DO NOT WALK ALONE

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Gen. 5:24.

Walking is a progressive movement of a man or animal from a place to a specific destination, for one purpose or the other. Though, occasionally to some people, they might feel walking around without any specific destination, yet with a purpose, either to relief their body from pain, make an exercise or in target of a person ready to be caught or entrapped. Most people have a specific destination in mind that also goes along with their purpose of going there.

    In the world, walking alone along a path is always found stressful. Sometimes, it usually goes along with some thoughts springing up from within (good or bad) with no one to share it with. Walking alone ushers in fear and threat of insecurity, but when accompanied by a friend who is stronger and courageous than you, the journey will be more appreciated; the speed will be more accelerated and lovely. Having someone courageous and helpful around you attract a long distance covered with the benefit of having someone to share your thought, opinions, ideas, feelings, emotion, and personal observations with.

   On the other hand, when accompanied by a troublesome partner, an acclaimed friend who happened to be an unknown enemy, you eventually find the journey more painful and difficult to cope with or endure. It can thereby bring weariness, lose of focus, time wasting and may end up been wounded and hospitalized; having lost the mission. If further ignored, it can lead to loss of life and destiny.

   Brethren, walking in friendship with the world is being in the net of the devil and that will automatically terminate your God-given mission on earth. The world has nothing to offer you as relief without a preferred co-lateral  which is your soul in hell. It will only offer you a minute enjoyment to take life eternal away from you as the price demanded. The world will take a light burden from you to give you heavy laden of weeping and sorrow for the rest of one's life.

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4; “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17.

   The prince of this world has no permanent promise. He is a betrayer, murderer, and a liar. Jesus called the sinners the sons of the devil  “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”  John 8:44.

     Devil is never bound by any oath to any person. Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Walking in partnership and friendship with Jesus Christ never has any trait of regret or shame. He who walks with Jesus will never walk in darkness neither can he be molested by the forces of darkness. There can be opposition of the evil forces attacking the children (friends) of God, but will never prevail. The mighty man in battle will never allow the arrow of the enemy to succeed over His people. He cares for whoever will take advantage of walking with Him.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

    Where are you going? You might want to quickly say “It is heaven, of course!!!” If you are sure it is heaven, know that there is no other way that leads to that destination except through Jesus ( John 14:6). Jesus is the way, the only key that opens heaven. You can't  do away with Him and claim you are going to Heaven. There are other easy ways, so attractive and luring but the end thereof is of death and perdition. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12. If you choose the way of perdition, you are not in any way need Jesus to accompany you or back you up in the journey of life, because it is the domain of hell and satan (doom). Where you are going now determine who will accompany you... To  Heaven, you need Jesus Christ, the word of life or hell then you need the devil with demons. Choose this day whom you will serve and you set your destination already. ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE, not any religion or any other personality.  John 3:17-19, 36.

WHY ARE YOU GOING THERE?

Why are you going to heaven or hell? Do you intend to go there because all your friends and family claimed they are going there? Or because your religion preaches it? Are you going there because of your personal interest? Whatever be your reason, the greatest of all is your personal decision. If you choose Heaven, your personal decision to accept Jesus makes it real. And if you choose hell, eternal destruction, it is your personal rejection of the Lordship of Jesus Christ that will also make it real. Therefore, what you do with Jesus determines your end result  Revelation 20:12-15. Other factors that serve as the reason why you chose your path are not really matter like your own personal decision. Choose right, Jesus is worth following, don't miss Him.

YOUR EXPECTED END.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.

   There are two ends,  first, joy everlasting in heaven, in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ; where all the saints shall gather to continuously celebrate the joy of salvation without end. The second end is hell fire where all rebellious, unrepentant sinners and people with stubborn hearts shall have their eternal portion, so unbearable, where its worms never die. It is the place of total darkness and great endless torture and pain. Your decision about Jesus determines your end. I hereby urge you to make right decision NOW by accepting Jesus into your heart sincerely. Five minute later may be too late. Tomorrow may be too late. Act now and you will not regret it. Religion cannot save, or your good deeds, nor your self-righteousness, but Christ alone.

    If you choose to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour so that He will accompany you in the journey of life for daily protection and guide for the rest of your life and have your name written in the book of life, say this word of confession with faith in your heart:

     Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love towards me, I believe You came and died on the cross to take away my sins and You forgive me my sins and conquered my old man on the cross. Thank You for all it cost You to redeem me. I hereby confess You Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Saviour today. Live in me and give me total victory over the flesh and sin. Write my name in the book of life by Your precious blood. Thank You for saving me in Jesus' name, amen.”

    Now rejoice, for you are now a new person in Christ Jesus and henceforth make sure you are not walking alone or in partnership with the devil anymore. Allow Jesus to be your companion and Holy Spirit will fill you and teach you the life of the kingdom of God. Prayerfully join a Bible believing Church close to you. Remain blessed in Jesus' name. Amen.

GOD’S CALL TO THE SLEEPING WATCHMEN! (Part 3)

E. WHAT SHOULD WE WATCH AGAINST?

* We are to watch against the false teachers/prophets who are grievous wolves ravaging the world, taking advantages of insecurity and loneliness of the less privilege to dupe and deceive them. They say, “Thus saith the Lord” when God is not speaking. Therefore, be watchful so that you will not be one of them. It is written, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:28-31.

*  We are also charged to watch against the hypocrites, the agents of the devil who are causing division in the Church of God -- “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18.

* Above all, on the other hand, we are to be watchful for the imminent coming of our Lord Jesus. What a great work for a faithful watchmen, that while he is watching over others, he himself will not be over-throne and be disqualified. Be watchful, so that having done all, to remain qualified and rapturable. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 25:13; Jesus said, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15.

F. DANGER OF INEFFICIENCY OF A WATCHMAN.

If any watchman remain inefficient in his duty, defeat is inevitable as enemy will overpower him, carry away his weapons of war and use him in their favour for perpetration of violence and robbery. Every erring watchman shall be dismissed from the kingdom service and substituted for peace and security to reign. In Ezekiel 34:10, God personally commit Himself to the security and welfare of His people and will judge the erring watchmen to condemnation. “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds(the erring watchmen); and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.” God’s wrath is upon any inefficient watchman. Don’t be one of them, for He will not spare anyone. His judgment is faithful and true.

EVIDENCES OF WATCHMEN SLEEPING.

Most of the present days watchmen (Ministers of the gospel) are found with lies and deceit, changing God’s word to suit their ambition, robbing God their tithes and offerings, embezzling Church fund with no one to challenge them, telling members to do what they themselves can not do, so hostile to the poor and be friendly to the rich members who can finance their ambitions. If you are found with any of these characters, it is evidence that you are not a healthy watchman. But before it is too late, retrace you steps back to God now and He will have mercy on you and give you another chance.

G. GOD’S CALL TO THIS GENERATION OF WATCHMEN.

Any watchman who is ready to follow God must…

·        Realize the waywardness and inefficiency of the present day watchmen in watching over souls for Christ. Discover your stand and come back to God in genuine repentance and change of heart – Acts 26:20; 2 Chro. 7:14..

·        Put on Christ Jesus who is the whole armour of Light in this world of darkness – Rom. 13:12-14.

·        Awake to righteousness and sin no more – 1 Cor. 15:34.

·        Be watchful and sober at all time – 1 Thess. 5:6.

·        Ready to stand for God in the face of challenges and oppositions. Be productive to the kingdom of God in evangelism and souls winning – John 15:2.

Conclusion: God will not allow His Church to be destroyed. He has promised to be personally committed to the welfare of His Church to make her healthy. He says,

“Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.” Jeremiah 33:6-9.

GOD’S CALL TO THE SLEEPING WATCHMEN! (Part 2)

C. WHY DO WE NEED WATCHMEN IN THIS GENERATION?

The state of degeneration that this world and so many so called Christians are so subjected to is a strong indication that we need active watchmen who will salt the decaying world and church. Therefore, these are some of the evils that characterized this generation:

·        It is a generation that everybody claimed to be “BORN AGAIN” though their outfit, utterance, affections, deeds… etc are totally evidenced of the devil. God challenged the church in Sardis that she thought she is alive but she is dead - Rev. 3:1-3.

·        It is a generation that Holy Spirit gives utterance (tongue) to few faithful and dedicated brethren and men of clergy, but most people went to learn their own (from men and the devil) and speak it anywhere, anyhow, even in the market, and when making jest. Therefore, it carries no divine inspiration, neither did it has divine connection with the Holy Spirit.

·        It is a generation that science & technology has taken the place of God & His word in the heart of the people. Internet has replaced the Bible – people spent time chatting and no time for studying the word.

·        It is a generation that does not fear God nor regard the ministers of God in their thoughts and deeds.

·        It is a generation that most clergies are not found with integrity but full of lies, deceit and heresies in order to fast populate their Churches.

·        It is a generation of ‘it doesn’t matter’, ‘everybody does it’, ‘God understands’, No one can be perfect’, ‘I am trying my best’, ‘I will not kill myself’… The generation that despise holiness and has no fear of God or of hell fire in their hearts.

Yet, God does not have pleasure that a sinner should die, but to repent of his sins and be saved. But how shall they be saved if they do not hear the word of God, and how shall they hear if nobody preach to them with love, passion and trembling – Romans 10:13-14. Truly, there is need for watchmen to stand in their post for God and keep declaring the word with fire and trembling.

D. THE FAILURE OF THE PRESENT DAY WATCHMEN

There are three indispensable factors to a successful Christian/ministerial living as a watchman. These three are seriously lacked in the lives of most men on the pulpit in this generation. They are:

i.  Vision of God’s holiness     ii. Passion for the Sinners        iii. Sensitivity of the watchmen.

1. VISION OF HEAVEN:

George Deakin said,

          “A VISION without a TASK makes a VISIONARY,

          A TASK without VISION is DRUDGERY (hard boring work),

          A VISION with a TASK makes a MISSIONARY.”

ISAIAH HAD A VISION

Before Isaiah saw the vision of God’s holiness, he rated himself so perfect, but when he saw the glory of God, he lamented: “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5.

Then and there, he was purified with the touch of a life coal from the altar of God -- “Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” Isaiah 6:6-7.

      Unlike Isaiah, most men on the pulpit today lack this vision of God’s holiness, this resulted to living in sin and yet not trembling in the presence of God. The altar is polluted and the watchmen are deep asleep or even dead as a result of their ignorance of devil’s devices and their deep involvement in sin and worldliness.

     Do you have a vision to stand for God in holiness and faithfulness without compromising His divine standard for whatever reason on earth? What is the vision that is driving your life and ministry? What are you living for: for God and the salvation of the lost souls or for the material world? Will you live for temporary pleasures or will you live for God’s eternal purpose?

God commanded us in 1 John 2:15-17 to … “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

The love of the world is enmity with God – James 4:4. Also, to be canal minded is enmity against God – Rom. 8:5-8.

2. PASSION FOR THE SINNERS (LOST SOULS)

“Where there is no vision, the people perish. Where there is no passion, the Church perishes, even though it be full to the door.”

Lack of passion in this generation has made the watchmen to be careless in their duty posts. They are mostly concerned about their and all that will bring profit to them alone. Not mind if it will cost others their lives, dream and destinies. Lack of passion makes the preacher to be careless, not trembled nor touched when they are talking about hell and eternal judgment upon the sinners.

The Life story of Charles Peace.

Charles Peace was a criminal. Laws of God or man curbed him not. Finally the law caught up with him, and he was condemned to death. On the fatal morning in Armley Jail, Leeds, England, he was taken on the death walk. Before him went the prison Chaplain routinely and sleepily reading some Bible verses.

The criminal touched the preacher and asked what he was reading. “The consolations of religion,” was the reply. Charles Peace was shocked at the way he professionally read about hell. Could a man be so unmoved in the very shadow of scaffold, as to lead a fellow human there and yet, dry eyed, read of a pit that has no bottom, into which the fellow must fall? Could he believe the words that there is an eternal fire that never consumes its victims and yet this preacher slide over the phrase without a tremor? Is a man human at all who can say you will be eternally dying, and yet never know the relief that death brings? These were the thoughts overwhemingly bordering his heart. It was too much for Charles Peace, so he preached. Listen to his brink-of-hell sermon: “Sir,” addressing the preacher, “if I believe what you and the Church of God SAY that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glasses from coast to coast, I would walk over it if needs be on hands and knees, and think it worth while living, if I could but save one soul from an eternal hell like that!”

Hmn, Watchmen! People go to hell fire everyday because the Church and the preachers have lost vision and passion for saving souls! Do you feel the horror of hell when you preach on “God’s vengeance upon the sinners” or you just preach without been pricked? Do you have passion for the lost souls that could even lead you to fasting and praying for their salvation? If you did, when last did you felt such passion for the lost souls? Awake, oh watchmen from your snoring. Men are dying eternally and they need someone to rescue them with passion needed from the horrible hungry hell that never full.

3. INSENSITIVITY OF WATCHMEN.

*  Most watchmen are not sensitive to time and opportunity of the harvest of souls. Jesus said “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:35. We must possess the eye of God that sees what our Lord and Saviour sees in order to be fruitful in the kingdom service and be acceptable to Him in life beyond. Tell somebody about Jesus and by all means win souls for Christ because now is the acceptable time for salvation - 2 Cor. 6:2.

*  Insensitivity of watchmen to the Devil’s strategies of opposition: Unoccupied vessel devil will hijack to his advantage ­­- Matthew 12:43-45. Misunderstanding and quarrelling among the brethren and clergies instead of fighting the devil is a strong indication of our failure. This was seen among the Corinthian brethren and Apostle Paul addressed it… “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Cor. 1:11;  3:3; “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory” Phil. 2:3; “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.” 2 Tim. 2:24-26.

*  Insensitivity of watchmen to know God’s purpose for our lives: We are made the mouth piece of God on earth to decree His purpose on earth. He has given us authority to take dominion over the devil and demons. Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:18-20.

Sometimes, we thought of not qualified to preach salvation to the sinners who are on the path to hell fire as to win them for Christ. Why? This you should know, God does not called the qualified, but on the contrary, He qualified the called and use them for His service. If He chose you, He will also empower you and enable you for the task ahead. All you need is to key yourself into His word to be relevant in His kingdom.

*  Insensitivity to believe the potency of the word of God we preached: When you lost courage and faith in the word  of God, you will forge messages for youself that will make people happy. To this effect, you will be limited to rebuke their sins and waywardness.

GOD’S CALL TO THE SLEEPING WATCHMEN!

 “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 3:17-19.

Who is a watchman? A watchman is a man whose job is to guard a building or city in order to protect it, especially at night. He is the man at the gate watching over lives and properties.

Watchmen are men at the gate. They are the determinant of who and what enters. The watchmen determined the destiny of the city. The greatest havoc a watchman can do to any city or destiny kept under his watch is to sleep while on duty thereby allowing enemies to strike unnoticed as it happened in the parable of our Lord Jesus Christ… “A man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept (including the guards), his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” Matt. 13:24-25.

A.  THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WATCHMEN

Most important, we must know and see God as our watchman watching over our body, soul and spirit. These and some other scriptures tell us about His watch over us:

“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Psalm 121:3-8;

“In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.” Isaiah 27:2-3;

“Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.” Jer. 31:10.

The duties and relevance of a watchman include these…

·        He watches over lives, destinies and properties against violence and robbery.

·        He sees afar ahead of others and could discern the mission of anyone coming in. This is to say, he is highly sensitive to things going on around him.

·        A watchman takes decision whether to allow anyone/anything in or not.

·        He keeps awake while others are deep asleep & insensitive to things around them.

·        The city (house) depends on his watchfulness and timely alertness for security and defense.

As spiritual watchmen, we are to

·         Keep speaking of the Lord day and night, not to be silent – Isaiah 27:3,; Isaiah 62:6 “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night… ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence”.

·        Hear at God’s mouth and blow the trumpet of warning or call for battle at the right time –Ezekiel 33:2-7.

·        Give account of our stewardship to God – Heb. 13:17.

B. QUALIFICATIONS A WATCHMAN SHOULD POSSESS.

·        He must have genuine personal experience of God – “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons.” Deut. 4:9.

·        He must give himself to personal examination and watchfulness – 1 Tim. 4:16; Psalm 39:1.

·        He must not be easily carried away by distractions of the enemy or of this world -- 1 John 2:15-17.

·        He must be a man of clear vision – not a blind or a short-sighted person.

·        He must not be given to drunkenness or immorality, as enemy can count on it and ensnare him astray from his primary divine assignment.

Greatness

GREATNESS is a seed inside of man. It is a package with purpose that needs to be activated by God through impartation, Prophetic declaration & personal discovery. 

May You receive activation to your life dream & purpose & commence functioning & be fruitful in Jesus' Name. Nothing shall stop your fruitfulness in d Kingdom business & in your life in Jesus name. AMEN.