When the Israelites had to go to war with Amalek, Moses demonstrated the importance that making the right choice(s) had to play in the scheme of things and Moses said unto Joshua, choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand (Exodus 17:9). If the right warriors had not been chosen for the battle, it would have been lost. Declaring the Word then would have been a lost cause since the conditions for victory had not been fully satisfied. Like the saying, a bad workman blames his tools if the wrong workmen (i.e. soldiers) had been chosen to go into battle, there would have been no victory.
You must understand that the power to choose is yours and you have to use it in your life. You must exercise this power not only through decisions (but also through the various choices you make), because there’s a difference between deciding to do something and choosing to do that same thing. People make decisions based on influence (i.e. environment, people, feelings etc whilst choices are made from the gut or instinct). So Moses instructed Joshua to choose men that he was comfortable with rather than those he ‘thought’ fit or was pressurised to pick.
For instance, there may be certain people you should not be closely associated with but as a result of various things this is not the case. In spiritual matters if you relate closely with the wrong people, the right things will not happen to you (e.g. people that are quick to praise you but whose hearts are not with you). When you are involved with these types of associations you will discover that the Word will not work the way it ought to in your life. God’s promise in the book of Isaiah is, ‘thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee,’ (Isaiah 49:17) This becomes the reality when you choose (from instinct) rather than make decisions (based on people and circumstances)... Pastor Poju Oyemade
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Faith of Abraham.
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. (Romans 4:11-12)
We will look deeper into two phrases from the foregoing scripture. The first is, ‘he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of faith.’ This means that there is a particular type of faith. The second phrase is, ‘the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.’ This second phrase speaks about the steps of this faith this means there are definite steps to be taken where this faith is concerned.
This scripture speaks about the type of faith that Abraham expressed before God. Therefore, we refer to the steps of the faith that Abraham took whilst he was still uncircumcised. Furthermore, circumcision is referred to as the seal of the righteousness of Abraham’s faith. We can see that God is being specific where the faith of Abraham is concerned, in terms of the faith that Abraham had and the steps that this faith requires.
It is thus inferred, with reference to this type of faith that there can be other types of faith apart from the faith of Abraham. People can walk in steps that are not the steps of the faith of our father Abraham.
It is important at this point in time as things unfold on the earth for people to be sure about their roots and to understand the faith of Abraham. The essence of our faith and the root of that faith is our covenant with God. It is essential to emphasise this because there are a lot of ideologies developing on the earth. We need to understand the root of our covenant with God and also understand the faith of our father Abraham because our faith is built upon the promises of God.
For instance when you say you believe God for something or you believe someone for something, it means the person must have told you something that made you believe. What this means is that you cannot say you believe anything, unless you have been told about it.
The Bible says, ‘Abraham was persuaded that God was able to perform that which He had promised. (Romans 4:21) For Abraham to believe God means God told him something that became the basis of his (Abraham) faith. As a result Abraham was fully persuaded that God was able to perform what He had promised. This was about the promise that God had given to him in particular and for him to understand that God had the ability to fulfil His promise.
We need to understand that there was a foundation for Abraham’s interaction with God and also recognise what God was communicating when He established this covenant with Abraham. It was this covenant that the scripture says was ratified, sealed or signed in Christ.
This covenant was four hundred and thirty years, before the law (Galatians 3:17). This means that the law cannot annul the content of that particular covenant. Concerning this covenant the scriptures says: now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ (Galatians 3:16).
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6). The seed of that particular covenant with Abraham is Christ as a result Jesus is now the mediator of the covenant between God and Abraham along with its promises.
The Bible says if we are Christ’s then are we Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
Thus, in order to function in this covenant you must identify totally with the body of Christ as one and keep the unity of the Spirit... Pastor Poju Oyemade
We will look deeper into two phrases from the foregoing scripture. The first is, ‘he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of faith.’ This means that there is a particular type of faith. The second phrase is, ‘the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.’ This second phrase speaks about the steps of this faith this means there are definite steps to be taken where this faith is concerned.
This scripture speaks about the type of faith that Abraham expressed before God. Therefore, we refer to the steps of the faith that Abraham took whilst he was still uncircumcised. Furthermore, circumcision is referred to as the seal of the righteousness of Abraham’s faith. We can see that God is being specific where the faith of Abraham is concerned, in terms of the faith that Abraham had and the steps that this faith requires.
It is thus inferred, with reference to this type of faith that there can be other types of faith apart from the faith of Abraham. People can walk in steps that are not the steps of the faith of our father Abraham.
It is important at this point in time as things unfold on the earth for people to be sure about their roots and to understand the faith of Abraham. The essence of our faith and the root of that faith is our covenant with God. It is essential to emphasise this because there are a lot of ideologies developing on the earth. We need to understand the root of our covenant with God and also understand the faith of our father Abraham because our faith is built upon the promises of God.
For instance when you say you believe God for something or you believe someone for something, it means the person must have told you something that made you believe. What this means is that you cannot say you believe anything, unless you have been told about it.
The Bible says, ‘Abraham was persuaded that God was able to perform that which He had promised. (Romans 4:21) For Abraham to believe God means God told him something that became the basis of his (Abraham) faith. As a result Abraham was fully persuaded that God was able to perform what He had promised. This was about the promise that God had given to him in particular and for him to understand that God had the ability to fulfil His promise.
We need to understand that there was a foundation for Abraham’s interaction with God and also recognise what God was communicating when He established this covenant with Abraham. It was this covenant that the scripture says was ratified, sealed or signed in Christ.
This covenant was four hundred and thirty years, before the law (Galatians 3:17). This means that the law cannot annul the content of that particular covenant. Concerning this covenant the scriptures says: now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ (Galatians 3:16).
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6). The seed of that particular covenant with Abraham is Christ as a result Jesus is now the mediator of the covenant between God and Abraham along with its promises.
The Bible says if we are Christ’s then are we Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
Thus, in order to function in this covenant you must identify totally with the body of Christ as one and keep the unity of the Spirit... Pastor Poju Oyemade
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Seek God first
Abraham’s break through started from his point of need (i.e. he had no child) and so he went to God about that particular issue. In our walk with God, circumstances around us will create pocket of needs within our lives and God wants to use those things as a starting point.
The bible says blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Meek people are people that depend on God for instructions on any given thing. Moses got to the point where he was the meekest man on the surface of the earth. This is to show that he was not someone that behaved like he knew it all. These are people that said to God I do not know how to go in or out like Solomon said in 1kings 3:7. These people had to get instructions from God for them to go ahead and do what they had to. Thus, the starting point for them was that they went to God in prayer concerning the issues they were facing.
Therefore, wherever you are, whatever the issue you are facing the starting point is that you go up to God and tell Him the matter you are facing. You have started the process of walking in Abraham’s faith by going to God first in prayer. When you do not talk to God about issues it means you have rejected his lordship. You say there is a crisis, but instead of talking to God you talk to the government or people. That is the mistake people make whenever they are confronted with a particular issue. Abraham went to God first, thereby showing us that it all starts out by you seeking God first. The Bible says that whoever cometh without faith has probably come not to please God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). Therefore when you have a situation on hand you have to understand that you must tell God about it first before letting anyone know about it.
For example if you have a church with a small congregation. Do not go out to talk to people about it, instead talk to God to give you instructions on what to do to have a larger congregation. If you are having issues with your spouse, do not talk to him/her instead talk to God for proper direction on what to do and from the Abrahamic covenant He tells you what to do.
Do not rush in making your decisions, always go to God first. People pray without them getting any promise from God, then they wait to see what God will do on the outside. They are getting it all wrong because that is not the faith or step of the Abrahamic faith. Abraham didn’t pray and check the environment or Sarah’s womb, this because that is not how it works... Pastor Poju Oyemade
The bible says blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Meek people are people that depend on God for instructions on any given thing. Moses got to the point where he was the meekest man on the surface of the earth. This is to show that he was not someone that behaved like he knew it all. These are people that said to God I do not know how to go in or out like Solomon said in 1kings 3:7. These people had to get instructions from God for them to go ahead and do what they had to. Thus, the starting point for them was that they went to God in prayer concerning the issues they were facing.
Therefore, wherever you are, whatever the issue you are facing the starting point is that you go up to God and tell Him the matter you are facing. You have started the process of walking in Abraham’s faith by going to God first in prayer. When you do not talk to God about issues it means you have rejected his lordship. You say there is a crisis, but instead of talking to God you talk to the government or people. That is the mistake people make whenever they are confronted with a particular issue. Abraham went to God first, thereby showing us that it all starts out by you seeking God first. The Bible says that whoever cometh without faith has probably come not to please God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). Therefore when you have a situation on hand you have to understand that you must tell God about it first before letting anyone know about it.
For example if you have a church with a small congregation. Do not go out to talk to people about it, instead talk to God to give you instructions on what to do to have a larger congregation. If you are having issues with your spouse, do not talk to him/her instead talk to God for proper direction on what to do and from the Abrahamic covenant He tells you what to do.
Do not rush in making your decisions, always go to God first. People pray without them getting any promise from God, then they wait to see what God will do on the outside. They are getting it all wrong because that is not the faith or step of the Abrahamic faith. Abraham didn’t pray and check the environment or Sarah’s womb, this because that is not how it works... Pastor Poju Oyemade
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Authority in the Word
The power of God is inside His word, this means without Him was not anything made that was made (John1:3). He was there in the beginning and He came to us in the flesh. We beheld His glory and He is now releasing grace and truth to us.
When you start praying, the answer does not come when things change on the outside, but when the revelation comes inside you. There is a peace that enters you and you are amazed at the power of revelation because it wipes out every doubt.
Once you enter into the Holiest of all and revelation unfolds, you do not have to go back because revelation has been granted. The Bible says Christ is the high priest of good things to come (Hebrews 9:11).
Those good things are the promises of God because He is the mediator of the new covenant established on better promises (Hebrews 9:15). No matter the situation because Christ is your high priest, a good thing will come out of it. There is a promise from heaven that will quicken dead things in that circumstance.
Before you run around, get that revelation on the inside and then the next thing is to start calling those things that be not as though it were. This means once you have heard from heaven you must hold the thought captive.
Say the words into your life as though it is an existing reality. Do not talk like it is going to happen, talk because it has already happened. This is because in the spirit realm there is no time, it has either happened or it will never happen.
We need to understand the difference between the existence and manifestation of the thoughts we have. The law about manifestation is that after you have heard heaven on the matter it is settled.
There is no matter that God cannot talk to you about. Once you get the promise on that particular matter the next thing is that you must start calling those things that be not as though they already were..Pastor Poju Oyemade
When you start praying, the answer does not come when things change on the outside, but when the revelation comes inside you. There is a peace that enters you and you are amazed at the power of revelation because it wipes out every doubt.
Once you enter into the Holiest of all and revelation unfolds, you do not have to go back because revelation has been granted. The Bible says Christ is the high priest of good things to come (Hebrews 9:11).
Those good things are the promises of God because He is the mediator of the new covenant established on better promises (Hebrews 9:15). No matter the situation because Christ is your high priest, a good thing will come out of it. There is a promise from heaven that will quicken dead things in that circumstance.
Before you run around, get that revelation on the inside and then the next thing is to start calling those things that be not as though it were. This means once you have heard from heaven you must hold the thought captive.
Say the words into your life as though it is an existing reality. Do not talk like it is going to happen, talk because it has already happened. This is because in the spirit realm there is no time, it has either happened or it will never happen.
We need to understand the difference between the existence and manifestation of the thoughts we have. The law about manifestation is that after you have heard heaven on the matter it is settled.
There is no matter that God cannot talk to you about. Once you get the promise on that particular matter the next thing is that you must start calling those things that be not as though they already were..Pastor Poju Oyemade
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Depth and Benefit of the Abrahamic Covenant
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. (2Chronicles 16:9a) God has certain things that He wants to do, but what He wants to do is conditional i.e. they are based on the promises that He has made.
God says He will keep the promises because of His covenant. Thus the basis of the Abrahamic faith is on a definite promise and the starting point of our faith walk is the finished work of Jesus. If Jesus did not die and was not raised on the third day, then our faith is of no use.
Paul said if in this life we only have this hope then of all men we are most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:19) This means there is an extension of these promises into life after death.
The depth of this covenant goes beyond just having a good life on earth even if it is about the best life ever lived. If that is all it is about, he said we are of all men miserable. In essence there is a large portion, in fact a very substantive portion of the covenant in the life that we are going to live after we leave this physical body.
When people get into the Abrahamic covenant and become conscious of it, the reason for making certain decisions become clearer. Sometimes it could be because of the repercussions that reach through eternity.
As a result of this people will decide to conduct their affairs in a particular way behaving like strangers and pilgrims on the earth because of the hope that they have before them (Hebrews 11:13b). So there is a depth that is attached to this than just the laws of success. Observing principles and laws is good, but it must be solidly based on understanding the Gospel and knowing that this is where ones faith is grounded... Pastor Poju Oyemade
God says He will keep the promises because of His covenant. Thus the basis of the Abrahamic faith is on a definite promise and the starting point of our faith walk is the finished work of Jesus. If Jesus did not die and was not raised on the third day, then our faith is of no use.
Paul said if in this life we only have this hope then of all men we are most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:19) This means there is an extension of these promises into life after death.
The depth of this covenant goes beyond just having a good life on earth even if it is about the best life ever lived. If that is all it is about, he said we are of all men miserable. In essence there is a large portion, in fact a very substantive portion of the covenant in the life that we are going to live after we leave this physical body.
When people get into the Abrahamic covenant and become conscious of it, the reason for making certain decisions become clearer. Sometimes it could be because of the repercussions that reach through eternity.
As a result of this people will decide to conduct their affairs in a particular way behaving like strangers and pilgrims on the earth because of the hope that they have before them (Hebrews 11:13b). So there is a depth that is attached to this than just the laws of success. Observing principles and laws is good, but it must be solidly based on understanding the Gospel and knowing that this is where ones faith is grounded... Pastor Poju Oyemade
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Power of Imagination and Sowing
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be (Romans 4:18). There are two important principles in this verse. One is the seed principle the second is believing despite circumstantial evidence.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds and casting down imaginations…(2Corthians 10:4-5). God said there is nothing they have imagined to do that will be restrained from them. (Gen 11:6) This means there is no restraining force on the earth to stop a man who has imagined, unless God personally intervenes to stop that person. This means the person in their imagination has seen themselves doing those things. When Satan wants to stop a person, he also works with the imagination of the person.
Every single person (whether you realise t or not), has an image about them-self right now that is determining the events in their life. Imaging confers boundaries and you have to change the image you have if it is the wrong one. It takes warfare to cast that old image down and to replace it. That is where the warfare really is. Once you change the image, God said so shall thy seed be. This means He gives you the opportunity to sow seed on the earth so that the image inside you can be translated to a physical form.
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body (1Corth 15:37-38).The scripture is saying when you sow a seed you do not sow the body. When he told Abraham to look at the stars in the heaven, those stars are the product(s) of the seed(s) that are sown. God will show you the seed to sow. Once you get that image on the inside an opportunity is created for it to be realised in your life, this opportunity is for you to sow. There are things that come your way in response to that image that gives you the opportunity to sow. When you sow a seed God goes to work to give it a body. God gives it a body as it has pleased Him and the creation of that body is a function of praise. So when you sow the seed it goes to sleep. The sounding of the trumpet is praise. When you start praising and you have sown the necessary seed, it starts changing things out there in the natural. God gives you an opportunity to see every step and this is a covenant of God that can never fail..Pastor Poju Oyemade
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds and casting down imaginations…(2Corthians 10:4-5). God said there is nothing they have imagined to do that will be restrained from them. (Gen 11:6) This means there is no restraining force on the earth to stop a man who has imagined, unless God personally intervenes to stop that person. This means the person in their imagination has seen themselves doing those things. When Satan wants to stop a person, he also works with the imagination of the person.
Every single person (whether you realise t or not), has an image about them-self right now that is determining the events in their life. Imaging confers boundaries and you have to change the image you have if it is the wrong one. It takes warfare to cast that old image down and to replace it. That is where the warfare really is. Once you change the image, God said so shall thy seed be. This means He gives you the opportunity to sow seed on the earth so that the image inside you can be translated to a physical form.
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body (1Corth 15:37-38).The scripture is saying when you sow a seed you do not sow the body. When he told Abraham to look at the stars in the heaven, those stars are the product(s) of the seed(s) that are sown. God will show you the seed to sow. Once you get that image on the inside an opportunity is created for it to be realised in your life, this opportunity is for you to sow. There are things that come your way in response to that image that gives you the opportunity to sow. When you sow a seed God goes to work to give it a body. God gives it a body as it has pleased Him and the creation of that body is a function of praise. So when you sow the seed it goes to sleep. The sounding of the trumpet is praise. When you start praising and you have sown the necessary seed, it starts changing things out there in the natural. God gives you an opportunity to see every step and this is a covenant of God that can never fail..Pastor Poju Oyemade
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Unity of Minds
The unity principle is the basis for all great achievements and the foundational stone for major important issues in all human progress. Whether it is individual progress or collective progress it provides the key to the attainment of great power. Unity is defined as an alliance of two or more hearts blended in a spirit of perfect harmony co-operating for the attainment of a definite purpose.
The key to its power may be found in the word harmony. Without that element, collective effort may be co-operation but it will lack the power which harmony provides and because of this it will be called co-ordination of efforts.
This means that when people are trying to accomplish something together it does not mean that in their hearts that they are in harmony with one another. There are people trying to do things with their hands but inside their heart they are not in harmony with one another.
This means they are not speaking the same language on that issue. But the key to real corporation building and enterprise development is that the people must be in harmony. They may not have any money, but in their heart they are one with one another and are saying the same thing.
With every specific choice that you make a limiting factor leaves your life and a greater expression of God enters your life until you have in your inner circle only the people that you choose to be there. Therefore, start making definite choices in your life because you need to make them. If your inner alignment does not go with it let it go but be true to who you really are...Pastor Poju Oyemade
The key to its power may be found in the word harmony. Without that element, collective effort may be co-operation but it will lack the power which harmony provides and because of this it will be called co-ordination of efforts.
This means that when people are trying to accomplish something together it does not mean that in their hearts that they are in harmony with one another. There are people trying to do things with their hands but inside their heart they are not in harmony with one another.
This means they are not speaking the same language on that issue. But the key to real corporation building and enterprise development is that the people must be in harmony. They may not have any money, but in their heart they are one with one another and are saying the same thing.
With every specific choice that you make a limiting factor leaves your life and a greater expression of God enters your life until you have in your inner circle only the people that you choose to be there. Therefore, start making definite choices in your life because you need to make them. If your inner alignment does not go with it let it go but be true to who you really are...Pastor Poju Oyemade
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