Pastor Jimmy Odukoya at Sunday Service
Reading from Exodus 14:10-12, Pastor Jimmy at the October 29 Sunday service stated that captivity can sometimes become so familiar that one does not want to leave it. He stated this to buttress the fact that the human mind would naturally revert to the familiar, even when it is destructive, just like the Israelites did when faced with challenges in the wilderness as Moses led them out of Egypt according to God’s instruction.
“As individuals, when troubles come, we revert to the familiar and what we can control, even when it is destructive and chaotic. But we must understand that control is an illusion; we have to learn to let go and let God,” he said.
The clergy read Exodus 14:3-4 and Psalm 23:5 to emphasise that God does not work like humans think or envisage, noting that trouble is sometimes a vehicle He uses to manifest His presence. “We must understand that darkness must come so that the world can see our light. We must begin to see darkness and chaos in a new perspective,” he said.
He added that the trouble in one’s your life is not meant to send one back to the familiar but is meant for God to show up and set one apart. “Goliath was there so that David would become a king. Remember, God makes all things work together for our good,” he stated.
He then urged the congregation from John 21:3; 11:14-15; 9:1-3; 19:28-30; 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 and Matthew 4:18-20 not to worry about anything but follow Jesus always as He is the only One who can make them into whatever they desire to be according to His will. In his words, “In the midst of the storms you are passing through, God is your refuge and fortress. Don’t let your trouble return you to your captivity. God is on throne working for you and the world will see it. Let go and let God.”
Earlier in the service, Pastor Tolu Odukoya while speaking from Jeremiah 33:3, which is also the promise for the week, said that God is the only connection that believers don’t need credit to call, emphasising that the One at the other end of the call can answer any question, and open any door. “He is the Connection. There are times you call your parents, and they won’t pick or be there, but you can call Jesus anytime,” she said.
She then encouraged the congregation to never stop calling Jesus in any and every situation. “No matter how small or big the situation is, call unto Jesus first. The people that call are the ones that will have access to the things that are hidden,” she noted.
GOOD SHEPHERD cont’d
Pastor Jimmy @Thursday Showers
The electrifying worship and praise sessions at the October 26 Thursday Showers was evidence of God’s presence in the gathering of His people. Pastor Jimmy thereafter continued his message on the Good Shepherd, noting that there’s something about the Lord’s presence that makes His people lie down in green pasture.
Speaking from Psalm 23:1-2 and Matthew 14:22-29 (AMP), the clergy said that believers ought to always listen and obey the instruction of their Shepherd whenever He asks them to move forward, adding that their good Shepherd who gave the instruction would always handle any storm they face along the way. “Once the good Shepherd gives an instruction, it would surely come to pass, irrespective of the challenges faced by the one who bears the instructions. So, it doesn’t matter what storm you are facing right now, once the Shepherds has said you will get to the other side, you will get there because He has gone ahead of you to that other side,” he said.
The Senior Pastor emphasised that success is always achieved when Christians focus on the Shepherd. “Until the Shepherd becomes your focus, you can’t walk on the storm. It could be that God has brought the storm your way so you can walk on the storm the same way He has walked on the storm. But if you keep your focus on the storm, you will remain in the boat. If all you hear is the loud sound of the storm, it will keep you in the boat,” he stated.
Pastor Jimmy continued: “God brought Goliath to establish David. So, the challenges you’re facing are not to kill you but to establish you,” he said.
He then urged them to have faith in God and His Word and declare the Word and keep declaring it to their challenges because in the spirit, warfare is fought with words. In his words, “It doesn’t matter how raging the storm is, listen to the instructions of the good Shepherd and step out of the boat and walk on the storm. Leave the storm to do what it does; you look unto Jesus.”
The full messages are available on the Church’s Youtube channel, The Fountain TV) and TOM TV (Taiwo Odukoya Ministry). They are also available on CDs and DVDs at The Fountain of Life Church Digital Media Store.
