A Glorious 2019

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Dearly beloved:

I appreciate your visits to this blog. Thank you for reading through the posts, supporting the adverts on the blog through clicks on the products and services which appealed to you. I am also grateful to all of you who purchased my books. 

God bless you and reward you with the blessings of heaven above, the blessings of the deep that lies beneath, the blessings of the breasts and of the womb. May God in His infinite mercies and great love for you fill your lives with the hidden riches of secret places, the treasures of darkness and the treasures hidden in the sand. May God open your eyes of understanding to uncover these blessings in your lives so that all the days of your lives, you flourish in God’s overflowing abundance in Jesus mighty name.

I also pray that you enjoy great generational wealth in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

May God also satisfy you with long lives, so that you will see your children’s children as it is written in the Holy Bible in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. May God Who is always good and kind grant you divine health to enjoy these blessings in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

It is written in Isaiah Chapter 54 verse 17 that no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper. That is your portion in 2019 and beyond in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. May God to Whom all power belongs destroy every weapon of the enemy fashioned against you irrespective of what format it is shaped in; in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. May God overrule every tongue that rises against you in judgment in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

The Lord strengthen you, comfort you and expand you on all sides to the glory of His holy name in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Thank You and God Bless You all. Shalom.

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The Power of His Name

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king!  Answer us when we call! Psalm 20 verses 1 to 7.

The power of the name of Jesus Christ is great, in point of fact so great that the religious leaders of the day forbade the Apostles from ‘speaking to anyone or teaching anyone in the name of Jesus Christ’. Please see Acts Chapter 4 verse 1 to 31, 5 verses 27 to 42.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower where the righteous can actually run into and be safe. This implies that the name of the Lord is a strong and safe fortress, a refuge and a hiding place from trouble and all the evil darts of the enemy. Please see Proverbs Chapter 18 verse 10 and Psalm 31 verses 1 to 3.

The power of the name of Jesus Christ is great because God gave Him the name which is above every other name so that at the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee bows; whether they are knees in heaven, on earth and those under the earth.

Secondly, every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord at the mention of the name of Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

The name of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit bring healing, deliverance and miracles. Please see Acts Chapter 3 verses 6, 16; Mark Chapter 16 verses 16 to 20. David came up against Goliath in the name of the Lord and loud mouthed Goliath was destroyed alongside the fear he spouted which immobilized the army of God. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 17 verses 32 to 54.

The name of the Lord brings salvation. Please see Acts Chapter 4 verse 12, Luke Chapter 24 verses 46 to 47.

Pray Without Ceasing

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Prayer is a command from God to believers. Please see Luke Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, 2 verses 36 to 38 and 1^st Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 18, and Ephesians Chapter 6 verse 18. It is also a platform for making our requests to God.

The content of prayers is very important to God. I am sure that explains why Jesus Christ gave the Church a prayer template in Matthew Chapter 6 verses 5 to 15, Luke Chapter 11 verses 1 to 4 so that believers are not misguided when praying especially so when they are praying against people who hurt them, offended them and made them angry. Nowhere in the Bible did Jesus say that believers should pray against their enemies; asking them to die, be destroyed, or their properties destroyed. Also, the prayer template does not give room for self righteousness as in the case of the two men – the Pharisee and the tax collector who Jesus Christ described in Luke Chapter 18 verses 9 to 14. Jesus Christ commended the tax collector who humbly asked God for mercy.

Why Pray

God answers prayer. The Bible is replete with instances of the people of God praying to God and God in turn responding positively to their prayers. Additionally, God said so in His word. Please see Matthew Chapter 7 verse 7, Luke Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, and Jeremiah Chapter 33 verse 3. The early Church prayed without ceasing in spite of the fact that the Apostle Peter was already on death row. God intervened and Peter was miraculously released from prison by an angel of God. Please read Acts Chapter 12 for details. Prophet Elijah prayed for the son of the widow of Zarephath and the young man came back to life. Please read 1^st Kings Chapter 17 verses 17 to 24. He also prayed for rain after a long period of drought in Israel. God honored his prayer and there was a heavy downpour. Please read 1^st Kings Chapter 18. The prophet Elisha prayed and the dead son of the woman of Shunem was brought back to life. Please read 2^nd Kings Chapter 4 verses 15 to 37.

Big Dreams, Great Visions, PROPHESY to Heal the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Isaiah’s Vision

Prior to the encounter with God after the death of King Uzziah, Isaiah’s vision of God was blurred. So also was his ministry as it centered around the court. Additionally, Isaiah was probably a self righteous person who did not realize that he was a man of unclean lips who lived among a people of unclean lips – people who had no fear of God and carried on as if the Holy God of Israel did not see their evil. But all that came to an end when Isaiah saw the Lord significantly so after the death of Uzziah.

Isaiah’s vision of the Holy God of Israel surrounded by indescribable light and angels opened Isaiah’s eyes and understanding to the dimension of the great filth he and his people were in. Isaiah was both awed and afraid – a filthy sinner like him had encountered holiness and pure light. Significantly and this is quite instructive, Isaiah acknowledged his filthiness before the Holy God. Subsequently, his unclean lips were purged and cleansed of iniquity so that those same lips; cleansed and sanctified for the Master’s use could be deployed for kingdom purposes.

Healing the Nations Campfire 2018

Glory be to God. It is Healing the Nations Campfire 2018. 

This year's edition of  Healing the Nations Campfire promises to be awesome as God is about to do great things in the nations of the world.He is bringing about restoration in diverse area, restoring His order in the nations and ensuring mighty deliverance for His people; not by might nor by power but His Spirit, the Spirit of grace and supplication, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead and is resident in you, who has a relationship with God. 

Please be part of the train. Shalom. God bless you. 

Big Dreams, Great Visions, PROPHESY to Heal the Nations 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Dreams and visions which are born of God and based on the word of God and also rooted in God are elastic. They can be stretched to whatever dimensions God wants them stretched to. Please read Genesis Chapter 13 verses 14 to 15 (as far as you can see); Isaiah Chapter 54 verses 2 to 3; Genesis Chapter 28 verses 13 to 15; Deuteronomy Chapter 33 verse 23; Joshua Chapter 17 verses 16 to 18.

Abraham’s Vision

Visualize the scope, expand your horizon, stretch your imagination.

Abraham’s vision was occasioned by the words God spoke to him – the journey to the land of promise coupled with the blessings attached to the obedience to that move from Haran. Abram alongside his father and other family members had embarked on the journey to Canaan but stopped at Haran where Abram eventually settled. Please read Genesis Chapter 11 verses 27 to 32. But at the appointed time, God spoke to Abram concerning moving permanently to Canaan in Genesis Chapter 12 verses 1 to 8. Significant and quite instructive is that Abram obeyed God and commenced movement to Canaan immediately. But the parts of Canaan Abram arrived at were not uninhabited land.

Writing to Heal the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Books are not written in a day though it is possible to have a draft of a book in a day depending on the size or scope of the book. A book can start as a letter which graduates into a series of letters which eventually culminate in a book or books which make up a book of books, for instance the letters of Apostle Paul to some of the Churches he planted which culminated in the Pauline epistles in the New Testament in the Bible.

King Solomon for instance commenced his writing career by speaking – the Bible records that he spoke three thousand proverbs while his songs were one thousand and five. Everything he spoke was documented, some by himself, and others by court scribes and they were handed down to succeeding generations as the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Songs of Songs. Please read 1^st Kings Chapter 4 verses 31 to 34, Ecclesiastes Chapter 12 verses 9 to 10. The Bible records that he chose his words carefully while speaking and writing. He chose words that would point people in the right direction in life. The fact that some of the writings of King Solomon were done by court scribes implies that the author of  a book may not necessarily be the writer of the book as the writer may be a conduit or channel for documenting the person’s ideas, thought processes, speeches, prophecies, messages etc. Baruch also wrote for the prophet Jeremiah.

Writing to Heal the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Writers are divinely designed to bring God’s love, healing and transformation to nations and peoples. The place of writers in healing the nations is significant as writers ordained by God to heal the nations with their writings are divinely tasked to write to impact humanity positively. The prophet Jeremiah wrote to instruct the Israelites to obey God, ignore the false prophets and the lies they told. Jeremiah encouraged the people to go to exile in Babylon and be fruitful while in exile. He also told them that exile in Babylon was not permanent as God would set them free and bring them back to Jerusalem after seventy years. The basis of Jeremiah’s prophecy, documented informed Daniel’s intercession for the release of Israel from Babylonian captivity. Please read Daniel Chapter 9 verses 1 to 5, and Jeremiah Chapter 29.  The Apostle Paul, John the Beloved, Moses and Habakkuk wrote to instruct believers and nations on how to live holy lives that would ensure peace and development in the nations. John the Beloved was instructed to write his visions in book for onward transmission to the seven Churches in Asia. Please read,  Revelation Chapter  1 verses 10 to 20, please note verses 11 and 19; Habakkuk Chapter 2 verses 1 to 3, Luke Chapter 1 verses 1 to 4, Acts Chapter 1 verses 1 to 20, Jude 3, 1^st Corinthians Chapter 10 verses 1 to 11.

This implies that God uses writing as a tool to fulfill divine purpose and impact lives. Therefore, writing to impact lives positively in order to improve and enhance the quality of lives of people to bring about positive transformation in their lives as well as be a blessing to humanity is great writing that should be hugely encouraged. This is because the benefits of such writing are immense. To start with, your writing enriches the mental processes of your constituency as they engage with the life transforming words, issues and subjects written about. Their enriched mental processes birth divine ideas which are again filtered through other quality life transforming books they mentally engage with or even produce.

Beloved, does your writing inspire, motivate people to rise up to their divine potentials and heights in life? Does your writing encourage people out of depression, stir them to challenge whatever limits them or is trying to put limits on them so that they can be who God created them to be? Does your writing provide guidance, direction, to guide people in the paths of righteousness and holy living? Does your writing inspire confidence and faith in God so that people believe and trust in God and subsequently have confidence in themselves based on their understanding of God’s love to them; God’s divine deposits in them to excel and soar?

GRACE

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” Galatians Chapter verses 15 and 16.

 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians Chapter 4 verse 7.”

The grace of God which is always sufficient also empowers the recipients’ of God’s grace to live holy and sanctified lives. The principles for living holy lives are not in the stratosphere. They are in the word of God, which a diligent search will give to you and the grace of God will empower to live holy to the glory of God. Ask God for the grace today.

God invested His grace in Paul and that grace was not in vain. It was used for the plans and purposes of God to glorify the name of God. Please see 1^st Corinthians Chapter 15 verses 1 to 11. The Apostle Paul abounded in grace. The grace of God in your life should be used to advance the kingdom of God. Ministry is about labor – the grace of God in your life is to enable you to labor in the kingdom of God and for the kingdom of God; for the establishment of His plans and purposes.

Do you really deserve such love and uncommon favor, bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, so that you will be free of all the ills the enemy threw at you? If yes, then take advantage of the great grace of God to you. The unmerited favor of God to you should never be taken for granted. God in His infinite mercy chose to grant you grace in spite of your trespasses. This grace is sufficient for everything you could ever ask for in life. 

Give Thanks to the Lord

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. 11 and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.

Be Sensitive to the Holy Spirit to Intercede

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

He is the Spirit of grace and supplication (Zechariah Chapter 12 verse 10, Luke Chapter 2 verse 40, and Romans Chapter 8 verses 26 to 28).

All the intercessors mentioned in the Bible had the Holy Spirit without measure. That is why they prayed the purposes of God and His perfect will. Jesus, the perfection of intercession and the perfect intercessor was and is full of the Holy Spirit. Please see Isaiah Chapter 11 verse 2, Matthew Chapters 1 verse 20; 3 verse 16, 4 verse 1, Luke Chapters 1 verse 35; 4 verses 18 to 19, Romans Chapter 8 verse 34, Hebrews Chapter 7 verse 25.

The Apostle Paul, a great man of prayer, writing by the Holy Spirit instructed believers to pray without ceasing. Please see 1^st Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 17, Ephesians Chapter 6 verse 18; thereby reiterating what Jesus taught in Luke Chapter 18 verse 1. Beloved, PRAY! PRAY!! PRAY!!!; NOT BY MIGHT BUT BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.

Anna the prophetess spent her days and nights in prayers and fasting. Significantly, the Bible does not record that Anna was praying for her children or properties. She was widowed at a young age yet she spent her days and nights interceding for the kingdom of God; the plans and purposes of God; the perfect will of God to be established. Prophetess Anna was able to do this because she was filled with the Spirit of grace and supplication and she also respected and honored the Spirit of grace and supplication. Please see Luke Chapter 2 verses 36 to 37.

So also was Simeon who recognized Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. Please see Luke Chapter 2 verses 25 to 32.

Be Sensitive to the Holy Spirit 4

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Holy Spirit teaches, instructs and directs the people of God to profit by leading them in the way they should go. Please see Isaiah Chapter 48 verses 17 to 18, Psalm 81 verses 10 to 16 so that they do not labor in vain like the Ostrich who lacks wisdom because it is the will of God for His children to labor for profit. Please see Job Chapter 39 verses 13 to 18, Isaiah Chapters 65 verses 19 to 24, 28 verses 23 to 29. God in His infinite mercy and wisdom gives believers the Holy Spirit to instruct them for profit so that they do not partner with destructive partners like the wild ox described in Job Chapter 39 verses 10 to 12.

Quite instructive, planting seasons, maintenance seasons, types of maintenance, harvest seasons and care of the harvested produce differ. Therefore, believers should follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit to ensure that a very ready ripe harvest is brought in immediately, cared for and some left over to plant to bring in other harvests as in the case of the Church in Philippi. That Church as well as other Churches in Macedonia became so kingdom minded and kingdom projects supportive that even at a time of great trail of affliction, they supported kingdom people, projects and activities, ministering to the needs of the saints and the Church. Please see 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 8 verses. Please see 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 8 verses 1 to 5. It is instructive that they also completely surrendered to God as the Bible records that they first gave themselves to the Lord. Please see Philippians Chapter 4 verses 10 to 19. Paul prayed specially for their needs to be met by God; especially the Church in Philippi. 

Therefore, take advantage of the planting seasons God gives to you through His Holy Spirit and plant promptly. Do same for maintenance and harvest seasons and remember that methodologies differ (Isaiah Chapter 28 verses 23 to 29). The Holy Spirit will guide you if only you will pay attention. 

Be Sensitive to the Holy Spirit 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Holy Spirit is key to fruitfulness and multiplication and increase because He is the One Who gives divine direction which leads to fruitfulness. One of the ways to labor for profit is to walk in divine direction – obey the instructions of the Holy Spirit (Genesis Chapter 26, Psalm 127 verse 1, Proverbs Chapter 23 verse 4, Isaiah Chapters 45 verses 13 to 14, 48 verse 17, 58 verses 11 to 12. Fruitfulness, multiplication and increase come by the Holy Spirit. Please see Isaiah Chapter 63 verse 23, Ezekiel Chapter 29 verses 18 to 20.

It is quite instructive that because Paul and his team members were sensitive to the Holy Spirit and also obeyed the Holy Spirit, much result oriented work was done where the Holy Spirit directed them to, a field ready for harvest. Significantly, it buttresses the fact that it is not by might nor by power (Zechariah Chapter 4 verse 6). Paul and his colleagues wanted to go and preach in Asia (preaching the word of God is doing the work of the kingdom and this should gladden the heart of God); yet they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia, including Bithynia. This was because God had a different location for them; a place where souls ripe for harvest were waiting to hear the gospel but unfortunately no one was preaching the gospel there and then. Fortunately, Paul and his team members obeyed the Holy Spirit and allowed their steps to be ordered of God to Macedonia in response to the Macedonian call. Lydia and her household were harvested into the kingdom. Additionally, the girl with spirit of divination was set free.

Be Sensitive to the Holy Spirit 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man  join himself to them: but the people magnified them.  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)  Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude [out] of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Acts Chapter 5 verses 12 to 16.

Anytime the Holy Spirit is allowed to move freely, victory is always guaranteed through abundant harvests, healing, deliverance, divine guidance that leads to prosperity. Please see Luke Chapter 4 verses 1 to 19, John Chapter 4 verses 1 to 43, Acts Chapter 2 verses 41, 47, 4 verse 31, 6 verse 7. The great prosperity of the early Church was hinged on sensitivity to and obedience to the Holy Spirit.

It is good to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit but that good should progress to better through loving and willing obedience; and best through prompt obedience. Sensitivity without obedience does not bring about results. It is no use asking for the infilling of the Holy Spirit if a person has no intention of obeying the Holy Spirit. Consistent obedience to the Holy Spirit leads to fruitfulness and fruitfulness leads to multiplication. The early Church was exceedingly fruitful in all aspects of ministry such as evangelism, soul harvests, intercession, finances and financing, miracles, care of the vulnerable and needy, you name it and multiplied greatly despite persecutions and other challenges because the leadership and members of the early Church were subject to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and obeyed the instructions of the Holy Spirit promptly.

Be Sensitive to the Holy Spirit 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Who is the Holy Spirit? He is the Spirit of the Living God which explains why He is referred to as the Spirit of God. Please see Acts Chapter 2 verses 17, Joel Chapter 2 verses 28 to 29, 1^st Corinthians Chapter 12 verse 3, 3 verse 16, 2 verses 11 and 14, Romans Chapter 8 verses 9 and 14, 1^st John Chapter 4 verse 2, Matthew Chapter 1 verse 28, 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 24 verse 20, 15 verse 1, 1^st Samuel Chapter 19 verse 20, 23, Exodus Chapter 31 verse 3, 35 verse 31 and Isaiah Chapter 48 verse 16. This implies that The Holy Spirit is not a physical person. The Holy Spirit is a person and not a wind, a force or a thing. He is the third person of the Trinity. Please read 1^st John Chapter 5 verse 7, John Chapter 16 verse 13. The wind and fire are evidences of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Please read Acts Chapter 2 verses 14 to 21, 1^st Corinthians Chapter 14 verse 2, Romans Chapter 8 verses 26 to 27. 

Praise Heals Peoples and Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation Chapter 4 verse 11.

Praise to God is always a sweet smelling savor, a worthy sacrifice which God always delights in and responds to. God is great and worthy to be praised. He deserves your praises and the praises of the peoples of the earth and the nations of the earth. To start with, God created you, the peoples of the nations and the nations of the earth as well as everything that resides in the earth. He did all of these for His pleasure. Please Revelation Chapter 4 verse 11.

Therefore, one of the great gifts you can give to God at all times is to praise Him. Give God praise in whatever situation, place or position you find yourself in.  Do not allow the circumstances overwhelm you; rather overwhelm and overcome the circumstances through praise and the undiluted word of God. The Psalmist noted that he would praise the Lord at all times and that the praise of God would always dwell in His mouth. Beloved, to praise God does not require and attract any monetary cost. Therefore there is no reason why anyone should not praise God. Every ingredient required to praise God is embedded in you – your voice, your mouth, your thought processes and imagination. All you need do is PRAISE.

God Heals 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke Chapter 4 verses 18 to 19.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah Chapter 61 verses 1 to 3.

Some ailments are satanically inflicted to torment, humiliate and oppress people; even animal, lands and natural resources in order to place limits on them. Please see Acts Chapter 5 verse 16 where the Bible records that the people who were tormented by unclean spirits received their healing. Please see also Matthew Chapter 9 verses 20 to 22, Luke Chapter 8 verses 43 to 48, Mark Chapter 5 verses 25 to 34, , 1 to 20; the woman with the issue of blood and the Gadarene demoniac, the epileptic boy, Mark Chapter 9 verses 17 to 27, Luke Chapter 13 verses 11 to 16 and the woman who was bent over for eighteen years in Luke Chapter 13 verses 10 to 16. Some of the ways through which God heals include:

Through His spoken word - The Bible records in Psalm 107 verse 20 that He sent His word and healed their diseases. Please see also Exodus Chapter 15 verse 26, Isaiah Chapters 53 verses 4 to 5; 54 verses 14 to 17, Acts Chapter 5 verse 16, Matthew Chapter 8 verse 17 and 1^st Peter Chapter 2 verse 24.

You Can Call the Shots 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.  Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, [and whatsoever] passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8 verses 1 to 9, 

Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Job Chapter 22 verses 27 to 28.

The early Church called the shots severally. They refused to be silenced despite several harassments, threats to life and intimidation by the religious leaders of the day. As they chose to obey God rather than men (Acts Chapter 4 verses 18 to 31); the Church grew, the word of God multiplied and the believers were strengthened and comforted; and God worked many miracles by the hands of the Apostles.

Additionally, the early Church called the shots by rebuking sin, particularly the sin of deception and falsehood. The consequences of the sin of deception and falsehood by Ananias and Sapphira was enough warning and deterrent against sin as the Bible records that great fear came upon the Church and all those who heard the story. Please read Acts Chapter 5 verses 1 to 11 for details.

King Herod dared to stretch out his hand against the early Church. He took the Church unawares and killed James the brother of John. When Herod saw that his evil act against the Church pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter. However, the Church successfully called the shots against Herod’s harassment of the Church through constant prayer for the deliverance of the Apostle Peter from the unjust death sentence by King Herod.  Though Peter was already sentenced and imprisoned; bound with two chains between two soldiers and surrounded by several other guards, about to be killed; the Church kept praying, praying without ceasing.

God Heals

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." Exodus Chapter 15 verse 26 NIV.

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Malachi Chapter 4 verse 2 KJV.

Jesus Christ healed the numerous sick people that He came in contact with. He responded to the pain, shame, humiliation and stigma that had come upon them as a result of the ailments they suffered. Please see Luke Chapter 14 verses 1 to 5. Jesus did not consider the spiritual, social and economic standing of the sick people. Rather, He simply addressed what was causing pain, shame and humiliation in their lives. The man with dropsy for instance was not at the synagogue or one of the preaching outposts of Jesus. The man was at the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees that Jesus had lunch with on a Sabbath day. Jesus addressed the health issue of the man with dropsy and he was healed; outside of the Church. 

The dead son of the widow of Nain was not anywhere near the Synagogue or the preaching outposts of Jesus. He was being carried out of the city of Nain in a coffin to be buried. Close to the city gate, Jesus met them; saw the widowed mother of the dead young man and had compassion on her. Subsequently, Jesus raised the young man back to life. There were no offerings, no special miracle or redemption of first born offerings collected. Rather, Jesus presented the young man to his mother. The mother was happy, the people glorified God, acknowledging Jesus Christ as a great prophet who had risen among the people and gladly proclaimed that God had visited His people.

You Can Call the Shots 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis Chapter 1 verse 28.

To call the shots means to be in charge, to exercise dominion at all times regardless of what the situation or circumstance is and who or what is involved. This means that you do not cave in to fear or intimidation or barricades. You simply maneuver the challenges and stay on top of your game. To call the shots, you must stand on the solid ground that never gives way no matter the pressures you are experiencing. That solid ground is God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Also, you have to learn the diplomacy and language for always calling the shots.

Prior to becoming King in Israel, David always called the shots by daring to stand up against the wild beasts which came after the family flock he tended. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 17 verses 34 to 37 and psalm 78 verses 70 to 72. David ensured that none of the family flock was lost to bears and lions. He went after the animals, killed them and rescued the family flock no matter how young the sheep that was taken. These acts of courage that were based on trust in God and His power to always deliver Him energized David to call the shots against Goliath. David refused to be intimidated by both threats and size of Goliath. He went after Goliath and to the surprise of everyone; including Goliath, David brought Goliath down. Please read the entire chapter, 1^st Samuel 17 for details.

You Can Call the Shots

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Daniel always called the shots despite being employed by non Jewish Kings in non Jewish kingdoms. For three years, Daniel and his three Jewish friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah did not partake of the defiling delicacies of King Nebuchadnezzar’s table. No court trainee was allowed to do that as it would incur great wrath from the King not only to on the trainee but on the stewards assigned to the trainee.

Yet, Daniel and his three friends were able to do this for three years. They successfully sidestepped the laws of the land; called the shots in their favor and to their advantage. Did they achieve this daring feat through outright personal disobedience, civil disobedience  such as inciting other trainees to act against the laws of the land; threats, intimidation and blackmail?

Not at all! Daniel was unusually gifted with soft skills. He was a diplomat, divinely endowed with very strong negotiating skills. The Bible records that Daniel went to the chief of the eunuchs assigned to him and his friends and respectfully requested that they should be exempted from the defiling delicacies of the King’s table. Quite instructive and significant is the fact that Daniel did not refer to the King’s delicacies as defiling when he spoke with the chief of the eunuchs. He simply begged to be exempted; requesting that a ten days trial should be given to them after which the chief of eunuchs could decide on what to do with them depending on the outcome of the trial. Daniel was strategic in his choice of words, He referred to himself and his three friends as the servants of the chief eunuch meaning they were subject to his authority. The implication is that they had no intention to be rebellious to his authority or that of the King. The Bible records that the chief of eunuchs consented to Daniel’s plea and thereafter the ten days trail, the steward took away their portion of the King’s delicacies and for three years, Daniel and his friends were not defiled by the King’s delicacies.