COME AND DIE

Good day everyone!

We continue on our DISCIPLESHIP SERIES today, and what the Lord will have us talk about tonight is ‘COME AND DIE’.

When the Spirit of the Lord laid this in my heart, I had an inkling of what He meant but in my head, I was searching for a less harsh title for it, just so we are not bringing Ak47 to a water gun fight. But the Holy Spirit insisted ‘Come and die’.

Truthfully, it really is not a water gun fight, this is precisely what Christ bids us to do, Die!

The minute we accept the call to discipleship, we are saying that we are ready to die.

The call of discipleship is a call to put the flesh to death.

What the Holy Spirit made me see is how all of our struggles with being true followers of Jesus stem from things that are meant to be dead still being alive.

“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's, will save it.”  Mark 8:34-35 NKJV

If we look at the verses before this, what comes first was Jesus asking then who He is and Peter confessing Christ as Messiah. Then just after this, Jesus is asking them to "carry their cross".

Our walk as believers doesn't stop at accepting Christ as savior. We should not be okay with this stage when there is so much more!

“Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:34-35 CSB

See what happened after Jesus called men to Himself, He told everyone to "carry their cross". We may not understand what this means in this context until we read the next statement Christ made:

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it"

But it is cross He asked me to carry, how did we enter saving life and dying? Because that's exactly what Jesus meant.

Jesus did not stop at Let him deny himself. Self-denial is key o, very important but it is not where we stop. There is something bigger. We must take up our cross and die. We must not try to save ourselves or patch up because in the end we will lose ourselves.

The same way Jesus headed for the cross, His disciples must face the same direction; and I tell you, the road to death is difficult. The road to the cross is very hard.

I tell it to you from experience. There is a martyrdom of one kind or another at almost every phase of our lives. We will have to choose daily to die so that we may live.

Now, nobody can nail anything on the cross if they've not learned self-denial. What you feed every day will not die, it will grow.

There is a reason why Christ said you must first deny yourself. To deny self is not just to deny things:

"Oh! I'm not going to eat like a glutton for the next three days"

"I'm denying myself so I will not masturbate again"

All of these are exercises in futility. You will in fact fail woefully at them. 

Self-denial is first submission to Christ!

Because let me tell you, fleshy desires are hard to say no to if you are the one saying no. Our approach is saying ‘Yes’ to Jesus which in turn means I'm saying ‘No’ to my flesh. It is from saying ‘Yes’ first to Jesus daily, that we are able to look the flesh in the eye and say ‘No!’

Note that this doesn't mean we will not say no to the flesh, what it only means is that our approach changes.

A lot of us are trying to say no to the flesh when we've refused to submit to Christ. We ignore the leadings of the spirit and we are tight-chested towards His correction but we want to die to self; waste of effort and energy.

When Paul said "I no longer live but it is Christ who now lives in me", this is it for all of us, and what it will mean is that our decisions are Christ's. We are led just as He was.

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24 CSB

Now those of us who say we belong to Jesus, those of us who say we are His followers, this is our mark: We put to death our self/flesh; all of its desires and passions.

I will pause here and ask us: What do you desire?

Be truthful to yourself, please.

What are the things you dream about?

What are the things you are passionate about?

Especially the things your heart desires in secret, the ones you have to caution yourself to not desire but you know you already desired it. What are those things? Take your time to write them down. We are going somewhere with that.

Please don't lie to yourself o. Write it all down.

He who comes to God for help must come completely open.

The list is for you and your God so be free and open. For some of us, it is the state of our hearts that need to change: unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, backbiting, drunkenness, hurtful words, gossip, hurtful thoughts of others, etc.

The list is endless o, write it all down.

For some of us, it is that we are not submissive. People think submission is in marriage alone or to just our spiritual heads but even I should submit to you.

All of these things need to die! Death in Zion is not the end of the story, Nah!

It is a necessary part of our journey in Christ. When we think of the cross Christ is asking us to carry, we usually like to assume persecution. Of course, it is included as we share both in His sufferings and glory, but what you are really carrying is yourself; your already judged flesh to the cross, following right behind Jesus.

Guys, the flesh has nothing to offer to us o! It has received its judgment in Genesis 3. It was pronounced dust and asked to return back to that. So why then do we follow the leading of that which is already doom to death/nothingness?

Those who hold on to their lives will lose it.

“Jesus continued to say to all of them, “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you every day for following me.” Luke 9:23 ERV

You must stop thinking about yourself and what you want because usually what we want is not what God wants. The flesh never desires the things of the spirit.

We must then take up our cross.

In those days, everyone that is to be put to death will carry their own cross and there is no going back after picking the cross. You know exactly where you are headed: death!

I like the way Luke added the everyday/daily part. There are no cheat days.

We will never enjoy the fullness in this life with Christ until we walk towards dying to self and this starts will submission. Surrendering to the leading of God; everyone who follows must be led by something.

If we are still led by the flesh, then we are followers of our flesh. We are followers of Christ if we are led by His spirit, and this is where the work is. Engaging the spirit every time. No, not just for gifts and when we have programs.

Beyond demonstrations of the gifts and power of the spirit; His teachings, His truths, because He is really here to guide us into knowledge of all truth.

He is here to not just show us that this is the right way, He is here to help us follow that right way.

So ask Him for help today. Let Him help you

On the things (fleshy habits) you wrote down. Write this on them: (Put your name) has received the help of the spirit to live above these things. I am alive in the spirit so I am dead to the flesh and these works. I am led by the spirit so my flesh cannot lead me to do these things again.

Have daily conversations with the Holy Spirit on the truth of who you are. There is liberation here.

Again, don't focus so much on what to not do:

20 steps to stop having sex, 100 steps to stop gossiping, etc. Take 200 steps and you are back to fornicating and slandering.

Take your focus off them.

Focus on your spiritual meal plan instead. It is what you feed that will grow. Ignore the flesh and its desires will wane off.

You will also have to deliberately/boldly say No on days the flesh tries to put up a fight.

You will remind it that it is dead and dead things do not dictate to the living!

 

WHAT NEXT AFTER GETTING PROPHETIC WORDS

One of the major problems believers have is that we don't know how to handle the word of God. We often attend meetings such as this, get prophetic words and then we wait for the words to happen.

Sometimes, they don't then we begin to wonder if we heard well or if God lied or if God changed His mind.

Now, here is the thing: God never lies 

So many times, there are things attached to seeing the fulfillment of the words we receive. There are necessary steps we have to take to ensure these words come alive. Prophetic words are a revelation of what is set to happen.  There are definite, concise prophetic words and there are words given to us as keys, whether the door will be open or  locked is left to the holder of the key, that is the man who receives the word.

 

WHAT NEXT AFTER WE GET WORDS?

1. GIVE thanks over the word

Thank God for revelation.

Thank Him for what He is set to do.

Thank Him for giving you access into what is to happen in the future. 

Now, Thanksgiving is not because God will change His mind if you don't thank Him, but I've found that giving thanks strengthens our resolve about the word.

The assurance we have about it is deepened.

It Is harder for the devil to put it to you that you didn't hear well.

When you worship and thank God with all your heart, your heart posture towards the word also changes.

Let me make a sample.

Toye is my friend. He gives me a plate of ewa agoyin. I love ewa agoyin so much so I go back and thank him with all of my heart. He of course accepts my thanks. That ewa agoyin is stamped as mine already. I will not think that maybe I didn't hear Toye well when he gave me. I'm emboldened about my right to the ewa agoyin

2. Read all of the words you got again. 

Go through them over and over. Soak them into your subconscious

3. Time for Interpretation

Some words are clear on receiving them. For some words you need interpretation. Who best to give an interpretation of the word than the one who gave it?

“I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. Then I said, “My Lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.”” Zechariah 1:8-9 NKJV

See 

Zechariah saw a vision and he saw red horse; he did not immediately say ah color red is for danger

A bad thing is about to happen to me 😭😭😭

He did not conclude

What did he do?

He asked the angel

What do these horses mean

You see this asking thing ehn, it saves you from a lot.

Zechariah asked

He didn't jump into conclusions 

He asked

So ask!

Ask God!

Ask the person who gave the vision. He will explain it

4. Application of the word

After getting an understanding and interpretation of the word, the next thing is to know how to apply it.

An example of this is the vision gotten for Paul. They had seen a vision that Paul would be imprisoned in Jerusalem. Agabus was a respected prophet. Some other people saw this vision too 

Imagine 5 people coming to tell me that they saw that I went to Abuja and was arrested/thrown into prison. It looks like a warning. They may say the application of this is to not go to Abuja. But Paul understood that wasn't the application of that word. It was a knowing ahead. And they were just meant to pray. Not for Paul to be kept out of prison but for God's will to be done even as he enters prison

Application matters.

How do I apply this revelation that I have received?

What do we do after it? 

It didn't stop at Joseph knowing a famine was coming, he also knew what to do with that revelation 

Steps to take to ensure they were not victims of that prophecy they received

As you pray for interpretation, also pray for application.

Ask what to do and how to do.

5. Seek to know the timing attached to the words.

We got a lot of words at the spiritual pool.

Some are immediate instructions

Some are towards the end of the year.

Some have no time frame.

It's important to know the time frames. There are words that you have to move with immediately 

As you go through the words you got on Saturday, spiritually identify and map out the words according to time. Note that not all the words may be time-bound and that is fine. If you don't get any specific time in the spirit, leave it to God.

Then there are some words with very very funny timing.

They annoy me also 😂😂😂

I will give you an example

“Listen, I am coming soon! I will bring rewards with me. I will repay everyone for what they have done. Revelation 22:12

‘Listen, I am coming soon! Great blessings belong to the one who obeys the words of prophecy in this book.’” Revelation 22:7

See

I am coming soon

What year was this told to John? Has He come? 😭

There are words you get and you are waiting for every day

Then it starts pissing you off cos it felt like there was a sense of urgency when you got the word 

Why then is the word taking time?

Is God repenting of His word? Whenever I have moments like this, I pause.

I don't discard the word as untrue because of it. Take it back to God

Verse 7 clarifies this very well.

The main message in this is that great blessings belong to those who obey. The message is actually to stay in obedience till He comes.

We may want to focus on Him coming soon (timing). But the message for us in that verse is actually us obeying before He comes 

Staying in obedience

He is coming and He wants men to stay in obedience until He comes. Sometimes you may have words that it seems like the timing is looking like now now but after a while, they are not happening. Don't discard those words 

Go back to the drawing board. See if you missed the subject of that message. The main instruction it had for you. Then pray to God for interpretation, rinse/repeat the process.

So again,

Go through the words you got

Sort them out based on timing

Categorize them also.

If you have words for marriage, ministry, career, family

Separate them and arrange them in the order of the time frame revealed to you.

The things that will happen first, note them down. The next thing is to go through your list again. Some things may take effect next year but the actions God wants you to take needs to start immediately 

This means they will come up on your list

Reorganize

Everything that has immediate action plans, separate and put in a place you can see

Note down the action plans too.

E.g God told me about a book He wants me to write to be released in September 

So action plan no 1 is to wake up at 5am daily

Pray and then wait for the spirit to speak to me then start writing.

I will definitely not start writing the book in September.

It has to start now.

The next thing will be to check how long it takes to publish a book if I need a month. It means I must be done with writing and editing in August

This goes to my planning

You see how what God has told me has become my vision board? It has now become my direction. I'm planning based on it.

Get sticky notes. Get "to do" apps if you work better digitally. Align your plans with the words you've received. 

If God tells you you are traveling out next year. You will need to make passport plans first. Pray on it and know how you will travel

Is it school?

Permanent residence?

Sometimes God may want to use someone and they come last minute with everything. This is possible too. Just make sure to prayerfully know your part to play in the fulfillment of these prophecies

6. Pray like if you don't pray the word will not come to pass

Pray like a "mad" person

Pray o

Pray

War!

Actually, this is the right word. Go to war with the word. Declare it every day.

Stand on the word. Pray it till it comes to pass. Some words may tarry. Don't stop 

As long as God has told you they will come to pass, timing may change for some reasons sometimes but don't stop praying.

7. Have Faith

Believe that what God has spoken to you is true and will come to pass no matter what. Believe, strongly. Get scriptures to substantiate your claim and strengthen your faith. The man who will see must first have believed. Stay in Faith

8. Rest

Don't try to force the word to come to pass

Don't try to "do"

God will keep His words

You've done your part, now rest.

He will do it

He will make it come to pass

A lot will happen as you wait upon the word but you just Rest. Don't let the devil shake you. Don't let the enemy lie to you 

You have the word. It is the receipt of that which you've bought with Faith

So rest, you get receipt eh

WORDS FROM SPIRITUAL POOL (PART 2, 2022)

Spiritual Pool (Part 2, 2022.)

Date: July 2nd, 2022.

WORD ALIVE

My children

The desire of my heart

Tell my children I long for them

I long for fellowship with them

I look forward to your worship and testimonies

Oh! When you tell of that which I do and how it makes you feel, it makes me happy and I am spurred to do even more.

Tell them I love to hear their voices

Tell Mary I miss her voice

Tell her to talk to me in all honesty and openness

Tell her to let go and forget what is not

I just want her vulnerability 

I want to see her smile at me again

Tell her I long for her

Tell Tobi  

Am I not God?

I will bring him into my promises

Tell him to walk with me, blameless!

Tell Oluchi I reward her

Tell Becca rest has come

Bola, ija dopin. Stay in Thanksgiving

Tell my children to stay true in fellowship

I crave fellowship

I crave them

Tell them my ears are opened

I listen to all they have to say

I just want to hear their voices

They can tell me everything 

They can confide in me

Tell them, for I wait!

I am strengthening fellowship

I am establishing intimacy

I am redirecting back to first love 

I am rekindling love

I am restarting fires

I do it, not them

Tell them to just come to me

Just come

I will do what I have said

Jumoke there is clarity. I give you sharper eyes and even more gifts. I open you to wealth of knowledge.

Seun  I am able to do it

Baba e ni mo je.

Will earthly fathers give their children stones when they ask for bread?

Temitope  

Calm

I just saw water pouring over you softly and I heard ease, rest.

Tell my children,

Doors open

Mountains shift

They will see my hand perform my word

Tell them to declare it daily

Tell them

I am building a nation of intercessors here

I am raising an army

...of men that will wield my power and cause things to happen

The spirit of Elijah!

Tell those who think they are small in the spirit that there is a shuffling,  a rousing of waters that brings them up spiritually.

Tell those who think they are big in the spirit to know they are small, for there is more accessible to them. 

There is more

I see a climbing of ladders

Some will leave, bless them

More children come.

Tell them to open their arms to the children that come, to help them steady their feet. Carry all along.

New ranks in the spirit come

Let no one think they are too young

I will assign work to some of them 

Tell them to be open 

Those who think they stand, tell them to stand well in the spirit lest they fall 

Everyone, hold each other's hands!

I have raised you for a work in your time 

For such a time as this

Stay connect 

Destinies are intertwined 

There is so much ahead

In the coming years, I will reveal a new plan

Until then, let everyone feed spiritually and be ready.

Pray together

Pray alone 

Pray!

Pray!

Pray!

Help one another

I kept hearing this song:

In the morning, early in the morning. In the morning I will arise and praise the Lord

Tell them to start their days with me.

Timmy, I have put a new hunger in you. You are insatiable. 

Cynthia, stay with me.

Tell all of them,

I will bring to pass my word.

They should just stay

They should just stay

I will do it

I said it so I will do it.

I am able to do it

New jobs

Healing

I save and deliver from the snare of the Fowler

You will testify to this 

I save from mistakes and their cost 

I will do it

There is an outbreak of the spirit coming.

It will come in the place of prayer

Mouths will refuse to shut 

Rivers in the belly will gush out endlessly

It will usher in a phase for this family

Wait in the place of prayer, for it will happen there

This is the word of the Lord to us as received at the spiritual pool

God gives us the Grace to enter and walk in them.

For Word Alive 

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 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.