Dear Friend,
Are you believing God for something? Do you need him to show up and turn your situation around? Well, I heard God say – Cry out!
David in Psalm 51: 17 said:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Click below to listen as I expound more in today’s edition of “I Heard a Word”. It is my prayer that you are not only touched but also healed to the glory of God.
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God bless,
Dear Friend,
We have in the past weeks looked at the life of David and Caleb. These are men who did not allow people’s perception deter them from accomplishing great things. They were able men who achieved their aims and they did so by first speaking it. Let’s delve deeper, shall we?
In the book 1 Samuel 17, there is an account of the Israelites’ encounter with a philistine The whole of Israel saw Goliath as a giant but David saw him as an uncircumcised philistine who he could defeat; He (David) being a covenant child of God and Goliath not. He told the giant that he would cut off his head and feed it to the birds of the air and did just that. So, what do you do to your defeated enemy, cut off his head! Friend, you are able; if you say (name) it, you will claim it.
This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—believe that you have received it and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
In Numbers 13, 10 men saw the promised land as fortified and large, a land which devours those living in it and the people who lived there, powerful but Caleb saw it and said “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it ” Did he possess the land, of course he did! So, what do you do after you’ve conquered your land of promise, name it Hebron. If you confess (profess) it, you will possess it.
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27
You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. Numbers 33:53
How do you see your current situation? What makes you think that you are incapable of overcoming? You are able; all you need to
do is challenge the giant. David killed Goliath, jumped on him and took off his head; Caleb took the hill country and named it Hebron, what will you?
Hebron in the Hebrew means association, in other words fellowship. It was this same place that David was crowned king. Friend, I don’t know what has raised its long neck to break up your relationship with God, I really don’t know that thing which by inference is mocking God but I want you to know they’ll be destroyed, those giants occupying your land of promise will be dislodged, you will not move farther from God; you’ll only come closer; you will win for you are able.
David conquered Goliath, took his head and brought it to Jerusalem, Caleb got his inheritance and the land had rest from war; Today, as you step out in faith to possess your possession, I declare that you will have rest, you will struggle no more, you will no longer be intimidated but you will claim what you’ve named and indeed possess the things you’ve confessed. Halleluiah!
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You are able 2
One of my favorite songs is “Because you Loved me” by Celine Dion. I love the tune but more importantly, the lyrics. She starts off by enumerating the things her lover has done for her and finishes off with the line “I am everything I am because you loved me”.
John 3:16 reveals to us the greatest gift God gave us in that he sent his son to die for our sins.
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
So, we can conclude from these verses that love commands giving; cheerful giving, sacrificial giving, substantial giving.
As couples all over the world celebrate their love for one another today, you’ll probably notice them exchanging gifts or showing their appreciation; some, with remarks such as – I love you honey and I want to thank you for everything that you’ve been and done for me , for believing in me, standing by me, helping me,etc. These are ways of them saying, I am everything I am because you loved me.
Have you heard the saying “Giving is the other side of receiving”? Well, here’s how I like to think of it. We inhale to exhale and exhale to inhale. Try taking in as much air as possible without releasing any, how do you feel now? Selah!
John, the writer said: We love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Love is reciprocal. When you give it, you in turn will receive it. Friend, whatever your position is or has been, whether you’re on the giving or receiving side; today, you have an opportunity to balance the equation.
Paul in writing to the Galatians said :
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.(Galatians 6:7)
So, I want to encourage you today to sow carefully and purposefully; don’t just cast your seeds anywhere or anyhow. Sow into a good soil, sow quality seed and I promise, you will reap a mega harvest of LOVE.
GOD BLESS
Other Valentine’s Editions
Love at the Upper Room – You Showed Me
Beloved
Come and see the man!
Love conquers all…
Will you be mine?
His Love, My Salvation
Endless Love
You qualify!
I Love You
Last week, we studied the life of a young man, David who was able to overcome a challenge he was faced with because he was competent and also confident to say it even in the face of opposition. Today, we’ll look at the life of Caleb who at 85 was fervent and determined to fight for and obtain his inheritance. Have a good read.
In Joshua 14, we see the record of this man of God coming up to Joshua to remind him of the promises of God through his servant Moses to him. My first question for you today is do you still remember the promises of God concerning you? Chances are that Joshua remembered that promise but may not have given the land to Caleb until he came asked for it. Friend, have you asked for your inheritance or are you folding your hands just waiting for something to happen? Caleb was bold and went to ask for it, in fact the scripture was meticulous in telling us that the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal; will you draw nigh today and ask?
In verse 10, Caleb speaks of his belief that God kept him alive since the time he gave him that word to fulfil His promise; Friend, the very fact that you are still alive today is because the Lord will perform his word to you just as he promised.
…..for I am watching over my word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12b
40 years later, Caleb was still passionate about a promise. He waited 40 years and was still willing not weary to fight for his inheritance. How long has it been since that word was spoken to you? Are you still as passionate and strong in faith as then? Can I encourage you not to give up but hold on?
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. Isaiah 40:31
The inheritance was for those who were strong and had the courage to fight for it. I know you remember what God has told you, you’ve asked and keep asking; you have even demonstrated your ability to capture it but can I encourage to take that one step further and fight for it
He goes on to say in verse 12 “Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” I want you to note that Caleb was not ignorant of the fact that there were giants there because the Anakites were giants not the standard ones; these people were rather long-necked and yet Caleb now 85 was not intimidated but he said “The Lord helping me, I will overcome, I will drive them out and possess the land. Friend, that’s the attitude you and I ought to have. It is only with the Lord’s help that we can overcome, we will never make it t by our might or power but by His Spirit, we can!
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.
Revelation 12: 11aFor the arms with which we are fighting are not those of the flesh, but are strong before God for the destruction of high places. 2 Corinthians 10:4
Verse 13 of Joshua 14 says that Joshua gave Caleb Hebron; God will give you your inheritance, that land of promise, that desire of yours, that very thing you have been believing him for. Receive it today in Jesus Name!
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You are able 3
Recently, I made a comment on a social site; I said “Thank you Lord! I was able only because you enabled me”. After a few hours, I revisited the site and began to meditate on those words and this Journal is a product of that little exercise. Each time I come across the word “able”, I tend to think about competence or strength and these words portray the quality or state of being adequately or well qualified, strong; possessing the power to do, bear and resist – Able!
Friend, there is nothing that can defy you, absolutely nothing! There is nothing you have conceived IN YOUR MIND to do that you cannot, provided it’s the will of God ; I don’t know what it is you are going through, but I know you can bear it ! For the bible says:
There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; But will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am able to do all things through him who gives me strength. I have strength for anything through Him who gives me power. Philippians 4:13
Friend, you’ve got the power and you’re able! Begin to declare it, I am able!
In 1 Samuel 17:23-54, we see the account of Saul and the Israelites facing the Philistines at Socoh in Judah and twice a day for forty days Goliath, the champion of the Philistines would come out and with his words defy not only the Israelites but equally the God of the armies of Israel; why did I say that ? Because whoever is an enemy of God’s people, is an enemy of God.
……for anyone touching you is touching what is most dear to him. Zechariah 2:8b
But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; Then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. Exodus 23:22
So, David arrived the scene, heard Goliath and wanted to represent his people by fighting him but in verse 33 Saul responded to David, “You can’t fight this Philistine. You’re just a boy, but he’s been a warrior since he was your age.”” I can almost hear David say “Don’t be fooled by my age, my background, my disposition or even my appearance, I am able! King, let me tell you a story; One day, I was minding my business keeping my father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock. I went after it, struck it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; it attacked me, but I took hold of its mane, struck it, and killed it.
The lesson here is that David was competent and well confident to say it. The issue with some of us is that we look outwards before looking inwards – we succumb easily by focusing on the opposition and the opponent and hence lose energy and the courage to fight even before the fight begins. Friend, I want you to right now think of those times you’ve been strong and courageous, think about the battles you have fought and those victories you won and encourage yourself, say I am able!
Friend, I prophesy that nothing shall be stolen from you and nothing will be impossible for you; you will not be killed neither will you be destroyed but you will pursue, attack and recover all. I declare that you will grab, strike and kill anything that is up against you. Come on, you have the strength, you can do it, you are able! Hallelujah!
More in this series:
You are able 2
You are able 3
Dear Friend,
I hope you are well and have been blessed by this series. Hold onto your faith, God’s not finished with you yet, you have a promising future, your dry bones will become living beings, your change will come, in fact your change has come, things are coming together for you and those things you have been expecting will happen. Remember, it’s not over till God says it’s over, if He say’s you have a hope and a future, it is so!
Ezekiel 37:11 (NKJV)
Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’
This was the conclusion of those exiles after their habitation and temple was destroyed. In today’s terms, it will read “We have nobody; we are behind bars, living rough and have nothing to look forward to; who could possibly help or may be save us? We’re finished!” If you feel or have felt like this, God has a word for you.
Ezekiel 37:12-14 (NKJV)
Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’”
God said to them – before I begin to say anything – you are my people, you are mine, you have me, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Friend, you are the apple of God’s eye, he will never take his eyes off you. So be encouraged.
He goes on to say “I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves”. Graves speak of the end or destruction of something. This shouldn’t surprise you as you know this is where the dead are buried. But here, God is saying, no matter how sunk and trapped you feel, there’s hope for you because I’ll open the graves, I will dig you up and clean you up so you can go and fulfil your destiny.
The land of Israel was everything to these people; it was their inheritance, a dear possession – time was taken to allot the
He continues by saying “I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.” The sprit of the Lord is His essence; the spirit gives life and same Spirit will invigorate and empower you, you have a future, you will live, you will survive!
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
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Dear Friend,
Happy New Year! I trust that you are prepared and have the capacity to receive all that the Lord has already made ready for you this year. It’s about to unravel; get ready, get ready, get ready! Now, let’s get to the Word.
It is my custom at the beginning of every year to start from the book of Genesis; and as I was doing that, God showed me something significant that I want to share with you.
Genesis 1:9 (NIV)
9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. (Emphasis Mine)
It is obvious from the above text that God wanted a particular thing to come together (the water under the sky) but He was also specific about what He wanted to appear (dry ground). You probably know the areas of your life that you need to come together but I want you to pause this moment and pray “Lord, in my life, this year show me what must come together and the results to expect – what must appear” …After the cancer is gone, what? Lord, now that I’m pregnant, what shall I expect? Now that I’ve found a woman I want to marry, what’s following? After my debts are cancelled, what next?
You see when the dry bones came together; an army emerged likewise, when the things you desire to come together in your life do, something should appear. The latter part of the text says “and it was so”; I declare the same over you, it is so! In your life, things will come together and something glorious will materialize as a result. Give God praise. Hallelujah!
Ezekiel 37:
Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” 10So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
God is here telling Ezekiel to Prophesy! In other words declare what my will is, pronounce my thoughts about this thing, speak my verdict over these bones, Right here, in this valley, Decree my will and let it be established. I want them to live! Yeah, these bones, these things that have just come together by my spirit, they shall also live by my Spirit.
The scripture’s mention of the wind here refers to the ruwach of God -The Hebrew word for Spirit which portrays the quickening power of God.
John 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life…
2 Corinthians 3:6
…… but the Spirit quickens.
I don’t know what has left you cold and inert; I don’t even know how run down you are or feel but I know someone who can quicken. God can! If you’ll allow him, His spirit, his presence is coming into your situation to liven it – it will come together
God said “Come from the four winds”. You see, it doesn’t matter when and where, what happened and how, God said that His Spirit will reach and revive you. Right now, you may feel smitten but you are about to be quickened on every side. Every area of your life that needs to come together will, Amen!
In verse 10, we see the obedience factor reemphasized; Ezekiel prophesied, he commanded as he was commanded and as a result the breath came into the bones and they lived and not only did they live but they stood.
As the wind, the very life of God comes into you, I declare that you will live and stand! On your own feet, not leaning on anyone for support but on your own feet. Yes, I’m talking about balance, I declare that you will not be shaken neither will you be movable nor unstable; your posture will change and you will stand erect. Whatever was broken will be mended, that which was dysfunctional will become functional once again. Wait a minute; are will still talking about the disjoined bones that were once dry? Oh yes but they’re now together, alive, standing, great and operative – they’re now an army, strong, bold, and ready to do warfare, take territories, claim spoils and even live the abundant life. Friend, this is what God is doing for you. Bless His name!
Romans 8: 28 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose for them.
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Dear Friend,
Over the weeks I have been sharing from the 37th Chapter of Ezekiel’s Book. In as much as some of the things I have shared are informative, it’s my desire that they also be restorative. By the end of this series, I want you to see everything that represents dry bones in your life become living beings, Amen?
Ezekiel 37:7c. …………………and the bones came together, bone to bone
What I love about this phrase is that it illustrates God’s heart or if you like passion for order and bond. These bones as described by Ezekiel were not in order and hence needed to be assembled, organized, basically, put in order; but they also needed to be joined one to another so they could be functional again.
I have not experienced this but I have been around some athletes who’ve had bone dislocations. One, I know it is painful and two, it leaves them inoperative. They cannot run, jump or engage in whatever sport they do until their bones have healed, until they come back together even though there’s flesh covering the area of injury. Hang with me, I’m going somewhere with this.
Sometimes I’ve asked myself – Jeanie, how come some areas of your life are all right but others look really bad? Most of these times were times that I would have loved to give to meet a need but couldn’t due to some circumstances- things weren’t together you see? I don’t know what area of your life you need to come together; is it your health, career, relationship or may be like me, you love to sow into missions, support the less privileged and/or give towards other charitable causes, but you currently find it challenging because things are not together for you, today, God sent me to tell you that “it will come together”. Your finances will come together in Jesus Name!
I’ve discovered that most times, we really don’t need new things as much as we desire for things to come together; that is, to have everything in its place. Let’s take a married woman for instance. She has a handsome husband, beautiful home, loving family, great friends, well paid job and many more streams of income but strongly desires a child. No amount of joy or fulfilment she gets from her job and wealth or the love she receives from her husband and friends can compensate for the child she truly desires, things are not together. One more instance, a young man who is very brilliant at his academics, God fearing, has a Godly mentor, cool friends or mates as they call them, lives in a lovely neighbourhood and attends a world renowned church but because of ailing parents hardly eats 3 square meals a day let alone furthering his education. Can you see that things are really not together?
I have learnt that things don’t always come together immediately as we often want them to, maybe sometimes because we haven’t done what we are supposed to do. Paul said to Timothy “according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them might war a good warfare;” (1 Timothy 1:18). Just because God has sent his word, does not mean that you have no part to play; or maybe, you warred for a while and got tired , friend, you ought to be joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and persistent in prayer. (Rom 12:12)
What do you think would have happened if Ezekiel, after hearing all the things the Lord promised to do, refused or failed to prophesy? Selah! Think real deep on this. Every prophecy from the Lord is a word in His will; the bible, you need to rehearse it until it becomes a part of you. Study to show yourself approved…. (2 Timothy 2:15)
If you have not studied the word, you cannot rightly divide it, you will find it difficult to use it properly; in other words, you cannot war a good warfare with it and hence there would be no rattling and no coming together of the bones. Friend, this is not your portion!
If you believe the promises of the Lord to you, say it! That is faith – when you expect to see what you don’t yet have but continue to speak about it.”It” being the things you look forward to seeing, the things that are yet to manifest. If you are unconvinced of the word, you will not receive from the Lord.
James 1:7
A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Declare this with me. I believe God and I declare that right now, for me, It (name that thing that you are believing God for) is coming together! Bone to bone. Declare it that thou may be justified. Hallelujah!
Ezekiel 37:
And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.
God had previously spoken that He would breathe into, lay sinews and cover the bones with Skin but He did not do these until the bones came together. Have you heard a word from the Lord that seems overdue; I’m talking about something(s) that should have come to pass by now? Check yourself; is everything in its place or are the bones still disjoined?
I’m sure you’ve realized that the bones didn’t just come together randomly but they did, bone to bone -fitly fixed, every bone in its rightful place. Some bones may have been broken but they weren’t missing, they all came together. I prophesy that “it” will come together for you.
I hope you’ve heard God today. There’s more to come next week.
God Bless.
More in this series
Dear Friend,
Last week, I shared about change coming through the breath/ Spirit of God entering into you or into the challenges you are facing.
If you search the scriptures, you’ll notice that each time the word “Spirit” or “Breath” is used; the result thereafter is always outstanding, extremely mind blowing and may sometimes seem strange but that’s change! And friend, that same change is coming to you today.
Ezekiel 37
6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”’”7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling;
God is so good (I really couldn’t think of a more suitable attribute). He is not just interested in giving you a quick fix so you can fall apart and queue again for repair. God does not want you to remain feeble; He wants you strong, and able to stand on your feet. Sinews speak of strength and stability as a matter of fact; they are a source of power because they are the connective tissues that join muscles to bones. They‘re also able to endure tension and resistance.
Can you try and picture what God is doing here? He’s saying, “It does not matter what left you unfastened and torn apart, I’ll fix it, I’m adding the connective substances to hold and steady you”. If what you’ve been waiting for is some sort of connection to advance in business, ministry or any of your endeavours…Let me hint you on what God is doing behind scenes right now, He’s hooking you up! Friend, your change is coming!
The flesh are soft tissues, they’re primarily muscles and fats which cover the bones. In effect God is saying here – “I will cover you, I don’t want you to lay bare; this structure I’m working on is too valuable to be exposed and not have protection”. The skin is an external protective covering which consists of layers that regulate body temperature, aid in respiration, and one that determines your complexion. Friend, can you see that God really cares about your comfort and wellbeing, overall? I want you to keep this in mind.
In verse 7, Ezekiel said he prophesied as he was commanded. God is no different as He has always been. If you heed and keep his commands, you will live! Here’s a word from His servant Moses:
Deuteronomy 8:1 (NIV)
Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the Lord promised on oath to your forefathers. (Emphasis mine)
Herein this verse lies God’s chief modus operandi; First, you need to obey (follow every command), and then live before you can increase, enter, and possess the land or receive the promises of the Lord to you. I pray you catch this. The Word of the Lord will not go and return void, it will bring about the necessary change if you obey; similarly, the reverse will occur if you disobey. Today, I want to encourage you to obey God, to say and to do what He has commanded you, so you can live.
Ezekiel prophesied as he was commanded and there was change. All of a sudden, bones that lay dormant in the dull valley began to make noise and even rattle. As you obey the command of the Lord today, I declare that you will experience change in your surroundings and that situation that seems unchanging will begin to shake. Your days of lying dormant are over. Clap your hands and give God Praise! Hallelujah!
More in this series
Ezekiel 37
5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.
Some indicators that one’s airway passage is obstructed includes the inability of the person to speak, them grasping or pointing toward their throat, difficult breathing and perhaps a skin color change.
You will agree with me that the situation Ezekiel describes in this chapter is much more complex – many dry bones……… in an open valley; but prior to this verse He answered a question God asked him. So before we carry on, I want you think about that condition that has left you speechless and wheezy; I’m talking about those areas in your life that you keep grasping and
pointing at, think about those times you were glowing, what changed your skin tone? What has made you pale? Do you want change? Would you like to live again?
The breath of God is the essence of God. It was this same breath that gave life to the lifeless man God had formed out of the dust of the ground… Breath. This is how Moses records it in Genesis:
Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
The account in Ezekiel 37 is similar to that of Genesis 2. In our main text in Ezekiel, God sees these very dry bones lying in the open valley and He tells His servant that He would breathe life into them so that they would live. God said that this breath He is about to breathe will not lie on the surface but it will enter you, in other words, make a way into; it will penetrate regardless of how congested or dense your situation seems. This breath will enter you and that life that it gives you within, you will live out!
What I really love and find encouraging in this verse is that God even before He began His message put a warranty on it. In essence He said, “I know that things still look dry and you’re almost convinced that they will remain the same, i.e. Unchanged, but don’t lack faith; don’t be hesitant to believe what I’m about to do. I promise you that that My breath will definitely enter you and I guarantee that it will make you live!”
Let me encourage you friend, God knows your condition and His breath is coming into every inert thing in your life to revive it; that mess you’re in will turn to a message, your test will now become a testimony, change is coming and you will live! Open up your mouth and declare this with me “I will live”!
Job 33:4
God’s Spirit has made me. The breath of the Almighty gives me life.
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Dear Friend,
I am so glad to be able to reach you with this word of hope that will transform your life. Whatever you do in the coming weeks, I want you to make time to read this Ezekiel 37 series; I know it will encourage you.
Let’s get started. I’ve learnt that the experiences and situations we go through ultimately bring about the results we imagine. How do you perceive your current situation? As dry bones or living beings?
Ezekiel 37(KJV)
1 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
The hand of the Lord is powerful. This hand touched a blind man and he received his sight. In these hands lie blessings and curses, mercy and judgment. The Psalmist said it does ‘valiantly’. This hand is capable of any and everything; As little as my hands seem, many times, I am amazed at the things they can do. I know they look like God’s but I think He’s are grand! I say this because Ezekiel could have been on a mountain or even a plain until that moment the hand of the Lord took him and of all places took him to the valley of dry bones. Friend, it doesn’t really matter where you are or how you got there, I want you to know that God’s hand can reach you.
Isaiah 59:1a (NASB)
Behold the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save.
2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.
Ezekiel said that God caused him to pass by them on all sides. Sometimes there are situations you observe from afar but you’re not in the midst of it yourself, like being among dry bones but not dry yourself. Have you ever been there.
I declare that you will not become dry, God will send rain in due season to refresh you, you will experience the blessings of the Lord, where there’s been lack I speak abundance and darkness – light. You will not grope in the dark even if you’re around folks who are; God will give you insight on how you can improve your situation. Maybe , what you are going through is such that you’ve termed “very many – very dry”, Friend, I want you to know that it isn’t too many or much that God can’t handle neither is it so dry or dead that God can’t make it green or alive again.
Romans 8: 28 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose for them.
Psalm 34(NKJV)
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20 He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.”
You may ask, is this a trick question? God is Omniscient; He knows all things including my answer; so why would He ask me questions? Friend, God will not take any glory in asking you a trick question you can’t answer. God asks questions to prod you to think and sometimes to establish a basis for what He’s about to teach you. Answers are products of our imagination, what we think, basically the things on our minds. Our imaginations often spring from the things we know – information and there are many sources of information.
Many times, our answers are designed to take us into our next level. In any level of education, before you are moved up a grade, you are required to sit down and answer some questions – we call them exams. For every question, there is a right answer and God help you if you don’t answer them correctly. You fail; and at times are given the chance to retake or remain where you are; sometimes you’re awarded a mark for giving a logical answer. If you were to answer this same question God asked Ezekiel, will the basis of your answer be faith, fear or ignorance? How have you been answering the questions God has been asking you lately? Ezekiel answered correctly and as a result was released to prophesy; if he hadn’t , would God have moved on with the programme? Selah!
4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
Everything God has made responds to words. God said to Ezekiel, speak to the dry bones, and tell them to hear the word of the Lord. The word of the Lord is the word of faith.
Romans 10:8b (KJV)
The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
The Word of the Lord is like fire; and as a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces, it is sharp, it is powerful, it’s like a two-edged sword, it can cut. The word of the Lord is truth and stands against every lie there is. So watch what you say especially when you’re going through. Make it a habit to regularly speak the word of faith – that word you’ve heard from the Lord.
More in this series
Luke 7 (NLT)
11 Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him.
12 A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her.
13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said.
14 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.”
15 Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16a Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God.
A cry is an expressive response to distress or discomfort. For this woman, her distress was not only that she is going be left alone but that her only son who would have grown to protect and provide for her has just gone. He was the reason she has been able to carry on after the death of her husband; He was her pride, her joy, her hope; in fact, her everything. The prayers of most parents are for their children to live to bury them not otherwise and this woman probably prayed this prayer but it seems that her prayer was unanswered and the bearers are now ready to carry her dead son to the sepulchre.
The pain of separation consumes the widow from within; Thoughts of how she’d be treated by the other women in town rings
Jesus arrived at this town called Nain which in the Greek is translated “Beauty, Pleasant” and in the Hebrew “Abode, Habitation” but at that time something unpleasant had just happened and a solemn removal was also taking place. Did you catch it? The boy had died in a pleasant place and is being carried away from where his habitation was supposed to be.
I told you a few weeks ago that a gate serves as a demarcation between two areas; a gate will either lock you in or shut you out and I keep wondering what would have happened had the bearers gone a far distance beyond the gate but thank God, Jesus came right on time!. He was right there at the gate, he wasn’t late. Friend, no matter what your circumstance is I want you to know that Jesus is at the gate, he won’t arrive late. Even if it seems He’s late and your stuff’s gone beyond the gate even down to the grave, Jesus will get there, resuscitate it and raise it. Shout Amen if you believe it. He did it for Lazarus, He can and will do it for you!
The scripture tells us that a large crowd was with this woman but will you agree with me that Jesus came just for her. It doesn’t matter how many folks are flocking with you, I want to let you know that Jesus can still spot you in the midst of a crowd and as a matter of fact, He has. As we read further on, verse 13 records that Jesus’ heart overflowed with compassion. Aren’t you pleased to know you have a compassionate God? He is not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, He knows all our affairs, He cares and He is always near to wipe away any tears. Amen.
Afterwards, Jesus walked over to the coffin, touched it, and the bearers stopped. Did you see that? Friend, I don’t need to know who’s about to make away with your stuff but I want you to know that they will Stop! They cannot continue to cause you aggravation or pain, they must cease. Your sickness will stop, those creditors will cease to harass you, that trouble will discontinue in Jesus Name!
In Luke 8, there is an account of a woman who had a persisting problem, an issue of blood, until she made contact with Jesus. The scripture says “Immediately her issue of blood stanched” it stopped! I command every “Issue” in your life to Stop, Right Now!
So, Jesus raised the boy. He who was dead sat up. God has a way of causing dead things not only to live but to have being, Acts 17:28. God will revive every dead thing in your life, they will sit up, they will become active and they will talk: they will have an expression, make a sound, call for the attention of many and bring glory to His name. If I were you, I’d take a quick break just to Praise God for that…. Hallelujah!
After the boy talked, Jesus gave him back to his mother; this signifies complete restoration. God will hand back to you what originally has been or is rightfully yours. Never mind who snatched it off you or what they did along the way, the good news is that it’s coming back to you. Praise the Lord!
Related Journal:
Cry out!
Exodus 32(KJV)
26Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
Last week, I shared with you, an attitude or if you like a posture we ought to assume when it seems like we are encountering delay. Today, I’m taking it little bit further and we’ll learn what it means to be on the Lord’s side.
When we hear the phrase ‘Taking Sides’, we of course would consider the fact that there is more than one side and then we’d go on to think of words like adversary, opponent, antagonist, controversy, dispute, argument and perhaps terms like complainant and defendant. When one is taking sides, they are supporting a group against another, they are positioned on one side in conflict with the other and they have an agenda and opinion that cannot concur with opposite sides.
Throughout scripture, you’ll see men and women assert their position; you’ll hear Joshua say “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”, and Ruth “Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God”; you’ll even come across Jesus saying to His disciples “Let’s go over to the other side”.
In the text above, Israel, God’s chosen people had just committed idolatry and Moses, just coming down from the mountain poses this question to them “Who is on the Lord’s side?” and the same time tells them how to respond “let him come unto me”.
It’s amazing how the scripture records that Moses stood at the gate of the camp whilst asking this question. We know that one of the functions of a gate is to make a demarcation between two areas; Moses was in other words saying, Folks; your action will prove your conviction; if you come to me then I’ll know you are on the Lord’s side. Can you see the correlation between this and James’ writing?
James 2
If you read the rest of Exodus 32, you’ll notice that everyone who didn’t cross over to Moses was slain, they died. Death, whether physical or spiritual is the result you get if you are not on the Lord’s side ; you start living a half-life, a life of gradual decay; you keep losing energy until you have none left. But a person on the Lord’s side Lives – They live by faith! They hear the word, believe in it, they talk it, walk it and act upon it; that’s why they make it through.
I want to encourage you to act like the Levites today, separate yourself from the crowd, cross over and slay anything that does not agree with what you do. Believe God, when He says It (whatever you are believing Him for) will happen; be it your healing, finances, relationship, marriage, fruit of the womb, long life, whatever it is. Put some attitude to your belief, lift your prophetic finger, point towards whichever direction you need to, make your position clear and speak! I’m crossing over, play time is over, I’ll quit saying “I can’t afford this” I’ll start saying “my needs are met according to God’s riches in glory”
I know someone reading this is scared they’ll die soon – No, you won’t! If you believe God’s word that says through Him your days will be many and years will be added to your life. Maybe your fear is not surviving this credit crunch – God delights in the prosperity of his servants and whatever God delights in, he brings to pass – you will not go under! You’ll cross over! Over to the winning side, over to the Living side – The Lord’s side.
More on this series:
Who is on the Lord’s side? 1
Hello Friend,
This will not be long as I did not plan to do it but I believe that this will encourage you.
Exodus 32
26Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, who is on the LORD’s side? Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
From the text, we know that it was around the time that Moses went to the mount to fellowship with the Lord but because he delayed in coming down, the children of Israel gathered around Aaron and convinced him to make them gods to lead them. Are you puzzled? I am too however, let’s continue.
Delay, delay, delay. This is only a five-lettered word but its effect cannot till date be numbered.
So what is delay? I love the definition that says it is an inactivity, which results in something being deferred until a later date. It doesn’t say that it is stopped or brought to an end. Whenever there’s inactivity, it is supposed to be a time of rest, a time of refreshing, a time of peace. God spoke to his people through his prophet Jahaziel in 2 Chronicles 20:17 – “You won’t fight this battle. [Instead,] take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD for you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be frightened or terrified. Tomorrow go out to face them. The LORD is with you.” In other words, relax; I’ll take care of this one.
A person who’s on the Lord side knows this truth and if you develop this attitude towards delay, you will not be anxious another day of your life. You’ve heard the saying delay does not mean denial and it is true. Here’s another word of encouragement from God’s prophet, Habakkuk.
Habakkuk 2:3
The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late.
I want you to begin to encourage yourself with this word; say, my vision will happen, certainly, assuredly, definitely, it will happen. Friend, if it’s money especially in this season that we live in– just release your faith through the words you speak – it will happen. Is it a job? Is it your child (ren)? A family member? Whatever it is that you need, just confess that it will happen. It’s only delayed, not terminated. In fact, take a leap of faith and declare it done!
If you read the rest of the chapter and the next, you will notice that eventually, Moses came down. Do you feel like what you are believing God for is far up in the horizon, too distant for your reach; don’t worry, it will come down! Come on; let’s say it together IT WILL COME DOWN, IT WILL HAPPEN!
More on this series:
Who is on the Lord’s side? 2
Psalm 106 is the last of the 4th division of the book of psalms. Within it is the summary of our last three lessons; it also begins and ends with a commendation to praise the Lord.
The psalmist says in verse 12
Then at last his people believed his promises
Then they finally sang his praise
Psalm 57:7
My heart is confident in you, O God
No wonder I can sing your praises
From these texts, we could conclude that praise and/or singing is an outward rendition or release of our faith. It is our trust and belief in God.
Although Isaiah 54 speaks of the future glory of Jerusalem or if you like, The Restoration of Israel following their Babylonian captivity; God will have me encourage you today with this passage.
Isaiah 54:1-4
The prophet begins with the word “Sing”. In this passage, it means to shout for joy, a victorious praise. Please note that although singing is a form of praise, it is not the same as praise.
The next phrase of this verse says “O barren, you who have not borne”. In ancient Israel, a woman who was unable to conceive and bear children was considered a reproach. God through the prophet spoke to the exiles who had their glory stripped from them and were carried off to Babylon saying “sing” I know your needs, your desire to be free – sing , praise Me because I’m about to turn things around; Enlarge the place of your tent, because I’ve broken the shame of your unfruitfulness and will fill your barns with plenty, forget the former things, the pains and shame of the past ,behold I do a new thing , I am restoring you. Friend, Can you hear the word of the Lord to you today?
The battle is won and the victory is yours, Heaven is just waiting on you to release your faith in God through praise so that the earth would yield her increase.
Psalm 67: 5-6
JUDAH – The history of this front liner
Judah is the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. In Judges, chapter 1, verses 1-12, Israel was preparing for battle and they inquired of the Lord, Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites? The Lord answered them …Judah is to go. Later, in Judges 20:18 we find the same inquiry, who of us shall go first to fight against the Benjamites? The Lord replied, Judah shall go first.
Why should Judah go first?
Because God encamps and moves wherever Judah is. He is known in Judah (Psalm 76:1), Judah is his sanctuary (Psalm 114:2).
Jehoshaphat caught this revelation and applied it when the Moabites, Ammonites and the Meunites came to make war with him. After he had inquired and heard from the Lord, he sent the singers ahead of the army. As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against his enemies, and they were defeated.
Many times God will give you the key to your breakthrough but before you use it send your praise ahead.
MORE ABOUT JUDAH – You break up, we make up
Judah occupied the hill country in the west of the Dead Sea and there came a time after the death of Solomon that the ten northern tribes of Israel broke away. Only the tribes of Judah were left to form the southern Kingdom; also called Judah.
In the midst of separation and conflict – praise and ‘praisers’ stand. It doesn’t matter what has happened to you, there is praise in you, send it forth. Never mind the things that try to break or oppose you instead release your faith in God with your songs of praise and watch God rebuild you.
Always ensure that your praise precedes your need.
Dear Friend,
A few weeks ago, I briefly touched on what the proper response of a remnant should be. Let’s continue from there. I pray that you will be blessed.
Having read some portions of the scripture, I realised that in every age God has specified how he desires to be worshipped. There was a time he demanded that the tribe of Levi be separated and consecrated unto him and at another time he prescribed that altars be built and that sacrifices be made. There was also a time that he was no longer pleased with sacrifices and desired that his people would rend their hearts and not their garments; he was never going to despise a broken and a contrite heart.
But you are a chosen generation
A royal priesthood, a holy nation
His own special people , that you may proclaim
The praises of Him who called you
Out of darkness into His marvellous light. 1 Peter 2: 9 (NKJV)
This scripture says that we’ve been called out of darkness. I think this is a good cause to give God praise. It also says that we’ve been brought into his marvellous light; more cause why we should worship him.
I know the terms praise and worship are often used interchangeably but they are not one and thesame. Whilst praise is a response to God’s deeds, worship flows from the heart in humble adoration and reverence to God’s worth.
I’m not trying to say that we should worship God only when we’ve experienced his benefits; God is worthy to be worshipped and adored regardless. Do you know the reason God created and sustained you is that you would worship him?
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11 (KJV)
For his pleasure! The word pleasure and the word pleasing have thesame root word that denotes something acceptable, enjoyable, satisfying, palatable, and comely. Many times in scripture after people sacrificed, God will say, this is pleasing to me or it’s a sweet smelling savour to my nostrils; in other words I am delighted in what you’ve done.
Pleasure! That’s what Noah brought God when he built an altar and sacrificed. God was so pleased that he promised never to destroy the earth. His worship got him a promise, not just for his generation but for generations to come. This is deep; I hope you can feel it.
Hezekiah’s time was up. God had already concluded it and sent his prophet to notify his servant. You have to understand that Hezekiah whose name means “Jehovah is strength” was a good king. During his reign, he abolished idolatry in his kingdom and kept the ordinances of God (e.g. celebrated passover). When he got the news, the scripture says he turned to the wall and prayed to the Lord. I could almost hear him say: God, how can I die when you are my strength, what about your word that says that I will live and not die to declare your works. Remember how I’ve obeyed you, how I’ve given myself completely to you and done what is pleasing in your sight, how shall I then die?
The scripture records that before Isaiah left that building , God sent him back to announce to Hezekiah that he would be healed and live another fifteen years. Noah obtained a lasting promise; Hezekiah received his healing and prolonged living, what have you? Oh that our lives may please God and our worship will be to him a sweet smelling savour.
Related journals:
I’m still here!
THE TESTIMONY OF A REMNANT
Hello Friend,
I hope that you are prospering in all things as God’s desire for you especially in this season. I was in a prayer meeting recently when the Spirit of the Lord said “We have the victory” and I want to encourage you regardless of what you are facing, that you walk victoriously with your head held high, talk like one who’s more than a conqueror and watch God shift things on your behalf. Amen!
We started discussing the complaining Spirit in the last journal, let’s wrap it up nicely.
Numbers 11:4-6
4 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat?
5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic;
6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
The Complaining Spirit – Pt 2
I found another definition of complain to be a loud low dull continuous noise which sometimes results in one making remarks or noises under their breath.
It is important that you carefully choose who you hang with. Your friends or group can build or ruin you. Here’s what Paul had to say:
1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
I love how the International Standard Version puts it “Stop being deceived: “Wicked friends lead to evil ends”.
I’d like to imagine that from Israel’s recent experience with God. They know that God hears and answers prayer but yet they did not do this rather they “Wept again” meaning they carried on crying, lamenting and complaining. I’m talking about folks who had just repented; they were sorry for what they did. They cried unto Moses and Moses prayed to the Lord and God in His mercy quenched the fire that burnt among them (Numbers 11:2).
They were probably still in shock and also happy that God had preserved their lives but the foreign rabble who were travelling with them began to crave the good things of Egypt and they too instead of trusting the God who before now had provided manna and water from nowhere, they joined the multitude and ended up asking the most unreasonable question ever: “Who will give us meat to eat”?
They had easily forgotten all the benefits God loaded them with; they had lost their joy and resorted to complaining yet again. 
If you read further down this scripture, you’ll see that God gave them their desire in abundance but while the meat was still in their mouths; God struck them with a terrible plague and they died; what for? Complaining (Numbers 11:33).
You might be going through a very difficult time now and yes you have prayed and praised about this but nothing has happened yet; I want to encourage you not to be weary in doing good because in due season (which is now) you will reap a harvest of blessing if you don’t give up. This is your set time of favour. Your hour is now!
John 16:21(NASB)
“Whenever a woman is in labour she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.
Friend, you are due and your time of delivery is close, much closer than you thought. Your expectation will not be cut short; you will not be denied. Your desire will soon be satisfied.
I hear God say, you will remember your pain no more. Shout unto God with a voice of triumph if you believe that the battle is won and you have overcome. Rejoice!
More in this series:
Conquer and plunder 1
Conquer and plunder 2
Dear Friend,
I am very happy that I can send you this journal today. I know that I say this almost every time but I want you to know that it’s not a cliché. I don’t know how to express what I feel when I’m preparing these journals but I know it’s real. I have missed you so much, I have missed your encouraging emails but most of all I miss sharing God’s Word with you. I can feel your prayers and intercession on my behalf. May God’s blessings continue to overflow in your life. Amen!
We’ll continue from where we left off a few weeks ago. We were learning about the geographical locations which may have influenced Israel’s actions as they journeyed and we learnt that we are to stay on course by holding tight onto the Word we received from God at the mount because those words will give us strength and courage to get through the wilderness – a dry and lonely place where we often feel uncertain of God’s presence and help.
Today, we will look at one of the behaviours or spirits that God abhors so much that He destroyed the people that demonstrated these although they were very precious to Him.
Numbers 11:1-3 (NLT)
(1). Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.
(2). Then the people screamed to Moses for help, and when he prayed to the Lord, the fire stopped.
(3). After that, the area was known as Taberah (which means “the place of burning”), because fire from the Lord had burned among them there.
The Complaining Spirit
When someone complains, they are either by their expression or impression indicating dissatisfaction with something, discontent or unhappy about a situation. From this definition, we can see that the key cause of complaints is dissatisfaction which could be translated fault finding. Stay with me, I’m going somewhere with this.
Israel, the chosen people of God began to find fault in the One who delivered them from the Pharaoh, his armies and other enemies. They found fault with their Guide who led them day and night with a pillar of cloud and fire. They were now frustrated with Him who miraculously quenched their thirst and hunger by giving them water from the rock and fed them with manna from above. They were discontent with the God who preserved their health and clothing.
Friend, this is why you and I sometimes complain – when we begin to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. And to show how much God detested Israel’s behaviour, He released His fire. I’m sure you’re aware that anything that fire contacts is utterly destroyed and reduced to ashes – light particles that can be easily blown away. Are we to be afraid? Well, no but we are to be in reverential awe of God because He is still a consuming fire and this fire.
Hebrews 12:29 (ESV)
For our God is a consuming fire.
Friend, I heard a Word from God for you; I already know your pain, there is no need for you to complain, just be plain – stay pure, keep your spirit right and leave the rest to Me.
Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.
I think the above scripture summarises what we ought to do. Instead of complaining, we should pray and praise. Worry can cause you to be disappointed which may move you to complain, but when you pray and humbly make your requests known to God, He
gives you peace – He stills your spirit, instead of complaining you become silent, you’ll have no uproar, middle or low roar– You’ll have peace.
We are also encouraged to link praise to our prayers. Praise is an outward expression of your love for God. Whatever you do and call praise, has to be outwardly shown. I have tried this and it works – whenever I sense a complaining spirit coming on me, I begin to praise the name of God and that deals with the situation I am facing – I have never found myself still complaining afterwards. It works. Try it today.
I’ve never seen a prayer warrior or a ‘praiser’ that wanders – prayer warriors are plunderers and conquerors and likewise Praisers. Remember that He already knows your pain and there’s no need for you to complain, just be plain – keep your spirit right!
More in this series:
Conquer and plunder 1
Conquer and plunder 3
Dear Friend,
Greetings to you in Jesus name. How are you doing? I trust that your faith is unwavering knowing that God loves you so much that He will not allow you to perish, and that He has heard your cry and your Deliverer is nigh.
During the early stages of the Israelites’ sojourning, they obeyed God and Moses but that is not true for the rest of their journey. What happened and why is it so? Read on and find out
HEBREWS 3: 7-12
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath,‘ They shall not enter My rest.
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
God had given Israel so much and was able and willing to give them much more but they often exhibited some attitudes that didn’t please God. We’ll go through these attitudes later but a study on the regions they passed by has some insight to their behaviour.
MOUNT SINAI
This is the mount where Moses had his “burning bush” experience with God. It is also where God gave Israel His laws. It is a place of God’s presence. Sinai is that place where you remember, memorise, meditate, speak, believe and obey the Word of God because you’ve just received it and it’s fresh. At Sinai, you are full of faith, you’re not easily swayed or distracted. Stay with me, I’m going somewhere with this.
The LORD came from Mount Sinai. From Edom, he gave light to his people, and his glory was shining from Mount Paran. Thousands of his warriors were with him, and fire was at his right hand. Deuteronomy 33:2
THE WILDERNESS
This is a dry and wild region where the Israelite’s’ spent most of their time. This is a place where you begin to slack and become weak in faith, double-minded, doubtful and eventually a complainer.
Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’ Exodus 14:3
Holding onto the Word you received at the Mount will strengthen you during your wilderness journey because unlike the mount where you are sure about God’s presence with you, the wilderness is lonely and deserted and only that Word you heard will sustain and help you survive it’s dry and wild nature.
Whereas Sinai is a place of revelation and clarification, the Wilderness is a place of decision and action. Remember, God had already promised His people an inheritance but because they were faint-hearted, their journey was prolonged and many’ s were terminated. They wandered while they could have conquered nations and plundered loots.
In summary, I encourage you who are on the mount to hold fast to the Word you’ve received, do not let it depart from your mouth nor your heart, recollect what you saw, rehearse what has been described to you .If you’re in the wilderness believe, speak and obey the Word you heard; decide and act on what you need to do before it becomes a reality. These little steps will help you focus on your expected end rather than your present bend which will sooner or later be made manifest. You will conquer and plunder; you will not wander in Jesus Name! Amen.
More in this series:
Conquer and plunder 2
Conquer and plunder 3
Dear Friend,
I trust that you’re being encouraged, challenged and changed by these words that you receive weekly. Keep abiding and you’ll bear choice and nice fruits.
Over the weeks we’ve been studying the lives of remnants and some of their actions. Today we want to study the attitude of a remnant with whom God was so pleased that he called him a man after his own heart. You guessed it right, King David. Be blessed.
David in his life time experienced God’s deliverance regularly; It amazes me when I read of how he flee from his son Absalom or how he escaped the wrath of Saul; I wonder how he would have made it without God. Tell me what you would do if the governing authority of your country launches a search to arrest and kill you? Who will you run to? Where would you hide? How would you maintain a low profile?
Today’s text is a psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance which ended with prayer . The psalmist began by listing the things he did before he was delivered.
First, He waited. He was not in a haste, he didn’t try to rush God, He waited . Secondly, he waited patiently not anxiously as some of us would. Thirdly, he waited patiently for the Lord to help him. He was not depending on Social security, a charity organization, friends , family members, the church, neighbours ; He was waiting for the Lord’s help and this is not the first time we hear David speak like this.
In Psalms 121:1,2 he said “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth”.
This is the testimony of a remnant: my help came from the Lord, not from the connections I have or the skills I have, but from the Lord. I’m fully aware that God will many times use people to assist you, please be careful not to attribute your success or breakthrough to them but to God.
So David looked up to God for help and God turned to him and heard his cry. Watch this , God didn’t ignore him, he gave David his full attention and solved his problem. He got the results he wouldn’t have if he’d turned to man. His confidence in God finally paid off .That’s what God is willing to do for you If you would just quit depending on people and fix your gaze on him.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:9(KJV)
David goes on to tell of the things God did for him. He talks about how he was lifted out of the pit. A pit is a hollow area of the ground which usually has a soft soil that causes anything which falls into it to sink. Sometimes you may find worms and sharp objects embedded in this area, It is a miserable and depressing place to be in but thank God David was lifted out of the pit of despair. As you read this journal, I don’t know what kind of pit you’re in but I know that if you look up to God for help right now, he will lift you out of it.
The second thing God did for David was to established him. God set his feet on a solid ground to keep him from falling into further mischief. God was saying to him, David, you don’t ever have to walk on dangerous hollow grounds, I’m going to place your feet on a plain surface and steady you on a rock – a place of strength and safety.
The next thing David testifies of is that God gave him a new song to sing, a hymn of praise. I wish I had time to expound on this but just know that the new song was a result of the revelation David received from the deliverance he had just experienced and I’m a witness to this; I’ve seen God move in and through some situations in my life through which I gained a deeper insight into some characters/attributes of God and a song flowed forth consequently. I pray that God today will give a new song. Amen!
The later part of verse 3 says that “many will see it” , How ?
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among many people. Psalm 35:18 (WBT)
You ought to testify. A testimony is an open attestation; a public profession which offers firsthand proof of an event known to have happened or something known to have existed. That’s what Noah did when he built an alter and sacrificed to God out of his substance. He could have taken the credit and boast of how skillful he was at building the ark but through his actions he testified that God was his help having protected him and his family whilst the flood drowned every other living thing on earth. He ascribed to God the glory due to him, he was thankful and God was pleased.
God will give you a testimony; I hear God say that he will lift you , re-position you and stabilize you and when it happens don’t hold back, share your testimony because through it , many will be encouraged and put their trust in God.
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