THE MID NIGHT HOUR

ACTS 16-25-34

From the outset let me declare that this hour is for everybody

If you have not experienced it then prepare yourself for it

If you have been there allow me declare that that was not the end of the experience

Some more challenge and testing will come.

This mid night is for every one

Jesus experienced it just after birth and the night before he was crucified.

Mid night is a dark time not only in a physical way but also in the form of metaphor used in a person’s life.

›Evenings are dark times

›They are testing times

›Times that cause pain which mayn’t be limited to family, finance or physical and spiritual devastation

›Mid night is the darkest hour before day

›Mid night is a time of war fare, time for battle

›It is time for holding onto your faith until you prevail

›It is the turning point from one season to another

›Mid night is the time of revelation

›I is the time you realize whom you serve

›Knowing this you stand up victoriously for Christ

›The mid night hour determines your mind set thus revealing a person’s life

God uses this mod night thing to reveal us where our mindset is.

Mind night can zap the strength and joy of a person to the point of:-

1.    Not wanting to go to church

2.    Not to pray

3.    Or even read the bible

But child of the most High be reminded that it is during the mid night hour that Samson experienced supernatural strength from God that was the turning point for his life

He killed more people in his death than when he was alive.

But hour attention is drawn to two people here namely Paul and Silas

The two are in prison, incarcerated, denied freedom, detained and chained physically.

It gives you the impression this is enough reason to be sad, down cast and wonder any way why do I serve God?

Not Paul and his fellow prisoner Silas.

On the outward they were chained,

But spiritually they were roaming freely and visiting heaven frequently

Tonight I do not know whom I am speaking to

But one confession I want to make is that I am touching someone’s life

Paul and company’s hands and legs were tied

But here me beloved their mouths were not and this is the enemy did not take care of.

And using their mouths,

They let out Prayer and Praise to the living God.

The mid night prayer and praise lifted up and rose up to heaven

It went beyond the limitations of the prison walls and the chains

The aroma was so strong

And you know what?

God yes! God could not avoid receiving this sacrifice!

Though other prisoners heard and were amazed at the choice of prayer and the timing

They were only amazed and marveled at the courage and brevity of the duo, they could do nothing but watch murmur and brave the disturbance of their sleep.

On the contrary my God demonstrated his might in a mighty way

May be you are a perfect description of what I am talking about

Chill on this is your visitation day dear saint.

Are there worshippers in the house?

Tonight can I find prayer warriors in the house?

Do not let what has been pulling and dragging you, stand in your path to connecting heaven.

The tool you have is the most powerful

Your mouth/lips use it to touch the garment of Jesus!

Paul and Silas noticed these

And they started praying and singing praises to God

Something happens when we sincerely praise God.

Praise is ware fare

Praise to Jehovah confuses the enemy

In times of fears, tears and cares of life when we pray and praise God

God tears down the walls of the prison built up and frees us from bondage

When the son sets you free, you become free indeed

I encourage us to sing and pray to shame our tough times

Do not allow the devil use circumstances to pin down

Use the circumstances to pin down the devil instead

And when you do this, God responds.

He responded to Paul’s and Sila’s cries.

He responded with an earthquake

Prison doors flew open

Very one’s chains came loose

The jailor woke and the confusion worry and concern on him was telling

Paul had to intervene and reassure him of their presence

And this is what is expected of you and I

Then the environment is ripe enough for witnessing and soul winning

Go ahead and help the lost found the way to everlasting life

 Mid night hour into a time to rejoice in the presence of your maker! 

May the blessings of God fire you into greater heights in Jesus' mighty name!

Believe it, Take it, Act it and Live it.

THE LEADER AS A SEED

GENESIS 1:1-3

Leadership is drawn on and driven by the ability to imbibe new ideas and move on.

The acceptance of new ideas brings with it change

Change is the only constant thing we have on this planet God made and called earth.

Leadership brings in new skills and art of doing things.

At first it seems difficult until we passionately take on the new ideas and sooner or later it becomes part and parcel of us.

You can do it even while closing your eyes.

Change cannot be achieved if we are not willing to go out an extra mile and do the extra-ordinary.

You and I cannot do extra-ordinary things if we want to maintain the ordinary.

If I do not change my surrounding (place, people & ideas) I cannot change my thinking.

Change cannot be as cheep as fear and lack of courage.

Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream.

Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.

Napoleon Hill

Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God.

Pope Francis

Things don't just happen in this world of arising and passing away. We don't live in some kind of crazy, accidental universe. Things happen according to certain laws, laws of nature. Laws such as the law of karma, which teaches us that as a certain seed gets planted, so will that fruit be.

Sharon Salzberg

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/seed.html#xQ37uw3X3CiCYWuQ.99

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/seed.html#xQ37uw3X3CiCYWuQ.99

The first book of the Bible, Genesis, tells the story of creation. God created all life. He created night and day, water and, that which is dry land, heaven and earth, along with numerous other creations. It is interesting to note that in the book of Genesis 1, verses 1-3, God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed, after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw this and it was good." Being very interested in understanding the meaning of this metaphor with a special interest in the growth of fruits and vegetables, I was intrigued by this biblical verse. After reading Genesis, I decided to research the Bible to find out what is meant by the word "seed". Through out the Bible there are several verses with the word "seed" in them. Seed doesn't always mean exactly the same thing. Depending on the context that it's being used in, seed can have different meanings. In some cases, seed (in the same verse) can have more than one meaning depending on how you translate the verse that it is being used in. This web page was created to help you have a better understanding of the metaphors used in the Bible, particularly seed. 

Seed Defined

When we think of the word seed, we usually think of those little things that we stick in our garden, with great hopes that in time that seed will transform into some kind of fruit, vegetable, or beautiful flower. Usually, when seed is written in the Bible, it is being used as a metaphor for spiritual birth or spiritual growth. Many verses in the Bible talk about seeds being used to grow "crops", but these "crops" can also be a metaphor for something else as well. One meaning of the word seed as used in the Bible is the start of spiritual growth. There are many verses/chapters with these metaphors in the Bible. One of my favorites is Matthew 13. In this chapter Jesus is talking about a farmer that is scattering his seed in different places which if you don't think about it means throwing seed around, but it has a different meaning which is explained in this chapter shortly after the parable/metaphor. Mark 4 is very similar to Matthew 13, it is included so that you can compare them to each other, and for your reading pleasure.

 Zechariah 8:12 is a great verse with a spiritual metaphor. I understand this verse to mean, "The seed will grow well (people will continue to grow), the vine will yield its fruit (people will blossom and grow spiritually), the ground will produce its crops (the people will multiply), and the heavens will drop their dew (the heavens will provide the nourishment that the people will need to keep growing and prosper). I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.

Spiritual Meaning of seed

That by seed is signified love, and also every one in whom there is love, is evident from the following passages in Genesis:12:7

And Jehovah appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land (Genesis 12:7);

and again:--

All the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever; and I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth (Genesis 13:15, 16).

Those who are in the sense of the letter do not apprehend anything else than that by seed is meant the posterity of Abram, and by this land, the land of Canaan, especially as this land was given to his posterity. But those who are in the internal sense, as is the whole heaven, by the seed of Abram perceive nothing else than love; by the land of Canaan nothing else than the kingdom of the Lord in the heavens and on the earth; and in the land's being given them they perceive nothing but its representation, of which, by the Divine mercy of the Lord, elsewhere. And again it is said of Abram:--

Jehovah led him forth abroad, and said, Look up now toward heaven, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them; and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be (Gen. 15:15).

Here likewise Abram is named because he represented love, or saving faith; and by his seed no other posterity is meant, in the internal sense, than all in the universe who have love.

[10] Again:--

As the army of the heavens cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the seed of David My servant, and the Levites that minister unto Me (Jeremiah 33:22),where "seed" plainly denotes heavenly seed, for by David is signified the Lord. That the seed of David was not as the army of the heavens that cannot be numbered, neither as the sand of the sea that cannot be measured, is known to every one.

The leader is a seed 

I have learned that I really do have discipline, self-control, and patience. But they were given to me as a seed, and it's up to me to choose to develop them.

Joyce Meyer

After planting what is in the leader, what the leader has had and learnt from the presence of the lord, he plants it into the follower (church members or non believers)

As the seed does die in the soil, so does the leader die in the word so that it is not about him shining rather the evidence of how God is using him as he gives glory back to the throne of mercy, the seat of YHWH.

As the leader dies in the soil of the word, so does the follower die immersed in the depth of the soil of the word.

Followers die in the word i.e. they engross themselves in thinking of what the lord ministered to them and not what jokes the pastor gave.

Jokes will excite you but the word will exalt you.

After reflecting on the word the followers and other leaders start acting on the word, implementing what the word said and not how funny the preacher was.

They do as the word demanded, i.e. bring forth plants from the seed that resemble them. When they do this, the results are multiple and are a complete resemblance of the leader.

Ask yourself

WHAT TYPE OF A LEADER AM I? x2

Seed is endowed with power, ability and capability. Seed is loaded with potential.

Potential to produce after the seed

The product of the seed resembles the But is not equal to the seed but more than the seed itself.

Now this is important

For spiritual conception to take place, the environment for fertilization has to be optimal.

Both partners need to be in the right frame of mind without stress or any other concern

There must be expectation and anticipation for the fruit of the womb.

The egg has to be ready to meet the sperm so does the ph has to be as required which is 7.4.

Then lastly the environment for fertilization must also be conducive.

Spiritual fertilization does not take place in a vacuum.

That is why you and I are in church this morning

And if you think what I am saying is grandma’s tales, then listen to this:-

2Corinthians 11:21

1I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. 2For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Revelation Chapter 19

⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Ephesians Chapter 5

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Spiritual fertilization does not take place in a mtaro

The same is required for the spiritual seed to take root.

There must be mutual agreement to connect.

No productive seed is born out of coercion. God will never force you to be intimate with him.

But when you fall in love with God, the benefits are immense

The vessel to receive the egg, WORD OF GOD must have the right spiritual ph so as not to kill the egg

The bible declares in Hebrews 4:12-13

12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

As much as the spirit is the provider of the egg, the spiritual connection with the vessel receiving the egg is critical

•There must be no spiritual fibroids

•There should be no spiritual idolatry or harlotry

•This must be holy spiritual matrimony

It is critical at the time of fertilization that the only desire is to receive of God and from God

This is where the leader like a good shepherd goes out of his way to:-

1.  Look for green pastures

The sheep, follower need not worry where the next spiritual meal will come from.

Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

2.  The leader has to look for still waters

Word that is timely and answering to the needs of the church. The word has to be alive, active, sharp a true representation of the voice of God.

This will offer transformation and growth to the bride of Christ.

3.  The leader has to offer restoration and leadership

Church is a hospital for the spiritually sick.

This is not a place for the know it all

Neither is it a place for micromanaging people

This is a place for the beloved of Christ, the wife of Jesus

It is a place of polishing

Yes, it is place of saying like Paul in Philippians 3:13:-

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.…

By the way allow me to say that if you feel you are already there then go ahead and stay in your house and wait for the coming of the messiah.

Do this with the knowledge of Hebrews 10.25

…24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 26For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,…

There is all reason to persevere in this journey

Which calls for forbearance of others as none is equal or similar to one leader

This is the only way we will have one leader, offer him/her the necessary support and follow him, i.e. believe in him/her.

Well led followers have no fear for whatsoever because the rod of the lord through their leader’s is guidance and direction.

As a leader are you able to command a following?

Why do people follow you?

Is it out of love or coercion or threats?

Our greatest motivation as a church should derive from the fact that we have a shepherd, leader who when we are sound asleep is wrestling with the distractions of our sleep in the form of night mares, dreams and demons for that matter.

This is what the lord wants us to hear and appreciate

We need the right spiritual connection for fertile, strong and healthy siblings.

Our spiritual fruits must be un-rivaled

If at all the church is going to impact this country, we need to cast off all un-spiritual husbands and cleave to the Holy Ghost

It is high time we stopped holding the priests of the lord at ransom

Threatening that if you do not feel me I will go

You may not like it but the truth is that the spirit behind you could be only unique to you and not the rest

It might as well be that such spirit is only with you

This is the right forum to such ourselves, individually and as a church.

Allow the Holy Ghost to gain access to your heart that he may:-

1.    Teach and lead us into all truth

2.    Counsel us even in the areas we are not ready to face people for correction.

3.    Rebuke the immoral sin in church so as to sanctify her.

Today there is so much rebellion in church. One thing people forget is that

1 Samuel 15:23King James Version (KJV)

²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
It is important that we sit under anointed spiritual leaders who will henceforth sire and bring forth mature spiritual off springs that are able to stand the challenges of our times.
We no longer need traditional prayers.
No! Only spiritual connections
When Elizabeth visited Mary the baby in her womb jumped up
This is the visitation that the lord is readying us for
Are you ready?
Receive it in Jesus’ name!
May the lord add more blessing to his word
Amen