Every product starts off as an idea in somebody’s mind, so true and so real that the dreamer could see his idea becoming a packaged product, with capabilities and functionalities that solves problems, provides answers to questions, generate a high demand from his community or city’s medium to enterprise stores; gathering so much momentum that it’s on most shop windows, nationally and internationally until it becomes a household name in the world’s global village.  The dream to the dreamer is limitless in its reachability, so embarking on the journey after embracing the vision is exciting and every investment of time, effort, money, and life in engaging in the dreamed product is seen as a great opportunity for a profitable future return.  He’s assured of having a viable outcome but needed others to be part of it so that all can partake of the solution, the answer and guaranteed end it provides.  The product is packaged for all and not just for one.

The dreamer was sure of what’s in the package, he was yoked with the architect of the product, he does not just know the package but was sure of the viability of its content and was divinely enlightened by its offerings.  So he was able to talk men through it, from the pulpit to the pew, the palace to the patch lands,  he sold it freely, fearlessly, un-ashamedly; for he knows that embedded in the package is the divine power of God that gives all men all that is needed to have their needs met.

His commitment was unparalleled, his loyalty was irrevocable, He has found inside the package a durable treasure that worths giving his measureless pursuit, so he was deliberate in his actions, determined to risk all; he laid down the accolades, the name and the fame to pursue the only product that he knows is right. It was not assumed to be right but it’s been tested and proven and the quality assurance is eternally guaranteed.  So in spite of countless beatings whether with rod or stripes, frequent unjust punishment and imprisonments, the shipwrecks and drowning in the sea without rescue for 24hours, resistance from friends and foes, the sleepless nights, not having enough to eat and drink many times or clothing to put on, he remained unperturbed; always ready to sell it freely to all for it’s a product for all ages, tribes, nation and denomination, but he is only sorrowful for those who reject the package and unable to access the treasured promises that is available for all; that could fix all problems and concerns of  all types and for those who have once received the free package but never unwrapped it to access the product simply because they have yoked themselves with cunning men with crafty ideologies who have chosen rather to believe in a lie; who assumed they know what they do not, having embraced the pleasure of the moment at the expense of true life and eternal gain.

Apostle Paul remains focused on delivering the package of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with the entirety of the product on the offerings and the many promises to be partaken of by all. For he has teamed up with the Master Architect and the strength of his knowledge of Christ made him perfect in his weakness, instead of being worn out or burnt out, he sailed on the faith of the son of God who loves us and gave himself for us.  For whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in Spirit. (Rom 1:13-20, Gal 2:19-20, 1 Cor 6:17, Psa 33:4)

Beloved, what and whom have you yoked yourself with?

For many yoked themselves with what and whom they assumed they know but their knowledge of what they thought they knew, whom and who they supposed to know remains only a presumption that does not guarantee any desired outcome of their effort and investment; until their partnership passes the quality test of time in time and progresses from assumption to assured partnership for a product that is capable of delivering a viable outcome or a disappointing result to be partaken of.

What result have you seen or have obtained or thinking you might have?

if you are tired or discouraged or feel like throwing in the towel, don’t give up. Here is the free offering of a robust package of life with promises that delivers solutions and answers for all seasons; It’s all in the Book of life; God’s letter to you, written by the finger of God especially for you and I, embedded in it, is the good news that provides remedy for Weariness.  It counts for the life that now is and the one to come.  It’s called the BIBLE, so you can disentangle from the loads of the many unproven assumptions and pursue the timeless truth of God’s word  that walks you through life without falling and failing but qualify us for a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory (John 6:63, 1 Pet 5:10-11)

Consider this:

• “For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. [2 Cor 4:17-18 AMP]
• “Don’t be teamed with those who do not love the Lord, for what do the people of God have in common with the people of sin? How can light live with darkness? And what harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a Christian be a partner with one who doesn’t believe? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For you are God’s temple, the home of the living God, and God has said of you, “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.” That is why the Lord has said, “Leave them; separate yourselves from them; don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you and be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.” [2 Cor 6:14-18 TLB]
• “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.” [Mat 11:28-30 MSG]
• “The Lord replies, “I will arise and defend the oppressed, the poor, the needy. I will rescue them as they have longed for me to do. The Lord’s promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all he says is purest truth, like silver seven times refined. O Lord, we know that you will forever preserve your own from the reach of evil men, although they prowl on every side and vileness is praised throughout the land” (Psa 12:5-8 TLB).

The woman’s womb is designed and configured by God for every child delivery one at a time. Similarly, the womb that carries identical or non-identical twins whose journey into life through the same outlet is only one after the other, hence, a companion in conception is separated at the time of birth, to taste life as individual uniquely created by God with a unique destiny and blue print that no other fellow could have and with a purpose in life that only him could fulfil.  But the journey through life requires that each one sails with another, whether in marriage as a spouse, family as parents and children, in the market place as employer with employees, socially as communities of people, or friends; so different levels of relationship is developed according to the choice of companion that was chosen. (Gen 25:21-26, Gen 2:18)

David’s choice of companion were the mighty men of David and Jonathan; the risk takers and God fearers who stood by and supported him as destiny helpers to keep the throne of Israel and had success in every battle and win every war for they feared God and do not need to fear man or their circumstances.  Hence, David could say without shame that he was a friend of those that feared God and kept the commandments of the Lord.   For “he who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm”; for it is possible to learn the way of the fool and be entangled in their web(2 Sam 23:8-39, I Sam 18:1, 20:16-17, 2 Sam 1:26, Psa 119:63, Pro 13:20)

Many choose their friends, companions or business partners based on what natural senses have seen, heard or felt but with no sence of divine perception; some perceived but lacked understanding of what they had perceived; therefore were undiscerning and have found themselves journeyed with strangers and enemies that projected themselves as friends, men who did not fear God nor have respect for life. Their companionship and friendship has only led to perpetual issues, trouble, pain and a lifetime of horrors that they wished they should never have met the ones they have journeyed or partnered with; for it takes good perception and discernment to make the right choice of companion and friendship.  In order to avoid choosing an enemy as a friend or be a companion of fools that could lead to an unending cry to be rescued from strange children such as was in David’s camp; his best adviser Ahithophel who later decamped and partnered with his rebellious son Absalom to dethrone David from the throne of Israel. (Psa 144:7-8)

Who IS Your Friend?

Beloved, the company you keep would determine what you become and are able to achieve or secure for generation yet unborn.  For bad company corrupts good morals; it is time to check who is your friend and what companion you are keeping. How have you located your friends or how have they located you?  Locating true friend and journeying through life is dependent on locating the True God through Christ Jesus, who knows all men.  You might say that I know him and I have been born again for a short or long period of time, but Jesus clearly states that the knowledge of him requires true and continued followership; this is a life time journey for those who follow Him are assured not to walk in darkness but have the light of life.   Let us follow the footsteps of Paul, who in-spite of all his achievements embarked on life’s journey with a quest to know Christ, His Power of Resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.  He operated with perception, discernment and understanding with divine precision, for he came into visions and revelation of the Lord often and was therefore guarded and led continually.  He grasped an understanding of his DIVINE purpose, faced his daily activities with confidence, connected with and kept company with those who feared God. He was served by trusted sons like Timothy, Onesiphorus who refreshed him; he served the churches even in his chains and through beatings but yet left an impact on his world. He followed the footsteps of Jesus who knew all men and did not give himself to them, for Jesus knew what was in men, having the right perception, understanding and discernment which were an expression of the Holy Spirit.  Who produces in every believer in Christ the proof of sonship in wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge; and the fear of the LORD?  Jesus encountered the Holy Ghost at baptism following His obedience to God, therefore it is required that you and I continue to pass the test of obedience such that we can be daily filled with the Holy Spirit, who is the proof producer of our sonship in God as He is the executor of the will of the father which is the Word of God given to you & I. As a result, we could possess divine perception, understanding, discernment and wisdom as we walk through life with precision and not snared by wrong companion or lured into friendship through deception.   Do you know your friend? (1 Cor 15:33-34, John 8:32, Phi 3:10-14, 2 Cor 12:1, Eph 3:3, Gal 1:12, 2 Tim 1: 2, 16, Eph 6:19-20, Isa 11:1-5, Mat 3:17)

Consider this:

• “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” [Joh 2:24-25 NIV].

Here she appeared in the middle of the only life manual there is; in the season while the prophets rush to tell us her story. She started well; connected in marriage to a man created and possessed by God from the country of Ephraim whose origin not only speaks of double fruitfulness; but also carries the divine proof of the covenant of fruitfulness even in the land of affliction and had seen the end of generational delay in fruitfulness and barrenness.  Her gentle, obedient and submissive character enabled her to ride on the wings of grace according to her name being loved and cherished by her husband but was yet to gain trust and confidence in the love of her Maker who is the giver of every good and perfect gift (Joh 15:13, 2 Pet 1:2, Jam 1:1:17).

Her husband’s overwhelming love could not address the issue of her life that needs solving or terminate the shamefulness, the reproach, hostility and the mockery of barrenness in the hand of her adversary.  She was among many people but still lonely, accepted but yet felt abandoned, respected and honoured but yet felt insignificant. She was meant to feel safe, secured and satisfied by her husband’s love, but yet felt insecure, embarrassed and humiliated.  A woman with a womb but without an evidence of fruitfulness as promised by covenant to Abraham, by an oath to Isaac and confirmed to Jacob, even though she is aware of the scripture “There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land;” She was yet to connect with the God of the promise, accompanied others to church, appeared in a place of rest but restless and troubled, while others were feasting, her appetite failed her for food for her many sorrowful thoughts. She had connected to religion, tradition and culture; seeing her adversaries’ children reminds her of “this one thing” that needs divine intervention in her life but the depression and distress of  her barren womb persisted, until she took her eyes of herself and she was mindful of what was in the mind of God, poured out her request unto God she remain a regular Shiloh attendee, but no proof to show for it.(Gen 41:52, Exo 23:26a, Psa 128:3, Jam 4: 1-3, Eph 5:15-17, 1 Sam1, Mat 11:12)

She rid herself of selfish desire from a need to prove her adversary wrong for mocking her but connected with God in prayer through her vow, she offered her expected fruits of prayer as a sacrificial gift unto the Lord Service for “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”  After which the word of the Lord came to her by the prophet Eli in response to her prayer with an answer of peace, she embraced the divine word by faith, ate and went home joyfully and her countenance was no longer sad.  “So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” (1 Sam 1:10-20)

Beloved if there is ‘still one thing’ that makes your heart sorrowful, keeping you awake in the night time with loss of appetite and at the expense of your health, because you have a problem that is yet to be solved or a question that needs answering even though you have the promise; you have appeared in church often and served or participated in many church activities;  but you have found yourself distressed and discouraged, turn on the light of God’s word in your heart and embrace the wisdom of God in Christ Jesus as you connect your desire to meet God’s desire to have a voice on earth. Like Hannah, God through her gift of Samuel terminated the scarcity of the Word of God and raised Samuel as the only prophet whose word did not fail without finding full expression.  Be an instrument of Kingdom advancement, and no good thing would be withholding from you.  Light is arising for you even in the darkened season of your life and you shall yet laugh again. Stay connected with Jesus.  (1 Sam 3:11, 19 Cor 1:24, Mat 6:33, Psa 112:4, 1 Sam 1:10-11, 1 Sam 1:10-11, Rom 8:26-28)

His father sowed the seed of rape and murder, covered it assuming it was hidden from all but unaware that it was not hidden from God for he who concealed his transgression will not prosper. David was confronted by Prophet Nathan, he admitted his wrong, confessed the same and was forgiven, mercy overrides judgement, his confessed sin became a forgiven sin; nevertheless, the product of adultery died and the consequences of his adulterous relationship resulted in incest, rape and murder within his own four walls, among his own children. (2 Sam 12:1-21, Prov 28:13, 1 Joh 1:9)

Ammon, David’s son developed an uncontrollable sexual appetite for his own sister Tamar. He disrespected her person, stripped her of her purity and virginity, deceived, abused and raped her, disgraced, humiliated and forced her out in shame, left her heart broken, battered with defilement, homeless and glory-less without any regret or remorse but became hateful.  Ammon’s quick gratification of the flesh left his victim with looking for one that could comfort and cover her nakedness and shame.  It made her angry brother Absalom, the only one she was able to uncover her defiled experience to, accommodated her but with a plan of revenge, sponsored the death of his own step brother Ammon without fear, hence the defiler was destroyed.  David did not teach neither did he encouraged his children to follow after his previous misdeed of which he had repented, but as long as the heaven and the earth remains, seed time and harvest never seize. David sowed the seed of deception, adultery and murder and reaped the pain, shame and reproach of Tamar’s defilement, sorrow and grief of Ammon’s death and worry of the runaway son for three years (Absalom). What a dysfunctional family! (2 Sam 13, Prov 28:13, I Cor 3:17, Gen 8:22).

David did not teach it, but in the world today we teach sexual behavioral pattern in schools with a notion of encouraging kids to stay out of trouble, as a result we have created awareness of sex at an early age. Assuming that such educative programs would eliminate sexual related issues and prevent teenage pregnancy, the spread of sexually transmitted  disease STD, (including  HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, human papilloma virus, and syphilis), but statistics confirms that sexually transmitted disease is on the increase  even though the society welcomed it, the media advertise it and media house recently planned to start a new program  called “sex in class” with objectives to shake up sex education in school by working with the 15 to 16 years old to put together the basis of what could become a properly approved GCSE”, while a political party in England proposed the notion  that “all children in states schools should get lessons about sex and relationships from the age of seven”.

It is written, the good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. But the authorities, parents, social media and education systems are exposing our young children to sexual behavioral pattern at an early age, enriching manufacturer and retailers of protective sex products at the expense of the innocence of our children who were ignorant of trading away their glorious and beautiful future but desire what they were taught in school at an early age.  Subsequently, we have seen an increase in the rape of kids by other kid, gangs or adults at home, in schools, religious and social places regardless of sex, murder on the road side and in the park, turning our supposedly safe community to an unsafe place for kids and young adult to grow. Having refused to show our kids the right way to go, we have prepared them to live like adults while they are still in their formative stage.

The problem we were trying to solve has created issues with expensive consequences resulting in health, material, financial impact moral and social degradation, when we should have trained or train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  “A survey of 11-to-14 year-olds found: 51% of the boys and 41% of the girls said forced sex was acceptable if the boy, “spent a lot of money” on the girl; • 31% of the boys and 32% of the girls said it was acceptable for a man to rape a woman with past sexual experience; • 87% of boys and 79% of girls said sexual assault was acceptable if the man and the woman were married; • 65% of the boys and 47% of the girls said it was acceptable for a boy to rape a girl if they had been dating for more than six months” .(Luke 6:45, Pro 22:6)

Parents, It is not enough to just give our children education, entrust them to the school system, buy them toys, take them to movies or to religious activities; we should instill in them the act of Godliness through teaching, training and personal modeling of the truth of God’s word before our kids, not forgetting that they are God’s heritage.  It is paramount that we know the truth in order to give it, but the giving of the truth is only possible for those who have it and live it.  For a man can have nothing except it has been given to him from heaven, So you can search the scriptures to find out what has been given to you by God.  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” including raising up our children. (Psa 127:3, John 3:27, 2 Tim 3:16-17)

There are many voices and choices that significantly influence our decisions, here is my appeal to you, choose right, “don’t turn blind eyes” to what is going on in your home, around you, in church or in your community or nation, the deception, rebellion, abuse and rape are not to be ignored but corrected on time.  Unlike Eli who failed to correct the wrongs of his children but suffer a loss of all things including himself, his two kids, daughter in-law and the ark of covenant of God on the same day, let us tackle the issue of sexual perversion and degradation today, by aligning ourselves with the word of God and secure tomorrow’s generation colourful destiny; preventing their lives from being defiled, polluted, and their destiny from being aborted or destroyed. Like Abraham, you and I can raise our children and household right and promote righteous living in our land.  It is safe and inexpensive to do so, except our continued commitment to the truth. We should buy the truth and sell it not. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (1 Sam 4:14-22, Prov 23:23-24, Isa 55:1-3, Pro 14:34).

Consider this:

• “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith”. [Gal 6:7-10 KJV]
• The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” [Gen 18:17-20 NIV]

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? for ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. [1Co 6:15-20 KJV]

The act of touching is known and experienced by all; for everyone participates daily in an activity that requires touching or been touched deliberately or unexpectedly when discharging professional, academic and medical responsibilities or relational and parental care.   Every act of touching is aimed at achieving an expected result, but many touches without an expectation, while others touch from a fearful heart, yet everyone will have their result according to their reason for touching.  Everybody might be touching at the same time, but individual knows why they have touched; who they have touched and their expected result.

The floods may have lifted up their voices and their pounding waves; a deliberate and determined cry of faith in the ability of God to make His word good in the midst of all the issues of life would wipe away tears, dry up the flood of affliction, distress, trouble, sickness, pain, problem, poverty, sin, shame, sorrow, stagnation and oppression; for “God is mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty”.  He knows who touched Him and the reason behind each touch and which touch should trigger a release of power, a flow of virtue that turns all things around for the good of those who love, trust and have faith in Him in spite of the crowd.  For every one of God’s word is backed up by all the honour of  His name, so He is mandated  by covenant to answer when the righteous call upon him to deliver them out of all their trouble. (Psa 93:3-4, Psa 138:2. Psa 107:1-9)

Her issues had been going on for twelve years and her hope of recovery had dwindled, having touched with what she had; exhausted her savings in exchange for medical treatment.  She endured several painful touches in the hand of the doctors with a hope of recovery which resulted in financial drain; instead of getting better she got worse until she is bent over.  She was sapped of energy, strength, her good health and money until she heard of Jesus at the pick of her trouble when her life was almost taking. The testimonies of the wonders and signs performed by Jesus stirred up hope in her even though she was physically weak; she became spiritually sound in her thought and imagination; she determined to have her flow of issues, the bleeding of twelve years dry up.  As a result, she was quickened in her almost fainting soul by the spirit of truth to touch Jesus not with her money this time, for she had ran out of funds, but by her faith in the midst of the crowd with an expectation for recovery and wholeness; Her singular touch of faith on the greatest physician of all despite the crowd, released virtue for her recovery and total deliverance from all her trouble; her twelve years of bleeding dried up and her expectation was not cut short. (Mark 5:25-32, Heb 11:6, Pro 23:18),

Beloved, if you have touched man or things with what you have and all that you have had; your money, knowledge, name and fame or you have spent and are still being spent but have been left with an imprint of an unending pain; if you have been abandoned, dejected, discouraged, weak, financially broke, helpless and hopeless with no sign of recovery. You can touch Jesus today with your measure of faith on His promised word for your salvation and recovery and see the plague seize and everything turning around for your good. (Rom 12:3b, Mat 7:7-11)

Consider this:

• “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” [Heb 11:6 NIV]
• “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” [Psa 34:17 NIV]

The place at the top is a desire of all men, but not all men journeyed to be top. Many desired to be served but not many have the desire to serve others, much desired to be followed but there were not many followers.  Paul rightly says follow me as I follow Christ, while Jesus showed us his pattern of obedience to the father through the death on the cross that made him leader of all leaders, king over all kings and causes all things to be in subjection to His name.   It is important to note that life’s journey starts from childhood to sonship and from sonship to rulership so also does true leadership journey start from ground up. 1 Cor 4:16, Phil 2:6-11, Isa 9:6-7.

He was a God seeker, a good, faithful, fearless, committed and obedient follower, so Joshua handpicked by God among men and ordained by Moses, became a team leader that is full of faith, a risk taker who learnt the act of leadership through persistent followership, observation and submission with compliance to his predecessor’s instruction without fear. He is positively minded who understood what it means to submit to divine instruction through complete obedience to God and his predecessor in the midst of noises and choices.  When other team leaders lose sight of the good land given to them by God, the proceeds of divine covenant that they were instructed to go and spy, returned with negative reports that weary, weakens and make others afraid so much that their followers stated “Our brothers have made our hearts in fear.  They say the people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there. ” For they became what they perceive, for as a man thinks in his heart so is He, they only saw their inadequacy and inability to posses the good land, they saw impossibility at the expense of the promise, hence they were denied of the fulfilment of the covenant promise and never attained the height that was designed for them, but only wasted in the wilderness of life.

Joshua, having faithfully passed the test of followership for he had respect for the Word of God, he was full of faith, and it is proven that he is a doer of the word of God and unperturbed by his age, personal ability, he understood that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. He was commissioned by God to front line leadership, became leader of leaders after his predecessor and was given an assignment with divine promises backed up with divine presence for the execution of his God given assignment.  It is not surprising that He took cognisant of his given mandate, envisioned by the vision of God for the secret of God is with those who fear him. He was led and guarded by God so that he could lead other people, he gained honour because of his honour for God (1 Sam2:30), he executed his assignment with boldness without timidity or fear through his knowledge of God and His Word, for those who know there God shall be strong and do exploits, so he took delivery of the proceeds of faith in the ability of God to keep his word, hence men obeyed Joshua as they obeyed Moses, Jordan parted before him, Jericho wall fell flat by a shout of praise for he took God by his word and was able to take possession of lands,  he had victory before war, and posses whatever he saw.  He did not just hear the word, He saw the word and took delivery of the proceeds of the word, for he pass the test of followership and made a good success of his leadership.  What can you see and How far can you see? (Deu 1: 28, Pro 23:7, Num 13:26-33, Jos 1:2-9, Jos Phi 4:13, Dan 11:32, Gen 13:15)

Consider this:

“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16″Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17″If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them”.  {Joh 13:15-16 KJV]

At a point in time, in the life time of every man there is an issue that needs to be addressed or prevailed over, regardless of man’s position in the community or hierarchy in the society, role or activity that is performed in the church.  But his issue started small but gradually grew big, He located the church (house of mercy) and sat in the midst of other folks with varied issues, the blind, the lame, the broken and battered men with real issues in the pew waiting for an encounter that converts there many issues to testimonies and give them a change of story, which only come by the word of God (Isa 43:2, Joh 8:32)

For upon mount Zion there shall be deliverance and holiness and the house of Jacob shall possess their possession, all were waiting for the moving of the water so that they can dive in and experience victory of their issue but he was waiting to be helped having assumed that he cannot make it on his own. The water moved but he could not move himself into the water, those who dived into the water have their expectation met for healing, recovery, salvation, restoration and deliverance etc., but his issue of 38 years remain unsolved. He complained of lack of support, spent a long time in church but has nothing to show for it, he blamed it on his helplessness and the hopelessness of his issue such that it continued to look like an unending wait (Oba 1:17, John 5:2-10)

He was so consumed by the issue such that he failed to recognise his moment of help and turnaround; he thought it was like the other days when the God of Mercy showed up in the house of mercy.  Mercy located him among men in his stagnant, weak, troubled and traumatic situation not because he deserved it, but Mercy saw that he had been grounded with the infirmity for 38years. An encounter with Mercy raised him up from the bed of affliction and gave him a change of story.  Mercy overrides judgement prevailed over his infirmity of 38years and immediately he was cured for he picked up his mat and walked.  How? After 38 years, he responded and acted on the divine instruction from the mouth of Jesus and his body was made whole. For God’s word cannot return back unto him void without performing what God has sent it to in your life.  An action of faith must precede the possession of the promise. (Isa 53:5, Psa 107:20, Isa 55:10-12)

Beloved, the wait may have been long and seems endless and hopeless; simply because it was assumed that someone else can provide the help that you need rather than God. Take your eyes of man and stop been sorry for yourself, receive the word of God and let it stir up faith in your heart by the help of the Holy Spirit. Your response in full obedience to the spoken word of God backed up by your action of faith will turn your issue around and give you a change of story.  Those who had seen you in the stagnant position would yet witness your lifting.   It is not over yet, until you arise and take your position in Christ.  Arise!

Consider this:

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure i” [1 Cor 10:13 NIV]

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does” [Jam1:21-25]

From the last decade up until now, in and around the world, men from different nations, tribes, communities and families, governmental bodies have witnessed and heard noises and shouts of all types. Some shout because they are in pain, agony, distress; some shout for excitement after a football or cricket match; some simply because the darkness was too dark and there didn’t  seem to be light at the end of the tunnel; some shout because of oppression, both visible and invisible; some shout because they suffer confusion of mind and they were no longer aware of who they were, what has taken place that has made them loose their minds and become like another man.  Men are chained in mental homes today because they were out of control, aggressive and their shouts have turned to expression of affliction.  There are inner shouts and verbal shouts of help in and around us, shouts of battle and rumours of war where the heart of men fails them for fear. There have been shoutings of mastery, of slavery and of judgment in our world.  It should be noted that the shout of victory is only made after the war has been won.

There have been shouts on the home front, leading to all sorts of rage, abuse, distrusts, misbehaviours, divorce, man-slaughter and murder; shouts in schools by hurtful, hateful and rebellious young men under the influence of alcohol, drugs and demonic power; and in offices by grown up men , fathers and brothers, states men, and politically inclined men hiding their fears, issues, secrets, losses, insecurity, uncertainty under the covering of the collar job or political positions shouting for help internally, when their voices are not heard,. Good men turned to cowards, refusing to deal with the issue or confront the underlying problems, threaten others, abuse many, engaging their powers, political and social influences,  their professional superiority to intimidate and harass those considered to be lower ranked to them or their equals. We call it bullying and harassment in the work place, very subtle but yet profound issues, so destructive is the practice of hostility that the authority on earth have not been able to solve it.

It is not surprising today that such arrogance in men with unresolved issues have turned men to engage in tribal, religious and national warfare, because of high mindedness. The hearts of men had become callous, wicked and crooked in practice; men without the fear of God neither possess any respect for life or nature.   Men have become so cruel against each other, destroyers of what is good, and wasters of those considered weaker than the mighty, the rich taking advantage of the poor and the mighty deluding our world of justice. So we have called the holy profane and the profane holy, forgetting that when the righteous are quiete, evil will continue to prevail in the land; but when the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.  Men have been displaced from their secured homes, offices, communities, nation, businesses have been troubled, and the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, so there have been shouts of all types.  Some have shouted, and some are shouting still, yet no one is hearing or no one seems to care or concerned about those who were casualties of incidents, captives in the hands of the mighty and victims of family, tribal and national wars (Isa 26:9, Psa 125:1-3, Prov 28:12).

There have been sound of noises and shouts of various types but there is a shout that brings victory before war, breaks down the racial, tribal, religious, political and social barriers, cuts down the satanic chains of oppression, stops harassment, torments the tormentors, terrorises the terrorisers’, spoils the spoilers and causes every adversary to go into captivity, releases those considered to be lawful captives, brings healing to the sick, terminatea the terminating disease, banishes every pain, causes swords to be converted to ploughshares, increasing peace in our borders and comforting us on every side, enabling abundance where there is insufficiency, exposing what lies in darkness, unraveling the hidden agenda of the destroyer, frustrating the token of liars and  causing the wickedness of the wicked to come to an end.

It is only a shout away to the God of Mercy. When man recognises the inability of man without God, the cruelty of the heart and the wickedness of an uncontrolled mind, indiscipline, selfishness and self-centeredness of ambitious men promoting self and mass destruction, internal enemy appearing real externally, wiping away acquired fruits of service, efforts and investment of persons, families, communities, our states and our nation.

A loud shout to the God of Mercy would not only open the blinded eyes but would expose the seared mind and cause men to see the true man that lies within the veil with an inner shout for an inner change and a converted heart. Why? For man’s rest lies within his returning unto His Maker, our God who is the creator of all things.  The shout of victory and triumph can go forth and no longer the shout of displacement and of trouble nor of pain.  We must look up rather than looking around, for the help of man is in vain. “ Awake, awake, clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion; Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; For the uncircumcised and the unclean Will no longer come into you. Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; Loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus says the LORD, “You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.” (Isa 52: 1- 3, Psa 119:18, Psa 25:14)

It is only a shout away for mercy to prevail over judgement and for peace to reign again in our land.

Consider this:

• “For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore, have I cried concerning this, their strength [is] to sit still. 8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: 9 That this [is] a rebellious people, lying children, children [that] will not hear the law of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. 12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. 14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water [withal] out of the pit. 15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. 16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. 17 One thousand [shall flee] at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. 18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD [is] a God of judgment: blessed [are] all they that wait for him. 19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. 20 And [though] the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This [is] the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left”. {Isa 30:7-21 KJV]

Some gets it’s ‘replica’ from the sweet shop, the grocery store, the small to medium size supermarket. It’s affordable to the rich and slightly costly for the poor, the old and the young, those considered clever and those that were marginalized, men from the glass house living in a bay window and those from the grass root struggling for their next meal, men assumed to be out of size or within size, out of shape or in shape, it’s needed by most if not all even the weight watchers still have a little bit of it.

A product well known for its necessity to all, even a nursing mother who has just stop breastfeeding her infant child could hardly wait to start him up with a taste of bread, to address the cry of an hungry baby whose voice is loud but his speech is still forming and his language is only known to him but not understood by the loving, passionate mother who is unsure of what and how to meet her baby’s growing appetite for food.  She can only try but a piece of soft bread seems to do the trick. It is a global product and everyone knows where to get one, the world needed it, bread is on high demand around the world hence its returns on investment spans in billions of revenues to the bakery company. Statistics confirmed that bread production revenue (NAICS 3118) in the United States from 2009 to 2014 ranges from $38.81billion/2009 to $39billion in 2014.

It is apparent that bread does not just appear on the shop window, the farmer sows the seed of wheat but God rains on the earth and causes the sun to shine making the wheat to bud and flourish, such that it yields seed to the sower for harvest of wheat grains that are then milled into different type of flours. God is the provider of seed to the sower and bread to the eater (2 Cor 9:10, Isa 5:10).

Flour in the hand of the baker becomes the bread that gratifies the appetite of the eater, who is the end consumer of the product, from season to season, day to day, time and time again; eaters of bread always buy on every visit to the supermarket.  As the desire for bread across the globe continue to increase in the lifetime of her consumer, the proceeds of man’s labor, the rewards on trade and return on investment (money) are spent to purchase bread that does not have the capacity for eternal sustenance or satisfaction to the eater neither has it the ability to keep men alive.  Why, because man is yet to partake of the bread of life that is eternal and give everlasting life such that those who partake of it never dies (Joh 6:31-49).

Everyone needs it; anyone can get it and have it without money. Here is the Question? Do you want it?  it is free for all, only believe!

Consider this:

• “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh. Do you believe this?” [Joh 11:25-26 NIV]

“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.  Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.  This is the bread, which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” [Joh 6:47-51 NIV]

From childhood to adulthood everyone regardless of our social, economic, political and financial status, carefully journey through life with a lot of caution and minimal risk in decision making or action taking to ensure safety and prevents falling.  Unfortunately, investigating and analysing potential risk and possibilities of falling or embarking on a failed event, project, unfulfilled life or destiny, unfruitful business or marriage is unknown until a step is taking or a decision is made that invariably determines the result obtained or experienced which could either be a downturn or upturn.

Apostle Peter affirms our call out of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ Jesus as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that was designed to show forth the praises of God who called us.  Having been engrafted into the vine as branches, it is expedient that we make our calling and election sure by pursuing a fruitful but fall free life as our lives produce fruits unto righteousness, immeasurable and exceeding great results based on the great and precious promises given to us through Christ by which we might become partakers of the divine nature of Christ to whom we have been called.   1 Pet 2:9, John 15:1-4, Gal 5:23

The question is what must I do to make my election sure as I pursue a fruitful and fall free life? 

Every branch must yield fruits after its own kind and having been engrafted in the vine, who is Christ, it is expedient that every believer’s life produces fruits that resemble the vine (Christ) in divine nature and character through our union with Christ as we continue in fellowship with Him through His word and allowed the word of God to dwell richly in us.  For our lives are hid with Christ in God and the life that we live now must be based on the faith of the son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us, such that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

This love of God in Christ Jesus is revealed daily to every believer as we continue in the word of God which enables the work of grace to eliminate the corruption that exists in our human nature to be established in us.  The life of God that is in His word produces in us a result oriented, word proven, fall and fail free life that is not barren but fruitful in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of Christ, being spiritually discerning and being assured of our sonship in God through Christ which guarantees us a fall and fail free life.  Luk 6:43, Joh 15:1-8, Col 3:3b, Titus 2:14, James 1:22-25

Consider this:

• But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: [1Pe 2:9 KJV]
• According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth. [2Pe 1:3-12 KJV]
• That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. [Eph 4:14-32 KJV]
• For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. [Luk 6:43-44 KJV]
• I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so, shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. [Joh 15:1-10 KJV]