2021
Power Of Testimonies
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“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” – (Revelation 12:13, NKJV) |
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A testimony in Christian parlance is simply an evidence or proof given by a person who experienced firsthand the power and miracle of God. Below are some points to note about the power of testimonies viz: Testimonies tell of God’s acts: “O God, You have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things You do” (Psalm 71:17). Testimonies are praise reports of what God has done. Testimonies are tools of witnessing the good news and reports of the Almighty God. Joshua was instructed by God to bring out of the Jordan River 12 stones and set them up as a memorial in Gilgal to testify to succeeding generations how God gave them passage by parting the Jordan River (Reference: Joshua 4). God wants us to testify of His good deeds. Testimonies encourage others: “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT). The aforementioned scripture says one of the crucial reasons God delivers us from trouble is for us to relay to others going through similar challenge how God delivered and comforted us. Many have triumphed over challenging situations because of the encouragement they received from others who have gone through same. Testimonies beget testimonies: A brother in our church lost his job unexpectedly. He pleaded his case with the organization and surprisingly he was recalled back within a week. He shared his testimony in church. Not too long after, another brother lost his job and based on the strength of the previous brother’s testimony he believed God and got the exact job back. Testimonies ignite faith in the hearts of the hearers, and what God has done before He is willing to do again. Testimonies eliminate grumbling and complaining: Many people do not see grumbling and complaining as sins. A close look at the scriptures show that they are sins that God detests so much. We are admonished not to complain and grumble like the Israelites in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:10). Many of them were destroyed in the wilderness because they kept complaining against Moses and God. A habit of regular testifying of the acts of God will reduce and eliminate complaining in our lives. Testimonies silence the devil: Our main text tells of how Angel Michael and other angels overcame the devil when war broke out in heaven (Revelation 12:7-12). They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the words they spoke. The same way they overcame, we will also overcome. Satan is the accuser of the brethren, and one sure way to counter his accusations is by the words of our mouth and our testimonies. By going forth and telling of God’s goodness to us, we silence the voice of accusation raised against us (Isaiah 54:17). Testimonies are confession of faith that silences the devil. CONCLUSION: Testifying about God’s acts also includes regularly speaking of His wonders as elucidated in the scriptures. As we tell of how He parted the Red Sea, brought down the walls of Jericho, stayed the sun for 24 hours nonstop, etc, our faith in Him will grow and personal testimonies of His gracious acts will be enormous in our lives. Have a testimony filled month in Jesus name. |
2021
Beauty For Ashes
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, TO GIVE UNTO THEM BEAUTY FOR ASHES, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”
– (Isaiah 61:3, KJV).
Prophet Isaiah in the above verse was stating part of the roles and functions of the anointing. Ashes in the Bible is a symbol of deep grief, mourning and penitence. Job was said to sit in ashes after he got news of losing his children, possessions and struck with painful boils (Job 2:8). Tamar, the daughter of David was said to put on ashes after she was raped by her half brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:19). Many are in deep mourning at this time due to the loss of loved ones to COVID-19. Some people have suffered losses of jobs, health, opportunities, etc. Many are hopeless because of what life has thrown at them. Below are some truths to consider:
Isaac received beauty for ashes: “And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother” (Genesis 24:67). Because Isaac was born to Sarah when she was 90 years and being her only child, he was very pampered. Isaac and Sarah shared a serious bond. The death of Sarah had a devastating blow on Isaac. The scripture quoted says Rebekah, the new found wife of Isaac became a special comfort to him. She filled the gap Sarah left in Isaac’s life. Our God is a Restorer who heals wounds and binds up the broken-hearted. He gives beauty for ashes once we do not give up hope and trusts implicitly in Him.
Jacob received beauty for ashes: “But when they told him all the words of Joseph which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived (and warmth and life returned)” (Genesis 45:27). Jacob had thought his son Joseph was dead after his brothers sold him to slavery, and in turn lied to him that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. Jacob was devastated because Joseph was his favorite son. He never really recovered from the news of Joseph’s death. By divine orchestration, after 22 years Joseph was found and reconciled to his brothers. When the news got to Jacob that Joseph his son was alive and was Governor in Egypt, the Bible says his spirit revived, and warmth and life returned to him. God compensates those who mourn in Zion and gives them beauty for ashes (Psalm 30:11).
The nation Israel received beauty for ashes: Prior to 1948 there was no nation called Israel. The Jews were scattered all over the world while the Arabs occupied the Promised Land. They suffered under Adolf Hitler who wanted to exterminate all of them in the Holocaust and in the process killed six million Jews. They were scattered all over the world and were dominant in Europe, and having no homeland of theirs they were persecuted, harassed and oppressed wherever they found themselves. They were hated because of their religious inclination and economic prowess. Satan drummed up hatred for them because of God’s special interest in them. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Jewish independence lost 2000 years prior was renewed. The Prophet Ezekiel affirmed that the dry bones God asked him to prophesy over was the nation of Israel. From hopelessness and despair their homeland was restored. They got beauty for many years of ashes.
CONCLUSION: Have you suffered loss of any kind in this pandemic? The God of Heaven appoints to those who mourn in His Kingdom beauty for ashes. The one thing that guarantees restoration, renewal and recovery from God is being in His kingdom. It is those who mourn in Zion (His kingdom) that has the guarantee of their ashes being replaced by beauty. Are you a member of His kingdom? If no, accept Jesus Christ today.
2021
2021: Year Of Rising
– (Exodus 19:3-4, NKJV) |
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The highlighted scripture above tells us how God caused the Israelites to rise above the challenge of the Red Sea. In this year, like all others, there will be challenges. Some people will be overwhelmed and overcome by these challenges, while others will ride and glide over the challenges 2021 will present to them. It is my prayer you will be among the latter group. Below are some things we need to do in order to rise over 2021 challenges, viz: |
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Repent: Repentance is simply turning to God and doing works befitting of repentance (Acts 26:20). Repentance has to do with the exercise of the mind. In Yoruba language (spoken in Western Nigeria, Togo, Benin, some parts of Brazil and Cuba), the word repentance means deep introspective thinking that leads to a change in behavior. Many of the challenges faced by mankind are caused by sin, poor choices and being far from God. Repentance upgrades our lives and is antidote to the sin challenge which bedevils mankind. |
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Inspire yourself: Mary, the mother of Jesus ran to the house of her relative Elizabeth after the Angel Gabriel announced she was going to conceive supernaturally. The moment Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby in her womb leaped and she was filled with the Holy Spirit and she began to prophesy to Mary (Luke 1:39 -45). What an account! Inspiration causes a stirring in our hearts that leads to the delivery of purpose and destiny. To rise in 2021, be regularly inspired by the teaching, preaching and personal study of the Word of God. |
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Sanctify yourself unto God: As believers in Christ, God has set us apart to Himself for a holy purpose (Ephesians 1:4-5). The second leg of sanctification is that we must yield to God and further separate ourselves from the world. The more sanctified we are, the more we will see divine manifestations. The clear instruction Joshua gave the Israelites before they overcame the Jordan River challenge was that they sanctify themselves (Joshua 3:5). |
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Innovate: The pandemic and the new world order has thrown up new challenges that require new approaches. Innovation is creativity that has to do with new ways of doing things. A new wineskin (animal skin used to hold wine) with elasticity is required to accommodate a new fermenting (and expanding) wine. An old rigid, hard and inflexible wineskin cannot accommodate a new wine (Matthew 9:17). Just as the world is becoming overly complex and complicated so also are the challenges of the present time. There is need to regularly pray to God for new insights, new anointing and approaches to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. |
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Negotiate with the Word of God: A dictionary meaning of negotiate is to obtain or bring about by discussion or by conference. Negotiation include two-way communication, persuasion, strategizing and cooperating. All the aforementioned are ingredients of a good and effective prayer that obtain results from God. In negotiation two parties arrive at an agreement or consensus based on terms of the contract that is favorable to each party. If the terms are not favorable to either party, there will not be a contract. The Word of God reveals the mind of God and shows us what is acceptance to the Divine. To rise in 2021, we must align with God’s will as shown in His Word. (Scripture reference: Isaiah 41:21, Amos 3:3). |
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Grow exponentially: Exponential means rapid increase. Because the challenges we see today are daunting and unprecedented ordinary growth may not suffice anymore. We must be deliberate to grow mentally, spiritually, socially, financially, etc. To grow exponentially, we must increase our capacity and devour more. And growth in all forms is usually a function of exposure. Exposure to the right information, association and location. Isaac was able to overcome the challenge of the Philistines contesting with his inherited wells because of the grace of God and an enlarged capacity and he outgrew his challenges as a result. (Scripture reference: Genesis 26: 15-30).CONCLUSION: Receive grace to rise in 2021. Have a blessed new year in Jesus’ name. |