Ben Irabor Ministries

15/03/2024

If the Lord has call you to build something He will never ask you to steal from another man’s house. He will provide. He will equip. He will bring co - laborer’s call to your assignment. So keep on collecting the LEGO’s and building relationships, stewarding well who you’ve been given. Builders build, we trust God for resources and we protect His people. Like Nehemiah, a hammer in one hand. A sword in the other. Let’s get busy friends. Time is short, and we’ve got things to build with the Lord.

15/03/2024

Grac House Devotion
Friday 15th March

The Gospel Helps You Stand Your Ground

“On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong.”
Ephesians 6:15 (NCV)

Conflict makes you an easy target for Satan’s attacks. It doesn’t matter if your conflict is with God, other people, or even yourself—it will open up every area of your life to Satan’s attacks.

You don’t want that. If you’re fighting yourself, others, or God, you can’t fight against what Satan is doing in the world. You can’t fight a multi-front war effectively. You were never meant to do so.

All levels of conflict leave your flailing for support and searching for a firm footing, as if you’re being sucked into quicksand.

That’s why Paul urges believers, “On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong” (Eph 6:15 NCV).

Roman soldiers had hobnails on the bottom of their shoes. These little nails helped them get a better grip with their shoes, like cleats for football players.

Without them, soldiers would slip and slide in battle. They wouldn’t be able to hold their ground.

Without putting on the peace that comes from the Good News, you too will slip and slide your way through life.

Paul is writing about three different aspects of peace: with yourself, with others, and with God.

It’s called reconciliation, and you need it in all areas of your life.

If you wake up each morning at peace with yourself, God, and others, then you’ll find yourself on strong footing.

You’ll be able to stand strong against Satan’s attacks.

Satan tries to attack your peace through worry. We can worry about anything—our future, our finances, our relationships, what others think of us.

When we worry, it means some area of relational peace is out of sync.

In fact, most of the time it means we’re out of sync in each of those areas.

And it means you’re shoeless. You’re not letting the peace that comes from knowing God’s Word take control.

The Bible says, “Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble” (Psalm 119:165 NLT).

In other words, the more you love and obey the Bible, the less you’re offended by what others say.

The more you love God’s Word, the less you’re offended by what happens to you and the less your walk with God will be disturbed.

Choose to believe what God’s Word says about you, about others, and, most importantly, about God so you’ll have the peace that will help you hold your ground.

💬Think It Over:

1️⃣ What’s your biggest worry right now? What does God’s Word say about what you’re worrying about?

2️⃣ How can you grow your love for God’s Word?

3️⃣ What relationships in your life need to be healed so you can be at peace?

14/03/2024

Revival can’t be manufactured or produced. Revival isn’t even the goal. Jesus is the goal and revival is the byproduct.

14/03/2024

Grace House Devotion
Thursday 14th March

Start Believing Your Beliefs

“At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.” Eph 6:16 (GNT)

As a follower of Jesus, you have fiery darts coming at you all the time. Satan implants the following thoughts into your mind:

Doubt. You start asking yourself, “Did God really say that? Can I really trust God? Isn’t that just your interpretation?”

Discouragement. Satan tells you, “You’re never going to get any better. Your life won’t change. Don’t even try.”

Delay. Something what you want to happen hasn’t happened by now, so you ask yourself, “Why is this taking so long?”

Difficulty. You think, “Why is this so hard? Why is it so hard to make my marriage work? Why is it so hard to get a job?”

Depression. You tell yourself, “It’s not worth it.” You don’t even feel like making an effort.

All these darts come on a regular basis. They create uncertainty in your life. In times of great uncertainty—like when you’re out of work or going through a major family transition—these fiery darts will fly at you even faster.

You’ve got to be ready for them!

The Bible says, “At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One” (Ephesians 6:16 GNT).

How do you handle these darts? Put on the shield of faith. It’s the only protection you have against doubt, discouragement, delay, difficulty, and depression. Trust God, no matter what you see, hear, or feel about the world around you. You need the certainty of God when you face the uncertainty of Satan’s fiery darts.

You need to doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs. Most people do just the opposite. They doubt their beliefs and believe their doubts. That’s foolish! Believe what God tells you in his Word.

You need that kind of certainty in difficult days. With the shield of faith, you have certainty that God’s promises are true, even when they don’t appear to be true in your life.

Don’t ever take off the shield of faith. Satan will never stop throwing his fiery darts at you. Stay on your guard. Trust God and his Word, no matter what’s going on in your life.

💬Think It Over:

1️⃣ Which of Satan’s darts is causing you the most uncertainty today—doubt, discouragement, delay, difficulty, or depression?

2️⃣ What do you know is true about that situation because of what God’s Word says?

3️⃣ How can you “stay on your guard” spiritually?

13/03/2024

Grace House Devotion
Wednesday 13th March

Satan Is Real

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:12 (NIV)

You have an enemy—and it may not be who you think it is. It’s not the person you’re competing against at work. It’s not the difficult neighbor. It’s not your ex-spouse.

Your enemy isn’t human at all.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12 NIV).

Your battle is with Satan.

One of the reasons we so often walk around in discouragement and defeat is because we don’t really understand who we’re battling.

We don’t understand who our real enemy is.

We blame the economy, a political party, a segment of people, or the person we can’t stand down the street.

We blame everyone but the one the Bible calls a thief and a liar, who is out to destroy anyone who loves and follows Jesus.

To find victory in your life over what’s dragging you down, you’ve got to start by attacking the right enemy.

When you do, keep these truths in mind as you battle against your true enemy, Satan.

First, you’re no match for Satan. It’s like trying to shoot a rubber band at a battleship.

Outside of Jesus, you have no hope of defeating Satan’s influence over your life.

Second, everyone gets used by Satan.

Satan will put thoughts in the minds of Christians and non-Christians alike.

At times we can all be a pawn of Satan.

You need to protect yourself with the armor of God (Eph 6:10-17).

Third, not everything that is spiritual is good. There’s spiritual light and spiritual darkness.

Don’t fall for the lie that all roads to God are equal. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NIV).

Finally, Satan doesn’t fight fair. Satan can’t slug you, so instead he puts discouraging and depressing ideas into your mind.

You’ve got to catch him in the act, let him know you know where the idea comes from, and ask the Holy Spirit for help.

Satan is real. He’s the enemy who has been disrupting your life—but he doesn’t have a chance against God’s power in your life when you call on Jesus’ name.

💬Think It Over:

1️⃣Who have you considered your enemy? What can you stop doing when you understand who your real enemy is?

2️⃣How can you know when a thought is from Satan or not?

3️⃣What are the thoughts that have been in your head lately that you know are from Satan? What are you going to do to counter-attack those thoughts and guard your mind?

12/03/2024

https://youtu.be/0xjobi0S7cY?si=hHSpW0yAtnMTxpbU

Revelation is the divine pathway for receiving healing. And no matter the condition that you are, he will deliver you, in Jesus name.

12/03/2024

Grace House Devotion
Tuesday 12th March

The Work That Makes You Happiest Is for God’s Kingdom

“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.” 1 Peter 4:10 (TLB)

Meaning matters more than money. When you get to heaven, God isn’t going to ask you, “How much money did you make?” He’s going to ask, “Did you make your life count? Did you express the talents that I gave you?”

The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:10, “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings” (TLB).

That means the best work for you is the work that best expresses your talent. God wired every one of us to do something different.

The reason we all like to do different things is so that everything gets done.

We were made to make our lives count. People are happiest—you are happiest—when you’re using the talents God gave you for something greater than yourself. That’s what gives your life meaning.

The greatest cause in the world is the Kingdom of God. It is the church.

The whole reason the world exists is so God could build a family that one day will live with him forever.

There is nothing more meaningful and purposeful than giving your life to the Kingdom of God.

When Jesus was 12 years old, he already knew what business he was in. He said, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49 NKJV).

Then, at the end of his life, he told the Father, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4 NIV).

Those are the bookends of a life well lived.

What is your business—what is the work God gave you to do? And how is your business going? Those are the fundamental questions you need to be asking about your life.

Don’t waste your life. Ask God to show you the work he wants you to do, and then use your gifts to make the rest of your life the best of your life.

11/03/2024

Rethinking Church Conference is almost here, we have one day to go!!!!
looking forward to seeing and connecting with God’s people.

LAUNCH LEADERSHIP NETWORK

RETHINKING CHURCH 2024

A conference focused on growing every ministry and leader in your church.

Rethinking Church conference will help you unleash every ministry and leader in your church by giving them effective strategies, tools and new ways to connect people to Jesus that will impact generations for eternity. This conference involves plenary and labs ( break-out session’s) and features the following: Exceptional Leadership, Church Culture and Systems, Membership Drive, Effective Relationship, Financing the Vision and Modern Church Practice. Kindly note that registration is required although attendance is free, online registration is compulsory

Rethinking Church is a conference organized by Launch Leadership Network

11/03/2024

Grace House Devotion
Monday 11 March

God Uses Your Work to Develop Your Character

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much . . . If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”
Luke 16:10-12 (NIV)

The book of Genesis tells the story of a man named Joseph. God gave Joseph a vision of becoming a great leader, but for 40 years he lived and worked as a slave, and for much of that time he was imprisoned. Those decades were the testing ground of Joseph’s character.

When the day came and the time was just right, God pulled Joseph out of that setting and placed him in a position of power in Egypt—where he had always planned for Joseph to be. During all the difficult years of toil, God had been growing Joseph’s character and preparing him for his leadership role.

Whatever your work is—whether you’re working hard in obscurity or enjoying a position of power—God is developing your character too. In fact, God is far more concerned about who you are than what you do; he is much more interested in your character than he is in your career. Your workplace is a life course in character development.

Do you have a boss who drives you nuts? Think about this: God can use a boss who tests your patience—or a workplace that you’re unhappy in—to develop and grow your character. He plants seeds of love, joy, peace, and patience in your heart, and then he fertilizes those seeds while you work.

You may be at work and wonder, “How come this is going on? Why is this such a tough place? Why are these people picking on me? Why can’t I be happier at my workplace?” You’re basically asking the same question that Solomon asked in Ecclesiastes 1:3: “You spend your life working, laboring, and what do you have to show for it?” (GNT).

The answer is this: character. Life is preparation for eternity. You’re not going to take your career with you to heaven, but you are going to take your character. And while you are here on earth, God is developing your character and testing your faithfulness. Will you be faithful to do the right thing, even when you don’t feel like it? He’s watching to determine what kind of job he is going to give you in eternity.

Jesus said in Luke 16:10-12, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much . . . If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (NIV).

Whatever work God has given you, be faithful to do it will. Remember, it’s more about your character than it is about your career!

💬Think It Over:

1️⃣ What struggles are you facing in your workplace?

2️⃣ How might God be using those struggles to build your character?

3️⃣ What’s one supportive thing you can do this week for one of your coworkers?

08/03/2024

Grace House Devotion
Friday March 8

Let It All Out

“He has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress. He has buried me in a dark place, like those long dead . . . And though I cry and shout, he has shut out my prayers.” Lam3:4-6, 8 (NLT)

We all go through a time when our lives seem to be falling apart. We lose our job. A relationship falls apart. Someone dies. Our health takes a turn for the worse.

In those times, we’re tempted to think God has abandoned us—but he hasn’t.

The prophet Jeremiah was in the same boat when he wrote the book of Lamentations. His country, Judah, endured an economic tailspin and was terrorized by a foreign enemy. He witnessed incredible inhumanities committed against his people. People were out of work and starving to death.

Where did Jeremiah start? He told God how he felt: “[God] has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress. He has buried me in a dark place, like those long dead . . . And though I cry and shout, he has shut out my prayers” (Lamentations 3:4-6, 8 NLT).

Jeremiah felt like God had forgotten him. But Jeremiah didn’t ignore what he was feeling. He didn’t sugarcoat the situation. He told God what was on his heart. In fact, Jeremiah spent five chapters telling God what he thought about the situation. He told God, “This stinks!”

Why would God put that kind of passage in the Bible? He wants you to know that he can handle your anger, your gripes, and your grief. Jeremiah spends an entire book of the Bible blowing off steam. If God was big enough to handle Jeremiah’s pain, then he’s big enough to handle yours too.

If you swallow your emotions, then you just hurt yourself. Your stomach will keep score!

Instead, unload your emotions on God.

When my kids were little, they’d throw temper tantrums, but that didn’t make me love them any less. It reminded me that my kids were immature. They didn’t know what I knew. God doesn’t love you any less when you throw a temper tantrum. He doesn’t owe you an explanation, but he is never afraid of what you have to say.

So tell him how you feel. Your honesty and humility with him will be the beginning of your healing.

💬Think It Over

1️⃣ What is going on in your life that you’ve been afraid to talk to God about?

2️⃣ Why is it sometimes difficult to be honest with God about our struggles?

3️⃣ Try writing a letter to God about your struggles. How does it help to put those words on paper? What can you more easily say to God by writing rather than speaking?

07/03/2024

Grace House Devotion
Thursday March 7

There Is One Thing You Can Change

“Let us examine our ways and turn back to the LORD.” Lam 3:40 (GNT)

When your life feels like it’s falling apart, knowing what you can change—and what you can’t change—can make all the difference.

You can’t change your past. You can’t change your parents. You can’t change the gifts and talents God has or hasn’t given you. You can’t change a handicap you’ve been given. You can’t bring back a loved one who has died.

You might as well accept all of those things. You’ll start to find peace in the midst of troubles when you accept what you can’t change. Otherwise, you’ll make yourself and the people you love miserable.

There’s much you can’t change, but there’s something important you can change: you can change you.

When Jeremiah’s world was falling apart, he wrote in Lamentations 3:40, “Let us examine our ways and turn back to the LORD” (GNT).

What’s going on in your life that doesn’t line up with what God wants? Depending on how we react, crises can help us as we learn to focus our eyes on what matters: Jesus.

To re-order your life God’s way, it’ll take some gut-level self-evaluation. You’ll need to do an inventory of every area of your life. You’ll need to take a look at your relationship with God, your spouse, your kids, your friends, and your co-workers. You’ll need to look at hurts and hang-ups that may be bringing you down. You have to assess what habits are leading you closer to Christ-likeness and which ones are pulling you away. You need to be honest about your flaws—not someone else’s—that got you where you are. Nothing can be off limits.

It’s not easy. It can get messy. It’s always tough to turn from sin, even when it’s tearing us down.

But you can’t find healing without telling yourself the truth about yourself. Healing apart from repentance can’t last. When your world is falling apart, you’ll be tempted to bemoan every area of your life.

That’s a waste of time. You can’t change everything—but, remember, you can change you.

And when your world is falling apart, that can mean everything.

Think It Over

1: What one area of your life can you change right now that will make a positive impact on yourself and others?

2: How does trying to change things that you can’t control affect you physically and mentally?

3: Who can help you ask yourself the hard questions about your priorities, relationships, and secret sins as you take a spiritual inventory of your life?

06/03/2024

LAUNCH LEADERSHIP NETWORK

RETHINKING CHURCH 2024

A conference focused on growing every ministry and leader in your church.

Rethinking Church conference will help you unleash every ministry and leader in your church by giving them effective strategies, tools and new ways to connect people to Jesus that will impact generations for eternity. This conference involves plenary and labs ( break-out session’s) and features the following: Exceptional Leadership, Church Culture and Systems, Membership Drive, Effective Relationship, Financing the Vision and Modern Church Practice.
Kindly note that registration is required although attendance is free, online registration is compulsory

Rethinking Church is a conference organized by Launch Leadership Network