AMBITIONS AND SUBMITION (3)

AMBITIONS AND SUBMITION (3) 

TEXT: Psalms 20:6-9 (AMP)
⁶ Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.
⁷ Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They are bowed down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright.
⁹ O Lord, give victory; let the King answer us when we call.

Not many people know how to combine great potentials or talent with a sweet personality. Too many people become too ambitious and over confident because they possess certain gifts or potentials. Instead of trusting in God with a wholehearted devotion and submission, they become swollen headed about their abilities or skills.

Many who started under the tutelage of one leader or a mentor suddenly become proud after a few successes. They suddenly realized that they are too sophisticated and intelligent to take counsel from their leader or mentor. Driven by an unchecked ambition to fulfill their dreams they take rash decisions that may look wonderful for a while but after a while the whole thing falls apart.

If you catch yourself becoming too important or big to heed to the warning of those who played a significant role in helping you gain relevance you will soon run into trouble. It is lack of wisdom to cut off from those who contributed to help make you what you have become. Verse seven of our text says, “Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God.” Don’t put your confidence in what you can do or what you have, they can fail you. Keep a humble disposition before God and man and you will succeed in keeping trouble away. 

ANGELIC MINISTRY (PART 5)

 ANGELIC MINISTRY (PART 5) 

TEXT: Acts 8:26-35 (KJV)
²⁶  And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
²⁷  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
²⁸   Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
²⁹  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
³⁰  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
³¹  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
³²   The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
³³  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
³⁴  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
³⁵  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

The passage of today is a continuation from our last devotion on angels. Looking at the text for today, from our previous study on angels we also looked at Hebrews 1:14 which says “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” and then went on to say it is not the duty of angels to preach salvation to the lost but that they direct people to the children of God who are assigned to this responsibility. This is the reason why the angel had to appear to Philip to carry out this awesome assignment. We were also told that once the angel did his part he then urged Philip to his own task. It was our conclusion that this should make us realize that it is a waste of time waiting for God to send an angel to do the work that has been assigned to us. When there is a need to minister to a soul the Lord may see the need to send an angel to lead us to the soul that is in need of salvation. Not all of us are that sensitive but until we respond the angel will keep urging us in that direction.

Let me share this experience with you. I remember some years back when I was one of the pastors in a local church, as the minister for prayer and counseling, on this particular day I was leading the closing prayer of a three days fasting and prayer at the church. The church was filled to overflow and while rounding up the prayer my attention was drawn to a young man who fell under the power of the Spirit at the door. When I later spoke with him to find out what had happened, he said he had been involved in robbery with a gang and suddenly saw the need to depart from that evil lifestyle. In trying to break free he then sense the need to go to one of the mega churches in town hoping to see the pastor to confess his sins and be prayed for. He said when he got there the pastor was very busy attending to several persons but in his determination to have a change he waited from about 7:00AM till about 5:00PM. When it seems all hope was lost he felt an urge to leave the place in search of help. He said immediately he came out of the place, as he walked to the junction of the street wondering which way to turn suddenly somebody came and told him what direction to follow. He said when he got to a point where he was confused somebody suddenly showed up on a motorbike and said to him what direction to follow and then zoomed off. At some other points it was somebody in a moving vehicle or someone standing somewhere close by. Now all of this sounded strange and in my curiosity I asked him if these persons that showed up were seen by others he said he is not sure and that they don’t seem to be ordinary because they would always show up when he needed help and without him asking them they will point him to the next direction to follow. It is amazing because the route he took was a very busy one with people and a lot of activities yet he directed until he showed up in front of the church building where we were having the fasting and prayer meeting. He said when he arrived there was no access to come in because the place was filled to overflowing. Just as he was trying to take a look suddenly the power of God overshadowed him and he found himself on the floor at the entrance door.

 Beloved, our God is seriously at work reaching out to souls and there are millions of angels at work around us trying to bring souls to the kingdom of God. The Lord is in need of faithful men who will do His bidding. May the Lord find you worthy to assign his angels and this awesome responsibility in Jesus name. Amen.

GOD IS GOD PT. 3

GOD IS GOD PT. 3 

TEXT: Matthew 20:6-16 (KJV)
⁶  And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
⁷  They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
⁸  So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
⁹  And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
¹⁰  But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
¹¹  And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
¹²   Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
¹³  But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
¹⁴  Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
¹⁵   Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
¹⁶  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

A careful study of our text will reveal to you that anger and envy does not allow any man to maximize opportunities. If these fellows who felt they were given an unfair treatment were wise they would have taken time to first consider the condition and agreement behind their engagement on the job. If they did they would have approached the issue differently.  They would have seen the need to start by appreciating the man for hiring them from idleness and for giving them the opportunity to make some money for that day. Then they would have gone ahead to thank him for paying them as they bargained. After this it could have been wise for them to acknowledge the generosity of the man and his willingness to help others before they go on to plead with him to consider them for some increment since they were the ones who bore most of the burden of the work. From the man’s statement in verse 15 it is obvious that he could have granted their request because he has the right to do whatever he wants with his money. But an arrogant confrontation will not only offend him, it will make him avoid such disgruntled fellows in the future. The same applies in our relationship with God. If we want life to be blissful then we must stop speaking and acting as though God is depending on us to succeed. Thank the Lord for his love and mercies as you serve him with gratitude today and always. 

THE PLACE OF GLORY (Luke 9:28-36)

THE PLACE OF GLORY (Luke 9:28-36)

 Kathren Kulman remain one of the most anointed vessels of God that ever lived. I once read about how she came out of an airplane and as she greeted the band boys who came to welcome her with music they all fell under the power of God. It was a foretaste of the glory to come in that meeting.  Wherever God is taking you, there should be some manifestations to herald it. Begin to rejoice in hope.

CONTEMPLATION 

If you listen carefully to most people with undeniable evidence of the presence of God while they minister; you will hear them say words like, “when I was praying” or “... as I spent time in the presence of the Lord...” I heard, the Lord told me..., I saw..., my eyes were opened...” it became obvious they have had a foretaste of the glory they are now encountering. They are all human being as you are. When you have a glimpse into the glory that is to come, it builds in you a confidence that something good will happen for sure. Whatever God revealed to you through dream, vision or direct prophetic declaration, He is able to fulfil in due season. Don’t give up.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

There is a great difference between a mere dream and a divine visitation from God. What do you have?

Every dream, vision and prophecy must line up with the promise in the word of God, therefore in all your getting, get understanding.

If you can find any man whose life is consistent with the word of God and the glory that is to be revealed, stick with him and your troubles shall be few.

-          REV. IGHO Y.

ANGELIC MINISTRY (PART 4)

ANGELIC MINISTRY (PART 4) 

TEXT:  “Acts 8:26-35 (KJV)
²⁶  And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
²⁷  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
²⁸   Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
²⁹  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
³⁰  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
³¹  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
³²   The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
³³  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
³⁴  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
³⁵  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.  ”

There are encounters that are undeniably a strong manifestation of the ministry of angels. Not many of us today still believe in the ministry of angels. When angelic beings appear they are on a mission in response to the command of our heavenly Father. It is true that angels are messengers of God but there is a message they are not qualified to give because it has been given to us to proclaim; this is the message of salvation. That is why Hebrews 1:14 says “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” that is why in our text for today when the angel appeared to Philip he gave him the information needed for the job to be done and he was out of the way. A study of verse 26 will reveal to you the detailed instruction that the angel gave to Philip. The first thing for him to do was to “Arise” this was followed by “go” and then a well clearly defined information followed and as we follow the story it was just as it was told him. Once the angel did that and Philip complied, his job was almost over. This should make us realize that it is a waste of time waiting for God to send an angel to come do the work that has been assigned to us. When there is a need to minister to a soul the Lord may see the need to send an angel to lead us to the soul that is in need of salvation and until we respond the angel will keep urging us. But when we fail to obey the prompting of the angel the Lord may send the angel to someone else who is willing to obey. When someone is willing and obedient to the promptings of the Lord it is very possible that that individual will enjoy the ministry and presence of angels. That could also be the reason why certain lives and meetings are flooded with the supernatural and extraordinary manifestations of the presence of the Lord. When we walk in obedience to God there will be evidences of the presence of angels in our life and activities. Remember, angels are real.     

AMBITIONS AND SUBMITION (2)

AMBITIONS AND SUBMITION (2) 

TEXT: Philippians 2:5-11 (AMP)
⁵ Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
⁶ Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,
⁷ But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
⁸ And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
⁹ Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

One of the names and titles of our Lord Jesus is Lion of Judah but in a sharp contrast he is also known as the Lamb of God. In other words, he is both the Lion and the Lamb. There is a lot to learn from the scripture of today. When he submitted himself to the will of the Father to die on the cross he became the lamb but it was his death as a lamb that empowered him to become the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5). Too many of us are far from God’s divine plan and purpose because we do not know how to submit to the will of God when we are required to manifest the nature of the lamb. If you do not know how to submit and become a fool for God, his wisdom will not be seen in you. If you do not know how to let the will of the Lord prevail and let go some things, His strength will not be made perfect in your weakness (see 2 Cor.12:9 in the Amplified version). You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. There are times we need to swallow our pride for God to have his way. If you cannot submit to the will of God you will not qualify to reveal his glory. It takes the grace and wisdom of God to be able to combine and walk in the nature of the Lion and the Lamb. Let God have his way and watch what happens. Make the right choice today.

. ANGELIC MINISTRY (PART 3)

10. ANGELIC MINISTRY (PART 3)  

TEXT: Hebrew 13:1-2

1.      Let brotherly love continue.

² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertain angels unawares. KJV.  Also read Genesis 18:1-15.

One Bible Character to whom our text for today was a strong reality is Abraham and his wife Sarah. From them we learn true faith and hope against all hope. A careful study of their lives will reveal to us the need to take God at his word and the need to wait till we see it come to pass. In Genesis 12:1-3 the call and promise of God to Abraham was given and as we read,  it became very clear to us that our God is true and faithful to his promises even when we are unstable and unfaithful. From the life and story of Abraham it became clear that often than not, that the presence of Angels in our lives is in keeping to the promise of God. The activities of angels are always around and about the word of God. It is either the annunciation of or the reminder of a promise of God. Whenever people are praying about a promise given by God they begin to activate a response from heaven that may trigger the release of angels. The appearance of an angel to Cornelius in Acts was an answer to prayer and Peter was then moved to do and experience that which he least expected as he preached and witness the release of the Holy Spirit on the gentiles. When the Lord along with two angels appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:1-15, it was to fulfill the word given in chapter 12:1-3, 17:15-21. One very important lesson we must understand hear is that angels will always act and speak in conformity to the word of God and if any is in doubt he or she should please study the word of God to see if it is so. Angels really do not respond to the word or call of man but rather, they respond to the word and command of God. Study the word, pray the word and live the word and angels won’t be far from you.