Lord, increase my faith and help thou my unbelief.” If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed (James 1:5-6).

2 Peter 3:13, tell us to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, to grow in grace is to mature as Christian. We are save by grace though faith, Eph. 2:8 – 9 and we mature and satisfied by grace alone. We know the grace it is a blessing that we do not deserve. It is grace God’s that justifies us, sanctified us and eventually glorifies us in Heaven. The sanctification processing, becoming more like Christ, is synonymous with growing in grace.

We grow in grace by reading God’s Word and letting it dwell in us richly, (Col. 3:16) and praying. Those actions by themselves don’t mature us, but God use this spiritual discipline to help us grow. Therefore, maturing in our Christian life is not about what we do but about what God does in us by grace understanding as applying God’s grace in our lives is important we not to impair it by being proud because God says He resist the proud but give grace to the humble James 4: 6. Grace is that attribute of God that enables us to break free of our sinful nature and follow Him. It gives us strength and protectors us, so without God grace His favour would be hopelessly lost in this world.

The more grace we have and ask God for, the more mature Christian we will be,. He gave His only Son that whoever believe in Him should be save, John 3:16, much more grace could there possible be than that? But to grace is to grow in our understanding of what Jesus did and to grow in our appreciation of the grace we have been given. The more we learn about Jesus, the more we will appreciate all He had done, and the more we appreciate His love and sacrifices for us, the more we will perceive never ending grace of God.

Building Faith in Christ

Faith Comes by Hearing the Word of God. The first intimations of faith in Jesus Christ come by hearing the word of God—the gospel of Jesus Christ. …
Faith Comes by Repentance. …
Faith Comes through Covenants. …
Faith Can Increase. …
Faith Is Also a Principle of Power.

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” … “As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.

How do you grow in faith together?

Here are four ways you and your spouse can grow your faith together.

Worship together. This one may feel like a no-brainer, but it can easily be overlooked. …
Pray with each other. Prayer is like the spiritual glue of marriage. …
Serve as a couple. …
Give together. …
Bonus reminder: Live intentionally.

Apostle peter also confirms that we need to grow in our knowledge of Jesus and to have intimate relationship with Him because the more we know of Him, the more the more of Him we seen in our lives, apostle Paul said in Col. 3: 1 – 4. The scripture contain all the knowledge we will need to learn of God desires for those He has saved, is that sanctification and transformation. He wants us to become more holy like himself. He waits to transform us into the image of His Son. The way to do this is by meditating on the conviction as power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us within us. Then we will prove 2 Cor. 3: 18, we who with unveiled face all reflect the Lord glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory which comes from the Lord.

THE DRAGON WAS WROTH-Rev.12:17

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. Who is the dragon? He is satan and his hosts. And who is the woman that satan wages war against? She represents the HOLINESS CHURCH with members who remain on the uncompromising doctrine of holiness life. These are the people who hold fast on the testimony of Jesus. Why is the devil wroth against the holiness church?

Firstly, they keep the commandment of God, secondly they hold fast on the testimony of Jesus.

On several occasions, true children of God complain on the reason why devil wages war against them. Most times, they use the language that, should they be the ones to experience troubles from the devil. Why is the battle against the Christians always tough? The response to this question is not far-fetched. God had sent the devil away from Heaven- Rev.12:7. This led to the devil coming down into the world in great anger to turn all men against God.

The mission of the devil is to discourage everybody from following the narrow road. He has the plan to fault the testimonies of the true Christians. His joy is in Christians going back to what have forsaken. He wants you to enjoy the world, and miss Heaven. The devil is the originator of every evil social activity in the church. Ha! Satan is seriously annoyed against the doctrine of holiness life, restitution and man, one wife. He became so furious that he penetrated through the younger generation to bring in modernization. But you will overcome- Rev. 12:11. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Therefore, be ready to fight with prayer and fasting; and we shall overcome. If you are doers of the words of God and keeper His commandments, then the devil will wages war against you.

More so, the devil is not pleased with your salvation, sanctification and the way you speak in tongues. But now, you should know the cause of your poverty, barrenness, troubles and singleness. Since you have escaped from satan, he does not relent, he want to drag you back. In this year adequate by devote your time to prayer and fasting, and arise to fight this spiritual battle. Surely, you shall victorious. Just let your faith be strong – 2 Cor. 10: 3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” All troubles a Christians may face are stronghold of satan.

The following are the weapons which we can use;

Holiness life
Prayer and fating
Word of Testimony
The Blood of Jesus
Standing upon the promises of God

THE DEVIL HAS SIX ARROWS WHICH HE SHOOTS AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS.

Double mindedness
Doubting the promise of God
Discouragement
Lustfulness
Thought of death
Unbelief

These six arrows shall not affect you in the New Year in the Mighty Name of Jesus! God has sent me to you; therefore, wake up into prayer and fasting. The devil is so furious that he is determined to steal, kill and to destroy. He is determined to disturb your good program and the promise of God for your life. The devil is a liar, you will overcome. What was Job’s offense before satan? The devil has so many cunning ways;

He brings temptation before man- Matthew 4:3; 1 Thes. 3:5.
He is a deceiver- Rev. 12: 9; Eph. 6:11.
He disguises as angel of light- 1 Cor. 11:14
He may use false prophecy to encourage you to marry many wives-

HE IS THE ACCUSER OF BRETHREN

There are promises for the Christians.

You have been made a weapon of war- Jer. 51:12-39; 1 John 4:4; Rom. 16:20. Resist him, he is a coward, he will flee. Especially, when satan sees a child of God praying, he will flee.

USE THESE THREE HOT WEAPONS;

Wash in the BLOOD of Jesus daily
Use the words of God. Rest upon the promises of God.
The word of testimony on what Jesus has done and what he will do for you, because one victory shall open door for another blessing.

When he shoots his arrows, defend yourself with helmet of faith. It is an undisputable fact that satan is a loser. Our victory over him is sure. This year 2016, is our year of victory, and open doors for all Christians practicing holiness life.

ARE YOU IN LAODICEAN CHURCH OR PHILADEPHIAN CHURCH

Philadelphian church was a church that faithfully witnessed Jesus. They were hot for God, and this reflected in their testimony of salvation and holiness life. Also, there was a great revival in this church.

Four qualities about the church in Philadelphian- Rev.3:7-13

They had good work
They had little strength.
They did not deny the Name of Christ.

The church in Philadelphian did not compromise with sin. They were hot for God. To them, soul-winning was of paramount importance. They had great zeal for the spread of the gospel. Also, they spent all they had on things of God, especially soul-winning. How is your own church compared to the church in Philadelphian? Today, the church elders only respond to meeting on conspiracy, but when there is the call for soul-winning and expansion of the gospel. How is your stand, when the devil comes with his deceit? How is your prayer life? Is your testimony still intact?

THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA- Rev. 3:14-22

A lukewarm church, the church without revival at discouragement

FIVE THINGS ABOUT THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA

They were full of discouragement.
Luke warmness.
Instability
They were proud.
They did not love one another.

THE GLORIFICATION OF THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA: They glorified in riches while they were wretchedly poor. Glorification in religion with salvation, they claimed to be rich, where as they lived in abject poverty, blind and were empty.

Likewise, many churches today share the same nature with the Laodicean church. They are poor spiritually. They only yearn for spiritual gifts rather than the fruits of the Spirit. When it comes to the things of God, they are poor. People who are blind spiritually are ordained as pastors. Wives of pastors are empty barrel, while members of the church who supposed to be sober keep on laughing.

Spiritual poverty is a great problem against the church. How many people today are on the way to the Kingdom of God? Are you among the few that will enter into the glorious home above? Many are called but few are chosen. Listen to this- “all those that I love, I reprove and chastise, therefore, have zeal and repent”. “He who as ear, let him hear what the spirit tells the church. Do not allow God to spew you out from His mouth. Repent from you sin. “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”- Eph. 5:14. This is the voice from Heaven and the love of God unto you. If a man sleeping at this time, he will not be conscious of what happens around him. Why are you sleeping when the arch-angel will sound the trumpets? Arise and go to God for restoration through spiritual revival.

God is ready to use you this year beyond your expectation. Therefore, repent and amend your way before it is too late.

ANOINTING FOR MIGHTY WORKS

Without mincing words, we are in the end time, which every Christians need great anointing, to respond to challenges. In this end time, whosoever desires success should pray for fresh anointing. The Bible says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit”. –Ephesians 5:18. It is observed that every Christian is commanded to be filled with Holy Spirit because the power of Holy Spirit requires personal encounter with Jesus and the experience of sanctification. If the world will experience the end time revival, there should be adequate understanding of the power and the latter rain of the Holy Spirit. He said, “Be glad then, ye children of zion, and rejoice in the Lord, your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you in the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month” – Joel 2:23, 28-32. The prophecy for the former rain was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2. This time is the period for the latter rain which should be greater than the former rain.

If Elisha could ask for the double portion of Elijah’s power, we should ask for greater power. Where can we find people who could thirst for power like Elisha in our own time when the demons are fighting the last battle? Though, teaching is good, it is spiritual anointing that break yokes. Where can we find men like Elisha who had greater than his contemporaries? It is unfortunate that carnal men are more in numbers today. Instead of creating time for personal relationship with God, people are busy with backbiting. Therefore, create time to ask for power from God for fresh anointing. This will help to subdue the demonic forces. Today, there is no genuine revival, but human device miracles. Even, our revivalists, both home and abroad could not respond to this great thirst for the fresh anointing – Acts 1:8

Soul winning is becoming past event. People only move from one denomination to join another. It is a pity! We see not our sign. No more testimony on salvation, but counterfeit tongue-speaking in the church without the manifestation of the spiritual fruits – Jer. 5: 24, Isa. 41:15 – 19. “And I will make you as the threshing tool with sharp teeth” Jer. 51: 20 – 23. Satan has already gathered his hosts against the power of God. It is the great anointing that can counter him. Currently, there is rebellion in the church. Besetting sins are rampant among workers. And there is no one to stand against challenges. On Mount Carmel Elijah called down fire, and later slaughtered four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal with sword – I Kings 18: 18 – 46. During the time of Joshua, he stopped the sun and moon – Joshua 10: 12 – 14. After the death of Elisha, his bones raised up dead body – II Kings 13: 20 – 21, with all these Biblical evidences, you should not pattern your life after Gehazi II Kings 4: 26 – 35. Today Many people are like Gehazi, who supposed to receive four portions of Elisha’s power, instead, he received leprosy. In like manner, instead for us to seek after money and acquisition of wealth, let us thirsty for the power of God. Do not be contented with your spiritual status, but desire to grow with God’s anointing.

Unfortunately, people venture into manipulations when they are dried of power. They turn the gospel to money making entrepreneur and enterprises. Read through the prophecy of Isaiah, “And there shall come forth a root out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” Isa. 11: 1. Therefore, ask for the filling of the power of the Holy Spirit and the fruit. This should be daily experience. It will make you to be valuable treasure for the body of Christ that is the church. You need the fresh anointing – Ps. 89: 20, 92: 10.” I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot, So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have needs of nothing; and knowest that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind,and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love. I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him and he with me”. – Rev. 3: 15 – 20

That you do not know that you are wretched – wretched in the spirit and in spiritual fruits.
Miserable – a miserable person concerning the spiritual gifts like Gehazi and Judas Iscariot, who had no future.
Poor – someone without God, without the fruit of the spirit and without the double portion of God’s power.
Blind – blind to the light of the gospel. They are the blind who lead others blind.

They fail to see themselves, but look for others’ fault.

Naked – no glory, neither is their authority nor anointing.

You still refer to yourself as a Christian, even when you are troubled with these five sicknesses. Why don’t you pray that, will you not revive us again, that your people rejoice in you?” Where is your former joy? Where is your first zeal? Why have you become so weak in prayers? You have title in the church, but still a carnal man. However, it is never too late. Pray so that Heavens be opened and fire of God descends on you.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isa. 40: 31.