It is with great delight that I welcome you to this great month our month of No More Reproach. I hear God say weeping may endure for the night but joy will come in the morning. All embarrassment and reproach you have suffered from the beginning of the year, yeah even from birth shall be rolled away in Jesus name. This month just as God spoke concerning the Children of Israel that their reproach is rolled away, God Almighty shall roll away your reproach. "And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you" Joshua 5:9. I say to you as God's mouth piece, this month -Every reproach that has brought shame and disgrace to you itself shall suffer reproach in Jesus name.
What is a reproach? Reproach is anything that degrades you. Reproach means shame, blame and disgrace. Sickness is a reproach. Disease is a reproach. Failure is a reproach. Lack is a reproach. Whatever does not promote life, whatever does not enhance life but degrades and relegates is a reproach. Whatever makes a person uncomfortable, whatever makes a person wish to die, whatever makes someone feel that life is no more worth living physically, socially, ministerially, financially, and academically and more is a reproach? Whatever affects the fibber of your career/calling or ministry or marital status negatively is a reproach. But the good news from the throne of God for you this month is - No More Reproach. It is your season of rejoicing. The journey of forty days that became 40 years has finally ended, you are now in Gilgal - take the promise land that flows with milk and honey that God has prepared for you- this month. I prophecy to you again today in the name of Jesus Christ -the Lord will roll away whatever has brought shame and disgrace to you -No more reproach .
Types of Reproach. Reproach has no colour but it manifests in many ways that could not be denied. Physical reproach is synonymous with all manner of bodily affliction and diseases that limit one from making progress in life. Emotional reproach is synonymous with what weighs you down in your mind that manifests in the physical. Career reproach is what makes you to have no feasible means of livelihood. There is no country you have not been to, no occupation you have not practiced but life is still a major struggle. I know a man that had 52 jobs in 6 months and yet he is still struggling. Words will fail me to describe what is called matrimonial reproach, some are being mocked because they cannot even secure a life partner, they are suffering from marital delay, marital manipulation, marital challenges, it is called matrimonial reproach. Some have been married many years without children. Some lost their marriage for reasons beyond their comprehension and are now saddled with social stigma in addition to huge financial responsibilities. Financial reproach. Spiritual reproach. Academic and mental reproach - all your mates are passing exams and no matter how you study, sometimes you even teach them, but you still fail.
How does reproach come?
1. Inherited reproach. Unfortunately we don't choose which country or family where we are born. Some are born to families of never do wells, cursed and poor. For example Reuben was cursed by Jacob his father Gen. 49:3-4) and his children inherited the reproach. "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 1 Chr 5:1-2. Those who should inherit the blessing of first born became vagabonds and strugglers. Some are born with situations and condition they cannot explain but it's reproachful. Jesus confronted such situations. One boy was born blind in John Chapter nine and Jesus changed the reproach to glory. That will be your portion. Whatever reproach that has followed you from birth will be terminated in the month of no more reproach in Jesus name. Your ugly feet at a beautiful gate shall be made beautiful in Jesus name.
2. Circumstantial reproach. Unexpected tragedies. Some reproach come while people are pursuing life. A classic example is what happened to a woman called Naomi. She emigrated from the land of Israel to the land of Moab because of economic challenges called 'famine and drought' Ruth 1:1-7. In a space of few years she met with life tragedies that was beyond what she was running from. She lost her husband and two sons in quick succession. Hear what she said: "And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi (sweetness), call me Mara (Bitter) for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? People are raped, people are lied against and are sent to jail for what they know little or nothing about and they suffer reproach. Even when they served the terms and come out they are regarded as ex-convicts. Some have accidents and are bed ridden for no fault of theirs and are going not only through the pains but the reproach. God is saying he will touch you in a special way this month and remove your reproach!
3. Self-Inflicted Reproach.
Life styles such as idolatry, corruption, fraud, 419, party spirits, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, thievery, and other types of immorality, are causes of reproach. Examples abound in scriptures and in contemporary life of people who by their actions and life styles brought shame and reproach on themselves. I am writing this so that you will no more bring shame on yourself.
Noah a great man of God brought shame and reproach on himself by becoming a drunkard (Gen 9:21). Lot brought shame and disgrace when he also got drunk and slept with his daughters Genesis 19:31-35. Samson brought shame and reproach upon himself by his inability to control his sexual appetite. 'Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her. And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house'. Judges 16:1, 4, 21. How many are grinding stones in strange places because of their inability to control their sexual appetites. People like Reuben who slept with his father's concubine and brought generational reproach on his generation. Gen 49:3-4. David the uncommon General brought shame and reproach because of sexual activities. Amnon, the son of David half-brother of Absalom, raped the sister of Absalom and brought not only disgrace but uncommon death upon himself. How many are carrying unwanted pregnancies and corresponding shame because they could not close their thighs. Some bring reproach by stealing, manipulation and all kinds of unwholesome lifestyles.
Listen to me this is not the plan of God for you. Read this: "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach. 1 Timothy 3:2 "So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world" Philippians 2:15
"Namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain" Titus 1:6-7
4. Reproach from Others Sources. People can bring reproach on you just because they
hate you, your parents, and your family. - like the people of Israel suffered. "Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. Ex 1: 11. People are sacked in their offices for what they know nothing about and they suffered shame. Some defile others and brought shame on them. I have two counsels stop bringing reproach on people. Stop putting yourself in a situation that will bring reproach on yourself and other.
5. Bearing reproach because of Christ. There is one reproach God wants you to bear, reproach for his name. God wants to you to bear reproach for the sake of the gospel. Many servants of God, in carrying out their commission, suffer reproach. People like Jeremiah. "Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Jer 20:2, Jer 20:8.
Peter said it so well. "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. 16But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear this name". 1 Pet 4:14-16. I remember one time we went to one of the malls to preach the gospel. And the security personnel carried me physically going to throw me outside and my biological child who went with us started crying with tears on her face. I can never forget that experience. I told her that is why God brought your dad to Canada. We must not be afraid to suffer reproach.
Why you must get rid of reproach
1. It limits and stagnates your potential.
2. It is an embarrassment to your destiny.
3. It is a life terminator. It is a future killer.
4. It could lead to suicide. Rachel said give me a child or I die. I will rather die than not have a child.
Samson said: Just honour me once more and let me die with the philistines.
How reproaches are removed.
1. God removes reproaches.
It will interest you to know that there are three categories of personalities that could remove reproach, God, yourself and others. God removes reproaches by divine visitation. Sarah was a woman that suffered reproach of barrenness for many years. Equally was Hannah. Read this.
And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord. Gen 21:1-2, 2 Sam 2:21.God also removes reproaches by remembering us. "And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb." Gen 30:22
2. Your Circumcision. In Joshua chapter five God said there was a generation of Israelites that left Egypt that were circumcised, but because of unbelief they perished in the wilderness. God as a covenant keeper, that made this covenant with Abraham now instructed Joshua to circumcise all the children that were born in the wilderness before they can enter the promise land. The moment this was done God made a promise - Today your reproach is rolled away. What is the significance of circumcision to removing reproach? Circumcision is practical. It is also bloody. Jesus paid a price for our reproach on the cross by shedding his blood but expects us to work out our salvation by living a godly life. Circumcision is painful. You must go through a painful process of cutting off whatever brings you shame. It takes blood. It takes endurance. It takes suffering.
The story was told of two brothers from same father and mother. One was bad one was clean
They asked the bad one why he was bad. 'My father.' My father abused my mum, divorced her etc. They asked the second why he was so clean. 'My father.' My father was so bad, I decided I will never live a life of shame like that. I will not bring reproach to my generation. Do what it takes to get yourself out of reproach. Hard work. Initiative. Innovation. Going back to school
Starting your company. Starting a new career. Praying through.
3. Living the redeemed Life. You know you can be in Redeemed church and your life is not redeemed. You repent of the way you brought reproach on yourself by accepting Jesus, and
continually and continuously live a life that does not generate reproach. Read Psalms 15, 26.
4. By praying and prophesying. Reproach is like a curse, if you don't do anything about it, it will remain. In Joshua 6:29 when Joshua finished destroying Jericho he put a curse on it. In 1King 16:34 Hiel carried that curse. For you to remove reproach you must do something. Pray. Prophesy. For 430 years the Israelites were in bondage. In Ex 2: 23 The people cried to God to remove the reproach and God answered them. This year as you cry to God, every reproach in your generation will be removed for ever. Jabez was labelled pain. He did not quarrel with anybody but used prayer to remove his reproach. I pray for you to catch the anointing not to be weak in the place of prayer till the reproach in your life shall totally disappear.
5. By someone praying/interceding for you. It took the prophetic mantle of Moses and his prayer for the generation of Reuben to have a relief from the generational reproach that their father incurred. "Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few" Deut 33:6 Eli prayed with Hannah. Jesus prayed for Peter. How many people were suffering from sicknesses and diseases that brought shame and disgrace to them and instantly their shame disappeared. Ask Bathemeaus, ask the man by the pool of Bethesda. I see Jesus working into your situation and removing your reproach. The right man that will prophesy to you to be married will meet you this month. The one that will through prayer remove the curse in your family shall meet you. The one that will intercede for you and the sickness, poverty and the ugly situation in your life shall be removed shall meet with you in Jesus name this month.
6. Other Ways. God cannot be put in a box. God is not limited. He can use any situation to remove any reproach. I pray he will find one for you. To some it is impartation. To some it is going through deliverance. Some may just be counselling. For Joseph it was the hard way -through prison! Our ways are not God's ways. But one thing is clear, God hates reproach. And this month God will remove that stigma, disgrace and reproach in Jesus name.
Conclusion.
In The words of Joel Osten "Before you can reach your highest potential, you have to get rid of any reproach and shame. You may have made mistakes. People may have done you wrong, but you can't sit around feeling guilty or condemned, 'blaming yourself, blaming others. Whatever you're coming out of-a divorce, an addiction, somebody that did you wrong-God is saying, "This day, not tomorrow, not next week, not six months from now, today…" God is rolling away the reproach. He's rolling away the guilt. Rolling away the shame. Now it's up to you to accept it.
You have to quit dwelling on your failures. Quit believing those lies that you've made too many mistakes. You've been hurt too badly. No, the reproach has been rolled away."
Dr Amos Dada is the Convener of International Gathering of Eagles Conferences. A global conference for raising an eagle generation. The next conference will hold from November 15-Dec 9 in five nations, namely: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria.
Prayer Points Against Reproach
Confession:
"Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don't be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood. Isaiah 54:4
O Lord forgive me my sins. Cleanse me. Purify my heart. O Lord help me to experience a time of refreshing in Jesus name. O Lord I want to know you more, reveal yourself to me as you did to prophets of old, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah , Amos , Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Paul, Peter. O Lord I am tired of being a church goer and a baby Christian. I want to go higher in faith. Help me to deal with the sinful nature in me.
Lord reveal yourself to me.
Lord help me to humble myself before you.
Lord heal me from emotional hurts, pains, bitterness, hatred, acrimony and unforgiveness. Help me to put my past in the past. Help me to learn how to make progress in my Christian life.
O Lord you delivered Reuben's generation from generational reproach, deliver me.
You delivered Jabez from parental reproach deliver me.
You delivered the Israelites from bondage and reproach of 430 years, let generational years of shame, poverty and disgrace be terminated tonight.
Renunciation
Lord remember me tonight
And remove my reproach.
Every atom of reproach, failure, stagnation, tonight pack your bag and baggage and leave me alone
Every reproach of joblessness
Every reproach of barrenness
Every reproach of homelessness
Every reproach of lack of wisdom
Every reproach of lack of initiative
Every reproach of inability to sustain marriage.
Every reproach of marital struggles
Every reproach of inability to secure life partner
Every reproach of academic struggles and failure
Every reproach of business failure, marital failure
Every reproach of loneliness
Every reproach of mental derailment
Every reproach of sicknesses and diseases
Ulcer, cancer, arthritis, diabetics
Every reproach of poverty
Every reproach of generational curses, family stagnation, premature death in family.
Every reproach the enemy fostered on me in Canada.
Reproach of not having paper to live in Canada
Reproach of working under the table
Reproach of living on welfare and not having welfare
Reproach of paycheck to paycheck
Today God Almighty has taken away my reproach!
Amen.
