Blessed!

by Jeanie | Jun 18, 2009 | Uncategorised

YOU WILL WIN!

by Jeanie | May 26, 2009 | Uncategorised

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?

Get Moving!

by Jeanie | May 9, 2009 | Uncategorised

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”

20 After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

14: 1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” 6 So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. 7 He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. 8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh King of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. 9 The Egyptians-all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops-pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.
Exodus 13: 17 – 14: 1-15 (NIV)

Times of hardness are inevitable. Jesus even told us in John 16: 33: While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have overcome the world. So you shouldn’t be surprised when things get tough, when instead of traveling through the Philistine country which is the quickest route, you find yourself going around by the desert way toward the Red Sea. You may say, but the scripture says, He will not suffer my foot to be moved so why am I still struggling? Why do I not yet have this or that? Why am I still praying same old prayer and fighting same old battles? Why, why, why, oh why?

Let me start by saying that there is always a shorter way of getting to your destination, we have an example in our study text. There are a thousand and one other means you can use to get your answer, or have your needs met, you have options, you have a choice but unless you are smarter than God, I suggest you follow His lead.

Exodus 13:17 says that God led the people through the wilderness way, the hard way, the dry path ,the wasteland, the secluded area; and at same time tells us the reason why. So can God sometimes, lead us through hard places and tough situations? The answer is yes! Talk about the steps of a righteous man being ordered by God. David said:

Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your rod and staff protect me. Psalms 23:4 (TEV)

So one thing is for sure, God is with you and He knows all about what you’re going through. There is a purpose for your storm. God in Exodus 14:3 explains the reason He led His people that way but the people did not know, read it! The Israelites didn’t know this, but God meant well and just like He predicted, Pharaoh thought the people were trapped and so he assembled his army in pursuit of them.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV)

The scripture tells us that the Lord told them to encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea and the people obeyed. Your obedience to God positions you to receive His best and rest; when you disobey, you disqualify yourself from this benefit. So you need to be attentive to God and be willing to follow his directives.

Don’t be deceived by the enemy into believing that you are trapped. Listen to me, you are not trapped, you’re not shut in, there’s a way out, God has made a way of escape for you, you’re just camping and it’s part of God plan! Can I encourage you to say that with me? A camp is where people live temporarily in tents or huts. Friend can you see that this struggle is only for a season and it won’t last forever? The problem is that most of us begin to feel comfy rather than uneasy during our camping seasons but the devil is a liar! Let me tell you friend, the camp ground is not the same as the promised land; just know that it’s temporal not permanent and anytime from now, you could get moving!

As Pharaoh and his army approached, the scripture tells us that the people began to panic and they cried to the Lord for help. Don’t we often do that? You get a mail in the post that your creditor is taking you to court and you begin to blow in tongues ‘shanda – shandai’. The people cried but Moses prophesied. He said don’t be afraid, sounds like David, doesn’t he? He goes on to say, stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; the man of war Himself, the Lord Strong and Mighty in battle will fight for you, you just need to be still.

After this uplifting word from the man of God, God told him to tell the people to get moving! Your camping season is over, it’s time to get moving! You have dwelt between this hill and sea for so long, get up, pack up, get moving! I’m making a path for you in the river, get moving! I’ve set before you an open door that no man can shut, get moving! Friend, this is the word of the Lord for you today, what are you going to do?

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

Keep your hands up!

by Jeanie | Apr 30, 2009 | Uncategorised

Hello Friend,

Once again, I feel privileged to be able to share the word of God with you. I believe your trust in Jesus is paying off. Today, I want to encourage you to keep your hands up. Have a good read.

8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

14 After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). Exodus 17:8-15 (NLT)

Here we have an account of the people of God arriving at a place called Rephidim. This word in the Hebrew means ‘rests’ or ‘stays’ or ‘resting places’. Isn’t it amazing how the enemy can start a fight with you in the very place that you are supposed to relax – in your marriage, finances, children, career, academics, business? Rephidim! The scripture records that they had been travelling; so they were tired, thirsty and probably hungry although scripture does not record this, but when they got to a place of rest, the enemy decided to attack them. What do you do when an enemy attacks? Fight back!

So Moses their leader ordered Joshua to get some men ready for battle while he goes up to the hill with the rod of the Lord in his hand. You know the story, it happened that whenever the Moses’ hands were up, Israel won, but whenever he started to lower them, they lost. Finally Moses was so tired that Aaron and Hur got a stone for him to sit on; they also stood by him, one on each side, to support his arms. Do you notice that though Moses had changed his position to sitting on a stone, he did not change his posture, his hands were still raised?

I believe the lifting of the hands signifies prayer as well as praise. He lifted the rod of the Lord, he involved God in the battle, just as you and I would talk to God about our situations. He lifted the rod of the Lord, but why?

The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. Ps 24:8b (NIV)

The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Exodus 15:3 (NKJV)

May my prayer be counted as incense before Thee; the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering. Ps 141:2 (NAS)

So Moses prayed to God and praised him in advance for their victory. Friend, God hears your prayers and he also dwells in every place where his praises are offered. I know sometimes you can be weary and begin to wonder whether God is really listening or why your prayer isn’t working. Don’t be discouraged, Moses got weary but for the Israelites to have the victory, his hands had to stay up.

When the war was over, verse 15 records that Moses built an altar, but where? I think same place; Rephidim, that same place where they were supposed to relax, there the Lord gave them victory and there they declared it. Friend, your victory is sure only when you keep your hands raised, so keep on praying and keep on praising. You soon will build an altar, you will have a testimony!

Thank you for reading.

YOU ARE ABLE – PART 3

by Jeanie | Mar 4, 2009 | Uncategorised

Dear Friend,

We have in the past weeks looked at the life of David and Caleb. These are men who did not allow people’s perception deter them from accomplishing great things. They were able men who achieved their aims and they did so by first speaking it. Let’s delve deeper, shall we?

In the book of 1 Samuel 17, there is an account of the Israelites’ encounter with a philistine The whole of Israel saw Goliath as a giant but David saw him as an uncircumcised philistine who he could defeat; He (David) being a covenant child of God and Goliath, not. He told the giant that he would cut off his head and feed it to the birds of the air and did just that. So, what do you do to your defeated enemy?  Cut off his head! Friend, you are able; if you say or name it, it won’t be long before you claim it.

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 11:24

In Numbers 13, 10 men saw the promised land as fortified and large, a land which devours those living in it and the people who lived there, powerful but Caleb saw it and said “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it ” Did he possess the land? Of course he did! So, what do you do after you’ve conquered your land of promise? Name it Hebron! If you confess or profess it long enough, you will possess it.

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27

You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. Numbers 33:53

How do you see your current situation? What makes you think that you are incapable of overcoming? You are able, all you need to do is challenge the giant. David killed Goliath, jumped on him and took off his head; Caleb took the hill country and named it Hebron, what will you?

Hebron in the Hebrew means association, in other words fellowship. It was this same place that David was crowned king. Friend, I don’t know what has raised its long neck to break up your relationship with God, I really don’t know that thing which by inference is mocking God but I want you to know they’ll be destroyed, those giants occupying your land of promise will be dislodged. You will not move farther from God.  You’ll only come closer. You will win for you are able.

David conquered Goliath, took his head and brought it to Jerusalem, Caleb got his inheritance and the land had rest from war. Today, as you step out in faith to possess your possession, I declare that you will have rest, you will struggle no more, you will no longer be intimidated but you will claim what you’ve named and indeed possess the things you’ve confessed. Halleluiah!

More in this series:

You are able 1
You are able 2

Because He Loved Me – Valentine’s Day Edition

by Jeanie | Feb 14, 2009 | Uncategorised

One of my favourite songs is “Because you Loved me” by Celine Dion. I love the tune but more importantly, the lyrics. She starts off by enumerating the things her lover has done for her and finishes off with the line “I am everything I am because you loved me”.

John 3:16 reveals to us the greatest gift God gave us in that he sent his son to die for our sins.

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

So, we can conclude from these verses that love commands giving; cheerful giving, sacrificial giving, substantial giving.

As couples all over the world celebrate their love for one another today, you’ll probably notice them exchanging gifts or showing their appreciation; some, with remarks such as – I love you honey and I want to thank you for everything that you’ve been and done for me, for believing in me, standing by me, helping me, etc. These are ways of them saying, I am everything I am because you loved me.

Have you heard the saying “Giving is the other side of receiving”? Well, here’s how I like to think of it. We inhale to exhale and exhale to inhale. Try taking in as much air as possible without releasing any, how do you feel now? Selah!

John, the writer said: We love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Love is reciprocal. When you give it, you in turn will receive it. Friend, whatever your position is or has been, whether you’re on the giving or receiving side; today, you have an opportunity to balance the equation.

Paul in writing to the Galatians said :

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.(Galatians 6:7)

So, I want to encourage you today to sow carefully and purposefully; don’t just cast your seeds anywhere or anyhow. Sow into good soil, sow a quality seed and I promise, you will reap a mega harvest of LOVE.

GOD BLESS

Other Valentine Editions
Love at the Upper Room – You Showed Me
Beloved
Come and see the man!
Love conquers all…
Will you be mine?
His Love, My Salvation
Endless Love
You qualify!
I Love You