The Refiner's Place Ministries

PASTOR’S CORNER

WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT:

WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT EMPOWERS YOUR DESTINY

REFERENCES: HABAKKUK 3:19, JOSHUA 3: 5-17

Every Christian has a destiny. Ensuring that destiny is fulfilled demands that you come under the Spirit of the Covenant.

You need the covenant to empower and fortify your destiny. It is not enough to have seen visions or dreams of greatness; nor is it enough to have an education, a career or connections.

You must walk with the Spirit of the covenant to empower your life; to do what God has called you to do; to enter into full reality of your destiny.

These are the testimonies of David:

Thy vows are upon me, O God (Ps 56:12)...Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. (Ps 140:7)

As a Christian, something must be on your head. You cannot afford to live a random life, at the mercy of ‘whatever will be, will be’. You need to operate under the cover of the covenant to ensure that all God has predestined for you become your true reality.

That is the purpose of walking with the Spirit of the covenant; to empower your destiny for its fulfilment.

Hab 3:19

The LORD God is my strength...

Let God be your strength- the strength of your success, breakthrough, body, business, marriage. Do not put your trust in your qualifications, achievements or connections.

When God is your strength, He will work on your feet, making it, repackaging it for your high places.

David understood the mystery of having God as your strength. When he faced off against Goliath, he declared the source of his confidence: it was neither sword nor spear, but the LORD (I Sam 17:45-47). He testifies that through [Him] will we push down our enemies (Ps 44:5).

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ...Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. (Ps27:1, 3)

When God is your strength, nothing the enemy relies upon will bother you. You are confident, even when confronted with a large enemy army, because God is the strength of [your] life.

...and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

It is hard work to go up; coming down is easy...

Many Christians have lived as victims of negative gravitational forces all their lives.

Yet, even the physical law of gravity has been challenged by the law of aerodynamics.

Why then would a Christian allow himself to be subject to forces of regression and limitation?

When will you determine in your heart and be resolute in your decision to set new standards in your world; to begin where those who have gone before you stopped; to go up to your high places?

If you will get to, and walk upon your high places, God must repackage your feet.

You do not have the strength to make it to the high places. You need God to empower your destiny.

You want to walk upon your high places, but you do not have the strength. For you to get the strength for the journey, your destiny must be empowered.

Once destiny is empowered; once God has repackaged your feet, you will conquer what conquered others. You will reach heights others could not venture because your feet have been made.

Take a cue from the military. When soldiers take over a place, they repackage the area. Barricades are set up, making it a suitable place to shoot from, without being vulnerable to attack. Brethren, if your destiny is great; if you understand that generations yet unborn are waiting for you to fulfil destiny, you will repackage your world because you are a shooter.

When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. (Ps 27:2)

At that time, you can testify like David. Your repackaged life becomes a mystery, and a deadly force to the wicked.

There would be no need for God to make your feet, if you had no place to go.

When Israel walked in the wilderness for 40 years, their feet were not swollen, because they had been made by God.

God empowers your destiny because you have high places to walk upon. You have patterns to break; limitations to conquer; standards to set; battles to overcome.

The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! [AMP]

Stagnation is an insult to divinity. You must make progress in every area of your life, in spite of what is ahead- trouble, suffering or the burden of responsibility. Nothing is permitted to become your excuse for standing still.

You have the LORD as your strength; your feet have been specially prepared- repackaged- for the task. It is time to walk the walk of progress.

Jos 3:5-17

And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

God desires to do wonders in our lives, but we have a responsibility to sanctify ourselves in order to receive His wonders.

And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.

God instructs the priests bearing the ark to go to the brink- the edge- of the river Jordan.

Today, the priests are represented by pastors who carry the presence of God. These are they who are empowered to stand at the brink of the waters of trouble.

The divine charge was not limited in its operation; it was not subject to the current, stillness or volume of the water. When a pastor bears the presence of God, no trouble can intimidate him.

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God. And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

Behold, the ark of the covenant of the LORD of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.

The ark of God could go into Jordan because it was being carried by priests. You also need a priest to bring the presence of God into your life- your marriage, business, health, ministry...

You need a priest, bearing the presence of God, to confront the waters of trouble in your life.

Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

While they bear His presence, you can do more than just receive the divine intervention for yourself. You can be the man who stands for his household. This means that presence of God will not only work to drive back your enemies; He will also fight for your family.

Are you willing to stand for your family?

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the LORD of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

The ark bearing priest cannot stand afar off; he must step into the waters. When he does, the battle, the judgement of evil, the pattern, curse or spell that have constituted obstructions in your way will be cut off.

The waters shall be cut off. This is good news for you, if you have a lot of battles to contend with. The divine solution to your plenty troubles is revealed.

All you need to confront and cut off the waters of evil is the presence of God.

Jordan is the last gap between the old and the new life; to cross it is to enter into your divine harvest- the Promised Land.

Thou art to pass over Jordan this day (Deut 9:1), so that you can lay hold of your harvest in the Promised Land.

The waters are attacks against your harvest.

If, while you are expecting a miracle, you experience a bombardment of attacks, you would do well to deal with any power fighting to deny you your harvest.

And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

The nature of Jordan is to overflow at the time of harvest. It thus serves a double edged purpose. It reveals that the time of harvest is come; but it also stands as an obstacle to the harvest.

Now, to wait for the waters to recede- to go back on its own- is to lose the harvest. What a tragedy it would be to know you have a harvest, but never get to it.

When you experience a deluge- an overflow- of attacks, know that your harvest is come. Do not be intimidated by the flood; just make sure you are connected, following an ark bearing priest. Let him lead you to the brink of the waters. Watch him step into the waters and command them to get out of your way!

You can only have a perfect vision at the other side of Jordan.

The sons of the prophets thought they knew about Elijah’s departure, but only Elisha got front seat access to the event.

As he followed his mentor, he saw him speak to Jordan, and he saw Jordan obey- making way for them. He saw the chariots of fire. He saw Elijah taken up.

He was at the other side of the Jordan.

And so it was that Elijah disappeared; and Elisha appeared.

Those who saw him testified that the spirit of Elijah was upon Elisha.

That only happens when you cross the Jordan.

Jordan was not overflowing its banks for the first time.

No; this was the way of Jordan, long before the arrival of Israel. In the same manner, there are ancestral patterns that have been in existence before your time; that have overflowed to stop people before you. But, you shall be unstoppable.

And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

All the Israelites passed over into Jordan.

This is the vision of God: ALL of you will enter into your harvest.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• I receive total capacity to terminate evil ancestral flow.

• My Father, by Your fire repackage my life to conquer limitations.

• My Father, by Your fire repackage my body system.

• Wicked power sponsoring evil against me; I cut you off by fire.

• Whatever is standing against my progress; I cut you off by fire now.

• Any power that flows against my life, to stop my progress; I cut you off by fire.

• Any evil flow that flows against me; today I cut off your power.

PASTOR’S CORNER

WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT:

PERFORMING PURPOSE BY THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT

REFERENCES: II SAMUEL 5:6-7, ACTS 13:22, I KINGS 8:14-20

II Sam 5: 6-7

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, You shall not enter here, for the blind and the lame will prevent you; they thought, David cannot come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David. (AMP)

Zion, the spiritual name of the Church, was first mentioned by David in the Bible. Long before the prophets spoke of the city of Zion, long before it was mentioned in the book of Revelations, David looked at the city of Jerusalem and called it Zion.

At the time, the city was located in the land of the Jebusites. When David ascended the throne, he did something that neither Samuel nor Saul saw the need for- he took the city of Jerusalem.

Saul had been on the throne of Israel for 40 years. During his reign, he did not see that city as the spiritual church of God, neither did Samuel.

When he came to the throne, David went up and took the city.

The enemies had so fortified the land and, after years of deterring others, they confidently taunted David, saying even the blind and the lame would stop him.

Nevertheless, he entered the city, and took it.

Did David do all these at the instruction of God? Were his actions a result of a divine charge?

Acts 13:22

And when he had removed him [Saul], he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

God testifies of David as ‘a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will’. Not only did he have the heart of God, he was also going to do ALL His will.

In Genesis, we learn of Melchizedek- the king of Salem (Peace).

Jerusalem therefore was the city of Peace, and the Prince of Peace was in that city.

Yet, the city of Peace, Jerusalem was inhabited by people without peace. David knew they were strangers in that land, and had to be expelled.

He took over the city and called its name Zion.

In doing so, he established the will of God on earth, as it was in heaven. Setting the Jerusalem of God on earth, as the New Jerusalem was in heaven...

This was not a function of age; it was a function of depth in God.

Did this man, who possessed the heart of God, receive specific instructions or a divine charge to take over the city and build Him a temple there?

I Kgs 8: 14-20

And the king [Solomon] turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;) And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying...

The temple had been completed, and as the ark of God was brought in, sacrifices were made unto the LORD. As this went on, the glory of God filled the temple, so much so that the priests could not minister.

Solomon was witness to all this.

When he began to speak to the people, he testified that God had fulfilled with His hand, what He had spoken with His mouth.

Now, God spoke about the temple to David, but it was by His hand upon Solomon that it was built.

When God wants to do what He said about your household, the nation or the Church, He does it by laying His hands upon someone.

Thus, what He says is fulfilled with His hands.

There are things God said to me, that He will do by His hands on you.

He made the resources available and blessed Solomon with all he needed to complete the work...

...Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

The city of Jerusalem was not chosen by God. He did not give any specific charge to David concerning the city, or any city for that matter.

He did however choose David; and he chose the city.

He could do this because, as a man who had the heart of God, he did what the Spirit was to do. (Eze 1: 12)

And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

God was not thinking about a house. However, it was in the heart of David.

What is in your heart?

The words of your heart reveal the thoughts of your heart; which in turn reveal the spirit at work in you.

And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

Note what God says to him about his intention: ‘You have done well.’

That is what you call a pat on the back.

David received a commendation from God for having it in his heart to build Him a house.

Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

At the time David thought of building a house for God, he already had sons. Yet for the purpose of the building of His temple, God promised him a gift- the gift of a son.

You are a gift in the hands of God, given to fulfil a divine purpose.

Now, just as Levi paid tithe in the loins of Abraham, Solomon also heard the words of God while in his father’s loins.

That son in David’s loins- Solomon- is now reporting the sum of the matter.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it...

He knew that the building of the temple was by the hand of God. He understood that God was the source of his prosperity; that it was He who made the resources available for the completion of the project.

The building of the temple was Solomon’s destiny...

He was made manifest for that purpose, and he fulfilled it, by the hand of God upon his life.

You must learn to give the right answer to your enemies.

When they question your decision and zeal to do the unusual in your world; let them know that, God made the promise to your fathers. Since they could not fulfil the promise, God, out of His love for them, has chosen you, to carry out and complete His purpose; and His hand upon you will surely fulfil it.

And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake...

This is the secret to a life of fulfilment in Christ.

When you align your heart with the Lord’s, thinking His thoughts and seeking to do things that please Him, He will speak. When He speaks, be assured that the man, or woman to carry out His word has been given.

God will also ensure that the resources needed to perform His Word are made available.

By His hand, He directed the feet of David to that city.

The Lord also spoke his word to David: I’ll give you a son to build My house.

By His hand upon Solomon, He performed His word.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My Father, lay Your hands on me to do what You said.

• My Father, lay Your hands on me to perform Your will.

• My Father, by Your spirit upon me, order my steps to fulfil my divine purpose.

• My Father, lay Your hands on me to do what my fathers could not do.

PASTOR’S CORNER

WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT:

DELIVERANCE BY THE COVENANT (B)

REFERENCES: PROVERBS 3: 26, II CORINTHIANS 11:32-33, PSALM 25:15

In previous teachings, we have learnt that those who go in (to any undertaking) by the Spirit of the Covenant will be saved and find their pasture.

We have also learnt that we must each give our bodies a voice, so that it can reject the voice of every evil sign.

In this teaching, we will looking at how to save our feet from being taken; how to ensure that every step we take is secure in the Lord, and safe from evil snares.

Pro 3: 26

For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Whenever you discover that every step you take is met with frustration and failure; that you struggle to achieve what others do with ease; that things that come easily to others demand extreme strain and effort from you...

You might even perceive that your steps are being monitored, because whatever you do turns upside down.

It is a sign that your foot has been taken.

One of the sad realities of this generation is that many take steps by their academic knowledge, their mental capacity and by contemporary trends and knowledge.

Yet, the Word says, when the Lord is your confidence, He shall keep your foot from being taken.

Apply this principle to every aspect of your life.

When God is the source of your decisions- when you do what He wants you to do; when you envision, make plans and execute them by Him- He is obligated to fulfil His part of the agreement: He shall keep your foot from being taken.

This means that there are powers seeking to take your foot; powers seeking to trip you up and make you fall on your face. They seek to frustrate every step you take, making every endeavour a futile effort.

However, when you take the step by the Lord, woes betide that devil seeking to make it fail. You will confidently tell him that, because you move by the Lord, you are unstoppable. Whoever tries to stop you will have God to contend with.

II Cor 11: 32-33

In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Brethren, there is always a place in your journey when you will meet with that old dragon- the devil. He is coming with his craftiness against you. You must therefore be fully kitted; armed with the whole armour of God to withstand him completely.

Anyone sent by God must be aware that there are evil powers sent to arrest him.

This was Paul- the man called and sent by God in that (spectacular) divine encounter of Acts 9; Paul, the apostle who wrote the major portion of the Epistles.

This was no mean man as it related to the Word and prayer. Yet, the devil sought to arrest him.

However, when the Lord is your confidence, no calculations or permutations of the wicked will avail for them.

They will constantly be frustrated in their mission against you.

Imagine the scenario: an entire city, kept under the watch of the governor, with a garrison- a sizeable number of soldiers- not to protect the city, but to capture and arrest Paul.

Imagine too that Paul had to be let down from a window in a basket.

What happens if your steps have been taken?

Ps 25: 15

Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Only the man whose eyes are set on the Lord, whose trust is in Him, can enjoy this testimony. Anyone who trusts in familial, academic, social or business connections will meet with disappointment.

You look unto the Lord because, at such a time when you have taken any step without Him, and have been arrested by the enemy; He alone has the power to pluck your feet out of their nets.

A net is designed to keep its prisoners in.

The net of the wicked is designed to capture your steps, and keep you in one spot. It frustrates every step you take and keeps you from making any progress.

Once you are taken by their net, there is no getting out, except the Lord reaches out and plucks you out.

God is not prodigal with His words. He considered every devil in your world when He made these promises.

Place your confidence in Him.

Keep your eyes upon Him.

He will ensure that no conspiracy against your steps prospers.

Then you can boldly challenge and defeat every judgement seeking to capture your feet.

You will surely find your pasture.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• Any evil agenda to arrest my steps; scatter and be wasted by fire.

• My Father, I am sorry for every step I have taken without You. Be merciful unto me.

• I charge my feet; receive the fire of God. Come out of every evil net- judgement, spell, curse...

• Fire of God, enter my feet. Take my feet out of every evil net.

• Any evil net-judgement of darkness- that has captured my steps; hear the word of the Lord. Scatter by fire.

• I receive divine capacity to take fruitful steps, which will glorify God.

PASTOR’S CORNER

WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT:

WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT DEMANDS PERSONAL AGREEMENT

REFERENCES: PSALM 127: 2, EZEKIEL 1:12, LUKE 10:1, JOHN 10: 9

Two cannot walk together except they agree (Amos 3:3). You need to personally agree with the spirit of the covenant.

The spirit cannot do anything in your life if there is no agreement.

He can only work in your life when you walk in agreement with Him.

Ps 127:2

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

It is vain- fruitless, a waste- for you to rise up early in the city of Lagos, Nigeria; to come back home late; and have nothing good to show for it- only sorrows.

When you work very hard-leaving home early, working till late- only to return home with sad tales of hardship and frustrations, something is wrong.

This is contrary to the will of God, for His desire is to order your steps in the day, so that you return home with profit. So, He gives His beloved sleep.

Life is a mystery. You will not know how to rise up early and handle your business, marriage, career, ministry...without His divine direction. You will only keep wasting time, eating the bread of sorrows- having nothing to show for your efforts.

Endless, fruitless toil and struggle is not the portion of a Christian. Grumbling over the payment of utility bills, living from hand to mouth, being unable to provide for your children, barely surviving...these are not your testimony.

Stop letting the devil waste your time and efforts.

Wake up and let God lead you.

Eze 1:12

And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

The secret to defeating the agenda of vanity is to do what the spirit of the covenant wants to do.

Your focus must be to know what the Spirit wants to do, where He wants to go; and walk in that direction, in agreement with Him.

They went where the spirit wanted to go, and did not turn away from that way. There was no change of heart; they did not yield to negative pressure in the course of walking with the Spirit. Their focus was unwavering.

There are businesses the Spirit wants to establish, assignments He wants to carry out. Since He cannot do these things in spirit form, (imagine the commotion that would cause), He needs a man to work through; and that man can be you.

If you personally agree with Him, He will order your steps.

You will speak the words He wants to speak, go to the places He wants to go, do the things He wants to do, make the profits He wants to make; and achieve the results- spiritual, ministerial, financial, familial, marital- He wants to achieve.

This is the secret of success in life.

Lk 10:1

After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Now after this the Lord chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (visit) [AMP]

Be careful to go only where He wants to go.

There are towns and places He wants to visit. All you need to do is to ask Him to send you those places, to achieve His desires there.

This also means that there are places where the Spirit does not want to go. Do not do what He does not want to do. Do not walk with an enemy of God.

When God wants to visit a family, He sends a man...

Whenever you hear the Word from the altar, and you are convicted by it, it is because the Lord is about to come and visit your life; and has sent His partner to speak His words to you at that time.

Just as Isaac remained in the place where God was, and prospered, you will also excel in the place where the Spirit is.

Jn 10:9

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

When a man announces to you that, entering into a house by the door will guarantee your safety, he is indirectly informing you that, in the house, there are things that will rise to fight you.

If you enter in through any other way, they will prevail against you. However, entering by the door will save you.

Jesus Christ is the door. Whatever you enter into- marriage, business, ministry, career- has evil lurking in it, and it will rise against you. However, when you enter in by Christ, you shall be rescued.

Do not enter in by contemporary knowledge, by tradition, by religion, or by your sense knowledge. None of these can rescue you.

When you enter in by Him, you must take up the responsibility of knowing everything- the ins and outs- of the place you are. By Him, navigate the terrain of your marriage, business, career, ministerial assignment; so that you are fully equipped with the mysteries of your assignment.

God does not want you to be shallow in knowledge and understanding. He expects you to be well versed in the nitty-gritty of your calling. Nothing should confound you about your assignment. Therefore, you must learn.

Work on your brain, and mind. Study to know the length, height, breadth and width of your assignment; seek the deeper knowledge of your field.

When you go in by Christ, and study to know the deep things of your field, you will undoubtedly find pasture.

The man in Ps 127:2, who rose early, and toiled in vain, returning late with nothing...

He suffered such loss because he did not go into the day, into the business, into his office by the Lord; he went out by himself.

If he had gone out by the Lord, he would have been divinely directed. He would have known where to go, who to talk to, how to talk to them; and he would have found pasture.

No one knows where his pasture is. To know the location, trust God. He will direct your steps and lead you there.

When you lay your hands upon your business by yourself, you will find frustration.

Lay your hands upon your business by God. Talk to God before you begin your day. Submit your day to Him. Ask for His direction for your day.

That is the key to prosperity.

When you think it in your heart to do something for God, He will bless you, so that you have the capacity to carry out that God given desire.

David thought to build God a house. Since he was not to build it, God gave him a son to fulfil the vision.

There is a portion waiting for you.

Agree with God. Trust in Him, confide in Him.

Think His thoughts.

Go where He wants to go.

Do what He wants to do.

You will locate your portion.

Your portion will locate you.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• Father, I surrender my life to You; to enter into every area of life by Your Spirit.

• I charge my life; receive the power to locate my portion.

• Any wicked power attacking every step I take in life; I destroy you by fire.

• Any wicked power that has vowed to deny me my pasture; I slay you by fire.

• Strange body in my body; hear the word of the Lord. Get out by fire now.

• Strange legs in my legs; hear the word of the Lord. Get out by fire now.

• Strange legs in my legs; hear the word of the Lord. Get out of my marriage now!

PASTOR’S CORNER

WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT:

KNOWING THE SPIRIT OF THE COVENANT

REFERENCES: MATTHEW 1:21, ISAIAH 60:21-22; ISAIAH 59: 20-21, II SAMUEL 23: 20, 9, 10

Every covenant has a spirit. The spirit comes to ensure that the partakers of the covenant also participate in the nature and blessing of the covenant.

When the spirit of the covenant comes to rebuke you, you will do well to heed to the correction and make the necessary changes.

It is one thing to be in a covenant, and quite another to know the spirit of the covenant.

Abraham had no trouble identifying the men he saw in Gen 18:1-3 because he knew the spirit in them. Lot also (because he had been trained by Abraham) recognised the men as they entered Sodom for the same reason (Gen 19:1).

Both men knew the spirit of the covenant.

When you know the spirit of the covenant, you will not ascribe to man the praise due to God. You will also understand the true nature of the man or men you encounter in the realm of the spirit, and the spirit behind the message they pass on to your life.

Matt 1: 21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

He shall be called Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins.

How will He do that?

How does a man save his people?

Isa 60:21-22

Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

When God wants to make a people righteous and prosperous, He sends a man to save them. Through him, the people become righteous and prosperous.

This is possible because the man himself is righteous.

God sends him to his people so that, through him, the people will also become like him- righteous.

He can save them from their sins because he is not a sinner.

He can make them righteous because he is already righteous.

No one comes to the saviour except God draws him. This means that the people that follow the saviour are instructed by the Father to do so...

Therefore, everyone led by God to follow him will also partake of the spirit that is upon him.

If God has indeed directed you to TRPM, to follow me, know that everything in me shall fall on you. The love of the Word, the knowledge of God, prosperity, increase, the fire of prayer; all these shall fall on you.

If God truly brought you to me to mentor you, it also means that you will not continue in sin, and you cannot continue in poverty.

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

Righteousness will exalt the people. It will breed prosperity and greatness in them, such that the little enterprises and small businesses they own will grow monumentally.

Isa 59:20-21

And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

Jesus is in the House, but He will only work mightily in the lives of those that turn from their transgressions.

If you therefore desire that the covenant work for you, you must turn from your transgressions.

It is a fruitless endeavour to paint the picture of a saint with your appearance, when you still wallow in sin. God is not interested in image you present outwardly; your inner man is what He is concerned about.

The covenant will only locate you and work for you when you turn from your transgressions.

The redeemer will come and he will look for those who have turned from their past transgressions.

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

God has entered into an agreement with you. He has said something concerning your life to you at a point in time or another.

In order to fulfil His covenant with you, God will send a redeemer to you.

God will put His Spirit in the redeemer; and His Word in his mouth. He will not take them away from him; so that, through him, He (God) would speak to His people.

God connects you to the man of God as a divine set up to fulfil His covenant with you. Sadly, many are in places where the Word has run dry. Dreams and prophecies abound, but there is a famine of the Word.

A redeemer is a faithful witness; he will not lie. He will not compromise on the truth that is how he delivers you. The redeemer comes to tell you, not what you want, but what you need to hear.

Through the redeemer- through His Spirit and His Word in him- God will feed His people with His Word and put His Spirit in them.

God’s desire is that the Word never departs from His people. Therefore, it is important to hear the Word of God always.

II Sam 23:20

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow

The chronicles of the mighty men of David...

They were called the mighty men, not of God, but of David. In order words, God made them mighty through David.

This is how a covenant operates. God connects you to a man whom He has given His Word; in whom His Spirit is, and through that man, makes you the man He desires you to be.

Benaiah performed many acts. So, the verses are the Acts of Benaiah.

This is as the Acts of the Apostles.

There were not called the Acts of Jesus; but the Acts of the Apostles.

Jesus, who came in the lineage of David, also made men. When he left, the exploits those men did were called the Acts of the Apostles. Like the mighty men of David, they performed in the spirit of the covenant of Jesus that was upon them.

Benaiah went after a mighty man, who was wielding a spear, with a staff- a stick. He disarms his opponent and kills him with his own spear. He fought in the spirit of David, who went against Goliath with a sling and cut off his head with his own spear.

II Sam 23:9-10

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

The acts of Eleazar...

When men ran away from battle, Eleazar arose, faced the enemies alone, and fought so hard that his hand stuck- clave-to his sword. Through him, God worked a great victory for His people; and others came just to share in the praise and spoil.

This was another man made in the spirit of the covenant that was upon David.

David also faced Goliath alone when others ran away. He also single handedly defeated the enemy, and others came for the spoil.

These men did not wait for anyone to join them. They saw a need and were willing to meet it alone.

Stop waiting for others to join you. Stop running from battlefront.

Receive the Spirit and power of God, to go where others flee from; to dare what makes others tremble. Receive the power to become a pace setter in your world.

You must walk in the understanding of the spirit of the covenant.

This will propel you to do things that others have judged dangerous or impossible. You will dare what no one wants to dare. You will talk, work and live like the leader because the spirit in him is in you.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• The spirit of God’s covenant upon TRPM; come upon my life.

• Any negative spirit against my life, motivating my soul out of God’s will; I conquer and waste you by fire.

• Whatever evil is programmed into my feet, to misdirect my steps contrary to destiny; I cast you out them by fire.

• Any evil judgement packaged into my steps; I cast you out by fire.

• I declare that every step I take must be fruitful, directed by the LORD, ordered into blessings and favour.

• Witchcraft powers, hired or volunteered to swallow my riches, blessings, testimonies; I slay you by fire.

PASTOR’S CORNER

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:

COVENANT RESPONSIBILITY IS SACRIFICIAL

REFERENCES: II SAMUEL 7:7, I CHRONICLES 29:1-3, COLOSSIANS 3: 1-2, PROVERBS 21:30

As we proceed with this teaching, you must know that covenant responsibility is sacrificial.

You need to see that the responsibility of keeping the covenant demands that you are ready to pay the great price it requires. If it was not sacrificial, everyone would be in it.

II Sam 7:7

In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes [rulers] of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

In response to this ruler, God did a rewind, and looked back at all the rulers He had called to judge and lead Israel. They were called and commanded to lead His people; yet He did not place on them the burden of building Him a house.

Brethren, I pray that you will not abuse this grace.

God may not speak to anyone else in your household- parents or siblings. When He chooses you for the responsibility, and you find yourself asking, ‘why me?’ understand that He has chosen you because He knows that you can carry what the others cannot carry. He has seen that the others lack the strength and tenacity to pay the full cost.

Many have also been called into ministry by God, but they were not called to access the mysteries of His Word in the way He reveals it to this commission. That is why you cannot afford to take Him for granted.

When David spoke about building a house for God, he expressed it as his desire. Now, God is revealing that it was He who put the burden in his heart. Others did not see the need because God did not command them; David had the burden because he heard His voice.

I pray that you will hear His voice, and when you do, you will not harden your hearts. When a man hardens his heart, God will find someone else to do the work.

When God commands you to do something, and others call it ‘too much’, rejoice, for that is the beginning of your destiny journey.

If you have not done TOO MUCH, you are yet to start destiny...

God called David ‘a man after my own heart’. If you are called in that spirit, behold, this is the picture of your life.

I Chr 29:1-3

Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

Brethren, there are many who have been called by God, but are still young and tender. Their lives are still a far cry from the divine reality of God for them.

You know that you are yet young and tender when you fall under the slightest pressure, if you are easily offended, discouraged, when the things of God are not given highest priority in your life...

As a spiritual father, what I see in many of you does not agree with what I see from God concerning you.

The vision is great, but the man is still young and tender.

Yet, like David, God has chosen me to raise him.

While the chosen is yet young and tender, his assignment is great. What then is to be done?

Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.

Now I have prepared with all my might...

In order to ensure that the great assignment is carried out, in spite of the yet tender nature of the called, someone has to make this sacrifice-prepare with all his might.

...the gold for things to be made of gold

The man preparing the things is not the one to use them. He has been called to prepare them for the man who is yet young and tender. Waiting for the tender one to grow before the preparation will frustrate the assignment.

I teach and pray with all my might, not because of me, but in order to prepare for you, the things you need to fulfil your assignment.

If David was not to build the house, why then did God speak to him about it? Why did God not wait to speak to Solomon about it?

David’s assignment was not to build the house, but to prepare for its building.

There are things that I cannot do, fast and pray as I may. Yet, God gives me access to mysteries of His Word, because I have been called to give the recipe, tools and materials to you for the great work.

This means that God is not just about your great assignment. He sees that you are still distracted- young and tender.

He therefore looks for the man who will give you the tools to do the work.

Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.

Brethren, your affection will determine your possession.

Many times in my wilderness journey, it was necessary to find consolation in the Word of God concerning my experiences. Scripture such as ‘as poor, yet making many rich...’ (II Cor 6:10) were regular references.

When you are a son of consolation unto God, it means that you have become a source of rejoicing in His time of sorrow. When He is grieved about what He sees, and you become the vessel through which people see the true God as their Maker, you become a son of consolation (Acts 4: 36).

This can only happen if your affection is for the right things [for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matt 6:21)]. If you desire it from the depth of your heart, you will definitely get it.

Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver...over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple

(v3) (NIV)

The level of a man’s affection for God will determine how far he is willing to go for Him.

David had already prepared the gold meant for the house of God- the gold for the things of gold (v2). Yet, he went further; ‘moreover’ gives us the picture. He was not just giving God the things prepared for God; he was also giving up for God, the things prepared for him (David).

What you do and give is determined by the depth of your love for God. The measure of your love determines the measure of your sacrifice.

Many still remain at the Old Testament tithe-is-ten-percent level of giving. In the New Testament however, you measure how deep your love is for God, and give accordingly.

David gave his personal treasures over and above what he had already provided for the work. His measure of love could not allow him to do any less...

God did not give the command for His house to any of the other rulers because none of them had the depth of love that was found in David.

A man after God’s heart will give what he has prepared for God, and what God has prepared for him.

What you do with God’s covenant over your life reflects the depth of your love for Him. This also determines the depth of what you receive from Him. Christians suffer from shallowness of knowledge, power and wealth because God cannot trust them with these things.

He has not found the heart that will pay the price and give over and above for His work.

Col 3: 1-2

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Set your love on things that are above- where Christ sits. It is not enough to say ‘I love Jesus’; you must know, and seek all the things that are found around Him.

Love the things around Him. How can I love Jesus and lack the power, wisdom, strength, understanding...that are found in Him?

Many pray; many give; many love; many are humble.

But there are those of us, who pray and pray; we give and we give; we love and we love; we humble ourselves, and humble ourselves.

We go over and above.

Now, it is not enough to love the grace of God upon my life, and desire to be close to me; go further, and seek all that is of God around me.

Brethren, do not just go after the call of God. Understand that it is a responsibility, and is sacrificial.

Others can watch what they want; sleep when, and as long as they like; eat what they want, when they want; but the covenant will make demands of you...you have to pay the price.

If you still wonder why you seem to have it harder than others, now you have the answer. When His covenant is upon you, it is destructive. Many things will be cut off, and die in and around you.

If you have been called to build a house for God, and your partner still young and tender, do not be discouraged.

Set your heart on the things around Christ. Love and seek the power, the fire, and the wisdom...all that is around Him.  

Pro 21:30

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. (NIV)

No wisdom- application- insight or plan has the capacity to negate the counsel of God for your life. When the wicked think they know what is going on around you, and seek to use that insight against you, they will be frustrated because they do not have what it takes to negate God’s plan.

Your responsibility is to passionately seek all that is around Christ; seek wisdom to frustrate their wisdom; seek power to destroy their power; seek insight to frustrate their revelations; seek His counsel to overturn their counsel.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My Father, please load me with Your fresh fire and power.
• Father, help me to not abuse this grace.
• Father, I call the fire in the presence of Jesus into my life.
• Any insight of darkness against my life; I scatter and destroy you by fire.

PASTOR’S CORNER

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:

COVENANT IS PROGRESSIVE

REFERENCES: DEUTERONOMY 5:3-4, HEBREWS 8: 6, HEBREWS 6: 7-8

It is important to understand that covenant is progressive. When God moves, you must move as well.

What God revealed to Abraham after he gave Isaac was different from what He revealed when He received animals as offerings from him.

This is why you should not give God the same offering you gave the year before. To give the same offering means that you are not moving with the covenant.

When He revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it was as God Almighty. However, to Moses, the seed (descendant) of Abraham, He revealed Himself as Jehovah.

This means that you are supposed to go beyond your fathers- in knowledge, understanding of mysteries, and in covenant...This is why you are exposed to mysteries in His Word.

It is thus a sad reality when people read the works of the past generals of God, and function at that same level. Did you ever think that those men and women of God would have remained at that level if they were still alive? No, they would have gone deeper and higher! Therefore we must also function at a higher capacity.

Do not read such books and stay there. Go deeper; move higher.

Deut 5:3-4

The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.

Moses is saying to the people, ‘God is revealing these things to those of us who are alive today. Abraham is not here this day, so this was not revealed to him.’

The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;)

God spoke to them out of the midst of the fire to establish His covenant with them. Sadly, the people were unwilling to hear Him from the fire. ‘Moses, you go and hear from Him,’ they said.

It is still God’s desire today to speak directly to all His children. Sadly, just as the people in the days of Moses, many Christians would rather make gods of pastors and prophets than hear from God themselves.

And so, Moses stood between the people and God. From there, he showed, not told them the Word of God. There is a difference between telling and showing. Telling is information; showing is revelation.

Now, when God wants to establish a covenant with you, He will begin to show you new things- about your life and about Himself. Be sensitive to note these revelations.

When Abraham got to Canaan, he paid for his land of abode, as well as the place of burial for himself and his wife. Yet, God had given the land to him and his descendant. This shows the progressive nature of covenant.

There are many things that have been revealed to you, that you need to work out. That is why you need to hear Him- He can speak through His Word or through your dreams. This is to make you prosper-expand and increase- in the covenant.

Heb 8: 6

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

The ministry of Christ, in comparison to the ministries of others, is more excellent.

All that happened through Abraham and Moses were excellent, but Christ surpasses them. This means you must also excel more than your parents.

Pay attention to this picture. This is especially if you have been called into ministry.

Jesus has a better ministry because He is an agent of a better covenant; the covenant, in turn, was established on better, deeper promises.

So, every ministry is based on a covenant, and every covenant is based on promises.

What does this mean for the Christian?

The evil power brought into your household was based on a covenant. If you will overcome it, and be better than the high priest that brought it in, what you need is a better covenant.

Sadly, many Christians are too much in a hurry. They desire to prosper, but do not know that prosperity- in life and ministry- is based on a better covenant, which in turn, is based on deeper promises.

The man, who lives his life according to the agreement between himself and God, will always have something to say. This however, requires that he always fellowships with God. He cannot claim to have a covenant with God when he lacks the Word.

Your ministry cannot be better than your covenant, and your covenant cannot be better than the promises upon which it is established.

If you therefore desire a better covenant, you need deeper revelation about the Word. You need to go deeper than the progenitors in Christ. When you study their works, you must ask yourself: how do I build on this?

Heb 6:7-9

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

Just as you are God’s temple, you are also His husbandry. What this means is that God blesses you, so that others can be blessed through you. So, first you are blessed, and then you become a blessing.

Now, before the earth drinks the rain, the farmer ploughs the land and cultivates it.

This is the purpose of education: to cultivate your mind in preparation for the rain.

The purpose of the rain is to make the seed grow and thus makes the land fruitful to those who cultivate it.

The man who has the seed of God in him needs a man with the rain. They need each other.

As a minister, all I need is to pray for the hearts of men that have cultivated by God. When you are brought to me, I provide the rain. As I speak, my words water your heart; you come in to drink the rain, and bear fruit.

As you are blessed, it is inevitable that you become a blessing as well.

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

However, the person who fails to bear fruits, after all the rain, and instead bears thorns and briers of malice, immorality, and stiff-necked lifestyle, is rejected- good only to be burnt.

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Having given the picture of the fruitful and thorny lands, the writer reveals the mind of God: when a man receives salvation, better things will accompany the first man- salvation.

Now, revelation brings persuasion. The writer is saying, ‘we have looked at you, and seeing that you have salvation, we are persuaded that favour, mercy, prosperity, greatness, fruitfulness, abundance...also follow you.

Brethren, I am persuaded that these things also follow you. It does not matter what you are going through. You bemoan your fate because you do not know. I roar because I have this persuasion. As long as you have salvation, all these other things also follow. The question to ask you is: are you born again?

If this is the mind of God, why then do some hearts produce thorns and briers?

Ps 92:7-8

When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.

Consider this picture carefully.

When a man receives salvation, all the other things follow. However, the wicked will rise to hinder them. This is why many Christians struggle in certain areas of their lives; the wicked has risen to frustrate joy, strength, prosperity...in their lives.

However such power rises only so that it will be destroyed forever. This is the mind of God. They must fall because, while they rise from beneath, God, your God, is most high forever.

Your responsibility is to enter into a better covenant with God, based on deeper, better promises. As you walk in that agreement, you are assured that you will enjoy a better life.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• Higher power of God, possess me now.

• Whatever is springing up against all that God has called to follow me; I destroy you by fire.

• Any ancestral thing springing up to stop what God has called to follow me; I destroy you by fire.

PASTOR’S CORNER

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:

COVENANT DEMANDS CLARITY OF PURPOSE

REFERENCES: ACTS 11:22-23, I CORINTHIANS 6: 2-4, ISAIAH 56:3-4, 5-7

Covenant demands clarity of purpose. This means that you must understand the purpose of the covenant and walk in the clarity of that purpose. Without this, abuse of the covenant, and the grace of God, is inevitable.

Abraham was called in un-circumcision and commanded to circumcise himself for a purpose: so that he would be the father of both the un-circumcision and the circumcision. Yet, without the clarity of this purpose, he must have been baffled at the commandment for him to circumcise himself at such an old age.

It is a responsibility to know why: the purpose for this ministry, why God brought you here, the reason for the covenant...Remember that when purpose is not understood, abuse is inevitable.

Acts 11:22-23

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad

Take note of the underlined portion. Barnabas saw the grace of God in the gentile Church and he was glad. But that was not all...

Whenever I see the grace of God upon the life of anyone- as evidenced by their fruit- I ask the question: what is it for? Why does he minister so powerfully in songs? Why is she so hungry for the word of God?

Like Barnabas, I understand that the grace is for a purpose. The bible says that the grace of God teaches (Tit 2:11-12). The question then is: what is the grace teaching?

Today, many have abused and perverted the grace because they have not taken the time to seek its purpose.

...and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Praise, worship, study, prayer, service, giving... do all these with purpose of heart, and cleave to Him.

If the cleaving of a man and woman makes them one flesh, what then will cleaving to the Word of God mean? If you judge this right, you will understand that you cannot be anything other than a wonder when you become one with the One who is Wonderful.

Cleaving to God with purpose of heart...

A man who cleaves to Him with purpose of heart will not struggle to stay awake while His word is being taught. He will not be distracted by multitude of activities; he will not seek the words of man; he will not remain in a place where God has departed from; he will not give out of pity or for the praise of men; he will not be deterred from the presence of God by the state of the weather. His deeds will be determined by purpose of heart.

I Cor 6: 2-4

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Why do we teach warfare, spiritual things, marriage, finance, reigning in life as kings and priests? W hat is the purpose of the teachings?

We teach the Word in order to equip you with the constitution- the divine law- with which to judge all matters; small or great.

Is it not sad that today, the church is being influenced (whoever influences you has already judged you) by the world? The church now looks to the world for direction on how to dress, teach, handle marriages, encourage her congregation, order her programmes...the latest term is ‘google it’.

We set worldly people over God’s people because they speak eloquently, exude charisma, and display wealth and talents.

Yet, the Church- the saints of God-are appointed to judge the world! It is our responsibility to teach them how to live.

Sadly, we still struggle to judge the smallest matters:

‘My wife won’t respect me’

‘My husband is being unreasonable’

‘Recession is affecting my business. There is no money anywhere’

...are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

God is asking: do you lack the mental, spiritual, emotional capacity to judge such matters? When you struggle to judge matters in your household, how will judge the world outside?

Know ye not that we shall judge angels?

This is why you must not be weighed down by irrelevant matters: strivings, offences, financial challenges, the vicissitudes of life...

You are expected to execute judgement on angels in the heavenly places. Therefore, you must not permit anyone or anything to keep you bogged down in the earthly realm.

You can only judge angels- discerning between the angels of God, and satanic angels transformed- by the Word. Many Christians have been misdirected in destiny by encounters with false angels appearing as angels of light, because they could not judge according to the divine constitution.

...how much more things that pertain to this life?

The things that pertain to this life: conquering household powers, squashing evil oppositions, achieving good success in every area of life... these are what God calls the smallest matters.

Operating in this capacity is a function of how you measure: the depth of your vision of God. That is why you must cleave to the LORD, for he who walks with the wise shall be wise. Your level of power, wisdom and faith will reflect whether or not you think like God.

You will not tolerate mediocrity if you measure yourself as the son of the Most Excellency; you will not speak nonsense if you see yourself as the offspring of He in whom the excellency of wisdom and knowledge dwells.

You have been given the capacity to judge: first, the things that pertain to this life, and then, angels.

Isa 56:3-4, 5-7

Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people:

This is you in the Word. The Lord spoke about you many thousands of years ago. Isaiah saw the revelation, that there are people who are coming join themselves to the Lord. When they do, they must enjoy everything that Israel carries. It must not be said they were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel.

This means that as many as cleave unto the Lord, from wherever they may come from, are partakers of all that the great ministers of God carry. It means that whatever I carry is yours to carry as well.

...neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

A eunuch is anyone who lacks potency. To such, the Omnipotent is saying, ‘do not call yourself a dry tree, because when you cleave to Me; when you become one spirit with Me, potency is restored to every part of your life.’

Now, others-doctors, prophets, family members, society- may call you impotent, but you must not say so. They speak from a place of shallow knowledge but you know better- that the Omnipotent is in you. Therefore, your confession must always be

I AM NOT DRY. I AM FULL OF POTENCY.

Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

These promises do not belong to all strangers. They are only for those that have joined themselves to God: to serve Him; to love His name, and BE His servant. These ones are also covenant carriers.

The purpose of their hearts is revealed in their doings in His house. They will not seek Him only when it is convenient or expedient. They will revere His Name, love His Word and treat His house with the same love and fear.

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

God promises to bring these ones to the place where holiness is the uncompromising standard.

There, He will surprise them.

He will cast off the load of sorrow they were afflicted with.

There on His holy mountain, as they pray, He will make them- set in motion the process of making them- joyful.

Outside His holy mountain, their sacrifices and offering were wasted. Not anymore. On His altar, these will become accepted offerings.

When you cleave to God with purpose of heart, He leads you to His holy place.

There on His holy mountain, you gain access to all that is yours in Him.

There, you receive power to judge the matters of your life, the world, and angels.

Begin today to judge by His Word.

Begin today to prove the devil wrong- that you are not dry.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My Father, I submit my whole life to Your purpose.

• My life, cleave to God with purpose of heart.

• I receive power to judge the things that pertain to this life

• Every attack of the wicked, bringing sorrow to my life; hear the judgement of the Lord. I waste you by fire.

• Every attack of the wicked, against the affairs of my life, hear the judgement of the Lord. I scatter and destroy you by fire.

• You forces of darkness, attacking my life, to make me sorrowful; I destroy you by fire now.

• Whatsoever is turning things upside down against my life; I judge you now. I waste you by fire.

• Any power that makes me a stranger to God’s blessings (power, fire, favour, peace, joy), I destroy you by fire.

• I am a part of God’s blessing.

• I receive power to judge angels.

• You angels of darkness, working against my life; I judge you by fire. Be wasted.

PASTOR’S CORNER

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:

ASSESSING THE CAPACITY FOR COVENANT RESPONSIBILITY

REFERENCES: MATTHEW 10: 5-6, ACTS 22: 21, I THESSALONIANS 2: 14-18

Every covenant is an assignment that demands spiritual responsibility. The good news is that God will not give you an assignment without the capacity to carry it out, as no one gives an assignment without providing relevant training.

It is therefore not enough to be carried away by visions and elaborate dreams.

It is the responsibility of the one that is called to seek the mental and spiritual capacity for his or her assignment.

Matt 10: 5-6

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

You must be sensitive to go only when, and to where He commands you to go. Whatever He has called you to be, you must be sensitive to walk according to His command. Do not move until He commands you.

The same Lord who declared that He had given them power over serpents, scorpions and all the power of the enemy (Lk 10:19), was charging them not to go beyond the cities of Israel.

He knew that they did not have sufficient power to enter the gentile world...

When you are called by God, you need empowerment in every area of life for the assignment. An attempt to carry out your assignment without adequate capacity will lead to defeat, or even worse, death.

When God gave Peter a vision concerning his ministry to the Gentiles, there was a force telling him to refuse the offer of his Lord.

Brethren, you must know that there are strange powers in your household and your world that are on a mission to stop you from carrying out your assignment. These powers are saying ‘Not so’ to your assignment.

Acts 22: 21

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

The same Lord who forbade the 12 from going to the gentiles, is now commanding Paul to go to them.

I Thess 2: 14-18

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

This portion of the scripture gives a picture of our lives as Christians who have been called to carry the Word and power of God to our households.

Paul reveals that the gentile church also suffered in the hands of their countrymen, as their Jewish brethren did in the hands of their fellow Jews.

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

Brethren, do not be carried away by your assignment, because there are personalities in every household who kill their own prophets. They bring down the one sent by God to help them and lead them into deliverance. These ones are against everyone; it would not matter how generous or helpful you are...they are against all men.

You must therefore acquire the capacity to be responsible in your assignment, so that you do not fall victim of such personalities.

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved

Note that Paul, the writer, was sent to these people by God. Yet, the wicked sought to forbid him.

Powers of darkness seek to forbid any man sent to put an end to the captivity that has reigned over his household.

For instance, when a man desires to help his people out of poverty, these evil personalities will attack his finances in order to forbid him from continuing in his assignment. Every effort of his will be frustrated because their mission is to make sure that nothing he does works.

When the enemy wants to forbid a man, he makes him fall into error in the area of his assignment. Thus, whenever he considers the depth of his error, he falters in speech.

to fill up their sins alway:

For every man sent by God, there is a power sent by the devil to forbid him.

Christ died to save the gentiles, but He needs you to go and preach salvation to them. The enemy seeks to forbid you because he desires that the people remain in their sins. 

for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

This is the key to dealing with such powers. Like Paul, you have a responsibility to invoke the wrath of God upon them.

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Brethren, this is a serious matter.

First the devil took Peter away from his assignment. Now, the same enemy took Paul away from the Thessalonians!

Suddenly realising that evil powers had been on assignment to forbid them, Paul and the others worked harder to return to the Thessalonians, in order see and preach to them again...

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Paul, especially tried over and over again to return to them. But the devil, that had been taken unawares at the first, was not about to let them in again.

This time, satan himself hindered them.

In like manner, many Christians have been taken away from their destinies by wicked powers. When we see many falling away from the faith, waning in holiness and prayer, it is because there are powers forbidding them from continuing in their assignments.

Brethren, do not be caught off guard. Understand now that there are powers sent to forbid and hinder your calling.

You therefore need to access capacity to carry out your covenant responsibility. Then, you can deal with the powers forbidding you from your divine assignment.

Abraham had to offer up Isaac in order for him (Isaac) to get the capacity to always conquer Ishmael. This shows that you must be ready to pay the price, in discipline, holiness, time, sacrifices...to access the capacity for covenant responsibility.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My Father, I hand over my life You for fresh empowerment.

• Fire of God, empower my soul.

• Any wicked power forbidding my assignment, I waste you by fire.

• Any wicked (marine, ancestral, territorial) power, evil covenant, judgement, curse or spell, rising up to forbid my assignment in the Lord, you are liars. Today, I crush you all by fire.

• Every force of darkness working tirelessly to frustrate my destiny;I destroy you all by fire.

• Any power on assignment to terminate my life; I waste you by fire.

• Any power working tirelessly to forbid me in my assignment; hear the judgement of the Lord upon you by fire.

• Every strategy of the devil to forbid me; I frustrate you by fire.

31ST JULY, 2016

PASTOR’S CORNER

COVENANT GENERATES SOUL TIE:

COVENANT GENERATES JUDGMENT TO THE SOUL

REFERENCES: II SAMUEL 21:1-15, HOSEA 10:4

Every covenant generates judgement to the soul. When it is divine, it generates judgment of good to the soul, causing an outbreak of God’s fire against your enemies. But when it is evil...

II Sam 21: 1-15

Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD.

In biblical times, famine in the land was sign of a prolonged absence of rain. In the days of Isaac, for instance, when there was famine in the land, he dug up the well his father had once dug, so that he could have access to water. In the church of God, there can be famine when there is no rain of the God’s word and power.

...inthe days of David

Finally, after 13 years in the wilderness, it was time for David to reign as king. Alas, famine came to frustrate and challenge his days for 3years!

Brethren, these are your days- to reign- and you must not permit any other personality to reign or share your days with you. Therefore, you must fight to destroy the long standing reign of evil powers in your days.

And the LORD answered, it is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.

As Christians, it is pertinent that we not only walk in holiness, but also seek the wisdom to prosper and profit in righteousness.

David was a man after God’s heart. He had faithfully waited on God for his time to reign. Yet, famine came to the land in his days, not because of his error, but on account of Saul’s. Now, holiness does not give immunity from adversity, but gives one the confidence, wisdom and power to challenge and defeat every adversary.

David did not inquire of the Lord because he was in need. He was the king, therefore he could not lack. However, he looked upon his congregation and was grieved by their suffering. As a Christian, you must learn to observe your life and your household; what area of your life is being challenged by famine, in spite of your holiness? What reproach is holding sway in your days?

You must also learn to be wary of those you choose to walk with. The Gibeonites were one of the tribes God commanded Israel to completely destroy from the land, with a dire warning that they would become thorns in their sides if allowed to live. Sadly, Israel went into a covenant with them (without seeking God) and, as we have learnt, a stronghold was...

So, when Saul slew the Gibeonites in his zeal to please the people, he invoked wrath upon the land and against the people...

And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? And wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD? ...And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.

And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul...And the king said, I will give them.

Unfortunately, rather than seek God for the way out, David called on the Gibeonites. Errors of judgment like this happen when men begin to rely on their abilities and mental capacity. As men given to idolatry, the Gibeonites asked for 7 sons of Saul to be offered as atonement to God, another error, since the God of Israel did not condone such sacrifice.

Sadly, David had given his word (... he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you), and 7 lives were lost in vain. To make matters worse, the bodies of the men were left hanging for days, further polluting the land.

And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heave, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night...And after that God was intreated for the land.

It took the sacrifice of this grieving mother to entreat God for the land, and put an end to the famine.

Famine came to the land because Israel left failed to kill the enemy and made a covenant with them. The 7 men died because none could stand and plead their case before the king. None of them could prove that it was against God’s law to punish the son for the sin of his father.

Hos 10:4

They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

Every agreement generates judgment. When you enter into an agreement with an evil personality, you invoke a negative judgment upon your life. It does not matter whether you regarded the agreement or not; it will generate an evil judgment, like deadly poison, into your life.

Imagine a farmer’s field. The farmer has planted grains but wakes up to discover poisonous plants in his field. It is the offshoot of the agreement he made with an evil personality.

When your business always tanks at the edge of a breakthrough, or you are always repairing equipment, or there is always a crisis to manage or an emergency to deal with; when nothing you do prospers, it is a sign that evil has sprung up in your life. And, remember, that evil is poisonous- aiming to kill.

If the farmer had made a covenant with the right personality, he would have woken up to a lush field, optimal yield and huge profits. A good covenant will open doors, attract helpers and make the most difficult endeavour seem like stroll in the park. When you experience favour on every side, divine connections, unexpected breakthroughs, it is a sign that positive judgement is springing up in your life.

Brethren, you must jealously defend your days, from the rollover of the days of your fathers, from the days of members of the occult, from the days of household powers, from past judgments; and the way to do so is to connect yourself to a covenant that is greater than the one contesting with your days.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My soul, receive the fresh fire of God, because this is my day.

• Any ancestral covenant generating judgment against me now; I bury your power by fire.

• Every evil covenant I have entered into, that is generating evil judgment against me; today, I bury your power by fire now.

• Ancestral power working day and night to mess up my days; I bury you by fire.

• Every ancestral pattern springing up in my life; I destroy you by fire.

24TH JULY, 2016

PASTOR’S CORNER

COVENANT GENERATES SOUL TIE: UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A STRONG HOLD (B)

REFERENCES: ZECHARIAH 9: 11-12, ISAIAH 31: 6-9

A stronghold, good or evil, is a powerhouse, and whoever must access such must understand the mystery of covenant.

It is important to meditate on these teachings, day and night, so that you can gain access to the wonders therein.

Zech 9: 11-12

As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

As we have learnt, there can be no covenant without sacrifice, and the worth of the sacrifice determines the depth and effectiveness of the covenant.

Christ entered into a covenant with God by offering the sacrifice of His blood. By the covenant, His people, who are prisoners, are guaranteed freedom, although they are still in captivity.

Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

The price Christ paid; the covenant He made with God was not for Himself but for His people. Therefore, God charged the prisoners to turn to the stronghold- the covenant- for their liberty.

An evil covenant will also stand as a stronghold against any soul to which it is connected. When you stumble at the edge of a breakthrough, it is because a stronghold is against you.

Isa 31: 6-9

Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

There is a difference between making God your Saviour and having Him as your Lord. As your Lord, you would defer to His commandments at all times, with no consideration for convenience.

Sadly, many have deeply revolted against the Lordship of God. As He calls us back to Him, He reveals the cause of the rebellion: the exaltation of money- silver and gold. This means that there cannot be a true yielding to God until we cast away our idolatrous relationship with money.

The day you conquer money is the beginning of your journey into accessing the higher power of God. It is the day you begin to get God in a deeper and higher dimension.

Conquering money does not mean seeing money as evil, because it is not. However it means esteeming God and His word higher than your need for money.

Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem

The Assyrian is symbolic of the powers fighting the people of God. If the church will walk in the fullness of God’s power, then she must conquer money. As pastors, ministers, children of God, access to God’s power is hinged on our total surrender to Him, by bringing down the power of money.

Brethren, there are Assyrians everywhere, and they have existed before you were born. These enemies cannot be vanquished by your mental capacity or physical strength or financial clout.

If you will defeat them, you must have

1. Turned to God, and

2. Conquered money

Then, the Assyrian will be brought down by the sword, not of a mighty or weak man, but that of the Lord. And, when the Assyrian sees that he is being attacked and defeated by the sword of the Lord, he will scurry over to his own stronghold in confusion.

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal- not visible- but they are indeed mighty. The sword of the Lord will appear in your mouth and cause the Assyrians to flee for their lives, even as their strongholds fall because of terror (NIV).

Brethren, it does not matter what power has arrested your soul. If you turn to God and overcome the power of money, whenever you speak, a sword shall appear in your mouth, and slay the enemy of your soul.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My soul, receive fresh fire of God, to conquer every evil stronghold.

• My soul, receive the fire to conquer silver and gold, and serve the Lord.

• Sword of the Lord, appear in my mouth.

• Any power that has made my soul its prisoner; sword of the Lord, appear and slay them now.

• Any agent of darkness tormenting my soul, hear the judgement of the Lord; you are dead. Therefore, sword of the Lord, locate and slay them now.

• Chains of darkness that have made me a prisoner; break and scatter.

17TH JULY, 2016

PASTOR’S CORNER

COVENANT GENERATES SOUL TIE: UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A STRONG HOLD (A)

REFERENCES: 2 CHRONICLES 1: 6-15, I KINGS 11: 1-8, ECCLESIASTES 7: 23- 26

A spiritual stronghold, good or evil, is not always visible, but it does visible things. Today, we will learn how a covenant works as a stronghold.

Before we proceed, it is important to understand that not every Christian is a covenant carrier; covenant demands sacrifice (Ps 50:5), and the depth of the covenant determines it strength.

II Chr 1: 6-15

And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life... Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

Then Solomon can from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.

And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem

And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance.

As Christians, we need to get the point where we seek the revelation of God’s word, rather than prophecies. It is one thing to know that you are destined for greatness, but quite a different affair to understand how to work out your destiny. Many Christians have missed it because they chased prophecies but lacked divine revelation.

Solomon became the ruler of the nation of Israel at a tender age, but his actions showed that he was mature beyond his age.

He went to the house of God and offered up 1000 burnt offering at the altar of God. That same night, God appeared to him at night, and presented him with a blank “ask whatever you will” cheque. This young man did not ask for riches or fame. Rather, his answer showed that he understood that he had been called to fulfil the great destiny of leading a great multitude, and had paid the price to get all he needed to fulfil that destiny. So, he asked for the wisdom to rule the great people.

The size of your destiny determines the size of your sacrifice; the price you are willing to pay will determine how far you go, and shows how much you desire to get from God.

Now, God did not just give him the wisdom and understanding he asked for, he also got riches, wealth, honour, longevity and power over his enemies; because once a word comes out of the mouth of the Lord, it does not go back to Him void.

So, it was that for the period of his reign, wealth was common place, and there was no war. Even the Philistines that fought his father served Solomon and gave him gifts.

If you want to conquer what conquered your father, you need to make sure you are standing on the right platform, and you ensure that by offering the right sacrifice.

David’s sacrifice of building a house for God established a covenant that was unalterable, so much so that even his error of adultery and murder could not negate it. Yet, Solomon offered an even greater sacrifice.

Brethren, why would you build- houses, marriages, ministries, businesses- when you have not yet established a covenant with God? Sadly, that is what many Christians do. We fail to do the latter before the former, gathering without offering the sacrifice.

Solomon however did not begin to reign until he had offered the sacrifice. Rather, he began to acquire assets after the sacrifice. If you will gather and acquire, do more than pray; pay the price.

I kngs 11:1-8

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

Solomon’s love for strange women- he married 700 princesses and had 300 concubines, and the Bible records that he clave unto these in love- turned his heart after other gods. He even built altars for the god of each wife!

The strange thing is this: he loved more strange women and served more strange gods than Ahab. Yet, his end was better than Ahab’s. If we consider the lives of Jacob and Esau on one hand, and David and Saul on the other, we will observe the same pattern: somehow the men who committed greater errors ended it better than the others! That is something to ponder on.

Eccl 7: 23- 26

All these have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

In his search to know the reason(s) behind his error- to understand what had led him to such wickedness and madness (NIV)- Solomon discovered that the wisdom needed to succeed- in marriage, business, ministry, leadership- is very far, and just as deep. It takes more than education, prestige or net worth to find it out.

Brethren, it is wickedness and madness. When you walk in error, struggle in the place of prayer, and walk contrary to your deep desire to serve God, you should ask yourself: ‘Solomon, what is pushing you into this wickedness and madness?’

...and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands

Solomon found the reason: the woman, who is more bitter than death, is not referring to a physical woman; it refers to the spirit that pushed him into idolatry through promiscuity.

...whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

In spite of his great error, the kingdom of Israel enjoyed peace throughout Solomon’s reign. Yet Ahab died mysteriously on the battle field. What did Solomon do differently, what secret did he know that ensured that he ended it well and made heaven, while Ahab did not? Better yet, what secret did Jacob, David, and Solomon know that saved them from the fate that befell Esau, Saul and Ahab?  

Although the spirit succeeded in pushing him into error, ‘she’ could not kill him because, at the beginning of his journey, he had done something very significant: considering his destiny as a great project demanding a great price, he had offered a sacrifice greater than anyone had ever given to God.

Many Christians failed to offer such sacrifice at the beginning of their journey, not understanding that, whatever it was that they considered more important does not have the capacity to save them in the day of wrath.

The devil found a way to Solomon’s soul and worked hard to push him into error. However, the altars Solomon built and the sacrifices he gave to these gods paled in power and significance, in the face of the altar he had built for God and the offering he had given to Him. So, when the War of Altars was fought over Solomon’s life, the covenant established on God’s altar prevailed.

The covenant became a stronghold over his soul and, in spite of the pull of other altars, he could not be disconnected from God.

So, if you must escape from the snare of the devil, even when it seems like there is no way of escape, you also must please God by building an altar and offering a sacrifice that silences all others at the beginning of your journey.

Jacob escaped because he built altars

David escaped because he built God’s house

Solomon escaped because of the sacrifice

It is time to consider your journey; what you are ready to offer to insure your destiny?

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• Higher power of God, take over my life.

• You stronghold of ancestral covenant, pulling me away from God’s agenda; I damage your power over me.

• You stronghold of ancestral covenant working tirelessly to frustrate my assignment; I damage your power over my life.

• Stronghold of ancestral error over life; I destroy your power.   

• I receive the grace of God to gather.

10TH JULY, 2016

PASTOR’S CORNER

COVENANT GENERATES SOUL TIE:

UNDERSTANDING THE UNKNOWN SOUL TIE (B)

REFERENCES: COLOSSIANS 2: 5; I SAMUEL 28: 7, 16-25; I CHRONICLES 10:6; II SAMUEL 4:1-6

Col 2:5

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Although Paul was physically absent from the Colossian Church, he was still present in the spirit to observe their doings and walk of faith, because there was a divine soul tie between them. This means that a soul tie is not only in effect when the parties are physically present; once it is established it is not bound or limited by time or space.

I Sam 28: 7, 16-25

Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went...to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

Because thou obeyest not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

Saul sought out a woman with a familiar spirit, expecting to conjure up Samuel. There, demons appeared to him, pretending to be Samuel. This apparition, speaking as Samuel, pronounced an evil judgement, not only upon the kingdom of Israel, but also upon Saul and his sons.

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand and have hearkened uno thy words which thou spakest unto me. Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way...and the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killled it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof: and she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

At this time, Saul was on a 24-hr fast. Whenever you are on a fast, you are vulnerable to supernatural powers. While in that state, Saul’s soul absorbed the evil word spoken by the devil over his life and that of his sons!

To worsen the already grave situation, Saul heeded to the woman at En-dor, and, along with his servants, received communion at her hand. Now, we have learnt that every spiritual meal is prepared by an agent, for a purpose, and is an investment.

While this transaction was going on, none of Saul’s son was present. Yet, they had been brought into a covenant of death.

I Chr 10:6

So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.

Now, observe the choice of words in this verse. Saul and three of his sons died in battle; on that same day, every male in his entire household, even those who were at home also died. Physically, there were still alive, but their fate had been sealed- in the realm of the spirit, they were already dead.

II Sam 4: 1-6

And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin...

And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

And the sons of Rimmon...went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

It is sad to note that no one, man or woman, stood up in that household to stop the rampage of death.

So it was that every man born in Saul’s household died. All except one...

The sentence of death was not going to spare anyone of Saul’s sons, not even a righteous son. And so it was that something made Ishbosheth sleep at noon day. It was a sleep of death as two of his captains walked in to his chambers and killed him.

Mephibosheth was also marked for death by reason of the evil soul tie. His saving grace was that his father, Jonathan, had entered into a covenant of life with David. So, while death brought him down from the shoulder of his nurse as she hurried to get him to safety, it could not kill him. He did however lose his feet.

The soul tie between Saul and the woman with the familiar spirit did not kill any woman in Saul’s household. But it went after every son and wiped them out. As a man, you need to be observant about your household, either by birth or by marriage. You must be able to discern and destroy the soul ties and covenants at work there, especially those that target every man.

We see from the tale of these two men from Saul’s household that every evil soul tie will always fight to be relevant in your life. It is therefore your responsibility to investigate your household and destroy every evil soul tie bringing down and cutting short lives therein.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My Father, I hand over my life to you. Load me with Your raw fire.

• Every judgement of familiar spirit over my household; I damage your power over my life.

• Ancestral judgement over my household, which brings men down, hear the judgement of the Lord; I destroy your power over my life.

• Every ancestral hand that brings me down; I destroy you by fire.

3RD JULY, 2016

PASTOR’S CORNER

COVENANT GENERATES SOUL TIE:

UNDERSTANDING THE UNKNOWN SOUL TIE (A)

REFERENCES: DEUTERONOMY 29: 10- 15 ACTS 27: 20- 26, 30-32

Understanding something that is beyond knowledge can only be through revelation. Therefore, today, by divine revelation, we will be unravelling the mystery of unknown soul ties.

Have you have ever lived with or served someone in the past, and, although you have physically moved away from them, you still see them in your dreams; or have you walked out of a ministry with a dubious source of power but still feel connected to the minister- in- charge?

Deut 29: 10- 15

Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water: That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:

In Ex 3, Moses encountered an angel in the bush. However, the encounter did not end there, because the angel became a spirit that followed Moses. A connection, a soul tie was established between them.

In the same vein, whenever a man serves a god, a soul tie is formed between him and the spirit of the god.

The next time you see strange or dead people in your dream, understand that it is actually the spirit their souls were tied to.

Now, observe the participants of the covenant in Deut 29: leaders, men, wives, children, as well as strangers and servants. It did not matter that the children, wives, strangers and servants were not physically present at the time the covenant was made; they had been brought in by their leaders.

You see strange people in your dream because you have been brought into a covenant, whether you knew or agreed to it or not.

That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Anytime a person enters into a covenant, he becomes the property of the other party.

God had brought Israel out of Egypt, but that did not establish them His people. It was therefore necessary that a covenant be made. By entering into covenant with God, Israel became established as His people.

Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; but with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:

Covenants are not just made with those present; everyone under the leadership of the parties present, even those unborn, becomes part of the covenant. It does not matter whether they are aware or not.

Acts 27: 20- 26, 30-32

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Ceaser: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

When you obey a man of God, it is the Spirit in him that you obey. That also means that when you disobey him, you disobey God in him, and open yourself to suffer harm and loss. I therefore implore you not to disobey my instructions, so that you do not suffer loss.

The crew and members of the ship suffered harm and loss because they disobeyed Paul. Yet, he could confidently assure them that no life would be lost, because God had given all of them to him; it did not matter that they did not submit themselves to him willingly.

Whenever you encounter a personality claiming ownership of your life, it is because someone has given you that personality.

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island...And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea...Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat and let her fall out.

Although these men were higher in rank to Paul (since he was a prisoner), he was in control of all who were in the ship; no one could leave because Paul said so.  

That power claiming ownership of your life and threatening you with death can do so, only because someone has given you over to it.

Today, you must disagree with every such covenant and destroy the evil power claiming ownership of your life.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• I send fire to my life (body, soul, spirit).

• Any ancestral power that gave me out to an evil strangers; I destroy your power over my life now.

• Any evil stranger that my life was given to; I slay you by fire.

26TH JULY, 2015

PASTOR’S CORNER

CONQUER CAPTIVITY BY COVENANT:

FAITH IN THE COVENANT (PART B)

REFERENCES: PSALM 56:11-12, GENESIS 1:  14, 17, JEREMIAH33: 20-21, ROMANS 1: 29-32

Psalm 56:11-12

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

There are men of darkness who seek to wrought wickedness against you and they show no mercy. However, you do not have to be afraid of their works, because you are a carrier of the vows of God. It immunizes you from the works, powers and expectations of the wicked. Surely, rather than fear, you will break forth with praises unto God.

Genesis 1:  14, 17

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for season, and for days, and years...and God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.

Just like the lights in the firmament, you are here today because God said, “Let there be…” He spoke and you became a reality. But you are not a mere curiosity; He created you for a specific purpose: to be a light that separates light from darkness, for a sign and to manifest in your set season. Like the sun, moon and stars, you are created to shine in your destined season.

As a dividing light, you are set here to separate longevity from untimely death, prosperity from poverty, blessings from curses in your household. You shine the light of joy, peace, blessed assurance, prosperity, longevity and abundance upon your household.

As a light, you are also set here for a sign of the end of death, dryness, loss, failure; you are here to herald a season of triumph, and the beginning of a new year of victorious living.

Jeremiah 33: 20-21

Thus saith the LORD; if ye can break My covenant of the day, and My covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; then may also My covenant be broken with David My servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, My ministers.

God did not just create and appoint these lights in their places and for their purposes; He made a covenant with them. It is this covenant that man is trying to break. Today, we know of those who predict the movement of the moon and plan their celebrations and activities by it. Men have gone up to study the moon, in order to be able to manipulate it. However, no man has ventured near the sun and lived to tell the tale.

In the same vein, there are men seeking to manipulate the season of your life, by breaking God’s covenant over your life.

But there is a caveat emptor. As long as the covenant governing the rising of the sun and the moon in their due season has not been broken, no man can break the covenant of God over your life in your season.

While the sun is gone down, it is possible for anyone to boast against its rising. However, the sun can confidently declare that, in its due season, it will rise again, and no boasting, raging, or agitation of man can stop that from happening. When the covenant of God with the sun and moon was made, no man had explored the moon or studied the sun. However, God had considered the strength of man and his reach before making the covenant.

Now, if God is faithful in His covenant with the sun, will He not be more faithful in His covenant with you?

Any minister called by God has a covenant that keeps him. And according to the divine law, as long the sun rises in its season, that covenant cannot be broken.

Romans 1: 29-32

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity...without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Anything that tells you to disobey the instruction of the minister of God is trying to break the covenant of God over your life. These are unmerciful personalities keen on frustrating the covenant of God over your life by pushing you into the error of disobedience.

Those who do this are aware of the judgement of God against them; they know that their actions make them worthy of death. Your responsibility is to enforce this judgement over them.

Psalm 104: 19

He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

Brethren, the covenant will only work for you if you have faith in it. Understand that even the sun knows it rights as set by the covenant, and cannot be intimidated or stopped by any man. Its intolerance of the manipulation of man is based on its assurance and trust in the covenant. What about you?

If you are the “sun” in your household, endeavour to be unapproachable to the wicked. Be a shining, burning, unstoppable light in deed.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

• My soul, receive the fire to activate your season.

• My Father, I surrender my life to You.

• Unstoppable, unquenchable fire of God, possess my life.

• Any power working tirelessly to stop me in my season, I destroy you by fire.

• Any satanic gadget working against my life; be wasted by fire.

• Any agent of darkness working tirelessly to break God’s covenant over my life; I break and destroy you by fire.

• Anything in me, working to destroy God’s covenant over my life; I break and destroy you by fire.