CELEBRATE
It is with great pleasure that I come your way on this last Sunday in the month of October – themed “Recover All.” When the month started, some people thought it was impossible to go through 31 days fasting and praying, but in a couple of days, it will all be over. Already, there is a shift in the realm of the Spirit and awesome testimonies have started to roll in. While you await the physical manifestation of your prayers, because they will surely come, start celebrating.
Let me share this scripture in the tenth chapter of Matthew with you and draw an analogy from it.
MATTEW 10: 11 – 14 (NKJV)
“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.”
In this account of scripture, Jesus sent His disciples to the neighboring towns and villages and told them to dwell in any place that celebrated their coming or else leave the place. The analogy from this scripture is that whatever you do not receive and celebrate will inevitably exit your life. Having stayed on this mountain for 29 days, I have come to challenge you not to allow anything make you disbelieve God. Remember He did not call you to seek Him in vain. You have waited on Him in prayers and fasting; beloved, this is the time to roll out the drums and celebrate your expectations.
Beloved, my question to you is this; are you truly expecting anything after the fast? If yes, then you need to consciously celebrate that healing, that new job, that new contract, that breakthrough even if you have not seen anything yet. Beloved, when you celebrate your expectations, you are demonstrating your faith. You are simply agreeing with all that God has packaged for you. Mary said in Luke 1:38, ‘’be it unto me according to your word.’’ In other words, she put the responsibility of seeing the prophecy come to pass squarely on God. In addition, celebrate all that God said to you during the fasting and prayers. Perhaps He gave you a word of assurance through the various word ministrations or He ministered directly to your spirit. Receive the word and stand upon it until you see it fulfilled. Refuse to cancel yourself out, for I know that every promise of God over your life will be made manifest.
Let me use this opportunity to remind you that we would all gather here on Tuesday the 31st at 3:00p.m. for the Close of Fast Service; it is a combined service. This is one service you cannot afford to miss, so be here on time with your family and friends. As you come, be assured that your life would never remain the same again. I have received a command to bless and God will honor every word.
Don’t also forget that next Sunday, Nov. 5th is the Pastors’ Appreciation Day. Like Hezekiah I am calling on you to join hands with me to encourage these men and women who have stood solidly behind us to ensure that you are comfortable. Lets look at 2 Chronicles 31:4 (AMP) “He (King Hezekiah) commanded the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites, that they might [be free to] give themselves to the Law of the Lord.” Did you see that? When the Pastors are comfortable, they can better handle issues concerning you. Like it happened in the days of Hezekiah, I am trusting God that the Pastors will have a great abundance because of your giving.
Look at the testimony of the priests and Levites in 2 Chronicles 31:8-10 (KJV) “And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.” If these men and women have ministered to you in any way, go out of your way to bless them. I look forward to seeing the heaps next Sunday.
As you go into this week, be assured that in every area of life, God is committed to blessing you. He will fill your mouth with testimonies. You will surely, without fail, testify. Your miracle will not be aborted.
Maranatha!
In His Royal service,
Dr. Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop
