DEVOTE YOURSELF TO IT

Dearly beloved, it is with great joy that I welcome you to the month of December, a month that holds great tidings for each and everyone of us. This month the Lord will fill your mouth with laughter, only the sound of rejoicing shall be heard from your camp. Once again, a big congratulations to TREMites worldwide on the just concluded Kingdom Life World Conference. You will agree with me that this was the best KLWC we have ever had. Indeed it is from glory to glory, and I know that your testimonies are abounding. Thank God for everyone the Lord used to make the conference a resounding success; to God Be all the glory.

This morning, I’ve just come your way to encourage you to hold fast to that which you have received, do not let go off the Word till your desires manifest. Jesus gave us a parable in Mark 4 about the sower; read the entire chapter in your devotion. The sower went out to sow some seeds, and verse 14 tells us that the seed is the word of God. Some of the seeds fell on the wayside, some fell on the stony ground, while some fell on thorns, all of these did not bear any fruits. But thank God the story did not end there; some fell on a good ground there were fruits to show for it. Mark 4:20 (NKJV) says “But these are the ones down on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

Jesus uses this parable because farming is such a relatable process. We understand the importance of planting on a good land, the type of climate for a particular crop and all of that, but that’s not my focus today. If you ask any farmer, planting the seed is just the beginning of the process, cultivation has to take place in order for there to be a harvest. After planting, there are things the farmer must do to ensure he/she has a bountiful harvest. The farmer must cultivate what has been planted. I looked up the dictionary meaning of the word cultivate and here’s what I found “to prepare and work on, in order to raise crops, to develop or improve.” One I particularly like is “to devote oneself to” did you see that. You must be devoted to that seed if you want it to bear fruits, and the same thing goes for the Word of God. Devotion is a requirement, you can’t afford to be lackadaisical, and just go about things anyhow and expect a bountiful harvest, no, you must stick with the Word.

During the KLWC, rich deposits were made into our lives, and if we must sustain all that God released into us then we must be devoted to the Word. The adversary is not going to play dead and watch you succeed, simply because you attended KLWC 2017. He’s going to come at you, to test to see if you really know and believe what you received. The Bible says that he walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8); my prayer is that he will not see you, in Jesus’ name! This is the reason why you must be vigilant, and stay in the word.

Beloved, the devil’s goal is to ensure that the seed of the Word planted in your heart, does not take root and bear fruit. To counter his plan, you must steadfastly feed on the word. Don’t think you heard all the messages taught at this conference, no you didn’t. Buy the CDs and DVDs, listen and watch them repeatedly; study your Bible, until you become one with the Word. That’s how to produce a harvest.

I declare to you that which you have received is permanent, the enemy shall not pluck it out from your hands. You will enjoy all that Christ paid the ultimate price for you to enjoy. I will hear your testimony. I bless you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Maranatha!

In His Royal Service,

Dr. Mike Okonkwo

The Presiding Bishop