by Jeanie | Apr 29, 2014 | Uncategorised
Luke 1: 6-13
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth had God’s approval. They followed all the Lord’s commands and regulations perfectly. 7 Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn’t become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children.8 Zechariah was on duty with his division of priests. As he served in God’s presence, 9 he was chosen by priestly custom to go into the Lord’s temple to burn incense. 10 All the people were praying outside while he was burning incense.11 Then, to the right of the incense altar, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. 12 Zechariah was troubled and overcome with fear.13 The angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you will name him John.
The first lesson from this text is that you can be in good standing with God and have challenges. Zachariah and Elizabeth were approved by God yet had no children – which are considered blessings from God. In spite of this, we read that Zechariah went ahead to work his shift – nothing extraordinary than that which he had been called to – Priesthood.
The question is what is your calling? What part are you playing in the kingdom? Are you truly fulfilling your purpose? Note that whatever God places in your hands, he demands! Obedience pays.
The scripture says Zechariah was chosen by lot or custom for the service of the sanctuary. Friend, this means you have been hand-picked by God for such a time as this.
For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14
Zechariah was dedicated to his job. He didn’t call off sick or do a “no call -no show” as some people would – He showed up and God met him there. Isn’t it amazing to know that God can turn up in the middle of your worship, intercession or service just to meet your need?
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10
Zechariah was childless and old but yet that did not deter him from making it to the sanctuary. I imagine there might have been some kind of event, for instance a demonstration, road closure or weather warning that could have prevented him, “No weapon” he exclaimed as he continued on his journey.
He may have served faithfully his entire life but this time, there was a divine appointment set for his breakthrough. If he had not made it in, would he have received the prophecy concerning John? Would he have ever been a father? Would the record of his lineage appear in scripture?
God has made provision for all your need in his house. Put your hand in the plough and keep it there. Sooner or later, God will show up! He will pay for whatever he orders – He is a rewarder!
Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. (NLT)
Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. (MSG)
Revelation 22:12
by Jeanie | Apr 18, 2014 | Uncategorised
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16:13
A question is an inquiry that brings about discovery. The many solutions, keys and breakthroughs we see today can be linked to a problem, a dilemma……. a question.
You’ve got to come to a PLACE in life when you begin to ask questions. From the passage we read, we can see it is possible for people to be with you (in party, company and assembly) and not really know you (your identity, personality and mentality). They may have been in close proximity with you but yet distant to you.
Yes Jesus preached, healed and worked great miracles but there was more to Him than these. He was the son…..not any kind, but the son of the living God!
It was only after the disciples’ discovery of who Jesus was that he began to explain to them that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
This implies then that there are temporarily concealed revelations predicated on our foreknowledge and understanding of God.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus became poor so you might become rich? Why his body was broken so yours and mine could be healed? Why he died and went to hell so you and I could live abundantly here on earth and eternally in heaven?
Paul said:
I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. Philippians 3:10-11
Friend, I don’t know where are with God but no matter how deep or shallow you are, if Paul could ask for more, you too can. I implore you to ask, seek and knock even as we remember the Lord’s crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection this weekend. Let the deep in you launch into the deep in him.
There is light at the other end, a fresh revelation and anointing is about to hit you; you’re about to receive a key that will unlock doors. God will show you great and mighty things that you have not known hitherto.
Remember, every discovery begins with an inquiry. Take a step today. Just ask!
I asked, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who was talking with me answered, “I will show you what they are.” Zechariah 1:9
by Jeanie | Mar 29, 2014 | Uncategorised
Do not weep! For the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has triumphed. Revelation 5:5
Challenges come in different forms and sizes mounting internal and external pressure on individuals. In fact It can get a bit too much after a while that one begins to bleed and weep. When it seemed the purposes of God yet to be revealed were sealed with seven seals and never to be uncovered, John broke down in tears.
How we all do. When it seems Boaz is not at the threshing floor and the clock is ticking or your loved one is lying helpless in hospital as the Doctor leaves with the words “there’s no hope”. Perhaps you have failed that exam a number of times you are beginning to wonder what your fate is or the house’s not being paid and a foreclosure is being served.
The elder told John not to weep because there was no reason for him to. The battle had been fought and the victory won by Jesus – who is also referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the root of David.
The tribe of Judah is a praising, warring and leading tribe.
Jacob prophesied:
The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants. Genesis 49:10a
After the death of Joshua, when the Israelites asked the LORD which tribe should go first to fight the Canaanites:
The LORD answered, “Judah, for I have given them victory over the land. Judges 1:2
Friend, you have been given the victory over that situation. Whatever your challenge or difficulty today, know that the end of that thing has been established. It is defeated! You have triumphed already and the ugly situation is evidence of it. To overcome you have to ‘come over’ some stuff. Jesus said:
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
So friend, do not fear rather take courage. Be of good cheer and let the peace of God rule in your heart. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD has won you today. You are an overcomer not a weakling so wipe those tears and get over that thing, Overcomer!
by Jeanie | Feb 14, 2014 | Uncategorised
Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners who had no use for him. Even if we were good, we really wouldn’t expect anyone to die for us, though, of course, that might be barely possible. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8
From the beginning of time
I knew you were the one
Whose heart I longed for
The one I love and adore
Gorgeous treat to live for
Precious enough to die for
My beau, My lover
I know you’ve been hurt before
That’s why I am here to restore
I hung on the cross I was most undeserving of
What more can I do to prove my love
I gave up my divinity
For an eternity with you
I think about you night and day
But you keep turning me away
I’ve got everything
But you mean the world to me
I want you child
Will you be mine?
Other Valentine Editions
Love at the Upper Room – You Showed Me
Beloved
Come and see the man!
Love conquers all…
His Love, My Salvation
Because He Loved Me
Endless Love
You qualify!
I Love You
by Jeanie | Jan 6, 2014 | Uncategorised
When Lamech was 182 years old, he became the father of a son. He named him Noah, saying, “This one will bring us comfort from our labor and from the painful toil of our hands because of the ground that the LORD has cursed.”
Genesis 5:28-29
I love how this text opens. It speaks about a ‘when’- a definite and designated time! Scripture says in the process of time, Lamech became!
Becoming requires that one undergoes some kind of change or development which over time enhances them until they assume a certain state or condition. Friend, this shows that it’s only a matter of time before you become. For Lamech, it was 182 years; I know you’ve waited a long while but in no time you will. I decree in the name of Jesus that that time 
has come – You will become… a testimony, CEO, husband, mum, an entrepreneur….whatever you desire in God’s will!
Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. Hebrews 4:1
Lamech did not just become, he also bore! I pray you go beyond attaining to achieving. This year, you not only will be reckoned by your title and status but many signs and wonders – FRUITS will be evident in your life. You will give birth to whatever you’ve been carrying. Glory, Halleluiah!
We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised.
Hebrews 4:3a
After you have become and bore, the next task is to name it! This is significant because in the Jewish culture, a name is not given impulsively, flippantly or fancifully based on a random combination of sounds. The name conveyed the nature and purpose of the thing named. It was the representation of their origin and character. Friend, there is a promise and story behind your breakthrough – that’s the name! So, what will it be?
Nations will see your righteousness and all kings, your glory. You will be called by a new name that the LORD’s mouth will announce.
Isaiah 62:2
For Lamech that was Noah! He had spent most of his life labouring and knew nothing but painful toiling the whole time. Many were his affliction and frustration – he lived under a curse until Noah’s birth. Noah was the result of his hard labour and the antidote to the agonizing pain he experienced. Noah signifies rest and comfort in the Hebrew.
“Comfort my people,” says our God. “Comfort them! Encourage the people of Jerusalem. Tell them they have suffered long enough and their sins are now forgiven. I have punished them in full for all their sins.” 10 For those who receive that rest which God promised will rest from their own work, just as God rested from his. 11 Let us, then, do our best to receive that rest, so that no one of us will fail as they did because of their lack of faith.
Isaiah 40: 1-2, Hebrews 4:10-11
Preceding every season of rest is a period of hard work, toil, and labour. You have come full circle, you have suffered long enough – been through the flood, the fire, through the wilderness of previous years and it’s time for you to enter into the rest and enjoy the comfort God almighty has for you. Most employees have vacations – a period of recuperation and cessation from work. There are employees who do not use this but that does not negate the fact that the employer has made it available.
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15
When one is at rest, they are free from all sorts of activity including work, strain or responsibility. Similarly, comfort is a physically relaxed state, without any pain or other unpleasant feelings. Comfort and rest are closely related and go hand in hand for comfort 
flows from rest and rest leads to comfort. Do you want to be delivered from your toil? Do you desire comfort for all the pain you have experienced? Do you want to be strengthened? Return! Jesus beckons:
Come to me, all who labor and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
At the birth of Noah, Lamech said “This one will bring us….” and so at the beginning of this year, I declare 2014 will bring you comfort and rest. You will not toil nor will you work in vain. As far as you are concerned, suffering and pain are things of the past. I prophesy your strength and deliverance.
This year you will become great. The sound of rejoicing will not depart from your lips because you will bear testimonies. You will announce your rest and comfort. It is well with you.
