Paul taught the Corinthians on the subject of death and resurrection from the dead. He expounds on Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection and explained that our mortal bodies shall put on an incorruptible body in order to inherit the kingdom of God. “I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable”(1 Corinthians 15:50). In essence, Paul was saying that as believers, we do not have a reason to fear death. “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting””(1 Corinthians 15:54-55)?

Paul and the other disciples lived with the certainty of imprisonment and death, given how dangerous their careers as apostles were during that time. Paul also spoke in Acts 20 that the Holy Spirit continued to witness that he was likely to experience imprisonment and affliction. Paul does not seem deterred by the threats, but is ever more determined to carry on doing the work of spreading the gospel. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God”(Acts 20:24).

Over in Acts 21, Paul starts his journey to Jerusalem and the disciples prayed and begged him not to go. One prophet even demonstrated to Paul how he would be in chains if he journeyed to Jerusalem (Acts 21:11). “Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus””(Acts 21:13).

In the end, Paul journeyed to Jerusalem and was indeed arrested. His conviction was that he had to do the will of God no matter the consequence. Paul was not afraid of death but was determined to complete his God given assignment. Paul was not moved by the threats because he was persuaded that whether he was alive or dead, that his life belonged to God. “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”(Philippians 1:20-21).

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We are believing God in this season for restoration of things lost or stolen. Notice the word rest-oration is derived from the word rest. In order for restoration to take place we have to find rest in God and in his promises. Rest is an elusive concept in our twenty first century. This is due to the drive to try to do more and constantly earn more in order to make progress. Someone may ask; how do I rest when I have work, school, a family and other demands?

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew‬ ‭11:29‬). When I first heard this scripture, I never understood how taking on a yoke would give us rest. This is because it sounded like carrying an additional burden. I researched this scripture for the meaning and I found out that a yoke is what is placed on two oxen for them to carry a load together. As such Jesus wants to be yoked with us in order to walk with us and help us carry our burdens. What an assurance of our help and a constant companion to share in our struggles.

God cares for us and he does not want us to be weary, stressed out, burnt out, sick and tired. Jesus has borne our grief and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew‬ ‭11:30‬).

We find peace and rest when we take our worries and cares to Jesus in prayer and surrender it all to him. We surrender in knowing that he hears us, that he cares. We know that he is walking with us, yoked with us and helping us to carry our burdens. We are never alone and there is joy and peace in abiding in his rest.

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In 1 Samuel 30, David returned from to his camp, after the Philistines sent him back because they did not trust him. They rejected David because they recognised him as a man of war. He had defeated them in the past when he fought with Saul. On his return home, David learnt that the Amalekites had raided his camp. They took his family, possession and the families of his men that served him and burned the camp.

David was distressed and so were his men who spoke of stoning him. David did the only thing that could help him at that time. David asked the Priest to bring his ephod (sacred garment of praise and worship used to seek God). David asked the Lord whether or not he should pursue the raiders and asked God if he would be successful. God answered David and told him to pursue, overtake and recover everything that was stolen (1 Samuel 30:7-8).

David set out with his men to overtake the Amalekites and found them eating, dancing and celebrating. David attacked their army, struck them down and recovered everything. “Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all” (1 Samuel‬ ‭30:19‬).

Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. I declare that in this season, we will pursue our goals and dreams, we shall overtake them and recover anything lost or stolen. What have you lost that you gave up on getting back? What opportunities did you lose out on as a result of someone being dishonest? God says to pursue that dream again because you will recover. Seek the Lord about your next step, receive his guidance and go pursue and recover all.

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer worm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed” (Joel 2:25-26).

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Ezekiel was a prophet during the time of the Jewish captivity in Babylon. He spoke many prophecies concerning the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, as well as regarding God’s restoration of his people.

In the 37th chapter of his book, Ezekiel writes about a vision where God takes him and sets him down in a valley of dry bones and asks the question, “can these bones live?” God then instructs Ezekiel to prophesy or speak over the bones and command life to come into them, and for them to be covered with skin. God again instructs Ezekiel to command the breath to enter the bones so that they might live.

God used this illustration to communicate to Ezekiel, that although the nation of Israel was in exile and felt as though they were dead and without hope, that God would bring them back into their own land and restore life to them (Ezekiel 37: 1-14).

This story is used to remind us of the power in our spoken word. It speaks to our ability to prophesy and speak life over anything in our lives that feels dead and hopeless. It sounds quite simple, yet it is profound mystery, that we often do not seem to understand although set out several times in the word of God. “You shall decree a thing and it shall be established” (Job 22:28). “Death and Life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).

I challenge us to stop before we speak another idle, self-defeating, negative, self-sabotaging word and examine whether or not we are speaking life or death. I decree and declare that in this season our words will give life to dead situations. Let the word of God rest in our hearts and minds and proceed from our lips in Jesus Name. “as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist (Romans‬ ‭4:17‬).

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One of the greatest commandments in the bible, relates to loving God and loving each other. God is love and if God lives in us, then our lives should radiate his example of love and unconditional positive regard. Often in Christendom, when we consider spiritual warfare, we think about praying down fire and brimstone and binding principalities and powers. While this has its place, one of the most powerful weapons to rescue a dying world is love.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). When the church demonstrates love to the world, this will draw people to experience the love of Jesus Christ. Our spiritual gifts are good for the edification of the church, but without love, our gifts and talents are useless in God’s eyes. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1).

When we love others we show them patience and kindness. Love is not be jealous, proud or rude. Love is not be irritable or demand to have its own way in everything. Love does not keep a list of the mistake of others. Love never rejoices over injustice, but is happy when the right thing is done. Love never gives up on others or ourselves. Love never loses hope or faith and lasts through all circumstances (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

I believe that love is a powerful weapon and when we continue to show love, this will transform others and draw people to Christ. Our love will win the battles in our relationships, groups and communities. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”
‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭22:39‬).

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Isaiah spoke of God’s eternal covenant of peace towards his people. He spoke in comfort to those who were barren, to sing as God would multiply to them many children. Isaiah encouraged those who experienced lack, to raise their expectations and to take the limits off our thinking.

This in expectation of the great things that God is able to do, when we expect more. This requires faith to see beyond our current circumstances and to imagine that God will expand our reach. Do not be limited in your thinking and do not limit God to what you can see and what you are used to. We have to be prepared to step well outside of our comfortable positions and to ask for more than what we think we deserve.

God promised to cause us to prosper and be in good health even as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2). In this season we are called to expect more and to anticipate that God is able to do far exceedingly above all we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Be ambitious in essence and dare to dream much bigger than your current situation and circumstances. We serve a God of the impossible, so don’t allow anyone to tell you what you can or cannot do. Throw those limiting thoughts, ideas and opinions aside and reach ahead to attain what God has in store.

“For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities” (Isaiah 54:3).

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The every day rigours of life can leave us feeling depleted. If you work in a profession where you provide support for people in need, it is easy to experience burn out. People can be extremely demanding and we have to implement strategies, to preserve our health and emotional wellbeing. I like that the bible makes several references to Jesus withdrawing from the crowd. “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16).

We need alone time and daily quiet times, to sit with God and talk to him. There are times when we need to retreat, from the busyness around us and be still in the presence of God. During these times God will speak to us and we can be refilled, in order to have more to give to others. It is foolish to imagine that we are able to meet the needs of everyone. A “saviour complex” can result in burn out and unnecessary stress. I realised a long time ago that I am not God and that released me from the need to feel that I can fix other people.

There are many things that can carry on just fine, without our input and while our opinions are valuable, we have to know when to step back. David knew how to retreat into places of solitude, to be alone with God and to be restored by him. “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters” (Psalm 23:2).

Do not be guilted into always being available to everyone, or to be available all of the time. We have to set boundaries and there are people who we have to love from a distance. This is especially if they threaten our peace of mind and operate in a way that is unhealthy. There are also some relationships, that we have to call time out on and later on have a frank conversation about what needs to change. God wants us to rest and be restored and it is wise to spend time alone in his presence to be refreshed:

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 1:2).

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God’s desire is that we prosper and be in good health, even as our souls prosper (3 John 1:2). When God blesses us, he does not add any sorrow along with his blessings (Proverbs 10:22). There are spiritual laws governing prosperity, which includes the act of giving and receiving. “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

This is also connected to the concept of sowing and reaping. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Being stingy, selfish and self-seeking will not put us in a position to receive from God. It is good to have a budget and to manage our resources well. That being said, we have to look for opportunities to be a blessing to others. Remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

This is what the bible teaches, but we can also consider this in natural terms. No one wants to continue to give to someone who never seems willing to give. People who are always expecting to receive from others, without a willingness to give are often viewed as being opportunistic. Most people appreciate relationships, where people learn to reciprocate and are willing to give and take.

We are generally mindful that people should be willing to give in as much as they are willing to receive. God will also give to us if he can trust us to give to others. God will bless those who he can trust to share and who can see the needs of others and offer support. God won’t continue to increase our store and provision to keep it for ourselves. He blesses us so that we can be a blessing. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬).

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Have you ever felt like you were robbed of opportunities that were meant for you? Have you felt like you missed out on time that you wish you could get back? “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Some missed opportunities may have been a part of God’s plan to protect us from danger. There are many times when the enemy will try to stand in the way, of what God has in store for us. The devil comes to steal our joy, kill our opportunities, destroy our relationships, our peace and health. Christ came to give us the abundant life, full of good things. It is not God’s plan to hold back anything good, from those who walk in righteousness and a good desire is God’s desire.

Being disconnected from God can lead to distractions and cause us to live outside of purpose. We waste so much time thinking that we know what is best for our lives, when God made us for a specific plan and purpose. God acts on the desires of our heart so there is rarely a good desire that was not put inside of us by God.

God wants to restore what was lost or stolen from us and when he restores, it is always greater than what was before. Imagine being restored double, sevenfold, one hundredfold or even a thousandfold of everything you lost? “May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as he has promised you” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭1:11‬).

God will restore what you have lost and his word is our evidence. Don’t live in regret and bitterness. Surrender to God what you feel was lost or stolen and trust God to restore it to you. Do not worry about your age or status in life, as none of these circumstances limit what God can do. “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you” (Joel‬ ‭2:25‬).

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The Syrian army surrounded Samaria so that no one could enter or leave the city. This war strategy was often used, to force the city being invaded to surrender to the army which had surrounded them. This was generally because the inability of people to leave or enter, meant no trade of food and other items.

There were four lepers sitting at the gate of the city, that were desperate to get some food. They considered going into Samaria, but knew that there was no food in the city. This meant that they would starve to death. They also contemplated going to the camp of the Syrians, to surrender to see if they would have pity on them and give them something to eat. On arriving at the entrance of the Syrian camp, they noticed that the camp was empty.

The Syrians ran away in fear as the leper’s approached. God allowed their feet to sound like those of a mighty army. “So they fled away in the twilight and abandoned their tents, their horses, and their donkeys, leaving the camp as it was, and fled for their lives” (2 Kings 7:7). The lepers entered the camp and found it abandoned. They found possessions and more than enough to eat and also to supply everyone in Samaria.

We carry a sound of victory and God will cause our feet to send terror to the camp of the enemy. Our worship and praise also sends a sound to the atmosphere and declares victory over the enemy. “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways” (Deuteronomy 28:7).

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