Tell neighbor “It is not an end but a bend’, tell him or her that whatever it is, it is because you are negotiating a bend…Amen1
Whenever we embark on a journey by road, there may be one, two or more bends on the road to our various destinations. This means that during y journey, along the road to my destination, I may come across two bends, while on your own journey; you may come across a bend. In this scenario I can conclude that we come across different number of bends on our journey to our destination, and we negotiate these bends if we really want to get to where we are going.
When you are approaching a bend or when you are getting closer to a bend, it initially looks like the end of the road, but later becomes a bend when you begin to negotiate it
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This is why this morning, by the power ad mercy of God, I am saying to someone it is not a hopeless situation, but a hopeful one.
Brethren, before you negotiate a bend or before you give up on negotiating a bend, your determination to reach your destination plays a crucial role. This means that if you have determined to reach your destination, there is nothing stopping you, even if the bend is a narrow one, or a hilly one, or very difficult to negotiate.
Whether we like it or not, as born again Christians, we must be determined to make heaven in Jesus name.
This is why I am saying confidently to someone here this morning, that all you have to do is be DETERMINED to be blessed.
On the other hand, if you have not determined to get to your destination, then you might as well go back or change route by doing this you will waste some time.
You will not be discouraged at anytime in Jesus name. Nothing will make you go backwards in Jesus name.
Sing: - “…I will never, never, never go back to the world”
While negotiating these bends, everything that you will need for negotiating he bend will be put to use, like being cautious, slowing down, changing the gear of the car and so on.
This is why I will challenge you today that God has deposited in you all you need for the present situations and the situations ahead, all you need is to steer it up in you. David knew he had what it takes to kill a giant and he used it, remember he ignored Saul’s armor, it weighs him downs.
Most of us have ignored or refused the working of our gifts, instead we look for a man made alternatives, Brethren, counterfeit can ever be like the Original.
Where are we going with that illustration, it is not about having faith in yourself, it is about having faith in God. It is not about loosing hope; it is about being patient and hopeful in God. It is about persistence, which activates the mercy of God to bring His comforting Spirit upon you.
It is about negotiating both spiritual and physical bend to get the crown that will last forever, and that is what I have determined to get in Jesus name. I don’t know about you.
In 1 Corinthians 9:25 Paul in his letter says “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever”
If we want to negotiate a spiritual or physical bend: -
FAITH
Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities have a beginning part, which is believing in God. The end part, which means God, is who he says.
There is always a breaking point, at which we believe we can go on anymore, that is the point when our faith starts.
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
For example, I am believing… God for triplets
Illustration: Illustration of “G.O” giving money to a driver to give his invisible child.
If you don’t have faith or need to increase it, the only source I know is in:
Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Brethren, doubt your doubts, believe your beliefs, but never believe your doubt nor doubt your benefits.
HOPE
Hope is to expect with confidence”, IT IS FAITH HOLDING OUT ITS HAND IN THE DARK
Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength (i.e. we will be filed afresh). They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”
2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”
Brethren, Man’s way leads to a hopeless end, but God’s way leads to an endless hope.
Every hopeless situation will become hopeful from today in Jesus name.
DISCIPLINE / OBEDIENCE
Discipline is control gained by enforcing Obedience or order. For example, if you ignore the sign ‘SLOW DOWN or CAUTION” before you start negotiating a bend, you may end up in a ghastly accident.
For each situation there is a set of rules we must follow to overcome. For example in:
Jo5 5:17 "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty” – Let us not have any attitude when we are corrected accepting correction is a way of gaining the power to prosper"
Isaiah 1:19 “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land” – First of all you must accepted by choice and without reluctance to follow God’s direction while negotiating a spiritual or physical bend.
Isaiah 55:2 “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” – God offers free nourishment that feeds our souls, but how do we get it? By listening to God.
Brethren, we receive the words of prophecy regularly telling us what God wants us to do. Do we listen? Remember that the only way to feed your soul is to listen and act what we hear. DON’T PUT A QUESTION MARK WHERE GOD PUTS A PERIOD.
PATIENCE and STEADFASTNESS
Patience is manifesting endurance and forbearance under provocation or strain, while steadfastness is simply “REMAIN AS YOU ARE IN THE LORD”
Rom 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Proverbs 14:29 “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly”
In first Samuel 1, Hannah provoked the favor of the LORD and she had Samuel. I am telling you today that God sees your patience and will favor you too today in Jesus name.
PERSEVEARANCE
It is an act of “I WILL TRY AGAIN” When we persevere; God will manifest His strength and Power in our situation,
Sing: “Is not by power, is not by might by my spirit says the LORD…’
Exodus 1:15-21 – The Hebrew women persevere in their act not to kill baby boys according to the instruction of Pharaoh, and God intervene.
I don’t know where your strength is failing you, be it Spiritual or Physical strength, God will manifest HIS strength in your weakness today in Jesus name.
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
It doesn’t say if you face trials, but whenever you face them, (we will have trials and it is possible to profit from them). The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face rough situations, but a positive outlook 9”consider it pure joy’)
We will pray, but before we pray, I want you all to note: PSALM 34:17 & 19, IF YOU ALSO TAKE PAIN TO LOOK AT ISAIAH 54:17, BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT VERSE 14 BEFORE YOU START CLAIMING THE DECLEARATION.
Righteousness is acting in morally correct manner by divine declaration. Only God can keep us that way, so I encourage you if you are there to signify and give your life to the only one who can establish you in righteousness.
PRAYER:
Begin to speak to those areas that are physical stronghold or spiritual stronghold to give way in Jesus name.
