A Hubby With Inspiration

Dear All,

The Temple of Praise Blog has the priviledge of sharing with everyone Sister Annette's Hubby.

The link below has some lovely pictures with words that help you appreciate the beauty and awesomeness of God from the perspective of Sister Annette.

Just click: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crownprincess/

God bless you.

Patrick

ANYTIME YOU ARE READY, GOD STARTS COUNTING

Brother Godwin

Beloved,

Scripture Reading: At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision (Daniel 9:23).Let me say this right away: we have been waiting for God for miracles and breakthrough in several areas of our lives but God is waiting for us to set the process that brings the miracles or breakthroughs to manifestation. Paul writing in 1 Corinthians 12:10 said that we have been given the gift of the working of miracles.  Note that it did not say the “gift of waiting for miracles” which appears to be the gift that many Christians in our time have. Jesus speaking to the disciples (which means speaking to you and I) said, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8). Now did you notice who Jesus told to do all those miracles? The people he sent and empowered.  Take a moment to think about this! This is why the scripture says that the manifestation of the spirit is give to every man (1 Corinthians 12:17). Friend, you have been given the gift of working of miracles; not waiting for miracles. This is the reason John and Peter told the lame man at the beautiful gate that they had his healing (Acts 3: 1-9). You and I are the hope of humanity. We are the hope of our community and our environment. The whole creature is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). Hey! Now are we the sons of God (1 John 3:2). Hallelujah! The point is this, God is ready anytime you are ready; be it in your finances, your health, your family or anything that concerns you. Moses had the rod but was expecting God to divide the sea. God told him “Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea”(Exodus 14:15-16). It our responsibility to use what God has given us to ease our lives. God is not going to do that for us. True!
In Daniel chapter 9, as soon as Daniel decided to pray, God sent the answer to the prayer he has barely prayed. So it was essentially in Daniel’s hand when God would fulfill his desires. When the prodigal son chose to return home, the father was already waiting for him for “when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). The question is; who determined when the prodigal son’s suffering ended? The prodigal son of course! God is not holding anything from us. God’s divine power has ALREADY given us all things that will make us live for him and enjoy life (2 Peter 1:3-4).  You and I choose the one we wish to have and when we wish to have them. God speaking in Malachi 3:7 declared,”return unto me and I will return unto you”. Christians would want to create the impression that it is all in God’s hand. No, it is not. It is in my hand and your hand.
One may ask, “I have prayed and fasted but my desires have not been fulfilled”.  You know what, you are probably right. It is has not physically manifested because you just said it has not been fulfilled…..and you shall have whatever you say. When do you know that what you have prayed for has been fulfilled? The answer is clear in 1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him”. You know that you have your desires as soon as you have prayed according to the word of God (which is the will of God). You don’t know that you have it when you see it physically. No, that is not what the Bible says.
Joshua asked the Israelites, “How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you”(Joshua 18:3)? Jesus asked the disciples, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?”  (Mark 9:19). How long are we going to wait before we step into where God wants us to be? How long? Hear this:  “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Friend the time is now. God is not going to get bigger tomorrow. He is not going to get more powerful tomorrow so that he would be able to help you. No. All that needed to be done has been done. The remaining thing that needs to be done is in your hand and in my hand. The just does not live because he is just. He lives by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4). If we refused to use what have been freely given to us, we will continue to suffer in the mist of plenty. "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation" (Hebrews 2:3)? I am persuaded of better things concerning you.
Psalms 1:3 says you determine your season. Joshua 1:8 says you shall make your way prosperous. Proverbs 24:13-14 says when you have found the word, and eaten it as honey,  your expectation shall be fulfilled. Isaiah 66:8 says that as soon as Zion travails it brings forth her fruits. Friend, it is not in God’s hands. It is in your hand and in my hand. Thank God that in our time, the prince of persia CANNOT prevent our answers from reaching us because we pray in the name to which every knee bows (Philippians 2:9-11, Isaiah 45:23). Hallelujah!
You have your Bible, study the scriptures here and more to find out for yourself.
Never forget this: anytime you are ready, God starts counting

Check out The Pictures From Sunday by clicking the link below.

https://picasaweb.google.com/100546209979802680453/October232011

OUR GOD REIGNS

By Brother Godwin

Beloved,

Scripture Reading: But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid (Matthew 14:27).

I wish to begin by thanking everyone for their support and prayers during the celebration of my father life. Your prayers, visits and gifts were very much appreciated. I have known for some time now: who ever receives me, receives a reward. Yours would not elude you in the name of Jesus Christ. Everything went on very well. To God alone be all the glory.
In the story in Matthew 14: 22-32, although Jesus had sent his disciples to cross over, when he noticed that the wind was contrary to their movement, he walked on the water to go and help them. Jesus walked on the water to get to them because that was the fastest way to reach them. Friend, God will do anything necessary, including creating additional miracles in order to be there when you need help. He is a present help in the time of need (Psalms 46: 1). The truth is this: if what you are asking God does not exist, God would create one. Hear this Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19). God is ready to do a brand new thing for you: something that would amaze you when you know the details. Amen!
Note that although the wind was contrary, it did not sink the ship. The wind could not sink the ship because Jesus had told them to cross over. They were in the centre of God’s will. Friend, God’s will is for you to have a job. He will not allow anybody to sack you until another provision have been made for you. See that job as your inheritance (because the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, Psalms 24:1) because your inheritance by God’s program should be forever (Psalms 37:18-19). This means you determine when you leave. Stop imagining who hates you and who does not. Do not join colleague who are expert commentators. No, don’t join them. There is a way for you, and that way is in God; in God’s word.
Then Peter walked on the sea. Not only was Peter riding on the wave of miracle, he was an instant miracle himself. Note that the wind was still contrary while Peter was inside the ship. The wind was still contrary when he chose to step out of the ship, straight into water. He knew he was stepping into water. Of course water was water, even if the wind was still, and yet he chose to take that step of faith. Peter took the step based on the word of Jesus Christ. Friend, you can generate a miracle based on God’s word. I mean concerning any area of your life, you can stand on the revealed word and watch things turn to your favor. A long time ago, I was demoted on a job I felt I was doing well. I discussed with my wife Gloria, and we agreed that based on Proverbs 4:18, it was an error to accept that lower position. It was just a matter of time (a very short time) before things turned to my favor. Hallelujah! His word, revealed to your heart is a sure foundation.  How I wish many of us would begin to take conscious efforts based on God’s word. The more I read the scriptures and compare them with the songs we sing and the way we pray, the more it appears to me that we are expecting God to do what he has given into our hands. For instance, Matthew 10:8 read Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. This suggests they had control over the healing of the sick. Was that not what Peter and John demonstrated when they told the lame man Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk (Acts 3:6-7). You and I carry the miracle working rod, the word of God. We need to put it to work (Matthew 16:19, Isaiah 45:11).
Then Peter beginning to sink. First note that Peter did not sink; he was beginning to sink. There was no way he could sink because Jesus was there. Friend Jesus is with you.  Once your trust is in him, God will make up for your mistakes (2 Corinthians 12:9). But wait a minute. What made Peter to begin to sink? He removed his eyes from Jesus and began to see the wind. The wind was there before he stepped out of the ship. Now tell me, do people walk on water when the weather is calm? This means that the wind has nothing whatsoever to do with Peter’s miracle or lack of it. Don’t let the enemy to deceive you that your survival is in the hands of any man (Hebrew 13:5-6). Every good and every perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). Stop making Peter’s mistake. Remove your eyes from market reports and news. Stop watching analysis of the economic crisis. You are from above where the economy does not fail (John 17: 14, 16). Fix your eyes on the Word of God. Read it aloud to yourself, confess it and act based on it.
No matter what the issue is, our God reigns and he has put you and I in control.
Learn to take control!

LIVING OR EXISTING

By Brother Godwin

Beloved,

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection (Romans 6:5)

Many of the folks that would read this will remember the morning, the leader of the companion distributed a write up titled Living Cadaver. That was in our second year in the university. Summary of the write up was this: ‘people think they are living but actually are dead because they do not have Jesus Christ as their savior. It made such a powerful impact on our classmates who were not born again then (Thank God that a lot: I mean so many have accepted Jesus Christ since then. Hallelujah).  This analogy brings out the fact that a lot are living the lives they are not. So many Christians are not living the lives they really are.
Before Adam became a living soul, he merely existed. The life of God did not flow through him. When God breathed into him, he became a living speaking spirit like God (Genesis 2:7); he became a co-creator with God. He single handed named everything living and impacted the nature that they exhibit today (Genesis 2:19). Adam started living when God breathed unto him. Before then he merely existed.
Psalms 82:1 says that God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. That clearly identifies who God says we are, mighty. God calls you a god (if you are born again). “Me, mighty” you may ask? I did not say it. Check it from your own copy of the Bible. Don’t be surprised. That is God’s view of you, but it did not stop there. Verse 7 says that you are not a man (some version says a mere man). Now that introduces a completely different narrative. I am not a mere man? Yes, you are not a mere man. You are a spirit, in the image and likeness of God. You are mighty. God had so much confidence that he appointed you a defender of the poor and fatherless, a deliverer of the needy (verses 5-6). I mean you are to enforce salvation that Jesus brought. You and I are to execute the judgment written in the scriptures (Psalms 149:5-9). Now read the whole of Psalm 82 and see that for yourself. Obadiah 21 calls you a savior. Earlier in Obadiah 17, the scripture says that there shall be deliverance upon mount Zion. Who shall do that, the deliverers of course!  I mean The Saviors in Zion..you and I WORKING  WITH GOD!.
That is why the whole creation has been waiting for ages for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). You and I are the hope of creation. True! Friend, Jesus is sitting down at the right hand of God waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool (Psalms 110:1). Satan has been defeated (Colossians 2:14-15) but that defeat needs to be enforced. Who would do that? Saviors in Zion: sons of God. I mean mighty spirits. This honor have all the saints of God (Psalms 149:9).
They were entertaining that daughter of Abraham for 18 years in that synagogue until Jesus appeared (Luke 13:16). The lame man was there at the beautiful gate until Peter and John showed up (Acts 3:1-7).   Simon the sorcerer was the talk of the town until Philip showed up (Acts 8:8-13). Ha ha ha! It is our time and we have to make it count.
How shall these things be, Mary asked the angel? Hosea 6:3 puts the answer this way “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth”. When we follow on to know the Lord, his glory manifest. This is not head knowledge. It is heart knowledge with the whole spirit, soul and body, programmed and working in unison with the word of God. Daniel called them “they that know their God” (Daniel 11:32).
We ought to live in the likeness of his resurrection. The resurrected life did not recognize walls: the resurrected like could enter a locked room without the need for a door (John 20:19). The resurrected life could stay in the deep for 3 days without getting drowned. The enemy recognized the resurrected life in Jesus and Paul. Did you say Paul? I did not say it. The Bible said it (Acts 19:15). Paul, a re-born man like you and I, developed to the extent that he was recognized in the spirit realm. If Paul can, then we can.
Let’s wake up and make the divine life we have to count. We should not just exist we need to start living the divine life.

BAPTISM SERVICE, 18TH SEPTEMBER 2011

Riches and Good Health: All part of the salvation package

By Brother Godwin

Beloved,

Scripture Reading: And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you (Exodus 10:24).

Last week we saw how the enemy tries to negotiate our divinity away by making every effort to keep us at the fringes of our commitment to God. Go serve God he says, but do not go very far. Interestingly, this is a direct opposite of what God said in his word. Jeremiah 29:13 says, you shall seek me and find me when you search for me with your whole heart. The word also says that God will show himself strong in the life of those whose heart are perfect toward him (2 Chronicles 16:9). These are people who go far with him. Didn’t God say that he would spue out those who are neither warm nor cold out of his mouth (Revelation3:15-16)? So get immersed in God. That is how to get the best in God.
Pharaoh had another argument in order to contain the blessings of the people of God. This was what he said: Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed (Exodus 10:24). Flocks and herds represent their riches; the blessings of the Lord upon their life. The enemy wants us to think that the good of life does not belong to us. “You can be holy but don’t talk about wealth”. “Don’t talk about a healthy living”. So people sing such songs as “take the whole world and give me Jesus”. No, that is wrong singing. If God is your father, doesn’t a good father take care of his children?  What reflection does it have on God that his children would be begging food? Friend it is not God. It is the enemy that convinces people that holiness is incompatible with riches. Lack or poverty does not make you more Christian than your neighbor that is rich. In fact it mocks the authenticity of the God you claim to serve (Psalms 37:18-19). Check the scripture. People that served God well were people of means. You know what? It is the love of wealth much more than love for God that is a sin. When wealth becomes a god, so that you live for it instead of for God, you are into idolatry. You will agree with me that the person that has 1000 Euro can be as idolatrous towards money as the person that has billions of Euros.  Don’t allow the enemy to negotiate the blessings God has given you away.
“Go serve God but leave the blessings behind”. This is a ploy of the enemy. God’s blessings include good health. The same death of Jesus Christ that saved you from your sin also saved you from sickness and lack. Salvation is much more than cleansing from sins. First let’s see what the problem was.  Jeremiah 5:25 says “Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.  Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you”.  Now see the available solution:  Isaiah 53:6 says  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Put together, the iniquity that withheld good from us has been taken away. Every good thing has been provided. Don’t listen to the negotiator. The most holy God is the richest personality. The most holy God is not sick. So why should you and I lack? Why should you and I be ill? God’s plan is that those that serve him will not just be satisfy with the good things of life, also he plan to keep them healthy (Proverbs 13:17). See what he said And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil (Exodus 23:25-26). This is the true reflection of God.
Friend, we need to stand strong and take that which God has already given us. Joshua was frustrated with the children of Israel and asked them, how long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you (Joshua 18:3)? These are all included: Signs and wonders shall follow those of us that believe (Mark 16:17-18). We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). God’s divine power has given to us all things that pattern unto life and godliness (2 Peters 1:3-4).  Stop the enemy from negotiating away your covenant rights.
I will end this write up by quoting what the Spirit of God said through a man of God in August 2010: “Our ignorance or laziness to appropriate that which belongs to us does not invalidate the promises of God. It just means we did not take due diligence to do what we are supposed to do” (Pastor Olumide, 2010). How ture this is!Stop standing on the fringes. Go take that which belongs to you. Find them from the scriptures and forcefully take them by faith.