Exodus 31:2-5, āThen the Lord said to Moses, 2 āSee, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skillsā 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
From the above scripture, we learn Bezalel was filled with the Spirit ( anointed ) of God to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of crafts. What do we learn here precious ones? The anointing is not only used in church. Each anointing is meant for a different assignment at a given time. For Bezalel, his was to be used to build the temple of God aesthetically. In fact, his anointing was so unique that it gave the temple a unique image or picture. Thatās the anointing for you.
Once you see a unique fashion designer or interior decorator whoās always sought after know that their services are not only sought on the platform of their skills but also on the platform of the anointing that is not visible in their field of work like in church.
Mary conceived supernaturally via the power of the Spirit. You too will conceive supernaturally despite the doctorās report in the name of Jesus!
When the anointing came upon the prophets of old they said ā ā¦and the spirit came upon meā. May that anointing rest upon you and all yours now in the name of Jesus!
In our previous lesson ( part 1), we learnt that to manifest the anointing in all our endeavors we should sustain the consciousness that we have the Holy Spirit. This is done by asking the Spirit to come into our life and by speaking faith-filled words to our seemingly insurmountable situations believing He hears us and will act accordingly for when God said ālet there be lightā, that declaration was made in faith and the Spirit immediately caused light to appear.
To walk in the Spirit, we have to yield to the Spirit of the Living God. We do this by continually obeying Him. This is because the Spirit is neither an influence nor a power. Heās not also fire, water or a dove but can manifest Himself in those forms. Heās actually a personality with emotions for the Scripture says ā and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption ( Ephesians 4:30). Do we grieve a force or an influence? I guess you know the answer! We grieve only persons or personalities. If the Spirit for instance tells you to sell ā waakyeā instead of going to work in a company even though you are a Masterās degree holder and you are like ā how can an educated person like me stoop so low and sell that food when I have a better option to work in a reputable company, you have grieved Him and He will leave you without you knowing heās gone.
In the āwaakyeā business could be your fianancial freedom that would eventually make you the talk of town. Could this disobedience be the reason why some of us left Africa our place of destiny for Europe or America for greener pastures when God repeatedly told us we were not destined to be there or vice versa? Itās not everyone who is destined to be in Europe or America or Africa to succeed. With God, location doesnāt always determine your place of destiny. In fact if you obey the Spirit wherever you go you will be a blessing like Isaac when he was in the land of the Philistines. Success is not in a place but in a person who happens to be the Spirit. If He guides you and you obey you are good to go.
You could be praying and all of a sudden, the Spirit tells you to ā praise Himā and you open your mouth and you are like ā what difference does it makeā? Brother, you would not be able to walk in the anointing that way. This is because you may have prayed for years one a situation and now the Spirit who knows everything is telling you to āsingā to bring an end to that long standing affliction and you disobey. Is praying good? Absolutely! But when He talks, obey! It was songs that were used to break the walls of Jericho. He gives different strategies to different people for different situations. Donāt be religious but spiritual because we walk by faith (spirit) and not by sight (customs, rituals, emotions etc..)
When he wakes you up at midnight no matter how tired you are begin worshiping Him and later zoom into tongues and change things in your life, destiny or family.
Under the leading of the Spirit, Apostle Smith Wigglesworth of blessed memory could punch cancer patients at the spot they were really hurting. And as they received the heavy and violent punch they felt the pain and the cancer leave them immediately. Critics criticized him and wondered why he sometimes operated that way instead of doing the usual which is laying hands on the sick to get them healed. But His master led him in different fashion. For some, we blow air on them, for some we lay hands, for some we ask them to honour some scripture led directives and they are free because we are spoken to by the Spirit and as we obey results follow.
Sharpen your spiritual antennas by speaking consistently in tongues, dwelling on the scriptures, and listening to spirit filled messages. You will eventually hear him if He speaks to you and you too will walk in the anointing even though you are not a pastor. Would you pay the price?
Luke 10:38, ā How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.ā
From the above scripture, we notice that the purpose of the anointing upon and in the life of Jesus Christ was to do good. By reason of the anointing of God, I declare and decree be losed from all forms of oppression, doors be open unto you, ancient altars catch fire. Be freed in the matchless name of Jesus.
Anything that comes from God to bless and turn lives around is termed as grace. In others words, favour, mercy, honour among others without forgetting the topic in question which is the anointing can also be called grace. The anointing can be termed as divine fragrance or person upon and in the life of an individual. When this grace is upon you, you get married without courting or dating for 6 months. You just attract people decently and not indecently. You may wear a casual dress and not look fashionable and a young man filled with the same spirit can just see you and say ā young woman, I want to marry youā. I know you donāt believe what Iām saying but itās true. What do you think made the king fall in love with Esther upon seeing her? My dear friend, what attracted the king was beyond beauty. Esther was anointed with an extraordinary grace that made her find favour before the king. Itās called the anointing. You are not just anointed by you will learn through this platform how to walk in the anointing and accomplish great feats in life and destiny in the name of Jesus.
Pastor Benny Hinn calls the anointing a heavenly commodity. This is because, the source of this blessing is not earthly but heavenly. Itās not the prerogative of only the 5-fold ministry; itās actually for all believers. These gifts are given by God Almighty to men to fulfill Godās mandate in the earth realm. The oil comes from heaven above and not from the hands of men (though it can be transferred from one person to another) because the source is Jehovah.
However, every believer is anointed when they get born again. God comes and makes His home on the inside of us. The scripture says, āTherefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.ā
(II Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJ)
You are set apart. The Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside of you and the anointing of the Holy Ghost becomes available to you. You have the ministry of reconciliation ā to tell others about Jesus.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (I John 2:20 & 27 NKJ)
Beloved, the anointing is in levels. The dose of the power differs from individual to individual because of either their calling, their service or their hunger for more. Yes, itās true. Matthew 7:7-8 says ā Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.ā Unfortunately, most of us have never asked the Lord to increase the anointing in us because we are either ignorant of this reality or are satisfied with our current levels. Remember, God anoints us for different assignments. You may not be a pastor but for you to stand out among your peers you need the anointing. Hear God on this truth āYou have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.ā – Hebrews 1:9. Doing that which is expected of you as a Christian can attract the anointing of distinction upon your life and thatās exactly what the scripture above communicated.
To be sought after by all men or look special in this world, brother you need to be assisted by a spirit and that Spirit for believers is the Holy Spirit; heās the author of the anointing. You want to be a great musician, medical doctor, judge, fashion designer, mason etc? Aside your certificates, your intelligence, your contacts, you need this grace called anointing trust me. Without it, you may seek help outside Jesus to make it but hear me you will pay for that demonic help with your life and that of your generation. Receive help from God and be happy for thereās nothing good in the devil.
On the other hand, the anointing can also be utilized to destroy yokes, heal, deliver or do extraordinary on earth. Precious ones, receiving and walking in the anointing are two different things.
To walk in the anointing, you have to sustain the consciousness you have the Holy Spirit. In prayer, you may say something like ā I love you Holy Spirt, Iām sorry I neglected you for sometime, come and brood on my spirit, soul and body by your mercy, come into my life, let a fresh oil from you come upon me please. You donāt need to fall down or feel something to prove that Heās with you for we walk by faith and not by sight, the Bible says.
Declare dailyā I have an excellent Spirit, the anointing of God is in and upon me, Iām heavily anointed, Iām the best and of God, nothing happens to me but I make things happen, my food, clothes or anything I touch is anointed, my presence anywhere in this world comes with the anointing. In addition to my job, training, thereās an anointing upon me. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and if He dwells in my body which is His, cancer, fibroid, growth, diabetes, organ infections you cannot kill me but rather you die in the name of Jesus.
What consciousness do you move with at your place of work, in your area or in your family. If you know the Holy Spirit is with you, you will not talk like people of the world. You got to speak faith – filled words. Job 22:29 ā when men are cast down, then thou shall say, thereās a lifting up; and he shall save the humble person ā. You see, when men are cast down, YOU ( the believer) and not someone else shall say thereās a lifting up. ā Even though Iām unemployed now, I declare and declare Iām an employer of labourā thatās what you may be saying when people say negative things. Unbelievers may mock you when you speak like God even when you are confronted with seemingly insurmountable mountains, if you are consistent in what you say and believe it, very soon your declarations will put on flesh. These kinds of talk make the Spirit work on your behalf. Sometimes in meetings, we donāt hear directly or see from God but when we speak things happen because we know we are not alone and that God comfirms the words of His servant.
Unbelievers donāt know this reality unfortunately and thatās why they allow the devil to torment and attack them daily. Donāt live a defeated life for life and death are in the power of the tongue. A broke child of God just finished fasting and when he came out, they brought him a lady who could not even stand on her feet because of cancer. She was told by doctors in the UK to come home and die. As soon as the servant of God saw her he screamed ā cancer die in the name of Jesusā. Immediately the lady stood up and after one week hair that was disappearing from her head as a sign of the presence of cancer starting growing miraculously. Guess what happened to that dear man of God! New house in a prime area , latest car and of course cash were giving to him by the lady to thank him. How did the blessing come about, the pastor was conscious of the presence of Spirit that causes the anointing to work and he spoke in faith and the miracle took place. You can do the same thing if you donāt grieve the Spirit. Learn to please him at all times and his anointing in and upon your life will work.
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Humility is a key:
1. Because it opens the door to salvation
āFor I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, āThe just shall live by faith.āā Romans 1:16-17 NKJV
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. Job 22:29
2. Because it opens the door to healing.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
In 2 Kings 5:1-19, Naaman was sent to Elisha, a mighty prophet of God in Israel to be supernaturally healed. Instead of Elisha coming to the door to greet Naaman, he sent a messenger to him saying, āGo and wash in the Jordan River seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you shall be clean.ā
3. Because it opens the door to the riches and honour.
āBy humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.ā Proverbs 22:4 NKJV
4. Because it opens the door to the Grace of God
āFor I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.ā Romans 12:3 NKJV
āBut He gives more grace. Therefore He says: āGod resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.ā Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.ā James 4:6-7 NKJV
5. Because it opens the door to the anointing:
To humbly be a servant
To humbly receive someone as a father
To humbly learn from another
To humbly listen to a man of God
Four Enemies of Humility
1. Having a wrong mind
Types of Wrong Minds:
High-mindedness
A mind that you are being cheated
A mind that you are forgotten, and must be remembered
A mind that ‘I’m not noticed, I must be noticed’.
āLet this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV
2. Holding on to your good reputation in any field
This makes you want to fight to keep a good reputation which you may have to lose for Christ’s sake.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7
3. Not accepting to be a servant
āYou should think about things in the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ had the same nature as God. He was completely equal with God. But he did not try to keep hold of that. Instead, he chose to leave heaven. He took for himself the nature of a slave. He became like a human. Philippians 2:5-7 EASY
4. Not accepting that you are a mere human
āAnd when he lived as a man, he made himself even less important. He obeyed God completely, so that he died. He even died on a cross! Because of that, God then raised Jesus Christ to the most important place. God gave him the name that is greater than every other name.ā Philippians 2:8-9 EASY
May we always remember that we are mere mortals whose main purpose is to accomplish the divine will of God. May we never be too proud to recognize Godās sovereignty and submit to Him at all times. The Lord bless us and keep us and make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us in Jesusā precious Name.
āāAnd to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, āThese things says He who is holy, He who is true, āHe who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opensā: āI know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lieāindeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.ā
A door is an access point that leads somewhere.
There are certain works that open doors
The scriptures talk about two types of works.
A. Good works
B. Dead works/ works of the flesh (Gal 5:17)
Emphasis on good works. What does the Bible say about good works.
1. Our pattern for good works
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38-44 NKJV
2. A new identity that brings forth good works
Ephesians 2:10 reads āFor we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
3. Good works for kingdom for kingdom advancement.
And purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.ā Titus 2:14.
In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.ā Titus 2:6-8ā
To obey, to be ready for every good work.ā Titus 3:1.
That those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.ā Titus 3:8
Psalms 11:7 The Lord is righteous and loves good deeds; those who do them will live in his presence.
Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
B. Dead works of works of the flesh
Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV
āNow the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery
fornication
uncleanness -(, to be defiled, polluted, unhealthy, or unfit, moral, sexual impurity)
lewdness, – (Lewd people have unbridled lusts and little sense of shame. They are outrageous in their shamelessness and give themselves to debauchery in a brazen way (Ephesians 4:19; 1 Peter 4:3). āLewdnessā is reckless sinning. It does not care what God or people think.)
idolatry – replacing God with other things -money, idols, people ā¦
sorcery- the use of magic, especially black magic.
hatred
contentions – argumentative
jealousies
outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions,
dissensions – disagreement that leads to discord
heresies – belief or opinion contrary to orthodox (especially Christian) doctrine
envy
murders
drunkenness
revelries – Revelry is a wild, fun time.
and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.ā
Gates or doors and what they respond to:
1. Identity (who we are)
āLift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.ā Psalms 24:7-8 NKJV
āTherefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.ā Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV
All things respond to the Name of Jesus including gates and doors.
āSet your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4 NKJV
Because we are hidden in Christ Jesus, doors will be accessible to us.
2. Gates and doors respond to Praise of the saints (Paul and Silas)
āBut at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyoneās chains were loosed.ā Acts 16:25-26 NKJV
3. Prayer (Peter and the angel)
āPeter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, āArise quickly!ā And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, āGird yourself and tie on your sandalsā; and so he did. And he said to him, āPut on your garment and follow me.ā So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, āNow I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.āā Acts 12:5-11 NKJV
As you tarry in prayer may the angel of God that was sent to Peter appear to loose every bonds of bondage and cause every prison do to open to set you free.
Righteousness is a gift of God at salvation. A gift is freely given. The delusion is that many have received this gift and yet walk by their own leadings and direction.
To walk in righteousness requires many virtues including
Faith
1. the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.
2. And Abraham had faith towards God and it was accounted to him for righteousness .
Humility, patience, love, kindness, joyā¦
A lack of humility results in pride in all cases.
1. Pride is a deadly evil that affects humans.
2. It is an invisible evil that has started more quarrels and more wars than you could ever imagine.
3. Pride is the reason for the conflicts and the confusion in our world. We are desperately in need of a formula for humility that will deliver us from “those who are proud.”
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10
Many problems in the world now are because of pride. Satan is the one who inspires pride, arrogance, and conflict .
All who walk by pride walk under the influence of satan. Job 41:34
ā¦ he (satan) is a king over all the children of pride.
In the church all the problems in the church are due to pride and high mindedness. Disloyalty is caused by pride.
Satan inspired 1/3 of the host of heaven to rebel against God. And he is still doing the same thing now on earth. He said i will arise and displace the one who sits on the throne, i will replace the almighty God, i will be like the most high.
Symptoms of pride
Full of self-importance
Self -conceit
Delusion of self worth ( it takes about 10 years to completely unravel and destroy those who believe in them)
Unthankful / ingratitude 2 Timothy 3:1-5
āThis know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.ā 2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James4:10
Seven Reasons why you must be humble (James 4:6)
1. Humble yourself because God resists proud people.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, but giveth grace unto the humble. Pride is so contrary to God that He has declared war on all who are proud. When you become proud, God will become your enemy and oppose you in all that you do.
People who have become proud do not realize that God has begun to oppose them. Satan goes on holiday. Often they make the mistake of rebuking satan. By being proud you make God Almighty your enemy because He resists the proud. Do u want God to be your enemy? Then be humble.
2. Humble yourself because God gives grace to the humble. James 4;6
ā¦ God gives grace to the humbleā¦
Amazingly, God gives underserving help to humble people
Grace is underserved help and favor
Think of all the undeserving help you can receive in your life if you walk the paths of humility. Then humble yourself.
Do u need undeserving help in your finances then humble yourself.
3. Humble yourself because through that you will be lifted up to the next level in life.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the lord, and He shall lift you up. James 4:10
The next important reason for you to be humble is for promotion. If you want to be promoted then humble yourself. You will find yourself rising out of your current level into heights you never dreamed off. 1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and HE MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME. Exaltation is to be gloriously lifted up into beauty and shining excellence. Humility is the key.
4. Humble yourself so that you will be covered and protected. 1 Peter 5:5
āLikewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for āGod resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.āā
Humility is not just an attitude
Humility is a spiritual covering
Humility is not just a poor and simple way of living
Humility is not being timid
It protects us from many unseen spiritual dangers.
5. Humble yourself because your pride is a signal for your soon to come destruction, your fall and your shame. Proverbs 29:23
āA manās pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.ā Proverbs 16:18-19 NKJV
āPride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.ā Proverbs 11:12
āWhen pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.ā Proverbs 11:2 NKJV
In conclusion, it is in our own interest as children to maintain an attitude of humility if we want to fulfill the will and purpose of our God. Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV
āTherefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.ā
āCome to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.āā Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
āFor we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
The darkness of this world is the home of evil spirits. Darkness speaks of the environment in which evil flourishes. Satan rules in the darkness of this world. Deception is a type of spiritual darkness. This is because the environment of deception is the breeding ground for evil spirits.
Darkness is simply the atmosphere of deception under which Satan operates. Our defeated foe flourishes in the deepest darkness. He stands no chance when we come out into the light. This is why Satan hates the Word of God so much. Jesus is the Light that destroys Satan’s influence over men.He is the Word of God. The Word of God is a light that shines in the darkness. Demon activity is greatly reduced where the Word of God is taught. That is why it is essential to be constantly nourished by the word of God through sermons and personal Bible study.
āAnd the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.ā John 1:5 NKJV
The power of Satan against the church can be likened to several wars and confticts in the world today. When a super-power fights against an inferior army, the weaker side often knows that he Does not stand a chance in open conventional warfare. Therefore, he hides and fights from a position of secrecy, deception and darkness. This often results in guerilla warfare and terrorist activities.
For instance, the army of Israel is far more superior to the armies of the Palestinians; the Palestinians do not stand a chance against the military might of Israel. Israel is even said to be a nuclear power. Because Palestine does not stand a chance, they resort to surprise suicide attacks and terrorist activities. Hijacking planes and killing members of the Olympic squad of the Israelis are just a few examples of the kind of warfare that the weaker army engages in.
Terrorist attacks like the one on September 11 are other examples of a weaker and smaller army fighting against a gigantic force. Similarly, the army of demons arrayed against the church,is no match for the power of God. The weapons of our warfare are mighty.
āFor the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,ā II Corinthians 10:4 NKJV
Satan trembles at the mention of the name of Jesus. Demons shiver when we sing about the blood. When they see the blood, they pass over. The Word of God is a mighty sword, which slices fallen angels and evil spirits into shreds. In the realm of the spirit, we are a nuclear power fighting against an army of natives brandishing swords.
Because the devil has no chance against us, the mainstay of his operations is through deceptive tricks. The Bible calls these “the wiles of the devil”. Our greatest effort therefore must be to uncover the tricks and the traps of our illusive enemy.
Believe it or not, one of the most successful tricks of the enemy is to make people believe that the devil does not exist. This amazing lie is so successful that the devil has used it on multitudes of unsuspecting Europeans. Most European nations are plagued with hordes and hordes of demons. The neat pavements and quaint roads with perfectly arranged buildings will deceive the unspiritual into thinking that all is well. I believe that Europe is the darkest continent on this planet. It contains the most immoral, and godless communities on earth. The devil is very successful in Europe because he has convinced them that he does not exist. Through this powerful deception, Sodom and Gomorrah have been recreated.
The more our eyes are opened spiritually, the more the wiles of the devil will be exposed. It is only the power of Christ that has the authority to confront demonic activity. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today. What makes Him the same yesterday, today and forever? The answer is simple. He does the same things today that He used to do years ago. Years ago, He healed the sick and cast out devils. Today, He still heals the sick and casts out devils. Years ago, He visited people’s homes and blessed them. Today, He still visits our homes and blesses us. He raised the dead two thousand years ago and is still raising the dead in today’s world. He is the same.
Accept it! Believe it today. Jesus is alive and He is stretching out His hand to minister to you now. He has not changed at all. He loves to do the things He used to do. That is a hallmark of the ministry of Christ. I have personally seen the Lord Jesus healing the sick and casting out devils today. He has not changed. Do not let the devil deceive you. The things you read in the Bible are real and are still happening Bible is one of the highest kinds of deceptions is to think that the Bible is just a history book describing the miracles of a Jewish zealot who is not relevant. this modern, computerized society.
There are still mad men like the mad man of Gadara and Jesus still heals such people. There are still many epileptics, who convulse and foam at the mouth. The power of Jesus still heals such people. There are still many, many women with gynecological problems like the woman with the issue of blood Jesus still heals such gynaecological diseases. There are many blind people in the world today. There are now schools for the blind. Christ Jesus opens blind eyes today. I have seen blind people receiving their sight in my ministry. There are many lame people in the world. Jesus is still healing such people.
Is it not amazing to note that the problems are still the same? The plagues that confronted humanity two thousand years ago are still the same. In spite of medical advances, these problems do not seem to go away. It is comforting to know that Jesus is still a healing Jesus. As you read this book you can expect the power of Christ to confront the evil powers of Satan in your life.
How does Jesus heal today? He heals today through His body. He is the head and the church is the Body of Christ. No matter what the good intentions of the head are, He needs the cooperation of the hands to do His works. Your head may decide, “I am going to read this book,” but it is your hands that will be used to lift the book up. Without the hands doing their part, the good intentions of the head cannot be realized. That is why the church must have healing and casting out of devils as a principal activity that goes on alongside preaching.
We are the hands and the feet of Jesus today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Allow Him into your life right now to heal you, to touch you and to set you free.
With Love, Esinam.
(Excerpts from Demons, by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills)
Itās in our human nature to rather not wait. Being in a queue is probably one of the most undesirable forms of waiting. It is even more painful when after hours of waiting for your turn youāre told to come at another date.
As children of God, even waiting on God can be such a daunting and unpleasant experience. We oftentimes wish that as soon as we make a request it is granted. But God has His way of doing things. His ways are not our ways.
āāAnd now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it.ā Deuteronomy 10:12-14 NKJV
The Lord requires us to fear Him and follow His ways, obeying His commandments with all our heart and soul. The heavens and the earth belong to our a father and when we follow His ways we delight him and then He blessing us with the good things that pertain to life and godliness.
āHe made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.ā ā¦ āBut the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to childrenās children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.ā Psalms 103:7, 17-18 NKJV
Godās ways are what He likes, what He desires of us. You ought to always ask Him to show you His ways so that you can prosper and flourish in Him.
āNow therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.āāExodus 33:13 NKJV
You can discover the ways of God through prayer. This type of prayer is not just to seek our own but to seek His will. This is not the I like it, I want it, I need it so give it to me kind of prayer. Some even quite scripture and will be decreeing and declaring that God should give them what they deserve. Rather this is a prayer of humility.
āāBecause you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.ā Deuteronomy 28:47-48 NKJV
Reasons why you canāt wait on God:
1. You canāt pray on your own. Now many only rely on corporate prayers, especially those held online. Barring that, they have no personal prayer life.
2. You have no stamina for spiritual things. You see it as a chore and easily get bored or tired.
3. You are intelligent but not spiritual.
4. You have no time to pray because you are always busy doing other things.
5. You donāt have anywhere to wait on God. āAnd Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.ā John 18:2 NKJV. Our Lord Jesus had a special place He dedicated to prayer.
6. You donāt know how to wait on God.
7. You donāt know the implications of not waiting on God.
āFor since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.ā Isaiah 64:4 NKJV
Learn to wait on God and follow His ways. And while you wait, serve. And while you serve, rejoice. May God grant us the grace to flow in Him. Stay blessed.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.ā Matthew 13:47-50
Fishing was a main occupation of these times and commercial fishermen would use large nets to harvest fish for selling at the market. The dragnet was the largest of nets weighted below and with corks on top. It covered about half a mile of water and picked up everything in its path.
In the parable the net is full and taken to shore where the fishermen would begin separating the edible, saleable fish from the worthless fish. The edible would be placed in containers to keep fresh in order to transport. The inedible were simply thrown away. The people of Jesus’ day, especially around Galilee, had seen this happen all of their lives.
In this parable Jesus goes ahead and actually takes the comparison one step further in order to reveal the similarities that exist in the spiritual realm.
He explains that this parable points to the end of the world and a time of judgement. Since He said that the kingdom is like a net thrown out to catch fish, the judgement here refers to the people, who are in the kingdom, the ones who have been taken in the net.
ā We know that the “net” is the gospel, which is cast out into the world bringing in all kinds of fish (people) into the kingdom.
ā Jesus says that at the end of the world the angels will separate the true disciples (good fish) from the false disciples (bad fish).
ā Angels do this ā Matthew 25:32. The good go into the containers (the many rooms of the Father’s house), the bad will be thrown away (into the darkness with bitter weeping).
This parable about the kingdom teaches some very different lessons than the one regarding leaven. They do not contradict each other; they complement each other by adding more detail.
From the dragnet parable we learn:
1. All kinds of people are brought into the kingdom. We know now that the gospel is the means to draw all people into God’s kingdom.
2. There is good and bad in the kingdom. People say, “I’m not going to that church because there are hypocrites there.” They think that the true church is the perfect church. Jesus teaches that all kinds of people find their way into the kingdom – for a while. The net brings all in. The requirements to be a member of the church allow for even insincere or evil people to be included if they want to. We ought not to be surprised or discouraged when we see someone naming the name of Christ but not acting like a Christian – Jesus said this would be normal. Work out your own salvation
3. The kingdom will be purified. When Jesus returns, not only sinners and disbelievers will be judged. God, through His angels, will remove all those from the church who don’t belong there. We can fool society, we can fool the brethren, we can even fool ourselves – but we cannot fool God. God knows who are the true disciples and He will keep only these in the end. Of course, this is a warning to everyone at various levels:
A. For those who are not in the kingdom. Jesus spoke this parable, not to disciples, but to the crowds who came to hear Him speak. He made it clear to all that there was to be a dividing line between those who were in and those who were out (not all the fish in the sea were in the net).
Christianity is both inclusive and tolerant. Anyone can become a Christian and all Christians are to be patient and loving even in the face of another’s weakness. But Christianity has boundaries set by God (the One who is allowed to do so and whose boundaries are always right and just). For example, God is the one who set the boundaries for marriage (Genesis 2:24) and no human court (e.g. U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage) can overturn His decision. Christians simply reflect what those boundaries are, they don’t invent them!
Another set of boundaries set by God can be seen in the gospel message itself:
ā¢ If you believe and respond to it in faith – you’re in the kingdom.
ā¢ If you disbelieve or refuse to respond – you’re out of the kingdom.
He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Mark 16:16
This is not intolerance or bigotry, it is God’s boundary and those who follow Him also hold to the boundary He has established. Jesus demonstrates the idea of boundary in this parable; some are in the net, others are not. It is possible therefore to be left out if we so choose. Another warning:
B. Those in the kingdom. To those in the kingdom, but there in name only not in the Spirit (I.e. I’m a Christian but bear no fruit). Jesus warns these that they will not escape judgement. Some people think they can hide in the church. They believe that they can have just enough religion to keep them saved while still enjoying the world. This parable warns that there will be a sorting out within the kingdom in order to clean out the hypocrites and the dead wood. Jesus wants to offer God a “living” church, a kingdom alive in Christ when He comes. For this reason, those who are really of this world and insincere in their Christianity will be removed.
Finally, a word of encouragement:
C. To the true citizens of the kingdom. For those who know Christ; obey Christ; trust completely in Him; are faithful to the kingdom; growing in the kingdom – there is the promise of a better place. They will be kept for rooms in the mansion of the Father. Each of us has to determine where we are and where we need to be – this is the invitation or message of this parable.
ā¢ For some it may be the initial step of repentance and baptism to enter into the kingdom.
ā¢ For others it may be a recommitment and renewal to a deeper and more faithful discipleship with God to remain in the Kingdom.
ā¢ For most, this parable should be an encouragement to continue following the Lord as they have been; knowing that the reward is sure because the Lord who promises it is faithful to the citizens of the kingdom.
May the Lord grant us the grace to heed to His word and strive to be members of His kingdom.
Acts 22:15: For you are to be His witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heardā.
The question is what have you personally seen or heard? Itās good to have information on someone or something through another person or materials but itās better to be the principal witness of an event or of a person or an entity.
Thank you Holy Spirit for this song, āMy prayer everyday, Father donāt let them ask, donāt let them ask where is my God.
My hope and trust are in you. My life is full of your glory so donāt let them ask where is my God. Those who cast their cares on you shall never be forsaken. Donāt let them ask where is my God?
A witness is not only a proof producer, a martyr or a preacher. He is also someone who dominates or takes over a field or department of life.
Genesis 1: 28 says ā and God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Godās plan for man before his fall was for him to have total control or dominion over every creature of the air, water and land. Thatās what we call dominion but sin prevented man from fulfilling that plan but through the sacrifice Jesus made for us whatever we lost has been restored to us. We can only have access to this blessing when we wake up from our slumber and become aware of who we are in Christ and act accordingly.
Anywhere Muslims go, they insist on occupying positions of leadership like ā chief of staff, Inspector General of Police, great businessmen among others. They do this because of their mentality. They donāt see themselves as inferior people. Dangote has dominated the cement industry and we Christians are excited we work for such men. You may work for them for sometime but donāt remain there forever. Think on how you will own your properties and become an influential person like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Philip took over Samaria as a deacon and not a pastor. Do you understand? Your uncle or boss can be used by God to bless you but look up to Jesus Himself. If He lifts you up, no man can bring you down.
You can start your own business, bank, estates, school or hospital. Believe you can do that. You represent a greater kingdom and the King of that kingdom is Jesus your Father. Whatās impossible for Him? āBehold, Iām the God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for me? – Jeremiah 32: 27,ā the word of God confirms.
How long shall we sit down and always wait for those in the world to dictate to us? When you are going out, have the mentality of a royal, dress well and represent your God. One of the reasons why I love Apostle Johnson Suleman is because, anytime he goes out to preach in Europe or any other part of the world, he dresses smartly and commands the respect of his audience. Thatās a kingdom envoy.
To become a force that dominates, you have to also believe in yourself and in God. If you believe Jesus became poor for you to become rich, you will then have to start working, pay your tithes, save and multiply your streams of income. If you do this, a time will come, you will have a big shop, employ others to help you and because of your dedication to work and diligence, people will hear of you. Your name will become a household name and thatās influence. You may fail when you begin your business, but donāt give up. If you know itās God that led you to do that work, you would have to reinvest in that same job till it yields positive results.
Whatever you do as work, with the grace of God, diligence and professionalism you will become an influential person. If you will have to go to school to polish your skills, please go. Man of God, you maybe be so anointed but without sound exegesis, pastoral ethics or homiletics, the world may not hear you. Why not disabuse your mind of ā ministry is not about theology but only anointing ābut rather go for training or humbly sit under a man who can train you to reach people you may not be able to have access to without theological training?
In Genesis 26 :13 -17, the Bible says Isaac became so rich that the Philistines feared him and even envied him. They even asked him to leave their place. Can you imagine? Isaac became a witness to the grace of riches that was upon the life of Jesus. Stop saying you were born poor and that your poverty is synonymous with holiness or God takes delight in it. Thatās not biblical and thatās not the mindset of a witness. Who followed God with all his heart in the Bible and was later rewarded with poverty? The Bible says ā ā¦.the Lord delights in the prosperity of his servants ( Psalms 35: 27). In this harsh economy, some people are genuinely doing well. Notice I used the word ā some people ā and ā genuinely ā. Your prosperity isnāt in a location but rather in a person called Jesus.
Young man and woman, when you go to secondary school or the uni for the first time, introduce yourself as a serious Christian through godly association, the reading of the word of God, prayer and public affirmation of your faith to your friends. Thatās how an influential person exercises dominion wherever they go. When a fetish priest visits a land, he pours libation to let people know who he is. He doesnāt shy away from his beliefs or expects other people to tell him what to do. Young woman, if you let your friends or mates know who you are, they wouldnāt talk about certain things in your presence. In fact, when they know you are around, they would be careful as to what they do or say. Do you know what it means? You are in charge! Through your commitment, you will win souls for Jesus and thereof expand his kingdom. If your friends change you at school negatively, what do you think it will mean to the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkens? No one should change you negativity young man. You should rather change them because you are a representative of the kingdom of light. Thereās a reward for you only if you raise the banner of Jesus higher. No man changed me negatively when I was in school and no one will change me negatively wherever I appear or go. Itās a superior mentality I have and consciousness I have sustained all over the years for wherever the word of the king is thereās power. You are a king!
Believer, as a teacher, you can also own a school someday and employ people. If you really believe it, start working towards acquiring a land. It may even be a half plot if you donāt have enough cash now. Then you start kindergarten or nursery there. Trust me with the help of God, that school will grow and surprise you and from there you may have to get a bigger plot and do wonders. Donāt you think, if your school grows and it has a Christian name, it may host children of big personalities and the name of Jesus would be glorified?
From the corridors of eternity, Jesus would be smiling and saying ā well done, good and faithful servant, thatās my witness ā.
Beloved, you are not an ordinary person. Donāt be moved by the present circumstances, just fix your eyes on Jesus, take positive and faith filled steps towards what you want to do in life that will bring glory to Jesus and you too will become a reference point to the body of Christ and the world at large. You are an influential person!
Acts 22: 15 ā For you are to be His witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. ā
After Ananias had restored Paulās sight through the power of God, he gave him a prophetic word in the anchor scripture above ā For you are to be His witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heardā. For me this is a perfect definition of a witness. From the scripture we see who or what a witness does for the advancement of the kingdom of God.
Last week, we learned that a witness is a proof producer and a martyr.
Please, say after me, āIām a proof producer. Iām a martyr for Christ Jesus. Amen!
A witness is also a preacher or an evangelist. Some people say preaching and teaching are the exclusive right of the five fold ministries ( apostle, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers). Some even say women are not supposed to preach or teach because of a scripture they were shown that lacked good biblical exegesis . We are not here for arguments but to learn precious ones. Every believer is supposed to preach and teach the word of God wherever they are and when the need arises. In Matthew 28: 19 -20, we read ā go ye ( disciples or believers) therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo, Iām with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen!
Besides, when Jesus resurrected from the dead, he first appeared to a woman who later went and informed the disciples ( Mark 16: 9 -11 āNow when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved.
Mary Magdalene proclaimed the good news to the disciples. Theologically speaking anyone who proclaims the word is actually preaching it. One can also encourage the people of God by preaching. In other words, Mary, a woman preached the word of God. So every believer who desires to be a witness should strive to teach and preach the word of God with power, accuracy and precision.
When you preach, you talk about Godās personality, power and kingdom.
When was the last time you preached the word of God to someone. If you say you donāt know the scriptures and thatās why you canāt preach, I would tell you Jesus is disappointed in you. If you say you canāt preach because you donāt understand English, I would tell you Jesus says you are not serious. Sometimes, we give all these flimsy excuses because we live like those in the world. We donāt care if people perish. See, heaven and hell are real. If we donāt believe the word of God, only death can confirm the existence of those realities to us.
Would like death to confirm the existence of heaven and hell to you? What if you were not saved and thought you were before you died? Stop saying if my father will change, he will change and that you donāt care. Masa, care oh. In fact, those who are not saved in your family are your assignment as a witness. You canāt afford to see them languish in hell tomorrow. Itās not a good place. Please, get them genuinely saved through the word of God. You are not only going to church to have your personal needs met but also to be a blessing unto others.
When we come to church, we taught the word of God, are trained to read the scriptures, meditate on them and go out there to win souls for Christ. If you have never preached before or you feel shy to do so, please wake up cos we donāt have time now and you and I may not know when we or our loved ones who are not saved may exit this world. When a young person or someone dies, the question we ask is ā were they married? Did they have children?ā. In as much as these are well meaning questions, I donāt think that should be the first questions to ask? Were they born again should be the first question and the rest come follow. This is because marriage and children are blessings from the Lord but trust me when to get to the other side of the divide the question would not be ā were you married or did you have childrenā? No! If you did on earth, thatās a plus and itās good but there it means nothing. Your salvation is what counts there!
Your pastors canāt reach out to everyone on earth and thatās why they preach to you every day so that you can go out there and become a blessing to perishing souls.
If you are a policeman, you have to go and preach to policemen and not necessarily your pastor. This is because, the Lord planted you there for that purpose. If you are a nurse, get unsaved nurses saved either through the word, your lifestyle that commands results or your prayer life. You will render an account of unsaved souls at your workplace that you didnāt try to get saved when you face the judgement seat.
1 Corinthians 9: 16 āFor if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!ā. Itās a must to preach the gospel like Paul said as a witness. How did you get saved? Share it with a scripture! How did you get healed? Talk about to the sick with a scripture to back your experience and pray the prayer of faith for them. Thatās preaching. How did you get a husband or a child after so many years? Tell people how God had mercy on you and met you at the point of your needs. Thatās the work of a witness. You may not need to always quote the scriptures but let Jesus be the focal point of your preaching or salvation and not a Mallam or a fetish priest or priestess somewhere.
I started preaching to, visiting and praying for the sick when I was in secondary school and God has always been faithful. You can do better! Yes, you can do it!
As you begin sharing the good news, the Lord will start upgrading you in the spirit. A time will come, you will quote scriptures to convince some people to get saved and they wouldnāt mind you because such people need something beyond the word. You may hear something like this from the Spirit , āhis name is Peter and he had a very bad dream last night and when he woke up he was scaredā. As you tell him that he will now be surprised and give you his undivided attention and that would be an opportunity to now expose him to the entire counsel of the Lord and ultimately get him saved and you would also have the opportunity to pray for him.
Some people wouldnāt be moved by the prophetic because of their conditions so out of faith you would have to reach out to them and lay hands on them and pray for healing for them. What do you think would happen if they are instantly healed? Paul said the āgospel is not in words but in the demonstration of powerā!
As a witness, you can meet someone and as he begins to tell you about a particular yoke that has plagued his family from generation to generation, you will instantly have an answer to that long standing battle and help him out through the Spirit or God. Would he follow or listen to whatever you tell him when heās totally free? Thatās the gospel.
Thereās however a price to pay to get to that level as a witness. Joshua 1:8 āKeep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.ā. Fill your soul with the word, listen to spirit filled word from generals in the kingdom, live a life of holiness and prayer and you will be a good ambassador of Christ here on earth to the glory of Yahweh!
As a witness, you are a preacher and a teacher irrespective of your sex, age or background.
Glory, glory, glory to God in three persons, the blessed holy Trinity.
Jesus, anoint my lips and fingers with a fresh oil and speak to us so that your name will always be glorified.
Acts 1: 8 ā But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.ā
Sometimes when we hear some people talk or reason, we wonder if they really know who they are in Christ. You head some people say ā Father, come and deliver meā. Babies pray that way. God can answer that prayer by His mercy and deliver you but when you grow or become a witness, he wouldnāt mind you and you maybe wondering why answers arenāt coming. Itās because in Luke 10:19 He said ā Behold, I give unto you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.ā He expects you to exercise the authority and power He has given to you over that demon responsible for your challenge and you are there crying out to Him. ā Masaā, you are a witness to His power. Let the devil know you know who you are and what you have.
The scripture above clearly said, ā ā¦.you will be my witnessesā¦.ā. This was a statement made by Jesus Himself to his disciples of whom you are now because when you got born again, you received the life of God in your spirit man. This means, you are no longer an ordinary person even though you may appear the same way physically speaking.
Moreover, if God wants to do something in the earth realm, He will surely need a man to carry out that assignment. The same principle applies to the devil, he also canāt function adequately without a man.
If you decide to represent Jesus or the devil, you become a witness. But in the name of Jesus, you and your entire family shall never represent the devil and anything that looks like him.
God almighty is so powerful that in Luke 19: 40 He says ā if these should hold their peace( humans) these stones ( inanimate things ) would immediately cry out. You and I will never allow that to happen as long as we have breath in us!!!
Elsewhere, in Psalms 19 : 1, we read ā The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiworks. Even though, inanimate things including the heavens can attest to Godās eternal power and ascribe glory to God, the Bible saysā the earth, God has given to the children of menā ( Psalms 115:16). We are the ones to whom this place has been given to to manage and carry out His assignments on His behalf. I mean we are ambassadors of Christ.
An ambassador represents his country in a foreign land. The decision an ambassador takes in the absence of his president in a foreign land is assumed has been taken by the president himself. When you appear where thereās darkness, your light must appear to prove you belong to Jesus. One day, a demon possessed girl was sent to come and destroy me. I was a teacher by then and I didnāt know who the girl in question really was and I also didnāt know Godās hand was so strong on my life. She joined my class as a student and as she got closer to me, she started feeling dizzy and experiencing a terrible headache. But she never gave up. Devils donāt easily give up but we Christians unfortunately do. The more she got closer, the more she held her head in pain and asked me, who am I? I smiled and said Iām a child of God and she was like ā thatās whyā. She added by saying she had a confession to make to me. The confession was that anytime she approached me, a Great Light shone upon and around me and that was responsible for her sudden acute headache and dizziness. Praise God in the highest! She went on to say āshe knows she belongs to the dark world and that I belong to the Lightā. The long and short of this story is that even as a teacher, I represented God in my class by His grace so you too can do same in any field God had called you to function.
In fact, until people see the glory of God in your life, family, marriage, business, you are not yet an ambassador of Christ but rather just a Christian if you are born again. Being a witness of Christ has nothing to do with a denomination or a church but you the person or the child of God.
So, if a Christian is not a witness, who then is a witness? Itās true, to become a witness, you have to be a Christian first. Thatās the first stage that cannot be overemphasized.
Someone who sees or has personal knowledge of something is a witness. What have you personally seen or what personal knowledge do you have about Christ, that you can replicate when the need arises for His glory?
Someone called to give evidence in a court is also a witness. When your family says, prove to us that your God can heal, can you prove it to them by healing your family membersā whose health have defied modern and traditional medicine? If yes, you are a witness, to Jesus healing power.
Finally, a witness is someone who is called upon to witness an event or action, such as a wedding or the signing of a document. When there are weddings are you called to come and grace the occasion because your people know the hand of the Lord is upon you? Remember, being a witness for God is for the whole body of Christ. Itās not limited to those in the five fold ministry.
Also remember, Jesus went to a wedding in the Bible and showed us what it meant to be a witness there. If you can dedicate your children to God instead of dedicating them to a familiar spirit, you are a witness of the Lord. He doesnāt need to come down and do that because you are around.
Wake up! What dimension of God do you represent as a witness apart from your title at work or church or wherever you go or are? Do the broken-hearted feel comfortable when they are with you? If yes, the Holy Spiritās ministry of a comforter is finding expression in you and through you and thatās an eternal witness.
Did Jesus cheat people when he was on earth? The answer is a capital NO. If you are fair in all your dealings with men and make sure people are paid after working for you and in fact they are happy working for you, you are a kingdom representative. Kudos to you! We are in a generation where we canāt tell who an eternal witness is from who a satanic witness is. Unfortunately, itās Christians who behave like worldly people in our offices. You hear statements like ā We are all Christians butā¦ā¦..ā. Brother if you make such statements consistently, I personally doubt your salvation. Yes, you are not a Christian, let alone an eternal witness because when the Master was on earth, we never heard statements like ā Iām Jesus but in this situation, letās go the way of the worldā. If he didnāt do that why do you do so? Jesus didnāt falsify documents to make money so you just canāt do same. Donāt sit there and say ā butā¦ā. My friend, the fact that everyone is doing a wrong thing doesnāt mean everyone is like that. There are still remnants for Christ Jesus and they are the people we call the witnesses of the Lord.
You maybe so poor now but trust me when you begin to put into practice kingdom principles responsible for kingdom financial wealth and freedom and add diligence to what you do, sister those who doubted your God wouldnāt need you to preach to them before joining you to your church. This is because you would have proven to them that āeven though he ( Jesus) was rich, he become poor so that you can become richā. Itās not everyone who is moved by the word of God. In addition to the word, some need the prophetic, power or they want to see you represent wealth to genuinely give their hearts to Jesus. Hence, a witness is needed!
A witness is also a martyr. This is what most Christians donāt like hearing. We want preaching, prophetic utterances and power which I believe in and walk in by His grace. But see, there is a place for that.
A martyr is someone who willingly accepts being put to ā death ā for adhering openly to oneās religious beliefs; notably saints canonized after martyrdom. Some of the disciples of Jesus died as martyrs. Luke, the physician, was hanged on an olive tree. Matthias [Disciple who filled the place of Judas Acts 1:20-26 ] was stoned and beheaded at Jerusalem. Apostle Paul (Saul who wrote half of the New Testament was beheaded by Emperor Nero at Rome. Where was God, when they were killing them? Did they renounce their faith to avoid being killed? No!!!
Do you believe enough to die for Christ? The three Hebrew boys said, āeven if you throw us into that blazing furnace, we will not bow to your God.ā Do you understand? How many of us can confidently say to the devil that even if we have no children, we will never go and see a jujuman for solution but still believe in God for our miracle?
James 1: 2-3: ā My brethren, count it all show when ye fall unto divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith workers patienceā. Count it all joy when you are not married and you are growing. God cannot disappoint you like the three Hebrew boys in that furnace. Once he sees your heart and knows you mean what you say and trust in Him, He will reach out to you. Job never broke down in calamity. In pain, agony, when his wife even said, ā curse your Godā and die, his reply was ā even if he slays me, yet will I trust himā. Eiii!!! That sickness can do its worse but it cannot kill you for like Job keep saying ā my redeemer livethā. And remember, for you as witness, that infirmity is not unto death, but for the glory of God to manifest in your life and through youā. You shall not die but live to declare the works of the Living God in the land of the livingā. Are u a witness? You could have slept with that man for that job, but you said no way, and he sacked you. Donāt worry my sister! You did what was right in Godās eyes.
Some of you are sexually molested because you did not dial the number of immorality. Some of you have been unemployed since you said no to that witness of the devil and are therefore struggling. Witness of Jesus, hear the word of the Lord, maintain your integrity, look up to Jesus for thereās fire in his eyes, he sees everything, knows the secrets of men and heās the righteous Judge. Mark my words, since you have come out from among them, he will sanctify you. Yes, I know itās not an easy thing, itās an ordeal you must go through and after that you shall receive ā the promiseā. Without tests, you have no testimony. The song writer said ā through it all, through it all, I have learnt to trust in Jesus, I have learnt to trust in God, through it all, through it all, Iāve learnt to depend upon His word.
As a witness, you canāt afford to be smoking and telling me you do that because the weather is cold. Jesus never smoked. If you feel cold, start praying in the Holy Ghost and be moving about. Please, your excuse is unacceptable. Science itself is against it. People felt cold and never destroyed themselves so what are you saying? Donāt let the devil deceive you. You are not married but living with a man. God still loves you and wants you to do the right thing so start doing the right thing. For you to say you are with him because you have no place to sleep is not the attribute of a witness. Go and look for something to do with your life. You may have to go and sleep in kiosks or under a bridge or with friends who may maltreat you. Donāt worry, itās part of the process of your training. When God finally remembers you, you will become a source of encouragement to others. Suffer for Christ now and tomorrow you will smile. Donāt enjoy in iniquity now and cry tomorrow. Donāt you think some ladies went through same ordeal and came out victorious? I mean they didnāt go and live with a man who is not their husbands but decided to live in deplorable conditions for sometime and later God honored them? You can do same or even better only if you believe, receive grace and make up your mind. The suffering is for a while.
As a witness, you are a proof producer and a martyr.
We all have stories about our lives and certain struggles that we deal with. Most often, our struggles might water down the faith and trust we have in God and His plans for us. Today Iām sharing a little excerpt from a recent book read about a mom of four who was battling cancer. I pray that this stirs up your faith and encourages you to hold on to God despite the hard season of life youāre currently struggling with.
āRecently, Jason came in the room in tears and asked me to go and snuggle beside Harper Joy. He was letting her share all her words of her day with him before bed- her favorite time of the day. Then suddenly she turned to Jason and asked, “Is Mama going to die of old age or of cancer?” Jason struggled for the words, but found himself crumpled under his own grief. He came and asked if I could support him in answering. I walked down the hallway and climbed under the covers with my vocal, young daughter. This one longs for the words, to hear the explanations, and process her feelings out loud. She is very much like me. These moments are a gift to my own love of words, feelings, and expressing troubles of my heart. I snuggled close and she draped herself over me. Her eyes were big and tearful. She wanted to hear from me. She wanted the truth.
I knew this was a sacred moment, a moment where the truth was being asked. She wasn’t asking for false hope; she wanted me to love her with honesty. I told her I had heard her question, and I asked her my own question in response. I asked her if she believed God would meet her in both of those places. I looked at her face and wondered at her love, her beauty, her tenderness, and I asked her a question many grown people cannot answer or embrace. In the most painful fear and hurts of our lives, will God be good? Not just the simple: God is good, indeed, always good. Not the rote, recited, memorized answers we have been trained to give in the edges of life. But the asking: Is Jesus really good in the awful of cancer, fire, heartbreak, and devastation? In the face of all that is broken, is God good?
How do you speak to your young child of grace you struggle to have the imagination to behold? You just do. It’s the raw places of faith without sight. It’s the painful moments of preaching a sermon to yourself you know you struggle to believe. It’s the quiet prayer from Mark: “I believe; help my unbelief?” (Mark 9:24). How do you brave the impossible with children? How do you face these heartbreaking moments? You show up. You look at their faces and beg for God to give you His infinite imagination for the goodness of the days to come, the days for which you may not be present. You pray you will be courageous when the hard days come. You pray that, even as the end comes, there will be good days, good moments, that there will still be enough strength for love. You pray for the moments to continue. You pray for the grace in the raw edges to live well, embracing kindness you dont feel. And then you walk back to your room and weep.
Weep that your young child has to lie in bed at night and wonder if they will know their mama in a month, a year, a decade. You weep because you never imagined this will be the good story. You weep because your feet is so weak, but your weak faith is enough when coupled with Godās grace.
In every season of our lives, we meet the edges of life we never expected. The unexpected pain of life often leaves us only with the choice of how we will endure it. It could be a marriage you didn’t expect to break, a job you thought you’d never lose, a difficult child to raise. We all have unexpected hard, but how do we face it?ā
Trusting God when the miracle does not come, when the urgent prayer gets no answer, when there is only darkness–this is the kind of faith God values perhaps most of all. This is the kind of faith that can be developed and displayed only in the midst of difficult circumstances. This is the kind of faith that cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken.
Nancy Guthrie, Holding on to Hope
āBut without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.ā Hebrews 11:6 AMP
Life can be rough and tough but when you experience the dents and ditches of life as a Christian you ought to always trust God to deliver an expected end. The writer of the story of our lives knows what we need, when and how we need it. His timing is always perfect. Many a time when you feel maxed out, itās a sign that thereās a plot twist round the bend. Keep holding on so as not to truncate the beautiful story of your life.
Behold, I am making all things new. Revelation 21:5
May Jehovah grant us the grace and strength to live out the purposeful lives heās mapped out for us. Oh that we would have the faith to trust His leading every step of the way, testifying of His faithfulness even in the bleak moments. May your story be the good one that ends in our praise to Him and for His glory.
Virtuous Living 