Topic: DESCEND TO ASCEND – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 2 JULY 2023 The Redeemed Evangelical Mission

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DESCEND TO ASCEND

“Now this, “He ascended” —what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?” Ephesians 4:9 (NKJV)

One word from God can change anybody’s life. One word from God can turn your testimony around and can bring you from the back side to the frontline. The word of God can establish you and settle certain questions in your heart. The word of God is the wisdom of God. The entrance of God’s word gives light and understanding to the simple. But these days we read the bible so fast that the full import of the text is not received.

Our bible text talks points to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the scripture, Jesus descended before He ascended unto glory. Jesus demonstrated by His humble act that the way up is the way down. He first descended to the lower part of the earth before He now came up.

The problem today is that not many people want to descend. Very few people are ready to roll up their sleeves and put their hands in the mud to help others. God expects us to help one another, not by pointing fingers at people, but in love to show them the way. Agree to be vulnerable. Let people learn from your own experience.

Notice that when Jesus descended, God highly exalted Him. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” (Philippians 2:9-10 KJV). This is God’s template! This is God’s pattern!

After Jesus descended, He was exalted, and He began to walk in authority. The way up is down. When you bend to help others, you get elevated, God honours you and lifts you up before the people, then you exert authority. God will not endow you with it until you learn to serve as Jesus did. Jesus is our perfect example.

Further Reading: Philippians 2:5-10
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Job 22-24; Evening- Acts 11

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