Mockers

"But beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts" (Jude 17-21)

There are many signs of the end times listed in the Bible all the way from the gospels even to the letters of Paul to the churches, in fact there are so many listed signs that are so high sounding eg. wars, rumours of wars, and even in the list of the description of perilous time (2tim3:1-5), it mentioned words like covetous, boosters, proud, blasphemers etc but in the midst of all the heavy weighty signs are six small words..... "despisers of those that are good"....... These are mockers mentioned that will arise in the last time.

It should be noted clearly that prevalence of  mockery to a Christian or the church is a sign that we are in the last days.

What is mockery?

The Oxford advanced learner's dictionary defines thus below;

1, comments or actions that are intended to make somebody or something seems ridiculous

2, to mock: to show no respect to somebody or something. (it can also be said to mean 'scorning')

Ridicule is the word that connotes mockery here. And also a lack of respect. Despisers....  It's can also be established here that just as a careless life draws mockery, a righteous life will also face the same. So don't be surprised when you face mockery as a child of God, it is a sign of the times that we are in. Notice here that Jude said "there should be mockers"..... Not that there may be or a likelihood of facing mockery,  it said there" should be" as if he was proposing in a council meeting that mockery is not just a sign but a necessary sign.

Beloved, when last where  you mocked as an obedient child of God?  Or have you even had a reason ever in your life to be mocked or scorned before, not for the reason of carelessness or wayward living, but only just for following the master and walking in his steps and doing his will.

I remember my undergraduate school days when I was moved to preach to a fellow student who was a cultists, and who always hangs out in the common room (as it was called then) drinking and smoking and feeling high but I deeply had compassion for him. When the Holy spirit led me to talk to him I knew I was in for it. I obeyed and went. Well, as expected, I got punched real hard in the process and mocked by him and his friends. It was painful but I had my mind made up. Anyway, after a year or two he came back to me and surrendered his life to Jesus. But the emphasis here was that the process wasn't easy-bizzy. Some Christians have left a divine assignment that would expose them to scorn or ridicule. Some have grown bitter and cut short a divine arrangement. Some have left a city cos of the fear of shame. It is not supposed to be so.

"And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, what meaneth this?
Others mocking said, these men are full of new wine" (Acts 2:12-14)

If we go through this chapter from verse 1 we will notice that this event happened on the pentecost day. What a powerful day, a day that heralded the birthing of the Holy spirit on the church. Yet in the midst of the move of the Spirit, the hallowed awesomeness and the fireworks, mockers still peddled their goods... Scorning. This shows me that mockers don't recognise anointing. Despite the exploits of the church, there will be mockers. No matter how packaged you feel you are and the grace you carry,  you will confront mockers. Jesus in Luke 23:34-39 was derided and mocked by the soldiers who crucified him. Even the son of God with the work of eternal salvation been processed, and the sin question being dealt with, with such a high degree of power tussle in progress, a cross event that was orchestrated to remove man from eternal damnation,  and yet in all this happening, he was derided.

.... "But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and MISUSED his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy"....... (2chron36:16)

We can itemise the agenda of mockery in the above verse.

1. They despised his words. The first aim of mockery (or if I will say the fruit) is basically to despise God's word. Despise means to hold no regard for. When we defined what mocks means we said it's to show no respect for. Beloved, one fruit of mockers is an open flagrant disregard to the word of God. When divine instructions based on his word are uttered but men chose to abuse it that is mockery at work. In congregation where this happens check well, mockers are present. Are you one of the people in your local church that always opposes the true word of God and that of your pastor, it may be that the spirit of mockery is at work through you. Do you know that people that push for gay/lesbianism practices or any other act in the church contrary to the word and his laws are manifesting clear spirit of mockery. Be warned. When the so called comedians mimic speaking in tongues and make Jests of ministers, mockery is at work. As a child of God discern this and not be part of it.

2. They misused his prophets. The word "misuse" just means to use something in a wrong way or for a wrong purpose. Are we seeing this in the church today, the answer is yes. Prophets are custodians of the oracles of God and must direct and instruct always. But the spirit of mockery stifles this work by misusing the prophets. When prophets are no longer active or Pastors compromised in the word, mockers are at work. This high level of mockery has killed ministries and weakened Pastors and churches by causing them to divert from the true calling they have to other irrelevant things. How many of our prophets have changed their message all due to the fact that they listened to mockers. It's an end time attack on the church and Christians must be alert to identify and reject it in every form.

What is our response to mockers?

...."But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, ye men of Jude, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words..... Acts 2:14.

Peter stood up!  Don't sit when mockers are at work. God needs men and women that will determine and decide to stand for him. Who will refuse to be misused, despised or abused. Men that will speak the truth without shame or fear. To defeat the spirit of mockery, standing is the posture. No wonder the psalmist said in Psalms 1:1-3,

.... "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor SITTETH in the SEAT of the SCORNFUL....."

Do you claim you are a Christian but yet you are sitting on this seat? Check yourself now so that you won't be condemned in the end.  Peter stood up. We must not sit down. We must stand and speak and defend the faith and must reject mockery, scorn and all the sort with seriousness and determination.

The gates of hell must not prevail in Jesus name.

The Speaking Voice (Part 3)

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia,......

....And i turned to see THE VOICE THAT SPAKE with me." (Rev1:10-12. Emphasis mine)

Beloved, as we continue on this study of the Speaking voice,  we saw the voice that speaks, we went ahead to explore the illumination that comes by seeing the voice. In this part 3, we move further in our journey to look at how John responded to this voice. He "TURNED" to see the voice. God has always in all ages in his relationship with men found a way to hide his personality from his seekers. We saw him doing the same with moses in Ex3:1-4 where he lit a fire to attract moses and hid himself.

"And moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him..."

"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it,....(Isaiah 30:21)

He, John was in the spirit, Wow! what a great place to be in. A Hallowed place. The spirit realm is a reality that we should be very familiar with. It is a realm that puts us in a position to access spiritual things. Spiritual diligence in prayers, separation and fasting can put us on this pedestal. But from what we see here, John moved to exceed this. John was in the spirit on the Lord's day (on a fasting day), and he got something. Life in the spirit is not a wasted venture. No one accesses this life and Iives this realm that will leave empty. It is a certainty that we will get something from his presence. For John, he heard a "great voice". But he didn't stop there. Christians who claim that God is not speaking to them should start living the spirit life. When one access that realm certainly he  must access his voice. Jesus said the words I speak unto you are spirit and life. (John 6:63). The carnal man cannot receive spiritual things.

Are you walking in the spirit? When last did you hear him? When last did you access the spirit and stayed there? I discovered that the reason for spiritual weakness in the body of Christ today is the fact that many so called Christians only profess to know him and confess his word but few access the spirit realm. That world I speak of is filled with diverse depths unknown to the natural man. It's a realm to be practised and dwell in. It's a natural posture of spirit man. When you are in that realm your spirit man is at home. It can navigate and touch spiritual matter in a tangible manner and brings you into your true consciousness and realities hidden from the human eyes. But despite all this, our brother John refused to give up. He took one step further.

Understand this, if John had left with what he heard he would have given that voice expression by what he saw. Do you know that the hearing and sight signals cannot be separated. They intermingle. In Genesis 1:1-31, God was saying "let there be, he also examined and accessed it by saying and God saw that it was good. Let's understand first of all that John was exiled to an island called "patmos". What is an island? It's an expanse of land surrounded by waters. It means that if you are on an island, I can tell by prediction what your view or gaze may likely be on. You are either seeing a massive body of water with its deep rumblings and waves or just sandy beach, or d clouds with sun, moon and stars, and maybe surrounding trees. This means that John would give expression to the voice he heard by the elements I mentioned. If John has ran with the voice he heard without encountering the presence maybe the presentation of revelations would have been in a different manner. It meant that John may likely miss the interpretation of the revelations and visions which was given him.

It's important to note that John wasn't eager to just bolt away like many us do today. He had to do something the almighty God may have to initiate us to do If we must be ready to go for him or speak for him. "John turned in the
n of the voice"  Is it possible that one can be in the spirit realm and still lack the coordinates to locate God. Coordinates in geography represents a combination of longtiude/latitude points represented in degrees, minutes and seconds in a geographical map. Why did John turn? The answer is the key to obtaining a divine encounter with Jesus. He wanted to know the source of the voice. Whenever you hear a sermon or a word and it touches you, it's emanating from somewhere and not your pastor's own. It's coming from somewhere and somebody, have u turned to see who? It was when John turned that he saw Jesus. He said "and being turned, I saw....one like unto d son of man".... JESUS SHOWED UP. When you turn he will never hide from you.

From scriptures, I have come to discover that God sets up events and circumstances which he uses to turn man to meet him. Exodus 3:1-4, moses had to turn aside. And when he did, he saw.....

For a user of this blog reading this piece now, you have been hearing words and God's voice but all God's attempt to get your  attention and break you down in his presence and introduce himself to you has proved abortive. What has gotten your attention so much that the Almighty has failed to distract you so that you can turn and see him. Has the charismatic skills of your pastor or leader overshadowed the beauty of his presence?  Has the glory seekers in your congregation diverted your view away from your master for selfish gains? Has the unending empty church activities all but eroded your quiet intimacy and hunger to know him? All the forwardness in us that makes us to be edgy in his presence to rush off must be dealt with. That overzealous spirit that will rather repreach message severally until it expires rather than wait to see him and recieve a fresh introduction of him must be let go. That pride that pushes you to keep showing yourself and arrogating the accolades of men for your  public display, you may be deceiving us with your so-called loquacious words of wisdom but it's clear that you are yet to see him. I don't care the title you bear you have not seen him. Look behind you now, he's still standing there. Waiting for you to turn. Just turn. May you go beyond just hearing him to seeing him........ John saw Jesus in His glorified state. Halleluia!

Notice that when he heard him he got an introduction of Jesus saying "I AM" , but when he turned and saw him, he reintroduced himself again. The one that you heard saying "I am", is now standing in front of you and repeating again saying "I AM". But the  experience was different. Now he can see him. I want to categorically say that John's revelation on that island wouldn't have been complete without an introduction of Jesus in person. Notice also that after Rev1, John had other revelations of Jesus in 4:1-11 and 19:11-16. But guess what, he didn't have to turn again. He has paid his price. Some price you pay gets you the whole package, while in some other cases,  you may be required to make more sacrifices. As true disciples, we must endeavour at all costs to regularly encounter him. Finally, I know you are a great orator and skilled with words, I know you have heard voices as of trumpets in the past, I know you are a man very eloquent and not miserly in speech, but I dare ask you today, have you seen him lately? He is still standing behind you speaking and longing that you turn aside and see him. Let us all turn today and see him. His name is Jesus.

"And ye shall seek me,  and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jer 29:13)

Heavenly father,  Grant me the grace to search and never to stop seeking till I search you out in Jesus name.

Watch out for the coming "seekers series".....

God bless you richly.

Glimpses

Glimpses

Glimpses can be referred to as flash screens,  peep holes, sightings of something we desire to get to reach or have. Heaven is one of such rare things that we deeply crave to catch a glimpse of here on earth prior to eternal flight home.

In subsequent series,  we shall share some heart felt gleaning that may grant us access into divine Vistas and realms orchestrated by God himself. Just a taste of heavenly menu and the eternal rewards that await us all in glory. May we never miss this. It's a must for every true child of God.

John 14:1-3,
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God,  believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so,  I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,  I will come again,  and receive you unto myself:, that where I am,  there  ye may be also.

Find some of the pics attached below (though man's creation) a momentary inspiration to seek.

Glimpses shall be handled in line with our new expected teaching titled "seekers".

God bless you.

FAQ's on prayer

FAQ’s ABOUT PRAYER PT1

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. " (Hebrews 11:6)

Accept the fact that our spiritual progress and growing in grace and the place of power with God and in prayers are not the same for everybody. Grace is accessible for all believers but the rate at which it is accessed defines one's progress and impact in life. As much as someone is on the pedestals of glory and averaging a 4th our daily prayer pattern,  some others are grappling and are just sufficed to an average prayer cycle of 10secs per day.

We must accept that the peak is not hit at in one leap. Hard work, diligence, consistency, sincerity etc  are some of the keys to breaking through. We must climb the ladder of spiritual success and help up the weak ones with understanding and not castigate them.

Many also will have questions regarding issues on prayers. I have itemized some below trusting God that they may hold some precious answers to puzzles in your heart.

DOES GOD REALLY HEAR ME?

One important fact in the mystery of prayer is that the one we are talking to actually hears us. Remember  what he said “he that approacheth Him must believe that He is, and He’s a rewarder to them that diligently seek him. So when am praying am not just rattling about without aim, I have this confident that he’s hearing me. If a child should stand before his father to make a request, as long as the father is not lying asleep or dead before him,  the child has a simple trust that he's getting audience. He is keen to listen. He's very attentive. He's not like most of the overbusy dad's of today who will push the child to the mother for attention. He's an every present help in time of trouble. I believe my heavenly Father hears me.

CAN I REALLY GET ANSWERS TO MY PROBLEMS?

From the answer to the first question, if God is actually diligent to listen to me, then He must be diligent enough to answer me.
He’s not just interested in our stories and needs, He really want to solve them for us. Remember what he said “He rewards them that diligently seek him”. He said “ask, and you shall receive”. Its simple enough for me to know that my prayers will get answered.
Mark 1:40-42. Jesus met a man filled with leprosy and the man said to Jesus "if you will...thou can make me clean,  and Jesus moved with compassion touched him and answered him... " I will". I can scream it out loud.... I have a willing God. I have a willing father. Willing to solve all our issues and provide solutions to our needs. (also see 1Jn5:14-15)

HOW CAN I AVOID ASKING AMISS?

Yes we can ask amiss. But its better to say something than keep quiet because we are afraid of not asking right.
Few simple heart checks:
are you asking to spend it on your passions? ie lusts,
are you asking out of envy for others?
Do you want to feel proud that you have received what others don’t have?
Is what you are asking for contrary to God’s will?
Is it something you can give others freely without struggles?
Do you have peace when you make that request? etc.
Does it make us judge God's partiality in giving?
Some of these are inner checks are pointers that we can use to know if we are asking amiss and then make appropriate corrections.
The right heart for true prayers is that God might be glorified in the end.

WHAT POSITION DO I TAKE?

No particular position is actually a bench mark for prayers but we can see that Jesus knelt down to pray oftentimes in scripture. This position is a posture of humility and submission. That doesn’t mean standing makes you a proud person per say. But you must learn to choose the position that puts you at ease and focused in His presence. If your pained by your postured yes, it may keep you awake, but you may not be focused on the prayer. You may suffer distractions and mind straying. Don’t get too comfortable like lying on the bed, kneeling with head on a pillow, standing but leaning with your back on the wall etc, you may sleep off. Learn to pray with closed eyes. Eyes wide open and looking at things may be a form of distraction, eg with TV on, window blinds open etc. Your position must help your focus and concentration.

HOW DOES MY SINS AFFECT MY ANSWERS?

We cannot judge for God who he answers or whose more qualified to receive answers to prayers or should be disqualified. So when you see someone who you feel in quote is not living the life getting blessed,  don't judge him or her. And also don't question God's standard of righteousness. But what we know is this. His eyes are too pure to behold iniquity. He said our sins have separated us from God making it hard for him to hear us. This means if I am deliberately living in known or unknown sins, It will definitely hamper his hearing me. So what is expected of me,  confess all sins, repent from it,  forgive others,  stay away from whatever contaminates. He said in his word.... "those that honor me I will honor"....
Are you dishonoring him in any area of your life?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY ANSWERS DON’T COME?

Sometimes answers don’t come when expected. But that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t hear or is too busy with other important issues other than yours.

It may mean any one of the following:
Maybe you asked amiss,
maybe its not the time for you to get it, maybe you need to wait,
maybe you have not prayed enough, maybe you have not obeyed the instruction attached to your need,
maybe you were still speaking negatively, maybe you lacked faith,
maybe he’s working on you.

We should learn to walk with the Spirit to know what his mind is on certain issues related to us.

AM I ASKING TOO MUCH OR BUGGING GOD?

Trust me you can never outspend God. He said “I am the God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for me?”. He is El-Shaddai, the all sufficient one or the full breasted one. The one that sustains everything but is not sustained by anyone or anything. He self exists. It means the more you ask, the more his provision are available for your needs. To bug means to “disturb”. He that keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps so how could you ever bother him. He doesn’t sleep or go on vacation so you can’t be bothering him. He created you for fellowship, and one way this is actualized is the frequency of your communion with him.

In the part 2, of this series,  we shall further look into more questions and get answers from his presence to carry on.

He is not a man that he can lie.

Father we ask that you reassure our hearts in prayers and Visit us timely in Jesus name,  Amen.

Demystify this!

HOW MYSTERIOUS IS THIS?

1Cor 15: 51-58.

Behold I show you a mystery;  we shall not all sleep, but we shall be CHANGED.

What a way for the Almighty to make an eternal emphasis. What a show of authority in the matchless exuberance of supremacy and declaration.... we shall be changed! I shall be changed,  you shall be changed. What a mystery?  Sweet mystery indeed. A mystery that the world may never understand no matter how hard it tries. Halleluia!

ITS A MYSTERY THAT:

1.Nullifies the natural order

... "We shall not all sleep"....

This means that some people will not be held down by the power of death. In the natural scheme of things, its sheer pride and common selfishness and foolishness that one will escape death. Death is the natural pathway of leaving this earth. It has been proved over time that until one dies, escape or extinction from nature is not possible. This is the only doorway according to science. But the Almighty intervenes in the natural courses of events and declares we shall not all sleep.
Oh! That we see the arrogance of death when it faces its captive. At such moments, medical sciences are defied, the learned and highly educated becomes helpless, the dying feels life ebbing out of it with such force without any form of resistance hoping he can be let off and giving another opportunity to re-write the wrongs of life, pity party only weeps and mourns to only give succor to loved ones but with no provision of recovery.
But I hear the voice of one that created all things even death itself saying.we shall not all sleep.

2. Confounds the sciences of man

... "but we shall all be changed, in a MOMENT, in the TWINKLING OF AN EYE....

The word CHANGE is a conflict word here. But actually its not the word itself but the manner of occurrence. Change can happen instantaneously. The science of man believes and prefers the use of the word...metamorphosis. From the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, the word metamorphosis means to change or make something or somebody change into something completely different, especially over a period of time.  God has no business with time here in dealing with the subject of change. The sciences of man believes in a change that takes place over a period of time but the Almighty speaks of a change that will happen in a moment and to make it more clearer in the twinkling of an eye. Yes we know that in the science of man, babies develop over a period of time to become matured but not our GOD. Our change will be suddenly because our maker is much eager to bring us home.

Beloved, what a joy!. Let science believe what it may, our change beloved, will be instant. I hear the Almighty saying .... "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." Halleluiah!

3. Defies the power of corruption

for this corruptible MUST put on incorruption, and this mortal MUST put on IMMORTALITY. 

Slavery was the word used more often in times of colonialists, slave traders, apartheid regimes, and communist era. But though times and modernization has partly changed all these, Man still remains a slave of himself. Bound by actions that are contrary to his will. Internal forces which he neither sees nor can identify holds more sway on things he does and says. He has ever wondered if any of his decisions have been justified by reason. There has always been a CONFLICT between what his mind is saying and what his body really does. He has always fought these hidden images and ghosts of his own making at every corner of decision and vows. He has always seen himself a complete stranger to his person. HELD in bondage by every thought that comes his way foreign or domestic, crying to be delivered by this body of death. Oh! How he cries daily to be free.
But alas comes the voice of the Almighty again declaring with the total conviction and certainty....corruption MUST put on incorruption. Now I know that I can be forever free from this body of sin. That I can be free from pulls of the worldly seductions, that I can live in glory and live with the one whose eyes cannot behold iniquity, whose eyes are like flames of fire, who dwelleth in an inapproachable light, full of grace and truth. I am changed into that which no stain can touch free from the evils that enslaves men. I am forever free. HALLELUIA!

Beloved, YES its a mystery. I may not understand it all but I know we shall be changed. The last trump will reveal my hidden person created after Gods image. Though we be inside a taxi or on the beach or sitting by loved ones or preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ or in the office or giving a lecture or eating or sleeping, AT THE LAST TRUMP.we shall be CHANGED to meet with the Lord and his saints in the air (1thes4.15-17) and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Believe it or not, it will happen very soon.
So Beloved, what is our part to play to ensure that we participate and not be spectators on that day.

Vs58:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye STEADFAST, UNMOVEABLE, always ABOUNDING in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD.

You can turn this verse into prayers cos our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Are you ready for rapture?

Come quickly Lord Jesus. AMEN

Quiet time tips (Part 1)

" For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning " (Luke 12:34-35).

I was having my quiet time and i came across the above passage and i put some thought into it. I once heard a preacher say that smoke is not a certainty of a burning fire. Many Christians are choked with smoke and have also choked others around them with smoke but never realise that they have burnt out a long time ago. Only time will eventually show the real state of our altars.

One major altar we MUST keep fire on always is the prayer altar!. The priests in the old testament were instructed never to allow the fire on the altar to go out. When God was trying to explain more clearly the spiritual state at the time of Eli, the bible said the following words....."And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was,...." (ISam3:1-4).

The Bible also described the testimony that Jesus bore witness to the life of John the baptist by saying... " He was a BURNING and a shining light:"..... John5:35.

We all know these scriptures well at heart. But maybe there are some of us just like me attimes that struggle in the place of prayer. Seeking that the heavenly fire will baptise us afresh. We must have tasted the experience before but how many of us are still under that cloud? Experiencing a fresh touch on a regular basis as we come to the spiritual altars?

I guess we can share together some quiet time secrets as it pertaineth to us individually. I came up with some points that has helped me for awhile now and i have listed below:

1. SET AN ALARM

For some super-humanly programmed people, they are wired to the tick-tock time in their systems and wake up at early hours of the day without help. But for some of us who can't, lets stick to the little alarm bells on our clock or even on our phones to help us keep to time, say 4/5am or so. It's not so encouraging speaking in tongues in the shower or do some of the funny things we do daily in the name of prayer cos we fail to wake early and fellowship with the master.

2. WATCH YOUR DIET

Heavy meals helps us to sleep better but they also prevent the early wakings. They further make us more tired waking up in the mornings and most times prolongs our sleep. Learn to eat light at nights if you plan to wake early. I feel those who skip breakfast should rather skip dinners. Eba and pounded yams with ogbono soup for some is a sleeping tablet while some can still do with them and run 5miles in the morning. But for me i think light foods does it.

3. GO TO BED ON TIME

I have been a victim of this of late. Working on my laptop and sleeping off very late. Or maybe u got a new movie you need to watch and you keep late nights or whatever. It all makes one tired of early rising. Ask yourself a sincere question, what has been keeping me up late at nights? We must try and finish up left over jobs early or better still don't come home with them. Some also browse untill google will decide to shut them off secretly or their internet modems will refuse to work before they can jolt out of website coma. Whats your own story?

4. CHECK YOUR POSITION

Whenever i succeed waking up in the mornings, i first try and sit down. Pls for most of us who do not, get a chair into your bedrooms. Try first of all sitting straight up. Your posture has a way of driving residual sleep away from your eyes slowly. Also, if those around you wont mind, try and switch off the AC or any cooling system you have around you. You sleep better with a cold sensation around you than in a hot atmosphere. For our brothers who are on outstation jobs and always lodge in hotels with high powered AC rooms, pls learn to switch them off when you are awake. but if you can do with it, its your call. Enjoy!

5. BE FLEXIBLE

Flexibility with time and methods go a long way to help us. For hypo-spiritual brethren, 2hours is just a start. So if they wake up any time after 4am they are late. But for small people like us, we try to be a bit flexible to time. If i pray for 15mins and am excited and sure i touched heaven, i am good. I mustn't feel less spritual cos i couldnt do an hour. Maybe 2moro i will but for today am happy for myself that i can come b4 him even its just for 5mins. You can be sure of that. So when you look at your time and its 5:50am, do the 10mins with joy and get ready for work.
Your methods are also very essential. Some will start off all guns blazing blasting in tongues while some will just mutter the name of Jesus and power will come down. Some will only sing a verse and they are in heaven already but some a verse in the psalms will do.

For me, i have some specific songs that help and sometimes the HolySpirit puts songs in my mouth. Example of a good song i sing is written below:

...." to keep your lovely face, ever before my eyes,
this is my prayer, Lord make it my strong desire....,
that in my secret heart, no other love competes,
no idol throne survives,
and i SERVE ONLY U"...

Some stand, some kneel, some sit, some pace around etc, whatever method you apply must be original with you and not copied from a loudmouthed pastor who only did a quiet time 36days ago. Be original in your methods.

6. MEAN IT

You must mean it. By this i mean you should take steps to take that moment serious. You cant be reading your quiet time passage and also be peeping into the TV to catch the early news on CNN. You must learn to secure yourself by avoiding distractions. Example of distractions are switching on your phones while praying cos your expecting an urgent sms, wathcing your baby and making sure she's covered well and not even one mosquito should touch her so u stand as her defender. Your mind will indeed be distracted. open laptops needs to shut down and closed so as not to remember an unfinished business of the other nite. Open blinds or windows/doors should be closed.Jesus had to depart himself to pray (Mk6:46). You never know when your looking outside your window, your eyes will see something else ( you can ask King david after). When Jesus said in Matt6:6 that when you pray, enter into thine closet and shut thy door,.... am very sure He means SECURE THYSELF FROM DISTRACTIONS.

7. BE DILIGENT ON SOME DEVOTIONAL

Daily guide, Everyday with Jesus, Open heavens, Heart to Heart, Morning dews etc whichever you love using was compiled cos of quiet times. Dont feel that once you open anywhere just by guessing you will find revelation, it doesnt work that way. Learn to be diligent to read. Some just skim or vab or do whatever but never read or remember anything they read in the morning. Pls you're not a religious know-it-all. Even if you can quote a thousand verses by heart, pls be humble enough to read through a guide and mind the keynotes, points, prayer meditaions etc. It does help. Forcing yourself on the Book of Eziekel to finish it by all means even though u find it boring may not help. BE GUIDED.

8. DON'T WORRY

If after you do all the above, you still find yourself sleeping off, DONT WORRY. take solace in the fact that your able to keep your appointment time with God but determine to do better next time. Yes, peter slept at the Garden of gethsemane (Matt26:36-46), The master still chose him to be the leader after he left. One thing that struck me in those verses were that after they have slept heavily at the time of urgent prayers, when Jesus came back the 3rd time.....he said in verse 46 the following words...." RISE, let US be going:....."

The master will always whisper the word "RISE" to your spirit man and also "LET US" meaning we are in this together, i am not condemning you or avoiding you but let us. He will also say..."BE GOING" Never give up. Keep at it untill there's a fruition. (Matt26:41). I see a Christian reading this article now that will burst into holy flames and be engulfed with the Holy Spirit fire that will herald a blazing altar from now onwards....

You will make it in Jesus' name.

Jesus Loves you!

Let us pray.

Fortress

Fortress......

Wow what a name. What an expression. What a place.....

When we say the fortress,  some few words come to mind....

Fortification
Strongholds
Highlands
High places

In Psalms 18:1-3,  the psalmist declares "I will love you O Lord,  my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God,  my strength in whom I will trust: my shield and the horn of my salvation,  my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord,  who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Fortifications are military constructions or buildingsdesigned for the defense of territories in warfare, and also used to solidify rule in a region during peace time. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs. The term is derived from the Latin fortis ("strong") and facere("to make")....... Culled from Wikipedia

We shall be looking into a detailed teaching series on "Fortress"

Get ready....

The Speaking voice (Part 2)

Hello friends,  we started to look at the topic "speaking voice"..... we looked at the voice speaking and the different expressions in adaptable utterances the voice uses. We are highly blessed to note that the Almighty God can still find time and be relevant in our affairs by relating with us as a father and bringing us to terms with the revealed word of God direct to our levels anywhere anytime. Halleluia!

In the part 2, we want to consider another dimension to our text in Rev1:12....

''and I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks.... ''

Firstly,  we discovered that the voice (personified) speaks,  and now we are drawn to another dimension to this encounter and that is SEEING THE VOICE.
As much as we know that we can encounter the voice that speaks,  in the same manner and even much more so we can see the voice.

Out of many characteristics of the voice of God, we see some few examples like the voice as a sword (eph6,17) that cuts and pierces,  the water (eph5,26) that washes, and as fire (jer20,9) that burns and consumes,  amongst so many others,  but now we also see that John made reference to the truth that we can see the voice,  in essence it means that the voice enhances our spiritual sight. When he speaks we see. The Speaking voice has a ministry in us and that is to illuminate our vision. If God should in whatever measure decide to utter his voice to us, his intention is that we receive illumination. One wonders if we actually receive sight at the inception of his word. Has he spoken to you lately?  Did you receive sight?  Where you illuminated?  Did you receive clarity on issues you struggled with?  I want to assure us that he will never speak or utter a word if it's not for our illumination.

''then the Spirit said unto Phillip, Go near,  and join thyself to this chariot. And Phillip ran thither to him,  and heard him read the prophet esaias,  and said,  understandest though what thou readest?''.... (Acts8:29-30)

We discover from the above 2 lessons from scripture.... Phillip was still preaching and evangelizing many villages of d Samaritans but was quickly redirected and channelled to another assignment. The questions of illumination is so deep in the heart of God that he can move his servant to a moving chariot of an Ethiopian eunuch. With the chariot moving at great light of day, an eunuch inside had a dark soul that lacked the light of heaven. Phillip was quickly mobilized for this assignment. There are churches that handle great projects and meetings and Pastors who are so busy to be redirected to a chariot in d church whose occupant is a dark soul seeking illumination. When the spirit compels us, we must join chariots and be used in whichever way possible to be light to others. Why is your assigned chariots straying while you party away.

Another lesson we see here was Phillip's response to divine instruction. Vs30 said "and Phillip ran thither to him.....  Halleluia.
May we have the same attitude to divine instructions in Jesus name.

There's no other explanation to the fact that heaven is committed to the illumination of the soul of man.  It is therefore commensurate that we act like our father by being agents of light. Phillip turned aside from great miracles he was performing to join a confined space of a chariot with only one soul. No big parade involved, no protocol officers, no crowd thronging and no crowd to cheer inside a confined chariot space. Not only did he temporarily leave d big stage,  he did it with a running spirit, and eagerness to bring even the lowliest of all men the eternal light of God. Ministers must realise that no matter how the grace and anointing grows in their life,  that the same God of great exploits is concerned and committed to lonely dark chariot souls.

Can we join  a chariot today and allow us to be God's candle light to weary hearts?

The call is waiting for us all.....

The Speaking voice (Part 1)

"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto smyrna, and unto pergamos, and unto thyatira, and unto sardis, and unto philadelphia, and unto laodicea.

....And i turned to see THE VOICE THAT SPAKE with me." (Rev1:10-12. Emphasis mine)

I have read the above scripture severally on many occasions and the first past of verse 12 always catches my attention. John the beloved on the isle of patmos had a revelation that generated into what we know today as the Book of Revelations. He had access into events that will take place in the coming times and that unfolds the destiny of the church and the present world we live in. But we are not dwelling on the revelations for now as we are more concerned with what actually was the details of the characters in this encounter.

It was indeed a voice that was speaking....

John described the voice as " a great voice, as of a trumpet" (vs10) and he also described it as " and his voice as the sound of many waters" (vs15).

What was happening here? John could have heard the same voice speak to him a million times but with diverse expressions. Trumpet, waters, fires, lightening, thunder and still small voice etc. Jesus was speaking and the The spirit of God was giving divers expressions to his utterances. It indeed has not changed what God is saying or stopped him from talking, but the expressions changes as He pleases.

Very many times we can have visions or revelations and yes we heard a voice but it came with a manner of expression. It may even be that we are sitting in church listening to a sermon or even reading this piece. yes, we hear the voice but the expressions may be diverse. We must be careful to note that the word is 'spirit'. Jesus said, "the words i speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (Jn6.63). spirit do not have a confined body of expression as physical things we relate with. it operates in such a massive space and can posses inexhaustible expression. What happens always is that when a word comes to us, we immediately give it our thoughts and embody it. This is always the 1st response of the carnal man. By the limitations of our mind, we confine it to meet the standards of our own human nature. But that is wrong. We must allow the Holy spirit give the right expression to the voice of his words to us. Only by such understanding of these expressions and how to relate with it are we going to get clarity to the pictures that heaven is trying to create in our spirit man. Also understand that we get these expressions on different levels based on the will of the Spirit. Eg. while one is getting the trumpet expression, another may just be enjoying the still small voice. Hence judging a man's response based on what the both of you heard may not be very accurate as you were not privy to the manner of expression the Holy spirit chose for the person.

But whatever expression the word relates to us it only has one purpose and which is...."and when i saw him, i fell at his feet as dead...." At the feet of Jesus is the ultimate purpose of his will. I know you must have seen a fire and heard the thunder, but has it brought you down to his feet? I know a great orator or fire preacher must have spoken to you lately or even frequently, but when last did that expression slay you and bring you down at the feet of the master? Majority of us fall under anointing and waves but very few fall at his feet. The master can only lay his right hand on the fellow that is prostrate at his feet. Beloved, you are too far away for his touch if your slaying impact was orchestrated from a wrong expression. If we are at his feet, definitely his touch will raise us up.

We also note here that John was as a matter of fact, seeking to see a voice but ended up seeing a personality. He said "And i turned to see the voice that spake with me." This may also be our case today that we may earnestly be chasing a voice and seeking solutions in the script and forget the writer. He said "and being turned, i saw seven golden candlesticks;  and in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks one like unto the Son of man,...."

Another important thing that should strike us was that the voice came from behind John. (Truncated....watch out for Part 2) We would delve more into what we were looking for, what got our attention and why we are turning.

May this voice of many waters find a deep expression in our hearts in Jesus name.
Shalom!