ENLARGE YOUR CAPACITY -Pastor Bibi Courage Ode

Please, I encourage you to listen to the series on "making your calling and election sure".

There can only be manifestation when we truly know and have a revelation of the word.

To bridge the gap between information and revelation takes time.

Many believers do not even have the right information. It is only the right information that can translate to revelation. Make sure the information you have is the correct and right information that aligns with scripture because that’s what will translate to the right and correct revelation and knowledge of God.

Somehow, we get information on whatever we focus on. 

Often, the knowledge you seek is tied to your pursuit.

We need to walk conscious of the fact that our ultimate destination is Jesus Christ.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”. (Eph. 4:11)

Our final destination is not heaven at last. Really our destination is God Himself. “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. Phil. 3:7-14

There is no arrival in this race.

Making your calling and Election sure is to the end that;

-  You reach home. You secure your in eternity with God.

- You will fulfill your call/assignment here on this earth.

God usually brings His word because of the things ahead. We need to develop the character, the structural formation for the vision, mandate, expectation, challenge, blessing ahead. We have to prepare for what is coming.

In a nutshell, to develop the character and structural formation means you need to enlarge your capacity for what is ahead.

What is capacity?

- It is the actual or potential ability to perform, withstand, or yield.

- It is also the ability to receive, contain or to hold something.

- The maximum amount something can contain or produce.

To truly enlarge your capacity, you have to start from the inside.

Your increase is tied to the prosperity of your soul. 3 John 2.

It is the spirit of a man that sustains his infirmities. (Prov. 18:14)

We have to be deliberate in building capacity to handle the issues of life.

Don’t be content sitting down. Isaiah 52:1-2. Make a decision to rise up and leave the low levels.

Just like no one can eat for you, it is your personal responsibility to see you increase your capacity.

How much pressure can you take?

If God increases you, can you contain it?

In the face of trials, will you stay true to God and His word or will you compromise?

To enlarge your capacity;

- Be ready and willing to keep learning.

Remember, it all starts from the spirit, so give attention to the word of God

Challenge yourself, read, study and meditate on God's word. Read books, listen to messages.  When you come to church, pay attention to the word, participate in worship.

Naturally, as you grow, your capacity grows in certain areas. 

Growing spiritually enlarges your capacity.

There is nothing you give attention to and pray about that will not turn.

Jesus emphasized the need to give attention to His word.

Only one thing is needful. Luke 10:41-42. Your inheritance is in the word. Acts 20:32, Prov. 11:9, Psa.119:105

- Pray, Pray, Pray!!! Pray about anything and everything.

Your constant communion with the Lord in prayers brings about growth and development. When you give yourself to praying, the Lord can entrust more to you-A man that can stand in the gap. Eph. 6:10. As you get results and answers to prayers, faith rises, you can believe God for more and withstand more. Deliberately spend time praying in the Holy Ghost. It builds up. Jude 20.

- Allow the process of God in your life. Believe God through your challenges and keep your joy at all times. We are trained and enlarged through the trials of faith.

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way”. James 1:2-4 (MSG)

“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything”. James 1:2-4 (NLT)

Do right, stay committed to the word in your trials. Besides, as soldiers, we are meant to endure hardness. 2 Tim. 2:1-4, 2 Cor. 6:1-13. Even in lack, be enlarged, give.

- Put everything you know to use. You mature by reason of use.  (Hebrews 5:11- 6:1)

Who are you discipling, who is getting better because of you?

Share what you know with others, put what you know to work, learn to give, to love, teach, encourage.

Prayer

Lord, help me.

Lord, I take grace that I might be enlarged