HOPE

 

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ....... Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope...... For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:14, 17-20, 24, 28

Today I understand the definition of hope that was mentioned in Hebrew 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things HOPEd for, the evidence of things not seen.

When you have food at home, you don't need to hope that you will eat. But when there's no food at home nor did anyone owe you money, if you can HOPE that you will eat, that's FAITH!

This hope whose evidence is in your faith does not happen to everyone except children of God who are also co-heirs with Christ and are LED by the Spirit of God.

Imagine how Christ felt at the cross before He cried "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?". Obviously, He was alone and could only HOPE that His agreement with the FAITHFUL GOD who led Him to the cross still stands.

Children of God who are led to a place/person and are passing through sufferings/ challenges for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ should hope that they will also wear the crown of glory because His word said that. "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose". 

Even if you don't see a solution in sight, if the light at the end of the tunnel is off, you're tired, Jesus was tired and fell, as long as you are a child of God and He led you to where you are (and not your pastor or your greed) let hope be kindled in you because His thoughts towards you is Good and faithful is He that promised.

The parable of the 10 talent said the master left for a long time. But eventually, He came. 

KEEP HOPE ALIVE. HAVE FAITH.

HOLD ON. HE WILL COME. 

Shalom!

DID I HEAR GOD SPEAK?

 In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Luke 1: 9-13

Jesus baptism experience must have been an exhilarating experience for him but what happened next will make a mortal man question if he actually heard God speak "or was it my imagination?".

God spoke straight from heaven at river Jordan but afterwards, wilderness, satan and wild animals took over. Thank God for the angels.

The angels here means that there will be rays of light, times of refreshing even on that journey of trials so you won't be totally discouraged.

Are you are on that kind of journey currently? If know the voice of your shepherd, please press on. There are days when you will ask The Father... "is this part of the journey or I've digressed?" But, still press on.

This message is for those who recognize the voice of their shepherd and who heard Him clearly. Not those who were told by someone that "God said". 

Don't get me wrong, God can send someone to give you a message but the burden is on you to meet YOUR FATHER to confirm what He said. This confirmation keeps you standing till the end.

Your time might be 40days, 400 days, years, decades. No matter how long, you will overcome and come back rejoicing.

Joy comes in the morning

Shalom!

ARE YOU GIVING LESS?

 

For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Matthew 25: 14-18

When we look at the parable of the talents, we took a lesson from the servant that went to bury his talent. Today, I want us to look at another angle that will bring God's anger.

If the servant that brought 10talents back has brought 9 talents, do you think that he will still be praised?

Philippians 4 :13 says we can do ALL things... Not some things, Not most things.

If Jesus had fulfilled part of the prophecy, His assignment will not be called a success. No salvation

If the servants at the wedding in Canaan or Namaan the leper had obeyed partially, we won't have a testimony.

The fig tree showed leaves when he was supposed to show leaves AND fruit... It got cursed.

If God can say in revelation 3:15-16 that you should choose if you want to be hot or cold....No middle ground, then you can be sure that He does not accept partial obedience.

Are you giving your all to the work of God or you are giving a portion? Don't look at the big results from your efforts, e.g. 9talents. Is it your all?

I don't want people to say I am doing too much (Jesus went all the way ), I don't want people to dislike me(Jesus loves you), I don't want others to look bad (they should step up), I don't like to be too tired after church (Jesus died). Don't forget, friendship with the world is enmity with God.

If God can give you His all, why will you give Him less? Maybe that is why your business/career/marriage is not giving 100% either

May we not be cursed in Jesus name

Shalom!

NO NETWORKING

 Then it came to pass, in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel. 1 Kings 22:2

So he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight at Ramoth Gilead?” 1 Kings 22:4

Dear Child of God,

Do you know that when you are abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, you should not be walking around aimlessly? Jehosaphat was visiting someone who is sharing his inheritance with him. 

Do you know that when the Lord is your shepherd, you should not connect to a network that God does not approve? How much more, someone who is in possession of your inheritance.

Several professional coaches and motivational speakers tells us "your network is your net worth" so some of us are looking for alliances at all cost not caring what God is saying concerning that person.

1 Kings 22:41-43 tells us that Jehosaphat did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Imagine God's surprise when his beloved Jehosaphat decided to "network" with his fellow king AHAB, JEZEBEL'S HUSBAND. HA!

Afterall, Ahab is king over 10 Israeli cities and Jehosaphat is king over 2 cities. So networking higher is the key. Right? Wrong!

King Jehosaphat got more than what he bargained for when he went to war with his new friend. That network connection nearly killed him if not for the mercy of God and he learnt his lesson.

He cautioned himself such that when Ahab's son wanted an alliance concerning ships, Jehosaphat said no. "Once bitten, twice shy".

You have started following your "friend" to events. Are you networking within the will of God or outside? 

Please note, I am not saying that networking is wrong, but concerning a child of God, "all things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not". 1 Corinthians 10:23.

Let's be guided. Let your networking be like David and Jonathan to avoid "stories that touch" like Dinah. 

Shalom!

DILIGENCE

 

You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you Genesis 41:40

Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. Genesis 42:6

I love Joseph. I don't know how he got his mindset , since the other children lack the same God-fearing mind,  I can only conclude that he was taught by God Himself. 

His story has taught me so many lessons, some of which are Humility, Patience, Joy at all times, etc.

Today's bible study is about Joseph's diligence to work after being promoted. His self discipline when faced with responsibilities after he has been blessed by God.

Genesis 41:40 tells us how important Joseph became in Egypt. Genesis 42: 6 made us to understand that he took his responsibility so serious that he did not assign it to anyone else.

As the "number 2" man in Egypt, Joseph was personally selling the grains. Wow!

Hello child of God, after God promoted you, that's when you won't even supervise the job you were assigned to do. You call in once-a-day and ask "is everything okay?". And you are crying that you did not carry out fraud. Sorry, collecting salary for what you did not do is fraud.

Hello child of God, you have 1 shop and 1 sales girl, suddenly, you can't get to the shop before 11am; and you're wondering why your business is not growing?

You have just 1 house help and suddenly, you can't do your primary duty in the house. 

Let me ask you, who will be asked to give account for the job or business or family? Is it your colleagues at work? Your sales girl/boy, your house help or you? 

Do you have the diligence to nurture what God has placed in your hands? Don't forget that whatever you lay your hands on shall prosper. 

Add diligence to spiritual grace so that you will flourish like a tree planted by the rivers of water, whose leaves shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper. So that when men are saying that there's a casting down, you will say that there's a lifting up. 

Shalom!

CURSED LIKE THE FIG TREE?

 

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:12-14

As a young girl reading the bible, I have always wondered why Jesus will curse a tree that did not bear fruit out of season. As I understand the "kingdom principles", I came to understand why. The answer is in plain sight.

The answer is in Mark 11:12, Jesus was hungry. John 10:14 says "just as the Father knows me and I know the Father", this means that God the father knew that Jesus will be hungry when he is coming from Bethany and so would have prepared what Jesus will eat.

Please note, that if it is not a test (as Jesus got when he left the wilderness after 40 days, God will always prepare ahead of His children).

Meaning that the fig tree was given more-than-enough nutrients in order to produce out of season but it decided to stick to "that's how we do it" and brought out more and more leaves... instead of listening to "what the Spirit is saying" to the tree and use the extra to produce fruits.

Dear Christian, I know you might not accept this but there is a level you reach is Christ that you will realize that we are not called to follow the bible. We are called to follow Christ.

The paragraph above does not mean the bible is thrown in the trash (it would already be a part of you).... it means that there are some instructions (not a sin) that the spirit of God will give you that will not be normal.

The fig tree used the extra blessing it got to look good... same as the rich man who had a bountiful harvest and God killed him.

Child of God, do you see that pattern? If you receive favour from God, don't buy more things, or expand your barn, bless others. That is why we are encouraged to acknowledge Him in all of our ways so He will and He shall direct our path.

Let God approve your plans...ALL of it, not most of your plans....ALL, including your giving, acknowledge Him. So you won't take a wrong step that can get you cursed.

Also let your enjoyment after a blessing receive approval from above so that you don't get cursed for being selfish. We will all give account of all heaven's resources in our care.

Shalom!

DEAR POT

 There was a pot. it's a favorite of the woman. Anytime an important event is to be catered for or an important visitor is to come, she will cook with that pot. 

She makes different types of delicacies. African and continental dishes. It turns out looking and tasting great.

She receives compliments whenever she cooks with that pot. People will always ask for more. 

This makes the woman very happy with the pot. She personally wash the pot with great care and hangs it right.

One day, she wants to use the pot and it refused. The pot said the woman should wait. 

She asked if it was in pains, the pot said no, it's broken, the pot said no, the pot just wants to dictate to the woman as it thought that the woman does not have a choice.

Immediately, the woman took a stool, climbed up her shelve and brought down a new pot of the same size as the pot and started cooking with it. 

The old pot waited for the guests to complain that the food was not tasty as it thought that it was his power/skill that makes the food tasty. Rather, the woman got more compliments.

That was when the old pot realized that it was just a glorified vessel. All the wonders that the people are testifying to is as a result of the woman's skill.

The old pot was taken to the top of the shelve and left there. No special wash or special space. All benefits withdrawn.

Are you that old pot? Your intelligence, your salvation, your beauty, your anointing, money, kindness, education, connection, family, etc.... do you think it's your ability/power? Sorry to shock you, it's ALL GOD, you are just a vessel.

God used you because you are available. Any rebellion from you will cause you to be replaced because "The king's business requires haste".

May we not be proud in Jesus name.

Shalom!

PRAY FOR LEADERS

 

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 1 Chronicles 19:1

When I read the above passage, I remembered the war in Ukraine. A president's (king) decision caused the war. 

A president's (king) decision caused the Iraqi war. The Costs of War project at Brown University revealed that 20 years of post-9/11 wars have cost the U.S. an estimated $8 trillion and have killed more than 900,000 people. (https://www.brown.edu/news/2021-09-01/costsofwar) 

Life and death decisions are made every second of the day by leaders (president, governor, councillor, chairmen, kings, chiefs, fathers, mother's, etc)

David,  was a king that God chose Himself in 1Samiel 16 but he is still a man who "got moved" by Satan to act in a way that 70,000 men of Israel fell in one night (1Chronicles 21: 14). A king that was loved, who got the support of the majority of Israelites and was prayed for (probably) made a very costly decision.

Now, how do you think a king that was disliked/cursed by his nation will behave? 

It is time for us to pray for our leaders; from the lowest level in our homes/communities to the highest level. The masses suffer for their good or bad decisions. 

Our bible chapter did not say any of David's sons died, the war in Ukraine has not killed any son of both presidents; only children of the masses.

The decision of a leader caused so many military operations in Eastern Nigeria, the civil war, June 12 saga,Endsars bloodshed, etc.

Can you still curse your leaders or you will now pray for God to grant them wisdom 24/7, bring Godly men around them and cause them to fear Him at all times.

Let's say a word of prayer for our leaders. They will be filled with heavenly wisdom in Jesus name. Amen.

Shalom! 

SAPA DON CATCH AM

 

When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father?(L) Shall I kill them?” 2Kings 6:15

He said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today!” 2Kings 6:31

The 2 statements above are from the same person to the same person in the same chapter of the bible. From the king of Israel to Elisha.

What can cause someone who calls "Father" to threaten murder? It's "SAPA".

According to modern dictionary, SAPA is a term used in Nigerian Pidgin English to describe a state of being extremely broke or poor.

Hmmm, 

The early part of 1Kings 6 tells us of when God (by Elisha's hand) brought the army of Aram to Samaria like ram but they were fed and freed without being harmed.

The later part of 1Kings 6 tells us of when this same army of Aram besieged Samaria to the extent that mothers started eating their children. What an abomination!.

After God had done wonders through Elisha and given Israel victory several times over this army and the same army came back, the king would have gone to Elisha several times to ask for God's direction/word concerning the next course of action.

The king would have consulted Elisha in secret

The king would have consulted Elisha in public

The king would have called Elisha to his palace

The king would have gone to Elisha's house/church.

Does the scenarios above sound familiar concerning your country?

Meanwhile, the people would have criticized the king, criticized Elisha and criticized God. Even at that, the scarcity continued with no end in sight. 

Sounds familiar?

It was not a war, it was not even a famine (no rain), it was a lockdown.

Then God spoke....and again SAPA struck the mouth of the man on whose arm the king was leaning and he made the comment that excluded him from the coming abundance.

Ladies and Gentlemen, when SAPA strikes, are you going to be like the women who ate their children? Like the man who got excluded or you will be led by the good shepherd in Psalm 23 like Elisha and the four men with leprosy. 

Just like in the bible, to bring abundance, God might not use Elisha or the king as He did before, God can decide to use you who everyone (including yourself) has written off. Are you useful for good unto God? 

In this season ,will you be a vessel onto honour or dishonor? A child of God or a dog?

In all this,Elisha lived in abundance. How did I know? He was hosting the elders of Israel when the king came to meet him in anger. How Elisha got the abundance is also in the book of 2Kings. Tell us in the comments section if you know. 

Shalom!

ELKANAH MY HERO!

And she made a vow,saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life,and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1Samuel 11

The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate a person to the Lord by giving the equivalent value. Leviticus 27:1-6

But if her husband nullifies them when he hears about them, then none of the vows or pledges that came from her lips will stand.Her husband has nullified them, and the Lordwill release her
Numbers 30:12

We all grew up with the story of how Hannah made a vow and fulfilled it and God saw her faithfulness and gave her 5 more children..

Today's bible reading should tell us that ELKANAH is (as footballers call it) the real GOAT (Greatest Of All Times). Why? How?

The answers are in Leviticus 27 and Numbers 30..... they explained how a husband can accept or refuse the vow of his wife even unto God and how the to redeem a VOW and the value attached to each type of object to be redeemed. Meanwhile an offering cannot be redeemed (vs 28).

Instead of requesting that his wife redeem her vow with money, he told her in 1 Samuel 1 vs 23  that "do what seems best for you".  It today's language, it means " will it make you happy my love? Then okay"

Yes, Hannah made the vow that was to bring the great Prophet Samuel, but Elkanah's refusal (because this is the only child from his beloved wife Hannah) would have aborted his arrival.

Rather, Elkanah's love for his wife and acceptance of her decision to give Samuel to God was what brought the fruitfulness of 5 more children to Hannah.

NOTE:
1. Elkanah's consent took the priesthood from the tribe of Levi to the tribe of Ephraim.

2. Elkanah's consent ensured that God had a replacement when all seeds of Prophet Eli's loins were not God-quality.

Elkanah, the real MVP  (Most Valuable Player).

Elkanah my hero!!!

Prayer
When I get to a junction in my life where I am to make critical decision(s).... Holy Spirit, let Your decision supercede the decision of my heart/head in Jesus name.

Shalom!