As we enter a new month with anticipation and excitement, we look forward to the Global Communion Service on Sunday 6th of September with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. There will also be a new phase in The LoveWorld Special with Pastor Chris, which will see phase 5 of season 2 starting on the 7th of September at 7:00PM (GMT+1). Another highly anticipated Global Day of Prayer with Pastor Chris, is something to look forward to on Friday September 25th at 6:00PM (GMT+1), 1:00PM EST which will broadcast until Saturday the 26th of September. It promises to be a month packed with prayer, inspiration, transformation and encouragement.
Today, Tuesday the 1st of September, the Bible verse of the day is aptly from Nehemiah 1:11 “ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Let’s see how this ties into our new month, who’s theme is yet to be revealed.
Rebuilding
Nehemiah is a book about rebuilding that which has broken down. This could be referring to an economy as we have seen be affected with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a severe socio-economic impact globally, or rebuilding a cohesive community with the start of a new academic year. It could also be referring to rebuilding relationships, with each other and with God. It is all about seeing a work that needs to be done and allowing the Holy Spirit the freedom to use us to accomplish that work. There are many things as Christians, that either need building in our lives, or re-building.
“As a Christian, every person who comes into your world has a role to play, whether good or bad. You’ll surely come across different kinds of people in your journey of life. No matter how they relate with you, recognize that God has placed them along your path for your benefit.” Pastor Chris said in today’s Rhapsody of Realities. “It doesn’t make any difference whether they’re helpful or hostile; their relationship with you is part of God’s plan to promote you. Once you understand this, you’ll be happy and grateful to God for anyone who comes into your world.”
Part of God’s Plan
Pastor Chris expressed in today’s affirmation train that it is all part of God’s plan. He went on to say that “When you’re born again, living for Christ is the most natural thing to do with your new nature in Christ. Living right is so natural to you that you have to be tempted to do wrong.” However, life is full of choices. You’re the one to make a choice to live for Him continually. When God guides us, He presents us with the options, and then He also tells us what to choose. But He doesn’t force us in the choices we make, though He lets us understand the consequences of making the wrong choices. Your only concern should be to please your heavenly Father. God’s greatest purposes can only be achieved in us in as much as we are willing to do things HIS way. The book of Nehemiah gives us tremendous insight into the Biblical principles of re-building that which is broken down. But what does this have to do with us today?
Every Christian needs to keep the walls in good repair around their soul, this could refer to a relationship with God that was once strong and wonderful but may have weakened, often those walls begin to fall into disrepair, and when they do we are very vulnerable to attack from the enemy. As with Nehemiah, the first step is allowing your heart to be broken. His heart was for God’s purposes and God’s people. The next step is asking God, “What do you want me to do?” There is a wall to be built, and a testimony to be erected around the church, on a global scale we could say that there is a witness and a wall of testimony to be build around the world for the Lord.
It is definitely time for us to ask God what needs to be built or re-built. We must be willing to see and face the walls that are broken down first in our own lives, then in the lives of God’s people. It makes no difference what has happened in our life in the past; there’s hope for a change. The power for that change is in our mouth. Speak words of faith, blessing and power and recreate your world!