Romans 12:11 (NIV)

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.

Many Christians live their natural lives without obtaining all the benefits Christ gave us through His death and glorious resurrection, simply because they’ve settled into a false sense of spiritual progress. They stop pursuing deeper study of the Word, higher levels of prayer, and focused dedication to the Kingdom; they've become complacent.

Imagine driving a car on a quarter tank of gas. Sure, it’s not as desperate as being on empty, but it's still far from a full tank! As a child of God, never mistake “being better than before” for being where God intends you to be. Don’t settle for living below the standard God has set for you. True progress isn’t about being better than your worst but advancing toward Christ’s best for your life!

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

I am not settling for better; I’m after God’s best for me this year of strange oil! I can never be on an empty tank. I’m full of Godly energy!

FURTHER STUDY

Ephesians 3:19

365 BIBLE CHALLENGE – DAY 63

Numbers 16-18; Mark 5:1-21

Philippians 3:14 (KJV)

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

In ornithology (the study of birds), eagles are considered among the most focused, strategic, and precise creatures in the animal kingdom. With eyesight eight times sharper than humans, they can spot prey from miles away, even at heights of 23,000 feet. Beyond their physical ability, eagles possess a mindset unlike that of other flying creatures; they are relentless in their pursuit of their prey. Unfazed and unshaken.

As a child of God, execute every task with the eagle’s precision. Be relentless in your pursuit to carry out the will of God, with razor-sharp focus and strategy. Fix your eyes continually on fulfilling God's plan and advancing His Kingdom agenda, pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

Like an eagle, I am made to soar! I have every tool at my disposal to action the will of God for my life with great precision and strategy!

FURTHER STUDY

Colossians 3:2

365 BIBLE CHALLENGE – DAY 62

Numbers 14-15; Mark 4:21-41

Judges 6:15 (NIV)

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

In today’s scripture, God calls Gideon during a time when Israel was oppressed by the Midianites. The Lord said, “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites…” What makes this reading so impactful is Gideon’s response. Instead of walking confidently in who God had called him to be, he responded in fear, judging his ability through the eyes of men.

Many Christians today do the same, limiting God's move in their lives by underestimating who they are in Christ. They feel unqualified, weak, or too small. But it doesn't matter whether others consider you the least in your place of education, workplace, or community; if God has called you, He’ll empower you. You will fulfil His mission in a mighty way in this year of Strange Oil!

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

Today, I choose to view myself through the lens of God’s eyes. I walk boldly into the new week knowing I am chosen by God!

FURTHER STUDY

Jeremiah 1:5-8

365 BIBLE CHALLENGE – DAY 61

Numbers 11-13; Mark 4:1-20

Matthew 7:24 (KJV)

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

In the world of investing, many entrepreneurs understand the concept of “unrealised gains”, profits that exist on paper but are not actualised because the asset hasn’t been sold. Imagine buying shares for $1000, which later rise to $1500. That $500 increase is your unrealised gain that becomes real only when you sell the share.

For Christians, failing to activate scripture means risking a life of unrealised gains, never fully accessing the rewards God has stored up. The Word becomes mere paper gains, full of divine promises that remain dormant. Line upon line, precept upon precept, scripture outlines God's plan for your flourishing, and even the prophetic theme of strange oil - without action, it serves no purpose. Put the Word to work, don’t just hear it, do it!

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

Today I choose not only to listen to the Word but to put action to it! I activate every divine provision written concerning me. I will not live with unrealised gains; I claim all that God has declared over my life!

FURTHER STUDY

James 1:22

365 BIBLE CHALLENGE – DAY 60

Numbers 9-10; Mark 3:20-35

Ephesians 6:2 (KJV)

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.

There are blessings attached to honouring fathers and mothers, whether biological or spiritual. It's paramount that you get this right. By honouring your parents, you obtain longevity, a reversal of death sentences, protection from accidents, and a "not guilty" verdict from the enemy’s accusations that he'd try to use to eliminate you.

Honour is not merely an abstract spiritual concept; it is expressed physically. Don't wait to be reminded to appreciate and honour your biological parents and those who parent you in the Lord. Honour is a spiritual principle that attracts God's blessing. It is also a command that comes with a promise: that your days may be long upon the earth.

In this Year of Strange Oil, as you honour both biological and spiritual parents, long life and divine preservation are yours.

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

I shall honour my biological and spiritual parents in words and deeds. I am ready to receive the full benefits of honour now and always! Hallelujah! Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Exodus 20:12

1 Kings 19:9 (NLT)

There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the LORD said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

There are times and seasons to be among the crowd, shouting, singing, and celebrating. There are also crucial times when the vicissitudes of life demand separation. It's in such moments of solitude that God begins to speak to you.

Elijah, a renowned prophet, travelled afar and lodged in a cave, totally separated from the multitude. Only then did the Word of the Lord come to him.

You’ve stayed in a noisy environment for too long, mingling with the crowd only to experience recycled pain, frustration, and disappointment. But when you dare to boldly separate yourself from the crowd in this Year of Strange Oil, God will meet you for a divine encounter that transforms your destiny forever.

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

I will not give sleep to my eyes until God speaks in my moment of separation. I know God speaks, and I am positioned to hear Him clearly, in the mighty Name of Jesus! Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Psalm 46:10

365 BIBLE CHALLENGE – DAY 54

Leviticus 26-27; Matthew 28

1 Kings 18:42 (KJV)

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.

Prophet Elijah prayed with his face between his knees. His head, which contains the eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and brain, was bowed in total submission. This posture showed that his every faculty was engaged in intense prayer, leaving no room for distraction.

It is at the point of full concentration that fire from the throne room penetrates every opposition to your advancement. Let your time in prayer be one of complete focus, full concentration wrapped in faith and expectation, and results will surely manifest. Such prayer enforces heavenly realities and births miracles. Deliberately practise this, and your life will soar in this Year of Strange Oil.

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

I pray with results! My prayers shake territories and force circumstances to succumb to God's Word within me. My prayers are result-oriented because I'm focused on advancing God's agenda. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

James 5:17-18

365 BIBLE CHALLENGE – DAY 53

Leviticus 23-25; Matthew 27:33-66

Genesis 5:24 (KJV)

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Many Christians seek power, renown, or recognition, yet their hunger for the things of God is shallow. I’ve met people who desire manifestations but lack hunger for true intimacy with the God of Heaven. They want His "things" but are bankrupt in His love.

A man or woman with unquenchable hunger for God commands power and shifts destinies. It’s time for you to be that person, one who is burning with an undiluted and unquenchable desire for Him. In this Year of Strange Oil, let your hunger rise to the level where God can entrust you with transformative power to bring change in your family, business, career, and finances without struggle.

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

My hunger for God is undiluted! As my desire for Him grows, I am empowered and step boldly into the realities of the Spirit. My life rises in glory, in the Name of Jesus! Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Luke 24:51

365 BIBLE CHALLENGE – DAY 52

Leviticus 20-22; Matthew 27:1-32