by Jeanie | Nov 19, 2009 | Uncategorised
I was speaking at a service on Sunday afternoon and at one point, mentioned how God provided coverings for Adam and Eve. These are people who were once clothed in glory but as a result of their disobedience became naked and ashamed.
When one is naked, they’re unprotected, exposed, open and therefore more susceptible to danger; they can easily be infected and/or affected by anything and this can result in them being defenceless, powerless and ultimately a laughingstock.
And when Moses saw that the people [were] naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto [their] shame among their enemies: Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. Exodus 32:25-26
I want to you to understand that you are guaranteed power over the enemy and protection from his evil plans only when you leave the ways of this world and cling to God. You have to be on the Lord’s side. Amen? His weapons may form, but they won’t prosper.
The Scripture also records that Adam and Eve were ashamed. They must have been thinking about what they’d done and where it’d landed them. I could imagine them reminiscing on the grace they bountifully enjoyed, God’s favour upon their lives; their lost authority, their stripped special designer (superior to Joseph’s), and worse of all, facing eviction from their beautiful garden in the presence of the enemy, what a disgrace! But in his great mercy and love,
The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21
If they lived to this day, you’d hear them say:
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
You that live today, what do you say? You ought to be grateful that the Lord hasn’t stopped covering you.
He has sent me] to provide for all those who grieve in Zion, to give them crowns instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of [tears of] grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness. Isaiah 61:3a
You must learn to thank him for all those times he put a garment of praise on you to relieve you of the spirit of heaviness. I’m talking about those times you felt stripped of your strength, weighed down and ashamed. He covered you and he’s still covering you, here’s why:
They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, the Plantings of the LORD, so that he might display his glory. Isaiah 61:3b
God is not glorified when you’re naked and ashamed; come to him, come to Zion, come to the strong hold and be safe.
by Jeanie | Aug 28, 2009 | Uncategorised
Hello Friend,
I know it’s been such a long time but praise the Lord, I am back online! So, let’s get into the word. There is something about this time and season that we live in; I don’t fully understand it but I am asking God to give me an understanding like he gave the sons of Issachar. The bible says:
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:11
We are predestined according to God’s plan; this is what the scripture says. In life, for any objective, complex or simple to be successfully accomplished, a plan or a proposed course of action is usually required. In a standard plan, you’ll notice sections like:
- The objectives.
- The activities or tasks to be carried out in order to reach the objectives.
- The timeframe to accomplish the tasks.
- The task owner.
For example, after the fall of man, God had an objective to redeem man back to himself and to do that, the situation of Augustus ordering a census, Mary conceiving of the Holy ghost, Joseph wanting to put her away, Zacharias receiving a revelation, Elizabeth the old and barren conceiving, John the Baptist preaching, Jesus going to Calvary, had to occur. All these happened in appointed times, the ultimate task owner being Jesus.
But when the right time came, God sent his Son [into the world]. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of God’s laws. Galatians 4:4
God (task owner) has a plan for our lives, we know! We all often quote:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Can you see from this very text that there are specific things (Objectives) that God wants to accomplish in your life? He actually outlines them! Paul said, he works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
He works out everything and causes all things to work together for our good (Activities). All those times you ailed, cried, laughed, starved, lacked, gave, served, fasted, prayed; these are all activities in the plan and they’re being worked out. Regarding timeframes, here’s what Solomon had to say:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11
I want you to take a few moments to talk to God, praise him for the plans he has for you, thank him for every part of the plan including those you may not understand; he’s one task owner that delivers without fail; for he who has promised is faithful and he will do it. Halleluyah!
by Jeanie | Aug 1, 2009 | Uncategorised
There is a sound; it’s the sound of abundance of rain. You may say how can it rain when I see no cloud in the air? There is no sign. Be not like the Pharisees, don’t be plagued by unbelief, rise up in faith, and hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering; for He who promised is faithful. Did he not promise to give you rain in due season so that your land yields its increase, and the trees of the field their fruit?
There is a sound; it’s the sound of abundance of rain. The LORD is opening for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the works of your hands; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
There is a sound; it’s the sound of abundance of rain. Yes, it’s a heavy shower and not a light sprinkle. Get ready! Get ready!! Get ready!!! Open up your tanks. People of Zion, celebrate in honor of the LORD your God!
He is generous and has sent the autumn and spring rains in the proper seasons. Grain will cover your threshing places; jars will overflow with wine and olive oil. I, the LORD your God, will make up for the losses caused by those swarms and swarms of locusts I sent to attack you. My people, you will eat until you are satisfied. Then you will praise me for the wonderful things I have done. Never again will you be put to shame. My child, you will know that I stand at your side. I am the LORD your God, there are no other gods. Never again will you be put to shame.
So, keep praying though it seems as if the windows of heaven are shut, don’t give up! I know you’ve checked a few times and have seen nothing. Go back again! What do you see? A cloud as small as a man’s hand? Or the sky becoming black with clouds and wind? I am watching over my word to perform it, and it shall be done to you according to your faith.
by Jeanie | Jul 13, 2009 | Uncategorised
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3
What does it mean to be blessed? How does it feel to be withered? Why would Jesus call forward the man with a withered hand, in the midst of a crowd? What could this possibly mean? These are areas that we’ve looked at in the previous journal.
I had a B-grade in Agricultural Science – GCSE level, hence I know that amongst the few nutrients a plant needs not to wither, is sunlight and water; and if the plant be withered, exposure to sunlight and watering it, revives and causes it to begin to open up, stretch out, spread out, blossom and consequently bear fruit. No wonder the scripture tells us that a blessed man is like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing its fruits in season.
Positioning! This has got to do with where you’re at. You’ve got to be by the streams of water, the river of life. The man with the withered hand was at the temple where Jesus, the sun of righteousness and living water was. Friend, let me ask you, are you connected? Are you planted? Jesus said:
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2
When things become withered they begin to contract and dwindle rather than flourish and vegetate; instead of moving, they become stagnant. Jesus in his omniscience knows this and therefore commands this man to stretch forth his hand! In essence, he was saying: begin to extend, increase, prosper; I release you to skip about, you’re no longer limited, I am healing you, I am restoring order, I am blessing the works of your hands, stretch forth your hand!
The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree; He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12
Friend, it is not God’s will for you to have withered reputation, relationship, academics, career, business, family and finances. No! And so I command everything withered in your life to blossom, any area of your life that is closed, to open up, stretch forth, go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. Friend, you will prosper, increase and succeed in Jesus Name, Amen!
Related journal:
Blessed!
by Jeanie | Jun 18, 2009 | Uncategorised
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3
You’re blessed means that you are empowered to prosper. It means that you cannot wither, you cannot die rather you’re meant to develop frequently, and you’re expected to produce results consistently; the agricultural terminology is fruitful, the commercial is successful. Blessed!
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yes, let them say continually, let the LORD be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. Psalm 35:27
Mark gives us an account in the third chapter of his book. Here, Jesus walks into the temple and sees a man with a withered hand. The withered hand meant his hand was ill-shapen and he didn’t quite look cool, it meant that it was deformed, and as result he couldn’t work; which basically means, he had a disability and hence was an object of charity. Withered!
Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
Mark continues the story by telling us that Jesus asked the man to come forward ; and I can almost hear Jesus beckoning him. Come, come, come; you, yes! You, come forward! It’s no secret what I’m about to do in your life, I want people to see, I want them to hear , I want them to know that I am able to reform the deformed, I can bless the cursed, I can make your mess a message, I can cause the withered to flourish, that which is emaciated to be inflated, and the dead to come alive. Come forward! Come forward!! Come forward!!!
Friend, can you hear the word of the Lord to you today? Come! I am going to stop here today and God-willing continue next week. I believe that you have been encouraged, take hold of this word and war a good warfare with it.
Stay Blessed.
Related journal:
Blessed – Part 2
17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High,[d] brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. Genesis 14: 17-20
Last week, I opened with a word Jesus shared in John 16:33 and it says “while you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have overcome the world”. Friend, that’s the Word I heard for you; You will win! I pray it blesses your heart.
Genesis 14 tells the story of how Abraham then Abram, went to battle against 4 Mesopotamian kings in order to rescue his nephew Lot. Now my question to you is, how far would you go, to lay hold of what belongs to you? What price are you willing to pay so you could win? The Scripture says that when Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. Abraham went to the battle field prepared and then the Lord helped him. Let me say that again, Abraham went to the battle field prepared and then the Lord helped him. Many times we expect the help of the Lord without adequately preparing ourselves, without playing our part, we want to win without a fight, we want God to do the supernatural and don’t realize that it is on our natural that his super is going to come on. Hang with me , I am going somewhere with this.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11
These folks overcame, they won, and they did so by the blood of the Lamb (God’s part) and by the words they spoke, by the things they did, that’s how!
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
Now thanks be to God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the aroma of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14
You are more than a conqueror through Him and He always causes you to triumph in Christ. Are you grasping this, Friend? God is a Victor, He’s the Mighty Man in battle and will always win, He’s already made you a winner but just like every loving parent, He wants you to learn the art of winning and to do this, You must fight! Don’t try to run or shy away from the situation you’re in, stay put in the ring and fight! Play your part and God will help you win.
He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Psalm 18:34
Blessed be the LORD my strength which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. Psalm 144:1
The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him. Exodus 15:2
Esther fasted, prayed , put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, it was then that the king held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. Ruth positioned herself, got a job and a license. Moses lifted up his rod, stretched out his hand over the sea and it parted. Once again, let me ask you; how far would you go, to lay hold of what belongs to you? What price are you willing to pay so you could win?