Today, I bring a message of hope, encouragement and re-assurance to someone. Equally, it’s a message to give glory and honour to God.
It may be that part of 2013 has been a challenging time for you and your family. It could even be that as long as you can remember in your life, things have been very difficult. My word of encouragement to you this last Sunday of 2013 is, “thank God, you are still here”.
In John 16:33, Jesus told His disciples of old that they will pass through tribulations, but they should be of good cheer as He has overcame, so they will overcome. The same promise of God goes to us today, that regardless of what we go through in life, victory is assured.
Sometimes though, when difficulties mount up against us as believers, it seldom appears that there is no way out. However, with God all things are possible.
In Mk. 4:35-41, Jesus told the disciples that they were going to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They began sailing and everything seemed ok. But as soon as they got to the middle, when the enemy knew that going back is impossible, it made going forward difficult as well. Terrible storm arose, which I don’t think it was due to weather but supernatural. As this was a lake and the disciples were seasoned fishermen who were used to the terrain.
Jesus was said to be sleeping in the lower deck, so the disciples ran to Him in desperation and hopelessness. Thank God, Jesus commanded the wind and the sea to keep quiet!
If there be anyone going through any form of desperation and hopelessness, God will bring calmness to your situation in Jesus name.
I decree that the peace of God will reign in your life and home in Jesus name.
There are storms Satan blew our way as a church in the past two years or so, all we can say is, ‘ thank God, we are still here’. On this 29 December, we raised our ‘Ebenezer’ and say ‘Hitherto God has helped us’.
In any battle or war, the tactics is usually to target the leader and when the leader is down, the followers are susceptible to falling. Again, for myself and household, I can only confirm that God had kept vigilance on us constantly, and we are here today by the special grace and mercies of God.
In I Sam. 17: 32-37, David was been pressed by King Saul not to face Goliath. But David declared that God that had saved him from the paws of lion and bear will save him from
Goliath. What he was saying was that, God has saved me thus far, He will save me again.
You may not have noticed, but there were ‘paws of lion and bear’ that God has saved you from in 2013, there is therefore the assurance that He will save you from the Goliath of today as well.
It’s only about 60 hours to the end of this year. Sadly but surely a lot of bad occurrences will still happen all over the world. I’m glad to announce to you, after those hours must have been spent and gone, you will still be standing to the glory of God.
Your life will be intact. Your family will be intact. All that pertains to you will be intact as The Lord God lives.
Job 5:19-22
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
It is possible that you’ve been through or going through a couple of hardships this year: financial, health, immigration, academic, employment, legal, spouse or children.
You need to acknowledge the assistance of God thus far. Thank God, you are still here. He will make a way of escape for you in Jesus name.
God is gracious. Whenever He chose to save, it’s exemplary. He showed up for Abraham at Mt. Moriah. What would have happened if God had kept quiet? I decree into someone’s life, your ‘Isaac’ shall not die.
The son of the widow of Zarephath died, likewise is the Shunem woman. In both instances, their sons came back to life. You are here, there is something you nurtured as a son, it appears to be dead, God says that thing will not die. You shall rejoice over it in Jesus name.
What would have happened if God had not showed up at the Red Sea for the Israelites? It would have been a great slaughter of the children of God or a more terrible ordeal in slavery. No wonder, Mariam led the people to thank God for them still been alive as their enemies floated on the waters.
You might have struggle through what might be classified as stream, rivers or oceans in the past year. The good thing is that regardless of the depth, width and volume of the water, you are still standing.
In I Sam. 7:1-14, the children of Israel were just worshipping God and the Philistines heard. Their enemies thought that they had assembled for war. So the philistines came to attacked them. The Israelites were fearful as the last war between them 20 years before resulted in the death of Ophini and Phineas, as well as Eli their father and the capture of the Ark of Covenant.
As Samuel sacrificed and prayed, God sent thunders upon the Philistines. The Israelites overcame. Is there anything that is disturbing you from worshipping God the way you wanted? May God thunder on that ‘Philistine’ and take it away in Jesus name.
Every Philistine of illness will be taking away from you. Philistine of discouragement be taking away. Philistine of failure and disappointment be driven away in Jesus name.
Paul was a believer that went through a lot of persecution and pain. In Acts 14:19, he was stoned till he was in coma. In Acts 27:14-44, he was part of a tempestuous journey. In Acts 21:30-32, he was beaten by the Jews. In Acts 28:1-6, he was bitten by a viper. Through these and many, God was gracious to him as he declared in 2 Cor. 11:24-29.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
He was able to say in the end, thank God, I’m still here (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
In I Sam. 19: 11-24, Saul commended his men to lay siege for David at night and kill him in the morning. God however used Saul’s daughter who was David’s wife to make his escape. He ran to Samuel in Ramah where he found safety.
You are here and you are been chased by a power/powers, God says I should tell you that you are safe. He says the powers chasing you are now naked and helpless.
Thanks and praises to God! We are still here. After all you have been through, thank God you are here. I rejoice with you. Please rejoice with me. Let’s rejoice for the church.
Prayers
Almighty Father, stabilise my feet the more in Jesus name.
Almighty Father, establish Everlasting Father’s Assembly the more in Jesus name.