International Ministers Fellowship

Introduction

2007 has come and gone. A day before the year passed on to eternity – there shall be no other 2007 till the end of time – the Lord arrested my attention for over 5 hours and gave this message to that part of the Church of Jesus Christ that emulates the Church at Philadelphia of Revelations 3:7 – 13. Because it is the Lord’s message all who read are permitted to replicate this document in any form suitable and make same freely available to as many as possible.

Prologue

As we inch to the last few hours of this epic year 2007, the best we can do is to earnestly review how the journey of life has been and apprehend what the Lord is saying concerning the forthcoming year.

Truly, times and seasons are dependent on the motions of the Sun and Moon (Genesis 1: 14-18). However, there is a higher law that puts man in charge of all creation (Genesis 1:26 – 28). In Ecclesiastes 3: 1- 11, we see the mystery of times and seasons ends with a sure word in verse 11: God makes everything beautiful in His time! As the number 7 stands for perfection, I believe the Lord has been doing a work designed to complete a phase of your life this year 2007. This work includes all the difficulties, problems and challenges you encountered which seemed to have made you suffer. Praise the Lord that you are alive, having gone through the storm and night of life. Did not Solomon the wise say in Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 that to him that is joined to the living, there is hope? Brethren, keep hope alive for hope is an anchor for the soul!

There are four sure words you can hang onto that correlate your yesterday with your tomorrow: weeping may endure; Romans 8:28(all Things work together for good!); 1 Peter 5:10(after you have suffered for a while, you will be settled!). For this reason, you can validly close the 2007 chapter of your life and with confidence turn a new page, a better and more glorious page called 2008 so wonderfully penned in Isaiah 43:18-21!

The redeemed of the Lord of which you are one are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus having the same ability He exhibited while on planet earth to make circumstances and nature to obey His voice and adjust their seasons in His favour. Our brother Joshua exercised part of this principle in the battle against the Amorites at Ajallon(Joshua 10:12-14) when he commanded the Sun and Moon to stand still until he finished the assignment. Abraham, our father in the faith had his age rolled back inorder to procreate because he discovered the secret of the El Shaddai as one who calls things that be not, as if they are( Romans 4: 16 – 21). In effect, saints of the Most High: neither the devil nor those who hate you have any power over your future.

Your future is rather rooted, established and activated in only two personalities and facts:

*God and His will for your life that is stated so clearly in the Holy Writ and revealed to you personally by the Holy Spirit which Jeremiah 29:11 says are good and designed to give you a future and hope of fulfilment of the purpose for which He created you.

*You and the way you receive what God is saying about you evidenced in three things you do: decision backed by determination and discipline to move onto the higher ground of holistic success which God has graciously provided for you in Christ Jesus when He took your place at the cross and blotted out every handwriting of ordinance which was against you and contrary to you (Colossians 2:14-15)

In effect, every thing is in place for you to say like our great brother who has passed on to glory, even the Apostle Paul: “if God be for us, who can be against us; He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies” (Romans 8:31, 32). Knowing that the call of God on our lives as His children is progressive towards an end which is to glorify us, it makes sense to enter and possess 2008 with confidence in line with Romans 8:28-30.
In effect, saints of the Most High the safest thing for us to be doing in the hours preceding the new year is to heed the word spoken by Joshua as Israel prepared to take Jericho in Joshua 3:5 “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you”

God is gracious and ever ready to bless His Elect. The only thing He requires from us is to understand and accept His plans for us and yield to the Holy Spirit as He propels us towards His purpose. He wants us to be like sheep and not goats. He wants us to trust Him wholly, not leaning unto our own understanding as Psalm 37: 3-7 and Proverbs 3: 5, 6 state clearly. He wants us to embrace His priorities as our priorities and focus our energies not on procuring the transient things of this world which Solomon, who had them to excess described as vanity (Ecclesiastes 12:8) but to SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND ITS RIGHTEOUSNESS trusting Him to graciously bless us with all that pertain to life and godliness needful to fulfil His purpose for our lives (Matthew 6:33, 2 Peter 1:3, 4)

God also wants us to be responsible enough to receive all He has for us by DECIDING we will be just what He wants us to be; DETERMINE that neither the devil nor any created being can stop us from becoming what our heavenly Father has ordained and make up our mind to exercise the DISCIPLINE to lay aside ever besetting sin and weights as we put ourselves to work, bringing the body under subjection so that we press on daily into the fullness of the divine purpose. This three fold process is not achieved by our own power. Rather, it is the fruit of the grace we receive in Christ Jesus, a grace through which Paul says in Philippians 4:13, we can do all things and as James, junior brother after the flesh, of our Lord Jesus Christ exhorts in James 2:17 -26) our faith is useless if it does not produce matching actions.

Permit me to therefore outline 12 UNCHANGING PRINCIPLES FOR POSSESSING 2008, representing, as it were, the things we ought to do consciously and consistently to appropriate what God has already freely secured for us:


1. IDENTIFY ALL CONSTRAINTS TO YOUR MANIFESTATION AND DEAL WITH THEM DECISIVELY.

These include what Hebrews 12:2 calls besetting sins and weights. Romans 6 and 8 are clear that sin shall not have dominion over you and that you have the power, by His grace to yield your members to God only as instruments of righteousness! Deal with all bad habits, unprofitable lifestyles and attitudes including gossip and unsanctified tongue(James 3:1-13; James 1:26). Unclutter your life, your home, office, and wardrobe. Take off clothes, footwear and equipments you don’t need. Root out indecision, confusion of face and procrastination as well as all little foxes that pop up in your life. Songs of Solomon 2:15

2. NEVER RUN AHEAD OF GOD: YEILD TO THE HOLY SPIRIT 24/7 IN ALL THINGS, SMALL AND GREAT.

Learn to know the voice of God and yield to His promptings. Avoid presumption. Don’t run ahead of or lag behind the Holy Spirit. Constantly open up to receive fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and cultivate a healthy life of praying in the Spirit, for therein the enemy is confused and there is express access to the Throne of Grace. Romans 8:26,27; 1 Corinthians 14:14,15. In these last days we need the comfort of the Holy Spirit, His illumination of the logos to produce Rhema and His guidance that is in perfect consonance with the will of our heavenly Father. We need to allow Him to reveal Jesus to us afresh and lead us into the depths of intimacy with our beloved Saviour and Lord. In the final analysis, it is He who alone is able to process us from babyhood as Children of God through our stage of Disciples who simply serve a Master out of duty onto the depths of Intimate Friendship Jesus spoke of in John 15:14, 15. He it is who will cover us with the glory purchased for us at Calvary and endue us with such Power and Authority that we can manifest that ultimate level of Sonship that can exercise Dominion over our environment, even the greater works Jesus spoke of in John 14:12-14. No wonder the earnest expectation of the creation is awaiting our manifestation as Romans 8:19 affirms.

3. LIVE A LIFE OF PRAYER, CONCERNING EVERYTHING.

Pray without ceasing during 2008, any where and everywhere, in all situations. Pray through and receive a release in your spirit before embarking on any project. If your heart is troubled with lack of PEACE, JOY and the way you are headed on any project will not conduce to RIGHTEOUSNESS according to Romans 14:17-19, it is better to hold your ground until there is clarity in your spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 18:1-8; Matthew 7:7-9

4. FEED YOUR SPIRIT AND SOUL WITH THE WORD OF GOD ALWAYS

Just as you feed the body daily and regularly, much more our spirit and soul
need regular intake of the Word of God. The Word does these things to our inner being: Like Fire, purge it of chaff and like Hammer, break off rocky propensities that seek to manifest (Jeremiah 23:29); Like Water, wash off every filth that seeps in through what we see, hear or think (John15:3); Like a Sword pierce through to identify our innermost thoughts, motives and desires(Hebrews 4:12,13); Like a Mirror, show us our real self, devoid of make up(James 21 -25) and like Milk, nourish us to balanced growth(1 Peter 2: 1-2). We need to develop a healthy habit of dwelling in the Word to understand the WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD and not nibble at bits and pieces or skim the surface. The riches of God are in the deep, not the surface! The Word is particularly needful with the invasion of the Church space by Exhorters and Motivational speakers who are telling people what they want to hear, not what they need to know 2 Tim 4: 1-4. Colossians 3:16 exhorts us to let the Word of Christ dwell richly in us so that we can be propelled by the impetus it gives.

5. LIVE IN LOVE, FOR THAT IS THE LIFE OF CHRIST IN ACTION

We are called to restore the sanctity of love as the heart of the Christian faith.
Everything we think, say or do will rise and fall on whether it is motivated or propelled by LOVE or charity. The Lord commands it in clear language and we have no choice but to obey John 13:34, 35. The early Church practised it as a corporate lifestyle hence the fullness of the Presence and Power of God in their midst. Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:34-37; Acts 6:1-7. In the Pauline epistles which unveil clearly the mystery of the New Testament Church, there is great emphasis on living in Love as central to the gospel message. 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 5:1,2. Love is intensely practical and will propel us to cover each other’s nakedness 1 Peter 4: 8; forgive those who wrong us Ephesians 4:31; Matthew 5:20-24; 38 – 48; share burdens 1 John 11-24; 1 John 4: 20, 21.


6. LET US SEE ENTIRETY OF LIFE AS A SEED THAT WILL BRING DUE HARVEST

We must come to a realization that the principle of seedtime and harvest time is a constant that the Lord instituted to guide man to live by here on earth. Gen.8:22, Galatians 6:7,8 It is necessary to consider our THOUGHTS, WORDS, ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS as SEED that must produce harvest in due season. With this in view, we have no option but to
-win the warfare of the mind, breaking through every stronghold of the mind to take captives thoughts therein to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 using Philippians 4:8,9 as the benchmark of our thought life).
- Ensure that we think well of others, speak well of them and bless them, even when they treat us negatively. Matthew 5: 10-12; 1 Peter 3: 9-12
- Let us abandon the path of vengefulness and trust the Lord to fight for us as we obey Him. We must violently break off the spirit that seeks to express itself as vengeance in what is appropriately called “dangerous prayers” It really has no place in the life of grace.

7. LET OUR FAITH LOOSE TO RECEIVE ALL THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS NECESSARY FOR OUR ASSIGNMENT

Every Assignment has an Allocation! We must believe that He who called, equipped and commissioned us has all the resources we need to fulfil what He called us to do on His behalf here on planet earth 2 Peter 1;3,4. The Word even says in Ephesians 3:20 that our God is able to give us what is beyond our imagination. Mark 11:22-24; Hebrews 10:35-39; Hebrews 11:1, 6. Jeremiah 32:27, Jeremiah 33:1-3. We have no excuse to wallow in poverty or lack for all creation is waiting to release what belongs to us as we exercise dynamic faith which is activated by what we believe in our Heart; Conceive in our Mind; Speak with our Tongue and Walk with our Actions. Faith and Prayer are two tracks that work together. Praying without faith is meaningless just as exercising faith without prayers will limit our ability to receive all that God has ordained for us. In exercising faith however, we must beware of covetousness which is idolatry Colossians 3:5, 6 and worldliness or acquisition of vanities which is enmity against God 1 John 5:15-17.The material things the Lord will surely bless His Elect with are for His own glory, to expand His Kingdom, glorify His elect and keep them from temptations. The sure word of the Lord is that no temptation beyond your grace and ability to overcome shall come to you! 1 Corinthians 10:13


8. DISCOVER THE GOD ORDAINED PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES AND GIVE OURSELVES WHOLLY TO FULFIL OUR MINISTRIES AS WE DISCOVER AND EXERCISE OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

In the final analysis, we are here on earth as strangers and pilgrims on a transition to eternity. In the period of time the Lord ordained that we be on earth, His purpose is to use us to achieve specific aspects of His holistic, comprehensive redemptive plan for mankind. We are saved to serve as instruments of Reconciling the Lost to Him and edifying the saints and building up the Body. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – 21; Ephesians 4:11 – 16
John 15:16. It is for this reason that the Lord bestows on us the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we may function at optimal capacity and bear abundant fruit that remain unto the coming of the Lord Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11-16. In the realm of spiritual gifts, there is neither male nor female and we will stand before the judgement seat of Christ to account for what we did with those gracious gifts. We cannot afford to delay our manifestation nor bury our gifts. We need to engage with the fullness of our assignment, for the time is short! Therefore, let us diligently remove all barriers constructed to hinder people from fulfilling their ministries on the basis of culture, gender age or societal standing. Let the words of Galatians 3:26 -28 awaken all of us to reality of equity in Christ Jesus.


9. STAND UPON THE FINISHED WORK OF THE CROSS TO RESIST THE DEVIL AND BIND ALL HIS COHORTS MASSED AGAINST US

Victory was won the day Christ said it is finished John 19:30, taking captivity captive and made an open show of principalities and powers Colossians 2:14, 15. It’s already a done deal and you have no business being afraid of the devil. 1 Peter 5:8,9 says he will flee if you resist him steadfastly in the faith. To this agrees James 4:7. Revelations 12:11 gives us a clue: that by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB the enemy is overthrown. For this reason, beloved brethren, we need to take up the whole armour of God and wear same 24/7 so that we will win the spiritual warfare that rages daily. Jesus Christ Himself gave us the power and authority to overcome in Mark 16:17.

10. LET US RECREATE OUR WORLD WITH FAITH FILLED WORDS

As we realize the enormous capacity of the tongue, let us emulate our Father God who created the worlds by the spoken word(Genesis1; Hebrews 11:1-3) and recreate our world in 2008 and beyond by what we say with our tongues(Proverbs 18:21) . Let the word of Christ alone dwell richly in us and dominate our consciousness that we will only speak what the Word says concerning any and every situation of our lives Colossians 3:16. This means we must not be ruled by our 5 carnal senses but by faith in what God says. It means that in line with Isaiah 53:1, we must believe and confess only the report of the Lord and patiently wait to see the salvation of the Lord in all things.

11. LET US KEEP UNITY OF THE FAITH; ESTEEMING FELLOWSHIP WITH BRETHREN HIGHLY AND IN LOVE SERVE EACH OTHER

Unity is imperative and non negotiable. Jesus prayed for this in John 17 while Ephesians 4:1-4 outlines the basis of unity. Unity however is oiled by true fellowship which arises from a knitting together of hearts wrought by the Holy Spirit arising from shared values. The remnant of God will be known for the primacy of holiness, love; submission to the will of God and yeildedness to the Holy Spirit for empowerment and guidance. Our races, tribes, ethnic groups, ages, gender, social and economic cleavages and even denominational creeds are of no value in the process of fellowship. We know each other instinctively, even if we meet for the first time on cyberspace, in conventions or through any other form of contact. Beware therefore of assemblages where the dominant glue is race or ethnicity or denominationalism. Unity however is oiled by two related attributes, namely humility and service. We must be humble towards God and the brethren and prove this by pouring out our lives in service to them, expecting nothing in return. Jesus Himself modelled this in John 13 and James 4: 10, Matthew 18:1-4. Take heed however that you do not mistake ecumenism for unity. When people summon you to ecumenical meetings, take the whole armour of God on you and ensure coverage of the blood of the Lamb in order to avoid contamination and unholy alliances or spiritual after the manner of Jehoshophat complex in 1 Kings 22:24 -37. Be sure of what people believe before you enter into alliances. 2 Peter 3:14-18; 2 John 1: 4-11

12. LET US KEEP ETERNITY IN VIEW IN EVERY PURSUIT AND DECISION
We cannot emphasize enough the fact that we are strangers and pilgrims on earth. We therefore need to constantly remind ourselves and each other that one day, this world and all its fancies will pass away. He who redeemed us, even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is coming soon. As we see almost every prophetic word concerning the end times being fulfilled with uncanny precision, in Europe, the Middle East and the Russia-China-Iran axis and worldwide, it is needful for us to heed the words of 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11 and comfort ourselves. Jesus is coming soon. All that He has made us to be and all He has blessed us with are not to stack up earthly possessions but to equip us with the resources to do the work He appointed us. Please let us do a reality check: where are your treasures? On earth or in heaven? Where is our heart? On earth or in heaven? Are we truly building the Kingdom or building our empires?

Let us pray that our hearts will not be overcharged with food and drink, fashion and houses. These things are good if acquired in perspective and in proportion. However, they have a potent capacity to become idols that draw our hearts away from He who is a jealous God, even the thrice Holy God.

Of Him and from Him, I have received this charge for you today on 12 unchanging principles through which you will possess 2008 holistically. I have done my job as a messenger. Will you hear, apply and use these same truths to minister to others so that the whole earth will be filled with this Word from our Lord?

As I write to you, so am I sending this same message to our brethren in Africa, Europe, North America, South America, the Caribbean’s, Asia and Australia.
It is precursor to the ultimate message of the season which the Lord is incubating in the spirit for downloading in the days ahead; A WORD THAT DESCRIBES THE STATE OF the Church of Jesus Christ and how to escape the snares the devil he has laid all over for the unwary who are not diligent..

May you escape and be found in Him without spot or wrinkle like Ephesians 5:27 says even as the sound of the last rain is audible in the horizon, amen and amen!!!

Yours for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, sent to London, capital city of this present world system to be used of Him to jump start an impending Reformation of the Church, Restoration of all biblical truths and Christian experiences including spiritual gifts/callings and equip the saints for an enduring Revival that will prepare the Bride for the ultimate Bridegroom.

We live at the very end of the age. In this dispensation, two opposite tendencies will manifest in the Church world. These are the Laodecian and the Philadelphian expressions of the Church so aptly described by the Glorified Christ Himself to His faithful servant and friend John in Revelations Chapter 3 verses 7 to 19.

For the past 37 years the Laodecian complex has been manifested as the prosperity gospel, an appropriate description of a gospel devoid of true spirituality, one which elevates soulishness to a new artform. The prosperity gospel creates a God who exists to meet the needs of man. Thus christianity is basically a utilitarian venture where the whole purpose of the Creator is to pander to the whims and caprices of man, the flagship of His creation!. When subjected to true scrutiny, the prosperity gospel collapses on the weight of its own contradictions: man lives for the here and now, chasing elusive happiness derived from abundance of money and material possessions.

Neither God nor even purveyors of this dangerous doctrine are fooled however. When the chips are down, the Laodecian (read prosperity) complex will receive the signal that time is up to hear some home truths from He who shed His precious blood to purchase for Himself a Church that is His own holy Body of which He is the Head; His own beautiful Bride of which He is the Groom and His own people called out of darkness unto His marvelous light:

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor and blind and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.( Rev.3:15-18 KJV)