KEY SCRIPTURE: 2Timothy 4:7,8. KJV I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

God uses the man who is heavenly.  Apostle Paul describes his Christian experience as a good fight, which he successfully executed. He did all this because of the crown of righteousness that awaits all those who will endure to the end. Apostle Paul had a level of persecution which is not common to most servants of God, yet he endured to the end. I personally believe that he died after he was stoned in Lystra, but was raised back to life after the brethren had stood around him in intercession. (Acts 14:19–20) Apostle Paul was not taken aback because of the terrible ordeal, but carried on the work of evangelizing other towns and cities. He was consumed with the crown to be obtained at the end of his journey

 HOPE for the glory hereafter is the helmet that protects our head to stay on course, even when very adverse conditions rises against us .1Thess 5:8 KJV “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. The scripture in 1 John 3:2, says when the Lord appears, we would be like Him. He added, the following statement to the verse ” And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3) .The  Bible also describes the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 as a people who were not mindful of the earthly countries in which they were, but they sought for a heavenly home which was not made out of human hands. They were simply heavenly minded.

 To maintain your spiritual momentum, you have to keep the glory and heaven’s crown on your mind.

This is very vital to make you cooperate with the Spirit of God in this journey called the Christian life. Some are making very little impact because they have unfortunately been consumed by the cares of this world. (Mark 4:19) Do not become a reproach to the course of Christ. The following is how the Bible describes such people. “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. (Phil 3:19). If you must be effective in God’s hands, then you’ve got to be heavenly minded as well. Note: as much as you are heavenly minded, you must also be earthly useful as well.

CONFESSION

The Lord promised to go and come back for us. I am living and serving Christ so that at the end of the day, I will receive a glorious welcome into heaven as well as to obtain my crown of righteousness.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mark 4:19 KJV “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” 1 John 3:2 KJV Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:20 KJV” According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death”.

“IF Apostle Paul is to come around these days, he would say to most modern preachers that he does not understand what they are saying or preaching” Bishop Dag Heward Mills. Many of the preachers these days have a concept of success that is very different from what the apostle taught and exemplified. Many in our time equate success to having a ministry where one has broken through. Breaking through means, one has a large church with very good finances. I do not in any way speak against a large church. That is the will of the Lord Jesus for his body. This is shown in the parable of the mustard seed (Matt 13:30,31) What is success in the concept of God? To God success is living to please Him. (Job 1:8)

Apostle Paul states it so clearly in our key scripture. Philippians 1:20 KJV “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” .He says his life goal is to magnify Jesus in his body, whether it be by life or by death. These are the people who go very far with God, making a great impact in the lives of many. We were created to give God pleasure. Life is all about pleasing God (Rev. 4:11). The results of blessings and promotions are all God’s acts and choices. Indeed, He is a just God who would surely bless them that please Him. Just consider what he says about those who please him. Psalms 128:1, 2 “. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

God would always bless and honour those who honour Him, yet our number one duty and God’s expectation of us is to live to please Him. This is what God calls a successful man. God did not refer to Job’s riches, but He talked about how He pleased him (Job 1:8) There are so many Christians who have been overtaken with the “craze” to make it, and so get themselves involved in all kinds of evil acts. Some steal, cheat and some Pastor’s even stage manage miracles. God gets along very well with those who have embraced His concept of success. If God is pleased with you, then you are a big success.

CONFESSION

I have found the answer to a great and fulfilled life. I live to please Him in all I do. God is good and faithful, and He has blessed me in every way.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 3:17 KJV. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Job 1:8 KJV And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

The word of God are the thoughts of God expressed in a written form. It is God’s means of revealing Himself to us. John 1:1. The word is God Himself. The word in you is God in you. Everyone who would be very effective in God’s hands, must be filled with the word. Col 3:16 KJV” Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”. Your degree of impact and influence would be according to how much of His word is in you, as well as how much of it you are ready to rely on, and apply to your life situations.

The word of God is our light and lamp (Psalm 119:105) The word is our sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17). The word is fire and hammer(Jeremiah 23:29) The word is living and powerful(Heb 4:12)The word is the seed of God, giving birth to every expectation in life(Mark 4:15)  The word is the truth to challenge and combat the lies of the devil(John 17:17).The word is everything  the Saint of God needs for a victorious life. It must be studied, memorized, believed, practiced and preached to humanity. Every vessel of God who must be powerfully used by Him, should be totally given to the word of God. Show me a man who has the word in his heart, believes it, talks about it practices it, and I will show you a man Satan dreads than any thing

The Lord Jesus conquered in his ministry because he used the word of God against the enemy in all of his encounters with him. God does nothing outside His word. When one is able to rightly divide the word of truth, then is he or she approving himself or herself unto God. (2nd Timothy 2:15). One must know the whole counsel of scripture to be very effective in God’s service.  There is the need for one to discipline himself or herself to read, study, memorize, meditate and apply the scriptures to his daily life. If you do the above, then You would be filled with the word and would be ready to successfully do whatever task is given to you.

CONFESSION

I am apt to teach. I have filled my heart with the word of God. My life is a revelation of the ways of God. I am a practitioner of the word. I am therefore a winner in life.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ezra 7:10 KJV” For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments”.

Acts 20:32 KJV “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Mark 2:22 KJV “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles”.

The Lord is saying in our key scripture that God would not use the man who refuses to change from his old ways. Our former life experiences exposed us to a lot of ways which are the path of the prince of the power of the air. That is what we used to be influenced by (Ephesians 2:2) When we come into Christ, we must know we have entered a new world with a new Lord and new rules. We can’t live in this place with the old ways. Romans 12:2, says ” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. conformity to worldly standards makes it very impossible for God to work with you.

HOW can God use a man who refuses to forgive? What about the preacher who has extra marital relationship with another woman? The man who mounts the platform, only to exaggerate and say things that he never knows or experienced, cannot be a candidate of the spirit. He must repent from such a thing; then would the Holy Ghost be ready to cooperate with him. Some workers don’t pray, do not study the scriptures, do not read any material to improve on themselves, yet they come to preach, usher, or lead worship. Such a person cannot operate under a new anointing (new wine, or fresh oil). Consider what the Spirit says about those who repent from their old ways. Psalms 92:10 KJV “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil”.

Please note, engine of cars that the engine oil is not changed will soon wear out and start smoking. The Lord said, new wine, or fresh oil would only be poured into new wine skins. New wine skins are renewed hearts, vessels that have spent some time fasting and praying. Those who wait upon the Lord (in fastings, trusting and obedience) shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. God constantly seeks new wine skins, or changed hearts to fill them with a fresh anointing. The moment the Lord allowed John to baptize Him, fulfilling all righteousness, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove (Matt 3:15&16)

CONFESSION

My mind is constantly renewed as I look into the perfect law of liberty. My life takes on an upward course as the Holy Spirit fills me afresh. I am empowered to excel in all I do.

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 40:31 KJV “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” .

Matthew 3:15&16 KJV” And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him”:

KEY SCRIPTURE-Mark 2:22 KJV. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

The above verse simply means no man will be ready to invest in a man who will not change from his old ways to accept new ways that are introduced to him. In exodus 17:6, when the children of Israel needed water the Lord asked Moses to hit the rock and water would gush out abundantly for them. He did so and there was water. In numbers 20:8, the Lord instructed him to speak to the rock and the water would come. Moses did not speak to the rock but rather smote the rock twice. Water came yet that angered the Lord. This is what the Lord said. Numbers 20:12 KJV And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

HE said Moses did not sanctify Him by not changing from his old ways. God did not allow him to go to the promised Land. Why did the water flowed out of the rock? The water came not because of Moses but because of the people who were crying for water. God works with those who are ready to change to accept his ways. This statement goes to Pastors who do sinful things yet see miracles happening in their ministry. In such times God works not as a way of approving that man of God but for the sake of the children of God who needs that blessing.

When evangelist Benny Hinn recovered from a heart condition that nearly took his life he said, he went to heaven, but at the gate the Lord refused him entry into heaven. Why did this happen? He said prior to that time he had grown very cold towards the Lord. He had no fellowship with the Lord. He had lost the new wine. He had become an old wine skin. When he went to heaven he was denied, yet the Lord gave him a second chance to come to the earth and make amends.

Like Moses God was working miracles with him. (Miracles are never a proof of God’s approval of one’s life) Make sure you are spiritually fresh all the time so fresh wine would be poured into you. Many servants of God are carrying old wine skins, that is, they are not fellowshipping with the Lord to keep their wine skins new for new wines. They do not worship, study the word or spend time in interceding for the lost and the body of Christ as a whole. Some are bitter about certain individuals or about God Himself. The fact that miracles happen in your ministry, does not mean God is working with you. Let’s all be careful

CONFESSION

I always maintain my fellowship with the Spirit. I am ever refreshed therefore God always fills me with new wine. Like the five wise virgins I am ever ready for the master. Thank you, Lord for the Holy Spirit.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 25:6, – 13 KJV” And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not”. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: James 5:16 KJV” Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.

The amplified Bible put the second part of this verse this way, the effectual (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man, makes tremendous power available, (dynamic in its working). Any child of God who will obey this scripture and seek the face of the Lord in prayer would definitely encounter the power of God to bless humanity in various ways. God is no respecter of men. Acts 10:34 KJV” Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”

I will give an example of my experience in encountering God’s power to bring transformation and salvation to others. I am an alumnus of St Augustine’s College Cape Coast. After I wrote my o’ level examination 1982, and on waiting for my results, I used most of my time waiting on God in prayer and fasting at home. These times of prayer stirred in me a desire to see God’s power that would affect any group of people I encountered. I came to school for the lower six level with a lot of desire to see the fellowship in the school, that is the scripture union transformed. I began fasting and praying right away, when we came to school. My prayer schedule was that, when it was dinning time, I would go to the school chapel, lie on the pew and groan in prayer for God’s visitation and revival in the fellowship. I prayed with a great burden on my heart. There were occasions that I would feel the pains in my heart as I prayed.

 After dinning, I joined my colleagues for classes or for siesta in the afternoon. In the evening I would get to the meeting place and pray through till the rest join from supper. I always broke my fast after fellowship had ended before I will go to prep. There were only a few days that I did not fast. I was the scripture union president anyway.

After some time in the third term God had begun stirring the hearts of some of the juniors who also started fasting and praying. We used to meet in the lecture hall or the TV room, which was quite a sizeable hall. Our meetings began to be filled to capacity. There were certain days that it was so parked that, there was an overflow. The Holy Spirit worked among some of the brethren to reveal events in the life of some masters who also came to our meetings. Indeed, God is no respecter of persons, anyone who would avail himself, would be a candidate for the move of the Spirit.

PRAYER

I pray, Oh God that you stir in the hearts of your children a desire to see the move of your spirit in our lives as well as making an impact in this life. Raise men and women who would dedicate their lives to be used by the Spirit in their various areas of life endeavors.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV” For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore, from henceforth thou shalt have wars”.

Daniel 6:10 KJV “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did afore time”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:1 KJV “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

The Lord taught that, men ought always to pray and not to faint. He exemplified it in His life time. The Lord showed the great importance of prayer in His life so much that, His disciples, did not ask Him to teach them how to preach or work miracles, rather they asked Him to teach them to pray. Luke 11:1 KJV” And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” In certain instances, the Lord did not go to sleep after a hectic day’s work, but went into prayer, and prayed throughout the night. (Luke 6:12)

Nobody can be very effective in God’s hands, if he does not spend time in prayer. I wish to address a growing error among some children of God, and even some ministers of God. They seek the face of God in prayer only because of what they wish to get, not as a way of expressing their love and devotion to Him. Please note this: love for God should be the motivation for whatever we do for God or in the name of God. We must be drawn into prayer as a demonstration of our love for the father. This is what the father desires. Prayer in its highest form is worship. It is a deep love for God that makes prayer worship. The father seeks for it (John 4:24). Prayer becomes a struggle for many because men, do it primarily as a means to get what they want not as love and devotion to God. Prayer is a fellowship between the father and His children. Love prayer, because it is a place of deep fellowship and intercourse, producing great results out of this union.

After understanding the real motivation for prayer every servant of God who wishes to be effective must know how to pray effectively. He must know the various forms of prayer. Eph 6:18 KJV “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Intercession for others is one of the most important prayer, that the servant of God, must employ. God always wants to be involved in the affairs of men. He wants to bless men with peace, right living and prosperity. He cannot do it until men invite Him through prayer. When we consistently make intercessions, He visits men with His power and lives are always blessed.

CONFESSION

I pray because it unites me to the Lord. In prayer I share in His strength. He instructs me by His Spirit as I pray. My life is lifted and I see miracles and various answers to my request.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mark 1:35 KJV “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed”.

Hebrews 5:7 KJV “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:10 KJV “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”.

Everyone who will be used mightily by the Lord must seek to save men who are lost.  This was the commitment of the master. He consummated His mission on the earth by offering His life on the old rugged cross to save all mankind. The Lord was totally given to saving the lost. Just consider His thoughts about the lost in the following verse. Luke 15:4 KJV “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” The Lord says not a single soul should be lost.

Every man who would be effective in God’s hands must contend for the souls of men. You must not lose any opportunity to save the lost. You should never preach to an audience without making an altar call. The man God uses must be so passionate about winning the lost such that, he is ready to make every sacrifice for them. The lost are also won through travailing and prevailing in prayer. Saving souls is a form of giving birth spiritually to children. Isa 66:8 KJV “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children”. No mother delivering a baby does so without travailing, except those who do so through a surgical operation.

There is no travailing without pain. The man who is ready to be used by the Lord would instinctively go into intercession and travailing for the lost. You must not be lazy about contending for the souls of men. The Bible speaks to us about Epaphras who travailed for the brethren. Col 4:12 KJV “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. The word used laboring in prayers also means to fight. It is from the Greek word ‘agonazomai’. You should be ready to fight to get men free from the god of this world, who has held them in bondage

CONFESSION

AS Jesus said, my meat is to do the will of God and to finish it. I contend aggressively for the souls of men. God works in their hearts saving them from the tricks of the devil.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 4:34 KJV Jesus saith unto them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 9:4 KJV “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:26 KJV” If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

Every employer lays down his contract of employment to the successful applicant. The terms of reference are clearly spelt out in this contract. Any employee who fails to meet these terms is fired. The Lord Jesus stated his terms for engaging His disciples. He said, if any man would come after me, and does not hate, father, mother, brothers, sisters, children and even his own life he can’t be his disciple. The word ‘hate’ means ‘to love less.’ The Lord says anyone who would be qualified to be used by him must choose Him (the Lord) first. You must always consider the interest of Christ and the gospel first. Your money is first for the course of the gospel, before your personal considerations.

Now let’s consider the use of our time. Your time is first unto the Lord. If you are to choose between doing something for yourself and the Lord, then you must without hesitating take the Lord’s call. Love the Lord above yourself. It was said of Paul in Acts 15:26, as ” Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. These men hazarded or endangered their lives for the sake of the gospel.  This word hazard means to deal dangerously or to betray yourself. They gave up their lives in a very dangerous or careless way, in the interest of the gospel. We are living in times that Satan seeks to stop the advancement of the gospel. We must selflessly sacrifice our lives to resist his onslaught against the church.

In the early days of the church, the gospel would have been clamped down, if it had not been the selflessness of the apostles. They said it is rather glorious to suffer for the Lord. These men and women obeyed the Lord’s terms for discipleship to the letter. They hated their lives for the sake of Christ. Many in our day reproach the course of Christ with their self-centered ways. (Philip. 3:18)

The Lord also stated we must love Him and place His interest above our loved ones. To be qualified to be used by the Lord, no man must come between you and the Lord. Please note this, all relations have temporal existence. Our Father God will live forever. Why place temporal beings before the eternal one, who would one day judge, approving or disapproving our works.

CONFESSION

Christ is my Lord He is first in my life. First in my personal interests. First before my parents, siblings, children, marriage and even first before my very life. His interest gives me life. I am very wise to make Him first in all things.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 12:24 KJV” Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”.

Luke 9:23 KJV “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”.

Philippians 3:18 KJV. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)