RELEASED ON 8/ OCTOBER/ 2019
JOY TO THE WORLD!
The Psalmist wrote concerning God;
"You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine".
Psalm 4:7.
Children of God, with all humility but great is my confidence that I say to you that I am overflowing with the Joy of knowing Jesus!
Every parent will attest to the fact that there is this joy that comes with having a baby. It is perhaps the most incredible feeling for every mother and father.
Whenever a child is born to a family, the birth of such child is usually heralded with obvious Joy in the family, which also extends to their relatives, friends as well as neighbours and other people that know the family in one way or the other.
However, a Child was born in a relatively unknown City and the fame of His birth spread so much that the Joy that came with His birth was beyond borders.
The bible has it recorded that when our Lord Jesus Christ was born, an Angel of God appeared to some shepherds and said to them;
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you great joy which will be to the entire universe,”
Luke 2:10.
In other words, the Joy of Jesus
is simply; "Joy to the world!"
Although, Jesus was born in a manger within the city of Bethlehem of Judea, in Israel. His birth was accompanied with great Joy that affected and still making great impact in the whole world.
Unlike the Joy that comes with the birth of every other new child, the Joy that the birth of Jesus brought was not limited to the family, friends or tribe of Mary and Joseph.
The bible records about the wise Men who saw the star of Jesus and travelled from East in order to set their eyes on the wonderful Child and worship Him.
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy".
Matthew 2:10.
Apostle Peter said concerning Jesus;
"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with Joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory"
1 Peter 2:8.
The joy that Jesus brought is not a temporal Joy it is everlasting.
Children of God, I have seen parents who once had joy over their children but along the line a time came when those children who were once source of joy to the parents turned to source of sorrow for them.
I pray for you and for myself that our joy over our children will never turn to sorrow in Jesus name. .
No one can explain this Joy. The Joy is not dependent on any material acquisition; it is not about having money or buying new car or new house, it is not about winning a big contract or getting promoted.
The Joy of knowing Jesus is an overwhelming and overflowing Joy.
The significance of this Joy is that it overflows to the extent that you will not have any other option but to share it with others.
The Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the Well was filled with this Joy that she couldn't keep her mouth shot again as she spread the fame of Jesus throughout the city.
John 4:4 -26
That explains why our Lord Jesus Christ said;
"I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!"
John 15:11.
In the same vein, we are expected to share the Joy of Jesus to the world at large, just as He instructed us to do for Him.
Mark 13:10.
Brethren, how well have you been sharing the Joy of Jesus? If you have not been involved in evangelism, perhaps you only know Hymns but you do not know Him.
If you know Him (Jesus),you will share Him. .
That's why Apostle Paul said;
"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"
Romans 10:14.
In conclusion,
when Jesus was about to ascend to heaven He told the disciples;
"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you".
John 16:22.
Brethren, without doubt there is absolute Joy in knowing Jesus here on earth, but from the words of Jesus the Joy in heaven is incomparable for there is no time of sorrow or pain in heaven. The Joy is perpetual. Nothing will take it away from you.
Brethren, I have no greater Joy than to hear that everyone of us is walking in the Truth.
I pray for you and for myself that may we make it to heaven at the end and partake of this everlasting Joy in Jesus mighty name.
RELEASED ON 4 / OCTOBER/ 2019
ALL THINGS WORK FOR YOUR GOOD!
Apostle Paul wrote;
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose".
Roman's 8:28.
In other words, everything that we encounter in life is for a good cause. That is inclusive of the failures, pain, trials, delay and challenges of life.
After all, we sometimes say every disappointment is a blessing in disguise.
However, many are times that we go through some unpleasant situations and we start asking questions on why God permitted such things to happen to us despite our dedication and obedience to the word of God.
There is a saying that : "there is no gain without pain." Our Lord Jesus Christ had to endure the pain and anguish of the cross, He also despised the shame of going through the humiliating treatment before ascending to heaven to be at the right side of the throne of God. Hebrews 12 2
That was why He said:
"Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Matthew 26:39.
In a similar manner Joseph had a very difficult time throughout the journey of his life.His torrid experience is a classic example of "All things work for Good"
Joseph was the favourite son of his father: Jacob who loved Joseph more than all his other brothers.
Genesis 37
Jacob made Joseph a coat of many colours which made his ten elder brothers to hate him. Thereafter Joseph had a dream which indicated that his parents and his brothers will bow down for him at some stage of their lives.
When he told his brothers about this dream, they hated him yet the more.
Genesis 37: 5
Then his case became that of "from frying pan into the fire"
His brothers plotted against him to kill him and he was dumped in a pit, later they sold him as a slave to the Midianites, all with the intention to kill his dream from manifesting.
However, God permitted all the
hardship upon Joseph in order to bring to pass a bigger purpose.
Joseph was subsequently taken to Egypt where Potiphar; an officer of Pharaoh bought him. Later the wife of Portiphar lied against him and he was unjustly put in the prison for an offence he did not commit,but God was with Joseph.
Genesis 39:
Truly, all these things worked together for the good of Joseph. The Butler of Pharaoh did something wrong and he found himself in the same prison where Joseph was kept. Soon after the Butler had a terrible dream and Joseph
interpreted his dream for him and told him he will be released in three days.
The Butler got his freedom three days after just as Joseph had said.
That incident must have given Joseph a glimmer of hope as he said to the butler;
"But when it goes well for you, please remember me and show me kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh, that he might bring me out of this prison".
Genesis 40:14.
Children of God, man proposes, God disposes!
Now I know why God said;
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways"
Isaiah 55:8.
No one can help God to make things happen unless God decides to use that person.
Unfortunately for Joseph *"Yet the Chief Butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him".*
Genesis 40:23.
It took another two years after and then God made Pharaoh to have a dream that no one in the whole of Egypt could interpret. That incident opened the book of remembrance for Joseph and God made the Butler to remember Joseph.
Eventually, Joseph was released and he interpreted Pharaoh's dream; a fit that made him become the Prime Minister in Egypt.
Genesis 41
Children of God, not even Joseph who have thought that all his ordeal are 'work in progress' to the fulfilment of his dream.
In order to link Joseph and his brothers together, God made a famine to happen in the land of Canaan where his family lived and God had already prepared the land of Egypt to have enough reserve on earth so that the dream of Joseph will be fully manifested.
Brethren, all things work only for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
Joseph truly exhibited his love for God when he refused the advances of Portiphar"s wife and said:
"How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"
Genesis 39:9.
Joseph realised that all things worked together for him and that he was chosen by God for His purpose to preserve lives during the time of famine. That was why Joseph said to his brothers after he revealed himself to them;
"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive".
Genesis 50:20.
Likewise all things will work for your good if you love God and you are
obedient to His words. Even when men plan evil against you, God will turn it around for your good just like He did for Joseph in Jesus name.
Apparently, everybody in life gets what they deserve. The bible says *"God makes things happen either to punish people or to show his unfailing love".
Job 37:13.
In other words,
the same way all things work for the good of those that love God, all things also work for the bad of those that perpetuate evil. Nothing happens by accident or by coincidence.
Children of God,
"The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Proverbs 16:4.
Sometimes you see people going through unpleasant experiences and you begin to feel sorry for them not knowing that they are only reaping the dividends of the evil they have perpetuated.
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows"
Galatians 6:7.
If you love God you will not indulge in evil plan towards another person.
What you plan or what you send out have a way of coming back to hunt you.
When an evil man shots an arrow against another it goes in the sky, but he has forgotten that God controls the wind and the wind will eventually blows it back to the sender.
Haman planned evil against Mordecai but he ended up reaping what he orchestrated.
Esther 5,6 &7.
Please find time to read the message: "Beware of the Accursed". which the Holy Spirit inspired me to prepare in order to sensitize believers about the danger of indulging on evil or having things to do with an accursed.
May you not partake of the evil meant for a wicked fellow in Jesus name.
If you are yet to give your life to Jesus, do so now before it will be too late.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecc 12:13) and you will experience all things working together for your blessing,healing, favour, promotion and breakthrough in Jesus name. .
RELEASED ON 1st/ OCTOBER/ 2019
PRAY FOR NIGERIA!
The bible says;
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance".
Psalm 33:12
Children of God, as I was praying to God for inspiration of what message to share in the early hours of the 30th day of September 2019.
Suddenly, from no where, the great song of late Sunny Okosun; "Which Way Nigeria" came to my memory;
Which way Nigeria..
which way to go I love my fatherland which way to go
I want to know which way Nigeria is heading to
Many years after independence we still find it hard to start
how long shall we be patient still we reach the promise land lets save Nigeria so Nigeria wont die.
What a prophetic song!!! May the Soul of Sunny Okosun rest in peace. .
That song was released around 35 years ago, but as we mark 59th year of independence today being the 1st of October 2019, that song is still very relevant to our present predicament.
Without doubt and being totally free of sentiments, our Nation needs God's intervention. We are still battling with the same kinds of issues we have had since we got independence in 1960.
However, God said;
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land".
2 Chronicles 7:14.
God is calling on all believers in Nigeria to pray and seek Him on behalf of our dear Nation.
There is so much violence, corruption, fear and hatred in the country at the moment. We are contending with serious issues which are threatening to the very foundation of existence and unity.
In the face of all of these obvious security, political, religious and economic challenges, it’s important that we pray not only for the healing of our Nation, but it has become very imperative that we make it a duty also to pray for our President, Vice President and all those in position of authority.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness".
1 Timothy 2:1&2.
This is God’s command to every believer all over the world. We are expected to continually pray for our Leaders.
Jeremiah 29:7
Realistically,the problem of Nigeria is beyond religious, political and ethnic differences. We have had both Christian and Muslim Leaders at different times without any glaring improvement in governance. At the same time, we had both Northern and Southern leaders being at the helm of affairs at the different times, yet our issues have refused to go.
Brethren, Irrespective of the party in power or the tribe and religion of the leaders that we have, we have biblical and constitutional obligations to continually pray and support our leaders.
The bible says;
"The authorities that exist have been established by God".
Romans 13:1b.
In other words, we are expected to respect and have regard for everyone holding political positions in Nigeria.
In other words, we are expected to respect and have regard for everyone holding political positions in Nigeria.
On the part of our leaders, they should not forget that God is the ultimate Ruler of heaven and the earth.
The bible says;
"The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes".
Proverbs 21:1.
The story of King
Nebuchadnezzar is a warning lesson for all leaders to acknowledge there is a God who is able to enthrone and dethrone earthly kings as He wishes.
That's why Daniel said;
"He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding";
Daniel 2:21.
Going forward, even as we celebrate this important day of Independence in Nigeria, we need the presence of God and His manifest power to be displayed in our Nation.
I pray that God gives direction to our leaders and counsel them with His wisdom to rule wisely in Jesus name.
In anyway we have neglected God as a Nation or disobeyed Him, may God forgive us and cause His face to shine upon us in Jesus name.
The bible says;
"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land".
Isaiah 1:19.
Happy Independence Day to everyone reading, the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will be upon Nigeria and we shall all enjoy the good of the land in Jesus name.