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From the following  texts you are to know whom you are(Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10 Luke 22:28-29, 1Peter 2:9).If you are saved,the scriptures says you are a king and a priest.Lets look at the charcteristics of priest and kings so we can identify with their qualities and basic responsibilities.

Characteristics of Priests
1.    They are consecrated to the Lord (once a priest forever a priest):Christianity is an everlasting engagement.You cant be a temporary believer.Once you are in ,you are forver in.There is no provision for your backlisliding.If you slid back,God will lose interest.Once your hand is on the plough there is no looking back.Little wonder in the armour of God described in Ephesians 6;there is no weapon covering our back...because we are expected to be advancing always...not going back and thus turning our back to the devil.
2.    Holy unto the Lord Exodus 28:36:The inscription on the chest of the priest is holiness unto the Lord.As christians,holy living is not optional,it is compulsory.We are to walk with the Lord,running away from sin and pursuing after righteousness.
3.    He is to be close to God – Under the old covenant the priest prays and sacrifices on behalf of the people...carrying the name of all the tribes Ex 28:9-10.Born again christians are to walk closely with God,and interceed for the people always.That is how to function as a new covenant priest
4.    They are custodians of the urim and thumim (divine guidance) Ex 28:30. The priest carry urim and thumim...these are two "stones" borne on the chest pocket and employed to know the mind of God.  A chid of God is expected to know the mind of God....of course we dont carry any yes or no stone,because we now have the Holy Spirit.
5.    The priest have access into the most holy where tthe ark of testimony is.The new testament priest is entitled to the secrets of God.
6.    The Priests have daily morning duty. Lev 6:12,13.As a believer you must seek the fire of God,His protective cover,his instructions etc every morning.

Characteristics of Kings
1.    They have authority in their kingdom. Luke 10:19 Prov 30:32.As a king God has given you authority in this kingdom.Whatever you bind on earth is bind in heaven.
2.    Kings power is in their tongue – proclamation and decree Ec 8:4 If you must function well as a king you cant afford to be a silent believer.If you dont make sounds you cant see signs.
3.    Kings don’t prostrate to people. Rather,the people bow before them even if they are young in age.As a redeemed child of God you are the head not the tail.
4.    It is abomination for kings to do wickedness. It is an insult unto him integrity Prov16:2.You are expected to walk in uprightness and integrity.
5.    Kings clothing  is different from that of the multitude.As children of the most high...you are entitled to divine decoration.Shame is not part of the covenant
6.    Kings don’t mourn/weep.Thats why the Bible says...rejoicealways and I say rejoice.

Let me close by emphasizing it thet it is impossible to be a secret priest or king. Kings and priests are publicly announced.You cant say I dont want people to know Im a christian!That is a paradox.You are public personality.The world is reading you like an epistle.You must therefore walk worthy.(Ephesians 4:1)

Hosea 4:14
....therefore the people that does not understand shall fall.
Then cheapest way to fall in Christendom is to remain without understanding. Lack of understanding keeps people in bondage (John 8:32)
Prayer is no substitute for it. Fasting has its place but you can’t use it to displace understanding.
Prov 16:12—literally, understanding issues out life (Ps 119:1440
Prov. 20:16 – without understanding you are a dead man. This is why the scripture admonishes us saying with all thy getting get understanding.

Who Is Your Enemy?
Fundamentally, the devil is your eternal enemy. He is a  sworn enemy of all the children of God. He pursued after Adam & Eve in the beginning. He attacked the last Adam. He is busy looking around for you too!
According to 1Peter 5:8,the devil is  “eager to devour”
Practically, the devil also manipulates some human agents to rise against you. Ps 124:2, 86:14, Mt 10:17
Who are these human agents
1.    Anyone who wants to distract you from God. Deut 13:6, 8, 9
2.    Anyone who is not happy about your progress Ezra 4:1-5
3.    Anyone who is not happy about your life assignment Neh 4:1
4.    Anyone or group of people that speaks against you Psalm 71:10, Ps 94;21
5.    Anyone who want to kill your desire or frustrate your vision e.g David brother, Joseph brethren’s  (1Sam17:28)0
6.    Sometimes your enemies will be your relatives or friends (Mt10:36)

Important Things To Know About Your Enemy
1.    Anything good always have an enemy. Your enemy are so much because your future is bright.
Consider the attack of Adam and Jesus. Adam would have lived forever, Jesus was ordained to destroy the works of the devil.
2.    Your enemy may enter your life firstly, as a friend Ps 41:9.
 Delilah entered as a future partner. Judas came as a disciple, the serpent came in a s a concerned neighbour.
3.    Your enemies are not barricades, they are bridges. Your enemy is a door, not a well. They help you cross from one level of glory to another level.
Ps 23:4 Inside that lion, there is honey.
4.    Your enemies are to be fought, not to be feared.
Eph 6:10, 11
You will always be fighting. Nno one outgrows the enemy. The day all your enemies are no longer around, your progress stops. Ps 119:98b
5.    You will not be allowed to suffer defeat if you are obedient
Deut 20:4 Joshua 7:11-12, 2Chr 20:15b, 176.
6.    When confronting your enemy be careful of your utterances Prov 6:2
⦁    Don’t confess fear
⦁    Don’t reveal publicly the amount of damage done by the enemy until it has become a testimony.
⦁    The serpent got through into the life of Adam and Eve through what looked like discussion
⦁    David kept Goliath talking so he could target his forehead
7.    Your weapon against your enemy is the word of God& your word guided by the Holy Spirit
Eph 6:17, Is 59:19 Jesus used the word of God against the devil

Last word: Luke 21:15

We are on a journey, so long a journey. You and I cannot afford to travel with dry engine. You need oil for the journey.
Jesus needed it before he began his earthly assignment. He got it by the River of Jordan.
Oil is available only for those who are ready. Many were by Jordan, only Jesus received the oil.
When I am talking about oil, I mean the oil(fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit) that will be on your head day and night—not only in the church.
John 1:33
 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
The perfect will of God is not for the oil to come upon you momentarily but that it also REMAIN on you! The sad story however is that a lot of believers have little or no oil.They are spiritually dry. In the coming year you cant afford to be dry spiritually.What are the causes of spiritual dryness.

Causes of Spiritual dryness
1. The nature of our journey: Num 21:4, Exodus 13;17, 18
   The journey is long.The journey is ridiculed by men.The way is not popular.As such there is the possibility of weariness,loss of interest and loneliness .
2.  Our environment Ps 57:4
The people we live with can drain us dry.According to the word in Hosea 7:9 strangers can devour our strenght! We are sheep among wolves. We need something extraordinary to survive.
3.     Pleasure 1Tim 5:6, 2Peter 2:13
Your destiny is under pressure, if you relax in pleasure you will lose the unction.Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion.
 4.     Continuous disobedience to God Psalm 66:3
      The rebel dwells in a dry land.That is a divine law.You cannot be refreshed by heaven if you live under daily disobedience to the Holy Spirit.
5.     Direct attack of the enemy 1Kings 19:4
When there is spiritual attack,wearisome warfare and prolong conflict dryness can be the immediate result!

Meanwhile, you can’t survive without this oil.
Let’s look at this vision Zech 4:11-12
The lesson is that without the oil there will be no light.When light is absent,darkness automatically prevails.
What the oil does(Psalm 89:20-)
·        a.The oil is necessary for the light, we are the light, we can’t shine without the oil.
·        b.It helps the vehicle of your destiny.
·        c.It heals your wound very fast. Luke 10:34
·        d.Oil commands people's love and favour. Sos 1:3
·        e.Oil makes you attractive Psalm 104:15
·        f.It commands goodness and mercy Psalm 23

How will the oil come
1.The word Deut 32:9-13
Oil is from the rock, the rock must be broken. The rock means -- the word. You break the word by studying, meditating and application. According to Job 28:6;if you live by the word oil will come
2. Love of righteousness Psalm 45:7-8
3.Pay for it
In the parable of the ten virgins,everyone is directed to go and buy oil.If you really know that you cant survive without the oil of the holy Spirit,you must  pay the price on your knees.Pay for it and preserve it.Actually,after paying for ityou wont lose it easily. It is what you don’t pay for that you play with. Buy books, buy tapes.Fast,wait, seek, knock, ask.Buy tapes.And remember.tapes won’t profit you until you listen to it over and over again.John Haggai said |"the book that revolutionize my life I read it 13x. I read a chapter 100 times". A tape must be listened to six times before you can internalize the idea.

Text: James 5:16-5:18

His contemporaries knew James by the nickname “Camel-Knees.” He spent so much time on his knees that they literally bagged. James’ letter says more about the doctrine of prayer than any other New Testament epistle.

James said, in chapter 4, “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (vv.2-3). That is how to be ineffectual in prayer. As he concludes the letter, James wants us to know that we can be powerful and effective in prayer.

Six verses (13-18) mention prayer seven times. This is the counsel of Camel-knees. Christians should pray whether troubled or hilarious. We can pray for the sick and expect their recovery. We should pray for one another in all situations. A life without prayer is like failing to use your checkbook when you have millions of dollars in the bank.

We have already looked at some of the practical times for prayer. We should pray in the midst of trouble. We should pray when physically afflicted and bedridden. We should pray when corrupted by sin - “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (v. 16). Some believers are ill because of unresolved sin. They need to confess to those they’ve offended and get on with health and life.

I. A PREMISE FOR PRAYER - IT WORKS!
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Here is a simple promise— prayer can work. You can be powerful and effective in prayer, if you meet the qualification of righteousness. The same conviction is expressed in Psalm 34:17- “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Proverbs 15:29 says- “The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

The righteous person is first and foremost, one who is in a right relationship with God. He is reconciled to God and justified by faith. He stands acquitted before God because his sins are confessed. You would expect such a person to be a person of prayer. Prayer is the strength of his life and the secret of his godly influence.

The word translated “prayer” in v. 16 is not the same word used in the preceding verses. Here it refers to specific petitions with definite results in mind. Explicit prayers with specific requests are powerful and effective. Our word “energy” comes from energeia, here translated as “effective.” There is a working energy in specific prayer that makes it effective. In sports, business, or even public speaking just a spark of energy can make the difference between winning and losing, success and failure. There are no limits to the force of such prayer. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective because it taps the unlimited resources and energy of God.

II. A PERSON OF PRAYER: THE EXAMPLE OF ELIJAH
James demonstrates the truth that prayer works by citing the story of Elijah. Elijah held a unique place in Jewish thought. He had a great reputation for prayer. He was so esteemed that some regarded him as almost divine. James allows him no super-human status. “Elijah was a man just like us.” He was human. He felt stress. He knew failure. He was influenced by his feelings just as we are. He climbed to heights of faith and commitment as he defeated the priests of Baal (1 Ki. 18:36-38). Like us, he became deeply depressed on the very heels of success (1 Ki. 19:4).

James tells us something we don’t learn from 1 Kings 17-18. Elijah’s courage before Ahab and the hosts of Baal was a result of his prayer life. He willing stakes his whole reputation on one fact: there is a God who answers prayer.

The prophet seems to appear out of nowhere to declare...”As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (1 Ki. 17:1). Elijah was fearless in this proclamation because his prayer was based on God’s Word: De. 11:16-17 - “Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the LORD’S anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you.” That was exactly the situation in Israel under Ahab and Jezebel. God had promised that if the nation forsook Him, He would hold back the rain. In communion with God, Elijah learned and prayed this truth until the Lord sent him to announce it.

Just as suddenly as he appeared, Elijah disappeared to be sustained miraculously in the desert, to bring the Lord’s promise to the widow of Zarephath, and to raise her son to life. These years were surely spent learning new secrets about the life of prayer. 1 Ki. 18:1 picks up the story, “‘after a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.’ So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.” The comment is added, “Now the famine was severe in Samaria.”

Starvation stalked the land. Cattle were dying for lack of water and pasture. Famine and drought were acute. Ahab sent search parties to springs and valleys around the land to find food for the cattle. During this search Obadiah met Elijah and brought him to King Ahab. A confrontation was set up on Mt. Carmel between the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah before God sent the rain.

James condenses the Old Testament narrative and says simply, “He prayed earnestly.” Literally translated the Greek says, “in prayer he prayed.” James doesn’t emphasize or even tell about Elijah’s exploits. He doesn’t point to Elijah’s emotion or zeal in prayer. He says nothing about how often or long he prayed. “He prayed ... again he prayed” (vv17-18). He was a man of prayer.

Drought began when he prayed, and drought ended when he prayed. “Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops” (v. 18). The rain brought an end to famine. In the moist earth seeds germinated and crops began to grow.

Elijah’s praying demonstrates a pattern for effective prayer.

III. A PATTERN FOR PRAYER

A. Earnest prayer
I’m taken by the literal translation of “He prayed earnestly” in v. 17 - “in prayer he prayed” or “he prayed his prayer.” I was the first Christian in my family, and my mother must have told me a million times (she also told me a million times not to exaggerate), “Danny, say your prayer.” One of the big reasons we are not powerful and effective in prayer is that we say our prayers instead of praying them.

A. W. Tozer pastored in the city of Chicago for many years. On one occasion when a new minister arrived in Chicago, Tozer called him and described the difficulty and spiritual warfare involved in pastoring is such a city. He said, “If you ever want to pray with me, I’m at the lakeside every morning at five-thirty. Just make your way down and we can pray together.” A day came when the other minister was troubled in his soul. He made his way to the lakeside at about six o’clock. There he found Tozer prostrate in the sand worshiping God. Years after his death A. W. Tozer continued to be a prophetic voice to the twentieth century church because he was serious about his private intimacy with God [Sammy Tippit, The Prayer Factor (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988)].

Campus Crusade for Christ became a major force for evangelism throughout the world. Bill Bright decided some years ago to make a stiff investment by calling the entire U. S. staff to set aside a half day a week to unite together in prayer. Four hours a week times a 10,000-member staff at a minimum wage equal millions of dollars invested in united prayer each year! Bright said:

As I travel the world today, I sense a growing burden and prayer for revival among the people of God. I believe that God wants me and us as a movement to pray for revival. It will accelerate a hundredfold everything we are doing. To undertake such a gargantuan task with a ‘business as usual’ attitude would be folly. [Quoted by David Bryant, With Concerts of Prayer (Ventura: Regal Books, 1984), 53)].

Mean business with God as Elijah did. Pray earnestly and seriously. Next month we will begin prayer meetings here at 5 and 6 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday led by our staff. Prayer is critical!

B. Specific prayer
Elijah’s request was very specific. “He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.” Our prayers have nothing of this power and effectiveness because they are so general - “Lord bless the missionaries. Help the President. Be with the politicians.” What is bless? Help him what? Be with where?

Dr. Helen Roseveare, sainted missionary to Zaire, told about a mother who died giving birth to a premature baby at the mission station. There was no incubator so they tried to keep the baby alive with a defective hot water bottle. The children were asked to pray for the baby and one girl prayed, “Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won’t feel so lonely.” Dr. Roseveare says,

That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, ‘If God sent that, I’m sure He also sent a doll!’ And she was right! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child’s sincere requests, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies’ group to include both of those specific articles [Quoted in Our Daily Bread (Grand Rapids, Radio Bible Class, March 18, 1987)].

C. Believing prayer
A man of prayer knows that God does not operate by human mathematics. 850 against one are inconsequential odds if the one has God, or better if God has him! God had Elijah! Too often we depend upon technology and methodology. We determine our goals by the question, “What can we do?” The real question is, “What can God do?”

We look at our size instead of God’s size. Howard Hendricks says, “The size of your God will determine the size of everything in your theology and everything in your Christian experience.” [Howard Hendricks, Elijah (Chicago: Moody Press, 1972), 33]. Another writer says, “Show me a person with small goals and I will show you a person with a small God. The size of our goals reflects the size of our God.” [Myron Rush, Management, A Biblical Approach (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983) 176].

When the false gods were defeated, Elijah said to Ahab, “...there is the sound of a heavy rain” (1 Ki. 18:41). That sound was heard by ears of faith because there was not a cloud in the sky. Verse 42 tells us, “Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.” He prayed, believing in spite of the visible evidence. “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea” (vv. 43-44). Six times there was nothing, but Elijah said, “Go back.” And when a tiny cloud was finally spotted, he didn’t keep it to himself hoping against hope that God might come through. He sent word to Ahab, “Hitch up and get out of here because the roads are gonna flood!” We give up too soon because we don’t believe. Expect nothing and you’ll never be disappointed.

D. Prayer that understands God’s will
Before Elijah prayed for the drought to end, God told him it would cease. Elijah’s prayer was for God to do what He had already said he would do! Truly effective prayer is based upon God’s purposes. It involves listening to God as well as talking to Him. It includes discovering God’s will in His Word and asking for it.

E. Prayer that upholds God’s honor
Throughout the story of Elijah there is an undercurrent of concern for God’s glory. On Mt. Carmel he prayed: “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again” (1 Ki. 18:36,37).

For several years our church has set annual prayer goals. One guiding principle has been that as we week God’s direction for the church, some goals must be set so high that they could never be accomplished apart from divine intervention. When they are achieved we will be unable to say, the pastor did that, or give credit to staff, or board, or church. “Only God could have done that!” And glory and honor belong to Him!

Text: Deuteronomy 2:1-3
Destiny is a function of time. And it is the devils target. Satan does not attack you because of your past, he troubles you because of your future – that is his primary target!
     For most of the time, when Satan see that he cannot derail you in destiny, he delays you; for when you are delayed long enough, you are destroyed.In the name of Jesus IT WILL NOT BE TOO LATE FOR YOU! 

In Matt. 25:1-12 ... Those 5 foolish virgins delayed the purchase of their oil. They bought what they should buy but at a wrong time. They delayed and the door was shut.
The door into destiny is close-able. Those five people were virgins, they waited for the bridegroom, they bought oil but they delayed and as such suffer destruction! You will NOT REGRET
  Delay is destructive therefore be warned. God knew this and when the strange forces of delay took hold of Lot, he sent down his angels to release him.(Genesis 19:15-16)

The angelic forces of God are here today to set you free! No delay will hold you captive any longer.
“Progress” is the plan of God, “Delay” is the strategy of the devil.
Deut 2:1-3
Friends, you have wandered too long, you have waited enough. What thou doest do quickly.
Turn! Turn!! Turn!!! It’s time for movement.
Stop talking, start moving
Stop sleeping, start running
Stop chasing the shadow; begin to pursue the real thing.
Start that business now!
Start that schooling now!
Start learning that thing now!!
The word says “turn”. Until you turn, your situation can’t turn. Life is no joke – begin to move.
“Today is the day of salvation” Now is the accepted time for your progress.

CAUSES OF DELAY
Until we recognize the immediate cause of delay we cant proffer genuine solution.
1. Indecision SoS. 5:2-6
He didn’t make up his mind on time, he delayed and he missed his lover. You will not miss your joy! Don’t be double minded. Don’t doubt. Don’t harbour unbelief.
They didn’t enter their rests because of unbelief which gave birth to indecision.
2. Wrong use of the tongue Num. 14:27-33
The children of Israel murmured and God caught them. He thereafter delayed the whole nation for 40yrs.
What are you saying with your mouth? (Don’t say I can’t)
Start singing songs of praises, make mention of his great works and see him make a way for you!
Miriam spoke against Moses, and the whole nation stood still until she was restored and healed!
3. Closed Gate Josh. 6:1-2
God gave them the land but the enemies locked the gate.
Delay sometimes may be the handwork of the enemies.
But God can open any gate.
4. Curses
When a man is operating under a curse, he will ever remain a struggler until he is set free.
Setting you free is not the real thing, but the ability to retain the freedom!
 If a man who is not paying tithe and progress is prayed for, he is temporarily free. But to remain free he must begin to pay tithe!
 If a man under the curse of failure and backwardness imposed by wicked men is prayed for, he is free temporarily.
But to remain free he must not play with sin!
5. Fear of failure Num. 14
God wanted them to go but they feared the opposition and God said they will wander in the wilderness.
Failure is not new. It is a necessary step toward success.
If we don’t take the risk of failing we will not get the chance to succeed.
If you are fearing failure, you are dodging progress!

Now How do you escape delay ?
1. Righteousness
Joshua led the children of Israel to conquer Jericho, they were to move forward and take Ai but Achan stole an accursed thing. And the whole of Israel was defeated.
Sin causes delay, it’s righteousness that can deliver you. That delay may not necessarily be because of your household enemies or witches in the village.
It may be because of that sin you are hiding!
It is that hidden sin that is hiding your success. Lose yourself. Come out of it.
2. Divine Intervention
Pharaoh delayed Israel, until God said enough is enough. This will not continue any longer and with his hand he brought them out and took them in into destiny.
In Exodus chapter 4, Pharaoh was told “let my people go”,but he refused. He delayed them until chapter 12 when the yoke of delay was totally broken and they were free forever.
Today is the chapter 12, of your life, every spirit of Pharaoh is giving up!

Rev.Dr. Sola Adetunji (adetunjisola2003@yahoo.com)

Destiny is precious; it is the reason for living. Lk. 24:44. Without fulfilling it you are a failure. Without fulfilling it, you are a here in vain.Many people are potential stars in the scripture but they died unfulfilled or partially fulfilled.

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS IN DESTINY
Disobedience (The young prophet of IKings 13)
Eden is to be a garden of life but Adam was deceived and he lost his eternal heritage. Adam’s destiny was derailed because of sin, because he ate what he shouldn’t eat.
Covetousness
Gehazi ran after Naaman and Naaman leprosy cleaved unto him. He sought to deceive the man of God, he got his destiny destroyed on the platform of materials. Many ladies are lost today because of temporal things. Gehazi could have gotten a fantastic ministry but he died on the way.
Anger and Wrong Words (Psalm 106:32-33, Num. 20:7-12)
Anger is destructive, Moses destiny was short-circuited despite his services.
Adultery
Samson a great man of God, powerful and spirit-filled but his problem was women.(Jud. 16:1,4)If you are neck deep in lust you may soon get lost.
Unequal Yoke
Getting married to a wrong partner or entering into a business with a wrong partner or having a wrong friend can cause someone accident in destiny. (2 Chr. 18:28-33, 20:35-37)
Walking Outside Divine Will.
Satanic Affliction – Lk. 22:1-6
Giving place to the devil may result to accident.

How Do You Avoid Accidents?
WATCHFULNESS
Watch your heart against anger, pride or hypocrisy.
Watch your relationship. As a brother, when you are more convenient among sisters you are going to error. Watch the kind of woman you want to marry. Job’s destiny would have been short-circuited because of her wife who advised her to curse God and die! (Job 2:9)
Joseph wouldn’t have gotten to the throne if not because he knew how to run.
Gens. 39:11-13. At the junction of accident he ran. Beloved you may need to run from some company, and save your self. May you receive grace to run.
Your destiny is precious, its important. Don’t destroy yourself

  Text: Mark 4:35-39
At every junction of progress, at every edge of breakthrough there will always be challenges, storms or trials .In fact at every point in your life its either you are inside a challenge, just coming out of a challenge or getting set to enter another challenge!
Know for sure, that there is no star, who does not have  a scar, there is no champion who never had a challenge.⦁    The flower must be crushed before the perfume can come.
⦁    The wheat must be powdered before you can talk of bread.
⦁    Grapes must be squeezed before you can drink wine.
⦁    Pressure must come before pleasure
⦁    Crisis is the forerunner of colour
⦁    Struggle is the mother of success
⦁    Strive is the midwife of excellence
⦁    Cross must be carried before you can wear the crown
There is always a wilderness before Canaan; there are always giants on the way to the Promised Land.
God therefore is on the lookout for men and women who will not wither in their wilderness, who will not pack up under pressure, who will not collapse in crisis.
For your information: storms can become carrier of good things!
STORM CARRY JOSEPH TO EGYPT BEFORE  HIS BREAKTHROUGH CAME Gen 50:20
STORM TRANSPORTED JONAH TO HIS ZONE OF MANIFESTATION (where he preached and recorded 120,000 conversions)
IT WAS STORM THAT LIFTED SHADRACH ,MESHACH & ABEDNEGO IN BABYLON    Dan 3:30 (they were no longer servants they became celebrities).
If you are inside any storm now please stay excited: some goodies may be on the way!

Types Of Storms And Examples
1.Satanic storms
Storm can be engineered by Satan or satanic agents. Storms like these are designed to make you deny God, get frustrated, lose faith in yourself, throw away your confidence in God and His ability!
Example: Job experienced a Satan-inspired storm (Job 1&2)
2.Self Inflicted Storm:
I recall the case of a Professor Of Chemistry who was dying of a Lung Cancer and was still sneaking out to smoke from his hospital bed!
Before his admission into the hospital,he was a chain smoker who was permanently taking “Cough Syrup”. Despite numerous warnings,counsels and admonition he couldn’t do away with this destructive habit of Smoking!
PLEASE TAKE NOTE:
No matter the kind of destructive Habit you are involved in, God can deliver you and give permanent victory.
The Word says: I am the Lord of all Flesh, is there anything too hard for me?(Jer.32:27)
What Do You Do To Be Free from Destructive Habits
a.    Admit you have a problem: Until you know it’s a problem you cannot be victorious over it. 1Jn.1:9 Alcoholics who never admit they are alcoholics wont find freedom.
People filled with lust who wont admit they have a problem can’t get freedom.
b.    Believe that God can set you free:Faith is the forerunner of freedom.What you can’t believe,you can’t receive!(Luke1:45,Mat.19:26,Mark 11:24)
c.    Pray continually for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.When you consciously walk in the Spirit,fulfilling the Lust of the flesh will become difficult(Gal.5:16)
d.    Avoid any company that tempts you.Prov 13:20
e.    Get support from a spiritual friend, leader or mentor.( James. 5:16)

3.God Ordained Storm (Psalm 119:67)
This is obviously a difficult truth. No one  want to hear this: but truly God can ALLOW a storm to come to the path of a child of God…either to correct him, strengthens him or forcefully direct him!
God sent a storm to the ship carrying Jonah so that ultimately he will be able to get to Nineveh and preach the Word!

WHAT NOT TO DO INSIDE STORM
Recall the story of the storm involving Paul in Acts 27
1. Don’t surrender:
In Acts 27:20 Paul the apostle and other passengers in the ship “gave up all hope of being saved” But thank God for the angelic visitation that assured Paul that no life will be lost! (Verse24)
No matter what you are passing through don’t give up, the pressure is to make you precious so that you can become a treasure. Storms are temporary, you must not give up. Don’t allow that storm to sink you. That you face terrible things does not mean you should become miserable.
2. Don’t look at the storm (2Cor 4:18)
Don’t look at the storm  like Peter did! Those who look at the storm may sink in the storm.! Abraham looked at the storm of barrenness he gave birth to Ishmael..and up till today the generation of Ishmael are still troubling the Children of Isaac!
3. Don’t change your identity Ruth 1:19-20
The mind of Naomi is under torture, she almost denied the goodness of God. Watch your heart because that’s the determination of your height. Don’t let that storm distort your mind.
“If it did not affect your mind, it cannot destroy your life.”
Don’t change your “name’ like Naomi attempted to do!  God is working out something. You are not who circumstances say you are, you are whom God says you are.

WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE IS STORM
1.Believe you can overcome 1John5:4
You can only achieve what you believe that you can achieve. God will not by-pass your faith to give you a future. If you can’t see it in your mind, you may not be able to touch it with your hand.
I want you to see that victory…see that joy you have always wanted…see yourself giving testimonies…see yourself getting to your destination despite storms! The word says ‘nothing will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do’
Believe you can survive and you will survive.Believe you can excel and you will excel.Believe you can reach your goal and you will get there.Believe you can overcome that storm and you will overcome! (Gen.11:6,Mat.19:26,Mark 11:24)
2.Plan For Victory Luke14:28-30
Genuine victory is never accidental.It comes as a result of effective preparation and planning. God will always reward those who plan ahead with victory,achievement and peace of mind.
The Egyptians were able to overcome famine  because Joseph counselled them to plan ahead. Gen41:33-36   
Joshua and his army were able to subdue Ai(the second time) because a plan was in place.(Joshua8:3-8)
3.Embrace the Word of Victory Psalm 107:20,119:81
The word of God should be you permanent companion. It is not just enough to hear alone, you must also take a quality decision to do all of the word of God you hear, because it is the doer of the word that prospers and not just the hearer.Study,the Word.Meditate on it.Obey it wholeheartedly.
4.Having Done All Stand (Eph.6:13)
Sometimes after you have done all you need to do…your responsibility will be to STAND. God is sovereign. You may in some circumstances and in total submission to His will just accept whatever does or does not come your way. Many times you dare not question God. He knows the end from the beginning… and does do whatever pleases HIM. Sometimes you may not understand but as that popular hymns goes..We’ll understand it better by and by
5.Don’t Stop Praying (Luke18:1)
Prayer is not a one-time affair. If you want a daily victory…you will need daily prayers. We are not fighting against flesh and blood. If that storm is satanic in origin you will need to labour in prayers to be able to win and continue winning.

Curses are like cancer. They destroy and kill.When a man is under a cause his heaven is closed,his earth will be hard.He will labor like an elephant and be eating like ants.
When curses are in place they are very effective. Remember,the fig tree that was cursed withered – May your life not wither.
Some Silent Sources Of Curses Are:
Trusting in man (Isaiah 31:1,3)
The reason why things are not working for you is because of where you are looking. When you look at men, you are into idolatry and idolatry is an evil trap (Deut 7: 25)
God will use men for you, but you are to focus on the source not the channel. If you delight in trusting in man, God will simply make sure that things go wrong .
According to Jer 17:5,6 He is permanently in a cursed ground if his heart depart from God. His dwelling place will lack adequate refreshing. He will be blind to golden opportunities that are passing daily.
*The glory of God can not be shared with mortal men,therefore choose ye this day whom you in tend to trust— God or Man.

Deceitful Work (Jer 48:10)
As a child of God nobody may be able to monitor you or withdraw your monthly salary.
But there is a biblical punishment. Look there is no joke in this kingdom. Imagine a member of the choir not singing because he wants the group to fumble. It is better not to work for Him than to do it with a divided heart. It is risky.
You"ll loose your reward and get a curse as a bonus.
Now these are curses from heaven, no one on earth can break it except obedience!
Judges 5:23 
Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
 Abandoning responsibility attract bitter curse. Indifference attract double curse, just as serving God attracts double honour.

 Rebellion 2Sam.15:6,18:6-9,14
Absalom stole the hearts of the Israelites. God fought against him and killed him personally. Whenever you rebel,you are cutting off from your source.
Psalm 68:6
God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

To be in a dry ground is to be fruitless and hopeless. Anything in a dry land always wither.
In the church, don’t be involved in rebellion.
In your working place, play safe when people are gathering against constituted authority
If you are wise, what destroyed the people of old should not destroy you. (Num.16:1-3,9,28,29)

 Wrong use of the Tongue
Speaking against fellow Christian and God’s servants can attract terrible curses
In Numbers 12:1-2, Miriam became accursed because of her tongue.
If you curse others, you are sowing a seed which you must reap.
Angels will confirm it and fulfill it.
Apart from this,Negative confession is bad [Num.14:1-2,28-29]
As a result of the confession of the children of Israel they were delayed for forty years in the wilderness!If you are not disciplined your tongue can keep you on the same spot for years so they will die. Prov. 6:2 says "Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. ..."

Other hidden causes of curses are
1.Laziness
2.Incest
3.Refusal to pay tithes
4.Dishonoring  your parent
5.Repaying Good with Evil

If you will endeavor to get rid of the cause by perfect obedience and restitution(correcting the wrongs )I see God blessing you without measure in Jesus name.

Life can be so full of disappointments and we all have them.
1. You take a new job only to find out that it is a terrible environment.2. You have a promotion coming - but someone else gets it instead who is less qualified and inexperienced.
3. You can be deeply disappointed in your children’s actions -- or youth, or after they left home and have fallen into deep sin.
4.You labored,prayed and fasted...yet you still failed to pass the exam!

I. HAVING DISAPPOINTMENTS IS NORMAL
The Bible tells us about a time of severe disappointment experienced by the Children of Israel. I think in this we see many lessons: (Exodus. 15:22-27)
1. They had just gone through the Red Sea that God had so gloriously opened up for them.
2. They had witnessed God’s great power and mighty hand in their deliverance. They had seen the many plagues on Egypt and were aware of the awesome power of God.
3. The first part of Exodus chapter 15 records their response to what God had done. The song is so full of ecstatic praise that you are sure they will trust the Lord even in the most difficult of situations.
4. But the heights of ecstasy did not last long in Moses day! Maybe that is so often true in our day as well? Tramping across the hot desert sand quickly reduced Israelite’ supply of water to a sip now and then and none at all.
5. For 3 days they looked for water and found none. Repeatedly the scouts had nothing good to report. It is clear from the narrative that anxiety was increasing. Let me assure you that this all was very real and what is often true of that part of the world.
6. A report came - we have found an oasis - there is water ahead -- wow - glory -- parents probably had encouraged their children -- just a bit further and we will be there. Yet when they arrived they discovered water so bitter they could not drink it.
7. Grumbling set in as doubtless they had experienced a tremendous feeling of exhilaration as they approached the oasis, convinced the need will be met -- Now it seemed as if God was playing games with them? He led them to an oasis and their hopes soared -- only to be dashed to the ground.


II. DISAPPOINTMENTS ARE TESTS:

The greatest test for your character is what it takes to stop you. Successful people realize that the door to the room of success swings on the hinges of setbacks and opposition. The most noticeable difference between those who achieve and those who fail is seen in the area of perseverance. Everyone has disappointments. Every person faces roadblocks. The one who succeeds is the one who will not quit.

CONSIDER:
a. Psa 73 -- The Psalmist  tells us that he looked at the rich, noticed they were often wicked people. He wondered why they had wealth. He wondered why they prospered when they were so wicked. He said, “My steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant, as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (73:2-3) He desired what they had experienced.

b. Then he went into the temple, God reminded him of the end of the wicked -- he quickly saw their end as Hell, and He stated , “Whom have I in heaven by Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.” (vs 25)

What he saw was obviously a test of the strength of his faith in God!

III. DISAPPOINTMENTS ARE OPPORTUNITIES:
Disappointment is an opportunity to pray. It is an opportunity for God to work a miracle!
1. Moses had listened to the grumbling of the people. You can take only so much of that, so he quieted them and he start talking to God. In fact He cried out to the Lord.
2. The Lord responded by showing him a tree that he cut down and threw into the water. Whether the tree was known for its ability to turn bitter water into sweet drinking water does not matter -- the fact is that Moses saw the tree only when he called upon the Lord.
a. Prayer is the mighty power that is swifter than an eagle, stronger than a lion.
b. Prayers puts you in touch with the resources of a compassionate and holy God.
c. And when Moses prayed, a miracle started unfolding. He saw a tree that turned their situation totally around, alleviated their disappointment.
d. God did a miracle -- God changed the bitter water into the sweetest drinking water Israel had known.
e. That is the way God responds to our disappointments. He changes the circumstances as we pray and look to Him.

IV. DISAPPOINTMENT HAVE REASONS
1. High expectation
Joseph expects a virgin wife and found Mary pregnant. You can just imagine the pain and disappointment in Joseph heart. But in a dream, God told Daniel about His plan redemption plan for mankind. There are millions of gentlemen in Israel during that time and what an honor for Joseph to be chosen as the care taker of God’s only Son. Sometimes our high expectation disappointed us only to find out later that God has a better plan.

2. Wrong Motives
Judas joined the band wagon of Jesus expecting him to build an earthly kingdom. In the corner of his mind is a thought that he will become somebody once Jesus becomes king. But later he realized that Jesus has no plan to build an earthly kingdom. Instead, Jesus is always talking about heavenly kingdom which in his limited understanding he cannot just understand. In the end, his wrong motives disappointed him that led him to his grave mistake of treachery and defection


3. Limited perception
Disciples did not understand why Jesus the Messiah should be crucified. In their limited understanding, crucifixion means defeat. Little did they know that it is part of God’s plan so that Jesus can redeem the world from the slavery of sin. Our limited perception disappointed us many times. But like the crucified savior, source of our disappointment could become our own redemption and blessing if we will just hang on and believe that God is in control. He has a plan and purpose even on our sufferings.

4. Mistaken priority
People often times looks for comfort and material blessings but God is more concerned in our character development. We hate testing and spiritual exercises to strengthen our faith. But God like an old Roman warrior prefers a broken horse for battle. God has different priority. He has no use of an untamed soul so he chooses to train us first through painful and hard experiences. We may never understand God’s way in time, but what we have to do is to cling and hold His hands.

5. False reliance
Connections, jobs, education and money are like sands. They are here at least for now. But the problem is that it is very easy to put our trust on these things instead of trusting on God. Our false reliance often times disappoints us.


V. YOU CAN LIVE ABOVE DISAPPOINTMENTS
What is it that you need when disappointment and discouragement have settled in your hearts and minds? What do you need when you have lost your zest and zeal because you think God  may have  disappointed you?
   1.Know that God has a plan which can never fail: In Luke 24:13-24:34 when the disciples were down and disappointed by the death of the messiah,Jesus appeared to them to remind them that everything that happen is in the plan of God from the beginning (verse 25-27)
   2. Take time to pray and hear God: Every disappointment is a pointer that God may be coming in a bigger way.Separate yourself into prayers so as to make the testimony come faster.In Luke 24 when Jesus spoke to them their disappointment melted and their heart burn within them The disciples were disappointed  at Marah(Ex.15:23)...they never knew that Elim,a place of 12 Springs of water and seventy palm trees(One spring for one tribe and One palm tree to provide shadow for one elder) is just few hours away...just 7miles.(Ex 15:27)
   3.Remain Faithful: Do the right thing not for the reward but because it is the right thing to do.
When facing the greatest trials and hardship of his life, Job hold his ground of faith and declared his statement of faithfulness to God no matter what happened. He said: Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him… Job 13:15 .We all find it very easy to compromise when danger comes, but to remain faithful is to invite God’s attention. God will never abandon a faithful servant.

In 1744,John Wesley was addressing a set of people who were to assist him in the work of the ministry. He gave them 12 Rules…in concluding that memorable address he said: “You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go always”The church’s major assignment is summarized in Matt.28:18-20; ( GREAT COMMISSION). We are to always be on the GO! “The church is not supposed to be a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners.” Luke 14:23 (CJB)The master said to the slave, ‘Go out to the country roads and boundary walls, and insistently persuade people to come in, so that my house will be full

A nine-year-old pupil of Role Model School, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, Jomiloju Tunde-Oladipo, has emerged the youngest Nigerian Microsoft certified professional.

He came tops among 21 pupils who sat for the professional examination in Lagos.
He is now a Microsoft office specialist in office word 2010.
Jomiloju scored 769 out of 1,000 in the examination held in August.
In his examination score report, the slim-built boy performed well in Sharing and Maintaining Documents, Formatting Content, Applying Page Layout, and Reusable Content, among other subjects.

By the feat, Jomiloju has joined the league of young Microsoft certified professionals, including Nigeria’s 10-year-old Anjolaoluwa Seyi-Ojo; an eight-year-old Indian, Lavishnashree, and two Pakistanis, named Arfa and Thobani.

Microsoft Certified Professional is a certification programme provided by Microsoft Corporation. The certification is tailored towards building skills on Microsoft business solutions, focusing on client-end operating systems such as windows XP, Vista, Windows7 among others.
Jomiloju, whose certificate was signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft Corporation, Steven Ballmer, says he did not achieve this feat easily, but through persistence and hard work.
He says, “It was not all that easy, because I had attempted the examination last year, I did not make it then. But I remained focused and I put in a lot of hard work.

“At home and in the school, I am always on the computer. After school hours, if am not doing anything, I will go to my Information Communication Technology teacher, to learn more.”
Jomiloju sat for the examination when he was in primary Five.
Relating his experience, Jomiloju says, “In all, I answered 20 questions, after answering a question, the computer takes you to another one. And at times, there will be an instruction to skip the next question. But the programme still directs one to come back to those questions one had earlier skipped.”
But was he really scared having failed once to meet the cut off mark? He stresses that he was really afraid due to his earlier experience but he was optimistic of having success, because according to him, he has prepared well.

He also gives kudos to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tunde-Ladipo, for their support and imbuing in him the ‘can do’ spirit in achieving the success.
He says, “My mum and dad were very supportive. They always tell me never to give up and eventually it paid off. Moreover, they had bought the latest Dell laptop. Again, I am always fascinated about computer. The way it works and the process, and the way it organizes data.”
Jomiloju who is a left-handed writer, according to his parents, has been a gifted child. He has always been in love with gadgets. His mum, Toyin, says, “Jomiloju since he was baby had loved playing with gadgets, he was never interested in toys. He would pick up remote controls for both TV and air-conditioner, and he would correctly use them for their specific functions.”
His father adds, “It is not that we are unnecessarily indulging him but he is such a brilliant child. He’s multi-talented. He plays the saxophone, he’s good on keyboard, he acts very well and he’s a good swimmer.
“Each term, he participates in school drama and quiz. He also gets prizes in other subjects, apart from ICT.”
Does Jomiloju want to pursue a career in software/hardware project like Bill Gates and Steve Job?  Spotting an innocent smile, the youngster nods his head in affirmative.
His school administrator, Mrs. Adesimbo Banjo, who speaks glowingly about Jomiloju, says the feat recorded by her pupil is a tonic for other pupils.
His ICT teacher, Mr. Mathew Alo, also commends Jomiloju for the feat.
He adds, “Jomiloju was taught all the necessary things he needed to know and he came out as the most outstanding among 20 others from different schools in Lagos.
His class teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogunrinola, says Jomiloju takes his studies seriously. She states, “He is not only good in ICT, but in other subjects. He is hard working and well behaved.”
For Jomiloju, he’s not resting on his oars yet, as he says he is still going to seek more Microsoft certifications.
“I still want to sit for more examinations. I will still do excel and power points,” he says.