Level the Mountain of Ignorance

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Beloved, make the mountain a plain ground.

There is no mountain anywhere which cannot become a plain ground, especially the mountains of ignorance. Everyone’s seemingly insurmountable mountain is most often his or her ignorance. Ignorance is a mountain. The great mountain before Zerubbabel would become a plain ground by the Spirit of the Lord. How? The Spirit of God would give Zerubbabel and his colleagues the requisite knowledge, understanding and wisdom to make the supposed mountain a plain ground. God through the Holy Spirit supplies the required knowledge to overcome the ignorance.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Please read Isaiah Chapters 11 verse 2, 61 verse 1, 48 verse 17, Luke Chapter 4 verse 18, Exodus Chapters 31 verses 3 to 6, verse 3, 35 verses 30 to 35, and Daniel Chapter 2 verses 16 to 19. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John Chapters 16 verse 13; 15 verse 26, 14 verse 17. Therefore, you must be truthful in acknowledging that there are indeed mountains before you that cannot be brought down in your own strength. Living in denial, craftiness and lies will not help you as the Holy Spirit does not work with liars and lies or any form of craftiness. Therefore, you must empty yourself of all falsehood and deception (Acts Chapter 5 verses 1 to 5). Truthfulness is a sign of humility. Please read Luke Chapter 8 verses 43 to 48 where the woman with the issue of blood stepped forward boldly to acknowledge before Jesus and the crowd that she was the one who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment to receive her healing. That singular act put permanence to her healing. Compare this to King Saul and Adam who refused to acknowledge their challenges and weakness (Genesis Chapter 3 verses 11 to 13 and 1^st Samuel Chapters 15 verses 1 to 25; 13 verses 11 to 13. Pride made it difficult for them to acknowledge their weaknesses and receive grace (Hebrews Chapter 4 verses 12 to 16).

On the other hand, Daniel, Jabez were truthful in their requests to God. They acknowledged their challenges and requested help from God and help came speedily. So also was Hannah, the mother of Samuel. She did not go before God to accuse anyone of her childlessness. Rather, she requested for a child from God and she got quite a number.

The Power of His Presence

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

It is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord.

The population of Ai was small and was really no match for Israel yet Israel suffered defeat in the hands of Ai because the Presence of God was not with them. They had lost the Presence of God because Achan transgressed the covenant of God and took for himself what belonged to God; thereby arousing the anger of God against Israel. Please read Joshua Chapter 7; please note verses 1 and 11 to 13 and Joshua Chapters 1 verses 2 to 10.

Significantly and this is very instructive. Israel regained strength and defeated Ai after they repented of their transgression and the accursed thing was removed from their midst. Please read Joshua Chapter 8 for details. Also quite instructive is the fact that it is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God. Israel gained the entire land of Canaan; not by numerical strength, military prowess, economic power or intellectual power or even physical might or even craftiness; but they got the land by the power of God; the great awesome, sanctifying, powerful, cleansing Presence of God in their midst. Please read Psalm 105 verses 37 to 45, Exodus Chapters 33 verses 12 to 17; 13 verses 1 to 22.

The Presence of God is so important in the life of a child of God that no one should really toy with the Presence of God or do things which grieve the Holy Spirit to the point where He takes His leave from the life of a child of God. Every one actually needs the Presence of God. King David begged God not to take His Holy Presence from his life. Please read Psalm 51 verse 11. This is because over time, time and time again, David realized the importance of the Presence of God in his life. The Presence of God kept him alive, safe and secure from all his enemies, increased him on all sides, protected him and gave him all the victories he got in warfare. Please read 2^nd Samuel Chapters 5 verse 10, 8 verses 6 and ; 1^st Samuel Chapters 17 verses 30 to 54, 16 verses 13 and 18; 18 verses 12, 14 and 28 and 1^st Chronicles Chapter 18 verse 6.

Healing Polluted Waters 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The prophet speaks the word of God as directed by God and there is a manifestation. Some biblical examples include the prophets Elisha in 2^nd Kings Chapter 7 and Elijah in 1^st Kings Chapters 17 and 18. Take the word of God in the Scriptures and speak to situations and circumstances, individuals, families and nations and wait for the manifestation by the Spirit of God. Please read 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 8 verse 9, Deuteronomy Chapters 28 verse 12, 15 verse 6, 8 verse 18, 11 verses 24 to 25, and Philippians Chapter 4 verse 19. That way you will always flourish in the prophetic.

There is power, great power in the word of God. Receive, accept and believe the word of God and you have what the word of God says. Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 8 to 13, Numbers Chapter 23 verse 19, Genesis Chapter 1, Hebrews Chapters 1 verses 1 to 3, 11 verses 1 to 3.

Ideally,  the tongue of every Spirit filled believer in Christ Jesus should be for the divine purpose of enriching and beautifying lives (Luke Chapter 4 verses 19 to 20) through preaching the love of God for humanity and adding strength to people – for instance, the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places – Psalm 16 verse 6. This is because believers in Christ Jesus are called to serve and not to bully, coerce, issue threats and preach messages of doom.

The Power of His Name 4 – Jehovah El-Shaddai

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God is referred to as El-Shaddai in the Bible in the following Scriptures.

Genesis Chapter 17 verse 1 where He made a call to Abram to holiness and righteous living.

See also Genesis 28 verse 3 where Isaac blessed Jacob in the name of God Almighty praying that God Almighty would make Jacob fruitful and multiply.

Genesis Chapter 35 verses 11 to 12 where He instructed Jacob to be fruitful and multiply.

Psalm 91 verses 1 to 8 talks about the protection, life security which a child of God who dwells under the shadow of the Almighty enjoys.

Jacob prayed for his sons that God Almighty would give them favor before the governor of Egypt, who unknown to him then was his supposedly dead son Joseph. Please read Genesis Chapter 43 verse 14.

Jacob really knew and understood God as the Almighty. As he talked about his life sojourns with Joseph, Jacob was mindful of the fact that God Almighty appeared to him at Luz and blessed him. Beloved, what is your knowledge and understanding of God as the Almighty? Can you say that you know Him as the Almighty God with Whom nothing is impossible and Who is in perfect control of the entire universe?

He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth as well as anything; animate and inanimate in the entire Universe. Please read Genesis Chapters 1; 2 verses 1 to 19.

He speaks and it is done. Please read Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 3, Romans Chapter 4 verse 17, Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 8 to 11, Numbers Chapter 23 verse 19, Ezekiel Chapter 37 verses 1 to 14.

All power wherever it is situated belongs to God. Please read Psalms 62 verse 11; 68 verses 28 to 35, Job Chapters 9 verse 4; 37 verse 23, 42 verses 1 to 2, and Romans Chapter 4 verses 17 to 25. God also has the power to create out of nothing with His words. Please read Genesis Chapter 1.

He has no limits and is not limited by anyone or anything. Please read Job Chapters 11 verses 7 to 9; 38 verses 1 to 12, Jeremiah Chapter 32 verses 27, 17 to 20, Isaiah Chapter 14 verse 27, Luke Chapters 1 verse 37;18 verse 27, Mark Chapter 10 verse 27, Matthew Chapter 19 verse 28, Numbers Chapter 11 verse 23, and Genesis Chapter 18 verse 14.

Leadership Calls for Discipline

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

One of the hallmarks of leadership is discipline; the ability to subject certain desires, needs and wants to the goals of leadership. A leader should be able to subject certain needs, desires and wants to the goals of providing leadership.

Jesus Christ came to planet earth to manifest God as well as reconcile lost humanity to God as well as show humanity the way to the Father. To do this successfully, Jesus Christ subjected himself to great personal discipline. The Bible records that He humbled Himself to take on human flesh and though God; Jesus Christ subjected Himself to God and died on the cross, carrying the sins of estranged and lost humanity in order to reconcile humans back to God. As painful and shameful as that death on the cross was (considering that Jesus prayed about it in pains); He still went ahead to the cross so the will of God for Him and humanity would be done. To God alone be all the glory. Jesus Christ is indeed Lord.

Secondly, the Bible also records that Jesus Christ rose a great while before dawn to pray, significantly not even in His house but in the wilderness – solitary places where he could be alone with God; where He would not be distracted and He could be alone with God. He also chose the right time of the day when no one would be looking for Him or He would have people milling around Him to be attended to. Jesus sure knew how to invest time but such time investment calls for great discipline. The early hours of the day, especially what the Bible describes as a great while before dawn are actually the hours when sleep, I mean real physical sleep is really sweet. I can confidently say this because I love sleep. I really love to sleep but I am learning to like sleep because too much sleep is not good for anyone. I pray that God will help me to sleep when I should sleep and be awake when I should be awake in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

For Jesus Christ to sacrifice sleep at that time of the day is a pointer to how disciplined He was. Also, the fact that He went to solitary places speaks of far greater discipline, the discipline to separate Himself from the crowd to invest time to achieve God’s highest plans and purposes for both His life and humanity.

Speak Healing to the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

And now I commend you to God [placing you in His protective, loving care] and [I commend you] to the word of His grace [the counsel and promises of His unmerited favor]. His grace is able to build you up and to give you the [rightful] inheritance among all those who are sanctified [that is, among those who are set apart for God’s purpose—all believers]. Acts 20:32 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends. Acts 20:32 The Message (MSG)

Take conscious deliberate steps to ALWAYS be a blessing to humanity through the words you speak or write. This is because words whether spoken or written are powerful and make huge impacts on people. If your words impact people positively, then you are a city set on a hill which cannot be hidden.

The Bible describes pleasant words as health to the bones because pleasant words are like a honeycomb which brings sweetness to the soul. Please see Proverbs Chapter 16 verse 24. You can be used greatly of God to bring healing to the world by and with words you speak. Please read 1^st Corinthians Chapter 12 verse 9, Proverbs Chapters 15 verses 30, 2, 7 and 12 verse 18, Revelation Chapter 22 verses 1 to 2, Ezekiel Chapter 47 verses 1 to 2.

Words which bring comfort, peace, edification, exhortation and encouragement have the capacity to bring healing to wounded hearts and hurting people. Please read Romans Chapter 10 verse 15, Isaiah Chapters 52 verses 7 to 9, 50 verses 4 to 5, and 61 verses 1 to 4; Luke Chapter 4 verses 17 to 19. Proclaim good news, good tidings, such as the word of God and the attendant benefits of the word of God so that the hearts of people who hear you will be guided by the word of God. Additionally, considering that the word of God has the capacity to build people up and give them an inheritance among the saints, you would have raised an army, a very great one for God through your utterances and writings. Acts Chapter 20 verse 32, Isaiah Chapters 52 verses 7 to 9.

Therefore, speak to the strengths of people. When you speak to the strengths of people especially by the Spirit of God, you inspire them to be who God created them be. This is because they are stirred up spiritually, mentally and physically to achieve. They also get to believe in God and themselves and their self esteem is heightened to be the best God created them to be. Gideon is a classic biblical example. Referred to as the mighty man of valor whom God was with; Gideon with the help of the Holy Spirit progressively became a warlord who defeated the Midianites and ended their oppression of Israel.

The Significance of Prayer

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Jesus Christ gave believers a prayer template. Please read Matthew Chapter 6 verses 5 to 15 and Luke Chapter 11 verses 1 to 4.

For healing – James chapter 5 verses 13 to 18, 19 to 20, 2^nd Kings Chapter 6.

To ask for forgiveness of sins – Psalm 51, Nehemiah chapter 1 , Ezra Chapters 8 verses 21 to 23, 10, Daniel Chapter 9, Exodus Chapter 32 verses 30 to 35, 1^st Samuel Chapter 7, note verse 6, 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 33 verses 12 to 19, 1^st John Chapter 1 verses 8 to 10.

To give thanks and praise as well as worship and adoration to God; for Who He is, His loving kindness and faithfulness to humanity.

To reverse evil situations and evil descendancies  - 1^st Chronicles Chapter 4 verses 9 to 10, 2^nd Kings Chapter 2 verses 19 to 22, Acts Chapter 12, Esther Chapter 4 verses 16 to 17.

Prayer is diligent work. Jesus Christ often withdrew into the wilderness to pray. He even spent a whole night in prayers, about twelve hours. This speaks of focus and concentration, to be alone for that length of time praying, undisturbed and  not distracted. Also, Jesus’ choice of prayer time as well as prayer venue is very strategic and instructive. He woke up early in the morning; before daylight to pray. This is very significant and instructive.

He chose the very early hours of the day to start off the day in the Presence of God as well as avoid distractions and being disturbed; solitary places, again to avoid distraction. This means that prayer is a regular activity. It is not a one off activity.  Please read Luke Chapters 5 verse 16, 6 verse 12, Mark Chapter 1 verse 35. The Bible counsels to continue steadfastly in prayer in Romans chapter 12 verse 12 as well continue earnestly in Colossians Chapter 4 verse 2 and to labor fervently in prayers in Colossians Chapter 4 verse 12.

What to pray about is also significant, in point of fact very significant. The will of God should always be prayed for and about. Please read 1^st John Chapters 5 verses 14 to 15, 3 verses 22 to 24, Ephesians Chapter 5 verses 17 to 18, Romans Chapter 12 verses 1 to 2. The how and content can be found in Luke Chapter 18 verses 9 to 14.

There is a difference between called to pray and driven to pray. Called to pray is a calling in which prayer is a way of life. It is the norm for the person called to pray to always pray irrespective of what the circumstances are. S/he prays because prayer is a fellowship between the person and God. In such instances, prayer topics and prayer items are usually determined and decided by God. That is to say that prayer items are the needs of God, dropped in the heart of the person who prays. S/he therefore prays the will and needs of God.