Sunday, 15 November 2020

WHAT COMES NEXT AFTER A REVIVAL?

We've spoken a lot on Revivals and gotten prophecies about a Revival being at hand all over the world. We've all been praying and expecting, some of us already experiencing the fire That has begun.

But what happens after the "Revival"

First, I'd like to say that after the revival, the revival continues. It really doesn't end in that sense.

The "Revival event" is just an ushering into the Revival. This is what people call the revival normally but it is an ushering.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:42‭-‬47 KJV

This scripture was after the Pentecost event. A revival had happened on the day of Pentecost.

Let's rewind a bit

On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were gathered in one place. Acts 2:1 TPT

All the disciples were gathered in one place. When God is about to pour out His fire of revival upon a generation, one pattern I've noticed is that people begin to gather together. The disciples first were gathered and soon people joined them.

Remember the Azusa street revival (i  sent a book on it here last week). Men gathered and something began. I tell you that what God did with that revival, we benefit today.

Pentecostal ministries were born through this revival. The baptism in the Holy Ghost has now become a norm today, thanks to what God did.

To acts, the church began after this Revival on Pentecost. The gentiles who were normally considered impure by the Jews got to know that there was no segregation in Christ and found their being in Him. They received all that the disciples shared and no, they refused to go back home

They continued to gather. Same as the Azusa street revival. For 3 years, the gatherings did not stop. They stayed together.

What next after a Revival?

1. Don't go back home!

You see, there is really no normal to return to. Something changed and it's meant to be permanent.

When you experience things like this, don't see it as a one off experience and look forward to the next event. Stick together. Form relationships with those you've experienced this with.

Have close fellowships with them. Get more involved in the lives of other believers. Live life together

God really doesn't work with people in isolation. He might train you for some time alone, but He does a whole lot of joint work. Embrace your new normal and walk in it

Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. Acts 2:42 TPT

I like the way TPT puts it, it says their hearts were mutually linked!

2. Remain exposed to the word of God

More than ever, you need this exposure. Even if it is personal revival you are experiencing, these things are a must.

Personal devotions must be constant. Group devotions should never be neglected (this is not the time to start stabbing church). Those who fail in Christ fail first in the word. If you don't like studying the word and you let this stay, you are setting yourself up for failure o.

8 So all the Israelites met together in the seventh month of the year. They were united and in complete agreement. They all met together in the open place in front of the Water Gate. All the people asked Ezra the teacher to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given to the Israelites. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the law before those who had met together. This was on the first day of the month.[a] It was the seventh month of the year. Men, women, and anyone old enough to listen and understand were at the meeting. 3 Ezra read in a loud voice from the Book of the Law from early morning until noon. He was facing the open place that was in front of the Water Gate. He read to all the men and women, and to everyone old enough to listen and understand. All the people listened carefully and paid attention to the Book of the Law. 4 Ezra stood on a high wooden stage. It had been built just for this special time. On his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. And on his left side stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 So Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them on the high stage. As he opened the Book of the Law, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people held up their hands and said, “Amen! Amen!” Then all the people bowed down and put their faces low to the ground and they worshiped the Lord. 7 These men from the tribe of Levi taught the people about the law as they were all standing there. The Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah. 8 They read the Book of the Law of God. They made it easy to understand, and explained what it meant. They did this so that the people could understand what was being read. Nehemiah 6:1-8 ERV

Even in the old testament after the people came back from captivity, they understood that a new had began. And this was their response in Nehemiah 8.

They gathered together in unity. In fact, it was them who asked Ezra to teach. They demanded the word.

Now, this is for us on Word Alive. I noticed we've been praying more than studying the word.

Some of us attend prayers and ignore the schedule.

Of course, the excuse is we are busy but we know the truth that we are not that busy. It is a lie we've been telling ourselves

This goes for all of us (myself included), God is saying to remind us not to neglect the word and move in isolation.

Failure awaits.  

3. Save yourselves from this crooked generation

40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Acts 2:40 (NLT)

In verse 37, the people had asked Peter "what shall we do?" Peter had responded that they repented and be saved. To accept Christ.

But we see that Peter did not stop here.

For the revival they had just experienced, something bad to be done

They had to detach themselves from the values of the world. They had to log out

They had a new normal so they abandoned what they were used to. It was a fresh start. A revival is a fresh start. Especially for those of us that are "spiritually grown", a lot of us miss out on revivals cos we "know"

We experience the ushering o, something that we have seen in vision tey tey. But we do not move with the revival cos of all we know

Log out and log in afresh.

It is a new life, even for you. Don't just see it from afar, experience it!

4. Pray

This one, there is no 2 ways to it. Pray. Communicate with God. Don't get too full from the ushering that you refuse to sit and eat the main course.

5. Allow those who lead.  Don't be an insider opposition

This part is especially for those of us that have seen this revival coming. Reading God's generals, I noticed one thing, for most of them major opposition came from believers and even generals themselves.

The Israelites in Nehemiah knew Ezra's place and the Levites, they allowed them do their job. In fact, they invited them to. Sometimes, it will look like this person is not running the exact template I got

This is not the exact thing God showed me so they have to be wrong.

For what God is about to do, we can't afford to stand against each other.

This revival is breaking out everywhere. Trust that God who brought the revival will lead every key person aright. Don't be the first to pull down. If it is difficult to understand what they are doing and the manner with which they execute, pray!

Don't interfere or condemn. (Except God specifically tells you to)

6. Note down the experiences at the revival ushering

Write everything down. Write it o! E get why. 

7. Finally, be LED

There is no Revival without a massive outpour/move of the spirit. The spirit is the revival Himself.

You cannot say this is the move of the spirit and you move without Him. Them no dey barb person hair for hin back. If you move outside of the spirit, you will move inside bush laslas

This is really the most important part. Be led in all sense of that word.

It's the spirit's move not yours, don't get too forward. Allow Him be lead. He is not staying and asking us to go and do. No! He moves then we move with Him in that direction.

Be led!



























































Monday, 24 August 2020

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

John  8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.



What is Truth?

Toye: the quality or state of being true.

Samson: Truth is the exact representation of an event/situation.

"In the dictionary, Truth is the quality--- or state of being true

According to Wikipedia: Truth is the property of being in accord with fact or reality.

In everyday language, truth is typically ascribed to things that aim to represent reality or otherwise correspond to it, such as beliefs, propositions, and declarative sentences.

I’m not even going to lie when I started to study for this teaching, I actually wanted to change it to something else because it was becoming more complicated than I imagined it.... so we’re doing this together...

Are there types of truth? Can a truth turn out to be a lie?

When I was studying for this teaching, I discover that there are actually different types of truth... I’ll narrow it down to two, Empirical truth and Convenient truth

Empirical truth: Empirical truth is based on evidence, research and reason. It is the truth that scientists seek. It is the truth that people seek when they want to achieve predictable results.

I’m sure if you’ve gone to Uni or Poly... there’s a part in your project Chapter 2 where you talk about empirical reviews....

In relation to time, empirical truth is more about past proof and future value than any present purpose.

Convenient truth: This is base on need, desire and emotion. It is the truth that people seek when they want to be right, when they suspect they are wrong.

In relation to time, convenient truth is about now and bother less about the past or future. Does this mean a truth can be a lie... ????

In the theory of probability( sorry I studied Statistics in Poly😊)  it is either truth or false, there’s no half truth/ half fallacy 

That means if it’s not the truth then it’s a lie .... be it a convenient or empirical truth... if it’s proven to be false then it’s no longer a truth...

This brings me to another question can I be living a lie thinking it’s the truth?

Samson: Yes. Someone can take a lie and make it his or her own reality. However, truth should be absolute. It should be universal. If it isn't universal or absolute, it can't be truth.

Yes... it’s very possible to be living a lie as the truth until you come in terms with truth

Let me cite an example Isaiah 53:5  says 

...and with his stripes we are healed 

Do you know it’s possible to continuously live in the lies of the devil when we do not know that by his stripes we’re healed?

I was very particular about this topic, because there would come a time you may forget the truth you know and begin to believe the lies of the devil... I’ve been in this position several times... but there’s something about knowing the truth... It sets you free

How can the truth set you Free?

1. The first criteria for the truth to set you free is to know the truth

John 8: 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

It is the truth you know that will set you free... The truth you are not aware of can not set you free... and you know the truth by studying the word of God

2. After knowing the truth, you believe....

Acts  13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

It is one thing to know the truth and a totally different thing to believe the truth...

At the end of the day what you believe is what is true to you. What do you believe to be the truth?

The truth can set us free: 

* when we believe and come in terms with our reality in Christ not with our present situation

* Recognizing the truth, you’re liberated from the illusion of your present reality

* By seeing that the truth in the word should be one and the same with your reality you’re liberated from the conflict of self and other vices

* When you become one with this reality(your reality in Christ) you see that you’re god, and have become liberated from the bonds of mans law;

*Can truth be relative? What is true to you can it be different from what’s true to me? 

John  14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

To me there’s only one truth, but for it to be our truth it all bores down to our believe. 

For example, imagine someone having constant headache and this person keeps sleeping it off after ticking all the boxes (I.e you’ve taking your medication, you’re not stressing your self, etc.... because knowing the truth doesn’t mean not doing the right things, in fact you do the right things because you know the truth)... then it finally dawns on you that Christ is the balm of Gilead and you accept that truth and exercise your faith. 

You know that your present reality isn’t tallying with the truth God said to you... he is the balm of Gilead, sickness have no place in your body

Though your present reality says something else but you begin to confess God’s truth in your life

What Happens to you when you embrace the Truth?

*You learn how to see the world, shining and dazzling in its purity with new eyes, with fresh perspective.

*You do not let your current reality determine who you’re in Christ

*You live more at peace, You’re less troubled by what’s happening around you

Mark  4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

We see here that the Disciples couldn’t understand why Jesus was so at peace and sleeping even during the storm. Lol when you come to the reality of your truth in Christ people will marvel at how calm you’ll be in very tough situations... some will ask what kind of human being are you...

*You become more available for life to breathe through you. Yes you will stop being overly too conscious... you’ll begin to live your life to the fullest

*You become unstuck. The air around you begins to blow, there is movement...

In Summary I’m very particular about us knowing our reality in Christ cause this is our truth, our current situation don’t determine this, devil will continuously poke his ugly head to make you forget this truth... he will show you all the difficulties and the terrible things happening to make you forget the truth.... but in all these DO NOT FORGET YOUR TRUTH IN CHRIST, YOU KNOW THIS TRUTH BY CONSTANTLY STUDYING THE BIBLE

Monday, 3 August 2020

KOINONIA; THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS

G2842Greek: κοινωνία

Transliteration: koinōnía

Pronunciation: koy-nohn-ee'-ah 

 ----------

 Description: from κοινωνός(G2844); partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction:

Translation: (to) communicate(-ation), communion, (contri-)distribution, fellowship.


We established last time that it is important we fellowship with the spirit; to share life together with the spirit. To have a companionship relationship with the spirit

Today, we look at Koinonia with one another



1John.1.1 - [We are writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands.

In this first verse, John first established that they had had fellowship with Christ they had shared life with the one who existed from the beginning. 

1John.1.3 - What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

One thing is evident here, the disciples enjoyed fellowship with Christ. They had something intimate with the living one and it was sweeeeeeeet. And here is the thing about this sweet fellowship, you can't keep it to yourself. You want to share. That's really what fellowship means, to share together. You just want to share in this experience with others too. 

1John.1.7 - But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

If we say we walk in the light, fellowship comes naturally to us. We want to be with other believers. Those who walk in the light enjoy fellowship with other believers.

If we are finding it difficult to relate with other believers, give it small time, you will find that person walking in darkness.

I personally have noticed when fellowship is reduced (church, friends etc), fellowship with the spirit can easily be affected too. And before you know it, you are sinning.

If we really live and walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another

Any believer that loves isolation is most likely not walking in the light

Remember that first, we fellowship with the spirit.

The Holy spirit is in every believer, thus standing as a common factor between us all.

Remi has the Holy Spirit, Bola has the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is Remi intersect Bola

Remi n Bola

The magnet drag automatically happens.

For every believer that fellowships with God, there is a magnet dragging you to other believers around because of the spirit in them which is a common factor

1 Corinthians  12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.

For the body is not one member but many. We are "legion"

There is nothing like isolation or me or alone in this walk. If we are truly part of the body of Christ, there is no standing alone.

Can the ear stand on its own and claim to be a body? No! It has to join with other members: eyes, nose, legs, hands etc.

Let's look at the very beginning of the body of Christ and the entrance of the spirit

Acts  2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

They were all together in one place, in one accord. Here is the establishment of the church, togetherness, a sharing together. Such a perfect entrance for the spirit as this is His mission, to share God's mind and will to us

This was the very foundation of the church

The believers spent their time listening to the teaching of the apostles. They shared everything with each other. They ate together and prayed together. The believers shared a common purpose, and every day they spent much of their time together in the Temple area. They also ate together in their homes. They were happy to share their food and ate with joyful hearts. The believers praised God and were respected by all the people. More and more people were being saved every day, and the Lord was adding them to their group.
Acts 2:42‭, ‬46‭-‬47 ERV

The believers had a common purpose so they united over it. They spent time together, shared their belongings too. And the bible recorded that more people were added to them

As we fellowship, there is an expansion

Now here's a mistake most people make, we assume that going to church is fellowship. While this is the start, it is not all that it means. Fellowship is way more intimate

We are not just church members, we are intimate members of the body of Christ.

It's possible that we gather together and stand against each other. Fellowship is sharing together, communion, intimate friendship.This is what we are meant to share

The same way we give our all to the Spirit In total abandonment, we do same with the body of Christ. And this fellowship is not just a mark attendance thing.

Acts 2:42 says the apostles devoted themselves to fellowship. Without devotion, there cannot be unity

Let me go back to the Spirit as this is our template.

I am devoted to fellowship with the spirit. He reveals God's mind to me intimately. I am unified in thoughts and mind with God as fellowship increases

Let's fix this with the body of Christ.

We devote ourselves to fellowship with the body of christ (not just marking attendance), there's a unification that happens in this place. Look at some churches, you will see that the members think alike.
Even if Pastor has not preached, their response aligns. 

And this is found majorly in devote membership. Devotion brings a unification among us, even in the things of the spirit. In fact, especially in the things of the spirit.

Remember the spirit is our common factor

And what does unification does? It births more believers. It's also in fellowship that we learn to love others better.

Are you having issues with a fellow believer? Or they keep getting on your nerves? Find your way into their space, just fellowship with them for 2 weeks to 1 month. Don't go to fight or trash anything o

Even if its just 15 min daily. 

"Hello Bro Toye, are you free? Let's study the word together briefly and pray"

If you feel the same way about them after 1 month, come and collect all the money in my account. 

In fellowship, you know the mind of God abi. As you fellowship with them in spirit, you get to know God's mind towards that "annoying believer"

God's mind towards us is always sweet. Scripture says His thoughts towards us are of good and not evil.

And like we said the last time, God rubs off on us in fellowship. You begin to inherit His mind about these people. And everything just changes

You see them a new way, exactly as God sees them. And you love them in this way.

Probably, you want to ask "Remi, but people go to church and keep malice/fight etc". Well, church attendance doesn't equal fellowship

Even in marriage, if a couple is having issues and resentment is setting in, it's fine, just fellowship.

Don't come trying to make God point out who is right or wrong. Just focus on God, the both of you. Do this for a while and you will see God pointing out new things to you about that annoying partner.

Fellowship helps us to stand firm in Faith

Ecclesiastes 4:9 It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough!
Ecclesiastes 4:11 Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.

In this movement, we never walk alone

Stop trying to do this God walk alone, stop it. It's exhausting. You can't keep up

It is better for us to do this with other believers.

There is something special about standing in agreement with other believers and the only way we stand is in the spirit: Fellowship

It is easier to fall when we are walking alone. I don't know if we've noticed this pattern with people that fall from the faith

They usually first start with. "I can worship God alone in my house. I don't need to go to church"

They stop church, stop praying, start questioning things and stop believing. The devil has a goal, his target is our lives and he knows our lives are safely hidden in Christ by faith

So he finds ways to make us stop believing: 

Let me use an analogy.

We are 119 on the group abi. We are gathered together in one nice island, let's say Bali 😉Then one big strong guy comes and tries to take Samson away. Even if the guy is very strong, because we are much, we will fight. And there is high chance we will overcome him, cos of our strength in numbers. What the devil does is push the person he wants out of a support group. Nobody to fight back

We see that the devil himself knows he doesn't have strength. He uses lies to get what he wants and deceive us to do his dirty job for him. 

There is so much strength in our number as the body of Christ. So much. Don't think you are strong alone. You won't last on your own. Stay with the pack!

25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning. Heb 10: 25 TPT

Churches are not meeting physically. This world we sojourn in is not as we used to know it, but please This is not the time to pull away. 

More than ever, we need each other. Attend your church services online. Don't be tweeting or watching BBN while pastor is preaching.

Pay attention as you'd in a physical setting. We can't meet in 100s or 50s but we can gather in 10s or 5s.

Hang out with people from your church (not to gossip about others o), just fellowship together. If you cannot hangout physically, God has given us wisdom for a time like this, connect online.

Little Exercise

Please I'd like us all to do this. Reach out to someone that has been pulling away from the gathering of saints. Don't talk about their pulling away (might make them defensive). Just tell them you called to just pray as they came to mind. Pray with them and gist about the word. Do so for a couple of days/weeks. We can drop feedback here as time goes on. 

If you don't know anyone that pulled out, you can reach out to normal members too.

It is God's will that we fellowship intimately. Also note that this intimate fellowship does not mean you should go and fall in love with that brother/sister o 😭😭😭. That's not what God sent me o (but if God wills that it happens that way too, nice 😁)

Just note that the focus is Christ. The spirit points us to Christ. In helping us to love one another better, He is helping us live our new life which is Christ's

Fellowship births love, forgiveness, strength and encouragement. It is a prerequisite for survival. And for those that have stopped fellowshipping as they used to because of some ills in the church. Maybe you've been hurt by someone in the church.

It could even have been consistent. I know this feeling. I have been here

And I tell you, one of the greatest things God did was help me stay in the body of Christ and love regardless. Things changed after a while

If you are in this space and hurting or know anyone who is, we have a message on CHURCH HURT.  It's been helpful for so many of us that have been here too.

And if you have questions or need to talk, please reach out to me privately via sermons.wordalive@gmail.com. I'm available

Again, God doesn't want us in isolation. He wants all of us together

Stay with the pack!

God bless you all



























Monday, 20 July 2020

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; KOINONIA


2 Corinthians 13:14 The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14 AMP

The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it).
2 Corinthians 13:14 AMPC



Look at this singular verse, every (Nigerian) Christian knows this by heart. If I say The Grace, we all know what next. No need to open bible

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all now and forever.

This was Paul's closing blessings in his second letter to the Corinthians.

And while we've gotten so used to this passage, somehow we do not understand its true meaning as so many of us do not walk in

The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it).
2 Corinthians 13:14 AMPC

Here we see an appearance of The trinity in a blessing to the church.

I'm not sure there is any other blessing that has this in the new testament.

Paul prays first for the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with them.

This is only accessible of course to those who believe in Christ and have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour.

This Grace is given only by the sacrifice on the cross.

This will mean all believers have access to it.

The love of God

This is the cord holding it all. It is the anchor

It is why we have Grace through Christ Jesus. Love is what bought it all. Sweet part? This love is for all of mankind and revealed through Christ Jesus

The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit

MSG says it is the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit

KJV calls it communion

AMPC says it is not just communion/fellowship, it is expatiated into a Sharing together and participation

The word communion is Koinonia in Greek and it simply means fellowship.

Let's branch to our concordance a bit please

G2842Greek: κοινωνία
Transliteration: koinōnía
Pronunciation: koy-nohn-ee'-ah 
 ----------
 Description: from κοινωνός(G2844); partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction:
Translation: (to) communicate(-ation), communion, (contri-)distribution, fellowship.

Just look at what we are meant to be having with the Holy Spirit. 

We've been given Grace through the love of the Father. We've also been blessed with the presence (indwelling) of the spirit inside of us as a seal of our faith.

But you see fellowship? This one that Paul is talking about, it doesn't just fall on us like Grace. We do not just find ourselves in it, no.

It requires participation. Intimate friendship doesn't just happen, it is built by efforts from both parties of this friendship

Fellowship is companionship which means to share life together. We've been called to share life together with the spirit.

He shares God's life (thoughts, mind, action, will emotions etc) with us and vice versa.

It's something so personal and beautiful. We freely interact and discuss with the Holy Spirit. Now note that this is not just Paul's advice or prayer

This is God's wish. God wants us to participate in this fellowship.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever–
John 14:16 AMPC

And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. 
John 14:16‭ TPT

If we scroll up this chapter, we will see that Jesus had told his disciples He was leaving them.

They will not get to see Him and speak with Him daily as they used to.
All the inside gist they used to get, seems like it'd be cut off.

Jesus was leaving!

The disciples of course would not have felt good. What is the verse before the promise of the spirit?

If you love me, you will obey my commands. There is definitely a direct link to this. Fellowship with the spirit spurs us into obedience!

“I will not leave you all alone like orphans. I will come back to you. “I have told you all these things while I am with you. But the Helper will teach you everything and cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name.
John 14:18‭, ‬25‭-‬26 ERV

Whatever it is the disciples thought they'd miss out on due to Jesus leaving, the spirit will be sent and that gap closed. I love the part where Jesus says He lives with you and will be in you

The easiest person to communicate is with someone that lives in the same room with you

My parents advice that married couples sleep in the same room, cos it's easier to resolve conflict.

There is no way you want to fight for a long time with someone you are living in the same room with for long. You will sha communicate

Now imagine one living inside of you. He will be in you!

There is an automatic expectation of communication.

Interactive Spiritual communication is one essential part of Fellowship of the Holy spirit.

We hear whispers of His will

His mind and stance dropped into our thoughts/mind

God's emotions showed to us.

The Holy Spirit is to reveal the deep things of God and it happens only from the place of fellowship.

In fact, this fellowship is "life" to us.

It is the link between the creator and that which is created.

We have a relationship with God as sons already. The Holy spirit is our means of communication in this relationship.

How?
Fellowship!

In fact Jesus mentioned in John 16:7

Let me assure you, it is better for you that I go away. I say this because when I go away I will send the Helper to you. But if I did not go, the Helper would not come.
John 16:7 ERV

This is how much value and importance Christ placed on fellowship.

Note the word used here is Helper and it describes beyond the indwelling of the spirit as a seal.

It denotes a link, a special help to reach God.

So important that Christ had to go

Actually, this is why Christ died too

At the beginning, God intended fellowship and it was cut off/limited after the fall of man.

God sent His only son to die so you can have fellowship!

Fellowship with Him

And while we are here on earth, we will have to do this through the Holy Spirit.

Now back to the Corinthians and Paul's letter to them.

These letters to the Corinth Church  were filled with strong corrections.

The Corinth Church had all the gifts of the spirit.

Them dey manifest die

But there was a huge problem: Carnality

How do you have the spirit and have outward expressions of Carnality? Hmmmm

I for pretend to not understand this o. But you see, a lot of us believers are very much like the church in Corinth (even worse)

I cannot imagine Paul writing letters to our generation today😂😂.

The church in Corinth had a huge problem 

Na dem sleep with their papa wife, fornicate pass, full of carnality pass

Their problem was indeed plenty and one thing we'd notice in the the letters to the Corinth Church was the emphasis on the help of the spirit.

Should we study well, we will see exactly why Paul ended with this prayer.

The church in Corinth had a Carnality problem majorly because there was a deficiency in Fellowship with the Spirit.

Koinonia missing!

(Note that operating in the gifts of the spirit do not equate fellowship! It is from this Fellowship of the Holy Spirit that transformation happens for a believer. This is the location where we are changed)

[So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].
1 John 1:6 AMPC

You want to know the extent of your fellowship? It's in your lives. The thoughts on your mind, the things you do when no one is watching

All what the Corinth Church did wrong, it pointed to one thing: A need to fellowship more

In fact, Paul had to close his letter by praying that need for them. That this fellowship it will be with you people forever o.

I use myself as an example on this so much

"Stop sinning"

If you like make vow to God with your life, na lie. Tomorrow you will go back. Because it is not your integrity that keeps you

It is fellowship. It shows us the way and helps us to walk in truth. The spirit, the one who is Help, He provides Help as we fellowship.

I hardly ever tell people stop fornicating, stop doing this or that (Except it's a direct instruction from God).

Infact, I never focus on the stop

My focus is Fellowship; Koinonia. This is where all the change happens without stress. This is as valid for us as it was for the church in Corinth

How does this change happen? 

God rubs off on us in fellowship. Literally!

This invitation to fellowship is forever open to us.

And now more than before, there is an urgency for us believers to fellowship with God (especially for such a time as this).

God wants to reveal His thoughts and mind to us. He wants us to feel His heartbeat and know His emotions at all times.

Is God happy about xyz? Sometimes I'm fellowshipping and I just see God's smile. 

Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else: I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.
Psalms 27:4 TPT

True fellowship goes both ways. Thing is, the Holy spirit is already inside of you for this reason looking forward to every intimate moment.

The spirit craves this more than you know. This is one of the major reasons for His existence in you

Whatever it is you are struggling with as a believer, take your eyes off it, take you mind off it.

That sin? That struggle? Ignore it. You actually can't do anything about them on your own. You will end up struggling more and more. 

Why not just focus on being with the spirit instead? Leave those things and shift your attention to fellowship

Take the hand the spirit extends to you for fellowship and begin. 

Let us pray

May the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with us all from this day forever more.


Monday, 13 July 2020

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

During prayers this week, the Lord drew our attention to the creation story and explained some things to us. We will be taking it up from there today

In the beginning God ( Elohim)  created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good (pleasing, useful) and  He affirmed and sustained it; and God separated the light [distinguishing it] from the darkness.
Genesis 1:1‭-‬4 AMP

First, the earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness and there was darkness

Then God looked and said Let there be light. So there was light and God saw that the light was good.

First, what does light do?

It helps to see properly.

If I come into a room that is dark (a wasteland as the earth was described), I will need light to move around

Here, we see God's first reaction in the face of darkness: Let there be light

It is calling forth "sight"




But I found out something this week, that it is not just calling forth sight. It goes beyond this

Let's go back to Genesis again. It says after God created light, He saw that light was good.

Now, the earth was described as a wasteland; empty, void and filled with darkness.

If I throw light upon this, the wasteland, emptiness and voidness remain. In fact, they are magnified in the presence of light.

You see more clearly.

That is what light does, it helps you to see more clearly.

Whenever I'm too lazy to do my home cleaning, I put off the light cos light helps me to see how much cleaning I need to stand up and do right away. Darkness hides it just a little bit

So if God says let there be light, what is automatically shown as this light is switched on is the state of the earth: void, wasteland, empty, etc.

How can this be good?

As we prayed this week, the spirit of the Lord drew my attention to this:

That beyond sight, the light was vision

You see, sight is limited to that which we see around us. Vision is the ability to see farther than your eyes can see.

When God saw the light that it was good, what He saw was vision. All the earth was about to be (they already were in His sight)

He wasn't seeing emptiness, voidness or wastelands, no!

What He saw was Good. He saw the Earth and all of creation even before they were created!

There was a visualization of that which was then unseen. And it was Good!

It was this vision that allowed God to know what was next. What the fields should look like, where the sky should stay, the placing of the moons and the stars etc. He didn't have to think or do trial and error because He had seen.

Also note that, God did not have a template for creation (Except that which He saw).

The only thing that had a template in creation was man, and the template is God (Man was made in the image of God)

So there was no sight whatsoever that looked like what the Lord envisioned and called forth

He had not seen a version of earth or something that could be a foundation for this earth that He was about to call forth but yet He saw. The earth at that point also did not look anything like what He saw, but there was a possibility of an unknown because He saw

Even before man was created, for every "it was good", man appeared in the picture. The vision of course included the interactability possibilities of all things to be created

Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].
Proverbs 29:18 AMP

Where there is no vision, the people perish. We are only carried as far as we can see. We cannot move beyond our sight

We are as big/great as our vision. I'm going to chip this in from the prayers before we proceed.

We talked about the creation and man being made with the template, God

And because man is made with the template called God, some functionaries got called into this creation called man.

So man has the creative ability of God.

You have the DNA of God, so you have the creative ability of God.

What does it mean to be creative? The ability to bring things to life.

In design, a lot of people work with already built templates/existing products and improve on it.

In fact, most of the things we see are improvements on that which already exist.

But for the man in Christ (because we've been returned to status quo), we can bring the unexisting into existence. We do not need to have a template to see

We are not limited by surrounding situations. We already have the only template we need, and it is God's DNA flowing inside of us!

This DNA that we have causes us to see as God sees. Wasteland, void and emptiness all around but He saw beyond it!

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.   But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matthew 6:22‭-‬23 KJV

The only source of light for the body is the eye. The bible makes us understand that Jesus Christ is Light

[12]Later, Jesus talked to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.” ERV Bible. John 8:12

I am the light of the world.

The only source of light for the body is the eye.

Jesus (our light) is now our eyes

We see all situations through His lens

Whoever follows me will never live in darkness

Darkness was the state of the earth until God said let there be light. And all things started coming alive, one after the other

This light that gives life, we have it.

But first, this light SEES life.

The body moves based on what it sees. Again, Our direction is determined by what we see

What we see is very crucial in this life. It is what determines where the body moves to.

And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:  For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
Genesis 13:14‭-‬15 KJV

Abraham had just been seperated from Lot. They had shared lands and Lot chose the fair part of the possession. So Abraham was left with that which was "not so good"

God appeared to Him just after this:

Look with your eyes, all the land which you see, I will give to you and your seed forever

All that which you see, I will give to you forever. We can only possess as far as we can see.

Whatever you see is what belongs to you. It is unto us just as we envision

There is so much power in our sight, so much!

And one thing I've found in, one of the most difficult times to see is when things are not so good. It's very possible that we forget our "God status/DNA" and focus on the physical.

There we saw the giants ( the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
Numbers 13:33 NKJV

Quick back note:

Moses had sent some men to Canaan to spy.

They were moving back to the promised land, so they wanted to see what it looked like and all It will take them to get in.
How fruitful the land was, the soil, the walls protecting it, all details about the land basically.

Now here is the report brought back by those sent

For 40 days these men were spying and checking out the land.

They saw that the land was good:

The men told Moses, “We went to the land where you sent us. It is a land filled with many good things ! Here is some of the fruit that grows there.
Numbers 13:27 ERV

But they added a BUT

They saw powerful people, giants

They saw impossibilities of entering the land

And you know what happened?

Everyone that saw how they could not did not actually enter the promised land.

But Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh were among the men who were sent out to explore the land. They are the only ones who did not get the sickness that caused the others to die.
Numbers 14:38 ERV

Only Joshua and Caleb entered the land

Why? Because they saw the land as attainable.

Sometimes, we see good but there are BUTS

You look at 2020, with one mouth Confess it is good and the next minute you add the buts

You cannot move past the buts in your vision. What you see is your reality, it is what shapes your destiny. Your vision is the only key to your future

A lot of people are seeing a future that is in front. But no, your future is really what you see now. Your future is right here is your present sight!

We didn't see all of the things happening in the world today coming.

What we saw was what God told us about 2020 and beyond.

You see when God was describing Canaan to His children as theirs, there was no mention of it being a land filled with Giants that they cannot overcome. It was their land, the one He was about to give back to them, flowing with milk and honey

God obviously saw the giants living there at that point but that detail was unimportant cos He has envisioned that land as home to His children. 

There was a land flowing with milk and honey (exactly as told by God). But they focused on a detail that did not matter to God, the giants in the land. As they kept on seeing the giants, they became like grasshoppers.

They who were meant to inherit the land saw themselves as grasshoppers, as ones who couldn't own that land. So they didn't

Whatever it is 2020 has brought our way, this is a reminder that God saw all of these things ahead and they were inconsequential. 

The pandemic, the chaos in the world, the projections for the coming months/years due to all of these,

ALL INCONSEQUENTIAL

He gave us a word to guide our sight. And this is exactly what we must see. We must see alongside God

This is not the season to start complaining or adding buts.

And I just sense this as an instruction for us in my spirit, that we should be mindful of our words.

Don't add buts to it. Refuse to see the situations that will add buts to that which is yours

Don't join people to wish 2020 away. It might be jokes but please don't. This is not the season for that, at all.

Don't push things that the Lord had clearly told you were for 2020

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. The only substance of our vision is Faith. It is not directed by what is happening around us, No!

Everything in this world is a matter of perspective

Where you are seeing from. And what you see.

Scripture says the light shines in darkness and is not overcome by darkness. This light we have said is our vision.

Whatever darkness is in the world, it cannot overcome our vision cos it is light. It cannot overcome that which we have seen and believed. Never!

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.  Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
Jeremiah 1:11‭-‬12 KJV

What seest thou?

What do you see?

Jeremiah saw and said what He saw. And what did God say?

You have seen very well, for I watch over my word to perform

When the Lord gave us the word for the second half of the year, I kept thinking about it and the Holy Spirit led me to this scripture.

We see and believe before there is a performance.

I'm going to share our anchor scripture for the second half here again.

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Luke 1:45 KJV

We've already established the connection between our vision and faith.

And here is what this brings to us :

A performance of the things which were told from the Lord

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Numbers 23:19 KJV

It's a simple case of What you see is what you get

Your future is right here in your present sight/vision, begging you to see well, to ignore all that is around. I'm going to end this with this question for us all.....WHAT DO YOU SEE?



Monday, 22 June 2020

SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS

In your own understanding, what does it mean to be weak spiritually?



Omotola - To lack spiritual stamina. Aka Daku Daji 🌚

Samson - The things of the Spirit don't excite one as they should

Mayowa - When you find it difficult to like flow with things of the spirit. Like finding it difficult to pray for example

Becca - To be in a state of apathy, where nothing spiritual excites you.

Weakness
Weakness is a condition of being fatigued, tired, and inadequate physically, mentally, spiritual or emotionally to the extent that you cannot function effectively

What then is Spiritual Weakness?

This is a state of being tired and  fatigued spiritually so much that it hinders us from functioning effectively

Do you think it is normal for believers to get weak in the spirit?

Omotola - Not exactly. Infact, No. It happens but it's not normal

Mayowa - I think so

Becca - No its normal but it has a high tendency to occur once in a while if not detected and properly dealt with.

While it happens/occur, it is not God's plan that we actually get weak in the spirit. Why? Because there is no weakness whatsoever in the one whose strength we are meant to ride on: The spirit.

But, we do get weak

There are a whole lot of things that happen that are not part of God's original plan but they happen regardless. And somehow, our high priest understands 😁. 

Earlier this week, God revealed to me that a number of us on the group are suffering from this. I was praying concerning some admin related things, so I asked if it was for me or the leaders. And the spirit of God said No, that this was for the group and not just for a few people.

A large percentage of us are here, spiritually weak.

I started praying. I saw names and heart conditions. Bad part is, some of us are even doing a good Job of masking it on the outside.

I wondered if I should reach out to the names I saw privately but the instruction was to teach and encourage by the help of the spirit. The spirit says a lot of the people in this position are aware. The Lord also revealed to them. 

The Lord G od has given Me [His Servant] the tongue of disciples [as One who is taught], That I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple [as One who is taught].
Isaiah 50:4 AMP

As we share tonight, I pray that the word we receive sustains everyone of us that are weary.

Back to spiritual weakness.
Spiritual Weakness manifests in different forms. It means/looks/feels  different for different people

- If your daily fear for tomorrow overrides your showed affection for God, chances are spiritual weakness has set in.

- If you feel empty often and easily distracted whenever you pray/worship

-Uninterested in spiritual things

-Teachings/sermons/tweets are beginning to feel more like an attack

-You've lost your excitement

-You are getting easily discouraged

-You are no longer disciplined in your fellowship with God

- things are becoming meaningless

-Slack in study/praying habit

- You are not really busy o but you feel too busy.

- Loss of urgency in spiritual warfare

-Cold sense of commitment

- Falling Faith

- Your excitement for the word only tickles you. You are back to status quo in few minutes

- You feel hopeless

-Continuous self indulgence (Just this once keeps turning to more than once)

The list is really long

You see these symptoms, I'm pretty sure a lot of us can relate to one or more of them.

They point to only one thing, Spiritual weakness

Now, while spiritual weakness is a problem, it is not really the problem..

You see, spiritual weakness is an unsuspecting road to carnality

Another question for us: What do you think causes Spiritual Weakness?

Omotola - Repeated Procrastination. Not setting priorities. Life issues"/distractions.

Chelsea - When a person fills too spiritual and starts assuming or thinking a "little skip or break" won't harm. Forgetfulness. Laziness. Lack of fellowship. Overconfidence. Reliance on past victories and experiences

Retta Rubies - Allowing guilt to make us forget the freedom we have received in Christ. Trying to use standard set by others to judge ourselves and feeling terrible when we fall short of those standards which shouldn't even be there in the first place as your relationship with God shouldn't be based on any standard except what is given to is in the bible

Remi - Distractions, allowing sin overcome us can also cause spiritual weakness


How do we tackle spiritual weakness?

All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41 AMPC

Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Ephesians 6: 11- 13 AMPC

Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. [Isa. 40:13.]

1 Corinthians 2:12‭-‬16 AMPC

1. Admittance

If we keep denying the state we are in, we cannot get out of it. We will stay stuck. It's important that we first admit to ourselves that from the look of things "I am spiritually weak". So first, recognize the patterns and admit to yourself the problem

2. Second step is to Talk to God about it

You see, you can admit to yourself that you have a problem and there still won't be solutions.
So honestly speak to God about how you feel and allow Him help


3. Be Awake

Give strict attention to the things of the spirit. Be cautious of the things you involve yourself in. Basically, be watchful and stay in prayer

4. - Put On the whole armor of God

This scripture makes us to understand that this world is a battlefield. As believers, the major battle ground is in our minds. (Remember our discussion the last time on Spirit, Soul and Body)

Day by Day, we face a spiritual way and we have a real enemy: The devil

Spiritual Weakness is a sign that the enemy is somehow at an advantage in this war we face daily

Like I said earlier, the end game of the spiritual weakness is not just for you to feel weak. Nah
It is carnality

The enemy is out to destroy

From verse 14 of Ephesians 6 down to 18, we see the full armour of God we are asked to put on. The verse 13 tells us why we need to put it on

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13 NIV

For the days when the enemy is gaining ground, these are days we need this armour that we may be able to STAND

What is this full armour?

1. Belt of Truth
Not just truth about our state. You see the enemy will rather we focus on what is wrong with us. There is a truth greater than your current spiritual condition/situation. And this is the truth of who you are in Christ. The enemy will rather you do not engage this truth as it will help you overcome this problem

Your reality might be far from this truth o, but it is your truth regardless. Whatever God deems true will always be true. Hold on to it like your life depends on it

Confess it often

For your deliverance, put on truth!

(Practical class, so someone help us with a truth confession that addresses this. More than one person if possible).

2. Breastplate of righteousness

Bring out your righteousness card. Now here is the thing, this is not just Christ's righteousness in us being lived out.

The enemy will usually try to tell us this is it. You know why? He knows we do not have any righteousness card "in deeds" to come up with. Chances are if you've been spiritually weak for a while, you've been living in a way that is not Christ like.

Your Breastplate for righteousness is that which Christ has clothed you with. The enemy wants to attack you with impurity. You must first stand on the truth that you are pure and righteous before God then proceed to live this out.

3. Shoes of Peace
The enemy wants your heart to stay troubled, either by life situations or even the problem at hand. Find peace in the knowledge that your high priest understands. And be aude He does, help abounds for you

4. The shield of Faith

Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. He is able to keep us from stumbling. We should never think that we are far too gone or we can help ourselves.

5. The Helmet of Salvation

He who the son of man has set free is free indeed. First, we must remember that we are saved completely regardless of the situation. And the one who has saved us even from sin and eternal death is able to deliver us from this too

6. The sword of the spirit
The word of God! This is the greatest spiritual weapon ever. For every response Christ gave to Satan, it was the word. The word of God is our weapon in winning this battle and getting out of this state. Don't stay far away from the word

There is no Spiritual weakness/strength without the person of the spirit. We must be taught by the spirit. We must stay with Him and allow Him help us, if not every thing will be wasted effort.

If you are finding it difficult to do so, get one or 2 people, pray with them. For those that know me, you know I don't joke with corporate prayers. Scripture says 1 chases a thousand and 2, 10 thousand. Imagine how much more we do together as a body.

Be accountable

A lot of us want to pretend that nothing is wrong when something is wrong. Hmmm, this is 10001 ways to stay in that position actually.

Open up. These things thrive in secrecy. Reach out to someone. Allow them help you. And please don't just reach out to anybody. Reach out to someone who is led by the spirit.

To root out spiritual weakness, it is not just by wishful thinking. No! It takes effort and discipline

We can be touched by the teaching tonight and still go back. Choice!

It takes you to be ready to receive the help that Christ gives to move forward from here.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 MSG

Here's what Jesus is saying to you tonight:

Keep company with me, allow me remove the heavy load and show you how to live light. He says to allow Him teach the unforced rhythm of Grace. To leave that place where you keep struggling and trying but never enough

Just allow Christ. Take the help He gives readily

Don't rely on your strength, it will fail. Instead look to the Lord and His strength

For those of us who are strong in faith at this time, restore others and pray for them. Be available to help everyone that is down. Support and uphold them

For those of us that have seen that we are spiritually weak, know that you are not alone.

Even the very spiritually mature ones get here sometimes.

God is utterly devoted to you. He's here again with help

I leave you with this scripture

And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.
Jude 1:24‭-‬25 MSG

Let us pray

Thank you Jesus for your word
Thank you because it is you who keeps us
Thank you for you are our ever present help
Thank you for reaching out to us Lord
Thank you for loving us and being fully devoted to us.

As we have received your word, it is strength to us who are weary
Our ginger is activated back
We accept the help you give freely
We do not fall back asleep spiritually as we leave here
Your word comes alive in us
Amen



























Monday, 8 June 2020

Women and Church Leadership

Let the women who are new converts be willing to learn with all submission to their leaders and not speak out of turn. I don’t advocate that the newly converted women be the teachers in the church, assuming authority over the men, but to live in peace. Adam did not mislead Eve, but Eve misled him and violated the command of God. Yet a woman shall live in restored dignity by means of her children, receiving the blessing that comes from raising them as consecrated children nurtured in faith and love, walking in wisdom.
1 Timothy 2:11‭-‬12‭, ‬14‭-‬15 TPT

Now, we see here Paul telling women not to speak in church.



Should they want to know anything, they should ask their husbands

A woman should learn while listening quietly and being completely willing to obey. I don’t allow a woman to teach a man or tell him what to do. She must listen quietly, because Adam was made first. Eve was made later.
1 Timothy 2:11‭-‬13 ERV

This particular part of scripture causes a lot of problem. First, context and cultural background

We must first understand the times these instructions were given. Was the instruction given with respect to the culture of those days? How does it apply to us, in our own time

G2271Greek: ἡσυχία
Transliteration: hēsychía
Pronunciation: hay-soo-khee'-ah 
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 Description: feminine of ἡσύχιος(G2272); (as noun) stillness, i.e. desistance from bustle or language:
Translation: quietness, silence.

KJV usage: silent (3x), quietness (1x).

So here is the meaning and usage of the word Silence in this verse

Note that a similar word is used in verse 2 also

You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live QUIET AND PEACEFUL  lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him.
1 Timothy 2:2 ERV

Definitely, Paul could not have been saying women should be totally silent. Women prayed in church back then. In fact, Paul's first convert in Europe was a woman.

Paul had been in women dominated gatherings. He had seen women actually prosper the gospel

And did not frown upon these things. So definitely, he didn't mean silence as in "keep your mouth shut. I don't want to hear pim"

Like I said the last time, to understand this we have to got back to the beginning

This particular letter was addressed directly to Timothy in response to problems being faced in the church at that time.

Back to context again..

Paul's major theme in his letter to Timothy is False teaching

But somehow he moves to conduct in church.

Note that he was addressing situations in this body domestically led by Timothy (don't forget this part). So to address conduct, most likely that there was misconduct

Teaching women weren't common in those days. So we can assume that the leadership of the church was men

So the take is the women then were not as learned as the men in those days and in that particular church (in the faith). And it is very possible that they were part of those advancing false teachings in the church

Learning requires submission to a teacher.

The teachers were majorly men. Tell the women in your church to submit to the authority of those who teach in stillness/quietness. To not try to exercise authority over the men leading. Respect and honor the leadership of the men God had called to lead the church.

The passion translation breaks in down also, but I prefer not to quote directly from it, as people might not understand how they got to their conclusion.

So what now does Paul mean by this

I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
1 Timothy 2:12 NIV

Again, remember there were cases where women taught in the bible and it wasn't condemned:

Priscilla and her husband teaching Apollos (Acts 18:26). Paul reminding Timothy of where he learned the word (his mother and grandmother). This should be in 2 Timothy

Our focus in this verse is authority over a man. As it expands the meaning of the woman don't teach Paul shared.

Now, who has authority in the church in the template given by Paul? Elders in the church actually

And we know that Elders in the church according to 1 timothy are men. Not just men, married men with families and also possessing some strong characteristics

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
1 Timothy 3:1‭-‬6 NIV

So what Paul is saying in essence is: I, Paul, do not permit women to assume the office of an elder in church. As this position of authority is open to heads of household who are proven and meet other requirements

In our world today, women actually speak in church. They teach and some are even pastors but I've seen and noticed some things. Women are usually allowed to lead only under the leadership of a male pastor.

In my stay in Macedonia, I've been led by 2 female Pastors (being assistant to both). Before the first female head pastor, the former pastor was a man and when the new pastor (woman) was ordained, people actually left the church. Some stayed but to them she wasn't pastor enough. I see it in Nigeria too. A woman is head Pastor over a church and people are wondering if God is there. This is as if God's presence is tied to male leadership only

We want to involve women o, but we also want to determine the extent to which we can involve women. If I were to start a church today, a lot of people will stand against it (probably people on here too 😁)

Everyone is okay with Remi teaching o but not okay with Remi being conferred head of a church

"It's just bible study group, so we don't mind". "It's just deacon position. They are not really in charge"

I've seen this everywhere. And it is not just for our generation. This talk has been here long before now.

Now, the question for our time is. Should women lead churches? Senior pastors and elders, should it be for men alone?

First, Paul asking women to ask their husbands is because in those days, the men were more knowledgeable. The women had little or no education. Most could probably not read and write. How then do they teach if they can't?

Now, to our time.

We have educated women everywhere. I can read and write as much as the man next to me. I have the same measure of the Holy Spirit as every man to help with scripture interpretation and divine wisdom. Why then can't women still lead a church?

We go back to this word authority. This is the root cause of all the problem. There is really no danger in women dictating generally to men, domineering or usurping authority over men. There is no danger at all in this!

Not understanding this as caused a lot for our world (not just in the church).

I once heard of someone who said he won't work somewhere because boss is a woman. A woman cannot be head over him bla bla

The only person a woman does not have authority over is her husband and that is because Christ made Him head of their home.

[39]Mary got up and went quickly to a town in the hill country of Judea.
[40]She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
[41]When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the unborn baby inside her jumped, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
[42]In a loud voice she said to Mary, “God has blessed you more than any other woman. And God has blessed the baby you will have.
ERV Bible. Luke 1:39-42


[44]While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his speech.
[45]The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the Holy Spirit had been poured out as a gift also to people who were not Jews.
[46]They heard them speaking different languages and praising God. Then Peter said
ERV Bible. Acts 10:44-46

We see Elizabeth here ( Woman), filled with the spirit  and she began to prophesy. Note that she spoke after the spirit came upon her

[8]But the Holy Spirit will come on you and give you power. You will be my witnesses. You will tell people everywhere about me—in Jerusalem, in the rest of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.”
ERV Bible. Acts 1:8

This was a direct promise from Jesus. That after the spirit comes upon us, we will become witnesses

What will we do as witnesses?

We will tell people about God EVERYWHERE. In every part of the world. No limit whatsoever!

When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Acts of the Apostles 1:13‭-‬14 NLT

Inside the church and outside the church, all that have received the spirit will witness in accordance with the gifts this same spirit gives.

So if the spirit gives leadership gifts to a woman? She leads!

Teaching gifts? Teach she must

There is another myth that the leadership of women is restricted to only women. "Women can teach o, but let them gather their fellow women and discuss 999 ways to keep their men". Or they teach young girls only. These things are all around us subtly

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.
Acts of the Apostles 18:26 NLT

When Apollos (a man) started teaching and he wasn't teaching so accurately cos he knew only of John's baptism.

Guess who took him in to teach him? Priscilla and her husband

So yes, women can teach men. Women can teach their husbands. Women can also lead men

Anyone the spirit enables can lead the body of Christ, for the spiritual doesn't recognizer genders/sexes.

If women can teach in Sunday school, bible study, women meeting etc. Why can't they head or lead as teachers/pastors?

Here are all the reasons I've seen and noticed

1. Culture and Time

2. Insecurity and fragile masculine ego

3. Fear that the leader (woman) will usurp authority over her husband as a reason of this position, thereby disobeying Christ's will for their home

I think the 3 is the most valid.

I personally believe there are ways to address problem 3. Everyone has the tendency to abuse authority/position.

Yet we still give access to certain people. Train your women to understand exactly their role as leaders and their role as wives. Equip them properly for ministry. Then continue to pray for them

And for us women, the husband being head of home is not up for question. I might be his boss at work or pastor in church. I might earn more than him

None of these makes him less head. His headship is as conferred by God, so we respect this.

For point 1, culture will keep evolving with time. We will all fall in line laslas

For point 2, I believe men generally should find their security in the word of God not in their ability to Lord themselves over women. Note that this comment is not restricted to church.

Most men usually do not respect women, they believe they are more than every woman they meet.

If Uber driver is not telling you he has your type at home, it is a random man getting angry over a simple question.

A question they won't have issues with if a man asked o. A lot of us women can actually relate to this

Driver resigning when he saw his boss is a woman. According to him he cannot work under a woman

Saw another post where the driver resigned cos madam did not ask nicely when she gave description. According to him she ordered him around 😂

In fact, this particular driver before then would greet madam's younger brother as friends "Yes sir" but cannot use such terms for his madam because woman.

I have heard and seen a lot. Believe me, these things are ridiculous and definitely not the wish of God. God doesn't see any gender as less.

You are not more than anybody. Even the leaders in church, you are not more anything

You have been called to SERVE.

When it comes to the church—when it comes to spiritual things—when it comes to the body of Christ—there are no distinctions between men and women. As far as God is concerned, there are none. That's where many have missed it. They've made it a man-and-woman proposition—when it is not. It is a husband-and-wife proposition. The man is not the head of the woman in the church. The husband is the head of the wife in the home.
E. Robinson

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26‭-‬28 NLT

Every dividing line is erased. No segregation

Everyone is child enough. Can be used to whatever extent and in any capacity as deemed fit by God. As believers, we should accept and understand this.