ACKNOWLEDGING GOD
Pastor Taiwo Odukoya @Sunday service
Speaking from 1 Samuel 30:6-8, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya told the congregation at the June 6 Sunday service that believers’ reactions during challenging times would determine their steps which will later determine their victory.
Using the lifestyle of David as recorded in 1 Samuel 23:1-14; 2 Samuel 2:1-4 and Psalm 27:1-4, Pastor noted that inquiring of the Lord should be a daily lifestyle of every Christian. This, he said, would always lead them to victory just as it happened to David.
The clergy said, “Instead of David to sink into depression or be filled with hatred towards his 600 men who wanted to stone him because they were all perplexed, he separated and encouraged himself in the Lord. When God keeps and guides you, He will guide you and you will see victory, peace, promotion and enlargement.”
Pastor further quoted Proverbs 3:5, Isaiah 46:9-10, Matthew 7:7, and John 14:15-16 to highlight the reasons believers need to inquire of the Lord. According to him, it’s God’s command for believers to inquire of Him because it assures them of His faithfulness; He knows the end from the beginning and can guide them through life. It is also the privilege of the righteous.
He then urged them from Hebrews 4:17 to always come to God and ask Him questions in the light of His word. “No matter where you are on your journey, if you stop and inquire of the Lord, He will answer you. The days of groping in the darkness are over,” he admonished.
TAKING IT BACK
Pastor Taiwo @ Thursday showers
In continuation of his message which he started the previous Sunday, pastor Taiwo Odukoya at the June 3 Thursday showers noted to the worshippers that in recovering and taking back one’s possession, there will always be a battle between one’s emotions and God’s word.
According to him, the flesh, feelings and emotions would always want to make believers react according to their circumstances thereby causing unforgiveness, envy and bitterness. All these, the clergy further noted, can be doused with the word of God. “To remain unforgiving is to remain in the camp of the devil,” he said.
Using David’s experience of almost being stoned by the 600 men he trained due to distress from the loss of their families and properties recorded in 1 Samuel 30:6-18, Pastor Taiwo said that a believer’s victory or recovery begins from strengthening himself or herself in the Lord and by enquiring from Him on what to do just as David did. “David inquired of the Lord instead of making haste to take any action. He that believes does not make haste,” he said.
The clergy further said that believers should not allow negative emotions remain in them, stating that such will only lead to yielding to the devil’s voice and doubting God’s word and promise to them. “If the devil can get you to doubt your identity, he would get you to doubt everything,” he noted.
He therefore urged them to make God’s word their guide in whatever they want to do as this will direct them appropriately just as David was instructed and directed on how to recover all when he inquired of the Lord.
