iPray Friday: For the love of God

Father I thank you because another Friday has come and we find ourselves alive and well. Thank you for being who you are. My God, who is the King of kings. My God, who is the Lord of lords. My God who reigns supreme. You are Jehovah El-Elyon, the Most High God, higher than any situation I could ever think of facing. You are God and I'm so grateful to be called your child, even more honoured to be considered as your bride.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

Hmm, Lord. Your word says that the greatest commandment is that I love you with all my heart, soul and strength and also I should love my neighbour as I love myself. Ever so often I go through 'The Love Chapter' in 1 Corinthians 13 and usually find myself falling short. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1st Corinthians 13: 4-7

Thank you for showing me that it is impossible for me to live according to this standard....because you never intended for it to be but the love of God that comes as a fruit of the Spirit...for the fruit of the Spirit is love. Lord teach me how to love, the way You would have me love. A love that is sincere and without hypocrisy, a love that comes from a heart that has been yielded totally to the Father. It simply isn't enough to desire to be more 'loving', walking in love is tantamount to walking in the Spirit. If I walk in the Spirit, then I don't fulfill the call of the flesh. Father, it's about admitting that I cannot do this without your help. Holy Spirit, I ask for your help in weeding out every 'self' weed and planting the seed of love in my heart.

Daddy, I know that I cannot love others if I do not learn how to love you, neither can I love others if I don't love myself. I'm not claiming to know what this all means but Daddy I am open to learning, show me the different avenues I can share your love to a dying world. Father, I pray for a renewal of love in the body of Christ that we may love each other as it was in the beginning. Father, let our profession of faith not be in mere words but in deed and action that people not see us but Christ in us, the hope of glory. That your love fill me till I overflow and shed abroad into the lives of those around me.

Help me to walk away from the 'pettiness' and the 'drama' that comes when I live in the flesh instead of living in the Spirit. God, I know your grace is more than sufficient to enable me walk in love every single day of my life. I pray for the love of God for you are love and I am your child so love is in my spiritual DNA. Thank you Father, I bless and magnify your name.


I love you Lord. 


Remain blessed and highly favoured.


ZoeB


N.B Feel free to add your prayers, requests as comments (anon or otherwise). It was so nice last week to pray with others as they lifted their requests before the prayer answering God.  He hears and He does answer..

Songs that inspire: He will come and save you

This is one of my favourite oldies...this song reminds me to always 'lift up my eyes to the hills from where my help comes, my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.'...Halleluyah to the Lord. Thank you Pastor Bob Fitts.

iPray Friday: Take it to the altar

"I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone."

Chorus from 'I must tell Jesus' by Elisha Hoffman

Trust in Him at all times

O people

Pour out your hearts to him

For God is our refuge

Psalm 62:8

Hi everyone

Hope you've had a good week? Thank God it's iPray Friday. Hmm, I had a long conversation with a friend yesterday who is facing some marital issues and after the conversation I must admit that I was totally overwhelmed with the situation. Hmm, God whispered to me that 'you may be overwhelmed but there is no situation that overwhelms Me.' Yesterday I didn't even pray for her because I didn't know where to start or end. So today it's about each of us taking those things we have buried in our hearts to the altar. If it's something you feel like sharing, leave your prayers as comments, anonymously if you prefer. My prayer(s) will be in the comment section as well. But today is about unburdening our hearts to the One who always understands, who always has time, who promised to be with us always...even when sometimes it seems we are on our own and it's difficult to go on in faith...let's just talk to Jesus today.

Have a wonderful weekend..

iPray Friday: Simply believe..

Thank God for another iPray Friday. One of the most beautiful things for me about blogging is the community family that I have now become a member of. I have aunties, uncles, brothers and sisters. Now when I say 'friend' my family asks me 'real friend' or 'computer friend'..lol! Today I'm excited not just because its iPray Friday but because our very own Professor (LDP) is a guest blogger and will be leading prayer. I haven't known him very long but I'm grateful that men like him still exist on this earth! I'm sure you've read his blog (if you haven't, where have you been???). Aburo, ese gan, I have been blessed by reading and I'll be so grateful if you would consider passing this way quite often. Be blessed as you pray.. 

"Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me" - Acts 27:25

I have come to discover that the lives of men are shaped by what they believe. In other words, you and I are what we believe. Miracles have happened in the lives of some people simply because they just would not give up on what they believe. Likewise, some have died when they perhaps should not have, simply because they had believed that it’s time to ‘go’. Just as our thoughts governs what our lives would look like, so does what we believe, shape our eventual destination. If so, I think it is very important to be conscious of what we think about because our thoughts shapes our beliefs and like the words of my Dad, “what you believe is what you will eventually become.”

Paul amidst a great storm, stood up and said "...I believe God..." I remember listening to one of the survivors of a recent terrorist attack - he said; “immediately the first bomb sounded, everyone started to make calls: Husbands calling wives, children calling parents, parents calling their children, friends calling friends, partners calling associates all because of the great storm” - thank God for technology. How wonderful would it be if someone stood up and said "Ladies and gentlemen, be of good cheer, I believe what was told me that, “with long life He will satisfy me and show me His salvation"

Someone said, the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. The heart of existence lies in being conscious of the significance of what my heart put its seal on. It’s high time we stopped believing the economic forecasts on CNN, CNBC or BBC. We should start believing the 'Kingdomnomic forecasts' we hear on the church pulpit every Sunday because Heaven and Earth shall pass away but only God's word will endure forever. Listen to me, the God we serve is not a God of the news, He is a God of the new. He does new things everyday! So, start shaping your life wisely; on the word of God and not on forecasts from experts. Start believing words like these...

"For my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" - Phill 4:19

"The blessings of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it" - Prov 10:22

"God has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" - Eph 1:3

"I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" -

Ps 16v8

"I shall be the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath" - Deut 28:13

"when men are saying there is a casting down, then I shall say there is a lifting up..." Job 22:29

"A thousand shall fall by my left, ten thousand by my right hand, they shall not come near me" -

Ps 91v7

...And many more (wish time and space would permit).

I would like to thank ZoeBeliever for this wonderful opportunity to be a blessing to people’s lives - something I always look forward to. May God continue to shower upon you grace to fulfil His purpose in destiny in Jesus’ name. You are a blessing :)

SHALOM!

Sometimes......Everytime

Sometimes I'm like Adam

I shouldn't eat the fruit but I do anyway

Sometimes I'm like Abraham

I say I believe but I'm holding out on Option B

Sometimes I'm like Sarah

Allowing jealousy to get the better of me

Sometimes I'm like Isaac

I lie to get myself out of a sticky situation

Sometimes I'm like Moses

I react in anger rather than responding in love

Sometimes I'm like David

Carried away in the moment, not thinking about consequences

Sometimes I'm like Elijah

I've seen the fire fall but fear still has a grip on my heart

Sometimes I'm like Peter

I deny, funny how one can deny without saying a word

Sometimes I'm like John Mark

Turning back when the road seems too tough

BUT

EVERYTIME

When I stop and stay still in His presence

He says "I LOVE YOU, COME BACK HOME"

Everytime He loves me

Not because I'm perfect but because He loves me perfectly

Everytime He corrects me

Smacks do hurt, consequences bring pain

Everytime He turns me

In the right direction because He knows it so well

Everytime He reminds me

I am His beloved and He is mine

Everytime

Every single time.....

The Bible says that 'the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is His faithfulness' also ' He has loved us with an everlasting love, He has drawn us to Him by His loving kindness.' We will make mistakes sometimes, we'll fall flat on our faces and wonder how we who know what is right end up getting it so wrong but don't despair, avail yourself of His grace today. Grace is not about making excuses for sin but it is God's arms that lift you out of the ditch, it is giving yourself permission to admit 'I made a mistake, God I'm sorry, help me!'.

Father, I thank you because you are a God of compassion. Thank you for lifting me up. Amen.

Remember the story of your life can never be over until The Storyteller says 'The End.' Remain blessed and highly favoured and have a great week.

Songs that inspire: Everlasting God

He is an Everlasting God. Baba mi, Arugbo Ojo (My Father, Ancient of Days). He doesn't get tired, He doesn't go weak. There is nothing too hard for Him. Let us lean on and trust in Him today..Thank you Chris Tomlin

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

The problem of too many

The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her,

Judges 7: 2

This post was inspired in part by a friend's BBM status 'Plenty, plenty options.' While on the surface, this could sound like a good thing, meditating on the verse above made me realise that too many can be a problem in itself. Sometimes, we limit ourselves and the flow of God through us because we feel we don't have enough but what we have is indeed enough and from Scripture I know that we serve a God who doesn't need so much anyway because in Himself He is more than enough. Having many open doors can just be as bad as having no open door because which one shall you go through? Most times I sacrifice the important for the urgent because there are so many things clamouring for time and attention, because I haven't made my main thing the main thing. Most importantly, when we are too talented, too gifted, too good we may forget that it is God who has given us the ability to do what we do. That it is His grace which is more than sufficient for our tasks.

The Love Test: From 32,000 to 10,000

....announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' " So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear....The one who fears is not made perfect in love

1st John 4:18

In this passage, there was a battle to be fought. The people had been under oppression from Midian, symbolic of a devouring spirit. Regardless of the effort they put into sowing and tending their livestock, the Midianites appeared like a swarm of locusts to devour all they had at harvest time. I reject that spirit of sowing much and reaping little in our lives in Jesus name. God was raising an army to put the enemy to shame. The same is true for this generation. God is raising an army for the end times to battle the spirit of the AntiChrist, to preach the word, to encourage the wounded. As we all know, it's not everyone who signs to join the army that is eventually given army fatigues. There are physical tests, mental tests, different hurdles that they must go through before they can call themselves a soldier. Zoe Believers, the physical and spiritual are parallel. God gave them a 'Love Test', the Word says there is no fear in love. So if I'm 'fearing' I'm not loving. 32,000 people showed up, a good number for a lot did not even show up and yet God said 'too many'. God sees our hearts, He knows those that are for Him on the inside and not just PDA (Public Displays of Affection). Father forgive me, for I must let go of fear and walk in perfect love.22,000 people left..wow that's like over 69%. Do you love God more? More than what? More than anything? We cannot be like Lot's wife and look back. Father, I pray to pass the love test

The Readiness Test: From 10,000 to 300

But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."  So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

God says, 'still too many', to put this into context the Bible says the Midianites, Amalekites and other Eastern people had joined forces against Israel. Hmm, so it wasn't a small battle. I thank God for the way He uses the 'foolish' things of this world to shame the 'wise'. Its like a team made up of 2 year olds winning the World Cup and displacing the likes of Brazil and Argentina! Many are called, few are chosen. Only 300 men were selected from 10,000 that's less than 10%! We may pass the love test but we must pass the readiness test as well. How ready are you to be used in the Kingdom, it will show by your conduct. Those who lapped with their hands to their mouths were aware of what was going on around them, the true mark of a soldier, readiness for whatever might come your way! Halleluyah! Can you be counted on? In your family, in your church? If there's work to be done and it needs to be done well, do people think of you or are you automatically disqualified (Ouch!!). There is work to be done and we must be ready. Its not the strength of the numbers but that everyone if functioning in their unction.Small groups are making big waves around the world. 'What you have is enough' as long as God is in it.

At the end of the day, the glory belongs to God and not me. God's military strategy na wa, outnumbered, 'outexperienced' and your weapon is torchlight in your left hand and trumpet in your right hand. lol! I too may have asked questions. God is looking for people of faith, if it was me I'd be like 'men we need some AK-47's right here. But the battle was won and God took the glory because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for the pulling down of stronghold. God doesn't need a big army, just a ready one. Will you be a part of His army?

Father, forgive me for opening so many doors, looking for 'plenty, plenty options'. I repent for the times I failed the love test and the readiness test. I submit myself to your will. I repent of an oloju kokoro spirit that desires what others have and despises the gift I have been anointed with. Dear Lord, I will stir it up and use it all to your glory in Jesus name. Amen.

iPray Fridays: Reclaiming the Priesthood

But you are a chosen people, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the HIGH CALLING of PRIESTLY WORK, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

1st Peter 2: 9-10 (NIV, The Message)

Awimayehun, you are the One who never goes back on your word. Father I give you praise and magnify your name for you are worthy of all praise. Another Friday is here, the first in the second half of this year and I am alive and well, finding myself before the throne of grace to obtain mercy in the time of need. I am so special. Daddy, thank you for everything, for rain and sunshine, for summer and winter. For good food and good friends, thank you for direction, thank you for closed doors for if all doors had been opened we wouldn't have known which one was the right one.

Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to WORK and REBUILT the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.

Nehemiah 3:1

Father you spoke through your son, telling us to rise up and take up our calling, our royal priesthood. Hmm, I'd always thought priesthood  was reserved for clergy folk, those with pulpits, those with sheep but Lord you have shown us through your word that in this new Covenant we have via the blood of your son, we are all priests and you have given us a mission in your house to the Body and outside to the world. Lord, forgive me for abandoning my calling to pursue my own interests like the Levites in the time of Nehemiah or those in the time of Haggai who thought it not important to build the house of the Lord. Father, forgive me for I know I have been so distracted from Kingdom work as I tried to put my life 'back in order' but You created me, You chose me, You called me to be a priest, You know the purpose for my life. My prayer is just like Paul's to be crucified with you, that I no longer live but Christ lives in me.

Daddy, the priests were different from the congregation of the Israelites because they had been ordained by you for a special task. They lived by a different set of rules for they were to distinguish between the holy and the common. Father, these days I know that I easily fall sway to trying to 'blend' in with my surroundings instead of recognising my priest hood as one that is set apart. Forgive me for not making pleasing you my highest priority. Lord, the priests stood in the gap between You and Israel, to make atonement for their sins. Priesthood is not about being recognised but about service. Instill a servant's heart in me O Lord in the mighty name of Jesus.

Father today I ask for the grace to honour and respect my priesthood. To realise that I am the temple of the Holy Spirit and being a priest is not a part time job, that being a priest is something I am and not something I do. I am a priest, 24 hours of the day, 366 days of the year.Father, for the priests, You were their inheritance. I pray as Paul prayed 'to know the hope to which You have called me, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints and Your incomparably great power at work in us who believe.' The calling of the priesthood is one of awesome responsibility because it is for life but Lord I know your grace is more than sufficient. You have set me a mission and I shall fulfill it in the mighty name of Jesus. I separate myself from the distractions of this world and ask for renewed focus daily to fix my eyes on that high calling of God in Christ.

I am reclaiming my priesthood, I allow You to change my wardrobe, to take off the filthy garments of the old nature as you did for Joshua the high priest (Zechariah 3) and receive new garments, the garments of purity. I receive a new turban, that of holiness to the Lord. Father, help me to walk in in your ways and keep your requirements because in these last days, we can no longer afford to have business as usual. It is time for your children to reclaim their priesthood, rebuild the altars and present a pleasing sacrifice, the sacrifice of our wills.

Thank you Father, thank you Lord. I pray for those who have not yet come into a relationship with you. Priests are born, in the Old Covenant via Levi, in the New through the blood of your Son. I pray that they come to the knowledge of your Way, that the seed of the Word of God sown by many witnesses will find a receptive place in their hearts and bear much fruit in the mighty name of Jesus. Thank you my God and my King in Jesus name.

I am a Priest of the Most High God, anointed and consecrated for service.