Just keep at it!

It is not easy being a well-digger in perspective and practice. Why? Because you don't hit water the moment you start digging; you have to keep at it long and deep enough until your desired end materialises. Many opt for a swift gratification of today's cravings against persevering for tomorrow's greater reward. This is one of the differences between a water-drinker and a well-digger. The former lives for himself and for today; the latter for others and for tomorrow. It may seem easier to quit well-digging in search of seemingly better, shorter or less stressful pursuits. But is there really anything as a short-cut to significance?

If you are sure you are in your assigned place, doing your assigned task; then don't yield to the temptation to quit just because things seem not to be working. Oh yes, assess and evaluate, but do so with your spirit. You can't trust your emotions when it's the part of you that is mostly feeling the heat (or reacting, I should say). Trust your spirit in times like these. Better still, trust God's Spirit within you. If He led you where you are in the first place, there's no point leading yourself to some other place. The moment water starts gushing out of your well, all your efforts would end in heartfelt satisfaction. Wisdom is always justified by her precious fruit.

Just keep at it. You will bring forth. You will generate great value in and around your life for the blessing of untold many. Your well will abide, and so will your fame in God (His fame through you).

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalms 30:5)

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It took 3 years to dig this well!

In 2006, the Lord asked me to write a book about the revival that took place in the 1980s through Dr. I.K.U. Ibeneme and the ministry called Faith Clinic. Three years later, I had not done anything about the instruction. When the Lord came to me again in December 2009, He said something that got me going. He said:

"There are records of this move in heaven, but none on earth."

That really got my attention. To the glory of God, the book is now out - after three years of interviewing and writing. Some months were busier than others (particularly, the last few months), but in the whole, it has been a fulfilling assignment. The Lord alone deserves the credit.

I believe that the work is significant because God is getting ready to revive His people again. For this to happen in its fullness, we need to consider this house in its former glory. We need to reconnect with the things God had done in the past and thereafter reach out to the new things He wants to do in our future.

"The Church will be grateful for this work."
- Pastor Alex Adegboye, Stone Church, Ibadan Nigeria

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Season of fulfilment

I am persuaded that we are already in a fresh season of prophetic fulfilment. The rate at which the word of the Lord would be performed, both on personal and corporate levels, has quickened and will yet quicken. Those who walk closely with the Lord will not miss this season; those who walk in the deadness of religiousity will have to play catch up.

This season requires proactivity, promptness and purposefulness in our walk. A single word for all these is obedience. In one sense, those who have walked faithfully need only to continue doing that which they have been doing thus far - continue walking faithfully. In another sense, demand will be placed on the faithful to step out of comfortable boats and unto uncomfortable waters. Yes, the Lord is present with us in our battered-by-the-storm boats, but also wants us to be with Him as He demonstrates His lordship over the stormy sea. Christ is Lord in every situation.

New experiences. Same Lord. Mind transformed. Prophecies fulfilled. If we are ready for a new song and a new testimony, then we should not ignore what the Lord is saying at this time. Christ in us is truly the hope of glory. This is a season of maturation in Christ that His glory might be seen in our communities.

Have your way O Lord! Have your way in me!
Take me deeper Lord, deeper into the depths of thee!

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2013: Prophetic Word to the Church in Nigeria (Part 1 of 4)

I have never been one to give prophetic words for a New Year. Apart from a message the Lord gave me at the end of 2005, which I titled “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Power,” and delivered to the saints around me in London at the time, this will be the first of this sort.  I, therefore, submit this Word to God’s people for it to be weighed and judged in the light of Scripture and the Spirit of prophecy.  If there is a witness in the heart of the saints that the Lord is indeed speaking to us, confirmed by words He has already spoken to others, then I pray that there will be a stirring in the hearts of readers towards decisive action in God’s presence, in the congregation of the righteous and in the nation as a whole.

THE MANNER BY WHICH THE WORD WAS RECEIVED

The Lord communicates His word to His servants in different ways. Each one to whom the Lord speaks can, over time, describe an established pattern of communication in their lives – whether by dream, vision, the Scriptures, direct speech or other inspired means (even though the Lord is never bound to a pattern). I will hereunto describe briefly how this word came to me, which, in my experience, is consistent with how He has spoken to me in the past.

The moment I woke up early on the first day of 2013, the ears of my spirit were opened, and I began to hear these words: “Until the Spirit is poured upon us.” As this phrase went on repeatedly within me, I recalled reading a passage that contained these very words just a few weeks before. I then opened to Isaiah 32:15, but felt compelled to read from the start of the chapter. It was in the course of reading the chapter that the Lord began to relate the words to the Church in Nigeria. The applications were striking to say the least.

THE MANNER BY WHICH THE WORD IS BEING RELEASED

A few days afterwards, the word being incubated within my heart, I read portions of the chapter to a few friends and we had a refreshing time sharpening each other. I never had the mind to commit these words to paper until this afternoon (9^th January); and since then, the Spirit kept on impressing on me to write. And being one called of God to write His message, I knew what I had to do. Not unlike the very first time, a day after my conversion 26 years ago, when the Lord endowed me with the grace to write the revelations He unveiled in my heart, an experience that lasted 19 hours, I fully expect the Spirit to expound on the word as I begin to write. Notwithstanding, I reiterate that God’s people take time to judge the word and hold unto that which is true. (Whilst these words are primarily released to the Church in Nigeria, aspects of it and the principles therein will be relevant to believers in other nations.)

2013: A NEW SEASON

We have entered a new season in God, one that did not necessary begin on the first day of the year. The date on our calendar at this time, however, does communicate wisdom about the times in God’s agenda. Many of God’s people have just left behind and are coming out of a prolonged season of dealings, building, restraining and training. The end of this preceding time has been a significant level of establishment in the things of God and in God Himself – establishment in an office, a calling, an anointing and a grace; establishment in God’s ways, word, nature and life. It has been a time to endure hardship in the place called ‘Wilderness’; a season of pruning as well as the sharpening of the sword. Everyone’s experience has been different; indeed, the experience of those who submitted themselves to the heavy hand of God, but the goal has been the same: to bring us all into this new season of God that is breaking upon the earth, each one in their place ready to do battle in the day of the Lord’s power.  With the nature and purposes of the Lord now rooted in the heart, many will feel like it is not just a New Year, but a “New You”. The transformation has not come overnight; it has been a process in time. Upon these will begin to manifest a new level of strong governmental grace and authority. We are moving on from the apostolic foundations, patterns, structures and understandings that are now in place (represented by the number 12), to the beginnings of the demonstration of their fruit and wisdom in a fresh way; the manifestation of God’s glory through His army that are now rightly positioned.

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2013: Prophetic Word to the Church in Nigeria (Part 2 of 4)

(We now turn our attention to Isaiah 32, from where this word derives its substance. As God’s people ruminate upon this text, the Spirit of God will multiply the words hereunto).

THE KING AND HIS PRINCES

“Behold, a King will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.” (Isaiah 32:1)

This is the season for the rule of Christ in and through His Church. His rule of righteousness, beginning in and from the hearts of the redeemed, and extending to everywhere the soles of their feet shall step, shall become manifest like never before. The increase of His government and peace is coming to a new level, for the King is taking over the kingdoms (hearts and structures) of men.

It is also a season for His princes, sons of the Kingdom who have been raised to rule with Him. Everyone called by His name has this honour, but not everyone has endured the times of testing and maturing, and thus not everyone will rule with Him. The effect of their dominion will be righteousness and justice - the life, love and character of God revealed through them to those in their spheres of influence. Whilst these sons of the Kingdom refer to all the saints and their dominion under Christ will extend to every sphere of human endeavour, those who have governmental responsibilities in the Church are very much in focus here. The outworking of the grace and authority of the various offices of those such called will reflect the heart of God more than any other era in the past. The atmosphere of the Church and the churches that fully come under the lordship of Christ and His Spirit will be remarkably different from those who remain bound to religiosity and the operation Babylonian principles (in which case, not under the Kingship of Christ).

PLACES OF REFUGE FOR THE BATTERED

“And each one of them shall be like a hiding place from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land [to those who turn to them].” (Isaiah 32:2)

The House of God, those with the King’s princes functioning in leadership capacities, will once again become places of refuge for those battered by the hard winds of global tensions. The winds of financial and moral turmoil will continue to gather pace in this season; they will become unbearable storms and will cause unprecedented dryness. Global and regional famines will increasingly weary the land and its people. BUT, the House and people of God will truly become a hiding place from the wind; a shelter from the storm; streams of water in a dry place; and a shade of a great rock in a weary land. Many will come to the Lord’s house and to His people and find rest indeed, for the principles that operate in their midst will be glaringly different from what obtains elsewhere. Outside the domain of Christ, sons of men will scurry around for survival; but under His rule there will be peace that surpasses human understanding.

INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND HIS WAYS

“Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed or dimmed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. And the mind of the rash will understand knowledge and have good judgment, and the tongue of the stammerers will speak readily and plainly.” (Isaiah 32:3,4)

Whilst in times past, multitudes have attended church for years but have not grown in the knowledge of God to any considerable degree; and the crowds that come in search of a blessing have been dull of hearing and slow in comprehending the truths of the Kingdom; the atmosphere around congregations and gatherings that enthrone Christ will be different.  It will be conducive for the exposition, retention and reproduction of truth, and thus for rapid growth in the things that pertain to the Kingdom. Eyes shall be open. Ears will hearken. Minds will understand. Tongues shall declare knowledge. It shall be as the Father had originally intended: “All shall know me” (Hebrews 8:11), for it is our heritage; yes, the right of the sons of God, to understand freely the mysteries of the Kingdom. No longer will there be those who perpetually remain spiritually blind, deaf, dull and dumb in the House of the Lord, because God Himself shall be their teacher and He will raise unto them shepherds (princes) after His own heart.

DISCERNING THE HEARTS OF MEN

“The fool (the unbeliever and the ungodly) will no more be called noble, nor the crafty and greedy [for gain] said to be bountiful and princely.” (Isaiah 32:5)

Appallingly, we have endured a season where those with little regard for the Lord and His righteous ways, just because of the fraudulent offerings they bring to the Lord’s altar, have been welcome as “noble” in the House of God. The greedy, ruling class have had easy access to our sacred gatherings and private meetings as though the Lord approves of them or their ways.  But “no more will fools become celebrities, nor crooks be rewarded with fame” (The Message). No more! The fear of God will return to the Church and with it a commitment to His righteous standards.

Our altars have not made the bearers of gifts holy, neither have they struck the hearts of men with awe. But the Lord will expose the ways of the ungodly and what they really are will be plain for all to see. This is particularly important for God’s people in Nigeria if our involvement in governmental affairs and our desire for transformation will have any meaningful impact. Through the enthronement and exaltation of the statutes of God’s Kingdom, we will discern the hearts of men and not shy away from identifying and rebuking the dubious.

“For the fool speaks folly and his mind plans iniquity: practicing profane ungodliness and speaking error concerning the Lord, leaving the craving of the hungry unsatisfied and causing the drink of the thirsty to fail.

The instruments and methods of the fraudulent and greedy [for gain] are evil; he devises wicked devices to ruin the poor and the lowly with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is just and right.

But the noble, openhearted, and liberal man devises noble things; and he stands for what is noble, openhearted, and generous.” (Isaiah 32:6-8)

It must be stated again that this truth-based discernment is crucial for the nation, especially in the light of 2015 and the elections slated to take place at that time. If we fail to distinguish between those whose hearts devise wicked oppression against the poor and those who devise noble things that will alleviate the plight of the downtrodden, the consequences will become most severe than ever. Nigeria stands in the balance and God’s people have the opportunity, indeed the responsibility to tip her in the right direction. SELAH.

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2013: Prophetic Word to the Church in Nigeria (Part 3 of 4)

WARNINGS FOR THE COMPLACENT

“Rise up, you women who are at ease! Hear my [Isaiah’s] voice, you confident and careless daughters! Listen to what I am saying!” (Isaiah 32:9)

The Lord is calling out to those who are at ease in Zion. Wisdom is raising her voice in the streets. It is time for leaders, churches and all of God’s people to rise out of slumber.  We have been self-confident and carefree, but these will not help in the days of calamity that lie ahead.

“In little more than a year you will be shaken with anxiety, you careless and complacent women; for the vintage will fail, and the ingathering will not come.” (Isaiah 32:10)

Major shakings are coming upon God’s people; upon those who persist in their evil ways and refuse to submit fully to the lordship of Christ and His ways of justice. Particular focus is on the saints in the South of the nation, those who have said in their hearts that the scourge of the wicked will not cross the Northern borders to the places where they sit in comfort. Wake up! For “in little more than a year you will be shaken with anxiety.” The Boko Haram menace is presently afflicting our brothers in the North, and many in the South no longer feel their pain; but as 2015 approaches, so will the sword of the wicked. Do not say with fleshly ease and self-confidence that “our peace will continue to abide with us.” IN LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR! That brings us into 2014. The Lord is warning now so we can repent and return to Him for mercy.

If we remain complacent and unconcerned, the impact will be unprecedented. “The vintage will fail and the ingathering will not come.” The attendances in our churches will dwindle as unprepared saints begin to lose heart. None of our popular programmes will retain their appeal.  Indeed, that which we have depended upon all along shall become plain to all – whether it has been the Lord or the arm of flesh.

TIME FOR REPENTANCE

“Tremble, you women who are at ease! Shudder with fear, you complacent ones! Strip yourselves bare and gird sackcloth upon your loins [in grief]!

They shall beat upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine,

For the land of my people growing over with thorns and briers—yes, for all the houses of joy in the joyous city.

For the palace shall be forsaken, the populous city shall be deserted; the hill and the watchtower shall become dens [for wild animals] endlessly, a joy for wild donkeys, a pasture for flocks.” (Isaiah 32:11-14)

The Father calls us to repentance at this hour. We are at the centre of all our troubles, nationally, regionally and on individual levels. We know the height from which we have fallen and the compromises that we have freely indulged in. It is time we “put on sackcloth” and repent sincerely before the Lord. Much of our joyous assemblies have not delighted the heart of the Lord. If we fail to repent, our self-made joy will turn into mourning. The land will become patched the more and the present famine will eat deep into the fabric of our nation and very souls. The time to repent is now! The time for a shift cannot be postponed.

A FRESH EMPHASIS ON REVIVAL

“Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is valued as a forest.” (Isaiah 32:15)

If we do not pray and if we do not repent; if we do not desire the righteous rule of Christ over our individual and corporate lives, the threatening disaster will fall with heartbreaking impact. But if we seek God’s face and turn from our wicked, religious ways, the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon us afresh and heal our land. A renewed burden for revival in the land will rest upon the hearts of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Let us respond to this burden in prayer and decisive action because faithful is the Lord; He will revive us once again. The fruit of revival will be visible and measurable – wildernesses will be transformed into fields and fields into forests! There will be a graduation of our present states. Likewise, children shall progress into adulthood and many adults shall become spiritual fathers. This revival shall mature many, especially young people. Upon these ones shall there be an outpouring of the Spirit of God.

“Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) will abide in the fruitful field.

And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.

My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.” (Isaiah 32:16-18)

Oh the benefits of true, heaven-sent revival! Let those who have the word of the Lord speak boldly at this time. Let us declare in love the counsel of the Lord. And as we hear, let there be a response from the heart and in truth. Why are we seeking for a shorter route to peace and transformation? No amount of special meetings or prophetic offerings will deliver the change and prosperity that we long to see. Real peace and prosperity is from the Lord and in the Lord. When He rules over us, His glory will be seen upon us.  The destiny of Nigeria is in the hands of God’s people. Irrespective of our past iniquities and inactivity, what we do NOW will determine how and where things go in the future that is fast approaching. We can avert much calamity and preserve the future of the unborn generation if we align ourselves with the Lord at this time.  The Lord loves justice, righteousness and peace; Let us love them too and they shall be established in our habitations.

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2013: Prophetic Word to the Church in Nigeria (Part 4 of 4)

JUDGEMENT ON THE UNGODLY

“But it [the wrath of the Lord] shall hail, coming down overpoweringly on the forest [the army of the Assyrians], and the capital city shall be utterly humbled and laid prostrate.” (Isaiah 32:19)

Though the blessing of the Lord is reserved for the sons of the Kingdom, those who align themselves with evil to do evil will know the wrath of God. Can we escape the turbulence and rumour of war? The Lord knows. (Let the heart of the wise consider and take action). Nonetheless, the One who is mighty in battle will fight for His own and for the oppressed of the land. His anger will burn upon those who have delighted themselves in evil and the slain of the sons of men. Besides, the places that are called “secure” will not be spared and the defence of the lofty will be brought low. Pray for the “capital city”, the place where much battle will rage in the coming times. Be assured, those who make the Lord their refuge and trust will only see the reward of the wicked; they shall not partake of their lot.

THE APPOINTED TIME TO SOW

“Happy and fortunate are you who cast your seed upon all waters [when the river overflows its banks; for the seed will sink into the mud and when the waters subside, the plant will spring up; you will find it after many days and reap an abundant harvest], you who safely send forth the ox and the donkey [to range freely].” (Isaiah 32:20)

This is not the time to quit in fear because of the trembling that shall be felt in the earth. It is the time to discern opportunities that match our prophetic destiny. It is time to step out and sow seed in earnest expectation. The journey into the Promised Land is always made when the river overflows its banks. If God’s people will scale through to the other side of their purpose and destiny, they would need to hear the voice of God’s instructions and sow in the place that He commands. That idea, that dream; that vision, that commission; NOW is the time step out in faith - led by the Spirit, empowered by His grace and leaning on the everlasting arms. For when the rising waters subside, the seeds sown will remain in the earth; they will no longer remain a solitary seed, but will come back after many days as an abundant harvest. Those who sow nothing now will reap nothing when the time comes.

This is also a jubilee season for those who bear the burdens of the house of the Lord. They shall “range freely” in their lands and be exceedingly fruitful.

Blessed are those who take these words to heart, ponder upon them and act accordingly.

FINAL ADMONITIONS

1.       Let the prophets judge these words and give interpretation for the benefit of all.

2.       Let the intercessors receive instruction and inspiration for effective prayer.

3.       Let the leaders come together and seek wisdom and direction.

4.       Let the teachers break these things down and teach the people the ways of God.

5.       Let the saints share with and edify one another in love.

6.       Let a trumpet be blown in Zion and the word of the Lord be spread abroad.

“Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.” (2 Timothy 2:7 NKJV)

All Scripture quotations are from the Amplified version of the Bible.  

Scripture marked NKJV is from the New King James version of the Bible.

Right to share & copy © January 9, 2013 given by

Israel Adetokunbo Emmanuel

International Director, Books With A Mission (BWAM)

www.pastorisrael.com

https://www.facebook.com/israel.emmanuel

israel@bookswithamission.org

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