Responding To The Season - Pastor Modupe Ekpenyong

When we go through trying times, we either respond or react.

To respond demands being deliberate while reacting is the default setting.

1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

We have inside information. Hallelujah!

That's why we choose to respond instead. 

We are not subject to fear or anxiety. This is why we respond and not react.

In the Old Testament, we find the prophets and judges go to inquire of the LORD for understanding and what they ought to do in the midst of crisis.

Victory was always ascertained as long as they acted in obedience to the direction God gave. 

The world is presently in a situation that seems chaotic - divided, in fear and full of uncertainties.

It is our responsibility as believers to:

i.  Declare the mind of God to our world.

ii. Find out what our role is in God’s agenda at the moment.

iii. Be strengthened in the LORD so as to be able to do our part.

There’s no better way to achieve these than by stepping up the consistency of our spiritual exercises.

There is the need to go back to the basics. This implies that we cannot let the challenge that the world faces to become the primary subject of our meditation through reasoning. Rather, we intensify our communion (fellowship) with the Father in order to access His agenda for the season.

Our focus is not about what new thing can be done, but about intensifying what we know to do as we refresh ourselves and strengthen our conviction.

Daniel 11:32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

Learning from Daniel's, we observe that he did not call a meeting to strategize how to navigate through the trying times, rather, he did as he had always done – he prayed.

Our strategy remains the same as believers – word, worship, prayer confession and preaching the gospel of Christ.

And our focus:

• fellowshipping with the Father;

• become more rooted in Him;

• and establish His will in our world.

We are not in the band wagon that promotes fear because our safety is not in our ability or the ability of any man. The life of God in us is our security.

Christ in us is the hope of glory! Hallelujah!

Song: I’ve got the life of God in me 2x

I’ve got the Spirit of the Son of God 

I’ve got the life of God in me.

When fear rears its head, reassure yourself of the indestructible life of God in you.

Here is what we need as matter a reminder:

1. Maintain and function in the peace of God.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.

We shouldn’t let our hearts be overwhelmed by the situation of the world. God's peace rests in the mist of turmoil.

2. Maintain the attitude of gratitude by giving thanks to the LORD always.

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.

3. Keep the word alive in your heart through all gates to your heart – mouth, ears and eyes.

Psalms 1:2 Rather, he delights in the teachings of the Lord and reflects on his teachings day and night.

4. Pray in tongues every day for at least 30 minutes.

As simple as this may seem, the demand of life constantly attempts to take time from us. We need to become religious about it.

5. Ask God to enlighten the eyes of your understanding concerning the situation of the world.

6. Ask the LORD to reveal to you, your role in this season.

Don’t let the season pass without you fulfilling your role. As a child of God, there is something He would have you do that will make a difference in the present situation of the world.

For some, their purpose is global, while for others it is local.

The answer to the world for Covid 19 and the problems it has created is in the hand of a child of God. People need God now more than ever, and you might be just be the answer to their prayer.

So, daily ask of the LORD what He would have you do and whatever He tells you to do, Commit to it without seeing it as too small or too big. Knowing that our role as sons of God is to bring the presence of God to bear in the face of challenges.

7. Thank the LORD for the spirit of wisdom at work in you.

8. Bear in mind that along the challenges come opportunities. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see the opportunities available to you in this season.

Like I said, it is the simple things that uncover the purpose of our existence at a time like this. Let's not take the grace of God for granted.

CONFESSION

I have been anointed by the LORD.

I have the knowledge I need to bring solutions to my world.

Christ has given me His peace and I function in it, irrespective of the prevailing storm in the world.

I function from the standpoint of rest.

I remain unshakable unstoppable as my Father.

I am the light of the world, therefore darkness cannot prevail over me.

I choose to function as a LIGHT in the present darkness that is troubling the world.

I know what to do, I know how to do it and I know when to do it.

I cannot be stranded, the wisdom of God is paving way for me and everyone I’m called to in Jesus name. Amen