Virtuous Living

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HEAVEN (1)

Note: This message is from Apostle Arome Osayi. It blessed me and that’s why I’m sharing it with you too here so that it can also bless you.

I have personally made a few additions in it, however. Some parts of the message have been domesticated to suit our context too.

Honestly, I’m challenged and I’m going to push until I see positive changes in my life and in my family. What about you? Please, don’t just read it and say you are blessed without practicing it. By the grace of God, I have started and won’t stop till I see life transforming results. So please your destiny and that of your family are in your hands and not always in the hands of a preacher who may help.

You don’t need to be a preacher to effect these changes. You were planted in your family beyond the little blessings you may be seeing now in your life. There’s more to your destiny than “tea and bread”.

Are you happy with what’s happening in your life and family? Do you really care? If you do you will have to really navigate or travel in God via prayers so you can hear his thoughts concerning your destiny, family and loved ones. Until you develop yourself you will always be a victim of witchcraft, anguish, in fact what happens to unbelievers may happen to you but that will never be your portion in the name of Jesus!

Say to yourself, for the next 120 nights, “I’m going to be up standing from 12 midnight to 2 am. No prayer point; just stand and speak in tongues for 2 hours and go and sleep. Before you finish 47 days, you’ll hear an announcement. The prophetic will surely be opened in your life and God will make an announcement as touching what he wants to do in your life and destiny and family.

You don’t need to be a prophet before you pick these frequencies. The moment you begin to keep your watch, the prophetic will open. You will know what to do, where to go and where not to go. You will know how to deal with stubborn situations because you are a man of the altar. This is because secrets will be known to you like Daniel in the night. – Daniel 2: 19.

The reason is because of Moses’ prayer in the Old Testament that “ I wish all the Lord’s people were prophets and He could put His Spirit upon them”. That was Moses’ prayer in Numbers 11:29 and God answered it in the New Testament by putting his Spirit upon all of us so anyone who’s born again has the Spirit of God upon their life. It’s this Spirit who shows us things to come.

When my father died prematurely I cried because I didn’t know God that much to stop death so that experience made me go on a journey, a pilgrimage never to come back until I found Him and I did.

Let barrenness, demonic sicknesses, demonic delays, unemployment, witchcraft, continuous still births, singleness orchestrated by bell, academic failures, strange business losses cause you to go on a spiritual journey to get answers from the Ancient Spirit.

Don’t say you don’t have time because of your job or something else. Beloved, no one has time in this world but we make time for what or who we love. Do you really love your destiny or life?

I pray someone will be provoked, someone’s heart will be stirred up.

You must journey until you find Him. You must wake up in the night and say “I’m going on a journey for 200 days for example ( 12 – 2 am). Listen, when you start it, it won’t be easy. You will be discouraged with bad dreams and your case may become worse but don’t give up because you are on a journey. Remember, no one in your family has ventured into these hot waters before so don’t expect hell to sit down and clap for you and make things easier for you.

You can’t break satanic gates without opposition but remember those that are with you are more than those that are with them. You won’t give up. They rather must give up. You must be spiritually stubborn and determined. During your journey you will be tired but don’t be distracted. Pray for grace to be consistent. That altar you are raising won’t only benefit you but your family and those connected to you. You may be baptized in the Holy Ghost but the Spirit of truth may not have come to you yet.

To be continued…

WHEN GOD OPENS A DOOR

You know a door is an open door when you do not have to do anything outside of the will of God, His statutes and commands to enter into it. Even when there are obstacles to entering and you have to fight battles in order to breakthrough, you still remain in the will of God because it is He who helps you overcome the challenges. You do not overcome by your own wisdom or strength.

To any open door you need keys to give access because keys represent authority. In the kingdom of God keys could be patterns that lead to destiny. The kingdom of God has keys that God gives to the sons of God to access and also to close doors. When it comes to accessing the domain of God, you need the right key as a child of God based on the prescribed pattern for entering His presence.

Matthew 16:19

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The first key you need for an open door is the key of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is one of the keys God has given to us to access open doors. It is the will of God for us to be thankful. (Psalm 100:1-4)

The second key is the key of humility.

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 because it opens the door to salvation. (Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬, Job 22:29)

Humility is a key because it opens the door to healing. (2 Chronicles 7:14, 2 Kings 5:1-19)

Humility is a key because it opens the door to the riches and honour. (Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭4‬)

Humility is a key because it opens the door to the Grace of God. (‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬, James‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬)

The third key is the key of sacrifice.

Psalms 50:5

”Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

The quality of saints is specifically stated. It is not every believer that God needs gathered but those who have consecrated themselves by making a covenant with God by sacrifice. According to the above scripture, God is not inviting just anyone. (1 Peter 2:4-5,9)

Abraham had to make the first move towards sacrificing to discover the open door of God’s provision of a ram in the bushes. There is a new testament type of priesthood who is dedicated to offering spiritual sacrifices to God.

Spirits understand the weight of sacrifice because God is Spirit. God seeks to find expression in you, but he will do that when u have positioned yourself as a priest that offers sacrifice. These types of sacrifices include thanksgiving, prayer, praise, lifting of hands and offerings.

Essentially, you know a door is an open door from God when God Himself hands you the keys to it. A door may be open to you but a sign that it is not from God is that He did not give you the keys to it according to the patterns of His kingdom. You may have access to it by certain means that may be out of His will and purpose for your life. This is a dangerous route to travel because the consequences will be severe.

The enemy might fight you and set you back in accessing God’s open door for your life but that does not mean it is not from God. Similarly, you cannot brand an open door as one from God by virtue of the fact that it was easy to access it. The surest indicators to decipher an open door from God and one that’s not from Him are the keys to access the door and the peace of mind and heart regarding it that only the Holy Spirit can give.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John‬ ‭14‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Be thankful, be humble and be sacrificial and if the Holy Spirit gives you peace of mind and heart about it, you can be certain that the open door is from God. God bless you.

With Love, Esinam.

HOW TO STAY POOR

1. PRIORITIZE SLEEPING

Never wake up early. Stay in bed as long as possible, stretching and turning until hunger forces you to get up. If there are no bed bugs, why hurry?

2. PRIORITIZE SPENDING

Never plan on investments. Spend money as soon as you get it. When it’s gone, try to recall how it disappeared.

3. AVOID SAVING

Don’t save until you have a huge amount of money. How can you save when you earn so little? Those who advise saving don’t understand your very important expenses.

4. PRIORITIZE YOUR PRIDE

Avoid activities deemed “uneducated” or “low class” like selling or small businesses. As a graduate, professional, or someone from a well-known family, engaging in such affairs is a huge insult to your standards and status.

5. WAIT FOR MIRACLES

Wait for an angel to deliver a bag full of money for your capital. It’s impossible to start any business without millions. Sure, some businesses began with little capital, but you know success is 100% guaranteed if you start big.

6. COMPLAIN ENDLESSLY

Complain about everything except your own attitude and mindset. Blame your poverty on your parents, the system, the government, and the banks that refused to lend you money. They are all bad and do not want you to get rich.

7. OVERSPEND

Always spend more than you earn. Buy products on credit and keep borrowing from friends and employers to maintain your lifestyle.

8. DRESS TO IMPRESS

Make sure you look rich so others will be intimidated by your presence. Win your secret showing-off competition. Whenever your neighbor buys a new phone, make sure you get a more expensive one.

9. PRIORITIZE CAR

Purchase a car that costs more than three times your annual salary. It’s an essential status symbol. Don’t worry if you don’t have a house or a place to park it. In fact, don’t prioritize buying your own house because you can’t use it to impress people like you can with a car.

10. SPOIL YOUR CHILDREN

Give your children everything they ask for to show your love and prove you’re the best parent. They shouldn’t struggle for anything. It doesn’t matter if they grow up lazy and entitled. What’s important is that you give them the best so they don’t suffer, unlike those cruel parents who, despite their means, choose to let their children struggle.

11. FOCUS ON ENTERTAINMENT

Devote your time, energy, and resources to watching your favorite sports or playing computer games. It doesn’t matter if you’re not productive. What’s important is that you enjoy life to the fullest. A time spent on enjoyment is never wasted.

12. PRIORITIZE VICES

Indulge in your favorite vices. Whether it’s smoking, drinking, or gambling, make these your top priorities. Enjoy drinking with friends and embrace the image of being a smoker or gambler. Fully commit to these habits, regardless of their impact on your well-being or finances.

HOW TO STAY POOR

1. PRIORITIZE SLEEPING

Never wake up early. Stay in bed as long as possible, stretching and turning until hunger forces you to get up. If there are no bed bugs, why hurry?

2. PRIORITIZE SPENDING

Never plan on investments. Spend money as soon as you get it. When it’s gone, try to recall how it disappeared.

3. AVOID SAVING

Don’t save until you have a huge amount of money. How can you save when you earn so little? Those who advise saving don’t understand your very important expenses.

4. PRIORITIZE YOUR PRIDE

5. WAIT FOR MIRACLES

6. COMPLAIN ENDLESSLY

7. OVERSPEND

Always spend more than you earn. Buy products on credit and keep borrowing from friends and employers to maintain your lifestyle.

8. DRESS TO IMPRESS

Make sure you look rich so others will be intimidated by your presence. Win your secret showing-off competition. Whenever your neighbor buys a new phone, make sure you get a more expensive one.

9. PRIORITIZE CAR

10. SPOIL YOUR CHILDREN

11. FOCUS ON ENTERTAINMENT

12. PRIORITIZE VICES

The Battleground – The Mind

Anchor scripture

2 Corinthians 10:5

⁃ ”For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God

⁃ for pulling down strongholds,

⁃ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

⁃ bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,“

The mind and thoughts

⁃ The mind is a powerful asset that brings about transformation.

⁃ God can transmit His thoughts into your mind. The renewed mind has the the ability to receive thoughts from God

⁃ Your thoughts have power.

⁃ Thoughts in line with the Word of God will protect you—spirit, soul and body.

⁃ Negative thoughts will cost you dearly in the same areas.

⁃ It may not seem like it, but when it comes to the thoughts we think—we have a choice.

⁃ Thoughts can come into your mind from all sides, but you can choose what will stay and what you will cast out.

Types of mind conditions and the effects of their thoughts

1. the anxious mind

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

2. The reprobate mind

⁃ Romans 1:19-26

⁃ all inappropriate behaviors and perversions is because of a debased and reprobate mind.

3. The carnal mind

⁃ Romans 8:6-10

⁃ To be carnally minded is death (incapacitated)

”Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.“

Romans 8:5-8 NIV

4. The accurate mind – the state of the mind that the Holy Spirit can work upon and light up for God’s purpose and to think the thoughts of God.

⁃ 2 Timothy 1:8

For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.

What is sound mind ( Greek – a mind that is under your control)

⁃ when ever you are in a situation where your mind seeks to control you and your actions, you are under the influence of devils

– The characteristics of an accurate mind is that it is sound

⁃ your mind is under your control

Satan plans to dominate your thoughts so that his will can be done through you.

He can have power over you when he has power over your mind.

As a child of God you must be mindful of the thoughts that are stirred up in up your mind.

2 Corinthians 10;4-5

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds,

Prayer:

Psalm 139:23-24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

⁃ Lord i submit my mind to your influence that i may experience transformation in my life…

⁃ Lord i want to reason with you, help me to renew my mind so i can reason with you.

Shalom. Rev. Ron.

HEARING GOD THROUGH HIS WORD

Most Christians only come to God for Him to talk to them concerning an important topic when they need Him the most. Unfortunately, God doesn’t respond to such prayers because He expects us to have a good relationship with Him. Consequently, we get frustrated and conclude He only talks to men and woman called into the 5 fold ministry ( apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) but that is not true.

The primary means by which God talks to us is through His word. Yes! I mean it! In 1 Samuel 3:21 we read “ And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord”. How did he manifest Himself to Samuel the prophet? Through His word.

Every verse we read is God’s voice that gives us inspiration, guidance, encouragement and sometimes provides rebukes. Now if you want God to speak to you concerning a specific issue, you must be a consistent reader and meditator of His word. Also be expecting Him to talk to you. As you do that daily or before you retire to bed calmly, you will one day start talking and thinking like God.

You may be very sick and conclude, it’s God’s will for you to be sick and that’s why he hasn’t healed you then all of a sudden, you come across “Matthew 8:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT); “Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. As this revelation hits you, you will now become aware God wants you healed and He confirmed it to you in that very scripture. So now that God has spoken, what do you do to appropriate that healing to yourself?

Gather all scriptures on healing and see how God healed different people with different kinds of diseases, why were some healed and some not healed. As you search the scripture, you may be instantly healed or God will specifically tell you to believe He can heal you through any means he uses. So, the voice has spoken. You start confessing the word, visit healing men of God or listen to the word of God on healing so your faith can come alive for you to easily receive your miracle and God will do it for “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” – Romans 10:17

You may also be in a dilemma as to who to choose between two men who both want your hand in marriage. One of them may have all the qualities you need in a man but not born again but with a good heart whereas the other one too may not have same qualities but born again. Your family and friends may say go for the former to help them end poverty in your genealogy and only one person may say follow your heart. Now you are confused and don’t know what to do. I assure you that if you are a passionate reader of His word, you may have read this scripture and forgotten “ Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? “- 2 Corinthians 6:14. Now since you have read it before, the Lord can drop that scripture into your spirit to remind you that’s the answer to your question. Once you receive that answer, don’t get emotional and say you will change your partner who has told you he’s not into these church things because of some of the bad things some pastors do. Sister or brother, distance yourself wisely and fulfill your destiny. Once he or she is not born again, forget them. If they don’t want to be genuinely saved, don’t force them to be saved. You can talk to them about Jesus and if they don’t seem to be ready please leave them because you are not the General overseer of relationships.

Some, even if God speaks to them via His Word, they don’t listen and would rather follow the advice of unsaved people. Master, if your marriage fails you will go through the pains alone but I pray for you “ it shall not fail in the name of Jesus”. If you are coming out of painful divorce, I pray for you, may you receive grace to become an avid reader of the word of God so as to be used to His voice and make better decisions concerning your destiny for God still loves you and know for sure that your bad experience can still be used by Elohim to bless others . He will replace your ashes for beauty in the name of Jesus.

On this note, I challenge you to give the word of God the attention you give to your job, spouse, business, health by at least reading the word of God from Genesis to Revelation every year for it was written for our good. Stay blessed!

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou

GOD STILL SPEAKS TODAY (PART 3)

Throughout the Bible, God spoke through several vessels, including prophets, priests, apostles, and even an animal.

In John 5:30 Jesus said “ I can of mine own self do nothing as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just, because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me”. Jesus who is our standard also heard from God.

The Holy Spirit too hears. In John 16:13, we read “ … for he ( Spirit of God) shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear….”

The ear with which we hear is spiritual and not physical. Hearing from God depends on us and not only on God. But if we don’t stop doing some things that are against His word, we may not hear from Him. Some of these things were discussed in previous messages. Today we would like to tackle the rest.

Living in sin can blur our vision and deaden our spiritual ears. So you see, we have spiritual vision and ears but those ears can become unresponsive to His voice when we decide to always grieve the Spirit of God. A Christian is not a sinner though he may err from time to time. His ability to recognize that what he did was wrong and becoming penitent and vows never to return to that old “ vomit” is indicative of the fact that He’s conscious of who he is and the presence of God’s Spirit in his heart. The believer does not have the sinful nature in him anymore because he’s born again and since he’s born again he has the nature of God. For this matter some words are used to describe him “ Saint, righteous, royal priesthood, chosen generation, peculiar person ” among others. For the believer to call himself sinner is the same as saying Christ’s death was useless and couldn’t bring him salvation but remember Jesus came to seek and save the lost which includes you and I – Luke 19:10.

Now, the unbeliever on the other hand doesn’t have the life of God in him so he still operates with the sinful nature. This means no matter how righteous he may seem, no matter how kind he maybe even to the poor and windows, until he accepts Christ Jesus as his personal Saviour and Lord, God still sees him as a sinner and he is a sinner and not you the born again believer. When an unbeliever lives in sin, he feels it’s normal and he believes everyone is like him just that Christians pretend. He may have a few examples to support his view and may forget that the very people he may be using as examples may not be the standard and such people may have reconciled with God. So if an unbeliever lives in fornication or adultery, he may feel ok and even hear a voice telling him the lady he is fornicating or committing adultery with is his wife. That voice is certainly not of God because it doesn’t tally with scriptures. Sometimes too when you live deeply in sin, it’d be so difficult to hear the Lord’s voice.

Finally, depression is another factor that impedes us from hearing from God. When you are always sad, you focus on your problem and rather than on God. When you are in this state, encourage yourself in the Lord like David did when he was depressed ( 1 Samuel 30:6). Don’t give the devil any attention at all but rather look for scriptures that engender encouragement and faith. That’s the voice of the Lord. God can speak to you through them. Don’t pity yourself because if you do so you can be kept down and your ability to hear from the Lord would be blocked. The Spirit of God is a Spirit of joy and liberty. When you are depressed, the devil will use that condition to tell you who you are not in the Lord and physical signs may even confirm that but remember we are not moved by sight but rather by the word of God. The devil may say, you shall never buy land because you have been jobless for years and that may be true. Don’t accept it. Reject it with the word and tell him, you maybe unemployed now but the truth is that you are not only employed but are also an employer of labor. Go out there rejoicing and believing God and not your circumstances. Rejoice and praise the Lord.

I bind the spirit of depression and self pity from your life right now! Be gone in the name of Jesus! I curse you by the God of heaven. I command your power broken over the life of my sister now! Be freed!

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou

GOD STILL SPEAKS TODAY PART 2

God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him – Hudson Taylor.

Are you weak and feeble as a result of life’s challenges? If yes, you are qualified to hear from God because when he uses you in your feeble or weak state, you will never forget to give Him all the glory. You will not trust in yourself but rather in Him only. Pride will die from your life when you hear from Him as someone who isn’t qualified to be chosen by Hs Spirit to be His mouthpiece. Oh how I love His voice!

The third reason why some people don’t hear from God is that they are always noisy. Their souls are full of so much noise. After praying, learn to wait on God for sometime. Be silent and expect Him to speak back to you because prayer is not a monologue but rather a dialogue. As you wait the first day, you may not hear anything. This may continue for sometime till the great Monarch who is King decides to speak. Until he sees your passion, commitment to always be in His presence and expect to hear His voice, you may not hear from Him. Isaiah 40:31 says “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” You want strength? You want to do the natural supernaturally and the supernatural naturally? Learn to wait, I say. Some people even talk on phone as they pray, others chat with friends or even watch movies. God may answer your prayers but for Him to talk back to you that way is always difficult because he wants you to give him all your attention for you to hear His still voice. As some people pray, their minds shift to the fresh yoghurt they bought in their fridge, the soup on fire, their car they need to wash before they leave for work among others. When you are even with your partner and they notice you have a divided attention, do they feel happy with you? Some may decide to become quiet because you are not with them. God Almighty too does same when your mind is far away from Him. Empty your soul for the time you are with Him in prayer and refill it with scriptures of glory, thanksgiving, His Spirit etc and allow Him to also minister to you. Without scriptures in your soul, your mind will naturally travel outside of His presence and as result you may not hear His precious voice. That’s why it’s also very important to learn God’s word, and meditate on it. You can wait on the Lord quietly with powerful spirit filled music devoid of all sorts of distractions. And one day you will hear him say “ Martha, Peter, I’m with you always “. Guess how you would feel!

1 Kings 19:11-13 speaks of this voice:

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Oh the ways of God! How can the Almighty God not be in the Wind, the Fire and the Earthquake, but rather he was in the still small voice. You see, even though, he can use the aforementioned elements to speak to you, he would prefer using the “small still voice” because He wants you to be quiet!

The fourth reason why, we may not hear from God is because we are in a hurry to force Him to speak. Too much hurry leads to so much sorry ( regrets) later. I want to marry, I’m growing old, my parents and friends are mounting pressure on me to marry. Pressure is not of God for in His time, He makes all things beautiful – Ecclesiastes 3:11. His time is not your time and when his time is up no man can stop it. Yes, humanly speaking, it looks like if you don’t get married now, you may experience menopause soon or have fibroids or you may go on retirement and still be taking age of your children because you gave birth to them “ late”. No Holy Spirit filled believer thinks that way! Negativity should never be your portion. You operate by a higher law which is the law of the Spirit. Ordinary men can be thinking that way and not you because your God is not limited by our natural laws. Philippians 4:8 says:

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Think on these things. See yourself having your children, how it would feel like getting married, having your own house and giving the glory to Jesus! Don’t push men of God to tell you what God isn’t saying just to satisfy you. I’ll never manufacture any lie to satisfy a man or a woman. Don’t do anything till God speaks, no matter how long it takes. Let people talk! If you listen to people and there are problems tomorrow, these same people will leave you alone for you to carry your problem. Don’t marry an unbeliever because you feel your time is running out and that God has not been faithful to you. When Lazarus died, Jesus never went to resurrect him but when he started decaying after 4 days, Jesus appeared and demonstrated His power by resurrecting him and that brought glory to God. Is your situation worse than that? I heard of a testimony yesterday in one of Apostle Joshua Selman’s meetings abroad where a a barren woman gave birth to a set of triplets at the age of 59. You are not permitted to be barren under 90 because Sarah gave birth at 90. If you are below 90, rejoice for your Redeemer lives. Don’t marry an unbeliever and later come and force God to tell you whether it’s His will or not. That marriage is even unscriptural.

Henceforth, you shall not miss the Lord’s voice when He speaks because you have received light from His word and that light shall affect those connected to you.

Shalom!

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou

GOD STILL SPEAKS TODAY (PART 1)

As a young believer, I always wondered what some people meant when they said “ God told me…..or the Lord said…..”. Were they faking His voice to appear spiritual? No! I didn’t think so because they said the Lord “ said…” with calmness, peace, and great assurance. Men of God like some mature believers are those who normally use the phrase “ God told me…”.

So my questions were “ How does he speak? Does he speak to everyone? What does a believer have to do to hear the Lord’s voice in this dispensation “. Do you really want to hear His voice? If yes, keep reading expectantly for “ ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set ye free – John 8:32

Rev. Dr Chris Kwakpovwe, publisher of our Daily Manna Devotional says “ after your salvation, the next most important things are your sensitivity and ability to hear from God. I agree with this dear man of God because after salvation if we can’t hear from God, there will be no difference between us and unbelievers. That is why Apostle Paul said in Galatians 4:1 that “ What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.” Yes, until you and I who are “heirs” of salvation deliberately mature and get to the level where we can easily access His voice as believers who own everything because our Father is the owner of everything , we shall still be at the level of a slave (unbeliever) who knows knowing about God’s voice and consequently cannot access it.

Hearing the voice of Yahweh is very important for us because it affects when we should travel, what school to enroll our children in, who to marry, the kind of business or career we should choose among others. The reason why some believers are suffering in some aspects of their lives is because they either heard His voice and disobeyed it or didn’t hear it at all because their spiritual senses are dead. If God spoke to Moses as a man speaks to His friend ( Exodus 33:11), I declare He shall speak to you too in the name of Jesus!

So, why is it that some people don’t hear from God?

Having a good relationship with God is the first key. You can have a relationship with a human being or a spouse through constant communication. You may have to call, text, chat them or better still be with them in person and spend quality time with them. Without this, many relationships are wrecked. God Almighty desires the same relationship with us as His people. Why do you think, God called a mortal like Abraham His friend ( 2 Chronicles 20:7)? Obviously, because of relationship. Do you call someone you have no relationship with a friend? You know the answer! Cultivate this relationship with Jehovah through constant fellowship with Him via prayer and His word. Become a passionate seeker of the Lord, yearn to always be with Him in worship or praises. Don’t only come to God when you need something like some people do. God would not take you seriously and you wouldn’t hear from Him.

Some people devote all their time to movies, family, work or girlfriends or boyfriends but not God. They may not be bad people or unbelievers. They maybe sincere Christians who may be going to church every Sunday or even be working for God at church but still have no personal relationship with Him. Such people can only go to God in prayer when they are about to marry. In prayer, they may ask God to tell them whether it’s His will for them to marry their spouse or not. When they get frustrated at not getting the answers, they now come and put that burden of not hearing from God on their pastors. And you hear them say things like “ What is God saying concerning my partner?”. When shall we grow from being “children of God “ to becoming “ sons of God” for “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” – Romans 8: 14.

The second reason why some people don’t hear from God is because they have “idols” in their hearts. I mean, before such people make up their minds on a particular issue before they start praying. Ezekiel 14:4 says “ Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, thus saith the Lord God, every man of the house of Israel that setteh up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols “. The emphasis here is , He will answer them according to the multitude of the “ idols “ in their hearts.

For instance, due to the nature of our economy here in Ghana, I may take an entrenched position with regard to a country I want to migrate to for greener pastures. Remember, it’s not a location that makes people great but rather the amount of God one carries to a location that makes the difference. Isaac sowed in the land of Philistines despite the famine and reaped plentiful harvest – Genesis 26:12. Without God on your side, you may not do well wherever you find yourself on this planet except you fraternize with another power that also has its rules and regulations that must be obeyed to the letter otherwise serious consequences may be your portion. Besides, it’s not everyone who is destined to be abroad and make it in life.

Having said that, a believer may have already decided to go to say England for greener pastures no matter what may come his way as an obstacle or against God’s will and expect Him to endorse his plan in prayer. God said since such a fellow didn’t come to know his will concerning his imminent trip but rather came for him to approve it, he may be silent or approve it because that’s what such a fellow wants.

Remember, God did the same thing for the Israelites when they decided to have a king like other nations at all costs instead of God Himself ruling them and later they payed for their disobedience. He answered them according to the “idol” in their hearts. Same thing applies to many people who left their countries without hearing from God and only God knows what they are going through where they are now but they can’t tell you. To add injuries to sore, we disturb them by asking them to send us gadgets that they themselves find it so difficult to use and money. Some of these people wished they had never travelled but the harm had already been caused. I’m not against people traveling because others are blessed through it but hear from God before you move. Don’t follow the crowd.

I prophesy upon your life that the voice of the Lord shall show you mercy henceforth in your marital, business quests, finances, the country you should stay in, in the name of Jesus!

Soyez bénis! ( Be blessed)

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou

Consequences

Physics teaches us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, according to Newton’s law of motion. There are consequences to the choices that we make no matter how big or small. Many times these consequences are not linear but may either positively or adversely impact many people connected to us somehow even without us realizing it. This is an important reason why we have to be intentional in our Christian faith because aside the evident consequences that are often overlooked, we will also give an account to God for our time here on earth.

I bet you’ve heard about the terms ripple effect, domino effect and chain reactions. A ripple effect is the continuing and spreading results of an event or action. A situation in which one event produces effects which spread and produce further effects. The ripple effect can be huge depending on the circumstances. Similarly, a domino effect is the cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a series of similar or related events, a form of chain reaction. The term is an analogy to a falling row of dominoes. It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively short. Finally a chain reaction is a series of events, each caused by the previous one.

Let’s take the case of the African country, Rwanda. Even after a genocide that was stirred up by “extreme Hutus” to take out the Tutsis (because colonial masters had designated Tutsis as “superior” to Hutus), we still see how much progress that country has made since 1994. My emphasis is not on the genocide that killed over 800,000 people but rather on the strides they have contributed to Rwanda’s growth as a country by virtue of their intentionality and independence.

The results of their recent election portrays the trust of the people in a selfless leader. This overwhelming trust over the last 30 years is a manifestation of the impact that a single man, with the assistance of his government. They have consistently made decisions that have positively impacted the nation. The ripple effect/ domino effect or chain reaction of a great visionary is evident in this country’s economic growth and prosperity.

A consequence is a result or effect, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant. In a world where choices are based on self gratification, be the Christian whose choices are not stirred up by personal whims but are guided by the Holy Spirit towards the fulfillment of your God-given purpose. The time we have on this side of eternity is relatively brief and each breath we take b inches us closer the our journey’s end.

““While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.””

Genesis 8:22 NKJV

The concept of sowing and reaping is a natural phenomenon of life. Just as evil seeds will cause negative consequences, good seed will also bear a positive harvest. Note that the above scripture in Genesis speaks of seed time and harvest. It does not say seed time and harvest time. This goes to show that the seed time might be a limited season. However, the harvest can span over a longer period and the fruits thereof may come in leaps and bounds. It behoves on us as children of God to be sensitive to the times and seasons while being careful the kinds of seeds that we sow along the journey of life.

This doesn’t also mean one should pack up their tools and just avoid being fruitful altogether. Remember the master who gave His servants talents. Don’t bury yours and be found wanting when it’s time to give an account. Always look up to the heavens and trust the Holy Spirit to nudge you onto the right path. And when the adversary comes whispering to water down your faith and kill your zeal and passion to do that which it good, counter his baseless accusations with scripture.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Romans 8:1 NKJV

When you walk in the way of love every step you take is holy. The signs that God is at work in you are your very surrender of your life to him, your service in humility and constantly choosing to trust him. You’ll find that you exhibit the fruit of God’s Spirit in various ways. When you look up to Him, His Spirit fills you up. keep doing the good that is already at work in your life. His love is unfailing and his faithfulness is steadfast.

“that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Colossians 1:10 NKJV

It is my prayer that this encourages you to live a life of consecration unto God. That everything you say and do will be in accordance to His will for your life and for His glory alone. Let your impact and legacy have a domino effect that raises a standard against the adversary. May your good works fill up the trenches of this world with God’s glory.

With Love,

Esinam.

Fallow Grounds

Are you in a hard place and asking God to send help and resources so things can be sorted out? Are you at that point where you are going further to even ask that He gives a door of supply so you don’t have to keep coming to Him to ask? But that’s the whole point. God wants you to keep coming and acknowledging Him as your source.

When He gives you everything and you can figure it out yourself, you won’t have need for Him again.

He says He doesn’t want you to drift away from His presence hence why He sends the fallow seasons as a reminder that He is the ultimate satisfaction that we should seek. He wants us to seek Him the creator and stop chasing after His creation.

Seeking God from a place of insufficiency makes us see the true nature of the all sufficient God. In our weakness His strength is made perfect.

“lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;”

Deuteronomy 8:12, 14 NKJV

In the midst of abundance, there is a tendency to forget the provider of the provision. You can easily forget God when life is going very well for you. In that season of abundance where you feel self-sufficient and self-reliant, there is the risk of forgetting that your existence is tied to the Creator. You end up being consumed by the carnal nature of this world.

There is a tragedy with humanity and that is the inability to remember when things are well. You can easily forget your struggles and how you depended on God daily for sustenance. When you are able to provide for your needs and wants you can forget God.

In Deuteronomy 8:17-18 the Bible says ”You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

Dependence on God not only brings your daily bread but it comes with peace of mind and gratitude. It makes you count your blessings and name them one by one. When you consciously and deliberately remember God as your source and sustainer your approach to Him is with gratitude.

In Psalm 34:9-10 the Bible says “Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.”

The day by day provision of God is so timely and profound in the life of God’s children. His mercies are new every morning and He gives us our daily bread.

These are needs which are necessary for living a quiet and peaceable life. Our daily needs for provision will always bring us back to Him. I believe He has made it this way so He can maintain relationship with us. This is not the case of God keeping us on a leash, not at all. For we know that every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord, this includes our daily bread and His awesome mercies.

”The name of the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as an high wall in his own conceit. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, And before honour is humility.“

Proverbs 18:10-12 KJV

The Lord desires to sap with you consistently. He wants you to dwell in His presence always not just because you will receive sustenance but to ground you and form your heart to fulfill His divine will and mandate for your life.

”Those that be planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: He is my rock, And there is no unrighteousness in him.“

Psalm 92:13-15 KJV

When a seed is sowed it relies on nourishment from the ground to sprout. When that seed becomes a fruit bearing tree it still depends on the soil for nourishment. Their relationship becomes even deeper with the trees root deeply planted in the soil for more nourishment.

Beloved, reliance on God will keep us alive and cause us to be fruitful. Stay connected in your fallow season and season of abundance.

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.”

Hebrews 10:36-37 NKJV

A fallow season is a season of testing and proving. Many times we are impatient to go through the season to be built up. The purpose of God for us is that we are all built up in such a way that we rely on him totally completely. We have need of Patience that we’ve done God will then we receive the promise as the pattern God has prescribed.

Blessings,

Rev. Ron and Esinam.

CANCEL THAT BAD DREAM (2)

Following last week’s post, a question was asked that “who reveals bad dreams to us, God or satan?” Today’s word will throw a little more light on that.

God is the one who reveals the plans of the evil one to us believers through dreams with the aim that we stop it.

“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

Matthew 2:13-15 KJV

God will always reveal it to you, child of God. Through the contradictions between their actions and statements, through the study of His Word, through dreams and visions, by wisdom and intuition. He is ever willing to expose all their secret agenda to you if you will remain connected and committed to Him

“He discovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.”

Job 12:22 KJV

However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed. As for you, O king, while on your bed your thoughts turned to what would take place in the future; and He who reveals mysteries has made known to you what will take place.

Daniel 2:28-29

The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.

Daniel 2:47

Many Christians quote this a lot about dreams that “God reveals to redeem”. He has empowered us with the word as a sword to deal with every circumstance that we might encounter on our journey through life. When you have bad dreams, don’t be silent deploy the word of God by the leading of the spirit and take dominion over whatever situation you are facing.

You will emerge victorious and the Lord will be glorified.

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou