Encouragement
~GODISNOWHERE~
By Joseph Jerry Umaru ( [email protected] )
[email protected]
www.myspace.com/Joseph2Nations
***Permission and encouragement to reproduce and re-transmit this article is hereby granted, but only in its entirety, including author’s name and contact details at the end of the article, and without any alterations.
Sometime last year, while listening to/watching a man of God preach on a Christian television program, the letters; “GODISNOWHERE” were briefly flashed on the TV screen.
Ever since I saw those letters (or code, if I may call it so), I have asked a couple of people to form a sentence with those letters and the ‘feedbacks’ I got varies from person to person.
While some of those I presented the letters(code) to, formed the sentence; “God Is No Where”, some others rightly formed the sentence; “God Is Now Here”.
The Lord used those letters (GODISNOWHERE) to pass a message across to me. He told me that; as He begin and continues to use me through the instrumentality of writings and ministrations to reach humanity, there will be those who will see ‘God Is No Where’ in my writings and ministrations, and there will also be those who will see ‘God Is Now Here’ in what He(God) will be doing through me.
Even though that message communicated me through the letters; “GODISNOWHERE” was/is a personal message to me and for me, I want to in this article, ‘zero it in’ to the general life scenario of a Believer…
There are those who see ‘God Is No Where’ in the midst of their challenges and trials and they are thus swept away by the challenges and the storms of life.
On the other hand, there are also those who see ‘God Is Now Here’ amidst challenges, and are thus able to ride on those challenges to their destiny--- soaring to greater heights in God. That is, they make lemonades out of the lemons presented them by life’s circumstances.
---GODISNOWHERE---
What are you seeing? God is Now Here or God is No Where?
My teenage nephew, Simeon A. Umaru innocently interchanged the letters when I asked him to form a sentence with GODISNOWHERE. He(Simeon) came up with the sentences; “God Is Here Now” and “Now Here Is God”. I love the young lad’s juvenile creativity!
It really doesn’t matter how the letters are re-arranged and how the sentence is phrased, the bottom line is: See God in every situation… See God -NOW- in the midst of trials, and FEAR NOT!
Just as Bishop Bitrus Kato said in his New Year cross-over message; “Whenever you are confronted with challenges, just shake your head---shake your body and say to yourself; ‘FEAR NOT!’ Because, the Lord has given us the ‘fear not’ assurance in His Word”.
So, fear not! For God is NOW here with you and for you. He is not planning to be here – He is NOW right here with you and for you!
Be rest assured: In the midst of your setbacks, trials, challenges and disappointments--- God Is Now Here. Hallelujah!!
That’s why He calls Himself; “Eheyeh asher Eheyeh”(Hebrew), which literally means “…I AM THAT I AM” – I am NOW here because I am Now here. Waow!! What an awesome revelation of the Divine. This amazing revelation truth is gloriously sweeping in its implications!
Hey, grow in the wonder of this awesome revelation truth, glory in the beauty of it, walk in the reality of it and fear not the storms and the problems of life!
So, rather than saying; ‘God here is my problem’, you should put the problem into perspective by saying; ‘problem here is my God’.
Let your approach and confession be like that of Missionary Ellis Govan during the Japanese invasion of China; “I will look up and travel onward and not be afraid”.
God is big enough, strong enough and powerful enough to deal with every storm and challenges of life.
---GODISNOWHERE---
What are you seeing? God is No Where or God is Now Here?
Amidst confusion, hopelessness, crisis and the challenges of life, the world around you might be seeing and saying; “God Is No Where”, but for you that see things with the Eye of the Spirit, your confession and testimony should always be: “God Is Now Here!”
In 2Kings 6:8-17, we read the account of how the Syrian king sent horses, chariots and a great army that came by night and surrounded Elisha and his servant, Gehazi. The Syrian army, horses and chariots all came against Elisha the man of God!
But Elisha had the ‘GOD IS NOW HERE’ mindset. He was therefore not moved. He refused to fear for he knew he wasn’t alone – He knew that not only does God lives in him, but He’s equally present with him –even though he was surrounded by enemy forces.
Elisha’s spiritual eyes were opened to the reality of ‘God Is Now Here’ – He saw himself surrounded by the hosts of Heaven roundabout the mountain.
Gehazi, Elisha’s servant on the other hand, saw the opposite. Gehazi saw ‘God Is No Where’ in the midst of attack, while, Elisha saw ‘God Is Now Here’. Gehazi cried; “Master we are surrounded”, but Elisha told him; “We are not alone, those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2Kings 6:16). Then, Elisha prayed to God to open Gehazi’s eyes and when his eyes open, he saw ‘God Is Now Here’ – He saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha ( 2Kings 6:17). That is, those who had surrounded Elisha became surrounded!
Until your mind and eyes are opened to the reality of ‘God Is Now Here’, you will continue to scream and fidget like Gehazi – ignorant of God’s incomparably great power that is at work for you.
That was why Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians prayed that; “…the eyes of [their] heart may be enlightened in order that [they] may know the hope to which God has called [them], the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…” (Ephesians 1: 18-19 NIV).
Waow!!! I feel like giving God a jump praise here!
---GODISNOWHERE---
What are you seeing? God is Now Here or God is No Where?
How about the three (3) Hebrew children – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the burning fiery furnace? The crowd around them saw ‘God Is No Where’ in the midst of the burning fiery furnace. But King Nebuchadnezzar whose eyes were graciously opened by God saw a fourth man like the Son of God in the midst of the fire with the three Hebrew children (Read Daniel 3:24-25 KJV). Nebuchadnezzar saw ‘God Is Now Here’, while his lieutenants saw ‘God is No Where’.
How about Isaac? When famine struck the land of the Philistines, the Philistines saw; ‘God Is No Where’ amidst famine. But Isaac, whose mind and eyes were ‘opened-up’ by God, saw ‘God Is Now Here’ in the midst of drought and famine. Isaac ended up becoming a financial stalwart amidst harsh economic conditions! The Bible records thus:
“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became VERY wealthy. He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him” (Genesis 26:12-14 NIV).
How about Jacob? After Jacob deceitfully usurp Esau’s ‘blessing’, tensions began to mount between him and his brother. Jacob therefore, fled for his dear life. Jacob was ‘frustrated’ and panic-stricken – it was as if ‘God Was No Where’ for him.
As Jacob journeyed on, he reached a certain place(Luz, later to be renamed; Bethel) and he lay down there to pass the night. It was there at Bethel that God opened Jacob’s eyes to let him know that He is NOW(always) here for Him. Jacob saw a ladder reaching up to Heaven with the angels of God ascending and descending on it. It was at that point that the Lord spoke to Jacob; “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you…" (Genesis 28:15 NIV).
Jacob realized that his ‘God Is No Where’ assumption was wrong – He realized that his ‘GODISNOWHERE’ situation stood for ‘God Is Now Here’, and NOT ‘God Is No Where’.
Jacob himself attests to this fact by his remark after he woke up from that dream. He said, and the Bible records thus: “When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’ (Genesis 28:16 NIV).
---GODISNOWHERE---
What are you seeing? God is No Where or God is Now Here?
In Acts 27:1-44, we read the account of how Apostle Paul while on his way to Rome found himself in a ‘GODISNOWHERE’ situation. The ship in which Apostle was traveling in was attacked by a tempestuous wind of hurricane dimension called; “Euroclydon” or “Northeaster”...
Pandemonium and confusion engulfed Paul’s traveling companions. They went without food for many days and were preparing to say their last ‘prayers’. They saw ‘God Is No Where’ in the midst of the storm.
But Apostle Paul whose mind and eyes were opened to the reality of Jehovah Shammah saw ‘God Is Now Here’ rather than ‘God Is No Where’ amidst the ferocious storm. He knew beyond doubt that God is with them and there for them. Confident of this truth, Paul stood up and encouraged his 275 co-travelers:
”After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said…now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul…God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So, keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me…. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head…After he said this; he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276…on board…everyone reached land in safety” (Acts 27 Verses 21-24, 34-37, 44).
---GODISNOWHERE---
What are you seeing? God is Now Here or God is No Where?
At Golgotha, one of the robbers beside Jesus saw ‘God is No Where’. He was unable to decipher the “divine code” [GODISNOWHERE] ‘hanging’ very close to him – he made a mockery of it. But the second robber beside Jesus, was able to read and rightly ‘interpret’ the code as “God Is Now Here”, and the rest is history! (Read Luke 23:39-43)
May your spiritual eyes be always open to the reality of ‘God Is Now Here’, cos’, He always is, and He is well able to make ALL things (good or bad) work for your good and to your good.
People of God, when you have the faith-based mindset/mentality of ‘God Is Now Here’, no force or storms of life can weigh you down –not even what some theologians calls “the ten(10) horses of evil”…
In Romans 8:38-39, Apostle Paul lists 10 things which he said can never separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
Hear him:
“For I am persuaded that, neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8-39 KJV)
These 10 things have been described by some theologians as the “10 horses of evil” that tries to ride us down and trample us under their feet.
But when you carry the covenant-sense mindset of a ‘God Is Now Here’ Believer, you will/can take hold of these “horses”, mount them, and ride on them to your desired destiny in God---to your wealthy place in God!
There is an old saying that; “if life hands you a lemon, make lemonade”. And if I may add to that; when life presents you with thorns, wear them as a crown! Jesus did.
Apostle Paul understood this truth, and by the Spirit triumphantly wrote: “We are more than conquerors though Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:37).
We are more than conquerors – God Is NOW (always) Here with us and for us!
Jesus Christ Himself exhorts us in His word: “…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV)
If you are reading this article, that means God wants to reassure you that He is NOW Here for you – Here to show Himself strong on your behalf.
Understand this Brothers and Sisters in Christ: You are not alone for God is with you. In Hebrews 13:5, the Lord says; “…I will never leave you nor forsake you”.
I love the content of a text message a Christian Sister sent me recently; “God is [always] above you to enable you, beside you to comfort you, behind you to protect you, below you to support you, inside you to sustain you – For He is God”. I love that!
Like Bishop Bitrus Kato rightly admonished: “Whenever you are confronted with challenges, just shake your head---shake your body and say to yourself; ‘fear not!’ Cos’ the Lord has given us the ‘fear not’ assurance in His Word”.
Why contemplate suicide? Don’t ever think of suicide! God is NOW here for you…You have a great future in God that promises to be far better and brighter than your today. Your tomorrow is very promising and secured in His Hands. Don’t give up on God and don’t give up on yourself…
Fredrick B. Meyer rightly said; “God is down in front. He is in the tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills men with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass Him before they can get to us”.
Don’t let yourself be weighed down, ‘paralyzed’ and incapacitated by the fear of the future, the guilt/failures of the past or the uncertainty of the present – God is in them ALL – The past, the present and the future.
Take the words of St. Augustine to heart: “Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence”.
Be encouraged by these immortal words of St. Augustine.
I will also like you to take to heart the timeless counsel of St. Francis de Sales; “Be altogether at rest in the loving holy confidence which you ought to have in His Heavenly Providence”.
You may not know WHAT the future holds, but you know WHO holds the future, and He is NOW here for you and with you. He knows how to turn bitter waters into better waters and how to bring forth streams in the desert.
Hear God:
“But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you…He who formed you…: ‘FEAR NOT, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze…Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I AM MAKING A WAY IN THE DESERT AND STREAMS IN THE WASTELAND.” (Isaiah 43:1- 4 & Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV).
Listen up: There is nothing - absolutely nothing - in life, around life and above life which Christ has not conquered! Walk in the realty of this revelation truth from this day on! Let this truth pervade and permeates your entire being – spirit, soul, and body.
As Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s wife; Anita Oyakhilome once admonished; “Irrespective of the seeming hardships, choose to see God’s goodness. Choose to see prosperity in the midst of famine and that’s what you will have!”. Well spoken! I second her ‘motion’!
In the midst of plenty; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In the midst of lack; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In the midst of childlessness; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In the midst of sickness; see ‘God Is Now Here’...In the midst of paralysis; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In the midst of battles; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In the midst of challenges; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In the midst of hopelessness; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In the midst of imprisonment; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In the midst of frustrations; loneliness and joblessness; see ‘God Is Now Here’…In midst of false accusations; see ‘God Is Now Here’ – and He’s gonna show Himself strong on your behalf – He is Jehovah Shammah, meaning; The Lord Is Present. He is ever present in ALL situations, depths and heights!
E.A Kilbourne’s famous statement brings this truth into focus: “God is there to meet you in the center of all your trials and to whisper His secrets, which will make you come forth with a shining face and an indomitable faith that all the demons of hell shall never afterwards cause to waver”.
I pray for you as Apostle Paul did for the Ephesians:
May the eyes of your understanding be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which God has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…May the eyes of your heart be ‘opened up’---causing you to always see ‘God Is Now Here’ in the midst of every ‘GODISNOWHERE’ situation. May your spiritual and physical eyes be always open to the reality of this amazing revelation truth in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
And just incase you are reading this article and you have not given your life to Jesus Christ; I encourage you to do that right away. Give your life to Him---Ask Him to come into your heart and be your personal Lord and Savior. Ask Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life. As you do that, you will not only partake of the amazing benefits of “God Is Now Here” reality, but you will also enjoy a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with God, your Creator. You will begin to see and experience Jesus in every area of your life.
FIRST STEP: Ask Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior.
GODISNOWHERE = GOD IS NOW HERE…Here for us and always with us ---That’s why we call Him Emmanuel!!!
C’mon, continue to grow in the wonder of this amazing and inestimable revelation truth, glory in the beauty of it, and walk in the reality of it from this day on!
†Shalom!
_____Joseph Jerry Umaru
Emails: [email protected], [email protected]
Phone:(+234)-8036-814-178 and (+234)-8052-917-334
Webpage: www.MySpace.com/Joseph2Nations
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...J2N
Joseph2Nations – Proclaiming The Kingdom…The Power... and The Glory Of The Lord To The Nations Of The World...
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Did not God defeat satan, our enemy? If so, he CANNOT come in like a flood. Let's read it this way; "When the enemy come in, LIKE A FLOOD GOD raises a standard against him". A great difference wouldn't you say? Thank you for sharing. GOD BLESS YOU.