Intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ: THE JOURNEY INTO THE WEALTHY PLACE

THE JOURNEY INTO THE

WEALTHY PLACE

Thou preparest a table before me…

Ngozi Favour Anyaora

COPIED BY DIVINE PERMISSION, (JULY 2012) BY,

THE RIGHTHAND OF THE LORD FELLOWSHIP-LAGOS.

41, Babatunde Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

Contact: 07035953642; 07087166359

Contents

Acknowledgements…………………...........................................................3

The Journey Into the Wealthy Place (Introduction)………………...............4

1.We Are All On a Journey..........................................................................6

-Commencement of the Christian journey..............................................6

-What is the wealthy place?....................................................................6

2.Distractions Are Inevitable .....................................................................10

-Don't join midway believers ...............................................................11

-Is your journey rough or smooth ?.......................................................12

3.A Christian Journey Experience .............................................................13

-Vision of how I wandered away ..........................................................14

-Beware of too much activities..............................................................15

4.Revelation of My Return to the Mansion.................................................16

5.Further Meaning of the Revelation..........................................................18

6.The Outer And Inner Courts....................................................................21

-The outer court.....................................................................................22

-The inner court....................................................................................25

7.Do you know God?...............................................................................26

-How to know and do God's will..........................................................29

8.Join The LORD'S Army.........................................................................30

9.The Need to separate to God..................................................................32

10. Invitation to the Table of the LORD.....................................................36

-Learn to be still before God ...............................................................39

-Salvation by compulsion.....................................................................41

-Are you a minister? Hear this!.............................................................42

-Vision of Abominations In Our Midst.................................................43

11. What to do – The practical steps to take...............................................44

-How the LORD brought me into His school.........................................46

Acknowledgements

Each moment of my life is filled with God's grace, mercies and love. I cannot help but confess God's sovereignty, Lordship and favour upon me and my family each day.

To see a person picked from a dunghill and set on a table with the princes is only by the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in my eyes. I will forever remain grateful to Jehovah, the Almighty God who saved my soul and has raised me up from the dunghill.

God will surely bless my family members who understood God's call upon me. They made the atmosphere at home both conducive and comfortable for me to concentrate and have my quiet time and also do this writing.

I will never forget those times they would remind me, “Mummy, it is time for your quiet time”.

To many others who encouraged me, gave counsels and even corrections at intervals, I say you will never lose your bountiful rewards from God.

To God be the glory.

THE JOURNEY TO THE WEALTHY PLACE

(Introduction)

Dear fellow believer in Christ, how has it been with you? How far are you progressing in your spiritual life, which is your journey to the wealthy place? Some have even forgotten that they are on a journey, that their Christian life is a journey. Yes, it is a journey, for it has a starting point and a destination as well.

So, how are you getting on in your journey to the wealthy place? To the place of abundant life in Christ.

Has it been hectic and dreary? Have things turned upside down beyond every human control? Do you feel like giving up your Christian faith? Are you frustrated already? Remember, you are on a journey!

A passenger in transit does not stop midway on his journey nor cease to move on his journey simply because the roads are bad or because it is raining or for whatever reasons. The person is determined to get to his destination and to fulfill whatever obligation or assignment he has to accomplish, no matter the pains, difficulties and uncomfortable experiences he might have on the way.

Naturally, we deem it fit to overlook, or rather, endure with great hope when for instance our promotion in the office is delayed. We join the queue when there is much traffic, for we can't fly over it. In the hospitals, we wait patiently for the doctor to diagnose us very well and proper medications given.

Now, why is it that we refuse to endure afflictions, persecutions, trials, chastisement and of course hard times, with great hope too, when it comes to our Christian journey? This is more especially when we know that these things are allowed by God for our ultimate maturity. This is food for thought. He that has ears should listen to what the Spirit of God is saying.

The truth is that we all want the accomplishment of God's promises in our lives but refrain from the sacrifices required! For instance, how would you explain this – you are asking and believing God for material blessings and all of a sudden you receive a letter from your director in the office saying that you have been fired! What a paradox! Isn't it? It does not look like what a good God will permit to befall His child, one may say. But then, on our journey to the wealthy land, such instruments of purging (afflictions, disappointments, trials, etc.) are bound to come. They are “necessary evils” that the Holy Spirit takes a believer through, to season and prove him or her, so as to make them ready for the Master's use.

For in-depth revelation, proper understanding and a deeper relationship with God, you may have to pause now and ask the Holy Spirit to take you through the pages of this book by HIMSELF.

Ngozi Favour Anyaora

December 2004

CHAPTER 1

WE ARE ALL ON A JOURNEY

A journey is an act of traveling from one place to another, especially when they are far apart. It can be long or short, but regular.

A journey can be forward or backward, upward or downward, progressive or retrogressive or even circular.

Commencement of the Christian Journey

The journey of a believer starts when he surrenders himself to the Lord and receives Christ into his life as his personal Lord and Saviour. From that moment, this person has started a new journey, a journey to the wealthy place, even though he may not be quite aware of that.

So, brethren, we are all on a journey. The Christian life is a journey! A journey from death to life, from darkness to Light, from destruction to Restoration! A journey from hell to Heaven. A journey from miserable place to a Wealthy Place!

Yes, we are all on a journey, a journey from condemnation to commendation. A journey from christlessness to Christlikeness, which is our promised land, the wealthy place.

May I remark at this point that anyone who has not yielded his will completely to the Lord and is still living his life as he chooses has no place in this journey yet.

For you to benefit from the message of this book, I advise that you stop at this early stage and confess your sins to the Lord Jesus and invite Him into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour – that is if you have not done that already.

Reconcile with your Maker, then every other of His plans for you on this journey to the wealthy place shall be revealed. He, God will then take you by His Spirit along the path and give you proper direction to the wealthy place. When you do this, you have then started on your own journey too – to the wealthy place.

What is the Wealthy Place?

At this juncture, let us ask, “What is this wealthy place to which we are going?” It is the place of the commonwealth of Israel, (Ephesians 2: 12) where God has stored His great wealth for us all.

Ephesians 1: 3 says;

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all SPIRITUAL blessings in heavenly places in Christ”.

So, what is the wealthy place? It is a place of divinely exalted life where we enter into our inheritance in Christ, as sons and daughters of the Most High God. It is the place of spiritual maturity where we become like Christ Himself (Ephesians 4: 13-15). At that realm, we become so close and intimate with the Lord Jesus that we become inseparable from Him. That is the realm of union with Christ. It is those who come here that receive the fullness of all that God has promised His children in this present life – both spiritual and material. Such people will also reign with Christ in the new world to come.

The wealthy place is a place of inexpressible intimacy with God. A place in His presence where God allows one to experience and share the deepest heart of Him. It is the place of glorious spiritual rest where our shepherd makes us to lie down in green pastures and enjoy His rest, for in this life, there remaineth a rest for His people (Hebrews 4: 9-11). Come, let us go into the wealthy place, for a Christian is not yet complete until he has come into this place of fullness of the wealth of Christ.

Simply put, the wealthy place is the Inner Court. All along, we have been busy with the religious sacrifices and activities of the Outer Court. We have all been restless in the ever busy place of the outer court. Now, God wants us to get inside! Time has come for us to get into the Inner Court where the glory of God's presence is waiting to cover our lives and make us perfect. It is there, in the Inner Court, in the most Holy place, that God is waiting to make us become like His Son, Jesus. That is the place we are called to come. This is the journey we are making – to the wealthy place.

Are you ready? It is only for those who are willing and obedient! The choice is ours to make!

Choose ye between Life and Death

In the book of Deuteronomy chapter 30 verse 15, the word of God reads, “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;…”

Beloved, we have the free will to choose either life or death. The choice is consciously made for when we choose to keep the commandments of God and walk in His own ways we will have life and good things. When we persevere and progress with the Lord in this journey, the end result is life. On the contrary, when we retrogress in our walk with the Lord, probably because of various distractions or attractions, we may likely meet evil and death, in the end.

Some people, even Christians, have opted to go back to their own gods (self-will) because they feel that life is hard on them. They have forsaken their first love. And we know how difficult it is to restore a backslidden Christian. For this reason, we have been warned:

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost; And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6: 4-6).

The end of such a person is usually tragic. The Lord Jesus Christ sounded the warning in Luke 9: 62; “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God”

This place says, it is either we keep our hands steadily on the plough and move forward, or we remove our hands from the plough and look backwards. There is no 'on the fence' Christian. It is either we are in or out. The choice is entirely ours to make. No one else can make the decision for us, that is why God would hold us responsible for what happens to our souls at last, because the choice is made by us!

May I ask you at this stage, what happened to the zeal with which you started the Christian journey at first? The Zeal and the boldness which enabled you to denounce and reject sin? What has happened to it?

The Apostle Paul alerted and admonished the Galatians with these words; “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3: 3).

Brethren, perseverance is needed on the journey, therefore you must persevere to have life.

Have The Desire To Succeed

As I mentioned earlier, this journey could be forward or backward. When a believer is making a forward movement, he is progressing. In other words, he is climbing the different steps on the spiritual ladder towards the wealthy place. He is drawing nearer and nearer to God each day of his life. He is following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

A person on a progressive journey is ever determined, committed and optimistic. He is also willing to bear any cost it will take to get to his destination.

We know that a good success is from God, but determination is one of the basic requirements for success.

Could you imagine a student who has examinations to write saying, “I will make it this time around”, yet he is not making serious efforts at his studies! Quite alright we all know that God is always there for us, but He will not come down to read for that student. That is not to say that we are saved by our works. We are saved by grace, but grace is not laziness.

God has released His grace to us. He has given us His ability which works in us to make the impossible situation possible. The point is that there must be a desire, hunger, determination and of course commitment to the Lord in other for us to succeed.

You see, God does not force Himself on anyone. The choice to continue or to withdraw from this journey is ours to make.

CHAPTER 2

DISTRACTIONS ARE INEVITABLE

Brethren, as we are on this journey into the wealthy place, distractions are bound to come. Many things come our way to take us away from God. Some of these distractions are caused by ourselves and some are allowed by God to test the level of our commitment and intimacy with Him.

So, anyone on this journey should expect distractions, by way of temptations, pressures, adverse circumstances, etc. to come his way. It is normal for such things to come, to test our resolve for the Lord and for the journey. Whichever way it comes, we should hold onto the faith we have in Christ; so that despite all odds, all contrary situations and circumstances, we should continue in total obedience to God's will. That is how to be successful in this journey – holding on to God's will at all times.

The Lord told me this;

“The best way out of distractions, the only way to overcome them is to keep focused on Him and move forward with Him”.

To overcome distractions, we should get lost in what God is working out in our lives, forget about circumstances and distractions and keep looking unto Him. The more connected and more concentrated we get into God's own will and ways, the less of distractions we see.

What Fare Do We Pay?

The token fare to pay on this journey is total obedience, total yieldedness and absolute submission to the will of God.

This is the little bit we are required to pay. The truth is that the real price to cover our journey from our present positions to the position where God wants us to be, has been paid by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.

I think the only aspect left for us is to align our own will and plans to that of God, follow Him patiently and watch Him do what He knows how to do best, which is to beautify and perfect our lives.

As we keep walking with the Lord in obedience, we are simply telling Him that we accept and appreciate Him for the finished work which He did on the cross for us.

Don't Join Mid-Way Believers

There is this popular song I know, which says:

Until I see Jesus, Until I see my Lord

I will never never stop my journey half way.

Halleluyah until I see Jesus.

This song is easier sung than done! In our sober moments, we sing and promise God of our everlasting love for Him, how we would follow Him till the end of our lives. Ironically, we forget so soon when problems come our way! We often end up lamenting 'but why me, oh God!' Brethren, no one should claim to have attained it, when he has not got to his final destination. Therefore it is very dangerous to stop-over for whatever reason, on this journey to the wealthy place.

When we stop midway our visions are lost, our garments are defiled and our faith is compromised.

Abraham stopped midway in Haran. He dwelt, relaxed and tried to establish there, but there was not the promised land! And because it was not the land of promise, there was no total fulfilment of the promises for him there.

God's promises are not fully fulfilled when the journey is still halfway. The crown of glory is for the overcomers who get to the end of their journey. No athlete, no matter how popular he is, wins a trophy for stopping a race midway. The trophy remains for only those who have run the race well and have completed their course.

The Israelites also stopped midway at Shittim. They complained, compromised and murmured against God and they died in their thousands. (Numbers 25: 1- 9). It is dangerous to embark on a journey unaccomplished!

Is Your Journey Rough Or Smooth?

A journey could either be rough or smooth or even both. No matter the road on which you are plying the best thing is to allow God to take you through it. He is the Alpha and Omega, so allow Him to initiate the journey and accomplish it as well. All you need to do is to yield completely to His leading.

We have the choice of either following the way of God's will or the way of self-will. God's will involves total submission and yieldedness while self-will entails self-seeking and man-made easy ways.

So, which road have you decided to take to your destination today, God's will or self-will?

I must advise that if you have decided to go God's way, and knowing fully well that He is in control of the journey and not you, then you should never complain.

The Israelites committed their greatest sin when they complained and murmured against God. They opted to go back to Egypt (a place of bondage where they were delivered from) to continue in temporal 'pleasure' rather than enduring to have the full manifestation of the promises of God.

No wonder God gave them over to a reprobate mind and sent leanness to their soul. God inspired the recording of these things in the Bible to reprove and correct us.

“Now all these things happened unto them for our ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12).

I observe that there is much desperation all over the world these last days. Everybody is desperate to fulfill his “dreams”, and nobody, or rather very few, care to seek the author of visions Himself, for a perfect fulfillment!

Many believers think that God is too slow to work out 'great miracles' for them. Therefore, they resort to human wisdom and worldly ways of solving their problems; blaming God for their impatience.

The word of God emphatically stated in Matthew 16:26; “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

From experience, I have proved God and found Him faithful and timely too. He comes in at the nick of time – never late; never too early. He comes just at the right time!

The closer you draw to God, the better you will know Him and His ways. You cannot know Him from afar.

Decide today to take the right direction on your journey and resolve to make it to the end. The right direction is the direction of His will. Whether your way is rough or smooth, resolve to follow God's will, and to obey His voice and you will surely make it.

Always bear in mind that at His own time, He makes all things beautiful.

CHAPTER 3

A CHRISTIAN JOURNEY EXPERIENCE

I would like to say that some of the points mentioned in the previous chapters will be expounded and given further explanation in this chapter.

As children of God, we should note that the road map or direction to our destination is with the LORD Jesus Christ. It therefore becomes very essential for us to heed the word of God which says that we should look unto Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. If He Authors (originates) our faith, He will also lead us to the conclusion of that faith. That is why we noted earlier that a Christians' journey experience starts when he receives the LORD Jesus Christ into his life. That means when there is a true experience of salvation and the LORD's finished work of redemption on the cross becomes a reality and no longer an illusion.

At this time, this Christian has surrendered his will, thought, emotions, everything about him, completely to the LORD. It is at this juncture, that this person has actually started the journey to the wealthy place. For him, the journey has now begun.

Let us view this journey experience in the light of this revelation which the LORD granted me about four years ago.

The things I will share in this chapter will actually consist of revelations the LORD granted me to explain this journey. Here is the first one.

Vision Of How I Wandered Away

In that revelation, I was in a big mansion (as it was called in that revelation) with few other people. It was a mansion well-built and the activities there were well organized and properly arranged. Things were done in an orderly manner.

Suddenly, I decided to leave the mansion. I did not just know the reason for my leaving, yet I kept going. When I got to the living room, I saw the Master of the house (as He was called). He was seated, adorned in royal apparel and was a beauty to behold.

Surprisingly, I did not stop to acknowledge or pay obeisance to Him. I just passed and off I went.

Another surprising thing was that this Master of the house did not call me back. He left me with my decision to leave the mansion and of course I left.

Outside the mansion, I felt relieved and free (false freedom as I was later meant to know). I was now free to live my life as I wanted. I was no longer under the Master's control!

Next, I saw myself suddenly running to catch a bus which was plying a road. Inside the bus was my bag filled with my clothes and money. I ran so much to catch up with the bus, shouting and beckoning on the driver to stop, all to no avail.

I woke up from this dream, shaking and trembling, with this thought- “the mansion I had left, and now my possessions I have also lost.”

Meaning Of The Dream

The LORD explained to me that the big mansion represented His presence. We are called to dwell in the presence of God, for it is only in His presence that we would have full joy, full satisfaction and full restoration (Psalm 16:11).

My leaving the mansion meant I had left God's presence by my self-will and had gone away to pursue my own things my own way! That was what the prodigal son had done!

The bus I was running after, which had my things inside it, represented outward religion! I was more interested in religious activities and in joining the crowd, than in being separated unto God's presence, which the mansion represented. God was calling me to separate to His presence so that He could put things in order, in my life, but there I was, running after dead religious activities and church routines!

The bus also represented my own desire, things I had set up as idols in my heart, and now I was bent on catching them as I had planned.

Bag represents my heart, and so, my bag inside that bus meant my heart had been carried away by religious activities and selfish desires and pursuits. And Jesus said that where one's treasure is, there his heart would be also. My treasure was in religious activities and materialistic pursuits, and so my heart was there also.

My going out from the mansion to pursue the bus outside meant that I had left God's presence, His will and control and was now on my own, pursuing my own selfish goals and purposes. What a dangerous thing for any Christian to do!

At last did I catch the bus? No! – meaning I had lost God's will for me, and also I couldn't catch the things that lured me out of His presence either! What a miserable life, indeed. Truly, he who wants to save his life will lose it indeed! (Matt 16:25).

We shall talk more about this mansion and this revelation in subsequent chapters. For now, just know that any Christian who leaves and abandons the presence of God to follow self-will is indeed in trouble.

Beware Of Too Much Activities

Brethren, at this time in real life, I was like a prodigal son. I became not only confused and dejected but also disorganized and even frustrated. Nothing was working in my life.

My Christian life was in shambles – no focus, no direction, no peace and no joy of the LORD. Everything seemed to have failed and of course everything about and around me failed.

I was like a branch cut off from the vine – no nourishment, no life, no inspiration. It became extremely difficult for me to concentrate in God's presence. I was dying, both spiritually and physically.

Note that at this time, I was going to church and even involved in many church activities. I held different positions in the church, but had little or no time to pitch in the secret place of the most high! I became spiritually malnourished because I was not eating from the table of the LORD. Hence, my joy was lost and my peace withdrawn despite all my church activities. This is because activities can never take the place of personal communion. It is communion with God first, then activities follow, if need be.

So I remained in this terrible condition for years! The more religious activities I carried the more miserable my conditions were. That was my situation until God, in His mercy decided to intervene.

He intervened by graciously bringing me back to the mansion that I had left earlier, for that mansion was His presence! It is only in His presence that we can receive true life. It is only in His presence that His joy can be restored to us!

CHAPTER 4

REVELATION OF MY RETURN TO THE MANSION

Glory be to God who looked on me with much compassion and a deep affection. He decided to take me back to the mansion after some years of agony and pains. This was how it happened:

Firstly, he brought to my vision, a man of God whom I know physically. As I was walking aimlessly and hopelessly on a road (I understood it was the same road on which I had pursued the bus), I ran into him and he simply said, “Sister Ngozi, we don't see you again.” And of course I did not have any excuses or reasons to defend myself.

When I woke up, it was like the experience of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:34, “I lifted my eyes to heaven and my understanding returned to me.”

The Holy Spirit told me that the vision simply meant that God was still looking for me in His presence! I was still “outside”, on my own, and God was longing for me to return back to the mansion of His presence.

After this vision, not much happened in real life to bring me back to God, instead I had continued my life in self-willed religious activities and personal pursuits. Things remained that way until some few months later, when God visited me yet again.

This time, He gave me a revelation of my return to the mansion. Remember I had left the mansion and had been living a self-willed life, outside, like the prodigal son. But this time, the direction changed. I was now moving from the outside, back to the glorious mansion of His presence! I was on my return journey, going back home to my Father's presence.

Back To The Glorious Mansion

Amidst the crowd that was outside, I saw myself walking back to the mansion. As I approached the gate, the door was already opened as if it has been opened waiting for me. I entered and kept on admiring the magnificent building called the mansion. And I thought:

“So this was where I walked away from, the other time!”

It was as if certain scales had fallen off my eyes and I could now see the real beauty of the mansion. Inside the mansion were corridors (passages) leading to different rooms.

In that revelation, the Holy Spirit made me understand that passages meant different stages of Christian growth and maturity, which every believer must pass through as they keep their gaze on the LORD Jesus Christ and keep following Him on daily basis.

On the right hand side inside the mansion there were a few people in a room, including two people who at that time were not yet believers. They were having a good time in the inner court (as that room was called in that revelation). There was this atmosphere of peace, everywhere was peaceful and the people there were all radiating in the glory of God. I so much loved what I saw of them.

They looked so relaxed and were not restless like me. Unlike me also, they were not intending to step out from that inner court. I then shouted in amazement;

“Oh, so you are in the inner court enjoying yourselves and you did not let me know!”

The Holy Spirit then ministered to me; “This is why I brought you here to have the great experience of the inner court”.

Just then, I saw myself heading towards the same inner court, saying in my heart (because of those two people that were not yet believers);

“The first shall be the last and the last, the first”.

God used those two people whom I called unbelievers to show me that the last shall become the first, for they entered the inner court before me, even though I had been a Christian before them! It is not how long, but how well, that matters.

Brethren, do not be the first that shall be last and never you wait to be the last because you may not be given the privilege to eventually become the first.

CHAPTER 5

FURTHER MEANING OF THE REVELATION

My coming outside showed that I have been operating under self-will and have been outside God's plans for my life (Revelation 22:15).

Many believers are labouring under man's imposed will and are far away from God's plans for their lives. So, returning to the mansion means returning to God's presence and to His plans for my life. It means returning to God’s control and discipline and direction.

My meeting the door already opened means that Jesus Christ, who is the Door (Way) is ever ready with open hands to receive us back to Himself. He does not condemn us but forgives and receives us to Himself.

The mansion signifies the awesome presence of God as has been said earlier. This description explains it better.

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrew 12:22-24).

This is the place (realm) of God's intention for His children. It is His will for His own. My leaving the mansion, experiencing despair and the eventual return to the mansion are different phases and stages of our Christian journey, as also illustrated by the parable of the prodigal son.

The revelation of this journey from outside the mansion (outer court) to the inner court took about twenty minutes but in reality, my physical restoration back to God's presence and will took some years!

This process of restoring me to God's original plans took years because of distractions and attractions of life. What then shall we do to make this journey quicker, without much delay? Here are some guidelines, gathered from my own experiences.

A. Determination

Brethren, we are on a real journey! Determination is a great asset as we move on this journey. How determined are you to make it to the wealthy place?

Anyone on a journey prepares well and of course takes the right direction towards his destination. There is always a target and that is getting to his destination.

One obvious thing about a journey is that no matter how rough it seems, the individual on a journey knows where he is heading to and has not accomplished any purpose if he is not yet at his destination. So, ultimately he must get there. This is where determination comes in!

Moreover, when we know that God is the One taking us on this journey, we must be determined to follow Him wherever He leads us. His desire is to lead us into the wealthy place (Promised Land) which He has prepared for us. So, we must be determined to follow Him, despite whatever obstacles, until we get there.

As you step out and continue in faith, God's grace is sufficient to see you through.

B. Lay Aside Every Weight

Some people on this journey carry excess loads and brethren, until these excesses are removed, they cannot enter fully into God's plan for them.

The excess load here refers to burden of iniquities.

Psalm 38:4 says, “For mine iniquities have gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me”.

Also in the twelfth chapter of Hebrews verse one, Paul admonished us with these words,

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”.

These weights also include worries, anxieties and cares of this life. And we have been asked to lay our burdens upon Christ, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

C. Delight In God's Presence

In the place of His presence, God shows us the path of life.

“Thou will show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

God delights that we be where He is. He does not want us to worship Him from afar, like strangers. He desires our communion more than our services and activities to Him (Ephesians 2:19). There is nothing wrong in serving God but He delights more in our being with Him and being like Him than in our activities and services to Him. He needs us more than our works which are dead without God.

Mark 3:14-15 recorded this account; “And He ordained twelve that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sickness, and to cast out devils”.

The LORD ordained twelve, first, that they should be with Him, learn of Him, become like Him, have a close communion and relationship with Him and after that He might send them forth to preach and to have power…

I would say that it is dangerous to desire or ask God's power when one has no relationship with Him. His power can only be contained in his nature and His nature is obtained in His presence.

If God does not accept you, your works and services are in vain. The truth is that when you become like Him and walk with Him, He then directs your steps and lead you into services which you should do to please Him. Then and only then can we please Him with our services.

Brethren, God desires our relationship with Him. He wants us back to Himself. Therefore, at any stage of your journey that you get confused, quickly turn to Jesus Christ, for He has the road map with Him.

Therefore brethren,

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4).

CHAPTER 6

THE OUTER AND INNER COURTS

At this juncture, we need to know better what outer and inner courts mean, because all believers commence their journey from outside (the outer court) unto the inner court. Let us consider these two verses of the scripture in Ezekiel 40:45-46,

“And He said unto me, this chamber, whose prospect is towards the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house. And the chambers whose prospects is towards the north is for the priests, the keeper of the charge of the alter: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto Him”.

The former group are those who see to the activities in the house while the latter group are those who minister in God's presence.

If you are just a minister in charge of the house, you should cry out to the LORD to help you for you should be a minister who draws near to the LORD. When you draw near to Him, He will then teach you how to discharge your duties.

The Outer Court

Simply put, the outer court is not a place of perfection. The believers and ministers found here are those in error. They commit secret sins and still go to church to render their services as saints. Most of them take up these services as cover-up to their secret faults.

There are much deceit and manipulations here. There is no spiritual standard. It is a place or level of no order.

It is filled with ministers and believers who are estranged from God, who no longer hear God, but they want people to believe they are still in faith. Who is deceiving who?

“And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from Me after idols, they shall bear their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers at My sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them. Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the LORD God, and they shall bear their iniquity. And they shall not come near unto Me, to do the office of a priest unto Me, nor to come near any of My holy things, in the most holy place (inner court), but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed. But I will make them keepers of the house, for all the service thereof, and for all that shall be done therein” (Ezekiel 44:10-14).

Many shepherds have gone astray, thereby causing many sheep to go astray also. The LORD said that these shepherds will not come near Him nor minister to Him, but they will be men of the people instead of men of God.

God told me that many believers and even ministers have heaped up their own programs and module of operations for themselves and have no regard for Him.

“They expect Me to bless them in their own plans and in their own terms which are outside My own will for them. They have gone away from Me. They have detached themselves from Me. How can I bless them in iniquity? I am not found in evil. They are cut off from the vine. To do anything God's way is to do My will” saith the LORD.

These are ministers of the people, hypocrites, whose hearts are far from God but they profess Him as LORD with their lips. It is a clear hypocrisy when a person's words and His character do not tally.

Moreover, in the outer court, there is no revelation or knowledge of God. People here are full of struggles in their faith and in their services to Him. There is no joy of salvation, no fruit of the work of redemption.

It takes only God to deliver and redeem such religious minds from this level of faith and God is ready to do so, even now!

The ministers at this level are inspired by the people. Like Saul, the people dictate what is assumed to be the will of God.

There are lots of compromises and manipulations, all in the bid to record miracles, greatness, fame and even to retain the crowd (people).

Anything goes here. The will of God is out of place here; rather the “will” of the church leaders and the affluence among them is given top priority.

Many committees are formed, all in the attempt to scheme many manipulative measures to bewitch people. God is not pleased with all this at all. There is much deceit as all these things are pretended to be done in the name of the LORD.

All such ministers are deceiving themselves and have not known or heard God. We have played church game enough! God is calling us to a banquet, to eat with Him at His table.

Brethren, the time has come for the manifestation of the true sons of God. Who are these true sons of God?

The word of God in Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

The Inner Court

Let us have a picture of the inner court too.

“And the chamber whose prospect is towards the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto Him” (Ezekiel 40:46).

God Himself brings us into the inner court. At this level, God separates us unto Himself and starts the work of purging us from our old self.

From the above passage, we observe that the believers or ministers in the inner court come near to the LORD first. They delight in the presence of God first, then secondly, they minister unto Him. You cannot minister meaningfully to the LORD without first coming near and having a relationship with Him.

To buttress the above explanation, God showed me in a revelation, the inner court. There were classrooms, and students who were admitted by the Holy Spirit were there. There were different schemes of work for the different classes. Students were taught different things at different times. Examinations and tests were conducted at intervals. Nobody was promoted until He passed the particular class in which he was. There was a class for repeaters also. It was a school setting indeed! Different subjects were taught. For example computer science means the study of the thought in our minds while English language means the right use of the tongue, as in James chapter three!

I was later made to know that this school is in the presence of God and is done through the day-to-day leading of the Holy Ghost. And of course anyone that allows himself to be taught, led and directed by the Spirit of God is automatically in the school of the Holy Spirit. So, the inner court is the place that God really trains and prepares us.

The examinations and tests in this school stand for persecutions and trials of our faith which takes place every day of our lives.

In our spiritual records, there is no spiritual promotion until one passes or rather learns a particular thing which the LORD wants him to learn. This could be a change in character or proper use of the tongue. It just has to do with our day to day living.

As we keep walking with Him, He takes us through the judgement seat each day. You will see yourself discussing with the Holy Spirit at the end of each day, how you lived your life for that day. In His faithfulness, He will show you the area you have missed it in following God's leading and what next to do. It is indeed a relationship! As you continue in this relationship, you will marvel at the great work of transformation He will do in your life. These are the things we experience in the inner court of God's presence!

It is obvious that many believers have lost the identity of Christ and have worn the mask of the devil, but still confessing Christ! God wants to conform us to His image. He wants us to be like Him and He does that at the inner court Christian experience.

God has given us access into the holiest of all (which is the inner court) so we have no excuse not to enter.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath concentrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; And having an High Priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised)” (Hebrews 10: 19-23).

CHAPTER 7

DO YOU KNOW GOD?

It is sad to note that many believers worship and serve a God they do not know. Jesus told the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well, in John 4: 22a,

“Ye worship ye know not what”…

Paul stood in the midst of mars' hill, and said,

“Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you” (Acts 17: 22-23).

So it is with us today. Many believers like to minister unto God when they have not really taken time to first of all know Him and have personal relationship with Him. 1 Samuel 3: 1 states, “And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli”.

But verse 7 says, “Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him”.

Almost every Christian you meet is a worker: But like Samuel many of these believers serve a God they do not have a relationship with and whom they have not experienced. What type of workers are we then, for it is only those that know their God that shall be strong, and do exploits (Daniel 11: 32b)!

The Choice Is Ours

Note that when I left the mansion in my early revelation, the master of the house did not call me back. This simply means that God does not force Himself on anyone. He allows us to our own choice and our own will. He wants us to come to Him willingly! He does not force.

When the prodigal son chose his own will and left his father, nobody stopped him. But when he got to the limit of his own strength, he came back to his father who whole-heartedly received him.

I have often times heard a man of God say,

“Every kingdom matter is a question of choice”.

God allows us to our choice! Therefore, we should ask for grace to make a wise choice. We should choose personal relationship with God first, before any other things.

Many Christians have made God a “spare tyre”, only to be contacted when necessary; especially when there arises a situation they feel is beyond their control. They do not know God.

Many believers only know Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God but are yet to know Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Christians now pursue their own things in their own ways. Pleasing God is completely out of the plans and schedule of events of many such believers. Some mutter few words in the name of prayers and off they go about their business. They do not know God.

Therefore, it leaves no doubt to say that God has been shifted off from their hearts and they now “lord” themselves. No wonder there are many casualties!

Remember that when I left the master of the house and pursued the bus, I ended up losing both the things that enticed me out of God's presence as well as God's plans for my life. I lost everything.

Furthermore, I was taken away from the master of the “open door” Himself. And how could I have experienced any “open door” without Him!

Jesus Christ is the Master of the “open door”, so no door opens for us, and we will hardly experience any “breakthrough”, if He is not the one leading us into it…

“He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth”. (Rev. 3: 7b).

A notable man of God, Tim Lahaye, wrote this, “The best advice I have ever heard is that we do not need a life time road map or master plan for our lives. We just need to stay in close fellowship with the Master, who does have a plan for our lives”.

We are much stressed and engulfed in pursuit of this earthly riches because we are yet to know our God personally as a burden bearer. How ignorant believers are! One man of God said that man's greatest infirmity is ignorance and I quite agree with Him.

Brethren, the Lord has prepared a better place and life for us but we are still too busy, pursuing the things that do not have eternal relevance.

If the Lord promised you His kingdom, why settle for hell! If He promised gold and silver, why settle for bronze. Go for the real, stop pursuing shadows and move into the reality, that is God Himself!

God has given us His kingdom and now He wants to purge, sanctify and beautify us. He wants us to enter into His rest. He also wants to build you into Himself. This is God's eternal plan for you, therefore do not settle for less.

How To Know And Do God's Will

The Holy Spirit taught me this lesson when I desired earnestly to know God's will concerning some issues in my life. In addition I pledged my willingness to do them if God told me.

He said,

“You cannot do the will of God if you already have your own opinion which you hold on to concerning some issues, especially those issues you are asking God's will for. You must therefore empty yourself first, of every self-opinion or idea, if you want to know and do God's will”.

God's will on many issues can be entirely different from our own opinions, yet we are to choose His will, for that is the way of life.

What To Do

Ask and allow the Holy Spirit to expose every self-opinion in you and expel them. Thereafter, you will see more clearly to know and do God's will.

CHAPTER 8

JOIN THE LORD'S ARMY

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come unto me” (Exodus 32: 26).

Though Moses made this call to the physical Israelites then, but this same call is even more vital for us now, as spiritual Israelites. Why? Because there is a serious separation going on right now in the church.

God is on a silent mission by His Spirit. He is gathering His own to Himself, to beautify, prepare and send them for His end-time purposes. This means that God is gathering, purging, overhauling and putting us in order! Do not be left out in this present move of the Lord. My prayer is that God's Spirit will not pass you by in Jesus name.

God is equipping the saints. These are the end-time army of the Lord – the Joshua generation that will enter into the promised land. In this move, those who have end-time assignments to do shall remain and be fortified by God. But those who do not have end-time assignments, though they are children of God, shall be withdrawn. That is, God will retire them early and take them home to Heaven – because they have no end-time assignments!

So why do we live a life of compromise as though the whole thing about our faith ends here? God is preparing us for a higher purpose – which is to serve in His end-time Army, and thereafter be rewarded in Heaven.

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” ( 2 Timothy 2: 3- 4).

Every believer should be a soldier of the Lord. Therefore, as you move on this journey, do not get lost in transit. Endeavour not to intermingle with the affairs of this life. The Lord Jesus Christ told us to occupy till He comes; but we are too relaxed on this earth. Everyone seems to have forgotten the vision of heaven. This leaves no doubt why iniquity is on the increase even in the church.

No Short Cut

Do not be deceived, brethren, the journey we are on, is not the easy – going one. It is not full of roses at all. The road is not smooth; rather it is rough and narrow.

“Nevertheless, no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed there unto” (I Thessalonians 3: 3)

… “And that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14: 22).

In this day of instant everything, we need to understand that there are no shortcuts to maturity, whether physical or spiritual. It is a gradual process, with Jesus Christ as the pilot of our lives. So, depend on Him as you take your journey to the promised land.

We do not all pass through the same process because God sees and deals with us as individuals. But whatever be the process, relax, endure and follow Him at the pace He leads you.

There are different schemes of God's programme for every believer. My prayer for you is that God will reveal His programme and purpose for your life, lead you to know it and take you along the path of your own journey in Jesus name. Amen. Therefore, we should busy ourselves desiring to know His will, to know Him.

Have you ever taken a second thought and asked, “Is God pleased with me? Am I pleasing God?”

Brethren, God and His programme in this end-time should be of top priority to us. He is building a Joshua army – those that will run with the specific word of instruction given to them. This is the generation that shall enter into God's wealthy place. You must not be left out by whatever reason. If you want to join, then make out time when you would separate to His presence each day. It is there that your training and preparation will begin.

CHAPTER 9

THE NEED TO SEPARATE TO GOD

There is a great need for us to separate to God, especially amidst these present crises and confusion in the world. For years we have been heeding man's report yet without any remedy. Now therefore, let us all heed God's call and know what He has to say.

Yes, God made a call, and the call is still on, even now.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light”. (Matthew 11: 28-30).

I do not mean to say that you should withdraw yourself to a desert or lock yourself in a room. But, if God says you should do just that, then He has a purpose for it and you just have to do exactly what He says. The Lord is calling us to come unto Him, personally; to separate to Him so He can help us.

Trials, distractions, pressures of life do come to us but often times these issues are addressed when we are alone with God. Also when we are really connected to Him in the spirit, He suddenly drops the answer in our hearts. Sometimes, we need to forget all our piled-up programmes and separate to God who will work out better programmes for us. And now is the time! He needs us at the already prepared table, filled with His goodness.

“And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces; and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them.

And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall bring forth to them water out of the rock: So thou shall give the congregation and their beasts drink”. (Numbers 20: 6-8).

From the above reference, isn't it amazing to know that when we separate ourselves to God, He speaks and gives us directions on the issues bothering our hearts? Then why don't we separate to Him, so we can receive clear directions concerning our lives!

Why do we struggle and are full of anxiety? By the way, what does your anxiety do?

Tim Lahaye wrote,

“It does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but it empties today of its strength and grace. It does not make you escape from the evil. Rather it makes you unable to cope with it if it comes”.

Understand God's Tools

We should know that problems and afflictions are bound to come, for these are part of the tools God uses to produce maturity in us. But our attitude towards these “uncomfortable situations” will determine how long or short they remain with us.

The Israelites ended a journey of forty days in forty years because of their rebellious acts to the will of God. Wrong attitude towards affliction prolong our journey! The things we call problems and afflictions may be mere instruments of pruning and purging in the hands of God.

Purging means cutting off some of the branches from a tree, so that it will grow better and stronger. So, they may be used by God to shape us, like a stone in the quarry, into God's desired purpose for our lives.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the Husbandman, Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15: 1-2)

For a believer to be used by God, he has to be purged, tested, proven and approved by the Master who will fill him up with His life and then use him.

Let's have it in mind that there are circumstances that God has destined for us to go through; and also there are some we get into by ourselves out of ignorance or desperation. But which ever be the case, God is ready to make all things beautiful for us in His time.

Therefore, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations” (trials). (James 1: 2)

Don't Give Up

Sometime ago, I thought of giving up my faith as a believer in Christ. I was so discouraged because of pressures of life that I chose to backslide.

But I thank God for His grace that worketh in us. Truly God's grace is His power (ability) working in us to keep us afloat problems and even discouragements.

God answered me,

“Daughter, you have come a long way to draw back now. The journey you have gone so far is more than the remaining one. You are very close to your miracle (promised land).”

His words brought life back to me and His mercy really kept me. Nowadays, some people, even believers, give up at the verge of their miracle. Your miracle may be tomorrow, so do not give up today. Hold on to the promises of God for your life and walk with Him on a daily basis. As you do so, His joy will strengthen you.

You also need to change your prayer from “God, bless all that I will do today”, to “God, lead me into your plans and purposes for my life today”. We are not the ones to tell God what He should bless. Rather, we are to ask Him to lead us into what He has already planned for us. Do not be discouraged for God has not given up on you.

When a believer goes away from God's presence, this account becomes real of him.

“We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men. We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgement, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us”. (Isaiah 59: 10-11)

Brethren, let us hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the body of Christ. Let us all return to our Maker who is ready to accept us. He wants to start a fresh and intimate relationship with us.

Therefore, separate yourself to Him, and do not be disappointed when He will first scatter and disorganise your own programmes. Yes, He usually sets aside our own plans and scatters them, so that His own superior plans for our lives can begin! However, He will lead you beside the still waters and eventually beautify you as His befitting bride. He will make everything beautiful at the end.

Praise God.

CHAPTER 10

INVITATION TO THE TABLE OF THE LORD

“Then said He unto him, a certain man made a great supper, and bade many; And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, come; for all things are now ready.

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must need go and see it. I pray have me excused.

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

So that servant came, and shewed his Lord these things. Then the Master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the street and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt and the blind.

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou has commanded, and yet there is room.

And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the high ways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled”. (Luke 14: 16-23).

God has prepared a great feast for us. David caught the revelation when he proclaimed in Psalm 23: 5a,

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”

This great feast is laid on the table of the Lord. The table of the Lord is the presence of the God. It is a place of fellowship and communion with God. It is as we eat at this table that God perfects our lives and then leads us to the wealthy place. Only those who eat at this table get to the wealthy place!

God prepared everything and kept them ready even before He created us. So all things are ready! Yes! All things are indeed ready at His table!

“According as His divine power hath given unto all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue”. (2 Peter 1: 3)

We do not get enriched out of desperation or much struggle. It is simply God's grace. Do you know why believers pursue miracles, signs and wonders profusely? It is because they are yet to realize that everything we need on this earth is with God, and all these are laid at His table. The more of our time we spend at His table, the less of our struggles in pursuit of wealth.

The truth is that, the more we struggle on our own, the farther these things get from us. Therefore, we sorrow, lament and weep for not getting them, whereas they are all with God! And you know what! He has laid all of them at His table for us to enjoy! Yes, God knowing that the efforts and struggles of man cannot help him, decided to prepare all things, made them ready and sent out invitation titled,

“Come and eat for all things are ready”. That is the mystery of Luke 14: 17!

Excuses Won't Help Us

In the first passage of this chapter, (Luke 14: 16-24) the invitees all refuse to honour the invitation to come to the King's table. Rather, they all began to make excuses. Actually they had no excuses, but they manufactured excuses just to refuse the Lord's offer. After all, one would expect that before a person buys either a land or oxen, the buyer would have seen or proved them before payment is made. So there was virtually no excuse at all.

The problem is not that God is slow or does not answer prayers again. God is neither slow nor adamant to prayers; He answers even more than we ask.

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen”. (Ephesians 3: 20-21).

Even now, God is working out all things for our good. The problem is simply this: we have remained adamant to God's invitation, either by ignorance or by self-will. We have refused to answer His call. We have turned down His invitation and continued with our own ways of doing things. No wonder, there is much frustration and emptiness even among the believers.

Brethren, there is One who owns the heavens and the earth. He dictates the pace of events and ruleth in the kingdom of men. He reigns in Majesty. No one can instruct or direct Him.

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us”. (Psalm 2: 1-3)

It is a vain thing to try to live your life outside God's will for you. No one succeeds outside the will of God for his life.

You may point at some material possessions you have now and conclude, “Well, God is happy with me, after all I am blessed”. It may not be so. There is an ultimate destination, a better promise and attainment God has for you. And you are not likely to attain that height of glory if you do not have a walk and a deeper relationship with the King of glory Himself who has your destiny with Him.

God's Call

God is calling us for a walk with Him. God and you in a relationship walking together, step-by-step! This is what He wants to do for us as we come to His table. At the table of the Lord, that is, in God's presence, or better still in the place or realm of stillness and quietness, He feeds us with His spoken word. He shows us visions and revelations of the mysteries of the kingdom. He gives us deeper understanding of heavenly things.

Every word of the Bible begins to make more meaning to us because God's Spirit is now our teacher. God reveals Himself both in and to you. You know Him! No one knows God except in whom He reveals Himself. He wants you to know Him by revelation!

Note that the God you experience yourself, makes more meaning to you than the one you are just told about. Hence, as we eat at His table, that is, as we separate to His presence, God will reveal Himself to us and cause us to know Him, both by revelation and by series of other dealings. As we begin to relate with God in this manner, you will discover that even in the midst of pains, you are joyful! Yes, in the midst of increasing end-time hopelessness and confusion, you see yourself radiating with glory and life of God. Halleluyah! This is the call of God that you have received. Are you ready to answer? Then start eating at His table, daily.

Learn to Be Still Before God

In the face of problems, Moses told the impatient, murmuring and desperate Israelites (some believers also have these qualities) in Exodus 14:13,

“…Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them no more for ever.”

In the book of I Samuel Chapter three, as long as Samuel kept running up and down, God did not speak. God only spoke to him when he lay down, was still and became quiet before the Lord.

In the same way, God wants us to be still and quiet in His presence and He will speak to us. He will feed us at His table when we are quiet enough to 'eat'.

Brethren, let us stop running from pillar to post in search of miracles. Stop looking unto great men or women of God for solutions to your problems. Look unto Jesus Christ, and if He directs you to any man of God then you can go.

Nowadays, some people think it odd for someone to say “God said this to me”. Although some believers have actually abused and misused this phrase, yet the truth remains that God still speaks to His children, but how many hear Him! It is only those who keep quiet in His presence that can hear His voice.

Many believers derive more pleasure and satisfaction in doing other things such as carrying out diverse religious activities in the bid to please God, than in sitting still in the presence of God and having a sweet communion with Him!

It is when we dwell in His secret place (presence) that we will abide under His shadow. He then leads us through afflictions and problems. That is the breakthrough we pursue. God Himself will lead you and both of you will break through problems together.

In that case, you have little or nothing to do than to obey and submit to Him. He then shows you the path of life as you do so. That is all. Therefore, stop being too busy for God. There is a realm of sweetness to attain. Desire it.

Transformation is a Necessity

In Isaiah 5: 1-7, the Lord lamented the deplorable spiritual condition of His people in whom He had deposited and given all it would take to bring them to a high level of spiritual authority and power. But alas, the reverse was the case.

Brethren, note that it is dangerous to eat from the Lord's table and yet record no transformation (Change) in your life. If your character is still the same or even worse, you should quickly examine yourself and see if you are still in faith.

Your having a relationship with the Lord should reflect in your character, utterances and your thoughts. The more you eat and feast at God's table, the more you become like God.

The truth is that even when we do not know it, our character preaches more than a thousand messages we preach by words. The ultimate purpose of God for us is that we should become like Christ in character and in everything (Ephesians 4: 13-15). We must live the word we preach, otherwise we are simply hypocrites. Then and only then can we say,

“For Thou, O God hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; Thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou has caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but Thou broughtest us out into a WEALTHY PLACE”. (Psalm 66:10-12).

Salvation By Compulsion

“And the Lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled”. (Luke 14:23).

God wants to restore us to His original plans for us. And because He will not watch us be destroyed, He has instructed that His children be compelled to come to Him at this time of the end. The table is set, the feast is ready, but the invitees are yet to come. And because they must be saved God brings them in by force.

At this end time, God will compel people to Himself, in order to save them from destruction. But then, it won't be wise nor pleasant to wait till God brings you in by force, that is “invitation by force”. Yes, sometimes God allows such agents as sicknesses, accidents, great afflictions, unfulfilment and other unpleasant conditions to come to us just for Him to get our attention to Himself!

Will you wait for these agents to visit you before you answer His gentle, yet persistent call? What reasons do you have to give to your maker for not honouring His invitation? His invitation is a privilege. His call is your life. Both your life, your family and others' lives are tied to it!

Are You a Minister? Hear This

Amidst confusion and unfufilment, I confessed to God about my hopeless condition and He specifically told me this. I kept it to myself, but He instructed me to share it with other ministers who are equally hopeless and have laboured in unfulfilment for several years in their different ministries.

The Lord said:

“Lo, I have called you a minister in My presence. There, in My presence I will fill you with My life so that through you I will give life to others. Whatever that is on the inside of you, whether good or bad (evil) is what others receive as you minister to them.

You wonder why you are not making impact in people's lives; it is because you are still harbouring some strange character in you. So you have not yet got anything good to give to them. I, the Lord, will feed you first.

When you minister to people, they receive what is on the inside of you, instead of receiving My life. This is because you cannot give what you do not have. Without your telling them what secret faults you have inside of you, as you talk, the spirit is transferred unto them.

So, that is why I, the Lord have brought you into the inner court, to purge, prune, weed your life and tear down the wall of self in you so that My virtue (life) which I will plant in you can flow through you to others”.

Permit me to say that you, as a minister, may be the one sitting on the blessings and spiritual progress of your congregation because of the life you live, especially in the secret.

To escape the wrath and judgement of God, run quickly back to God, start afresh with Him if need be, and He will beautify you first before you become a channel of life and blessings to your congregation. God bless you.

Visions of Abominations in Our Mist

God gave me a series of visions to show me why He is now calling His children to come directly to Him.

Abominations are happening in our various churches and fellowships, which will soon lead many to desolation (destruction). Only those who dwell in God's presence can know these things for only He can open our eyes to see them. As you are making your journey into the wealthy place, you as a believer, a minister or a church goer should be very careful.

This is shocking but revealing. God showed me what He showed to Ezekiel, in Ezekiel chapter 8!

In a vision, one Sunday morning, the LORD took me in the spirit and we visited different centres of worship and what He allowed me to see really shocked me.

In these meetings, the true spirit controlling each particular church was revealed. And I was shocked to see that the Holy Spirit of God was not the One in charge. Other spirits were! On one of the pulpits I saw serpents instead of a human being, ministering to people.

In another place, it was a mermaid spirit in the form of a woman.

In some other places they were practicing occultism in the church! On one of the right fingers of one minister that we visited, there was a ring which was diabolic. As soon as he touched people on their foreheads with that ring, he distributed infirmities. So people were falling, thinking they fell under “the Anointing”, but unknown to them, they received different sicknesses!

In another meeting a dog was jumping from one side of the altar to the other. The surprising thing was that the different congregations we visited were blind to all these things. Members of these fellowships thought that they were receiving from the Holy Spirit, not knowing that they were indeed under the influence of satanic spirits.

Few of the ministers we visited were truthful but they were lean and weak. I asked the LORD why? He answered me,

“They are sincere but do not have enough of Me. As long as they continue ministering without being in constant communion with me, they will get weaker and weaker and fall away”.

I cried and screamed for these congregations to see the danger they were exposed to, but none heard me. It pained me but I was comforted when the LORD said,

“I will save the remnant. I will seek them and save them”.

Brethren, many spirits have gone out into the church, to defile the bride of Christ, but my prayer is that God will open your own eyes of understanding too, and give you discerning spirit, to know the good and the evil.

God is still calling and waiting for us even today at His table, well laid. Come and eat your fill. Come with a large heart of acceptance and you will be surprised how God will beautify your life, your family members, those around you and then perfect that which concerneth you. Praise God.

CHAPTER 11

CONCLUSION

What to do – the practical steps to take.

At the end of this reading, if your heart is made willing and you want to answer the LORD'S invitation to His great feast at His table; say this simple prayer.

“LORD Jesus, I thank You for saving me. I now realize that I have missed Your way, but now I am back to submit to You. I yield completely to Your will and ask that You feed me at Your table. Reveal Yourself in me and give me Your grace to follow Your path of life as You teach me in Your school, in Jesus name”. Amen.

You are now enrolled into the LORD's school.

After saying this prayer, you then choose a specific time when you and God will be meeting in His presence and also dedicate that time to Him.

This time is called a covenant time and should be regular. At that time, you go into your room, and have a quiet time with the LORD, that is just you and God. You do this every day at the same time and not at your convenient time.

It is not a time to praise and worship, do warfare or intercessory prayer. When you go into your room for your quiet time, you say, “LORD I have come to eat from your table, come and feed me. Speak to me for your servant hears”.

It is a time to be still (quiet) before the presence of God, eating from His word, (reading the bible or good discipleship books) or sometimes He makes you just sit still and He speaks to you.

At this time, the Holy Spirit teaches you by Himself. He comes in to beautify your life, your family and your loved ones. The testimonies that follow are overwhelming.

Brethren, you are now in God's school. There is no particular place or building that is Holy Ghost School, but it is God and you in a walk (relationship) on a daily basis. As you do this daily, the LORD will begin to speak to you, to lead you and direct you on the way you should go. By so doing, He will lead you into your promised land, where He will fulfil all His plans for you in this life. In this way, He would surely lead you into the wealthy place!

How The LORD Brought Me Into His School

In my earlier revelation, the LORD took me back to the mansion and showed me the inner court. As I started moving towards it, I woke up. After that dream, physically, God directed my steps to His servant, Lambert Okafor (LaFAMCALLEnd-time Ministries). As I talked with Him, he was inspired by God and he asked me to share my recent experience with him.

Then I shared the revelation of the mansion and I even claimed that God wanted to use me in a great way. I got the greatest shock of my life when he rebuked me and bluntly told me that I had not even known God, as I ought to, and that should be my first desire, before talking of God using me in a great way.

He then told me about HOLY GHOST SCHOOL, that is, having a close walk with the LORD. He said that I needed to have a close relationship with the LORD, first, before talking of being used by God.

There and then, something great began to happen to me. The presence of God enveloped me and I began experiencing the LORD's teaching on the spot.

First, the LORD opened my eyes and showed me His school in spirit. There is a real school of the Holy Spirit indeed! Next he showed me different parts of the school, including different classrooms. He also showed me students that failed, and the class for repeaters. He then told me that in the school there is no mass promotion. Everybody must pass his class before he is promoted.

This encounter with the LORD lasted for minutes, and that marked the beginning of greater things that the LORD had for me. That was how I went back to my house that day with tears of joy.

At home, I cried and repented before God, asking Him to forgive me for all these years I had wasted in rebellion.

I started my “covenant time”, that is eating at the LORD's table, at once. Brethren, I must confess that this is the best experience any believer can have - having a close relationship with God. He teaches me and directs me on what and what to do.

Even when I miss it, he doesn't give up on me. It is still beyond my reasoning and comprehension that I should be in such a relationship with the Almighty God!

To my surprise my family members have started having their “covenant time” too. Even recently the LORD said that my four year old baby should start her “covenant time” too. So each day, at the appointed time I take her inside the room, give her a bible and leave her to the Holy Ghost.

I could not believe my ears when the LORD told me He would teach her by Himself! Since then, each day, she and other members of my family radiate the life of God. What God is doing in my life and in my family is just too amazing that I am short of words! God has restored my life-all round.

I would like to encourage you to enter into a relationship with the LORD today. Do not procrastinate it.

Brethren, the shortest and quickest way to real miracle and knowing God is through the HOLY GHOST SCHOOL! Enrol now, for the LORD is calling and waiting for you.

Start eating at His table at once, at a particular time, every day. You too will soon begin to experience amazing things from the LORD Jesus. God bless you.