WEBVTT 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:06.854 We are going to read from the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 9, verse 1 to 13. 00:00:06.854 --> 00:00:28.016 And David said is there still anyone left of the house of Saul that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 00:00:28.016 --> 00:00:40.350 Now, there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David and the king said to him are you Ziba? 00:00:40.350 --> 00:00:44.249 And he said your servant, is he? 00:00:44.249 --> 00:00:53.271 And the king said is there not still someone? 00:00:53.271 --> 00:00:56.521 Okay, I'm losing that, Verse 3. 00:00:56.521 --> 00:01:07.436 And the king said is there not still someone of the house of Saul that I may show God's kindness to him? 00:01:07.436 --> 00:01:11.751 Ziba said to the king there is still a son of Jonathan. 00:01:11.751 --> 00:01:14.528 He is crippled in his feet. 00:01:14.528 --> 00:01:17.668 The king said to him when is he? 00:01:17.668 --> 00:01:25.614 And Ziba said to the king he is in the house of Machan, son of Amiel, at Lodibam. 00:01:25.614 --> 00:01:44.375 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir, son of Amiel, at Lodibam, and Mephibosheth, son of Jonathon, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and did obscenities. 00:01:44.375 --> 00:01:47.007 And the David said Mephibosheth. 00:01:47.007 --> 00:01:50.884 And he answered behold your servant. 00:01:50.884 --> 00:02:08.268 And David said to him do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father, jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul, your father, and you shall eat at my table always. 00:02:08.268 --> 00:02:14.431 And he did obstinance and said what is your servant? 00:02:14.431 --> 00:02:18.555 That you should look upon a dead dog such as I? 00:02:18.555 --> 00:02:40.331 Then the king called Ziba Saul's servant and said to him All that belong to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's son. 00:02:40.331 --> 00:02:48.622 And say to him son, may have bread to eat, but Mephibosheth, your master's son, shall always eat at my table. 00:02:48.622 --> 00:02:55.849 Now Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants. 00:02:55.849 --> 00:03:04.723 Then Ziba said to the king according to all, my lord, the lord king, my king, command his servant. 00:03:04.723 --> 00:03:07.099 So will your servant do so? 00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:11.931 Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's son. 00:03:11.931 --> 00:03:21.271 And Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micah, and all who dwelt in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servant. 00:03:21.271 --> 00:03:28.093 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. 00:03:28.093 --> 00:03:35.167 Now he was lame in both his feet and may the word of God be blessed. 00:03:35.167 --> 00:03:37.626 You can enjoy your seats. 00:03:42.262 --> 00:03:44.949 For those whom we've not interacted, I'm Felix Oluoche. 00:03:44.949 --> 00:03:48.490 I currently serve as the missions coordinator. 00:03:48.490 --> 00:03:59.062 I always say that I live for one thing to find the lost and to develop the found, and that's the essence of my existence. 00:03:59.062 --> 00:04:16.237 I was preserved until I met someone who I deserve, and right now I am reserved and I thank God. 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:32.524 So we are going to talk about open door renewal and as we talk about this renewal, I know this is the reality for some of us right now, because we're in that place that we are trusting God to come through for us. 00:04:32.524 --> 00:04:39.867 We've been praying and trust God to do some things for us and those prayers have not yet been answered. 00:04:39.867 --> 00:04:50.310 When the year began, we talked about open door and you are so passionate that you are going to experience a new dimension of God, but that is not the reality. 00:04:50.310 --> 00:05:11.177 So, as we come into this place, we are going to allow God to refresh us, and I know that those people who are in the ministry like there is a team right now serving in Tezo and I know probably you've served God the whole of this year and you feel like every energy of you has been drained. 00:05:11.177 --> 00:05:17.939 I'm here to remind you that there is a season of refreshment and God is going to refresh us. 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:24.374 And as you are going to see the story of Mephibosheth, I'm going to divide it into three segments. 00:05:24.374 --> 00:05:29.331 So the first segment is from royal to ruin. 00:05:29.331 --> 00:05:42.071 And when I look at the story of Mephibosheth, this is somebody who was in the lineage of king In the book of 1 Samuel 4, verse 4. 00:05:42.071 --> 00:05:46.666 2 Samuel 4, verse 4. 00:05:46.666 --> 00:05:48.170 2 Samuel 4, verse 4. 00:05:48.170 --> 00:05:55.432 And the scripture says and Jonathan, saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. 00:05:55.432 --> 00:06:18.274 He was five years old when the tidings came to Saul and Jonathan out of Israel and his nurse took him up and fled, and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame and his name was Mephibosheth. 00:06:18.274 --> 00:06:35.951 Now, mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Saul, and it happened that when Ziba was trying to get Mephibosheth from the place they were in to hide him, mephibosheth fell and he was crippled at his feet. 00:06:35.951 --> 00:06:46.701 Now, this is somebody who was destined that will reign because he came from the lineage of the king and that true. 00:06:46.721 --> 00:07:06.475 Like some of us, when we were based on where we were born, or the school that we went to, or the business that we are doing, or our families, there is something that has been the source of our pride and every time we talk about this, there is an ego or something that is birthed in us because it is a source of our definition. 00:07:06.475 --> 00:07:15.228 So every time we parade the things that we've seen, it's one of the things that comes in the front line, because for us, this is all that we have. 00:07:15.228 --> 00:07:24.519 And this is the story of Mephibosheth, who was born in a lineage of kingship, and every time he would rise up and say that I am a royal. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:30.584 And every time he would rise up and say that I am a royal, and because of this, there is this sense of pride that he had. 00:07:30.584 --> 00:07:41.031 I don't know what defines life to you, because some of us, it's because of the things that we have achieved in this life is what gives us an identity. 00:07:41.031 --> 00:07:52.348 So anytime we talk about the goodness of God, when we talk about life, we cannot fail to talk about the things that we have achieved In a particular season. 00:07:52.449 --> 00:08:04.507 But apparently, everything that used to give Mephibosheth confidence Robbed away, because this used to be a royal, and when he was crippled, everything about his life changed. 00:08:04.507 --> 00:08:13.173 So the person who used to dwell in the palace had to get out of the palace and go and live in a place called Lodibah. 00:08:13.173 --> 00:08:16.408 Now, why would this happen? 00:08:16.408 --> 00:08:26.512 Probably you are in this place and there is this business deal, and you knew that once I engage into this business, my entire lives will be transformed. 00:08:26.512 --> 00:08:29.990 But the deal didn't happen as you expected. 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:36.270 A situation happened, so situations sometimes lead us into a place of brokenness. 00:08:36.270 --> 00:08:41.831 Situations sometimes happen and we find ourselves in a place that we didn't expect. 00:08:41.831 --> 00:08:47.366 Probably you are so optimistic that after my education, this is what I'm going to achieve. 00:08:47.366 --> 00:08:59.488 Yet you realize that after your education, life happened not the way you expected and you are broken, you are crushed and you find yourself in a place that you don't want anybody to talk about. 00:08:59.488 --> 00:09:07.249 So when we talk about renewal the reality of renewal there is a place of brokenness that we are in. 00:09:07.249 --> 00:09:11.350 There is a place of emptiness that we find ourselves in. 00:09:11.350 --> 00:09:15.410 There is a place of worry that we find ourselves in. 00:09:15.410 --> 00:09:20.011 The same way, mephibosheth finds himself into that situation. 00:09:21.461 --> 00:09:29.523 The moment you find yourself into this situation, the first thing that happens is the identity is always corrupted. 00:09:29.523 --> 00:09:44.486 And now what amazed me is when David asked Mephibosheth in verse 3, when David asked Ziba is there anyone still in the lineage of David who can extend God's kindness? 00:09:44.486 --> 00:09:57.437 Instead of Ziba saying there is somebody called Mephibosheth, ziba says there is somebody in the family, but this person is crippled, he doesn't give the name of that person. 00:09:57.437 --> 00:10:17.249 Every time our identity is corrupted, the situation we are in becomes our identity and that's why, when they heard the woman with the issue of blood, the issue of the blood became her name, because people would identify her with the issue or not her name. 00:10:17.249 --> 00:10:33.890 When we talk about the blind Bartimaeus, the situation became the name, so instead of people finding her name, they will identify this blind person and use the name of the father because of her situation. 00:10:33.890 --> 00:10:51.052 When we talk about the crippled beggar at the beautiful gate people, the author was able to write the name of the gate, but the author in the book of Acts cannot write the name of that crippled beggar because her identity was corrupted. 00:10:51.432 --> 00:10:55.922 And the situation becomes the identity, and probably some of you. 00:10:55.922 --> 00:11:06.701 We are in this place tonight and our identity has been corrupted and the mistake or the situation that we find ourselves in is our current identity. 00:11:06.701 --> 00:11:13.962 I'm here to remind you there is still renewal in the house of the Lord and God is still working in our midst. 00:11:13.962 --> 00:11:19.172 Anybody who gives you an identity, that person controls you. 00:11:19.172 --> 00:11:36.610 So one of the things that Satan has been working so hard once the identity has been corrupted, he gives you and calls you by your situation, because he who gives you an identity is always in charge, but our identity is anchored on Jesus Christ. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:41.672 So when Mephibosheth reigned, he went to a place called Lodibah. 00:11:41.672 --> 00:11:44.107 Lodibah is a deserted place. 00:11:44.107 --> 00:11:47.369 Lodibah is a place where there is no pasture. 00:11:47.369 --> 00:11:50.248 Lodiba is a place where there is no hope. 00:11:50.248 --> 00:11:55.091 Lodiba is a place where people go to disconnect with the real world. 00:11:55.091 --> 00:12:04.792 So the moment we find ourselves in a situation that we didn't expect, majority of us what we do is we withdraw from the reality. 00:12:04.792 --> 00:12:13.331 And Mephibosheth find himself in the same position that he had to disconnect from his people. 00:12:13.331 --> 00:12:18.144 He had to disconnect from where he was planted and he was hiding somewhere. 00:12:18.144 --> 00:12:21.549 And this place in Lodibah, there is no communication. 00:12:21.549 --> 00:12:23.113 In Lodibah, there is no communication. 00:12:23.113 --> 00:12:25.697 In Lodibah, there is no friendship. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:34.366 In Lodibah are those people who are wounded, people who are broken and people who are hiding, and probably that's you tonight. 00:12:34.366 --> 00:12:36.466 You are in your Lodibah. 00:12:36.466 --> 00:12:38.768 You are hiding from the reality. 00:12:38.768 --> 00:12:42.389 You are hiding from the life that God destined for you. 00:12:42.389 --> 00:12:45.090 You are hiding from the God-given purpose. 00:12:45.090 --> 00:12:46.572 You are hiding from the God-given purpose. 00:12:46.572 --> 00:12:50.743 You are hiding from your family, because you cannot face the reality as a man. 00:12:50.743 --> 00:12:59.109 You knew that once I do want to dream, I'll be able to lead my family in a godly way and my children will be raised with virtues. 00:12:59.109 --> 00:13:00.745 But that is not the reality. 00:13:00.745 --> 00:13:05.812 So you cannot afford to face the reality and you're hiding in your low debar. 00:13:05.812 --> 00:13:15.730 You cannot face your reality and you choose to hide in that place to disconnect from the reality. 00:13:16.541 --> 00:13:24.312 The second thing that we see in this passage before we go. 00:13:24.312 --> 00:13:32.033 One of my encouragement is in the book of Psalms, chapter 136, verses 23 and 24. 00:13:32.033 --> 00:13:37.451 The scripture says that God is the one who remembers us in our lowest state. 00:13:37.451 --> 00:13:42.320 So if you find yourself in the lowest place, you hit rock bottom. 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:49.567 I want to remind you that Jesus Christ is our rock and every time we find ourselves in Jesus Christ we will bounce back. 00:13:49.567 --> 00:13:54.982 So our renewal begins at that moment we know this is the lowest I can reach. 00:13:54.982 --> 00:14:02.443 And the moment I am in my lowest place, I know there is God who always remembers me in my lowest state. 00:14:02.443 --> 00:14:09.049 And the moment God remembers you in your lowest state, verse 24 of Psalm 136 says that he redeems. 00:14:09.049 --> 00:14:13.390 And that's when the renewal begins to take place. 00:14:13.390 --> 00:14:21.124 And the moment God begins to redeem us, he takes us from the victim level to be the victors. 00:14:22.047 --> 00:14:27.402 Now, what happened to Mephibosheth In verse 8 and 9,? 00:14:27.402 --> 00:14:37.187 Mephibosheth found himself in a place that is before the king and he's amazed that. 00:14:37.187 --> 00:14:39.235 Why am I standing in this place? 00:14:39.235 --> 00:14:42.855 Then he said why should this happen to me? 00:14:42.855 --> 00:14:53.059 And he bowed himself and said what is thy servant that thou should look upon such a dead dog as I am? 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:58.684 Every time we are in our lowest place and our identity has been corrupted. 00:14:58.684 --> 00:15:02.235 We see ourselves as people without value. 00:15:02.235 --> 00:15:19.154 We see ourselves as people without anything to show to the world and every activity that we do we hide, and we because in the place of hiding, we cannot come out because our identity has been corrupted. 00:15:19.154 --> 00:15:24.817 And Mephibosheth says that why should you do this to a dead dog like me? 00:15:24.817 --> 00:15:28.815 When God created Mephibosheth, they didn't see a dead dog. 00:15:28.815 --> 00:15:38.450 When David came the king to Mephibosheth, he didn't see the dead dog, but Mephibosheth in his eyes. 00:15:38.450 --> 00:15:43.251 What he saw was a dead dog, and probably that's you tonight. 00:15:44.725 --> 00:15:46.211 You look at everything in your life. 00:15:46.211 --> 00:15:49.111 You look at the way you have failed. 00:15:49.111 --> 00:15:56.057 You look at the things that you hoped you will achieve and none of them has succeeded, and you see yourself as the dead dog. 00:15:56.057 --> 00:16:00.047 You look at the things that you hoped you will achieve and none of them has succeeded, and you see yourself as the dead dog. 00:16:00.047 --> 00:16:13.041 When Christ came, in the book of Colossians, chapter 2, verse 3, says that in him, that is, in Jesus Christ, are hidden, in whom are hid, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 00:16:13.041 --> 00:16:23.999 Anytime we come to Jesus Christ, one of the things that happen he opens up our eyes so that we see the reality of life and we see what God sees about us. 00:16:23.999 --> 00:16:30.038 And the moment we begin to see what God sees about us, we get from the pit of our mistakes. 00:16:30.038 --> 00:16:32.730 We get from that pit of low self-esteem. 00:16:32.730 --> 00:16:41.914 We get from that pit of fear, that pit of doubt, and we get out of it and we begin to see ourselves the same way God sees ourselves. 00:16:41.914 --> 00:16:48.354 But the challenge is majority of us are not able to embrace what God is doing at that particular time. 00:16:50.105 --> 00:16:58.991 In the book of Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 31, the scripture says that those who wait upon the Lord, he shall renew their strength. 00:16:58.991 --> 00:17:07.736 Majority of us don't know or have not learned the discipline to wait upon the Lord so that he can renew our strength. 00:17:07.736 --> 00:17:21.472 For God to renew our strength, there must be something for us to wait upon the Lord In the place of waiting is that place where we begin to take off everything in us that is not of God and we replace it with everything of God. 00:17:21.472 --> 00:17:40.470 When, in the place of waiting, we cast our burden, our issues and everything and we say, lord, I surrender everything because I'm waiting on you, in the place of waiting, our eyes are open so that we can see God for who he is, the identity that was corrupted. 00:17:40.470 --> 00:17:44.538 In the place of waiting upon the Lord, something happened. 00:17:44.538 --> 00:17:53.159 That veil that covers our eyes not to see his glory is taken off and our eyes are open to see Jesus for who he is. 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:59.596 So we are able to see the wisdom of God, we are able to see the treasures of God in the place of waiting. 00:18:01.026 --> 00:18:10.615 In the place of waiting, you begin to see the reality of Isaiah, chapter 43, verses 19, that talks about that God is doing something new. 00:18:10.615 --> 00:18:22.255 Some of us cannot see that new thing that God is doing because our eyes are still clouded by the situation that we are facing In the place of renewal. 00:18:22.255 --> 00:18:27.152 When we just begin to bask in the presence of God, there is something that happens. 00:18:27.152 --> 00:18:31.407 This ceases to be our agenda and it becomes the agenda of God. 00:18:31.407 --> 00:18:38.426 Because in Psalm, chapter 23, he says that I will lead you into the path of righteousness for my name's sake. 00:18:38.426 --> 00:18:45.330 So when God begins to lead us into the path of his righteousness, we cease to be the victim. 00:18:46.144 --> 00:19:07.311 And I love the song that, the praise and worship song, that when I think of the goodness of God, when I think of the mercies of God, when I think of the love of God, when I think of the masses of God, when I think of the love of God, when I think of how God has redeemed me, when I think of this God, let me tell you everything in me begin to rise up and begin to worship him. 00:19:07.311 --> 00:19:15.596 Because I know, every time I go in the place of worship, every burden, every fear, every doubt begin to bow down as we acknowledge the place of worship. 00:19:15.596 --> 00:19:19.213 Every burden, every fear, every doubt begin to bow down as we acknowledge the sovereignty of God. 00:19:19.213 --> 00:19:24.019 The renewal begins when we are able to acknowledge the situation we are in. 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:29.933 Yet beyond the situation we are in, we are able to see God and see the power of God. 00:19:29.933 --> 00:19:31.939 Praise Jesus. 00:19:31.939 --> 00:19:41.152 In the book of Job, chapter 42, verses 2, he says nothing is impossible with our God and none of his plans can be thwarted. 00:19:41.152 --> 00:19:46.347 When God said that I will bless you, the reality is God will bless you. 00:19:46.347 --> 00:19:53.107 Every time people greet me, I say that I'm amazingly blessed, sweetly favored and perfectly loved. 00:19:53.107 --> 00:19:57.258 I remember the first time I said the word that I'm blessed. 00:19:57.258 --> 00:20:01.405 The only thing I knew was Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 3. 00:20:01.405 --> 00:20:04.496 That says that I'm blessed with every blessing in Christ Jesus. 00:20:04.496 --> 00:20:06.653 But that blessing was not the reality. 00:20:07.445 --> 00:20:10.655 So it was on a Wednesday morning, wednesday after the service. 00:20:10.655 --> 00:20:12.388 So I was with my friend. 00:20:12.388 --> 00:20:17.233 We were standing out there and I didn't have the transport to take me home. 00:20:17.233 --> 00:20:22.532 So I was looking for a friend who could support me so that I would have my transport. 00:20:22.532 --> 00:20:33.038 And as I was standing there, everybody we are and I discovered that all my friends had left the compound. 00:20:33.038 --> 00:20:36.868 So I was standing there and asking myself what will I do? 00:20:36.868 --> 00:20:46.731 I was broken, I was stressed and I was living in Kawangwari and I was just thinking will I walk from this place to Kawangwari? 00:20:46.731 --> 00:20:48.576 And it's at night. 00:20:49.617 --> 00:20:58.093 Then a friend called Kevin came and started to encourage me and as he was encouraging me, something was being bad in my life. 00:20:58.093 --> 00:20:59.844 My spirit was being charged. 00:20:59.844 --> 00:21:01.530 And as my spirit was charged. 00:21:01.530 --> 00:21:02.852 I didn't ask for transport. 00:21:02.852 --> 00:21:09.028 I told my friend that I'm waiting for the blessing of my pastor, so once my pastor blesses me I'll go home. 00:21:09.671 --> 00:21:13.633 Then our Reverend Ambrose came and he blessed me. 00:21:13.633 --> 00:21:19.057 He always greets me, he places his hand over my head and say you are blessed. 00:21:19.057 --> 00:21:22.935 Then he blessed me and I said this is all I was waiting for. 00:21:22.935 --> 00:21:28.518 And I said let me leave because I have all that I wanted. 00:21:28.518 --> 00:21:44.931 And as I made two steps, I saw JJ coming with an envelope and JJ gave me an envelope that had my transport for the whole of that week and I saw the renewal of God In the place that I was broken. 00:21:44.931 --> 00:22:02.570 And as I was just worshipping and praising God, something happened, because I knew that those people who are carriers of something that is supernatural, reverend Ambrose, he is my spiritual father, he carries the blessing. 00:22:02.570 --> 00:22:27.858 So when I look at him I see beyond what any human being can give to me and the reason why I don't shake his hand, because I respect the grace and the anointing upon his life and the moment I acknowledged that God opened a door and because I myself I was positioned in a place to receive of what God wanted to release. 00:22:28.865 --> 00:22:47.095 The reason why some of us are not experiencing the renewal of God is because we are not positioning ourselves to receive from what God is giving, because you are still blinded by the reality of the situation and we see ourselves as the dog dead dogs. 00:22:47.095 --> 00:23:04.093 And when God wants to renew you, you must allow that mindset of dead dog to be wiped away and see yourself as that person who has been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and you come from the lineage of Jesus Christ. 00:23:04.093 --> 00:23:10.678 So for you to receive the renewal of God, there must be a shift in your mindset. 00:23:10.678 --> 00:23:15.175 In Isaiah 43, he says I'm doing a new thing. 00:23:15.175 --> 00:23:16.829 Don't you perceive it? 00:23:16.829 --> 00:23:23.756 Some of us cannot perceive what God is doing because we are blinded by the reality of our situation. 00:23:26.226 --> 00:23:33.871 This month I was going for my nyombo, that is, our orashio, on the 9th of November. 00:23:33.871 --> 00:23:47.634 On 2nd I didn't have anything in my bank account and the reality dawned on me when a friend asked me five days to go and I'm like, hey, should we postpone this? 00:23:47.634 --> 00:23:54.769 And I remember, on 3rd, I didn't know what to do, but I went into a secret place and I just started to tell God. 00:23:54.769 --> 00:23:56.125 God, you didn't know what to do, but I went into a secret place and I just started to tell God. 00:23:56.125 --> 00:24:02.816 God, you have blessed me, you have refreshed me and you've ministered to me all these years. 00:24:02.816 --> 00:24:11.116 You've used me as a vessel to carry your message of hope, but right now I don't have any strength or wisdom to sustain me. 00:24:11.116 --> 00:24:24.531 Lord, renew me and I remember that we're in a season of refreshment and the word that came to me is that those who refresh others will be refreshed, according to Proverbs, chapter 11. 00:24:24.531 --> 00:24:29.016 And I say that, god, if you always refresh others, may you refresh me. 00:24:29.964 --> 00:24:37.678 And on Tuesday I came to my office and as I was working, I was still troubled because I could not concentrate. 00:24:37.678 --> 00:24:42.376 I had this big project and I don't know how I'm going to maneuver through. 00:24:42.376 --> 00:24:51.378 Then I received two of the pastors called me and said that we are going to bless you. 00:24:51.378 --> 00:25:05.314 No, I think there are three Pastor Simon, pastor Riggs and Pastor Edith, then Doreen from Member Care, and they say that we are going to bless you with this. 00:25:05.314 --> 00:25:11.935 And I say thank you for caring for me as a member, and this is the prayer that I was, trusting God that will deliver. 00:25:11.935 --> 00:25:13.732 So that was a portion of the budget that I wanted to do that. 00:25:13.732 --> 00:25:14.498 I was expecting God that will deliver. 00:25:14.498 --> 00:25:16.146 So that was a portion of the budget that I wanted to do that. 00:25:16.146 --> 00:25:18.054 I was expecting God to come through. 00:25:18.054 --> 00:25:23.733 And I say God, this is not enough, but I'm grateful you have provided. 00:25:24.786 --> 00:25:33.036 On Thursday, I was traveling to go to the village and as I was traveling, god started to respond and opening the doors. 00:25:33.036 --> 00:25:40.315 And as God was opening doors, I was feeling that refreshment of God and one day that came to me, I started praising the Lord. 00:25:40.315 --> 00:25:44.957 So I started praising the Lord in my entire journey because I knew it is well. 00:25:44.957 --> 00:25:58.230 And on Friday everything was cleared, because God always refreshes those people who position themselves to receive from him. 00:25:58.230 --> 00:26:08.154 And my challenge to you, as we talk about renewal, as we talk about refreshment, are you positioning yourself to receive from God? 00:26:08.154 --> 00:26:14.715 Are you positioning yourself to receive that which God is releasing in the spiritual atmosphere? 00:26:14.715 --> 00:26:41.696 When this word was given to Reverend Ambrose last year, god knew the seasons that we will be in and because of that reality, one of the things that happen in the kingdom and the spiritual atmosphere, satan tends to bring some things to blind you or cause you to drift from what God is doing, so that you will not experience and receive the renewal of God. 00:26:41.696 --> 00:26:46.894 I've received the renewal of God and that's the reality of my life today. 00:26:46.894 --> 00:26:56.307 I've seen God refreshing me every season because I always position myself to receive from the Lord. 00:26:56.307 --> 00:27:05.571 And I would encourage you, as we talk about renewal, let's open up so that God will minister to us. 00:27:06.704 --> 00:27:16.613 In the book of Psalms, chapter 51, verse 10, david says creating me a pure heart. 00:27:16.613 --> 00:27:28.840 When we talk about renewal, there is no way you will experience God's renewal if you're not working in the purity of God and you're working in the ways of God. 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:38.416 And David realized this that I've messed up and for me to experience what God is doing in this season, I need a new heart. 00:27:38.416 --> 00:27:44.076 And he says oh God, renew the steadfast spirit deep within me. 00:27:44.076 --> 00:27:59.056 Some of us have not allowed God to renew the steadfast spirit in us, so we still live in the sin and the appetite of these things of the world and because of this we are not able to experience the renewal of God. 00:27:59.056 --> 00:28:16.685 God is a holy God, god is a pure God, and for us to commune and have a relationship with him, we must denounce and come out of the sinful way and walk with him so for us to experience the full renewal of God, we must allow him to search our hearts. 00:28:16.685 --> 00:28:24.179 In Psalm 139, he says search me, o God, and see if there is any iniquity deep within my heart. 00:28:24.179 --> 00:28:33.837 And David knew that for me to experience the full measure of the renewal of God, he must give me a pure heart. 00:28:33.837 --> 00:28:49.130 Some of us, that unforgiveness, that jealousy, that envy, that hatred, is acting as an obstacle for you to experience the renewal of God. 00:28:49.130 --> 00:29:03.798 Some of us, we've indulged ourselves into the ways of the world that we cannot pursue the purposes of God and we're not able to see the renewal of God. 00:29:03.798 --> 00:29:13.561 And he says renew the joy of salvation deep within me. 00:29:15.109 --> 00:29:19.233 I remember the first time I came to faith, back in 2009,. 00:29:19.233 --> 00:29:20.178 I was in high school. 00:29:20.178 --> 00:29:32.219 I used to live a life that I didn't have hope, and the day I came to salvation, there is this joy that was full in my heart, the joy that I used to crave for. 00:29:32.219 --> 00:29:41.597 And I will go and in other things clubbing and every other thing, but none of these things will fill that emptiness that was deep within me. 00:29:41.597 --> 00:29:54.401 So when I came to faith, the joy of salvation was so real and I was so passionate to share this joy with my fellow brothers who are still in the world, and that's how the passion of mission was birthed. 00:29:54.401 --> 00:30:02.800 And every time we experience the renewal of God, the joy of our salvation is ignited. 00:30:03.750 --> 00:30:10.039 And how many knows that the goodness of God will always lead us to the place of repentance. 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:19.278 The moment you see the goodness of God, let me tell you, there is no way you will live a casual life after experiencing the presence of God. 00:30:19.278 --> 00:30:26.555 There is no way you will go back to the things of the world the moment you experience the presence of God. 00:30:26.555 --> 00:30:39.592 So, when the praise and worship song, when I think it's true, sometimes I just take that moment to think of the goodness of God and the mercies of God, and every time I see myself in that mess. 00:30:39.592 --> 00:30:46.489 This is the only thing that gives me strength to pursue that which God is doing. 00:30:47.413 --> 00:30:59.057 And the moment I come to this place, I begin to, I begin to walk in the glory of God, and the final stage is walking from glory to glory. 00:30:59.057 --> 00:31:01.980 Number one, from royalty to ruin. 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:05.346 Number two was from victim to victor. 00:31:05.346 --> 00:31:22.561 And number three what we see in the life of Mephibosheth is walking from glory to glory, the reason why God is renewing us in this season because there is assignment that is awaiting each and every one of us. 00:31:22.561 --> 00:31:36.518 God does not renew us so that we will come and start bragging that I'm renewed, but God is renewing us so that we can get out of our comfort zone and extend the kingdom of God. 00:31:36.518 --> 00:31:44.842 God is renewing us so that we can rise up and be the agents of the kingdom of God. 00:31:44.842 --> 00:31:50.856 God is renewing us so that we can be the source of hope, even to this country. 00:31:51.851 --> 00:32:03.240 Right now, when I hear the political world, I hear people who are full of bitterness, people who are complaining, people who are nagging, people who cannot see anything good that can come out. 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:20.241 But I'm here to remind you that when the moment God will begin to renew, even the politician people will get out of those places and they will not allow the corruption to trend in this country, because they will have the power to rise up and challenge that corruption. 00:32:20.241 --> 00:32:29.961 The moment God renews you, there is a boldness that comes upon you, because you know what I carry is something divine. 00:32:29.961 --> 00:32:34.020 What I carry is something that I cannot be given by this one. 00:32:34.020 --> 00:32:36.659 This thing that I carry is a divine thing. 00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:43.916 So what you carry begin to rise up in you and you say that God, because you've renewed me, I'm not going to settle for less. 00:32:43.916 --> 00:32:49.137 God, because you've renewed me, I'm not going to walk in mediocrity. 00:32:49.137 --> 00:32:55.761 God, because you've renewed me, I'm not going to stay in the same level that I was in. 00:32:56.650 --> 00:32:59.700 The renewal of God comes in the assignment of God. 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:11.663 And the moment our eyes are opened and we begin to see the assignment of God, we begin to see every opportunity of where we can be the advocates of the light of God. 00:33:11.663 --> 00:33:14.432 It's easy to say that I'm the light of the world, I am the salt of the light of God. 00:33:14.432 --> 00:33:18.536 It's easy to say that I'm the light of the world, I am the salt of the earth. 00:33:18.536 --> 00:33:22.039 And living that reality is another thing. 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:29.980 And majority of us we know, and we can quote Matthew chapter 5, verse 13 and 14, yet we are not living that. 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:41.574 Majority of us can quote Matthew, chapter 28, from verse 17, that they've experienced God and they talk about the great commission, yet they're not living that life. 00:33:41.574 --> 00:33:48.857 The renewal of God comes with the authority and the power so that we can live that life. 00:33:50.748 --> 00:34:01.358 The moment God renews you, the first thing that you do you step out of your comfort zone to testify of the goodness of God. 00:34:01.358 --> 00:34:06.858 I cannot keep silent of what God has done for me, even in this season. 00:34:06.858 --> 00:34:15.615 I'm an Arsenal fan and every time there is a game and we win, let me tell you the truth. 00:34:15.615 --> 00:34:22.775 We will celebrate and everybody in our status will know the reality of what has happened. 00:34:22.775 --> 00:34:29.179 But why is it that when God has done something for us, we keep it for ourselves? 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:38.748 Why is it that when God has blessed us and God has opened door for us and God has renewed us, we are keeping it to ourselves? 00:34:41.436 --> 00:34:47.737 The renewal of God comes with the assignment of God and the woman, the Samaritan woman, in the book of. 00:34:47.737 --> 00:34:51.981 Is it Luke, chapter 4? 00:34:51.981 --> 00:34:53.559 No, john, chapter 4? 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.304 No, john, chapter 4. 00:34:54.304 --> 00:35:06.661 This woman, the moment he was refreshed, the first thing that he did he went to his people and told his people that I have met a man. 00:35:06.661 --> 00:35:19.699 Because the moment God renews you, there is an energy and wisdom that comes upon you so that you can proclaim what God has done to your people, some of us. 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:23.222 This renewal will help us not to live in sin again. 00:35:23.222 --> 00:35:30.735 The reason why you are living in sin is because your eyes have not been opened to see what God has done for you. 00:35:30.735 --> 00:35:36.333 He says that the grace has appeared to all men To see what God has done for you. 00:35:36.333 --> 00:35:42.382 He says that the grace has appeared to all men that helped them to say no To ungodliness. 00:35:42.382 --> 00:35:50.219 When the grace of God appears to you and you experience the refreshment of God, there is no way you can still live in sin. 00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:53.965 The renewal of God Gives us the ability to walk out in sin. 00:35:53.965 --> 00:35:59.974 The renewal of God Gives us the ability to walk out of sin and to fulfill the assignment of God. 00:36:01.090 --> 00:36:04.918 So when people are complaining, where are the leaders in this country? 00:36:04.918 --> 00:36:11.699 It only leads people who have experienced the renewal of God To stand up and say we are here. 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:36.101 When everybody is complaining that marriages are not working, it calls for those people who have experienced the renewal and refreshment of God to say we are here, we've been refreshed for these years of our marriage, and they become the testament of what God is doing, because bad news trend when people with the good news are silent. 00:36:36.101 --> 00:36:41.297 So we cannot afford to be silent with what God has done for us. 00:36:41.297 --> 00:36:47.956 We are going to proclaim what God has done for us In this season of renewal. 00:36:47.956 --> 00:36:54.039 There is no way Satan will mess us again. 00:36:54.039 --> 00:37:14.336 There is no way we are going to buy that lie from the pit of darkness, that it can never work, because he who began a good work in us will bring it into completion as we rise up on our feet I don't know if praise and worship are still here. 00:37:18.891 --> 00:37:33.896 I just want you to go before the Lord and open up yourself and say that, god, I'm here to receive your renewal that you're releasing in this season, Because God will never allow us to talk about one thing for the whole month if he doesn't have an assignment for that. 00:37:33.896 --> 00:37:35.510 God will never allow us to talk about one thing for the whole month if he doesn't have an assignment for that. 00:37:35.510 --> 00:37:42.280 God will never allow you to come into this place and go back, because he never wastes time. 00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:44.177 He's not a waste of opportunity. 00:37:44.177 --> 00:37:47.039 He has an assignment for each and every one of us. 00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:52.780 So I just want you to go before the Lord and begin to say that God opened me up so that I can receive from you. 00:37:52.780 --> 00:38:04.277 If, probably, you see yourself like one of those people who see yourself as a dead dog and you cannot receive from the Lord, I want you to pray that God open up my eyes so that they can see what you're doing. 00:38:04.277 --> 00:38:11.496 If there is anything that has blinded my eyes not to receive from you, lord, I pray that you will open me up so that I can receive from you. 00:38:12.110 --> 00:38:28.481 If you're one of those people who have not experienced the glory of God, I want you to begin to make the declaration that you are going to walk, in the glory of God, from one dimension of glory to another dimension of glory, because in this season of renewal, the glory of God is being released to us. 00:38:28.481 --> 00:38:35.204 Let me see people who are able to, are ready to connect with the glory of God that is being released upon us. 00:38:35.204 --> 00:38:41.940 Let me see people who are ready to partake of the dimension, the glory of God that is releasing to us tonight. 00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:47.432 Just have a moment with Him. 00:38:47.432 --> 00:38:50.436 This is a prayer that nobody can pray for you. 00:38:50.436 --> 00:38:53.237 You alone understand the level you are in with Him. 00:38:53.237 --> 00:38:54.139 You know the state that you are in with him. 00:38:54.139 --> 00:39:51.943 You know the state that you are in with him. 00:39:57.623 --> 00:40:25.840 Thank you, messiah, I thank you In my heart. 00:40:25.840 --> 00:40:30.485 I say thank you. 00:40:48.726 --> 00:40:55.800 Indeed, father, we are so grateful for your precious blood that was shed at Calvary, your blood that speaks of better things than the blood of Abel. 00:40:55.800 --> 00:41:26.978 And God, this blood tonight speaks of the renewal, refreshment that you are releasing upon us and God, the same way, you were able to minister to Mephibosheth, who came from the lineage of royalty, but a situation happened and he found himself in the ruin, and, god, you are able to walk with him from the journey of Lord Ibar and taking him back to the palace, and you renewed his life. 00:41:26.978 --> 00:41:54.577 Lord, I pray that each and every one of us here will receive of your renewal For those who are trusting for your renewal in their divine health, those who are trusting for your renewal in their financial life, those who are trusting for your refreshment in their marriages, those who are trusting you that you will renew their academic life, those who are trusting you that you will renew their financial, their businesses, their businesses. 00:41:54.577 --> 00:42:03.376 Lord, we pray that this anointing that is hovering right now, lord, may you do something in the areas that we are calling upon you. 00:42:03.376 --> 00:42:13.349 Lord, I pray that those people who have given up and they are, who are almost giving up in their journey of faith or in their ministry. 00:42:13.349 --> 00:42:27.297 Lord, I pray that they will encounter the hand of God and they will experience this renewal of God, those who are still trusting you that you will open up doors, because everything they do and every door they knock has never been opened. 00:42:27.730 --> 00:42:30.815 God, I pray that the reality Of Matthew, chapter 7. 00:42:30.815 --> 00:42:32.817 Verse 7 will come unto them. 00:42:32.817 --> 00:42:34.958 So, lord, I pray that 7 will come unto them. 00:42:34.958 --> 00:42:43.952 So, lord, I pray that you will search every heart of each and every person who is in this sanctuary, those who are following online. 00:42:43.952 --> 00:42:47.016 And God, let us experience of your renewal. 00:42:47.016 --> 00:42:57.518 For those who are weary, those who are broken, lord, may you refresh them. 00:42:57.518 --> 00:43:00.090 Those who are weary, those who are broken, lord, may you refresh them. 00:43:00.090 --> 00:43:06.784 Those who are having the wounded heart. 00:43:06.784 --> 00:43:07.829 Only you, god, can heal the broken heart. 00:43:07.829 --> 00:43:10.514 So, lord, I pray that you will make us whole. 00:43:10.514 --> 00:43:13.719 Lord, I pray that you will search every heart and every place. 00:43:13.719 --> 00:43:14.762 They are calling upon you. 00:43:14.762 --> 00:43:20.652 May you come through for them and may you answer them. 00:43:20.652 --> 00:43:22.155 So, lord, we know that you are doing it. 00:43:22.155 --> 00:43:24.918 We know that you are opening a door. 00:43:24.918 --> 00:43:29.324 We know that you are doing it in this time. 00:43:29.324 --> 00:43:36.849 So, lord, we allow you to have your way, for we pray this believing and trusting in Jesus' name.