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Month of Grateful Hearts - Year of Exploit
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We want to encourage the youth in our congregation. We apologize that we haven't been feeding you with the right spiritual food that you need. We pray that the Lord God Almighty will increase you in Jesus' name.
We know your schedules are packed—school all week, assignments, and much more. This afternoon, we're asking parents to give us about five to seven minutes so we can meet with the teachers and discuss how we'll structure our youth programs. I promise you it will be just 30 minutes each week that we meet.
Many of our youth have phones, but families may not allow them during the week. When we announce our mid-week meetings, parents can allow them to use their phones for our church Zoom meetings. We're using the same login details as our weekly programs—no separate WhatsApp calls or rooms. We'll create rosters so everyone knows in advance who will lead praise and worship each week. Let's prepare them not just physically but spiritually, praying that the Spirit of God fills them and uses them to minister. Thank you to all our children's and youth teachers for your hard work. God bless you as you do God's business.
Let's open our Bibles to Psalms 107:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18. These are our key scriptures for this month of grateful hearts.
"Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever." (Psalm 107:1)
"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
This year we are talking about the year of exploit—our idea of excellence. As it is recorded in Daniel 11:32b, those who know their God will be strong and do exploits. There is a God that you need to know—the Almighty—and knowing God is the foundation for everything we do.
When we know our God, we understand that we need to have a graceful heart—a heart of gratitude, an act of thanksgiving, a heart of appreciation. We need to constantly say, "Thank you, Lord. I appreciate it."
The Bible tells us: if we, who are evil, know how to give good things to our children, how much more will God our Father give good things to us? This year, as we walk with the God who knows how to do good to us, we will have a grateful heart.
In everything give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 doesn't say to give thanks only for the good things. It says in all circumstances—whether it is good or bad, whether you have or you don't have, whether things are working right or not working right. In all things, give thanks, because this is the will of God.
Let me share something personal. Yesterday, I experienced how to struggle for life. I had some mold in my bathroom, so I bought mold cleaner. I opened the window, wore a face mask, and started spraying. But the spray was heavy, and within two minutes, it had gotten into my lungs. I rushed down, opened the main entrance, and stood outside gasping for air.
When I finally got enough air, I said, "Lord, I thank you for this breath that I don't have to pay for." Can you imagine if I had to pay for that breath? What would happen? Some people sleep at night and don't wake up. Some people sleep during the day and never wake again. Some people don't know what happens around them while they sleep.
Yet we wake up every morning and think it's normal. We don't think about how miraculous it is that we slept and woke again. A Nigerian artist sang, "When you are coming into the world, we know where babies come from. But when you are going out of this world, where does our spirit go? Where does it exit from our body?" That is the awesomeness of God.
Medical doctors can tell us a person will die, but they cannot tell us the precise moment. When expecting a baby, they give an EDD—expected delivery date—but babies come when they come, not at a specific minute that anyone predicted. This is the awesomeness of God. For God is good, and his mercy endureth forever.
This year, in knowing your God, I want you to know that our God is compassionate, loving, and caring. When I look at myself and my position in my family, I think, "This is awesome. I'm standing here because God has made a way." I'm not the only child in my family, but I'm one of the survivors. I don't know how I'm standing. In this same country, despite limitations, I'm here—and it's only because God has been faithful.
Look at your own life. Some people went through what you're going through, and they're still struggling with it. They don't know how to cope. But you—you have your right senses. You can think right. You can make decisions. Some people cannot manage their own lives; others must manage for them. Where is your God? With the cooperation of God and the Holy Spirit, you can do things through Christ that strengthens you.
This year, don't walk without God. Know the God that strengthens you. When you're wealthy, you are most high. When you're poor, you are most high. Whether things are working right or working wrong, give thanks. In giving thanks, you work in obedience. You begin to praise God, and you see situations turn around for good.
I don't know what situation you're passing through, but there is a God in heaven. He will be the guide of your journey through this life. He will be with you all through this year. He will make you strong. As you cling to him and fast for his love, you begin to do exploits. You continue in his spirit. This is the will of God—to be grateful.
Are you grateful for your children? Sometimes I look at my daughter and say, "Lord, I thank you for the time you gave me this girl." God could have closed my womb at that time, and if he had, and it still didn't work, what would I do? But he opened it. My room is open.
Some things we do—maybe we get to know Christ. For other people, it doesn't turn out right. But you're standing only because God made a way for you. Why don't you thank God again? Remember his great works of deliverance.
Let's go back to Psalms 107:33-35:
"He turns rivers into a wilderness and water springs into dry ground, a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. Again he turns the wilderness into a standing water, and guides a river into water springs."
What an awesome God! A God that can do, undo, redo, and overdo—a God of mercy. He can put a person in the position of a king who begins to rule. But sometimes a prisoner—a refugee, a slave, an undocumented immigrant—gets caught in trouble and lands inside prison, restricted, unable to see what's happening outside.
You know, if you've ever had the opportunity of visiting any prison, you know what I'm talking about. That was Joseph's position. He was a prisoner. He didn't know when he'd be released or whether he would be released at all. He didn't know what would happen when he was brought before the king for judgment. But look at what God did! From being a prisoner, this man became a ruler—not just anybody, but second only to the king.
What a God! What an awesome God you need to work with this year! Know that God, be strong, and do exploits. Like Joseph, maintain your integrity. When temptations come, remember how God came through for you before, and you will have a grateful heart. As you thank him, more blessings will come to you in Jesus' name.
Psalm 118:5 says:
"I called upon the Lord in distress. The Lord answered me and set me in a large place. He brought me a place of rest, a place of comfort."
This took me back to the Garden of Eden, where there was peace and calmness. Think of the children of Israel: Pharaoh before them, behind them they didn't know what would happen. Death and destruction all around them. Nothing good. No way of survival. But what happened? God made a way. Do you remember how many times the Lord has made a way for you when you thought it was over? When your back was against the wall? When you were at that edge—not just a corner where you could still navigate yourself, but that edge where you found yourself at the Jordan, thinking, "If you don't deliver me, I am done"—and it came true for you?
Do you want to be grateful to that God? Do you want to walk with that God this year?
Psalm 3:3 says:
"But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head."
Have you thought about how the Lord has lifted up your head? You might be thinking you're not there yet, but look at where you're coming from. Many people who started this journey with you are no more. Some are still living, but they're living as if they're not living. But this is you—do you have a grateful heart? The glory and the lifter of your head.
Have you thought about how God has lifted your head? The promotion the Lord has given you—it doesn't come from the North or from the South. It comes only from God. It's not because you have better qualifications. It's not because your CV is super good or because of head knowledge or because of your godfathers or connections. It's because of God. Have a grateful heart.
When you have a grateful heart, you will begin to appreciate God every day of your life. He brings victory for you. Jehoshaphat was going into battle and didn't know what to do. The Lord said, "Start praising me. Keep on praising me. Just praise me, and you will see me moving." This year, as you praise the Lord and walk with that strong God, he will bring about victory for you in the mighty name of Jesus.
A grateful heart brings us to that heart—the state of your heart is very important. We're not talking about the way it's pumping or blood pressure. We're talking about the state of that heart—your being, yourself, your very self. What is the state of your heart? I want us to check our hearts this year as we journey with God.
What's going on in your heart? Is your heart connected with your maker? Because if your heart is connected with a different god, don't make another god your God. Make the Living God your God—the Almighty, all-sufficient, all-knowing, all-dependable, unfailing God.
A grateful heart is a clean heart. God is looking for a clean heart to come and fellowship and dwell in—the temple of the most high God. Do you think God wants to come into a dirty heart, a heart full of evil, a heart that is not in the right position? Check your heart as you know your God. Take that heart to God. You know yourself. I don't know you. You don't know me. I don't know what position your heart is in toward God this year.
Let God know you. Let God know that you humble yourself. Bring that heart before the Lord. As you bring that heart before him, he begins to sharpen your heart. He begins to clean that heart. He begins to make it straight. He begins to wash your heart, and you begin to do great exploits.
Think of the ten lepers who were sick with leprosy. When I was young, they used to have a colony where sick people were cared for. They didn't come to town. When they needed to come, they would ring bells and announce, "The unclean are coming to town!" But these ten lepers—they met with God, and he had mercy on them.
Ten of them were healed—they celebrated, they jumped, they looked at themselves and said, "Oh my God! Our bosses are gone!" Their skin became like the body of a newborn baby because Jesus was involved. He gave them brand new lives, brand new identities.
But here's the thing: only one of them came back to Jesus to say thank you. I said, "What has happened?" But this man—now he could go to towns. He could fellowship with his family. He could go into the temple to worship. Before, he had to stay separated. But this one leper who came back—he did exploits. He was the only one we preach the gospel about because he meant to the Lord God Almighty.
I want you to be like that one leper—the one who came back with a grateful heart. Regardless of what you're going through, regardless of what this year has in store for you, begin to tell the Lord: "Lord, give me the grace to be a grateful servant. Give me the grace to be a grateful mother, father, and servant in the mighty name of Jesus."
I don't know what you want to be faithful to God for in 2023. We still have a long journey in this year. But because you know your God, you'll be strong, and you will do exploits.
Let's have grateful hearts. Say thank you. Say good things to the Father. Thank God for your prayers. Thank you for the life the Lord has given us. Thank you for healing. Thank you because he is God. Thank you for watching over our past. Thank you for coming through for us. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Thank you, thank you, thank you—the One that changed destinies, the One that changed lives. Father, we give you praise and worship.
Let's pray for ourselves. Lay your hand upon your heart and say: "Father, just touch my heart. Make it like yours. Make me recognize you. Let my heart honor you. Let my heart be humble and walk with you in obedience. Father, Lord, let my heart hear what you're saying. Let my heart obey you. Father, Lord, let my heart walk with you. Let my heart be like you." Thank you, Daddy, in Jesus' name.
I want to ask you one final question: Who is your God?
Remember the triangulation for this year: knowing God and having knowledge of God. The depth of your knowledge about who your God is translates into the power you have available to do the exploits you need. If your God is a powerless and violent being who can only do small things, then your power is limited. But if your God is the very powerful God—which I know he is—then you can do great exploits.
Ask your neighbor: Who is your God? Hallelujah!
I want to share an additional announcement about the launch of a new ministry group. We're starting what I call an "open ticket" for everyone—young and old—in government, in church, and in society. This vision is to bring transformation to every parish.
This group is not restricted by any age or affiliation. We want representatives in every parish, not just teaching Sunday school and closing the book. We're taking it further so you can be our voice and representation in your parish.
If you want to join, get the contact details of those coordinating this group from our church WhatsApp. Your age doesn't matter—whether you're a young child who can speak, we'll put you in a chair and you'll minister to us. You'll lead prayers, make announcements, sing, and do much more, not just here but everywhere you go, so the goodness in you will be spread abroad. Once you're added to the group, we'll have meetings, and everyone will be aware.
The prayer and fasting period is 50 days, and today is the fifth day. The church has designated certain days for us to meet. But if you want to pray every day, I suggest: come at 6 P.M. every day. If you're the first to arrive, open your mic and start leading prayer while others join you. Even if you're alone, open your mic and pray for half an hour.
You have the prayer points. Pray with them. You can gather your family too. This is in addition to the designated days the church has set. Go at 6 P.M. every other day and pray.
Let's rise upon our feet and hold someone's hand. I want to prophesy to each of you. Three things you are going to do this year: First, know God. Who is your partner? You should have someone to hold.
Look into the eyes of that fellow and prophesy to them. The Bible says those that know their God shall be strong, and they shall do exploits. Go ahead and declare to the life of that person: "Go and know him. Go and come true for you this year."
