BACK TO THE BASICS; THE MILK OF THE WORD

So I've been having discussions with people and I've realised that most Christians are in a "Spiritual Coma"

People are going to church just because they have to. People are reading the bible, just flipping pages, but then deep down, nothing is happening. We are just floating

A lot of us believers have lost the spice in our relationship with God and this leads us to our topic for tonight.

Back to the basics; The Milk of the word

I remember when we got the word for the year and God kept hammering the milk of the word, everybody go back there. In fact, myself and NK had a filled conversation about this.

In such a time like this, I sense God asking this of us. Everyone of us: Go back to the basics

So question to us, what does going back to the milk of the word mean to you.

Precious: Going back to the very beginning, how I started this journey with Christ

Samson: Going back to the basics. The simple truth here and the basic truth there.

Nkiru: Learning of God's love all over again, and why we actually started walking with him

Remi: Learning about God afresh. The basics that we started with, going back to it

I saw a post on Apostle Eucharia's page just this evening and she was like you brush your teeth everyday right? You don't think brushing your teeth today means you have clean teeth for the rest of the year. So it is for us as Christians

The things we started with eg "Read your bible, pray everyday If you want to grow", we do not stop them or cut the flow

Some of us even pride in eating meat instead. I'm a matured believer so it's only meat I take cos my teeth is strong enough. In the human world, Milk basically helps with production of calcium.

Lack of calcium is actually not good for your teeth. When your teeth gets bad, it won't be strong enough to eat meat again so you will have to resort to just milk

Back to the basics!

It's the same thing with the spiritual really

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. I Peter 2:1‭-‬3 NKJV

So many people feel milk is for new born babies alone but no, it is for us adults too. Regardless of your level of maturity, you must desire the milk of the word like new born babies do.

The verse 3 says if indeed you have tasted of God. If indeed you are truly mature, if indeed  you have tasted you must desire. And our desire is not just desire, it is likened to how babies crave milk

Babies basically live on milk.

They eat it like 10 times in a day at intervals

They will tug at your breasts till you give them

Same energy

Same energy

Same level of craving

It is a waste of time eating meat when you actually need meat. I feel like the foundations of most of us are being confronted. You are stuck because there is a shaking that needs to happen. And you will just keep hurting yourself trying to down heavy things

It is a waste of time eating meat when you actually need milk.

I feel like the foundations of most of us are being confronted

You are stuck cos there is a shaking that needs to happen

And you will just keep hurting yourself trying to down heavy things

The minute you start feeling stuck or not growing, I can assure you the problem is from your feeding

What are you feeding?

Again, I know you are opening your bible o and marking the streaks. It's like going to fancy restaurants and taking pictures of food but are you really eating?

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Revelation 2:4‭-‬5 NKJV

The problem is really not that we are stuck or feeling lifeless and just there

It's an effect of the problem

The problem is that our love has grown cold

We have left that first love

And now it has affected our walk

How did our love grow in the first place? It was in knowing the love of God

To grow our first love back, we must desire to know God's love IN His word. Go back to the word

And I know we've heard this so many times and it looks like it doesn't work. That's because we are doing it the wrong way.

Desire the milk of the word

Desire here is a command

Without a craving, it won't last. You will flip through pages and get tired.

I want to ask us: When was the last time you really desired/craved God's word? In the manner babies crave milk and eat every 2 hours. When was the last time?

If your answer is not in the timeline of these babies, you are on the road to being stuck.

When Peter talked about this pure milk, he denoted a necessity, something that must be in place. Some of us are praying and not paying attention to the word.

Erhm...

I hate to break it to you that your prayer points will increase o and if care is not taken, answers may not show too

Because milk (the word) affects your growth level and this in turn affects you all round spiritually

There must be a constant strong desire to hear God in His word. Sometimes we blame this on the preacher too

Your pastor's job is to prepare sermon o

He prepares the food but it is your duty to eat. It is your duty to desire this food

If Indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good then you must desire/crave

If indeed you have tasted that Christ is good for your growth then you must crave Him as/in the word!

Enough of the legalism towards the things of the spirit, especially towards the word. You know what? If people desire the word truly and are feeding correctly, they will be plunged into prayer. They cannot miss it

But you can be praying and miss the word, which will also mean you are praying amiss. God's word is living

It is indeed alive

It seems lifeless towards us sometimes because of our see finish and lack of desire

They are teaching about love in church and in your mind you know so much on love so you don't really follow.

There is no desire or craving

I remember the Psalmist: As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.

Psalms 42:1 NKJV

When I was preparing for this teaching, something struck me so I took a pause. Peter says to crave, to desire.

Me to God: But that's the exact problem o. We do not have the strength to desire. We want to crave but it's not working. But you are commanding us to do exactly what we are having issues with.

I am stuck because my desire jar is empty

It's not that simple

Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. 2 Peter 1:3‭-‬4 MSG

And here is the scripture I got as a response

You see when God says to fly, best believe He already provided wings. When God commands to crave, there is already a provision in that direction

Just start

This platform is major help really for this milk. Your own part is just to crave and study

Some of us only read what other people post

We don't eat food on our own. It's the one people have spit to us that we eat.

Not bad to eat from people o but you will soon get stuck too if that's your only source

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight. keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Proverbs 4:20 - 22

Pay attention. Give undivided attention

To receive the life the word gives, our undivided attention is required. In all the busyness of the world, you must find time for it. Meditate on the word. Meditate on Jesus literally.

WHEN FELLOWSHIP BECOMES A STRUGGLE

 So I will ask us, 

What does fellowship (with God) mean to you?

What are the major areas of application for believers?

Samson - Fellowship is being "fellows" with God - There is a relationship where you and God share  and discuss stuff, you know him as Father and he knows you as son/daughter. Fellowship with God is our identity as believers. We can't say we are believers if we don't know he who saved us. It involves every area of our lives

Ayodele - Fellowship, for me means time spent enjoying the presence of God and just worshipping. The overall totality of my relationship, defined by worship. Its like my own personal time with the Holy Spirit. Bonding time

Debola - Building a relationship with him. Talking to him

Sumi - For me Fellowship is spending quality time with God

If fellowship is communication, what are the areas of application

Samson - As I said, it should be applied in every area of our lives. Fellowship is not just when we go to church and praise is going on and we are happy. Fellowship with God is also during our lowest moments, decision time, when having dinner, when watching a match...it is the constant connection to the Father at every moment/stage of our lives

Sumi - In all areas. From directions and instructions in all areas. For example Work, choices etc

When Fellowship becomes a struggle

Application area: Prayer and Studying the word

How many of us have struggled with fellowship (in terms of this application areas) or are currently struggling? What is it like?

Samson - Thank God for daily sharing on Word alive and daily prayers. 😩 Sometimes before you know it, you never do personal bible study for 3 days

Ayodele - me! Sometimes I am just tired or lazy. Some other times, I am distracted by too many  things. Work can be overwhelming but I realised that in the midst of that 'busyness', I still find time for other recreational things.

Precious - I have. The struggle is real, there are times when I get carried away with work, Bible study and prayers become a struggle, sometimes when I need something and it's not fourth coming it becomes a struggle to pray, other times I'm just tired internally

Remi - Me too, I will answer. There are times the struggle is like every Eke market day 😭 Some times, I'm praying fire but struggling with studying.  Also, struggling for me is not the absence of these things o. It is the zeal and energy involved. Like I'm praying and studying but I know I'm not really praying and studying. Everything is just lifeless and forced somehow

Sumi - Me. Most times tiredness and sleep. And procrastination too

First, I will like us to know that You are not alone

That struggle to come to God, that period of prayerlessness, you can read all the novels in the world but the minute you open bible, you are tired.

You are not alone

When it comes to fellowship, here are the struggle areas I've found so far:

- Distractions

- Consistency

- Time management

- Lack of Zeal

- Feeling disconnected

- Sin and Guild

- Laziness 

- Hope Deferred 

Pearl - Sin and guilt is it for me, along side fear of failure, due to past failure. Like what's the point of starting again now, when I know I won't be consistent?

I'm sure every believer (including our pastors), have experienced one area of struggle or the other in their walk. You probably can relate to one of these things or even all. Maybe you are currently struggling with prayer or studying the word. Or even both

Please note that the word struggling is not just the absence. That's another thing the devil does. You still have your You Version streaks so yes you are on course. But deep down, you know that something is not balanced.

Struggling is not just the absence of fellowship. People can be in a marriage and struggle to make it work

Acknowledging where you are in your fellowship with God is a great starting place. You can't move forward without it. And no, it is nothing to be ashamed of.

For some of us, we are "prayer warriors" o. In fact, as we are finishing prayers like this, we are updating everybody on status with "Rhema"

In fact, it is the Rhema that pushes us to fellowship. We are trying to feed the world but deep down, we neva chop belleful (for the non Nigerians, this means we have not eaten to the full ourselves)

Prayer warrior but deep down, you know you are struggling

One thing the devil does so well is help you to believe a lie to massage your ego. As long as you have made yourself believe there is no problem, you will keep going down that line

The worst will be spiritual leaders or those with spiritual gifts. In seasons of prayerlessness and not studying the word, you will be surprised you can raise the dead.

The grave will still listen to you and tear open when you speak, so you pat yourself on the back that all is well but all is not well

And then you back this lack of fellowship up with work.

You try to substitute work with fellowship but they are not the same.

The time we spend with God should be way more than the time we spend ministering God to people.

Our first step is acknowledging that this is where we are. A lot of us are still doing hard guy with God

There is nobody that walks in love with God not marked by vulnerability. So first, acknowledge that there is something wrong

This helps me a lot 

I can tell you that since my prayer life peaked between 2016 and 2017, I'm not sure I've stayed struggling with fellowship for more than a week. I'm quick to spot that something is wrong. 

I do not think that I'm bigger than something being wrong

So immediately something is wrong, I see it and get back on track

I'm going to share a story

I'm sure I've shared it with you guys before but I will again

Dec 31st 2015, watch night service.

After the service, everyone had gone to the city centre to watch fireworks. I stayed behind with my pastor and church keyboardist and we started praying.

We prayed for about 2 hours that day and my pastor asked all 3 of us to commit to praying everyday at midnight for the next 6 months.

Almost 6 years after, I have not stopped

That same December, I had broken up with the person I was dating for no reason. Little did I know that God was calling me into something deeper and distractions had to be cut off. You know I said me and my pastor prayed for 3 hours the first night. As we left the church, all 3 of us set an alarm for 12 midnight.

So the next day, I had to continue alone.

I prayed, prayed and prayed. Prayed for like 10 hours, opened my eyes to check time and it was still 12:05am

So all that long prayer was just 5 minutes 😭😭😭 I wanted to die. It was easier to pray for hours with other people cos we can take from each other's fire. In fact, after we left church that day I remember getting home to continue praying and I stayed there for long.

I basically was fueled up from the group prayers

But as it remained only me, fuel finished and 5 minutes felt like 5 days

It was at that time I knew I was in for a ride

But I was also ready for the ride

Another sad part to this my story was that my tongues vocabulary was really low. Na just one sentence I sabi then. I'm not sure I had up to 8 syllables 😭

Tongues help a lot in prayers as they cover all the things our human minds cannot. But me I was limited at that time. So I had to make do with the language of man. Tough ride o but I rode still.

Day 2, same thing.

I was still struggling

I had roommates then, so it was also very distracting.

We are watching originals together and my alarm goes off (one thing I never did was choose any other thing over my prayer time).

I will stand up and go start prayer in my corner but I'm hearing someone shout "Klaus has killed him, eh God". I'm thanking God but I'm also longing to know who Klaus killed.

Or I'm praying and I open my eyes to somebody kissing their boyfriend in the room.

It got to a point, I wrote on a stick note "Remi you will die if you don't pray" and placed around me. Cos it looked like the devil was working hard to ensure I don't pray

5 minutes

5 minutes turned to 10 minutes, then 15 minutes.

And then 1 hour

Sometime in 2017, I found out I had prayed for over 5 hours on my own unplanned.

Like I had just stayed in fellowship, enjoying  God

I cried that day, cos I knew where I was coming from. 5 hours turned to 8 hours then 24 full hours, 2 days non stop....Without fuel from other people

How did I move from struggling to pray and study for 5 minutes to fellowshipping for hours? Yes, the 5 minutes included bible study, praise and worship and prayer 😂.

It was that bad for me

Intentionality

This was my number one step

I wanted God, I wasn't even sure of all the details. But I knew that I wanted Him so I took that step

You will have to be intentional with choosing Fellowship.

Life is busy

There is so much noise around us

So much dragging for your attention

You have to make that choice yourself

Be intentional with studying the word and praying.

If you can read this and you currently struggle with consistency in any of prayer and the word, immediately go to your alarm. Fix a time you know you are mostly free and can be alone. You can fix both together or fix them separately.

Let me tell you a truth, you won't survive by vibes.

You have to be intentional about being consistent and this is your first step

Pick a time and make it a date with God.

Pick it now

Don't procrastinate

Jesus had a habit of fellowship with God

A few days later, Jesus went out to a mountain to pray. He stayed there all night praying to God. Luke 6:12 ERV

After he said goodbye to them, he went up into the hills to pray. Mark 6:46 ERV

Word Alive daily prayers will not replace your own personal fellowship. The daily reading schedule can serve as your personal guide though but you must read on your own too even as you come online to check what others share.

My alarm was set for 12 midnight, I remember days when I'm watching movies with my roommates.

Before my alarm goes off, Martina is already telling me it's almost 12 o, you will not go and pray.

Sometimes I want to continue the movie with them but I had unknowingly built a habit that the people around me had also noticed

So I'd stand up and move to my bed. There were days I'd go into the toilet to pray if I was feeling too distracted 

There were days I'd go out in the snow and take a prayer walk. If you know me well, you will know how much I dislike twitter but not even a -15°C could stop me

I used to miss class cos of cold 🙈 but not prayers.

I went all out for it (and yes, I had the help of God. I was so mightily helped by God. Will explain this part next week). So yes, fix a time for your prayer and study. Can be same time and can be separately.

But pick a time you are sure you will be free and set that alarm now.

Name it as you would

If you find yourself struggle, remember that it is normal. 5 minutes was 5 days for me for a long time.

Let that be your motivation

For those of us scared to start over again. You've been here before and it feels like you keep coming back

Hmmmmm.

I will share a story again

Between 2009 and 2011, I was in an organisation called FECA (myself and Precious). At some point, we were praying 1am everyday. Note that there was no zoom then.

I had a torchlight phone in 2009. I set alarm for that time, stand up, read the bible and pray for 1 hour.

I didn't have YouTube to play music in the background. So it was just me and my paper back bible

Somehow, life happened and I stopped praying

I was still praying o

I was praying in the midst of brethren

I was doing those rush prayers (plus Jesus minus Satan every morning)

I was opening my bible when the church/fellowship opened bible

I was even praying alone too but vibes and when it entered my head or I wanted something from God

Between 2012 and 2015, I moved from this to struggling to pray for 5 minutes

It can happen to anybody. Be ready to start prying again tomorrow. If I stop praying today, I will start praying again tomorrow

If I notice that I stopped reading my bible today, I will start again tomorrow

I will share a secret with you I do not think of myself as one that cannot struggle with fellowship

Nobody is bigger than it. So when it happens, e don happen be that

Holy Spirit, where do we start from cos my strength has failed as usual. Carry me

It's really this simple

And I move on

The early days of starting back may be difficult but I don't send

I know I will get back fully on track

Don't beat yourself over it

Even the 3 closest people to Christ slept off when they were meant to pray. God did not beat them over it. Stop holding it over your head

That's also a tactic of the enemy to keep you from God. If you fail, you start again and again and again. If you find it difficult to start over yourself, get someone to kickstart you.

Join prayer groups and refill there

Speak with a friend to join you in your fixed prayer time for a short while till you are able to stand on your own

But that feeling that you will still fail again at it so no need to try again, please let it go.

If you don't have a study plan, you can start with the reading schedule for Word Alive.

Be faithful with it and you will see growth.

You will hear God speak to you.

The "biggest" Rhema I've gotten is while reading from the schedule.

And it's amazing cos it's just random, there is no topic in mind.

I'm reading the word, open mindedly through the lens of Jesus.

You can also check You Version for devotionals or church devotionals

Just make sure you start.

HEALING SERIES 8: HEALING - THIS MINISTRY OF CHRIST CONTINUES WITH ME

So far, we've seen God's divine will concerning healing.

We've seen God's response to sick people

We saw Jesus heal all kinds of diseases

We've seen how the disciples took the baton and continued

Now, more than ever, we must also take the baton and continue in this ministry

If we look all around us, if you are sensitive in the spirit, you will see the devil turning up the heat on these things. The increase in sick people, millions soliciting for funds for one surgery or the other

Sick homes, even in the body of Christ. Marriages that need God's hand. Emotional sickness is at an all time high. It feels like someone poured a rain of depression upon the world

Mental illness...

Sigh

The devil is putting so much fire here especially as people are getting more addicted to drugs all around us

Huge cases of demonization and afflictions, all around us. The list is at an all time high

I remember reading about the generals of old, especially the ones from Nigeria... These people had a disdain for the work of the enemy and they reacted to it accordingly. They understood God's purpose and delivered for their generation.

Another generation is arising already. Batons are being passed both in the physical (generals passing on or handing over physically) and spiritual

God is waking us up to step into this call. To take the baton

The level of work we have on our hands, I wish we knew it

No generation before us has been faced with this huge work (I stand to be corrected). The devil knows his time is almost up, so he is turning up the heat. There is such an urgency in the spirit to step into the divine purpose of God

I was telling someone that in the next couple of years, 10 years max, we will be needing rehabilitation centers more than hotels. Mental homes will be the next huge business.

In fact, I saw someone post that if you have money, start building these centres already. The world is not escaping needing this

This is how high the devil's work rate is

The world is not escaping mental homes and rehabilitation centres yeah?

That one is the devil's plan. The world is not escaping God's healing power

Our generation is not escaping it.

Jesus is still healer

God still cares

He is still moved with compassion and now He is raising an army for such a time as this

Jesus wants to heal the sick

He wants to give comfort to men

He wants to heal the mentally deranged

He wants to release those with demonic oppression

He wants to say to men: take up your mat and walk

He wants to give sight to the blind

But you see all of these things, Jesus will do through willing men

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭NKJV

It is now Christ living in you. This is not your life anymore

You know what God did with Christ's coming that I love so much. He basically multiplied Jesus and  increased reach.

So Jesus came to one town as a person but he cannot be in Sokoto as an actual human and at the same time be in Afghanistan

So what did God do? Create a means for Jesus to walk this earth in millions of human bodies.

Jesus is everywhere physically

He wants to raise the dead?

He does so through us

He wants to heal the sick?

He does through us

But first, we must be willing. The world is really counting on our willingness and availability. These people with mental and emotional illness? Their souls are begging you to corporate with God

The one who is groaning in the hospital in pain is waiting for you. A whole generation is waiting for us

They are counting on us and we must/will not fail

Do I need to be called as a healing minister to partner with God on this? The answer is No actually.

You necessarily do not have to be called into the office of healing to heal men.

For our generation, I see more healing miracles wrought through "untitled believers"

We are coming into that time where market women will see an ambulance passing, they will leave their tomatoes, lay hands on the dead and go back to their work. That time is coming and I tell you it is upon us already. Believers will go out, lay hands and the sick will receive healing.

We will pray and the dead will rise.

We will walk past streets and their sick will respond to the power of God in us

It will happen

In our time, it will happen

And hour is closer than ever

But first, we must take the baton. We must be ready to partner with God

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Romans 8:19 KJV

A generation awaits

Most of them in pains and groaning

Your generation needs you

Our generation needs us

Take the baton

Christ's healing ministry continues with you.

HEALING SERIES 7: DIVINE HEALING AND DIVINE HEALTH

Divine Healing and Divine Health

So open question. Is there a difference between both? Can someone help us with their understanding of both terms?

Ayodele: Divine healing- Supernatural healing for someone who is already sick. Divine Health- Being in perpetual good health divinely.

Chelsea: For me, the word divine already tells it's not from/by man, but from God. Divine healing would be the supernatural restoration process to having Divine health (good health of course)

Joshua: Devine healing is for the sick, while Divine health is a supernatural resistance of sickness, decreases or any infirmity.

Sumi: Divine healing for me is God , through someone or  something healing someone who ill and Divine health is being immune to sickness or any infirmity by God's supernatural power.

Jane: Divine Healing is a process, while divine health is a state of enjoying supernatural health.

Thank you so much everyone. Your answers are correct

One thing we've been focusing on is healing for ourselves and others, which is divine healing. Basically God taking away our sicknesses. But there is something greater and sweeter

It is called Divine Health

I really bless God for the gift of healing released to us. I have enjoyed it and so many even through me. But you see, I will actually prefer not to need healing in the first place.

Some Christians will tell you that it is not possible to have divine health until eternity. Because sickness is a result of sin (the fall) and until the Christ comes again, we will have to live with some of these things. So divine health as a concept for believers is wrong and misleading. You see this school of thought I just shared, I do not agree with it.

Israel had divine health for a whole generation. They had it in the worst possible place ever: The wilderness. That's like the easiest place to fall sick.

But no, what they received from God wasn't healing but divine health.

They were not falling sick. Between Egypt and the promised land, this covenant stood

And you know the most interesting part? The people that enjoyed this divine health were rebellious. So it wasn't that they did something to deserve this from God or they were good people.

They were sinful. They were not born again. They didn't have Christ

If a people like this could lay hold of divine health, then it is time for us in Christ to sit back and know exactly what is ours to take. 

I don't know if we've met Christians that tell you they can never be sick and they are never sick? Like they don't even take paracetamol or cold medicine. 

I met someone like that first during my ND days. So careless with his health. Can sleep anywhere with plenty mosquitoes. Can eat anything. Yet he knew he'd never fall sick. He'd say it with so much belief. This person was a Christian o but I thought myself a "better" Christian than him, yet it was me in the hospital every now and then. 

The secret is this, he aligned with God on His covenant for Divine Health. He simply believed that covenant and it became his reality.

While I was preparing for this sermon, I was wondering what life would have been like if me sef know. I knew this guy, I even used to talk about how he is so lucky and never falls sick but I didn't think I could have what he had. I was basically okay with getting healed for every time I'm sick

That too is a miracle from God. I didn't know there was something more

Something better than healing; DIVINE HEALTH

Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering. 3 John 1:2 TPT

Gaius was doing well spiritually but it was also important that he knew to enjoy good health. This will mean that a person can be spiritual yet not enjoy good health

For us to get repeated healing, it will mean that we have repeated sickness. God offers healing o but He offers even something bigger for those that can lay hold of it

God's best for you is Divine Health

You must serve the Lord your God. If you do this, I will bless you with plenty of bread and water. I will take away all sickness from you. Exodus 23:25 ERV

Divine health!

Christians may get sick, this is not a sin. God has also provided a solution to sickness which is healing. But there is a bigger solution, which is divine health. It is us having permanent healing.

God offers healing o and it is available for everyone. But like I said before, something more sweeter has been offered

It is Divine Health. It is a permanent fix to sickness.

From our reading in 1 Cor 15, we established that the second Adam came to undo whatever the 1st Adam did.

Man was made in the image of God and there is no sickness in the image of God. But man fell and lost a lot of these divine privileges because of sin.

Then Jesus came and He undid what Adam did.

If you believe that you have eternal life, then you should believe that divine health can be yours too

Before we started this series, I didn't know this also. Or rather I knew, but I didn't really accept it as mine deep down.

Until the period we were in Ibadan in April/May. At this point, I want us to include in our personal confessions our divine health status. We can't afford to keep moving from one pills to the other, one diagnosis to the other.

For how long?

How long do we live this way?

How long do we keep coming for healing?

Coming for healing will mean that we experience the discomfort of sickness first. How long do we keep believing God to take away that discomfort (of course He will answer) when we can actually believe Him to never be sick

And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity. Isaiah 33:24 KJV

No one living in Zion will say I am sick. Not I was not healed. They wouldn't even get sick in the first place

I say this again, if Israel as stiff-necked as they were could enjoy divine health in the wilderness of all place. Those people sinned so much yet

How much more you and I?

If divine health is the will of God, why then do most Christians not have it?

Why are we looking for healing up and down every minute?

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. Psalm 82:5‭-‬6 KJV

But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Psalm 82:7 KJV

Look at.

I have said you are gods

Yet you know not

You do not understand your identity as God and because of this men walk on in darkness.

Ignorance is a huge problem. 

If they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be hurt. They will lay their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:18 ERV

Is it not the believer Jesus was talking about here. You will drink poison and nothing will happen. Because you are not meant to be susceptible to sickness. I am not meant to be

You are gods!

We need to recognize our privilege as gods and live it

How then can we access Divine health?

1. Faith

You cannot rise higher than your faith. 

There is nothing we've received in this kingdom that was released to us outside of Faith. 

If you do not believe that God is willing to give you divine health, then you can't receive it.

2. The word

First, to know it.

You need to know what God has said concerning your health and believe it. When you know what God has said, you do not beg to be healthy.

It is our right.

Then we move to confessions

My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. Proverbs 4:20‭-‬22 ERV

Look at. These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover.

Your health is hidden in the word.

Find it, know it and begin to Confess it.

Eat the word

Feed on it

Let it be your diet

3. Opposing the devil based on the words we have found

You see, the devil doesn't want you to live in good health so he will fight.

The devil always fights even when he is losing. 

I was speaking with someone (I think Ayo and Fola) on how hardworking the devil is. The devil works really hard and "smart". Read the smart as cunny

He will come to attack you because of this word that you have received.

He will try to test if the word has root

You will not let him.

You will stand on God's promises

He sends headache? Oh Devil! I live in divine health. Send him the new memo till he gets it.

So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. James 4:7 ERV

Stand against the devil! How? With the word!

One person I honour so much is Kenneth Hagin.

Bro Hagin taught so much on healing. Then what did the devil do? He sent a heart problem. This heart symptoms persisted for 6 months. And it's somehow you know, when you preach one thing to people and some even lay hold on it then the devil strikes you with that exact thing

It's like he is trying to use you to show off and make your God a laughing stock. 

If you are not careful, you may get to a stage where you don't believe or agree that your teaching was in error.

But in all I have read about Bro Hagin, I noticed something.

Every day these symptoms came, for 6 months he stood against it. He refused to accept this as his reality.

He believed Jesus had given him divine health so it was his. It didn't matter that the devil tried to use personal experience to override his privilege as son.

He stood against the devil until those symptoms turned back

The devil is persistent with his wickedness, you need to take a stand.

He stood and the symptoms left. Today, we will say Kenneth Hagin enjoyed divine health. His testimonies have brought life to many but we must not forget the part where he stood on the word of God even when the physical report said different

Divine health is also not just limited to physical health, it is total well being. All round wholeness

In your mental health, spiritual health, marriage, friendships etc

Isaiah 9, the message translation describes Jesus as the Prince of wholeness. That verse says There is no limit to the wholeness the Messiah brings

Question:

Wale: Can an unbeliever receive divine healing?

Answer:

Yes. An unbeliever can

The man at the gate, it wasn't recorded that he believed. Peter gave him what he had which was healing. So a believer can give from his healing stash to an unbeliever

HEALING SERIES 6: HEALING IS FIRST COMPASSION

How many of us desire the gift of healing here?

Bukky: I won’t call it a desire. More like an if it’s for me let it be for me type of thing. Cause I heard ( Don’t know if I was taught wrong) that some people have certain gifts and others don’t. Don’t know if I made sense or it’s true 

Dasi: As for me, I think I was told that I have the gift of healing

A lot of believers desire healing gifts. We want to say to the sick, be healed and they are healed. We want to drive out sickness when it comes to our dwelling

But we miss something. Our intent sometimes are wrong. A lot of want God's power to be displayed. Now, note that this is not a bad thing in itself o. Wanting God to display His power is good

Men are drawn to Him, but you see the gift of healing ehn, it's one of the most powerful also love-filled gift from God.

Sickness is a lot of pain

If you've been sick or know someone who has been terribly sick, it is so much pain. Pain beyond even the groanings you hear from them. Pain beyond their tears that you can see. Healing is not just God's power revealed. It is really God having compassion on men and putting an end to their pain

It is God relating to all man is going through. It is God understanding that you are in pain, Christ feeling that pain alongside you.

He understands humanity, for as a man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin. Hebrews 4:15 TPT

There is a translation that says We do not have a high priest that cannot relate. For every pain man goes through, God feels that weight.

He knows exactly what we are going through

He knows how it hurts

He is hurt by that pain too

Sometime in 2018,  I had an encounter. I was walking to the store to buy something.

The Holy Spirit transported me to a far location and I saw a woman (she was white) and she was groaning in pain. Serious pain. She was shouting and crying. Groaning deeply. All of a sudden I felt the pain on her leg transferred to me

I screamed out in pain (also in real life. I was holding my leg, crying and shouting on the road but I wasn't conscious of this). I have never felt so much pain my entire life. And the shocking part was that woman had pains all over her body. I was only burdened with that of her leg

I started shouting and telling Jesus I don't want. I kept begging Him to take the pain. I didn't want that woman's pain. How can someone go through that kind of pain? 😭😭😭

I saw a tear drop from Jesus

I looked at Him (He had been with me in the woman's room)

And then I realized He had the woman's pain too

The pain on her leg and all of her pains

It dawned on me then that I carried just little of this woman's pain and I wanted to die but Jesus was bearing all of her pains. Then He opened His body to me. And I saw screams from His body

Different people, from different nations of the earth

Thousands of sick people

Who probably think they are alone in this sickness

But Jesus was right there going through it with everyone

Imagine the weight of millions of people if I was screaming to the physical over one person's leg pain

At that moment, I begged him to take away that leg pain from me first before we continue the conversation. He did and then He told me the woman's name to pray for.

So this woman was an actual real life sick person. I tapped put and found myself crying on the street, standing on one spot, people looking at me almost ready to call the police. After that time, the Holy Spirit would visit me with names of people to pray for.

Sometimes I could hear a Mary in Germany and what is wrong with her. And there was something I was so experiencing, I get a taste of the pain they go through

Like I just feel the weight momentarily. And even in just that moment, it is so much pain

My only response was compassion

I came to understand this scripture "And Jesus, moved with compassion..."

It felt like I shared in their pain and though they were smiling to the world, they were in pain

I knew that pain briefly and my prayers completely changed

I will see a sick person and I'm moved to tears

I'm not okay until I pray

Healing is not just God's glory displayed. All of creature already displays the glory of God

Healing is God feeling man's pain and giving a solution

God loves people so much, so so much. I say it a lot that God is such a people person.

For as many of us that want to partner with God, we must love people

You see a sick person and the first thing that comes to your mind is let's work God power here

No!

Again, this in its entirety is not wrong o. Our first instinct is how these people are in so much pain and God really doesn't want them to be in pain.

Healing should not just be a display of power. It is God's love displayed

For everyone of us that want to operate in this ministry, we must get to that point where our hearts break when we see sick people.

You see a mad person, and you are drawn to compassion. They are not living God's best for them. They are in the worst pain but do not even know

Compassion!

There was a time I'd see myself in Hospitals. Thousands of sick people groaning in pain. By the time I'm back to reality, I'm crying and praying

The gift of healing is a love burden

It is partnering in love with God

It is not a gift to propel ourselves

It is not a gift we pray for because we want to belong. Oh everyone is healing these days. God is healing massively this season, so we want to be part. 

This gift is solely about the people in pain and how God wants that pain to end for them. The one who administers healing is really not important in the scheme of things. If you desire the title, healing evangelist, you are maybe in the wrong place o.

Beyond the title is a heart that breaks for men. That knows and understands how God feels when they come in contact with sick

Tonight, if you've been praying for the gift of healing, I need you to pause and Change your prayer points. Start praying for compassion

PRAY FOR COMPASSION

Pray that the Lord gives you a heart filled with compassion. A heart that breaks over the things God's heart breaks over

A heart that moves as God's moves. And here is the thing with this God's kind of compassion. You already feel a pain alongside that sick person

It hurts you so much the only response you have is  praying that pain away. The gift of healing delivered

It is not your pain o but it becomes your pain

You are a partner with God

These are the men God is looking for

Not men who just want to display God's power

Men who love people and feel for them

Healing is First, compassion. We must never forget this

If we've started wrongly, let's retrace here

God wants us to partner with Him in this healing business but first, Compassion

HEALING SERIES 5: I HAVE PRAYED FOR HEALING BUT I AM STILL SICK

Can a true believer be sick?

To this, a true believer can be sick: Anybody can be sick

Being sick doesn't make you less in the sight of God. It doesn't mean you've sinned or done something wrong.

Failing bodies became as a result of the fall. Our bodies are weakened till they give up basically. While this is an order in this world, we are not of the world and Christ gave us an antidote for when we are sick while here

So you fall sick? You say the prayer of faith

And there is another sweet part, don't wait to fall sick before declaring healing. Death and life are in your tongue. The earlier you realize this, the better

Start eating the word of healing even now. Don't wait till you are sick

I have this bad habit of waiting till I'm very hungry and almost dying before I remember to eat. This is wrong. I should eat at the appropriate time. Force something in, hungry or not. Sick or not, eat the word of healing. Eat, so you will not have to eat.

I have prayed for healing but I am still sick.

This part of our series had me confused for years

I mentioned how I had Tinnitus for months, how I was falling sick every week for years. I was actually praying this period

I asked God for healing

People prayed for me and nothing happened (until a long time). I've also believed God for healing over people and sometimes, nothing happens. While I may not have the full answer to this question of "Why I didn't get healed", there is a fundamental truth I need us to hold on to:

Whatever went wrong in the process of praying for healing, whatever the malfunction is, it is NOT from God's end. Whatever it is that makes healing not accessible, the problem is not from God

Remember He is the problem solver, if a tiny part of us believes the glitch is from Him, what our inner man takes in indirectly is an impossibility of healing. If the one who promises to heal has a healing glitch, I'm permitted to believe that I may not have access to healing

So I need us to keep this with us, whatever went wrong is definitely not from God

As we go through the list of possible glitches, know that you are not the wrong. Keep this close too. You didn't do anything that has made God refuse to heal you

PS: God doesn't refuse to heal anyone in the first place

One thing we've established so far is that God is willing to heal. But somehow some people receive healing and some don't. In fact, some healing ministers that have healed tens of thousands do not receive healing themselves while sick. 

I will be sharing some of the answers I've found over the years (as even I have been here before). I'm believing that these answers are helpful to us and spur healing for everyone still sick

1. Not full of the Word

He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Psalms 107:20 NKJV

A lot of people do not receive healing cos they do not have the word. We said in one of our teachings that the word is the healing activator. Now, it is not just in mouthing these words but it sitting inside of us. The word of healing we eat digests and births faith

Some of us, it is when trouble comes that we start searching for healing words. Note that the word works but it is the word that you believe that works. So if you are just searching, there is a possibility that the word has no root. Just surface belief, more like a quick fix to the problem at hand. And the bible says Faith comes by hearing and hearing, the word of God

It's either we have faith or not, and faith is birth by the word sitting richly in us. Know what God's will is about sickness. Keep telling yourself until that is the only thing your inner man believes.

Faith is a response to revelational truth. The call has to be made first, through the word

2. Shying away from Corporate Prayers

Some people don't receive healing because they are shying away from corporate prayers. They are ashamed of being sick. They don't want scenarios where people pray for them and they do not receive healing immediately. It will look somehow. So they'd rather continue to pray on their own

Hmmmm.

Can you see a pattern here? It's that of unbelief sprinkled lightly, almost invisible. By thinking that maybe you will not be healed, that's your spirit man indirectly accepting that healing may not be available to you. So subtle but yet still there

You've already created instances for you not being healed. That's an act against Faith

A lot of us have been on this table.

I don't want anybody looking at me with pitiful eyes and asking me every Sunday if I'm still feeling that pain so I pray alone. See, don't let the devil trap you. There is so much great power in the corporate anointing present in the church.

The body of Christ, the church is such a powerful force. Look at history, read revival books. Millions of healing took place through corporate gatherings

so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Acts 5:15 NKJV

I think it was Pastor Poju or Dr Kay I heard this from: Peter's shadow was healing people but it was the prayer from the believers gathering in one accord that brought about this occurrences

God puts His glory in display so men can see His love for them. Healing is a strong salvation tool.

All of the healing recorded in this family, it is not Remi

There is an anointing that flows in corporate bodies. These signs shall follow them not him

God works with us as individuals o. God heals through individuals. But there is so much more to be accomplished as a body

Stop running away from public healing. That is you saying that God can publicly humiliate/disgrace Himself

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:14‭-‬15 NKJV

Are you a pastor or you head your fellowship? Don't let the devil cheat you by telling you to pray alone

Let people pray for you

Let the prayer of faith be sent up on your behalf

3. False beliefs

Some of us believe that God makes people sick. God heals some and doesn't heal all. You are setting yourself up. If God cannot heal all, then maybe you are part of the statistics that God has chosen not to heal for whatever reason. Do you now see how flawed this belief is?

Let what we believe be guided by Christ's revelation of God

4. Unhealthy living

Sadly, some people don't receive healing cos they are not living healthy. Some of us are hoping on miracles to make up for our bad health habits. You don't drink water (I'm guilty of this). You over eat. You under eat etc

There are basics to health and quality living. We all should strive to live them

It is through God's wisdom that man has come to know these things. Simply adhere to them

5. Unbelief on the part of the person healing

Most times, I see us accusing people of not getting healed cos of their unbelief. "Oh! You didn't have enough faith"

Erhm... Dear minister, stop burdening people. Your faith alone can actually heal

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. Acts 3:6 NKJV

The man did not have faith to receive healing 

He wasn't even expecting healing 

He most likely wanted money

But Peter gave him healing. Did we need the man's faith here? No

Peter's faith in Christ was enough. We should stop condemning people and making them feel they are the reasons healing did not happen

Sometimes, it is our own faith. You are praying for someone and adding "If it is your will Lord"

Has that not been established? Also, don't be hard on yourself. The disciples at a time could not heal even after praying

You don't get answers now?

Keep pushing

Keep praying

Keep believing

6. An unforgiving Spirit

The devil schemes and always look for loopholes. While I was in pastoral college, our head tutor shared something. He was sick (can't remember the exact sickness). And the funny part was, he was healing people daily of that disease. So let's say for example he had a kidney problem. Everyday, people with the exact same disease will come to him and receive healing. It got to a point, people were recommending him. Doctors even. And this man was battling that exact sickness. Sometimes he didn't even need to lay hands, just close contact and instant healing

He got angry one day and started asking God why he was not healed. The Holy spirit opened His eyes to see that there was unforgiveness in him. And the devil was exploring that loophole so well. He prayed and reached out to the person. Asked her to pray for him also. Right there as he drove out of her compound, he received healing.

It was instant

Healing he had prayed for only activated when he righted that wrong. The minute he made peace

7. Restricting Healing to Miracles 

Most believers have itchy ears. We want to attend a healing service and dramatically throw away our walking stick as a confirmation of healing. If it doesn't happen this way, we give up on healing

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 NKJV

A lot of us are waiting till we feel healing before we can believe healing. Nope

Scriptures says Believe, when you pray. It is not signs that tell me my prayers have been answered. It is not feelings. It is God's word and promises!

This is my anchor. Don't confuse those instant signs for your healing. Believe as you pray

Don't cast away faith because you did not get a "physical sign" immediately. We believe only one person's report in this kingdom. 

HEALIGN SERIES 4: HEALING IS FOR ALL

We are getting to the hard parts of this series.

I want to ask us: Do you believe healing is for all?

Let me break it down

I bring 10 people who are sick here and we are to pray for them. Is healing available for all of them? Note that I'm not asking if God can heal them. But if they will be healed.

Soumi: For me yes

Mary: Yes, but I  think one has to believe first before getting healed

Have you ever prayed for 2 people with the same exact sickness? Person 1 was healed and person 2 did not receive healing. What did you think went wrong and what was your action after that?

I will answer. I didn't know what was wrong. I went back to prayers

A lot of us believe that God can heal but somehow also believe that He will not heal all. Over time, people have come to the conclusion that God is probably using sickness to teach and grow people

Like God sends actual problems to people.

We believe that's God's will for healing extends only to some. The paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda. He wasn't the only sick person. In fact, that pool was filled with sick people waiting for healing.

But Jesus healed just that one man

Cases where Christ was moved in compassion towards a sick person and he healed them

So we've added these things together and concluded that "He has mercy on whom He will have mercy on". Here is the flawed part of this theology: How will I know I'm part of the people eligible for healing thanks to God's mercy?

So I get to only believe I'm part of those favored for healing by some revelation maybe

Faith begins where the will of God is known. If I do not get a memo from God that I've been recruited in this batch of healing, I am definitely not believing God for healing and I won't pray for it. If I even pray, it will be mere words.

You see this school of thought, I personally do not subscribe. Faith is not "God can", Faith is "God will"

In fact, God already has. So we just wait for physical manifestation. The word testament simply means a person's will. The death of Christ ushered in God's will for mankind.

A will cannot be changed after the person is dead. Clauses cannot be added to a will after death

You've written your will, it can't be changed when you die. The will of God for mankind as regards healing was revealed through Christ and it became finalized at the death of Christ

No addition or subtraction

So this will mean that if any of the generals of faith died of something outside God's will revealed through Christ, we will not on their behalf add a clause to God's will

If let's say Peter (The Rock) was sick and he got to that point where he thought God wants me to be sick till I die 

Personally, I have gotten to that place where I will pause and hold on to God's will revealed through Christ instead. Note that this analogy is a stretch but a pointer to the things we allow based on the experiences of others

God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I want to show mercy to. I will show pity to anyone I choose.”  So God will choose anyone he decides to show mercy to, and his choice does not depend on what people want or try to do. Romans 9:15‭-‬16 ERV

Flash news: God has showed mercy to those He will show mercy. And it is to all of mankind (as many that are receive it)

In the past you were not a special people, but now you are God’s people. Once you had not received mercy, but now God has given you his mercy. 1 Peter 2:10 ERV

So if we believe that we have to be favored for healing. You need to know now that you already have

You are on the special list

We probably have people whose reality do not match all the things I've been typing. I will need you to do me a favor and just put your experience/reality one side first. It is not important in the scheme of things. In fact, look at it too much and it holds you back

It's hard o but please place it aside

I like the Gospels so much. It communicates God's complete will for man.

P.S if you are praying for healing or the gift, familiarize yourself with the Gospels

[23]Jesus went everywhere in the country of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and told the Good News about God’s kingdom. And he healed all the people’s diseases and sicknesses.

[24]The news about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all those who were sick. They were suffering from different kinds of diseases and pain. Some had demons inside them, some suffered from seizures, and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed them all.

[25]Large crowds followed him—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea, and the area across the Jordan River. Matthew 4:23-25

He Healed all the peoples diseases and sickness Verse 23. 24 also confirmed He Healed them all

Everyone that came to Him were healed

[15]Jesus knew what the Pharisees were planning. So he left that place, and many people followed him. He healed all who were sick, Matthew 12:15 

They followed Him. And what did He do, He Healed the sick amongst those who followed

[17]Jesus and the apostles came down from the mountain. Jesus stood on a flat place. A large crowd of his followers was there. Also, there were many people from all around Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast cities of Tyre and Sidon.

[18]They all came to hear Jesus teach and to be healed of their sicknesses. He healed the people who were troubled by evil spirits.

[19]Everyone was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him. Jesus healed them all. Luke 6:17-19

Jesus healed them all

[38]You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Messiah by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good for people. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, showing that God was with him. Acts 10:38

Healing was part of the ministry of Christ

We finished Acts this week. The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the apostles

Or

The acts of the Apostles by the power of the spirit

This is the only unfinished book in the bible cos these acts continue until the day of our Lord. We here are part of the unfinished/unwritten parts of Acts

In the last recorded chapter of Acts, last miracle recorded was healing

Publius’ father was very sick. He had a fever and dysentery, but Paul went to him and prayed for him. He laid his hands on the man and healed him. After this happened, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them too. Acts 28:8‭-‬9 ERV

It is God's will that every sick person is healed. God is willing to heal ALL sick people

I had Tinnitus Last year. It doesn't have a medical cure. The ringing in my ear was so bad, I had to sleep with music playing. Anytime there is quiet, the ringing resumed

I prayed and prayed, nothing but I still believed. Then one day, I saw people talking about it on Twitter. See ehn, misery loves company. One of the people that had it is someone I saw as really spiritual and understood healing more than me. In their statement, they implied they were learning to live with tinnitus and even gave tips. Me too I wrote down the tips 😭

I was praying for healing but writing tips that will help me cope just in case. Sounds like common sense but that was a direct move against faith and prayers. That period my prayers shifted a bit. I was praying for healing but I was also praying to feel less pain, to not really suffer

What followed was the Tinnitus getting worse. It moved to both ears. I was praying for sleep everyday

Thank God for the Holy spirit and our daily prayers last year. I didn't stop praying. Had this illness for over 6 months. And I didn't even notice when it went

I was in Ibadan when it first clicked that the ringing had stopped and I had been sleeping well. Looking back, I probably would have been healed earlier if I wasn't looking at other people's experiences

God forbid I die tomorrow of one illness, I need you to know that this experience doesn't translate to God's will for you. You read God's generals and you are seeing such great people die in sickness and you accept that sickness is your portion.

Please no!

Nobody's experience changes the will of God. God will be true. And all of us with our contrary experiences will be liars (myself included)

The doctors told me tinnitus could not be healed. I researched for months. I almost even bought fake drugs on YouTube 😂. About $1000

I think it was Samson that figured the company was scam

Please take God's word as your only standard