HIS CHURCH – PART 1
MATTHEW 16:18 – And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it(NIV) When we speak about His Church, we refer to the body of Christ. As such His “Church is not a physical building or meeting place, but believers united together in and with Christ, the Head of the Body”. This implies that if you are a believer and you are united together with other believers and with Christ, then you are part of the Church. What this tells us is that while, a physical building may be dedicated for use as a Church, a building in itself alone cannot be described as a Church in the absence of a people who are called by His name and are united through His name. For instance, any building where a people are united in and with Christ in words, thoughts, actions, love, peace, joy and hope are gathered can serve as a Church. However, not every gathering, even in designated Church buildings, even if they give themselves the name Church is truly a Church. I am aware that we have people gathering under different kind of names under the guise of a Church. We hear of some gathering calling themselves the Church of Satan and all sorts. For instance, in this country, we have many buildings designated as Churches in this country that are used for different purposes and gathering other than for the worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, His Church is not a building but a people. Conversely, I am also aware that there are some member of the universal Church that do not have their own permanent place of worship but are renting and using buildings such as hotels, cinemas and schools for their gathering. As long as such gathering are bible-believing and worshiping in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ they belong to His Church. This tells us that the building in itself is not as important as the people in the building. No wonder the Lord promised in His word in Matt. 18: 20 that “for where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (NIV).” Thus, what makes all the difference is His Name. Thus, one of the conditions that a group must meet to be called a Church is that there must be a gathering (or an assemblage). That is why the word of the Lord admonished us in Heb. 10: 25 of “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (NIV). Also, the gathering must be in His name and to fulfill His purpose and not necessarily where the meeting takes place. Additionally, there must be a gathering, that is, there must be two or more united people involved. That is the Church that our Lord Jesus Christ has promised to build. It is a people who are called by His name and are gathered in His name, that He promised to build and not a building. That is why the move of God and the signs and wonders of God do not necessarily take place in Cathedrals. Beloved, are you indeed a part of His body? If you are truly recognised as a part of His body, then you can expect that he would build you as part of His Church. May you be truly recognised by the Lord as been part of His body in Jesus name. Shalom. Dr. Yinka Okude Parish Pastor RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton HYMN: NEARER MY GOD TO THEE HYMN
MOTIVE – PART 3
ACTS 16: 16 & 17: Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Motive is the essence of every action and decision, either publicly declared or disguised. Motive can either be right or wrong. The judgement about whether a decision or action is right or wrong belongs to God the Almighty, because He is the Omniscience God and knows the intent of any man. The bible says in Heb. 4:12 that “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (KJV). Interestingly, many atimes it is even possible for someone not to know that his/her motive is wrong until God convicts such fellow. That is why it is important that you are in tune with the Spirit of the living God. The Holy Spirit would always continually convict us when we make certain decision based on a wrong motive. Where a fellow gets to the level when they are no longer convicted by the Holy Spirit then that fellow must take care else such a fellow is on the way to perdition. In part 2 we looked at the case of King Saul whose wrong motive led to his fall and damnation along with his entire generation. Here, we would be looking at the case study of Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5: 1-11. In this story we see an evidence of God’s ability to know the intent of any man even when they did not say it; or when they think that nobody knows what they have hidden in their hearts. In the Ananias and Saphira’s account, we were told that they made the other fellow believers and the Apostles believed that they were in support of the idea of communal living. Definitely, they would have partaken in the sharing/eating from the proceeds from what others have brought into the common pool. I want to believe that before they were convicted by the Holy Spirit, they would have made very good impression on some of the brethren when they brought what was supposed to be the total proceeds from the sale of their land. Alas, it was not true as they have their own motive different from the communal sharing motive behind the common pool as recorded in Acts 2: 44-46 “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (NIV). However, while they could have deceived the other brethren, it was not possible for them to deceive the Holy Spirit of the living God. As the bible warns us in Num. 32: 23, their sin found them out; with terrible consequences – death. What can we learn from this? We should ensure that we do everything possible not to fall into the hands of God. The bible says in Heb. 10:31 that “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. How can we avoid falling into the hands of the Lord like Ananias and Saphira? We should ensure that we give regular quality offerings unto God; pay our vows; pay our tithes regularly and serve the Lord with utmost sincerity. The bible says in Mal. 3: 8 -10 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. Beloved, as a Pastor I want to encourage as many of us that are not faithful in our tithe to try God with our tithe. Let us accept the Lord’s challenge that He gave us in His word in Mal. 3: 10. The motive for the request of your tithe by God is clear in Mal. 3: 10 (that there may be food in my house). The way God rewards faithful tithe-payers are multi-dimensional. Try God today and see that He is faithful. The bible says in Num.23:19 that God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? (NIV). NO. I pray that none of us shall fall into the hands of the Lord in Jesus name. Amen. Shalom Dr. Yinka Okude Pastor-in-Charge RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton HYMN: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD
MOTIVE – PART 2
ACTS 16: 16 & 17: Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Motive can be very powerful. Motive is a driving force behind every action, success and advancement. It can also be the force behind failures. God is the only right judge of the intent and purpose of every human action; every motive. That is why it does not matter when men misconstrued your motive and criticise you unjustly. If your motive is right, and you have always based your actions on the need to please your Master, the Almighty God; and see God as the only one whose reward you crave most then, you can be rest assured that His reward would surely come if your motive are right with Him. Similarly, it is also God alone that can punish you if your motive is wrong; even if men sing your praise. The bible says in Heb. 10:31 that “it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (NIV). May you not fall into the hands of God like King Saul in Jesus name. We would look at King Saul in the bible as a case study in the understanding of the importance of right motive in our walk with God. We were told in I Sam.15: 1-3, that God gave King Saul very clear instructions through Prophet Samuel about what He wants done to the people of Amalek. Saul was expected to destroy Amalekites totally. He was instructed not to spare anything. Specifically, in I Sam. 15: 3 God said “Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” However, King Saul went to Amalek, destroy some things and spare some that are beautiful to behold. When confronted by Prophet Samuel as instructed by God, King Saul’s response was that he spared them so that he might use them as offering unto God. His answer was, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest” (I Sam 15: 15). If Prophet Samuel had been an ordinary listener then the motive of King Saul for sparing of the best of sheep and cattle would have been accepted; after all, Moses commanded the children of Israel in Deut. 17: 1 “Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him” (NIV). . But because our God who searches the hearts knew King’s Saul real motive; which is predicated on greed, rejected his excuse. It was not possible for King Saul to deceive God, because in Jer. 17:10 God says “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Of course, because his motive was wrong, God pronounced a judgement upon him. I pray that your motive would always be right in His sight in Jesus name. What can we learn from this case study? 1. Your motive is not hidden from God 2. Your motive would find you out. Num. 32: 23 says “but if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out” 3. God would judge all motive. 4. You can deceive men, but not God 5. When you give excuse concerning any issue, be sure that you are sincere. Beloved, let your motive at all-time always be in line with the will of God. Shalom. Dr. Yinka Okude Pastor-in-Charge RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton HYMN: What can wash away my sin?
MOTIVE – PART 1
ACTS 16: 16 & 17: Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” To God be the glory for another opportunity to be a blessing unto you. The Lord Almighty deserves all the praise and honour for the gift of life that He has bestowed unto us all. I am convinced that we are not preserved for the fun of it but that we may give Him joy and fulfill His mandate of been a salt of the earth and light of the world (Mat. 5: 13 – 16). This means that by preserving our lives, God’s plan for us is that we would be a living testimony for Him. My prayer is that none of us would lose our saltiness in Jesus name. In this series we would be looking at the theme “Motive”. Beloved, it is important that in all we do (good or perceived wrong deeds) that our motive aligns with God’s will. One of the few things that are incontrovertible is that God sees our thought. He knows our motive. We cannot deceive Him. Even when it is possible for us to show red to the world as white, we cannot deceive God about what our motive is at any point in time. While it is possible to deceive even the elect, the saints and His Prophets, no one can deceive Jehovah Almighty. That is why when the Apostles were about to fill the vacant Judas position their prayer was, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen” (Acts 1:24). It is only the Lord that knows everyone’s heart. The Lord says in Jer.17:10 that “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve” (NIV). In this statement we see God confirming that He is interested in the heart of men. Searching the mind and examining the mind simply refers to the motive which is not seen by humans but can only be known by the Almighty. Beloved, just as it is possible for your right motive to be misconstrued for good, it is also possible for your wrong motive to be misconstrued for right by men. Many atimes, this is mostly the case with men; but not with God. In our text for this series, we see the young lady advertising and testifying about Apostle Paul and Silas. If you look at the lady, she was saying what is true but with a wrong motive. Any casual observer would have been impressed about the fact that she was advertising them and by implication making their job of reaching the people easier. But, by the discerning of the Holy Spirit, Apostle Paul was able to see the motive behind what the young lady was saying and the means by which she got her revelation. Straight from here, we are reminded that there are two sources of getting revelations: through the Holy Spirit of God and through divination by demonic powers. If you will recollect, when Peter gave a very good revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 16: 16 & 17) as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God”,Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven” (NIV). This is an example of when a revelation is from God. Of course, there are other similar examples in the bible. But, just as shown in our text and in the account of King Saul’s consultation of the Witch of Endor in I Sam. 28: 7 – 15, it is also possible to have a revelation from the devil. The question is what is the motive for such revelation? So, I ask you dear reader, what is your motive for serving God? May your motive always be right with God all the time in Jesus name. Shalom Dr. Yinka Okude Pastor-in-Charge RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton HYMN: Immortal, invisible. God only wise
GOD IS ABLE – PART 2
TITLE: TRUST HIM FOR HE IS ABLE TEXT: ROMANS 4: 21 – Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Beloved, welcome to His presence (His Sanctuary). I wish to thank God for the opportunity to be alive and in Him. My prayer is that the Lord would have respect for you and your sacrifices in Jesus name. We would continue today with our theme, God is able. I am totally persuaded that He is indeed able. I am convinced that no circumstance whether within or without that would change the fact that God is able. My circumstance or yours has nothing to do with His ability. This tells me again that it does not matter your perception about what you are going through – whether you view it as been well or otherwise, it would not change who God is. May I tell you dearly beloved that God is able? I would like to hear you say it to yourself that God is able. Mention your name and say to yourself loud that God is able. The bible says in Rom. 10:17 that “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. I say it to myself often that God is able. Sincerely, I believe it. Not because I am a Pastor. He has proven it in my life times without numbers. That I am able to reach you today is a confirmation that God is able to fulfill what He has promised to do. I am saying it because I have not got my challenges? Far from it. I have my own share of troubles like any mortal. The difference perhaps is that the word of God assures me in Psa. 34: 19 that “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all” (NIV). Beloved, I am here to inform you that the fact that I am yet to attain to the height God has destined me does not take anything out of the fact that God is able. Job said though He slays me, yet will I trust in Him (Job 13:15). Brethren, would you still trust Him when you are not in the confines of the Church? Evidence has shown that there are many good Christians in Church than there are outside the Church; who are only able to defend their faith in Him when they are in the Church but would deny His power through their confession and actions outside the Church. My dear brothers and sisters, do you trust God that He is able to fulfill the promises you have from Him? Do you demonstrate this in your walk with Him in the Church and in private? Why is God able? He is able because He is the Almighty. He is the All-powerful God. The Invincible God, the Omnipotent, Omnipresence and Omniscience God; the creator of the heavens and the earth. The one who is immortal and unchangeable. The God who does not diminish with age or vacate His position, retire or go on annual leave. He is the ever-present God. These are some of His attributes that makes Him able to do whatever He promises as long as He is the one who has promised and not man. We know that even though men may disappoint and fail, the bible says in Number 23:19 that our “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” So God is able because He is not a man. What are the characteristics of a man that limits their ability? My dear brethren, would you still trust Him that He is able to fulfill His promises towards you and our land, inspite of what the facts are saying to you? Shalom. Dr. Yinka Okude Pastor-in-Charge RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton
GOD IS ABLE – PART 1
TITLE: TRUST HIM FOR HE IS ABLE TEXT: ROMANS 4: 21 – Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. As we look at the theme God is able, let us look at what the Mathew Henry’s Bible Commentary says concerning the text for the theme. It says, “It is weakness of faith that makes a man lie poring on the difficulties in the way of a promise. Abraham took it not for a point that would admit of argument or debate. Unbelief is at the bottom of all our staggering at God’s promises. The strength of faith appeared in its victory over fears. God honours faith; and great faith honours God”. Beloved, I ask, what has God promised you through His words, prophecies or word of knowledge? Do you doubt because of a delay in the manifestation of His promises? Doubt is equal to unbelief which in all ramifications, a sin. I know that if not for Him, many of us would have long been consumed and destroyed by the enemy. The Psalmist captures this succinctly in Psa. 124: 1-5. The psalmist says If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say—2 if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us,3 they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us,5 the raging waters would have swept us away (NIV). If it were not God that has been on your side, it could have been worse even if you presume that the position you are at the moment are not what you expect or desire. Look at what David says in the above Psalm. He says that if it had not been for God when people attacked us. Beloved, are you been attacked physical or spiritually or both? It is even possible not to be aware of some of the attacks you are facing, particularly the spiritual one if you are not discerning. It is because of such unseen attacks that David says that if it had not been God who has been on our side. Do you feel the same? What is the plan of the enemies for us? David in verse 3 says they would have swallowed us alive when they rages against us. This is what the Lord says is the mission of our main enemy, the Devil who is behind our known human enemies. The Lord says in John 10: 10a that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (NIV). That is why whenever we have the opportunity to witness a new day we should rejoice and go before Him with a thankful heart. As much as you have means, you must always go before Him with quality thanksgiving. It is possible for some of us to say we have no enemies. If that is so then you have a greater reason to thank God, because that means that God had closes the mouth of your enemies and have given you rest on all sides. That again would be according to His word in Pro. 16: 7 that “When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them” (NIV). Beloved, it is important that we are convinced about the God we serve and are serving in all things and be able to say like Paul that we are persuaded. Brethren, this is an affirmation from someone who is not in the best of circumstances. Here is someone who probably was going through physical, emotional and health challenges, but can still state that he is persuaded that God had the power to do what He has promised to do. This is a statement from someone who definitely must have been waiting for the fulfilment of a promise either in his personal life or concerning his ministry. What he was saying is that I may not yet have received it now but I am convinced that it is on the way. It may not yet have become manifest in the physical but I know it has been settled in the spiritual. The difference between the physical manifestation and the spiritual completion is time; the appointed time. No wonder the bible says though it tarries, wait for it. As a result of Paul’s conviction in God’s ability he can say boldly in Romans 8: 38 – 39 that what shall separate us from the love of God “ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). How can we be separated from the love of God? One of the surest ways to be separated from the love of God is for one to withdraw from Him. If you find it difficult to attend services or you are no longer excited going to worship in His house, then you are putting yourself away from His love. David said in Psalm 122: 1 that I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Dear friends and brethren, if I may ask, what are those things that are separating you from the love of God? Let it be known to you that our God is able. Shalom Dr. Yinka Okude Pastor-in-Charge RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton
2014 2015 CROSS OVER SERVICE @ JESUS SANCTUARY
Be strong and be courageous – Joshua 1:1 – 9 The death of Moses was the end of an era, just as today (31/12/2014) marks the end of the year 2014 – with all of its challenges and testimonies; opposition and crisis; as well as provisions and victories. This would tell you why for some it must be a time of anxiety and fear. I am sure that for some of us like the children of Israel, we remember 2014 with mixed emotions because of the various experiences that the year has been made of. So, it is possible to be anxious of what 2015 would bring. But I am here to tell you the word of the Lord that you be strong and courageous. The death of Moses also signifies the end of the known to the unknown, as today marks the end of 2014 and would usher in the birth of 2015. For instance, while the people had always known Joshua as spokesperson for Moses, they may not be able to comprehend his capabilities to lead them; more so, when they remember that the death of Moses was due to the frustration from the children of Israel. As a matter of fact even Joshua himself was not very sure of his own capabilities to manage the people, knowing what the children of Israel has made Moses his leader to go through. As we see in verse 2, God said to Joshua “My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites”. First, from this we see the Lord telling us that 2014 is dead; now proceed into 2015, and into the abundance and opportunities that I am giving to you. How do I know that this is going to be a land of abundance and opportunities? I know because God said He is the one that is leading you into the year. Secondly, we see from here that it is only God that can lead a man into another year. The bible says in Rom. 9: 16 “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy”. This means that your seeing the end of 2014 and entering 2015 is not by your strength. No wonder the Lord is telling us to be strong and courageous. What does it means to be strong and courageous? To be strong simply means to be solid, unshakeable and sound. So, God wants us to be sound, solid and unshakeable in 2015. Why is God telling us to be strong? The answer is in verse 3. God promised that “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses”. Today, I declare that as the Lord lives; wherever the sole of your feet shall tread in 2015 the Lord would give unto you in Jesus name. It means that whatever door you knock on in 2015 would be opened unto you in Jesus name. This means that all you need to enter is the boldness and courage. As a matter of fact, in verse 4 we see God describing the extent of the land that He is giving to Joshua. It is an enormous vast of land and territories, some humanly difficult territories and land of nations that Joshua could probably not be able to comprehend. What does this tells us? It tells us that things that you think are impossible would be made possible for you in 2015 not because of you but because of Him. I declare that everything you have had difficulty to achieve in 2014 the Lord would make easy for you in 2015 in Jesus name. In verse 5 the God said “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you”. I declare that in 2015 no enemy shall be able to withstand you in Jesus name. In the name of Jesus no challenge would be able to overwhelm you in 2015 in Jesus name. No matter how much the enemies may try concerning you they would fail in Jesus name. God would not forsake or leave you in Jesus name. His glory would not depart from you at any time in Jesus name. In verse 6 to 8 God commands you to be strong and courageous as He is going to give unto His people the land He has promised. What does that tells us? It means that inspite of what the economist may predict or say about the economy, He is going to establish and prosper you and your children and nothing shall stop you from achieving this in Jesus name. However, God wants us to ensure that we are courageous and strong in the things of His Kingdom. For instance, for some of us 2015 would be a time for us to decide to walk with Him totally with everything that He has blessed us with. It means not only would we start spending quality time in His Presence, but would also be strong to ensure that we are upright in the area of our Tithe, Offerings and First fruits. It means that 2015 would be the year when we would be immovable concerning the things of God. It is a year when our service in the vineyard of God would not be dependent on what any man or woman does or doesn’t do. As we see in verse 8, God is expecting total commitment from us in the year 2015. This is not only important because of the many blessings that He has prepared for us, but more importantly because of the fact that the Lord can come for any of us at any time. My desire and prayers is that I would not mourn over any of you in Jesus name. However, He is the
SEE, I AM DOING A NEW THING!
ISAIAH 43: 19 – 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. This is a powerful and loaded promise from God. If you look at this passage closely you would identify 6 distinct parts. I believe that tonight God would open our ears and eyes to receive and see His plans for us in 2014 in Jesus name. We definitely cannot exhaust all that God has for us tonight and as 2014 progresses, we would be fully empowered to receive as much as God has for us based on this passage in Jesus name. We would not have enough time tonight to exhaust all that God has in stock for us in 2014 because we have to pray hard tonight. Beloved I am excited because I am persuaded that God is prepared for us tonight. Tonight you would not wait on in Him in vain in Jesus name. The passage says 1. See, 2. I am doing a new thing! 3. Now it springs up; 4. Do you not perceive it? 5. I am making a way in the wilderness 6. and streams in the wasteland Beloved, the text that we have been given for the year 2014 is very loaded and I believe with all my heart that everything that God has in stock for us in 2014 shall be fulfilled in our lives in Jesus name. SEE First, the passage says SEE! Dear brothers and sisters, what are you seeing in 2014? I see joy, peace, promotion, abundance, victory, open doors, health, wealth, and of course I can see holiness, righteousness and joy in the Holy Ghost. Confess whatever you see now. Rise up and say Father, I see … (mention them by name what you) in my life in 2014 in Jesus name. In 2 kings 2: 10, when Elijah was to depart, Elisha requested for a double portion of his anointing. And he (Elijah) said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. Beloved, tonight I am imploring you to see what I am seeing. If and only if you can see, then it shall come to pass. We have a God that is faithful and able to do whatever He promises. In verse 12, Elisha saw and it came to pass that the requested double portion of anointing became his. Tonight, i pray that you would see clearly the blessings that god has in stock for you in Jesus name In Mark 8:23 – 25, the lord asked the blind man at Bethsaida, “Do you see anything”. Tonight, as we go into 2014, I am asking you in the name of the Lord, Do you see anything? If you are not seeing clearly yet you would cry to God in prayers tonight that God would open your eyes fully. Similarly, we read in Jeremiah 24: 3 -10that when God asked Jeremiah “What do you see, Jeremiah?”Jeremiah said Lord; I see figs – the good and the bad ones. What does fig represents? It is the fruit from the fig tree. It is described as the healthiest fruit in the world. Figs have so ancient a history with many medicinal usefulness. It is reputed as been useful for lowering high blood pressure; useful for weight loosing; for reducing the growth of some cancer cells; for reducing the progression of a type of diabetes through lowering insulin level; for its richness in calcium that helps the bones; good for eye sight; amongst other health use. Thus, figs represent fruitfulness, health and wealth. Also, figs are identified as one of the seven species of the pomegranate and have been described as ‘God fruits’. As such figs represent ‘Royalty’, and Royalty represents honour, power, authority, relevance, celebration. I pray that you would be relevant in 2014 in Jesus name. I WILL DO A NEW THING For there to be a new thing, there must be an old thing. So when a new thing arrives the old become history. No wonder the bible says in 2 Cor. 5: 17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. Old represent past, while new represents present and possibly the future. Many a times when God is involved, the past associated with old cannot determine your future. That is why it is possible for the jailed to become the saviour of his jailer. It has happened over and over again in the past and in our generation. Acts 16: 16 – 40 gave the account of the imprisonment of Paul and Silas. In verse 26 – 29, we read “Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.At once all the prison doors flew open,and everyone’s chains came loose.The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Tonight, I see violent earthquake from God in operation; I see foundation of prisons shaken; I see prisons doors open; I see escape for everyone that is held captives in Jesus name. I see your enemies trembling before you as from today in Jesus name. In verse 29, we see the jailers addressing his prisoners as sirs. I pray from tonight, all those that are persecuting and harassing you would come to bow before you in Jesus name. In fact, if you go to verse 36 – 39, we see Paul and Silas dictating their terms for their acceptance of their release from prison. I pray that you would be the
PRAYER ANSWERING GOD – PART 4
1 JOHN 5: 14 – 15: This is the confidence which we have before Him that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. In 2 Chro. 7: 14, God promised that “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (NIV). This is another evidence of God’s love and faithfulness towards man. The Almighty has proven over and over again that while men may not be faithful, He is faithful in His love towards men, which is why He is always willing to give men another chance at all time. From the Chronicle passage, we see that the problem is not about whether God does answer prayers, but rather whether we are in a good standing for Him to answer our prayers. In the passage, God is saying I don’t have problem with answering prayers, but I require certain conditions to be fulfilled before I am obliged to answer your prayers. The first condition from this passage is that God must be able to recognise you as one of His people. What does it mean to belong to God’s people? Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us an indication of those who are His; that is those who can be considered as God’s people in Mat.7:21 where He stated that “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (NIV). So, from this we can see that a characteristic of God’s people is that they do the will of God. Thus, you can only qualify as one of God’s people if you do His will. Also, it is important that you are called by His name. However, you can only acquire this status by giving your life to Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ says in Luke 6:48 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (NIV). This confirms the fact that it is not just enough for you to profess to be a Christian or to attend Church services, but much more important is your relationship with God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. In order to be called by His name, you must have at one point or the other have given your life to Christ and confessed Him as your Lord and saviour, and then continue to do the will of the father. That is when you can have the confidence that He would hear you when you call The second condition from this passage is humility. In Jam. 4:10, the bible says“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (NIV). What does it mean to be lifted up? Praying to God is an act of humility. When you pray, what you are you are saying is that you have no power of your own and as such cannot help yourself; you are acknowledging your powerlessness and surrendering your plans and cares unto God. It shows that you do not trust in your strength but in the power of God. You are saying that you have no power of your own; you are saying that you cannot help yourself but depending on Him. This is an act of humility. It is only the humble that can recognise their limitations in the affairs of their life and seek God’s face to direct them. When you pray to God it should normally signify an act of absolute surrender. If you are His and have humbled yourself to seek his face, then you can be rest assured that no matter how difficult the matter may be He would show forth His glory through it. In addition, another condition that you must fulfil for God to answer from heaven is to turn away from your wicked ways. Proverbs 6:12 – 16 describes the characteristics of the wicked. It says “A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; perversityisin his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord. Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy” (NKJV). Are any of these found in you? If the answer is yes or you are not sure, then you need to repent today, and the Lord would hear your cry as call unto Him today in Jesus name. Shalom. Dr. Yinka Okude Pastor-in-Charge RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton HYMN: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER
PRAYER ANSWERING GOD – PART 3
1 JOHN 5: 14 – 15: This is the confidence which we have before Him that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. In 1Kgs. 18:24 Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, “Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire–he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good” (NIV). When you consider this challenge from Elijah, you would observe one very important lesson, which is that we must know the God that we serve and have confidence in Him. Elijah showed in this challenge that he knows the ability of his God and has unshaken confidence in the ability of his God. The same kind of absolute confidence in God is shown in the account of the Hebrew children recorded in Dan. 3:17 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand (NIV). In each of these 2 examples that we have seen, there is something that is common to them. One is the fact that they both showed to their challenger and the audience that they know their God, and were ready to put their lives on the line to defend their God. Through their faith and confidence, God’s glory was made manifest through their exploits. Their exploits confirms what the bible says in Dan.11:32bthat “but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (KJV). Secondly, we also see in these passages people that have confidence in their God. This is similar to what we read in 1 John 5: 14, where Apostle John was categorical about his confidence about our prayer answering God. Expectedly, in each of the 2 examples, the people were not disappointed. God showed up for their faith. The Lord answered without delay and the enemies that challenged the God of Elijah and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were put to shame. I pray that everyone, who doubted your God, the God of the heaven and earth in your life, would be put to shame when you share your testimony in Jesus name. However, you must proof to God by exercising your faith that you know Him and believe in Him. My dear reader, we need to get to the level of knowing the God that we serve if we want to see the demonstration of the fullness of his power in our situation and circumstances. Is there anything, situation and circumstance that is challenging your faith? Are there prayers that are awaiting God’s answer? Are you weary? Today, I have good news for you. The God of Elijah, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, is the same God described in Heb. 13: 8 as the same yesterday, today and forever. Believe Him, Confess Him and Profess Him and your testimony would be resound in Jesus name. Shalom. Dr. Yinka Okude Pastor-in-Charge RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton HYMN: O WORSHIP THE KIN
