DON’T GIVE UP
Dearly beloved, welcome to June in our year of Above Only. Thank God for His grace to see yet another month. We bless His holy name, and we will never forget His benefits because this God is too good. On this wonderful Sunday morning, I want to encourage you from the scriptures to refuse to give up, stand your ground until you see the salvation of the Lord which He has promised you.
“Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” (Hebrews 10:35 KJV)
Beloved, no matter what you are passing through, God will show up for you. It doesn’t matter what the enemy brings your way, child of God, know that it is not your end. Many times when we are faced with challenges or roadblocks that the enemy brings our way, we are tempted to throw up our hands and say it is not working. However, the fact that you are limited as a man does not mean that God is also limited. The God you serve never comes late, and when He appears on the scene, it is to throw His weight around for your sake. Therefore, never think for once that the enemy has won the battle over your life.
The strategy of the enemy is to continually suggest to you that God has abandoned you, or that you will end the way you are now so that you can slow down in your commitment to God. The plan of God for your life is that you will rule, reign and remain at the cutting edge. Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) said ‘’casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
Child of God, you must cast down every thought and imagination of poverty, frustration, discouragement and hopelessness in every area of your life. Don’t forget that you are a product of your thoughts. If you think the thoughts of death, get ready to die, but if you think thoughts of life, then get ready to live. Proverbs 23:7a says ’’For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:…’’
Beloved, the question is, what are you thinking in your heart right now? Refuse to write yourself off because the God you serve is not limited like a man. He can bring to pass every word He has spoken concerning your life. This is why He boldly declares in Isaiah 45:5 (KJV) “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me:…” He is the Almighty God.
In Mark 6:31-44, the Lord Jesus showed His disciples and us as well that anyone who follows Jesus can never be stranded. Having ministered the word to the people, He decided to feed them. The Bible records that 5,000 men were fed, not even counting the women and children, who ate as well. They even had 12 baskets left over, all from a meal of five loaves and two fish. Beloved put on your imagination and think about the location of this miracle – the desert. That is why I know that you will never be stranded because God will cause rivers to break forth for you, even in desert places.
You may be operating from where looks like a desert, or maybe your business or job looks barren, it does not matter, because every challenge you are facing, is an opportunity for God to manifest His glory on your behalf. Who would have thought that any good thing could come out from the desert where you had no supermarkets? I prophesy that you will shock your world and your detractors shall be astonished by what God will do in your life.
Beloved, do not consider the dryness of the ‘desert’ but make up your mind today to always be led by God and stay committed to Him wherever you find yourself. I encourage you to cut loose from your comfort zone and be ready to stake your life on God’s promise because as long as Jesus is with you, that desert will flourish again.
I want to encourage you, don’t just seek the blessing, but seek the Blesser. This is why it is vitally important that you take advantage of every service, whether it is on a Tuesday or Friday, even your fellowship group meetings because they have been designed for your good. In this day and hour when evil is walking our streets, it is very important that you hang on to Jesus because every other ground is sinking sand. Refuse to run from pillar to post because like I would always say, whatever the word cannot give you (1) does not exist and (2) you do not need it.
As you go about this week and indeed this new month, settle it in your heart that God has not called you to seek Him in vain, so square your shoulders and get set for your divine intervention. He will have compassion over you. I see you lifted. Remember, you are Above Only. As a father in the house, I bless you.
Maranatha!
In His Royal Service,
Dr Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop
