The Power Behind Your Visible Progress – Part 1 – Pastor Odim Awa Odim: Child of God, it is very important to note that we are not here on earth, doing our own thing, if we must make meaningful progress in God’s own way, we must prioritize God’s agenda.
The Power behind your visible Progress.(Part 1)
Psalms 115:14
[14]May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children.
The Psalmist was very explicit to acknowledge that it is God, who solely gives increase, God has worked with men in the Bible and He always assured them of progress in their walk with Him, in performing His kingdom agendas.
Child of God, it is very important to note that we are not here on earth, doing our own thing, if we must make meaningful progress in God’s own way, we must prioritize God’s agenda.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
[6]I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
[7]So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
Apostle Paul and Apollos are men that followed God’s agenda for kingdom expansion, Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gave a clear insight through his writing, that no matter the efforts that was put in on the work, it is the Lord that causes visibility and progress.
So, Child of God, If God is behind our meaningful progress, we must also understand the force or power that is at work for it to be active.
Joshua 10:1-10
[1]Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it—as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king—and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them,
[2]that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty.
[3]Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying,
[4]“Come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.”
[5]Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it.
[6]And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.”
[7]So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.
[8]And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”
[9]Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal.
[10]So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
Child of God, this story is a powerful illustration of the dimensions of progress that God allows His children to make.
Taking a close look at the story again, Joshua has already encountered his breakthrough when the city of Gibeon, which represents a wealthy place made peace with him.
But their, Arose five Kings of the Amorites who were against the progress of, Joshua, these were Adoni- Zedek king of Jerusalem, Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon.
These kings agreed to attack Gibeon. Child of God, no power or forces, will attack what the Lord has given to you, your progress no man can stop in Jesus mighty name.
Saints of God, due to increase and progress comes from the Lord, the Lord fought the battle for Joshua and ensured that his progress is maintained, Hallelujah!
Joshua 10:8/10
[8]And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”
[10]So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
Brethren, by considering the story yet again, it is expedient for us to also know, why the Lord had to stand in for Joshua in a tremendous way, to give him such level of victory amongst his foes.
What activates the power of God to work for us.
1.You must adhere to or be obedient to divine instructions.
Child of God, this is the first rule of Progress, all the men, God used in the Bible, He first gave them, instructions, brethren it will interest you to be aware that when the Lord gives instructions, there is progress, made available within it.
Psalms 37:23,39-40
[23]The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
[39]But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.
[40]And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.
So, Child of God, when you, adhere to the instructions of the Lord, you are in alignment to His plans and purposes.
The Lord derives pleasure to see His children make progress in all their endeavors, that is why, we must stick to Him in obedience to divine instructions.
You must allow the word of God to be your governing authority.
Child of God, this is that serious, Jesus Christ also on a certain occasion preached a message on this.
John 10:27-29
[27]My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
[28]And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
[29]My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
Child of God, when you carefully observe the text, you will notice that, Jesus Christ was teaching in His message the relationship between the Father and the child of God, who has made the word of God his dwelling place.
You can as well look at the testament of how the Lord will ensure that, this His child is preserved from whatsoever that is not of God, that the enemy may bring his way. Hallelujah!
By total dependence on the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the activator of progress, It was this Spirit that caused, Jesus Christ to make progress, during His earthly cause.
Romans 8:14
[14]For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
The receiving of the spirit of promise is the guarantee that we are the sons of God. Jesus Christ had to make sure that His disciples, received the impartation of the spirit in the book of Acts before they were empowered to do ministry.
Acts 2:2-4
[2]And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
[3]Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
[4]And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Child of God, it is by the impartation of the Holy Spirit in the upper room that empowered the disciples to do ministry with visible Progress.
Key take away
Saints of God, through the inspiration of the Spirit of God, it is now established that Joshua of old could attract such level of progress because of the three highlighted points.
Which are he received instructions from the Lord, He submitted to the authority of the word of God and He received the impartation of the spirit to function in his office.
How much more you that is operating with the new covenant .
The problem is not the source, but that we are not conscious of what is made available for us to enjoy in this new dispensation.
Conclusion:
We must understand the efficacy of the power behind our progress. It will interest you to know that, there is God’s kind of visible Progress, this kind is solely dependent on God.
God instructs men and women of old in the Bible and He equipped them with all the spiritual blessings through His word to cause them to prosper.
No wonder, He sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise to confirm our alignment with Him, God can only be totally responsible to the progress of a particular breed of people.
These breed, are people that have received Jesus Christ as there Lord and Savior, whose nature is the nature of God and who have received the impartation of the Spirit, they are those that God has vowed to cause them to have visible Progress in His own way. Praise God!
