STRETCH OUT AND TAKE TERRITORIES

STRETCH OUT AND TAKE TERRITORIES

“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and people will inhabit the desolate cities.” Isa. 54:1-3

Barrenness is a condition of unfruitfulness.  The condition of the powerlessness to produce or bear spiritual children through soul winning acts and going to regain territories lost from the kingdom of darkness is the object of this discourse.  But barrenness is not a permanent condition. It can be broken, God will make a way of escape to come out of that rut.  You may be experiencing serious trouble in achieving, bearing good results, winning souls for Christ, or being unfruitful in taking over territories for the Lord.  It is temporary, the Lord has come with the season of revival to capacitate you with knowledge and grace gifts needed to stand and win territories for the Lord.

We are admonished to sing for joy and start to rejoice.  Not being fruitful in the great commission will soon be history.  Burst into shouts of joy.  You will make it.  You can do it.  You will bear fruit.  You will spread out.  Your outcome will surpass those who made it easily; you will live in great joy. Why? Because the rain of the glory of the Holy Spirit has started to fall and we will arise and shine and begin to go to towns, villages, cities, states and nations of the world preaching the Good News unto the saving of souls of the people.

You have been in spiritual college under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit and preparation for the journey is great but your season of graduation, being armed with all needed arms, wisdom and knowledge of the Son of God and grace gifts has come and you will match against the hordes of hell and release those who ought to be in the kingdom of light that has been held captives. Oil of gladness is being poured upon you and yokes and chains that had been hindering the people from being translated into the kingdom of the son of God shall be destroyed and burdens lifted off their shoulders.

“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.” Isa. 54:1

The “Singing and Shouting for Joy” in Isa. 54:1 would come because of the increase of the unsaved trooping into the kingdom as we minister to the saving of their souls.  These are not natural children but they were spiritual children who would come from the gentile nations as we go into all nations to preach Christ to the saving of the souls of the people there.  On the right hand and on the left, meaning “on all sides” these newly saved spiritual children will come. 

By spreading the Word of God to the Gentile nations, Israel would be enlarging their tents. So shall be the story of the New Testament Church as we set out to obey the Great Commission in this season of the former and the latter rain in same season.

You see, the Christian Church is viewed as a continuation of the Jewish Church; and the conversion of nation after nation to the gospel is looked upon as the extension of Jewish authority over fresh lands.

“Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” Act 8:4-8 

Philips went to Samaria and many gave their lives to the Lord and all manner of miracles, signs and wonders were done to attest to the authenticity of the gospel. Like Jesus proclaimed through Mark in Mark 16:20; they went everywhere preaching the Good News and God was working with them with signs following, so are we go to unto the nations and bring many into the kingdom.

The cities of these lands…desolate until then, without godly inhabitants, will under these conditions come to be inhabited; will be populated by faithful men having now received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior after we ministered the good news to them. The intent of God has never changed, but if this growth is going to continue, the Church must be willing to be stretched beyond her standards and habitations and go into all the nations onto the end of the earth.

Our personalities, talents and gifts are differentiated by the design of God [Eph. 4:11-14], but all of us are mandated to “Go Ye” [Matt. 28:18-20].  We will not realize our greatest potential unless we are stretched by taking over other territories for the Lord.  We will not fully know who we are until we are stretched for the authority, power, glory and the host of heaven will back up our apostolic and evangelistic drives.  We are not effective unless we are stretched which simply mean reaching out to go and conquer other territories for the Lord.  Reaching and extending to save souls and bring them into the kingdom of Light are the faith building blocks of life. 

No one comes into this world fully equipped for success.  Success is not magic nor is it the work of a genius; but success is due to our stretching to take over territories for the Lord. And in this case, it simply means leaving our comfort zone to go into other places to save the souls of men and disciple them through the preaching and teaching of the word of God.

Most of us avoid stretching, reaching out and extending to other places and lazily sit on our oars in the local assembly where we worship God.  When we come up against something that is bigger than we are, we tend to back off or let go.  Why?  Much of the time it is because of FEAR and refusal to obey the mandate of God to “Go Ye”!  The unknown can really paralyze a person who is not willing to stretch beyond their fears.  Many times, unpleasant experiences of the past will strip us of the possibilities of the present. Bit I am sure that the Lord will go before us and make all the crooked places straight, empowering us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

But we refuse to understand that the one who sent us on this divine errand is well able to give us all the needed spiritual instrumentation to do the work successfully.

We do have the seven spirits of God, backing of angels; spiritual gifts, knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the word of God, the anointing, glory and all other graces to get the job of taking over territories done!

The work of the Kingdom of God can never reach God’s objective and command, if the majority of the Saints remain idle, lazy, slothful and unproductive.

Far too many people are satisfied with sitting on their oars in the Church getting fat through the word of God taught and preached not understanding that we are likened to petrol/gas tankers that when filled at the depot, we must have a destination where we must off load the product that we are filled with. Ministry is much more than being in the choir, ushering or sanctuary keeper department or even, you must stretch out and reach out to save the souls that are still in the kingdom of darkness.  Salvation means you are now saved and gifted to help someone else come to the saving knowledge of Christ. It is the work of all Christians not just the fivefold ministers.

“But you should control yourself at all times. When troubles come, accept them. Do the work of telling the Good News. Do all the duties of a servant of God” 2 Tim. 4:5 ERV 

The problem is that some people who have been baptized come out of the water satisfied and not realizing that it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning.  So, we come out of the old life into the new life still imprisoned by our unwillingness to get involved with the process that saved us by reaching out to save others.  We must obey the “Great Commission” by reaching out to save souls of men beyond our territory.                      

Contrary to popular opinion, fivefold ministers are called and equipped “… to equip the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of the Messiah” Eph. 4:12 ISV 

For emphasis sake, it is the congregants that are to do the work of ministry and not just serving for example as choir, ushers, intercessor, administrators in the front office and sanctuary keepers; but to be trained so that they can go to all the nations and minister the gospel unto the salvation and discipling of those living in such territories.  

Taking means: To get into one’s hand, to get into one’s possession or power, to get into one’s control, to transfer into one’s own keeping and to obtain, or to secure

Territory: Is an area of land, towns, cities, or nations, that is considered as belonging to or connected with a particular country or person. A territory can be a country or region that is controlled by another country just like when Nigeria was under British rule. The meaning of TERRITORY is a geographic area belonging to or under the territorial dominion or rule of a governmental authority.

“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” Revelation 11:15.

Taking territories therefore, is the art of transferring one or more geographic areas into part of the kingdom of God. It is breaking into new frontiers. Taking your environment for Christ. Advancing from one level to another level. Growing into higher realm in the things of the Spirit.

So, warfare may be needed as rulership has to change.

“No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house” Mark 3:27

The Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and there were people there, they had to engage them in battle in order to possess the land.

“Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle” Deut. 2:24 

WHY TAKE NEW TERRITORIES

1. Because the earth is the Lord’s Psalm 24:1-2.

2. Because any territory not occupied by us will be taken over by the enemy.

3. Because the gospel must be preached worldwide and such kingdom of darkness translated into the kingdom of Light. Using the power of the Spirit to conquer souls to the end of the earth. [Acts 1:8]. It is God’s ultimate agenda

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” Matt. 24:14

4. Because we are to make disciples of nations. God gave us the commission to do so. “And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” Matt. 28:18-20

5. Because we must not settle for less or be at ease. It is dangerous to settle too soon or become lethargic Amos 6:1.

6. Because we need to create opportunities for others to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Because God expects it and commands it.

8. Because we are commissioned to liberate others (territories) from the enemies

9. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God Romans 8:19

10. There remain yet very much land to be possessed and the people turned around to serve the Lord [Joshua 13:1]. Else we will be rebuked like Joshua.

11.The world is waiting for us to manifest and declare His lordship. Romans 8:19

 

It is important to understand that as a believer, you operate from a very vantage point or advantageous position because the Bible says so. “The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  [Psalm 24:1]. This is called “taking back the territories for Christ”. It is winning souls that were lost back unto the Lord through the salvation of their souls. The whole world belongs to our heavenly father, and our responsibility is simply enforcing its restoration.

It is the Kingdom mandate or the agenda of Heaven according to Habakkuk 2:14 to spread the good news.

In fact, the whole essence of the gospel is to spread it to everyone, if truly it is the good news.

The question that follows therefore is, how do I take territories?

WHAT TO DO TO TAKE TERRITORIES

1. Decide to accept it’s possible. It is doable! For with God, nothing shall be impossible Mark 10:27, Luke 1:32.

2. Attitude adjustment. Choose to have the mindset that it shall be so according to the promises of God

3. Prayer strategy. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” Psa. 2:8 [also Matthew 7:7], Psalm 2:8.

4. Forceful take over. “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” [Matthew 11:12]. There must be displacement by replacement!

5. Faith application. “For whatsoever is born of God overcome the world: and this is the victory that overcome the world, even our faith” 1 John 5:4.

6. Understand thoroughly the Kingdom mandate. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” Matthew 24:14 [Also Matthew 5:13-16].

7. Develop the right prayer agenda by praying in the will of God. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” Psalm 2:8, [Also 1 Chronicles 4:9-10].

8. Develop a pioneer or pilgrim mentality, there are more lands and people to be won for the Lord, do not settle too soon. Hebrews 11:8-10.

9. Increase your capacity. “One day the Guild of Prophets told Elisha, "Notice how the place where we are living is too small for us” 2 Kings 6:1 ISV. [Also, Colossians 3:1].

10.Develop strategies for the new territories, gather information, get in the word, seek God’s face. Do not do only spiritual mapping but physical mapping, plan and strategize how and what it takes to conquer territories; train workers that will go into the new territories

11.Ask for instructions. Receive I pray thee the spirit of wisdom and revelation needed to do the work Ephesians 1:17-18.

12.Practically make room for more. “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Isaiah 54:2-3.

13.Be willing to take risks, in other words, operate by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” Hebrews 11:6 [See also Hebrews 11:1-3]

There has never been a perfect time to step out in faith better than now; because Jesus says emphatically in John 4:34-35, that the time is now.

Every person who is a saved believer is gifted by the Holy Spirit.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” 1 Cor 12:7-11

Please receive knowledge! As long as you are a born-again believer, you have at least one grace gifts with which you are endowed with to do the work of God. Jesus commissioned the whole Church both ministers and congregation to do the work of ministry.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” Mark 16:18 [Emphasis Mine]

Contrary to popular belief all Christians are empowered to do the work of ministry and it is ministers responsibility to teach, train, tutor and disciple congregants so they can cast out devil, preach Christ, and save the souls of men.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” Act 1:8 

We are all saved in order to be witnesses of Christ in our locality and to the end of the earth. You may have been fruitless in this venture in the past, but rejoice.  You may have failed as a Christian so many times before, but rejoice.  You may have been seriously discouraged and lost hope, but rejoice.  You may be truly barren, but rejoice.  You may be looked upon as an outcast, useless and good for nothing, but rejoice.  Burst into songs; rejoice right now, because you are about to be stretched forth as the former and the latter rain of the anointing will invigorate and empower you to do the works and save the souls of men. The greater One in you called the Holy Spirit is set to allow rivers of living waters to flow out of you to nourish the famished souls that need to be filled with Christ. 

 

ANOINTED WITH FRESH OIL

 ANOINTED WITH FRESH OIL

David was anointed three times

1. Samuel anointed him in his father’s house among the sons of Jesse 1 Sam. 16:13

2. Anointed by the elders of Judah to be king over them in Hebron 2 Sam. 2:4

3. Anointed to rule over the whole nation of Israel 2 Sam. 5:3

He reigned seven years in Hebron and approximately 33 years in Jerusalem and he first ruled over family, secondly over tribe and thirdly over nation

The sphere of his expansion and authority and kingship grew much more with each anointing. Also, there were different spiritual battles and challenges and the increasing anointing was able to deal with them sequentially. Supernatural power of victory and protection increases with the different anointing that came upon him. Even duration or how long he fought the battles are different with each anointing; for example, greater glory, prosperity, wisdom and responsibilities came after the third anointing.

"I shall be anointed with fresh oil." Psalm 92:10

This Psalms was written by David very likely after his third anointing to become king over the entire nation of Israel and the anointing signifies establishment of His kingdom at last and of his royal authority, power and glory of it signified by horn or authority being lifted up and the subdue of the neighboring countries and having rest round about. This also signifies the rulership of Christ as a priest, prophet and king and our being brought to inherit glory and sit together with Christ on His Throne [Eph. 2:6]

Invariably the tap of the anointing released to us per time is different and increases with higher potency the more the Throne Room qualifies us to increase in power and authority because it takes the anointing to do kingdom service and of course being able to face battle and have power over the spiritual powers that we will meet on our upward thrust to serve the king of kings. 

The work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, is of the greatest importance. Until we experience it, we are dead in sin. Having once enjoyed it, we often need its renewal, increase in power and being taught the intricacies of the new level that we have just arrived at.

The work of the Holy Spirit in the heart is variously represented in God's Word, and is compared to a variety of things. In one place, to the reviving and refreshing influences of the dew. In another, to the quickening and fruitfulness effects of boldly saying "I shall be anointed with fresh oil."

Oil is a common emblem of the Spirit, who is called "the anointing which you have received." This anointing represents His renewing, purifying, and saving operations, as received and enjoyed by all of God's people.

This anointing consecrates them as God's kings and priests, and we become the Lord's anointed.

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” Rev 1:6 [Also 1 Peter 2:9]

It qualifies believers and ministers alike as God's kings and priests, and we become a royal priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ.

This anointing beautifies us, as God's sons and daughters, causing our faces to shine, and fill us with joy and peace. This anointing pours spiritual fragrances upon us as God's favorites, and all our garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia. [Psalms 45:8]. Without this anointing, we cannot . . . reign as kings, officiate as priests approach God as sons, or rejoice before Him as His favorites.

The EFFECTS of this anointing are many, and very precious:

1. This anointing gives us fresh views, insight or knowledge of Christ, and every sight of Him endears Him more and more to our hearts.

2. This anointing gives us a deeper experience of the truth, and we know more of its power, sweetness, and savor.

3. This anointing gives us more power in prayer, and we plead with God and prevail.

4. This anointing gives us sweeter enjoyment of ordinances, for we see more of Christ in them, and are mightily refreshed through them.

5. This anointing gives us stronger confidence/faith in God, so that we conquer our doubts and fears, and can trust God in the dark or in the light; on the mount or in the valley.

6. This anointing gives a delightful savor to our preaching, teaching or even counselling, so that we will not only speak of Christ with freedom, and of our Christian experience with pleasure but there is a savor and a power in what we say, which produces a good impression in those that hears

7. This anointing preserves us from falling into temptation. Nothing will . . .raise us above the world, give us power over flesh, or make us a match for Satan like being anointed with fresh oil.

We are regenerated but once, but we will receive the renewing of the Holy Spirit often just like David for there is a different anointing for different stages of our lives, and unless we receive these renewing, we shall become dry, barren, lifeless, and cold! There will be . . . no delight in prayer, little pleasure in ordinances, and the Bible itself will become unsavory.

We cannot go on long, or go on happily, without fresh oil. See then, what we all need, "fresh oil." We need daily to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. The earth cannot be expected to be fruitful without sun, rain, or dew just like our souls cannot prosper without frequent communications of the Holy Spirit and the infusion of FRESH anointings.

We should ardently desire the fresh anointings of the Spirit. He is as necessary to our souls, as the vital air is to our bodies. Our natural lives could not be sustained without breath, as our spiritual life without the anointing of the Holy Spirit and FRESH renewals. We should earnestly pray to "be filled with the Spirit" that we may "live in the Spirit," and "walk in the Spirit."

We must often pray that the gracious God, anoint us with fresh oil!

Things that are stale are not desirable. They taste sour, limp, bitter, etc. Many Christians are stale and dry! They got the Spirit years ago, but no refreshing lately. God wants us to have a FRESH experience of the Spirit. He promises us FRESH OIL! 

The horn of a unicorn or rhino signifies great power to defeat the enemies [Numbers 23:22, 24:8]. Power to resist and rout the enemies is upon those anointed afresh!

“But my horn [emblem of strength and power] shall You exalt like the horn of an unicorn [rhino?]: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.” Ps. 92:10, KJV

Most car owners know that if you drive too many miles without changing the oil, it loses its usefulness as a lubricant and as a detergent for the engine. Motor oil cleanses out the impurities in the engine like dirt, grime, and small flecks of metal – so the engine can keep running smoothly. 

So, old oil stinks, loses viscosity, blackens and negatively affects the smooth running of the car’s engine and in the same token old anointing without renewal is not good for the smooth running of our spiritual life.

Spiritually speaking, there are many Christians who received an anointing of the Spirit years ago, but haven’t had an “oil change” or even topping up since! Just like we MUST have fresh oil in our cars, we also must have fresh oil of the Spirit in our lives too!

Oil like a lot of things, has a shelf life. It has an expiration date. Oil, eventually loses its flavor and aroma, if it is not used in the time, purpose, and atmosphere it was made for.  

We are looking in the Scriptures at how oil is used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. God makes us a special promise of renewal of the Holy Spirit. We’re going to look at the purposes of God’s oil, the source of God’s anointing, and what the Bible means when it says we’ll be anointed with fresh oil.

In the bible we saw those who were anointed. First was the prophets like Elijah was to anoint Elisha to be prophet in his stead [1 Kings 19:16], second, was the priests just as Aaron and sons were anointed and set apart for ministry [Exodus 30:30; Lev. 8:12, 30]; and thirdly kings as Saul was anointed [1 Samuel 10:1-12]. Lastly vessels in the tabernacle were once anointed to sanctify them for holy use

When anointed, they surrendered to God as vessels set apart for holy use and to do kingdom works with the people of God like teaching, preaching, destroying yokes and bring liberty in their lives and living a godly life for the people to emulate [Luke 4:18; Isa. 10:27]

Other common uses of oil include

1. Cleansing of Lepers (Lev. 14:17-18);

2. As Medicine (Lk. 10:34; Rev. 3:18);

3. As Fuel for Light in Lamps (Mt. 25:1-13);

4. As part of Diet, food (2 Kgs. 4:1-7);

5. Cosmetic, as a beauty aid (Ps. 104:15).

Also there was anointing with oil for healing by the Church Elders [James 5:14-15]. And the 12 disciples also anointed the people for healing, in the Bible [Mk. 6:13].

God has given us free will and a responsibility to respond to His grace and free unearned gifts as we work together in His Kingdom on Earth to accomplish the purpose He has for our lives. This is something that we need to do daily as we receive a constant infilling of the Holy Spirit. We must be seeking the impartation of FRESH OIL so that we can be equipped with fresh instrumentation for Christian services

Now there are two main reasons why our relationship with God can feel dry, flat, empty, and lack a freshness that we have experienced before.

1. Freshness of the Anointing leaves because of known sin in our life

When we are living in sin, we know it and God knows it. We know it because the Holy Spirit speaks to us and gives us a prompting and nudge in our heart not to do it or to repent if we have done it. This hinders the flow of our anointing and hurts our relationship with God and others. It causes our spiritual state and the anointing oil to go stale. The longer we stay in sin, the harder it will be to break free from it or even recognize it. Sin is rebellion and disobedience and acts like dead fly that make the oil to bring forth a stinking savor [Eccl. 10:1]

“You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” Psalms 45:7 

2. Freshness leaves because we enter in a specific time of preparation and testing.

We can be doing everything right. Going to church, tithing, reading the bible and praying. But still feel stale in our relationship with God. Sometimes God put us through desert experience because he is preparing us for something great. 

Then we will pass through the valley of the shadow of death and be pruned so that we can come out smoking while we go back up to mount Zion after passing the examination to do greater exploits.

There are season(s) of feeling distant and forsaken by the Lord when we are actually taking examination for the next level. You see people all throughout scripture experience it such as Job, King David, the prophets and even Jesus on the cross. This was all in preparation of something greater that has coming in their lives!

So how these guys get out of that dry and stale state they we’re in? Also, we find ourselves feeling this way, how can we be refreshed? 

The Renewal of the Freshness in the Oil of Anointing

Renewal comes when we rest in him. We must not try to earn or work for Gods approval or pass our examination by our power or intellect but depend on His grace as we obey Matthew 11:28-30. 

We can only experience renewal when we make a real commitment to Christ and rededicate our lives to Him. Every day, we are all in need of a spiritual renewal because every day we do battle with the flesh, the world, and the devil. 

The three of them are always trying to choke the life of God right out of us that we received through the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit”. 

Like silver exposed to the elements of the world, we grow tarnished and dull spiritually. We need to constantly renew our faith in Christ. This dullness and staleness come when we neglect our relationship with Christ and put him on the back-burner of our lives. Such are when we concentrate on physical exercises instead of spiritual exercises like praying and fasting, studying, living holily and cutting off the works of the flesh.

Renewal also comes when we confess our sin(s) and repent.

This is a life-long process as we day by day go to the Lord in prayer and confess our sin to him and ask for forgiveness and turn from our sin and turn to God. We must cleanse ourselves from all unrighteousness so we can walk in the Holiness of the Lord!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9 

Scripture tells us that our sin has separated us from God. It breaks our fellowship and communion with the father. That is a grave consequence of sin. It detests God and it is very offensive to Him and He cannot and will not be in the presence of sin. If we keep on sinning and doing the same thing over and over again without heeding to the voice of God. Then our conscience will be seared as with hot iron to the point that we longer feel God’s presence. The Holy Spirit will stop speaking to you until you deal with your sin and repent.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Act 2:38 

We need a restoration of His presence or a renewal of fellowship with Him if we are stale, dry, and tasteless.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” 2 Chron. 7:14 

That promise is for you today. It doesn’t matter how long you been a Christian, how long you have been going to church. God honors humility above a haughty spirit. He honors the poor in spirit above the prideful spirit. He wants to hear from you. He wants you to come to his table of grace and repent.

We must come to him in true humility and our sin at His altar. Expecting to see breakthrough, expecting Him to perform wonders, signs, and miracles. Expecting him for that fresh oil of the anointing where we would experience His presence like never before.

THEN WE SHALL BE ANOINTED WITH FRESH OIL…

Even when you have not done any wrong, you are licensed to come into the mechanic workshop of the Godhead for God to purge you of the old oil and get a refill of fresh oil for fresh impartation.

We all need infilling with fresh oil for fresh impartation, greater grace to do kingdom works and as spiritual energy to combat principalities and powers that will confront us in our upward trust.

A NEW BEGINNING

 

A new beginning come with new vision and new responsibility, most times the old is not discarded away but new dimensions of operations are added with greater responsibility to the body of Christ and of course, greater grace and unction to carry out the new… There have to be a shift…

The Lord has to propel, expand and stress you from the norm to higher realm of grace and glory. You will see and do greater and better things as God open your ears to hear and eyes to see new things that you have not touched or handled before now. Wisdom, revelation and enlightenment through the ministry of the Word of God and Holy Spirit provides strength, support and great manifestation of what had been in the cooler of precious promises until now that we can say, it seem like forever for those things to come to pass but by faith and patience finally we have inherited the promises of God.

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” Isa. 43:18-19 

There is the need to turn like God told Moses to turn and see the burning bush because there are things that we will need to see in a fresh way and encounters we need to have in order to see and hear what the Lord is showing and speaking in this new dispensation. When you turn like Moses, you will no more be a shepherd of animals again but a higher calling to lead the people of God to the Promised Land will sit in your heart and direct your doing from now on.

There was a conception of that which is newly empowered by the glory of God. Like David, your days of training and shepherding goats are over with. God is set to bring pure breed godly sheep that you will train and mature into the next level remnant Church that God is breeding. See some of the things that God is changing.

1.      God will enlighten the world but the manifestation will be on the Word of God [Rev. 21:11; Eph. 1:17-19].

2.      God will bring living water out of Jerusalem, that is washing by the water of the Word of God. [Rev. 21:6; Eph. 5:26]

3.      God will make trees to bring forth their fruit every month [Rev. 22:2; Ezek. 47:12]

4.      All the waste places shall be built, even Sodom and Gomorrah [Ezek. 47:8]

5.      Jerusalem shall be built with sapphire stone [Rev. 21:19]

6.       the sixth is, the cow and the bear shall feed together

7.      A covenant shall be made between spiritual Israel, and the beasts, fowls, and creeping things.

8.      There shall be no more weeping and howling in the world.

9.      There shall be no more death in the world

10.   There shall no more be sighing, and groaning, and sorrow in the world. [Rev. 21:4].

The time for all round favor is now [Psalms 102:13] and we know that God makes all things to be beautiful in its time [Eccl. 3:11]. God is moving you from graduate class lecturer to post graduate class lecturer and it comes with many goodies and fringe benefits better than the former.

This is backed up by a contract or covenant that you must abide by or fulfill else angels will try to kill you just like he wanted to kill Moses on his way to Egypt to fulfill the higher calling; that is why we need supportive intercessors like Zipporah wife of Moses that carries sharp stones so that the foreskin must be cut off and we will mortify all that would have prevented us from entering the new beginning or the Promised Land.

 It was the same way after the River Jordan experience that the Israelites too had to mortify the deed of the flesh [Joshua 5:2], before partaking of the houses they did not build, wells they did not dig and vineyards that they did not build [Deut. 6:11]. Promised Land, Higher Calling or a New Beginning works only for those who had consecrated, hallowed and sanctified themselves, holy and righteous; walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lust of the flesh much more than younger generation of believers; such eat the strong meat of the word and not milk like baby Christians [Heb. 5:12-14].

The Lord is doing abnormal things and you cannot afford to be normal, do not dwell in the past lazy and sluggish. You must press towards the goal fervently like Paul, counting all former things but dung for the excellency of the progressive knowledge of the Christ and paying the prize of the UPWARD CALL OF GOD in Christ [Phil. 3:13-14].

There is a higher price to pay in order to access a new beginning in the midst of fulfilling kingdom mandate. The Lord is raining down former and the Latter rain in one season and great grace, glory and unction; arise and work, much more grace is given only to those who strive for mastery and temperate [1 Cor. 9:25]. Always remember it is the mercy of the Lord that is new every morning that releases new things to us from the Throne Room of Grace [Lamentations 3:22-24]

We cannot do ministry with levity, laziness or a slack hand as further clothing, revelation knowledge, unction to function and understanding of mysteries and hidden truth are being unveiled such that we can receive greater ability to teach and train believers being trained as remnant in our local assemblies. It is in this realm that restoration of the dominion mandate to those who had prepared for the next level is done.

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visit him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. You made him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet” Psalms 8:4-6 

We must be in anticipation mode whereby we are longing with desire and passion to see the establishment of the new things that the Lord is desiring to do in this season. The zeal of the Lord shall accomplish it.

“Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; You know that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs” John 21:13-15 

The first penitent thing at every new beginning is that the diet or what we feed on must change [Heb. 5:12-14], we cannot afford to feed any longer on milk like babes but on strong meat of the Word of God so that we can grow and mature, having spiritual stamina that can deal with giants, we are empowered to do great and mighty things and have deep communion with the Spirit of God so that we can do great and mighty things like our Lord Jesus Christ.

The days of lullabies and being treated like babes is over with. God is about to give you a kick just like Gideon so that you can come into the reality of the “Man of Valor” that God has destined you to be. You need a trigger to send you through a boot camp, the season of pampering is over, the time of tough training is here so you can be thrusted into your new office so that you can now begin to do the things that God has destined you to do at this higher realm.

You cannot take people to where you have not been, be strengthened and awake from your slumbering and take your place in the body of Christ.

The season of new beginning is for you to arise and act. Even if you speak like Peter and say to the Lord three times … I love you? God is asking from us fresh commitment to love the Lord and FEED His sheep…. When the Lord find new or true lovers of Christ, He will release new treasures, new resources and new grace.

Many times, what was or ought to be are lost or finished, it means we have stopped doing the exercises that makes them to be available like the story of the wedding in Cana [John 2:1-12] where they was no more supplies of wine or the story of the valley of dry bones [Ezek. 37:1-2, 7]. Looking at the story of the valley of dry bones, we saw that the remedy was prophesying so that what ought to be like sinew, flesh, skin e.tc. came to be.

Pivotal to new things is the issues of prophecy or speaking according to the word of God so that what God has spoken can be birthed forth.

God is saying the season of fulfilling afore-spoken words has come and it is time to birth new things. We must both know the new things that God is set to do and declare its birthing forth in this season, that is why prophesying is vitally important, speaking forth the promises of God for this season.

“Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast, The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endures forever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD” Jer. 33:10-11 

Because God is set for a new beginning, old things are passing away, no more desolation, stagnation, poverty, lack and want; sickness and diseases; From now on it shall be things that causes joy and gladness, marriages, opening new businesses, wealth and riches, setting free from oppression and demonization and greater grace and glory.

The season of captivity and spiritual imprisonment has come to an end. All you need to do is to take God at His word that can never fail and you will see His goodness in the land of the living [Numbers 23:19].

“Blessed is that man that make the LORD his trust” Psalms 40:4 

Like the days of Ezra where over 50 thousand Israelites returned to the land of their nativity, people who had derailed and do contrary to the laws and commandments of the Lord must be willing to repent and do the first works so that the mercy and grace of God can be restored back to them.

So, those who had strayed from the Lord must return in repentance so that a time of refreshing can come to them from the Presence of the Lord [1 John 1:9]. Conversion means to change radically to line up with the new identity from servants of  to friend or from child to grown up adult.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” Acts 3:19 

Such must be willing to obey the Word of God. We must come out of adapting to the decadence and the rotten immoral standard of our time. Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God [2 Cor. 7:1] and be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers [2 Cor. 6:14].

“And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptian”. Exodus 12:35-36 

On the day of leaving Egypt for the Promised Land, God instituted that wealth and riches will exchange hand from the Egyptians to the Israelites so the Israelites asked to borrow jewels of silver, and jewels and of gold, and raiment. Imagine working for 430 years without pay and suddenly as power exchanged hands, salary of 430 years was paid in one day. You may have wondered until now, where is the reward of all my labors; where we have done Church and other Christian services… Where are those rewards? The time of rewarding is here to stay!

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just” Prov. 13:22 

Watch out the time has come for the wealth of the unjust to be given to the righteous. It is that time! Believe and receive it in Jesus Mighty Name.

People like Ezra, Nehemiah and Solomon must rise up that are willing to rebuild the house of the Lord according to the specification of God given so that the glory cloud can fill the house of the Lord and we will begin to experience miracles, signs, wonders, and prosperity such that the new will be better than the old. Both former and latter rain will fall in one season. This reconstruction that leads to a new beginning requires working laboriously in unity and one heart under godly leadership so that the blessings can begin to flow continually!

Every man must be manning their offices and diligently pursuing God’s mandate. Cooperate worshippers that walk uprightly, and work righteousness, and speak the truth in his heart [Psalms 15:2] shall be found in the place of New Beginning; and then God will command the glory to fall upon the congregation. The spirit of understanding and cooperation must be between the young and the old as they strive in love to work together so that the newness that God is speaking can be birthed forth. Times of refreshing always come when we know and follow God’s plan to do a new thing! In Acts 16:6-10, Paul sensed going to Macedonia is God’s will and not going to Bithynia and spiritual revival and great visitation of God happened in Macedonia as they followed on to obey the will of God.

“And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. And the herdsmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.  And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it REHOBOTH; and he said, For now the LORD hath MADE ROOM FOR US, and we shall be FRUITFUL in the land. And he WENT UP from thence to Beersheba. Gen 26:17-23 

Under this prophetic atmosphere, I decree you will only GO UP from here, you will never be down casted again in the name of Jesus Christ. True enough the enemy has taken over what you dug before now! But the buck stops here! You have come to your own land and God has made room for you. No more stagnation, no more going down. The enemy will not strive with hatred or contention [“Sitnah”] against you anymore! The time has come for you to Arise and Shine for your light has come! The glory cloud of God has risen upon you! No more darkness! Gloomy days are over forever! Rehoboth releases prosperity!

 

PRINCIPLES OF NEW BEGINNING

However, there are principles that we must follow in order to encounter a new beginning.

The process of new beginning can only be manifested through those who love the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, body, soul and spirit; spend quality time in fellowship with God especially early in the morning; such ministers and believers must constantly feed on the living and written word for such spiritual meal builds up, repairs wounded parts of our spirit, preserves us in health and nurture our souls as complete spiritual diet. Greater anointings are released to such, yokes are destroyed and burdens are lifted up [Isa. 10:27]

We must come to Christ often to learn of Him and find rest for our soul [Jer. 15:17; Matt. 11:28-30]. We must study to show ourselves approved unto God, appreciate God’s goodness with thanksgiving. All barrenness is taken away as we find Christ in the Word, feed on Him by faith [John 5:39-40]. For all reading, and studying must be joined with meditation and earnest continual prayers. Lastly, we must focus on contacting Him and becoming more than a servant but becoming a friend so as to enjoy Him in an intimate way [John 15:15].

Here are some pointers found in the life of those who enjoys a new beginning.

LOVING THE LORD WITH ALL OF OUR HEART

We must return to our first love and do the first works. Remember, we must love God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves… God opens up His heart and resources to us if we continue in relationship and He is sure of our love. There must be new and fresh commitment to love the Lord so we will not forget God who blesses when the blessings come; so as the elevation come, we will not forget the elevator; and so when the glory come, we will not forget the glorifier.

In John 21:15-19, God wanted to be sure that Peter will be able to truly commit himself to the new level before empowering him with grace for the next level and that he will be truly committed as a lover of God. That is why we see Peter in the books of Acts after the baptism of the Spirit and constant daily apostolic doctrines study come up to a fresh new beginning in power and glory. Peter grew in wisdom and statute and became a spiritual power giant that his shadow was casting out demons and healing the sick.

In Mark 16:20… Peter and the other apostles entered a dimension that God was confirming their words with divers’ miracles, signs and wonders to authenticate their ministry. It was not mere words but like Jesus, in Luke 4:16… saying “this day, this scripture is fulfilled in your sight”. God will move you into the next level when you are ready for the new. God will find you a lover before shifting you up to the next level that will confuse those who used to know you and like in the time of Jesus say is this not Philip that we know before now?

In John 12, Jesus found love in the woman with the Alabaster box and Jesus said leave her alone. Jesus will come through and defend you. In Matt. 26:11, Jesus said what she did will be mentioned wherever the gospel is preached because she was a lover of Christ. After his death, the bone of Elisha was still speaking and raising the dead because he loved the Lord. There must be no more idol in the hearts of those given a new beginning and they are fully commitment to love, serve and obey the Lord, they push through hard times until grace, strength and greater unction is released for the new beginning.

 

FRESH COMMITMENT TO PRAYER CONTINUALLY

“Arriving there, they went into a large second-floor room to pray. Those present were Peter, John, Jacob, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, Jacob (the son of Alpheus), Simon (the zealot), Judas (the son of Jacob), and a number of women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother. His brothers were there as well. All of them were united in prayer, gripped with one passion, interceding night and day” Acts 1:12-14 TPT

 “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” Act 1:14 KJV

Your prayer and burden must change from supplication for self, to the burden of the Lord and such burdens are stronger when your season changes and God begin to do new things in your life and ministry.

Such must have fresh commitment to the direction and burden of the Lord. God’s burden is different and you must align to His will to pray aright according to your new mandate. We must be like Hannah whose prayer points changed from personal burden to the burden of the Lord and so she birthed forth the next season “prophet of the Lord” called Samuel over Israel.

We must “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” Coll. 4:2 

We must like the apostles in Acts 2 pray earnestly for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and so move into higher dimension of prayers more earnestly that will attract God like that of Hannah who agonized in the Spirit [1 Sam. 2]. This is not time to wait before you organize in prayers, once you sensed a quickening in your spirit man just respond! Prayers acts like bull dozers that can bring down an old building in a jiffy so that a new one can be built in that place.

“Jesus replied, “Let the faith of God be in you! Listen to the truth I speak to you: If someone says to this mountain with great faith and having no doubt, ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,’ and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done. This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—believe that you have received it and it will be yours” Mark 11:22-24 BBE 

The word “says” in this scripture has to do with agonizing prayers knowing that you are going against mountainous problems mounting garrison against your next level. Prayers work earnest with those who display or have God’s kind of faith so that you will seek to do the seeming humanly impossible things compared to speaking to a mountain to move; and you will have what you say!

We must on a constant basis have time of teaching sessions separate from prayer meeting and have solid, serious and militant prayer band that intercede for the Church. Prayers gives us a new lease on life by directing our focus on fulfilling God’s plan for our lives and ministry. After knowing the will of God, we must now tarry in prayers until it is birthed forth in the natural.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” Mat 11:12 

Examples of those that prayed earnestly are Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 :10-17; Daniel in Daniel 9:3-19; David in 2 Samuel 15:31; Elijah in James 5:18; Elijah in 1 Kings 17:21; Ezra in Ezra 10:1; And Hezekiah the king in 2 Kings 19:14-19

Righteousness exalts!

Righteousness helps in quickening answers to earnest prayers and developing greater anointing, it worked for Jesus Christ, it will work for you [Heb. 1:9]. Many times, prayers must be backed up with fasting. Prayer levels and dimensions must be on the increase especially praying in the Holy Ghost until power change hand and a fresh anointing come upon you. Only then will the people in your Church begin to see deliverance, empowerment, financial blessings, new job, favor and wisdom, greater grace and glory.

“Elijah was a man with human frailties, just like all of us, but he prayed and received supernatural answers. He actually shut the heavens over the land so there would be no rain for three and a half years! Then he prayed again and the skies opened up over the land so that the rain came again and produced the harvest” James 5:18 TPT

EVANGELISM

Taking our cue from what we see in Acts 2-4; God is releasing His Holy Spirit abundantly now; there is absolute grace to fellowship in the apostolic doctrine, salvation, healing and all other gifts of the spirit; but all believers including ministers of the gospel must arise to go out for evangelism or soul winning so that the last request from the Lord to make disciples of all nation can be fulfilled and we will see soul saving increasing in quantum dimensions backing our evangelism efforts with divers miracles, signs and wonders and release of the truth. The truth will be demystified, the good news will be spread across the nations and the hidden truth unveiled so that we can know God, be strong and do exploits.  Same evangelistic grace imparted Peter; he preached one message and 3000 souls were saved. The same grace is still available today! The POWER of the Holy Spirit guarantees that spiritual energies backs up our soul winning drives [Acts 1:8]

New beginnings with God are always possible and we must focus on the work of Christ on the Cross that has made oneness and unity possible; we must focus on obedience to God’s word, and on building both the spiritual and physical house of the Lord.

 

END NOTE

“Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come” Psalms 102:13 KJV

We are beckoning upon God our Father to exert his power, and display the riches of his grace and mercy; not by delivering us only from the snare of the fowler and from bondages and captivities that restrains from enjoying the goodness of the Lord alone; but by redeeming His Church and people by power and authority and price of the shed blood of Jesus; and also by raising up and restoring us to great glory and prosperity in this latter days. This glory is all that God has and all that God is; so that all can be restored to the Church and the promised harvest of lost souls in this season of global harvest can be achieved.

“I know you are about to arise and show your tender love to Zion. Now is the time, Lord, for your compassion and mercy to be poured out—the appointed time has come for your prophetic promises to be fulfilled!” Psalms 102:13 TPT

 

PRAYER

“And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions” Eph 3:16-18 TPT