The land that the Lord promised

Then Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carry the ark of the LORD’s covenant, and to all Israel’s elders (Deu 31:9 NET).

There are different categories or levels of leadership. From the scripture above, we could identify the priests and the elders. And here Moses handed over the law to them to handle and appropriate.

Going back to verse 7 of the same Deuteronomy chapter 31, there was another leader which was Moses himself. And this time, his time was up, he handed over his leadership baton to Joshua, as God instructed. And the duty of Joshua was clear:

Then Moses called out to Joshua in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will accompany these people to THE LAND that the LORD promised to give their ancestors, and YOU WILL ENABLE THEM TO INHERIT IT (Deu 31:7 NET).

While the priests and elders handle the law, Joshua was to ensure the people get into the land. The Israelites have received the law. And under the able guidance of the elders. Yet, they were still in the wilderness.

It will take a leader to move them out of that land of dryness to a new land flowing with milk and honey. It will take a leader to move a people out of their usual occupation and environment to an occupation and environment that God has designated for them.

While we listen to voice of the priests and elders as they teach us God's word, we must acknowledge the voice of the leader urging us to move out of our 'comfort' zone to a new zone, a new occupation, a new environment, that will change our economic status for good. 

Those who did not keep God's word never made it out of the wilderness. While those who abide by God's word, were enabled to move to a new occupation and environment when the time came.

Live righteously

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Proverbs 14:34 NET)

It is not possible to hold unto sin and righteousness at the same time. It is like an ON and OFF switch. When you put on an active switch, you see light, but reverse is the case when you put it off.

Most of the time, people want to see light consistently but they struggle to keep the switch ON all the time. This moment, they are testifying, preaching and praying as a righteous person, the next moment they are engaged in act of sin.

There is no amount of righteous act that can cover up act of sin. Act of sin is only dealt with through repentance. It is not even solved by discussing how difficult it is to overcome act of sin, thereby giving excuses to sin. One just has to repent from sin.

Jesus taught us to pray: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This will prayer will only happen when we match it with corresponding righteous actions. When you need light, keep the switch on?

Sadly, many people pray, study the bible, preach, etc but in contrary go about switching off the light. For one reason or the other, they lie, cheat, inflate figures, make dishonest gain, take bribe, curse, gossip, etc... And at the end we see darkness - corruption, bribery and all manner of evil even among God's people.

If we truly want change or rather want to see the manifestation of the kingdom of God in our environment, we have to watch our acts. While we pray, preach, study the bible, etc we must go on living righteously no matter what it takes.

Be fully equipped

Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11 NET).

The full armor of God comes from the following underlisted, as captured in Ephesians chapter 6:

1. Truth

2. Righteousness

3. Peace

4. Salvation

5. Faith

6. Word of God

7. Prayer

8. Alertness

9. Perseverance

Looking closely, we find out that they are not material in nature. They are not like money, house, car, business, etc, that  can be seen with physical eyes, yet potent enough. The battle is spiritual; it is not against flesh and blood even though flesh and blood could be involved as part of the schemes of the devil.

Note that having any of them or some of them is good, but to win the battle against the schemes of the devil, one must be fully equipped with them all.. For instance praying is good, but not enough... Knowing the truth is good, but not enough. Knowing the word of God is good but not enough.

To be victorious in every area of our lives, we must put all the armor together. One armor cannot replace the other. They complement each other and all have their proper places... Just imagine preventing a theif from coming in through the front door while the back door is open.

The Lord of host has provided these effective armor, it is for us to engage them all. And through that, we will be strenghtened in the Lord and also in the strength of his power to experience a victorious life.

Love your wife

In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Ephesians 5:28 NET) 

True love is reflected in deed and in truth... Love is not just what you say with your mouth but what you do in truth.

If you love someone, it is good you express it with your mouth, but it only becomes real when you match it with the right actions.

Right actions because not all actions are reflection of love. Some in the name of love have end up engaging in wrong acts and thereby hurting themselves. 

In this life, it is not possible to live for yourself. Your action or inaction will always impact positively or negatively on someone else.

As a husband for instance, you cannot live for yourself... In reality, the love you have for your wife is a measure of the love you have for yourself. You are one... mutually bonded.

What you do for your wife, is what you do for yourself... It's like loving your neighbor as you love yourself. The love you have for yourself is real to the extent of your expression of love to people around you. 

If you pay attention to your wife, you are paying attention to yourself... It will still benefit you in the long run. And if you neglect your wife, you are neglecting yourself... It will backfire in the long run.

As a husband, when you properly channel your time, attention, energy, resources, and patiently groom your wife as part of your responsibility, you will find out that you are becoming a better husband in the process. And you will all consequently experience an amazing home...

Choose your suffering

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (1Peter 2:20-21)

You have seen yourself suffer simply because you are on the side of the truth. You are not alone! Following the truth does not prevent suffering, it rather prepares us to achieve great things even through the things we suffer.

If you suffer for doing wrong things: for not speaking out the truth or for not being on the side of it, that is a well deserved suffering. Many are suffering today because of the wrong decisions they made, for example while voting. That is well deserved suffering, right?

Would it not have been better to suffer abuse, deprivation or even imprisonment for not following the usual poltical trend but instead stand out. Just imagine if the church accepts the consequences of not trying to follow political trend, and unanimously have their preferred Godfearing and qualified candidate.

It's like speaking and acting decisively against injustice in your office, risking the fact that you could be fired or sidelined, or on the other hand keeping quiet and let the injustice continue.

The consequences of not following the truth lingers without any known solution that works. But the consequences of following the truth is only temporary, and afterwards produces life changing results.

Instead of thinking we can escape suffering, we should rather choose our suffering. It is self deception to think that things will change by mere suffering. Things will change when the people learn to suffer for the right reason.

The wonderful home, society, and country we desire will only come when we learn not just to suffer but to suffer for the right reason, and in that we give room for God to show up in the true sense of it.

The influence of the church

But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:24 NET).

Sometimes we do not want to accept the truth because we feel we will be disadvantaged if we do so.

While it is true that we might suffer certain things when we embrace the truth, but what of the consequences or the negative impact if we do not.

Many wives struggle with the scripture above especially when they think their husbands will abuse their submission. However, the scripture is also referring to the church and the Christ.

The wife is to submit as the church submits. Which one comes first? Of course, the submission of the church. The church shows the way: the wives are to learn to submit as the church does.

It is like reaping what you sow... In other words, if the husband, being part of the church, submits to Christ in everything, it follows that the wife will also learn to submit.

The society could influence people's behavior in a good way, to the extent that the church influences the society. 

If we as the church is positivity changing our environment through our total submission to Christ, we will also see the impact in our homes.

Focus on your kindgom duties

Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept (Matt 25:3-5 NKJV)

Sometimes, when we first read the scripture above, we will think it was only the foolish virgins that slumbered and slept, while the bridegroom tarried. But when we read it closely again, we will see that they all (including the wise virgins) slumbered and slept.

As earlier pointed out in the previous chapter, while Jesus was talking about the end time signs, He stated that many false prophets will rise and deceive many. And that only happened when many believers were offended as the result of the impact of the end time signs.

Now we see false prophets everywhere, so who is to be blamed? There is no need to pass the bulk to anyone for the situation we are in, in this end time. What the wise virgin did was to wake up from their slumber and sleep, and then trim their lamps, and also ensure their lamps didn’t go off.

When believers are not watchful as they should, they become encumbered with the things of this world, and many things will go wrong around them. In the parable of the sower, the Lord said that pleasures, riches, and cares of this life are like thorns around a believer that can choke the believer and make the person unfruitful (Luke 8:14, Matthew 13:22).

So when we don’t see the desired change around us, we should rather check if the fruit we bear is positively impacting people around us or whether we are even bearing fruit at all. It is sad that false prophets influence many people negatively, but it is to the extent of room given to them or territory lost to them.

The end time signs are wakeup call to the slumbering and sleeping believers, just like the wakeup call to the wise and the foolish virgins. When they heard the call, they woke up and trimmed their lamps. It is amazing to notice that both the foolish and wise virgins woke up, yet only the wise ones were distinguished – they kept their lamps on.

While it is good to wake up, it is just a part of it. We also need to pay close attention to kingdom matters. And there is no need trying to pass the blame to anyone, rather we have to focus on our assigned kingdom duties and keep up with them.

What then is expected of us?

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? (Mat 24:45 KJV)

Let's pay close attention to the word "then" in the scripture above.

Prior to the above scripture, Jesus had talked about wars, earthquakes, pestilences, etc. He had also talked about the rise of the false prophets. And talked about the sad reality that many believers will be offended.

Based on these expected occurrences, what then is the type of believer we are meant to be? That is the question.

Due to the end time signs that will happen, life will not remain the same, and that will require both faithfulness and wisdom to scale through.

Time might seem to be suspended and people might be caught up in state of inactivity and self-indulgence. But the faithful and wise servants must ensure they make proper use of time.

Our opening scripture pointed out that the faithful and wise servant are meant to give food to the household in due season. So timing is key. There is time for everything under the sun.

Children have due season to learn certain things for instance. Wisdom demands that their studies should continue even at home. Home schooling should be activated and sustained.

Churches have been affected by the lock down following the pandemic. Wisdom demands that home church continues uninterrupted.

Businesses must find way around to keep running and thriving. There are certain businesses that cannot be put off otherwise the effect will catch up ahead.

We must not think that we have too much time, instead apply wisdom on the best way to utilize time:

Ephesians chapter 5 verses 15-17 says:
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is (NKJV).

We are not going to use lock down as an excuse to begin to misuse time. The situation calls for faithfulness and wisdom.

The wise men in our midst also need to put on their thinking caps and bring out heaven best fit solutions to navigate our confronting situations.

Faithful and wise

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods (Mat 24:45-47 KJV)

In these last days, Jesus pointed out the need to remain both faithful and wise. Someone will ask, "Is it possible to be faithful without being wise?" Good question.

One thing is for you to be faithful to God - loyal and truthful, and another thing is for you to be wise - marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters.

When you are given an assignment by your superiors in the office for instance, you are expected to be loyal to them and also get the assignment well done. If you are loyal but don't get the assignment done as expected, there is a problem.

The result that God seek from us requires us to be both faithful and wise. The scripture says that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52). Hence, as we grow physically and spiritually, we are also to grow wisdom wise.

Part of our opening scripture says "...to give them meat in due season..." Season is talking about timing. It will take wisdom not just do something good but to do it in due season.

So being faithful and wise will keep you on God's side on one hand, and on the other hand, get you do good things the way they ought to be done.

If you are to preach to someone today, why postpone it to tomorrow?

If you are angry with someone and you are to reconcile before the sun go down, why allow it to linger?

As a business man, you are to pick up phone and call a client right now, why shift it?

Or you are meant to pick up phone and call a brother right now, why postpone it?

If the Lord brings it to your attention to give to the poor or the needy today, why shift it to another day?

God wants us to live and produce results that are pleasing to Him. The troubles of the end time signs could cause us to neglect certain good things that we are ought to do timely. But we have to remain faithful and wise as good servants of God even in the midst of the troubles.

The gospel of the kingdom

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many (Matthew 24:9-11 KJV).

There are things that people of God must learn how to deal with when we are confronted with them face to face, namely

Affliction of believer
Death of believer
Being hated by nations
Being offended
Being betrayed by fellow believer
Being hated by fellow believer

If we do not prepare ourselves to deal with them, they will drive us to a point where we become offended.

We as the light of world are at to give out light even if some people complain about the brightness. We have to keep shinning otherwise the light will go dark and same people complaining about our brightness will glory in our darkness.

So the problem is not just that our light has gone dark, but the resultant darkness gives room for the wrong people to operate, and that is their plan all along.

Our opening scripture says, "Many false prophets will rise." And that happens when many believes are offended due to the difficulty they succumbed to.

And people who are offended will not be motivated or inspired to preach the truth any more. And the emerging false prophets will not preach the truth either. The result? Many will be deceived.

Believers need to get over with whatever difficulties they are facing in the world in this end time and pay attention to the kingdom matters.

The signs of the end time is not the same as the end time. And Lord said we should not be troubled about the signs of the end time (Matthew 24:6).

What will bring the end is when believers embrace the Lord's command, stop being troubled by the end time signs and preach message of the kingdom they are meant to preach.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14 KJV).

Don't be troubled

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places (Matthew 24:6-7 KJV).

Wars
Famines
Pestilences
Earthquakes

It is amazing to note that these tragedies (signs of end time) are stated in plural. They are not one time event but events that will happen severally and in divers places.

While we can avert troubles through prayers, these signs of end time cannot be averted. They are signs that must happen: they precede the Lord's coming. Just like the night precedes the day.

The Lord also talked about nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom. So when you see black nation for instance, rising against white nation, or vice versa, note they are part of the signs.

We must be careful enough or pay close attention enough to know that these events are end times signs, otherwise different meaning could be given to them, which is already the case.

Following the great unhappiness that these events will cause, people will interpret them differently. They could call nation against nation, racism: they could call pestilence, pandemic: famine as recession: and earthquake as natural disaster...

But if we accept them as what they are - the end time signs, our approach will be different. We will better prepare ourselves to handle them when they come, and better align ourselves with the plan and strategy of heaven.

For instance, war could destroy businesses, places of worship, homes, etc. How do we keep on living and maintain our kingdom assignment in such situations and avoid being carried away by the sorrows that such war bring?

God has strategies that makes his people resilient during such time... Strategies that can survive wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and their accompanied sorrows. And not only survive but keep advancing the kingdom even in the midst of the troubles.

Finally, note that the opening scripture is not saying it is the end of the world yet, it says "for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." So keep living, be optimistic, avoid being troubled, instead focus on the work at hand -  your kingdom assignment here on earth.

Take heed

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many (Matthew 24: 4-5 KJV).

The first thing that Jesus addressed in His end time message in Matthew 24 was deception.

Sometimes the gospel (good news) is not just about news that sound good, but news that speak the truth.

We should not just summarize good news as news that is pleasing to the ear. We will be setting ourselves up for deception if we do so.

If someone else comes to tell us that many will be deceived, a lot of us will say "God forbid." However, Jesus Himself said so that many will be deceived.

Many will deceive many... It doesn't sound good, right. But that statement is not a suggestion but a reality we will confront.

To make it worse, those that will deceive many are not coming in the name of an idol but in the of Jesus. And when they come, they will introduce themselves as Christ.

It is only when one has a thriving relationship with THE Christ, that it will be impossible to be deceived by these people that call themselves Christ.

"The Christ" is different from "Christ"... Just like someone saying I am almighty, but the person is not THE Almighty. So those who deceive, come with the identity of who they are not.

These things must happen. Solution? Jesus says "Take heed that no man deceive you." Simple instruction, yet potent if applied properly. If you know the Christ closely, it will be possible to point out the impostor.

Just imagine someone disguising like your only wife whom you love and care for. Busted, right?. But someone like Jacob was deceived to marry the woman he did not love... He had not previously lived intimately with the one he loved. (Genesis 29:16-25).

When we know "the Christ" intimately, we will not be deceived by those who say they are "Christ."

The son of peace

And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again (Luke 10:5-6).

"...your peace shall rest upon it..."

There were many homes in Israel but Jesus decided to come through the home of Joseph the husband of Mary.

Joseph was a man who always wanted to do what was right, which reflected in his actions towards Mary for being with a child (Matthew 1:18-25).

And Jesus stayed in their home increasing in stature and wisdom (Luke 2:51-52) until he was about 30 years of age ready for public ministration (Luke 3:22-23).

In the opening scripture above, Jesus told His disciples that if the son of peace is not in the house they enter, they should leave together with the peace already pronounced upon the house.

If we do not seek to establish the type of home that God expects of us, chances are that we keep missing the visitation of the Lord to settle in our homes and establish the peace we seek within.

Do you want peace? Everyone will say yes. It is refelcted in the acceptance of the Lord's presence in your home.

The Lord says, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).

God is everywhere, yet shows His presence in the gathering of people who earnestly welcome Him.

Are you a son of peace? It will reflect in your home and the quality of fellowship you have with God and the people He sends to you.

The church is not closed

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25 KJV)

Before the pandemic which necessitated the lockdown of churches, the scripture above had a certain interpretation.

While churches are closed, people found another meaning to it or beginning to revert to the original meaning.

Churches (the buildings) can be locked down but the true church of God cannot be locked down. The early churches first started meeting at their homes.

In fact, it is possible that reverse has been the case for years. While church buildings were open, many churches at home were locked down.

From the beginning, the fellowship that was had between man and God was at home - at the garden of Eden.

When Jesus was coming to the world, He could appear in the temple, but instead came through a home.

If we have big churches with broken homes, the society will not change. But if we have godly homes, the impact will be felt in the society as everyone comes from a home.

Every husband should see himself as pastor of his home. God gave Adam instructions on how his family should live. Abraham was also taught by God to teach his family:

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him (Genesis 18:19 KJV).

When Jesus first sent out 72 disciples to preach, He instructed them to settled down at worthy homes, and reach out to people from there (Luke 10:5-7).

The pattern of homes being the focal point has been there all along. And it has to be so, if we must see transformation that we yearn for in our bigger churches and in our society at large.

Truth changes us inside out

You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart. (1 Peter 1:22 NET)

"You have purified your souls..."

"...by obeying the truth..."

"...in order to show sincere mutual love."

Pilate asked Jesus "What is truth?" (John 18:38)

Prior to this time (4 chapters back), Jesus had earlier taught His disciples that He is the truth... (John 14:6)

To truly know the truth, it is not just a question of "what" but the fundamental question of "who"

The importance of exemplary leader cannot be over emphasized in knowing the truth. Who you listen to is very important in knowing the truth.

If someone surrounds himself with the wrong company, leaders and mentors, chances are that the person will be devoid of the truth. And the result is opposite of not knowing the truth - defiled souls.

And from defiled souls to defiled homes, communities, countries and the world. And as a result, the world will be full of people who cannot express sincere love to their fellow humans.

For one to express sincere love, his soul has to be purified with the truth. And that's what happens when one studies the truth and obeys the truth. The person begins to change inside out for good.

Diverse men of God

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: Mat 23:34 KJV

I send unto you
1. Prophets
2. Wise men
3. Scribes

It is not only prophets that God prepares and sends out. There are wise men also sent by Him. And there are also scribes (experts in the law or scriptures) sent by Him.

Who is more superior among them? They are all servants before God, and need to work together to achieve the common course of the kingdom.

A prophet should know it is not only about the prophetic, there are also wise men and also experts in scriptures.

The problem sometimes is not lack of people sent by God but lack of synergy and respect for other people also sent by God.

They all have to recognize themselves.

In doing the will of God, it is not only about the prophetic, we also have to engage wisdom and also properly interpret the scriptures.

Also note that we might all exhibit the ability to prophesy, act wisely and interpret the scriptures, but there are people called specially and are experts in these areas.

When we realize this in true sense of it, we will have richer fellowship, serve one another better and in all achieve more for the kingdom

Lastly, we hear more about the meetings of  the prophets, it's high time we heard about the meetings of the wise men and also the meetings of the scribes.

A message to the rich

Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you (James 5:1).

Marveling words!

What is this problem with the rich or what is it that confront the rich that makes it hard for them to enter the kingdom of heaven?

Looking at James chapter 5, we could extract some of the things that confront the rich or some of the things that these type of rich people do:

1. They hold back more than necessary.
Your riches have rotted and your clothing has become moth-eaten (James 5:2).

2. Part of what they call their income is the wages of their workers they don't pay or underpaid.
Look, the pay you have held back from the workers who mowed your fields cries out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts (James 5:4).

3. They get involved in self indulgence and showoff.
You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter (James 5:5)

4. They get into judging people wrongly.
You have condemned and murdered the righteous person, although he does not resist you (James 5:6)

While it is good to be rich, those who desire it fall into temptation, those who have it battle with vanity, and those who don't have it are confronted with poverty. The solution? Have it but be very mindful of the pitfalls.

Many rich people are out there, but Jesus remains the perfect example to learn from. He was rich but humble and lowly.

Discipline

God sends out His armies to deal with His enemies. And He sends His servants to maintain discipline in the assembly of His people.

The problem in the assembly most of the time is not due to the enemies (otherwise God and His armies will be failing in their duty), but the problem is usually due to lack of discipline on the part of God's people.

While the armies of God are holding back the enemies, God's servants need to work with God to get their people disciplined - know how to study, pray, fast, give, save, invest, do night watch, evangelize, etc. These things seem like big obstacles.

Take for instance Moses and the Israelites at the red sea. While God was holding back the Egyptians, Moses has to divide the red sea with his rod and the people need to go through it by themselves.

Just imagine Moses and people standing there crying to God for help, when God had already held back the enemies and expecting Moses to act and the people to follow...

This is a very interesting dilemma of the leaders and their followers... They have all they need to succeed yet acting as if something is amiss or as if the enemies are the problem.

How will the enemies stop you from studying, praying, fasting, giving, saving, investing, doing night watch, evangelizing, etc? The enemies can't; they are being held back by God. It takes discipline to do what you need to do on your part and expect result.

DISCERNING THE TIME

I shared this study with some brethren during the lockdown. And I decided to post the study here as well for others to benefit. Though I posted it here a bit late, but I believe someone will still learn from the message especially in a time like this.

Topic: Discerning the Time

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child (Luke 2:6 NET)

Text: Luke 2:1-20

Introduction

As we know, the world is facing a pandemic because of corona virus (Covid-19). Those in medical science have not been able to find a cure. Governments all over the world have put in place measures to contain the spread. There is no definitive end at sight yet. Many are dying in their numbers, and many are reported sick of the virus on daily basis. All these are happening in the same world that we as Christians dwell. So, the question is “What should be our attitude or approach in this time?”

Outlines:

• Be reminded that God loves the world
• Tune to the news from heaven

Be reminded that God loves the world

One thing we know is that God loves the world (John 3:16). No one is going to pray to God and ask Him to love the world. You do not need to convince Him to love the world. By Himself, He loves the world. And by Himself, He sent His ONLY begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save the world. So, when it comes to the world, we know that God knows what He is doing and is in total control.

Those who do not believe in God may not know this fact that God loves the world. Or sometimes those who believe in God tend to forget that God truly means it when He says that He loves the world. Challenges of life can make us forget that God deeply loves the world, and even gave His only begotten Son to save the world.

The worth of something is a function of the price you place on it. So, God did not just claim to love the world, He proved it by sending His ONLY son to save the world. Hence, if you know for sure that God truly loves the world, you will not be moved when certain things begin to happen in the world. For God will not allow the world that He loves to be destroyed if it is not in His own terms.

No matter how the virus is ravaging the world, it cannot go out of God’s control. It could be out of the control of man, but never out of the control of God. It might have taken man unawares, but nothing takes God unawares. God was aware of covid-19 even before it began to manifest.

If the world is panicking because of covid-19, God is not panicking. And likewise, those who are God’s people are not supposed to panic. If it is going to take a virus for the world to pause or recess, and think about Him, why not? Whatever it takes for the world to stop and pay attention to God, He will do it out of love. He will not do it because He hates the world but because He loves the world.

Someone may ask, but what about the people dying because of the virus? Where is the show of love in the death of people? But then you ask, how many people died every day even when the virus was not there. We do not get to hear about such deaths because they do not seem a global threat like covid-19.

Just take a moment to consider the number of souls killed daily because certain governments legalize abortion. You know the number of people that die of starvation because of neglect. The number of people that commit suicide. The number of people killed by terrorist groups. The number of people that die in accidents due to bad roads meant to be fixed by government or people in authority.

The number of people that die daily even without covid-19 is enormous, but we do not hear about them, as they seem not to be global threat. But these are deaths that God sees on daily basis. So, if He is going to use plague, just like He did to Pharaoh, to get the attention of obstinate people, He will do it.

There is a reason death has not been destroyed by God. Death is the last enemy to be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). Why? God still uses death as a tool to bring to pass His will. The way we see death is different from the way God sees death, else He would have destroyed death together with sin.

The question we should be asking ourselves is “How is our relationship with God?” If you are on the right side with Him, there is nothing to fear including death. Everything including death is under God’s control. So, take away fear of the virus which can only kill the body, and rather fear God who can kill both the body and soul in hell. Even if the virus was created by men, we are not to fear them as well. (Matthew 10:28).

God’s love for the world is not in question. The question is “Do you love God, do you know your divine assignment or your calling, or rather do you know that as a believer you are called by God and left back in the world for a reason?”

In Romans chapter 8 verse 28, we read “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

If you love God, and called according to His purpose, then be rest assured that all things work together for your good. God can use both good and bad things, and make them work together for your good.

So, watch out for the good that God wants to bring out from this pandemic for those who love Him and are called by Him according His purpose. Namely:

• Opportunities for soul wining
• Unusual wealth transfer or business opportunities
• Strategies for sustenance during the pandemic (God sustained Elijah for 3 years 6 months during famine. God sustained Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness. He is still the same God that we serve and will sustain us as well).

Tune to the news from heaven

In our text, we see that Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem was as a result of government’s decree, yet it coincided with the time for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem as prophesied (Micah 5:2).

It was not that Joseph told Mary that it is time for Jesus to be born, so let us go to Bethlehem as prophesied. No. That was not what happened. It took a decree from government for that to happen. We see government sometimes, playing a part in bringing to pass the fulfilment of God’s purpose.

In the news, the public will hear about the government decree. They will hear about the need to be numbered. They will hear about taxes to be paid. Everyone will talk about the need for logistics to travel back to their home towns and the inconveniences. Many more things will be said in the public news.

But in the midst of all that, something was happening silently which was not known to the public. A prophecy about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was getting fulfilled. Angels came down from heaven and informed the shepherds in the field about it (Luke 2:8-13). People like Simeon was aware of the time and expectant (Luke 2:25-32). The three wise men from the East were aware (Matthew 2:1-2).

The news you hear on the radio, depends on the frequency you tune to. If you tune to the world for instance, you will hear everything the world wants you to hear which could be facts. If you tune to heaven, you will hear silent news from heaven.

Sit-at-home decree is here and the world carries many news covering COVID-19, 5G, etc. These are facts. But in the midst of these, heaven will be visiting many homes silently. Many homes will be visited and empowered by the Lord during this period. Avoid distractions and controversies.

Just think of it. If a man of God or a prophet had announced to the world to shut down businesses and places of worship and for them to go back home and wait upon the Lord together with their loved ones, no one would have listened to him. But we see it happening now and people are forced to comply through government decree as a result of the pandemic. All things work together for good…

The sit-at-home decree has presented rare opportunity for people to have enough time for God. Majority of people cannot give reasons why they do not have enough time to spend in the Lords presence. Businesses are closed. Churches are closed. Wedding and burial ceremonies are on hold. Everything that usually occupy people are on hold. So, many people have no excuse not to spend time alone with God. Lots of families will not complain of no time. Hence, this is time for so many people to build intimate relationship with God and be better equipped for life after covid-19.

Things will never remain the same after covid-19. A new breed of fearless and powerful believers will emerge for the harvest of souls. People of God should take this time to prepare themselves or get ready. Every home is to become church now, and have time to hear from God, both from the scriptures and by revelations. We can pray, we can preach, but there are things that only happen when we spend quality time in the Lord’s presence. It was when the disciples waited in the upper room that their lives became more impactful thereafter (Acts1&2).

Hence, during this time, every home is expected to:

• Spend time praying together in one accord
• Spend time studying the scriptures
• Be expectant of the Lord’s visitation

In conclusion

What the enemy can do is to try to hijack this moment and try to use it against the Lord’s people. But God is always ahead of the devil in whatever evil plan he has against His people in this moment. It was in a dream at night that Joseph was informed to take Jesus away when Herod wanted to kill Him the following day. Joseph was not aware of Herod’s plan, but heaven was aware, pre informed him and saved them from massacre that took the life of all male children below 2 years in Bethlehem and in all its district (Matthew 2:13-18). The devil could get a knowledge of what God wants to do in your life and would want to stop you. Nevertheless, as long as we are in tune with heaven, God will keep us safe and give us strategies to survive this moment.