19 NOV 2020 · WEEK 18: Day 5 THE WALK OF LIFE The walk of life is fulfilling when you have the acts of obedience as a lifestyle. I call this intentional living - living a life deliberately to live His Life. 1 John 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (MSG) Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. It is easy to get distracted in the world when you started born into the world, then, reborn into Christ. You may forget you are no more of the world but that means, you forget your identity. So i dare to state that who you are determines greatly how you walk. Do you know who you are? Not who you used to be, not who others say you are, not even who you have believed you are! Do you know who you are using the mirror of His Truth? Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have even seen servants riding, while princes walk like servants! The only way to explain why a king walks like a servant is because he doesn't know he is a king. Look, when you see a king who chooses to serve, you do not need a prophet to point him out - identity has a fragrance. 2 Corinthians 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight. Because of who we are in Him, we do not lean on our senses (though we do not discard it), we submit it to His Senses. We are kings that have a King so we submit our crowns for His and walk by faith. Please, Faith is not blind! It sees perfectly in Him - so we do not walk blindly, we trust the One that sees it all and walk in His direction even if we see only in parts. Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. The walk of Life is not just a call to walk well in life but to walk the walk of Life - the walk of Christ is the walk of Life. He is Life and More Life. Everything about Him is Life, even death in Him is Life. Deuteronomy 5:33  You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. Nothing is detrimental in this walk, each day, each phase, each turn breeds life so why are you delaying in obeying Him? What are you considering that He is yet to consider? I pray you choose from this day to walk in obedience all the days of your life in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

18 NOV 2020 · WEEK 18: Day 4 ENGAGING THE TIMES & SEASONS Daniel 2:19-23 That night the answer to the mystery was given to Daniel in a vision. Daniel blessed the God of heaven, saying, "Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down, he provides both intelligence and discernment, He opens up the depths, tells secrets, sees in the dark—light spills out of him! God of all my ancestors, all thanks! all praise! You made me wise and strong. And now you've shown us what we asked for. You've solved the king's mystery." To engage with times and seasons, you have to be in tune with the God of the times and seasons; not once in a while but consistently. The beauty about our times is we have the gift of the person of the Holy Spirit in us, who gives us the opportunity to be in alignment with His Ways always. Jeremiah 29:11 I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. So we have a beginning and we know/is assured of the end - isn't it wise to move with Him all the time? Knowing He that begun with us and has assured us of the end is best equipped to take us through the path set? Psalm 119:60 I hasten and do not delay keeping your commandments. Of course! In engaging the times, we can't avoid the subject of consistent and prompt obedience - in your daily living. The cost of an hour is as priceless as the cost of a second. How do you engage your times as in how do you spend your day? How do you live on a norm? How do you walk as a lifestyle? What you do in your time of life is what you do in your appointed time. In the school of encounter, it is consistency that determines the value of your set time. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 If you are swayed by the trends of times and the opinions of men whether in norms or in culture, you will have no bearing in your seasons. Have you heard the saying, 'if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything' - a men pleaser will fall at every whim of display of emotions having no bearing of his/her own life. God is in charge of the times and seasons but it is up to us to engage it rightly - He brings the rain and shines the sun but it is up to you to not just know the times to sow, tender and reap but to do so in time. I pray you work and walk with God through His Spirit to rightly engage the times and seasons in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

17 NOV 2020 · WEEK 18: Day 3 LEAVING POWER The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites…See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession…” Deteronomy 1:6-8 In our journey of obedience, there is a time even to leave. This stage for me requires as much discernment as staying because it is no obedience if you are holding on to an old when the One leading you has provided a new. Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. There are no stage or time where your understanding is sufficient in itself. To be accurate in our bearings, you have to be in sync, in tune with the ways of the Spirit. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. The God who gifts all a new day without preference is the One who gives the wisdom to live it. Living it right however requires the extra mile of asking. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. No, you can't determine your direction by the direction the world takes or the gauge of the worlds opinion or even by comparison to another, but, by the wisdom of God. Do you know sometimes, you decide to stay a course not because of obedience but because of pride or fear? Questions like 'what would people say?' 'What would they think of my reputation?' 'Who would reap all my benefits after all i have done?' 'How do i start anew?' 'Do i start from the scratch again?' ... Deuteronomy 32:28-29  “For they are a nation void of counsel, and there is no understanding in them. If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end! In this walk of obedience, the power to leave is hinged on wisdom, understanding and discernment. Is this easy? Definitely not! Because sometimes, your only reasonable reason is 'it is just time to leave!' How it may be sensed can be controlled but not necessarily determined. I pray you follow Him in leaving phases behind regardless of how it may be perceived, trusting Him fully on the revelation of your latter end in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

16 NOV 2020 · WEEK 18: Day 2 STAYING POWER Matthew 24:12-13  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Starting is mostly wrapped as a gift, staying however is mostly presented as a choice. The power to stay in a course you have started is found in the ability of focus and endurance. James 1:2-4 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. On the journey of life, staying the course is required to benefit its rewards. More people fall out in their call because staying proves more difficult than starting. 1 Timothy 6:12  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Using the example of an exercise regime whether it be physical exercises or even fasting, it has proven to be harder to stay the course. This is because it is in continuity, one is stretched, strained and tested beyond what you once were into what you saw to be achieved. That space in difference requires another level of power in Him. Isaiah 40:31  But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. The power to stay, just as the power to start is sourced by Him. May you be weary? Yes. May you get tired? Yes. May you be faint? Yes. Your strength in itself is little but His Strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. In Him is a renewal of strength for the race He has set out for you. Even in obedience, you will need His Strength. 2 Timothy 2:15  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Staying in your process isn't a position you orchestrated but one He is leading you through. Whether in starting or in staying, it is a call of obedience to the One leading you. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in. There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith. Staying power is a fight of choice: the choice of obedience to the call of Faith or the choice of emotions - how you feel or the tiding of the times. John 15:7-8 If you live in Me and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. When you produce much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. I pray you know your staying power is a choice to trust Him in obedience to the path started in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

15 NOV 2020 · WEEK 18: Day 1 STARTING POWER Judges 18:5 And they said to him, Ask counsel, we pray you, of God that we may know whether our journey will be successful. Dear friend, in your journey of life, you will have to start something - a day, a relationship, a project, a life, a race, an assignment, whatever it may be, this choice will be made. Starting however isn't always enquired from you, for there are periods life just forces you into the start line without your consent. In this case, keep this verse in mind: Philippians 1:6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Today though, i want to open you up to the gift of the starting strength. God bestows upon us all the gift of a day, if you have life, you have this. A gift of a new day also comes with the gift of a new hour, minute and second. Each sniff of breath grants you newness no matter your pre degree or status which guarantees you the opportunity of a new beginning and the power of a new start. Psalm 119:105  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Proverbs 16:3  Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plan. So who better to grant you the power to start than the One whose default gift to humanity offers a starting grace all ways. Isaiah 43:18-19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The power to start comes from a place of being led, knowing what you are starting has the backing of Christ and opening your minds to discerning the times by His Spirit. Yes! You want to start? What has He shown you? What have you seen? You want to start? What are you perceiving? What are your senses picking in Him? The power to start lies in how strong your conviction is in the new beginning and that conviction is hinged on how well you are being led in Him. I pray that you have the power to start that which God has placed in your heart to do as you live each day to its fullest in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

12 NOV 2020 · WEEK 17: Day 5 THE SCALE OF LIFE Luke 11:28 But He said, Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey and practise it! How do you measure how well you have lived? By gauging how well you have obeyed God. Obedience He says is better than Sacrifice for a Shepherd is contented based on how well His sheep allow for His leadings. The Holy Spirit in us doesn't visit: each day, His primary assignment is to lead you in the way God approves - His Will. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are saved, filled, sealed, and sanctified. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s thoughts, teaches, and guides believers into all truth, including knowledge of what is to come. The Holy Spirit also helps Christians in their weakness and intercedes for them. If our revelation of His Will is by the Holy Spirit, would it not be wise to know the scale of how well you live is by obedience to Him? Ephesians 1:17-20 “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” The Spirit we need is right in us, living in us - through Him, we live, move and have our being - it is expedient to align with This God in us so the Glory hoped for by the world is seen. This is simply no rocket science. It is as easy as that: stop analyzing your faith and just obey! Obey Him at all times to enjoy the benefit of this Way, Truth and Life, Life more abundantly. Do you want more out of life? Then simply obey - relying on He that is in you. John 16: 13-15 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you” He is the Spirit of Truth that shows the Way and helps you live Life - who else would you rather obey? I pray you see that your obedience to Him only helps you become better and get better out of life in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

11 NOV 2020 · WEEK 17: Day 4 RIGID RELIGION VS FLEXIBLE HEART Matthew 12:6-8 "There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual'—you wouldn't be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he's in charge." Hmm... This scripture is one of the revelations that advice my walk in God. Before i found it out, i used to be so afraid to be wrong, so scared to change systems and too anxious to be caught inflexible. I certainly believed that God wanted His Children doing things some certain way. This should be discarded! Life with God is so unpredictable with a predictable foundation and end - so full of adventures and indeed fun with its beautiful surprises every now and then. Opportunities thrown your way arrayed like basic problems can only be unlocked by an heart that is flexible enough to say Yes to Him regardless of your plans. Plans are great! But better is a plan that is open to the switch of the Spirit to lead as He desires and dim fit only. If you insist on your rigid system, you lose out on better things due to a religion of 'this is how it has been done'. The experience of your past can't help with a future never lived by you or anyone else. Custom, culture and systems are good but better is a man solely led by God. His new ways and revelations each new day are as solid as it can be: don't confuse flexibility as a lack of direction - No! Consistency in His Character can never be disputed, however, don't put Him in a box: He wouldn't fit. I pray you allow your heart the ability to obey God at a whim of each move regardless of how it goes against your plan in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

10 NOV 2020 · WEEK 17: Day 3 BETTER Better is the character of the kingdom. 1 John 5:20 And we [have seen and] know [positively] that the Son of God has [actually] come to this world and has given us understanding and insight [progressively] to perceive (recognize) and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true–in His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). This [Man] is the true God and Life eternal. As Christians,we are not satisfied with the state of 'good' or the best for today - because even our relationship with Christ is a progressive one : our relationship with Life is a progressive walk. Each new better than the previous and each new day giving us a revelation of a better us due to our submission to His Pruning, our maturity and our reflection of our true nature. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. It is certainly expedient of us to live with the heart of continuity in our choice of focus on the Lord because God is never really finished with us regardless of how far we think we have gone or grown. His Walk of Life is ever progressive, a continuity in superceding the past glory and spurring us into a more fulfilling life as well as a more beneficial call. The Spirit in us spurring us to not only become better but to have better, experience better, give better, live better and do better. Heck, if you can be better than the best, why be the best? I pray you come to the revelation of your progressive walk in Christ and see His path only shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

9 NOV 2020 · WEEK 17: Day 2 THE BEAUTY OF PROCESS James 1:2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. I read something some time back that i just think it's best i share here in my own words: In refining silver, one needs to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames are hottest as to burn away all the impurities. "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." The silversmith has to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver is being refined and has to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it is in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. Also, you know when a silver is refined when the silversmith sees his image in it." So whenever you are feeling the heat of the fire, discouraged about your process, remember that God has His eyes on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Hold on till He is through with you,and you will come out shinning. This is the beauty of the process: the result of His image reflective in you. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Christ in us, the hope of Glory: this glory is seen when we stay and trust our process in Him, allowing for His leading and obeying in time. However, just as there is a process in God, there is a process otherwise. James 1:15 Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer. If you are not growing in the nature of God, you are growing in the nature of sin. There is no middle ground. I pray you make the decision to live intentionally in Christ, taking mind of what you nurture through your process so your result can testify to your maker in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com

8 NOV 2020 · WEEK 17: Day 1 THE PREGNANCY OF NATURE John 1:3 He created everything there is—nothing exists that he didn’t make. Do you know that everything you have seen, you will see, you will ever see has its creation source from God? Its originality has its foundation in Christ? Yes, God created everything there is. Now, i want you to observe that all you see has a nature and its nature pregnant for expression, fruitfulness and multiplication. When you read genesis, you see that His word gave life to all there is, each creation a seed pregnant with its forest : that being its true manifestation. This manifestation doesn't come to be without men: me - you. Yes you, the world truly awaits the time you help her birth in whatever capacity you have been called. The pregnancy of nature indicates that any natural resource you have or experience has the potential for more. So the question is, are you willing to live? Are you willing to be a tool in God's hands, using the words of life in you and acting with the Life in you to birth fruits the world needs? John 1:3-5 Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out. No matter how dark the times may be, the light in you, the life in you can help birth the life you desire to see, the life worthy of His Glory. No matter how messy the nature around you is, know that all you see is not as glorious as all you can see. Romans 8:22-25 All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Because of who we are in Him, our dominion is hinged on the responsibility of His being in us - it doesn't matter what facts stare you in the face, you can help birth the truth of Him at all times. I pray you look more into the mirror of your identity and see the potentials in your hands as you truly live knowing it is up to you to show The Life in you in Jesus name, amen. Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi www.raininabucket.wordpress.com