Move Africa

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:5-10

Many might be admiring David for his bravery in killing Goliath. But there was some fear in David that could prevent him from comfortably being a king over Israel. This secret fear was exposed when he was to marry the king’s daughter.

Look at David’s secret fear. And David said: Seem it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed? – 1 Samuel 18:23. His inferiority complex was in he being poor and disrespected.

The disease of inferiority complex has the capacity of draining the superiority out of you. It takes away your market value. As long as you battle with inferiority, your potential to excel is obscured.

Most great persons have inferiority complexes buried in their secret fears. Let’s file out a litany of them.

Moses
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since you have spoken unto your servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue – Exodus 4:10.

Moses had leadership potential but his fear was that he was a stammerer. Could a stammerer become a leader? Has someone done it before? How much time would he spend to speak a sentence for his people to hear? To lead people, it is impossible! Moses battled his plight of being a stammerer until his call exposed it.

Jeremiah
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child – Jeremiah 1:6. Jeremiah knew that God was calling him. But how could a young man at his age speak to the aged about their wrongdoings. Was that possible? So Jeremiah battled with age difference.

Saul
And Samuel said, When you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel? – 1 Samuel 15:17. King Saul was described as the tallest in Israel. Though people admired his height, he was feeble in his mind.

What is your fear? That secret fear has the capacity to silence you in the class of achievers. That secret fear is the void for which you need God. God will ever ask you to do something for others because he has what it takes to help you overcome your secret fears.

LET’S PRAY
May the Lord give you grace to Know that, having the fear to fail is the assurance that you’ll succeed when you attempt in the glorious name of Jesus Christ. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?” John 1:19-22

John the Baptist was more respected than Jesus by the priests and the religious sects of the day because John came from a priestly lineage. In their minds, the probability of Jesus ever being used by God was very slim because he lacked priestly credentials. Look at how they saw Jesus:

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him” – Mark 6:3. It is because of you and me that’s why God sent Jesus into this world from a very common and degrading background.

When Nathaniel was invited by Philip to come and see the Messiah who hailed from Nazareth, hear the derogatory comment he made: “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” – John 1:46.

You see people define your worth by where you come from, or by who your parents are. Jesus’ father was carpenter and therefore his life’s definition in people’s mind is a carpenter nothing more, nothing less. The reason people give you such definition is that they don’t know your true identity.

God is your source. “In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him” – Genesis 5:1. You’re the replica of God. He is a creator. So, you’re also a creator. This is your identity. Your family is poor because you’re born into it to create wealth. Your family is unknown because you are born to give it a new name and make it known. That’s what a creator does.

With a transformed mentality, Jesus changed people’s mind about him. Look at it: “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” – Luke 24:19. Let one person reject you, the total world population minus one is waiting to make you their king.

You’re born to tell the world who you actually are. You are into the pursuit of your life’s agenda to change your mistaken identity in people’s mind. You are not born to be lost in others. Rather you’re born to be found in others. Your story is not that which others write and give it to you to sign. Rather, your story is what you write and give to your patronizers to announce!

Know this, there’s always a void you are born to fill in people’s lives to announce your value. Rise up to the task!!!

Fountain to your life.

The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:46 – 48

Romans 3:23 reminds us that we have *all* sinned and *fallen short* of *God’s expectations.* We have compiled a long list of transgressions, proven ourselves incapable of living up to the glorious plans He has for us.

In His *mercy* , God sent Jesus to *save us.* His blood *washed* away our sins, and He *adopted us as His own children.*

Jesus told of a master who wished to settle his *accounts* . He summoned a *slave who owed billions of Cedis.* His master commanded that his family and everything he owned be sold to pay the debt. When the servant *fell down and begged for mercy, he released him and forgave the debt.*

Afterwards, the servant found a fellow servant who owed him a small sum of money. *He grabbed him by the throat, demanded payment, and threw him into debtors’ prison.* When this news reached his master, he turned the ungrateful servant over to the tormentors until his debt was repaid.

*Mercy and forgiveness are wonderful to receive* but can be difficult to extend to another. Remember the great debt of sin that *Jesus has forgiven you,* and be quick to extend *mercy to the one who offends.* Much has been given, and much will be required.

LET’S PRAY.
I pray be generously forgiving, and it will come back to you in the same measure. May it be pressed down, shaken together, and running over in Jesus glorious name. The love of God moves one to live the life of self denial; the life of self-sacrifice. My Sisters and Brothers God will surely manifest His power and glory in you to become great in every thing you do in Jesus mighty name, Amen Amen Amen! Fountain to your life.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Paul the apostle places the “Fruits of the Spirit” in comparison to the “work of the flesh”

The word “Fruit” is singular, a fact which serves to show that all elements of character spoken of in these verses are a unity, making for a well-rounded and complete Christian Life. All the “Fruit” grows uniformly, which means that the growth rate is the same for all, i.e., whatever growth there is of the “Fruit” in one’s life, it is the same across the board. One cannot have more “love” than one has “faith,” etc.

Also, this is the “Fruit of the Spirit” which means it’s not the fruit of someone else, or even one’s self. This means that development and growth rate are brought about exclusively by the Holy Spirit.

So, how is the development and the growth rate of the “Fruit of the Spirit” brought about in the heart and life of the Believer?

Only one way, which refers, once again, to our Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross! As l have said more earlier, this gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives. This alone gives Him such latitude. He will work in no other manner!

If it’s not Christ and the Cross, the Holy Spirit simply will not work, which means there is no development or growth of the Fruit of the Spirit. The Cross is the means by which everything comes to us from the Lord, and Christ is always the Source (John 14:6). Jesus proclaims in no uncertain terms exactly Who and What He is. He declares positively that this idea of God as Father, this approach to God for every man is through Him- through what He is and what He has done.

LET’S PRAY.
Your waking up this morning shall begin with a great miracles in Jesus mighty name, may your lamp of glory burn brighter, your ocean of joy flow ceaselessly, your rainbow appear more colourful and consistently.
You will triumph over all challenges and troubles, you will become unstoppable as the Almighty God will release an excellent spirit upon you to succeed in all your endeavours. May His Grace fill your heart and life with the Fruit of the Spirit now and always in Jesus mighty name. Amen Amen Amen! Fountain to your life.

“During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever That is the meaning of the rock cut from the mountain, though not by human hands, that crushed to pieces the statue of iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God was showing the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its meaning is certain.” Daniel 2:44 – 45

When Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he saw an unstable kingdom represented by toes made of iron and clay – a strange mix of strength and weakness, interconnection, and division. Today, we are a culture that is globally connected but wracked with conflict.

How can we overcome the dissension that plagues our world? Will the correct candidate help us overcome our issues? Will the right legislation finally unite us in peace and justice?

Daniel said that no assistance would rise from one party or nation. Instead, help will come from heaven above. Our great God sees the affairs of earth, and He carved a Stone from His holy mountain. That Stone that the builders rejected is now the Chief
Cornerstone – Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:6).

That Cornerstone was the seed of the woman that God spoke of in Genesis. He was the rock in the wilderness from which living water flowed. David called Him a rock of refuge, a strong tower, and an always-present help in times of trouble.

That same Stone will grow into a great mountain that fills the whole earth and will crush all previous empires. His will be an indestructible kingdom that will stand forever.

LET’S PRAY
May your feet be established on the Rock of our Salvation until we reign with Him in His eternal kingdom. Hallelujah to the Stone that is coming! Amen Amen Amen! Fountain to your life

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” Acts 12:5-7

Herod had probably spread the word all over Jerusalem that he was going to put on a show, which would be the death of the great Apostle Peter. ln that situation, Peter was sleeping, even though he was supposed to die the next day; he wasn’t worried because the Lord had told him that he would not die young, but old. (John 21:18)

Beloved, in the Scripture when GOD did something significant, many times it happened suddenly, such as when the angel appeared in Peter’s prison cell. There wasn’t any sign of things changing on that dark night, but suddenly everything changed. GOD can turn things around without any warning.

God can increase you when you don’t see any sign of it happening. It was unexpected, out of the ordinary. You were just doing the right thing, not complaining about the difficulty, and then suddenly, your business took off, suddenly your health turned around. It may not be a gradual process. One touch of God’s favor will thrust you to a new level.

When you understand that God has some “suddenlies,” then even when it’s taking a long time, you’ll still have an expectancy knowing that any minute your suddenly could show up. One phone call, one good break, meeting one right person, and you’ll come out of the waiting period into your season of blessing.

LET’S PRAY.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unlimited favor and supply of everything I need in this life. Thank You for Your strength in difficult times and the expectancy that at any moment You can turn things around. Whether You do it gradually or suddenly, I will rest in You in the glorious name of Jesus Christ. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” Jonah 2:1-2

Jonah was the first of Prophets after Elijah and Elisha. He was the only Prophet sent to the Gentiles, and he was the only Prophet who tried to conceal his Message. The reason for that attempt at concealment was that, the prosperity of Nineveh, the city to which Jonah was being sent, meant the subjection of Israel. Conversely, the destruction of Nineveh would mean the prosperity of Zion. So Jonah had great problems going to preach to the people of Nineveh.

Nineveh was founded by Nimrod (Genesis 10:11). The name signifies “City of Nimis,” i.e. Nimrod.

The Book of Jonah is unique, in that it is more concerned with the Prophet himself than with his Prophecy. The condition of his soul and God’s loving discipline of him instruct and humble the Reader.

Despite Jonah’s effort to get away from God and thereby not have to preach the Message of repentance to Nineveh, the Holy Spirit declares that Jehovah is still Jonah’s God. When disciplined and restored in soul, Jonah could say “My God.” Fellowship may be broken, but relationship? Never! That is if the person keeps believing.

In the belly of the whale, Jonah begins to cry to God. He said “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2:9

“Salvation is of Jehovah.” This is the lesson that proud man consent to learn; for it teaches him that he cannot contribute to his own salvation – for what could Jonah do inside the great fish? And so if man is to be saved, the Salvation must be wholly Divine.

Jonah was a “sign” to the people of Nineveh, that is he was a personal illustration of the Wrath and the Grace of God. The word “sign” makes it evident that the facts of his entombment in the fish and his deliverance preceded him and were known to the people of Nineveh. Hence, their acceptance of his message.

The Message was straight and to the point. Unless Nineveh repented, in forty days judgement would come. It is not stated exactly how this judgement would come, but evidently, knowing of Jonah’s experience, the Holy Spirit used this to bring about one of the few times in history that, true Repentance was forthcoming upon the announcement of impending judgement.

The last two Verses, Jonah 4:10-11 contain the great lesson of the Book. Jonah needed the gourd, which he himself had not made and grieved at its destruction. God created the inhabitants of Nineveh; His love needed them. How much greater, therefore, would be His grief in their destruction, as it is with any soul!

LET’S PRAY.
Oh Lord, give me grace enough to be obedient and to do Your Will. Help me to submit myself, heart, soul, mind and body unto You fully in Jesus’ glorious name. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.” Jonah 2:1-4

The three short words “Then Jonah prayed” pertain to the place to which the Holy Spirit had been attempting to bring the Prophet all along. His cry for help basically refers to destitution and a situation so terrible, from which only the Lord could deliver by His Mercy. Consequently, and with great joy, he once again says, “And You heard my voice”

Many people say that Jonah was the wayward prophet, but he wasn’t wayward; he was stubborn. God spoke to him specifically that he was to go to Nineveh and tell the people to repent.

But Jonah was so prejudiced against the people of Nineveh that he said, “God, I would rather die than do that,” and so he bought a ticket to a boat going to Tarshish, the opposite direction. Some people would say that the ensuing storm that God sent was His judgment on Jonah, but the storm was actually God’s grace.

Sometimes, difficult times are God’s way of getting our attention, and Jonah knew why it was happening. But even then Jonah did not fall on his knees and say, “Lord, forgive me. Make the weather better, and we’ll turn the boat around.” He was so stubborn that he preferred being thrown overboard.

Some people also mistakenly say that Jonah’s being swallowed by a big fish was God’s judgment rather than His grace. But in His mercy, God waited three days for Jonah to finally say, “I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed.” That was all of grace and miracle-working power. Don’t mistake trouble for judgment when it’s really God’s grace. Consequently, and with great joy, he once again says, “And You heard my voice”

LET’S PRAY.
May the Lord help you conquer every emotion in your life that keeps you from reaching your divine potential. For in His grace, He will give you the desires of your heart if you will submit yourself, heart, soul, mind and body, unto Him. Be blessed with the knowledge that nothing is impossible for you as long as Jesus is guiding you as the Lord of your life, in the mighty name ofJesus Christ. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth..” John 4:22-24

The Samaritan woman whom Jesus had just met began to debate with Him about which mountain they should worship on. Jesus responded that worship doesn’t have anything to do with a place; it’s about how you worship. It has to do with what’s inside you. It has to do with the heart of worship—it must be in spirit and in truth.

God is not looking for Holy Worship; He is looking for Holy Worshipers; as stated, Calvary would make possible an entirely different type of worship, which did not require ceremonies or rituals, etc. IT’S A MATTER OF THE HEART, because, man worships the Lord through and by his personal spirit, which is moved upon by the Holy Spirit, otherwise it is not worship which God will accept.

That debate is not unlike what we sometimes hear today. Should we sing this way or that way, clap or not, lift our hands or not? Should we use a band like we are at a concert? Or, should we sit in silent reflection? Do we really think that God prefers one over the other? I think what He said to Samuel still rings true today: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) That is Only God knows the heart of man. Regardless of the style or quality of the music, regardless of the enthusiasm, regardless of the appearance, you might not have God’s presence. It’s only when you have the heart of worship that you have the privilege of being in His presence.

God is a Spirit Being, seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Because, true worship is of man’s heart.

LET’S PRAY.
Dear Heavenly Father, watch over us, guard us and guide us. Let Your goodness and Your mercy follow us. Let Your grace shower down upon us and Your mercy saturate every area of our lives. Allow us to walk today with the attitude of praise, knowing that no matter what we go through, no matter what we’re facing, no matter where we’ve been, You deserve all the glory. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and we magnify You in Jesus’ glorious name. Amen Amen Amen! Fountain to your life.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Do you ever get discouraged by the routine of life? After all, most of us haven’t slain a giant, camped out in the belly of a whale, led a million people across a desert, or healed the sick when our shadow fell across them.

Don’t be discouraged! Shepherds, fishermen, tax collectors, farmers — our heroes of the faith were just everyday people leading ordinary lives until God put His finger on them to do extraordinary things. “For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice….” Zechariah 4:10

Too often, we search for the huge moment that it will define our faith. What we overlook are the small, seemingly insignificant places where God begins to build the character and characteristics for the plans He has in mind for us. “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.”Job 8:7

Jesus reassures us that, if we do something as inconsequential as giving a cup of cold water in His name, there is a reward in that small act (Matthew 10:42). That is an easy starting point!

When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we are full of power to impact our worlds, our spheres of influence. When we do small things well over a long period of time with great love, they add up to a life of big impact for Jesus.

LET’S PRAY
O Lord, give me the courage to take the first step — to give in Your name, to invite someone to church, to volunteer, to pray with a hurting friend, to do any small thing to bring You glory. By Your grace, help me be faithful in the small things and remember that, even if I receive no other recognition, You see and are pleased in Jesus’ glorious name. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.