#thefathersword - Unwrap Your Blessing

Unwrap Your Blessing (Bring it to Life)

John 11:44 (KJV)

'And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go”

John 11:44 (NLT)

And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go”

The context of this passage is that a man called Lazarus, had been dead for four days. His sisters Martha and Mary were weeping and mourning the loss of their brother. They sent Jesus a message saying that Lazarus was very sick. Upon arrival at Bethany, Jesus was informed Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. The sisters insisted that if he had arrived sooner, Lazarus would have been alive. People doubted Jesus and whether he was able to raise Lazarus from the dead but nevertheless Jesus came to the tomb, told Martha and Mary to roll the stone aside. Jesus thanked the Father in advance and called forth Lazarus. Lazarus rose but he was still bound so Jesus told the sisters to unwrap him.

As a people, we can often do the same things. We pray for blessings to come along, when God does actually bring the blessings we don't recognize them because they are not what it looked like. When it arrived, we didn't allow ourselves time to unwrap the blessing and bring it to life. The thing we have been praying for may just be disguised as something else, all we have to do is roll the blockage away, call it forth and unwrap it so we can see the manifestation of God's promise.

Looking at it from a earthly perspective, think of the times when you have received a parcel or a gift but it is wrapped up. Your first instinct would be to unwrap it and then open the box to see the very thing you had been waiting for. Now, think about what could happen if you didn't unwrap the gift, you would have no idea of what was inside because of your inability to believe it was what you had been asking for all along.

Many reasons why we don't receive our blessings is because of our belief and faith. Jesus told the sisters that if they want to see God's Glory all they have to do is believe

John 11:40

Jesus responded, “Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe”

Because of our belief and faith, at times we fail to recognise that God will bless us so we don't activate our faith and call forth what it is that we need or asking for. Jesus was troubled when he arrived at the tomb, people were doubting whether he could do it.

When we doubt him, it's the same process, he is troubled by the fact that we don't have faith or the belief that the thing we have been praying and waiting for, God can deliver it to us. God can do it, but we still have a part to play.

For God to bring to life what you have been praying for, believe God and put your faith in him. You also have to play your part.

As you wait for what God has promised you, remove whatever is blocking your access to your blessing and cut it out of your life, let it go.

The thing you have been praying for may just be disguised as something else, all you have to do is roll the blockage away, call it forth and unwrap it so you can see the manifestation of God's promise.

Unwrap the Blessing and bring it to Life

#TheFathersWord - Remember Why you Started

'Remember why you Started'

'If you remember why you have started, then you will get to the end of your journey'

There are people who have started, but didn't finish. There are people who started but forgot where they were going and there are people who simply don't start.

On the other hand there a group of people who start and they finish, they finish what they start. These people know where they are going and so they don't give up, they know the great prize at the end so they will carry on and get to the end in whatever means possible.

Let's look at athletes, formula one drivers, all these famous sportsmen etc. Whenever they start a race or they start a football match or even a new season, they know that the prize or the trophy will come at the end, when the chequered flag is waved, when the team lifts the trophy or when the athlete receives his medal. All this was because they started at the beginning, they started and they got going.

The reason why they won and never gave is because they remembered why they had started

Now, lets look to scripture so we can set the foundation and have a starting point.

2 Timothy 4 v 7 – 8

'I have fought a good fight of faith, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing'

Before Paul came to the end of his life or his time on earth, we learn that he was persecuted, he was thrown in prison, he was abandoned by people (John Mark) who came with him on his journey. Now, you could have agreed with Paul if he had given up when no one was around him, he could have quit his journey and went back home but he didn't do that. He knew what was at stake, he knew what he could enjoy if he just finished his journey. After all he had gone through, after all was said and done, there he was on his bed at the end of his course, ready to receive the crown of righteousness which had been prepared for him.

'I have finished my course, I kept the faith' – This might mean different things for you all but for everyone what connects them is this – You are all on a journey, no matter where it is, but you are on a journey. Maybe you've lost the first game or you lost the first race or you are stuck on the bench waiting to be called up into the first team squad, in this instance you can never lose your faith. There's people who have started a journey but then the road gets longer, they get stuck in traffic jams and their faith starts to diminish but remember why you started, remember why you started to make the journey and you will get to the end.

At the end of that passage, Paul said that not only is the same crown of righteousness available to him, it is available to everyone, it is available to me and you, all we need to do is to fight the good fight of faith. That could mean making several journeys, that could mean sacrificing your time to get something right, it could mean waiting for the light to turn from red to green, it could even mean waiting to be called into the room, whatever it is remember why you started and keep the good fight of faith.

'If you remember why you have started, then you will get to the end of your journey'

It could be writing a book, starting a business or just simply reconnecting to God but whatever it is, remember why you started

Today, I want you to remember why you started – Why did you start? What is it that you have started? What was behind your decision to start?

Don't stop. Maybe you've got out of the car or got off the bike because you thought you couldn't finish but remember why you started and get back on that road and start again.......

'Remember why you started'

#TheFathersWord - It's not too Late

#TheFathersWord

Ever had the feeling that you couldn't attend an event or you couldn't start something because there was no time. It's stressful when you feel like you are running out of time but hey, there is time. Today, the word from above is this – It's not too late

It's not too late. The Context of the message comes from Genesis 18 v 10 – 15

The Lord said, “I will be sure to return to you at this time next year. And your wife Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old. They had lived many years. The way of women had stopped for Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “Will I have this joy after my husband and I have grown old?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘How can I give birth to a child when I am so old?’

Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

But Sarah said, “I did not laugh,” because she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

In this passage, we see that the Lord spoke to Abraham and told him that he and his wife, Sarah would have a son at that time the following year. Now, both of them were old so they both had their doubts about what the Lord said to them. Sarah laughed at the idea, but the Lord responded by saying “Is Anything too hard for the Lord”. He kept his promise, God was faithful. He told Sarah, it's not too late for her to have a child and in Chapter 21, is where the promise is fulfilled.

'Then the Lord visited Sarah as He had said and did for her as He had promised. Sarah was able to have a child and she gave birth to a son when Abraham was very old. He was born at the time the Lord said it would happen'

So, we saw that in the beginning Sarah and Abraham doubted whether they could still have a child together. Sarah looked at herself and because she was old, she thought it couldn't happen but the Lord had other plans. It's not too late, Sarah, nothing is too hard.

The next year, God showed up and delivered his promise, he kept his promise to Abraham and Sarah.

Let's look at this in a modern day context. You've been planning something for a while, time is ticking and then you decide to go something spectacular but you decide that is too late and that you should leave it as it is. At that time, you get a phone call telling you that the very thing you have always wanted to is now possible, you laugh it off and you head back. The next day, you now see the manifestation of the promise and you then wonder it to yourself 'How even was it possible'

When God really wants you to have something, no time zone, no clock, lateness, early arrival, or missed appointments will stop him from giving it to you. When God Promises you something he will deliver it to you on time.

In the New Testament when Peter and his fellow disciples were in the middle of a storm, God showed up just on time. It wasn't too late for God to step in and calm down the situation, he timed it to perfection. One of the greatest moments was when Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus laid in his resting place for 4 days, now his sisters knew Jesus had the power to do it but because it looked a hopeless situation, they doubted but Jesus came through and knew it could happen because of his Father's promise to him. He called forth Lazarus, Lazarus rose up and was freed.

What looked like a lost situation was not lost anymore, God showed up on time. What seemed late to the sisters didn't look like lateness to God. He had an appointment and showed up on time

What are you currently looking to do. What is the one thing you have always wanted to do? What is the one thing that is stopping you? Is there something that you have given up or left to the side because you felt there is no time?

It's not too late to start again, it's not too late to start a new job, it's not too late to start a new business, it's not too late to say sorry, it's not too late to resurrect dead dreams, ideas. Resurrect it and bring it back to life.

It's not too late, It's not too late

#TheFathersWord - Unity

The Father's Word

Unity, United, Unite. If you look at that word closely, they all contain the word Unit. Now, lets look at what the those three words mean -

Unity – 'The State of being united or joined as a whole'

United –'Joined together for a common purpose, or by common feelings'

Unite – 'Come or bring together for a common purpose or action'

Thinking of all these words, there are words which actually can be described the same such as – fuse, integrate, bond, connect, combine, unify,

The word Unit means – a single thing, person or group that is part of something larger

Now, when you think of a team who are united together, they look like a unit who are strong, look out for each other and will support each other. Everyone works together, each person covers someone until they get back or return from other duties (fill in the gap). The Unit will run like clockwork, it keeps on ticking over.

In a building i.e. hospital, there are different units that all have their different functions but they support each other and work with each other. So you would have an A and E (Accident and Emergency), Mother and Baby Unit, ICU (Intensive Care Unity) amongst others. Looking at that, they all have a purpose but they can also request the support of other units to complete the work that is necessary. There isn't a department or unit that could say they don't need the other department because there will be a time where a letter needs to be sent out or someone needs to be transferred to another unit or someone might need an x-ray. If the communication in that unit is broken, imagine the chaos it would bring......... messages not getting through, a pile up of missed appointments, cancelled appointments etc

Now, lets look at some scriptures which tell us about Unity

1 Corinthians 12 v 12 – 'For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ

1 Corinthians 12 v 25 – 26 – 'That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it'

Ephesians 4 v 13 – 'Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the fullness of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive'

Ephesians 5 v 29 – 30 'For no man yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cheriseth it, even as the Lord the Church. For we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones'

Ecclesiastes 4 4 v 12 - 'Though one may be empowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken'

For a while now, Unity is something that should come naturally but is never closely looked at in detail. We all need to be united together, we all need each other, everybody will need somebody.

Let's look this saying – Everybody said to themselves that somebody would do it but in the end nobody did it. This right there, is not how a unit should be run. To be a successful Unit, each member should communicate with other, look after each other and care for each other. A Unit will run much better if everyone is working in harmony together, in one accord with each other. Everyone in the unit is just as important as the next person, therefore each person should be treated with importance. If someone has a question, listen and deal with it rather than letting it go and not dealing with it. Another important function to the unit is how people respond to their leaders / captains. The leader / captain is responsible for organizing everyone on the ward, the rest must be able to understand and carry it out effectively.

In this season, it's important to find a fellowship or church or even have someone to talk to. Don't attempt to go on a walk by yourself, have someone with you who can help you, guide you and point you in the right directions. Surround yourself with like-minded people, people who will build you up, edify you with words of encouragement and also have your back.

Bond together, fellowship together, network together, stick together, talk together, study together

• Be Strong
• Be In Communication
• Be Approachable
• Be Trustworthy
• Be Honest
• Be Loyal
• Be United

Remember, when you are United as one people, the rest of the body will run like clockwork. If you're in a team, part of a department or you deliver a service, work on unity within the group and over time you will see the strength and unity be displayed.

'A Solider never goes to fight by himself, if he did, he would never return. The Soldier always goes with his unit who has his back and will fight with him'

Don't be by yourself, join a fellowship, join a church. Be a Part, Be a Team Player

Be United

#TheFathersWord - How Big Is Your Faith

How Big is Your Faith

Faith, How Big Is Your Faith?

First of all, let's see what Faith means, The dictionary give us 2 meanings -

1. Complete trust or confidence in someone or something
2. Strong belief in the doctrines or religion based on spiritual conviction rather than proof

So, we can see that straight away Faith is linked to having a complete trust in someone and believing what they say even though you can't see it yet. Let's now look at what the Bible says about Faith.

Hebrews 11 v 1 – 'Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen'

So, we see that having Faith is our way of Hoping for things even though we haven't seen the results yet. So, if this is the case, let's ask ourselves a question – How Big Is Our Faith?

Often, we claim to have faith but do we really. Hebrews 11 tells us of so many people who did things through Faith. There's a saying – 'Live By Faith and not by Sight'

Have the attitude that to see results at first you need have faith. If you don't believe or have faith, you won't be able to see results.

There is also another saying which is – 'Faith without Works is dead'. So, if you said that you have faith in someone but you don't back their ideas etc then it's dead faith. You can't do one and not the other, both of them must work hand in hand.

If we look through the bible, we see that Faith is mentioned so many times. We also see stories of people who had to contend with their Faith.

Peter, he had a choice to make, do I put my Faith in Jesus and walk on water or do I stay in the boat knowing that I will be safe. Peter had never walked on water but he decided to walk on water, instantly he looked away and looked at the present situation and began to drown. Jesus then replied “Why do you have so little faith”

That's like us sometimes, Jesus has already confirmed his word but somewhere along the line we don't quite believe it so we decide to go another way or have a plan b.

If Jesus has said it, this means it's going to happen so let's not waver or start to look towards our present situation. Instead look to Jesus and walk towards him. Even though the situation might look bleak or it's not what you first thought, don't give up. Look towards the reward

If you think of men like Abraham and Noah, they only had God's word to stand on so in faith they acted on what God had said. It might of not been easy but due to their faith, they followed God's word and they reaped the rewards that came with it.

2 Timothy 4 v 7 - ' I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith'

1 Timothy 6 v 12 – 'Fight the good fight faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses'

Running a marathon, you will only get to the finish line if you have faith and believe that you will get there. Keep the faith, don't let anything shake you sideways. Be rooted in God's word and let it take heed. God's word is final, believe in his word and you shall receive you reward.

As we ponder on Faith, can you think of a situation where you had to rely on faith alone and you had victory in that situation. Then

ask yourself this – 'How Big is Your Faith'

#TheFathersWord - Speed v Endurance

Speed v Endurance

For a while now, I've been wondering about Speed and Endurance. Is one better than the other, do they work in hand, what could possibly make them benefit us in the long run.

As I Pondered on this, my mind drew to athletics and two particular well known athletes – Mo Farah and Usain Bolt. Both are respected superstars in their respective disciplines but in both of them – 100m and 5,000m / 10,000m they both need one or the other.

Usain Bolt needs Speed and somewhat Endurance. One to win the race and one to be able to go as fast as he can whereas Mo Farah will probably focus on Endurance and then later Speed as he goes into the final bend. Ultimately, Bolt will focus on Speed and Farah will focus on Endurance

How does this apply to us in normal everyday life?

Picture two people, both heading in the same direction. The first person is bent over, out of breath, tired. The second person seems content with life walking along, he gets to his destination with all the energy in the world.

That right there tells its own story. Which person would you rather be. I'd rather be the person who is content with life, with the knowledge that I will get to my destination with time to spare and I will still get my reward

In life, you will get people who are ahead of you in all areas of your life i.e. jobs, relationships, financial, personal development. You will probably look at them wishing you were just like them. I have been in that position but that led to me feeling stressed, burn out, loss of energy and suffering with fatigue. I didn't help but until I realised and stopped chasing after people, I became more comfortable and more content and came to the conclusion that I can make it if I go at the speed I am capable of and the speed God knows I am capable of.

Just because someone who you know or you can see them afar, they are achieving many things at a fast rate, it doesn't mean that you should jump from the starting blocks at a fast speed. Be steady

Hebrews 10 v 36 - For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Here, we see that it mentions that we need to have Endurance. Once we endure what life throws at us and complete the will of God, we shall receive what is promised. Be in the knowledge that you will receive what is rightfully yours in due course. Complete the journey, endure all things, endure what life has to bring you.

Life may bring you trials, obstacles, rejection, temptation and a whole host of other things but do what is right and you will get what is yours.

Life in general is not a 100m sprint, its a marathon. It's not how fast you go, it's how far you can travel.Take your time, don't mind anybody else and just focus on yourself and your race. Remember, the person in front of you and the person behind you may be going in the same direction, they may achieve things more faster than you but if you keep what you are doing, you will surely reach the finishing line.

A reason why most people suffer from fatigue and stress is because they are going at a speed which is not suited to them. It will then take them a while to get back in top condition and this then causes them to fall back further down the pecking order. Stop, relax and go at your speed, if you go at your speed then it will help you get where God needs you to be. Let him coach you and guide you on the track. He knows best, he created you so he knows the best speed for you.

Don't get burnt out trying to chase after people, Don't get burnt out while you're on the top bend, Go at your speed and make sure you finish the race. Endurance is key, Use Speed Wisely. You can make it if you approach the journey wisely.

Finish the race, don't stop halfway.

Endurance is Key

#TheFathersWord - Your Gift Part 2

Your Gift

The Importance of You and Your Gift

We have discovered that God has given all of us certain gifts, let's now look at why they are so important to God and his plan for mankind. When God gave your gifts, he gave them so you can use them for his glory. You are also an important part of God's Plan

'Without God, Man can not, Without Man, God will not'

This Statement is such a powerful statement, it reminds us that without us, God will not act. It also reminds us that without God, we can not do what is needed on Earth.

In Genesis, we witness the first time God gave mankind some sort of power and dominion. Genesis 1 v 28 – 'Then God blessed them and said “Be Fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and Govern It. Reign over the fish, in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground'

In verse 26 we see the promise – Then God Said “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground”

So we now see that God has given mankind power and dominion over everything that happens on earth. But for that, God had to create a human being to create the work which he duly did. Adam was created and placed in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and govern it. At that point, Adam had all the power so everything that happened went through him. It's the first time we see a glimpse of what God promised in verse 26.

Now that God had given mankind power and dominion to control Earthly Affairs, Adam was now the most important piece in God's plan. But of course we know that both he and his wife was deceived by the serpent. Seeing that, God removed their power and sent them tumbling down onto Earth. But God couldn't actually do anything because he would have violated the agreement he had made.

So, without Adam, God couldn't act in Earthly Affairs and without God, Adam couldn't operate in the heavenly realm.

So, we have now discovered that without us, God will not act in Earthly Affairs unless we give him the authority to do it. Until we ask God to intervene, nothing will be sorted. Heaven can not move until Earth speaks. What a position we are in, we have so much power to determine what happens on the Earth.

If you thought you wasn't important to God, dispel the rumours because you are very important. You need him and he needs you.

Let's now focus on your gift. The gifts that God has given each of us is to help us carry out the work that God wants us to do. Let's see what these gifts are. 1 Corinthians 12 v 3 – 11 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Its the Holy Spirit who decides what person gets what but don't get so upset because whatever work you have given by God, he will equip you with what you need to do.

So, why is your Gift Important? Your Gift is Important so that God is able to operate through you so that he can be glorified. Don't Forget that without you, God will not get involved so with you gift you making a way for God to get involved and for him to get his message across.

When God wants to deliver a message, he will always use a messenger and with that he will equip you with everything needed to deliver it but without you, that message can not be delivered. There are other gifts and talents that mankind acquire. It might be possible that God has laid on your heart to write books, songs, paint pictures or write poems. He may even give you the wisdom and knowledge of putting on Events so that he can be glorified.

The list in endless, the possibilities are endless.

The world is waiting for you to open your gift and reveal what God has given you, it is waiting for you to realise what you have inside you and fulfil it. The Gifts that you have may just save someone and bring them back home to the Father's House. The Book you write, the song you sing, the picture you paint, the event that you put on or the message that you deliver to this people, it may just spark someone into action.

Don't underestimate the power behind your Gift. There is great power behind you and the Gift that God has given to you.

Realise it, Step Out and Dominate Your Territory. Your Time is Now

You are Important to God