EXPRESS IMAGE GLORY MINISTRIES
THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 5, No. 44 – Sunday 8th November, 2020
(Acts.9:8-19, Acts.6:1-8, 1 Sam.31:1-6, 2 Sam.1:4-10)
HEY! WHAT ARE THESE MYSTERIES ALL ABOUT?
Nothing and no one can astound the intellect of man more than the things of God and God Himself. It is undoubtedly a terse statement that His ways are beyond human research and intellectual abilities. But it is equally true that God expects His children to be deep thinkers and untiring researchers at least for the purpose of searching out His mind and His interests on all matters of life.
Have you ever dear sister inquired of God – searched out His mind concerning that delay being experienced, knowing fullwell that that situation of delay is unpleasing to Him? How do you react to dreams that you don’t understand? Pray enquiry prayers about them or simply seek men for interpretation? How sure are you that men’s interpretations will always be true? Understand dearly beloved that seeking and searching out the mind of the Almighty is the key-solution to all of life’s challenges.
There are three mysteries before us in today’s edition of The Message Now. First is what the content of Acts chapter 6:8 is all about? Second, why is it that brother Ananias in Acts chapter 9 had only one assignment from the Lord? In addition, why is it that that assignment was given by the Lord to a mere brother – a mere floor member of the church and not the great Apostles and great Evangelists at the time? Third, why is it that despite the fact that king Saul was grievously injured by the archers, yet his life remained in him?
Beginning with the first mystery, the content of Acts chapter 6:8 reads: ‘and Stephen, full of faith and power, did great miracles and wonders among the people’. Hmmm! According to the same chapter reading from verses 5-7, Stephen, ‘full of faith and the Holy Ghost’, was merely a deacon in the church. Though merely a deacon, Stephen did greater than what many General Overseers and Superintendents of many modern and great ministries of today can and would do.
By human standard then, this man Stephen qualified to be a founder of his own ministries where signs and wonders would even have been the order of the day. But he did not. Rather, Stephen preferred to serve God in the capacity of a food sharer. The question is what is God saying here?
Every man will be great, accomplish divine destiny and have his requests easily turned to testimonies so long as he remains within the right spiritual atmosphere ordered by God. Did you get that? Not only remaining under the right spiritual atmosphere but such spiritual atmosphere that is ordered by God. Do you understand dearly beloved that the answering of your prayers equally depends on the covenant, the direct spiritual leader and the spiritual atmosphere under which your prayers are being offered?
Indeed, one’s attitude to his spiritual leaders determines his progress, the timeliness of his breakthrough and whether or not his prayers will be speedily answered.
The man, Stephen, ‘full of faith and the Holy Ghost’ was selected to a low position of being a mere deacon without any objection from him. Hmmm! Please understand that the state of his heart at the point of perceived demotion gave him instant promotion.
Have you been asked by your pastor to wash the lavatory of the church? How did you feel about that and what was your heart’s reaction? The point of human demotion is always the same point of divine promotion. Did you get that again? That Pastor is the representative of God over you. Calling you into that low office is indirectly calling you into God’s full presence. Do you know that in that lowly position of divine assignment the Lord will always be present with you?
Oh! How I wish that men understand that prayers are easily answered when God is present. Do you know that the prayers you offer whilst in that duty post are bound to be answered? Remember deacon Stephen. He did what the many General Overseers of today cannot do and would not do. Again, the question is why? The truth is this? The fact that God answered one’s prayer in healing one headache does not mean that that is a sign of call into ministry.
Many pastors of today have either been called by themselves, by God, by the devil or even by God but they rushed before time into pastoral service. But take note of this that even when it is by God, the state of the heart and God Himself remain the judge. Dearly beloved, I pray for you and for myself that in the journey and in the divine assignment apportioned to our destiny, we shall not miss the track, we shall not crash and we shall not fail our Master who called us, in Jesus name.
Second, why is it that brother Ananias in Acts chapter 9 had only one assignment from the Lord? Why is it that that assignment was given by the Lord to a mere brother – a mere floor member of the church and not the great Apostles and great Evangelists at the time?
The Lord knows everyone at every given time and for every given situation. The Lord is aware of what assignment to give to who and why. But in the case of our brother, Ananias, commitment and readiness for service is the key. The Lord is constantly walking through His church, constantly looking for the prepared one (Deut.23:14)
Brother Ananias was a disciple, not Apostle. But He was found worthier for the assignment. Do you seek to please Pastor, and not God? The value and appreciation one accords to God and the things of God gives one the worth, the weight and the approval of the Almighty for service and for greatness. Never forget that great saying that ‘it is a man’s service onto God that recommends him onto greatness’.
Do you know that there are mere church members who occupy greater position of worth, weight and approval before God than their pastors? But do you also know that there are worthy and weighty children of God approved onto greatness by God but who do nothing to advance their gift? Such worthy and weighty children of God will end up like brother Ananias.
Brother Ananias was used of God for only one assignment. And the chapter of his life ended there. The simple truth is if one does not seek to develop his God-given talent, such a person will pass on without reckon, without further record and unsung.
Evidently, Brother Ananias was a great Man of God though unrecognized by the church but duly approved by God. This brother had the gift of instant healing, the working of miracles and of course this our special brother knew the captain of our salvation so well. But when God triggered on his gift, he himself did not further it because of dormancy. Dormancy is the antimony of activism.
Having seen his gift manifest, the next step was to make a recourse to Proverbs chapter 25:2 and Proverbs 22:29. Our brother would have become more honourable, standing before kings and not mean men if only he took the extra step of praying his gift through to the realm of announcing him and his God and celebrating the same. Or is it not the gift of a man that maketh room for him? (Prov.18:16).
Ah! Alas! Our brother, great Man of God – brother Ananias, died with the gift and the grace of God in his life. Ah! Our darling brother, Brother Ananias enriched the cemetery, not the souls of humanity and the kingdom of God. Brother-sister, would you die with the gift and the grace of God richly lying dormant in you? Who will enjoy that gift and grace in the region of the dead? How many souls do you think you have enriched with your sonerous voice?
I entered Express Image Glory Ministry a few years ago and I heard a sister singing. I was so moved by God. But hmmm! I must hold the rest of the story back in my belly. It was because that little stream of water developed itself through consistent flow and through coastal enlargement, that was why over time it became an ocean of reckon.
The Annual National Conference of Express Image Glory Ministry is around the corner, how would you use your gift and the grace of God on you to move God into action for you and humanity? Think about it my sister; think about it my brother.
Third, why is it that despite the fact that king Saul was grievously injured by the archers, yet his life remained in him? By men’s consideration, the wicked must die and die instantly. But by God, the souls of men are so precious that God will fight to the last second for any departing soul to make it to heaven irrespective of his sins and wickedness.
King Saul was in great anguish; the archers had hit him, the Philistines followed hard after him, he was already grievously wounded but his soul/life refused to depart from his system. Why? The answer to that puzzle is not far fetched. The answer is contained in Ezekiel chapter 33:11.
It reads: ‘say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from evil ways; for why will you die O house of Israel?’
Here is the secret O brother O sister! Have you seen anyone who is deeply so sick and at the point of death? And are you praying so fervently for that person’s healing? That’s good! But please realise that such moment is also the right moment to introduce Christ to that sick person so that should the body be lost to dust the soul will not be lost to hell.
My biological father was a moslem for probably over 70 years of his 103 years, having previously been a clear idol worshiper. According to my sister, about 30 minutes before he passed on he gave his life to the Lord Jesus. It was during his last moment in tormentous sickness that my sister introduced Christ to him. And thank God, he accepted Christ at that hour. Why was he so tormentously ill at that time? Why did that illness drag for not less than five months? Why did he not simply die being an old man already?
His body was in anguish but his life remained in him so that the agenda of God may be accomplished. But in the case of king Saul, he missed his opportunity so badly. O dear Evangelist, dearest brother and dearest sister, get the secret; life in Christ is better than the grievous pain of losing a dearly beloved who is heading in the direction of hell. So, let us not be carried away by the pain of loss of person and personalty and in the process forget the eternal loss of that person’s soul.
Whether king Saul committed suicide or indeed, he was killed by the lying Amalekite man is not a fact in issue. The most important fact in issue is king Saul did not grab his golden opportunity. The damnable consequence was and still is that king Saul’s soul was eternally lost.
Remember Acts chapter 7:59-60. Anguish from the stoning made Deacon Stephen to cry to God to receive his spirit/soul quickly. But was that request granted instantly? The unequivocal answer is no. Why? Because until the human heart is perfectly ready, it cannot be received into heaven. The scourge of stoning at that moment had most likely affected the state of heart of this great Man of God – Deacon Stephen. Until he prayed that the Lord holds not their actions against them thereby freeing his heart from any iota of bitterness, his soul/spirit remained in him. Understand then that as soon as he made use of the opportunity, his spirit/soul was received into glory.
IN THE END, WHAT WE DO WITH OUR TIME WILL BE TOLD BY TIME ITSELF. AND IT IS ON THIS BASIS THAT OUR CREDIT SCORE WILL BE GIVEN TO US. HUMAN GREATNESS WILL NOT STAND BEFORE THE TALE TO BE TOLD BY TIME IF IT EXCLUDES GREATNESS FOR DIVINITY.
Question and Answer Section
Question: The great questions again! When was the last time that you preached to any soul? Do you serve God with joyful heart or with reluctance? How much hurt is in your soul against that fellow? Won’t rather forgive them and forget their mischief so that you can rightly serve your loving Father? When was the last time you smiled genuinely and truly from your heart about yourself bearing in mind the bright days to come? when was the last time you heard a force praying within your belly without your consciousness? When was the last time you gave something to support God’s work apart from your tithes and offerings? When was the last time you supported any man to fulfill a divine or a personal agenda? When was the last time you put smile on the face of someone?
Answer: Hmmm!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com. Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suite 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
Further information: Be informed that this Ministry has only one Facebook page and no other. Any other Facebook page is counterfeit. Any Concerns or questions about this Facebook page 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. Our website is: 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: Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
PRAY NOW:
1. O God, I repent for every time I wasted so far.
2. I rededicate my life to serve you and humanity through you.
3. O waster of time and effort, I sack you from my life by the name and the strength of God.
4. O my gift and grace from God, spring alive and announce God through me.
5. I am progressing in a new year, I live behind every regression to die with this old and outgoing year .
6. Present your personal petition.
