“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:8, 9)
The children of Israel are ready to cross over into the Promised Land. Their great leader Moses is dead, but the Word is not dead. It is time to move on. God speaks to Joshua, the new leader. He does not tell him about new plans or strategies for battle, for he already knows them. Jehovah speaks words to encourage him and to instill passion for success. These words will carry Joshua on eagle’s’ wings until all is accomplished and victory is attained.
The forty years in the wilderness was a season for seeking God. He gave them a vision of the wonderful Promised Land. He gave them dreams for the future. But a whole generation perished in the desert because of unbelief. Their children are ready to enter into a new season of adventure to possess the land. It is in fact more than an adventure. It will be a battle for their destiny. From now on it will be clear who will taste success and will not.
The word success means to fulfill your God given dreams. All people dream good things…that one day they will have a home, a family, fame, security or riches. But not all people end their lives happily. In other words, not all believers live and die successful lives. Most remain ‘barely saved’ without a clear testimony of a successful and fulfilled life on earth.

What is the recipe for successful Christian life?
*Understand the purpose of God!
God desires that you come to a place of trust having a testimony that gives Him glory. You are to change and become like Jesus. Then all people shall see that your miraculous life change with no other explanation than the touch of the Living God. Remember that your testimony is one of the most important riches that you have as a person. It is better to lose money and friends, reputation or opportunities, than to lose your Christ given seal of ownership! Never forget, it is God that is sending you ahead, to transition into success! God loves you more than any other. Trust Him!
*Have faith in the promises of God!
God said He will give you a land to possess. He will give you total victory against anyone who opposes you. The land or the ministry you receive comes with life time insurance of protection against the jealous, wicked and covetous men around you.
*Be sure of God’s presence with you!
No matter the situation in life, in the deepest valley of trials, in darkness, prison or on the hospital bed, you shall never be alone. God will give you favor with your enemies. God takes pleasure to overturn tables for you. When in doubt, touch your heart, feel the beat and wait for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Once you are sure He is with you, relax, for all things shall work together for good for you!
*Be strong and courageous!
These words speak of the strength to identify your blessings, to be able to grab them with your hand and not let go. It also speaks of clear, steadfast and sound mind. These words are not just suggestions to you. These are commands to be obeyed. They come wrapped with the power to manifest them daily. God commands you to be focused and determined to be successful! When you are confused, tired, afraid or weak it means that you are rebellious to the command to be strong and courageous in life.
*Be not afraid and dismayed!
This is also a command from God. Cowardice is the fruit of rebellion and disobedience to the Captain of your salvation. In the battle for success there is no retreat. Backsliding, like divorce in marriage, these are not options to consider. You can only go forward in war. Even if you die, you have to die fighting, defending your territory. There are too many weak, double minded people who claim to be Christians, but no testimony of manly courage and passion for godly success. Avoid these people!
*Ready, study and mediate on the Word of God ‘day and night’!
This is the true eternal secret of Christian success. Too many people depend on what pastors preach and Facebook says for their daily spiritual bread. The command to Joshua is to eat the Word, to digest it until there is an overflow. In Hebrew it means to read the Bible until you are able to teach and counsel others thru the Word. To study the Word is time consuming. But it is still the shortest way to success.
A practical advice: Study your night dreams, for often they tell you if you are fulfilling the condition for success or not. If you meditate on the Word day and night, you shall dream good dreams in line with the Bible. If you have nightmares often it means that you disobey God’s command to study His Word.! Selah!
Another practical advice: if God has promised that you shall have your own house, there are only two ways to fulfill that dream: One way is to take three jobs and work from morning to night, gathering cement and wood to build it. It will take many years of labor and stress and you may not finish it. That is the unbeliever’s way.
But the way of God is this: take only one job, so that you can pay your bills and use the remaining time to study the Bible, consistently and patiently. Search for the meaning of each word. Pray for the deep revelation and understanding of the Word. Do it like you prepare to pass exams in Bible School. Soon you shall observe that your character changes, your testimony as a believer is shining thru and miraculously, sooner or later, the dream house shall be yours. If you say that you see no connection between Bible study and house building then I say that you are spiritually blind for the connection is there in the Book of Joshua.

IN CHRIST I DECLARE:
I am a child of God!
I and my children, we are prosperous and successful!
I and my children, we are not failures!
Christian success is possible and it is my portion!
I guard with all my might my testimony as a Believer in Christ!
I have faith in the promises of God! These are yes and amen!
God’s presence is with me everywhere I go! If I enter a plane, a car or a ship, I remember that God does not need a visa or a ticket. He is always with me on the land, on the sea and in the clouds!
I am strong and courageous! I do not faint, shake or run away! There is no going back for me! It is easier to die in battle and go to heaven than to go back to the devil! NO RETREAT!
I am not afraid; I am not confused! I am not a coward! God forbid! Nothing shall surprise me to break me; no circumstance of life will make me beg and worship the devil. I am done with him forever!
My eyes are fixed of the face of Jesus, I see Him smile and I hear the cheering coming from the cloud of witnesses.
I read, study, meditate and dream about the Word of God! I see myself preaching and teaching the Word and nothing else!
I press forward until the wine is squeezed from the grapes of my heart.
I press on until God speaks to me thru His Word. If I am tired I shall pray for supernatural strength but still not accept defeat!
I am intelligent for God made me so!
I am not timid!
From now on, my light shall shine and let all people come and see the wonderful works the Father has done in me!
All the glory to the Lamb upon the throne!
In Jesus name
Amen!

I am a soldier in the Army of God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by Fire.
I am a volunteer in this Army and I am enlisted for Eternity. I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out.
I am faithful, Reliable, Capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there.
I am a soldier, not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His Name and building His kingdom.
I am Committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn myself aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into His army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. I will win. My God has and will continue to supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Devil cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Governments cannot silence me. And Hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander Calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to Captain and then allow me to rule with Him.
I claim the victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier marching heaven bound. My desire is to know Christ more each day and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings.
Not that I have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brethren, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
So help me God!
In Jesus name,
Amen!
(Author unknown)

‘Deborah said to Barak, “Arise! For THIS IS THE DAY in which THE LORD has given Sisera into your hands! BEHOLD, THE LORD HAS GONE OUT BEFORE YOU!” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him’ (Jdg. 4:14).

THE BATTLE AND THE VICTORY
In the past, Joshua destroyed the Canaanites in a mighty victory. Some years later, we find a total different story. A descendant of Jabin, having the same name, has now conquered Israel. God ‘sold’ His people to the pagan king, to be oppressed for twenty years, so that they will repent of their stubborn pride, idolatry and rebellion.
Spiritual lesson: sin is very stubborn and demons are very persistent. We are to remain alert to any return of evil spirits rejected in the past. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, not giving the (ex-) devil a foothold at all!
This was a very difficult time in Israel. There was poverty, violence and ‘war at the gates’. Most men have lost hope and faith in God. But God raises Deborah as a leader of revival in Israel. Against all odds, this ‘mother in Israel’ challenges the territorial spirits that claim the land. She calls a man of God, Barak and commissions him to go to war against King Jabin and his commander in chief, Sisera.
Just like with Joshua, God gives Deborah the strategy and plan for the battle and the assurance of victory even before the war starts. God is totally in charge. God chooses the place, the time and the resources for the battle according to His sovereign will. God decides that the number of the Israel soldiers shall be only 10,000. At the end of the battle they should count them again and see that none died! The army shall be led by Barak covered by the prophetic anointing of Deborah. God also points out a very unusual place for the battle to take place: ‘the ancient, age old’ River Kishon. He promises to go before them and lure the enemy there, in the waters of total destruction.
River Kishon is seasonal. During the hot summer, it dries almost completely but in spring time, with the snow on the mountain melting down, it can become a flood, fast and furious. Sisera took it for granted that the quiet river of summer season will ‘cooperate’ with his strategy. He was wrong. His 900 chariots and many horses, the strength and pride of the enemy were ‘swept away’ and all drowned in the waters of judgment. Israel fought but he was not alone. The invisible angels of God fought from above. ‘Heaven dispatched angels called ‘stars’ who fought against Sisera’ and his destruction was complete!
National revival has begun! Once more, praises to God were heard over the hills and over the valleys! Praise the Lord!!!

DEBORAH –THE BEE
Deborah was a judge and a prophetess. She was instructed in Divine knowledge and filled with the Spirit of God. She judged Israel as God’s mouth to them; correcting abuses, and redressing grievances. By God’s direction, she ordered Barak to raise an army of ten thousand volunteers and confront the oppressor. Barak insisted much upon her presence. She promised to go with him. She would not send him where she would not go herself.
Those who in God’s name call others to their duty should be ready to assist them in it! Selah!
It was very natural that Barak should desire the presence of Deborah. She was a strong woman of great spiritual influence, wise and prudent, able to read the signs of the times. As it has been said, the best definition of a fool is a man who is wise too late, so the best definition of wisdom is wisdom at the right moment. Deborah possessed that wisdom. Free from fear of man, confusion, doubt or religious prejudice she understood the power of moving with God. She identified the destiny moment! She knew when exactly to sound the trumpet and to strike the blow for freedom. In a great national emergency she became a hero, a spiritual mother and mentor to other leaders.
She calls Barak to her, ordains and assures him of his commission, and even consented at his request to accompany him in battle. This was heroic, but it was also feminine. Deborah did not assume the direct command of the soldiers. She chooses to remain ‘behind the scenes’, as the intercessor, the spiritual influence and the godly fire of inspiration for the army of Israel.

BARAK- THE BLESSED
As a man Barak could have rejected Deborah’s assistance. Riding on a horse alongside a middle aged woman and to be told that another house wife will take the glory for the victory… few men desire that… But Barak values submission to God’s will, the success of his ministry and the freedom of his country more than mere human honor.
God rewards Barak richly. His name appears in the Hall of fame of people who had faith in God to ‘conquer kingdoms’. These godly leaders have inspired generations of believers up till today (Heb 11:32, 33).
We should ask now, what was so special about the faith of Barak, that the Epistle to the Hebrews should mention him? The answer is found at the Cross! Barak points us to Jesus! He denies self and pride for the sake of doing God’s work. Surely he thought about it: What if one woman starts the ministry and another woman is to finish it? What if the journey he took was not to be for his own personal honor What will the troops say if they see a woman marching by his side; see him consult her about his tactics; hear him confess that she is his inspiration? Shall that stop him? No!!! He has God’s cause in hand; God’s honor, God’s glory, not his. So he encourages himself by saying: ‘March on my soul, be strong!’
Both Deborah and Barak are servants of God! They each did what was required of them! The victory of Israel was total and the land had peace forty years! May we identify our spiritual partners, leaders, mentors, apostles, prophets and coverings over us! May we submit to the anointing of team work! Like the bees, let us work together for the common good! The honey is all that matters! All the glory goes to God alone!
Praise the Lord o my soul, and all that is in me, praise His holy name!
(Josh 11; Jdg. 4 and 5)

IN CHRIST I DECLARE:
I am a child of God!
I am a servant of God!
I am a soldier for Christ!
I can never lose a battle for I obey and follow the Lord of Hosts!
No weapon fashioned against me can prosper!
No tongue that rises against me in judgment can ever win its case!
The tongue of the accuser of the brethren is condemned! The devil shall expose and condemn himself!
Like Deborah, I am a virtuous wife, a godly mother of children and a grandmother of my children’s children! They surround me!
Like Deborah, I arise to pray for revival in this land and fearlessly confront the wickedness in high places!
Like Deborah I redeem the time and take advantage of destiny moments!
Like Deborah, I have no fear, confusion, lust, doubt, guilt or regret!
Like Deborah, I make the best of all opportunities presented to me by God!
I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and in the prophetic anointing in particular!
I speak the mind of God! I do not add, subtract or dilute the Word of God!
I preach the Gospel of Christ Crucified!
I do not please men, but God who sees my heart!
I am not an entertainer, but a servant of God!
Like Barak, I have faith in God!
Like Barak, my name is written in the Book of Life!
Like Barak, I humble myself and I honor all true servants of God, all true prophets that God sends in my way!
Like Barak, I am free from selfish ambition and all I desire is that God should take the glory for my successes!
Like Barak, I submit to others in the body of Christ out of reverence for God!
Like Barak, I love team work with other brethren in the Church!
Like Barak, I do not act with presumption! I wait for God’s Spirit to speak and move! I follow in obedience and trust!
The victory is sure and it is mine!
Warri shall know revival!
Peace be upon Warri for the next forty years; from now until 2053!
DEBORAH’S PRAYER:
“So perish all Thine enemies, O LORD! But thy friends be like the sun as he rises in his might!” (Jdg. 5:31)

All the glory to the Lamb who sits upon the throne!
In Jesus name,
Amen!

“And this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: “‘His armies will not enter Jerusalem. They will not even shoot an arrow at it… He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city!
This is the LORD’s declaration… ‘For My own honor and for the sake of My servant David, I will defend this city and protect it. That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and returned to his own land…” (Is 37:33-37)

Jerusalem was attacked by Assyria. They have already conquered many countries. None could withstand them. Sennacherib, their commander is insulting God and His people. He threatens to attack and destroy Zion just the way he did with other cities. Hezekiah and God’s people are afraid. He cries to God who sends His prophet Isaiah with comforting words of courage.
This is God’s declaration to His people: Jehovah Himself has come down from heaven to protect His people! The enemy will be destroyed!
The next morning 185,000 Assyrians were dead, their corpses all over the place. That was the work of just one angel of Jehovah. There was also much spoil of war. Can you imagine how many horses, tents, weapons and gold they left behind for the people of God to gather?
Have you ever seen an army fighting God’s people and win? It is not possible!
This is the Word of God: When the believers are attacked and persecuted, God arises and defends them. The tables turn ‘overnight’; the destroyer is destroyed and the traitor is betrayed. When God arises, His enemies scatter. They suddenly become impotent, barren, afraid, confused, febrile, sick, weak and poor. They are uprooted from their safe heavens and lose all strength to defend their stolen territories. God’s victories are fast and clear to all so the glory can be given to Him alone!
The wealth of the wicked is transferred to the righteous ones. God’s people were oppressed and persecuted for standing for Christ. For His sake they rejected bribes, they broke worldly friendships, they refused to partake in men’s sins or to be entertained by wicked gossips. They made a choice to be poor rather than steal, to be unmarried rather than fornicate, to be discriminated rather than betray. These people had only one weapon: the name of Jehovah, His power and His mercy! They prayed and they worshiped the King of heaven, waiting for Him to come to their rescue.
Suddenly the boast of the enemy has ceased! It is now called ‘the former terror’. No more noise of hatred; no more threats of violence, no more tribalism or discrimination… The only thing left from the mighty army of intimidation is the rising smoke of their burning bodies…

IN CHRIST I DECLARE:
I am born again! I am a child of God!
God is with me! My enemy is defeated!
This fight is to the end! ‘The queen of heaven’ has to bow to the King of Kings and the Lord of lords, my Savior, Jesus Christ!
I obey God diligently to the best of my knowledge! God shall reward me for that!
I am blessed in the city (Warri)!
The fruit of my body is blessed!
The work of my hands is blessed!
God has sent His angels to surround my home and my city (Warri)!
There is no power that can defeat the angels of God surrounding my home!
The angels know their job! They are now in charge! I worry no more! I rejoice and praise God!
The evil spirit of jezebel has tried to penetrate into this city but she has failed!
All her arrows: sexual immorality, polygamy, prostitution, sugar- daddy, sugar- mummy, greed, religion, idolatry, witchcraft, pornography, pride, violence, juju, cultism, stealing, deception, 419, depression, AIDS …are totally powerless to wound anyone!
She has gone back to her fake empire under the ocean, to the poor wretched souls who blindly serve her unto death!
She shall be burnt with fire by her own worshippers, when they get tired of her fake prophecies and her digital magic!
God has heard our plea for revival in Warri! He has come down to make it happen!
I see ‘the land afar of’ and the rivers free…
I see the trees resting from the terrible storm and the flowers can now bloom in peace…
I look around this place, this city… I see life springing forth, none able to kill it…
I see the thorns and wild bushes suddenly replaced with roses and lilies…
I see the sour grapes changed into sweet and ripe fruit…Sweet wine of joy flowing in Africa…
I see former transgressors loving discipline…this is a miracle indeed…
I see the dirty, stagnant, smelly, mosquito breeding camps changing into clear pools of fresh water, ‘a place of broad rivers and streams’…
I see the former kidnapers and robbers lifting hands in worship, tears on their faces, as they behold the face of Him who saved them at last…
I see the lack of all good things replaced by ‘an abundance of spoils divided by the lame and poor’…
I do not see malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure, typhoid fever…for these are all gone!
I see doctors worshiping Jehovah Rapha for there is nothing else to do…
I see police men planting flowers in front of their offices, for there is no crime in town…
I see husbands loving their wives as Christ love the church!
I see wives submit and honor their own husbands as unto the Lord!
I see children who honor and gladly obey their parents!
I see families coming together to fellowship and to study the Word!
I see weddings and children dedications…
I see tenants becoming landlords…
Behold…’I see the King in His beauty’ smiling over Warri…
Yes, it is Jesus!
All glory to You, Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts!! For just and wonderful are Your judgments!
In Jesus name,
Amen!
(Is 33-37)

King Jehoshaphat and his people were in serious trouble. Then the prophet gave this command:
“Have faith in the Lord and you shall be upheld! Have faith in His prophets and you shall be successful!” (2Chronicles 20:20)
The word ‘upheld’ in Hebrew in means to be established, to build a foundation, to be a father…
The word ‘successful’ in Hebrew it means to prosper, to push forward, to advance, to be promoted, to make profit in business…
You can see that having faith in God makes you a believer, born again, saved and sure of heaven. That is foundational. But the trust in the true prophets of God and their utterance gives you ‘the necessary push ‘ to move forward in life in general and in business or ministry in particular.
How much do you believe prophetic statements?
In your Christian life, how much do you expect the manifestation of prophetic gifts?
Do you know of anyone who over the years has spoken prophetic words to you and theses have come to pass?
The truth is that here are false prophets all over the world. These are wolves in sheep clothes. We are commanded to test the spirits for they are not all from God! Testing means to patiently discern thru prayer, observing their life style and character and looking for the fruits of the Spirit. Many will fail the test, so reject their words. Few will pass the test and challenge you to believe their words. Your responsibility is to reject the false and have faith in the true ones! Do this and you shall prosper in life!
The Lord Jesus says that anyone who receives a prophet recognizing the prophetic mantle upon him, that person shall receive a prophet’s reward (Mt 10:40-42). The word ‘receive’ is not a superficial word. People can receive a gift and throw it in the trash a minute later. That receiving is only temporary. Here we are told about receiving a prophet, not as an ordinary man in need of shelter, not as a visitor or as a stranger that you pity, but as the messenger of God.
It is said that the greatest honor you can give to any man is to receive his words, to obey his teaching. The Lord Jesus was training His disciples to go and preach the Gospel. He warned them that most people will reject them and His words in their mouths. They should be prepared to continue to preach even in the face of many rejections. A prophet is not received in his natural family. Rejection from your parents, your siblings or children is one of the highest forms of grief. These are trials of faith designed to humble us that grace may be imparted. Success in ministry, especially if it comes too early is a dangerous snare, extremely difficult to break.
The Lord encourages us by saying that He will make sure that there will always be people along the way of life and ministry, who shall receive us as His prophets. This is a great test… We should be prepared to go on in face of persecution and rejection, knowing that even when all things fail, we shall surely meet people who receive us for who we really are. These ‘miracle friends’ shall also receive the Gospel we preach. Jesus says that receiving a prophet means receiving Him.
A wise man of long ago said this: ‘as there is a way of partaking of other men’s sins, so (there is a sharing) in other men’s holy services’ (W. Gurnall)

IN CHRIST I DECLARE
I am born again!
I covet the gifts of the Spirit, especially that I may prophesy!
I shall pray, praise and prophesy!
I claim the promise of Pentecost that men and women shall prophesy, declaring the mind of God to this generation!
I shall go to any place My Master says I should go!
I shall speak the Word of God, as I hear it in my spirit!
I shall be true to Him who sends me and to my conscience in the presence of God!
I shall not be discouraged by rejection for I have been lovingly warned by my Lord!
I shall not desire to be better than my Master! His portion is mine and His cup is mine!
If any man rejects Christ, let that man reject me too!
If any man receives Christ, let that man receive me too!
I shall not be afraid of men’s faces or their words for I shall keep my eyes fixed on Jesus!
I shall trust the Lord for each person I meet along the way! The ones who reject me and the ones who receive me, these are all God’s creation…I shall give thanks to God for every encounter!
I carry the hidden camera and microphone of heaven! Whatever happens to me along the way of life, I am confident that I am not alone and I am not forsaken! God’s angels are with me! Jesus Christ is with me and in me!
I shall test all spirits that come close to me! I shall not discriminate based on appearances! I shall pray for each person that wants to be my ‘friend’! The false I shall reject, no matter how ‘sweet’ they are! The true prophets I shall receive, no matter how ‘harsh’ they sound!
I shall always have bottles of water in my refrigerator and make it a habit to give water to all who come inside my house! In this way I may welcome angels and prophets and share in their holy services and rewards!
I deny myself, take up my cross and follow Jesus daily. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy and my destiny too!
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen!

A poor widow needs a miracle (2Kg 4:1-7). Her husband was a prophet ‘in training’ but now he Is dead and she was left penniless. The debt the husband left behind was to be paid by losing her two sons. She needed money, but more than that, she needed a miracle of salvation and life. Where to go? Who can help? The choice she made as a result of a desperate prayer saved their lives. She prayed and led by the Spirit she went to meet Elisha, her husband’s mentor and senior prophet. She finds favor with him and he offers to ‘help’. O, may a true prophet help you in time of need…
The word ‘help’ in Hebrew is an active word of action. It means to be busy, to perform, to fulfill an obligation, to fight, to work, to provide, to serve or to sacrifice. When Mary answered the angel she used the same word: ‘Let it be done according to your word’ (Lk 1:38). It is an action word of faith. It means that there is a spiritual agreement and trust between Elisha and the widow. She trusts him as a man of God, as a prophet in particular. She believes that whatever word comes from his mouth that is the Word of God. She believes that even if it is sounds strange or impossible, the miracle shall be performed. Elisha also has faith in her, seeing that she is a genuine woman of God and in desperate need. This unity of the Spirit is very powerful and triggers great supernatural events.
The prophet asks for any blessing in the house. She says: just a little oil and nothing else. Then he tells her to go out and to gather vessels. His request sounds so strange. She should go to her neighbors, to anyone, friend of foe, and ask for empty vessels. The word ‘empty’ in Hebrew means something that is useless, worthless, rejected by all and without purpose. For as long as a man can find usefulness with the container, she should not insist to take it from him. The only vessels she should collect are from the trash can, ugly, dirty and thrown away. And she should bring as many as she can, ‘not a few’…
Coming back with all the vessels, rusted pots and pans of all shapes and sizes, she should shut the door and start pouring the oil into them. The sentence ‘shut the door’ appears two times. It means that it was a very important command. She obeys exactly as she was told. The ‘little oil’ starts pouring until all the containers are filled and then it stops. The need fulfilled, there is no need for additional supply. This is a confirmation that the Lord knows a genuine need and He does not waste His resources. The widow is to sell the oil, make money enough to redeem her sons and then they can live from what is left. What a wonderful story of faith and hope!
This is a miracle of multiplication. Do you really believe in the God of miracles? Do you believe in miracles?
For example, it does not matter how much money you have in the bank. If God said ‘you go and build a house with twenty thousand naira ($150)’ then do not doubt it. Go and build it. Is a second or a third job the only option you have to build a house, to train your children in school, to buy a car? Does faith sound crazy to you?
If you are in a desperate situation like this woman you shall discover that you cannot afford to doubt the prophetic utterance, for God is true even when all men are liars…
Do you want to trust God? Then forget what people say…take that risk to be seen as crazy…When you are a millionaire ‘the normal’ people will come to you asking for money. For this is the God of Elisha who uses weak things to confound the wise…The truth is this: who wants to be ‘wise’ and live a boring, ordinary life? Not me!
As for me and my household, we chose faith in God, obedience to His Word and receiving His prophets! This holy method is proven by generations of believers all over the world and also by me who writes these words…
What do you lose if you believe?

‘Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name’
(Kittie Suffield, 1905)

“Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel as dead men. Then you must cripple their horses and burn their chariots.” (Josh 11:6)
Joshua was attacked by a group of pagan kings under the leadership of Jabin, King of Hazor. These kings and their armies were very well trained and equipped. Their combined army was ‘huge and numerous as the sand on the sea shore’. They had horses and chariots. But Joshua prayed and God answered, telling him not to be afraid by what he sees. God promises that He will weaken the enemy; that He will hand the thousands of pagan soldiers to Israel ‘as dead men’ and they should kill them all. The horses of the enemy should be ‘hamstrung’ and the chariots burnt with fire.
To hamstring a horse it means to cripple it by cutting the leg tendons. The result is that the horses will limp and they cannot run again. They can use the horses for labor, to pull a plough for example, but never in war again. This command to cripple the horses sounds harsh to us but it is because God wants us to give Him all the glory for every victory in war. Chariots and horses represent the power of the flesh and the boast of pride. That has to die! God is jealous for His glory!

God refuses to allow His people to learn the ways of the world and the strategy of religious pride. The kings in Israel were to be known as men of God, reading their Bibles. God forbade them to accumulate great numbers of horses, gold or wives. They are to symbolize Christ, whose strength was always in His intimate relationship with the Father.

IN CHRIST I DECLARE:
I am a child of God!
I am a soldier for Christ!
I willingly enrolled in the army of the Living God!
I went to war under the banner of Jehovah Nissi and I won the victory!
I was weak, but by faith in God I became strong!
I was confused, but by faith in God I became focused!
I was afraid but by faith in God I became bold!
I was lonely but by faith in God I am a member of the Body of Christ!
I was foolish but by faith in God I became wise and prudent!
I was shy but by faith in God I boldly proclaim His Word and sing His praises!
My enemies persecuted, hated, slandered, attacked and tried to destroy my testimony…but they have lost completely!
My enemies are now weak, confused, afraid, lonely, foolish, disgraced, crippled and burnt!
My trust is not in things, people, money or positions. My trust is in the Lord Almighty!
I do not boast in my wisdom, my wealth or my strength…but I boast that I really know God, His name and His Righteousness!
I am not afraid of men or devils; I am not intimidated by their numbers or noises of war; God has decreed victory for me so I cannot lose!
My enemies hated me for no reason at all; I was living peacefully in the land but they gathered and attacked me! They shall be divided and fall for my sake! They shall run away when no one pursues and flee away in seven directions!
Just in a little while and the wicked shall be no more! Even if I shall look for them I cannot find them for they have drown in the waters of judgment!
The memory of the wicked has disappeared from my mind!
I am free from their wicked boastings and foolish clamor!
They will never again come near my gates!
I now have peace!
I am free indeed!
Starting from today I shall sleep well and enjoy my life!
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen!

‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song!’ (Jdg. 5:12)
Deborah was a judge, a prophetess and a worshipper. She was also a wife and a mother. But she was a spiritual ‘mother in Israel’ to many. She rose to call the people of Israel to fight the oppressors. Her testimony as a woman of God was so impressive that when she called them, leaders and thousands of men enrolled in the army of the Living God. She was a catalyst for revival in Israel in a season when all feared to stand for the truth. She is obviously filled with the Holy Spirit. She boldly declares the mind of God to all. She is not discouraged by them who refuse her call. She uses the resources available to her, ‘the willing volunteers of Israel’. She praises God for what is available and does not complain for what is not. Men awake from their slumber and see in her not just a woman, but the power of God perfected in weakness, the clear testimony of Christ. This humble sister proves that God can use any vessel, if willing, holy and prepared.
Her name Deborah in Hebrew means ‘the Bee’. There are many lessons we learn from the bees, little insects that God has created.

TRUE FACTS ABOUT BEES
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey. It is estimated that 33% of the human food supply depends on insect pollination, most of which is accomplished by bees.
A honeybee can fly 24 km in an hour at a speed of 15 mph. The wings of a honeybee beat 200 times per second or 12,000 beats per minute. The bees communicate by means of chemical messages, touch, sound and a symbolic dance language.
There are three kinds of bees in a hive: Queen, Workers and Drones:
•The Queen bee is only one and she lays the eggs
•The Worker bees are very many, they are all female and they do all the work for the hive including cleaning, feeding the babies, taking care and building and repairing honeycombs. They are all barren. They have stingers and fight in case of attack.
•The drone bees are all male and their only duty is to be ready to fertilize a receptive queen. They do not make honey and they do not fight for they do not have stingers.

PARASITIC BEES
Parasitic, or cuckoo, bees are those that do not make nests themselves but use the nests and food of other bees to provide for their parasitic young. They hide their eggs in the brood chambers before the hosts lay theirs. The young of the parasitic bees then feed on the food that was stored in the chamber by the host female. The eggs or young larvae of the host bee are killed either by the parasitic female or by her larvae. Social parasites can also kill the resident queen, lay their own eggs in the host’s cells, and then force the host’s workers to raise the young parasitic bees. Females of parasitic bees lack such special features as pollen baskets or pollen brushes since they do not look for food for their young. Spiritually speaking they stand for wayward wives and mothers or false brethren.

BEE ATTACKS
A honey bee away from the hive does not sting, except when stepped on or roughly handled. Honey bees will actively seek out and sting when they perceive the hive to be threatened. The workers can sting only once, and they die. The queen can sting repeatedly and does not die. Her sting is not for defense of the hive; she only uses it for fighting rival queens who want to take over the home.
This is the advice given to men who are attacked by bees: once the bees get provoked, the most important thing to do is RUN away as fast as possible. The bees hate dark colors. Dress up in white when you go near bees. Do not try to retrieve belongings nearby. Do not try to stand still in an attempt to fool the bees. That may work with a snake under certain circumstances, but honey bees won’t be impressed. Do not try to fight the bees they have the advantage of numbers and the gift of flight. They can follow people for more than a quarter mile. The more you flail your arms, the madder they will get. Just run indoors as fast as possible. Any covering for your body and especially for your head and face will help you escape.
Although it may be tempting, do not jump into water! The bees will wait for you to come up for air and attack you again.

IN CHRIST I DECLARE:
I am gentle and sweet (like the honey-bee) and tough in warfare (like its sting)!
I submit to others in the Body of Christ as honor to Him!
I am hard working and zealous, serving the Lord!
I am fast, with my feet fitted with the readiness of proclaiming the Gospel of peace!
I keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, in my marriage, in my home and in the church!
I praise God with singing and dancing! I love congregational praise!
I know my place and my gifts in the Body of Christ. I know my boundaries and I do not trespass into another man’s ministry!
I am not a busybody! I have zeal perfected by knowledge! I am not a fool! I am not deceived!
I am fruitful! My children are so many, like the stars in the sky!
I watch over the affairs of my household!
I inspect the doors and the windows; the possible points of contact and weak places that the enemy can use to enter!
No one comes in and out of my home without my permission, prayer and blessing!
I totally refuse give the devil a foothold in my home!
I reject the false brethren who desire to creep into my home to steal my peace, my children, my reward and my crown!
I am cautious with ‘friends’! I do not have ‘personal’ friends! All my relationships are on the altar of God and for His glory!
I am not a trouble- maker but I am not passive with evil! I do not tolerate sin in my life and in my home!
I am ready to lay down my life for my family!
I present my body as a living sacrifice, an acceptable worship to God!
I am ready to attack the devil and his agents. I will pursue, overtake and recover all!
I am prepared for warfare!
I do not draw back until the victory is gained!
I cannot be deceived by the wiles of the devil! He cannot run or hide where I will not get him!
The water spirits cannot save my enemies! They are all losers!
I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me!
In Jesus name,
Amen!

‘When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them… the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: Hear O Israel today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory!’ (Deut 20:3, 4)

There is a war in the heavenly realms. The Bible teaches that. If you believe in it or not, there is a spiritual war going on.
The Christian is a soldier in God’s army. We are ‘the willing volunteers of Israel’, servants and worshipers of King Jesus.
The Bible talks about enemies, strategies and weapons. We are encouraged, better said we are commanded, to enroll into the army of Christ! The peace of God is not just the absence of trouble, but complete victory at the end of a deadly war.
The devil has his followers who are his hirelings and mercenaries. He is a warrior too and has won many victories against sinners in the past. No man can resist him outside the power of the Holy Spirit available in Christ!
At the Cross of Christ, the devil has been totally defeated and put to an open shame, as a liar, deceiver and a blasphemer.
We do not struggle against ‘flesh and blood’, I mean human beings on earth. The war is against the evil spirits in the heavenly places. These demons possess or influence people, but the people are not our target. We have to identify the particular demon that attacks the Body of Christ. The battle requires focus, patience, self-denial, the study of God’s Word and prayer.
The call to warfare always starts with the call to courage! The priests blow the trumpet and they are the first to address the army. Next, the commanding officers come to eliminate anyone who is double minded about the war. If any man who is not a priest blows that trumpet, that man is to be killed. The priests encourage, pray and bless the soldiers. The soul of the soldiers is more important than the fitness of their bodies. The only Word that gives courage to fight to the end is this: ‘God is with you!’
The greatest enemy is internal. It is called fear! Cowards betray the vision of victory. Fear is a plague; it is highly infectious. If tolerated, it spreads fast to the whole army. Fear is like the leaven in the flour, it corrupts the whole lump.
The priests are not just general encouragers. They are God’s messengers, the holy inspectors who finally decide who goes into the battle and who does not. If a soldier simply says: ‘I am afraid…’ that sentence alone is an excuse for military duty. The man can go home to his family. Shame will be his portion for being a coward, but he shall be honored for his open honesty.
The number of the soldiers is not important. Israel did not have a professional stand -by army. The willing volunteers, the citizens made the army in case of a national call. Israel did not have horses and chariots. The only encouragement to the soldiers was that Jehovah was in their midst. If God is with us, we are the majority. It is the presence of God that decrees the victory. Tozer said: ‘It is not the praying or fighting sheep that the wolf fears. It is the presence of the Shepherd in their midst’

IN CHRIST I DECREE
I have heard the call to battle! The Banner of the King of kings is lifted on high! O Lamb of God, I come, I come…
Here I am! Send me!
I reject the evil spirit of fear! I am filled with power, love and sound mind!
I do not trust in horses and chariots! I do not trust in multitudes! I trust in the Lord of Hosts who shows me mercy!
I am in God’s army and I fight His battles! He is with me and He fights my enemies!
I can never lose! I shall always win! 100%!
I am always lead by God’s Spirit in a triumphal procession, spreading everywhere the fragrance of Christ’s victory!
I do not help evildoers! I do not betray God’s interests! My face is set like a flint towards the Cross of Christ!
At the sight of our banner of victory, the enemy is confused, afraid and defeated!
The wheels of their chariots have sunk in the mud! They have abandoned them and flee!
My enemy has abandoned his victims; they are now my prisoners of war! They are all at the feet of Jesus, My Commander!
I shall enjoy the spoils of war for the increase of God’s kingdom on earth and for His glory!
I crossed over into my Promised Land!
My enemy hunted me but perished in the pursuit!
I look for my persecutors and I see them no more!
I am not afraid even if the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, for God is ever with me!
My God is within me! I shall not fall!
My God breaks the bow, shatters the spear and He burns the enemy’s shield with fire! I see a powerless, disgraced shadow!
My God, Immanuel: God is with us and none can be against us!
The ones with us are more than the ones against us!
My God brings disaster on my evil persecutors! They shall fall at my feet and confess: ‘God loves you!’
My God troubles them that trouble me!
My God rebukes my enemies; all their horses and chariots lie down in the sleep of death!
My God breaks the spirit of my enemies! They are all running away, hiding in desert caves unable to fight anymore!
My God is feared by all the kings of the earth!
My God is able to end all wars and He decrees victory for His people!
All power and majesty, all honor and praise, be unto our God forever and ever!
In Jesus name,
Amen!’

CHARIOTS IN THE SKY!
I can never fear the chariots of men…my God’s chariots are clouds in the sky; they cover me with the shadow of His wings!
‘Praise the Lord, my soul!
Lord my God, You are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty!
The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment;
He stretches out the heavens like a tent
and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.
He makes winds His messengers,
flames of fire His servants’ (Ps 104:1-4)

“Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”… (Dan 7:5)
There is an attack on the marriages. The beast has taken three ribs in his mouth. Ribs represent women, wives in particular! There is no opposition to stop his appetite! This beast is bold enough to put asunder what God has put together…
I hate this beast! I am not afraid to resist it! Let’s pray!
‘We come against this blood thirsty evil spirit of division, adultery and divorce, you bear- beast, we command you to leave the marriages of the people of God and to go away in the name of Jesus! We say that it is enough! We lift the standard of the Holy Spirit against you! Go away in the name of Jesus!, Amen!’

‘The Lord God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him…So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made the woman from the rib…This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh…For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh…’
‘Sing O barren woman…shout for joy…enlarge the place of your tent…your descendants shall disposes the nations…do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame…you will forget the shame of your youth…
For your Maker is your husband- the Lord Almighty is His name!’
The Lord will create a new thing on earth: a woman will surround a man’

Adam was made from the ground. From one of his ribs God made his wife. The following are general facts about ribs:
The human rib cage is made of 12 pairs of curved bones called ribs. These are divided in three groups; on each side there are seven true ribs (connected to the sternum and doing most of the job of protection); three false ribs (joined to the last true rib and protecting the chest only partially) and two floating ribs (doing almost no work at all).
The most important purpose for the design of the human chest cage is to protect the vital organs: the heart, the lungs and the big arteries. It is considered one of the toughest areas in the body, withstanding heavy blows from the outside. It is also one of the most painful areas if any rib is broken. The nerves under each rib are so sensitive that an injury to them is painful enough to cause cardiac arrest and death.
A healthy rib is strong and elastic in the same time. The whole cage can withstand great pressure, but an isolated rib can be quite easily broken under pressure. The treatment for a fractured rib is simple but not easy: some pain killers and rest. No cast can be fixed because of the movement of chest during breathing. The pain of a fractured rib is so much that it hinders normal acts of breathing, coughing and laughing. If three of more ribs are broken, that is an emergency. The chest changes its appearance and the movement is the opposite of what is normal. It is called ‘flail chest’. It is a life threatening situation. The lungs can collapse and breathing may cease. The blood vessels can be punctured and there is internal bleeding leading to death. The spleen can also be injured. This is serious event because the spleen is one of the organs preserving the immunity of the body; it produces antibodies that fight infections. In case of a ruptured spleen there is internal bleeding that requires the removal thru surgery. That weakens the whole body for life, even after the fractured rib has been healed.

Marriage is God’s design for man and it is not a human invention. Marriage is connected with the act of Creation. It was prescribed by Elohim, the Creator of the heaven and the earth. It is the combined creativity and power of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Spiritually speaking, the man is looking for his missing rib, his wife. He who finds her will be blessed and highly favored. Without his wife, he is in a much danger of injury from the outside world. Like the ribs, the wife is to be strong and flexible, mature and patient. She is to be sensitive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The husband’s heart is in the hand of God and in her hands also. She makes or breaks the marriage.
Not all women are wives. Their beauty, education and charm can deceive. Just like with the ribs, among women, there are true wives who pray and prepare for the gift of marriage. All of them shall be found by their husbands eventually. There are also false wives, who are not ready to be faithful to the covenant of marriage; they only last for a season. And lastly, there are the floaters, wayward wives, lacking any interest or skill in the gift of marriage. The true wives protect and cherish, humbly doing the homework behind the scenes. Their husband ‘safely trusts them all the days of their lives’. They pray, take care of the home and children, and help their husbands to fulfill their destiny. Their reward cannot be hidden for too long. The husband and the children shall praise them and heaven shall welcome them.

IN CHRIST I DECLARE
‘I am a woman of God!
I am a servant of Christ!
I am a true wife to my husband!
I am a true mother to my children!
I am a true grandmother to my grandchildren!
I have seen my grandchildren and they surround my table of blessings!
I shall see even more of them, for God’s reward increases!
I have true spiritual fellowship with others sisters in Christ! We are connected by the love for God and the desire to glorify Him in our homes! We do not waste time in gossip or worldly, empty talk. We pray for one another. We submit to one another out of reverence for Christ!
Our women fellowship is blessed, spiritual and strong; it protects our church from evil attacks of religious spirits!
My marriage is designed and approved in heaven!
My marriage is happy, blessed and fruitful! I shall rejoice forever for this gift from the Father!
My husband and I, we have left our natural fathers and mothers to cleave to one another for a life time!
God has joined us together, chest and rib, no man or devil can separate us again!
My husband needs me and I need him! We complement and do not compete!
The Holy Spirit keeps us together, bodies, souls and spirits!
My husband challenges me to greater heights of passion for God! He is strong and gentle, patient and kind!
I surround my husband with my love and prayers! I am strong and gentle, patient and kind!
The script of our love story is written by God! No man or demon has the access to it to edit, delete or change any Word!
Our destiny together shall be fulfilled!
Our marriage is a blessing, a challenge and a vision for Christ and His Bride, the Church!
I walk lead by the Spirit, in harmony with my husband, a dance of mystery and fruitfulness!
No one can hinder the progress of our marriage and ministry!
Our marriage is not for the entertainment of men, but for the pleasure and delight of Elohim, our Maker!
Our marriage is recorded in the Lambs’ Book of life, as our names are side by side!
All glory to God!
In Jesus name,
Amen!’
(Gen 2; PV 14:1; 18:22; 19:14; 21:1; 31; Is 54; Jer 31: 22; Eph 4:3; 5:22-33)

‘If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses?
If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?
Even your brothers, members of your own family, have turned against you.
They plot and raise complaints against you. Do not trust them, no matter how pleasantly they speak’ (Jer 12:5, 6)

Jeremiah has a complaint and he is confused. He knows that God is righteous; he does not dispute that. But, still, there is a question that lingers in his mind… why do the wicked prosper and God ignores their evil deeds? The land suffers because of sin and the judgment of God seems so far. The wicked get more proud for lack of restrain. They ignore the prophetic warnings and persecute the believers; they are confident that God will do nothing, either good or bad; they encourage each other with empty words: let’s eat and drink for tomorrow we die. The hopeless corrupt the pure in heart and darkness seems to win over the land…Where is God?
Then God answers. God rebukes Jeremiah. He reminds him that this world is His own. It cannot be explained by the natural mind. He tells him that there is a purpose for everything; all things are made by Him and for Himself. Even the evil people, they exist for God’s pleasure. Pharaoh became the greatest man on earth so that when he is destroyed, all shall clearly see how God does it. The revelation of the judgment seat of Christ needs a visual aid.
‘The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster’ (PV 16:4)
If Jeremiah is tired of struggling against mere men, who trouble him daily, how will he stand warfare against demons (horses)?
What will Job say to Jeremiah, who had to endure not only a bad wife and bad friends, but he had to be the target of satan?
What will Peter say to Jeremiah who had to face satan and lost all things except his faith?
What will you say to Jeremiah, you who have suffered persecution from your own family and friends? Your mother, your father, your brothers and sisters, they do not encourage you; they only remember you when they need money; they don’t pray for you; they deceive you with fine words but war is in their hearts; they hide good things from you; they are jealous on you; they secretly hope that you shall backslide and join their ancestral worship; your own people betray and slander you…
If you complain that life is hard when there is peace, what will you do if God send you to a place where there is war?
If you are tired of your daily routine now that you are healthy, what will you say if a sickness comes to try your faith?
If you are weak now, when your body is still young, what will you do when old age comes and ‘the strong men stoop’?
If you are angry with little trials, what will you say if you have to carry the burden of intercession for others?
You have peace and joy as a gift from God, and you still complain? What if He decides to remove them for a season?
If you think it hard to be faithful today, when all things are still normal, how will you feel in the hour of death?

FACTS ABOUT HORSES:
*A horse typically sleeps only two to three hours a day; they can sleep both lying down and standing up.
•Foals (baby horses) can stand up within one hour of being born and run shortly after birth
*Horses have the biggest eyes of any mammal that lives on land and they are capable of seeing nearly 360 degrees at once
*Horses like sweet flavors and will usually reject anything sour or bitter
•Horses gallop at around 44 Km/h
*Horses have a great long term memory
*Horses thrive on routine, especially when it comes to food.
*Horses are social animals and will get lonely if kept alone.
*Horses will mourn the passing of a companion.
In the spiritual, can you compete with them? Do you watch and pray when others sleep? How early do you wake up in the morning to have your quiet time? Are you addicted to sleep? How fast do you grow in the grace and in the knowledge of Christ? How well do you train your children in the way of the Lord? How great is your vision of Christ, the King? How bitter is your complain and your gossip? How much do you stand against the powers of darkness? How fast can you flee from immorality?

IN CHRIST I DECLARE:
I am a child of God! My Father loves me! I have no doubt about it!
I love Jesus Christ more than my family, more than any human being!
I deny myself from worldly pleasure and fleshly luxuries; I carry my cross daily and I follow Him! It is my privilege!
I follow Jesus Christ and I am worthy to be called His disciple!
I live in such a time as this and in such a city like this, because God has chosen this for me, that I may seek Him!
I am not bitter with God’s choice for my life!
I am grateful with God’s portion for me! I do not complain about it and I do not want to change it! I only want to mature in it!
I shall find good in this season and in this place of trial!
I am God’s child and I know my Father’s care from the way He chastises me!
I take God’s chastisement as an encouragement and as a hope that I will be fruitful in life and ministry!
I am grateful for God’s chastisement and I am not jealous on them that are free from it!
I am getting stronger in spiritual warfare!
I am free from all the little foxes so that I can compete with horses! I compete and win!
I anticipate greater challenges in ministry for the increase of anointing and reward that comes with successful warfare!
I am not afraid of men because I fear God!
And I know that all things work together for good, for me and my children!
God loves us and He has called us to Himself!
I am not afraid of demons (horses) because I do not compete in my strength, but in the power of God’s might!
I compete as one seeking a crown! All men and horses cannot overpower me because I represent Christ in the race!
I shall place my crown at the feet of Jesus who is my everlasting Hero!
My children have good genes of successful athletes and champions! They shall follow in my foot steps as I follow Christ!
I invite all of you to the medal ceremony! Come and see some sad and disappointed horses!
But also come and see the true champions, the overcomers, the worshipers of the King, chosen, faithful and strong!
All glory to God!
In Jesus name,
Amen!

There is a story that happened during the time of Jesus. He was with His disciples when He met a mourning procession on the streets of Nain, a village in Israel. A young man died and they were going to the cemetery. It is always sad when you encounter an untimely death but more so here. The dead youth was the only son of his mother and she was a widow. Like a stick burning at both ends, like a tree without branches and without roots, this is a picture of total hopelessness. Then Jesus comes into that picture. He changes the direction of the story with His Word. He utters two commands, one to the dead and one to his mother. Read them and meditate upon His Word. For we are to do the same, trusting that the Holy Spirit will activate the Word of God!
“Weep not!’
‘Young man, I say unto thee, Arise!’
Immediately life invaded the scene. The dead man suddenly sat up in his coffin and began to talk. Life and death came face to face, and life won! What a Savior!
The enemy of this type of miracle is the evil spirit of religious doubt. Try to imagine that the mother was upset that Jesus came to disturb the funeral procession? That He came to scatter the flowers and fired the professional mourners? That He came to bring all traffic to a stop? That He came to do something that no man will believe? The answer is surely: No! The son was reunited with his mother and she could now obey the command: ‘Weep not!’ They used all their money for the burial ceremony but even without any penny, the celebration, the singing and the dances could not be stopped for days.
Do not hide behind the falling stronghold of doubt saying that Jesus loves that widow more than He loves you. That is a lie! Also, do not hide behind the false doctrine that teaches that miracles like this do not happen anymore, that the gifts of the Spirit are not active anymore! That is a lie too, for the Word says that ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!’ (Heb 13:8).
The point of contact for Jesus, to release the grace necessary to produce this miracle, was the sight of total hopelessness. Like in the valley of dead bones, the echo of their voices was still hanging on…’our hope is gone…’ Jesus came to bring hope. Preach the Gospel of hope! It brings life from the dead! The nations need to hear the prophets, preaching in the name of Jesus, that there is hope in Christ! No valley is too deep, no bone is too dry, no corpse is too cold and no situation is too hopeless that Jehovah Adonai cannot change! Doubt raises his voice condemning the faith of the prophets. But doubt can only whine and fail if we stand in faith, trusting the Word of God!
We declare that the Holy Spirit shall brood over the cities. That God shall destroy the pockets of established gangrene, the drug houses, the brothels, the cult houses and the meeting places of armed robbers. They shall be leveled out and new buildings shall be see, schools, hospitals and offices. The face of the cities shall change so much that in some cases there shall be need to change their names, to confirm the miracles of life. Lord God Almighty, remember Warri, Nigeria!
A mother thought she lost everything but then she heard the command of the Master: ‘Weep not!’ (Lk 7:11-17)
May God wipe all your tears today! Weep not! Rejoice! And I say again, rejoice

GOOD NEWS FOR SINGLES: YOU SHALL MARRY!
Study the Word of God and pray! That is the command of God! One of His many blessings and rewards shall be a happy marriage! God’s Word never fails! Have faith Child of God!
‘Look in the scroll of the LORD and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is His mouth that has given the order, and His Spirit will gather them together’ (Is 34:16)

God says: “They provoked Me: they made Me jealous with what is not God: therefore will I make them jealous” (Deut 32:21)

These are the effects of tolerating the evil spirit of Jezebel while still coming to church, to the presence of God:
*Fearful, tormenting and lustful imaginations, combined with constant dreams filled with violence and …lewd scenes
*A tendency to depression, to sorrow without hope, to weep and break down; bitterness, anxiety, fear of failure and of death
*An addiction, an infatuation with worldliness, pornography and prostitution, lacking the desire for repentance and holiness
All these sins hinder the soul to see God, for only the pure in heart can do so (Mt 5:8). They seek God but stop half way, never able to fulfill their destiny. The evil spirit of Jezebel bewitches the believers to become blind to the power of the Cross and of the Blood of Christ. It offers them a cheap alternative of religious entertainment, a form of godliness but without power. These believers do not seem able to trust God for total freedom or for the filling with the Holy Spirit. They start well but suddenly they go astray, losing the desire to obey the truth or to trust God for miracles (Gal 3:1-5; 4:8-11; 5:7-12; 2Tim 3:5).
The judgment of God is that they will become jealous on others. They will see people around them who become better, happier and richer than they. It is a terror to see that the younger believers, even the children are blessed more than you….They will be angry and jealous on others who they think ‘steal’ their blessings. Tolerating Jezebel is idolatry and that will bring God’s judgment, sooner or later… life begins to disintegrate, and the glory departs…

Let’s pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for tolerating the evil spirit of Jezebel, for hiding idols in my heart while coming to You. Have mercy on me! Help me to repent, for I am in darkness and I have lost my way… Deliver my soul! Heal my body! Grant revival to me and my family! For Your name sake! I promise to give You alone all the glory! In Jesus name I pray, amen!”

‘Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure’ (Gen 41:49)
Joseph has finally come to the place of destiny. The Word of God has tried him and has proved him true! The greatest man on earth, the Pharaoh, trusted a slave, a foreigner, a prisoner. His dreams troubled him but Joseph gave him ‘an answer of peace’. In Hebrew, the meaning is that the Living God greets Pharaoh: ‘Shalom!’ In other words, Jehovah Shalom has taken over the land and His chosen Priest and King shall be Joseph. No man on earth could change this decree. Pharaoh gladly submitted to this revelation and officially enthrones God’s man as second in command. Joseph shall ride in the second chariot next to him and the guards shall force all people to ‘bow the knee!’ He proclaims that from now on, the Word of Jehovah, in the mouth of Joseph shall be the final word for all his subjects. The anointing upon Joseph is so much that the Pharaoh gladly resigns his authority and choses to remain a silent witness to this wonder. That humble wisdom from above to promote Joseph saves his life.
Seven years of abundance came and ended. During this time Joseph traveled a lot, and personally supervises the building of stores of grain all over Egypt. Initially he instituted a ministry of accounting for all the grain gathered. But as the blessings increased each year, the ink and the paper was not enough for the accountants to do their job. The grain gathered was too much for human mathematics. So ‘the department of measuring the harvest’ shut down forever. These stores of infinite blessings became the source of life during the next seven years of famine.
The word ‘store’ in Hebrew means a safe deposit whose overseer has the peculiar job to gather or to empty its content. In other words Joseph’s advice to Pharaoh to build stores and to gather the grain during the years of prosperity was the manifestation of God’s judgment upon the land. The believers shall prosper and the rebellious, ungodly, and lazy unbelievers shall become poor. This judgment was to be over the world. Like the mockers during Noah’s time, the unbelievers discovered too late that their worldly stores of false prosperity were castles built on sand that crashed without mercy. They and their families had to become slaves to Joseph in order to survive. That’s it: At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow…
In these last days the economic recession will only affect the rebellious and the unbelievers. If they want to survive, they have to fall on their knees and declare that Jesus is Lord! If not, only the anxiety of poverty and loss of revenue shall worry them to death.
As for the children of God, we shall rejoice…The meaning of the name Joseph is ‘Addition’. God shall ADD blessings upon blessings until we stop counting them for the overflow is beyond measure! To the glory of His name! Amen!

IN CHRIST I DECLARE (FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD):
Like Joseph, we shall forget the painful past of betrayal!
Like Joseph, we shall become fruitful, spiritually and physically, even in the land of trials!
Like Joseph we shall only know addition and never loss!
We shall never live ‘from hand to mouth’ but ‘money shall meet money’!
We shall reap where we did not plant!
We shall live in houses we did not personally build!
We shall occupy positions of authority without the necessary degree to occupy them!
We shall work little and make much money, so that we can have time to serve God!
We shall have much more money than what we need of your personal needs!
We shall forget how much is in our account in the bank for the money there is always above our needs!
We shall become richer and richer so that the wealth can be used to enlarge the kingdom of God!
We shall have enough money to build churches, sponsor missionaries and help the poor, the foreigner, the widow and the sick!
We shall diligently tithe in honor to Jehovah Shalom!
The heavens shall remain opened over us, to matter what is the economic situation in the world!
We shall completely lack the worry about the future, for God is in charge!
We shall remain wise, patient, humble and faithful in the midst of such abundance!
We shall give God all the glory for these uncountable blessings ‘like the sand on the sea shore’!
We shall joyfully declare day and night that Jesus is Lord!
In Jesus name,
Amen!”

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed because they did not repent.
Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! (Mt 11:20, 21)
Korazin and Bethsaida were once thriving fishing cities on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus visited these towns often and did many miracles there. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, they were destroyed by two earthquakes and never rebuilt. Today you can see the ruins of a great synagogue and many foundations of houses. In the rubble they found household objects, pots, wine containers, olive presses and nails. They also found idols, figurines, pottery jugs used for ritual practices, bronze incense shovels and amulets. All these tell a tragic story of rebellion, mixing the worship of Jehovah with pagan rituals for protection, prosperity and fertility. Their sin was not just a city event, but personal and real; it affected people and their family life.
Bethsaida was the home town of Peter, Andrew and Philip. It was here that Jesus preached the Gospel to multitudes and healed their sick. In Bethsaida a blind man received his sight but the miracle was done ‘outside the village’. For whatever reason, Jesus felt safer to do a miracle outside the city crowd. With his sight restored Jesus advised the man to relocate, not to go back home. This reveals resident doubt mixed with religious pride, a poison that is able to kill the faith in revival in any city.
Jesus cursed the two cities because they received the benefit of His visit and miracles but remained proud, stubborn and committed to idolatry. They refused to repent of their false worship, to humble themselves and to give Him all the glory.
The kindness and the grace of God manifested in answered prayers and miracles is the road that leads us to the Cross, to repentance and true conversion. Taking the grace of God for granted is a very dangerous way for a believer. Sin is like cancer, a plague that spreads and it affects more and more people, families, cities and nations. Sin is a disgrace, a source of shame and humiliation, leading to the loss of the favor of God…God forbid!
May God grant a revival of repentance to the city of Warri, Nigeria!
Personally, I am a stick saved from the fire of sin and of the world. I was slowly burning to death, my mind foolish from the darkness of unbelief, my eyes blind with the smoke of doubt; my lungs collapsed without the oxygen of hope, completely drained of all will to live…. I was a burnt-out, useless soul and ready to perish…
But Christ…But Christ lifted me….He stretched His scarred hand into the fire of my sin and plucked me out at the last minute…I remember, once or twice I tried to jump out of the fire of judgment, but fell back into the hotter side of hell. I could not save myself! I needed a Savior and He came to me…
So how can I forget His mercy? How can I forget His touch, His healing hands, His power that came down and anchored my soul to the mercy seat…His intimate love song oiled my broken heart…Out of the ashes of my despair He gave me beauty, He gave me eternal life…
If I forget You Lord, let my hand forget its skill and let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth…You are my Chiefest Joy and my Everlasting Praise!
I vow to give You all the glory, to be Your friend, all the days of my life!
This is my pledge and this is my promise!
So help me God!

IN CHRIST I DECLARE
I am not saved by man, but by God, by Jesus Christ!
I do immediately and honestly repent of any sin revealed to me by the Holy Spirit!
I do not complain, I do not postpone, I do not minimize or ignore repentance!
I cherish the humility that comes from divine wisdom!
I receive favor with God and man because I am now humble!
The grace of God is sufficient for me for all situations and circumstances! I desire nothing more!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ heals, delivers, protects and prospers me! I shall not want!
I preach the Gospel of Christ Crucified which includes the command: ‘REPENT, for the kingdom of God is near!’
I call sin by its name: SIN! I do not compromise by calling it mistake, weakness or error.
It is sin that nailed my Lord on the Cross and I must remember the danger, power and judgment of sin always!
I say with the prodigal: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you…please forgive me’
I come back home to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit!
I do not willingly grieve the Holy Spirit!
I serve God; I worship Him with all my heart, strength and understanding!
I fear God and obey all His commandments!
I teach my children to do the same!
I shall give God all the glory, all my life, for He alone is worthy!
In Jesus name
Amen!”
(The picture shows the ruins of Chorazin and Bethsaida in Israel today)
(Jn 1:44, Lk 9:10, 11; Mk 8:22-26, 11: 20-22; Rom 2:1-11; Ps 137; PV 14:34; Amos 4:11-13)

 “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith against his onset—be rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world” (1Pet 5:8, 9; AMP)

Facts about the lions: Lions are predatory animals. They are also social animals, living as a family. The females hunt most of the time. They attack as a very organized group. They are smaller, more agile and faster than the males and not hindered by the big, beautiful mane. They bring the victim to the male who takes the best of it, his ‘lion’s share’. Lions have very good sight. They see in the darkness and they hunt mostly at night. They hide and come close to their victim. Then the attack is short and powerful. Most of their victims are intimidated by the swiftness of the attack, by the size of the lion and by the roar of his confidence. Most animals do not fight back once the lion pounces on them. They just paralyze with fear and accept death as inevitable.

The lion roars when he is roused with hunger, for then he is most fierce, and most eagerly seeks his prey. The roar is designed to intimidate the animal, to bring enough fear so that he will surrender. “The lion hath roared, who will not fear?” (Am 3:8)

David Livingstone, the missionary to Africa, told of his encounter with a lion. He shot at it but the lion still had enough strength to attack. Wounded, the beast sprang on him. He said that the shock of the attack brought so much fear of death to him that he fainted, not feeling any pain again. The villagers helped him and he escaped with his life but he was badly injured and never forgot the encounter with the king of the jungle.

Spiritual lessons: The roar of the devil symbolizes its strength and cruelty. He attacks the believers with sudden panic attacks, accusations and lies. The devil is not omnipresent so he has to walk about, moving from one believer to another. He attacks especially the committed Christians, the preachers of the Gospel, the leaders in the Body of Christ. He attacks your prayer life, your peace, faith and purity. The intent is to damage your testimony!

The strategy to defeat the devil is to prepared! Abide in the Word! Pray without ceasing! Stay sober! In Greek the word means to avoid alcohol. But all the works of the flesh have the same effect, they intoxicate the spirit. You become weak spiritually and a potential victim for the devil. Go to the Cross, crucify the flesh and the adversary can never pounce on you unexpectedly! Be vigilant! Don’t sleep! The word means to be active, prayerful, thru the intimate power of resurrection released at the Cross! Resist steadfastly in faith! It is a military word; it means to oppose, to withstand without running back! Have faith that this act of resisting is under the control of the Holy Spirit who gives you the power to win the battle! The tables shall turn and the arrow shall pierce the heart of the one who send it!

“IN CHRIST I DECLARE: I shall not be ignorant of the plans of the devil to destroy my testimony as a Christian! I shall be sober minded, self-controlled at all times; I shall starve the lusts of my flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit! I shall go to the Cross and identify with the death of Christ! I shall rise with Christ! I trust the Holy Spirit to supply the power to resist the devil until he flees from me, injuring himself in the process! I shall not fear any man, devil or circumstances, for God is with me! I shall fear God alone! I shall dedicate times of prayer during the night! I shall fast as lead by the Spirit! I shall encourage other believers to do the same, knowing that these temptations are common to all! I shall walk by faith, led by the Spirit! By faith I shall close the mouths of the hungry lions! No lion shall roar against me! The agents of the devil shall find no more words to spread falsehood to others! I shall pray always and I shall not faint!

Finally I declare that my King, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, has overcome all fake roaring lions!

In Jesus name, Amen!”

This is the story of Joseph, a young, godly man, a prince and the heir in his own father’s domain. Painful circumstances led him to a strange land, among people of strange languages and customs. Potiphar, his present master is fair and wise for a worldly man. .He discovers the potential and the gifts resident in Joseph. He takes a big risk by trusting a slave he bought with his own money. But he could not resist Joseph’s quiet, humble spirit and transparent character. Potiphar is attracted by the anointing in Joseph, by the royal seal of a true child of God.

But when all things look good, without any premonition the roaring lion attacks. The mistress, Potiphar’s wife takes notice of Joseph too. But what she admires is very different from what her husband saw in Joseph. She suddenly observes that this slave is young and handsome, probably the opposite of her husband’s looks. She possibly tries to tempt him with new hair styles and fashion of the royal court. But Joseph was too busy serving his master to notice any change in his wife’s wardrobe. Frustrated at the lack of response from this household slave, like a hunter, she attacks directly: ‘Come to bed with me…’- she said.

For a moment we do not know what could have happened. Most young men in his position could have accepted the proposal. The idea is that it will be a secret romance and no one will know. Joseph has no reputation to maintain for he is already a slave. The natural instinct of a young man, a teenager, was to go ahead with the proposal. But the next three words are so different than all we could have imagined, so much the opposite of things as we know them, ordinary human beings living in a world of sin…

In awe we read these wonderful words: ‘BUT HE REFUSED!’

IN CHRIST I DECLARE: I am holy! I am pure! It is possible to successfully defeat the devil! I resist the evil spirit of Jezebel and she flees from me, not because I am strong but because the Word says so! It is possible to totally overcome the shameful addiction to sexual lust! I am an overcomer!

I forgive the ones who sinned against me in the past so that I am free to stand for Christ in the present! The devil has nothing in me! His temptation is useless against me, for I am dead to him! I am dead to the world and the world is dead to me! I am not attracted by corpses!

I do not live in the past! I live in the present, preparing myself for the future of glory! I live with my future in view! My choices of today define my future and my children’s future! God gives me a hope and a future! I shall not betray His trust in me! In all things I acknowledge God and He directs my paths, my words and my actions! God is with me! I shall not injure God’s image or testimony in me! I am jealous for God’s name in my life and I shall not take it for granted!

No sin is profitable! All sin is a disgrace! All sin is punished!

My testimony of standing for Jesus in the midst of darkness is a light that will inspire many generations!

You wicked evil spirit of seduction, of fornication, of Jezebel, I hate you, I destroy your spell upon my home! Any covenant that was made on our behalf with you, I destroy it in the name of Jesus! The name of Jesus Christ and His Blood is against you!

Because the Son of Man has made me free, I am free indeed!

I am free!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

‘You then, my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus! Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus! No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer’ (2Tim 2:1-4)

Why do some desire to be soldiers? The answer of the majority is this: a strong desire to be a hero; to live a fulfilled life, different than the ordinary one. The army provides discipline, leadership, mentorship, fellowship and an inspiration to do great things for the country. It is a place where service and sacrifice for the common good is highly rewarded. A secondary reason why people desire to become soldiers are ‘job security and benefits’. But the life of a soldier is not easy. Once he signs his name, he belongs to the army. He loses the freedom to decide where to go and what to do. He is constantly watched by the commanding officers. No more privacy! Disobedience of the laws or rebellion is punished immediately. The soldier has to go thru the most difficult training given to men. He also goes to war from which no one is sure to come back alive. He has signed a covenant so he cannot resign from the army until he is released with honors. The soldier has to endure hardship.

If you want an ‘easy’ life or comfort, entertainment and luxury, please do not enlist, for you shall become a traitor like Judas.

The greatest pain is that as a soldier he lives far away from his wife and family. He will not enjoy seeing his children grow. Pictures of them in the trenches… that is all he has for many years… For example, a roman soldier could marry before retirement. Things are not so strict now but still, the soldier has to be very careful whom he marries. The rate of divorce among soldiers is one of the highest. The soldier’s wife has to be strong, patient, loving, mature and faithful in his absence and that is a ministry on its own.

The temptation to resign from the army is very high. The soldiers envy the civilians for only one thing: freedom! When things are hard, when life is lonely, when every day seems so boring, when the zeal of the first love starts to quench, when lying on a hospital bed, wounded and in pain…that is hard to bear! Then the secret desire to become a civilian once more can become an obsession for a soldier. But the price for this lust of ‘freedom’ is the sin of betrayal of trust. And that is a most dangerous path to follow…All the lofty dreams to be a hero, a mentor and a savior to next generation will disappear in the fire of guilt, regret and shame. God forbid!

This is the truth: a soldier cannot complain about his station in life. He cannot look for a second job, like a civilian does, to earn extra money. He has pledged his life, his efforts and his time to the army. He has to be satisfied with his salary and with the reward given at last. He has to be a man of only one thing! His only desire and only job is to please his commanding officer! Any distraction is a crime! Any extra lust is poison! Any look back a pillar of salt!

The rewards of a soldier are few but great. The soldier is a partaker of the spoils of war when the victory is won. But by far, the most important of all rewards is the open commendation of his Captain. These words ‘well done good and faithful soldier’ becomes the eternal root of satisfaction; he has done his best in this life and now finally, he can enter his rest!

I DECLARE THAT IN CHRIST:

I am a soldier of Christ! It is my destiny! I am in the army of the called, chosen and faithful followers of the King of kings and the Lord of lords! I belong to the armies of heaven, riding on a white horse of purity and power! I have entered voluntarily and I shall stay until I see Him face to face! I shall expect hardship for I am destined to partake in them as I fight the good fight of faith!

The hardship of this life will not discourage me but makes me stronger and fruitful! The hardship of life is a sign that I am not an orphan but my Father in heaven is training me as a soldier!

I shall not envy the sinners or ‘the civilian world’ for I was once in it and I have left it behind of my own free will! I shall find strength to continue the battle in the grace provided by my Lord and Captain, Jesus Christ! I destroy any secret desire in me to backslide or to resign from the army of the living God!

I have peace and rest; I am well provided! I shall be satisfied with the benefits and rewards given to me by Christ! I shall not dream of going anywhere else for my Captain has the words of eternal life and victory! I am a soldier of the only army in the universe that knows no defeat! I shall be a hero, a mentor and an inspiration to many that come behind me! I shall love my Captain more than I love my family, friends, property and even my very life!

I shall hear the voice of my Captain at last: ‘Well done good and faithful servant and soldier! Enter into the joys of your King!’ I shall be patient and faithful and I shall inherit the blessed promises in Christ! From now let no man trouble me anymore for I carry the scars of my commitment to Christ! I fight the good fight of faith! The enemy of my soul, the enemy of this nation shall be defeated! Doubt shall be disgraced and its victims redeemed! The fake religion shall end its terror and the unrepentant false prophets shall become vagabonds! I shall enjoy the spoils of war! The nations conquered in the name of Jesus shall be my ministry field, my treasure and my crown! The shout of the King shall be heard in this land and His worship shall increase!

I believe, therefore I have spoken!

In Jesus name, Amen!’