God cannot lie and when he makes a promise we can rest assured by his character, that it will come to pass. His promise to Abraham was that his children would be as many as the stars in the sky or as the sand upon the seashore (Genesis 22:17). How would this be true when Abraham was old and Sarah had passed childbearing years? “Abraham considered his body to be near death and the womb of Sarah now dead” (Romans 4:19).

Sarah doubted and caused Abraham to deviate from God’s plan in having a child with their maid (Genesis 16:2). She thought at least then they could ensure that God’s promise would come to pass. This was not the case and the maid became resentful of Sarah and caused her more distress.

God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our actions and even when we make mistakes, he will keep his promise to us. Abraham had a relationship with God and because he listened and obeyed, God instructed him to send away his firstborn son with the maid (Genesis 21:12). Although they made a mistake, God still kept his promise in their old age (Genesis 24).

The requirement for God’s promises to be fulfilled, is to listen, obey and trust in his word. It may be even years before we see the manifestation of things promised. It pays to wait on God and trust that what he said will come to pass. “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay” (Habakkuk‬ ‭2:3‬).

A.P.-Y.

Yesterday we explored how a relationship with God and his anointing can break generational curses. Today we focus a bit more on the revelations which the prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah had from God concerning this matter. God spoke to Ezekiel about the issue of generational inheritance in the Old Testament. “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’” (Ezekiel 18:2)? Jeremiah also confirmed that this saying was no longer relevant, when he declared God’s covenant of love and restoration towards his people. “In those days they shall no longer say: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’” (Jeremiah 31:29).

What this means is that, although parents and grandparents have made mistakes in the past, that we are not bound by these mistakes. It is true that at times we can unfortunately reap some of the negative consequences of the actions of our parents. A relationship with God can set us free from spirits of inheritance and generational curses. It is important to develop some awareness of our history to understand the roots and foundations of some challenges. We do have to strike a balance so that we do not become overly preoccupied with living in the past. What we need to do is to surrender these situations to God and pray for freedom through the blood of Jesus.

In summation, Ezekiel’s text suggests that despite our family patterns and cycles, that it is possible for people to make different choices. It is difficult at times to choose a lifestyle that is completely different from the one that we grew up seeing. Difficult is not impossible and it is the grace of God which saves us and makes us righteous when we surrender our lives to him. God does not want us to live in ignorance or in a constant state of bondage. Sometimes we need to seek God like Daniel, to seek answers about some stubborn situations. We also need revelation knowledge to understand how to make restitution for some wrongs committed.

“Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 18:23)?

A.P.-Y.

Daniel prayed to God and cried out to him for the sins of his ancestors. During Daniel’s lamentations he recalled the warnings from the prophets and the curses that God said would come on his people if they were disobedient. Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 28 about promises of blessings in the word of God for those who obey him. For those who do not obey however, the promises relates to hard conditions. One thing is certain is that God is always waiting for his people to repent and is so merciful that he will deliver, set free and restore his people to himself. Once we have prayed the prayer of repentance, God will break generational curses.

There are some conditions that represent a curse of affliction, a curse of poverty or even a spirit of death within a family. Some families are able to trace negative generational patterns within several generations. It is no coincidence that some sicknesses and diseases stay within a family bloodline. Poverty and lack, divorce, alcoholism and drug use for example are examples of inter generational family patterns. The good news is that the anointing breaks the yoke and sets the captives free.

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6)? Some conditions require us to commit ourself in prayer and fasting before God, pray the prayer of repentance and confession of sins and then believe God to break spiritual yokes. “To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

A.P.-Y.

Jesus taught his disciples and left for us an example, regarding the power and authority that we have on earth. We possess power over principalities and powers. We need to use this God given authority to place everything contrary to the will and purpose of God into subjection under our feet. We have been sent into the world to establish the kingdom of God and to have dominion. There are angels assigned to assist us in our work and there are also demons, principalities and powers working to frustrate the plan that God has assigned us to.

We cannot accept being frustrated, beat down, held up, prosecuted and worn out by the enemy. The alternative is to identify the spirits working to frustrate the plan of God in our lives. We then arise in our God given authority, bind every contrary spirit and release the power of God to operate. Remaining immature and ignorant of the devices of the enemy is not an option. The Devil will work through people who make themselves available, including people who are believers. Our battle is not with people as we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).

What is at war against us are the principalities, powers and spirits operating within the world. We ask the Holy Spirit to help us identify the spirits operating against us and then we take authority. The enemy can employ agents to operate in the spirit of envy and jealousy, for example. This can at times cause someone to start operating in a negative way towards us, which can cause us unnecessary stress. We arise and come against every spirit of envy and jealousy and release the peace of God over that person. In that way, we resist the devil and take away his permission to operate and to continue to frustrate our purpose.

Make sure that you wear your full armour to cover and protect yourself. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬). When we go the the enemy’s camp, we have to ensure that we do not have any open doors to allow him access to us. In this week recognise the power that you have been given and use your God given power and authority. With God on our side, we will win this battle and claim victory through Jesus Christ.

A.P.-Y.

No one can stop the flow of blessings that God has in store for you. God wants you to stop knocking on some closed doors or keep trying to get water from a broken cistern. He has already prepared another way, but the longer you stand waiting for water to come from a dry source, is the longer you will wait to discover the new source which God has created. In 1 Kings 17, God sent ravens to feed Elijah and he drank water from a brook during a famine. After a while, the brook dried up and God instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath to see a widow who was instructed to feed him. The widow did not even realise that she had enough to feed her and her son and to feed Elijah. It turned out that God would use her obedience, to multiply what she had in order to sustain them.

When Elijah met the widow gathering sticks, he asked her for some water. He later called out and asked her to bring him some bread. The woman lamented to Elijah that all she had left was a morsel of flour, which she planned to make for her and her son. She had decided that this would be their last meal before they died. Elijah comforted the woman and promised her that God would not allow her flour or oil to run out and instructed her to make the bread for him first. “And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days” (1 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭15‬). God is the author of new things and the way he blessed you yesterday may not be the way that he will bless you today and tomorrow.

God has created different sources for different seasons, times and purposes. Perhaps the reason you keep hearing no, is because you are asking the wrong question from the wrong person and source. Oftentimes, our thinking has been limited by our head knowledge. If you are going to grow then you have to keep discovering the things of God. There are deeper depths and higher heights to be found in Christ Jesus. The things of God are mysterious to those who do not know or understand him.

As you grow in God, he will give you knowledge and a deeper understanding of him and his ways which are often difficult to grasp. Ask and study what the word says about the area you are struggling in and trust God to give you the answers. There is an answer to every test and for every trial there is a way out. God is doing a new thing so look and you will find it. “May you have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19).

A.P.-Y.

Earlier in (John 8:3), the religious leaders brought to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery. They reminded Jesus that the law of Moses commanded them to stone the woman and asked what he had to say. They did this in order to test him to find something to accuse him of. Jesus knelt down and wrote on the ground. “And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”” Jesus knelt again and continued to write and each of the religious men went away and left the woman. Jesus reassured the woman that he did not condemn her for her sin, but allowed her to go on her way and encouraged her not to continue in sin (John 8:3-11).

If Jesus had mercy on a woman caught in the act of adultery, and was willing to forgive and encourage her, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). Condemnation does not encourage salvation and demonstrating the love of God to others, will win them to God more than using religious rhetoric. Our actions scream a lot louder than our sermons and our willingness to show love to others. Salvation offers freedom and liberty to live a life free from sin. “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34).

We know that our self righteous acts will not save us and it is by the grace of God that we have been saved. It is God who makes us righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ, which washes us from our sins. We don’t have to live burdened with guilt and shame, but when we confess our sins to God, we know that he is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

A.P.-Y.

The dictionary.com definition of an ambassador is a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by a sovereign or state to another as its representative. We are God’s official representatives assigned by heaven on earth, to enforce his laws and customs within this earthly region and territory. As such we have been given diplomatic immunity and authority, so that what is permitted to affect others is not allowed to affect us.

We are cautioned not to think and act like the world but to be set apart and to be different. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Ambassadors cannot afford to become overly involved in the affairs of the country, which they are assigned to. We are aware that although we are living within this territory, that our job is to safeguard the interest of the territory that we represent.

Paul made reference to us as soldiers who have been enlisted to carry out specific assignments. “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him” (2 Timothy 2:4). We each have an assignment which we have been enlisted to pursue, for the establishment of the Kingdom of God. We need to work with other Ambassadors and soldiers who are working on behalf of the same region.

Unity is a weapon of strength in establishing the kingdom and sharing heavenly intelligence to equip other believers, in this pursuit to establish kingdom rule and dominion. “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever”” (Revelation 11:15).

A.P.-Y.

We understand that we are made up of soul, body and spirit. Our outward selves represents that part of us that we can touch, see and feel. Our soul relates to our desires, emotions and passions and is the seat of the human conscience and consciousness. The spirit man is the one part of ourselves that will continue to live after we die. “and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

When we invite Jesus Christ to be our Lord and saviour, we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which makes his home in us. Daily time in the word and in the presence of God, helps our inner man to grow and flourish. We have to balance the gratification of our outer selves to satisfy our flesh with food for example. We need to ensure that we also feed and nourish our spirits, so that we can remain alive in Christ Jesus and continue to bear good fruit.

How is it that many of us are more invested in our outward appearance and our physical selves and are less invested in the spirit man. Paul’s advice to us is this: ‘Walk by the spirit, and you will not carry out what the sinful flesh desires’ (Galatians. 5:6).

We need to live daily connected to God, so that our spirit man remains alive in him and as we live by the spirit, we are not ruled by the desires of the flesh. This helps us to maintain self control and keeps us at peace with God. We develop inner strength to resist temptations and to overcome adversity. Sometimes we sacrifice our flesh through fasting and prayer to strengthen our spirit. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”
‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬).

A.P.-Y.

As a precursor to Chapter 3, in chapter 2 of Malachi, the people accused God of loving those who did evil. They questioned God’s willingness to execute justice for wrongdoing. Malachi responded by telling the people that God would indeed show up for judgement. He questioned their ability to withstand when he would take them through the refining process.

God is a God of justice and he will not allow his people to be mistreated. Sometimes we experience trials by fire and experience persecution which God does not cause. God wants to use us for his service which requires being set apart. To carry the mantle of his anointing requires refining. Refining sometimes include going through trials by fire and tests to prepare us to carry the weight of the anointing. “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord” (Malachi 3:3).

God is able to preserve us and to keep us safe from harm. He has promised that even when we walk through the water, that we will not be overwhelmed and through the fire, we will not burn (Isaiah 43:2). Paul’s exposition says, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

What the authors are saying is that we will experience trials and testing in this life. But when we have a relationship with God, he gives us the strength to endure and to overcome. A fire that would destroy others will serve to refine us and strengthen our weaknesses. This is similar to the process of refining gold as this is a material which is built to withstand the heat of a furnace. “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23:10).

A.P.-Y

God made a covenant of blessing with Abraham and his offspring. Jacob descended from Abraham and went to Egypt with his children during a famine. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt and were mistreated by Pharoah until Moses and Aaron led them out by the hand of God. While the Israelites travelled through the wilderness, Moses taught them about the promises of God. He taught them about God’s promise to bless Abraham and his seed.

The blessing was conditional on their obedience and one of the promises was to set them high above all other nations (Exodus 28:1). What does this have to do with me you might ask, since I am not a Jew? That’s the good news my dear friends. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord, we are adopted into the family of God and we share in the blessing of Abraham. “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians‬ ‭3:29‬).

God also promised Abraham in Genesis, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Based on our confidence in these promises of blessings, we know for sure that nobody can curse us. We live today and everyday, knowing that we are blessed of God and we live and walk in the blessing. Whatever we put our hands to is blessed, where we live is blessed. We are blessed when we go to sleep and when we awake and everything that concerns us is blessed.

“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out” (Deuteronomy 28:6).

A.P.-Y.