THE CHURCH IN TIMES OF FAMINE

In times of famine, what was the response of the church? What is famine? It is a common word in the Old Testament but present in the New Testament; however, it is easy to relate it to the Old Testament because it was purely an agrarian economy. Famine means that there is no rain and as such, there was scarcity of food and there was hunger. But in the New Testament, famine is much more than the withholding of rain because, in our day and time, ours is a cash economy such that even with ideas put to work, creativity put to work, things just doesn’t seem to be working.

The Encarta dictionary defines famine as extreme food scarcity, deficiency of something (valuables, necessities), extreme hunger, hardship. Do we have precedents in the scripture? Yes! What was the response? We can find out.

Famines are usually sent by God, permitted by God as a result of God’s anger against His people who are guilty, who have turned their backs on Him. He permits it, He brings it. There are times God brings famines in order to get a people’s attention. It is also a means of judgment.

Types of Famines

God can call for a famine of hardship, scarcity – 2 Kings 8:1-2

A famine of judgment (lack of the word) – Amos 8:11

A famine of judgment (2 Samuel 21:1)

In Matthew 24:3, Jesus’ disciples came to ask Him about the sign of His coming and in verse 7, he said, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places.” In our day and time, we have all kinds. There is not one nation singing glory right now.

Two Bad Examples

“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem – Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem – Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died… And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them, And the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters – in-law that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.” Ruth 1:1-6

The natural response of Elimelech when things became hard was to look for a place to go in order to escape the hardship. God was not in his decision to move to Moab. There was no achievement in his movement other than for him to settle there and died. Even his sons only consolidated their stay there by marrying Moabite ladies and in time too, they died.

Every decision in the flesh brings death. Understand this! Life and good, death and evil have harvest time. It is very possible that Elimelech may not have died if he had stayed in his home town such that, when God visited to give them bread, he may have been one of the distributors of the bread.

There may be scarcity now but rain is coming and when it comes, the rain will get to you when you are under the open heavens. That is, the rain will only meet you when you are where God put you and not where your senses, calculations, or where men take you.

By the time Naomi heard that God had visited His people, her husband and sons had died. It is no wonder that the bible say in order to inherit the promises, it will be through faith and patience and in Matthew 24:13, it says “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” The bible also admonishes us to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Tim.2:3)

The natural response to famine is to hustle, to do some calculations, to do guess work, to jump up and down. The end of this natural response is death, pain, loss. No place has an advantage over another. The only advantage you have is God.

The prodigal son is another example. Having blown his inheritance on frivolities, “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his feeds to feed swine… And when he came to himself, he said, how many hired servants of my fathers have bread enough and to spare, and I perish    with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father; I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” Luke 14:14-18

There are some joining that will terminate your life either gradually or suddenly if you do not disconnect. After joining himself to men and it didn’t pay off, he later came to himself and decided to go to the Father. Who is your father? There are some joining that either takes men up or down and when you are joined with the wrong ones you will remain in their captivity.

But where is the starting point? In times of famine, you don’t run from your Father (God) rather you run to Him. This is the take off point. It is the time to strengthen your relationship with Him, your Source, you are like a tree planted by the rivers of water and , whose leaves remain green and brings forth fruit in due season. Natural men on the other hand, forget God in times of famine; they lose concentration on God, join themselves to men and run up and down. But a wise man turns to God and become intimate with Him. Instead of joining yourself to men, join yourself to God.

The founding fathers of our faith are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When we take a look at their lives, we see the pattern that God has set for the church to follow. They are like icons. Let’s take a look at the case of one of them.

“And there was famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech, king of the Philistines unto Gerar. And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.” Gen. 26:1-2

The problem was not Egypt, if you are not in the land God told you to be, you will suffer. Isaac wanted to go down to Egypt because it was flourishing at that time, at least, there was no mention of famine there.

However, in verse 6, Isaac dwelt in Gerar by obeying the voice of God not to go down to Egypt.

“Then, Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him.” Gen 26:12

Isaac became so great that the Philistines envied him, and then, he began to dig the wells which his father Abraham dug and they strove with him until they could strive with him no more that he finally dug a well and called it “Rehoboth” which means “The Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” Gen. 26:22. Until you can conquer strife, you will only be near Rehoboth but never enter in. Isaac had to conquer strife to get to Rehoboth. Rehoboth is the place of rest. It is the place in which God has made room. It is the place where you have conquered strife, all opposition (internal and external) and have entered rest. Interestingly, what you need to conquer is majorly internal not externalThus, in times of famine, scarcity, run to your source, that is the take off point.

What to Do in Times of Famine

1.      Hear God. That is the starting point. Isaac heard God. We must train ourselves to hear God in times of famine. There are two things common to those in the hall of faith; (Heb. 11) they had a personal relationship with God and they heard God. One of the fundamental problems of the present day church is that, we are dull of hearing. Hearing God is not an option. It is a must. You must be able to hear what He’s saying per time. There are three things involved in hearing God, namely:

a.      Train yourself to hear God personally in your inner man

b.      Train yourself to hear God from the book – the bible

c.       Train yourself to hear God from the man of God

When it comes to corporate instructions, God will not give it to you in your closet, but because you have trained yourself to hear God, when you hear the word of God from the man of God, you will know that it is God speaking and you can apply your heart to it by linking it with your personal dealings. Lives are not changing; things are not happening because people have not trained themselves to hear the definite message God is trying to communicate. When times are hard, it’s a word from God that can dissolve it.

Abraham did not hear from God before he went down to Egypt and the result of that move, we are still suffering today. Isaac was almost going to make the same mistake but God showed up on his behalf and he left off going to Egypt but stayed where God told to be.

Training yourself to hear from God does not happen by mistake or automatically. It takes a deliberate and conscious effort in learning to hear from God first in little things. “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Is. 1:19. This verse of scripture means that there is good in the land and there’s bad also. Besides, good is a product of life (Deut.30:15). When you willingly obey God, you will eat the good of the land. You cannot partake of the good in the land if you don’t obey Him. “If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.” Job.36:11. In other words, you cannot serve somebody you cannot obey, and you cannot obey somebody you are not hearing from. The difference between the blessed and cursed man is obedience to the word.

In times of famine, you must have more than the written word; you must have a ‘Rhema’ word, a definite word. Jesus said, “the words that I speak, they are Spirit and they are life.” The characteristics of famine is hustling, irrational and rash decisions and choices in major issues of life like pursuits, location, instability etc.

When God called Abraham, He told him to leave his country and kindred to a land He (God) would show him. Likewise, when Paul encountered the risen Christ, he asked ‘who art thou, Lord?” Jesus introduced himself and he asked Jesus what he would have him do and Jesus told him where to go and who to see. Paul never received what he was to do until he was where he was told to go. This goes to show that somebody can be in the Lord for years and still have scales in his eyes and die with the scales still on. When scales are in the eyes of a man, he can’t see clearly neither can he make correct judgment. Abraham didn’t remember his first encounter when famine came and that was why he went down to Egypt due to the way he felt. He later learnt his lesson though, when strife arose between his and Lot’s herdsmen. He didn’t attempt to move until he heard from God. (Gen. 12, 13, Acts)

2.      Dwell there. “And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.” Gen. 26:2. Egypt was not the problem. The question is, ‘who sent you?’ You must be where God told you to be and not where you want to be. There is no land that has more advantage over another. The only advantage every man has is the God factor. God didn’t tell Isaac to pass through the land but to dwell there (live, abide). God can only keep you where He put you. God didn’t go to meet Adam where he took himself after the fall, but stayed where He expected him to be, Jesus also went to meet the disciples after He resurrected where He expected them to be. A man will never see the good in the place God told him to be until he makes up his mind to stay. He cannot see anything good in that place, neither can he do anything meaningful in that place because in times of famine, hustling increases, jumping up and down also increases. Your stay in that land may be temporal or permanent but you must not miss His time. When you miss His time, you’ve lost His covering. A land you do not rejoice over cannot yield for you, a land you are ashamed of, cannot bless you. You must have the right attitude in order to dwell there.

3.      Sow in the land. Do not be deceived, it is what you sow you will reap. One of the responsibilities of the church in the time of famine is to sow. If we fail to sow, we are doomed. As the earth remains, seed time and harvest… will not cease. Famine does not alter that order. The blessing God bestowed on Isaac was as a result of his staying where God told him to be and sowing in that land. Consequently, he received in that same year he sowed, a hundredfold. The blessing of God upon him was beyond what he put on the ground. This blessing began to show all round. A seed, most of the times never looks like the fruit, but when you plant that seed, it grows into a tree which will eventually bear fruits and inside the fruit are seeds. This blessing is also beyond having money because you may have money yet your life is no different from a cursed man, you may have money but still have sick people around you, your home also could be in disorder. This is not so with a blessed man, everything about him is glorious and working. Isaac sowed in that land during the time of famine because he was not a natural man. The natural man will speculate, calculate, hustle and guess. He was led by the Spirit of God, “for as many who are led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God.”

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3. Why will he prosper? God is his source. “He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the cloud shall not reap.”

Eccl. 11:4. If you don’t sow, you will not reap. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Prov. 3:5-6.  The natural is always at conflict with the spiritual. The way you feel always run contrary to what God is saying and expects you to do. The natural response to famine is not to sow but the spiritual man knows it is sowing time. Gen. 8:22.

What Do We Sow?

1.      Your life. “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal.3:29) You sow your life by bothering to find out exactly where God will have you be, do and how, then willingly agreeing, and yielding to Him all the way.

2.     The word of God. The parable of the sower calls the seed the word of God. (Mk.4:4)

How Is The Word Of God Sown?

a.      By preaching the word by our lifestyle or making deliberate and conscious effort to preach through evangelism, exhortation, discipleship. Where the word of God is released, the power of God is released to liberate.

b.      By speaking it. Famine time is a frustrating time such that, it can make you utter contaminated perverted and unbelieving words which only makes things harder and worse. Such words are seeds and what we say is what will become our experience. Words are like bullets, when released, can’t be retrieved. In times of famine, we must insist on speaking the word of God. When negative thought run through your mind, address it with the word of God. Speak the word openly, privately. Whatever, you are saying per time should be in line with God’s word.

c.       Prayer. Praying the word is sowing seeds. When we say it’s sowing time, we’re saying it’s praying time. Praying time is sowing time.

d.      Obedience. Every time you obey the word, you are sowing the word. At every time, the word should be the reason why you do what you do, it’s a seed that will speak.

3.      Build and Invest in that land. It will not make sense to build and invest in the time of famine. Isaac sowed in that land when there was famine. It is time to build and invest in the land. Building starts with a thought. It starts with having an agreement with God’s word. Until your thinking and heart align with it, the money to build will never come. The take off point is to believe.

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away… Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters, that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.” Jer. 29:4-6.

The famine that was in the time of Abraham was different from Isaac’s which was worse than his father’s time, and in the time of Jacob (Israel), the famine that was , was greater than that of Abraham and Isaac’s, such that, money failed. But in Israel’s time, God made provision for them by allowing Joseph to be sold as a slave in Egypt, his being there gave room to God to exempt His chosen people from the famine. Everything they did was as God instructed Joseph. This is the time to follow God’s instructions and it should be for (1) Kingdom investment (2) Investment. See Gen. 47:14-17.

4.      Give financially to kingdom advancement in the land. The prospering of the gospel in that land should be your primary concern.  That is your primary reason for being there. You shouldn’t hold more or less than what you ought to hold per time. You must know what to hold and what to scatter. Prov. 11:29, 2 Cor.9:10

Our covenant fathers took deliberate steps in obedience to God’s instruction to reverse the adverse effect of famine in order to have a different experience. We can’t stop the famine from coming but we can exempt ourselves from it through obedience to His instructions.

The Church - In Times of Trouble, Threats And Danger

Recently, in my meditations, a word dropped in my spirit;

‘I CONFESS THAT LIFE IS SWEET AND VOID OF STRUGGLES NOT CHALLENGES BUT WITH ASSURED VICTORIES WHEN YOU ARE CONVERSANT WITH THE BIBLE AND IN TUNE WITH THE SPIRIT”.

This is the best time for the church to give God the opportunity to show case His power and glory like He did in the lives of those of old.

“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew…” Ex.1:12

Every member of the present true church with proper understanding should be glad and count it a privilege to be a part and to witness these times. We must never forget that light is always more relevant in darkness. We have no reason to be surprised at all at the turn of events because we have been fore warned in scriptures.

“I have told you these things, so that in ME you may have (perfect) peace and confidence. In the world, you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration: but be of good cheer (take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted). For I have overcome the world. (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.”) John 16:33 (AMP)

“…wickedness is multiplied…” Matthew 24:12 (NIV)

“BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble (hard to deal with and hard to bear)” 2 Tim. 3:1 (AMP)

All these scriptures and many more are pointing or referring to our present day and time. So, this gives a clue to the kind of time we are in, what to expect or see happen. However, from the same scriptures, we should be able to find “the how to handle times like these.” What should be the response or responsibility of the church at these times?

“For everything that was written was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might hope.” Rom. 15:4. (AMP)

“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Heb. 6:12

So, let’s look at what is written for our example, to learn from. Before we look at the examples before us, we must remember that our God is called JEHOVAH, THE MAN OF WAR (Ex. 15:3). If we as a church are His body, the head and the body are the same. So as a church, we must not chicken out, we are packaged and designed for war. The faith we have is not to pray against trouble or battle but to go to battle, win and obtain the victory.

CASE 1 – “It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, there cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria, and behold, they be in Hazazon-Tamar, which is En-gedi. And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered, to ask help of the LORD, even out of all the cities they came to seek the LORD.” 2 Chron. 20:1-4

Israel in our day can be likened to the church, Jehoshaphat to the pastor, while the gang up of nations in our day can be BOKO HARAM, RIOTS, STRIKES, VIOLENCE, KIDNAPPING, ARMED ROBBERY etc. added to the persistent hatred and persecution. Jehoshaphat’s first response was to seek the Lord (Ps.121, 127, Is. 31:1) by proclaiming a fast and gathering the people together. Please note, they gathered to seek the Lord in times of danger, threats, and troubles. They didn’t seek help from the government of the day, rather, the government of the day needed the help of God through the church, they didn’t run or go into hiding but they GATHERED to seek God and not to protest.

“And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation. And he said, hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem and then King Jehoshaphat, thus saith the LORD unto you, be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” 2 Chron. 20:13-15

Another point worthy of note was that it was clearly defined and emphasized that the gathering was unto the LORD. Whenever He is magnified, He will never cease to show up. It was also clearly stated that the gathering was all inclusive (children, women, nursing mothers etc) the men were not mentioned because that’s a foregone conclusion. It was the atmosphere that gathering created (similar to the case in Acts 2:41-43) that gave the platform for the prophet to prophesy. That is the intercession of the church gave rise to the operation of the prophet. And the first word that came was FEAR NOT NOR BE DISMAYED (DISCOURAGED) now this is important because the natural thing to do in times of danger, threats and troubles is to be afraid and discouraged. Fear and discouragement create an environment for satan and demons to work. Of course, the rest is history because further instructions and direction came and victory was obtained to the glory of God. Please take time to go through the whole chapter.

CASE 2 – “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, peace be unto you.” Jn.20:19

This was after Jesus laid down His life. The disciples were afraid because the authorities of the day were against them, but they still met or gathered in the same place at the same time. Jesus came to the place where and when He expected them to be gathered. His coming brought PEACE. (Meaning nothing missing, broken or lacking. All is well) If He hadn’t come, there wouldn’t have been peace, but it was their gathering that brought Him, and when He showed up, every fear vanished.

CASE 3 – “So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people. For all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old on whom this miracle of healing was showed. And being let go, they went to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord… And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:21-24a, 31.

Being let go after the threats, they immediately went to their own company (local assembly, church etc, ) they gathered not to mourn but in one accord, agreement, well defined agenda, to seek God, to decree righteous decrees. Of course, God responded by pouring afresh His Spirit upon them for further exploits. So they took advantage of the threats to press more into God and took advantage of it to show case more of His power and glory.

SUMMARY

These three case studies are standing as witnesses of this subject ad scriptures makes it clear that a matter is established with two or three witnesses. (2 Cor.13:1, Deut. 19:15) Some things are common and stand out in these cases (witnesses)

     They came together, they met, they gathered and did not scatter nor got into hiding. NO threat, trouble stopped them from gathering. Anyhow, they gathered. That was their first victory. So times of danger, threats, and troubles are a time of gathering for the church. What comes against US will take US, OUR FAITH to overcome. We must always remember that our individual victory, peace is tied to our collective victory or peace. (Jer. 29:7). This gathering can be at local church level, city level, and national level. But we must take advantage of every opportunity and platform God opens up to us against sentimental, denominational barriers to gather. We are only safe when at the mercy of God and not the threats. No wonder we are admonished; “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:25.

  

    As the day draws closer, it may be more violent, fearful, so for these reasons, some will feel justified to neglect, take for granted our gathering but scripture says this is the time to take our gathering more seriously. We are not permitted to be afraid or discouraged, but keep our hearts fixed trusting in God.

       In all the cases, the purpose of the gathering was well defined; no one was in doubt as to the agenda. No

       wonder they achieved their purpose. They gathered for corporate prayer to;

- SEEK GOD

- EXECUTE THE JUDGEMENT WRITTEN (Ps. 149)

- TO INTERCEED

- TO EXALT THE NAME OF THE LORD.

  All of these created the atmosphere or platform;

           - For any leadership gift like Apostle, Prophet, to show up

           - The word in season for direction and instruction to come

           - A fresh release of God’s power to do the word

           - A raw manifestation of God’s power and glory

  If this was their response, then this must be our response now and till He comes in Jesus’ name.

POSITIONING FOR THE LAST DAYS FINANCIAL GLORY (2)

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” 1 Cor. 4:1-2

God specifically told me that those who will be positioned to become partakers of the coming financial glory beyond believing (which was extensively dealt with in Vol.5. No. 9 edition) must be found faithful by Him.

This faithfulness will be through the process of cultivating FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE. That is people who can handle and control money and not money handling or controlling them. A people who can think, talk, behave right no matter the amount they have at any given time, small or big. Their countenance, choices, decisions is not ruled by the presence or absence of cash but by purpose and the Spirit.

The process of cultivating FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE will automatically inculcate or put in another way, will bear the fruit of INTEGRITY, WISDOM, PRUDENCE, PATIENCE, FAITH.

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10

Here are some practical examples especially for contractors and the likes. Please note that many organizations that rose and later crumbled were as a result of failure to adhere to some of these ethics or principles in operation. From the scripture above, adhering to these principles when you are small is wiser, better and safer. So don’t despise your small beginning, that’s the best time to learn. Those who have been on course for a while, it’s never too late to make the right adjustment.

  

   - When you get money for a job, contract; don’t spend out of the money for anything other than for the job.Especially when the profit seems big or you are paid on installment. Your projections could be altered. Just be patient and disciplined to get the job done first. Don’t work on projections or assumptions.

   

   - Your personal, family expenditure should be from your PROFIT only and until you are through with the job, you don’t really know your profit.

    - No matter the magnitude of the deal, maintain your standard. Only purchase what you need for the job to get one. Your social status (new cars, house, holiday etc) should only come after the job is completed. Many so called rich individuals, organizations are indebted to banks with many abandoned projects because of this erroneous act. 

    

    - No matter the stress you are going through at the top or low level, maintain ORDER. Let money for work be for work. The work needs to get going for returns to come.

  

    - My personal working principle for almost 15 years now, which is founded on Acts 6:1-7

     FOCUS – My work is properly defined and at all cost the work must not cease.

   

     WISDOM – If I will be effective, my priority must be right. I must know what comes first. Order of importance or scale of preference as it relates to my work especially as it has to do with time and money (expenditure)

    

     DISCIPLINE – What is for what? As to time and money etc.

   I pray that God will find you amongst those He can entrust with this coming FINANCIAL GLORY in JESUS’ NAME. Shalom!

Testimonies From Uganda Missions 2011

The Love Revival Ministries has been a very special blessing to me in several ways; Pastor Courage Ode seemed to come to explain what I feel in my whole being but didn't know how to express in words. I am amazingly blessed that God would labour to send us someone from very far to come and help us understand what he has placed in our spirits. The publications and books have been another source of wisdom and encouragement. I loved the books on wisdom, prayer and faith. The Love Digest has many short but rich messages. I would love to be part of the Singles Forum. It has been a great honour to work with Love Revival Ministries, Sokoto. Makerere loves you. Bamngi Cadreen.

I am very appreciative of the opportunity God Himself provided and enabled me to meet with Pastor Courage Ode. His messages which are full of revelations have been inspiring and have enabled me to venture out more into the scriptures. The materials have also been so good and rich that I have been encouraged to read on and on. I just bless the Lord for everything. May God continue to bless and inspire the writers of the magazine. I pray God blesses the church and provides also. Elijah Ollo.

I have been blessed by Pastor Courage Ode’s message especially those concerning our nation, Uganda. The messages have always stirred up my spirit to intercede for Uganda. God has since answered my prayers. The peaceful presidential elections we had in February this year, the rainfall that has overshadowed the drought, the determination of the members of parliament to fight corruption are some of the many prayers God has answered about this nation. It is my prayer therefore that the ministry continues to be a blessing to Uganda since she gives clear revelation of God’s purpose for the nation. Kizige Joshua.

I bless the Lord for the ministry. I have been blessed by the materials for they have challenged me to study the word deeper. Pastor has taught that the word of God never fails and also to follow the Lord closely because I will never lose in following Him. Pastor has been such an encouragement. He has shared the word of life that has surely transformed us. May God surely bless this Ministry. Caro.

I would like to pass on my utmost gratitude to you, the church and your ministry partners for making it possible for us to own all these amazing books and newsletters and recorded messages at no cost at all!!! They are such a great resource for me especially as a leader and I want you to know that your generosity is greatly appreciated and may the lord continue to use you to reach out to so many young people and be a blessing to them as you have been to us in Uganda. Shalom Racheal Kisembo.

Praise God! Dear brethren, my name is Edgar. I am from Uganda and also a Pastor at a Youth Fellowship. I work as a Branding executive and Freelance Graphics Designer here in Kampala.

I was Introduced to Love Revival Ministries last year around September/November when Pastor Courage was ministering at a Conference tagged  “Kingdom Mandate”, as I came in to attend the Last Session. At the end of it, I had to wait for my colleague who had invited me and was now engaged in a meeting with Pastor Courage after the conference as one of the organizers and partners of the ministry.

I must say It wasn’t in my plan to partner with this ministry but as I was waiting for my dear friend, I couldn’t help but over hear the discussion going on during the meeting, so I felt an urge to contribute in any possible way.

Concerning the support required, I offered to contribute to the ministry graphic design and branding consultation services free of charge. Still I wasn’t ready to become an active member. But as the discussion and meeting went on, another need arose and I felt I had the resources to do it i.e. registration of the ministry so I still volunteered.

All I am saying is that God has ordered my footsteps. Pastor Courage’s visit last week had an enormous profound effect on my life. Not in matters of high spirituality one may assume or intense and exciting spiritual euphoria. But rather a simplistic and practical effect that I strongly believe God wanted me to learn at this point in my life.

For long, I have always felt the desire to be above the norm but I didn’t know how.  People around me have always complimented my effectiveness and focus in life but just one week with Pastor Courage exposed my incompetency’s, lack of direct focus and inconsistencies I never knew I had. This has called for serious adjustment in my personal Life and my ministry. For we are members of Love Revival Ministries preaching Revival to the Nations but the Revival starts right within us and then will we be able to take it to the nations.

Let me take this opportunity to thank Pastor Courage, for I look up to him and respect him as an elder in faith and as a mentor. Who has imparted me with wisdom and completely turned on my focus and inspired a new burning zeal and direction for my life and ministry. His friendship and patience has been a blessing and has taught me so many lessons in a week that would have taken a lifetime. I am blessed to be a part of this ministry, and I believe that this is where I should serve as God has assigned me.

TAKING THE NATIONS

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then the end shall come." Mt.24:12

Please follow me in a careful study on how a boy king turned his nation and people to God. From 2 Chronicles 34.

"Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord and walked int he ways of David his father and declined neither to the right hand nor to the left. For int he eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father and in t he twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places and the groves and the carved images and the molten images." V1-3

He ascended the throne at the age of eight and by verse two, we are told that he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord by walking in the ways of David his father. In other words, he was committed and walked in the ways of God of David. It was good but there was a clause, and you will understand it better after reading this translation of that verse 2.

 "He followed the example of his ancestor David and always obeyed the Lord." CEV

The clause was that, all he knew about God was what David knew, whatever David never discovered in God, he was ignorant of. So David's height or depth in God was his limit, which leads me to a very serious issue we are confronted with in our day. while Josiah stands for the present generation or children, David stands for the fathers and and past generation. Now by God's programme, every generation actually has a dual responsibility. They are firstly, to build on the foundation of the past generation and then lay a foundation for the next generation. if this is true, then there was a disorder or misnomer in the case of Josiah. what was to be a foundation (and foundations are to be built upon) became his peak.

The revelations, encounters, experiences, testimonies, miracles and messages that ought to be our foundation which ought to be built upon, seems to have become our peak. As a result, there is a slow pace we can't explain, puzzles we can’t dissolve and limitations that are glaring. There is no corresponding revelation to deal with or counter the progressive opposition and wickedness of our day.

However, by verse 3, there was a turning point which I believe we have come to also. Josiah now became dissatisfied with just knowing the God of David; he decided to seek “the God” so that the God of David can also become his God. The fathers introduced us to their God but for us to know this God personally which has always been the hallmark of David’s exploits for God, he took kingdoms and nations for God all through scriptures. The peak of anyone or generation has always been when the God at work is your God. E.g. the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Elijah. And you will note that in the same verse few years after he began to seek the God of David personally, he had developed capacity to begin to build upon the foundations of David (fathers) by purging, another translation says “get rid of” the idols, religion and satanic influences and structures in opposition to light. This simply tells me that if we develop the capacity and receive direction on how in our day and time, we need to get back to seeking God intimately, individually and collectively. That remains our strong point.

Of course, for Josiah, the journey of seeking the Lord continued and this began to result in all the processes that was played from verse four until verse fourteen where the priest found a book of the law given by Moses.

“And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law given by Moses. Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law that he rent. And the king commanded Hikiah and Ahikam the son of Shaphan the scribe and Asiah a servant of the king saying, go, enquire of the Lord for me and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah concerning the words of the book that is found for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord to do after all that is written in the book.” Vs 14-21

From these verses, some vital lessons and key points come to light.

1.      As long as your heart is panting after God, you will definitely find Him

2.      A king in those days can be likened to a pastor, so how was he leading God’s people as a man of God without the book or an experience, encounter, knowledge of the book? If the king, pastor, man of God had not set his eyes on the book (which for us is the bible) or read or studied it, what about the congregation. So it is possible for a man and people of God to be far from it or completely ignorant of the God they profess. I believe the answer is obvious. “…but the people that do know their God…” Dan.11:32. So they are a people who have God but do not know their God. And God can only be found in the book (BIBLE). One sure way to check is to take a close look at the structures we run or operate and our messages. Do they emphasize, point or help people to seek God, to read or study the Bible?

3.      When the book was read, the king rent his clothes not because he saw how much they had limited God, the fathers were right but there was more to be discovered, new heights to attain, grounds to take, fresh revelations to be discovered. What was been celebrated and considered as the peak was actually a foundation just beginning. Notice the last statement of verse one “…our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord to do after all that is written in this book.” They did some based on what was revealed to them.

4.      They had to inquire of the Lord through the priest. However, by our privileged position as New Testament believers, we are both kings and priests unto God in Christ (Rev.1:6). So we can seek and inquire, see and interpret, receive and deliver and administer. That’s also the reason our generation will have no excuse before God.

“And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard, because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardst his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humblest thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me, I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave I peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again. Then the king sent and gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.” Vs 26-29.

God’s verdict on Josiah the king was, ‘for your attitude towards the truth, I will spare you but not the people.’ This was actually the high point. The kingdom mentality he carried, the kingdom heart he had wouldn’t allow him settle for that. He refused to be blessed and not be a blessing. He was not only gunning for his salvation or self preservation but also for the salvation of the nation and people, which is the mindset, heart of all those that will get the job of fulfilling the mandate of the Father in these last days.

See the final outcome.

“And the king went into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priest, and the Levites and all the people, great and small and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in t he house of the LORD. And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. And Josiah took away all t he abomination out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.” Vs 30-33.

“…The kingdom of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Rev.11:15

Summary – If we would “take the nations”:

1.      We must not be bastards nor be without a history or be ignorant of our history.

2.      We must recognize and celebrate our history and fathers while acknowledging they are simply foundations to be built upon.

3.      We must be genuine and addicted seekers of God, knowing there is more of God to be discovered.

4.      WE must have the right attitude towards the outcome of our seeking, the revelations, processes etc.

5.      We must have a KINGDOM heart and mentality.

We must not be content being;

-          Blessed but to be a blessing

-          Saved but be saviours.

UGANDA MISSIONS REPORT 2010

To the glory of God, the Lord made the Uganda mission a reality. We were there for two weeks (October 27-November 9).

While there, the Lord spoke clearly to our hearts that the first phase of our assignment to the nation of Uganda was to “SPEAK TO THE HEART OF THE NATION” and instructed specifically that the work should be restricted to the capital for now, that is Kampala. It is more than a church, local or denominational work but a KINGDOM MANDATE TO THE NATION.

The first week was used to strategize, make contacts and pray some more. This was more than necessary for many obvious reasons; it was a one man team that has never been there. The second week was used for full execution by ministering at the:

• MAKERERE UNIVERSITY to students who definitely are the future generation and leaders. It was a one day, one night meeting which held on Sunday.

• A pastor’s conference for two days that attracted pastors from all over Uganda majorly the interiors. This indeed was a miraculous platform to take the message to places we could never have reached in the next few years. And these pastors will communicate the message better to their folks. Over a hundred pastors were gathered each day. Another reason that made the platform a miracle was that the meeting was actually planned by a pastor without knowledge of our coming. So, we just came in by divine arrangement. We believe all these confirm the step and timing. It was a two days, two slots meeting which held on Wednesday and Thursday.

• We did a programme for three days in the city tagged KINGDOM MANDATE. We rented a hall in a hotel in Kampala for this. It was a three sessions meeting and held from Friday to Sunday.

At the end of the week long ministration and programme, a 15 man team (now 17 as at the time of this report) with a coordinator was raised and put in place; they are all Ugandans to the glory of God. They have been given a clear cut job description. They will be meeting monthly to PRAY and go about the necessary work to execute our assignment to the nation.

It’s also very important to note that the initial contact was possible because God sent a dear sister as a John the Baptist ahead of us through her job. In all these meetings and programmes, books, mini books, messages on cd’s and tapes, musicals and publications were given free to people. Their joy knew no bounds. They were not just materials of LOVE REVIVAL MINISTRIES but also of other sister ministries such as KINGDOM WORD MINISTRIES, SOURCE GOSPEL MINISTRIES and PRAISE CREATIONS.

It was really the joint effort of individuals and families too numerous to mention. And we can say categorically that in line with the instruction of God for the assignment, two things have been put in place for the first phase of the work.

•   DAVID’S have been anointed and presently being nurtured in the cave for a showing forth with a new heart and orientation. That is the future leaders on all fronts that will chart a new order and path for the nation. This will result in the reign of God over the nation.

• WATCHMEN have been set upon the nation of UGANDA with the burden of God for the nation fully and clearly imprinted in their hearts.

FOLLOW – UP STEPS

§  Registration of the ministry in Uganda – To make our operations legal and for easy access in and out of the nation.

§  Establishing of operational base – That is office and lodging accommodation with all the necessary facilities. This will make our activities cheaper and much more effective.

§  Enquiries and plans for our God-given assignment for the next phase for the next two years to the nation.

TWO YEARS PLAN

2011

§  Plan to reach out to all higher institutions in the nation of Uganda. Targeting a new set of leaders for a new Uganda.

§  To go on air through the television and radio to accelerate the spread of the gospel of the kingdom in the nation.

§  Invade the nation with our publications, tapes and other materials.

2012

§  To organize a 40 days prayer and revival meeting climaxing on the nation’s independence (October 3) when they will be celebrating 50 years JUBILEE. We intend for the programme to involve churches, ministries, ministers in Uganda and the Government.

§  Continuation of 2011 projects and operations.

IMPORTANT NOTE – what we have outlined is what is clear so far. As further light comes, we will follow. But one thing we are persuaded of is, this is of God and what outlined thus far is as we have received from Him. WHY UGANDA? We know, but WHY US? He alone can answer that. It’s a tall order but we are yielded and His grace is sufficient. Deut.29:29, Ps.36:9.

CONCLUSION – we can’t but give God all the glory for this take off. We say it is Him. Though it a one man team that went, all who made it possible spiritually, financially, physically and otherwise, thank you. None will lose his/her reward. However, the journey or work has just begun, but God, but God that started with us is more than able. We are trusting God that with more resources available, at least a minimum of three persons should be able to go next year.

Having gone through, if you feel obliged in your spirit to be a part of this, please let us know immediately. Everyone can be involved in so many ways. (Rom.10:13-15)

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” Mt.24:14.

Let’s join forces to keep the flag of the kingdom flying.

Shalom!

HOME FRONT - GENERATIONAL CONCERN

One of my earliest discoveries in active pastoring is that many evil/bad experiences and challenges people face, especially in marriages and homes can actually be avoided. These experiences and challenges are on the increase because of the times.

“…the days are evil.” Eph.5:16

“And of the children of the sons of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…” 1Chron.12:32a.

In these times and generation, MENTORING, DISCIPLESHIP through genuine and sincere relationship of mutual accountability, openness is a must and has become a necessity. This truth is scripturally founded. However, before I take you into scriptures, I discovered that all professional training such as MEDICINE, ENGINEERING, LAW, ACCOUNTING etc, actually lay emphasis on this though it’s usually called by different names. Genuine impact or impartation is actually done through MENTORING, DISCIPLESHIP, a relationship based training or learning process. Coming to the mandate of our Master, Jesus, it was to make disciples (Mt.28:18-19) (not just to gather or convert people) like He did with the twelve, no wonder they became instruments that turned the world upside down. (Acts 17:6) Christians that are not disciple or mentored usually end up being bad representatives of Christ and His kingdom, so also MEN and WOMEN that are not mentored, DISCIPLED end up messing up the HOME FRONT, dealing with issues almost through their life time that could have been avoided.

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1

Sound doctrine will produce sound homes, lives, men, women, husbands, fathers, wives, mothers and children.

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

That the aged women like wise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. That they teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be nor blasphemed.

Young men like wise exhort to be sober minded

In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:2-8.

This is God’s prescribed pattern to raise the kind of people (men & women) that can raise the kind of homes that will produce godly offsprings to the glory of God. Through this pattern of the matured in God, discipling the upcoming ones in life and home affairs, some of these things happen.

     What is lacking in your faith is added to complete or make you whole. 1 Thess.3:10 and this is done through face to face interaction, and observation. This cannot be done by just reading books, listening to tapes, attending programmes (please they all have their place and are necessary ingredients).

        What needs to be added to what you already have is added. “And besides this, giving diligence, add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge… Wherefore the rather, brethren give all diligence to make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 5:10.

Here is my careful authoritative conclusion. GODLY HOME TRAINING is a must for everyone. Anyone who is able to start a HOME and if you never had one, it’s not too late. This has nothing to do with qualification, status, age, experiences or background but positive, proper attitude to truth that confronts you. 

The ideal aged men and women may be scarce but there are, because God will never leave Himself without a remnant and your willingness to go through the process of being MENTORED or DISCIPLED by an older genuine Christian couple adds to the number that will be available for the next generation. Which actually is a plus for God and a minus for satan. Please note that I have checked carefully. This pattern doesn’t have a substitute or alternative. What I am saying now is more than premarital counseling (which even many take for granted) but a relationship that goes into the early years of marriage.

Once God has spoken, twice I have heard in Jesus’ name.