Welcome to 2012 – The year to soar as the Eagles

‘But those who wait on the Lord 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’.

The next 10 years is crucial for all of us. Ten means completeness, we have ended one decade and started a new decade. What are your dreams and goals spiritually, physically, financially, martially, career wise, business wise – the list is endless. This is an opportunity to lay foundation for the next 10 years, to seek the face of God and sow good seeds, bear fruit and harvest bountifully – Ez 47:1-12, Ps 1, Is 65:21-23. As a result we are spending the next ten weeks to pray.

The book of Daniel shall be used as a basis of our prayers in addition to other scriptures. Please refer to Jubilee Prayer Journal for some other relevant scriptures

1. Live a life of holiness and consecration –

He purposes in his heart not to defile himself, Dan 1:8, Love God with all your heart Deut 6:5

Be ye holy for I am holy – 1 Peter 1:16, Without holiness no man will see god Hebrews 12:14

Seek ye first the kingdom of God Matt 6:33, Come out from among them  2 Cor 6:17

2. To be led of the Lord, increase in spiritual insights and anointing

God gave Daniel understanding in all visions and dreams Dan 1:17, Dan 2:17-22, Dan 9:22

My sheep hears my voice John 10:27, Steps of a good man are ordered Ps 37:23

I will instruct and teach you Ps 32:8, outpouring of the Holy Spirit Joel 2:28-29, Acts 1:8

3. To be consistent in praying and reading the word, and in the service of the Lord

Daniel prayed three times as was his custom Dan 6:10, Dan 2:18, Dan 9

Meditate on his word day and night and observe to do Joshua 1:8

Study to show yourself approve 2 timothy 2:15, Hearers and doers of the word James 1:22

The God you serve continually will deliver you: Daniel 6:16, 20

4. Confident and Faith in God –

Those who know their God will  be strong and do exploits Dan 11:32

He believed in His God Dan 6:23, Without faith it is impossible to please God Heb 11:6

Because Mary believed there was a performance Luke 1:45

5. Favour with God and man

Daniel had favour and goodwill of the chief of the eunuch Dan 1:9

Joseph had favour with Potiphar Gen 39:4, Samuel grew in favour 1 Sam 2:26

Jesus grew in favour Luke 2:52, the righteous is surrounded with favour Ps 5:12, Ps 102:13

6. Deliverance from physical and spiritual attacks of the enemy

Delivered from the fiery furnace Dan 3:19, Delivered from the lions den Daniel 6

No weapons formed against us shall prosper Is 54:17, Ps 91, Ps 107:19-20

7. Family and generation

Confess the generation and family sins Dan 9, Ex 20:5. Unity and love Ps 133

Restoration of blessings Dan 9, Ex 3:21-22, Zech 9:11-12, Mercies to generations Ex 20:6

8. Health

Their features appeared better and fatter Dan 1:14, Prosper and be in good health 3 John 1:2

Heals all diseases and youth is renewed Ps 103, I am the Lord that heals you Ex 15:26

9. Success at work, studies, business, ministry

Promotion: Dan 2:48, Dan 6:3, Dan 6:28, Gen 39, Ps 75:6 Wisdom Ja 1:5, 1 Sam 18:5,14-15

Excellent spirit Dan 6:3, Intelligent Dan 1:20, Fruitful Gen 1:28, Breakthrough Gen 26

10. Grateful and Thankful

I thank You and Praise You Dan 2:23, Dan 6:10, In everything give thanks 1 Thes 5:18

Bless the Lord oh my soul Ps 103, Ps 34:1 Praise in battle: 2 Chr 20:22, Acts 16:25

Download the Foundational Prayer Points for 2011 and beyond

2011 to me is more than just entering a new year but the completing of a decade and entering of a new decade.

Ten signifies completeness; we ended decade 2001 to 2010 gracefully. The years 2001 – 2010, for my family was a time of moving and resettling across the continents of US and UK. There were moments of joy and sadness, challenges and opportunities, losses and restoration, despair and encouragement. Through it all He brought us through into this decade. We really thank God for His grace and mercy.

²² Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-22

As I waited on the Lord in December regarding Year 2011, I felt impressed in my heart, not just to concentrate on 2011 as a new year but see it as a beginning of a new decade. 2011 was going to be the foundation of the next ten years. For there to be fruit in the next ten years, 2011 has to be strategically handled. Structure has to be in place in 2011 to carry the weight of what is about to happen in the next ten years. It is to be a year dedicated to the Lord, a tithe, the first fruit of the decade.

Some strategic things laid on my heart to do as per ministry to start off the year are:

1. 10 weeks prayer programme based on the life of Daniel – From January to March 2011. We need to seek the face of the Lord and sow good seeds, bear fruit and harvest bountifully – Ez 47:1-12, Ps 1, Is 65:21-23. Every Wednesday, the church will pray and fast using the prayer topics as a guide using the book of Daniel. I was inspired by the book of Daniel regarding his relationship with God and how God used and elevated him in a foreign land. Also noticed that the number 10 came up 4 times in Chapter 1.

a.  Daniel 1:12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink

b.  Daniel 1:14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

c.  Daniel 1:15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies

d.  Daniel 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

e.  Praise, Prayer and Prophetic night once a quarter based on 2 Chronicles 20.

The first one is March 18^th 2011 7pm @

Praise, Prayer and Prophetic Night

Friday, March 18^th 2011, 7pm

Good News Assembly

Douglas Green

Langley Road South

Salford M6 6SF

Tel: 07950 201 201

2 Chronicles 20 (New King James Version)

¹ It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,^[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. ² Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria;^[b] and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). ³ And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. ⁴ So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

⁵ Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, ⁶ and said: “O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? ⁷ Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? ⁸ And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, ⁹ ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ ¹⁰ And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— ¹¹ here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. ¹² O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

¹³ Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the LORD.
¹⁴ Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. ¹⁵ And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”

¹⁸ And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. ¹⁹ Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high.
²⁰ So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” ²¹ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the LORD,
For His mercy endures forever.”^[c]
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. ²³ For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
²⁴ So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.
²⁵ When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies,^[d] and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much. ²⁶ And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah^[e] until this day. ²⁷ Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. ²⁸ So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the LORD. ²⁹ And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. ³⁰ Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

Read the Foundational Prayer Points by clicking here

Download the Foundational Prayer Points

Towards the end of 2009, what I kept getting in my spirit was 2010 is going to be a YEAR OF ALIGNMENT. A year of aligning our wills, plans, purposes and agendas to Gods’.

Alignment became my watchword throughout December 2009, those closest to me must have been getting bored but they were patient with me. To me December 2009, was a wake up call to get my life in order and line up to God’s plan for my life so that I can move into the next phase of my life with ease.

Just like a car, it drives well when it is aligned using less petrol, but when it is misaligned, tyres get worn out quickly, you use more petrol and, it becomes expensive to maintain – this is the bit I have gleaned from people who know about cars since I am clueless about cars.  As long as it moves, I am fine and I have only changed a tyre once, assisted by my daughter, shame on me! I know.

I must confess there have been times I have prayed I don’t want any car problem when my husband is away, let whatever wait till he comes!!  Thank God my girls are not like that, if not with three ladies driving in the house, he will have lots of cars to fix when he comes.

So back to alignment, my prayer and desire this year is to follow God’s blueprint and mandate and to discover the strategies for accomplishing the mandate gloriously … I pray this will also your prayer.

One of the strategies God gave me the third week in January was to encourage people to pray in the first quarter of the year, I wasn’t sure how this would be done but, the more I pondered over it, the more I felt impressed to ask not just the members in our church but also ask the ministry prayer partners to join in a Jubilee (50 days) prayer chain.

I wasn’t sure if people will think 50 days is too much – I wanted to reduce the days but there was no release to reduce it.  One thing I have come to realize in life it that when a project is bigger than you, you have no choice but to depend on the Lord. The Lord encouraged me with the support I got when I started calling round to let people know about the prayer chain, they were excited about it and wanted to join.

I really praised the Lord and to cap it all on Saturday 23rd of January, I called my sister to let her know about the prayer chain, just 5 minutes into the conversation she asked me if I realized that the more I was talking about the prayers, the more my voice was getting clearer and clearer.  I had been suffering from a bad cold and was poorly Saturday morning.  I kept praying, “Father you have to heal me” because  I didn’t even have the energy to type the prayer points. The Lord miraculously healed me, not only was I able to put down the prayer points for the first 21 days but was also able to minister in church the following Sunday.

I pray these 50 days of prayers will be full of testimonies in Jesus name.  We will see total breakthrough in Jesus name.

I have been refreshed since we started and testimonies of refreshing times have started coming in, the prophetic utterances from people since we started has been amazing, we’ll try and collate at the end of each week testimonies and prophecies from the Lord and post them on the blog You are blessed and favoured for life.

Toyin

This is an amazing season in the world and in the body of Christ. Everything that can be shaken is being shaken, governmental and institutional policies have all failed but the good news is, the word of the Lord stands sure and true.

Hence this call to prayer is to join forces to pray and seek the face of the Lord, to petition the Lord for deliverance in our individual lives, families, churches and cities.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says:  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

The Jubilee prayer chain is set up to do 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Jubilee in Leviticus 25:8-12 is year 50, a special year for the remission of sins and universal pardon where debts are forgiven, slaves and prisoners freed, and the mercies of God would be particularly manifested.

Good News Assembly will be praying for 50 days from 24th of January to 14th of March.

People within the church will pair up to pray and friends of Good News Assembly will also join us.

We need breakthrough this year like never before. It has been declared a Year of Restoration and Abundance, therefore let us PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens) to usher in our blessings.

We shall be gloriously restored in Jesus name.

As we pray, people are encouraged to fast either once a week, twice a week or miss a meal each day. Fast as the Lord leads you.

To help us be in one accord, there is a theme with associated prayer points listed below for each week. The prayer points have scriptural references to aid our prayers, they are not exhaustive, so feel free to add to it, please pray as the Lord leads. Be also open to the Spirit of God and keep a personal reflective journal during the 50days.  if He drops something in your heart to share, please email us at info@gnaministries.org.

Thank you for joining in the Prayer Chain, I pray the Lord will strengthen you and anoint you with the spirit of Intercession to pray and give birth.

Enjoy the 50 days; it’s going to be awesome. Looking forward to hearing and reading your testimonies.

God Bless,
Toyin Jama

WEEK 1:  24TH JAN TO 30TH JAN
PERSONAL Lives

WEEK 2:  31ST JAN TO 6TH FEB
GNA Ministries

WEEK 3:  7TH FEB TO 13TH FEB
SALFORD City

WEEK 4:  14TH FEB TO 20TH FEB
FAMILIES

WEEK 5:  21ST FEB TO 27TH FEB
BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT, FINANCE

WEEK 6: 28TH FEB TO 6TH MAR
OTHER MINISTRIES

WEEK 7 : 7TH MAR TO 13TH MAR
THANKSGIVING

50TH DAY JUBILEE CELEBRATION  – 14TH MARCH

WEEK 1:  24TH JAN TO 30TH JAN
PERSONAL LIFE

1. Thank God for being created in the image of God. Thank God for the gift of salvation Gen 1:26-28, John 1:12
2. Search me oh God and see if their be any sin in my life, forgive me of any wrong doing, restore to me the joy of your salvation – Ps 51, Ps 139:23-24
3. Remove a heart of stone and deliver me from rebellion and stubbornness – Ez 36: 25-27, 1 Sam 15: 22-23
4. Anoint me with fresh oil – Ps 92:10, 1 Jn 2:20, 27
5. Order my steps and guide me in all my ways – Ps 94:12-13, Ps 37:23, Ps 119:6
6. The spirit of wisdom, counsel and might of God overshadow me – Is 11:2, Prov 20:27, Eph 1:17-19
7. I shall be fruitful and multiply, bareness and fruitlessness is not my portion – Gen 1:26-28
8. I renounce generational sins and release myself from generational curses, I tap into God’s mercy.  By His anointing yokes are destroyed. Ex 20:5-6, Is 10:27, Gal 3:13
9. By His stripes, I am healed physically, emotionally and mentally. Is 53:5, Jer 30:17
10. I receive restoration in every area of my life, double for my trouble – Joel 2:25, Is 40:2, Is 61:7
11. I am favoured and blessed for life. Ps 5:12, Eph 1:3
12. The giftings of God in my life will manifest and make room for me. Prov 18:16, Eph 2:10, Cor 12:11
13. My help, strength and preservation comes from the Lord – Ps 121, Ps 91.

WEEK 2:  31ST JAN TO 6TH FEB
GNA MINISTRIES

1. Forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 Jn 1:9
2. Teardown every stronghold over the ministry and everything that exalt itself against the knowledge of God.  By the reason of God’s anointing yokes shall be destroyed. 2 Cor 10:4
3. The pastors/ministers shall be anointed with fresh oil, signs and wonders shall follow them. Acts 4:29-30, 1 Cor 2:4, Acts 19:11
4. The pastors/ministers will be instructed and guided by the Lord, vision will be fine tuned, they will be at the cutting edge. Jer 23:4
5. God will send labourers and builders. Ez 5:2, Ez 1:5, Is 60:11-12
6. There will be unity in the body, hearts will be knitted together in love Eph 4:16, Ps 133:1-3
7. Restoration in all areas, Jer 30:3, Joel 2:25
8. The fruit of the spirit will made manifest in everyone’s life – Gal 5:22-23
9. The gifts of the Spirit will be made manifest in everyone’s Life. There will be unction to function. 1 Cor 12
10. Church growth. God will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle the ministry. Increase spiritually, numerically and financially. The glory of the latter to be greater than the former.  – Hag 2:9, Ps 90:17, Jer 30:19-20,
11. Let the word of God dwell in us richly, grow, multiply and preserve Acts 19:20.

WEEK 3:  7TH FEB TO 13TH FEB
SALFORD CITY

Why should we pray for the Land. Jer 29:7
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper

1. Confession of sins of the land and healing of the land – 2 Ch 7:14, 2 King 2:19 , Joel 2:18-19
2. The Lord will send forth His Spirit of Truth – Jn 15:26
3. He will convict people of sin, righteousness and judgement, that they will repent and turn from idols and philosophies of men – Jn 16:8, Eze 14:6, Phil 2:10 give us the nations for our inheritance, Ps 2:8,, Ps 19:7-9, Is 52:10
4. We shall be burdened and have passion for souls in Salford, He will give us strategy how to win them. Prov 11:30
5. The boldness to go to the highways to win the lost, protection and guidance. Fruitfulness. Luke 14:23, Mt 10:7
6. Power and anointing to be effective witnesses – Acts 1:8
7. Prepared heart, workers to his vineyard – Ma 9:37-38
8. Salford City Council and its leaders and mayors – 1 Tim 2:1-4, 2 Sam 23:2-4, Pr 29:2, 4
9. Prosperity of Salford, land to yield its fruit and we shall enjoy the good of it, Ecc 5:9, Jer 29:7, Deut 5:33, Is 1:19
10. Wisdom for all in authority – Police, schools, Hospitals etc that peace will reign in Salford, anti-social behaviour will be rooted out – 1 Tim 2:1-4

WEEK 4:  14TH FEB TO 20TH FEB
FAMILIES

1. Love, Peace and Forgiveness  – Col 3:12-15, Matt 6:14-15
2. Unity – Ps 133, 1 Cor 1:10
3. Order will be restored in homes, husbands and wives Gen 2:24, Eph 5:22-29, Col 3:18-21, Parents will take their place – Gen 18:18-19, Eph 6:4, Children  Eph 6:1-3, Is 54:13, Is 65:23
4. Families will return to the Lord Gen 35:1-15, Josh 24:15, Backsliders and Prodigals to return, marriage restoration,  Is 49:24-25, Jer 3:22, Jer 30:3,10
5. Revival, outpouring of His spirit, holiness and righteousness – Mt 5:6, Ps 119:37, Is 44:3-5, Joel 2:28-29, Is 59:21
6. Fruit of the womb, Ps 127:3, Deut 7:14
7. Singles to find spouse 1s 34:16, Gen 24
8. Protection and Preservation – Ps 91,Ps 23, Ps 121
9. Revival for youth – Ps 8:2, Ps 119:9-11

WEEK 5:  21ST FEB TO 27TH FEB
BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT and  FINANCE

1. Restoration of lost jobs and opportunities –year of locust will be restored. glory of the latter,  Joel 2:25-27,  Hag 2:8-9
2. Humility – James 4:10, Pr 22:4
3. Diligence – Pr 22:29, Pr 21:25, Pr 20:4, 13
4. Favour and Goodwill – Dan 1:9, Gen 39:3-5, 1 Sam 2:26, Pr 21:1, Ps 90:14-17
5. Excellence and Intelligence – Ex 35:31-35, Ex 36 :1, Daniel 1 :17, 20, dan 6 :3, pr 10 :7
6. Power and ability to get wealth, Deut 8:18, Is 45:1-3, Is 48:17 people will find jobs and positions -  Gen 2:8, Pr 18:18
7. Trust God and not worry Matt 6:25-34, Provision – Phil 4:19
8. Promotion and Increase – Dan 2:46-49, 3 john 2, Ps 75:6, pr 14:23, Gen 1:28, is 65:21-22, Deut 30:9
9. To be blessed and  be a blessing, caring and generous to help people and the work of God, Deut 8:7-11, Acts 11:27-30, 2 Cor 8 & 9, Deut 28:1-14
10. Debt cancellation,  lender not a borrower Deut 15:1-6

WEEK 6:  28TH FEB TO 6TH MAR
OTHERS CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES

Please use the prayer points for GNA Ministries (Week 2 Prayer Points) plus these ones to pray for other churches and ministries in the Body of Christ.

1. Unity in the Body of Christ – Ps 133, Jn 17:20-23, Ro 15:5-7
2. Mercy and grace to continue abiding in the work of the Lord Lam 3:22-23, Heb 4:16
3. God will raise godly leaders in the Body of Christ that will be a prophet to the Government and the nation. Gen 41:37-44, 1Sam 3:19-21, Jer 30:21

WEEK 7:  7TH MAR TO 13TH MAR
THANKSGIVING

We are spending this last week to praise God according to Phil 4:6. We have prayed, now its time to praise God

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil 4:6

Thanksgiving will not depart from your house this year in Jesus name. Jer 30:19

1. Thank God  for sustaining and anointing us to  pray these past weeks, for victories He wrought on our behalf, 2 Cor 2:14, 1 Cor 15:57,  Judges 5:1-3, 12-13, Deut 32:3-4
2. Thank God for answered prayers Ps 118:1-5, Phil 4:6
3. Thank God for healing and deliverance Ps 103:1-5
4. Thank God for his goodness and kindness Ps 31:19-24, Ps 100, Ps 107
5. Thank God for creating us Ps 139:14-18, Gen 1:26-28
6. Thank God for helping us Ps 146
7. Thank God for his power and majesty 1 Chr 29:11-13
8. Thank God for his will being established 1 Thes 5:18
9. Thank God for those in authority 1 Tim 2:1
10. Thank God for each other 1 Thes 1:2-3, 1 Tim 2:1
11. Thank God for the gift of salvation, his grace and gifting  – 2 Cor 9:15, 1 Cor  1:4-9
12. Thank god for his comfort 2 Cor 1:3

Saul was a great persecutor of the Church, he wrought havoc in the body of Christ such that the disciples had to flee and hence scattered everywhere which in turn enabled the gospel to spread in Acts chapter 8. What the enemy meant for evil God turned it around for good. It was whilst carrying on with this agenda of persecuting the church on his way to Damascus that the Lord met with Paul.

The nature of Saul’s encounter was that the light was shone around him.

As mentioned in Divine encounter series 2. Jesus has been described as the light of the world, when light comes in darkness has to flee. Light illuminates and gives understanding. Light gives revelation and direction. When there is revelation, revolution takes place. I pray we will experience the light of God in all our situations so that we can move forward in the things of God.

Saul had been persecuting the church, he didn’t know he was actually touching God.  The bible says in 1 chronicles 16:22 “touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm.  Also in Zechariah 2:8 “whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye”. Saul had been messing up with God and now, his time was up.

We also can have this comfort that who ever is messing up with us will be sorted by the Lord. When Balaam was hired to go and cause trouble amongst the people of the Lord, the angel of the Lord stopped him. Galatians 6:17 says let no man trouble me for I bear the mark of Christ. Saul thought he was serving God, he was sincerely wrong but when illumination and revelation came, he received a new direction, a new mandate to preach the good news to the Gentiles, kings and Jews. His profession changed from being a persecutor to a proclaimer of the good news. He changed from being someone who binds people in prison to loosing people into the kingdom of God.

There is also another lesson here that there is no one that is beyond redemption.  Sometimes we pray for our loved ones and because of the things they get involved in, we despair and wonder if they will ever get saved. But, if the Lord can turn the persecutor of the church into a preacher, definitely there is no one that is too much for the Lord to handle. It is also amazing that our greatest enemy when touched by the Lord can be our greatest ally. The strength and passion Saul used to persecute the church was greatly used by God to spread the gospel and he ended up writing 2/3rds of the gospel according to theologians. We’ve seen in modern age when some gangsters have turned to the Lord and they’ve been used greatly by God for the salvation of many.

So let’s not give up on anyone, keep trusting the Lord and it shall come to pass.

In conclusion of the Divine Encounter series, there are some common threads:

• Divine Interruptions – When our daily activities are divinely interrupted, God breaking through to have an audience. Peter, Paul and Moses were interrupted during their normal daily activities
• Divine Dialogue – God speaks to us, gives us instructions/directions and we respond. Peter’s boat was borrowed, he experienced a miraculous catch, afterwards Jesus said follow me. Moses was called out of a burning bush; For Paul, light from heaven was shown around him and a voice calling his name. Each person responded to the call of God.
• Divine Mandate – Visions and destinies are birthed during divine encounter, God’s divine purpose for our lives is revealed. Peter became a fisher of men, Moses a deliverer and Paul and apostle
• Divine Empowerment – We receive the power and resources to carry out the assignment and fulfil Gods purposes in our lives. Moses’ rod became a tool God used to display His glory and wonder to Pharaoh, He also gave him Aaron. Peter was empowered by Jesus with other disciples plus he was also anointed on the day of Pentecost. Paul was prayed for by Annais and he was also blessed with Banabas.

May you truly have a divine encounter that will catapult you to your divine destiny in Jesus’ name.

Toyin

Moses was in exile at this point in his life. He ran away after killing an Egyptian and was under the death threat from pharaoh yet suffered rejection from his people whom he had taken sides with. It must have been a confusing and lonely state. The only thing that must have been a source of comfort for him at this time must be his marriage to Ziporah albeit not such a comfortable living arrangement. I am not sure many men would like to live and work for their father in laws. Most men would prefer to whisk their women away into their castle be it a one bedroom apartment or 5 bedroom house and be the lord of the castle with no interference. What a humbling experience, no wonder the bible describes him as the meekest man. He has gone through the school of hard knocks. Now another chapter of his life is about to begin.

Like Peter there was no prior warning of the divine visitation, he was about his normal business, looking after the sheep. As said in Divine Encounter 1, the timing of visitation belongs to the lord, ours is to open up and welcome him.

It was when the Lord saw that Moses turned aside to look that God called to him in vs4.  Many opportunities have been missed by us not being sensitive to the move of God. The Lord may show up at any time. It could be in a service or may be whilst doing other day-to-day activities like shopping, having a shower, cooking etc. I remember a time I was busy programming at work, the presence of the Lord enveloped me and it was impressed on my spirit to pray for a brother. I prayed for the brother in my heart and went to call him during my lunch time.  It was amazing he was having it rough and God used me to encourage him. I pray God will help us to respond appropriately as we encounter Him in our day-to-day life. Sometimes we become too analytical and explain away the move of God.

The angel of the lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. What an awesome sight. It is crucial to take note and catalogue the nature of our encounters with the Lord because they are often prophetic. The flame of fire is quite symbolic.  Jesus has been described as the light of the world.  When there is light, darkness and confusion disappears. Light brings direction, we are able to see where we are going, order comes into our life. God gave Moses direction, the encounter enacted God’s purposes and plans for Moses – to deliver His people from the hands of Pharaoh. Fire also brings heat and power. With each assignment comes the power to carry out that assignment. The disciples were empowered on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 when the Holy Spirit appeared to them divided tongues as of fire.  The Holy Spirit has also been described as a consuming fire, the Egyptians were totally consumed in the river yet the Israelites walked on dry ground.

Just like the bush was not consumed so we His children will not be consumed as we go through different life experiences that feels as if we are in a burning bush. Is 43:2 . declared that God will be with us as we pass through the waters, the waters will not overflow us and we will not be burned in fire nor be scorched in flame. The Hebrew boys were a testimony to this verse, if He did it for them; we too will not consumed when thrown into the fire, in Jesus name.

Moses left the castle and the privileges of royalty to become a shepherd which is symbolic to God’s calling on his life, shepherding His people out of bondage to freedom, just like Peter went from being a fisherman to fishers of men.

All things work together for good to them that love God and called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28 so, don’t despise where you are right now, it will all work out for your good. My father used to say no knowledge is wasted. Every experience will come in handy one day, so relax, God is in control.

Moses the prince, the murderer, the shepherd now called to be a deliverer. It just shows it is not over till God says it is over, so don’t let anyone write you off. The next chapter in your life is about to begin, rise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

Toyin

Even though I shared the same passage last week at another service, the Lord gave me a fresh Rhema for Good News Assembly (GNA).

Divine Encounter is when Divinity comes into contact with humanity.

The timing of the encounter is known to God. He does the visitation, ours is to be open, embrace and welcome Him. The first series is Peter’s encounter with the Lord Jesus.

Peter’s place of encounter was at his work place, at the sea, fancy God showing up at your work, what will he find you doing?  Will you recognise Him, will you welcome Him?? Jesus can show up at anytime and anywhere, be alert.

The date was not the best day for Peter, it was one of his worst days, a rough day, he had spent all night fishing and nothing to show for it. At those early hours he must have been tired and upset, he just wanted to wash his nets and go home but his plans and agenda for the day were interrupted by the Lord for the miraculous to take place in His life. I pray we will experience such divine interruptions and encounters that our lives will change for good.

Before the encounter, Peter was a fisherman with an empty boat. The course of his life changed by his obedience to the prophetic utterance by the Lord – ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch’, Peter’s boat became filled up; he had to seek for help. Peter was broken and realised he was a sinful man, he knelt and worshipped Jesus. From fisherman to fishers of men.

When divine encounter takes place, lives are changed, our will and purposes gets aligned to His purpose and will.
How we need divine encounters today, we need deliverance from our empty lives. For many stubbornly pursue goals and agendas that are heading nowhere. We need the Father like never before to break through into our churches and homes with experiences that will bring us to our knees. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, come!

Toyin Jama

The topic was Power in the word. Luke 4:42 to Luke 5:1-11.  It is time to elevate the ministry of the word. One of the things that is foremost in Jesus’ ministry is the preaching of the word.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to Preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent me to heal ……

We can see from the above scripture, the Word  preceded the miracles. It is the foundation of His ministry and we need to get back to it.

He was very dedicated and focussed to the preaching of the word – in Luke 4: 42: ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities for this is the purpose I have been sent’. He knew the importance of the word and the power of the word, he knew without it nothing could be accomplished. The world was framed by the word. He knew the word is quick and powerful, he knew it is like fire that consumes and hammer that shatters the rock. He used it to resist temptation from the evil one. He knew every spoken word of His had the power and ability to accomplish why it was spoken.

It was a blessing to see that the crowd pressed about Him to hear the word I Luke 5:1, how hungry are we for the Word of God, the Word that is able to change our situations. We need to get our priorities right and get back to the basics. It was the word that changed Peter’s life and changed his status,

Peter fished all night, no catch; his boat was empty, ready to go home, discouraged, despondent and fed up. Jesus entered the empty boat and used it as a platform to preach the word to people of which Peter was included.  Jesus is always trying to reach out to us in our emptiness. if we turn over our empty boat, empty life, empty marriage, empty career, whatever that is not working. He can use it to bring glory to himself.

The power of the word and in the word has the ability to change situations and change people. Jesus instructed Peter to launch into the deep and cast the nets down, invariably saying drop your agenda and take my own. Hear my word and obey. I have the power over nature, the sea and fish are at my command. Peter obeyed and had a great catch; he had to beckon to others to help him. Peter’s empty situation was changed, from empty boat to 2 full boats fish.

But Jesus is more interested in his empty heart. Peter’s heart was captured by the miraculous, the miraculous brought him to his knees, and he recognised he was a sinful man. The miraculous was preceded by the word.

Lets get back to the word, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. It will do us good.

Toyin Jama