HOW TO CULTIVATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (FULL VERSION )

 Amos 3:3 – can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

The lives of many believers can be compared to a man who owns a small farm. He works on the farm year in year out and gets just enough to live off this farm. Unknowingly to him or knowingly, underneath his farm is oil and if only he would dig deeper, he would become very rich and will be able to afford the good things of life but he prefers to just farm at the surface. The man represents many Christians today and the field represents the Holy Ghost. The oil represents the riches in Christ. If only we will dig deep we will have oil. Instead of been Christians in poverty we will be Christians with the riches of God.

Who is the Holy Ghost? Holy Ghost is the same as the Holy Spirit. The scriptures refer to the Holy Spirit as God, stating in Acts that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God, Acts 5:3-4 , and Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:16 that the temple of God is the temple of the Holy Spirit. He is coupled in equality with names of God in Christ, as Matthew writes, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19-20). He is omnipotent, Luke 1:35. He is omniscient which Paul tells us saying, “The Spirit knowing all things, searching, even the deep things of God.” (I Corinthians 2:10-11). In Psalms 139:7- 10, David spoke of the Holy Ghost as been omnipresent because everywhere he went the Spirit was there. The Holy Ghost was part of creation.  Genesis 1:2 says and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Job said “the Spirit of God has made me”. (Job 33:4). Holy Spirit is responsible for Regeneration (John 3:5-8); Resurrection (Romans 8:11) and the distribution of spiritual gifts according to his will, 1 Corinthians 12: 4,7,11. The Holy Spirit is eternal, always existing as  Hebrews 9:14 calls Him the eternal Spirit. (E.g. Genesis 1:2; Revelations 22:17).
The Holy Spirit is a personality, not a ‘power ‘or a ‘force’ like electricity. We say someone has personality when he/she speaks and hears; thinks and reasons; feel and has emotions; and decides, has a will, and self determination. In John 16:13, we read that He both hears and speaks. (E.g. Revelations 2:7; Acts 10:19, 20; Matthew 10:20) His actions include helping us, interceding for us with a mind and will (Romans 8:26-27); leading us and giving us commands (Matthew 4:1; Romans 8:14 ; Acts 8:29); guiding and comforting us (John 16:12-13 ; Acts 9:31) ; appoints people for God’s work (Acts 13:2, 4, 20:28); testifies of Jesus (John 15:26; Acts 5:32; Hebrews 2:4, 10:15; Romans 8:16, 9:1; 1 John. 5:6-8); teaches believers and reveals things to them (John 14:26; Luke 12:12) ; being insulted or blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32; Hebrew 10:29); being lied to, tempted, and resisted (Acts 5:3-4, 9, 7:51); and giving power (Acts 1:8; Luke. 4:14; Matthew 12:28).

The Holy Spirit also has emotions, He can be grieved or vexed (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30) or pleased (Acts 15:28).

Why does the believer need the Holy Spirit today? The Holy Spirit gives the believer supernatural ability. The list of the supernatural ability that the Holy Spirit gives to the believer are:
1.      He gives supernatural power to be a witness for Jesus ( Acts 1:8; Luke 24:48; Romans 15:13-19)
2.      He gives supernatural ability to pray ( Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 ;Ephesians 6:18 ;Jude 20)

3.      He pours natural love unto our hearts (Romans 5:5,15:30)

4.      He gives supernatural anointing to recognize truth 1 John 2:20,27; 2 Corinthians 1:21)

5.      He is the supernatural sealing for eternal life, Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30)

6.      He gives supernatural ability to cope with life , and endurance in trial and persecution ( Matthew 10:20;John 13:12-13 ; Acts 4:8,31;7:55-60)

7.      He is the gateway to the supernatural (Charismatic gifts 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Hebrews 6:4 and Revelations 1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

8.      He is the supernatural Teacher and “remembrance” of all things ( Luke 12:12 ; John 14:26 , 1 Corinthians 2:13)

9.      He is the supernatural comforter (translated –helper, intercessor, stand-by advocate, counselor, instructor, patron, John 14:16-17 ;Acts 9:31)

10.  He is God’s supernatural pledge , earnest, guarantee until  we receive our heavenly possession, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14)

11.  He gives supernatural leadership, supernatural guidance ( Luke 4:1;Romans 8:14,16,9:1;Acts 16:6-10)

12.  He gives supernatural (physical ) health ( Romans 8:11)

13.  He gives supernatural sanctification i.e. making us holy , (Romans 15:16 ; 1 Corinthians  6:11,19;3:16 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 )

14.  He gives supernatural boldness and power of God in our lives ( John 16:14 ;7:39;15:26;Acts 2:32-35)

15.  He is the constant abiding presence and power of God in our lives, John 14:16-17 ; 1 John 2:27; Luke 12:12)

16.  He gives supernatural power of preaching – 1 Peter 1:12 and demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:5

17.  He gives supernatural insight and interpretation of scriptures – 2 Peter 1:20-21 and spirit of prophecy – Revelations 19:10

18.  He Is instrumental in conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment ( John 16:7-10)

This is by no means an exhaustive list. The Holy Spirit does much more than all these today in the life of the believer, the local church and the world.

Why do we need to cultivate a relationship with Him? First of all a relationship with Him can be cultivated because He is a personality. An experience of been filled with Holy Spirit is not sufficient enough to know Him. We can know Him better every day of our lives.

How does one cultivate a relationship with Him? Amos 3:3 says can two walk together except they agree? No. For two to walk together they need to do some agreeing . Firstly they need to agree on direction, if a man is going north and the other is going south they cannot walk together. They need to agree on destination and route. To walk with the Holy Ghost, there needs to be agreement on the direction, destination and route. It is either we want to go in His direction, to His destination following His route or not. The Spirit filled way is a holy way. He will never dwell in an unholy life. He does not require a Holy place to come in but He requires you be willing that the place should made holy after He comes in. The Holy Spirit does not come to a man to make him famous or make a celebrity out of him or reputation. He comes to make a man holy and make him gifted and enable him to witness, Acts 1:8. You can only be filled the Holy Spirit if you are willing to be meek, docile, and humble. The very desire to be a celebrity or publicity or to be known abroad cancels the work of God on man to destroy flesh and to make him whole. The greatest gift of the Holy Spirit is a meek and a docile heart. The Holy Spirit wants to educate, domesticate and meek you.
To walk with the Holy Spirit there should be oneness between us and the Spirit of God. One in outlook, hope and thought. Fellowship is oneness with the Holy Spirit. To cultivate a relationship with the Holy Ghost, you need to be one with Him (understand and surrender to Him).
How to cultivate a daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit?
1. Develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.  The dove (representing the Holy Spirit) from heaven is so gentle and sensitive, he will never force himself on you. Moses’ face shone and he did not know it (Exodus 34:29); the Lord left Samson and he did not know it, Judges. 16:20. In the same way, the Spirit comes as a dove to rest upon us and we need to spend time in his presence to detect what grieves or pleases him. He soothes, He comforts, calls us by name and can even give you a pet name. Daily times of devotion, silence and solitude are indispensable, Psalm 46:10. Practice living in God’s presence moment by moment.
2. Cultivate fellowship with the Spirit through conversation. Greet the Holy Spirit each morning. Ask him questions. Invite him to help you constantly as you face your challenges. Freely share your joys and sorrows with him. Build a habit of referring decisions to him. At first it may look awkward as you seem to hear no reply. Understandably, it will be slower for you to make decisions, but it is just because you have not yet learnt to identify his language and symbols. He communicates all the same, and you grow gradually into understanding what he is saying.
3. Grow in daily fellowship with the Spirit as you read and react to the scriptures. Invite him to open your understanding whenever you turn to the scripture. (Ephesians 1:17) Discipline yourself to have a daily quiet time of meditating on the scriptures. Satan blinds our understanding. (2 Corinthians 4:4) The Holy Spirit opens it. He gives deeper insight and conviction. Invite him to empower you to obey the scriptures.
4. Build intimacy with the Holy Spirit through prayer. Invite him to help your weakness during times of prayer. He knows and prays according to the will of God. Ask for his anointing to make two-way praying possible. He helps to intensify your prayer. Pray in the Spirit. (Jude 20, 1 Corinthians 14:2, 13-15)
5. Increase your friendship with the Holy Spirit through passion for him. Love God’s Spirit for Himself. Be more interested in the Spirit than in his gifts and what you can get out of him. Tell him you love him. Sing songs to him as you would to a friend. Enjoy his company. Get interested in His interests and avoid grieving and quenching him. Commit yourself to cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. Do not love the world.
6. Partner with the Holy Spirit in ministry. Invite him to minister with you as you preach, teach, witness, or lead the people of God. Ask for his anointing and words taught by the Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:3-5, 13) Co-operate with him concerning your fields of ministry. (Acts 16:6, 7; 8:29) Invite him to chair your meetings. (Acts 15:28) Spend time in the company of those filled with the Spirit. Let spiritual songs be around you and in your heart.
Cultivating daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit is an exciting adventure that takes time and effort but is worth it.

The first step into cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit is giving your life to Christ.

The bible said in Romans 3:23 that for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6 :23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The gift was explained in John 3:16 , For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be saved? The bible says in Romans 10: 9 that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth we confess and are saved. Prayer this prayer from your heart today!

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.

Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church

Samuel Oluwatoki

Please forward this newsletter to a friend, family or colleague. Remember Matthew 10:32 which say whoever confesses me before me, him I will confess before my father who is heaven.

TRADING IT TO SIT WITH JESUS

    

Psalm 16:11 says You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right are pleasures for evermore.

Anyone in search of fullness of joy should do everything possible to earn a place at the side of Jesus. One of the things we all wish for is an opportunity to meet or sit with the queen of England or the king of Spain or meet the president of our nation or the U.S president. Jesus is more than a king, according to Revelations 19:16, He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

He owns everything. John 3:35 says the Father loves the son and has given all things into His hands. He says in Matthew 28:18, “all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”. No one can do anything without Jesus; Proverbs 8:15 says by Me kings reign and rulers decree justice, why? Because Jesus is the wisdom from God, 1 Corinthians 1:30.According to John 13:3, God had given all things in His hands.

To really know what it is, to sit with Jesus, we have to study the lives of those who sat with Him in the bible.  To better under gist, we will look at the lives of the twelve disciples. One thing we will notice is there was no record of sickness among the twelve disciples. Why? According to John 15:5, He is the vine and any branch connected to Him will receive health from His body. If a vine withers automatically the branch will wither but because Jesus remained in perfect health everyone connected to him remained in perfect health. Do you know that because Jesus never failed, if you are connected to him you will never fail? Because Jesus conquered the world and death and was victorious, you will emerge a victor in life? You will in Jesus name. According to Exodus 15:26 He is the great healer, and Malachi 4:2 says healing is present in His wings. You cannot sit with Jesus and not receive a touch from Him.

There was no record of lack among those who sat with Jesus, they lived in abundance. Studying Matthew 14:13-21, you will agree with me that a man living in lack cannot feed 5000 men not counting women and children and still had 12 baskets left. Where did you think Judas was stealing from? From the money box –John 13:29, although the money box was used to buy gifts for the poor according to John 13:29.Even when He had no physical cash on Him, He was able to tell Peter to go to the sea and catch a fish, inside the fish was a gold coin-Matthew 17:24-27.This He did when He was asked to pay for temple tax.There is a gold coin in the mouth of every every fish you catch for Jesus, fishing for Jesus is evangelizing.

Also those that sat with Jesus enjoyed maximum protection. Most of the time we trust the police or legal system to protect us but we fail to remember that the police officer coming to protect you  has wives and kids at home, he is scared of dying just as you are scared. So also the armies, they do not go to war to die? They go to live that is why they undergo several training on how to stay alive at boot camp. Is there any man on earth who can save you from having  nightmares? Any that can rescue you when a dog is chasing  you or someone is beating you up in the dream? No one can save from sickness or failure except Jesus. Jesus told David in Psalm 110:1 “sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a foot stool”.

The disciples enjoyed round the clock protection from the host of heaven while they sat with Jesus. Jesus at the point of His arrest could have easily called for backup from heaven, the bible says in Matthew 26:53, that a back up means sending up to 12 legions of angels to defend Jesus. If a legion is over 10,000, 12 legions will be around 123,000 of angels. According to the bible an angel is able to take care of 185,000 armies not civilians –Isaiah 37:36. If one out of the 123,000 angels could handle 185,000 soldiers can you guess what 123,000 of those will be able to do? Thank God He didn’t because if He had done that there will not be salvation for men. Elisha saw a glimpse of the host of the angels standing on guard in 2 Kings 6:8-18.

Also amidst the twelve, there was no record of failure instead there was little effort producing massive results. In Luke 5:1-7, Peter cast his net once, and he caught a great number of fish to the extent two boats began to sink. Before the arrival of Jesus, he casted his nets all night and caught absolutely nothing. Also the same peter preached a message and 3000 souls were won In Acts 2:41.With Jesus, little effort brings maximum results. Hannah had been trying all her life and there was nothing to show for it. Immediately God got involved, every effort yielded result no wonder between 1 Samuel 1 and 1 Samuel 2, Hannah went from been barren woman to become a mother of six. Do you know that as you sit with Jesus a little effort will bring great results?

Also those who sat with Jesus received life. Everything dead thing in their life came back to life. Why? Because they sat with Jesus and heard His words. According to John 6:63, the words that come out of the mouth of Jesus are spirit and life. The word is also a hammer and fire according to Jeremiah 23:29. We know that fire consumes and hammer breaks rocks. Anything preventing the glory of God in your will be broken as you sit with Jesus hearing His words.

According to John 8:12, Jesus is the light of the world. When light shines, darkness disappears. Every darkness in the life of those who sat with Jesus disappeared because His light radiated into their life. The mad man of Gadara mentioned in Mark 5:1-14, was filled with darkness .Inside him was a legion demons but immediately he came near Jesus those demon ran away. Mary Magdalene was one of those who sat with Jesus. Before sitting with Jesus, she had 7 demons in her life- Luke 8:2. Light came in and the darkness in her life vanished. As you sit with Jesus, those dark forces will disappear.

One thing with those who sit with Jesus was they became like Jesus. Acts 4:13 says when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and they realize they had been with Jesus. Because they sat with Jesus, the glory of God was visible in their lives. Those who sat with Jesus were called Christians- Acts 11:26 .Christian means Christ like or like Christ.

What God did through Jesus, He did through them. Jesus told those that sat with Him in John 14:12 that they would do greater things than He had done. The evidence is found in Acts 19:11-12 where God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. We know that the shadow of Peter was healing the sick in Acts 5:15.

Those who sat with Jesus got new names, Saul became Paul, Samuel Fatoki became Samuel Oluwatoki .Fatoki means Ifa (Yoruba god) is worthy to be adored and Oluwatoki means The Most High God is worthy to be adored. Let somebody shout Hallelujah. Evil spirits were subject to those who sat with Jesus; those who sat with Jesus moved from people no one recognized to people the whole world knew-nobody becoming somebody.

Their names were written in heaven, Jesus says in Luke 10:20 nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Those that sit with Jesus will get a crown of life- Revelations 2:10.Those who sat with Jesus also had unusual wisdom; we know that Jesus is the wisdom from God.

To sit with Jesus one must be willing. Secondly one must be prepared. The bible is full of stories of people who were willing but not prepared to sit with Jesus. One of such is the rich man mentioned in Mark10:17-25, He was willing but was not prepared to part away with worldly goods-riches. Anyone who wants to sit with Jesus must be prepared to put Him first. Thirdly the one who wants to sit with Jesus must be committed. The bible is full of this group too, they would walk with Jesus today and tomorrow they were gone. Where were the 5000 men that were fed when Jesus was having the last supper with the twelve? They were not committed. They put pleasure and money before Jesus.

 Anyone who wants to sit with Jesus must be committed; you cannot sit with Jesus and still be making dirty jokes. You cannot sit Jesus and still have people you don’t greet, you cannot sit with Jesus and be fighting with your parents, you cannot sit with Jesus and attend service only on Sundays, you cannot sit with Jesus and not be witnessing. The way you dress must change, you cannot continue to give people visa to hell by the way you dress, wearing tight fitting trousers and skirts  to show your body shape or worse still wear short skirts or even show cleavage and you say you are a Christian ? Although every man looking will be punished but the one who has caused them to look will not be spared.

Those who sat with Jesus received forgiveness, Judas was forgiven so many times but he did not repent from his sins. Jesus kept on forgiving him but at last his sin caught up with him. To sit with Jesus, the first step is giving your life to Christ.

The bible said in Romans 3 v 23 that for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The gift was explained in John 3 v 16 , For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be saved? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 v 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.

Pray this prayer from your heart today!

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.

Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.

Samuel Oluwatoki

Please forward this newsletter to a friend, family or colleague. Remember Matthew 10 v 32 which say whoever confesses me before me, him I will confess before my father who is heaven.

WHEN A MAN’S WAY PLEASES GOD…

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22

One thing to take from 1John 3:22 is that there is a reward for pleasing God. Our God loves to give reward. Hebrews 11:6 calls God a Rewarder. Reward is a thing given in recognition of a service, effort or achievement. Jeremiah 17:10 says I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. Jesus says in Revelations 22:12 “and behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give everyone according to his work. For everything we do there is a reward.

 According to James 4:8, the reward for drawing near to God is that He will draw near to you. The reward for honoring God is that He will honor you in return - 1 Samuel 2:30.1 John 3:22 say when we please God whatever we ask we receive from Him. When we please God He gives up peace all around. Proverbs 16:7 says when a man’s ways please the Lord; He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

A typical example of what happens when a man’s way pleases God is found in 1 Samuel 27:1-7. Of all places to run to, David ran to Gath when Saul began to seek to kill him. Earlier he had killed Goliath, Gath’s champion – 1 Samuel 17:4.Because David’s way was pleasing to God, Achish the king of Gath allowed David to live with him .David lived In the country of the Philistine for sixteen months and no one raised a finger against him even Goliath’s four giant brothers were at peace with him while he stayed In Gath.

How does God make one’s enemy to be at peace with him?

·         He makes the enemy favorable disposed to the individual. He gives them favor in the sight of the enemy. According to Leviticus 26:9-11, God’s favor brings fruitfulness, multiplication, abundance, His presence, signs and wonders. The favour of God brought more than peace to the Israelite. Exodus 12:36 says and the Lord had given favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

·         He makes His fear fall on the enemy. Psalms 33:8-9 says let all the earth fear the Lord and the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him, for He spoke and it was done. Psalms 68:1 says let God arise, let His enemies be scattered. It is His fear that causes His enemy to run when He arises. Jehoshaphat lived in peace because the fear of God fell on his enemies.  2 Chronicles 17:10 says and the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

·         He can make the leader or boss of your enemy to order your enemy to look after you. Jeremiah found himself at the mercy of Nebuzaradan in Jeremiah 39:8-14.Nebuzaradan was the captain in charge of the captives from Jerusalem and Jeremiah was not his friend. The Lord made Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylon) to order Nebuzaradan to take Jeremiah and look after him. He specifically warned him not to harm Jeremiah but do to him just Jeremiah says. Nebuzaradan had no choice than to take care of Jeremiah. I pray that the Lord will make the boss of your enemy to command him to take good care of you in Jesus name.

·         He can make your enemy be at peace with you by showing you mercy. Lamentations 3:22 says through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fails not. Psalm 103:11 says for as the heavens are high about the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear him. The Lord’s mercy on a life causes the whole world to show such a life mercy. The Lord told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 42:12 that He would show him mercy so that the king of Babylon will have mercy on him.

·         He can also touch the heart of your enemy. Esau hated Jacob with a passion because he stole his blessings. He hated him to the extent he planned to kill Jacob and Rebekah heard of the plan in Genesis 27:41-42.She advised her son and that one ran away. Several years later, Jacob decided to return home. Esau heard of his coming and he took four hundred bodyguards to go and meet Jacob on the road and consume him. On his way the Lord touched the heart of Esau and when he saw his brother he began to cry. Genesis 33:4 says but Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

·         Another way He makes one’s enemy to be at peace with him is by personally warning the enemy. Hebrew 12:29 says our God is a consuming fire. Exodus 15:3 calls Him a man of war. Psalm 97:3 says fire goes before Him and consumes His enemies. Laban did everything in his power to keep Jacob with him because he knew that the Lord blessed him for the sake of Jacob –Genesis 30:27.Because of this, Laban wanted Jacob to be in his house forever and serve him as his slave. Anyway Jacob decided to leave with his children and wives .Laban heard of this and went after Jacob. Because Jacob’s way pleased the Lord, He personally went and warn Laban. Genesis 31:24 says but God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad”.

The Lord can make one’s enemy to be at peace with him or her in various ways .Isaiah 55:9 says for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. One way the Lord gives peace is by keeping one’s enemy busy. Once your enemy is busy and occupied, you will have peace. That is why Jesus admonishes us to pray for our enemies in Matthew 5:44. An idle enemy is a terrible one to have because he or she will keep himself or herself busy with causing us grief. Every time Saul closed in on David, the Philistines would invade the land and Saul would have to return to war against the Philistines-1 Samuel 23:26-29. The Lord adopted this method to give David peace. Once the Philistine s left he would return to chase David again. I pray that the Lord will keep your enemy permanently busy so you that can peace in the name of Jesus, amen.

This brings us to an important question, how can I please God? How can I make my ways pleasing to him? 

1.    By working according to the rule of His word. Joshua 1:8 says this book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written it. For you then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

2.    By walking after the spirit not after the flesh. Romans 8:5 says those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the spirit. Romans 8:7 say carnal mind is enmity against God. Romans 8:14 says those who are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

3.    By walking by faith. Hebrew 11:6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Romans 1:17 says the just shall live by faith. Genesis 15:6 says Abraham believed in the Lord and the Lord accounted it to him for righteousness .Romans 14:23b says whatever is not from faith is sin.

4.    When our actions and ways are directed to the glory of God.

The glory of God should be the motivating factor for our actions. We must do things to glorify God. Jesus says In John 10:17 “therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  The death of Christ was for the glorification of God. Colossians 1:20 says and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. The death of Christ was to bring us to Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:19 says God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not inputting their trespasses to them.

The bible said in Romans 3 v 23 that for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The gift was explained in John 3 v 16 , For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be saved? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 v 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.

Pray this prayer from your heart today!

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.

Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.

Samuel Oluwatoki

Please forward this newsletter to a friend, family or colleague. Remember Matthew 10 v 32 which say whoever confesses me before me, him I will confess before my father who is heaven.

God of open doors

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, “These things say He is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”. Revelations 3:7

One of the names of our Lord Jesus Christ is the Door. John 10:9 says “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. Aside been the Door , He also possesses the key of David.

One of the delights of God is opening doors. Psalm 35:27 says God has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. Ecclesiastes 3:13 says the gift of God is that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labor. Because He delights in opening doors, you can go to Him over any door and He will open it. Isaiah 45:11 says Ask me of things to come concerning My Sons, and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. If the Lord decides to open a door, no one can stop Him. Isaiah 14:27 says For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hands is stretched out, And who will turn it back?

A door is used to keep what is inside in and what is outside out. Once a door is opened what is outside can come in and what is in can go out.

The Most High opens doors in different ways. He can do it physically. In John 9:1-9 is the story of a man who was born blind. The door of  promotion, happiness, progress, wealth to mention a little were shut at him. Just by anointing his eyes with clay made from mud and saliva,Jesus opened the doors that were shut at him. In Matthew 14:13-21, Jesus touched five loaves of bread and two fishes and the door of multiplication opened. Five loaves of bread and two fishes fed five thousand men not counting women and children and there were still twelve baskets left.

The Lord can command doors to open. Psalm 33:8-9 says the whole earth should fear the Lord because He spoke and it was done. Hebrews 4:12 says the word of God is living and powerful. Jeremiah 23:29 says the word of God is like a fire and a hammer. In John 11:1-45 is the story of Lazarus. This man was dead for four days. At this point, all the doors in the world were shut at him. Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth and he did-all the shut doors were opened .For over seventy years, the door of fruitfulness was shut on Sarah but the Lord visited her in Genesis 18:1-16. While He was leaving He told Abraham, by this time next year Sarah will be a nursing mother and she became pregnant and gave birth at a very old age. In Mark 2:1-12, a paralytic man was brought to Jesus.  I do not need to tell you that the door to health was shut at this fellow .Jesus forgave him and told him to take his bed and walk and he did.

He can command animals to open doors. Psalms 50:10 says all the beast of the forest belongs to God.God gives understanding and wisdom to animals . According to Job 39:17, God made the ostrich forget her wisdom  and did not give her a share of understanding . Whilst famine ravished the land, God used ravens to open the  door of provisions  for Elisha. When you look at the species of birds , ravens are known as micers . They are even stingy to thier children .There favorite food is meat ,In 1 Kings 17:5-6, ravens brought him bread and meat  twice a day. In 2 Kings 2:23-25, God used two female bears to protect the dignity and respect of Elisha .After the bear incident no one ever looked down on Elisha or make fun of his baldhead till he died.

He can also use the enemies themselves to open doors .Proverbs 21:1 says the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, He turns it wherever He wishes. In Numbers 23:1-24, Balaak an enemy of Israel hired Balaam (another enemy of Israel) to curse the Israelites. Every time Balaam opened his mouth to curse this nation, blessings began to flow instead of curses. In Exodus 1:22, Pharaoh commanded that every son born to the Hebrews be cast into river so as to peg the growth of the Hebrews. When Moses was born, the Lord used the greatest enemy of male Hebrew children to raise him up.  By the time we get to Exodus 2:7-11, Moses was on his way to live with Pharaoh in the Palace. The resources of Pharaoh were used to raise Moses as a prince and the mother of Moses got full salary for raising her son -Moses.

Another way He opens doors is through His presence. According to Psalms 16:11, His presence can open the door of Joy. Psalms 21:6 says for You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. The presence of God parted the red sea before the children of Israel. Exodus 15: 8 says at the blast of Your nostrils, The waters were gathered together; The floods stood upright like a heap; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea. In Acts 16:25-30, Paul and Silas began to pray and praise God and the Lord visited the prison. His presence caused an earthquake that rendered these men free.

Aside opening doors , he can also shut doors for example in 1 Kings 17:7-16 ,the door of poverty, death, loneliness was wide open to the widow of Zarapheth but the Lord sent Elijah to her and all the doors were shut. In 2 Kings 6:24-30, the Syrians besieged Samaria and this resulted in a terrible famine. The Lord took interest in the matter and used Elisha to shut the door of national recession, national sadness, and national darkness to mention a few.

Someone might ask what about broken doors? Well He can fix or replace a broken door. In Mark 5:25-.34 is the story of the woman with the issue of blood. The door that controls the flow of blood in her body was broken and blood began to flow nonstop for twelve years. Just by touching the hem of the garment of Jesus, She received a brand new door and was healed immediately.

This brings us to the question, what opens doors?

·         Holiness – Psalm 84:11 says no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Hebrews 12:14 says pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Psalm 34:15 says the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. Holiness is the key .Hebrews 1:9 says you have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness, there God, Your God, has anointed You with the Oil of gladness more than Your companions.

·         Obedience –Isaiah 1:19 say if you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. Exodus 23:22-26 says if you obey God, your enemies will be His enemies, you will be His special treasure and you will not be sick. Jeremiah 7:23 says if we obey God, He will be our God and we will be His people. Deuteronomy 28:1 says if you obey God, He will set you on high above nations.

·         Prayers –Psalm 91:5 says He shall call upon Me, and I will answer Him. Matthew 7:7 says Ask, and it will be given to you; Proverbs 8:17 says those who seek Me finds me. John 16:24 says ask and your will receive, and your joy will be complete.

·         Hard work –Proverbs 28:19 says he who tills his land will have plenty of bread. Proverbs 27:18 says whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit. Proverbs 10:4 says He who has a slack hand becomes poor but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

·         Words & Confession –Matthew 12; 37 says for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Proverbs 6:2 says you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. Remember Samson and Delilah, his words handed him to his enemy who plucked out his eye. Proverbs 18:21 says death and life are in the power of the tongue. Numbers 14:28 says say to them, ‘As I live’, says the Lord, ‘Just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you.

·         Forgiveness – when you forgive people, it will open the door of forgiveness for you too. Mark 11:26 says But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

One thing to note is this; how you treat the doors the Lord has opened to you will determine if He will open more doors for you. The way you handle the doors He has opened matters a lot. That is why we have to take His errands or task very serious. When the Lord sends us on an errand it is for our good. The Most High God is not a user, He will always reward no matter how small the task is.  The question is this, how do you treat the task He has committed to you? Do you do them at your convenience, do you put all the strength you have into it or just do them rush rush.



Take for instance soul winning, how are you taking the door to share Christ? How about the door to be a blessing to a sister or brother in need or even the church? The door of tithes and offerings, how are you taking those doors? These are doors the Lord has opened for us to get blessed!

The doors of employment in your place of work, that business venture how are you taking those doors? Are you hardworking enough or procrastinating ?

There is a particular door the Lord has opened to everyone living and it is the door of Love. Matthew 22:37 says love your neighbor as yourself. 1 Peter 4; 8 says and above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins”. How are you handling this door talking of the door of love? God has opened the door to us to love our neighbor like ourself . Anything we do that is void of love is just an exercise and it has no reward.  1 Corinthians 13:1-13 points that whatever a man does or achieve outside the perimeter of Love is zero and God counts it as nothing .1 Corinthians 13:1 says if i speak in the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a sounding piece of brass or a clashing cymbals. I pray that the Lord will not count your efforts as nothing in Jesus name.

How are you taking the door to love God? Proverbs 8:17 says I love those who love Me. Are you taking those doors serious? Are you maximizing them?

Anyone who wants the Lord to open doors for him or her must first open the door of their heart to Jesus. Revelations 3:20 says “behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me.

The bible said in Romans 3 v 23 that for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6 s 23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The gift was explained in John 3 v 16 , For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. What shall we do to be saved? The bible says in Romans 10vs 9 that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10 v 10 – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that you confess and are saved.

Pray this prayer from your heart today!

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.

Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.

Samuel Oluwatoki

Please forward this newsletter to a friend, family or colleague. Remember Matthew 10 v 32 which say whoever confesses me before me, him I will confess before my father who is heaven.