THERE IS NO CASE AGAINST YOU
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Friday 5th July 2024
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” Colossians 2: 14 (KJV)
Welcome to the last day of 2024. Congratulations, you made it. As we prepare for 2025, I must remind you there is no case against you. Understand what Christ did on the cross and His victory on your behalf. This is vital so you do not miss out on the significance of His death and resurrection. Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Colossae, figuratively describes what Christ’s death accomplished for the believer.
The NIV translation says: “Having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14). What does that mean? The word “cancelled”, translated from the original Greek language, also means to wipe out or wash. Metaphorically, this connotes a removal or obliteration of whatever used to be. “Our legal indebtedness” agrees with scripture, as stated in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. Before receiving redemption through Christ, we were all legal slaves and captives of sin. We had the overbearing weight of sin and eternal condemnation hanging over our heads, which empowered the devil to table accusations against us before the Father.
But Christ, through His death, has destroyed everything that gave the enemy a legal hold over your life. Child of God, because of the price that Christ paid on the cross of Calvary, the enemy can no longer bring any accusation against you before God. He has no case against you. And so, you have been discharged, acquitted, the case is closed, and there is no appeal! That tells you that you have total victory! So, you are fighting from the point of complete victory. In other words, it is not that you will be victorious; you are already victorious. Arise with this understanding and enforce your victory in every area of your life as you match victoriously into 2025.
Further Reading: Ephesians 2:15-17; Colossians 2:13-15
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Malachi; Evening- Revelation 22
STOP TOILING, JUST REST AT HIS FEET
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Friday 5th July 2024
“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net.” Luke 5:5 (KJV)
The scripture tells the story of Peter in Luke Chapter 5. Everything was made ready for him, but he did not know it. So, he toiled all night and caught nothing. He went in the night at the right time for fishing and with the right tools, but no result. He was not a novice at fishing. He went with the right kind of partners but still caught nothing. Here comes Jesus in the morning, saying: Give me your boat so that I can preach the Word. Peter, being a fisherman and the owner of the boat, rode the boat out a little from the land and sat down. He was no more fishing; he sat down, and he rested.
When the Master is there, you do not toil. All things are ready. This is the secret to all things, including ministry. If you learn to rest at the feet of Jesus, you will never run dry of anointing. I can assure you of that. Isaiah 30:15 says: “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; in returning and rest shall ye be saved; In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…” (KJV).
You see, we often think it is running here and there that generates the anointing. No! It is not! Anointing is generated by sitting down and just enjoying God’s presence. If the Bible says he that walks with the wise shall be wise, then what that means is that if I also walk with the anointed, I will be anointed. Peter sat down in the same place where they said there was no fish. And because he rested in what had been finished, what had been prepared, it was like all the fishes were told to start looking for Peter’s net.
As you rest at the feet of the Lord, what you have desired that has been delayed and has become an impossibility in your life will become a possibility. It will surely happen!
Further Reading: Luke 5:1-9
Daily Bible Reading: Morning – Job 30-31, Evening – Acts 13:26-52