From: Bayo Afolaranmi
Dear Beloved,
THERE WILL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING
"I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers
in season; there will be showers of blessing" (Ezekiel 34:26, NIV).
A shepherd in the Old Testament symbolized a royal caretaker of the people of
God. This is the reason why the Old Testament great men are referred to as
shepherd (Jeremiah 23: 1ff; Ezekiel 34:1ff). Even God was called the shepherd
of Israel in Psalm 80:1 (cf. Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34:11-16). Unfortunately, most
of the leaders of the people of Israel were bad shepherds. They misled the
people. They only fed themselves to the detriment of the people. This made God
to pronounce woe on them (Ezekiel 34:2-6). He said that He will hold them
accountable for the misled and underfed sheep which were the people they were
leading (verses 7-10).
However, the good news is that God promises to search for His sheep and look
after them (verses 11-16a). Where there has been no justice, especially amongst
the people, God promises that He will shepherd the flock with justice (verses
16b-24). He promises to make a covenant of peace with them so that they will be
at rest (verve 25). Above all, He will send to them showers of blessing (verse
26). These showers of blessing include fruitfulness, security, freedom from
oppression, and lots more. The Lord will do these so that His people will know
that they are His, and that He is the Sovereign God, the Lord above all lords,
the God of the universe.
Have the leaders of your country, church, or group disappointed you? Have they
let God down in their leadership roles? Have you lost confidence in them? Take
heart! The Lord will search for you and look after you. He will lead you with
justice. He will make a covenant of peace with you and you will have rest.
Above all, there will be showers of blessing for you from Him - showers of
fruitfulness and abundance, security and protection, freedom from oppression,
promotion, and lots more. You also will know that the Lord is good and His love
endures forever (see Psalm 100:5). People will glorify God for the good things
He will do in your life.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Requests:
1. Manifest yourself, Lord, in this world that is full of injustice and
oppression and let the world that know you are the Sovereign Lord in Jesus'
name.
2. Lord, let your showers of bless be on me, my spouse, children, work and
everything that belongs to me in Jesus' name.
3. Let the people of the world know that you are my God by the good things you
will do in my life in Jesus' name. Amen.
=======================================================
From: Bayo Afolaranmi
Dear Beloved,
YOU WILL COMPLETE IT!
"Then the word of the LORD came to me: 'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the
foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know
that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you'" (Zechariah 4:8-9, NIV).
The people of Israel were returning from the exile. They were picking up the
crumbs of their nationhood under the leadership of Zerubbabel. One of such
crumbs was the rebuilding of the temple of God in Jerusalem. However, they
faced strong oppositions from the neighboring nations that did not want them to
re-establish their nation (see Ezra 4). It was during one of those oppositions
that the word of God came to Prophet Zechariah to assure Zerubbabel that he
would be the one that will definitely complete the building project.
Zechariah chapter four is full of prophecies in regards to the procedure of the
completion of the rebuilding of the temple: firstly, it is neither by human
might nor power, but by the Spirit of God (verse 6). It means that the success
of the project would be by the Lord's doing, not by man's making. Secondly, all
the mighty oppositions against the project will come to nothing (verse 7). This
is exactly what happened when King Darius issued a decree to thwart all the
oppositions (see Ezra 6:1-12). Thirdly, the very person that laid the
foundation of the rebuilding of the temple will be the one that will complete
it (verse 9). This promise actually came to pass (see Ezra 6:13-18). The last
but not the least of the procedure is the fact that they should not despise the
day of small things (verse 10a). That is, they should not look down on the
little resources they had, and especially, the time they started the project
with no hope. This may also mean that they should not underrate their small or
slow progress at the work. They should not allow the contempt of others to
discourage them (cf. 1 Timothy 4:12). The resultant effect is that people will
rejoice at the completion of the project (verse 10b).
What project have you started? Is it academic pursuit, building project,
business project, or even a ministry? Are you facing oppositions or having
difficulties in completing it? Do people despise you for your seemingly failure
or slowness to it completion? Your hands that started the project will execute
it to a successful completion in Jesus name. Follow also that procedure given
to Zerubbabel. Do not rely on your own understanding, strength or resources.
Rely on God. His grace is sufficient for you. He will silence all the
oppositions that may arise against, or are facing you. All difficulties in your
way shall vanish, and all the objections be got over. Believe that you that
started the project will complete it. And do not despise your days of your
humble beginning. Do not look down on yourself. Disregard people's contempt.
Remember, ".He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6, NIV). You will complete the
project! People will rejoice with you!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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