by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 16, 2021 | SGC Sermon Notes
Reading Time: 2 minutes
That Which Was From The Beginning was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 15th of August 2021 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
In his teaching, Rev. Dunamis made mention of the following important points:
God has a good intention for my life from the very beginning. But the devil comes in to mess it up.
The problem is that we are trying to correct the problems in the now with ‘now,’ but we have to go back to the beginning. The only way to correct the now is to go to that which was from the beginning.
The more you try to run away from your beginning the more you have to face it.
What the devil does is to get you occupied with ‘now’ at the expense of your beginning.
You must be able see and hear that which was from the beginning.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
1 John 1:1 (KJV)
Then you look upon it. Looking upon is you going to that which you have seen, to give it attention. This takes a deep concentration.
What you look upon the most takes ascendency over what you think about the most.
What you see is what you can give. What you see is what you can handle.
The faith process is not complete until you say it.
Two Things You Must Do In Life To Succeed
- There must be a clear-cut goal; you must see it
- You have to declare and keep saying it
Every word that God has spoken goes on to replicate itself till eternity.
Every time you go through life and you can’t see a reflection of what God has said, don’t just leave it and hope that things will change. You must go back to the beginning and then enforce that which was from the beginning.
You must learn to look upon God’s word until light shines in your soul. It is interesting to note that one can be so anointed but yet can’t see. You must therefore labour to see.
To listen to messages of Rev Dunamis, go HERE or HERE
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 16, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Our text this morning comes powerfully shining a spotlight on the very beginning of things.
1Jn 1:1 (KJV)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
From the text above, there was something or someone which was from the beginning.
Your spouse to be or the person you are about to marry is not just about to be decided by God. He already existed in the mind of God, even before you were born.
Both of you have been “chosen” before you were born!
You can now begin to appreciate the scripture which says
Jer 1:5 (MSG)
“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations— that’s what I had in mind for you.”
You are wondering whether you just read the right words? Oh yes you did! Before your conception, some things have been decided by God!
No wonder most of all what God wants from you is to listen to Him, follow him and follow that divine map!
Psa 81:13 (MSG)
“Oh, dear people, will you listen to me now? Israel, will you follow my map?
If that is the case then, can all singles go and rest a while and stop disturbing yourselves about who to marry?
No wonder Adam had to go to “sleep” before Eve showed up.
Could it be that you have ben too “awake,” and you have been trying to do your own thing rather than simply cooperate and follow that which was from the beginning?
Oh, how the reality sets in, powerfully and resolutely, God has it sorted out!
I only need to trust Him and believe Him as the Lord my shepherd who will not lead me wrong!
I pray that God will give you more understanding!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I choose to believe God.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, show me what I need to know that I don’t know.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Go and ‘sleep’
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gen 1-2
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 16, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
In today’s devotional we are looking at loving your spouse with the original plan. We sit at the feet of our master, Jesus this morning as we glean directly from His words and bring light to dark areas of our marriage.
Mat 19:7-8 (MSG) They shot back in rebuttal, “If that’s so, why did Moses give instructions for divorce papers and divorce procedures?” [8] Jesus said, “Moses provided for divorce as a concession to your hardheartedness, but it is not part of God’s original plan.
The reality sets in. Whatever you see in your marriage, is not to be swallowed hook, line and sinker. The question, like a powerful beam light, must be shone upon that situation with all intensity;
Is this part of the original plan?
Before you accept that situation as part of the norm, or as your cross to carry and as something you must live with, can we ask that question again and again?
Is it part of that God’s original plan?
Is this what God has in mind for me?
Could the situation I am in with my spouse be what God wanted?
How do you even know what God wanted for you?
God will not tempt you with evil. God will not punish you. God will not bring you an irresponsible spouse or someone that brings you heartache all day.
Whatever does not look like God’s original plan must be refused with every fibre of your being. It must be refuted and resisted.
Don’t ever allow the devil to push you into accepting what doesn’t not belong to you.
This is why you should be conversant with His word and know what He wants for you. It is now what you want that must be enforced.
What is not in the original plan should be rejected. No wonder the Bible says:
Mat 7:19 (GNB)
And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire.
Every tree God has not planted, that is not in His original plan for you is uprooted in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I refuse every wrong trend in my marriage.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Oh God, show me the original plan you had for my marriage.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Go back to the bible and search for the original plan.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gen 1-2
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 15, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Having to start your day with asking God for forgiveness daily can be very frustrating, especially when you know you are going to commit the sin again. Self condemnation comes once we violate God’s principles.
This self-condemnation will surface at much unexpected times. Most times, young folks get involved in jeru trip before marriage in order to express their freedom or liberty. In the end, the purpose is defeated, because the very freedom they seek to express will be lost to emotional captivity and slavery. Freedom from a guilty conscience will be gone.
Years ago, a lady sat before me. She was genuinely troubled. She felt God would never forgive her, because she was involved in jeru trip. She wept bitterly. She said she has asked God to forgive her severally and she was not sure God heard her.
Another lady actually lost her mind after indulging in jeru trip because she believed she had committed an unpardonable sin. She couldn’t recognize anybody again. She embraced the devil’s lie that she has committed the unpardonable sin because of the jeru trip. She was talking gibberish and making faces. When we were called (alongside another pastor) upon to pray for her, all our attempts failed until we started to address the issue of guilt by the Spirit of God. As we began to speak to her about God’s love and kindness, that demon left her, she calmed down, sobered up and tears began to flow. It was only then she was restored. It was then she told us what really happened. The negative emotion of guilt is a terrible experience. Guilt can be so real to the point of being suicidal.
When troubles ganged up on me, a mob of sins past counting, I was so swamped by guilt I couldn’t see my way clear. More guilt in my heart than hair on my head, so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out. (Psa 40:12 MSG)
I’m swamped by my bad behavior, collapsed under gunnysacks of guilt. (Psa 38:4 MSG)
You wouldn’t want to live with guilt all your life for violating God’s law. However, no matter how guilty you feel right now; God can always send help if you call upon Him and trust in His Word. That’s the way out. It could be a sin of fornication or adultery or any form of sexual perversion, the blood of Jesus took care of all!
Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to GOD.” Suddenly the pressure was gone– my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. (Psa 32:5 MSG)
I want you to know that there is a lover of your soul that is different from any lover who might have disappointed you. You might have been disappointed by men, abandoned by men, used and dumped by men, treated shabbily by men…but when you meet the man, He will restore your soul! The Samaritan woman had met so many men…but then when she met the man, the lover of her soul, she couldn’t but express the difference that turned her life around!
Joh 4:28-29 KJV The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man…
Respond to God’s love today. Refuse the emotion of guilt! You see the moment you have asked your father to forgive you, He forgives and forgets. The devil tries to bring guilt so that you can feel unworthy and thereby prevent you from coming into God’s presence boldly.
But you see, this issue is a family affair! If your earthly father has forgiven you of an offence, what else can the servant in the house say? You simply tell him to shut up!
That is the way you handle the devil. It’s none of his business. God forgave you, period. Tell the devil to shut up, it’s between you and your father, it’s a family affair and it is settled! He should stop poke nosing. The blood of Jesus handled it already!
If he tries to remind you of your past, remind him of his future, it’s the bottomless pit! Make sure you stop sinning. That is what God does not want, especially continuous and habitual sins. Grace cannot abound when sin continues!
Only hearken to what Jesus said to that adulterous woman caught in the act.
Joh 8:11 KJV… And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
The fact is that you did something wrong. The lie is that you will never be forgiven. The Truth is that you are already forgiven and it is forgotten! Embrace the truth today and let it set you free! Truth is superior to fact!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I refuse the lie from the devil. I embrace the truth of God’s word.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Ask that God helps you to see the truth in his word.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Psalm 32:5 (KJV)I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Go and sin no more
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Joh 8
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 14, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
God is a God of order. He is a beautiful and loving God. And more importantly, He is an intelligent God. I mean, He has to be the greatest being that has the most intelligence to manage all of humanity in their diverse religion, culture, race, language and dispositions without wiping the brow. That is an extreme intelligence, you will agree!
As a young man in the Primary school, I would often sit at our balcony and stare at the sun imagining who God is and where He is. I would wonder at who gave birth to Him. Then I would consider there was nobody before him which means no parents. So, then where did he come from? And then, after a while, I will just give up!
Today I know He is simply unfathomable! His wisdom is too deep!
Rom 11:33 (AMPC) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!
It is from this perspective of God as an intelligent father that I want you to know that He wouldn’t want or lead you into a marriage that will extinguish your fire!
It can’t be God when you are so full of fire, serving the Lord with Zeal and passion and then you suddenly become your old self because you are now “in a relationship!”
Something is not right! Something is not at par! When it is like that, you really need to slow down and really understand what God in all His wisdom is trying to pass across to you! It calls for you lifting up your voice and praying that God should show you what you don’t know!
Jer 33:3 (MSG) ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’
May God grant you more understanding today!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My fire will not be extinguished.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Pray that you will remain on fire for God even after falling in love
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
What were those things you did before getting engaged? Are you still doing them?
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Jer 33
