Praising God In the Midst of Your Storming Sea

 Quote: - No matter how hopeless is your situation, God will always be God. He is able and willing to turn your storming sea to praise arena for your testimonies. You will surely arrive alive.

Text: - The waters encompassed me, even to my soul; the deep closed around me; weeds were wrapped around my head. 6. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever; yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God.  "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple.  "Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy. But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.'' Job 2: 5- 9

 Reverend G. S. Adeyemo

Charles Swindoll recounts the story of an airliner in 1968 bound for New York that began its descent when the pilot realized the landing gear had refused to engage. The Pilot worked the controls back and forth, trying again and again to unlock the landing gear but had no success. He then asked the control tower for instructions as he circled the airport. Responding to the crisis, airport personnel sprayed the runway with foam as fire trucks and other emergency vehicles moved into position. Disaster was only minutes away. The passengers meanwhile were told to place their heads between their knees and grab their ankles just before impact. It was one of those “I-can't-believe-this-is-happening-to-me” experiences that led to many tears and even a few screams of despair in the cabin. The landing was only a few seconds away when suddenly the pilot announced over the intercom: We are beginning our final descent. At this moment, in accordance with International Aviation Codes established in Geneva, it is my obligation to inform you that if you believe in God you should COMMENCE PRAYER. 

Being stock for three days in the belly of the fish is not a safe place to live, but it is a desperate place to pray and praise God. Today we have national, personal, and spiritual worries. We are all struggling to get out of the rough tide through various channels. In Nigeria, some are clarmouring for diversification of economy, devolution of powers etc. You too were so optimistic about steps taken to overcome poverty, disappointment and ministerial crisis. Unfortunately it seems things are not going your way. “The more you look the less you see”. I must tell you, you can pray and praise your way out of the storming sea.

The last thing in the imagination of Jonah when he boarded the ship heading for Tarshish instead of Nineveh was living in the belly of a fish for three days and three nights. Consider the experience of Jonah in the belly of the fish as he looked up to God in hope and cried out saying, “The waters encompassed me, even to my soul; the deep closed around me; weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever; yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God.” Jonah resorted to prayer of positive confession. And he capped it with a pledge to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

When the storm is raging, always remember that God is God and ever present even in the midst of that storm. He is able and willing to turn your storming sea to praise arena for your testimonies. You will surely arrive alive in Jesus name. Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 107: 23-31; Mark 5: 47-51; Acts 27: 13-26

Hope in God  

Pray to God 

Praise your way out of the storming sea.  

As you do so the Lord will send a help to pick you from the depth of the raging sea and deliver you on the Promised Land in Jesus name.

Atmosphere of Supernatural Encounter

 www.abundantgracemin.com

In Nigeria today, we have several Television Stations devoted to movies that are largely displaying what we commonly refer to as African magic, ghosts, divination and one form of supernatural power or the other. They show how evil forces manipulate destinies and how to relate with them positively or negatively. This is not peculiar to Nigeria; it happens all over the world. In 2009 there was a report of the rate of involvement of youths in supernatural encounter. The study from "the Barna organization revealed that 73% of today's youth have been involved in some form of psychic or witchcraft related activity. The most popular of these activities includes playing with Ouija boards and the reading of witchcraft and Wicca related books 

(https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/supernatural-encounters-dillon-burroughs-sermon-on-supernatural 132840?page=1 2009) 

If we are to conduct a test, definitely many if not all of us spend longer time watching with rapt attention those movies more than listening to the Word of God. I believe we all believe in supernatural. If not, we won't be in the Church seeking divine intervention in our life today. 

Let me share these basic truths with you: -

1. Supernatural is real

2. The Bible speaks about the supernatural

3. To live in this world calls for supernatural enablement.

We are constantly confronted with invisible forces in the dreams and while awake. Just few days ago, one of our aged woman narrated how she saw someone through her window passing by just few hours before she received the message about her husband's death. She sent her ward to see who the person was but no one in particular was there. It is a fact that there is supernatural forces that war against us. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."This verse speaks with certainty that we fight. Also, the battle is spiritual and against powers that exist in high places. Every power that is negatively influencing your destiny shall be paralyzed in Jesus name. 

The Lord shall rise and break all weapons of the wicked forces that oppress you in Jesus name

Atmosphere of Supernatural Encounter: - There are satanic or demonic powers so also we have God's supernatural power. There are conditions that facilitate the presence and works of both. The manifestation of satanic forces depends on works of the flesh, the world and sins. Every life that harbors and practice sin is resident to demonic influences. "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will   do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."John 8:44; Galatians 5:19-21; 

Those consulting false prophets, diviners, herbalists, wizard, witches and idolaters are subject to satanic manipulation. 1 Sam 28:4 When you keep company with people who are controlled by such powers, definitely you can be influenced. "But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's Table, and of the table of devils." 1 Cor 10: 20, 21 

I decree the fire of God to consume the instruments that Satan is using to access your future in Jesus name

God is looking for a life to deposit him for atmosphere of miracles. It takes a regenerated heart to be God's temple. "A primary purpose for the release of the supernatural, or moving into the miracle realm, is for people to see and believe God. The potential for releasing the supernatural is in and through the cross. The cross is the fountainhead from which all blessings flow, including miracles, healings, and the power of the kingdom."Frank Damazio

The Bible says, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I  will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and  your sons and your daughters shall  prophesy, your old men shall dream  dreams, your young men shall see visions:  And also upon the servants and upon  the handmaids in those days will I pour out  my spirit."Joel 2:28, 29

To experience the supernatural, there must be the right atmosphere and attitude. This includes: -

(i) Atmosphere of true worship Exod 23: 14-17; 40: 34; 1 Sam 1: 3, 19

(ii) Atmosphere of love v5; 

(iii) Right response to provocations/discouragement vs7, 9-10, and 14-15

(iv) Atmosphere of support v3a, 8 

(v) Atmosphere of commitment  vs7b,-11; Judg 13:5

Conclusion: - To live a victorious and fulfilled life as Christian, we need an enablement. The only way to to experience such enablement is creating atmosphere of true worship, love, godly attitude, mutual relationship with other brethren. As we do so God’s fulness will be manifested and the Church becomes a solution center. 

Remain blessed in Jesus name. 

Prayer Points

 1. Lord I thank you for creating me in your image 

2. I thank you Lord for the inexhaustible love expended on the cross for my redemption 

3. I confess and be ready to forsake all known and unknown sins in my life

4. I renounce all covenants with ancestral forces and demonic powers in Jesus name

5. Every demon resisting God's supernatural power in my life lose your grip in Jesus name

6. I declare my life, home and business full of manifestation of supernatural power in Jesus name

7. I receive divine touch for the demonstration of supernatural power in Jesus name

When the Wind Blows

Text: Psalm 18: 29-30

 Reverend &Mrs David Korede 

The Moderator, 

Good News Baptist Association Lagos

Pastor, Shalom Baptist Church Isheri Lagos Nigeria 

June, 2017,

Once there lived a farmer who owned a land along the coast of the Atlantic ocean. Even after letting out several advertisements for recruitment to take care of his farm, no one seemed to sign up for it.People were reluctant to work along the Atlantic, it had frequent raging storms. These storms were cruel, violent and destroyed every building and crop-field they touched.

After months of advertising and request refusals, a man approached the farmer for the job to take care of the farm.“Do you have any skills or experience to work on a farm like this?” the farmer asked him.“Well, I may not have enough experience, but I can sleep when the wind blows”, replied the man.Although the farmer wasn’t much convinced by the man’s answer, the farmer was too desperate to have someone to help him on the field that he hired him anyway. The man worked well around the farm. The farmer was pretty satisfied with the man.

Then one stormy night, the wind howled waking the farmer. The farmer immediately got off his bed, grabbed a lantern, and headed towards the quarter where his helper was sleeping.“Wake up” the farmer yelled, throwing the soundly asleep man off the bed- “ A storm is coming. Tie things down before they get blown away”.The man sat up and said- “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”

The farmer turned red with fury after listening to this. He controlled all his will to fire the man because at the moment it was more important to secure his fields and barn that to argue with his helper. The farmer ran out to tie the things up and was surprised by what he saw.

All of the haystacks were covered with tarpaulins. The chickens were in the coops, the cows were in the barn, the doors were closed and barred, and the shutters were firmly secured. Everything was tied down so that nothing could be blown away. The farmer smiled as he comprehended what his employer said. Now, he understood what the man meant by when he said he could sleep

  when the wind blows. He went off to bed and slept soundly through the storm.

-Anonymous (www.alltimeshortsories.com)

Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

Wind literally means real or perceived movement of atmospheric air, usually caused by differences in air pressure. In fact it is the current of air. It is usually forceful, directional and powerful. In real life situation, it implies challenges, difficulties and trials. It connotes storm, struggles and strains. It can come from any direction, at any time and to anybody.

The Psalmist experienced several challenges and difficulties. He was physically, emotionally and spiritually attacked. In fact, he was surrounded by troops of enemies and enclosed in a walled fence. He has lost hope of surviving the siege, but the LORD came to his rescue. 

In Ps 18:28-30, he exclaimed:

You have turned on my light! The Lord my God has made my darkness turn to light.  Now in your strength I can scale any wall, attack any troop. What a God he is! How perfect in every way! All his promises prove true. He is a shield for everyone who hides behind him.  For who is God except our Lord? Who but he is as a rock? (TLB)

When you’re prepared, physically, mentally, and spiritually, you have nothing to fear. 

Whenever the wind blows, all you need is divine strength!