This Word is kind of an Anchor for the year, through the stormy waters. For instance, the Word for our Household of fellowship is "Arise, Pursue, Overtake and Recover ALL". We have been excited. I believe this Word is applicable to all who choose to believe also.

As humans, the flesh is automatically excited with different interpretations of the Word. Obviously, the number one area most people want to focus on is in the area of financial breakthroughs and the recovery of all the various projects we have left uncompleted. Yes, however, these are the "other things that will follow after", when we have sought the Lord!

The Bible tells us that David encouraged himself in the Lord and sought His face. Which means there was a personal relationship between them. This where the conundrum of the promise starts.
For the individual, these four words of promise are personal and specific to the different places we are at, in our journey. So you would personally need to look inward to see where you need to arise, how you have to pursue, what exactly you are pursuing. And surely, if it is in the Will of God, you are guaranteed to overtake and definitely recover all.

I want to challenge you today, as a believer in the Body of Christ. You may have no doubt, received a Word at the various "Cross over watch night services across the world. I want us to examine our Spiritual journey with Jesus. Would you confidently say that your Spirit is in Awakening? If Jesus returns today or tour spirit exits the body that you will make it into Heaven? The big question you may say but it is a real question.

It is important to mention at this point that your status in Church, the frequency of attendance of Church services; prayer meetings, conferences, missions and good deeds, do not equate Spiritual awakening in Christ Jesus.

There is a danger that most people in the Church are running on zero accounts because for them Church is like a social club. For others, their expectations God's promises have not been satisfied and they have become religious robots and just doing the rounds. There is another group because their expectations have been delayed according to the timing of man, may have become wearied and hope has diminished but are trusting God still.

It is true that hope delayed makes the heart weary. But the Lord is saying to you today, Arise and Pursue Me because My timing is a perfect time. Beloved, He is always on time and Hope maketh not ashamed. You will surely Overtake and Recover ALL, if only you will push further into a relationship with Him.

Unfortunately, most people have become lukewarm and the passion for Christ has gone out. They have become complacent. Others have become so arrogant and comfortable in their own skin and fail to accredit any kind of success to God. Their wealth and positions have clouded their vision of the end result of the Christian life. Basically, the Crown is being jeopardised by the increase of their substance.

Beloved, if you are one of those guilty of this vice, Jesus is telling you today to Arise and pursue Him with a fresh eye and understanding, to be realigned to the course of His Righteousness. He is willing to forgive and restore to you, all that was lost as a result of temporary loss of insight. He will save your soul from death and restore unto you the joy of Salvation as He renews a right Spirit within you. Then you will surely overtake and recover all. He is the one that accelerates promotion.

The Lord wants you to return to your first love. I would like to relate the activities of our times, to the Church at Ephesus in Revelations 2:2-4 - "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and has found them, liars,; And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love".

More than ever, the Church today is being plagued by false teachings and prophecies. But unlike the Ephesian Church whom Jesus credited with testing the Spirits, we have fallen foul with lack of discernment and knowledge of the Truth. There is no real desire for spiritual growth and getting to know God on a personal level like the early Christians did. Consequently, many in the Church are drinking from the cup of whoredom and heresy, sold out of self-glorification and empire building. Most people have been sidetracked and consumed by the attractions of the world when the Bible clearly says. -

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him 1 John 2:15

It is a sad state of affairs that so many people have been deceived by the lust of the eyes, the desires of the heart, such that the zeal and passion for a deep relationship with Christ have been compromised, leaving dead works as the only evidence of their faith.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever1Jo 2:16-17

The problem of sight and the flesh dates back to the Garden of Eden, in Genesis 3:6; where Eve operating under the Jezebel spirit of witchcraft (rebellion - 1 Samuel 15:23) brought about the death of a man in the Spirit as a consequent of disobedience and the wrath of God.

The flesh is still vulnerable to the lust of the eyes and is deceived by the glitter and glamour of the world that is vanity and dust. This is so; because the flesh desire overrules the spirit. However, Romans 13:14 cautions us to "instead clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh".

God has given us the grace of Spiritual awakening and opening of our spiritual eyes so that you are no longer deceived and according to 1 Peter 4:2 "no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the Will of GOD".

Beloved, Jesus is calling you and I to Arise in this new year, Pursue Him vigorously with passion and return to Him, our first love
The one who loved us first. He wants us to fan the flame of that love fire, as at when we first believed. Let not our works and good deeds in the name of the Lord overshadow our relationship with Him. We need to guard the loins of our heart so that we do not offend God.

Jesus is desirous of our fellowship with Him and to minister unto in the inner courts of His Sanctuary. He is calling you to occupy your position, worship Him in Spirit and Truth. Rekindle your love relationship and see the Master Lover work His miracle in you. He will, without a doubt ensure that you Overtake and Recover ALL the benefits associated with the pursuit of God.

I encourage you today to lift up your eyes, make the shift from the world to the Cross. The Lord shall arise upon you and His Glory be seen in you in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen .If you do not know Jesus and you are reading this article, I encourage you to open your heart and ask Him to come into your life. He is the Redeemer and only Way to God. He died so that you can live. He is Resurrected and Alive. He loves you.

Blessings

Pastor Joyce