The Determinants For A Great Destiny, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

The Determinants For A Great Destiny, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

God has a good plan for all His children. He wants us all to live well today and enjoy a great future. He also wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. While many of God’s children eventually make it to heaven, I have discovered through the bible that not all of those that made it to paradise actually fulfilled their earthly assignment or destiny to the full. Meanwhile, God wants all of us to manifest the totality of what He has invested in us.

Guess what? The whole creation is eagerly awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God.

Tell your neighbour. The world is waiting for you to manifest.

In this message, I seek to highlight 9 determinants that can help a man to fulfil his Divine destiny:

1. Change of name.

Everyone born of a woman is given a name. Usually, such names are given based on certain occurrences in the locality or around the family. Isaac named the second of the twins he had Jacob, because when he was born, his hand was pulling his twin brothers feet, apparently wanting to come out first.

Jacob means a con man, fraudster, and supplanter. Wherever Jacob went, this name was to work against him.

However, after about 40 years of struggling with life and destiny, God changed his name. From that point onwards, Jacob became a spectacular being. He began to enjoy great increase, unprecedented favours, and became the progenitor of Abrahamic covenant.

The problem with negative name calling is that whatever people say for sufficiently long a time, they start to believe it.

King Saul had a grandson called Meribbal (contender with Baal), when Saul and his 5 sons died in the battle, this boy was taken by his nurse so as not to been killed, he however fell from the horse and became lame on both feet. He then began to live in a squalor and people stated to call him Mephibosheth (from the mouth of shame).

After a while, he believed his destiny is bad and even refereed to himself as a ‘dead dog’ (2 Sam. 9:8).

God had to work on Abram’s name. From exalted father (proud father) to father of many nations.

The same was done for Sarai. From quarrelsome to princess or princely.

Jabez had to pray for his own to be changed. From sorrow to honourable.

You may not know the real reason why your name was given. However, if the reason was to undermine your Divine destiny, may God Supernaturally change your name.

– There is someone listening to me, the name your parents have given you is fine, but there is another negative name which you are known by or been described with. God is changing that name for you now.

There used to be time we were referred to as illegal immigrant. When our last born came, at least she’s British. Alas! They put stateless for her. The bible says the earth is The Lord’s and the fullness, we trusted in him and God changed our name.

I remember in 2004 when I registered for a distance learning Masters programme, a church friend of mine thought it wasn’t necessary.

Then I saw a nice coffee table on sale that I paid for to be used when our paper will arrive, the same people thought what’s the point.

Not too long, they came to congratulate us for becoming permanent citizens.

2. Courage and boldness in God.

The bible makes us to know that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and of sound mind (2 Tim 1:7).

There are many things that can make a man become afraid. Boldness in itself is not the absence of fear, but the ability to withstand the fear.

Those who exercise courage in the presence of fear always experience spectacular destiny.

The bible talks about 12 elders sent out to view Canaan by Moses. The 12 of them went and saw that the inhabitants were huge and sons of renown warriors, but when they came back, there was disparity in their report.

Ten of them said they were not able to take the land, only two said since God has promised it; they needed to go up at once and take over the land.

At the end of the day, it was only these two men among those who were over twenty years that entered the Promised Land, God made the rest to die prematurely.

There was a time when the people of Canaan were fighting with the nation of Israel. At this time, Israel was young and Canaan was a superpower. The commander of Israel’s Army was so fearful, that he said he would not go to war, except Deborah followed him, even after God has said Israel would win.

The victory of that war went to a woman called Jael because of that.

David became a spectacular figure in Israel when he delivered the people of God from the Philistines by slaying Goliath, which everyone has thought could not be matched. Till date, David is still the most celebrated king in Israel. Jesus is even called his son.

Shedrach, Meshack and Abednego became spectacular beings in Babylon because of their courage and boldness in Jehovah.

Do you want your destiny to be spectacular? Be strong and of a good courage. With the help of God, aim for what hasn’t been done before. Don’t rule yourself out. Let’s step up our courage in God.

At thy word I will let down the net.

3. Sincere devotion and commitment to serve

One of the secret ways of becoming a spectacular destiny is to serve someone with a great calling sincerely. The bible makes us to know that anointing runs from the top. An anointing that one celebrates and serve will also work in one’s life.

It is possible to serve in three ways: nicely, badly or hypocritically. It’s like the Good, Bad & Ugly.

People who serve sincerely do enjoy spectacular destiny. This is because God is a Spirit and knows how to reward service (Heb. 11:6).

A time came when God told Moses that his time was up to go and that he should prepare. Moses was concerned as there was no leader in view. Aaron had died; most of the chief princes among the people have died too. The name that God gave was surprising – Joshua your servant.

Joshua actually enjoyed a spectacular destiny. Unlike Moses who was under constant criticism and attack, no one was able to challenge Joshua all his life.

Check out a man that handles his masters business anyhow. Two negative things will happen to him later: He won’t do his own well too, and those under him will follow suit.

Elisha served Elijah sincerely. He was doing well as a farmer when Elijah called him. After saying bye to his family, he followed Elijah and never went back. Elijah was a very temperamental person, yet Elisha abode with him peacefully.

In the end, Elisha’s commitment paid off. He had double portion of Elijah’s anointing. All other sons of prophet became his subordinate, and kings of his time called him their Father.

Do you want to be served tomorrow? Serve sincerely today. Show commitment to any cause you said you believed in. Don’t quit halfway. Be absolutely loyal to those ahead of you, so that you may get there tomorrow. Celebrate the anointing over your life.

People are called Generals because they stayed through to a tough and regimented lifestyle.

People are called Champions because they fought bitter battles. Professors because they went through rigorous academia. Ambassadors because they’ve put in years of meritorious service in their foreign affairs ministry.

People that like shortcut to sincere service will end like Gehazi, Judas & Co.

4. Uncommon wisdom and uncommon gift

In life, it is common to see people who are intelligent; it is not common to see those who are wise. Many acquire knowledge, some do gain understanding, only few are given wisdom.

Fewer people are further blessed with uncommon wisdom from God that makes them stand out anywhere in life. The bible gives us an account of Ahitophel, the former counsellor of David. It was said that his counsel in those days was like when a god has spoken.

Daniel was blessed with uncommon wisdom that was why he was able to remain at the helm of affairs in Babylon, Medes & Persia under four kings.

Solomon was another person who was blessed with uncommon wisdom from God. Kings and Queens had to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem just to hear Solomon speak.

Joseph was given a rare gift of dreams and interpretation of dreams from God that helped him to become a spectacular person in life.

The bible says wisdom is the principal thing. If one has that wisdom, other benefits of life must follow. Wisdom can buy wealth for example, but wealth can’t buy wisdom.

The good thing is that wisdom is from God and it can be obtained freely, if one asks aright.

Do you require a special kind of wisdom from God? Ask and it shall be given to you in Jesus name.

5. Supernatural power or Holy Ghost anointing.

There is a kind of supernatural endowment that comes upon a man that makes him to become spectacular in life. The bible talked about how Jesus Christ of Nazareth was anointed with Holy Ghost and power and therefore was able to go around doing good and healing those that were oppressed of the devil.

The book of Hebrew 11:1-end, talks about what we referred to as the Hall of Faith. People who through the power and might of God were able to exercise faith during difficult times and some were able to defeat kingdoms and subdue nations. Samson happened to be in that category. He was blessed with supernatural anointing and rare gift of amazing power.

Moses was also received supernatural endowments from God. He was able to do mighty things in Egypt and in the wilderness as the Israelites journeyed to Canaan. The bible actually say “there was none like him who spoke face -face with God.

Jephtar was another person in the bible that demonstrated what the anointing of God really is; he had run away from home because his brothers said he was born of a harlot mother.

A time came when the Israelites has a war with the Ammonites, The elders of Israel said if Jephtar did lead them to that war and win, he would be their leader.

So it was with that anointing that he destroyed the Ammonites and became a judge in Israel. So that it is the manifested power of the Holy Ghost that brought Jephtar to a position of prominence.

6. Obedience to God’s instruction that seem unreasonable.

The bible says God commandments are not too grievous to keep. Obeying God’s commandment guarantees a pleasurable life (Deut 28:1-2).

The bible makes us to know that God’s ways are usually different from ours. Sometimes, God may ask us to do certain things that defy human reasoning; obeying such instruction will lead to spectacular destiny before Him and mankind.

When the children of Israel left Egypt. They got to the Red Sea and found out that their enemies had come after them again. They were trapped. The instruction that God gave to Moses was simple but strange. He was asked to stretch forth his hands to the sea to part it.

Moses could have disregarded that instruction as it didn’t make sense, but he didn’t. The sea truly parted and Moses became revered in the sight of all Israel.

The children of Israel at a time were been punished by the Midianites because of their sins against God. When they cry to God for help, He answered. God sent a man to deliver them.

The man – Gideon does not fit the candidate of who could lead the war, but he obeyed. The weapons of war as well were like joke play, yet they worked.

Gideon afterwards became spectacular entity in Israel.

7. Words that stood firm.

The whole world we see and know today were framed by the words of God. We are all made in the image of God. However many speak carelessly so even when they pray, the angel of God do not know if they are serious.

Those that however are particular about what they say and granted the grace of such words coming to pass will surely enjoy spectacular destiny.

God made Samuel an unusual prophet in Israel as none of his words fell to the ground. All his word came to pass.

Elijah was another prophet of such. He sealed the heaven so that there was no rain, he unlocked the heavens again, he blessed the woman of Zarephath.

Elisha also followed in that footstep. His words the General Naaman stood firm, his words regarding excess food in Samaria was exact, his word to the Shunemite woman equally stood firm.

We too can fall into that category. You will decree a thing and it will be established. May that be your portion in Jesus name.

8. Diligence in whatever you do

Proverbs 22:29 – Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 – Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Example is Mordecai working as a gateman. He had pressure and opposition from the citizens and Haman, but never quit.

One day, the book of remembrance was open.

One of my strong drive in life – I hate failure with a passion. I also hate to be grouped into anything average or normal. I try to put in 101% to what I do. People may criticise me that I do too much, to me it’s not enough.

9. Life that is characterised by Favours

It has always been said that one day of favour with God is more than a lifetime of labours. If you are still in doubt, let’s check out the life of Isaac.

There was famine; he wanted to go to Egypt like his father did, but God said no.

Not only that he shouldn’t go, but he must plant his precious seeds, while others were saving theirs for a better time.

How did his crop grow? Favour

Gen 26:1-11 – The result, he became exceedingly great until he became an envy of the nation and they had to beg him to leave them, and also to sign a treaty not to do them harm?

May your life be filled with favours in Jesus name.

Prayers

  1. Father, remove any negative name attached to my calling.

  2. Father help me display great courage in the face of great fear.

  3. Father, help me to be devoted and committed to serve.

  4. Father, bless me with uncommon wisdom and rare gifting.

  5. Father, empower me supernaturally to become an amazement to the world.

  6. Father let me be able to obey you no matter how hard or senseless it is.

  7. Father, turn my words to decrees.

  8. Father, help me to be diligent in whatever I do.

  9. Father, let my destiny be govern by favours.

 

The sermon, The Determinants For A Great Destiny, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye, was delivered on October 23, 2016