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

Hebrews 10:19-25

The gathering of the saints or believer is not a threat to the enemy when it fails to generate the kind of power the enemy cannot resist. However, if the gathering has the presence of God, it becomes a dangerous ground for the enemy to toy with. The word of God is true and it has to be truthfully executed for there to be a demonstration of power and manifestation. Matthew 18:20, ÒFor where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.Ó Jesus did not say Òwherever two or three are gathered,Ó He said Òwherever two or three are gathered together in His name.Ó There has to be an unwavering unity among the gatherers for the gathering to be a threat to the enemy. What kind of gathering are you involved with? If your gathering is infested with envy, strife, and divisions, you are headed for danger because the enemy will make your gathering his camp. 1 Corinthians 3:3, ÒFor you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal behaving like mere men?Ó Carnality has no boundary as much as it applies to an individual, so it does apply to any gathering where division reigns. Carnality is a sure agent for the enemy. Fellowship among believers is not always the problem, but believers that carry ÒselfÓ into the gathering are the ones operating as agents of the enemy. Believers have work to do for gathering to become a powerful ground where the enemy cannot violate. Does this speak to you as a believer? Hebrews 10:25, ÒNot forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.Ó Drawing together with a true heart will make gathering together a power base.

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

2Corinthians 4:1-15

As a believer in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our conduct is what will serve as communication to our neighbors. Christianity is not just about what we are against, it is also about communicating what we stand for. As a believer, you make too much noise in communicating what Christianity is against and less noise communicating what Christianity stands for. This is caused by the fact that your conduct is not loud enough for an unbeliever to see Christ in you. If for example, at your workplace, there is a call for the persecution of believers in Christ, would you be identified as one that confesses Jesus? Do you think your conduct as ChristÕs follower will be enough for your fellow worker to identify you as the one to be persecuted, or will there be no reason for anyone to identify you as a Christ follower? Think about it, are you a hidden cross carrier? Some kinds of religion can easily be identified by their dressing, or haircut. What is it that will identify you as a Christ follower? Paul the Apostle certainly could not have been living in your neighborhood without being recognized. Even if he chose to be silent, his conduct will identify him. How do we conduct ourselves? 2 Corinthians < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>1:12, ÒFor our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.Ó It is time to quit hiding by being silent in every walk of life. Sometimes, places call for silence, and in such places, the conduct of a believer should keep observers guessing or assuming you are of Christ or not. Let your conduct bring out the message of the gospel.

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

Psalm 60:4-12, Isaiah 11:10-16

There is a banner in place for each child of God. Anyone that turns around and confesses Him as Lord must have been endued with the fear of the Almighty God. Do you fear Him? Psalm 60:4, ÒYou have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of truth.Ó The banner of God over His children is love. It is an unconditional love. The banner is meant to preserve and deliver each of His children that have taken a position under the banner. Isaiah 11:10, ÒAnd in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.Ó How we seek Him will determine the kind of coverage we will have under His banner. The word of God is truth and consistent. We have to seek Him to be able to enter His resting place. We seek Him by living by His commandment He has laid for us. Love came without condition, but blessing comes with condition. Seeking Him will be a blessing; not seeking Him will end up being a curse. He has made Himself available by going to the cross and shedding His blood for our sin and iniquities. There were no financial charges and none was asked to relieve Him even for a moment on the cross. In His love, He carried the cross and was nailed to the cross. We were not asked to go to the cross, but to carry the cross is what will carry us through to where He has designed for us in the last day. His banner over you and me is love.

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

Job 1, 2:1-10

SatanÕs assault on Job was not enough to derail Job from his walk in the Lord. From the first assault to the second, and throughout the whole life of Job, it was clear that Job was a man that will not digress from his stand in the Lord. From the period of wellness to the time of the SatanÕs assaults, Job maintained his consistency in serving God. The Bible described him like no any other character. Job 1:1, ÒThere was a man in the < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.Ó Job received the devastating news of the loss of his property and the deaths of his sons and daughters on the same day, yet he did not withdraw to complaint or anger against God. Job 1:20, ÒThen Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.Ó As if the first assault was not enough, Satan struck the second time with boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. After the first assault, God had testified to Job as a man that holds fast to his integrity (Job1:3). It is clear that the reason for his stand in the Lord was that he was a man of integrity (steadfastness and undivided in his belief). JobÕs wife knew that he was a man of integrity and she attempted to unplug Job from his integrity. Job 1:9, ÒThen his wife said to him, ÔDo you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!ÕÓ Job refused to abide with his wifeÕs destructive persuasion. Taking a stand for God will cause a believer to regain all that the enemy has stolen; Job regained all that Satan took. The ways to stand or regain a stand every time we fall are written all over the pages of the Bible. Romans 12:12, ÒRejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.Ó That will hold off the assault of Satan, but ask God for the grace of Romans 12:12 to be manifested. 

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

Jonah 1

Rising in obedience to the word of God is not enough without rising and going in the direction of the word of God. Many have responded by rising but failed going in the direction of His word. Jonah, the son of Amittai, was a clear example. Jonah 1:1-3 ÒNow the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 ÕArise, go to < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.Õ 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.Ó Jonah did not have problem in hearing the Lord. He responded by hearing but followed the dictates of his heart. Jonah ended in the belly of a fish. It was a dark place; an unfamiliar ground for Jonah. An act of disobedience is to be disoriented. So many have started in the direction of their calling but failed to maintain the journey because of worldly diversions. Are you experiencing an unfamiliar encounter that does not settle well with you like when you first started? Jonah knew he has entered self affliction; He called on God. Jonah 2:1-2, 1ÒThen Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fishÕs belly. 2 And he said: ÔI cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me. ÒOut of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.ÕÓ God answered Jonah and the word came back to him the second time. God will have mercy concerning your own affliction. The one that gave Jonah the second chance will give you another chance and He will not deal with you by your inconsistency.