Philippians 2:9-10
9.Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.

The way we use the name of Jesus when speaking to the Father is totally different to any other uses. Jesus said, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son“(John 14:13).

“23. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 
24. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 26. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God“
(John 16:23-24,26-27).

The way we use the name of Jesus in prayer to the Father is unique. When the Father recognises the user as a person who loves His Son He is more inclined to hear us. Jesus told His disciples, “whatever you ask in my name I will do”, but a day is coming when you can ask the Father directly in my name. He will answer you as if I was the One asking. So, there is no need to present, as it were, many faces of Jesus before the Father by using the name over and over. Simply round up your prayer by saying: “All this I ask, in Jesus’ name. We are not using the name here as a key to gain entrance, or a weapon to gain victory, but as a currency, a medium of exchange. When I pray in Jesus name the Father only sees Jesus.

The Name Of Jesus As A Weapon
Where confusion comes in is that in many other prayer situations we can use that name as frequently as we deem fit until the job is done. In the following texts we see that the Name of Jesus is used as a key, a weapon, a shelter. The more stubborn the situation the more we apply the name.
Mk 16:17, “ And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;“We use the name several times to drive demons out one by one.
Prov 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.“We can call upon that name in times of danger or temptation as many times as required.
Col 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“Clearly here the name of Jesus can be part of our action plan.

2 Kings 13:18-19, “Then he said, ‘Take the arrows,’ and the king took them. Elisha told him, ‘Strike the ground.’ He struck it three times and stopped. 
19.The man of God was angry with him and said, ‘You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.’

When used as a weapon the more repeatedly the name of the Lord is used the more thoroughly the enemy is dealt with.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name”.
We only need to use the name several times in the face of a stubborn situation.

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

Labor is good but labor is not enough. Effort is good, it is even needful. But effort is never enough. Education is necessary. It is important to go to school but a spectacular education does not guarantee victory in life.

I am reminded yet again of the story of Joseph. Despised by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongly accused and left to rot in prison but Joseph still went all the way to the throne. Joseph speaking of the dimension of Grace that aided his ascent to the throne in Gen. 45:7, says “ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ” We talk daily about discipline and chastity but in spite of both it was God’s involvement in the story of his life that took him to the throne. God had an assignment that must never fail.

Moses by all standards was a great man. He was yet in many regards an ordinary human. Moses was stubborn and doubtful yet he was one of the greatest that ever lived because he leaned more on God than he did on self.

Having understood the limitation of the flesh in realising the mandate of destiny it is important to lay out some of the important pillars of working in the spirit and for activating the spirit in our assignment and journey in life:

Faith.
The Bible says he that comes to God must believe that He is. Why is that necessary? - Because without the capacity to accept the spiritual as being real more than the natural we will deny God. Heb. 11:1-6 explains in detailed manner why faith in every instance is a demonstration of our assurance in the finished work. When we step out in faith we are claiming what has been delivered already. Faith is the very essence of the spiritual.

Prayer
The very fact that we pray is a demonstration that we believe in the ability of the spiritual to remake our reality. Our spirit communes with the spirit of God. When we do this often we demonstrate that we are helpless without him and each time he will step forward when he sees that our strength begins to fail. Christian who do not pray struggle in their strength. That’s often a terrible life to live as God himself has curse people who will struggle entirely in their strength “By strength shall no man prevail”

Prophesy
Prophesy is the word that goes ahead; the word of the Lord over your life. Prophesy can either be written (in the Bible) or given though an anointed man of God. The Spirit of the Lord speaks the future to us. Many times we do not look like anything close to it but that’s the exact reason that God spoke it because He likes to do the extraordinary. By laboring in the word we work out the fulfillment of our prophesy (Is. 55:10-11).

Happy new month.

“Just to be close to You; is where I want to be; Let me hide myself inside Your heart to find my destiny... “

The words are so deep and convey so much of our cry unto God.

We all want to find our purpose, our very reason for living in God. That′s why we pant after God - He alone is our heart′s desire .

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.“
Psalms 42:1

- and that′s why He has promised us His abiding presence.

And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exo 33:14

Lord, may we find You as we seek You, may we be filled as we thirst for You and may we be satisfied as we long for You in Jesus′ name Amen . Your presence is heaven to me!

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut 4:29

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord , At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. Psalms 97:5

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
Hebrews 6:19

So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Gen 32:30

Awesome Testimony! Seeing God face to face preserved Jacob′s life. So in God′s presence our life is preserved. AMEN Hallelujah

In this season, as we are locked-in, we should desire to have such an encounter, to see God. I so desire to so do. Yes to behold God just like Moses did and His face shone!

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.
Exodus 34:29‭, ‬35

May God grant you an open door to His abiding presence in Jesus′ name AMEN

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee.” Exodus 3:11-12

Have you ever had a Holy Spirit-inspired dream, a dream of doing something really great for Jesus? A dream of being so prosperous, for instance, that you can finance a nationwide revival? A dream of leading thousands of people to the Lord?

At one time or another, you probably have, but perhaps you backed away from it. You thought, Oh my, I couldn’t do that. Satan’s kept me defeated for so long I have a poor self-image.

If so, I have some good news for you. If you’ll believe God, even a poor self-image won’t keep you from success. Look in the book of Exodus and you’ll see a man who proved that. His name was Moses.

Moses didn’t have a very good self-image. He’d made a terrible mistake early in his career. It was a mistake that drove him into the wilderness and kept him there for 40 years herding someone else’s sheep.

He’d once dreamed of being a deliverer of God’s people, but no more. As far as he was concerned, he was finished...a failure...a flop!

But God didn’t think so. In fact, when God came to Moses in that wilderness, He didn’t ask for Moses’ credentials. He didn’t mention his shady history. He just told him to go see Pharaoh and tell him to let God’s people go.

Moses, however, was still wrestling with his poor self-image. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” he stammered.

You know what God said in response? He just said, “Certainly, I will be with thee.”

You see, it didn’t matter who Moses was. What mattered was that the living God was with him. The same thing is true for you today. You don’t need a history of successes behind you to answer God’s call. You don’t need a string of spiritual credentials. All you need is the presence of the Lord.

Think about that when the devil tells you you’re a failure, when he says you’ll never be able to do what God has put in your heart to do. Put him in his place. Tell him it doesn’t matter who you are because the living God is with you.

Then dare to follow your dream!

So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
2 Samuel 6:10-11.

You are welcome to a new month and a new quarter. To God be the glory for divine qualifications to be partakers of the gift of life.

It gladdens my heart to note that which ever side of coin is flipped, the child of God is never at a disadvantaged but rather he is blessed. Romans 8:28. Harnessing this 360 degrees blessings however, depends on knowing what to do and deploying the right attitude to do it. David, in the verses of the anchor scriptures dumped the Ark of God in the house of Obed-edom believing that the Ark would harm the Gittite - Obed-edom. To the contrary however, it turned out to be such a blessing. In about three months, the story and songs of the Gittite changed. His fame spread and his blessings could not be hidden as he became a national evidence of the manifestation of divine presence.

Beloved, in the next couple of days all over the world, where assembling together of believers is not possible for now, our homes are our worship Centres - compulsorily. The Ark must abide in our homes. However, your experience after now will depend on your understanding of and relationship with the Ark of God.While some homes and lives will emerge stronger and better blessed, God forbid, some may not. How do you therefore make the best use of the Ark at this time? Find some suggestions listed below :

1. Increase your study of the word of God as you stay home.
You can do this as an individual and with your family. Give yourself a target.

2. Revisit some other pending assignment like book writing, tracts production or other projects to keep yourself busy in this season of staying at home.

3. Use this time to touch base with your family value to upgrade it as you redisciple members of your family.

4. Your couple′s altar that have suffered neglect can be revived and the family prayer life can be reactivated.

The above is just a guide, the idea is for us to turn this around for our benefit and blessing at the end of the day. David thought the Ark was going to be a curse but not so for the Gittite - it was a blessing. Global pandemic may have thought to weaken our spiritual fervency and kill the fire on our altars but let us prove it wrong and once again- “let the devil make another mistake”. 1Corinthians 2:8.

Fathers, it is time to take up your priestly roles in the families and mothers it is time to be the Deborahs of your families.
Therefore, let us look away from the distractions and let us not fear their fear. Though it is good to be informed of what is going on globally but please don’t dwell there. Rather dwell in the word. Brethren, the Ark is in your home now, repair the Altar, put in more wood and ignite the fire so that we will come out of this as firebrands.

This season shall be to your lifting and greater glory in Jesus name.
May the Lord visit and bless you and your family this season in Jesus name.

1.The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Peter and John speaking to the Council of Rulers and Elders of Israel said “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard“ Acts 4:20

There are proofs and there are infallible proofs. It is Bishop David Oyedepo who said that “It is only a fool who doubts proofs“.
Just three Bible Chapters before Peter began to address the council in Israel he was an obscure, insecure, timid and thoroughly ordinary man incapable of anything of note. But with his very eyes and instigated by the power of the living God he saw an impotent man rise up to walk and possibly run.

Dear reader, the people who deny the reality of God are always those who have never seen God beyond the narration of their Pastors from the pulpit. It is impossible for men who experience God at close range to wake up one morning and say that he does not exist again. It is just not possible. Proofs rub you of the luxury of such dangerous liberalism.

“1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:“

I imagine what the hypocrisy of the world would have been today concerning the times and life of Jesus Christ, were he not to have shown those infallible proofs. Even Thomas, who said he would need to see the hole in the palm of Jesus and dip his finger in it was totally converted.

If there is one prayer that the body of Christ needs to pray today it would be “Lord show yourself unto us again by infallible proofs at a time like this and always“.
Proofs strengthen our Christian faith. If for instance you have a blind man well known to you in your neighborhood; you may even know him from infancy. If such a person is then raised by the power of God in a crusade and made whole, then it becomes immediately impossible for anyone to lessen your belief in God by mere explanations of science.

As the whole world continue to struggle with the Covid-19 crisis, there is one proof that God will give His own people yet again in this season. According to his word in Ps 91:3 “3Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.“
When all of this Corona Virus pandemic is over, you shall be numbered among the living. According to the word of the Lord, nothing living in your house and family will become dead. You shall not suffer any loss. The Lord shall establish your exception yet again as a proof of His faithfulness over your life. So shall it be, in Jesus’ name.(Amen).

Happy new month.

And with thanksgiving I′ll let my requests be made known unto God in this new month in Jesus name AMEN. Phil 4:6

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

Thus saith the Lord God ; In the first month (April is regarded as the first month in the Jewish calendar), in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:
Ezekiel 45:18

Thanksgiving is a lifestyle and not one off. It′s not an event.... It′s ongoing...

With Thanksgiving, God wants to do more for us.... It′s like we′re stoking a fire of gratitude that gladdens the heart of God when we thank Him always and it brings Him pleasure.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalms 100:4 - This is what we are enjoined to do always.... Daily. This should be a lifestyle for all of us as children of God just as we breathe. ... Furthermore this scripture should be real to us...

I will praise thee, O Lord , with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.
Psalms 9:1

So, as we start a new month, it′s our joy and our pleasure to bring great gratitude to God and to look forward to fulfilling purpose - divine purpose with the help of the Holy Spirit in Jesus′ name AMEN

We remain under the blood of Jesus Christ still holding on to the Word, Psalm 91 being our anchor scripture at a time like this in Jesus′ name AMEN

So let′s rejoice in God for that which He has done and that which He will do not withstanding the devastating coronavirus coupled with obvious economic depression in nations of the world today.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4

Happy and blessed new month and season. It shall be a new beginning for us all in Jesus name. Hallelujah

Some people have argued that letting children know about the rapture and events of the last days is tantamount to scaring them.
The truth is that no Parent who understands the need for their children to take part in the rapture will deprive them of knowing about such an all important global event. You need to empower them with all available information about rapture so as to prepare them to partake in it.

Moreover, there is no better time to teach them about the end time events than now. Start teaching them now.
Use every available medium and method to teach them. Take advantage of social media to reach those that are staying far away from you.

Reasons why you should teach your children about the end time event:

It gives them comfort and assurance

It keeps them on guard

It equips them with biblical doctrines

It gets them prepare for the rapture.

Ephe 5:8: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Jesus has made us the lights of the world. Light signifies glory and greatness. That is who you are in Christ. You are a winner, you are a blessing and you are a star. You are free from the sorrow of darkness . I wish I could tell you to live happily ever after but the truth is that your light does not exist in a problem-free vacuum. But “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (Lk 1:5).

Your light exists in the midst of stubborn darkness that is continuously fighting to stop your light. But in as much as the light continues to shine, darkness will not overcome it. The power of the light to subdue darkness is in shining!

To shine is to purposeful reveal who you are! You are the light of the world. If the light is also the word of God, you are the revelation and the fulfilment of God’s word in the word. To shine your light is to live the Word! Your victory over the sorrow, failure, and pain of darkness does not come only by believing in the Word of God but by keeping the Word.

Jesus commands “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16). The force of your light is not your big car or your expensive clothing, it is your good works! Your kindness, love, humility, honesty, and diligence. The glory of your light is not your material possessions but what you do that makes people glorify your God!

“Let your light so shine before men”. Thus the responsibility of the exhibition of good characters is in your hands. Arise, Shine! (Isa 60:1). You have to decide and strive to be truthful and godly in all your affairs. If you believe you are a light then behave as a light.

Unfortunately many of us prayerfully rejects the darkness of failure and sorrow but secretly embrace the darkness of unfaithfulness, dishonesty, greed and unforgiveness. “But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness” (1 jhn 2:11). Whenever you comprise your good character, you are submitting your light to the darkness of defeat.

Why are you happy to be called a glorious star but you don’t want anyone to talk against your improper behaviour? If you are enjoying your trips to the darkness of sin don’t be surprised to see your light darkened. Greatness and right character are two sides of a coin in the kingdom of light. In the scripture, Joseph first exhibited his light of holiness, kindness, diligence and godliness before his light of greatness was revealed. for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (Ephe 5:9)

Psa 112:10 talks about the blessings of a man who fears the lord- Wealth and riches shall be in his house. But this man is also gracious, compassionate, and will guide his affairs with discretion or carefulness. Therefore he shall not be moved forever. That you are light is the reason you cannot be careless, lazy, stingy, and stupid. Walk in the light!

Your sun shall not set in Jesus name!

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
Psalms 42:5

There are people who feel hopeless because of knowing what to do but not accomplishing their desires. Hope is what keeps them going and they have their hope in God knowing He′ll see them through... “My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.
Psalms 62:5

But hope when increased is then what I regard as having graduated to faith as seen in the definition of faith -

“Now faith is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen.“
Hebrews 11:1

Their sense of hopelessness made them feel they could never make it and so no point trying again. But as people of faith, one should not stay in such a state of Hopelessness. Amen!

However, negative thoughts, words are usually the causes of this failure(s). Wrong words backed with wrong thoughts bring about failure.

Discouragement destroys hope. Failure easily leads to more failure. And once we allow our minds to say, “this is the way it will always be, “ the devil has won a victory over us. But, Hope does not disappoint....Rom 5:5

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Rom 5:5

We can push these negative thoughts aside and say, “With Your help, Lord Jesus, I can make it.

Your expectations shall not be cut short. Prov 23:18

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (Isa 60:1-2) For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

If you have ever had a dream, if you have ever had a vision, if you ever had any aspiration Isaiah 60 is talking to you.
The Bible speaking in Matthew 5:15 says “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house,” The essence of light is to light up the earth. As Christians we have been called to an incredible life of excellence. The way to live out that excellence is to be so infectious in spreading positivity that even if the devil came in contact with us he runs the risk of becoming a Christian. We have been asked by God to shine our lights on earth so that other people can shine by our lights.

In spite of this instruction, very often, a couple of things represent impediments to our shining. They stop us from heeding the call of the Almighty God with regards to Isa 60: 1-2. Such impediments are many but let us examine a few.

Laziness: Laziness is one of the many reasons why many believers do not amount to much. “The slothful man says, There is a lion outside, I shall be slain in the streets.” (Prov 22:13). Fear and laziness are critical reasons why many Christians are not shining.

The second reason is Prayerlessness. When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, we immediately become a focal point for the devil who would then try desperately to get us and attack us. The only way we can escape the devil’s attack as Christians is by being prayerful.

Another hindrance is Sin. Sin is a waster. Sin can easily destroy the capacity of a man to live out the fullness of his potentials. This was evidently the reason Joseph fled on the day when he was to be lured by Portiphar’s wife. If you want to shine like a million stars, avoid sin like a plague. The Bible says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

Lastly, lack of Faith. Faith is a very valuable instrument in the journey of every believer. In order to shine you need an abiding faith in what the word of God says about you.

Happy new month.