Leadership is Service

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Jesus Christ spent three and a half years in ministry. It is interesting to note that apart from preaching, teaching the word of God, working miracles and bringing salvation to the world and eventually dying for the redemption of humanity, Jesus also raised leaders for the early Church. These were the people who succeeded Jesus in building the early Church. Severally and privately, outside of public glare, Jesus taught them great leadership principles. He made them understand that the primary responsibility of a leader is service. Please see Matthew Chapter 20 verses 20 to 28. The Apostles definitely internalized this principle as they also served the Church of God through prayer and the ministry of the word. Please see Acts Chapter 6 verses 1 to 7. They devoted themselves to this aspect of service; raised other leaders for administrative purposes. Quite significant is the fact that some of these leaders also served God and the early Church through prayer and the ministry of the word. No ministry gift or position supersedes the other therefore no one should lord it over other people in the name of special ministry gift or position by intimidating people with threats of curses, God not blessing them if they do not worship him and members of his family so to speak.

Jesus Christ showed the Church the perfect example of leadership. He served, preaching and teaching people, healing people, raising the dead and performing miracles. Jesus did not literally harass people to follow Him or worship Him. Worship belongs to God and not humans; therefore when fellow humans demand worship from other humans who work or partner with them; then there is a problem because a contrary spirit is at work. This is because a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit and is genuinely working with the Holy Spirit will always seek to serve and not to be served. Please see Luke Chapter 22 verses 24 to 27. Beloved, leadership is service.

A leader should therefore be tolerant, accommodating, focused, selfless, forgiving, and intuitive and be humble enough to accept corrections and rebuke. A leader should have a compelling vision of where s/he is headed otherwise; s/he is driven by personal desires and passions that have nothing to do with the global public good.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Your Tongue can be a Healing Stream

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The wise use of the tongue can ensure that your tongue becomes a healing stream. Please see Proverbs Chapter 15 verses 7, 23, 28, 14, 40, 4; 10 verses 11, 13, 20 to 21, 31 to 32; 12 verse 18, 16 verses 20 to 24; 15 verse 30.

One of the most pressing problems in the world today is the way people use their tongues. Hate speech is pervasive in spite of laws that have been enacted globally against the trend. People enjoy cursing; using four letter words, invectives at the slightest provocation. Unfortunately, this trend is fast becoming pervasive among Christians as some Christians are quick to use their tongues to make negative pronouncements against people who hurt them and abuse people who misbehave or are rude to them. This worrisome trend has assumed frightful dimensions as even some ordained Ministers of the gospel pronounce curses on people who offend or hurt them, use invectives against other people even from the pulpit. Beloved, this is not right.  The Scriptures do not permit such behavior. Please see Numbers Chapter 16 verses 12 to 35, 17 verses 1 to 7.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ consistently and always used His tongue as a healing stream just as God ordained for Him to do. Please Luke Chapter 4 verse 18 to 19, Isaiah Chapter 61 verses 1 to 3, John Chapter 6 verse 63. Severally, Jesus Christ used His tongue to bring healing, comfort, hope, life, deliverance and freedom from all kinds of oppression to great multitudes. Please see Acts Chapter 10 verse 38, Mark Chapter verses 17 to 27, Luke Chapter 9 verses 38 to 43 for details of His ministration to the epileptic boy; Luke Chapter 13 verses 11 to 16 for details of His ministry to the woman who was bent over for eighteen years; Matthew Chapter 9 verses 20 to 22, Luke Chapter 8 verses 43 to 48, Mark Chapter 5 verses 25 to 34 for details of the kind words He spoke to the woman with the issue of blood; Mark Chapter 5 for His ministry to the Gadarene demoniac. A number of other examples can be found in the gospels, Matthew through to John.

Prophetic Declarations and Actions

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Prophetic declarations and actions are divine activities prompted and directed by the Holy Spirit to achieve divine purposes that bring glory to God. A number of Biblical examples attest to this. Significantly, about every prophetic declaration and action births miracles which bring about deliverance, healing, financial breakthroughs, salvation, expansion, abundance and victory in warfare.

Prophetic declarations as well as prophetic actions are proactive measures, preparatory activities to breakthroughs and miracles. For example, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’. They are usually specific, easy to understand instructions and when obeyed often bring about instant results (fill up the water pots with water and the water became very sweet wine; the man who had been ill for thirty eight years who became whole after Jesus made the pronouncement) though in some cases, results are progressive or set to a particular timeline, for instance the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

They may not sound reasonable, logical, and plausible but they usually hold the very much required key to the sometimes urgently desired, awaited, and longed for miracle or blessing. They may not even have a connection to the desired miracle, for instance how do you speak to or make a rock to produce water? How does a cripple or paralytic person rise to take up a bed s/he has always laid on when the ailment is still there? How does the filling up of water pots with water solve the issue of finished wine at a wedding ceremony? How does dipping in a river seven times cleanse leprosy? How does going to show oneself to a priest when one is still leprous translate to cleansing from leprosy? How does borrowing jars and filling them up with a little jar of oil translate to financial freedom?

Prophetic declarations most often do not make sense. Elisha was told that he would receive double portion unction if he saw Elijah being taken up to glory. That was exactly what happened.

The Place of Sound Minds in the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Hire minds and not bodies. Minds refer to people with strong mental capabilities albeit mental prowess. These are people of great insight and understanding with huge reserves of knowledge and wisdom. They are usually able to process ideas through to profit, analyze issues through and proffer lasting solutions.

Such people usually resolve personal, family, community, organizational and national challenges. In some families, communities, organizations and nations, they are referred to as the tink tank of such families, organizations, communities and nations. Families, communities, organizations and nations blessed with such rare gifts to humanity enjoy the divine benefits of such gifts to them.

Significantly, minds are people blessed by God with unusual doses of mental alertness and capabilities. It is divine endowment for divine purposes. King Solomon of Israel was one of such persons. His mental prowess brought economic prosperity to the nation of Israel. Please see 1^st Kings Chapter 4 verses 20 to 34.

So also was King David. The supposedly least  among his brethren, shepherding the family’s flock, the divine unction for kingship rested on David and with this unction, David a young man who had never been in the army brought down a seasoned soldier and giant, Goliath to become a national hero in Israel. Thereafter, David as King in Israel subdued not only the Philistines but all the enemies of Israel. David succeeded in his military conquests not by might but by the Spirit of God Who always  guided him and gave him divine instructions to quell the attacks of the enemy and bring the enemy to subjection.

Honor the Giver of the Gifts

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Giver of the gifts is more important than the gift. The Giver of the gifts know when it is necessary to use the gifts, how to use the gifts, where to use the gifts, and to what purpose to put the gifts. Besides, He knows best what measure of the gifts to administer at each point in time. Gifts serve specific purposes and after the specific purposes, they may not be necessary or relevant again until God wants them used again.

However, we all need the Giver of the gifts; that is God at all times and at every point in time in our lives. Without Him, the gifts really would not be effective and we would not be any different from unbelievers who use their gifts for purposes that do not glorify God, do not honor or acknowledge God as the Giver of the gifts and do not use the gifts for His purposes. Unbelievers celebrate their gifts and believe that the gifts are more important than God; and a relationship with God. They therefore boast about their exploits from the use of the gifts and believe that their achievements are based on their own power. They do not give the honor to God, do not allow God to direct them on the use of the gift and therefore use it at will and for purposes that do not glorify God. They then behave like Sennecherib who boasted about his conquests thinking he conquered those lands in his own might and like Nebuchadnezzar who learnt the hard way.

Unfortunately, we are experiencing the same challenges in the Church today. Genuine spirit filled believers, ministers of the gospel who commenced ministry fully yielded to God progressively ignore God and His directions to them and begin to emphasize the gifts of God and ministry in them rather than God who called them and gave them the gifts. That is where some believers and ministers miss it. It is great to seek the gifts but is best and greatest to seek and honor the giver of the gifts. This is because in reality the gifts do not really function outside the Giver of the gifts. So if you focus on the gifts at the expense of the Giver of the gifts, you may lose the power and consequently seek power from other sources if you do not make a quick return to the Giver of the gifts.

Church; Arise and Heal the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The order of God is for the world to serve the Church through beneficial policies and access to whatever resources the Church requires but the Church has reversed the order by serving the world. Pray that God’s original order will stand so that the Church will be busily and profitably engaged in the tasks of soul winning and spiritual nurture.

Ask God to show the Church mercy and transfer wealth to the Church as the Church needs money for large scale evangelistic meetings as well as reaching out to the needy and vulnerable people in society. Therefore, let there be a speedy manifestation of the promises of God concerning wealth transfer as stipulated in Isaiah Chapter 60.

Let the glory of God rise upon the Church and let the glory be seen.

Let the Gentiles and kings come to the Church to behold and partake of the glory of God.

Let backslidden Christians repent and return to the Church.

The abundance of the sea should flow to the Church.

The wealth of the Gentiles should be divinely transferred to the Church.

Have the Eyes of Faith

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Bible defines faith as the evidence of things not seen. Please see Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 1. Faith should be in God. Please see Mark Chapter 11 verses 22 to 24 and Acts Chapter 3 verse 16. Faith is not static which explains why the Bible instructs believers to grow in faith. Please see 2^nd Thessalonians Chapter 1 verse 3.

There are dimensions of faith such as great faith, little faith and zero faith.

The Centurion in Capernaum demonstrated great faith when he requested that Jesus should simply speak the word so that his sick servant at home would be healed. Please see Matthew Chapter 8 verses 5 to 13. So also did the woman with the issue of blood recorded in Luke Chapter 8 verses 43 to 48 and Mark Chapter 5 verses 25 to 34. The exploits of King David also speak of someone who always exercised great faith. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 17. The Syro Phoenician woman who requested healing for her daughter despite being referred to as a dog (Matthew Chapter 15 verses 22 to 28) demonstrated great faith as she kept asking to receive. The friends of the paralytic took faith to another level when they decided to bring their sick friend to Jesus through the roof. Please see Luke Chapter 5 verses 17 to 20. They had absolute confidence that Jesus would heal their friend and Jesus did.

Divine Guidance for the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Divine greatness and enlargement and guidance of nations come from God alone. Please see Job Chapters 8 verse 7; 12 verse 23, Psalms 78 verse 52; 25 verse 9; 73 verse 24, Isaiah Chapter 58 verse 11, Exodus Chapter 15 verse 13. Therefore, pray that God in His infinite mercy will grant nations the wisdom to ask Him for divine guidance that will lead to the enlargement and greatness of nations.

Father, please, have mercy on the nations of the world and make them great by your power in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Give both the leadership and the peoples of the nations the wisdom, knowledge, understanding and other resources that they require to make them great, Lord in Jesus mighty name; and after You have made them great, Lord, please help them to stay great in Jesus mighty name.

Father, please keep them safe from the sins the enemy uses to ensnare them so that they stumble from your paths. Keep them safe in your paths, Lord and help them to manage the greatness you are bestowing on them in Jesus mighty name. Thank You for answered prayers, Lord in Jesus mighty name.

You are the One Who alone has the power to make the nations great. Father, please release the power for sustainable greatness upon the nations of the world and help them to stay great by your power in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord.

Enlargement of nations in whatever form comes from You alone, Lord. Please, have mercy on the nations of the world and enlarge them spiritually, physically, materially, numerically, mentally, intellectually, financially, and politically for and to the glory of Your holy name, Lord in Jesus mighty name.

The Place of Knowledge in the Healing of the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God is the author of knowledge. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 2 verse 3, Proverbs Chapter 2 verses 1 to 5.

Ask God for the grace to proclaim the good tidings of His knowledge that dispels darkness and brings good news, peace, expansion, salvation, deliverance, et all to humanity. Please see Isaiah Chapter 52 verse 7, 61 verses 1 to 4, Luke Chapter 4 verses 18 to 19.

Pray that you will always be willing to proclaim the word. Please see Psalm 68 verse 11.

Pray that believers and disciples will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as stated in 2^nd Peter Chapter 3 verse 18.

Pray that God in His infinite mercy will destroy whatever is blinding the minds of people held in satanic captivity of mental and spiritual strongholds in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Pray that God will show them mercy and open their hearts to receive and believe the gospel so that they will be saved and become children of God  in the mighty name of Jesus Christ – John Chapter 3 verses 16 to 18, 1 verse 12.

Pray that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ in the image of God should shine on them to eliminate every form of spiritual darkness in their lives in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Please see 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 3 to 4.

Pray that God in His infinite mercy will build and plant salvation by faith in Christ Jesus – the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus so that Christ will dwell in their hearts by faith, the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened to know their inheritance in Christ Jesus.

Pray that they will have definite life transforming encounters with the word of God and if need be encounter Jesus just as Saul did and he became Paul – missionary  extraordinaire.

Pray that every satanic veil blocking their eyes of understanding should be destroyed so that all the lies, deceit, ignorance orchestrated by the enemy will be destroyed even as the veil was torn when Jesus paid the supreme price for the redemption of man. Please see Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 16 to 25, 3 verses 16 to 19, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 10 verses 3 to 6, Jeremiah Chapter 1 verse 10, Luke Chapter 2 verse 45, Psalm 2, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 3 verses 14, 4 verses 3 to 4, Ephesians Chapter 6 verses 12 to 1, Ezekiel Chapter 13 verses 17 to 23.

The Place of Knowledge in the Healing of the Nations 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Bible records that the people of God perished for lack of knowledge. Please see Hosea Chapter 4 verse 6, Isaiah Chapter 5 verse 13, Malachi Chapter 2 verses 1 to 8, note verse 7, Ezra Chapter 7 verses 6, 10 to 11, Nehemiah Chapter 8 verses 1 to 18, Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 2.

Knowledge, the right and accurate information anyone requires to make informed choices is also a critical determinant in the healing of the nations. This is because ignorance of God’s ways will make peoples and nations live contrary to God’s ways. But with the right information about God and salvation as well as the benefits of salvation, peoples and nations will have a choice – whether to live for God or walk in their own ways. Knowledge therefore enlightens and empowers to transform. Please see Proverbs Chapters 24 verses 4 to 5, 14; 27 verses 23 to 27. Knowledge also enlightens, enriches and empowers; as well as strengthens nations to transform – the nation is filled with all precious and pleasant riches, the nation is strengthened, has prospects and its hope will not be cut off.

This is to say that what nations need to come out of darkness, oppression, insecurity, economic doldrums and all forms of limitation is the knowledge, the knowledge of God. Additionally, nations should be ruled by people of understanding and knowledge because right is also prolonged in a nation blessed with a man of understanding and knowledge. Please see Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 2. When Moses chose leaders from among the twelve tribes of Israel, one of the criteria for choosing leaders was knowledgeable men and not ignorant men. Please see Deuteronomy Chapter 1 verses 13 to 15. Ezra the teaching priest and Huldah, the prophetess who interpreted the word of God were people of knowledge.

The Responsibility for Leadership

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Leaders are motivated by service, not power. Leaders add value to others by serving them, not by lording it over them. John Maxwell.

True leadership comes by genuine unadulterated service to God and humanity. At various levels, everyone created by God is a leader endowed with divine gifts for leadership albeit service to God and humanity.

To lead effectively, you have to identify your divine gifts for service so that you will provide the right service and leadership. Leaders who have no gifts or people who have not identified their gifts for service are not leaders but rulers who impose themselves on humanity and have nothing to offer the people. They are usually the ones who cannot provide any sense of direction. Rather, they impose hard to obey rules culminating in fear in the land in the bid to coax the people into forced submission.