However, this gulf can be bridged by the prophetic which empowers an otherwise mere mortal to think, see, speak and act as an authentic representative of God.
In the simplest of terms, a genuine prophet is the Mouthpiece of the Lord God Almighty Himself. This means that a prophet speaks on God's Behalf before men the same way a priest speaks on man's behalf before God. (Jer. 20:9; Am. 3:7) There are Two Key Manifestations of the prophetic ministry that are rather different while at the same time often misunderstood:
(1.) Foretelling: This refers to Divine Prediction as a result of Spiritual Foresight whereby a prophet sees into the future (hence the alternative term "seer" used to describe them) under the Influence of the Holy Spirit and consequently speaks by the Power of the Same Spirit. (Num. 24:15-25). Foretelling was so common during the Old Testament and involves a combination of the Gifts of the Word of Wisdom and Prophecy with the latter serving as a Vehicle for the latter. (1Cor. 12:8a, 10a).
(2.) Forthtelling: This refers to speaking forth the Mind of God through the Vehicle of the Simple Gift of Prophecy which the Scripture says is "for edification and exhortation and comfort to all men." 1Cor. 14:3(NKJV). In other words, forthtelling involves speaking under the Anointing of the Holy Spirit in a bid to edify (build up), to exhort (motivate, admonish or urge) or to comfort (console men in trying times) and carries no single element of prediction in itself. The Divine Enablement to forthtell is a Priceless Prophetic Grace we as Christian believers must all aspire to have.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we ascribe all the Majesty, Dominion and Power to You alone. O Lord, please take absolute control over us to be used of You as Prophetic Vessels as You deem fit in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2022
UNDERSTANDING THE FOUR LEVELS OF THE PRIESTHOOD
BIBLE READING: EXODUS 28; ISAIAH 61:6; ACTS 6:1-7; 1TIMOTHY 3:8-13
"A people dedicated to Me alone, you will serve Me as priests." Exodus 19:6(Good News Translation)
The highest and most noble call any Christian believer can have the privilege of responding to is the call to the priesthood. The stark reality is that the pursuit of economic empowerment or political prominence to the detriment of one's priestly duties is essentially a demotion. James Abram Garfield (1831-1881), the 20th president of the United States of America bluntly told someone on the day of his inauguration that he actually felt demoted since he was also a clergyman. Little wonder the Bible says "And no man takes this honour to himself but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was." Heb. 5:4(NKJV)
According to the Holy Scriptures, there are Four Levels of the Priesthood which are revealed or expressed in both the Old and the New Testaments:
(1.) The Episcopate: This refers to the position of the high priest or bishop (derived from the Greek word "Episkopos" which literally means "overseer". The Lord Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest and Bishop of our souls Who leads His Church through general overseers. (Heb. 6:20; 1Pet.2:25).
(2.) The Presbytery: This refers to the body of ordained priests or spiritual elders (derived from the Greek word "Presbuteros" which literally means "elder". These were originally Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar (the sons of Aaron) in the Old Testament then later priests or associate pastors who have been assigned a duty to assist the overseers in the Church. (Ex. 30:3.
(3.) The Diaconate: This refers to the Levites in the Old Testament and the deacons in the New Testament (derived from the Greek word "Diakonos" which literally means "helper" or "minister". These are the ministers whose primary duty is to help ease the burdens of the priests by handling the business and administrative aspect of the Church. (Acts 6:2-4).
(4.) The Ecclessia: This refers to the general priesthood of all Christian believers (derived from the Greek word "Ekklessia" which literally means "the called-out ones" or "the Church".
During the time of the Old Testament, the Levitical tribe was the priestly tribe but according to God's Divine Counsel, every Israelite was called by Him to be a priest to every nation on the face of the Earth. (Ex. 19:6). This same principle applies to the Church or the Body of Christ whereby every Christian believer is called to be a priest, thereby authorizing us all to discharge our priestly responsibilities for His Glory. (1Pet. 2:9; Rev.1:6).
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we exalt Your Holy Name for granting us the privilege of serving You as priests after the Order of Melchizedek. O Lord, please help us with the Grace to faithfully discharge our priestly duties that we might not undermine this Holy Calling in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022
ANATOMY OF THE PRIESTHOOD
BIBLE READING: GENESIS 14:18-20; DEUTERONOMY 6:22-27; JOSHUA 3:17; PSALM 132:9; REVELATION 20:6
"You also, as living stones, are being built up a Spiritual House, a Holy Priesthood, to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1Peter 2:5(NKJV)
A lack of understanding of the Authentic Priesthood is one of the greatest reasons for many moral failure in the lives of most Christian believers. One primary misconception about the priesthood is the notion that only an exclusive select few are called by God to "do ministry" which is so far from the truth. A genuine priest serves as the Lord God Almighty's representative chosen to mediate between Him and man (1Tim. 2:5). Simply put, a priest ministers as a spokesperson for man before God. This places the onus upon us to understand the Anatomy of the Priesthood.
By definition, the priesthood is "an order of men set apart or consecrated for sacred duties." For the sake of clarity, both males and females are called by God to be initiated into the priesthood (Acts 2:16-18). The natural realm is programmed from the supernatural realm which itself draws its power from altars. In other words, every genuine priest of the Lord has a unique advantage over other satanic priests. Basic God-given functions of authentic priests are listed in the following Scripture: "Then the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come near, for the Lord your God has chosen them TO MINISTER TO HIM and TO BLESS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; BY THEIR WORD EVERY CONTROVERSY AND EVERY ASSAULT SHALL BE SETTLED" (Deut. 21:5). There are three key reasons the Lord God Almighty chooses His priests:
(1.) To minister to Him: This is paramount because it is futile representing the interests of a God one doesn't even know or understand.
(2.) To bless in the Name of the Lord: God Himself authorizes genuine priests to bless or empower His people that they may succeed (Num. 23:3.
(3.) To settle controversies and civil cases: The Holy Bible calls God "the Judge of all" (Heb. 12:23b) hence His priests have a Divine Responsibility to judge cases.
The lovely thing about the Authentic Priesthood is that it is more inclusive than exclusive. As long as you have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, you have been called by God to be an Authentic Priest before Him. The Lord grant us the Wisdom and the Power to arise to our responsibility.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we appreciate You for the privilege of being called by You into the Authentic Priesthood. O Lord, please grant us the Grace to represent You and Your Interests everywhere in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
A GRAIN OF WHEAT
BIBLE READING: JOHN 12:13-26
"Jesus said, “Except a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone but its death will result to fruits.” John 12:24
This Principle talks about self-denial and sacrifice. Until we experience self-cancellation, the Glory of God will not manifest in us. John the Baptist said, “I will decrease and he will increase in me.”(Jn. 3:3. The Weight of the Glory of God only rests upon dead and consecrated vessels.No wonder Apostle Paul said, “I die daily” (1Cor. 15:31). Men that carry the Presence of God are men that have crucified self, men that are dead to the sinful lifestyle, worldly ways of doing things and satan himself. This was what prompted Paul to say with confidence that his boasting was "Only in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world (Gal. 6:14).
The Scripture admonishes us not to love the world or any of the things therein. These things include the lust of the flesh (immorality), the lust of the eyes (greed/covetousness for material possession) and the pride of life (quest for power, fame, recognition). 1John 2:15-17 We must never forget that "friendship with the world brings enemity with God.” (Jam. 4:4). Finally, the Scripture admonishes us to "lay aside every weight, especially sin that so easily besets us..."(Heb. 12:1). Until we empty ourselves of self, God can’t fill us with His Glory and Power for His End-time Plans and Purposes as well as the Last Days Move of God on Earth. We need to practise a lifestyle of self-denial, denying ourselves food through fasting, denying ourselves other fleshly gratification and pleasures of sin and living a life of sacrifice of time (tarrying in His Presence), coming out of our comfort zone and laying everything down at the Foot of the Cross like Peter. (Mk. 10:28-3. Otherwise, we will not experience Authentic Christianity with Great Glory and Power which the Father had in Mind when establishing the Church.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, please help us to experience self- abasement and cancellation so that the Life of Christ would be revealed in us and through us to our generation in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
