FROM THE PASTOR DESK
I want to Assure us that God has given us enough grace to carry us through the storms of our lives, God’s grace is enough to meet any challenge.
It is the enabling power of God; an inexplicable intervention that brings blessings—it is the power of God to excel, succeed, be rescued and be saved.
As it is now, everyone is in lockdown, sheltered in homes due to the deadly COVID-19, it has been an excruciating, frustrating experience for everyone, children, adults, and the unfortunate thing is we don’t really know when this will be all over (unlike with snow, tornado, flood).
But as I have always said, our prayer is to come out stronger and better in Jesus name.—the Lord will bring us out of this lockdown stronger in Him, wiser and richer in Jesus name.
Why am I so sure? Isaiah 25:4 ‘a refuge from the sun, a shade from heat—Romans 4:21. Above all He says, “my grace is sufficient unto you.”
Brethren, my confidence lies in the truth that, God sheltered
• Noah and his family in the ark during the flood for one year——he emerged to become father of all nations, you will emerged to become a champion in Jesus name.
• God sheltered Jacob with Laban, 20 years later, he emerged with new identity (Israel), new wealth, by His grace you will come out richer in Jesus name, just believe.
• Joseph, for two years was lockdown in prison, but he emerged and went to the palace, that lockdown period became school, where God prepared him for greatness you will come out wiser in Jesus name.
• Moses, was lockdown in remote desert for 40 years, came out to libertate Israelites– you will come out to have dominion in Jesus name.
• Naomi, locked down in a foreign land, but returned to have herself/Ruth in the lineage of Jesus– you will come out to be a leader in Jesus name.
• David, for 15 years after being anointed was lockdown, but emerged to be man after God’s heart- I pray that you will emerge with greater fear of God, increased faith.
Brethren, if the history of God’s grace is a guide, then we are confident that we will come out better—–
• Remember Jonah, locked down in the belly of fish for 3 days, came out to hold one of the greatest revival
• The disciples were locked down in the upper room for 10 days, then the Holy Spirit descended, that’s how we have the church today,—you will come out stronger for God in Jesus name.
• Paul, locked down in the Arabian desert, emerged to be on fire for God and locked down in Roman prison—where he wrote the book of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.
• John, locked down on the Isles of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation, the greatest prophetic book on second coming.
• God sheltered Jesus in the grave for 3 days, came out and brought salvation to mankind.
PASTOR WILLIAMS & ESTHER EKANEM
We do not know, the next thing after this lockdown, but what we know is that “the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
What we do know is what the power of His grace has done already in the lives of those who put their trust in Him—Psalm 84:12, “blessed is the man who trust in You.”
What we also know is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever—Hebrews 13:8—the God who sheltered His people in difficult days won’t stop now—-so come what may, I am trusting in the GRACE of God to be with me and see me through and bring me out better, wiser.
To access this grace—-you must accept Christ as, believe in His saving power. Doing so will open the door of escape from both the trails of life and judgement just as Noah escaped the flood and God’s judgement! HUMBLE YOURSELF—-James 4:6
In all setbacks, crisis, God is plotting for your joy—when adversity comes to town, grace shows up and supersedes, supplants its pains. Romans 5:1-5
God’s grace is very crucial, the reason Paul ended all his 13 books with, “grace be with you.”
In likewise manner, I close this sermon by saying the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.
Short Prayers: Lord please release the power of your grace on me. Lord, let there be a release of the weight of your glory on me, my family, your church in Jesus name.
