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THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR MINISTRY

Aug9

Bible In One Year-Day 221 (Friday, August 09, 2013)

Commentary: Ezekiel34-36. The duties of Pastors, apart from feeding God’s flock with spiritual food, are listed out in the following verse;

Ezekiel 34:4 “The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.”

Unfortunately, the opposite became the order of the day. As it was then, so it is now.

Ezekiel 34:3 “Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.”

Nowadays, when a pastor is ordained, there is a celebration with elaborate party. People struggle to become a pastor (shepherd) at any cost. They want to be like the Bishop in cassock, act or preach like him. If they come across another man of God with another style, they go for that style again; they don’t understand what it means to be a shepherd. Many have exposed themselves and, of course, their families to serious demonic attack through this ignorance. To be a shepherd is to carry a burden faithfully; only God can mark the faithfulness. God says “Woe to the shepherds …” who does contrary to what should be done. To be divinely called as a pastor goes with divine gifts; this gives the contentment in service. If you are called by God you wouldn’t want to be like others but really want to accomplish what God has called you to do;

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Apostle Paul met the other apostles and disciples after his conversion, but he was not interested in imitating any one of them. He was contented with the ministry God had given him and strove to finish it; he was focused not minding persecutions. Lack of divine leading is the reason for contest and rivalry in ministries. To everyone genuinely called, a gift has been given and to everyone that is chosen a ministry is given. There are three basic ways of being called into ministry; people can call you, you can call yourself and God can call you. When people call you (such as being called by Bishop or another pastor) you could be given position. Calling yourself will always result in seeking for another power outside of Christ to compliment absence of grace; such as seeking for authority, position, recognition, respect, beggarly power etc. Unfortunately defeat and frustration is always the end. However, if God calls you, changes happen every time because it is God’s establishment, Ezek34:23. This change starts from the called. The lives of all the Apostles were changed first before they went into ministry. When you receive anointing for ministry, the first yoke to break is that in your life, otherwise, one can be impacting courses on the followers. When a man calls you, it is to help him to fulfill his own ministry (you are part of his ministry). This is not a bad thing as he could mentor you into realizing your ministry, especially if the Lord opens the mentor’s eyes to see that you have a calling. That is, ministry in ministry.

Luke 6:40 “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.”

However, know that man’s approval is not God’s approval. You must be patient for God’s approval by His Spirit. Even Moses asked God who would succeed him despite the fact that Joshua was very supportive and hard working, not with eye-service. When you call yourself, it is to satisfy your ego and belly, Ezek34:3. This is when harassment becomes the manner of shepherding.

Matthew 20:26 “But it shall not be so among you: but whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;“

You try to create fear in the flock; this could be through lies, false visions and revelations. Jesus made us to understand that flesh and blood could give revelations.

Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon-Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.”

One could speak from his spirit and man could talk by the Spirit of God. Only one of them will the Spirit of God testify to. That which is spoken by man’s spirit, emotion, flesh or blood could be regarded as facts, subject to change. Facts are information sought for, from anywhere apart from God. But that spoken by the Spirit of God is called the “TRUTH”; it cannot change. The Holy Spirit is the only Person that could search and get information from God and whatever He gives is the truth. If God calls you, it is because of some destinies, i.e. some people that are under serious demonic oppression (Ezek34:25) that He wants to touch and give peace to them. And the first gift given by the Spirit of God to carry out the assignment is unconditional love, the nature of God.

Ezekiel 34:27 “And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them (i.e. enslaves them).”

Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, three times, before He gave him the assignment;

John 21:15-17 “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yes, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yes, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my sheep. He saith to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep.”

Which vessel are you? Is it borrowed (i.e. called by man), dishonor (i.e. self called) or honor (i.e. called by the Almighty). God reveals Himself in that which He has hand in. Man reveals himself in that which he has called and your corrupted nature is revealed in your self-call.

We need to understand spiritual path to tread to realizing destiny and a fulfilled course.

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is Ezekiel37-39. Keep the fire of burning and alive.

Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

1 Peter 5:2 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”

Pastor Supo Abayode

+1-302-230-6792

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

Delaware, USA

THE GARMENT THAT MUST BE BURNT; PRIDE

Aug8

Bible In One Year-Day 220 (Thursday, August 08, 2013)

Commentary: Ezekiel31-33. It has been in the nature of man that at the peak of their glory and honor, pride takes over. Here Pharaoh was likened to a well nurtured and pruned tree whose branches gave it unrivaled beauty.

Ezekiel 31:7 “Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.”

Ezekiel 31:9 “I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.”

God was referring to Pharaoh here. His wings had grown that he despised God.

Ezekiel 31:18 “To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.”

Pride, just like all other vices, is sin before the Lord. As we discussed in the last commentary, pride could be hidden or opened. Trusting in one’s righteousness is pride and it is sin before the Lord.

Ezekiel 33:13 “When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

We need to trust in God’s mercy.”

Not all the messages we hear from the pulpits are kingdom life messages. Some are feel good messages that make the flesh happy but send leanness to the soul. The kingdom life messages we hear on pulpits are actually trumpets of warning, but, unfortunately, many take it as fun time. They are for us to have a sober reflection, check ourselves and repent from ungodly assignments in our hands. Ezekiel was set as a watchman over Israel to blow the trumpet of warning to them to repent.

Ezekiel 33:4-5 “Then whosoever heareth … the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.”

There are messages of encouragement and there are messages of warnings. Those for encouragement are to build our faith and instill hope in us. But those for warnings are to alert us against the wrath/sword to come. God does not take delight in the death of a sinner but for him to turn from wickedness and hold unto God’s righteousness.

Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is Ezekiel34-36. Keep the fire of burning and alive.

Pastor Supo Abayode

+1-302-230-6792

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

Delaware, USA

THE SINKING GLORY

Aug6

Bible In One Year-Day 218 (Tuesday, August 06, 2013)

Commentary: Ezekiel25-27. The messages in Ezekiel’s prophecies were to the nations around Judah and Israel. Such nations include Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia and Tyre in these chapters. Tyre had a glory which God said He would sink and it shall not be heard of anymore.  At one time or the other, God had used them to punish His people for their sinful acts. However, these nations had no liberty to sin either.

1 Chronicles 16:25 “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.”

If God is using you in a capacity, it is for you to fear Him. Jesus told a set of people to go repent; otherwise, they shall likewise perish, Luke13:3&5. The fall of a man does not mean that you are infallible. It, rather, means that you should also consider your ways. We all have weaknesses, but it is the Spirit that helps us. Seeing a fellow brother’s fall, you ought to render help as much as possible. If your action adds to the sorrow of the fallen person, you could be guilty of God’s vengeance. No Christian should rejoice at the fall of another Christian.

Romans 15:1 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is Ezekiel128-30. Keep the fire of burning and alive.

Pastor Supo Abayode

+1-302-230-6792

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

Delaware, USA

IDENTIFYING THE GODS OF THE LAND

Aug5

Bible In One Year-Day 217 (Monday, August 5, 2013)

Commentary: Ezekiel22-24. Nothing is hidden before the Spirit of the Lord. He searches all things, even the deep things of God, 1Cor2:10. When the Spirit judges, He judges right. To judge is for lies to be exposed and truth revealed. Ezekiel judged by the Spirit of the Lord, he exposed the abominations of the priests and prophets of the land; the secret shedding of blood and worship of idols.

Ezekiel 22:3 “Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself.”

These evil made the land to become worthless in the eyes of the Lord. The land was so polluted that God couldn’t find a single man to stand in the gap for them, i.e. a righteous man who could stand between their sin and the holiness of God.

Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.”

The major concern of God was increase of bloodshed in the land. This was led by two identified actors. The capital of Israel, the northern part of the land, was Samaria and the capital of Judah, the southern part, was Jerusalem. God revealed that they were sisters of the same mother; Samaria being the senior whose name was Oholah, and Jerusalem, the younger whose name was Oholibah. They became reproaches to the Lord through their adultery.  They were the powers behind adultery and idolatry.

Ezekiel 23:36-37 “The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.”

God raised judgment against them by stoning, Ezekiel23:45-49. These two powers, Oholah and Oholibah, enslaved the two nations. A nation could be under serious demonic oppression and one would be wondering what could be going on. The bondage is strengthened by the multitude of laws promulgated by the rulers. When an evil trend is noticed in a nation, the solution is revival against the evil spirit controlling it. If this is ignored, the same spirit will operate in the life of the leaders to bring up more laws to increase the bondage of the citizenry. Revival would bring a standard against the evil powers and save the nation from ruin.

Isaiah 59:19 “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

Sometimes we wonder what the churches are doing while these evil increase. Most disturbing aspect of it is that, the evil increases with the increase of the number churches. These powers have the ability to set up churches to keep more people in bondage. Many of the priests and prophets are operating under the authority of these powers;

Ezekiel 22:25-26 “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.”

The solution to things like these is not raising more churches but to identify the controlling spirits, wage war against them and cry to the Lord for revival of souls. The discussion on these powers is beyond the scope of this medium. We need revival in the whole world.

Ephesians 6:12 “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.”

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is Ezekiel125-27. Keep the fire of burning and alive.

Pastor Supo Abayode

+1-302-230-6792

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

Delaware, USA

THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

Aug4

Bible In One Year-Day 216 (Sunday, August 04, 2013)

Commentary: Ezekiel19-21. God’s concern in these chapters centers mostly on the disobedience of the Israelites. The only way people could know who belongs to God is their obedience to His judgments, Ezek20:20.  Obedience to His word will ever give life to whoever does it.

Ezekiel 20:11 “And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.”

Death came into the world because of disobedience and death is retained in the world by disobedience (the power of sin). The sufferings of mankind are due to disobedience. Every rebellion will lead to death unless repentance is quickly effected.

Ezekiel 18:32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”

In many areas we are so rebellious. It starts from what is good for us. God hears prayers and to them who could not pray due to problems beyond them, He shows compassion. He takes actions in response to what will benefit us most, just as He said about Jerusalem in our last discussion, Ezekiel16:4-6. Unfortunately, we think another place is better. The land to which God led the Israelites was searched out by God.

Ezekiel 20:6 “In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied (searched) for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:”

This land was described as “the glory of all lands”. Every one of us has this type of land for the fulfillment of our destiny. Joseph’s “glory of all lands” was Pharaoh’s palace, Daniel had his in Babylon. Where is yours? This is what we need to seek the face of God for. A lot are not in their own “glory of all lands”, a spiritual land where milk and honey are flowing but are struggling in the land God has not sent them, yet they are expecting result, i.e. they want God to confirm what He has not commanded, Ezekiel13:6. God is not in the place He has not sent His word. His grace is only where He has ordered His word or where His will is; career, ministry, marriage, country etc. many marriages are not joined together by God, therefore His grace and peace are not there; no amount of counseling can sustain such marriages. His word only works where He sends it;

Psalms 107:20 “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

There is succor, healing and deliverance where He has sent His word. We can only be connected to that place called “the glory of all lands” through OBEDIENCE to His word.

Isaiah 1:19 “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:”

Are you sick and praying for healing, jobless and praying for a job, or single and praying for a partner? Seek first His WILL to do, and then your lines shall fall in pleasant places. It may be that if you got the job, you might despise the connection to the “glory of all lands” if it comes. God will only maintain your lot where He has provided for you. That is your heritage here on earth.

Psalms 16:5-6 “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”

One of the passages that awesomely describe the benefits of obeying Him is Isaiah58:8-9.

Isaiah 58:8-9 “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;”

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is Ezekiel122-24. Keep the fire of burning and alive.

Pastor Supo Abayode

+1-302-230-6792

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

Delaware, USA