Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 15, 2023 | Matthew 14:22-24 KEY VERSE: . . . but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Matthew 14:24 (NIV) MESSAGE: A certain teaching from some preachers gives the impression that the Christian life is trouble-free and that when one walks with God all things will always go well. This is an expression of an aspect of the Prosperity Gospel. Certainly, God is a God of blessing, and He prospers the ways of those who walk with Him and do His bidding and gives them peace. But this does not exempt Kingdom citizens from earthly troubles. I do not believe in the prosperity Gospel, but I believe there is prosperity in the Gospel. They are two different things. Sometimes, into the will of God and into trouble. In our text today we see how the Lord set the disciples in a boat to go to the other side of the lake from the place where He had fed the multitudes. However, having moved a considerable distance in their journey they were faced with opposing winds that created a fearful storm. The disciples here were not like the rebellious prophet Jonah, who set his mind and took action to move away from the clear directions of God. These were obedient followers of the Lord who were in the process of obeying His directives and who find themselves in this difficulty. Sometimes into the will of God and into trouble, indeed. Some challenges will not surface in one’s life until in obedience to God’s Word one gets married. Some challenges will not come to us until we determine to stay closer to the Saviour in purity of tongue, thought and action. Some challenges will not come to us until we decide to contribute faithfully to the financial upkeep of the Church. The disciples could have turned around and returned to where Jesus had sent them because the problem with the boat was that “. . . the wind was against it.” Matt 14:24 (NIV). A turnaround would have put the wind in their favour and removed their danger, but they continued into the storm, in the direction given by the Master. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Have you ever been in a difficulty just because you were in obedience to God? When you find yourself in the ways of trouble because of your godly obedience, remember that the Lord has not forgotten in which direction He sent you, and that in His time He will calm the storms. PRAYER: Lord, I pray that I shall be weaned from the misconception of insulation from challenges and gather the courage of forging ahead in the midst of the storm. May I never yield to the direction of the winds of the forces around me. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 14, 2023 | Matthew 14:22-24 KEY VERSE: After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, . . . Matthew 14:23 (NIV) MESSAGE: Prayer is essential for Kingdom living while we pass through the valley of life on earth. Jesus Christ as God was prayed unto by the needy people who flocked to Him. But He as Man called upon the Father in prayer, to meet His needs. He had come to this solitary place to wait on the Father in prayer and had received the interruption of the people who came to Him. After He had finished healing and attending to their needs by feeding them, He sent them away and dispatched His disciples. Then He returned to the main business for which He had retreated, to pray. Our personal secret time with God is key to our power in physical and spiritual matters. The busy flow of life and the many interferences sometimes take us away from our scheduled times of aloneness with God. A nursing mother must attend to the needs of a baby, a work assignment may move us out of our place of prayer, or an “important” phone call may come through just when we are about to pray. When we have attended to these necessary interferences, let us remember to spend time alone with God in prayer. We may help ourselves by physically moving away from the things that may interfere with our set prayer times. We may do well to put our phones on silent mode during times allotted for private (and corporate) prayer. Once again, we do acknowledge that there are situations where the nature of our engagements and operations does not allow us to have the leisure of physical self-removal for our times with God alone. In those instances, let us develop the spiritual discipline of “practising the presence of God.” This means being strongly conscious of the presence of God always so that amid our busy engagement we can still communicate with God. Let us learn to tune our spirit to God, to be in quiet prayer while processing documents, driving on a long journey, or sitting by the bedside of a patient who needs our regular care. Let us shut the door of unnecessary conversations, turn off the television, and turn on the “Heaven-vision.” Whatever happens, REMEMBER TO PRAY! FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are you spending time alone with God? What are the interferences you have in your desire and intention to pray? What can you do to pray no matter what? PRAYER: Lord, how much I need to run to you, and stay in your presence. Oh, how much I’m distracted by so many interferences. I pray that you help me to cultivate the habit of praying, no matter what. Please give me the grace to desire to be alone with you, and may I see this as part of my daily experience. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 13, 2023 | Matthew 14:15-21 KEY VERSE: They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Matthew 14:20 (NIV) MESSAGE: Yesterday we focused on taking responsibility for Kingdom assignments and looked also at the Kingdom method of handling Kingdom resources for effectiveness. A couple more Kingdom principles are in place for maximizing Kingdom resources. Firstly, we must engage Kingdom resources for the benefit of all concerned. In our key verse, we learn that “They all ate and were satisfied, . . .” The resources that God gives us must be used to ensure that all are satisfied. In the family, in the church and in the larger society we need to insist on this general satisfaction and defray from situations where sections of our constituencies are removed from the enjoyment of the blessings of God. For those of us at Kingdom resources are not wasted. It is noteworthy that the Lord Jesus, who had the power to keep multiplying food for His followers, ensured that none of what was produced went to waste. In fact, John indicates that the collection of the broken pieces was at the instruction of the Lord; “When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." John 6:12 (NIV). Do we waste time, money, relationships, and opportunities that the Lord gives us? It is time to listen to the directives from above, “Let nothing be wasted." FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do we have a timetable for our day-to-day life? What about a five-year or ten-year life plan? Do we have a budget, or do we just spend as resources come in? We may need to fight impulsive buying and commit to repairing as long as it is financially reasonable, rather than replacing it every time. We may need to develop and practice the discipline of Christian frugality so that nothing is wasted. PRAYER: Blessed Saviour, abundant provider, I am grateful for all that you have given me in the past, for what I have in the present, and for all that you will give me in the future. Please forgive me for the times I have not used the resources you give for the intended objectives. Please assist me to be prudent in my use of the resources put at my disposal. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 12, 2023 | Matthew 14:15-21 KEY VERSE: Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." Matt 14:16 (NIV) MESSAGE: Every person has needs and responsibilities to people who rely on them to meet their needs. Parental responsibility to provide for their children is a natural God-given assignment that we must not shy away from (in fact the Bible links our claim to religion to our exercise of our parental and domestic responsibility and makes discipline among the children of a person seeking church leadership a requirement for the position - 1 Tim. 5:8; 1 Tim. 3:5). In our text for today the Lord is noted to have performed the miracle of the feeding of the multitudes; in this case, “The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” Matt 14:21 (NIV). While the text shows the power of the Lord Jesus to work miracles it underlines the issue of responsibility. In the first place, the disciples (possibly the Apostles) exercised some of the compassion of the Master by seeing the need of the people to go and find food to eat and tried to get the Lord to disperse the people to go and find their own food. The Lord however put the responsibility to feed the masses on the Apostles; ‘Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." Matt 14:16 (NIV). It is easy to parcel out responsibilities and place them with others, even those who are in a disadvantaged position in life because we want the easy way out of the situation. Have you seen parents sometimes leave our little children who are struggling with their homework, to find their way through, when we could help them to understand what they are struggling with. Do we send people away to others, to the church welfare system or to go fend for themselves, when it is in our power to help them? (See James 2:15-17). In the second place, the Lord showed responsibility by taking steps to meet the food need of His followers. He had fed them spiritually by teaching them Kingdom truth and needed to feed them physically too. He also demonstrated how we are to handle Kingdom resources to meet Kingdom needs. First, we must bring our resources to the King (v.18), secondly, we must organize the needs in ways that make their analysis and management easier (v. 19a). Thirdly we must pray into and over the resources God has given us (19b). Breaking the loaves as He did in v. 19c is the fourth step, organizing the resources in manageable terms for application. The fifth step in the process (v. 19d) was the attachment of the blessed broken resources to responsible people who will administer it faithfully and to the profit of the Church, family, or oneself for Kingdom benefit. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are there some responsibilities that you feel like passing on to other people? Do you want to pause and see if you could take some personal responsibility, for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom? How have you been handling the resources at your disposal, are you maximizing God’s money in your pocket, for that is what “your money” really is? Follow sound and prudent financial management so you will always have the resources to take up Kingdom responsibilities. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am surrounded by the many needs of my life, the family, the church, and the society. Please help me see where my responsibilities lie, to see the resources available, no matter how little they may see, and to process them by Kingdom principles, to meet the needs and have leftovers for others. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 11, 2023 | Matthew 14:14 KEY VERSE: When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 4:14 (NIV) MESSAGE: We have been reflecting on the sad circumstances that led to the Lord Jesus moving away into a solitary place; the loss of John the Baptist at the hand of Herod, the possibility of an attack being mounted by Herod for Him, and His need to seek out how to process the pain He felt for human sin and the murder of John. When He saw the people who had come by foot to seek Him out where He was, the Lord turned attention from Himself to His followers. The reflection for today is the need to see the compassionate nature of our God. It is natural to care for others after we have cared for ourselves, it is divine to care for others while we are still hurting. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” The Lord Jesus still has a compassionate heart, and He is moved to heal all who turn to Him to seek a fuller life. He is never too busy not to be able and willing to help you. What a wonderful Saviour and King in this lovely Kingdom. We should also note that the faith and seriousness of the people with the Master provoked His compassion towards them. Though they needed to go to Jesus by foot by a longer route, they arrived before Him and were waiting when He landed. “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11 (NIV). FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: The King of the Kingdom is a compassionate Master who cares for the subjects of His rule. Do not ever believe the lies of the Devil that the Lord will not take care of you. How serious are you with Him, with your time, your skills, your lifestyle, your wealth, etc? Thank Him for His graciousness and draw close to Him at all times. PRAYER: Oh how I love you Lord, you are my all in all. I am privileged to have you as my caring King. Please remind me to stay close to you always, and please attend to all my cares. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 10, 2023 | Matthew 14:13 KEY VERSE: When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. Matthew 14:13 (NIV) MESSAGE: Turn to the afflicted to assist them, and turn to the Lord for His support, but there is yet something to be done in the face of the afflictions and dangers that confront the Christian-stranger in our journey of life. Sometimes we must take steps to ensure our safety and security. We must not tempt our God by exposing ourselves to dangerous people and dangerous circumstances. We must take steps towards self-preservation while we trust God to preserve us. We are told that “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Having tasted the blood of one saintly soul Herod would have been inspired, and Herodias would have given him all the support, to pursue the Lord Jesus as well. In the Gospels, we see how many times the Lord kept Himself away from the Jewish leaders or escaped from their grip (e.g. Luke 4:29-30). We can also conclude that the Lord Jesus removed into a solitary place so He could reflect and pray to God the Father. Sometimes when we stay in the place of the disaster, we are not able to think well and refocus on the continuation of life and ministry. Periodic retreats provide the opportunity to look at issues with a clearer mind, and a more relaxed spirit. We are aware of situations where the affliction itself binds us and does not give us the leisure of moving away to a physical retreat. For example, looking after a sick loved one, working under a tyrannical antagonistic boss, and handling piles and piles of workload that do not give you space even to take care of your physical and family needs. In such situations, we must develop the spiritual discipline of retreating while on the battlefront. This is a spiritual retreat; you remain at rest while in the difficult environment. You tune your mind to love and smile even though things are rough, (this is not a call to hypocrisy, it is the exercise of your victory over the forces that are seeking to suffocate you FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Can you arrange to have some time away from the people and circumstances that threaten your sanity, and spend some time alone with yourself and with God? If not, will you begin to shut the inner door and tune the inner person up, rising above the situation as you walk in it? It works! PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you know how much many of your people need to get away and be alone with you and ourselves. Give us the wisdom to make those decisions and act on them. But where this is impossible, please lead us to the higher retreat of running to you in the inner being and finding rest in the midst of the storm. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 9, 2023 | Matthew 14:1-12 KEY VERSE: John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. Matthew 14:12 (NIV) MESSAGE: A short time of observation of life on earth shows that adversity comes unexpectedly and uninvited and makes life miserable, for those who are directly affected, for their loved ones or for the course of whole families and nations. When tragedy strikes, we seek someone or somewhere to turn to. Unfortunately, many people have turned to alcohol, drugs, gangs, wrong companions etc. For even Kingdom citizens affliction does not make a distinction. The disciples of John, and of the Lord Jesus (for He had made very positive comments about John), must have been shaken by the news of the murder of John in prison. The Lord Jesus Himself, in spite of His foreknowledge as the God-man, must have had much pain, and even shed some tears, for He was the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief. Where do we turn while we walk this evil world and encounter such heart-wrenching experiences? The disciples of John gave attention to their martyred teacher. They went and took his body and buried him. When people find themselves at rock bottom and cannot help themselves Kingdom people must lend a helping hand and do that which will dignify the failing brother or sister. Turn to the destitute and helpless with our time, money, experience, and comfort and lend a helping hand. But they did not stop there, they did something else, “. . .. Then they went and told Jesus.” (Matthew 14:12 (NIV). Yes, they went and told Jesus. They buried the body of John because they loved John. But they were also sure that there was someone who loved John much more than they did, and if He so chose could do something to bring John back to life because He had the power so to do. Tell it all to Jesus, that is what we most need to learn to do. Tell it all to Him because He loves us most, He understands the situation best, and He alone has all power to turn evil into good, for our comfort and for His glory. He alone can give us the strength to walk through the valley of the shadow of death not fearing, through the fire and through the water, without being destroyed. Tell it all to Jesus. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Is there something that is gnawing at your life in any way? How well have you done managing the situation? As a member of God’s Church, are you able to stretch open hands to those who need help? But most importantly have you learnt the attitude of telling your pains, or those of your loved ones, to the Lord Jesus? Now is the time to begin or to intensify our flight to the Lord. That is the most useful thing to do when adversity strikes. PRAYER: Lord, I am grateful to you that by your Word I am aware that you created a perfect world, which has been destroyed by human sin and sinfulness. I see the thorns and thistles growing all around me, and sometimes they prick my fragile soul. I pray that I and all who profess faith will learn to turn to other people beaten down along the way, but most importantly that we will learn to turn to you and to tell it all to you. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 8, 2023 | Matthew 14:1-12 KEY VERSE: Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet. Matthew 14:5 (NIV) MESSAGE: We can often blame other people when we find ourselves caught in some difficulty because of the choices we have made. We can blame our parents, our friends, our spouse etc. But we may need to search our hearts to ascertain if the root of the problem does not lie deep in the recesses of our own souls, and that the contribution of whomever we are blaming is only the torch that ignited the stored-up fuel. It is very clear from the text that Herodias played a clearly wicked role in the matter of the murder of the righteous John the Baptist. And she was as detailed as she was strategic about her evil doing. But our key verse shows that the matter was more in the bosom of Herod; “Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.” Matthew 14:5 (NIV). Herod had always had the intention and desire to kill John. We have talked about his fear of the people that kept him from doing his evil. Herod only lacked the free hand and the opportunity to do his evil. The bravery and treachery of Herodias only pushed Herod into the corner where he was compelled to do the desire of his heart. The power of evil springs from within us and collaborates with other agents around us to do us in and finish us off. For King Herod, Herodias became the external agent that brought his sin to maturity and full birth. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: What evil are we nursing in our hearts? Are we aware of them, and do we see them as evil? We must identify them as little lions that will grow into big lions that will ultimately attack and kill. We must repent of sin when it crouches at our door and seeks to make an entry into our lives to make us its servant. PRAYER: Lord, please throw your light into this dark heart of mine, and please expose to me whatever is a seed of sin that lurks in me. Grant me the courage to call my sinful tendencies by the name of sin that you call them. And above all give me the power to renounce and reject my sins before they capture me and make me their slave. I ask for this for your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 7, 2023 | Matthew 14:1-12 KEY VERSE: ⁹The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted ¹⁰and had John beheaded in the prison. Matt 14:9-10 (NIV) MESSAGE: Our decisions, actions and inactions are often influenced by our consideration of the people around us. In many cases, we are forced by our fear of people and our attempt to impress them to make ungodly decisions. Herod seems to be an “afraid-man.” He was a man of great authority, political connections, and much wealth, but he was still very afraid, of people. His fear of people controlled and influenced his moral choices and painted a very poor picture of him, making him violate his own conscience, disobey God, and hurt his neighbour. Herod was an “afraid-man” with regard to Herodias. Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother who had now become Herod’s wife, must have exercised a fearsome influence upon the powerful-powerless Herod. Her looks, talks and seductions would have made Herod a puppet in her hands, and he wanted to do whatever she directed. Herod might be on the throne but Herodias, like Jezebel before her, was the power in front of, around, and behind the throne. Herod was an “afraid-man” with regard to the ordinary people. The ordinary people imposed a fear upon Herod, for they could riot and make the state ungovernable. ”Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.” Matthew 14:5 (NIV). Their views of John the Baptist as a prophet must therefore be seriously considered, rather than the truth of what John was saying about the unacceptable relationship of Herod to Herodias. Herod feared the rebellion and vengeance of the people rather than the judgment and punishment by God. Herod was an “afraid-man” with regard to the views of his social and political class. He had at this banquet well-placed political and social personalities. They had heard the oaths and promises he had made to the daughter of Herodias, and to change his mind, because the oaths have been taken advantage of by the evil intentions of an evil Herodias to commit the atrocity of the murder of a prophet of God, was less meaningful than his fear of the commentary and opinions of his social colleagues. Herod found it difficult to turn from the downward slope in which he had begun to descend because he was afraid of what his friends will think of him and wanted to impress them as a man of his word. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Who and what do you fear? Are you able to stand for truth and right, even when it does not, please people? Is it not better to obey God and be despised by people, than to bow to the pressure of humans, and offend God? What will your choices be guided by, the fear of God or the fear of mortal humans? PRAYER: Lord, I am sorry for the times I have allowed people to influence my thoughts, my speech, and my choices. I am ashamed that mere mortals have had such power over me. Lord, help me from making empty boastful oaths. I pray that you will help defy my oaths and my dinner guests, resolve to fear God and escape the snare produced by the fear of people. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 6, 2023 | Matthew 14:1-12 KEY VERSE: ⁸Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." ⁹The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted ¹⁰ and had John beheaded in the prison. Matt 14:8-10 (NIV) MESSAGE: Do you remember the gruesome stories we read in the newspapers and hear on the electronic media? Murders, shootings, robberies, rapes etc? What about the abuse of parental or political positions used wickedly to the disadvantage of the helpless? All these are the products of the human heart, where there is no God in the lives of the people doing these evil things. The narrative of the killing of John the Baptist depicts what evil can do to those who stand for truth, right and righteousness. The layers of the wickedness of the human condition are peeled off one after another as we read Matthew’s record. Human wickedness is shown when we lose our conscience and refuse to bow to the need to repent from sin when we are convicted by the Holy Spirit. King Herod depicted this in verses 1 and 2. He had chosen, contrary to tradition and to sound moral counsel, to marry his brother Philip’s wife. He had rejected the preaching of John the Baptist against his misbehaviour, and to satisfy the evil wishes of Herodias, the woman in the middle of the whole story, Herod had agreed to have John the Baptist imprisoned and later killed in prison, and his head presented as a trophy of evil to Herodias through her daughter. Our focus for reflection today is on King Herod’s mental and moral struggles. Sin will always leave an aftertaste of spiritual and mental-emotional battles, which can only be settled when we choose to be convicted by right and truth and converted from wrong to right. Herod was disturbed when he heard about the miracles of the Lord Jesus. He mistook Him for a resurrected John the Baptist, who is now empowered with miraculous power in addition to his cutting moral preaching. Herod must have been afraid to have his supposed moral contender re-appear with more missiles to shoot at him. The problem of Herod is often the problem of humans. When we are faced with the truth, we give it a mental analysis and put a convenient and comforting interpretation to it. And though the conclusion of our analysis shows that we need to repent, we remain entrenched in our ways. Herod was convicted of the rightness of what John preached to him, he was afraid John had risen from the dead with new power, but he was not ready nor willing to repent and be converted from his evil ways. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are there things that God is convicting you of, as wrong and needing stopping? Will you take steps to bring yourself to the new conduct that God’s Word requires of you? We need more than conviction; we must have conversion! Christian conversion calls for moral surgery, not moral cosmetics! PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the probing power of the Word, and the cutting influences of your Holy Spirit. Please make me sensitive to the voice of the Spirit, and please make me willing to respond appropriately and drastically, and to be converted. May the Gospel reach out to lost humanity with strong conviction power and may there be genuine conversion in all who profess faith. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | May 5, 2023 | Matthew 13:53-58 KEY VERSE: “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Matthew 13:55 (NIV) MESSAGE: Amazingly, congregations often appear to believe that a visiting pastor has greater power and anointing than their resident pastor. I have heard some ministers bemoan and wonder why there is usually a powerful move of God when they visit other churches for programmes, but they occasionally experience a drought in the flow of the power of God in their ministry with their home congregation. In our text for today, Jesus travelled to his hometown and taught them with such wisdom and performed mighty works among them. People who knew him as a boy and traced His family tree back to its origins couldn't accept the new grace He carried and the new authority He wielded. So, even though he began doing mighty works among them, the text concludes, "He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief." The account in Mark 6:5 states this much clearer. Acts 14:9-10 narrate a story of Apostle Paul healing a crippled man. Paul saw that the man had faith to be healed and that triggered the healing anointing that got him jumping up to walk. There are many instances in the life of Jesus when He had to ask the sick if they believed He could heal them, and their response resulted in a miracle. HANDS AND FEET OF THE MESSAGE There is a direct relationship between HONOURING the vessel God (the man/woman of God) will use to perform the miracles, and you receiving your miracles. FAMILIARITY is another factor that may prevent us from receiving our miracle from God’s vessel. When we are overly familiar with God's vessel, we are prone to taking God's Grace for granted, which breeds doubt in our souls and stifles the flow of God's power towards us. Familiarity and dishonour stifle the flow of your set man of God’s anointing towards you. So it is not because your Pastor is not anointed or powerful; it is just because you are too familiar with them. You are not seeing the miracles and receiving the testimonies others are receiving; maybe you are not honouring them as you should. Remember familiarity they say, breeds contempt. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive us for not honouring the gifts of the ministers you have blessed us with. Please help us from today, to honour them. Lord, also help us not to become familiar. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | May 4, 2023 | Matthew 13:47-52 KEY VERSE: ”Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. Matthew 13:51 (NIV) MESSAGE: In today’s parable, the dragnet is used to symbolize what will happen when this life comes to an end for “every kind” (all life) both man and beast. Everyone will transition into another reality where they must meet a selection panel that will determine how they will continue their eternal adventure. All men will stand before the judgement seat of God at the end of the age and give an account of their dealings when they were in this body - this temporary tent of clay. (Heb 9:27). All that will count is whether you embraced Jesus as Lord and Saviour and lived for Him, as well as how you treated your fellow humans. (Matthew 25:31-40; Jam 1:27). Not your money, car, job, degrees, or whether you slept in a mansion, a single room, or even on a single bench under a bridge will matter. What warrants this next phase of life is a door called death. Heb 9:27 says that there is an appointment everyone (flesh and blood) must honour and right after that will be the separation. Some have rightly said that death is just a door to life; life everlasting in eternal bliss and glory with the Lord or life everlasting in wailing and gnashing of teeth with satan and his cohorts. Note that both the Just and the wicked have eternal life, but they will be spending that life in different places and under different conditions. HANDS AND FEET OF THE MESSAGE The purpose of parables is to communicate kingdom secrets and principles to a discerning audience. Kingdom children are expected to understand the principles and laws of the kingdom and live by them. This was the final parable in the series and Jesus had to make sure He had communicated well so He asked, “Have you understood all these things?” In other words, at the end of the day, you must make it into the kingdom of heaven by understanding the principles and instructions of the King of the kingdom and living by them. Understanding is key, so in all your getting, get understanding. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of salvation. Grant me the grace to know your will and live for you. For your dear Name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!