Author: Samuel Azeez

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Missions: the role of the prophetic

The role of the prophetic in missions is very important. Many years ago, a group of missionaries went to a village in parts of Nigeria to preach the gospel. Unfortunately, they were hindered by residents who pursued them with machetes out of the village and brutally killed  some of them.  

I got news about the incident when my pastor stormed onto the pulpit in a night vigil with tears in his eyes, with a loud voice pleading we should pray for the family of the bereaved. Moreover, we should pray for vengeance of God against the village. Hearing vengeance, at first I resisted praying as such recalling “pray for your enemies” bible verse. But when he expounded on how an innocent person’s body was brutally butchered to the point of death. I had no choice but to pray. A vigil meant for personal prayers turned to prayers for the bereaved. 

Missions are all about obedience to the commandments of Christ- “go into the world and preach the gospel”. Missions enacts the kingdom of God in a place. It’s fulfilment brings about transformed minds, transformed societies, transformed economy and a transformed nation. Successful missions by preaching the gospel have helped built free schools in poverty depraved areas of the world, which in turn have contributed positively to economies. 

Replaying the tragic scene in my mind allowed me the difference between missions as result of good intentions and prophetic insights. There is nothing bad in good intentions but it does not always reflects the mind of God. It can lead to fruitless efforts, because God is not involved. 

A prophetic insights reveals the mind of God about a mission. Tells us what will be. Can reveal the spiritual topography of the mission station and provide prophetic solutions. More importantly we have sufficient knowledge which helps us contain our burning zeal. Otherwise, it will be false zeal. 

A mission station can be compared to a maze, without clarity of the way (prophetic insights) we will collide with walls and offend. Prophetic insights will save us from tragic scenarios and help us navigate life easily. 

I think we disregard prophetic insights when it comes to missions because we be-little what mission is to charitable deeds or we are consumed by a burning zeal which may not necessarily imply the will of God. Mission is warfare – contending with spiritual forces, eradication of parts of established cultural norms and establishment of the kingdom of God. Mission is a sensitive task and should be taken seriously. Even a little setup of evangelical activity within a town centre should not be taken with levity. Be sober, be vigilant ….the enemy is looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  

Typical examples of prophetic insights are the multiple revelations about Paul’s arrest at Jerusalem  (Acts 21 ), the redirection of the disciples by the spirit from Asia (Acts 16:6) , the prophetic dream that called Paul into Macedonia (Acts 16:9) and the meeting of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). These are all justifications that good intentions is not all there is to missions but when good intentions is supplemented with prophetic insights it becomes a success. 

Christ relates with our weaknesses. He was of a burning zeal with good intentions and lack of prophetic insights in some cases. He recounted fruitless efforts (Matthew 11:21-24). If they were due to prophetic insights he would know better to go into places to be fruitful.  

The role of the prophetic is crucial in kingdom building primarily because it is foretelling. Oftentimes, one of the many features that separates the prophetic from other offices is that what someone can pray for months before getting revelations, the prophetic can get within minutes. Trying to gain access to spiritual top-level information such as the spiritual topography of a place belongs to the prophetic office and therefore may take time to be unravelled to the non-prophetic. Therefore, I think it is probable that the prophetic is always involved in missions just as the way kings in the Bible will inquire from prophets about warfare. 

Persecution is not negligible for a Christian especially in missions. It should not be taken as a sign of mission failure  but it can be prevented or reduced by prophetic insights. 

If we therefore live by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit. 

Is the lord saying you should go on that mission or evangelical assignment, or you are just moved by your zeal and good intentions? Seek the prophetic!!

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An addition to your prayer journal

We have lists for different types of prayers in our prayer journal, ranging from “prayers that prevail”, “now I lay me down to sleep prayers”, “prayer for provision” and many others. Having all these arsenals in our weaponry can be confusing at times, as to what to pray about especially when circumstances that warrant prayers are muddled up. Recognizing priority is paramount in this case.

Recognition of priorities in our daily lives makes life easier without stress. Our plans are able to flow into each other avoid havoc without disruptions. Priority recognition is also important in our dealings with God. unrecognition of priorities can lead to delayed blessings and living a life below what God desires us to be.

God tests priorities

Christ saw that Bartimaeus was blind but still asked what he wanted (Mark 10:46-52). Take heed your essential need may be relegated for nonessential one. Asking the non-priority will not be God’s fault. His Word simply says: “Ask and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:7).

Recognition of Priority

Bartimaeus recognised his priority but the man at the beautiful gate did not (Acts 3:1-9). Oftentimes it takes one to be a critical thinker to be able to analyse one’s life and know priorities. Sometimes they may hide in darker shade such as the spirit realm. The best way to unravel priorities is through the help of the Holy Spirit. Seeking and praying by the help of the Holy Spirit helps us pray priority prayers (Romans 8:26).

Seek the help of the Holy Spirit today for priority prayers.

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Identity amongst the gifts of the Spirit

The gifts of the Spirit is crucial for the edification of the church –  “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supply, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, make increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:16 KJV). A joint becomes ineffectual of the measure it supplies if it is dislocated or not in its rightful place and, thus will not contribute effectively to the healthiness of the body.

Identity defines us: what we do and who we are. Therefore a misplaced identity can be catastrophic to an individual or more so an organization formed by chains of individuals.

The danger in defining identity today is because it is induced rather than soulishly discovered. Common examples in the circular world is when a qualified lawyer resigns from her career and becomes a chef. You ask why she became a lawyer in the first place and it could be because mom and dad are lawyers. You ask why she resigned to be a chef and it will be because she enjoys doing it.

This same ordeal can also be applied to the church today. Because someone served faithfully under a Pastor should not automatically identify him as a pastor. More so because someone can hear the voice of God does not automatically qualify him as a prophet. There are misplaced identities in the church today that can be unhealthy to the body of Christ. Remember Stéphanos was ordained a deacon by the church but his true identity was an Evangelist (Acts 6:8). Selah.

If identities induced can be unhealthy. How can identities be discovered within the church? A story I like to point at is the story of Jesus Christ. He suffered of a misplaced identity – he was called a carpenter (Mark 6:3), he was called a Demoniac (John 10:20), he was called Elijah the prophet (John 1:21) and lastly he was called the king of the Jews (John 19:3). His true identity was only revealed by the Spirit of God as the son of God (Matthew 16:16-17). The spirit of God is the soul of the Christian body. He alone can reveal our identity to us.

Once identity is discovered it serves as the base rock from which the foundation can be built. The gates of hell may come against it but they will not prevail (Matthew 16:17-19).

Seek the Holy spirit today to discover your identity.

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Aligning with the will of God

What makes a child of God is aligning with the will of God – Your will becomes the father’s will (John 1:12-13). This is the ultimate reason that separates us from Satanism.

When we think of the father’s will for our lives – we always think of it in a rosy way, that it is God’s will that all should be well at all times. In reality according to scriptures, contrast is the case; the Israelite going into captivity of the Babylonians was the will of God, Christ’s suffering and death was the will of God. The dispersing of the Israelites into other countries for captivity was to evangelise himself amongst the nations of the earth. The death of Christ was for the reconciliation of man to him.

God possess you, your will becomes his will, that he might do his good pleasure in the earth (Philippians 2:13). Yield to his will. There is no way God can use you if you do not accept his will. He will not be able to fully possess you and thus is power through you cannot be fully realised.

Situations that enacts God’s will may not be favourable but God’s thoughts for you is to do you good and give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). Patience therefore is required in the accomplishment of his will (James 1:2).

Align with the father’s will.

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A happy life in unfavourable situations

Living a happy life in unfavourable situations is essential in our walks with God. The journeys of the Israelite in the wilderness shows turmoil, haughtiness, backslidings and miracles. During all these phases in their journeys God was with them leading them by a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night although they had no direct access to meeting God in the tent of meeting which was behind the veil, except Moses.

The baffling question to ask is why were they turning to other gods or backsliding despite the presence of God in the midst of them though behind the veil? Having witnessed great miracles – the parting of the red sea, bread falling from heaven and meat in the wilderness, are all answers in response to their complaints. These did not permeate their minds, it was as if they needed more.

There are two types of veils in the story; first is the veil of the mind and the second is the veil of tent of tabernacle. The first limits the perception of the nature of the workings of God and the second limits their access to God. The limitations presented by the first veil poses great expectations – a better life than the life of slavery. Everyone wants a good life and thus their complaint is justified but the more important thing is to have knowledge of what God is doing in that season.

When expectations does not align with God’s doings in a season, this creates a cloud of hindrance which hinders our belief, our perception of God’s presence – it looks like God is not present whereas he is present. This is the veil.

It must be very hard for the Israelite to belief because of these veils, a God who appeared to them and insists he is the God of their fathers but despise them of their uncleanliness and want no contact with them, hence created a veil between them. God has repented. If they could persevere in their belief of God what of we who Christ died for thereby casting off the veil, that God now reside in us. How much we ought to stand firm and belief? In this realm God has chosen not to put himself behind the veil but you have the choice to put him behind the veil.

Therefore Rejoice!! Rejoice!! Cast off the veil of your mind and see God for he is with you though it does not look like it.

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The love of God marred by racism?

love between race

One of the hindrances of God’s love in our society today is racism – the idea that one’s race is superior to other races. The prevalence is in from the top of the society to its bottom – turn on the news and you are likely to hear about it, talk to friends and your conversation might shift to that. Unfortunately, it has found way into the church.

Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians expresses the grandeur of the love of God – may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19).The love of God knows no bounds. In-spite of the love of God towards us, why is it not affecting the society as it ought to. Atheists will ask, “if there is a God why is there so much evil in this world?” The main reason is because the love of God is reliant on man for its fulfilment.


A story that comes to mind is the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). Philip was instructed by the Holy Spirit to go and meet a man not disclosing his identity. On getting to the road the Holy Spirit told the white man to join the running chariot without disclosing the identity of of the passenger. The white man ran as fast as he could to join himself to the chariot and as he peeped to see who the passenger was he discovered he is a black man, much inquiry tells that he is an Ethiopian at the service of the Queen. Philip preached to him, baptized and was taken by the Holy spirit. It appears as if the Holy spirit was indifferent about skin colour that was why he forgot to disclose his identity. It appeared that Philip was no racist either that was why he preached to the black man even after his discovery.


Much of this was exemplified in the past where white men have descended to the black continent to share the good news. This endeavour seems to contradict its purpose on a white continent: the pioneer of Azusa revival learnt about the gospel by sitting by the door of the church because white men would not allow black men in the church. We have cases in some churches where the sitting arrangement is that black people dominate a section of the church and white people the other. This racial consciousness amongst believers extends to the circular society, where qualification is not taken into consideration or even more so being a Christian but being white or black. It is no wonder why some black people concluded that Christianity brought by missionaries was just a tool for colonization and slavery. Is he a Christian that judges you based on your skin colour? This is the love of God marred by race.


I think the problem with racism in the Christendom is the preservation of old identity. In his epistle to the Ephesians, he exhorts them of the change that has occurred in their identity – you are dead and your life is hidden in Christ. In other words, the life they have is no longer theirs but a life that is Christ – if Christ can be bias in showing love then they can and vice versa. He went forward to extend their identity towards race – here there is no Jews, Greek or barbarians but Christ is all and in you all. In other words they are to see themselves as one irrespective of their differences.


Another is the contamination of new identity in Christ by infiltration of world’s ideas. The world have ideas in preserving, for example, international economics, migrations etc which are effected by laws and policies. Migrants or races can suffer hostility because of these in the advancement of national interest. But consider the persecution of the early Church, how they fled to different places and were accommodated by brethren in those places (Acts 18:2-3) . Such may be hindered today because brethren have conceded to world ideas – “this is our country, don’t come here. Die in your country”. Are they Christians and are you Christians? This is the love of God marred by race.


The capability of a man to transmit the love of God to another is rooted in the soul of the man. For example, it is hard for a man who is broken to love easily. The demonstration of his love is shown by his mindfulness of us and the thirst for affection of us in Christ’s sacrificial offering (John 3:16, Psalm 8:4-8 ) – Christ is God’s love. No man can fully express the love of God without Christ. A man can express love but will still be hindered by some values in his identity for example, social class. but with his identity in Christ he learns to love unconditionally. Therefore the innate nature of a Christian (one with Christ) is to express the love of God in its fulness.


Why does the issue of race then still persist within the global church – “Examine yourself, how Christ is formed in you. Know you not yourselves, except you are reprobate” (2 Corinthians 13:5) . The danger racism poses within Christianity is the continuance of its marginalization within the society. In contrast the will of God is that the kingdom of God is enacted through the Church and giving life to everything it touches in the society (Ezekiel 47) . Christians are to shine as lights in this world, showing examples in every instance of racism declination and thereby reforming the society.


The love of God transcends the barrier of race, erecting itself in peculiar places, attracting affections and unifying men.


Shout this – “It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.”

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Playing with Fire?

My first experience of the fire of God was during my service as an executive of a Christian fellowship in senior high school. We gathered together, praising God. Suddenly, a girl started complaining about fire burning her. At first we resisted her leaving but when she complained that there is fire in the gathering and she could not bear it, we had to let her leave. I have since experienced more people complaining about the same. one observation during these ordeals is that their flesh does not burn but it is their spirit burning. That is a glimpse of the fire in hell, an indication that the bible is true. Imagine being tormented with such fire momentarily, what of eternity where will your spirit be?


Fire from the lord has its root in the priestly order. The priests were commanded to offer burnt offerings of all sort – peace offering, sin offering, guilt offering. As a result the fire on the altar must continue burning.  When priests offer these offerings, a superior fire comes from the lord and consumes. The fire can consumes two things – either the priests  or the sacrificial offering. Fire from God consumes priest, when they offer sacrifice not in accordance to God’s instructions. Fire consumes sacrificial offering when priests adhere to God’s instructions. When fire consumes burnt offerings it is an indication that their trespasses have been pardoned, restoration of relationship with God which commands the blessing. When priests offer burnt offerings it is not that fire is the answer but the presence of God is what is invoked, fire bursts from the presence of God when there is anything that is consumable. There are places where the glory of God came down but no fire (1 Kings 8:11. 2 Chronicle 5:14) and there are places with fire (2 Chronicles 7:1-16).


This fire can take two forms – invisible or visible. What is witnessed nowadays is the invisible fire of God. 


The old testament was a shadow of things to come. The gathering, the church is is not a place for perfect people but a clinic for the brokenhearted, a place of deliverance for the captives and a place for equipping of the saints. When priests follow the instruction of God in order of leading the people, an invisible fire from God delivers his people, restoration of broken relationship with God is made and they are blessed. On the contrary, if he fails to follow the instructions the priest suffers spiritual death from an invisible fire. Examples of fire consuming priests – Eli and his sons (1 Samuel 2:12-36), Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1). 


Fire from God is burning in this season. Are you playing with fire?

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Struggling to read the Bible? – 6 points that can help.

The bible, we often do not consider it a required accessory of a christian except when attending church, it is one of those dusty books on the shelf. Some of us attend church without it. When instructed by the discipler that we should always read the bible we often find it difficult to obey. Often it is because we consider many parts as stories on pages of a book, skim through, become bored. Other times, we completely forget to read it. It feels laborious because we do not know its purpose. When the purpose of a thing is undefined abuse is inevitable. Personally, I realized when I am in spiritual mode – maybe in the place of prayers, praising, fasting or meditating the Spirit of God always brings to remembrance part of the bible that I have read to instruct me, strengthen the reasons for prayer petitions and sometimes a bible verse may be an answer to prayers.


The bible is a past, present and future book. It is past because it contains past stories of God’s interaction with people. It is present because it is applicable to now. It is future because it is prophetic in nature. We have knowledge on how to relate with God based on his attributes which he demonstrated in the past – we know God gets angry, we know he is merciful, we know he speaks, we know he gets jealous, we know he loves companionship etc. It contains the recipe for man’s survival now; the voice of God written down which can be used to navigate the affairs of life (Deut 8:3, 2 Peter 1:20). It is an ordinary but powerful book when the spirit of God breathes on it; it contains promises which when wield by the spirit of God commands blessings. It helps build up the voice and life of God in us; the more we read it shapes our consciences.


Therefore, It is important for us to be keen on reading the bible. Here are 6 points that I think might help:

  1. Ask the Holy Spirit for help – The holy spirit breathes life to the words on the page of the book. He is the author of the book (2 Peter 1:20-21) and he alone understands better the intent of the word and how it is supposed to be applied to you.
  2. Take the Bible as Medication – to always read the bible when you feel uninterested, assume you are spiritually sick and the only medication for that is the Word of God in the Bible. Most medications feels bitter in the mouth but they always perform their function when swallowed. The same is the Bible, it may feel bored when reading it but read it anyways it will perform its function in the future.
  3. Study to Show Approval by God – study to show yourself approved to God not unto men. Studying the bible this way allows God to be involved in the study and devoid of the opinion of men.
  4. Read Christian Books – christian books often contains application of the bible which helps to deepen our understanding of the bible.
  5. Meditation – read it, churn it in your thoughts until your spirit man syncs with the spirit-life bursting out of the book. This may take several hours in the day but it is one of the ways Rhema comes from the bible. 
  6. Read it daily – If we eat daily then we should read the bible daily.
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If any Man be in Christ

Understanding the plan of God for the establishment of his kingdom is crucial. One question that comes to mind is why does the new covenant include the outpouring of His spirit upon all flesh? There must be a reason why God has decided to reside in man.

Man is a Host

In my little years, I have had the opportunity to witness hatred and extreme ruthless behaviour of man. When I inquired as to why, I discovered it is the spirit in man that decides his actions. If a man hosts the spirit of the prince of this world, his actions will be to steal, kill and destroy. Everything he does will be towards the pursuit of material things at the expense of love, peace and good moral standards. Someone possessed with witchcraft will always want control. Someone with a mermaid spirit will always lure men for sex. On the other hand, someone possessed with the Holy Spirit will show the fruits of the spirit – love, joy ….. (Galatians 5:22-23). Jeremiah puts it more clearly: I know, O LORD that a man’s way is not his own: no one walks to direct his steps ( Jeremiah 10:23). Check the spirit it is that which defines a man.

2 Corinthians 5:17

We often misjudge what it means to be in Christ. The popular scripture is from 2 Corinthians 5:17. The verse that precedes this verse is the important part: Paul wrote: Now we know no man after the flesh (in other words we do not look at man from the outward appearance anymore but by the spirit in him). verse 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things have passed away behold all things have become new. He is a new creature because he now possess the spirit of Christ – anyone without the Spirit of Christ is none of his (Romans 8:9). To be in Christ is more than just believe (demons also believe and tremble) or the sinners prayer. It is the replacement of the spirit inside man with the spirit of Christ. Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8 is an example of a man who believed but not in Christ.

The apostles were not indifferent about the replacement of the spirit in man as the basis for any man to be in christ. The story of cornelius is an example (Acts 10), the apostles descension to samaria (Acts 8:4-40), Paul’s meeting with a group of believers (Acts 19). All instances of belief were always succeeded with the receipt of the Holy spirit. It marks the transition of the believer from the kingdom of darkness being ruled by the prince of this world to the kingdom of Light to be ruled by the spirit of christ.

Perhaps it is this reason why we have hybrids among us – people who believe but are citizens of kingdom of darkness. The one who prophesies among you, does he do it by the spirit of Christ or by the prince of this world? Evidence is shown in the manner of life – doctrine of the children of light or doctrine of the children of darkness.

The plan of God in regards to the establishment of the kingdom of God will be that for man to perform His will, He himself will have to dwell in man. When you are thinking of anyone in Christ, perhaps let us think again.

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The message for 2020

This year 2020 so far has been the year of the unexpected with the pandemics coming into play (Covid- 19 and BLM). Covid-19 kept a large proportion of the world in Lockdown. These unexpected occasions has been a time of revelations. It has revealed cracks in the walls of our relationships with God, family and other fellow humans — high numbers of reported divorce cases , deficiency of self-control, unjust treatments of our fellow human beings and many others.If there is one message this season is trying to communicate, it is that we need to Repent.

Articles for this Season.

  1. To repent we need to discover the cracks in our walls that needs mending. The Power of The Truth: What do believers do in this time of Revelation?
  2. Cannot see the need for repentance? Then it is high time to turn to God, to hear him speak to us of areas in need of adjustments. Turn Aside: A Call to Mysteries.
  3. Having hard times repenting? Having a conviction but refusing to repent is one of the signs that we may be on the slippery road to destruction. Conviction and Repentance.
  4. Have you gone into sin in this season due to your weaknesses and you do not feel worthy to be called a Christian anymore? The precious blood is sufficient for you. Are you a Saint? : Affirming your status in Christ.