Walking in faith and a Life of Consecration

The Lion. It is one of the fiercest and fearsome feline creatures to walk the face of the earth. Lions are seemingly weakness-free. What in the world can really stop a lion? Well, little rodents that are no match for it! Yes! A lion can only be killed by a creature 10 times smaller than itself. If a lion goes after rats and rabbits instead of the antelopes and the deer that are its appropriate diet, it will be killed! What happens is that its paws become sore owing to incessantly missing its target in a bid to hit and kill it. Then, in order to ease the pain, the lion licks its paws and eventually gets infected on the mouth, leading to death! 

Likewise, the believer is a lion at heart! The Bible declares that the righteous are as bold as lion (Proverbs 28:1). However, focusing on the insignificant things (rats and rabbits) instead of the significant things (antelopes and deer) leads to death!

In an instructive expose on the first night of the final week of the 40 days of Exploits of Faith, Bishop Matthew Addae-Mensah taught congregants how to walk in faith and a life of consecration. 

He began, "Christianity is not just any lifestyle. A life of consecration goes hand in hand with the lifestyle of the believer. You can't live anyhow as a Christian...Faith pleases God but it goes with a life of consecration. If you really want to be effective as a believer, live a consecrated life."

The man of God went on, "You can't mix the Holy Spirit with alcoholism- it is like mixing petrol with water. Don't live in immorality. The Holy Spirit does not tolerate immorality. To live immorally is to deceive yourself. Please God with your lifestyle."

Reading from Psalm 55:17, Bishop noted that a lifestyle of consecration goes with fasting and prayer. He indicated that living a life of prayer and fasting draws us closer to God. He challenged the congregants to learn to fast on their own and pray on their own and not only to wait for the Church to call for a corporate fasting and prayer period. He further noted that prayerless Christians are ineffective. Bishop taught that, "It takes prayer and fasting for you to be sharpened in faith...when you pray God will sharpen your tongue and when you speak things will happen."

He quoted the late Elder Debrah as saying that the reason the 4 Hebrew boys were unscathed from the fiery furnace was that they were full of the fire of the Spirit.

He admonished congregants to be focused on the Lord and to forget about the past weakness.

He also said that faith makes you look like a lion, just like Judah (Genesis 49:8). He explained that when you walk in faith you don’t wait to be attacked. Rather, you seize your blessing aggressively! Faith makes you proactive and sensitive in the Spirit.

Prayer and consecration make you ready at all times. He announced, “God is looking for lions that the devil cannot play with because they are sensitive to the Spirit…rise and focus on the bigger things!” Allow the lion in you to arise through consecration because sin will always quench your fire (2 Corinthians 4:2-4).

The man of God went on to challenge the brethren not to lie. Adding, he shared that we should denounce craftiness. He also noted that our lifestyle should be the light to lead somebody to Christ.

Reading from Romans 6:1-4, 11, the man of God urged the congregants to take advantage of the grace of God to do something in the house of God. Adding, he challenged attendees to use the grace of God to do amazing things for God. He said, “Sin will make you a slave such that instead of being in charge, you’re under control. Don’t be a slave to sin. The life of consecration is good for lions.”

In closing, Bishop taught attendees how vital it is to speak in other tongues. Reading from 1 Corinthians 14:2, he explained that speaking in tongues leads you to fresh revelations. Speaking in tongues is powerful because it allows you to walk in the mysteries of God. He challenged, “Speak in tongues for 1 or 2 hours when dealing with specific issues…sometimes, just speak in tongues and sleep off. Healing can come through speaking in tongues. God can reveal deep business secrets to you as you speak in tongues”

He admonished the congregation to speak in tongues for extended periods, saying, “Big problems demand bigger and larger tongues…it will bring you deliverance.”

The man of God read Numbers 24:7-9 to the brethren as they prayed intensely in other tongues.

Several brethren received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues for the first time after the Service.

Faith Impartation Service

A great chunk of most young women's dreams come true when they are found by the suitable mate for marriage. This young lady's excitement knew no bounds! It was her set time to get married and enjoy a lifetime of fulfilling God's purpose together with her new husband. Preparations were underway for the wedding as it was only a week away.

Suddenly, this soon-to-be wife had her private parts ravaged by a terrible skin disease! All the preparation was on point but how in the world was she going to explain this to him on the honeymoon!? She became anxious and felt intense shame even to tell any doctor or pastor about it. But she was connected to a greater Power willing and able to heal her- Jesus Christ! The young lady used her faith mantle and released the Word of faith consistently and within four days, her private parts were like that of a baby's- completely healed! Glory to God!

The Faith Impartation Service at the Phenomenal Faith Cathedral with Bishop Matthew Addae-Mensah was energizing! The man of God unravelled deep mysteries about faith during the Service, declaring that faith provides hope where there is no hope. He said, "Faith is a character to demonstrate...it does not know the economy of any nation!"

Bishop taught that faith must be expressed by talking because, "Faith is not dumb; it speaks and must be backed by action."

He challenged the congregants, "If there is no money in your pocket apply your faith because faith understands that even if I don't have anything God will provide."

He urged congregants to try again if it does not work because faith always works and does not give up.

The man of God admonished, "You don't have to be buffeted by the devil."

Turning over to Psalms 92:10, Bishop Addae-Mensah explained that faith goes with the anointing. He also charged members to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).

Bishop elucidated that faith is a spiritual process and that you have to believe that some things have already started.

He further expounded that faith must be imitated (Hebrews 6:12). Adding, he disclosed, "If you are lazy in faith, you will be broke."

With faith actions, Bishop led congregants to wave their faith mantles, explaining that if you have a faith mantle, there should be action of faith. He alluded to the instance of Elijah and Elisha when crossing the Jordan (2 Kings 2:8,14).

Members were led to anoint themselves with their oil and spoke over their faith mantles, making confessions of the Word and profusely praying in the Spirit.

Bishop went on, "Faith always looks for a challenge...If you are a pastor, don't be limited by the size of your congregation. Your faith wants you to speak big things. Don't just take the mantle; go and speak!" He also read from Psalms 81:10-11 and Numbers 14:28, declaring, "God depends on our words to make us."

All Clergy present were anointed with a horn of oil by Bishop Matthew Addae-Mensah, being empowered to diffuse great faith and mighty works throughout the Church! 

Glory!

God's Calendar

One day Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth, picked up the scrolls and began to read the book of the Prophet Isaiah. After reading, the bewildered Jews gathered in the synagogue fastened their eyes on Him. Then He said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke 4:16-21)

Jesus Himself was the fulfillment of the Word from the book of the Prophet Isaiah. He had just read about Himself from the book to the people gathered in the synagogue.

The fifth night of the 40 Days of Exploits of Faith was another tremendous encounter of great faith. The man of God, Rev. Jesse Sackey taught on the subject: "The acceptable year." He started by explaining that if we are going to walk with God we have to walk with him in faith. Faith connects us to God.

To walk with God, we need to understand how He works. There are different assignments of God's timing. Rev. Sackey categorized them into three:

# The appointed time

# The set time

# The acceptable year

Reading from Genesis 18:14, Rev. Sackey explained that the appointed time is a time frame God has determined to do something or accomplish something. You can't do anything about the appointed time. You can't reverse it or make anything happen before that time. If you understand this you will be able to wait for the appointed time.

Referring to the Scriptures, he explained that there was an appointed time for Abraham and Sarah to have a child and when that time came nothing prevented Sarah from having her child. He encouraged the congregants not to worry anymore because there's an appointed time for them.

He went on to say that you can delay your appointed time. God told Abraham that the Israelites will take 400 years to reach the Promised Land. However, it took them 430 years to get to the Promised Land.

The Israelites' delay in getting to the promised land was as a result of Moses' resistance, Pharaoh's hardened heart and the unbelief of the Israelites. You can delay your appointed time by disbelieving and murmuring.

Complaining and murmuring only lengthen your journey to the Promised Land. We can also delay our appointed time through ignorance of our appointed time.

The man of God went on to speak on the set time. He noted that the set time must necessarily happen. When the set time comes nobody can do anything about it; no power can stop your set time. At the set time it shall come to pass. The set time is the fullness of time. (Galatians 4:4)

He admonished the congregants to rejoice with people when their set time comes for it is an assurance of theirs.

Speaking on the acceptable year of the Lord, Rev. Jesse hinted that it can be any year. The acceptable year means there is an agreement on something and it's acceptable between both parties. The acceptable year can be negotiated.

He illustrated how Abraham provoked the grace of God to bring his acceptable year forward by hosting the guests and sacrificing his best calf to prepare a meal for them.

He taught that you enter the acceptable year by:

# Faith

# Giving, sacrificing and service to God

# Confession and Declaration

He challenged congregants that they can negotiate or provoke their acceptable year by what they do.  Hezekiah, Hannah, Dorcas, Zacchaeus and many others are examples of people who changed their accepted year through their sacrifices, negotiations and faith in God.

He led the congregation as they lifted up prayers to provoke their acceptable year. Indeed it has been a week of great and mighty exploits of faith.

Don't miss out on the Mega Impartation Service set to place at the Phenomenal Faith Cathedral at 5:00 pm. Come along with your mantle (towel, handkerchief, dress) and anointing oil...and of course, your faith!

Faith hears, faith sees and faith speaks

The doctor sat across the desk and observed his strange uneasy movements in his seat. He kept oddly changing positions in his seat. "Are you alright?" The doctor asked him. That was when he described his condition to the doctor. After speaking, the doctor leaned forward and told him, "This is a serious condition which demands a surgery on your spine." 

Rev. Jesse Sackey was on the verge of paralysis. He almost signed the documents for the surgery but the Holy Spirit instructed him to wait. Nonetheless, the condition worsened. It got to the point where he could not walk and was confined to a wheelchair. In fact, he had postponed a programme scheduled to take place twice. But this third time he was not going to postpone it. Men carried him on their shoulders into the meeting where he would minister- sitting. As he preached the Word of God, the pain would leave him and you would not even recall that this was the man who was carried in moments ago. 

That day, after ministering God's Word, the Lord asked him to pray for the sick. "Lord, pray for the sick?! I'm sick myself, how can I pray for the sick?" He objected within himself. The doubt was strong and the devil said to him, "Don't come and disgrace yourself here." But he was encouraged by what Jesus said they'd say: "Physician, heal thyself."

He called for the sick, still sitting down in front of the mammoth congregation in South Africa. It was like magic- from every angle of the auditorium they streamed forward, expectant to receive their healings. He prayed for the sick, still sitting in his seat. The aftermath was incredible healings and miracles. He had not moved an inch from his seat but the power of God was so strong and people were falling under the power of God even though he did not touch any of them.

Fast forward to some four months lying on his back and taking globe-spinning medications, Rev. Sackey distinctly heard the Voice of the Lord say, "..by His stripes you were healed." All along he presumed that "...by His stripes we are healed," (Isaiah 53:5) was the Word. But not so in 1 Peter 2:24! Our healing was effected when that Word was penned by the Prophet Isaiah and was fulfilled by Jesus Christ!

The moment he heard that, some strength entered his feet. He had been warned not to walk, for in the day he did- if he fell- that would be his paralysis. But holding unto that Word, he rose, walking out of his room. All that while he had been on his back, he could not go anywhere- not even to Church.

 

So that day his family returned from Church and found him seated at the edge of the staircase. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" his wife screamed. 

Calmly, he rose from the chair and started descending the stairs. It was rejoicing and celebration in the house that day! He'd been gloriously healed simply by holding on to God's Word in faith! Glory!

The fourth night of the 40 Days of Exploits of Faith was another supercharge of great faith for attendees. Rev. Jesse Sackey of the Latter Rain Chapel International, taught on the subject: "Faith hears, faith sees and faith speaks." Reading from 2 Corinthians 4:13, he noted that faith is in levels that we must progressively grow in. As we walk with Christ faithfully, our faith increases. He adumbrated some levels of faith as being:

# No faith

# Little faith

# Faith

# Great faith

He charged congregants to rise to higher levels of faith, outlining three means of doing so viz.

# The ability of your faith to hear the Voice of God.

He taught that our faith is an entity that is living. It therefore must be fed with the Word of God. He said, "You have to believe that you believe in order to enter into real faith."

He challenged congregants to copy God's example of faith which He exhibited right from creation (Genesis 1:1-3).

He hinted that your faith can work when you hear God's Word (Romans 10:17) which comes through the "Rhema-Word", teaching and preaching.

He taught that you must always expect a Word of faith directly addressed to you when you come into any Church Service.

He earnestly declared, "One verse of Scripture can transform your life and change the situation...the Word comes to your Spirit not just your ears."

# See it in the spirit realm.

The man of God turned over to Jeremiah 1:4, 11-12 and said, "See with the eyes of faith. See things which your physical eyes cannot see... See the Word that has been spoken."

He explained that we have to have what we hear in pictorial form and that's why Paul prayed that the eyes of your understanding will be enlightened (Ephesians 1:17). He challenged congregants to see the Word in manifestation (John 1:14).

He declared, "What you see with your spiritual eyes is what God will put into your hand. See the picture of what God is telling you...start imagining and picturing it. When God speaks to you, He describes it to you and wants you to start imagining...Don't see yourself down but lifted."

"When you hear and when you see, the Lord will perform it," he continued.

He noted that every true prophecy doesn't look like you at the time it is spoken. In fact, it is exactly the opposite. Rev. Sackey said, "When you hear the Word, open the eyes of your spirit."

He further admonished members to create photos and pictures of what God has said.

# Open your mouth and say it.

Narrating the story of Elijah and King Ahab (1 Kings 18:41), Rev. Sackey taught that once you say it, you have committed Heaven and there must be a performance of that which has been spoken.

Faith was alive all across the auditorium with congregants on their feet receiving prophetic utterances and decrees. Rev. Jesse, under a strong prophetic unction, announced, "In these last days the Church will be empowered with the overtaker's anointing...the Church will be the strongest force upon the face of the earth...there shall be an end time revival...you will confound and confuse people in your family."

He continued, "Between August and September this year, this Church will be turned into a testimony house!"

'Twas a night of hearing, seeing and speaking! Another level of faith awaits you tonight- be sure to attend the Service at the Phenomenal Faith Cathedral at 6pm.

Believe in God because with God all things are Possible

Sickness cannot thrive in God's Presence. Darkness is totally extinguished when light shows up. No wonder John writes that the light shines in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:5). In an atmosphere that was saturated with the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the Word of His grace, the faith of attendees siphoned the power of God available to heal, to bless, to lift and to deliver. 

Many were healed instantly during the ministration of the Spirit on the second night of the 40 Days of Exploits of Faith. The Phenomenal Faith Cathedral was rent with rejoicing and thunderous applause to the glory of God. Notable among the miracles that took place was that of a brother who had been afflicted for 20 years with a condition he described as "yellow malaria". He could not stretch his right arm over his head but as Bishop Nterful led congregants to pray fervently and release their faith, he received his healing. What a beautiful moment it was! Hallelujah!

"Tonight, that which has been impossible in your life will become possible," Bishop Nterful announced when he mounted the stage.

Teaching on a message themed "Believe in God because with God all things are possible," the man of God read from Luke 1:34,37. He explained that to be favoured means to be chosen. Adding, he noted that when favour comes your way everything changes. 

The man of God disclosed that with man there can be impossibility but with God nothing shall be impossible. He also challenged attendees to believe in God according to Mark 11:22 and to not believe in the situation or people.

He said, "Lift up your eyes to God- this great God...the problem we have is that we don't know about God. He is Omnipotent...He is the God who made the sun, which is 93 million miles from the earth and is stationary over there...this God gathers the seas in the hollow of his palm...it doesn't matter the situation; believe in God."

Bishop Nterful continued, "Sometimes, God waits until you have been reduced to hopelessness and like Sarah's case, He orchestrates the impossible...Once you add God, what is not possible becomes possible. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? As far as God is concerned nothing is too hard; your duty is to believe in God."

He earnestly exhorted, "Only God knows the time of life concerning your situation and that's why you shouldn't be anxious. No amount of worry or anxiety can change your situation. Make your request known to God and leave it to him."

Expounding on the three "times" there are, he said that there is:

# The Time

# Your Time

# God's Time.

He taught that "the time" and "your time" are insignificant. What matters is God's time because He makes all things beautiful in His time! Glory!

He also hinted that challenges are opportunities for our faith to be tested and that our faith is there to help us to be victorious over the issues of life.

The auditorium was turgid with immense grace and divine energy as the man of God prophesied profusely with congregants receiving and praying in the Spirit.

'Twas a night of the heavenly! Tonight is set to shift you unto a higher pedestal of faith! Be sure to attend the Service at the Phenomenal Faith Cathedral at 6pm.

Faith: The Master Key to Your Breakthrough

A pastor led a man whose vision had terribly declined to his Bishop for prayer. The Bishop laid his hands on the afflicted man and declared, "Receive your healing in the Name of Jesus." After the prayer, the man was led out the same way he was led in. However, subsequently, something changed. His sight was restored and he could see clearly now! Glory to God! His faith had healed him!

The opening night of 40 Days of Exploits of Faith was explosive with the glory and power of God as the Phenomenal Faith Cathedral was packed with congregants from the length and breadth of Gospel Light branches in Accra. It was a sweet time of fellowship, edification and impartation as attendees were blessed to receive the ministry of Bishop Emmanuel Nterful.

The man of God was welcomed by the Presiding Bishop of Gospel Light International Church, Bishop Matthew Addae-Mensah, who announced that faith always defies challenges. 

Teaching on "Faith: The Master Key to Your Breakthrough," Bishop Nterful expounded Hebrews 11:1. He said, "Faith says, 'I have it.' Faith means you have it. If you have to have it in your hand before you believe it then it's not faith. You may not physically have seen it or touched it but you have confidence that you'll actually have it...the proof of things you've not seen is faith."

Bishop Nterful stressed that one cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). Adding, he noted, "Faith is believing the Word of God and believing God. God wants you to believe He is God and that He is able...a Christian who does not live by faith does not please God."

In fact, 'The just shall live by faith' is recorded four times through the Scriptures in Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38, showing how indispensable faith is to the believer!

Come to think of it, the Christian life is called The Faith and we are called Believers.

The man of God declared, "Your faith in God pleases Him."

Bishop Nterful elucidated how to exercise your faith by describing the difference between what faith is and what faith is not.

He noted that believing with the mind is not faith. Neither is hope faith. Hope speaks of the future. Whereas faith speaks of NOW.

Bible faith is of the heart; you believe with your heart according to Mark 11:22-24. Walking attendees through several Scriptures including Romans 10:10, John 4:24, Romans 7:22, Proverbs 20:27 and 1 Peter 3:4, Bishop Nterful delineated the dichotomy between the spirit, soul and body, saying, "Your heart is your spirit. You are a spirit. You have a body. You have a soul. The real you is a spirit and God made you in His image. God is a Spirit...when God wants to contact you, He does so through your spirit."

He pointed out that faith comes to your spirit because it is your spirit that believes. Adding, the man of God cautioned, "As long as it is in your mind or you perceive it with your senses, it is not faith...faith is not reason...look unto Jesus and not the situation."

Amidst many prophetic declarations, Bishop Nterful bolstered the faith of attendees, inspiring confidence in God and His Word in their hearts.

He also journeyed through many accounts of people who exercised their faith to receive their miracles when they encountered Jesus in Mark 5:34, Mark 10:52, Mark 2:5 and Matthew 9:27. One thread that ran through each of these accounts was that each one received their miracle because of their faith.

In closing, Bishop Nterful said, "Mine is to believe, His is to do...once God sees your faith, everything will fall in place."

'Twas a night of faith! Tonight's Service is also at 6:00 pm at the Phenomenal Faith Cathedral. Be sure to attend and bolster your faith to an all-time high!