[1/31, 11:49 PM] Pastor Dr. NseAbasi Harry: ULTIMATE CARE DEVOTIONAL.VOLUME 2.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2023🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦THEME: 👉NO MORE REPROACH 2“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach”.TEXT: NEHEMIAH 2:17MESSGAE📕Recalled; Reproach is anything that degrades you. Reproach means shame, blame and disgrace. Affliction is a reproach. Poverty is a reproach. Sickness is a reproach. Disease is a reproach. Failure is a reproach. Lack is a reproach. Barrenness is a reproach. Whatever does not promote life, whatever does not enhance life but degrades, downgrades or relegates is a reproach. Whatever makes a person uncomfortable, whatever makes a person inferior to others, whatever makes a person wish to die, whatever makes someone feel that life is no more worth living physically, emotionally, socially, ministerially, financially, and academically and much more is a reproach? Whatever affects the fibber of your career/calling or ministry or marital status negatively is a reproach. Remember the word of Nehemiah; “Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach”.I can also tell you today as the Nehemiah of our time, 2023 General Elections is a round the corner, remember the reproach that Nigeria is passing through, “Let us arise to vote the right candidates into power, that we be no more reproach to the heathen, the infidels that are destroying this nation of ours”. If you remember this word today during the elections, and do it by voting the right candidates into power, happy are you, you will come back with the testimony.👉How does reproach come?👉1. Inherited reproach. Unfortunately, we don’t choose which country or family where we are born. Some are born to families of never do wells, cursed and poor. For example, Reuben was cursed by Jacob his father Gen. 49:3-4) and his children inherited the reproach. “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 1 Chr 5:1-2. Those who should inherit the blessing of first born became vagabonds and strugglers. Some are born with situations and condition they cannot explain but it’s reproachful. Jesus confronted such situations. One boy was born blind in John Chapter nine and Jesus changed the reproach to glory. That will be your portion. Whatever reproach that has followed you from birth will be terminated in this month of no more reproach in Jesus’ name. Your ugly feet at a beautiful gate shall be made beautiful in Jesus’ name.👉2. Circumstantial reproach. Unexpected tragedies. Some reproach come while people are pursuing life. A classic example is what happened to a woman called Naomi. She emigrated from the land of Israel to the land of Moab because of economic challenges called ‘famine and drought’ Ruth 1:1-7. In a space of few years she met with life tragedies that was beyond what she was running from. She lost her husband and two sons in quick succession. Hear what she said: “And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi (sweetness), call me Mara (Bitter) for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? People are raped, people are lied against and are sent to jail for what they know little or nothing about and they suffer reproach. Even when they served the terms and come out they are regarded as ex-convicts. Some have accidents and are bed ridden for no fault of theirs and are going not only through the pains but the reproach. God is saying he will touch you in a special way this month and remove your reproach!👉3. Self-Inflicted Reproach.Life styles such as idolatry, corruption, fraud, 419, party spirits, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, thievery, and other types of immorality, are causes of reproach. Examples abound in scriptures and in contemporary life of people who by their actions and life styles brought shame and reproach on themselves. I am writing this so that you will no more bring shame on yourself.Noah a great man of God brought shame and reproach on himself by becoming a drunkard (Gen 9:21). Lot brought shame and disgrace when he also got drunk and slept with his daughters Genesis 19:31-35. Samson brought shame and reproach upon himself by his inability to control his sexual appetite. ‘Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her. And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house’. Judges 16:1, 4, 21. How many are grinding stones in strange places because of their inability to control their sexual appetites. People like Reuben who slept with his father’s concubine and brought generational reproach on his generation. Gen 49:3-4. David the uncommon General brought shame and reproach because of sexual activities. Amnon, the son of David half-brother of Absalom, raped the sister of Absalom and brought not only disgrace but uncommon death upon himself. How many are carrying unwanted pregnancies and corresponding shame because they could not close their thighs. Some bring reproach by stealing, manipulation and all kinds of unwholesome lifestyles.Listen to me this is not the plan of God for you. Read this: “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach. 1 Timothy 3:2 “So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” Philippians 2:15″Namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain” Titus 1:6-7👉4.Reproach from Others Sources. People can bring reproach on you just because they hate you, your parents, and your family. – like the people of Israel suffered. “Therefore, they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Ramses. Ex 1: 11. People are sacked in their offices for what they know nothing about and they suffered shame. Some defile others and brought shame on them. I have two counsels stop bringing reproach on people. Stop putting yourself in a situation that will bring reproach on yourself and other.👉5. Bearing reproach because of Christ. There is one reproach God wants you to bear, reproach for his name. God wants to you to bear reproach for the sake of the gospel. Many servants of God, in carrying out their commission, suffer reproach. People like Jeremiah. “Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Jer 20:2, Jer 20:8.Peter said it so well. “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. 16But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear this name”. 1 Pet 4:14-16.PRAYERS🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and protection over my life and destiny. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, every inherited reproach, I cancel and terminate them over my life and destiny. That which is not to the glory of God in my life, I command them to give way by the power of the Holy Ghost. That which hinders my life blessings and process, I banish them by the blood of Jesus. I decree every work of darkness over my life and destiny null and void in Jesus’ name, Amen.FURTHER BIBLE READING: 1 PETER 4BIBLE READING PLAN FOR THE YEAR,2023.MORNING: 1 CHRONICLES, 9-10.: EVENING: 1 CHRONICLES, 11-12💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦👨‍👩‍👧 Author: Pastor NseAbasi Harry💦💦💦💦💦🎁💦💦💦💦💦HAMMER WORD BIBLE CHURCH, ABAK, NIGERIA CARES ⛪[2/2, 7:19 AM] Pastor Dr. NseAbasi Harry: ULTIMATE CARE DEVOTIONAL🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023🎁💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦THEME: 👉THE OVERWHELMING HEART”From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I”TEXT: Psalms 61:2MESSAGE📕To be overwhelmed means to be devastated, or overpowered. To overwhelm is also to cover or bury beneath a mass of something, as floodwaters, debris, or an avalanche; submerge. Being overwhelmed often means putting our focus in a time that isn’t the present. Life with an overwhelming heart burdens the soul who owns it.To avoid getting stressed, simply bring your attention back to the now. We can’t change the past and we can’t control the future, but we can do our best to create a positive experience in the present by the help of the Holy Spirit. On account of this, the Psalmist declares;”From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (PSALM 61:2)In today’s society, it seems that many of us feel overwhelmed the majority of the time. However, in the long run, this can lead to chronic stress and major health problems, which we’d obviously want to avoid if we could help it. We might not be able to escape the stresses of everyday life, but we can learn to manage them more effectively. If you have been feeling overwhelmed lately, we hope the following quotes will help you ease your stress and remember the beauty of life even in the difficult moments.5 Ways To Stop Feeling Overwhelmed“You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” – Timber HawkeyeWhen life seems like a constant rat race, remember to take time for yourself. Create a calm environment in your home and within you, so no amount of stress can pierce through the layer of tranquility you’ve created for yourself.“Getting knocked down in life is a given. Getting up and moving forward is a choice.” – Zig ZiglarWe can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to it. Remember that even when life knocks you down, you don’t have to stay there and let it run the show. Get up and fight back, because that is the only way you can keep going in life.The less you respond to negativity, the more peaceful your life becomes.Maybe the key to stop feeling overwhelmed lies in what you give your attention to. What you focus on expands, so remember this the next time you feel overwhelmed. You have the power to create your reality, and that starts with what you give your energy and what thoughts you allow. Just let God be your guide.“Take life day by day and be grateful for the little things. Don’t get stressed over what you can’t control.” Give to God in prayers.Being overwhelmed often means putting our focus in a time that isn’t the present. To avoid getting stressed, simply bring your attention back to the now. We can’t change the past and we can’t control the future, but we can do our best to create a positive experience in the present by the help of the Holy Spirit.Stop stressing yourself too much. Everything will be okay, just let it go.No matter what happens in life, you can’t always control the outcome. All you can do is give it up to God to decide what He wants you to learn and experience. And keep focusing on Christ, the source of your strength.Sometimes you have to stop thinking too much and just let God take charge.Oftentimes, we feel overwhelmed by trying to control our reality too much. Letting go and enjoying the process can usually alleviate any feelings of stress, because we’ve stepped back and allowed life to run its course.Trust yourself. You’ve survived a lot, and you’ll survive whatever is coming.One of the best things you can do in life is to believe in yourself. As long as you have you and your faith doesn’t waver, you can meet any challenge in life head on.When something is gone; something better is coming.Don’t focus on the past. You can learn from it, but don’t allow it to define you. The past is behind you for a reason; keep your eyes peeled for what’s in store ahead of you.“Don’t give up now. Chances are your best kiss, your hardest laugh, and your greatest day are still yet to come.” – AtticusNo matter what, just keep on going. If you give up now, you won’t know the many blessings that await you in the days to come. Oftentimes, our greatest battles simply prepare us for a wonderful future.We cannot start over, but we can create a new beginning.Sometimes, you just need to hit the reset button. It’s not always about fixing what’s broken; sometimes it’s about moving on and creating a better future in a new place.You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.Every human is working towards perfection; we’re constantly evolving and working on ways to better ourselves. Just embrace your strengths and keep developing your weaknesses. So, you don’t have to be perfect to reach your goal, you just have to keep going and do whatever it takes to gain your own approval.Believers in Christ Jesus should know their God and Jesus Christ, who is the true rock higher than all. Hallelujah. Those who know the true LORD will be strong and carry out exploits. Praise the LORD! Dearly beloved, who is your leader? Does he have the qualities of GOD?PRAYERS🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and care over my life and destiny. Praise God. Once the care of this life overwhelms me, Father, lead me to the rock that is higher that I. Empower me with the right to follow the pattern of godliness always. Help me to always walk in your blessed will in Jesus mighty name, Amen.FURTHER BIBLE READINGPSALM 61BIBLEREADING PLAN FOR THE YEAR, 2023MORNING: 1 CHRONICLES, 18: 13-14EVENING: 1 CHRONICLES, 15-16💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦👨‍👩‍👧 Author: Pastor NseAbasi Harry💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦HAMMER WORD BIBLE CHURCH, ABAK, NIGERIA CARES ⛪💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦[2/3, 1:26 AM] Pastor Dr. NseAbasi Harry: ULTIMATE CARE DEVOTIONAL🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023🎁💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦THEME: 👉BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING”Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”TEXT: Philippians 4:6MESSAGE📕Being anxious for nothing means trusting the plan, purpose, and sovereignty of God as His kingdom purposes are fulfilled in all manners of circumstance. It means recognizing that all circumstances can be used by God for His glory and praiseWhen the Holy Scripture said “in everything”, it left nothing out; therefore, “in everything”, including marriage, education, career, ministry, child bearing, expectation, etc., we must be anxious for nothing. Do you know why? It is because you serve a living GOD who cares so much about you and is always expecting you to talk to Him about everything, even what you think is not so important. You can reach Him by His laid-down procedure: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. If you put prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving to work in every request you make, consider it done so there will be no need to be anxious. Anxiety is very dangerous and can even kill; consider many people who have lost their lives through road accidents because of worry/anxiety. Let see the implications of the theme-“Be Anxious for Nothing” (Philippians 4:6)7 Implications of the Phrase, ‘Be Anxious for Nothing’Paul’s familiarity with this hostile environment and his love for the Philippian church makes this text quite rich.He doesn’t just tell them not to worry, he does so by showing them what that looks like and why such anxieties would be in vain.Following this thread throughout his letter serves as our tool to understanding the bigger picture of “be anxious for nothing,” beyond the fundamental idea of “do not worry.”Don’t worry — God’s got you. Often, fear and worry go hand-in-hand so Paul doesn’t waste any time telling this group of believers not to be afraid, in any way, of those that would oppose them. The reason being — God is there to save them (Philippians 1:28).He, again, reminds them of this in Philippians 4:5, the verse prior to his plea to be anxious for nothing. He tells them, “The Lord is near,” followed by, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).Being anxious for nothing means knowing the God of peace was with the Philippians (Philippians 4:9), and He is with us, as well. To save us and to meet our needs.Don’t worry — there is power in prayer. In the same breath that Paul says, “Be anxious for nothing,” he poses the remedy of prayer.Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).Not only is he reminding the Christian Philippians to stay in prayer, with much to be thankful for, he shares with them the reason for doing so — because it’s through gratitude and prayer that the unexplainable peace of God guards our minds and hearts (Philippians 4:6-7).Not only that, Paul references the power of prayer as he is anticipating his own deliverance to result from the prayers of others (Philippians 1:18-19).Being anxious for nothing means making our requests in prayer, with gratitude, because we recognize the power of prayer and we recognize the power of God. It’s this trust and reliance in God that results in a peace that extinguishes fear and worry.Don’t worry — there are examples to follow. Just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do (Philippians 3:17).And how was Paul living his life? As one who recognized his citizenship was in heaven, so he need not set his mind on earthly things (Philippians 3:19-20), and neither should we.Instead, we’re called to maintain a united mind with Christ and His Spirit (Philippians 2:1-2), to keep our focus on godly truths (Philippians 4:8), and to look up to those who have gone before us in faith and obedience.Paul was sure to point out how Jesus lived and how we should do the same — doing nothing out of selfish ambition, rather, valuing others above ourselves and looking out for the interests of others above our own (Philippians 2:3-5).Being anxious for nothing means finding encouragement from those whose lives boast of God’s faithfulness. These godly examples serve to help us lay down our own lives for Christ, looking to Him as the prime example of humility and obedience (Philippians 2:8).Don’t worry — death is not the end. Jesus tells us to not fear those who can kill the body (Matthew 10:28), for this reason, Paul says that even death can be considered great gain (Philippians 1:21).This isn’t easy in practice, especially since so many live as enemies of the cross (Philippians 3:18), but living unafraid, selflessly for the gospel, becomes easier upon the understanding that those in Christ have been called heavenward (Philippians 3:14) and will be resurrected with Him (Philippians 3:11) for an eternity with God.Being anxious for nothing means not putting our confidence in things of the flesh (Philippians 3:3), rather knowing that Christ can be exalted in life and in death (Philippians 1:20). For this reason, we confidently live for the glory to come.Don’t worry — things aren’t always what they seem. For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).Paul has seen, firsthand, the Lord at work, particularly in the midst of trials and persecution. He gives the example of God working to advance the gospel through his own dire circumstances of being held in chains (Philippians 1:12-13).Being anxious for nothing means trusting the plan, purpose, and sovereignty of God as His kingdom purposes are fulfilled in all manners of circumstance.Don’t worry — knowing Jesus is supreme. Paul tells the Philippians that there is surpassing worth to knowing Jesus, over anything that could be lost in this life.He goes as far as to call anything that is lost garbage if it means that Christ may be gained (Philippians 3:8).For this reason, Paul declares he has no need to worry because he’s learned to be content in any circumstance — the good and the bad (Philippians 4:11). And we know for Paul, it gets pretty bad (2 Corinthians 11:23-29).But it would have been in these circumstances that Paul experienced Jesus as the source of his strength (Philippians 4:13) and came to truly understand the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.Being anxious for nothing means pressing on to know Jesus until we fully grasp that He is in control (Philippians 3:21), that He is Lord above all (Philippians 2:6-11), and that sharing His gospel so others may know Him too, is what matters most.Don’t worry — it’s all for God’s glory. The Bible is pretty clear that God is working in us and through us, as we live by faith, to the glory and praise of God (Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 1:28).This means that each and every anxiety-inducing circumstance is an opportunity for God to be glorified.In the very least, by applying what has been shared here, peace is found, needs are met, worries dissolve, and the fruits of righteousness are cultivated (Philippians 1:11). That we may rejoice in the Lord, always (Philippians 4:4).PRAYERS🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and care towards me, I quite appreciate you. Father, every form of anxiety in me, let thy Holy Spirit and your love overwhelm it and silence it, in Jesus mighty name, Amen.I terminate every contrary influence in my life and family in Jesus mighty name, Amen. Let your Holy Spirit grants me peace of heart in Jesus’ name, Amen.FURTHER BIBLE READINGPhilippians 4BIBLE READING PLAN FOR THE YEAR, 2023MORNING: 2 CHRONICLES, 17-18EVENING: 2 CHRONICLES, 19-20💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦👨‍👩‍👧 Author: Pastor NseAbasi Harry💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦HAMMER WORD BIBLE CHURCH, ABAK, NIGERIA CARES ⛪💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦