Be Prepared

It is a privilege to be representing a wonderful woman of God in a meeting later this morning so join me to learn from the ever relevant Mathew 25 where the theme of their program is drawn from. Scripture tells us about ten virgins here. Five were able to enter with the Bridegroom while the. other five were locked out. What qualified the five that had the feast with the Bridegroom? Verse 10 of Mathew 25 said that they were prepared. They all had their lamps and enough oil.

Psalm 119:105 tells us that the lamp stands for God’s Word while the oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Not long ago, I said that our God does all things by the duo of His Word and His Spirit.

Virgins, as used here, are representative of God’s people and the ones that will make it into spending eternity with the Bridegroom of the church will be the ones that are high in both the Word and the Spirit.

Joshua 1:8 tells us that good success is hinged on dwelling on the Word both in the day and in the night. Remove eternity in heaven from good success and all you have left is an empty carton. This is to say that when the Lord gave us Joshua 1:8 as a foundation for good success, He had eternity in view.

In Acts 20:32, Apostle Paul told the brethren that he was commending them to God and the Word of His grace which would build them up and give them an inheritance among all them who are sanctified. Again, this scripture was given to us with eternity in view. Inheritance on earth without eternity in heaven is useless. Moreover, that scripture talks about inheritance among the sanctified ones. Where else will you have a gathering of the sanctified outside heaven?

Finally this morning, I want to remind you of Luke 10:41-42. It says, And Jesus answered and said unto her Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things but one thing is needful…

That needful thing is the Word of God and that was what the wise virgins that made it to the feast with the Bridegroom had. It is important that we learn from this. The Word of God is given to us to prepare us for a life of success and victory here on earth and to deliver us safely into eternity in heaven. Pay attention to God’s Word. The five virgins that missed out are comparable to Martha who was cumbered with much serving and ignored the needful thing.

For those who have read my book THE KINGDOM WOMAN, you will recall that we had so much to say about Mathew 25 in the chapter that dwelt on living in joy and contentment. Pick copies for family and friends from the link below. Have a beautiful day and please share the message with others. None of us will be shut out of heaven in Jesus name.

https://www.konga.com/merchant/143858

Ngozi Okure.‎

Strength for Exploit

There is someone I know that will always stir most conversations towards criticizing Bible believing and carrying Christians and that is always. Now, things are not going on well with her and her seeds. I pointed out to my elder sister recently that the solution to their problem is rooted in the Bible. It is sad that many people do not know the Word of God for what it truly is. You see, this world was created by God to run on laws and principles and those laws are rooted in the Bible. All the principles of success taught by believers and non-believers alike have their roots in the Bible. I am currently reading No EXCUSES by Brian Tracy and you will see laws lifted from the scriptures word for word.

Joshua 1:8, the scripture that tells us what to do in order to have good success leans heavily on knowing, meditating and doing the Word of God. No wonder the Lord Jesus Christ told men in his days that they err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God. This tells me that a man who is not close to the Word of God is bound to making lots of mistakes in life. Never forget that Acts 20:32 tells us that the Word of God builds us up and gives us inheritance among all them who are sanctified. This again shows us that when you see a man who is destitute of sanctification and inheritance, you sure are looking at a man who has not paid attention to God’s Word.

My focus this morning is Daniel 11:32. It says in part ….but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. This scripture should spur somebody up to begin to seek God more. Like Daniel, we will do exploit in Jesus name. We will manifest the excellent Spirit of Jehovah God and we will be ten times better than others in the wonderful name of Jesus.

Remember that our books are now available at konga. Just click the link below to pick copies for yourself and your loved ones. Have a beautiful midweek and warm regards.

https://www.konga.com/merchant/143858

WE ARE WELL ABLE

What really happened to the sons of Joseph?They had a robust blessing from their grand father. They were blessed with the blessings of the womb and of the breast. Moreover, they were promised that their branches will run over the wall which was another way of saying that they would never be caged.

We saw how Caleb drove out the giants in Hebron and possesed that land. I can almost imagine how Joshua would have felt when the sons of Joseph came to him in Joshua 17. Give up more land they said. They complained that they were a great people who were entitled to more than one portion of land. That is correct said Joshua. Go up to the mountain and take more territories he told them. Do you know their response? They said they could not because the Canaanites that dwelt in those mountains had iron chariots.

Joshua 17:17-18 says, And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph even to Ephraim and to Manaseh, saying Thou art a great people and hast great power, thou shalt not have one lot only….for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.

What the Lord used  Joshua to tell the children of Israel is what I believe He is telling us today. We are well able by the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill purpose. Take your eyes off those iron chariots. Remember that heaven too has some iron chariots. In Christ Jesus, we even have chariots of fire.  Lord in Jesus name we refuse to concede territories to our enemies. We possess our inheritance in the mighty name of Jesus.

Remember to join me in RCCG , Peace Assembly by 8am on Saturday as we look at Personal Development over breakfast. Address once again is 19 Water Corporation Drive off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island. Lagos.

Please share this post and be a blessing to someone today.

 

Ngozi Okure

www.ngoziokure.com.ng

YOU HAVE THE POWER

It was Jim Rohn that said that you cannot hire a man to do your push ups for you. There are things you can delegate and other things that only you can do.  Joshua 15:14 says, And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai the children of Anak. Those were giants that originally dwelt in Hebron. He drove them all out and occupied that city when he was already above 80 years. Why could he do that.

From what we know from Ezekiel 2:2, when the Lord speaks to a man, the Spirit of the Word spoken enters into him to give him the requisite ability to do what was spoken. I had not written a poem in all my life until the morning that the Lord told me He was going to enable me to write. This tells me that as soon as the Lord promised Joshua and Caleb that He was giving them Hebron, it was a done deal. He is the God that says a thing and it is done.

Notice however that it took Caleb taking some steps before the promise became a reality in his life. Nothing much happens when we are passive. The ten leppers cleansed in the book of Luke got their healing as they went. To Joshua, the Lord said, wherever the soles of your feet threads on, I will give to you. He came back to him in Joshua 13 and said Joshua, you are old and there are still much land to possess. That will not be our story in Jesus name.

What are the things that the Lord has called you to do? What are those ideas you have nursed for a long time? Begin to take steps towards accomplishing them. We do not have too much time in this side of eternity and we are not called to be at ease in Zion. Remember once again that you cannot hire a man to do your push ups for you.

I am so glad to inform my Abuja friends that our books are now available in Abuja. Address is The Bible Wonderland, Standard Plaza, Opposite Sky Memorial, Zone 6 along the way from Wuse to Bega. Phone – 08105682176.

Please share this post to inspire someone today. Have a beautiful day.

 

Ngozi Okure

www.ngoziokure.com.ng

COVENANT KEEPING GOD

The God we serve is known as the Covenant keeping God. With Him, Covenants are serious business that must be obeyed. In the days we live, the Covenant we witness often is the marriage covenants that are entered into in our various Churches during weddings. I love to watch  wedding ceremonies  in this part of the globe. So much celebration and fanfare. In the midst of all the celebrations, I always wonder if the couples involved are aware that the Covenant keeping God is always present. He hears all the vows we make.

The Nigerian Church is huge in prayers and praying. When I watch and listen to some of our prayer points sometimes, I wonder. Do the enemies really have as much power as we ascribe to them?Imagine a couple praying earnestly against the enemies that are behind the recession they may be going through as a family. Meanwhile, they are not faithful to their marital vows. Prayer and fasting is not a fix all in the kingdom. There are things that only obedience can fix. Our God is called the Ancient of Days because He never changes. Israel broke their Covenant with Gibea and famine hit them for years. What makes anyone in our dispensation think that they will violate their marital vows and not attract famine?

The book of Malachi is popular about tithing. Notice what it says in Malachi 2:14. It says, ..Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, yet is she thy companion and the wife of thy covenant. I add here that he is equally the husband of your youth.The Lord says here that He sees everything. If we can replace treacherous in the scripture above with love and consideration in our marital relationships, things will be better. Remember once again that our God is a Covenant keeping God and that He  sees it all.

Have a beautiful new week. May destiny helpers locate you this new week in Jesus name.

 

Ngozi Okure

www.ngoziokure.com.ng

FOCUS ON THE FATHER

I have heard countless numbers of messages on the prodigal son of Luke 15.  Having read about it yesterday,  a thought came to my mind that is worthy of consideration this morning. Is it not possible that the young man ran away from the father’s house because of the hostility of his elder brother? Scripture tells us that even when he returned home,  his elder brother was angry.  Luke 15:28 says, And he was angry and would not go in therefore came his father out, and intreated him.  Even when he complained to his father,  he did not refer to the returning prodigal son as his brother.  He merely referred to him as your son. They lived in an age of no internet and phones.  How did the senior brother of the prodigal son know that he wasted his substance on harlots?  That young man was not only vengeful and angry but was also mean.

The church of God still has people like that even in our days.  That is why it is absolutely important that we focus our attention on our Heavenly Father.  Scripture even tells us to do so in Hebrew 12:2. We should look unto Jesus for He is our perfect example. The law of focus I am told is one of the most important laws of success.  If Apostle  Peter could talk to us,  he will confirm that when he took his focus off Jesus,  he began to sink.

It was a mixed multitude that left Egypt for Canaan and that is how it is till date.  There are people in church who sing our songs and talk our talk but do not have His Spirit.  You meet with them at vulnerable seasons and they sting you.  Take your eyes off such people and focus your attention on our Heavenly Father.  His love is both seamless and boundless. He drips with love all over even for returning prodigals. May His name be eternally praised.

Have a beautiful weekend and please share this to bless someone today.  You are blessed.

Ngozi Okure

www.ngoziokure.com.ng

COMPEL THEM

The word compel reminds me of Mathew 11:12. That scripture tells  us that the violent takes it by force. Of course we know  that our God never wants us to be lukewarm.

Luke 14 tells the story of a particular man that made a supper and invited people and they all made excuses. Verse 23 of it says, And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in that my house may be filled.  It is obvious from this scripture that God is happy when our Church auditoriums are full.  Stretch that a bit further to cover whatever you do.  The first command that God gave man after creation was that he should be fruitful. Scripture calls us branches of the True Vine.  When Jesus sought fruits in the vine and found none,  He was not pleased.  From Matthew 25, we also know that the master was not pleased with the servant that hid his talent. Why should you carry the Holy Ghost who is the extraordinary strategist in your life and what is committed into your hand is drying up?

If you have read HOW TO FLOURISH IN RECESSION,  you will know that I made a huge deal of 2 Kings 4. That dear woman of God was told to go and sell the oil that was given to her.  Heaven gave her a miracle by multiplying her oil but it was her responsibility to ‘compel’ men to buy that oil. If she got the oil and lacked the requisite knowledge of how to sell it,  she would still have been in lack. It is important to note that things are not just bought but should be sold. Gone are the days that you put things in a shelf and only expect men to walk in and pick them up.  These days, you compel them to come through advertising. How do I go about that?  Ask the Holy Ghost. Scripture says that He is the one that teaches us how to profit.

I recently met Pastor Seyi who is in charge of one bookshop in Festac. Looking around at their books,   I saw him reading through HELPMEET with keen interest. “This book makes a lot of sense. Check on me in a month’s time” By the following morning, he had put a quotation from that book in facebook. He told me he would get the pastor in charge of their marriage counseling to announce the book to their intending couples. Did he stop there?  Their youth convention was approaching and he said he will advertise the books there too.  This is compelling men for patronage.

God has not called us unto passivity.  We bear the image of God in our spirit and should blossom where ever we are planted. Remember, excuses were not created by God.  They are made by slothful people.

Have a beautiful day and please share this to inspire someone today.

 

Ngozi Okure

www.ngoziokure.com.ng

TRY THE WORD FIRST

On my way to my interview with inspiration FM on Friday over my book HOW TO FLOURISH IN RECESSION, I saw a beautiful poster.  It was MIRACLES!  MIRACLES!  MIRACLES!  as usual.  When will we get to appreciate that when the Lord gave us the Holy Bible, He gave us miracle seeds.  Joshua 1:8 tells us that if we can meditate on the Word daily and declare it, we will have good success.  Remove good success from miracles and what you have may be an empty shell.

Imagine asking a sick person if he has taken his medication and he says no.  Why? You asked and he tells you that it does not work.  How do you know that it does not work when you have not complied with the instruction of the doctor.

When I see people running from pillar to post in search of miracles, my question is – Have you tried the Word of God? I mean, trying it the way the great physician recommended. Read Deuteronomy 6 and you will know what I mean.

The purpose of a thing is in its design. What you are created to be and accomplish in this world has been divinely programmed into you.  Activate that by paying an undivided attention to God’s Word. There is really no justifiable reason why a believer should not aspire to read through the Bible in one year. Remember that it is a free world and I am entitled to my opinion. If our father in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye adds the Bible in one year plan for us in the Open Heaven it is because he knows it is good for us.

Try the Word.  With it the Lord created all things. Good success remains a mirage in hearts that are destitute of the Word of God and yours should not be one.

Have a beautiful day and remember to share this to inspire someone. You are blessed.

 

Ngozi Okure

www.ngoziokure.com.ng

WAIT FOR IT

I remember calling the leader of the intercessors for Nigeria, my State branch from Venezuela some years ago.  The news trending on the news channels of the world about our great nation were not good at all. Daddy, what do we do?  We have the sword of the Spirit, he had told me among other things.  I learnt from that call that those men and women of the throne room were having prayer vigils every night for weeks over our nation.

Recently, I had visited another great man of prayers and saw pictures he took at Lokoja.  He had gone to that confluence town to do prophetic praying over our great nation still.

You will recall the beautiful prayer program organised recently by one of our fathers over the state of our nation. I was fully involved and had the assurance that our God will do great things for us.  Just yesterday, I saw some clips which reminded me of the small cloud like the fist of a man which grew into a mighty down pour!!!

It takes time for things to happen.  Don’t give up!!! Remember that visions speak at the end and not at the beginning.  Reading through Luke 13 yesterday,  I saw a beautiful reminder of our need for patience. Luke 13:7 says, Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none:, cut it down: why cumbereth it the ground. Scripture says that the vine dresser had encouraged him to give him one more year to tend and nurture the plant.  That gives us four years.  This tells me that it is wisdom not to abandon any vision that you have not nurtured for at least four years.

I say again that it takes time for things to happen.  It is obvious that we have instant everything in our days but the God that causes things to happen  is called the Ancient of Days.  He has not changed.  Tend,  water and nurture your visions and wait on Him to give the fruits in His time. He is forever faithful.  Has never failed anyone and will not start with you. Your victory is. sure in Jesus name. Please share this with friends.

 

Ngozi Okure.

www.ngoziokure.com.ng

HE AROSE

He arose DC Hallelujah Christ arose.

He arose for our rising. 1 John 3:8 says, “…for this purpose the son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil”. With His rising, none of the works of the devil is permitted to be in our lives.  Sickness, poverty, demonic oppression, stagnation, dryness of all sorts, every type of mind paralysis are terminated by His resurrection power in Jesus name.

The resurrection story is not complete without talking about those ladies of Mark 16. They inspire me a great deal.  Mark 16:3 says, and they said among themselves, who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? Those women of God wanted to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.  They knew that there was a great stone they could not lift but they did not allow themselves to be weighed down by that challenge.  By the time they got there, the stone was rolled away.

I said recently that victory in life is motion activated.   Nothing much happens for people who do not take steps. Wherever the soles of your feet touches, the Lord says He will give to us.  This means no steps, no territories. You must have had of paralysis by analysis. Those sisters could have spent the whole day analyzing how the stone will be rolled away without taking any steps. But they conquered passivity and so can we. If the four leprous men of 2 Kings 7 could speak from the graves, they will tell us that most times,  when we take a step towards our visions,  our God goes ahead of us to cause great things to happen.

Have a very beautiful Easter Sunday and welcome to the beautiful month of April where glorious things will happen for us in Jesus name.

 

Ngozi Okure

www.ngoziokure.com.ng