Welcome to April, the beginning of a new quarter (a new season). 

Be intentional about the Goliaths before you and be strategic in your approach towards them.

David said to Saul, “Your Majesty, no one should be afraid of this Philistine! I will go and fight him.” “No,” answered Saul. “How could you fight him? You’re just a boy, and he has been a soldier all his life!” “Your Majesty,” David said, “I take care of my father’s sheep. Any time a lion or a bear carries off a lamb, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. And if the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears, and I will do the same to this heathen Philistine, who has defied the army of the living God. The Lord has saved me from lions and bears; he will save me from this Philistine.” “All right,” Saul answered. “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

1 Samuel 17:32-37 GNT

David engaged what we call spiritual intelligence here by recalling the way that God fought his battles in the past.

His first approach was to leverage all the victories of the past and declare them to himself and others. That built up his confidence and faith in God and helped his listeners.

 Secondly, he did not entertain any fear or anxiety. This made him stronger inwardly

Be strong and courageous, it will be a rewarding journey- 2 Chronicles 15 vs 12

We will have the same result if we also do what David did when he was faced with a giant:

Recall God’s deeds, miracles and testimonies at every step of the way.

Whenever we face giants, bring out your ark of testimonies and remind God of His faithfulness. Just like David, consistently Speaks victory only and not defeat- a closed mouth is a closed destiny. Speak life, speak healing.

Mind you, the enemy will want to shut you down with words of fear, respond with shouts of faith- go around Jericho, give a shout of Hallelujah.

Aside from the aforementioned, learn to Place your confidence in the Lord. Do not fight it in your own strength. 1 Samuel 2:9. For the arms of flesh will fail, for it is the Lord God that trains our hands for war and our fingers for battle – Psalms 144:1

Remember, don’t lose focus, keep your eyes on God and watch and pray till you get the victory

One big lesson from the story of David was that he did not allow any man to feed him with negative things (including his brothers.) So be careful of the information you allow to filter through your mind. Be careful of the company you keep. Be careful of the things you see and hear. Mark 4:24a;

Finally, don’t run from the giant but, rather, run towards them. Be in the attack and not in the defence side. David ran towards Goliath and boasted in His God how he would bring down the head of Goliath

“The Philistine started walking toward David, with his shield bearer walking in front of him. He kept coming closer, and when he got a good look at David, he was filled with scorn for him because he was just a nice, good-looking boy. He said to David, “What’s that stick for? Do you think I’m a dog?” And he called down curses from his god on David. “Come on,” he challenged David, “and I will give your body to the birds and animals to eat.” David answered, “You are coming against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the Israelite armies, which you have defied. This very day the Lord will put you in my power; I will defeat you and cut off your head. And I will give the bodies of the Philistine soldiers to the birds and animals to eat. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a God, and everyone here will see that the Lord does not need swords or spears to save his people. He is victorious in battle, and he will put all of you in our power.” 2 King 19 bs 9-19

Goliath started walking toward David again, and David ran quickly toward the Philistine

Scriptural prayer

”📍Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my great strength, Who trains my hands for war And my fingers for battle;“

Psalms 144:1 AMP

📍Ask for strength and courage to face the battle ahead.

📍Ephesians 6:10-11- study the armour of God and be willing to wear it all through this season, then you will be able to stand satan’s schemes

Make your bold decrees and declarations, Speak to that Goliath to fall!

”For your enemies have prepared a trap for you! Can’t you see them hiding in their place of darkness and shadows? They’re set against all those who live upright lives.“

Psalms 11:2 TPT

”There He broke the flaming arrows, The shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah.“

Psalms 76:3 AMP

”He sent out arrows and scattered them; Lightning, and confused them.“

2 Samuel 22:15 AMP

”You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.“

Psalms 91:5 TPT

Your victory is guaranteed this season. Have. Wonderful ride on eagle’s wings

Declaring His love,

PJ

It’s been a while I posted here and I sincerely want to welcome you to a new year.
Let me share one simple truth to enjoying a great year in 2024 – Let God’s word guide and influence your decisions.

“Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.”

But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his words are completely in the dark.

“They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭8‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are no two ways to this; any other option will lead to pain, disappointment, shame, regrets and repetition of misfortunes.

When you need an information or instruction on a product as a consumer, where do you seek it? I can hear you say – “from the product’s manual supplied by the manufacturer” right?

Exactly!  The clay can’t  say to the potter, I don’t need you, I want to sort things out of my own way. The clay is definitely tending towards crash or destruction.

“Look at these people! They are arguing with the one who made them. Look at them argue with me. They are like pieces of clay from a broken pot. Clay does not say to the one molding it, ‘Man, what are you doing?’ Things that are made don’t have the power to question the one who makes them. A father gives life to his children, and they cannot ask, ‘Why are you giving me life?’ They cannot question their mother and ask, ‘Why are you giving birth to me?’’
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭ERV‬‬

There is a lovely illustration in the Bible about a farmer in  Isaiah 28:23-29
The summary of it is that – a farmer does not plants seeds anyhow; He understands how each seed will be planted to produce great harvest. He knows which seed  needs to be dispersed on the soil and which seed needs the soil to be tilled first before planting. This wisdom displayed is given to him by the Lord. He instructs him and teaches him how to be orderly and productive.

“For He instructs him in right judgment, His God teaches him.“
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭28‬:‭26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Do you want your life to move forward in the right direction this year? Do you want good success? Then seek the Lord by searching for Him in His word. Get that Bible off your shelve, dust it and sit with it until you receive insight and instructions from it.

“Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do.“
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭ERV‬‬.

The best thing that can ever happen to any man is to be led by God, to be counseled and instructed by your maker Himself .
When you seek him with an open heart; ready to receive, that is what you will benefit from:
“This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭28‬:‭29‬ ‭NKJV

So, let this be your sincere prayer this year:

“Open my eyes to see the miracle-wonders hidden in Scripture.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

The year is blessed for  your sake. You will not experience darkness within and without.  You will experience all round peace in the mighty name of Jesus!.

Rooting for you,

PJ

October is recognized as the pastor-appreciating month and I want to ask you, “Will you appreciate your pastor this month?”

While it is not out of place to surprise your pastors with some good gifts, one of the biggest ways to appreciate your pastors is by praying for them. If Apostle Paul asked for this kind of prayer, you can be sure your pastors need them as well.

“Also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret truth that God has made known about Christ. I am in prison because I preach this truth.” (Colossians 4:3)

This month, don’t solicit any prayer from your pastors but rather spend time in prayer for them.  They also have needs and desires that your standing in the gap for them can cater to.

Prayer is a mutual need!

Here are some suggestions for prayers to be made on behalf of your pastors in this month of October;

“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.” Colossians 4:3-4 NLT

📍God please open doors, windows, minds, eyes, and hearts for the word, so that these men and women might go on telling the mysteries of the Christ.

📍That they will proclaim the gospel with simplicity and clarity attracting men and women to the kingdom.

📍Their disciples or followers will become a great comfort to the ministers and to the ministry.

📍That we will all work diligently together to do the work of the ministry and God will add to our assembly a great number of souls

“Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.” Colossians 4:12

📍We pray they stand firm, mature, and confident in everything God wants them to do.

“And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” Colossians 4:17 NLT

📍That they do their best in what the Lord has committed into their hands

📍They will be faithful to the end

📍They will be diligent in serving in the Lord.

“For this cause, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” Colossians 1:9-12KJV

📍Lord please fill them with the knowledge of your will

📍In all wisdom and spiritual understanding so that they may walk with you the Lord. Fully pleasing to God and bringing fruits unto good works

“Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!” Colossians 4:11 NLT

“Almost every day new men joined David’s forces, so that his army was soon enormous.”

(1 Chronicles 12:22 GNBUK)

💃🏽God will send men/ women who will fully support the ministry and comfort my pastor

📍Pray for Barnabas the encouragers to be sent their way

📍Daily help comes the way of my pastor and the ministry and the helpers grow like the army of the Lord

“Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.” Colossians 4:12

📍That they might stand firm, perfect, and confident in everything God wants them to do.

“And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” (Colossians 4:17 NLT)

📍To do their best in what the Lord has commanded or committed into their hands

“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.”

(Romans 15:30-32 ESV)

📍Our pastors will be delivered from strange and evil men and women

📍No weapon formed against my pastor shall prosper and I condemn every tongue that rises against him/ her.

“Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.” (Hebrews 13:18 NLT)

📍Father, help my pastor to be faithful and honorable in everything they do

📍Pray that all their needs be met and God grants the desires of their hearts

YOU ARE A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST WHEN YOU HOLD THE HANDS OF YOUR PASTORS IN PRAYERS LIKE THIS.

Jumoke Akinjide

(Conversation With PJ)