CROWD< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Mark 2:1-12

It was recorded in the Bible that a paralytic man was brought to Jesus but there was no room to receive him. Also, they could not get near the door (Mark 2:2). The paralyzed man must have heard about the news of Jesus in town very late so he arrived late at his healing ground. However, it is clear that the major hindrance was the crowd that received and resists his getting on to the healing ground. What is it that is complicating your breakthrough? Is it your self created crowd or the religious crowd that is waiting at the entrance of your breakthrough to deny you? It is not time for you to give up but time for you to take it up to another level that is not common. Zacchaeus was described as a short man in stature. He wanted to see Jesus while in the midst of a thronging crowd. He did not wait for Jesus to pass him by. He took it up to another level by running ahead of the crowd and climbing on a sycamore tree (Luke 19:1-10). The four men with the paralytic man took their faith up to another level. Mark 2:4, ÒAnd when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.Ó There is so much to learn from the word of God as regard to getting above and leaving the crowd behind. Crowds are a major force that will discolor your destiny if you get mixed up with them. Avoid all kinds of crowds, and most especially the religious crowd. Jesus will notice you take it up to another level.

WILDERNESS< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Exodus 13:17-22, Mark 1:1-20

Wilderness is a passage where the enemy has planted all kinds of mine to derail the transportation that will bring transformation to the life of all believers. Also, it is a passage that cannot be avoided. The children of < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Israel passed through it to get to their promised land. Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith could not enter into His full assignment on earth until He was led into the wilderness. When the children of Israel were coming out into the journey from the bondage of Egypt, the best and most available route for the children of Israel was through the wilderness. The fact the Lord led them through the wilderness was evident that it was the best available route (Exodus 13:17-18). The wilderness was the best available route and yet it appeared the worst and the most challenging to the children of Israel. The journey through the wilderness is the way that will carry you through to where God has a plan for you. In your journey, it could be that you are yet to face challenges or you are already facing challenges. Do not complain, turn your face to the grace and mercy of God that will carry you through. Jesus went through the wilderness. Mark 1:12, ÒImmediately the spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the beasts; and the angel ministered to Him.Ó Jesus went through the wilderness because He knew that we would have to go through it. JesusÕ going through the wilderness was to leave behind a foot step for each and every one that answered His call to follow through. The same wild beasts are still there but the good news is that the ministering angels that saw Jesus through are waiting to see us through.

HIS PRESENCE< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Genesis 27:1-8, Matthew 18:19-20

When action is based on the knowledge gained in the understanding of the word of God, it becomes impossible for action not to prevail. The word of God declared in Matthew < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>18:20, ÒFor where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.Ó God is not a liar and His words are true and will never fail. Isaac realized that he was old and he did not know the day of his death. He wanted to make a lasting pronouncement by blessing his son Esau and he called him saying in Genesis 27:7, ÒBring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the LORD before my death.Ó Isaac was not talking out of the blue; he recognized that with him and Esau coming with obedience they will be qualified for gaining His presence. The word asked for where two or three are gathered together. Isaac could have said he was going to bless Esau instead he proposed that he will bless Esau in the presence of God. Operating in the word of God is more than just knowing about the word of God. However, operating in the knowing of the word will bring power into place because it is a demonstration of understanding. As a believer, if you will begin to consciously operate in the word of God with sincere and desired expectation the word will bring manifestation. Many believers are missing it because they are saying it from the mouth and not from the heart. To many, the word of God has become only a signature tune instead of using it as means to tune heaven into response. Do not be limited by the lack of knowledge; be embedded by the knowledge that is in the word of God. The word of God is true and it is power.   

GOOD PART< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Luke 10:38-42

Where are you located in the Lord? Which part have you chosen? It is a great thing to be working in the house of the Lord, for the glory of God. However, when your work begins to take you away from the feet of the Lord then your priority has been misplaced. Where are you? What is your place in the house of God? Martha was in a good location when she welcomed the Lord into her place (Luke < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>10:38). There is no blessing like welcoming Jesus into our place. To have Jesus come into our place and not being in the right place could be a great loss. While Jesus was at MarthaÕs place, Mary the sister of Martha was positioned in the good place. Martha was busy working, serving and scrambling instead of serving and served by the Bread of Life. By this virtue, Martha became distracted and approached Jesus requesting for MaryÕs help in serving (Luke 10: 40). JesusÕ responded to Martha in Luke 10:41-42, ÒAnd Jesus answered and said to her, ÒMartha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.Ó Serving Him in the house should not take away from being served by Him. Martha was doing a good thing but Mary had chosen a good part. Every believer should understand that there is a place and time for everything (including work) in the house of God where His presence reigns and rule. Working in the house of God is great, but it should not take away the time to sit at His feet while He is in the house. It could be a misplacement of priority when distraction is caused by work. It is  good to serve Him but there is a need to choose a good part and that good part is serving in Him. Do not just serve Him also serve in Him.

WATCH AND WAIT< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Habakkuk 1, 2

Habakkuk was a prophet that lived in < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Judah during the day of King Jehoiakim. He was not a stranger to hearing from God, neither was he short of receiving answers from God when he presents his question to God. Despite the calling in the life of Habakkuk, he demonstrated that only by patiently watching and waiting can a man prevail in seeking and receiving from God. Having established a constant communication early in the book of Habakkuk it became obvious in his word that without watching patiently, hearing back from God can be impossible. The second chapter of Habakkuk recorded what it takes to get answer back from God. Habakkuk 2:1, ÒI will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected.Ó HabakkukÕs self talk was in direction to God. He has been engaged in communicating back and forth with God. As the communication continues, there was a need for him to wait for response. HabakkukÕs attitude of patiently watching and waiting for GodÕs response is a lesson that needs to be written all over a believerÕs life. It does not matter at what level you are walking with God it will never take away the attitude of watching and waiting patiently. If there are to be any that waits and watch patiently for God, it should be the ones that walk closer with God. A constant and consistent watching and waiting patiently for God will no doubt bring forth a constant and consistent hearing and receiving from the Lord God. Are you having challenges in any area of life where it seems there is no answer to your concerns or where there is no way out in your journey? Have you spend time in waiting and watching? Demonstrate to God that regardless of your challenges you will not move without hearing from Him. He is a faithful God go and He will not fail you.