Loaded weapons

Weekly Nuggets December 9, 2019

Jeremiah 51:20-23NKJV

You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms; With you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; With you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider; With you also I will break in pieces man and woman; With you I will break in pieces old and young; With you I will break in pieces the young man and the maiden; With you also I will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; With you I will break in pieces the farmer and his yoke of oxen; And with you I will break in pieces governors and rulers.

Key Phrase: Loaded weapons

I heard a word. A word like I’ve never heard. It challenged every spirit of fear which threatens my faith, it challenged every timidity that threatens the boldness which the spirit of God has given us.

The word of God says- I, You, We, are His weapons, battle axe, instrument of warfare. God declares that through us adversaries will be destroyed; old & young, female & male, governors & rulers, kingdoms. We are His weapons.

However, very weapon needs ammunition to be effective: A gun needs bullets, a cannon needs gunpowder, a catapult needs a stone. For us to walk in the explosive power that God has ordained, we must have the word of God dwelling richly within us or operate as a toy weapon, inert and unable to serve its purpose. Hence Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”

Loaded with the word of God, we will need a label that says to the adversary “dangerous weapon, approach at your risk”.

Father, let your word, Jesus, dwell richly within us and manifest in every area of our lives. Lord, from today, uproot everything within us that causes us fear, causes timidity, everything that gives the enemy boldness to approach us. Mostly Lord, load us with your power, charge us, make us a danger, a terror to the enemy. In Jesus name.

Elozino

Father, demobilize them

Weekly Nuggets December 2, 2019

2Kings 6:16-23 NKJV

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria. So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria! Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.

Key Phrase: Father, demobilize them

Psalm 23:5 tells us that God prepares us a table in the presence of our enemies. Fundamental principle being that what God has prepared for us, no man, principality or power can touch. Even when they surround in great numbers, God can cause them to be powerless.

This powerless state is the most tormenting punishment that anyone, especially the enemy can receive. Inability to move, to touch, to talk, to execute their plans. This is the state God will put our enemies in this last lap of the year.

In our nuggets for the week, Elisha pushes the demobilization button. It would have been easy to call down fire and destroy them, but there is a greater battle to be won when the enemy is demobilized, silenced, disgraced. Elisha said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And God struck them with blindness. A great army, blinded, powerless and subject to the authority of their would-be victim. Elisha, controlled them, humbled them, sent them back to their master with their tails between their legs and ended the siege of the Syrians.

Father, let every power tormenting us be totally demobilised and disgraced this season. Lord, As you demobilised pharaoh’s army at the bottom of the red sea, so shall it be for any tormentor with plans to pursue us into the new year. Mostly Lord, let your power come down every time we call on your name, fight for us, demobilize the enemy and change our story from disgrace to honour. In Jesus name.

Elozino

A Word – An Expectation- A Manifestation

Weekly Nuggets November 25, 2019

Mathew 8:5-13 NKJV

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled………..
…….. Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Key Phrase: A word – An expectation- A manifestation

Every manifestation of a miracle starts with a word, however the time between the word and the manifestation differs in different situations. For some it is immediate, for some it could take years – the only common denominator is that there must be an expectation that it will be done. How it will be done is not for us to rationalise, Just have faith that HE who can, will …. at the appointed time.

In today’s text, the centurion said... “But only speak a word”, he was expectant and got home to see the manifestation.

In some other instances like 2 kings 7:1-16 … the word went forth, it didnt look possible, “could this thing be?“. But God raised very unlikely helpers to bring about the manifestation.

In Luke 1:11-19 after the word came forth, Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this?“. Man using his understanding to assess the situation “I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” However, God remains God and said “my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

The pattern remains the same;
• God sends a word
• Man believes (a choice, even when our understanding is limited)
• At the appointed time, God brings it to pass (He can use the unlikely to make the impossible possible)

Father, let your word towards us be forever settled. Lord, fill our hearts with a faith that sees beyond our understanding and believes that our expectations will surely come to pass. Mostly Lord, whether immediately, days or years, grant us the perseverance to wait patiently for your appointed time. In Jesus name.

Elozino

Secret actions, Public blessings

Weekly Nuggets November 18, 2019

Mathew 6:1-13 NKJV

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men………………. your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly………………
Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Key Phrase: Secret actions, Public blessings

Every action we take in life holds a reward, it could be directly or indirectly proportional to the action but its a reward all the same. Also, depending on the motive of the action, the reward could be negative or positive. It could be transient or permanent. It could be ‘something light’ or a sumpteous 4-course meal. It could be simple/unnoticed or massive with ‘flashing lights’. It could be refundable or non-refundable.

In this week’s scripture passage, we hear the Lord persistently emphasising the need to test the motives behind every action, to test the intentions of the heart, to test the reason for our actions. To test why we give, why we pray, why we fast. To test why we do what we do, when we do it and where we do it. The Lord warns us severally, “do not be as the hypocrites!”, those who perform for an audience for the sake of a worldly approval but fail to receive a worthy spiritual reward.

God’s blessings follows His mercy closely, and God’s mercy passionately follows a humble and contrite heart. May our actions touch the heart of God and cause Him to move mountains on our behalf.

Father, It is whom you love that you chastise, thank you for chastising us with your word this season. Lord, I commit every of our actions into your hands, I come against every spirit that desires men to see and hear what should be done in quietness and humility. Mostly Lord, I ask for rewards that only you can give; life changing, permanent, open, elevating, wawu rewards. In Jesus name.

Elozino

God has you covered, really

Weekly Nuggets November 11, 2019

Ezekiel 34:26-31 NKJV

I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’ “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God.

Key Phrase: God has you covered, really

In the world we live where bad news, strife, troubles has become common place, it is of so much comfort to here the Lord speak today and say “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God”.

Those few simple comforting words conclude the affirmation He gives us in Ezekiel 34:26-31;
• He surrounds us with blessings
• He causes showers to come down in their season
• The trees of the field shall yield their fruit
• He gives safety
• He gives freedom and boldness
• Hunger shall no longer consume the land
• He takes away shame
• He watches over us like a Shepherd, always watchful, always caring

Father, I thank you for loving us, a love that knows the number of hair on our head. Lord, I thank you because you do not sleep or slumber concerning us, watching night and day to preserve and protect. Mostly Lord, I thank you for declaring us your flock, flock of your pasture. What a privilege to know that we dwell daily in the rich and pleasant pasture of the most high God. Lacking nothing, wanting nothing, trusting that your rod and your staff faileth not.

Elozino

A potent, speaking sacrifice

Weekly Nuggets November 4, 2019

Hebrews 11:4 NKJV

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Key Phrase: A potent, speaking sacrifice

They say a verb is a doing thing, but sometimes the doing is not sufficient to carry the power or intent of the action. A sacrifice is one of such words, a sacrifice is the act of giving up something (of value) to someone or a cause for the sake of a better cause. But a sacrifice given with the wrong motive is passive and lacks power.

Let’s look at an example, apologising. This is a sacrifice but there are times when an apology offered is just mere empty words. Offered by one grudgingly, flippantly, only from the lips. Received by the other casually, eye brow raised. The two parties knowing in their hearts that nothing has really changed.

Sacrifice must be willing, worthy, acceptable, it must have power, it must speak for today and for the future.

A quality sacrifice will keep favour flowing and doors open. A quality offering is what Abel gave and the Bible says “God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” What kind of sacrifice do we give to God, to our family, to society and to country? Empty shallow sacrifices that are all action but silent or passionate purpose-filled sacrifices that get God’s attention and speaks continually for our benefit?

May our sacrifices open doors of generational blessings upon our families.

Father, teach us that whether we be like the widow with a mite or Solomon with a thousand burnt offerings, it’s the intent of the heart you see. Lord, You see our hearts, touch every stoney part that doesnt allow us to offer a worthy sacrifice. Mostly Lord, when we make willing, worthy offerings, please accept and let it count and speak in our favour always. In Jesus mighty name.

Elozino

Call it forth

Weekly Nuggets October 28, 2019

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Key Phrase: Call it forth

The prayer of Jabez is one many are familiar with, but thanks to a word I heard this past weekend I am re-inspired by how Jabez changed the story between verse 9 and 10.

You see, there are circumstances that we find ourselves, some by our own making while some are beyond our control. With each we have three (3) choices;
• Allow the situation drive us and dictate the pace
• Decide to drive ourselves as clueless as we may be of the terrain
• or call in Jesus to take over and navigate us through to guaranteed success.
Jabez was born into a situation where his name was a constant reminder of pain and sorrow. Wherever he went, the fingers would point… “there goes Jabez, the pain guy”. What a life!

The good news is that even when life paints it bad, Jesus provides enough paint and paint brushes to colour it good. Romans 4:16-17 tells us of God who “calleth those things which be not as though they were.” So, like Jabez, we need option3 and call on the one who can make those things that are not as though they were.

This is the basis of Jabez faith
This is the basis for Jabez change
And this is the basis for the change that we will receive this season. That though today’s situation says pain and weeping, through God we can call forth comfort and joy into being.

Father, let the same spirit of honour found in Jabez rest upon us and set us apart for a blessing. Lord, increase our faith to call out a blessing from what we hear or see today. Mostly Lord, I ask, that when we stand in faith to call those things that are not, as though they were, please grant us our requests. In Jesus mighty name.

Elozino