There is something the sea will see and it will flee. Even Jordan will not be left out, as it will be driven back, despite its fierceness. The mountain in all its grandeur, its intimidating size and gargantuan posture will be humbled, and disgraced as it will skip like rams! The little hills will skip like lambs, and we all know that lambs are so harmless.
3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. 5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters (Psalms 114:3-8 KJV)
The issues you have as a single or married, may be tumultuous like the sea, it may roar its waves and even boast of so many that it has drowned, but there is something the problems of your life will see and it will flee and run away as in terror.
The sea which has its waves and billows against your face, that which has stood proudly like the red sea before you will flee! Yes there is something it just needs to see!
Jordan will see something and be driven back! It is said that Jordan runs north and south, and nearly in the middle of Israel’s entire length. Are there issues and problems that seem to run through your entire lineage and family? Are there issues that seem to be the trend in your family and you can already see such tendencies in your own life? Listen to me this morning; fear not, because Jordan, despite its entire 251 kilometers in length will be driven back in your life!
Are there things that look like mountains in your life? Massive issues that looks like everlasting problems and keeping you from having marital fulfillment? Hindrances and obstructions in your way that seems to say that marriage is impossible? Well, there is something every mountain will see, and the seemingly gigantic hindrances will skip without a skipping rope!
What about little hills? Skirmishes here and there? Academic issues, emotional issues, financial issues, health issues and many more, they are all little hills that seem to hold you back, but they will see something and they will become as powerless like lambs!
But what will the sea and Jordan see? What will the mountains see? What will the little hills see?
Well, it is the PRESENCE OF GOD!
The presence of God, when you cultivate it regularly will drive every problem away from your life and give you a resounding victory. The light will shine and darkness will not be able to withstand it
Now the very pertinent question is “How do you cultivate God’s presence?” Here are some clues
1. Read God’s word everyday! Don’t miss it. Use the devotional here. 2. Pray in the Spirit daily. 3. Make sure all hurts and bitterness are dealt with. Forgive all. 4. Have an attitude of Thanksgiving and Worship. Learn to worship God daily. 5. Stay away from sin. Cut off from negative associations. 6. Serve in God’s house. Commit your time and resources.
The list is not exhaustive but they are some things you can do. Go for the presence of God and you will be glad you do so!
May God grant you more understanding!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY By praise, I am relocating into my destiny!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, give me a heart that praises you genuinely
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Judah became holy land for him, Israel the place of holy rule. (Psalms 114:2 Message)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Find some time to praise God
‘I choose to forgive you for the bad words you have said to me.’ These were the words Tatiana said to Mercy before she turned away and started walking home.
Earlier that day, Mercy and her gang of bullies had done all they could to get Tatiana to lose her cool and start a fight. From spreading gossip about John and her kissing under the stairs during recess, to purposely pouring water on her. Can she forgive?
Tatiana didn’t lose her temper because she knew what they were trying to do. And she had made a vow to God that she wouldn’t answer back at Mercy. Her vow to Him was more important than anything the bully gang did or said. What mattered most was her vow to and relationship with God. And that was one of the reasons she found strength to forgive.
So instead of speaking or fighting back, choose to render forgiveness. You could say “I forgive you”, to the person’s face or in your heart. Not because you are afraid of them, but because that is what God wants you to do.
Remember the part in our Lord’s Prayer that talks about forgiving those who trespass against us? (“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” – Matthew 6:12). That is exactly what how God wants you to live. That is exactly what God desires you do when your friends annoy you – ignore them and forgive.
I pray that God will give you the power to choose to forgive. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer: Father, help me to choose forgiveness over retaliation. And as I render forgive, may I receive forgiveness too, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action Plan: Practice forgiveness all the time. Practice to just let go.
The Presence of God was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 6th of June 2021 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
To Listen to the audio of this message, kindly go HERE or HERE
In his teaching, Rev. Dunamis made mention of the following important points:
Everybody has a presence, but you cannot get anywhere without God’s presence.
God’s presence is all of him and not part of him. He doesn’t give a part of Himself. He gives us the whole of Himself.
The presence of God gives you all the victory you need. His presence is powerful.
God speaks to you every time once you have his presence because He is with you all the time.
You don’t go after a man that God is with
Zechariah 4:6-7, Acts 5:15
6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”
Zechariah 4:6-7, NKJV
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Acts 5:15, KJV
Your advancement in life is not by power or by might, but by God’s spirit.
If God’s grace is absent from your life disgrace is imminent.
The presence of God is not just here to protect you but help you in all your endeavors.
The greatest legacy to leave for your children is God’s presence.
Don’t play games with God. You have to judge yourself so that you won’t be judged.
The Presence of God was taught by Pastor Ogbonnaya Akpoke on the 6th of June 2021 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
To Listen to the audio of this message, kindly go HERE or HERE
He made mention of the following important points in his teaching on the presence of God
Exodus 33:16
The lack of the presence of God can cost you your life.
The evidence that God is with you is when you carry His presence. The true measure that God is with you is the amount of His presence we carry.
God is omnipresent – He is everywhere and so we must fear Him because He sees and knows everything.
Don’t think you can sin (fornicate, steal, lie etc) in dark places because sin thrives in secrecy, but you must understand that God is there.
The Glory of God is the presence of God. There is a difference between God being everywhere and God’s manifested presence.
The Benefits of God’s Presence
1. Death – Genesis 5:24
Our flesh and desires are taken away. It is important that we die to self.
We must die to the world, to sin, to bitterness e.t.c.
2. Graces are revealed – Genesis 6:9
The grace you need to excel is released upon you when you walk with God.
3. Things happen – Psalm 114:1-6
The challenges in your life respond to the presence that you carry.
There are things that will happen in your life that only the presence of God can fix.
Until you present God’s presence to that situation, it won’t give way.
Hindrances To The Presence
1. Sin
Sin and the glory of God cannot co-habit. It is either you are running from the glory of God, or you are running away from sin.
If you want to carry God’s presence, you must deal with sin.
If you are living in habitual sin, God’s presence cannot dwell there, but once you run back to Go, the presence melts that sin.
Your heart, motives, and disposition to that sin will determine whether or not God’s presence will stay or not.
With sin, you cannot harness God’s presence.
2. Guilt
The devil holds you down with past sins, but God forgives and forgets.
Repent genuinely and come out of the sin. God doesn’t condemn you but he doesn’t condone sin either.
The only way to cultivate God’s presence is through fellowship with Him. Enjoy his presence
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. Psalm 9:1
Nation/Church
Intercede for your church and nation.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:2
Pastors/Parents/Mentors
Father, perform wonders in the life of my parents, pastors and mentors.
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. Psalm 71:18
Finances
God’s grace is released over my finances in the name of Jesus.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:10
Family
(SINGLES) – Relationship and settling down.
(MARRIED) – Spouse and Children
No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:26
Warfare
We bring all the operations of the evil one to null and void in the name of Jesus.
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Psalm 126:1
Desire this Month
Mention your specific request for the month of June to God in prayers.
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it. Amos 9:13
Psalm 91 Declaration
Recite the whole of Psalm 91 prayerfully and believe every word in your heart.
Psalm 91
Blood Declaration
By the blood of Jesus, wonders are performed in my life in the name of Jesus.
Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13
I am fruitful, I walk worthy of the Lord in the name of Jesus.
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10
Healing
I receive my healing in the name of Jesus.
O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. Psalm 30:2
Favour/Mercy Today
Mercy and favour speaks for me today in the name of Jesus.
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
