Taste and see that the Lord is good;

ALONE WITH GOD

Praise the Lord! The Lord is good. He is a stronghold in the day of trouble and He know those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7).

I want to thank God, for His faithfulness that endures forever. In this month of June, we are going to deal with a topic that is very crucial to every believer who desire to walk with the Lord titled “ALONE WITH GOD”.

We Are Going To Look Into:

• (a) What does it mean to be alone with God?
• (b) What are the advantages of being alone with God?
• (c) What are the disadvantages of not being alone with God?

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, he went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. (Mark 1:35 NKJV). “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (Luke 5:16 NKJV)

I would like you to understand that the person referred to in the above scriptures, is our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is our perfect example and He was always having time to be alone with God in prayers. The success and all the miracles that were recorded in the earthly ministry of Jesus, was because of His continuous fellowship with God. Jesus knew that without the intimate fellowship with God, He is nobody. He understood what it means to have a time called a Quiet Time with God always.

What is Quiet time?

Being alone with God is a time which we call quiet time.

• It is a time of your personal communion and fellowship with God. 1 Corinthians 13:14
• It is a period of total separation from the world including family members and work just to be alone with God in prayers and personal bible study. Luke 5:16
• It is a time to hear from God and not time to speak much to God. 1 Samuel 3:10
• It is not a family devotion, but it is where you are alone with God.
• It is not a vigil. It is time you sit down and discuss with God.
• It is where you ask God questions and He will answer you and also gives you instructions.
• It is a time of reasoning with God.Isaiah 1:18
• It is the time of humility and sincerity before God.
• It is the time of wrestling with your flesh to sit alone and God speaks to you in His word.

Quiet time is very important in our lives as children of God, because it is where you draw your strength from the Lord.

This is the time that the Lord spoke in Isaiah 1:18-19.“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord,” (NKJV). “I the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over” (CEV).

This is an invitation from God. It is the time you go to God to discuss the issues that are disturbing you. In NKJV, the Lord said come now and let us reason why you are not able to do what I told you to do and God will give you reason why you are able to do it. For an example the Lord told you to forgive someone that hurt you and God now called you to come and let both of you reason together about the issues between you and that woman. The Lord will ask you, why you have not forgiven that woman. You give your reason that because she hurts you without any reason. The Lord will tell you why you need to forgive her.

God may tell you that my child:

• Forgive that woman so that I can forgive you.
• Remember you too there are times you hurts somebody with or without your knowledge.
• Unless you forgive that person; you will not have peace in your heart.
• God may also tell you that I am not saying what that person did  to you is good; but what I am telling you is to release that woman from your heart so that anytime you remember her; you will not loose your peace and anytime you see her you will not lose your peace.
• The Lord will tell you that remember I told you that vengeance is mine and I will never avenge you from your adversaries as long as you are holding her in your heart.
• The Lord will also give you a deeper revelation that when I say forgive them, ‘it means hand them over to me so that I can deal with them’.

Many times why we behave like confused people when we are passing through situation is because we do not have time to discuss our issues with God.

”Though yoursins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow”. Brethren, I want you to understand that the Lord is not only talking about fornication, lying, adultery, etc. God is saying though your case, issues, situations, troubles is so hard, no matter how your mountain seems to be huge and tall, no matter how your battle may seems to be so fierce. No matter how your condition looks so fierce. It is during the quiet time that you present your issue to God because there is a throne in the kingdom of God which is called the throne of grace.

I want to clear something here that when you hear grace; it means an unlimited power of God. When this power comes upon you; it will enable you to do what you cannot do with your own strength. The grace of God is the mighty power of God that will enable you to resist sin. It is the power that will enable you to do what the Lord is telling you to do. It is the power that will help you to overcome any situation. No wonder the Lord appeared to Paul and told him that ‘my grace is sufficient for you’ The Lord meant that what I call you to do; my power will help you to do it. The Lord says that it is not by might, not my power, but by My Spirit says the Lord’ (Zech 4:6).

IN contemporary English Version Bible, the Lord said “I the Lord invite you to come and talk it over” Isaiah 1:18. This is not the pastor, friend, bishop, angel, inviting you but the Lord is the one that inviting you to talk things over with Him.

Usually when we have issues in our lives we go and tell our friends but none of the day we present our cases before God. For an example a married woman having some issues in her marriage; instead for her to present the issue before God, she will go to one of her friends and the friend will tell her Ah! Your husband is having another woman’. She will go to another friend, and that one will tell her ‘he just looks down on you and she will go to another friend, that one will tell her No! He is tired of you and he does not want you again and the woman will carry all those jargons going about eeeh! He does not want me again, eeeh! He is having another woman and he is tired of me.

When this woman goes to the throne of God, He will give her solution to her problems. He will tell her what to do and what not to do. The born again Christian that are divorcing right from the church; they are divorcing because they are refusing the instruction of God. If they follow the instructions of God; there will be victories in their cases.

Born again singles that ended up in wrong marriages is because they refuse to follow the divine instructions of God. I remember the time when my wife was refusing to marry me, I was telling God; you see she does not want to marry me; let me just look for another girl to marry; there was always a question mark in my heart that if I go into a marriage with the woman the Lord did not say she is my wife, when trouble start whom will I call, will I go to God and talk to God? Will I say Lord, this woman you gave me, when she is sick, will I say God heal my wife? God may ask me who your wife is. I did not give you a woman called Maria but Amaka. I am not telling you this to entertain you, but to learn from my experience. As a single person if you decided not to follow God’s instruction, God says wait, you say I am getting old or you run and enter. When troublestart, you will not call upon God; even if you say you are praying; you know you are not really praying. Those are the things that we need to know and understand. God said ‘come and let us talk it over’.

Sometimes you find someone crying because their mamas or papas do not like them. You don’t need another preacher, prophet or angel to tell you that God is with you always and He really loves you. God’s love is the only authentic love. God said that “your mother and your father may forsake you, but I will never leave you nor forsake you” Psalm 27:10 & Hebrew 13:5. Believe what the Lord has said and the peace of God will fill your heart. When it comes to giving; the word of the Lord already said give; you don’t need another person to tell you that be a giver” Luke 6:38. The word of the Lord said ‘flee all appearances of evil; run away from sexual immorality 1 Corinthians 6:18.

It is during quite time that the Lord tells us what and what not to do.There is a throne of grace; when you go to that throne, you will receive the grace. The grace means the power to do what the Lord is telling you.It’s an unmerited power from God to us.  Selflessness, forgiving, giving, truth, fleeing from all kinds of sin will become an easy thing to you and people will look at you with amazement and saying “I want to be like Brother John, he is always generous because he abide in the grace of giving. Ah! I want to be like Sister Mary, she is always happy, yes because she just abides in the grace of joy (Phil 4:4).

If your happiness is only when you have something or lots of money; you will not be able to rejoice always. In all issues you might be facing, go to the throne of grace to obtain mercy. If you are having difficulty with evil thoughts, sit alone with God to receive grace to overcome them. God will always show you how to escape from every sin.

Importance of Quiet Time

God will not force us to do what He wants us to do but If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19 NKJV). Upon every invitation from God, there is always a benefit. You will receive the benefit of:

1. YOU WILL BE SANCTIFIED BY THE WORDS FROM GOD, FOR THEY ARE TRUTH JOHN 17:17. Anyone that receives the truth will be set free –John 8:32.
2. SEEKING THE COUNSEL AND WAYS OF GOD. You will be delivered from the traps of death; you will know the will of God for your life. You will get counselling from the word of God –Prov. 4:12. When Isaac was in the land of Philistines, there was a famine and he wanted to go to Egypt, but the Lord appeared to Him and told him to stay in the land, Isaac sowed in that land and God blessed him. In the eyes of men, it looks impossible to sow in a dry land, but his obedience to God’s instructions made him to be satisfied from above. (Gen 26:1-14). When you are always inquiring from God in your quiet time; he will guide you in all your ways.
3. YOU WILL BE WISER THAN YOUR ENEMIES, PSALM 119:98.The simple believes every word.  But the prudent considering well his steps (Prov. 14:15). Your quiet time with the Lord will help you to weigh every word, every advice; every teaching from any pastor etc. God will give you wisdom to overcome all the manipulations of the enemy. Many Christians are no longer where they are supposed to be; because they lack time with God. Do you want to be a wise Christian? Do you want to be sober and vigilant? Have time always with God.
4. YOU WILL WALK IN WISDOM.¹⁵“See then that you walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise ¹⁶ redeeming the time because the days are evil.(Eph 5:15-16 NKJV).
   • o It is through wisdom you will build your life. Proverbs 24:3
   • o It is through wisdom that kings rule and wage war. Proverbs 8:16-17
   • o It is through wisdom you will be strong.Proverbs 24:5-6
   • o It is through wisdom you will scale the city of the mighty and also brings down the trusted stronghold.
5. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO LISTENS TO ME, WATCHING DAILY AT MY GATES, WAITING AT THE POSTS OF MY DOORS”. (PROV.8:34).You will be blessed by listening to God. For an example you need a life partner and the Lord told you to wait that He will give you your life partner. The word of the Lord will surely come to pass; while others are rushing into marriage blindly, you are there waiting. People will be laughing at you but you know that God cannot lie “So shall MY word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55: 11 NKJV). It means you are waiting for God’s time not your own time. You are daily having a special time with Him. I want to let you know that whosoever will wait as the Lord is telling him/her will never be put to shame. Prov. 4:20: My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart”.

You must be a child that listens to God and you will receive:

1. for they are life to those who find them
2. and health to all their flesh” (Prov. 4:20-22),

1. for length of days and long life(d) and peace they will add to you” (Prov. 3:2 NKJV). God Bless you. To be continued…

FOOD FOR THOUGHTS

“I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn”(Isaiah 57:17 NLT).

Hello children of God... please listen to this message:  http://youtu.be/UR-XMVycpog

NO LIMITATIONS

Blessed be the name of the Lord our God, who daily loads us with His good benefits. Our God is good. He is a stronghold in time of trouble and He knows those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7). God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1).

I would love to thank the Lord through this medium who granted us great audience in 2013 and I believe that in this year we will flow in His mighty grace in every area of our lives, in the name of Jesus.

God has already declared to us, that this year is OUR YEAR OF NO LIMITS. I believe in the report of the Lord. I trust His majesty, the all sufficient God (Jehovah El-Shaddai) who fulfils His promises to us, in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah! ¹⁶ “Search from the book of the Lord, and read: Not one of these shall fail; Not one shall lack her mate. For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.” ¹⁷ He has cast the lot for them, and His hand has divided it among them with a measuring line, they shall possess it forever; from generation to generation they shall dwell in it.” (Isaiah 34:16-17 NKJV)

For this year to be a year of NO LIMIT in our lives; we must follow the Lords instructions.

The instructions are as follows: Psalm 114:1-8. 1 When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language. Judah became His sanctuary And Israel His dominion. The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams the little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea that you fled? O, mountains that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob. Who turned the rock into the pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.

FOR YOU TO LIVE A LIFE OF NO LIMITS:

¹When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language. Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His dominion.

1. Give God first place in your life.

Remember He told us in commandment number one saying “I am the Lord your God and you shall not have another God besides me” (Exo.20:1). Before getting afraid what will people say or feel, think about what will God says and how He will feel about you.

2. Seek the favour of God and not the favour of men.

There are many blessings in the house (storerooms of God which no one can finish (John 14:1) Jesus said there are more rooms in my father’s house. No matter how you like to dress you can’t finish the dresses in the wardrobe of God.

-       No matter how you eat; you can’t finish the food in the storehouse of God.

-       No matter how you like to drive cars; you can’t finish the cars from the showrooms of God.

-       No matter how you like big rooms; you can’t finish occupying the rooms in the house of God.

-       No matter how you like money; you can’t finish all the money from the bank of God.

3. Have enough memory verses; let your life become a dwelling place for God (Psalm 114:2)

Many people are in the church but they don’t believe the Word of God. They are only hearers of the word. You must not only be the hearer of the word but to hold onto the word. “²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” ²² “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”.(James 1:21-22 NKJV).  Let the Word of God becomes the standard of your life.

If you must shine: hold unto the Word of God.  The bible says that the word of God it’s a medicine to your body, strength to your bones and through the word of God you will become wiser than your teachers and enemies. ²⁰“My son give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. ²¹ Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; ²² for they are life to those who find them. And health to all their flesh” (Prov. 4:20-22). “⁹⁸ ...You through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever before me (Psalm119:97-104).  You will never come out of poverty; if you are not wiser than poverty, etc).

Last Sunday, a brother gave a testimony that before he joined this ministry; he was wallowing in poverty, until one day he heard our pastor teaching on the radio about “How To Prosper In The Lord” Though, he is working he does not know what was happening to his money; he listened to the instructions of the Lord and now he bought a car, his business and his job. He said ‘when he went to register his company he was not having even a N$100-00, but he went and God took over the situation’.

I would love to bring this to your attention: what parted the red sea was not the rod in the hand of Moses, but it was his obedience to the Lord. “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). There is no amount of fasting and prayer that will destroy poverty out of your life.

You may ask ‘pastor what are you saying’?

Our God is a covenant keeping God; He has a part to play and you have your part to play. Until you have done your own. He is not ready to do anything.

If you can’t sing unto the Lord; you will remain barren even though it’s not the will of God for you to remain in barrenness. “My dear friend, I pray that everything go well with you and that you may be in good health-as I know you are well in spirit”. (3 John 1:2 Good News). If you cannot enlarge your tent especially your visions, you will remain at one spot. Also, if you can’t believe in the Lord, regardless of how you try to enlarge you tent you can’t enlarge.

Remember every house that is built has to be tested.

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth”. (Psalm 34:1 NKJV)

4. Give Thanks to the Lord Always.

Do not allow the demon of murmuring to possess your tongue.

You may be crying that your clothes are old, but you must say ‘Father I thank you because you have already provided for me before my clothes get old. In sickness, ‘Father, I thank you because you already healed me before I got sick’. ‘Father I thank you for the food you gave to me last night. Father I thank you for the house I am living in right now’. ‘Father I thank you for your divine provision, in the name of Jesus’.

Do not live in fear. Live in faith because God has already told us even if we drink poison, it will not harm us. Don’t live in fear but in faith.

THEREFORE YOUR MOUTH MUST CONTINUE TO PRAISE AND MAGNIFY GOD.

² “My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad”. ³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together”( Psalm 34:2-3).

5. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord.

Don’t boast in any uncle or aunty. Don’t boast in your business or your job. Don’t boast in your spouse or children. Don’t boast in your fasting and prayer. Don’t boast in how many scripture you know. Don’t boast in how many pastors and bishops you know. Boast in God you know. Let your soul always make it’s boast in the Lord.

Have confidence in God, e.g. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). My God will supply my needs according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19). In the name of the Lord, where ever I step the sole of my foot I will possess it (Joshua 1:3). In the name of Jesus, as far as I can see I will possess it.  Whatever I lay my hands to do shall prosper, in the name of Jesus.

YOU MUST BOAST IN THE LORD, NOT IN WHAT YOU KNOW, BUT IN YOUR GOD, IF YOU MUST LIVE A LIFE OF NO LIMIT.

Song: MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME, EXALT THE NAME OF JESUS (DC)

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears”( Psalm 34:4).

6. Seek God.

Do not seek the promises of the Lord in your bible but seek the owner of the promises. Seek God in your tithing, offering, prayers, praises, worship unto God. Don’t be a seeker of bread and fish. Seek the Lord. That is what Daniel did, he sought God and nothing limited him. He went there as a captive and become a captain because he sought the Lord continually (all the days of his life). “¹⁰ Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! ¹¹ Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore! (1 Chron. 16:10-11 NKJV).

Samson was not seeking the lord. He moved from a captain to a captive.

There is a life that can move you from a captain to a captive. Many of you don’t know what sin will do to your life. You must live a righteous life. This life of captive is a life of sin. A life that will move you from maximum to minimum.  A life that will move you from glory to shame. It is a life of disgrace, destruction, troubles and agony.  “The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame”. (Hosea 4:7 NKJV). ¹⁵ “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you”. 63 “And it shall be, that just as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you and bring you to nothing; and you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess”. (Deut. 28:15,63). Thus, you must not play with your life when you see the blessings and mercies of God, surrounding you. Don’t take the Word of God for granted. Make sure that you are still obedient to the God so that He will bless you more and safeguard everything that concerns you. Continue to obey God so that you will make heaven for your eternal rest. ⁴⁶ “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life”. (Matthew 25:41-46, Rev. 14:9-13, Rom 6:23-24).

When you seek God, you will find Him and He will lift you higher beyond your imaginations “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart”. (Jer. 29:13 NKJV). Instead of you sitting down getting worried if you will ever get married, lift up your heart, and seek God with thanksgiving in your heart. Seek Him with all your heart. God already told us to – 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”. (Phil 4: 6-7 NKJV).

Be careful for nothing for what you eat or drink, God regards the things that worry we worry about as nothing (Mathew 6:25-33).

If I was not healed from worry; I could be dead already, maybe by now I could have one blood pressure that cannot come down. I learned to give God HIs own issues. I learned not to worry. It’s not where you are crying ‘God, I don’t have a father/mother’. Be careful for nothing; but tell God what your problem is.

Seek God at all times, not when you walk around and there is no one to help; you come back crying and singing its only Jesus. It’s not where you are crying God I don’t have a father, I don’t have a  mother, you think that by sitting down crying God will pity you or you will bring back your mama or papa. That is the truth, so be careful for nothing but by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving in your heart tell God what your need is.

The problem we have is; we used to waste our time running to people for help and by the time we will come to God for help we are so tired, angry and talking, ‘my aunty disappointed me’, ‘my uncle said he can’t help me’, ‘my brother said no to me’ and he said that he also have his own problems. ‘People don’t want to help me’. From there you begin to behave foolishly, they don’t want to help me because is their money.’ ‘When I get my money, I will not help anyone’. God will look at you and say ‘look at you now, it means when I give you money, you will not give to anyone, then I will not give you’. The Lord will say, ‘I told you that I will bless people through you, but ever since you don’t know who you are in Me, I will not give you’. That is what is happening in many people’s lives.

Begin to see yourself the way God sees you, don’t forget about that rich foolish man whom God blessed and he never knew why. God blessed him and he said “Yaah! I will eat and drink and I will not lack anything again, my soul you don’t need anything again. God said thou foolish man, today your soul will be taken away from you and that was how he died, and went to hell. Therefore seek only God and be useful to God and His work (Luke 16:19-31).

Take this prayer: (1) O Lord help me to understand why you are blessing me, in the name of Jesus. (2) O Lord, give me the heart and strength to give to your works and others, in the name of Jesus.

When you seek the Lord; He will hear you. When you seek Him; you will find him ⁷“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you” ⁸ “for everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Mathew 7:7-8). Seek God in prayer. Seek God in scriptures. Seek God in fasting. Seek God in praises. Seek God all the time. In every situation seek God, Ask Him ‘God what are you saying and you will find Him’.

When you seek God, he will deliver you from everything that makes you afraid. Fear of limitations, shame and lack, etc. He will deliver you by providing for you, healing you and by fighting for you.

“They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed”( Psalm 34:5).

7. 7.    Look unto God in Everything

¹“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. ² LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1-2 NKJV). In any challenge look unto the Lord for help. Trust God for people to help you. Don’t trust people. When you look unto God you will shine and you will never be ashamed. Is it possible to make one of your eye to look down and the other looking up? It’s not possible; therefore anytime you are looking unto people for help, never claim that you are looking unto God.

Our elders, our forefathers in the Lord who are now a great cloud of witnesses passed through the same things that are facing us today. Daniel sought God and He found God. I want the lives of Esther, Joseph, Daniel and friends, and Isaac in the land of philistine strengthened you. These people and others sought God and went beyond limitations. ¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² for by it the elders obtained good testimony”(Heb. 11:1-2). There is no one that looked unto God and was ashamed. God delivered Paul and Silas in the prison yard of the enemy (Acts 17, Act 12, Acts 5:17-26).

There is a shame free life, we can live is a life of constant looking unto the Lord. When you are budgeting, don’t budget according to what you have. He said expand your tent, enlarge your coast strengthen your stakes. Your stake is what will keep your building standing. When the wind is blowing, the stake will keep the building standing. Those stakes are the word of God. Increase in the word of God. Grow in knowing the Lord. Be fervent in the spirit and you will live a life of no limit.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Before we proceed, I would love to encourage us to believe in what the Lord has said. We have nothing to lose in believing the Lord.  Brethren let us listen attentively and intently. These are words of assurance from God.  If you will believe; you will see the wonders of God.

¹ “Sing, O barren. You who have not borne! Break forth into singing and cry aloud. You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman” says the Lord. (Isa 54:1)

The Lord is telling you to sing. You must be joyful always. Sing for what the Lord has said that He will do. Sing for His mighty power. Sing for He is able to do all things. (Luke 1:37) what is a barren life.  A barren life is a life that has nothing. It does not have a song to sing.  It does not have a testimony to testify. It does not have anything to offer but there come the Lord telling you to sing because you are going to have more than those who were having. We are not serving a fake God but a faithful God.

In this year, you are going to have more than those who were having. If you are looking for a baby from this year, you will carry more children. If you are looking for your God’s divine partner, in this year, you will have yours, in the name of Jesus.

I don’t know which area of your life that has made you to always cry and pity yourself, from this year; you will forget your shame as the word of God has said.

²”Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes” (Isaiah 54:2).

Enlarge your business, enlarge your visions, enlarge your wisdom in God, enlarge the peace in your house, enlarge the understanding in your house, and enlarge the happiness in your house. Enlarge your study. If you are having only bachelor degree for many years, go for honours/masters. If you are having only diploma, go for degrees. If you are having only grade 10, proceed to grade 12 and university. If your business is in one location, take it to another location. Enlarge what you are already having or where you are already dwelling. Don’t stop at one spot, move forward.

God is the one telling you to enlarge your tent, spread it width and heights. (Isa 54:1).

Just live by the Word the Lord is telling you to enlarge your spiritual knowledge, enlarge your business, and enlarge everything you lay your hands to do. He has promised you that in blessing, He will bless you and in multiplication He will multiply you.

And strengthen your stakes....

Your stake is the word of God that can help your build to stand. Without the word of God, you will be a house without a foundation. Without the word of God, you will not be able to enlarge your tent. You need the word of God which will help you to see possibility in the midst of impossibility.

The bible says that the ⁵ ‘Word becomes the life, and the life was the life of men ⁵ and the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend’. (resist, stop, and refuse) (John 1:4-5). Without the word brother, you cannot be who God has called you to be. Without the word of God, you cannot be able to access the promises of God. Grow in knowing your God. Grow in standing strong. Grow in wisdom of God. Grow in the mighty power of God. You will never know too much of the Word of God because every day is a new day and the word of God is new every morning.

³ For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendant will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.

God’s desire is for us to be fruitful and multiply ²²“And God blessed them, saying, “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth, ²⁸ “Then God blessed them, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen 1:22, 28 NKJV). He wants us to expand to the right and to the left. He wants us to be blessings to the world. He wants our businesses to prosper for good. He wants our marriage to be the best on earth. He wants our children to become leaders of tomorrow.  ¹³“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. ¹⁴”You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV)

Our God is not a talkative God but is a God who does whatever He has said (Isaiah 55:11). It is time for you to grow like a tree out of a dry ground. It is time for you to believe in the report of the Lord (Isaiah 53:1).

”Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus (Emmanuel), whose right hand I have held- to subdue nations before him (put your name) and loose the armor of kings. To open before him (put your name) the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: ² I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. ³ I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, “Am the God of Israel...” (Isa 45:1-7 NJKV). God says He will open our double doors so that they cannot be shut.

Declaration

1. I decree by the mighty power of God, all the gates of bronze standing against you to break in the mighty name of Jesus.
2. All the bars of iron of affliction, shame, etc made against you are cut to pieces, in the name of Jesus.
3. I command your eyes to open and see opportunities where there are none, in the name of Jesus.
4. I command you to be honoured where others are being dishonoured, in the name of Jesus.
5. You will no longer cast your net in fishless water, in the name of Jesus.
6. Wherever you step the sole of your foot success will come, in the name of Jesus.
7. You will not be ashamed, in the name of Jesus.
8. May God bring to a halt any storm that is facing you, in the name of Jesus.
9. May God silence any calamity that has been set against you, in the name of Jesus.
10. May He divide your seas for you because He is the one that put it there, in the name of Jesus.
11. May the Almighty God level the mountains, exalt the valleys because He is the one that created all things and they are all answerable to Him, in the name of Jesus.
12. Thank you Jesus for this day, in the name of Jesus.

Song: What a mighty God we serve (2 times) Heaven and earth adores Him, angels bow before Him, what a mighty God we serve!

FOOD FOR THOUGHTS

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned. That I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear”(Isa 50:4 NKJV).

FOLLOW JESUS

Blessed be the name of the Lord who daily loads us with benefits. Our God is good. A very present help in trouble! (Psalm 46:1).

Welcome to this month of March. This is your month to march into your dreams, spiritual growth, good health, peace and blessings, in the name of Jesus.

The topic which we are going to deal with in this bulletin is a very important topic. It will set us free in the way we see God’s things and how we follow Him. Our God’s desire is for us to follow Him wholeheartedly. He wants our commitments in our relationship with Him.  I pray that you read it prayerfully and may God grant you a sincere heart that will lead you to true repentance, in the name of Jesus.

Prayer Points:

1. Any veil covering my spiritual understanding; be roasted by fire, in the name of Jesus.
2. O Lord! Open my spiritual eyes to understand your desire for me, in the name of Jesus.

¹⁸ “And when Jesus saw great multitude about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side ¹⁹ Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go”. ²⁰ And Jesus said to Him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay His head ²¹ Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord let me first go and bury my father”. ²² But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.(Matthew 8:18-22 NKJV )

In the above scripture, we saw two categories of Christian.  The first group is:

1. The Selfish and Self Centered Christians.  You may ask ‘why did Jesus answer him like that’.He answered Him like that because He knows the heart of every man. He knows a sincere man because ^9“Heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it? ¹⁰ I, the Lord search the heart; I test the mind; even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer. 17:9-10).They only think about themselves. But when they are deciding to follow Jesus it always looks like they are ready to follow Him in hunger, thirst and nakedness.

Jesus knows everyone and you cannot tell Him about yourself. There are people who want to follow God for their selfish gain. They want to follow Jesus so that when they are sick, the Lord will heal them, and not because they want to be disciples of Jesus.

2. 2.  The Follower of God but wants to do their things first.This group of people wants Jesus to follow them, but they cannot follow Jesus. They want Jesus to listen to them but they cannot listen to Him. They want Jesus to wait for them, but they cannot wait for Him. They want Jesus to do what they are telling Him to do but they are not ready to do what Jesus is telling them.

The second one says ‘Lord let me go and bury my father’. Jesus said, “Follow me and let the dead bury their own”. Allow the dead to bury their own dead.

Are you telling Jesus to wait for you to get married, finish your studies or to start your own business then you will follow Him? What is that excuse you are giving to Him that you cannot follow Him now. Brethren tomorrow may be too late! Whatever reasons or excuses you are giving to Jesus; those are dead things. Forsake it today and follow Him because you are going to give account of your life to Him. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27). Jesus said that all these you are asking that your heavenly Father knows it already. He knows that you need them. Do not worry about who will marry you, who will help you, who will listen to your cries, who will love you, who will accept you but you must seek first the kingdom of God and Hisrighteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:31-33).

What are those dead things in your life? What is that bad habit in your life? Is it a habit of masturbation, evil thought, anger, hatred, jealousy, fornication, worldliness, adultery, etc? Whatever things that cannot glorify God is dead (Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3-7). Whatever load you are carrying in your life is a dead thing. Jesus gave invitation to you, to come to Him as you might have labored and now you are heavily laden. He has already promised to give you rest. Are you laboring under a closed heaven? Are you laboring on the dry ground? Which area of your life is among the dead? Is it your finances, marriage, health, spiritual life,etc. The word of God said that the dead cannot praise God   “For Sheol cannot thank you, dead cannot praise you; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your truth” (Isaiah 38:18-19). In verse 19 says “that the living shall praise the Lord”.

Are you a living person? How lively are you in the things of God? How lively is your heart towards God? When you love Jesus, He becomes your main priority in life; He becomes your all. When you love Jesus; you will always work hard to obey Him. “Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

IF you have the desire to be the disciple of Jesus; (Luke 9:23-26)

• (a) You must forget about yourself: You forget about your own ways, thoughts, will and follow His ways, thoughts, plans and purpose for you. In fact you become His property. He will use your life to glorify His name.
• (b) Take your cross: For without the cross there is no way you can be able to follow Jesus.
• (c) Follow Him daily: Every day walk with the Lord and victory will be yours.

Some want to follow Jesus so that they will receive things from God. About you! Why do you really want to follow Jesus? Is it to use Him anytime you have a problem? Many people make Jesus their private doctor. Their calls to him are come to my house and heal me. When they are giving offering they said they are paying for the service they receive. As you are reading this bulletin now, what kind of a Christian are you? In which category do you belong?

There are things in your life which you always look at and you think that they are more important than God. Everything you care of is regarded as nothing by Jesus.

As a child of God you might have friends that are not committed to God. A Christian is someone who hates what God hates and despise what God despises “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;” (Psalm 1:1). A Christian is someone who walks in the counsel of the Lord. “Not everyone who said to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven”. (Mathew 7:22).

A Christian is not someone that lay hand on the people, a Christian is not the preacher, a Christian is not the usher. A Christian is not the prophet or prophetess. Do not call me a Christian because God used me to perform miracles.  RATHER, CALL ME A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE I OBEY GOD AND I DO THE WILL OF GOD. “46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. ⁴⁷ Then one said to Him, Look, Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with you.” ⁴⁸ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? ⁴⁹And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are my Mother and My brothers! ⁵⁰ “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50 NKJV)

For an example, my will is not to forgive the person that hurt me but God’s will is for me to forgive whoever that hurts me.¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, your trespasses. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV).We do not ask forgiveness from God to be right before men, but it’s for us to be right before God. There are many people seemed to be Christians and when you look at them you might think that they are already in heaven; because of their works and howmany miracles are they seems to be performing, or how they speak in tongues. You must not be deceivedGod is not mocked and whatever you sow you will reap for he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption,but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Gal 6:7-8 NKJV). There are people who are following Jesus for their carnal desire and they will reap corruption. They don’t want what Jesus has for them but what they want for themselves.  Those who are sowing in the Spirit will reap everlasting life.

Brethren are you the kind of a person that follows Jesus for what he will do for you and not what you will also do for Him? “Then He said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19).

We must not fall in the pitfalls of prioritizing material things than God. Let the dead bury their dead. God said he that is holy let him continues to be holy and let him who is unholy continue to be unholy. Do not compare yourself with other people. When you value your business or work than God; you are a dead man burying your dead. Do not meditate on your problems because your problems are dead things. If you are in need; tell God what you need, when you tell him, what you need. He will give you instructions what you must do. Until you follow his instruction no matter how you prayed,no matter how many demons you bind and there will be no solution to your situation.

Living people are not moved by the storms of life. The dead are those who shake in their storms. It is time for you to stop wasting your time or getting worried about your needs.

When a praise and worship leader worshiping the Lord and she is not covering her hair. Any pastor who is not teaching the word of God in truth and in Spirit in the sight of God; he is a dead pastor burying the dead congregation.

PulpitsMEANS: TO PULL OUT OF THE PIT. REJECTING THE TRUTH MEANS TO REMAIN IN THE PIT. ANYBODY WHO IS NOT GIVING YOU THE WORD OF GOD IS KILLING YOU. PEOPLE GO TO CHURCHES WHERE THEY ARE BEING KILLED AND BURIED EVERY SERVICE DAY AS THEY ATTEND WORSHIP SERVICES.

THE TIME WE ARE HAVING NOW IS TOO SHORT. LEAVE THE DEAD AND LET THEM BURY THEIR DEAD. WE MUST NOT WASTE OUR TIME TALKING ABOUT THE DEAD.  PASTOR I URGE YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. TEACH THE PEOPLE OF GOD THE TRUTH THAT WILL FREE, HEAL AND RESTORES THEM. ONE DAY YOU WILL STAND BEFORE GOD TO GIVE ACCOUNT OF HOW YOU WORKED ON EARTH.

Counseling

DO NOT ALLOW THE DEAD TO KILL YOU. Isaiah 6:1. Do not allow the unclean people to make you unclean. Do not allow the polluters to pollute you. For an example, when the gossipers comes to gossip to you, tell them to keep their words to themselves. The only thing you can do is to intercede for the people.  You must hate what Jesus hate and love what He loves. Prov. 1:10 “My son if sinners entice you do not consent...” Many people are playing church, ha! I go to church there and there.  I want you to understand that there are many people who are in self-deception. They are not sincere to themselves they go to churches for socializing and they do not care about the second coming of Lord Jesus.

One thing I made up my mind is that ‘I will not allow anybody to make me lose my salvation. Many pastors always stand up against me but I will not allow the dead to kill me. Those that are alive let them follow the living Jesus. HE CALLED US TO FOLLOW HIM SO THAT HE WILL MAKE US FISHERS OF MEN, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND THE SALT OF THE EARTH. Hallelujah!!

I want to advise you today; do not be disturbed about the dead. The dead are speaking evil against you and you are now bothered because of their words? Jesus is telling you to follow Him. Jesus is also want you to know what is important in your life. Christianity is an individualistic thing, let others live the way they want to live, but you must not do it. Let others be anointed gossipers and liars; you must not do it. Let other women be rebellious and arrogant towards their husbands; you must not do it. Let other men be wicked towards their wives you must not do it. Let other children be disobedient to their parents but you must not do it. Let others be complaining about their salary, you must not. Let other employees be stealing from your boss you must not. Let other people indulge in all kinds of evil things; you must not. Life is about making correct choices. Stop comparing yourself with others and do what God is telling you to do. God bless you

In conclusion,²⁰ “Then, Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had lean on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays you”? ²¹ Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man? ²² Jesus said to him, “IF I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? YOU FOLLOW ME”

Prayer points:

1. You the pollution in my environment; you will not pollute my life, in the name of Jesus.
2. O God my Father! Give me the grace to abandon dead things and follow the living things.
3. O God my father! Separates me from the dead and connect me to the living, in the name of Jesus.