Spice with Ibijoké

  "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called." —1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV) Life isn’t a passive journey; it is a battleground where the good fight of faith is waged daily. As a believer, you have been enlisted into this spiritual warfare, and your victory is guaranteed through Christ. But to claim it, you must actively engage. This isn’t just a fight for survival—it’s a fight for your faith, your joy, and your eternal destiny. The Nature of the Battle A Fight Against Doubt The enemy whispers, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1). Doubt creeps in to challenge God’s promises, attempting to erode your trust in Him. A Fight Against Weariness The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10), but the enemy seeks to exchange that joy for heaviness and despair, wearing you down so you lose the will to fight. A Fight Against Sin Temptation lurks in the subtle corners of your day—small compromises, negative words, or actions that seem insignifi...

  The Power of His Presence "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." —Matthew 18:20 (NIV) There is a profound simplicity in God’s promise to us in Matthew 18:20. The Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, assures us of His presence—not in the grandeur of stadiums or the magnitude of crowds, but in the humble gathering of just two or three hearts united in His name. It’s a reminder that our faith isn’t measured by numbers or formality but by the sincerity of our hearts and the unity of our purpose. What Happens When Two or Three Gather in His Name? 1. His Presence is With Us God Himself draws near when we gather in His name. His manifest presence fills the space, bringing comfort, peace, and joy. He delights in the fellowship of His children (Psalm 133:1). 2. He Answers Prayers Jesus reminds us, “If two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19). When we gather in agreement, hea...

  "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." —1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Each day unfolds like a canvas, painted with strokes of blessings and challenges. The blessings fill our hearts with joy and gratitude, but the challenges can cast shadows of fear, doubt, and anxiety. Yet, today, God whispers to us through His Word: “Stand firm. Let nothing move you.” What Does It Mean to Stand Firm? Physically: Stand tall. Lift your head high as a child of God. Let your posture reflect the authority and strength of your heavenly Father. Emotionally: Refuse to let worry or fear dominate your heart. Guard your emotions from the storms of uncertainty and pain. Instead, clothe yourself with God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Mentally: Fix your thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy ...

 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." — Galatians 1:10 One of humanity's deepest fears is the fear of rejection—rejection by loved ones, friends, colleagues, or society. In our quest to avoid rejection and win approval, we often: Silence our personal convictions. Let go of cherished values. Sabotage our goals. Even fall into sin to please others. But is it worth it? Does compromising our values on the altar of people-pleasing truly endear us to others? Does it bring peace, or does it leave us feeling tossed to and fro, like a ship caught in an unpredictable storm? A Steady Anchor Like a guiding post at sea, steadfast in the waves, let only one thing anchor your intentions and actions: the will of God. By living for His approval rather than the fleeting whims of people, you:   Free yourself from the control of others’ expectations. Gain...

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will." — Romans 12:2 Many of us ponder daily whether we are operating in the will of God. Are the decisions we make aligned with His good, pleasing, and perfect will? Today's scripture provides the answer: it describes what it takes to walk in the Father's will:  Do not conform to the behaviors and patterns of this world.  Be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit.  Renew your mind through a reformation of how you think. Growing up, our conscious and subconscious minds are shaped by the culture and systems of the world. These patterns often stand in direct opposition to God’s ways, making transformation a battle of systems—a battle against deeply ingrained habits and norms. Steps Toward Transformation Be intentional: Decide what you need to change from and what you want to change to...