The Oscar Ajoku Blog: Daily Vitamin Devotional

 DAILY VITAMIN - Beat Down The Adversaries "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." (1 Cor 16:13 NIV) The scripture tells us that if our strength fails in the midst of adversity, then it is indeed small. In other words, God isn't expecting us to back down when the adversary comes, rather He expects us to beat them down.  The opening scripture admonishes us to be strong in the face of adversity. And this came from Paul who told us that he had a great door of opportunity opened for him, but the adversary stood to withstand him (v. 9). At another place, he spoke of how Satan resisted him from being where he wanted to go (1 Thess 2:18); but you see it is one thing for the devil who is the adversary to resist you, and another for you to let him. Look at what he said in 2 Corinthians 1. He said the adversity was so tough it nearly killed him, but he overcame it because of God in whom he entrusted all to (v. 8-10). Remember, it is He who causes us

 DAILY VITAMIN - Kill Strife "To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the a person of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:10) The Corinthian Church was embattled by a truckload of strife among its members. They committed all such of wrongs among one another; and this drew reproofs from the apostle Paul. But still he was quick to forgive them and comfort them in the LORD so as to save their souls. And in our theme scripture, he was explaining why he did such. In verse 7, he said after a while such an offender should be forgiven and comforted so that he or she doesn't plunged into irreparable grief that could lead him to darkness; confirming your love in the Lord for him (v. 8). He also said that having forgiving him, let all forgive him as well whether present or absent, lest Satan takes advantage of us (v. 10-11). You see, he was talking about strife. When we carry bitterness in our hearts toward

  DAILY VITAMIN - The Good Sheep "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27) Jesus specifically taught us about how the Father shall separate the sheep from the goat. this signifying the righteous and the unrighteous. Furthermore, He also told us about the sheep and the one that wandered astray.  But why would a sheep in a midst of hundreds wander off? Simple. It wasn't looking at the Shepherd. Its focus was elsewhere; and so lost touch with the movement and leading of the Master. Thought the Master returns to find him, but the underlying fact here is that he wasn't focusing on His Lord.  The scripture cautions to "Look unto Jesus" (Hebrew 12:2). And in our theme verse, He says we must follow Him. We, hearing His voice, must follow as He leads (John 10:4). It is not enough to be added to the fold, we must live every day following His voice and will. That's exactly what Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are

 DAILY VITAMIN - God Will Keep You "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore." (Psalm 125:1) The scripture tells us that as many as trust in the LORD shall be like Mount Zion that cannot be moved. Just picture the firmness of a mountain; you can kick it, hit it or even bomb it, but it won't move from its place. The sun may strike upon it, the rains may pour upon it, yet it won't be moved. God says that is how we shall be. the circumstances may kick, hit or even seem like it's bombing you. The conditions surrounding you presently may have struck you causing you to fret and fidget, but the Bible says if we trust god, we won't be moved because God will keep us. Isaiah 40 says that in spite of the adversities we shall be like the eagle [strong and resistant], and shall walk when others have fainted and run when others a

 DAILY VITAMIN - Why The Wicked Prosper " for there is no respect of persons with God" (Romans 2:11 ESV) One of the most important question in life is Why? And one of the most important why questions Christians ask is why the unbelieving men in our time still prosper if the Bible says the wicked shall not prosper? Take a look around and you'd notice that the richest men of the Twenty-first century don't identify as Christians. If that be the case, then why are they rich? Is the Bible contradictory? No it isn't. God clearly explains why. In Proverbs 26:10, Solomon says that the great God that formed all things both rewards the fool and the transgressor. Note that the term fool here doesn't speak of the unwise, but of the unbelieving (Psalm 53:1); hence, why would God reward a man that doesn't believe in Him and a sinner that blatantly disrespects Him? It is because as Dr. Myles Munroe used to say, "God doesn't give us what we pray for, He gives us

  DAILY VITAMIN - The Purpose of Hardships "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds." (James 1:2 NIV) The Bible says God never willingly afflicts the children of His name (Lam 3:33). If this be so, then why does He permit persecution upon them? Why doesn't He let them live a life free of suffering? Well, we are told that in time we shall have such a life; a life without gnashing of teeth or suffering (Rev 21:4); however in this present world we must endure with it, because everything has a purpose, even hardships. Our opening scripture encourages the acceptance of hardships joyfully because they too have a purpose. God made the trees to give us food and oxygen; in the same way He permits hardships to bring us into perfection. The subsequent verses tell us that this happens through the trying of our faith; and faith when tried refines patience unto perfection in us until we are entirely complete as God expects us to be (v.3-4).

  DAILY VITAMIN - God Wants You To Know Him "But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me..." (Jeremiah 9:24) The primary aim of God for all of us is to know Him. It is as simple as that. God wants you to know Him. The theme verse assures us that it is the only reason to boast. Nothing else is worth it in the sight of God. Not your wisdom, or your wealth is enough reason to boast; only your knowledge of God. But here's the irony: a lot of us don't know God. We think we do but we don't. We are just religious people who have grown too religious to even notice that we know nothing. We go to church and dutifully follow the order of service to the latter; but when we leave the premises oftentimes we still feel empty. That feeling we have sometimes-that empty feeling-is because absolutely being churchy can't fill the appetite of our regenerated spirit, only the knowledge of God can. Thus, Peter tells us to feed ourselves with it (1 Peter 2:

 DAILY VITAMIN -  You Shall Do Greater Things " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12) These words of Jesus weren't a wish; they were a fact.  It was what He knew to be true because He had made it so. Case in point, during His earthly ministry, Jesus only travelled to as little as three nations-- Palestine, Syria and his homeland Israel; but consider his apostle Paul, he went to more than double that amount propagating the Gospel. He covered everywhere Christ covered; covered a large portion of Europe and Asia as well. And it is a no-brainer because Jesus already told us that we would be witnesses of His power and grace in the uttermost ends of the earth. In the same way, Jesus sees the potential for more in us all. He sees the capacity to do more than all He could humanly do, and has given us the power of the Spirit to achieve it. So abov

  DAILY VITAMIN - Fulfilling Destiny " Your eyes saw my unformed body;  all my days were written in Your book  and ordained for me  before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:16) Jesus said "The Son of man goes as it is written of Him..." (Matt 26:24). This proves that there is a path set out for every man by God; and those who choose to live by it fulfil their purpose for living, while those who don't don't. In Psalm 139, David said that his content wasn't hid from God the day He made him (v.15). That depicts that God knew exactly what He wanted from him. There was a life God had designed for him to live, things He had preplanned for him to do. The scripture says we have been predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things by the counsel by His will (Eph 1:11). So you have a God-given destiny to fulfil; and it is our obligation to Him and our responsibility to ourselves and the world at large to fulfil it. Little wonder why the same D

  DAILY VITAMIN - You Are Heaven On Earth " But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:17 NIV) When you look at a Christian, what do you see? Let me just tell you that you do not see a man; you see God in a man: the exact picture of Jesus on earth. That's why they term us like Him. We have the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in us just as He did, all because of all He did for us. Can you imagine that? All of heaven residing in you as you live on the earth. It is true. God is heaven; without Him, heaven would be hell since He is its one and only source of light and life. And He says all of that is indwelling in you. That's a glorious picture - You housing heaven on earth. It is your very substance; and so why you may be living like every other human, you are actually an habitat of heaven resident on the earth. Little wonder why we are ordained priests of the Kingdom (Rev 5:10). We exemplify the person of God, and we are supposed to live like

  DAILY VITAMIN -  Trust Him Even In The Darkest Night " Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5 ESV) Our theme scripture tells us that even when things seem to be happening differently than we planned, we must continue to stay committed to God in line with all He has promised us and it will surely come to be. And this is a very vital instruction for a whole lot of us who tend to melt in anxiety when things get unexplainably difficult. You think to yourself, "What did I do wrong? I've done everything He told me to; why are things still worse for me?" And in that desperation, run off to do many things that are against the perfect will of God. But here God tells us to trust Him instead. You see, people might judge you for having questions, but it is perfectly normal. In fact, God expects you to have questions; but yearns that they only lead you to lean more on Him. If not, why would He tell us to plead our cause t

  DAILY VITAMIN -  Remember Who The Real Enemy Is " Be alert and of sober mind.... Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 peter 5:8 NIV) A lot of us waste our energies trying to pay back those who have done evil to us, thus becoming more like them and less like whom God expects us to be. We get angry and seek to retaliate against a troublesome neighbour, an antagonistic colleague at work, or someone we believe is ultimately behind any challenge we might presently have encountered; forgetting that these people are only pawns in the hands of the real enemy behind the curtains. The scripture affirms this when it tells us that our fight isn't against men, but against spiritual entities (Ephesians 6:12-13). The evil spirit beings influence people and situations against us, and so if there is any way we must tackle the problem, it must be by incapacitating the devil and his demon's power first against us and behind the oppr

  DAILY VITAMIN -  He Will Fill Your Life With Good Things " Yet he filled their houses with good things..." (Job 22:18) The scripture says in verse 17 that the unbelieving asked what God would do for His people; and it is said that He fills their houses with good things. Hallelujah! That's your story too. It doesn't matter how tough things may have seemed, He says He will abundantly bless you with good things to enjoy. Good things in your health, marriage, education, finance etc. He says it will be so good to be true you wouldn't even believe (Habakkuk 1:5); but it will turn your dryness into sufficiency (Isaiah 43:19). Then you will see it and be glad (Job 22:19). However, we are told that to make this a reality every day, we must stay acquainted to Him, delighting ourselves in His will, and our lives will be abundant with goodness (v. 21-25). And also when others seem to be crumbling, by His covenant with you, you won't (v.29). Therefore, rejoice; I say, re

  DAILY VITAMIN -  Now We Know Them " Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. .." (Matthew 12:33) There are - and will be - many false teachers among us bent on leading us away from God's true path for us. And here's the thing: they don't look a particular way. They look exact ly like us, and some times we might even take them for reverential persons. Jesus tells us that they will do great signs and wonders that will make it difficult to disbelieve them (Matt 24:24), but also He told us how to spot them. He said by their fruits . Every tree might appear the same, but their fruit differentiates them. For instance, these days we find a lot of religious fortune tellers posing as prophets of God eating into the hearts of many, but when you look at their lives, you won't find a glimpse of God nor His love in them.  Like Diotrephes, they take eminent positions in the body of

 DAILY VITAMIN -  Speak Into Your Life " For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." (John 3:34) Our theme scripture says he or she whom God has sent speaks the words of God - that is, words of power as God to create, because He has given them the Spirit (the capacity to do so) without measure. We may think that He was speaking of Christ alone, but no He wasn't. He was speaking about us too. Remember, as Christ is, so are we also in this world (1 John 4:17). And we are told that we have also been called, sent, justified and glorified (Romans 8:29-30). Hence, He is saying that our words are just as powerful as God's now. When we speak in His Name, it carries its authority to do as said. So whatever we say receive a seal to occur as said. this is why we must say only good things. When we say a person is healed, they become healed. When we say their joy is restored, it becomes restored. in the same light, speak

 DAILY VITAMIN - There's Light In You " In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:4-5) What our theme scripture truly depicts is that the day you received Christ, the light of God entered into your life; the same light that the Bible termed unapproachable; and by it all the darkness around you has been overcome. Glory to God! Can you believe that? The light of God that chases away the darkness wherever He appears is now actively resident in you. Little wonder, the Spirit speaking through David says that as soon as the enemy sets his eyes on you, he flees (Psalm 18:44-45). Darkness can't compete with the light. Hence, in line with God's Word, wherever you appear, devils are suppose to depart. The Bible never told us we have to leave a place out of fear of the devil. Even Jesus never vacated a place because of the devil. He claimed ownership; and we can do the same through H

  DAILY VITAMIN -  The Word Blossoms " Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors." (Proverbs 8:34) The scripture says that the man who patiently on the Lord for His Word shall blessed as a result, and shall find life and favour in all he does. He doesn't depend on his own understanding, but on God's judgement, and is led right to the path of honour at all times. And Solomon recommends we do the same. When we live daily by the Word, we would blossom for all the world to see. Psalm 1:3 says such a man that delights in God's Word shall be like a tree planted by the river. James 1:25 says he shall prosper in all he does. Thus, are you confused concerning what to do next? Listen to what the LORD is saying. Your ideas might seem great, but we are told that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). They accomplish all He desires and leaves us breaking forth with joy (Isaiah 55:12). So, listen to Him. Study t

DAILY VITAMIN - There Is Only One Lord For All " But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created all things and made us to be his own; and one Lord Jesus Christ, ..." (1 Corinthians 8:6 TLB) While other religions may presume another alternative or another way to salvation, there is no other. For instance, Buddhism has no place for God, but believes that man himself is his own judge and salvation by how he lives; while the Hindus add to it by believing that if you live doing good deeds, you'd be reincarnated into good fortune. But while this appears to give its believers hope, it has no true substance. Our theme scripture says there is only one God, the Father, who has made us his own, and only one Lord Jesus Christ who has saved us. And He says "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Jesus isn't a way, He is the only way. There are no alternatives.  Hence if you have Him in your li

  DAILY VITAMIN -  Your Body Is God's Home " What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19) Your body is not just a part of you, it is a place God resides in. The scripture says that God dwells in us just as we dwell in Him by the Spirit. And as much as this is exciting, it depicts two things. First, with your body being God's house, it means you can't just do anything with it. Remember, the Holy Spirit abides in you, and so you must walk in holiness with your body. Forget what society says about how your body is yours and so you can do whatever you like with it, that isn't what God says. He says "-ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor 6:19-20).  Hope you saw that? God isn't only interested in how well you nurture your spirit, He cares also about

  DAILY VITAMIN - Success Is A Choice "For which of you, intending to  build  a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the  cost , whether he have sufficient to finish it? ." (Luke 14:28) Success isn't a right; it's a choice. Though it's God's plan for your life, it's a path you have to constantly be in pursuit of. What this means is that God can't force a man to succeed; the man must first desire success, and only then can God help him. The Bible says God shall give such a man the desires of his heart when he delights in Him (Proverbs 37:4). It also says God will only establish what we commit to Him (Proverbs 16:3). So, there must first be a desire from the man's end before there can be a fulfilment on God's end. In other words, to succeed you must first desire success. You must have first tuned your mind with the picture of success and drive yourself toward it. Jesus told us that to build a house, we must count the cost and evaluate whet