20 March 2013 by Donna Uning CM –
“At different points of our lives, we attempt every best thing we could do, but somehow we get stuck,” Ps Gbenga Kotila told the church at the Sunday service in City SIB, Kuching. Ps Gbenga is no stranger to Elder Lian Paran’s church, where he visits regularly when in Kuching. He was greeted by other visiting pastors.
“Everybody desires change, but don’t know the price of change. Why try different methods, but still yet we get stuck,” he continued.
We wonder, ‘What should I do to get out of this mess, we prayed, confessed, professed.’ At some point of your life we will get stuck; getting there to move forward is difficult due to events of the past, success or failure.
Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
When God speaks to us, we have our interpretation; but sometimes it’s not God’s interpretation Amos 3:3 says, “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
“Man still argues with God. We must be in a place of agreement with God. Sheep don’t argue with the shepherd. Whatever the shepherd says, the sheep follows. Jesus says I am the good shepherd.
“God says my thoughts are not your thoughts. God is all sufficient. When God looks, He has the future in His hands. Don’t bother what the future holds; look at the man who holds the future. I am secure,” Ps Gbenga said
Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”
Somebody this morning is about to sing a new song; a new thing that God wants to do, he exclaimed. “You cannot express a new thing unless you see the God of new things.”
There’s something new for you every morning, God release it fresh, loaded us daily with benefits. Declare the glory of the Lord in the land of the living. If you made up your mind to be a vessel of God to praise Him, He preserves you, he said.
We need to read the bible with thoughts. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. The spirit of the Lord came upon Him when John baptized Him. What made John baptized Jesus when he said, ‘I’m not worthy to baptize you?’ Even God follows the rule. God is rigid about His principles
God subjected Himself to the things of the earth, so He fasted. Jesus is 100% man and 100% Savior.
“Every man has something on the inside. You are more than who your father said you are. Out of your bellies shall flow rivers of living water. Once it flows, something happens,” continued Ps Gbenga.
Whenever this living water flows, there shall be healing, there shall be light. You can access the innermost court, he said.
The church is not a building, we are the people. Everybody is pregnant with something. Saul – Paul, David – King, Esther – Queen, Simon – Peter, and in Jesus, Christ. But we must follow the process. Sometimes we get stuck. We don’t want the process, without the means you can’t get to the Lord. The journey is a substance of something to come. No experience is wasted. If you have success all your life, how do you encourage people?
Jesus said in John 9:3, “But this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” The difference between great men is a step further. The problem is not failure; the problem is refusing to move. If your Gethsemane is like Jesus’, then you need to push.
Life is about standing up. Forget about what people say; it’s none of their business. Jesus was exceedingly sorrowful. It is difficult to pray when you are sorrowful, especially if you are exceedingly sorrowful. The time you don’t feel like praying is the best time to pray!
Prayer is not something you feel, but have to do. Jesus says pray without ceasing. Whatever the issue is, pray. Your disciples may sleep, but you must pray. Don’t think that people will stand in prayer with you, it’s yours.
1 John 4:4 says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
“The land the Lord is taking you is that land of milk and honey. Don’t be like the 10 spies, having a ‘grasshopper’ mentality. They mirrored themselves by the giant,” he said.
You are made in the image of God. Whatever you call yourself is what you are. Never compare your problem with you, compare it with Him.
Psalm 121:2 says, “My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”
Jesus prayed until His capillary broke. Don’t sleep. The devil will allow you to sleep. When you pray, open your mouth. How much have you prayed? D.L. Moody made a hole on the concrete floor while on his knees. Instead of intercession, we are interfering, we are playing. We are not ready to go further.
“Get from the outer court to the inner court and into the Holy of Holies. You either have power or you are powerless,” he told
Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Who are you depending on? God is looking for dwellers in God’s presence. If you have a God, then show your God!
Jesus asked his disciples, why can’t you pray for one hour with me? Then, they asked Him, ‘teach us to pray’, not ‘how to pray’. Pray, and move a little further. Don’t stop there. Jesus said greater things than these will you do (John 14:12).
Some people want great things, but are not willing to pray. Don’t waste your time.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
“This is a new season. Get out of the outer court. God does not expect you to be in the outer court. He wants you in the innermost court; you are the priest of the Lord, the royal priesthood. Your good works will go with you,” he said.
Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Sometimes we have to endure the cross despite the shame. Meaning it’s not all about me. Jesus died and Peter went back. First day, nothing happens or shame. Second day, nothing happens or more shame. He gave a promise on the third day. My Master’s resurrected! The grave could not hold Him down! If He’s alive, you can be alive in Him too, he ended.
The church continued with ministry time. Ps Gbenga has preached at the City SIB many times during his visits to Kuching. Ps Gbenga Kotila is from Center for Reality International Church, Ibadan, Nigeria. He was in Kuching for a week of prayer meetings and events.
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Reference for pictures:
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