Archive for September, 2021


INCREASE THERE, DO NOT DIMINISHED

Filed under: Articles & Reviews
September 6, 2021

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon. Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished” (Jer 29:4-6)


Israel was deported to an alien land and to live in an uncomfortable alien culture. Babylon was the land of their captivity. A land whose inhabitants worship idols of every kind and whose moral code and values are different from God’s chosen people. Yet God spoke clearly to them that they are to, “…increased there, and not diminished…” v 6.
Christians and the Church have been thrust into a world that is very alien and challenging because of the Covid 19 Pandemic. No longer can we live life the way we used to, worship the Lord and serve Him in ways we have enjoyed for years and, yes, together with our brothers and sisters. Its seem to be a completely different culture today. The sooner we allow this reality to sink into our consciousness the better


God have not planned for us to be defeated during this season. He is totally aware of our predicament. Just as He spoke to the people of Israel while they are in Babylon, God is speaking to us today so that we may also, “…increased there, and not diminished…” v 6.

GOD GAVE THEM FOUR KEYS TO INCREASE THERE AND NOT DIMINISH

1. Keep your heart open for God to speak to you. v 4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive…”


God spoke to His people although He was disappointed with them. They were in captivity because of deliberate and prolonged rebellion. Your sins, missteps, mistakes, foolishness, etc may have got you to where you are today, maybe it’s the fault of others or no one’s fault (not that you know). Irrespective, God does not forsake His children. He may have to discipline us, but always, as a Father and He will guide us though the process. He does not just throw us in the prison and throw away the keys.

Make sure you read the Word and spend time alone with God. Do not forsake the “assembling of the saints” (Heb 10:25) even though it is virtual. We need to hear the personal word and also the corporate Word, to, and through the body. Do not allow the news (mostly bad) to lodge in your mind, sink into and clough up your spirit. Let the Word refresh and revive you. Psalm 119:130, “ The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple”

2. Make projections, plans and envision for the long haulWe are not to wait it out, languish in discouragement and disillusionment or just accept the realities we faced as permanent and thus give up their God prescribed way of live. We are to…..

“Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters…”

Make great plans for your personal life, family, your business and ministry. Do not be negative but take time and effort to inspire others to do the same “sons…bear sons…” God is able to give you wisdom and open doors, if you are willing to be open, teachable and bold to venture into the future beginning today in ways that you never known before. Break that spirit of lethargy, fear and discouragement in Jesus Name.

3. Be careful, filter and discern what you read and hear even from those who claim to be spiritual.
Many people say, “knowledge is power”. No, it is, “ accurate knowledge that is power”. Granted, there are many out there who are well meaning and wanting to be encouraging and helpful but there are also those who are planted by the enemy to deceive and those who just talk nonsense.

“Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD” v8-9


Seek the counsel of the Word and the leaders entrusted to protect and teach you (Heb 13:7,17). The Bible warns us of spiritual predators especially during transitioning seasons like this.

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” Acts 20:28-30, “


When God allows something, He always carry it through and give us the grace to follow through the process.
v10” After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you…..”


4. Be assured that God will always bring you through to a victorious end
He saw His ultimate plans for us even before we embark on the journey through this difficult season. His promise to us is…

“I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” v11

God always love you and deal with us as His children. You may not understand why you have to go through this horrendous season. I myself definitely do not. But let us take courage and lean on His everlasting love for us. “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt…” (Jer 31:3-4)


When the time of breakthrough comes, He will move you powerfully by His Holy Spirit to call upon and seek Him for the final breakthrough. AND IT WILL COME


“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive” v12-14

At the meantime, decide to, “INCREASE THERE, DO NOT DIMINISH”

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Invoking 2 Chronicle 7:14?

Filed under: Thoughts & Perspectives
September 1, 2021

2 Chron 7:14 is one of the most quoted and used for prayers and intercessions today especially in our quest for divine intervention and for revival. And rightly so.

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place”

But often, the power and authority behind this Scripture have been largely hindered because it is used without understanding the “soul or spirit” behind this powerful prayer. It has become mere sloganism.

Solomon did not suddenly come out with a “spiritual formula” that will invoke the power of God

  1. He was already a man who have a deep spiritual passion for the Presence of God. He built the temple (6:1-11) Brough in the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple and worship God in splendour after the completion of the Temple (5:1-14)
  2. He was a man who understands that his relationship with God was not a casual one and his ascension to kingship was not a matter of human succession but based on a covenant between his father David and God. He said, “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day” (6:14-15). He knows the seriousness of being faithful to the covenant that will keep and prosper him.
  3. He was already a man who understood the need to pray, seek God’s forgiveness and seek divine intervention and favor. In 6:19-40, he listed down no less than 6 scenarios that he pleaded with God to intervene with mercy and power when it happen. Opening of the heavens was one of them vs26-27

2 Chron 7:14 is God’s response to Him. In 2 Chron 7:13 writes,“WHEN I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if…”

2 Chron 7:14 is a solid and God given template for us to pray for the healing of the nation and revival. Let us not allow it too become another evangelical slogan that we think we can use to “corner God” into doing something we desperately want Him to do.

I believe, we will see greater impact with 2 Chron 7:14 in our prayers if we leverage on our unique relationship with Him first. Let us recognise our covenant relationship with Him and He with us, love His Presence and recognise our need for Him to intervene in every other areas of our lives as we are all humans.

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A Pastoral Letter “Running with Horses”

Filed under: Leadership & Ministry

Hi everyone,

The theme, “Running with horses” was share at the staff devotion, posted in the FB and preached by our weekend speaker in the last a few days. I believe it is not coincident. I am writing this special message especially those of you who are serving in the church and to the church at large.

It’s September 2021 and 18 months since the Global Covid 19 Pandemic started and there are really no clear signs, but on the contrary that the situation is getting better. Many believe it will get worse before getting better.

Like Jeremiah, every one of us have questions but very few adequate answers. Jer 12:1-4

  • He confronted God “Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You. Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments.
  • He did not understand why God allowed the wicked to succeed. “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?”
  • He accused God of letting it happen even though He knows their heart “You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth But far from their mind”
  • He demanded God’s severity “Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter And prepare them for the day of slaughter. How long will the land mourn, And the herbs of every field wither? The beasts and birds are consumed, For the wickedness of those who dwell there, because they said, “He will not see our final end.”

God challenge Jeremiah to trust him because of what He has promised instead of seeking to understand the why’s and what’s of the situation. Jeremiah is to get ready for greater challenges in the days ahead as God roll out His complete plans and purposes.

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? (Jer 12:5)

In the same way, let us take note of the following as we wait on God to fulfill His purpose in these challenging times. We need to be, “…wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matt 10:16)

COVER each other and the Church or ministries that we are involved in

The prolonged stress of the Pandemic has exposed weaknesses in our lives and the Church. Mental and emotional challenges have increased in every field. 1 Peter 4:8 tells us, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will COVER a multitude of sins”.

Now is not the time to lose control of your spirit. A bad spirit or attitude, a wrong word, temper, demands, striving, being head strong, etc will open door for the enemy to lodge itself in a person’s mind and ministry and will create untold havoc in the days to come. 

You have greater authority when your spirit is in check

Prov 6:2 “You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.”

Prov 17:27-28 “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive

Prov 16:32 “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city”

To cover does not mean we tolerate weaknesses or sin, but we approach it with grace, godliness, excellent spirit, divine timing, respect, personal humility and dignity (Phil 2:1-4)

CONSOLIDATE, if possible

We all want to be at our best, do our best, work with the best and give the best service to our Church. However, let’s be discerning to ensure that it is not because of our personal frustrations or anxieties. 

There is so much more we can do even in this present environment. Let us begin today by looking at what and who we have. Find ways to improve, sharpen and strengthen the present ministry and workers. I have no doubt God is watching over and leading the Church with His Presence and Power. Strengthen what remains

Before we can do more, we must ensure that the Church’s vision and spiritual foundation has not been compromised and eroded the last 18 months. Consolidate and strength what we have today.

CREATE more content online and connection opportunities

We need to strengthen and widen our online presence with more content. Metrotab is a very anointed and gifted Church. As the Pandemic wears on, more and more people are having to receive their spiritual feeding and impartation online. It will be foolhardy to just wait it out for better times to come. Every ministry must plan to increase the online presence urgently.

Human are created to connect with other humans. It’s a creation reality. Even though Adam was blessed with Paradise (Gen 1-2). It was said that “…. there was no helper just right for him”. (Gen 1:20) God Himself declared, “…It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (Gen 1:18). 

We need to bridge the gap created by the lost opportunity to physically connect. Remember, relationships develop best in a multi-sensory environment. Meet each other if possible (masked while observing SOPs) and connect online as often as possible. It takes more efforts but it’s the best we can do today. We must do it more often to make up the loss of physical opportunities.

I am praying each day for you. I know the Holy Spirit will fill, anoint, lead, and impart God’s grace and wisdom to all of us as we get ready to, “Run with horses and Run in the floodplains of the Jordan”

Looking forward to connecting again very soon

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