The Refiner's Place Ministries

PASTOR’S CORNER

ACCESSING YOUR NEW GLORY IN CHRIST:

UNDERSTANDING THE ENEMY OF YOUR NEW GLORY IN CHRIST (PART 2)

REFERENCES: MICAH 2: 7-10, HAGGAI 2:3-5, REVELATIONS 3:11-13

We will begin with a recap of the first part of this teaching.

Firstly, we learnt that the enemies of new glory are:

• wrong leadership

• powerlessness

• activities exceeding spirituality

• polluted spiritual environment and atmosphere

• lack of fighting spirit

We have also learnt that the Word and the Spirit are the key building materials in the kingdom of God; with these two, you are guaranteed to glow in the glory of God.

The devil is on a mission to put the lives of Christians in reverse, but God is determined to put you on the fast track. Therefore, He shall make you a front runner this year, in Jesus name.

Mic 2: 7-10

O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the Lord straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war. The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever. Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.

The Word and the Spirit: the power duo behind the wondrous doings of God.

Genesis records that the earth was void in the beginning. This means that it was ugly by God’s standard. (However, by human standards, it was beautiful). As He spoke the Word, the Spirit moved- backing up the Word to create God’s beautiful earth.

The good works of God can only become a reality in the life of a Christian when he has the Word and the Spirit. It is therefore foolhardy for any Christian to live without the Word. It is the harbinger of the Spirit, and without the former, you cannot get the latter.

Where these two are absent, error runs free, and those who should stand as the ministers of God become thieves- stealing the glory of children, the joy of wives and the security of men- turning the place of rest into a land of sore destruction.

There is no new glory in a polluted environment. Wise men will do well to know this and depart from there. Do not waste your time or cause your destiny harm by remaining in such a place.

Hag 2:3-5

Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts: According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.

A Christian who dwells in the deep revelation of the Word can never run dry of the Spirit.

Without the Word, the Spirit cannot abide. The Spirit will only stay and do His work as long as He can find the Word in you. Together, they will produce glorious works.

If you desire the presence and works of the Spirit in you, you must find and fill up on the Word. Whatever you desire in the Spirit- wisdom, power, prosperity- will be yours as long as the Spirit can find the living Word in you.

Remember, the baptism of Holy Ghost came, with fire, only after the disciples had been fed with the Word for 3 years.

Rev 3:11-13

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches..

No Christian can attain glory without a rugged, fighting spirit. You will be sorely disappointed if you expect to be shielded from the assaults of the enemy.

It takes ruggedness to reign. You will only rise, despite the ‘gravitational’ pull of trials, assaults and tribulations, when your soul is rugged.

Your destiny is the ‘that’ which you must hold fast. Now, when God says hold that fast, be assured that there will be bombardments against your destiny. Your responsibility: be ready to hold on tight, no matter what bombardment you encounter.

...that no man take thy crown

Your crown is in your destiny. As long as you hold fast to your destiny, you will keep your crown. The devil knows that whatever you achieve outside ‘that’ is a waste. Therefore he will fight hard to make lose ‘that’, as well as your glory. Now, you might consider your ‘that’ a small thing, but the enemy knows its real worth.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out

This is the reason for a fighting spirit.  You have to fight the enemy of your ‘that’ and overcome; and the fight is not a onetime thing. You keep fighting, at every stage of your life. Every victory you win is the beginning of a new battle. Bottom-line: be battle ready always.

The secret to true greatness in Christ- the key to standing unmoveable in the Kingdom- is continuous conquest.

Every standing man you see in Christ is a product of many conquests. They are rugged warriors, like David, who have fought without wavering and conquered. They do not waste time comparing themselves to others, but rise- fearlessly- to every challenge.

These men are the pillars- constant personalities in the Kingdom. They have become stable, unmoveable forces in the Lord.

... and I will write upon him the name of my God

God gave a charge to Moses concerning the stones for the commandments: present them before Me. Like those stones, God will only write upon you when you have presented your soul to Him. When you do, two things will happen.

Firstly, He will write upon your soul. However, in doing that, He will also be over-writing on previous writings; superimposing His divine will over every old judgement that has held you captive...  

When God writes upon your soul, the satanic writings of failure, disappointment, confusion, loss...will be replaced. You will become a recipient of favour, mercy and goodness that you cannot explain.

This can only happen when you abide in His temple, because no one writes on a paper while it flies in the air. You need to become like paper that is laid before the writer- still, stable, patiently waiting for the Writer’s hand.

...and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name

A pillar cannot be confused about His God, or his heavenly journey. How can he, when he has the name of God and the name of His glorious city written upon him!

When you stay as a pillar, Christ will also write His new name upon you. This means that whoever sees you has seen the Christ, and whoever dares attack you will have the fire of God to contend with.

...He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches

This is the principle of God to all the churches. Your responsibility is to abide before Him. No more distracted living, no more impatient waiting. Stay perpetually on fire; one day, everyone will look at you and testify to the glorious change in you.

The enemy is not your problem. Your ability to present your soul before God, every day, month and year, determines if you will receive His writing and become a carrier of His glory.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My life, receive fire to stay in God’s fire.

• Whatever has been taking me out of God’s fire, I destroy you by fire now.

• My soul, you will not go out of God’s fire again.

• Every judgement of the wicked written on me; I erase you by fire.

• Every handwriting of the wicked that follows my life; I erase you by fire.

• Fire of God, write on me.

PASTOR’S CORNER

ACCESSING YOUR NEW GLORY IN CHRIST:

ACCESSING THE NEW GLORY DEMANDS NEW CONSTRUCTION (PART 2)

REFERENCES: JOHN 1: 40-42, MATTHEW 16:15- 18, I PETER 2:5, II CORINTHIANS 3: 6-12

In the first part of this teaching, we learnt that:

• Every kingdom building demands two solid materials: the spirit and the word

• The source of the materials used determines the strength and quality of the building

• The materials used reflect the master plan

• The master plan determines the process

• God speaks in eternity; man speaks in time

Jn 1: 40-42

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Where you are in your Christian journey is a product of what has been revealed to you. The depth of revelation you have about Christ determines how far you go in Him.

Andrew heard about Jesus through the words of John the Baptist, and on this truth, he not only followed Him, but also sought out his brother.

When Simon came before Christ, the bible says He beheld him. This went beyond just looking at him; it meant that Christ looked into him and revealed his true nature to him: thou art Simon the son of Jonah. Thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation a stone.

Peter was not told when this would be, but he knew that, one day, his name would change.

Many Christians struggle because they do not remember the revelation Christ gave to them. Therefore, they fail to work out the change that He promised to them.

Matt 16:15- 18

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

When Peter, speaking from a place of revelation, declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, Christ acknowledge the divine source of his words; but He did something else as well.

I also say unto you...

What you say to God determines what He will say back to you. Your confession before Him determines His declaration to you. Anyone who desires to hear God speak over his life must therefore speak a-right to Him first.

At this moment, the promise Christ had declared to Peter at their first meeting became a reality. No more would he be called Cephas, he was now called Peter.

When you walk and speak from the place of revelation, you will also hear God change your name.

I Pet 2:5

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Peter is speaking here in line with the revelation he received. You also, he says, are living stones like me.

Becoming a stone puts you out of the devil’s reach, because he is only permitted to eat the dust of the earth; not stones.

This was the life saving difference between Peter and Judas. The devil could ‘eat’ Judas, but was frustrated by Peter because the latter had been made a stone, before he erred. You can also frustrate the devil killing in your household by becoming ‘Peter’.

This is the reason for your connection to the Word of God; you are connected to be reconstructed- built up to claim and enjoy your divine inheritance, and also to prove the devil wrong.

II Cor 3: 6-12

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

While God engraved the ‘ministration of death’ on stones, His reflection fell upon Moses. So great was it that the prophet’s face shone brightly and he had to cover his face.

Now, if the ministration of death that came from God and was divinely engraved on stones could be changed, then any work of man, made upon any material to minister affliction, death, poverty or oppression can be destroyed.

When God engraved the second stone, it was placed in the ark of God. Today, the ark has been done away with. God no longer writes upon stones; now, He engraves His word upon your heart.

If this ministration, that was temporary and to be done away with, carried such glory, how much more glorious do you imagine the ministration of life would carry?

This means that whatever glory you had before Christ saved you is really no glory at all! Therefore, you need not fret because someone claims to have stolen it. All the thief has done is save you the trouble of discarding yourself!   

Walk in the confidence of this truth. Speak boldly, fearlessly in the face of every opposition and attack because the real glory is in you.

Your concern, your responsibility should be to access and retain the new, truly glorious, glory. Your main focus should be to walk in the reality of the revelation of the Word.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• I receive fire to become a living stone.

• Holy Ghost, reconstruct my life.

• My soul, receive raw fire of God, to prove the devil wrong.

• Any evil ministration, written on my soul, against my destiny; I cast you out of my life by fire.

• Any evil work, ministered to my life, to damage God’s agenda over my life; I cast you out now

• Evil judgement ministered to my life to reconstruct my destiny; I destroy you by fire.

PASTOR’S CORNER

ACCESSING YOUR NEW GLORY IN CHRIST:

ACCESSING THE NEW GLORY DEMANDS NEW TRAINING IN CHRIST (PART 2)

REFERENCES: PHILIPPIANS 3: 12, PROVERBS 27:21-22, I THESSALONIANS 4:3-4, GALATIANS 1: 11-12, 15-16

The inaugural theme of this ministry- Apprehended to Apprehend- is still relevant 6 years on. This is because, purpose must never be forgotten, or else, profit will be frustrated.

In the first part of this teaching, I revealed to the congregation what God had said to me: that front liners have been distracted, and are missing from their duty posts. As we continue with the topic, we will learn why this is, and how to change that reality.

In the process, I will be revealing details of my life to help you understand where I have been, and why I cannot and will not play with destiny.

Phil 3: 12

Not as though I had already attained, neither were already perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of in Christ.

In a just society, no one is arrested without cause. When a suspect is apprehended, the first question he asks is: what are the charges?

In the same manner, every Christian must ask Christ: why have You apprehended me? For what purpose did you keep me alive until the day of my salvation?  

My life was a mess before Christ saved me. I was left to live alone in a different state from where my parents were. There, I lived like any teenager left to his own devices would- with no regard for the peculiar situation I was in, or the consequences of my actions.

Thanks be to Christ who arrested me. Like Paul, I asked Him: Why and I received the answer.

I know that I was apprehended of Christ so that I can apprehend those who live messy lives. Therefore, I cannot play or sleep away my time, not while souls are in captivity. And I know He did not send me to religious people; no, He sent me to train front liners- those chosen to apprehend others.

Pro 27: 21-22

As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so is the man to his praise. Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

When a man is apprehended by Christ, and has discovered the reason for his salvation, he must go for relevant training- to prepare and equip him for his destiny. An untrained Christian- although he has been called to bring order to his household- will display a lack of discipline, and his life will be void of order and direction.

Now, the training process is not always easy, but it is crucial in fulfilling destiny. Do not be deceived by teachings that portray the Christian journey as a walk in the park. Do your destiny a great favour by submitting to relevant training and committing to it until you are ready to apprehend.

Your training is also determined by what you have been called to be- silver, gold, or even wheat. Now, gold is gold before it is refined. However, its true value will remain hidden, and its worth unappreciated, until it is put in the furnace and stays there long enough for all its impurities to be melted off.

Silver will not have to go through the same intensity of fire as gold, and wheat would rather have to endure the rigour of threshing to separate it from its chaff; each to its own.

It would be foolish for gold to compare itself to silver; on the other hand, wheat would not survive in a fining pot. The ‘fire’ you will go through is determined by the vessel you were apprehended to become. Do not compare yourself to others.

Front liners are distracted because they do not want to pass through their fire. Some do not even know their fire!

Every man has praise in him, but it can only be accessed after he has gone through his fire. Gold is gold before the fire, but its true praise is only unveiled after it has been refined in the furnace- when it has been rid of all impurity, pollution and contamination.

I had heard about a man of God whose name was similar to mine. When we finally did meet, recently, I discovered that we were from the same family. That of course meant that we had a lot more to talk about than earlier planned!

In the course of our chat, he told me about how, on the 29th day of a 30-day fast, God had appeared to him and told him that, in order to conquer certain household battles, he would have to go on a 40-day no-food fast.

As he spoke, I marvelled at the ways of God, and revealed to him that I had also been instructed to do the same by God. Now, what would have happened if I had failed God? I certainly would not have had the boldness to testify like he did.

Sadly, many Christians are where they are today because of their failure to take on responsibility at the right time.

It is every man to his praise; every man to his fire. If men will behold divinity in you, and thank God for bringing you into their lives, then you must go through your fire.

Wheat here talks about those who are called to be the industrious vessels of their households. Now, while gold and silver must go through intense heat, these ones must endure the pestle’s pounding. God will pound at them to separate them from the chaff and make them viable to be processed.

Sadly, there are those who rebel against the work of the pestle and mortar, choosing to continue in their foolishness.

I Thess 4:3-4

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication, that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour

Sanctification is the will of God. Therefore, everything that negates sanctification keeps you outside of God’s will and frustrates your praise. The charge is clear: stay away from fornication. Temptations will come, but it is your responsibility to know how to possess your vessel at all cost.

Continuing in sin is a sign that you have not possessed your body. Instead, your body is in charge. When you possess your body, you will put your foot down and stir the course of your life aright. When you possess your soul, it will heed your charge and reject the offerings of the devil.

Brethren, your praise is in your fire. By all means, seek the knowledge of how to possess your vessel- body, soul, destiny, and glory- and stay in your fire until your praise shines forth.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My life, receive raw fire of God, to become what He has called you to be.

• I receive fire to possess my vessel.

• Whatever happened against my destiny to cover my glory; you are a liar. Today, I destroy you by fire.

• Every judgment against my destiny, to cover up my glory. I damage you by fire.

PASTOR’S CORNER

ACCESSING YOUR NEW GLORY IN CHRIST:

ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR CELESTIAL LIFE FULLY IN CHRIST

REFERENCES: NUMBERS 12: 5- 8, Ex 33: 11, 13-23, Ex 34:1- 9

Your life, as you presently know it, is a shadow- a pattern- of your celestial life. The celestial life is your true life. If you have seen a vision of a man who looks a lot like you, but is more glorious, lives in a beautiful house, drives a great car, does exploits in business or ministry, that is the real you- you as predestined by God. Your responsibility as a Christian is to make your terrestrial life agree with the celestial you.

In the first part of this teaching, we learnt how to lay hold of the celestial life as revealed by God through visions. Today, we will be looking at acknowledging your celestial life as revealed in the Scriptures.

If you have heard the Word of God expressly in your heart, or find yourself continuously coming across a portion of the Scriptures, with a witness in your heart that the Word is for you, that Word is a pointer to your life in the Book.

Num 12: 5- 8

And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Prophets see visions and dream dreams. However, with Moses, God raised the bar. While expressing His anger at Aaron and Miriam, He declared that He will speak mouth to mouth with Moses, and cause him to see His similitude.

Ex 33: 11, 13-23

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again unto the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto Him, if thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight: is it not in that thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And He said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And He said, thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: and I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

At this time, Moses had seen God through the fire, heard His voice and seen His great works. Yet, he was asking for grace to know Him! He understood that there was still a lot that he had not seen, and needed to see God in a new way.

This is important because, beholding God means seeing a clear reflection of your life; and the more of God you see determines how much of your life you discover.

Moses took God at His Word, and held Him to it. So, even as God declared that it was impossible for anyone to see Him and live, even as He proposed instead to have all His goodness go before Moses, the man knew what he had heard and would not settle for anything else. So, when God told Moses no one could see Him and live, he kept silent and waited, until God made a way to fulfil His Word...

His mindset is one every Christian should emulate. Every word God has shown to you can become your reality if you are ready to stay in the place of prayer and hold Him to His Word.

God made Moses stand upon a rock. You also must be ready to stand upon the Word and wield it in accessing the fulfilment of God’s word. You must walk with the consciousness that there must be a way to get hold of every promise God has made to you.

Ex 34:1- 9

And the LORD said unto Moses, hew thee two table of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before the mount...

Brethren, be ready to work in prayer and in the study of the Word this year. This year, you must be ready to stand alone, to stand on the mountain; to seek God while others snore away...You must be ready to walk the walk without support from anyone, not even your spouse. Do not compare yourself with others, do not wait for others to catch the Word; go up to mountain and do what no man in your household has ever done. That is the secret of unparalleled greatness.

And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children unto the third and to the fourth generation. And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped...

Carefully consider this: the Lord descended, stood with Moses and proclaimed His name. Then, the Lord passed by Moses, and proclaimed again. This was not a slip, neither was it mere repetition. As an example, consider the times when God has brought the same portion of the scripture to you, but the second time, it was so different, you wondered if it was really the same word.

Brethren, do not think you know God yet. You have not discovered God to the full extent to which He can be discovered. When He proclaimed Himself again, it was to reveal Himself in a new way to Moses. When he saw God in this different, more glorious light, Moses hastened to bow before Him.

And he said, if now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance...

Taking advantage of this atmosphere, he interceded for the people and settled the matter of their entry into the Promised Land.

You can also settle the matter of future generations.

Do you desire for God to proclaim Himself anew in your life? Then, stay with God and present every word He has given to You before Him, until He brings it to pass. Obey His instructions fully, even when it is not convenient. Then God will fulfil His Word over your life and show Himself to you in a way no one else can fathom.

In the name of Jesus,

• My soul, receive the fire of God, to see what the Lord has called you to see, to do what the Lord has called you to do, to be all the Lord has called you to become.

• My destiny, receive the fire of God, to see what the Lord has called you to see, to do what the Lord has called you to do, to be all the Lord has called you to become.

• Fire of the God, fill me up now.

• Every negative judgement that has turned my life upside down; I destroy your power by fire now.