Grow Up Before Him - Pastor Ekpenyong

Isaiah 53:2NLT "My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him."

It is very important that you understand the nourishment you receive in the presence of our Father. All that you need to grow and flourish inspite of the external circumstances and pressures around is in His presence.

Just as all the nourishment a fish requires to survive and thrive is in water so all you need and require is in His presence. Halleluyah!

From our opening text, we see that though Jesus was a root out of dry, sterile ground, He was a tender plant because He grew up BEFORE HIM.

Learn to be conscious of His presence and practice His presence by talking to Him, worshipping and praising, relating with His word as Him talking to you everyday and you will grow in your consciousness of His presence. That way, you will bloom inspite of your environment or circumstances. 

You will find that your flourishing and radiant skin won't even be from the food you're eating. 

Miracles will become common place in this generation like never because of a people growing before Him. Glory! 

Check: Rom.4:17, Psalm 16:11

#WavesofGlory

#WholeCitiesTaken

Honour (The Bridge) - Pastor Ekpenyong

The word Honour in the Old Testament comes from the root word Kabod, which means to give weight to someone.

The New Testament expresses honour as Sense of esteem, value, preciousness.

It is an internal attitude of giving respect, courtesy and dignity to others and it is expressed by corresponding actions.

It empowers and validates people when we acknowledge their value. Honour is recognizing who a person is without stumbling over who he/she is not.

We must learn to celebrate the God in everyone and stop bothering about their weakness. God encourages Honouring throughout the Bible.

Honour is the bridge to your next level.

Romans 12:10 

BBE “Be kind to one another with a brother's love, putting others before yourselves in honour.”

ESV "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour."

Respect is what people earn. Therefore, it influences how we view them. 

Honour is what you give freely as a gift. Therefore, it influences how we treat them. Everybody is deserving of honour.

Value is shown in how we TREAT people.

Mark 6:30-34

30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 

31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 

32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 

33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 

34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Honour is the opposite of shame.

Shame drives people away from community because it marks people as outcasts, unloved, and unvalued. 

Honour draws people into community.

Honour says I know everything about you and I love and value you.

Honour is the atmosphere in which the people of God become their best.

It is very important you discern and receive people in their God-given roles.

Matthew 10:41-42 AMP

41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 

42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

Accurately discerning and acknowledging WHO people are will position us to give them what they deserve and to RECEIVE THE GIFT OF WHO THEY ARE IN OUR LIVES.

Discernment is key in honour.

Let's look at honour in different contexts:

Honour your parents:

Ephesians 6:2-3 

2 Honour your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 

3 that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

Honouring your parents involves four key actions:

Appreciate them: Celebrate them and be thankful for all they've done for you.

Accept their authority: Especially while you're under their care, recognize the authority God has given them. Even young Jesus willingly obeyed His parents. (Luke 2:51)

Treat them with respect: This involves what you say and how you say it.

Proverbs 30:17TLB  A man who mocks his father and despises his mother shall have his eye plucked out by ravens and eaten by vultures.

Provide for them: When your parents get old, they may need practical support. Try your best to make sure they have what they need.

1 Timothy 5:4 AMP

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, see to it that these are first made to understand that it is their religious duty [to defray their natural obligation to those] at home, and make return to their parents or grandparents [for all their care by contributing to their maintenance], for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

Honour the lowly:

Proverbs 19:17 TLB 

When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord and he pays wonderful interest on your loan!

Do you think if the little slave girl in Gen. Naaman's house didn’t feel honoured that she would have suggested that her boss go to Elijah for a cure? (2Kings 5:1-14)

Honour those in authority:

Romans 13:1-6

1.Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

2. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 

3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

4. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 

5.Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 

6. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.

1 Timothy 2:2 GW “for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way.”

We honour those in authority so we may live quiet and peaceful lives. And so we may live godly and dignified in every way so that there will be orderliness and that the boundaries for our protection are intact.

Honour your bosses:

1 Timothy 6:1AMP “LET ALL who are under the yoke as bond servants esteem their own [personal] masters worthy of honour and fullest respect, so that the name of God and the teaching [about Him] may not be brought into disrepute and blasphemed.”

We honour our superiors in defense of the name of our LORD and that of our gospel.

Do you think if the Centurion's staff didn't honour him that he'll go out of his way to seek Jesus' intervention to have his staff healed? (Matthew 8:5-8)

Honour will bring you into spaces where your skills and competencies are so relevant.

Honour for marriage:

Hebrews 13:4AMP “Let marriage be held in honour (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonoured); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.”

Honour for marriage is in two fold: for those in the union and then for those around the union.

It involves you intentionally recognizing the beauty and worth of your relationship with your spouse and then doing something to put that recognition into action.

It involves you as an observer intentionally recognizing the worth of the relationship between the couple and then doing something to support as well as not create room between them.

Honour for your spouse:

1 Peter 3:7GNT “In the same way you husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that they are more delicate than you. Treat them with respect, because they also will receive, together with you, God's gift of life. Do this so that nothing will interfere with your prayers.”

In honouring your spouse, your prayers are heard.

You're making yourself beautiful.

You're Sarah's daughter indeed. (1Peter 3:6)

You're doing good and not functioning in fear.

Honouring God:

1 Samuel 2:30 “…But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honour Me I will honour, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.”

The internal esteem and reverence which we should bear in our hearts towards Him.

Isaiah 29:13 MSG The Master said: "These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren't in it. Because they act like they're worshiping me but don't mean it”

HERE ARE FIVE WAYS THAT YOU CAN HONOUR GOD TODAY:

Honour God with your time -

Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Honour God with your body - 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 CEV You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honour God.

Honour God with your talents -

These are your God-given gifts and abilities.

Honour God with your resources -

Proverbs 3:9 MSG Honour GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best.

Honour those He sent -

1 Thessalonians 2:13 AMP And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].

We Honour Him when we live according to His Word, which teaches us to Honour others.

Honour is a great gift that all of us can give to others. We can influence culture and our communities with honour. It has nothing to do with the person's reputation. It’s our gift to see people the way God sees them.

In 1 Corinthians 13:5, Paul says love does not dishonour, doesn’t behave unseemly, is not rude, does not do what is shameful.

Honour truly brings great refreshing to God’s people. As God’s children, we must learn to choose an attitude of honour at all times.  

We can start by meditating on all the scriptures in this conversation.

Start today to honour those closest to you.

You're loved and celebrated!

©️NewCruseConnect

Develop Staying Power - Pastor Ekpenyong

James 5:11 MSG "What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail."

At what point should a believer throw in the towel and quit? This kind of question plagues a lot of believers because it seems like they've waited forever for the change they so desire. 

Whenever you know that you're in the will of God for your life and that you're standing in the word or have found your place in the word; stay the course, persevere and refuse to quit until your change comes. 

Our opening text tells us God cares right down to the last detail. He can be depended upon to come through for you no matter how it seems that the odds are stacked against you.

Let your heart be established in the fact that the LORD is very compassionate and merciful and that He will not fail or change His mind over your matter.

Make a quality decision like Father Abraham, Job and other Patriarchs in the faith who did not quit, give up or surrender. Glory!

Check: Heb.12:2, Jer.29:11, Job 42:12-17

#WavesofGlory 

#WholeCitiesTaken

A Simple Shift In Perspectives - Pastor Ekpenyong

Luke 15:17 "And when He came to himself, he said, how many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!"

No chain has been made that is as strong as a wrong belief held by a person.

A wrong belief will keep a person under the weight and influence of the devil, man and circumstances for as long as these please.

It's not because they have a right to or have such power, but because there is a wrong belief in the mind of the oppressed that has permitted and justified it. 

However, a simple shift in perspective brings a whole new set of pleasant experiences to light. 

In our Father's house there is abundance so much that even servants have enough and to spare.

The effect of death that reigns on earth as a result of the sin of Adam is nothing compared to the effect of abundance of grace and gift of righteousness on those who believe because of the obedience of Christ Jesus. Halleluyah!

Examine your life's experiences in the light of the finished works of Christ, they will begin to come in alignment with the abundance of grace and gift of righteousness you receive. 

I encourage you to believe and trust in His love for you and see Him give you all the breaks you need. Glory!

Check: Romans 5:12-21, 1John 4:16

#WavesofGlory

#WholeCitiesTaken

Rejuvenation: Healing, Health, Life - Pastor Ekpenyong

Rejuvenation according to dictionary cambridge.org is the act or process of making someone look or feel young and energetic again.

Psalm 103:2-5

2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is. 

3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 

4 He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy.

5 He fills my life with good things, so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.

Everyone wants to live forever young and that's responsible for the multi billion dollar industry of products and services that promise age reversal and anti-aging, from drug supplements, cosmetics to surgery procedures.

In the beginning, God created Adam an immortal being that wasn't subject to the forces of decay until he lost it to Lucifer in the garden of Eden. When Jesus restored man's standing through His death, burial and resurrection, life and immortality was brought to light through the gospel.

2Timothy 1:10 

NLT And now He has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

It’s very important that we allow the word x-ray our beliefs and thoughts. That's the way we can become transformed into His very image.

Take note of our opening text.

FORGET NOT HIS BENEFITS

It’s so easy to forget, that’s why the Psalmist gave himself and us this instruction.

The way not to forget is to put the thought constantly before your eyes.

Talk it, sing it, recite it!

You remember as a child when you were sent on errands to buy an item. You employed that trick so you didn’t forget. Apply that also to His benefits.

God wants you to remember all the benefits that Jesus has purchased for you with His blood!

It is your responsibility to intentionally remind yourself of these benefits so that you can vitally experience the import these Spiritual realities.

HE FORGIVES ALL OUR SINS...(never forget)

The import that all my sins are forgiven frees me from the burden of guilt and condemnation. 

The consciousness that all your sins are forgiven precedes the healing of all your diseases! So you can be doubly certain that you're healed because the burden of guilt and condemnation as a result of having died to sin is done away with.

1 Peter 2:24 

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

HE KEEPS ME FROM THE GRAVE…(never forget)

We are preserved from harm and hazards to life. So that even if you walk through the dark valley of death, you can fear no harm.

Psalm 23:4 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,  I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

HE FILLS MY LIFE WITH GOOD THINGS…(never forget)

Satisfying us with good things is not with the material and mundane that the unbelieving and carnal acquire with the hopes to be satisfied and are left void. 

He satisfies our soul with Himself as only He is good so that our youth is renewed with freshness.

The original Hebrew text simply describes the diseased one as so healed and strengthened, that he became as full of energy as the bird which is strongest of the feathered race, most fearless, most majestic, and most soaring – the eagle.

You can see that in the life of Sarah, most people don’t understand the full extent of what God did in her life. There was more to it than bearing a child in her old age. 

She was rejuvenated physically as she laid hold to the promise of God by faith to such an extent that when King Abimelech saw her, he wanted her for his wife at 90 years old. What’s more, after she gave birth to Isaac, the bible says she nursed him till he was weaned.

HOW OLD IS OLD?

According to the United Nations – World Population Prospects, life expectancy in Nigeria for 2020 is 54.81years.

Many believers expect that once they celebrate their 70th or 80th birthday they should begin to prepare to pack their bags to leave earth for heaven.

However, God’s opinion of old is different.

Joshua 13:1 TLB 

“Joshua was now an old man. "You are growing old," the Lord said to him, "and there are still many nations to be conquered.”

He was probably more than 100 years old; because the conquest and survey of the land occupied about 7 years, the partition one, and he died at the age of 110 years.

We must renew our mind with the truth and not fall for satan’s well articulated lie. He has had to twist the Scriptures to sell us that deceptive pill, because nowhere in the Bible do we find the average life span of God’s people to be a mere seven or eight decades.

Genesis 6:3 MSG

“Then God said, "I'm not going to breathe life into men and women endlessly. Eventually they're going to die; from now on they can expect a life span of 120 years."

I expect a life span of 120years by the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ.

May you live to be 120years old in Jesus name. Amen

Refuse to settle for less than God's best.

Psalm 91:16 CEV 

“You will live a long life and see my saving power.”

Talk and expect to live long and a full life.

HOW DID THE 70 OR 80 YEAR TALK START?

Psalm 90:8-10 NIV

8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 

9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. 

10 The length of our days is seventy years —  or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

This was Moses interceding for the children of Israel in the wilderness. That God should grant 70 years and 80 years to those who have the strength. All this was because of His wrath for their disobedience.

However, Jesus has paid the price for the sin of mankind so that we can live a full long life in joy, health and peace.

Jesus gave Himself to us as our restorer of life and nourishes our old age. Therefore, what we have lost can be restored and our bodies can be gloriously renewed even though we advance in our years.

Ruth 4:15 

“And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age…”

That is why when Moses died at the age of 120, his eyes were not dim and his natural vigor was not diminished. Caleb, at 85 years old, could still drive out the giants from the land. God had literally nourished his body and made it strong for war.

Job 42:12 

Now the LORD blessed the latter [days] of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys.

Job 42:16 

After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren [for] four generations.

Beloved, God is outside of time and your faith in Him brings you into this timeless zone.

Your faith in the finished work of Christ brings you into life and immortality.

Faith in these truths will literally change your physical body as was the resurrected body of our LORD JESUS.

Every germ, virus and bacteria that touches my body dies.

Romans 8:11 

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Meditate on these that your profiting will appear to many.

Acts 14:19-20

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul [and] dragged [him] out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 

20 However, when the disciples gather Ied around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

It’s the same spirit that sustains your body.

Your health springs forth speedily in Jesus name.

Glory be to God!

You're loved and celebrated!

©️NewCruseChurch

Connect To Your Calling - Pastor Ekpenyong

Never settle for less than God’s best for your life.

Matthew 7:13-14 BBE

13 Go in by the narrow door; for wide is the door and open is the way which goes to destruction, and great numbers go in by it.

14 For narrow is the door and hard the road to life, and only a small number make discovery of it.

The gate of LIFE God ordained for you is small and the road narrow and ONLY A FEW EVER FIND IT.

This is why it requires courage to move beyond the ordinary mass, everybody-is-doing-it kind of life.

You can connect to your calling.

It’s a sad thing to live your life without this deep rooted sense of connection to your purpose.

In spite of your vocation, what will ever matter most is that you’ve connected to your calling and awakened to the inner fulfillment that it affords.

Some mistake the subject of calling as a matter of only functioning in the traditional fivefold ministry.

However, it can be a calling to teach, to give, to build, to being creative or whatever it is you suspect you're built for.

Romans 12: 2-8 TLB

2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. 

3 As God's messenger I give each of you God's warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. 

4-5 Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others. 

6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can-as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. 

7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 

8 If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful. If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it. If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. Those who offer comfort to the sorrowing should do so with Christian cheer.

When you connect to your calling and function from it, you will experience such satisfaction as nothing else will ever give.

In resolving this calling issue, it is critical that you distinguish between what you’re good at (your vocation or skill set) and what you’re good for (the fulfillment of your purpose and maximizing your potential).

Where are you hedged?

Are you appearing to fulfill what people expect or are you about fulfilling your true potential?

When you don’t become fixated on winning the prize or appearing successful, you will discover the fulfillment that comes in fulfilling your true potential.

Simply put, when you stop living to impress people, you will find fulfillment as you fulfill your true potential.

Many people feel trapped in work that provides a paycheck but little else. This is so because they find they have little opportunity to use their gifts or do anything that is personally meaningful.

What is calling?

Your calling is the knowing and feeling in your heart to do a specific work. It’s as though you sense God summoning you towards your life’s work.

The inner nudges, the sense that there is more to life than simply earning a paycheck and the quiet knowing that you are meant to do more than simply survive; these things may point to your calling, to an invitation or summons, to a path meant for you.

God in His love prods us into action in many ways. He can even use negative feelings such as discontentment and confusion, or positive emotions like energy and enthusiasm about doing something new in our lives.

Philippians 2:13 WUEST

“For God is the One who is constantly putting forth His energy in you, both in the form of your being desirous of and of your doing His good pleasure.”

There are also several decisive moments in our lives in which we find ourselves asking questions like “Who am I?” and “What is God calling me to do?”

What should you do if you find yourself feeling you were created to do something more with your life, if you sense the LORD prodding you to something different?

1. Recognize that finding the calling ordained for you is a partnership between you and God.

God always does His own part of leading and guiding us into the ordained path, but you have to cooperate and follow His lead.

Psalm 32:8-9 NASU

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 

9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you.

2. Commit to a time of prayer.

It is important you commit to some time in prayer when seeking an answer from the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:3 Amp

“Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).”

God wants you to know your calling so you can go forward in it with all confidence. God will be faithful to reveal it to you as you press into Him by prayer.

Colossians 1:9 TLB

“So ever since we first heard about you we have kept on praying and asking God to help you understand what he wants you to do; asking him to make you wise about spiritual things;”

3. Walk in the Will of God.

Partnering with God to connect your calling requires making wise, essential, biblically grounded decisions. It is an essential part to spiritual maturity.

If we aren’t following His instructions already given us in the word and endeavoring to walk in His will, how can He trust us to obey Him in our calling?

Mastering forgiveness, walking in love and humility are necessary training grounds that come ahead of your calling that are not only there for your protection, but for those whom you’re called to impact down the road.

4. Employ an investigative and explorative approach.

Identify the key dimensions or puzzle pieces of your unique God-given design. People learn about their design through life experiences, feedback from others, tests and assessments.

Pay attention to the moments of meaning that you experience, both in your work and outside of it. The more you grasp the connections between the moments that stand out to you, the more you will understand what your calling looks and feels like.

5. Let go of a mindset that may be holding you back from your true calling 

Fear, worry, guilt, failure, not wanting to be judged.

Truth is you need courage to dare to be different and to do YOU and everything you feel your life is about.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. While sometimes your concerns and fears may be legitimate, the greater concern should truly be WILL THE WORLD EVER RECOVER FROM YOUR INACTIONS?

If you knew how desperate the world will be without your contribution, you will throw away all your excuses and self consciousness.

6. Your present is not the enemy of your future.

While it is great to have a vision, realize that you may not know the next step. Therefore, don’t get all out for the future that you miss your calling for today.

Before being called to something, we are called to Someone. Before being called to do, we are called to be. Therefore, focus more on being than on doing.

To determine where your focus is, ask yourself what you’re thankful for. The enemy will try to make what’s going on in your life today not seem remarkable. He’ll have you worrying about things you can’t know right now.

But I encourage you to look at your life with a thankful heart and know that everything is falling in place according to His plans and purpose.

One thing you must realize is God is more interested in you fulfilling your calling than you even are.

You can live this calling even if you are unemployed or in work that doesn't fit you well.

The more diligently you are seeking to live your primary calling, the more effectively the Lord can guide you in finding your vocational calling (that is, work that fits your gifts and brings a deep sense of purpose and significance.)

Listen to the voices all around that urge you to accept the challenge to live your calling. Seize the day. 

Make your life count for eternity. 

Walk worthy of your calling because nothing else truly matters.

You're BLESSED and loved!

Let Him Be Your Alpha And Omega - Pastor Ekpenyong

Rev.1:8CJB "I am the 'A' and the 'Z' says Adonai, God of heaven's armies, the One Who is, Who was and Who is coming."

When God said He is the Beginning and the Ending, He was giving us important information about Himself, which we should take literally and apply to our lives.

It is your choice to give Him that place in your life where He has the first and last say in your matter. 

A place where every voice and opinion is sandwiched inbetween what the LORD says; where you are not pressured by people and challenges into taking any step outside what He has shown and said to you.

It is as though you did not hear or see all that the enemy is throwing at you. 

The LORD has the last say meaning that you are not allowing the verdict you received from your doctor, boss, people around you, your feelings, your bank balance etc., be the last word for you. It means consciously making the word of God the last word by declaring and standing on it even after all those verdicts.

You have what the word says you have,   don't stop believing it, don't stop seeing it; just keep saying it out loud. Glory!

Check: Col.1:23, James 1:25, John 8:6

#WavesofGlory 

#WholeCitiesTaken

The ABC Of Your Spiritual Authority - Pastor Ekpenyong

This conversation will give you a wide-angle view of God's love and concern for man on earth and will cause you to fall deeply in love with Jesus, for who He is and what He has done.

When you understand authority as the Bible sets it forth, you will rise to a new level of faith. You will rise to an understanding of God's Word that will set you free from the circumstances of life!

The problem with a lot of believers is not that we are not praying. We are praying but many of us are praying desperate prayers.

We are praying, “God help… God please… God do something about my problems.”

If you are smiling a little by now, most likely you know about such and might have done so yourself.

Many believers are living short of life abundantly, as God intended. They want and desire to live in the victory that’s ours but something seems to stand in the way. There’s only one reason – they don’t know how to use their authority.

Do you know this is why many are offended at God, that He's not responding, when they should be functioning in the authority that's been vested on us.

Luke 10:19 AMP “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.”

The authority of the believer is an aspect of the Christian walk that few believers know much about.

Some think that authority over the devil belongs to only a few chosen people to whom God has given special power. 

It doesn't; it belongs to all the children of God!

When did we receive this spiritual authority?

We receive this authority when we are born again. As we are made new creatures in Christ Jesus, we inherit the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we can use it against the enemy.

The value of our authority rests on the power that is behind that authority.

God Himself is the power behind our authority!

The devil and his forces are obliged to recognize our authority!

The believer who thoroughly understands that the power of God is backing him can exercise his authority and face the enemy fearlessly.

What is Authority?

Authority is delegated power.

Ephesians 6:10 WUEST “Finally, be constantly strengthened in the Lord and in the active efficacy of the might that is inherent in Him.”

I like the expression ACTIVE EFFICACY OF THE MIGHT THAT IS INHERENT IN HIM!

Just like the might of the constitution and the government backs a Law Enforcement Agent, that’s how we are backed the LORD. 

You ought to walk in this consciousness as one in the LORD, functioning in His might.

That means you can step out in front of the devil, circumstance, hold up your hand, and tell it to conform and it sure will. Use your authority!

1 Peter 5:9 GW “So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.”

We need to build these truths into our lives by meditating and feeding upon them until they become a part of our consciousness.

Here is how you can use your spiritual authority in any situation and claim VICTORY once and for all.

1. Use Your Authority to Cast Out Demons.

Mark 16:17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages.

All believers can cast out devils in His name. Drive demons and any demonic activity out of your home, your body, your life, your neighborhood, buildings, cars and anything else they try to occupy. Never be afraid of them—YOU have the authority. And they know it.

2. Use Your Authority to Drive Out Sickness.

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Do you realize that Jesus did not say, “Go and pray for the sick”? He said, “Go and heal the sick”. 

So stop pleading and asking all the time, and start using the authority you have in Christ.

You have been authorized to heal the sick.

You can talk to your body to function in the perfection it was created and it will come into alignment.

3. Use Your Authority for Physical Protection.

Psalms 91:10 MSG "Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door."

Do you know what that means? It means you don’t have to be afraid of anything harming you or your children physically.

In these days of grave insecurity and unrest, you can use your authority to preserve all that belongs to you.

Salvation is a big word. In the Greek language, it literally means deliverance, safety, preservation, material and temporal deliverance from danger, pardon, restoration, healing, wholeness and soundness.

We live in a dangerous world, so taking your authority for protection should be done daily.

As you leave home for your engagements or children go out to school or play, speak protection and enjoy preservation and rest.

4. Use Your Authority to Subdue the Weather.

Mark 4:39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Jesus is our perfect example on how to handle unfavorable weather. 

You speak to it! Don't cry to God, speak to it!!

When you hear in the news forecast of floods  coming to your area. You have the authority to reroute the flood. Whether it’s an earthquake or any of such devastating conditions. They may call it acts of God, but you and I know that its the devil that comes to steal, kill and destroy.

You therefore command those to detour from your property. You have authority over the weather. Don’t be afraid of any storm, tornado or earthquake. Rebuke it just as Jesus did.

5. Use Your Authority for Finances.

Colossians 2:15 MSG He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.

Jesus reduced principalities and powers to nothing—He took away the devil’s power to dominate us in any way—including in the realm of our finances. 

Our job is to act on this truth.

So, when you’re facing an attack of the enemy on your finances, take your place of authority. Speak to the financial mountain. 

Say, “SATAN, TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF MY MONEY AND OFF MY PROPERTY. Ministering spirits, GO! Cause all that’s mine in the kingdom of God to come into my hands, now!

What I'm attempting to show you in this session is that you have so much authority that you're not even using.

6. Use your authority to demand restoration.

Isaiah 42:22 But this [is] a people robbed and plundered; All of them are snared in holes, And they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder, and no one says, "Restore!"

One of the things that will happen to you when you begin demanding restoration is that the devil will literally warn his agents to hands off you because you're too expensive to maintain.

Proverbs 6:30-31 

30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. 

31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

You have the authority to demand a seven fold return on all that was stolen from you.

Satan is the real thief using all those that defraud, cheat or steal from you. Therefore, you can go ahead and demand restoration.

I have several testimonies of seven fold restoration for things that were stolen from us restored to us. Glory to God!

You can demand restoration for missed opportunities because His mercies are new every morning.

7. Use your authority over words.

Isaiah 54:15-17BBE

15 See, they may be moved to war, but not by my authority: all those who come together to make an attack on you, will be broken against you.

16 See, I have made the iron-worker, blowing on the burning coals, and making the instrument of war by his work; and I have made the waster for destruction.

17 No instrument of war which is formed against you will be of any use; and every tongue which says evil against you will be judged false. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness comes from me, says the Lord.

Don’t just stand and watch your life stagnated because of negative words spoken against you whether by day or night. Use your authority to condemn such words spoken against you. Render them null and void.

Speak words of grace and healing to yourself.

Numbers  23:23 MSG “No magic spells can bind Jacob, no incantations can hold back Israel. People will look at Jacob and Israel and say, "What a great thing has God done!"”

Right now, function in your authority and condemn every binding and limiting word that's been spoken against you in Jesus name.

For someone, out of respect for the uncle who spoke those limiting words you kept quiet.

But right now CONDEMN those words.

You're making undeniable progress by the Spirit.

In conclusion, when you learn how to use your spiritual authority in any situation, nothing will be impossible for you!

You’ll be operating in the position of dominion God intended from the beginning.

God did not create you to be a victim—you were made to WIN!

Psalms 91:3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler [And] from the perilous pestilence.

Hallelujah! Give Him glory

You're Loved and celebrated.

Angels At Your Service - Pastor Ekpenyong

Psalm 103:20 NKJV “Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.”

There is so much available in God to deliver you and put you over any situation of life even in life and death situations. With the knowledge of angels and their work in the earth we can better do the will of God which is the ultimate goal of every believer.

God’s word is His will and man is created in the image and likeness of God; therefore, the angels take man’s word as his will. When you speak contrary to God’s word, they become unable to act on your behalf for they respond to your voice.

Without your cooperation, angels are hindered but when you speak God’s word they go ahead of you to prosper your way in every area of life. Halleluyah!

Quit prophesying failure. Start prophesying success by acknowledging the presence of God’s angels in your life and you will notice a vast improvement in your life. 

It is time for the body of Christ to wake up to the fact that we have legions of angels waiting to move on our behalf. Glory!

Check: Heb.1:14, Psalm 104:4

#WavesofGlory

#WholeCitiesTaken

Owning Your Process As You Journey Towards Marriage - Pastor Modupe Ekpenyong

Marriage happens to be the dream of many singles. As a matter of fact, the society subtly makes it a parameter in judging your character and reliability as an adult.

Many do not have the opportunity to go ahead and get married as soon as they feel ready, this is because marriage is an institution that requires the agreement of two people. This agreement also is needed at a higher degree to make it work.

Amos 3:3 MSG "Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren't going to the same place?"

Since there is no place where spouses are arrayed for every one to make their choices, the process of getting a spouse becomes one that you hap on in your journey. Therefore, finding a spouse is not something you pause your life to do.

This is how it is: you are  traveling on your path in life, you desire a companion in this journey, someone you will make all stops and turns with. Somewhere along the line you come across that one who you desire to journey with and also desires to journey with you and then you both become companions in your lives' journey. Because you don't know exactly who this companion will be, the bulk of your preparation is on you and you alone.

Imagine that a prepared man meets a prepared woman; what an awesome foundation they will have.

It is true that no one knows exactly the nature of their union until they get into it, but a healthy perspective will go a long way to make the marital journey pleasant.

This session is to help you gain the right perspective as you go through the process of transiting from unmarried to married.

Healthy people are in a better position to make healthy marriages. Your first assignment is to ensure that you have a stable directional disposition in life. So how do you achieve this?

By not allowing yourself to be driven by just your quest to marry, instead, you intentionally drive your process towards being married.

Changing status from single to married  is a major transition that affects every aspect of your life.  So it is imperative that you have an understanding of where  you are  in life and where you may be heading.

To start with, I will like you to consider the following questions: 

What do you know about you?

If you don't know you, how can you judge rightly as to the kind of person you should marry? The more we seek to know God the more we discover ourselves.

The true knowledge of you can only be revealed by Him because He designed you and wired you in the way that suits His purpose for you.

Ephesians 2:10 AMP "For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]."

Ask the Lord to reveal you to you and be willing to accept and cherish yourself.

Do you love yourself?

Self love is self acceptance and this fuels improvement. Acceptance or commitment comes before demands for change. 

Embrace your uniqueness and strive to be on a continuous journey of improvement. Don't be deceived, anyone who demands you change before commitment is a fraud.

As long as you feel inadequate, you may not be able to properly develop yourself. This is because your focus will mostly be on changing yourself to fit the perfect picture of another who you truly don't know.

Why do you need to get married?

I have heard common answers like:

Because I'm of age.

Because I want kids.

Because I need  a man or woman to take care of me.

I don't know, I guess everyone needs to get married at some point in life.

Because God said we should marry. (where in the bible?)

All these are not God's stated purpose for marriage.

God emphasized companionship.

Genesis 2:18 AMP. Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.

‘Alone’ in this instance means to be by himself, solitary. By implication this means 2 are better than 1.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 AMP. 

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; 

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 

11 Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? 

12 And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The essence of every action is in its purpose. If you cannot locate why you want to be married, how then can you know the right person to marry?

God's intention is for couples to share their lives, fulfilling purpose together, winning through life's challenges together, sharing the good times together.

Search your heart for the purpose you have set in your own heart unconsciously and realign your motive to suit God's purpose.

And what is God's purpose? 

For you to find someone who you will serve Him with and enjoy life together.

Now, you have to discover how you have been called to serve God on earth which leads us to the next question.

Why are you here on earth?

What's your purpose?

Every one needs to attempt to answer this question before choosing a spouse.

Understand that marriage is not an end in itself, it's a means to an end. This means that there is purpose in marriage.

You may not have the entire blue print of your purpose yet because purpose evolves. But you should  at least have an idea of the direction you should be heading.

This knowledge will help you to live a fulfilling life and choose right. This is why you don't stunt your progress because marriage is delayed.

Wherever you are, when your spouse joins up, you will continue together.

Think carefully on these things. Don't make assumptions. Write down your answers so you can run with them.

Having embarked on a successful journey for clarity what next?

You need to develop yourself for a successful marriage relationship. Success in any aspect of life should be intentional. 

By intentional, I mean you need to deliberately put the right effort into whatever it is you are doing. If you desire to be happily married, you need  to develop yourself in areas that matter.

I'm going to mention a number of them.

1. Learn to love. 

Love is beyond feelings. Feelings  may sustain you before marriage but after marriage you sustain feelings by treating love as a verb.

Love in marriage is a commitment and necessitates the right action. If love were a feeling, it won't be an instruction in the scripture.

Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church"

Titus 2:4 WEB "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children."

God ordained marriage, so to make it work, we have to go by His definition of love.

2. Develop flexibility.

Don't be rigid, God's plan for us evolves so it accommodates every season of our lives.

Change is inevitable; be open to it. You will need to make some adjustment to accommodate your spouse and children. Settle with this because these changes are not predetermined but are necessary.

Make room for adjustments as you plan your life, this way you will not find yourself blaming your spouse for sacrifices you will need to make or struggle with the feeling of inadequacy.

3. Take the wheel from your feelings. 

Deny your feelings the ability to determine your action. Get some knowledge on emotional intelligence.

Maturity has a lot to do with being able to do or say what is right despite your feelings. It takes two mature people to make a marriage work.

4. Have a vision for your life.

5. Get a better grasp of your values and convictions. 

What are the guiding principles of your life, personal standards that determine your choices and actions?

What beliefs influence your life's choices?

6. Develop healthy communication skills. 

This is something you cannot put aside if you want a happy marriage. How you say what you say counts in a marriage. This is a major marriage counselling course. 

You are at an advantage growing in this knowledge and practicing even before you get married.

7. Set your priority right.

Know what matters and in what order, know what's subject to the other.

8. Live Life to The Fullest Whilst You Are Still Single

Please, don't  put away what you can do while single for when you are married. 

There are many more mountains ahead to be conquered.

As much as there are different aspects of our lives, true success lies in how well we are able to synchronize all aspects. Spiritual, purpose, physical health or status, Career, finances, mental, emotional, relationships which includes marriage.

All are important aspects of our lives that are completely interwoven or intertwined.

So this is your time to set the ball rolling. Work on yourself as though now is all the opportunity you have to do so.

1 Corinthians 7:32-33 MSG 

32 I want you to live as free of complications as possible. When you're unmarried, you're free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. 

33 Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse.

9. Be willing to learn.

Willingness to learn is not in knowing but in letting yourself be influenced by relevant knowledge.

Every problem is half solved when you have the right knowledge. The other half is in doing what you know.

What I have done in this session is to give you a glimpse of what is required for your future when it comes to marriage, maximize it.

Get answers for every question, the answers will not only help you in marriage but also in other aspects of life.

Watch out for future sessions where will be discussing specific skills needed in preparing for marriage.

This is my prayer for you:

Ephesians 1:17-18 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones).

TCAP SINGLES©