Say not four months…for the harvest is indeed ripe….not again!!!! But I’ll say it again; say not four months….for the harvest is indeed ripe. Say not it is fruitless, or it is impossible, or it is the economy, or it’s just the way things are, or it’s the fuel subsidy removal, or it’s too late, or it can never happen. If God gave you a word, He expects that word to bear fruit. And for the word to bear fruit, you must see through the eyes of faith. You must nurture that word in prayer, worship, the Word and in fellowship that there might be a manifestation. When Jesus approached the fig tree in Mark 11, in the natural nothing added up because it wasn’t the season for figs yet Jesus expected fruit and just like it is today it looks like nothing’s adding up, things seem really slow, terrorism seems to be on the increase, too many are in distress and others are afraid and the natural thing to do is to say- four months, may be when the economy gets better I would try, there’s no hope, I can’t. When these words become your confession, you unknowingly attract a curse to yourself….ooops! Think about the fig tree again, when Jesus demanded figs from the tree and there was none, he cursed the tree and moments later the tree dried up. So if God has said it, it is not dependent on the seasons in the natural. Is His arm too short that He cannot do? Is He a man that He should lie? Is anything too difficult for Him? Let the Lord find you strong, standing in faith, yes aware but unmoved by the circumstances that surround us because your gaze is upon Him. “Do not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

It is your finest hour… only believe!

There is war

Lately there’s been a lot of news about violence and war. Terrible things are happening all around us. We hear of religious wars and bomb blasts. We hear of drug abuse and homosexuality is on the rise. People are fearful. Many are in emotional, physical and deep financial distress. Crime in a lot of areas is on the increase and it appears that all of sudden the earth is belching out smoke which has the ability to hurt.

“Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9: 1-11.

My purpose is not to bring fear into your hearts but to awaken you to the times that we are in. There are seasons in our lifetime when there is so much darkness. In the Scriptures above the Bible says the locusts were permitted to cause harm for 5 months. This says to me that the darkness that we witness today is for a season and will pass. The thing for us to do as children of God is  be sensitive and be like the sons of Isaccar who knew the seasons and knew what they ought to do. This is a season to get into your prayer closet and pray. It’s a time to shut the doors and enter into your private chambers and pray. Pray for God’s protection over your life and over the lives of your loved ones. Pray that the Lord’s seal would remain upon you.  

May 2004

My Jesus

First they accused Him. Then they insulted Him. I saw self-control and restraint at a level unimaginable. I cannot begin to imagine what it was like not to react but to respond in the way and manner that He did.
Then they began to whip Him and they really did. First with whips and then with whips that had iron hooks attached to it. There was blood and human flesh splattered everywhere and it was a terrible sight to behold. As if that wasn’t enough, they made Him carry a heavy cross to which He was going to be nailed. When He was too tired to move, they whipped Him some more. Friends it was gruesome. And all the while some laughed at Him and others mocked. Some spat in His face and yet He did not save Himself.
Then they put on His head a crown of thorns. The thorns pierced through His head. Then with very thick nails they nailed Him to a wooden cross. Then they turned the cross over and then up. Uuuuph the pain, the agony, the suffering of my Jesus.

Last week a new theatre opened in Lagos and the one of the premier movies that was showing on big screen at the new Silverbird Cinema was Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. Folks I have read accounts in the Bible about Jesus’ last days but what my Jesus did for me on the cross of Calvary has never come so alive to me as it did last Sunday.

That same Jesus shed His blood for you. That same Jesus bore your guilt and shame. If you ever have the opportunity, please watch the movie.

Next time I feel pain in my body, my faith will arise for my healing when I remember the stripes He bore for me. When I go through difficulties or I face challenges, I know without a doubt that it shall pass because Jesus said, "it is finished" As you face the challenges of life, take your eyes off the problem and fix your eyes on Jesus. When you remember what He did for you, you would truly believe that their ain’t no mountain high enough.

God bless you.
May 2004

Stay

listened with keen interest as the young gentleman told my prayer group that he was seriously considering relocation. He was tired of the heavy burdens. He was tired of all the pressure. He'd had enough of things not just working out and a friend's invitation to escape from it all and move to London sounded like a great idea.

If only he knew that there were thousands under stress and in depression living in London. If only he knew that there were thousands of homeless in London. If only he realized that there was unemployment in London too. If only he could see that London was not the answer. There are many going through a rough patch. Businesses are not working, money is tight, relationships are falling apart and if you come from my part of the world, the price of fuel has increased again and that has very serious implications.

I hear people say, "but this was supposed to be a great year, this was supposed to be a year of many, many miracles. Where are the miracles? Where are the unusual blessings? Where are the uncommon favors?"  And to them I say that the time for the Lord to bless you has come. If only you would hold on. If only you would persevere.

In Genesis 26 we were told that there was famine in the land. There was hardship and things were just not working out and Isaac's inclination was to give up or as they say in Nigeria check out. But notice that the Lord forbade him to leave and instead he sowed in the land in which there was famine and that same year, he reaped a hundred fold.

Dear one, what is that area of your life that you're having difficulty with? I believe God is asking someone to sow even more love and attention into that very difficult relationship. He's saying to that business person, give it more time and energy. He's saying to some you've come too far to give up now. You see God can only bless you only if you are in the place He has purposed for you to be blessed. Sometimes that place may be uncomfortable but remember that the God that we serve is not a man that He should lie neither is He the son of man that He should repent. If God has spoken concerning you, IT SHALL COME TO PASS! This is the time to sow. Increase your giving, increase your diligence, step up on your prayer life. Increase the time that you spend in the Word. Do not leave the land. Sow my friend sow. "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:3

May 2004.

Prayer Points

This week get on your knees and pray. Pray for your nation. God's word says, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2Chronicles 7:14. There's too much unrest. There's chaos, there's fear and there's uncertainty and the only thing you can do about it is pray.

Pray for the leaders in the Church, in government, in business, in homes and on your jobs. The word again says, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1Timothy 2:1-4

When was the last time you made intercession, supplication and thanksgiving for your bosses?

Pray for yourselves. Thank God for the covenant of protection over your life. Pray that He would continue to set His angels charge about you to keep you in all your ways.  Make Job 1: 10 a prayer point. "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land."   

June 2004

Just thank Him

I couldn't believe my eyes. Here was a friend I had recorded some good times with. I remembered times we shared, times we had some good clean fun, times we moaned and complained, times we dreamed, times we were there for each other and times we hung out. And there she was helpless and stricken by a debilitating disease rheumatoid arthritis which had distorted her face and crippled some of her body. It was a difficult visit for me because I hadn't imagined that she was in such a bad state but the good thing about it all was that she was in such high spirits.

Friends, I am once again reminded that there is so much to thank God for. Many times we moan and complain about things that do not matter and things that do not have an eternal value. As I flew back home the next day, my thoughts were not far from my friend as I began to think of ways in which I and some other friends could be a blessing to our very ill friend. God I thought, how we forget to thank you for the little things, the things we so easily take for granted. My friend could no longer use her hands or walk by herself and yet we complain about not being the right weight or height. We complain about about our hair, our looks, we complain about this and that.

From deep within I just began to thank God for life, the gift of salvation and for His goodness and faithfulness toward me. Friends it mustn't take a trip to the hospital, or having to come in contact with those who are going through very distressing and I mean very distressing situations for us to thank God. You see God never gives or  allows us to go through trials that we cannot bear. This week lay your burdens and your cares at the feet of Jesus and just come before Him with thanksgiving and praise. As you do please bring before God my friend Eka. Please pray for her healing. Pray for a strengthening of her mind and her  spirit. Pray that Lord God Almighty would indeed make her life beautiful.

God bless you.

 June 2004.

P.S  My girlfriend did go on to be with the Lord months after and I’m sure life must be beautiful for her in the presence of the Father.

Get some rest

In the last two weeks I’ve been physically tired. I mean really, really tired. And I find that when we get physically tired, we also get spiritually and emotionally tired. Lately I haven’t felt like extending or exerting any kind of pressure on myself. As a matter of fact I came to a point where there was no strength to fellowship with others or to even pray.
But friends, this has been a dangerous place to be. It’s a place of vulnerability and I’m thankful to God that no serious temptation has come my way. Imagine a woman half way into labor who suddenly loses the strength to push. How distressful the end would be. No wonder Jesus always took the time to rest. "For the Lord God says, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" Is 30:15. Life in itself is a struggle. Taking the time out to rest sometimes requires strong determination and it is necessary. No wonder Apostle Paul said in Phil 3:14, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." These scriptures say to me that it takes effort to live and sometimes that effort may mean taking a break to refresh so that you can keep on keeping on.
In 2Kings 4, the Bible gives an account of the Shunammite widow. This woman had been going on until she could go no further. Then God visited her when the man God instructed her to fetch all the jars or vessels she could lay her hands on. The verse that struck me the most was verse 7. You see the woman could have had a lot more jars of oil but she said to the man of God Elisha, "there is not another vessel" and the Bible says the oil ceased. She was not prepared for more blessings and so the blessings stopped. She could have had a lot more. Dear Ones, God is looking for vessels to pour into but those vessels must be ready. Refresh, shake of the lethargy and get back to God so that He could fill you.
You see it finally dawned on me that money gives you choices and so I had gone on an investment binge and was quite determined that there was going to be no vacations for me this year. But you know something…a refreshing holiday is an investment too. Some of those planned investments can wait. Right now I can’t decide whether it’s going to be Ghana or Nairobi or Venice or Portugal but one thing’s for sure, I’m going to get some rest…What about you?
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak,
and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Is 40: 28-31.

July 2004.

From my diary…

By the 31^st, I could sense that most people had had enough. Many could hardly wait for the big announcement, “it’s a new year!” Then January came. I was like an athlete on steroids. I had fresh big dreams. This girl was charging forward and nothing was going to stop her. I can’t remember a previous year when there was so much anticipation for the New Year. Everywhere you turned, someone was preaching, it’s a year of change, it’s a year of favour, it’s a year of miracles, it’s a year of open doors, it’s a year of tremendous blessings and guess what? I think it is.

Like for many of you, January started off for me with a lot of energy. I was ready to take on anything…well, almost and I made some daring moves. I was reaching for the impossible and the more I ran the brighter it looked. And then suddenly, I realized that what was ahead was only a mirage. It wasn’t the real thing, it was only an image and as soon as I realized, I slammed on my brakes. And that almost cost me everything. It almost threw me off course and I could have killed my dream. Imagine a car traveling at very high speed and suddenly the driver slams on the brakes. That action could most certainly send the car and driver off course and possibly into a ditch or may result in a very bad accident without a chance of recovery.

Fortunately I’m trained in the spirit. Even though I slowed down a little, I knew enough not to slam on the brakes so suddenly and I had enough people around me to encourage me on my journey and so I back on the road again know that great things lie ahead.

So my friend, don’t toss your dream. The year started with very high hopes and at the end of the year you would be thanking God for the many fulfilled dreams. If you’ve slowed down a little because the surrounding circumstances or one thing or the other got in your way, move it out of the way, make a detour, change your tires and do what you must to begin to pick up speed again. When you come to a speed breaker or bump, slow down, while you’re at it, appreciate the scenery, appreciate God, understand what He is saying to you, take instructions, receive Godly counsel and then pick up speed again.

It’s a great year!

February 2005.

If you love me...

A young man had gone camping with his father and while his father got busy building a tent, the young man decided to go fishing for a while. “Make sure you don’t get close to waters,” his father said. “I’ll be careful dad,” responded the young man. “Promise me you’ll stand on the docks son. The waters are dangerous because there might be alligators in the river.” “OK dad, I promise.” And off went the young man to fish. But the waters appeared calm. It would have been a real adventure to untie the canoe, which was just sitting near by and go off fishing in the middle of the river. “Oh my dad is such a bore. He just makes a big deal out of nothing,” thought the young man. “Besides, if I paddled the nice little canoe just for a few minutes, I’d not only be likely to catch more fish, dad would never know.”

And these thoughts raced through the young man’s mind until he finally untied the canoe and off he went fishing in the middle river. And then suddenly the huge reptile appeared and easily overturned the canoe. The father hearing the terrible screams of his young son rushed to the scene and immediately dived into the river. He managed to rescue his son but he ended up severely bitten by the reptile. As the ambulance arrived it was obvious that the father’s chances of survival were very, very slim. “Daddy, I’m so sorry,” cried the young man. “Please don’t die daddy.” And the father replied, “Son if you love me, you would obey me.” As the ambulance rushed the father off leaving the young boy crying, do you think thoughts of going back to continue fishing came back? You bet they did!

If only we stop to think of the father’s love. God loves us so much and throughout His Word, He gives us instructions on how to live for Him. But too often we’re like the young man. We think the scriptures are dated. We indulge in a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We lie and we cheat. We’re selfish and unbelieving. We’re jealous and sometimes envious. There’s gossip and malice in our midst. We do not love and honor one another. We fornicate and we cheat on our spouses. Then we get into big trouble and are full of regrets. And the Father who is full of mercy cleanses us of our sins. Not so long after those evil thoughts reappear again…. Do we allow ourselves then to fall back into sin? You know when we do; it’s like laying on the Lord all the suffering that He had to bear for us over 2000 years ago again.

The Bible says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. The truth however is as long as we are human there would always be temptation to sin. Because we know this, the thing is to focus on the Father. Let His love permeate your heart, your soul and your spirit. Let His love so consume you. It is the love of the Father that dwells in you that would give you the strength and enabling grace to walk away from sin. It is the love of the Father that would give you the grace to resist that strong temptation that you face. It is by His grace that you are able to resist falling into sin that would have been a secret sin.

If today there is sin in your life, do not feel condemned for the bible says there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Confess the sin in your life. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

Friends, God wants to bless you. He is tired of the scandals. He is looking for vessels to pour out His treasure into. Those vessels must be pure and Holy. Let this week be a week of cleansing as God prepares you for that which He wants to do with and through you.

God bless you!

September 2004.

I'm Coming Out

It was an early morning fellowship and the women had gathered together to share and to pray. Pastor had barely made a call to prayer when the atmosphere changed….completely. All of a sudden, loud boo-hoos filled the room, carefully made up faces became badly smeared with mascara and hair was all over the place. The well-put together, LV bag carrying sister became unrecognizable in her new posture like many of her other sisters. Some of the women were wailing. The place was intense! These women had ISSUES and major ones too.

And everywhere you seem to turn, people have issues. The attacks are heavy. Reconciliation appears these days to be a curse word as marriages are breaking up by the minute. The Jezebels out there are especially wicked. The Delilah company has grown and they are bold…really bold. Delilah doesn’t care if she used to be your best friend and now you know she’s sleeping with your husband, the men are frustrated and many have become batterers, families are distraught because a loved one is ruining his life on drugs, people owe so much money and have lost their credibility, money has become so tight such that it is a struggle to fuel their cars, people are losing jobs, many are suffering from intense loneliness and others are battling a disease.

The list of issues is long and in my quiet moments, I have meditated and given thought to the things that seem to be happening around me. I am convinced that we are in a season that has been deliberately allowed by God. But I am able to hold my peace and walk through the storms of life when I read of Hannah and of Elizabeth and of Rebecca. These were women who went through anguish of soul and were in distress. However, when the blessing came these women gave their blessings back to God. This speaks to me of a process. At the end of the day it is not getting the miracle that matters…it’s the transformation that takes place while you are waiting that matters. These women were so transformed and their actions in the end seemed to say…Lord, all that matters is You and so we give everything back to You.

So today I walk with a new attitude knowing that since God has said it, it would come to pass. I also know that even though it does not look like it, He is working all things out for my good. I know that when the night is over joy comes and so I look forward to what is to come with gladness. I’m coming out of pain and shame, I’m coming out of depression and anger, I’m leaving behind those things that have held me back and when next you see me and wonder what makes me smile or why I haven’t been bowed down by the circumstances that surround me, I want you and the world to know that I am coming out, and I want the world to know and I’m gonna let it show…that my time has come and I’m stepping right into my destiny. How about you?

Happy New Year

2011…what a remarkable year! When I look back, thanks giving wells up in my heart. For life, good health, for family, for friends, for the victories and the trials, for the successes, and in the failures, for the abundance and in the lack….where do I really stop?

One of the most remarkable events happened in April 2011. Like most of you, I weathered the hot sun and went out there to cast out my vote for new leaders and you know what?  I am glad that I did for two reasons. First, I was not denied my right as a citizen of Nigeria and secondly, like other sons of God, I was led. When you’re led, it’s never a mistake! The outcome of those votes to me is not really the issue because with my two strong reasons, I did the only thing I could.

New leaders emerged and true to what I confess, none could have emerged if it wasn’t the will of the Almighty God, the One who sets one up and puts another down.  Over the last couple of weeks and in particular after the very sad and unfortunate incidents of Christmas day, I cannot but think about leadership and the future of this great nation and as I turn to the Scriptures the answers that I find are amazing. No where have I discovered that the way out of all of this is to curse our leaders or use derogatory terms, or speak hopelessness concerning Nigeria. Unfortunately when we get really emotional these become the norm and we forget that our words have power. I shudder at the weight of negative words we have spoken concerning this land and her leaders. What I see in the Scriptures is a need to humble ourselves and pray. I see that we should pray for our leaders and those in authority. I also see that we should pray for and love those who have hurt us. I am convinced that when we do our part, God will do awesome and terrible acts that would fix this nation. Too many times we speak blessings through our prayers and with the same mouth we curse and speak hopelessness. What do we really want?

I do not minimize the hurt, the injustice, the pain….my heart is heavy too and I am concerned about the future of Nigeria but if the Word of God is truly what we live by, shouldn’t we just do the Word of God?  There certainly is nothing wrong in seeking justice or protesting or making public outcries but in so doing, recognize that your words have power. In addition, perhaps if we cared more about one another, if we lived love, is there a possibility that some of the bloodletting, the greed, the corruption and the ills that we have witnessed in our society would stop or at least diminish greatly?

As families come to their altars this week declaring a future of prosperity for themselves in 2012, my earnest prayer is that we would include positive declarations concerning our leaders and our nation. And after we have declared, each of us would go out to DO those things that would help bring Nigeria on the path it ought to be and you know what? We all have a part to play.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Blessings,

Kemi Adeniran