OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANSION

MEMORY VERSE: for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish, Psalms 1:6

BIBLE VERSE: Josh 11, Ps 144, Jer 5, Matt 19

Tests, trials, challenges of faith, e.t.c. are opportunities for expansion. They are not to break you but to develop you spiritually. Many a time when the Lord wants to fellowship with us, He permits some things to happen so that we can have time for Him. Why do you think the Lord permitted Shadrach, Meshach and Abedn-nego to be cast into the burning furnace, Daniel 3:1-30? The Lord permitted it because He wanted to spend quality time with these 3 boys. Before they were cast into the fire, the God they served was already waiting in the furnace to receive them. After they had spent quality time with the Most High in the furnace, they came out unhurt. Not only that, they were promoted immediately. Sometimes back I was suspended from work for almost 3 months. Immediately I got the letter, I understood that the Lord permitted it because He wanted us to spend time together. No wonder after our fellowship i was able to return back to my post.

Anytime the Lord wants to expand or promote a fellow, He permits some challenges in the life of the fellow. When the Lord was about to give Jesus a name that is above every other name, He permitted the Pharisees to crucify Him, Philippians 2:6-11. When the Lord wanted to take Joseph to His land of fulfillment, He permitted the schemes of his evil brothers, Genesis 37:1-36.Those ones got hold of him and sold him to Egypt. When the Lord wanted to take him to where he was going to meet his destiny helpers, He permitted Portiphar’s wife to lie on him and they cast him in prison, Genesis 39:7-23. It was inside the king’s prison that the Lord lifted him to the throne. I can assure you that the Lord is setting you up for something major; that is why you are having those challenges left, right and centre. As far as you are not living in sin, those challenges were permitted by God.

A man of God was sharing his story with us. When the Lord was about to set him up for greatness, He permitted some people in the church to persecute him. The old matrons made his life hell, when it was time for him to preach the pastor will ask someone else to preach. At a point the water became too hot so he ran for his dear life. Today it is a different story. Psalm 1:6 says for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Whatever it is you are going through, the Lord knows about it. He permitted it so that you can be promoted.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, let my victory be total.