Monthly Archives: February 2020

Covenant Breakthrough Service: February-March 2020

Covenant Breakthrough Service
Monthly Covenant Prayer Session:
Vigil: February – March 2020;
Time: 11:30 P.M to 1A.M.
Date: Saturday, 29th February – Sunday 1st March 2020
Covenant Theme: The Beginning Of The Days Of Victory And Elevation;
Vigil/Monthly Scripture: Jeremiah 31:16

Offer quality praise and worship to God- the maker of heaven and earth.

1. My dry bones shall rise again beginning from this new moon in Jesus name.

2. Merciful and Mighty God,cause to happen anything that will manifest my elevation and Victory In Jesus name.

Pray for Express Image Glory Ministries.
Present your personal petitions.

THE PIT WAS NOT A BUS STOP OF GRIEF; IT WAS A TRANSITION PORT TO GREATNESS

THE MESSAGE NOW

Vol. 5, No. 7 – Sunday, 16th February, 2020
(Gen.37:15-27, Ps.40:1-5, Jonah.1:17)

THE PIT WAS NOT A BUS STOP OF GRIEF; IT WAS A TRANSITION PORT TO GREATNESS

It was the political economist, Reverend R. Malthus, who opined that: ‘human nature and impulse undergo change overtime’. Certainly, this statement cannot be untrue about humanity especially because of man’s fallen nature of depravity as well as his susceptibility to swings owing to emotive modes and media. The same cannot however be said about the nature of God which is ever constant and full of love.
Because of man’s fallen nature driven by emotions and depravity in most situations, man is often encumbered by unsolved mysteries. One of such troubling mysteries relates to the matter of pit experience as was exemplified in the life and trials of Joseph the 11th son of Jacob (who was named Israel by the angel at Jabbok which is equally called Peniel).
The pit experience does not just blind man from seeing the love-infested nature of God, rather, the pit experience only reminds man about rational questions which are justifiable by human rational thoughts and imaginations only.
It is always during this pit experience that questions arise in man. Such questions query the silence of the Almighty and query whether the Almighty is truly loving. For instance, during pit experiences, the human minds queries: where is God whilst all these is happening to me? Is God truly loving? Don’t tell me that, is the devil stronger than God? Why can’t the Almighty do something? Is God sleeping or is He on holiday? Why are good things happening to other people, and not me?
What the one who is passing through the valley of the pit experience does not know are so many. First, he/she does not know that only those who have great dreams in life go through pit experiences. That pit experiences are never for those who are aimless and without a definite goal to pursue.
Second, the pit experience cannot swallow great dreamers; it rather reject them in the end and even transfer them to others until they will arrive at the palace podium of pomp and pageantry.
Did Judah not advise that Joseph should be thrown into the pit? Did God not arrange how the pit released him? His transitting from the pit to Potipher’s place, then to the prison and eventually to the palace of Pharaoh was not strange to God but to him.
Why? Because, God makes all things beautiful in His own time (Eccl.3:11). Why? Because, all things work together for them that Love God, and who are the called according to His purpose’ (Rom.8:28). Why? Because, ‘known unto God are all His works from the foundation of the world’ (Acts.15:18). Why? Because, God knows and even declares the end from the beginning (I.46:10).
Third, sometimes, pit experiences are part of God’s divine design en route the accomplishment of one’s destiny. In God’s divine design, the pit experience is a training ground to learn something; it is never a pit of grief. Instead, it is a port and point from which one will be transferred until one meets eventual greatness prepared before one was formed in the womb. Did it not all happen to Joseph?
The prophet Jonah, having landed in the belly of the whale (another replica of pit experience) must have concluded that it was all over. But was it truly over? Beloved of God, believe this, it is never over even when it is over.
Prophet Jonah was eventually vomited to the land of the fulfillment of his destiny, the land of Nineveh where he fulfilled divine assignment. Do you know that without fulfilling that divine assignment, there would have been no reference to prophet Jonah in the entire Bible?
Fourth, not everyone is special. Not every man has a divine agenda to accomplish. What distinguishes the special from the unspecial is that GOLD OF SPECIALTY in the special ones. This GOLD is only allowed to shine after it has been tested by the fire of trials properly so-called pit experience.
The question to you and to me is this: do you know why the Lord is allowing you and I to pass through that valley of delay and pit experiences?
Whether you and I know the answer to the foregoing question or not, just remember this that the finer the gold the more fiery and hotter the fire must be. I can only say this: enjoy that pit experience while it lasts because a palace is already prepared awaiting you and your greatness. Only make sure that you enjoy the experience in faith, hope, holiness and the allowance for the love of God to deeply permeate your heart. With these, you are certain to find succor and peace in the end.
IN THE END, HOLD DEAR TO YOUR GOD-GIVEN DREAM. IT IS THE REASON FOR YOUR AFFLICTION. AND IT IS EQUALLY THE TOOL FOR WHICH ALL AFFECTION AND ATTENTION MUST TURN TOWARDS YOU WHEN YOUR SURE MOMENT OF GREATNESS DAWNS.
Question and Answer Section
Question: How old was Joseph when he was sold by his brothers?
Answer: Seventeen years.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.
Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to: contactus@expressimageglory.com The General Superintendent Minister of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com
ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
 
HYMN: Leave It There
PRAY NOW:
1. Holy Spirit, give me hope and joy in my pit experience.
2. O power of the pit holding me, reject and release me.
3. My glorious moment must come to pass, in the name of Jesus.
4. O God, put the unquenchable aura of favour upon me.
5. Whatever has been repulsive about my life, remove them today and let all men forget about them.
6. Release my gold onto me.
7. O my palace moment, appear.
8. Pray for Express Image Glory Ministry.
Present your personal petitions.

THE FIERCEST BATTLE IS ALWAYS AT THE GATE

THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 5, No. 6 – Sunday, 9th February, 2020
(Acts.7:17-21, 24-29, Is.28:6)
THE FIERCEST BATTLE IS ALWAYS AT THE GATE
The gate in every spiritual parlance is always the point of decision. It is the ground of authority; it is time of change in the direction of success or failure. The holy Word states: ‘and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate’(Isaiah 28:6).
This singular verse points in the direction of two functional dissimilarities. The first is that for him who will occupy the seat of judgment and record marks of success, a spirit of judgment is a sure panacea. The second reality is that those who must record victory at the entry point of success having turned on the heat of battle against every barrier, strength is a foremost criterion.
Strength in this context, it should be noted, is of diverse connotation from the conventional meaning of the word. It could mean wisdom. It could imply skill of some sort. It does not always mean energy for the performance of a task. It could rather signal fervent spiritual ability to pray through in order to attain certain success.
The question is why is strength required? And by the way, why is strength required at the gate? To start with, strength is required because when the time for a major breakthrough draws near, the greatest adversary will always show up. (See Acts.7:17-19).
For about 390 years of their sojourn in Egypt, a king Pharaoh which knew not Joseph did not arise. But as soon as the time of Israel’s deliverance drew near, a king Pharaoh who did not reckon with the greatness of Joseph who by his God-given skill saved the nation of Egypt then arose into kingship and into prominence.
Beloved, the truth is this: Romans chapter 15:4 states very emphatically that: ‘all things written aforetime are for our learning’. If the experience of the children of Israel in Egypt is for our learning, then we can be rest assured that it will happen to us at the gate of breakthroughs as it did happen to them.
Returning, then, to the question why is strength required at the gate? It is always at the gate of breakthroughs that the enemy assaults with his strongest weapon. It may be the weapon of sin as it was the case of the children of Israel. Their deliverer, the man Moses, committed the sin of murder at about their 390th year in captivity.
The implication was that their stay in affliction in Egyopt was extended by another 40 years as against 400 years promised by the Lord. (See Ex.12:40 and Gen.15:13). Oh! How so good it is for Christians to seek the Lord not for bread and butter but for his strength.
For the strength of the Lord will eventually make the bread and butter available in abundance. Christians spend much energy in prayer requesting for perishable things. Seeking the strength of the Lord and getting divine strength deposited in a christian’s spiritual system succeeds in making the Christian a commander of things to happen.
The strength of the Lord deposited in any Christian makes that Christian an authority. The manner in which a man of authority prays differs exponentially from the way lesser Christians pray. Is it not written that concerning the works of my hands, command ye me?’(Isaiah 45:11). Commanding authority against problems, mountains and negativities is the foremost attribute of the man of authority.
See and understand the secret behind Joseph who became the Prime Minister and at the same time the Finance Minister in a land which was not his nativity. Was Joseph’s secret not divine strength?
Was it not written concerning Joseph that his ‘arm was made strong by the mighty God of Jacob?’(Gen. 49:24). What distinguishes a prophet or an apostle from a pastor? Is it not sound spiritual authority borne out of spiritual strength?
Battlegrounds like spiritual gates are not meant for sleepers, indolents and weaklings. They are always for the strong who have been divinely empowered by the Lord. We christians cheat ourselves a lot because we often pursue after options, not priorities. The result of such aimless pursuit is that aimless results remains the eventual gain.
IN THE END, THE SPEED AND EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF ANY MACHINE DEPENDS ON THE SOUNDNESS OF ITS ENGINE AND THE ENGINE’S ACCOMPANYING PARTS. IN LIKE MANNER, MAN WILL ATTAIN HIS DESIRED HEIGHTS IF ONLY THE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH IN HIM IS AT LEAST SLIGHTYLY ABOVE THAT OF HIS CONTENDERS.
Question and Answer Section
Question: Why is it that king David never lost a single battle through out his lifetime?
Answer: Divine strength and constantly seeking the face of the Lord prior to any thing to be done.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.
Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to: contactus@expressimageglory.com The General Superintendent Minister of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com
ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
 
HYMN: Onward Christian Soldiers
PRAY NOW:
1. Holy Spirit, please take me to that spiritual rock and cause me to drink from the water of strength contained therein.
2. of divine strength fall upon me.
3. O God, strengthen my right hand in the place of all spiritual battles.
4. Today, I hijack my divine breakthroughs, deliverances and healings by divine force and divine power.
5. What part of my life, health, business, destiny, marriage, career or ministry is failing, receive the life of Jesus into you now.
6. I receive divine dominion over sin and all the works of the flesh.
7. Christ Jesus called out Lazarus from death back to life. I am little Christ, therefore, I call forth my destiny and virtues back alive now and forever.
Present your personal petitions.

MENDING THE BROKEN WALLS OF OUR MARRIAGE

THE MESSAGE NOW

Vol. 5, No. 5 – Sunday, 2nd February, 2020
MENDING THE BROKEN WALLS OF OUR MARRIAGE

Text: Ephesians 5:20-33

A Christian home is supposed to be the sweetest place on earth, a love nest where godly children are raised. It is a place where family love radiates as father, mother and children care for one another, pray and fellowship together and share life’s experiences together.
But in many homes, this ideal family set-up is not fully realised. Soon, the walls of marriage begin to crack! Love begins to wane, giving room to communication gap; quarrels, murmuring and suspicion becomes frequent while caring for one another diminishes. When these happen, the peace of God, joy and happiness leaves, fellowship with God and victorious Christian living becomes difficult and demonic oppressions afflict the family.
Absence of Christ from the home is the cause of the cracks in the walls of marriage. At such a time, the motives and actions of marriage partners are neither controlled nor influenced by the Holy Spirit nor are utterances regulated by the word of God.
What do we do at such a time? The Lordship of Christ over the family must be restored. Peter and the other Fishermen (disciples) employed all their boat-peddling experiences when a great tempest wanted to sink their boat but they could not control the situation until they called upon the Lord Jesus Christ who rebuked the wind and it calmed down immediately. The Christian home is like a sailing boat.
Acknowledgement of the Lordship of Christ in the home will involve repentance from sin and faith in Christ. Moreover, prayerfulness, obedience and love that overlooks other’s faults are essential ingredients for mending the cracks in the broken walls of marriage.
In The End: Peace abides in the home where every member perpetually lives a Christian life.
 
QUESTION AND ANSWER
QUESTION: Who was the first person to speak mouth to mouth with satan.
ANSWER: Eve in the garden of Eden.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.
Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to: contactus@expressimageglory.com The General Superintendent Minister of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com
ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
HYMN: God give us Christian homes
PRAY NOW:
1. Say father let my entire life be dependent on you.
2. Dear father I want to be selfless in my family, I need grace and help from you.
3. I shall never give room for discussions with satan.
4. Father, let your love reign in my heart so that I can be a bonding cord to my family.
5. Father Express Image is your family, take care of it In Jesus Name.
 
Israel Ade-Raymond Ebo
 

THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS TONGUE

THE MESSAGE NOW

Vol. 5, No. 4 – Sunday, 26th January, 2020
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS TONGUE

TEXT: James 3:6-13

‘’Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof’’ (Proverbs 18:21). He who puts his tongue to a vile use shall reap sorrow and regrets, while a bridled tongue ‘seasoned with salt’ shall always bring joy and sound health to the user.
Had Moses bridled his tongues at the instance of Israel’s provocation, he wouldn’t have lost the hope of a lifetime. Wrong use of the tongue brought leprosy on Miriam, who had led the daughters of Israel to ‘Sing… to the Lord’s in the wilderness. Had they kept quiet, the ten spies would have brought the thousands, who murmured, to the Promised Land. Men who are quick to talk usually get themselves into troubles. ‘’… let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…’’ (James 1:19). He that is not slow to speak oftentimes becomes swift to act.
The tongues is a little member in the body. When it is untamed, it rules and ruins the entire body. Tame your tongue and your life will run its full course without sorrows and pains. Every man’s tongue must be healed if ‘’ … he … will love life, and see good days…’’ (1 Peter 3:10).
Total healing and health of the tongue begins from the heart. The spiritual state of the heart determines the freshness or otherwise unhealthiness of the tongue ‘’…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh’’ (Matthew 12:34).
The first step towards refining the tongue is to identify the spiritual state of the heart. Has the heart been truly converted and thoroughly sanctified? Except the Refiner’s fire refines and purifies the heart, the product of the lips will be odious to men’s ears.
Secondly, after the heart has been purified, the believer must deliberately put his tongue under subjection through undying and enduring consecration.
Thirdly, the believer will need to study to be quiet to do his business. He will need to put some personal effort to bridle his tongue. Before getting involved in any discussion or conversation, he will need to weigh the worth of each word in his heart, if the discussion is such without any eternal value, he will need to refuse to be dragged into it(1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Fourthly, where he has to speak, he should ensure that his words are couched in wisdom and ‘seasoned with salt’, that is gracious (Colossians 4:6).
Tremendous blessing accrue to the believer whose tongue is totally tamed.. His life is full of goodness and good health (Proverbs 13:3,21,23; James 1:26; 1 Peter 3:10). He becomes a channel of blessings to other people. His words usher grace into his hearer’s heart. His words inspire others to good actions. He comforts, encourages and edifies his hearers and brings the wayward into the way of salvation (Colossians 4:6; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 50:4; Proverbs 12:18).
IN THE END: There is a flow of blessings into the life of a believer whose tongue is tamed.
Question and answer:
‘’Your blood is on your head for your own mouth has testified against you’’ to whom was this said and what happened to him?
A. An Amalekite, He was killed
 
HYMN: Thy word is a lamp to my feet
PRAY NOW:
1. Father set a watch over my tongue, I shall not offend you through my tongue this year.
2. Every word I have ever spoken that has brought reproach or condemnation unto me father erase them today.
3. Father hide all of your words in my heart, I want to live only by them.
4. Father Baptize me with your wisdom. I shall not regret my words, decisions and choices this year.
5. My life shall run without sorrows and pains in the mighty name of Jesus.
6. Father lift up the aeroplane of Express Image Glory Now.
 
Israel Ade Raymond Ebo

THE ARMOUR OF DETERMINATION

THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 5, No. 3 – Sunday, 19th January, 2020
(2 Kings.2:1-18)
THE ARMOUR OF DETERMINATION

Most times in the journey of life, the singular difference between those who succeed and those who quit just before success is attained is the absence of extra minutes that determination gives.
The truth is this: determination makes one see the finish line where success is well-seated, awaiting the more determined conqueror. Determination is never concerned about the hurdles on the path to the finish line. And if at all it does, its considerations are never about the horrors of those hurdles but principally its concern is about the eventual hurrays at the finish line.
This was undoubtedly the mind-set of Elisha. Being aware of his master’s departure on that notable day, neither his business, family or other interests were of more serious concern to him.
Rather the rules of priority informed him that where the ultimate was in the equation every other thing were either mere options or distractions. So, Elisha followed this rule strictly until the ultimate: the double anointing spirit of Elijah was obtained.
Bible scholars informed us that whilst Elijah recorded eight miracles during his earthly ministry, Elisha recorded sixteen. Truly, it was a case of double anointing. Notice also that there were distractions in Elisha’s journey to the finish line. The constant test being set by his master, the sons of the prophet and possibly the inner voices speaking otherwise to him.
But a fixed minded and determined fellow will always attain the desired crown. Yes, you saw it correctly, the desired crown. Not all crowns are desired. Some crowns are merely a case of ‘it is better than nothing’. Do you know that there are ladies who marry on the basis of ‘it is better than nothing?’ Such was not the case of Elisha.
The fire of determination in him saved the day for him along the journey path, and kept his eyes fixed on his master near the finish line so that as the whirlwind and the fiery chariots parted them, faith sponsored and fueled by determination opened his eyes to see his master being taken up into heaven and of course, the sight of his master gained him the desired crown. Fear in him would simply have blinded him from seeing that eventual success of the finish line.
Determination always keeps faith in action and in focus. In these 21 days of waiting on the Lord, please do not tire out. Keep your eagle eyes fixed on the Master, Christ Jesus. Not a single but a double portion of all requests you shall gain as definite testimonies in the end.

IN THE END, THE START OF ANY JOURNEY NEVER COUNTS BUT THE KEY OF DETERMINATION AND TENACITY AND INDEED THE ATTAINMENT OF THE FINAL SUCCESS. AS SUCH, DO EVERYTHING TO FIND TIME TO PRAY DESPITE ALL ODDS AGAINST YOU.

Question and Answer Section
Question: What is that one thing for fuelling the fire of determination?
Answer: Constantly encouraging oneself.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.
Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to: contactus@expressimageglory.com The General Superintendent Minister of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com


ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).

HYMN: Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
PRAY NOW:
1. I speak against all distractions.
2. O Spirit of determination, possess me now.
3. O God, turn all my requests during these 21 days of fasting into testimonies.
4. O you forces responsible for profitless hardwork, I terminate your assignment and power.
5. O God, expose to me that which makes me pray more but gain less.
6. Great God, let the glory of Express Image Glory Ministries blossom so greatly this year.
Present your personal petitions.

THE MYSTERY OF VICTORY AT THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION

THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 5, No. 2 – Sunday, 12th January, 2020
(Matt.26:41, 1 Pet.5:8, Isaiah 25:6)
THE MYSTERY OF VICTORY AT THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION

Have you ever wondered why the Lord gave this instruction to His apostles to ‘watch and pray’ in Matthew chapter 26:41? One answer is to say that the instruction was given to safeguard them at the hour of temptation.
Without doubt, the Lord meant much more. First, it is good to understand the import of the word ‘watch’. Watch simply means be vigilant. In the context therefore, watch meant be vigilant so that the wind of the coming temptation does not sweep you away.
However, I perceive in my spirit that there is much more still. The question of great necessity is why must we watch. In order to understand this, watch out for this mystery. At every point of temptation, three parties are involved.
These include the one who is being dragged into temptation, the Almighty God and the tempter himself who could be satan or the flesh.
The tempter at this point is present in order to introduce two things: (1) weakness into the one being tempted so that the one being tempted may fall, and (2) spiritual blindness of the heart into the tempted one so that he or she cannot see the joy and blessings of victory after the tempter fails.
At the same time, the reason the Almighty God is present at that point is equally obvious. It is the reason of giving strength to the one who is being tempted. To obtain such strength however, the one being tempted must be vigilant, constantly watching out for God’s divine assistance. He or she must not lose guard at any time.
The point is this: at the point of every temptation, there is but one thing to do. It is the one thing of ‘looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith’. The enemy puts in the veil of a covering cast over the eyes of believers to see the reason they need to revenge when hurt, to see the need to fight back for their rights and the need to show their rage.
In these 21 days of seeking the face of the Lord, it is the time to be vigilant, shun fleshly activities and concentrate on the One with whom we have to do.
IN THE END, THE GREATEST AND FOREMOST VICTORY OF EVERY PRAYING PERSON IS VICTORY OVER THE FLESH. ONCE THIS IS GAINED, VICTORY AND TESTIMONIES OVER EVERY OTHER THING IS A SURE GUARANTEE.

Question and Answer Section
Question: What must first die before full victory can be gained?
Answer: the flesh.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.

Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.

Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to: contactus@expressimageglory.com The General Superintendent Minister of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com

ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).

HYMN: Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross
PRAY NOW:
1. Every spirit of the waster planning to waste my time and effort in these 21 days paryer and fasting, I terminate your assignment.
2. O God, flush out every bitterness and bitter experiences in my spiritual and physical personalty.
3. O God, replace every bitter experiences with sweet change of life.
4. Pray for Express Image Glory Ministries.
Present your personal petitions.

SUSPENSION NOT CANCELLATION; DELAYED NOT DENIED: YOUR EXPECTATION WILL CERTAINLY BIRTH YOUR MANIFESTATION

THE MESSAGE NOW

Vol. 5, No. 1 – Sunday, 5th January, 2020
(Dan.4:33-36, 2 Kings.8:1-6, Ruth.1, 2, 3)

SUSPENSION NOT CANCELLATION; DELAYED NOT DENIED: YOUR EXPECTATION WILL CERTAINLY BIRTH YOUR MANIFESTATION

Welcome to a glorious brand New Year in Jesus name. Be reminded that the New Year, year 2020 is a complete year of victories, hope, mercy, solution and achievements. I decree that in the accomplishment of God’s greatness in this New Year, our record of success will not be empty.
Let me begin this edition of The Message Now with a few hard facts. It is a statement of hard truth that one of the most difficult people to convince is a discouraged, depressed or a spiritually dead person. The question is why is this so?
It is so because the discouraged, the depressed and the spiritually dead often hold the argument that ‘I have tried this and that before. Therefore it is not new’. Other times, some even query by noting that ‘where was God when so and so were happening to me?’
Beloved, maybe this too is similar to your experience in the just gone year, 2019. And perhaps you aren’t expecting much difference with the New Year, 2020. Understand that to fail to have an expectation is to deliberately plan for non-achievements.
Note that for any good thing to manifest in the realm of reality there must first and foremost exist an expectation of that good thing in the heart of man. For expectation alone breeds and beget manifestation.
The woman in our second Scripture (without being told) had an expectation that the king of Israel would do something to succor her situation as soon as she brought her case before him. Did not her expectation beget the great manifestation she desired?
More than this, there is yet a great mystery. Do you know that as potent as the power of sin is, nonetheless sin can only suspend manifestation of one’s miracles, sin cannot cancel it. Note that the agenda of God is the direct handwriting of the Almighty supported by His divine seal.
Because of the input of divinity in the given agenda, such agenda or manifestation can only be delayed, it cannot be denied. I have not written this to waterdown the power of sin or in order to encourage frivolities and the freedom to commit sin. Let us examine the story of king Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian empire.
Like the woman in our second Scripture, king Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from among men for 7 years. On his return to sanity, the greatness and faithfulness of God had made him to lose nothing. Or is it not shocking that even his throne was not contested over by anyone through out those 7 years of his absence from the kingdom?
History holds true the fact that the Medo-Persian empire (modern day Iran) have always been enemies at war with the Babylonians (the modern day Iraq). Why is it that whilst king Nebuchadnezzar was sent on divine exile, the Medo-Persians did not cease the opportunity to overthrow the government of Babylon? This, the Medo-Persians eventually did in Daniel chapter 5 during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar’s son who was in every way so narcissistically arrogant like his father.
The overall point is an obvious one: keep the fire of your expectation ever aglow. The manifestation of that expectation is only a matter of time. Know this for certain that nothing can cancel God’s divine agenda for your life. The worst they can do is to suspend it.
Know this also for certain that the more your expectation drags on the more and the greater your manifestation will turn out to be. The expectation of all humanity waited for four hundred years in which God Almighty spoke to no one (that is between Malachi and Matthew) all because the biggest miracle of all was about to be given to mankind.
Four hundred years! That was a terrible long wait but it produced the greatest manifestation of blessing ever known to man. It was after four hundred years wait that God remembered mankind and sent His only begotten son with the uncommon passion to love, care, die for the entirety of humanity and redeem the whole of human race from eternal damnation.
IN THE END, THEREFORE, UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR AWAITED HUSBAND, WIFE, TRIP TO THAT GLORIOUS LAND, YOUR MIRACLE BABIES, YOUR DESIRED PROSPERITY, PROMOTION AND PROGRESS, THE CERTIFICATE(s) BEING PURSUED, THE ONCE DELAYED ANSWERS TO PRAYERS AND TRANSFORMING IDEAS AND LIFE-CHANGING CONTRACTS WILL CERTAINLY AND SOON DAWN THE DOORSTEP OF PERFECT REALITY. THIS THEN WILL TEACH YOU THE LESSON THAT THE UNFAITHFULNESS OF MAN WILL NEVER CHANGE THE FAITHFUL NATURE OF THE ALMIGHTY.
Question and Answer Section
Question: Who did the Bible refer to as ‘spreading like the green bay tree’?
Answer: ‘the wicked’.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.
Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to: contactus@expressimageglory.com The General Superintendent Minister of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com
ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
 
HYMN: Ask The Saviour To Help You
PRAY NOW:
1. O my God, perfect all that concerns me in the year 2020.
2. Father, Lord God of heaven and earth, destroy every auto-renewing covenant plaguing my life year in year out.
3. I sack by the power of the Holy Ghost all ancestral powers monitoring my every move.
4. I shall drink the honey and milk of God’s enemies this year by God’s perfect design.
5. I break free from all ancestral curses that stopped others.
6. Powers operating between 12 A.M. and 6 A.M., forget me and fail in your agenda against me this year.
7. My body receive Holy Ghost fire and cease to be that cupboard for the enemy’s habitation.
8. O my God, lavish upon me the mercy of Mephibosheth, the favour of David and Joseph and the grace of Samuel and Mordecai.
9. O my God, please fulfill the contents of Psalm 16:5-6 in my life and destiny.
10. O great God, as you preserved the throne of Nebuchadnezzar, recover and preserve my portion in the land of the living.
Present your personal petitions now.
 

UNCOVERING THE SECRET OF VICTORY OVER NIGHT RAIDERS, NIGHT TRADERS, NIGHT CATERERS AND THE GENERAL POWERS OF THE NIGHT (Part 2)

THE MESSAGE NOW

Vol. 4, No. 48 – Monday, 9th December 2019

(Matt.13:25, Job.38:12-13)

UNCOVERING THE SECRET OF VICTORY OVER NIGHT RAIDERS, NIGHT TRADERS, NIGHT CATERERS AND THE GENERAL POWERS OF THE NIGHT (Part 2)

Welcome to the concluding edition of this topic—a spiritual research which began a few weeks back. Permit me to begin from the point we left of. Job 38 strongly and wisely quarries:
‘12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?’
There are many mysteries here for our deep spiritual research. First, by spiritual law and rule, the day is understood to commence from the night. No wonder, the clear content of Genesis chapter 1:5, 8,13, 19, 23 and 31 informs that ‘and the evening and the morning were the first day’.
Second, the true nomenclature for midnight is ‘morning’ and it is the right moment for shaking the powers of the night out of their positions and weakening or outrightly withering their authority.
Third, there are always positioning and repositioning during the hour of the original ‘morning’ known as the midnight hour. By positioning and repositioning, I mean spiritual losses and beneficial gains.
Fourth, every and any day takes its rightful position when wicked forces of the night have been dislodged out of their preoccupations and positions during the hours of the previous night.
Fifth, every night is characterized by no other transaction but fierce battles. Note, a man’s day cannot be good except that man won the battle of the night. Thus I contend that the night is never for the weak or the indolent but for the strong and the vigilant.
I conclude therefore that men who scavenge through life, recording no meaningful success were so because they fall among the categories of the weak and the indolents at the seasons of the night.
Understand that uncovering the secret of victory over night caterers, night traders, night raiders and the general powers of the night is no deep mystery. It is always in the understanding of the mystery contained in Job chapter 33:13-18.
These verses read as follows:
’13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword’.
Understand that the mystery in these verses is not a subtle but a salient one. God is an exceptionally kind God. The Almighty does His best to keep man informed. Why? Because God knows that information can be transforming.
So, the Almighty through the instrumentality of dreams informs man about the activities of the powers of the night. Man records defeat or the reality of those negative dreams either because man is ignorant of their understanding or man is nonchalant about them.
Understand the following dreams and if you have had any of these dream experiences, then there is a battle in your hands to vigorously fight.
‘If you dream and you find yourself drinking dirty water, it means the enemy wants to poison your spiritual life and reduce your fire.
If you dream and see yourself drowning and crying for help, the enemy is planning tribulations for you.
If you dream that something keeps obstructing you as you seek to cross from one place to another, the enemy is trying to hinder your progress.
If you are always eating meat, bottom line is that you have become a witch participating in witchcraft feeding.
When you find yourself always eating and your mouth is even forced open to take food in the dream, it means the enemy wants to weaken your spiritual power and plant sickness into your life.
If you find yourself climbing a mountain with difficulty, it means the enemy is making you toil before you can survive.
If you find yourself in a traffic hold-up, the enemy is introducing sluggishness into your life, to hinder you from reaching your goals in life.
If you find yourself nursing a strange baby, or milking a strange baby, the enemy is drinking the milk of your life.
If you find yourself falling into a pit and are unable to come out, the enemy has imprisoned you.
If you find the wind and whirlwind fighting against you, God is trying to tell you that there are troubles ahead to retard your progress.
If you find that your cap was blown away by the wind, it means disgrace is on its way for you.
If you lose something very important like your shoes or sandals, marital disturbance is coming. You had better start praying.
If you find your documents stolen in the dream, the enemy is trying to make those documents useless.
If you find that your clothes were stolen in the dream, this is an attack on your honour and glory.
If you see yourself, in the dream, carrying a heavy load, the enemy is trying to introduce paralyzing problems into your life, the kind of things that will make the person unable to move forward with record of any success.
If you find yourself always sitting for examinations without finishing them, this is the spirit of frustration and failure.
If you find yourself in darkness in the dream, this represents spiritual blindness.
If, in the dream, you find yourself being beaten by rain and you are running from it, it means the enemy is trying to prepare trouble for you.
When you dream and see fire destroying things, the enemy is trying to introduce calamity and woe into your life, you have to stop this.
If you find that you are travelling and the road is becoming longer and longer and longer, and you never really finished that journey until you wake up, the enemy is only trying to introduce frustration into your life.
If you find yourself being shot, either with arrow or gun, the enemy is trying to introduce afflictions of a terrible kind into your life.
If you dream of wearing a rag, nobody needs to tell you that this is the spirit of poverty and lack.
If you find yourself in an environment with faeces and dirty things around you, the enemy is trying to make you to miss heaven.
If you find yourself naked in the dream, this is the coming of disgrace and insecurity.
If you find your wedding ring and wedding gown stolen or torn or something bad happens to them, this is an attack on your marriage.
If you find your keys stolen, this means your enemy is trying to steal your spiritual authority from you.
If you find your house being burgled and your things being stolen, the enemy is trying to introduce spiritual emptiness into your life.
If you dream and find a child is missing, you have to pray hard for that child not to die.
If you dream and find a woman shaving your hair, you need to pray for the enemy not to kill your husband.
If you keep dreaming of masquerades, that is witchcraft and ancestral spirits pursuing you.
If you find that you are being attacked by dogs, these are sexual demons.
When you are attacked by cats and serpents in the dream, these are witchcraft attacks from the bottom of the pit.
If the serpent is biting you in the dream, it is not a thing to take lightly. If you see serpents in your dream and you fail to kill it, you should know for sure that the serpent is coming back to fight another day. If you see yourself being pursued or bitten by serpents, the enemy is poisoning your life.
Seeing crocodile in the dream is bad because it is the spirit of the leviathan, the spirit that can disturb you mentally, emotionally and physically.
If you find yourself being flogged in the dream, this is an attempt to destroy your reputation.
If you find yourself losing money in the dream, this is an attack on your finance.
If you find somebody issuing curses on you in the dream, it means that forces of affliction and oppression are pursuing your life.
If you find yourself bleeding through the nose or any other part of the body, this is witchcraft attack against your health.
When you find yourself in the marketplace where sometimes you buy things and other times you don’t, the enemy is trying to enslave you, and if you are not careful, they can give you mental disturbance.
If you find yourself having sex in the dream, this is a sign that you have a spirit spouse.
If you find yourself going back to your childhood days, it means the enemy wants to introduce retardation and backwardness into your life.
If you find yourself dying in the dream or seeing a coffin, this could mean death in various ways: financial, marital, spiritual. It may not necessarily mean that the person will die physically, other things may die.
Animals in the dream represent difficulties and problems. So if you see yourself being pursued in the dream by animals, it means problems are being introduced into the life of the person. It is even worse when these animals do attack. For instance, when you see bats and owls in your dream, it means hypocrites are working against you and the spirit and forces of the night are also pursuing you.
If you see yourself drinking alcohol in the dream, this represents confusion.
If you see yourself with brooms, it means you are going to have friends who are not united.
Seeing corpses in the dream means the forces of death are coming into the person’s life.
If you see cobwebs in your dream, this is the spirit of rejection and disfavour.
If you find yourself wearing wigs in the dream, this is an evidence of fake glory.
If you find yourself handcuffed in the dream, it means the enemy is putting curse on your labour.
If you find yourself with crabs, it means the enemy wants to introduce a reverse gear also known as deceleration into your life.
When you find yourself roaming in the jungle, the enemy wants to make you sweat and gather nothing.
If you keep seeing padlocks, it means that certain areas of your life have been locked up.
If you dream and see chains, this means a very serious trap is being set for you.
If you keep finding yourself always exhausted, it means the enemy is introducing fruitless struggles into your life.
If you find yourself vomiting in the dream, it means the enemy is trying to make you lose your virtue.
If you find yourself always crying in the dream, it means that the enemy is planning a serious sorrow for your life.
If you find yourself with rotten fruits or eggs in the dream, it means the enemy is introducing failure into your life’.
For further readings, see the book by Dr Daniel K. Olukoya (POWER AGAINST DREAM CRIMINALS) and Dr Michael A. Abiodun (THE MEANINGS AND THE MARVELING MYSTERIES OF DREAMS, THOUGHTS AND WORDS).
Understanding mingled with purity and spiritual power are the fundamental secrets to gaining victory over all forces of the night. But understand that the first thing to do is to give one’s life to Jesus in all its totality or rededicate one’s where one’s life has once been given to Christ.
The purport and the thematic message of Job.38:12-13 is constant spiritual rejuvenation and non-relenting in fervent prayers in and at every night season. One miss of one night prayer of at least twenty minutes can record a miss of a lifetime destiny.
IN THE END, JESUS SAID: ‘IF YE KNOW THESE THINGS, HAPPY ARE YE IF YE DO THEM’ WITH FERVENT PRAYERS (EMPHASIS ADDED). Prayers trigger revelations and it is equally by prayers that the understanding of revelations are gained.
Question and Answer Section
Question: What will you do with these revelations?
Answer: Hmmm!
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.
Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to: contactus@expressimageglory.com The General Superintendent Minister of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com
ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
HYMN: The Great Physician
PRAY NOW:
1. Buyers and sellers of destinies during the night seasons, I capture my destiny from your evil bank and control.
2. Wicked redesigners of destiny, I invoke the power of the blood of Jesus Christ against you.
3. I return my destiny back to God’s original plan and purpose.
4. Powers of the night operating between 12 A.M. and 1 A.M., let the power and the righteousness of God collide against you and destroy you completely.
5. O you night caterers, night traders and night raiders feeding my destiny, transacting away my breakthroughs, exchanging my lots and walking against my life and destiny, let the fire and righteousness of the Godhead appear against you and crush you utterly.
6. O general wicked powers of the night walking against me, I terminate your assignment and bury you now.
7. Every man or woman igniting and sponsoring evil experiences against me and pretending to be my helper or prophet at the same time, let the countenance of the Lord be set against you for evil continually.
8. Every dream of past nights affecting my life now, die.
9. Every event and dreams of the present working against me now, die without effects.
10. Invisible powers troubling my nights, sleep and dreams, die and be buried by fire.
11. Every satanic ladder hiding in my life, catch fire and be roasted to ashes.
12.Lay your right hand on your head and say, I fire back every arrow of oppression.
Present your personal petitions now.

THE MYSTERY OF THE WEAKENED AND THE WINNING WOMAN

THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 4, No. 47– Monday, 2nd December 2019
(Gen.3:1-15, Rev.12:1-17, Rom.6:16)
THE MYSTERY OF THE WEAKENED AND THE WINNING WOMAN

Within the confines of humanity, there are many truths that just cannot amount to a lie. It is the truth that Almighty God is the most powerful; and there is no question about this. It is equally true that women are the most powerful entity within the realms of existence apart from the Almighty God; this is also an incontestable fact. For is it not a fact of pristine truth that men rule the world? But is it not greater and further truth that women rule the men who rule the world?
But how so true is the fact that women are one of the most powerful entities in the universe? Facts from the desk of the spiritual has it that no man has ever seen the greatest enemy of man, the devil. But women have, and they have had physical encounter with this greatest enemy and even had conversation with this enemy.
As such, I will contend that there exists notes of great lessons to learn from the biblical accounts of the weakened woman and the winning woman. It is a weakness of worship and recognition.
Rom.6:16 categorically states that: ‘know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?’
The purport of this Scripture is obvious; the one man worships is the one man reverences. In other words, obedience to another is undoubtedly a form of reverence for that one. Reverence is an aspect of worship. And worship is a form of giving honour or value to the words, personalty and instructions of a given individual.
The question is how does this apply to the case of the weakened and the winning woman? When Eve obeyed satan in the garden of Eden and indeed went on to carry out his instructions, she was acting in perfect worship and giving recognition to the instruction and the giver of the instruction.
Understand that worship or recognition never occurs except there is some form of yielding on the part of the worshiper or the one recognizing the other. For indeed, it is properly written that ‘unto whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey his servants ye are’.
Understand also that worship means recognizing the presence of a fellow and submitting to the authority and the presence of that fellow. For no true worship can truly be true worship without recognition and submission. So, Eve yielded her authority in perfect submission.
To yield one’s authority is the same as humblying oneself and confirming the lordship of the one yielded to over the person that is yielding. When we yield to God in humble adoration and worship, we receive great strength and exaltation in return. For is it not written that the joy of the Lord is our strength? (Neh.8:10).
The implication of the foregoing Scripture is this: when men (in the generic sense) rejoice the heart of the Lord in humble worship, what men receive in return is strength from the Lord to be able to do all things. It is written: ‘the Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace’ (Ps.29:11).
It is equally written: ‘they go from strength to strength. Everyone of them appeareth before God in Zion’ (Ps.84:7). The questions are obvious. Why do they go from strength to strength? The simple answer is because they appear in Zion. Why are they appearing in Zion? The simple answer is in order to worship God who is the ultimate right Lord to be worshipped in the right sanctuary of right worship. Of course, as a result of worshiping the right Lord in the right sanctuary and with the right heart of worship, strength was ministered.
Unfortunately, in the case of Eve, she yielded to wrong lordship and wrongly worshipped the wrong presence. Therefore, she received no good and no strength in return but slavery and servitude under an evil tax and task master who is the smartest deceiver and snatcher of authority and all goodness.
The same experience of Eve cannot be attributed to the winning woman in Rev.12:1-17. Picture the encounter in verses 1-5 of this chapter. It reads:
‘1 Now there appeared a great sign in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
2 And being with child, she cried out in labour and in pain to give birth.
3 And there appeared another sign in heaven: behold, a great and fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.
4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 She bore a male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and His throne’.
Dearly beloved, please seethe between the lines of the above five verses and you would notice the following:
That the woman in the above encounter had no time for a single moment of recognition for the presence of the dragon.
That the woman in the above encounter never had a moment of conversation with the the dragon. For the act and the art of entertaining conversation paves the way for receiving all forms of information some or all of which can be fatal to one’s life and destiny.
That the woman in the above encounter gave no room for any instructions from the dragon. As such, the opportunity to obey his instructions did not even arise.
That the woman in the above encounter did not obey the dragon and as such, she did not worship him for obedience to instruction is in itself a form of respect for authority which indeed and in deed translates to a form of worship and reverence.
There is a basic rule about spirituality and worship. It is the basic rule of no-middle-ground. Since the woman did not worship the dragon, the spiritual rule took effect; it meant then that the woman honoured the Almighty God in holy and reverent worship.
What then is the implication for the foregoing? The fact that the woman succeeded in honouring God and not the dragon gave her strength to deliver of her child effortlessly, and saved her destiny and destiny child from ruin.
In the journey of your life as a Christian, how much attention do you give to recognizing the devil? When you retire to bed at night and offer your night prayers, were those prayers offered for the sake of reverence to the God who is able to keep you and your family all through that night?
Think about it and be sincere dearly beloved, was that night prayers offered because of the fear of attacks by the devil and his agents?
Have you ever considered this fact that in the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ hardly mentioned the devil except at occasions when He needed to rebuked or disgrace him?
Have you also noticed that in the Old Testament, any time the Israelites had problems, they simply believed that those problems were from the Lord and they simply returned to the Lord with genuine heart of repentance and their problems were immediately solved?
How many times have you had any problems and simply went before the Lord in humble repentance and worship instead of swinging into into immediate useless fire prayers?
Be sincere with yourself, fire prayers are very good. But how many of those fire prayers have produced the answers you expect? Is it not then the time to borrow a leaf from this teaching?
Fiery prayers, I repeat, are good. But why not return to God first, settle all accounts of sin, give Him most reverent worship and express gratitude to Him for His past and present kindness before embarking on the voyage of fiery prayers? Remember Mal.2:4.
Dearly beloved, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, permit me to say that the greatest champion of the New Testament was and is the Apostle called Paul. How many times did he refer to the devil in all of his epistles? Certainly less than five times.
It means Paul the Apostle had no attention for recognizing the devil even in his worst hours of trials and tests. If the Pual the Apostle, a man of like passion as we are had no time for recognizing or ledning credence to the devil, then what about us? No other or better admonision can be offered to us other than the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 84:5.
IN THE END, THE GREATEST SECRET OF LIFE’S SUCCESS IS TO HAVE NO FEAR OF RISK AND RISK-TAKING BUT RATHER TRANSLATE EVERY FEAR INTO REVERENT ADORATION FOR SUCCESS. THEN THE DAWN OF SUCH SUCCESS WILL NOT JUST BE AT THE DOOR BUT ALREADY SEATED ON THE PARLOUR’S SOFFA AWAITING THE VICTOR. THIS SHOULD BE THE ATTITUDE FROM FEAR TO REVERENT WORSHIP. BY SO DOING, WE WILL BE TRANSFORMED FROM WEAKNESS TO WINNING.

Question and Answer Section
Question: What were Paul’s parting words en route heaven?
Answer: ‘I have fought the good fight of faith, and there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness’.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.

Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.

Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page or bank account is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this facebook page or bank account should be directed to: contactus@expressimageglory.com The General Superintendent Minister of this Ministry therefore pleads and urges you to desist from all such fake and ungodly Facebook pages or accounts. Be informed also that there is only one medium for soliciting donations and that medium is via our weekly magazine – The Message Now through our Facebook page or website: www.expressimageglory.com

ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).

HYMN: I Have No Other Argument
PRAY NOW:
1. I repent O God for the sin of fear that I have entertained.
2. O you drier of spiritual strength and vigour, I puncture your power.
3. O merciful God, give me the Spirit of worship and reverent adoration.
4. O Spirit of grace and supplication, fall upon me.
5. O sweetness of life on every side, locate me.
Present your personal petitions now.