Monday, April 26, 2021

THE PROMISE: OUR ADVANTAGED POSITION - Pastor (Mrs.) Bibi Courage Ode

How prepared are we for His coming? We need help to prepare for His coming.

It has been emphasized that the Holy Ghost is our advantaged position and He has been sent to help us prepare for the coming of the Lord and navigate through this life. But, are we taking advantage of our help in the Holy Ghost. Are we maximizing our advantaged position?
What is the Holy Ghost‘s job in and through us? We need to constantly remind ourselves of this. Whatever we focus on is magnified, and whatever we magnify controls us. Many times, we don’t press into the Spirit for the Holy Ghost to reveal the mind of the Father. We have an advantage, let’s maximize it.
Let's see some reminders about the Work of the Holy Ghost in our lives
See John 14:12-18, Acts 1:8
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you”. John 16:7-15 (NKJV)
“However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]”. John 16:7-15 (AMP)
All these, the Holy Ghost will help us to do. Whatever we need, He is there as a Counselor, Advocate, Strengthener, etc.
- The Holy Ghost will make strength available to us.
It is the spirit of a man that sustains his infirmities. This strength is from the inside out. Ephesians 3:16. By the Spirit, you will be strengthened in your inner man, and your physical body will also be energized. Learn to ask the Holy Ghost for help. When you are praying in the Holy Ghost, deliberately engage your mind in your prayers.
1 Cor. 14:2-4, Jude 20. When you are tired physically, pray in the Holy Ghost with your mind involved and you will literally feel strength come into you. You will not only feel strengthened but also refreshed. Storms, adversity, trouble ...will come, but If you fail in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (Proverbs 24:10). The Holy Spirit is there to help us stay strong.
- The Holy Ghost is an intercessor to help us in our prayers
With the help of the Holy Ghost, we can pray right and pray well. Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Corinthians 14:4.
A lot of people die because of the wrong medical diagnosis. In the same way, a lot of issues are unresolved because of the wrong diagnosis, but with the help of the Spirit, we can rightly discern a matter and pray what we ought to pray for, addressing it accurately in the spirit.
Someone might be sick, but what he needs is deliverance from demonic forces to be free from that ailment, another may just need the prayer of faith for his healing. It takes the help of the Holy Ghost to know this.
- If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you. John 15:7.
There's an assurance of answer to prayers when we abide in Him, (walking with the Spirit and by the word. Our desires will align with the heart of our Father and we will not ask amiss).
- The Holy Ghost will guide and direct us.
With all the uncertainties of our day, we need the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost more than ever before. This direction is in all facets of our lives.
“Call to me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know”. Jer. 33:3.
A lot of the stress and struggles we go through is because we do not engage the Holy Ghost.
You either hustle to make it or ask the Holy Ghost to guide and direct you. It is vain to rise up early and go to bed late, eating the bread of sorrow. Help is available.
Our sustenance and preservation are provided by the Holy Ghost as we follow His guidance and direction.
We must learn to respond to the promptings of the Spirit.
Most times, we do not hear Him clearly because our hearts are full of all sorts of things.
To hear Him accurately, and follow Him, you must first circumcise your heart- Ps. 139:23 -24.
You must have the fear of God if you desire to be led, directed, and guided by His Spirit-Ps. 25:14.
Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your path. Prov.3:5-7. Let us not make choices or take decisions without the help of the Holy Ghost. That tension in your relationship and marriage can be dissolved, that persistent ailment, academic issues, safety.... all can be resolved if you ask the Holy Spirit what to do. You cannot be full of the Holy Ghost and be depressed.
Prayer
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting”. Ps.139:23. Pray in the Spirit focusing on the issue confronting you and ask for direction.
- The Holy Ghost will embolden us to do God's will, to be witnesses indeed, and produce proof. Acts 1:8
The manifestation of the Holy Ghost is for the profiting of all, so we mustn’t withhold what has been given to us. 1 Corinthians 7-11. Too many fake Prophets and Prophetesses are having a field day because we are not exercising ourselves in the manifestation of the Spirit.
After the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the apostles they acted differently. Peter that denied Jesus before He was crucified publicly proclaimed Him and a notable miracle happened through him. Acts 2:14-21, 3:3-8. We can walk in signs and wonders.
We have not been given the Spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7) because fear has torment… (1 John 4:18)
They declared the word with boldness. Acts 4:8-13, 31,
By the Holy Ghost we can do greater works than Jesus did. John 14:12.
The Holy Ghost will work through us and we will not give in to fear. When we are emboldened, FEAR will depart. It's time to arise by the Spirit.
We can enforce the counsel of the Lord in our day.

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