The Refiner's Place Ministries

PASTOR’S CORNER

THE MYSTERIES OF GOD SEEKERS:

GOD SEEKERS ARE MEN SEEKERS (MEN SEEK THOSE WHO SEEK GOD)

REFERENCES: II SAMUEL 3:17-19, JOHN 12:19-23

 

When a man seeks God, men will seek him. Such a man will not experience a slow demand in his business, or a drought in any aspect of his life. 

His promotion, profit and prosperity are guaranteed, because, whether men like him or not, they will have need of him, and therefore seek him.

 

II Sam 3: 17- 19

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: 

 

David was sought by men. Even his father and brethren, who did not value him, had to wait for him when the prophet came calling.

 

After the death of Saul, Abner, his captain, went before the elders of the nation with a proposal. He referred to their long-time search for David, to make him king.

 

Consider that he was speaking to elders about their desire to make a young man king. 

This was the young man who had impressed a captain of war with his fighting skills, and had won the heart of the people with his leadership ability.

 

It is a sad development in the Church today, that most youths are far from this reality. Unlike David, many of them are unable to reflect Christ in their character and in their response to challenges, choosing instead to dwell in the byway of immaturity.

 

Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 

 

Hand against hand…

The man who seeks God is blessed with His hand upon his hand.

It was not the hand of David that swung the stone that hit, and killed Goliath; it was the hand of God, upon his hand, that ensured the victory. 

Men saw the hand of David, but it was God who threw the stone, and directed it to find its target- bypassing the giant’s helmet, and hitting his forehead.

 

If you desire to rescue your world, seek God.

You need His mouth in your mouth, His hand in your hand, His voice in your voice, His brain in your brain... He must become your sufficiency in all things (II Cor 3:5). Then, you will become the hand with which he rescues your world from the reigning evil.

 

Those who walk contrary to this principle find themselves frustrated, conquered and destroyed by the same evil they seek to save their household from, because they were not properly trained to be all that they were divinely called to be.

 

Everyone sought David; even the tribe of his adversary… 

And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

 

If you seek God, people will seek you, because they seek divinity in you.

 

Jn 12:19-23

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him. 

 

As you seek God, be aware that there will be some, who will seek you for evil; but you will conquer them.

 

The ministry of Jesus followed a pattern: at night, He seeks God; in the day, He speaks to man.

 

Men sought him from near and far, because He sought God.

Not all men sought Him for good, however. 

 

You see how futile your efforts are and how you accomplish nothing. See! The whole world is running after Him! [AMP]

 

The Pharisees sought to keep men from coming to Him. They strived hard but they failed woefully; they accomplished nothing.

They even prophesied, declaring that the whole world was running after Him. This was at a time when the ministry of Christ was still localised. 

 

Brethren, seek God, even when it appears you have nothing. 

Seek God, even when it seems His promises are yet to become a reality.

Seek God; for it is inevitable that, when you seek Him, men will seek you.

 

When you seek God, even while in your small place, people will seek you, because you become a mystery to them.

Because you have become a solution provider, men will seek you…

 

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 

 

The men sought Jesus. However, because they could not see Him directly, they spoke to one of those that they had seen with Him.

 

Consider this scenario.

The Greeks desired to see Jesus; instead they saw Philip, who referred the case to Andrew. Together, they took the case to Pastor Jesus. Thus, through the disciples, the Greeks got to Jesus.

 

Do not be discouraged, or offended when you desire to see the head pastor of the church, but are referred to one of the other pastors. Understand that they have been trained and are properly equipped to deal with the matter at hand; and through them, you will get the desire of your heart.

 

These men should have been looking for the Pharisees- the leaders of the synagogue, the custodians of the law. 

Yet, they sought Jesus because they saw in Him, what was missing in the Pharisees. 

They saw a man who had no qualms troubling the devils; who demanded the deliverance of his brethren.

It did not matter that He stayed in a small place; they sought Him.

 

The Pharisees saw this and worked hard to disconnect men from Jesus, and to disconnect Him from men; but they gained total failure in all their efforts.

 

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

 

When you seek God, everyone He has given to you- to be a blessing to you- will come to you; and no effort to the contrary shall succeed against you.

 

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

Raw fire of God, to seek my God; possess my life.

My Father, lay Your hands upon my life.

My Father, help me to seek You.

Every effort of the wicked against my life; you are a liar. Be wasted by fire.

Every object tied against my life; hear the judgement of the LORD. Catch fire and backfire.

Evil invaders on a mission against my life; you are a liar. Backfire now.

Wisdom, knowledge and counsel of the invaders against my life; hear the word of the LORD. Bow by fire, and backfire now.

Evil invaders that have invaded my life; get out and backfire now.

Power, fire, blessing of God; invade my life.

 

PASTOR’S CORNER

THE MYSTERIES OF GOD SEEKERS

GOD SEEKERS ARE MARKED

REFERENCES: JOB 7:17-20, JEREMIAH 39: 9-12; 40: 2-4

 

God seekers are marked.

If you are a God seeker, know that you are marked; not only by God, but also by the devil. Therefore, there are things you must do, and things that you cannot do. 

 

Job 7:17-20

 

When satan appeared at the gathering of the sons of God, God singled out Job for recognition because he (Job) was marked. 

 

Satan’s response also reveal that he had set his eyes on Job as well. He had investigated him well enough to know that he was hedged around by God, and therefore untouchable, except God permitted it. [Job 1&2]

 

When you are a God seeker, you cannot be touched by the devil without divine permission. So, whatever the devil does against you, know that he received permission from God first.

Now, the One who gives the permission is higher than the one who seeks permission.

 

What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? And that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? 

 

Job was indeed a God seeker. He sought the LORD every morning, and was blessed with His daily visitation; he drew near to God, and God drew near to him, so much so that he testified of having the secret of the LORD with him. (Job 29:4)

 

How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? 

 

Sadly, Job did not understand what was going on…

He expected that the God who visited him every morning would take away the affliction he was going through the next time He visited. 

 

Since the problem did not go away, and he was not aware of the devil’s role in the matter, he assumed his suffering was by the hand of God, and sought relief…

 

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? 

If I have sinned, what [harm] have I done You, O You Watcher and Keeper of men? [AMP]

 

Job asks: if I have sinned, tell me what to do to end this suffering. 

Yet, in the midst of his pain, he acknowledges God as the preserver of men. 

 

This is the testimony of those who seek God: they know Him as the preserver of men.

 

Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

 

Job was NOT a mark against God. 

He was a mark for God.

God singled him out of His sons because He was marked. 

 

Why have You set me as a mark for You? So that I am a burden to myself [and You]?

[AMP]

 

When a man seeks God, he is set as a mark. God sets him as a mark of His power, wisdom, capacity, prosperity, and love in his world. He becomes the one to whom men will come to hear and know God.

 

Job’s suffering was not a punishment.

He suffered because God had marked him as a standard, and because the devil had also marked him.

 

God seekers walk with this sense of responsibility; that God must be enthroned in their world through them. They determine to bring an end to poverty, suffering, evil history and patterns in their world because they have been set as a standard.

They bear the burden of Christ, working to ensure that He is honoured in their lives and world every day. They understand that through them, the reign of evil powers must end.

 

Job, do you know that you are called to make history?

As a God seeker, you go through certain things, not because of your sin, but so that your life story may become a testimony to others.

 

Jer 39: 9-12

Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained. But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time. 

 

Jeremiah had warned of the siege of Babylon upon Israel for many years before it finally happened. He was mocked and derided for his words, so much so that he accused God of deceit. (Jer 20:7)

 

Yet, the words of God that he spoke did come to pass.

 

So it was, that the captain of the Babylonian army, returned to Israel to carry the remnant to Babylon.

 

Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm: but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee

 

While embarking on the journey, his king gave him a peculiar command. 

 

You see, this king, who had never been to Israel, had looked into his spiritual monitors, that were fed by spiritual satellites.

Through his devices, he came to be aware of the man Jeremiah. 

 

The king of Babylon, from the north, came to know that there was a man named Jeremiah all the way in the south, in a country he had never been to.

What he saw had such an impact on him, that he gave his captain- the designated destroyer- this charge: 

 

Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm: but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee…

 

In other words, ‘when you see him, regard him and treat him with the utmost respect. You are not permitted to harm him, much less kill him; and do to him as he shall say to you.’ 

 

Brethren, there is a killer disease that must respect you!

When you are a God seeker, killers will respect you and honour your words.

 

So, when you see that captain, on a mission to kill, say something…

When you receive a report of sickness, declare boldly that ‘this captain has not come to do me any harm.’

 

 

Jer 40:2-4

And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him… 

 

Consider this portion of the scripture carefully. 

Nebuzaradan returned to Israel, and found Jeremiah, just has his king had said. 

While addressing the prophet, he reveals something vital.

 

…the LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place. Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you. 

 

When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster for this place [NIV]

 

Everything that happens is the result of a decree…

This doer of evil confesses that, without the permission of the LORD, (he calls him Jeremiah’s God), he would have had no power to work the evil he wrought in the land of Israel.

 

The same man who killed nobles, men, women and children, confessed that it all happened because God decreed it. 

He even ascribed the doing to God, saying, Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said.

 

 And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. 

 

Those chains were put on Jeremiah by his own people…

His people were familiar with him, but they did not know his God. Therefore, they mocked him, derided him and put him in chains, because of his prophecies.

 

The Babylonians however, knew the real Jeremiah; and they knew that he was a dangerous man. They understood that, mistreating him would bring serious consequences upon their nation.

Therefore, they accorded him the respect that his own people had been too blind to give him…

 

If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

 

The captain told him to make his choice, offering to be his personal guard if he were to choose to go to Babylon; but there was no pressure. If he chose to stay in Israel, he had the choice of the entire land before him.

 

The captain of the enemy’s military outfit gave him this preferential, and deferential treatment because Jeremiah had been marked.

 

As we consider these two ‘marked’ men, it is wise for you to learn from Job. 

Both men were marked; the devil rose up against them, but while Jeremiah was respected, the devil killed Job’s children.

 

As you seek God this year, be sure to retain your integrity, and speak against every killer captain sent against you. 

 

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

My Father, mark my body, my life, my destiny with your fire.

Evil judgement over my life; you are terminated by fire.

Any kind of evil decreed against my household; over my life, you are terminated by fire now.

Any judgement of evil, decreed over my household; today, I command you to bow.

 

PASTOR’S CORNER

THE MYSTERIES OF GOD SEEKERS

GOD SEEKERS ARE HISTORY MAKERS

REFERENCES: EZEKIEL 37:21-25, MALACHI 4: 5-6, ECCLESIATES 3: 15, MATTHEW 3: 4-7

 

The man who seeks God makes history. 

 

Eze 37: 21- 25

 

As God brings His people back together, He declares that He is not interested in a land divided under two leaderships. 

 

One King…

In the days of David, there was no division of leadership. Israel and Judah were one nation under one king. 

 

In your world also, there must be neither divisions- in your marriage, ministry and destiny; nor controversies about the rulership. 

 

There must be only one king in your world- you. 

This means that your life must only obey the King of kings- Jesus Christ. No other personality should claim rulership over your life or destiny.

Only one King- The Lord Jesus Christ.

 

God has Davids, Daniels, and Elijahs in every generation.

 

Everyone in Christ is born to walk in the spirit that was upon somebody in the Scripture. 

Therefore, the reference to David in the book of Ezekiel was not a mistake. It is to show that the spirit which operated in David, will come upon someone, and like David, he alone shall be king over the people. 

 

Like David also, he will be a shepherd over the people in his world, and lead them to walk according to the Word of God.

Understand that, if the people in your household do not walk in divine judgement, it is either because there is no king, or because the king has failed to rule like David.

 

David made history in his days. 

Giants were eliminated in his days.

Gold and silver were commonplace in his days.

 

God is looking for people like David in your days; men who will eliminate death, poverty, loss in their world, and establish longevity, prosperity and fruitfulness; a man who will establish divine order.

 

He is looking for men who will love His word more than silver and gold; men who would thirst after His Holy Spirit; men who live long after their physical deaths, because they have become history makers. 

 

Mal 4:5-6

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse

 

Elijah is another history maker. Thus, we find him in the book of Malachi. 

Again, God is looking for a man to make history, as Elijah did.

 

Brethren, God is not intimidated by your present situation. 

He is looking for a man who has been tagged a nobody- despised and rejected of men. He will use that same man for his glory and make history through him.

 

This man, who will come before Christ, was equipped with the capacity to turn the hearts of men…

 

This man, who came in the spirit of Elijah, was John the Baptist.

 

Eccl 3: 15

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been…

That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself] (AMP)

Whatever is going on in your life is not new…

What is yet to be has already been…

 

God loves men who work to make divine history, setting a divine pattern for their world. 

This is why David and Elijah are mentioned centuries after their physical demise. 

 

Have you ever wondered how it was that a young man stood up to a giant- a seasoned warrior, and defeated him, while soldiers drew back and hid in fear?

 

God wants you to display the same type of God-backed bravery in your world; to bring to pass, now, what has been. He is looking for men who will bring an end to the boasting of wicked personalities in their world.

 

God also desires for you call forth that which hath already been, but is yet to be in your world.

 

…and God requireth that which is past.

 He will connect your soul to someone in the Scripture or one of His servants in the world.

He charges you to follow that person, so that He can reproduce in you, the same grace that was in that man.

 

His work in you is not determined by your container- your colour, gender, or stature, but the content. 

 

This is the vision behind having David in Ezekiel, and Elijah in Malachi.

He desires men who will bring divine history to pass again; men who display the hand of God in their days; men who will repeat divine history.

 

Matt 3:4-7

And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

 

Matthew’s introduction of John was not impressive; here is a man who dresses in animal hair, and feeds on a strange diet of insects and wild honey.

Yet, the entire nation of Jerusalem and Judah, as well as the region round Jordan, came to be baptised by him.

 

When he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming as well, he was surprised.

He challenged them, revealing that they were dangerous people.

 

However, he did not understand that these vipers had heard his voice; that his voice had resonated from the wilderness and had been heard in the city. When he cried to God in the wilderness, God caused those in the city to hear his voice, and so, nations came to him; including the generation of vipers.

 

They came to John. 

They shall come to you.

In whatever wilderness you are in, your helpers shall come to you.

 

These men came to John, because the spirit in Elijah, which made the people choose to serve his God, was also upon John. 

Sadly, John failed to understand that, as he was a divine history maker in the spirit of Elijah, there was also a history maker in the camp of the enemy.

 

Someone had also come in the spirit of Jezebel to make evil history again…

Jezebel failed in the days of Elijah; sadly, Herodias succeeded in the days of John the Baptist.

 

Seek God

Fight to make divine history

Quench evil history

 

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

My life, receive the capacity to make history for God.

Divine content, enter my life.

I decree; any agent of darkness waiting for me, to make evil history against me this year; you are terminated by fire.

Wicked powers on assignment to shock me; to make evil history around me; you are terminated by fire.

Evil agenda to shock my destiny; backfire now.