God’s will for man has always been rooted in purpose, growth, and dominion. In the very beginning, He declared His intent in Genesis 1:28: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion…” This wasn’t just a suggestion. It was a divine mandate to increase, grow, and take charge.
God is not interested in giving us physical increase at the expense of our souls. His desire is that our growth begins from the inside out. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 1:2). Before we ask for blessings, breakthroughs, or expansion, God wants our souls to mature in Him.
Many times, delays in certain areas of our lives are not because we aren’t praying or working hard. It’s not that God is deaf to our cries. Sometimes, it’s simply because our inner man is not yet ready to steward the increase we are asking for. God, in His mercy, withholds what could destroy us.
Apostle Paul captures this in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” Increase is a process. Planting must take place. Watering must follow. Then, God releases growth. When there is a lack of spiritual preparation, increase can become a burden rather than a blessing.
Galatians 4:1 says: “As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all.” God doesn’t release dominion to spiritual infants. He waits for sons and daughters who are ready to grow in wisdom, faith, and intimacy with Him.
So, what seed are you planting today? What steps are you taking to grow spiritually? Are you preparing your soul for the increase God desires to bring?
I charge you to seek God’s will first, because when the soul prospers, increase follows.
I believe we all have been there before—a time when we just didn’t feel like going on. What is the point of serving God when my requests remain unanswered? Others who do not do half of what I do have results to show for it.
Luke 1:7 KJV And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
This was the ordeal of Zechariah, the priest. A servant of God who gave his all to the kingdom, yet he had an unanswered prayer – he had no child of his own. He would appear regularly to attend to the needs of the people. They looked up to him, brought their issues to him and he would take it to God.
Sometimes, I wonder how he felt anytime he went to the temple. I wonder what his wife must have said a few times. I wonder what his friends or family members would have said to him. Some people would have mocked him, but that didn’t deter Zachariah. He always showed up when due. That was how he got God’s attention.
Perhaps you are feeling discouraged about an unanswered prayer in your life. Perhaps you feel like God has gone on leave. Like Zachariah, keep showing up, for you do not know your day of visitation when God will shift his attention on you.
God appeared to Zechariah at his duty post, doing what he was supposed to do. He did not allow his childlessness to keep him at home. He went about his duty as of before. The moment you start withdrawing from church, withdrawing from praying, withdrawing from studying the word, withdrawing from the believers, the devil is happy because that is what he wants – he has your attention already.
Luke 1:8-9 KJV And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Just like his lot was to burn incense, your lot is to praise and worship God. Your lot is to maintain an atmosphere of thanksgiving. That is how to get God’s attention. You were created to serve him. Don’t do otherwise because you are ‘husbandless’ or ‘wifeless’ Don’t entertain offence. Don’t listen to the voice that says you’ve been serving God for a long time and have nothing to show for it. Don’t give up on God yet. God likes to come in at the ‘well-stricken’ point.
This morning, I want to write to those experiencing one form of delay or the other, especially in marriage.
I’m sure you know the feeling. When it seems as though all your friends are married and doing fine but you are still single, or you are married and are trusting God for the fruit of the womb.
You’ve sent out numerous applications, yet you keep receiving rejection emails.
You’ve prayed, fasted, and done everything you think you should do, but the status quo remains the same. All you are asking for is just one miracle.
Let me announce to you that you are not alone. The children of Israel faced a similar situation years ago.
Ex 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
When Moses delayed, the Israelites sought another option. It was as though God had been silent all along until they made the golden calf. It was immediately after the five foolish virgins left that the bridegroom appeared.
What is my message this morning? Hold on just a bit more. Your Miracle is closer than you think.
Don’t be a second fiddle out of frustration. God’s plan for you is that you be the head, above always and never beneath.
Trust God completely and you will smile at last, amen.
Have you ever prayed about something and then you imagine exactly how God should answer? Thinking, “He’ll do it this way, at this time, and everything will fall perfectly into place.” But then, nothing happens, or worse, God shows up in a way that feels completely opposite to what you expected. Frustrating, right? That was exactly how Naaman felt.
Naaman’s story teaches a valuable lesson. When prophet Elisha told him to wash in the River Jordan seven times, he was offended. Why? Because it didn’t align with how he thought God would work. Naaman expected a grand display of Elisha calling on God, waving his hand, and instantly healing him. Instead, the solution was simple and humbling.
How often do we do the same? We pray, but deep down, we’ve already imagined how God should answer. Maybe it’s healing, provision, or finding the right partner, and we’ve mapped out exactly how it should happen. Then, when God doesn’t follow our plan, we are disappointed, frustrated, or even offended.
But here is the truth. God’s ways are not ours, and His thoughts are far above ours as recorded in Isaiah 55:8. Like Naaman, we need to let go of our expectations and trust that God knows best. His instructions may seem unconventional, and His timing may stretch our patience, but His plans for us are always good (Jeremiah 29:11).
Are you waiting for God to send the right person, but it feels like the wait is too long? God is asking you to work on your character first. Perhaps in marriage, the journey looks nothing like the dream you envisioned. Whatever the case, always remember that God’s instructions may not always make sense to us, but obedience brings breakthroughs.
Naaman was only healed when he humbled himself and followed God’s word, even though it was not what he expected. In the same way, our blessings often lie on the other side of trust and surrender to God.
So today, let go of the“how” and“when.” Stop trying to control the process. Trust His plan, obey His word, and believe wholeheartedly that He has good things in store for you.
There are many secrets to being blessed, all encapsulated in God’s word.
However, I’d like to share one of them with you this morning!
Let’s examine the scripture.
2Sa 6:11 (KJV) And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
The ark of the Lord here was why the house of Obededom was being blessed.
God has given us express instruction for the coming year on Kisses and Huggs Club and in Shouts of Grace Center!
This is what we have started in the mornings with Prayer Storm and in the evenings with Praise Storm.
We are building an ark unto the Lord with our daily prayers and praise. This is why I encourage you to participate in what we are doing on Global Prayer and Praise Storms (GPPS).
It is a covenant to PRAY in the mornings (30 Mins) and PRAISE in the nights (30 Mins)
The Prayer and Praise sessions are also available afterward on YouTube because of different time zones.
Let us come together and build this ark together! Go to kissesandhuggs.org to learn more.
Let’s delve into another scripture to explore the significance of having an ark in our lives.
2Sa 6:12 (KJV) And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
Look at that. The Lord blessed his house and all that pertain unto him!
This is what I pray for you in the coming year!
May God bless you and bless all that pertain unto you in Jesus’ name!
Pray these prayers:
O Ark of Glory, come into my tabernacle after the order of Obed-Edom, in Jesus name
I receive grace and strength to pray and praise daily in the coming year through Global Prayer and Praise storms in Jesus’ name
Lord, let your ark rest in my house and my abode in Jesus’ name!
