How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so? But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Matthew 26: 54, 56a
Have you ever been through hard times wherein you asked the classic ‘why me’ question? Well, I have and got the usual response – if not you, who then?
The events leading up to the scene above include the chief priests and the elders’ plotting against Jesus, his anointing at Bethany with the expensive perfume, Judas’ agreement to betray him, the last supper, his prediction that Peter would betray him, the Gethsemane saga which culminated in his arrest. I don’t know about you, but the mere thought that I had all this coming is enough to get me negotiating a ‘cross-xit’ with the Father and Holy Spirit. But Jesus didn’t, instead, he persevered so that scriptures and prophecies concerning him might be fulfilled.
When a zealous disciple tried to interfere with the process by drawing a sword, Jesus mentioned one of the many exit strategies he could have deployed- Legions, and then made the best purpose and impact statement I have ever heard. He said: “But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”
…and then followed with:
“But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.”
At which point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. Look after yourself, Jesus! Sounds like the tribes who bellowed ‘to your tents oh Israel’ as they left Rehoboam.
Those who’ve left you are not as important as HE who’s with you always. You might be tempted to throw in the towel, look back or quit, please don’t. I strongly believe your salvation is nearer now than when you first believed. It won’t be long till you see or take hold of that which you were promised. The furnace might be heated seven times more than usual but that’s only because the fourth man’s about to show himself strong and mighty on your behalf. Be encouraged #dontgiveup#fulfilmentcomes#itshallcometopass#hollaapraise
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36
When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it onHis head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Matthew 27:29
Even in the midst of jest and mockery, the roman soldiers did not know they were fulfilling the prophecy – every knee shall bow.
I have no idea what or who may be taunting you right now but be assured it’s working together for your good. The twisted crown may have been for play and unintended but it’s shifted. Be it sickness, childlessness, unemployment, lack, – whatsoever may be challenging the promises of God to you, bows in the name of Jesus. I command all pseudo or mocking reverences to become authentic in Jesus’ name.
Background Music – You Showed Me -Karen Clark-Sheard
So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:4-5
If you knew you had only one night with your partner before they’d be gone for a long while, what would you do? Selah! Jesus did something spectacular and memorable in deciding to feet – wash his disciples. It was a small intimate last supper event by invitation only, where he put his love on display by what may have seemed insignificant in an exclusive venue.
The upper room in Jerusalem also known as the Cenacle is an elevated and private area reserved for special use. Jesus would later return here to show himself after resurrection and descend by his spirit to touch each of the 120 congregants with cloven tongues of fire. Legendary!
I can almost liken this place to Isaac’s tent or Solomon’s chamber– no doubt each of the attendees had a testimony. The former‘s is unrecorded but the latter’s is journaled:
You led me to your banquet room and showered me with love. Song of Songs 2:4
Pondering on the phrase ‘you led me’ alone, has me speaking mysteries not to mention the encounter. Can you imagine being showered with or drenched in love? Church, at this point I’m down and out. Send some ushers, please 🙂
You led me…. and lead them he did. Jesus rendezvoused with the disciples in this unique, privy, and peaceful space – away from the norm, noise, & distractions. No boating, mountain-climbing, ‘wildernessing’, praying or fasting but feasting and TLC. Just he and they in this serene place which had an ambience of love. Brother knew how to spice things up, can I get a witness? Talk about A-game! Oh to be led. Pray with me, somebody! Have you noticed Jesus was intentional about the where – The place? A dear friend of mine would always say ‘location matters’ and I agree.
The second thing Jesus was deliberate about was the what – gesture or gift. He could have done a million and one things for them but then chose to shower them with love by washing their feet. Please note this was not done haphazardly because scripture details a process:
He got up from the meal: He probably finished before them in readiness for his act of service. He did not recline as most leaders or brothers would. He got up and got on with the programme. He showed how it should be done.
He took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist: This is a picture of the future in that he would be stripped of his seamless garment signifying glory and favour. This also connotes openness and intimacy. He showed them!
He poured water into a basin and began to wash and dry their feet: To an onlooker, it would probably mean nothing but for them to have the son of God wash their feet was an unmerited privilege. This was him showing mercy and compassion to those he chose (Romans 9:15). Because among the ‘washees’ was at least one sword-swinger, betrayer, denier, and recidivist. Jesus foreknew but still stripped, stooped, washed and dried. Talk about sacrificial and unconditional love, He showed it!
As you go through the festivities and motions of the day with your significant or insignificant other, be deliberate and selective. Love selflessly and unreservedly. Make every moment spectacular and memorable.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35
But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons. Gal 4:4-5
There are things that will not occur in life until the time is due. There are timetables, schedules, intervals, appointments and agendas that motion events which unfold. Take for instance conception, gestation, birth, puberty, graduation, wedding, anniversary, death, etc. Time is a regulator.
The above passage reveals:
There is a right time for everything
God is the ultimate decision-maker and strategist
He is intentional – every gift serves a purpose (e.g redemption, adoption, etc)
There are no coincidences in the spirit or natural realm; time passes, sometimes rapidly and other times gradually.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Eccl 3:1
Although God is everlasting and exists out of time, the entirety of his creation is governed by time. It is through the concept of time we recognize moments, opportunities, rhythms, and metrics. The awareness of time drives activities, events, and life.
Not many would agree, however, Jesus is God’s greatest and best gift to humanity hence the reason a considerable amount of time is carved out to commemorate and celebrate his birth in the Christian community. The most amazing thing is that The Gift came in the process of time – the fullness of time – the right time. Not a second early or late –Just in time! Friend herein is your assurance that everything God has promised you will come to pass; it’s just a matter of time.
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. Eccl 3:11
I have no clue what you may be delinquent in but God is all-knowing and has made the necessary provision through his son. As we approach the end of the year, many people are disappointed, in despair and anxious but your hopes will not be deferred neither will your expectations be cut short.
My prayer is that in the in last few days of 2018, God will meet you at the point of your need. Whatever must be suspended or accelerated for your miracle to ensue, be it the sun standing still or you outrunning chariots, let it happen! I decree alignment in every area of your life. May heaven and earth collude in your favour. Let there be breakthroughs!
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
Background Music – Madelyn Berry – Surrounded/No Weapon
One of the lessons I have learned from the bible and experience is that life happens and it involves battles, problems, and trials. Jesus emphasized and personalized it when he said: In this world, YOU will have troubles! You’ve either escaped, going through, coming out, or about to face one. Of course, there are triumphs else life would be unbalanced. That’s the good news Jesus concluded with– I have overcome the world (the breeding ground of troubles). This means you too are an overcomer and have what it takes to overcome the trigger or source of your challenges!
Let me share about a challenge I overcame some years ago. I became homeless due to sheer lack of responsibility – one affliction that will not arise a second time! This is the period my mind was opened to understand the Scripture:
… “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Luke 9:58
Nowhere My ‘Nowhere’ season involved quite a bit of wandering and meandering, and I quickly realized how much I took God’s provisions for granted. I have since learned to be thankful for a roof over my head and the most basic of utilities, like hot water.
During this time, I mastered different unspoken rules and expectations, learned to tread carefully, and honed the art of tiptoeing; besides, I did not feel comfortable inconveniencing people and invading their privacy, so that meant I had:
Restricted movement: I couldn’t go and come as I pleased, being a lodger.
Regulated timetable: I had to engage in my hosts’ or other activities until they were home or ready to call it a day.
Rationed servings: This meant no ‘Oliver Twist’ no matter how much I craved even when I was told to ‘be at home’.
Reversed allocation: Beggars can’t be choosers so I was grateful for any available place, floor, living room, and shared bed-space or taking turns to use the kitchen or bathroom facilities.
Roamer syndrome: The London buses were my part-time home particularly N87 to Kingston and N9 to Heathrow – long distance journeys that would ensure I had a considerable nap before alighting. No doubt I had a mark of protection.
Onward to Canaan Eventually, I overstayed my welcome at a place and had to move on – this is ok because the wilderness was not meant to be a dwelling place. I lost some personal belongings in the process – items I left with friends and neighbours for safe-keeping that were never returned. The most painful being my keyboard and its stand, and a TV with in-built VHS – you can imagine how long ago this was!
I think it is useful to mention I couldn’t have gone through this process without the support of my family, friends, and church brethren, but ultimately there is no place like home. I also learned there is a huge difference between anywhere, everywhere and somewhere – a little semantics but I am sure you understand.
For a while, I couldn’t live down the stigma and embarrassment of being a statistic- unemployed homeless female young-adult. That’s unheard of considering my pedigree and background – my Dad wasn’t very pleased on hearing about my living condition but thank God love prevailed. Living off a suitcase was not easy and the frequent trips to the storage unit overtime got tedious. I suddenly became restless and began a quest to lay aside every weight and break off all yoke starting with ‘The Queen’s Payroll’ also known as The Dole or Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).
Stuck and surrounded I mentioned weight and yoke because I felt submerged, stuck, and surrounded like that protégé who woke up one morning only to find out his city was besieged by armies. Have you ever felt confined, trapped, or hemmed in? It’s worth noting that the encircling didn’t happen instantly.
But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. Matthew 13:25
Maybe you have been issued a bad medical report or you are trying for a baby. Confined! Perhaps you are looking for a job or have just become bankrupt and the bailiffs are after whatever assets remain. Trapped!! You probably have waited extensively for your immigration issues to be resolved. Hemmed in!!! Could it be you’re saddened at the loss of a loved one, a break-up or discouraged that you’re seemingly the only one left in the threshing floor with no ‘redeemer’ or ‘maiden’ in view– whichever applies? I heard a word:
… None will lack a mate. Isaiah 34:16
This is a good place to #hollaapraise! You will not lack anything, period! Elisha’s servant lacked the right perspective about the chain of events and that’s the reason he was afraid. Fear and anxiety are common symptoms experienced by people who are overwhelmed and usually develops into full-blown depression when neglected.
The servants in the Parable of the Weeds identified the weeds as an abnormality so did Elisha’s servant the unusual activity in his territory. It is crucial you highlight your pain point. Concerning Rebekah, it is written:
She was going to have twins, and before they were born, they struggled against each other in her womb. She said, “Why should something like this happen to me?” So she went to ask the LORD for an answer. Genesis 25:22
Last week we looked at 3 lessons from David around:
– Engaging the right people, principles, and processes
– Shifting positions and gaining new perspectives – do or see something different.
– Creating or finding a place of rest – your hideaway (rock), primarily God for believers
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young– a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King, and my God.
Psalm 84:3
Today, I will share 3 things I do when overwhelmed and surrounded – this is how I fight my battle:
1. Praise: Praise is eulogizing and serenading God. This is often followed by worship which is profound love and admiration founded on the worshipper’s reverence for God. God is neither schizophrenic nor egomaniac who needs people to keep reminding him of his worth. Far from it, He is self-existing and none of our praises can change him, rather it works to our advantage. Praise is beautiful, invokes God and rouses him to action.
But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3
If you would like God to show up in your space, praise him
Read the Psalms and other portions of Scripture that describe His worth and might .e.g. Psalm 136.
Sing or make melody (both in understanding and the language of the Spirit).
Confess the scriptures.
Play uplifting gospel music.
Attend corporate worship services or Christian events.
2. Pray: Prayer is a dialogue with God. I often think of it as a child performing recitals of learned vocabulary to parents; like a student who reproduces taught materials during an examination; like a lawyer who comes before a judge with pieces of evidence to support their case. Prayer is making requests in line with God’s will and is more relational than transactional.
Call on me in prayer and I will answer you. I will show you great and mysterious things which you still do not know about.’ Jeremiah 33:3
The answers to the questions and mysteries in your life is a call away, call on God in prayer!
Read, study or wait on God for a word (can include relevant books or teaching messages) – that’s the weapon you wield.
Play instrumental worship music in the background to create an atmosphere.
Pray in the Spirit and understanding.
Use sound prayer materials e.g. prints or audio
Attend prayer meetings or connect with prayer warriors (intercessors).
3. Prophesy: Prophecy is God’s divine will for mankind and is usually futuristic hence differ from the word of knowledge which has to do with ongoing incidents in a person’s life. To prophesy is to foresee and foretell God’s mind on a matter. Throughout history, God has ordained and used spokesmen and mouthpieces known as prophets to declare special messages to people. However, sons and daughters can prophesy to a degree.
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. Ezekiel 37:7
Your next shift or miracle is in your mouth, open it and prophesy!
Set the atmosphere with uplifting worship music such as the one playing in the background.
Praise and pray in the Spirit and understanding.
Listen out for the voice of the Spirit and echo what He is saying.
Declare relevant scripture promises in faith e.g. Isaiah 54:17. God’s will is his word.
Connect with sound and tested or budding prophets
Friend, It may look like you are surrounded by your enemies whereas it is God hovering over and covering you.
Praise him advance for your victory.
Pray for wisdom and grace to navigate the challenging times – it’s a season that’ll pass.
Prophesy breath into the seemingly dead or dire situations and watch out for the noise, shaking, and assembling of the disjointed areas of your life.
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How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so? But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Matthew 26: 54, 56a
When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it onHis head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Matthew 27:29
The upper room in Jerusalem also known as the Cenacle is an elevated and private area reserved for special use. Jesus would later return here to show himself after resurrection and descend by his spirit to touch each of the 120 congregants with cloven tongues of fire. Legendary!
Talk about sacrificial and unconditional love, He showed it!
Not many would agree, however, Jesus is God’s greatest and best gift to humanity hence the reason a considerable amount of time is carved out to commemorate and celebrate his birth in the Christian community. The most amazing thing is that The Gift came in the process of time – the fullness of time – the right time. Not a second early or late –Just in time! Friend herein is your assurance that everything God has promised you will come to pass; it’s just a matter of time.
My prayer is that in the in last few days of 2018, God will meet you at the point of your need. Whatever must be suspended or accelerated for your miracle to ensue, be it the sun standing still or you outrunning chariots, let it happen! I decree alignment in every area of your life. May heaven and earth collude in your favour. Let there be breakthroughs!:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/boxer-in-boxing-ring-92148958-59e11fec03f40200105f4015.jpg)
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young– a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King, and my God.