𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐘𝐄𝐊𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐄!

 

Theme: Covenant to Shine

Preacher: Pastor Oyekunle

(APICP, Ogun Province 1)

A covenant is a powerful, binding agreement between individuals or groups. The strongest and most impactful covenant is that which exists between God and man. Those who are wise are always quick to enter into covenant with God, especially at critical seasons of life. Scripture shows us that covenant is not accidental; it is deliberate, intentional, and lifestyle-driven.

God entered into covenant with Abraham, and it provoked fruitfulness, enlargement, and generational blessing (Genesis 17:1–4). Covenant with God demands godly character; compassion, integrity, obedience, and alignment with God’s ways. When believers shine with godly character, they positively affect others. God desires His children to shine, and covenant is a divine trigger for that shining.

 What It Means to Shine?

To shine is to reflect God’s nature and character in our daily lives. It is the outward expression of an inward relationship with God. Entering and maintaining covenant with God positions believers to shine in every area of life.

Benefits of Covenant

1. Increase in Mental Capacity for Outstanding Performance

Daniel entered into a covenant not to defile himself with the king’s food and chose separation unto God (Daniel 1). As a result, he and his friends were found ten times better than their peers and remained relevant across three kingdoms.

Similarly, Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead His people. God granted him wisdom and added riches, honour, and peace (1 Kings 3). Covenant releases divine insight and excellence.

2. Marital Fruitfulness and Truthfulness

Hannah entered into a covenant with God by making a vow concerning the fruit of her womb (1 Samuel 1:11). God wiped away her reproach, gave her Samuel, and later blessed her with five additional children (1 Samuel 2:21). Covenant removes shame and establishes joy in families.

 3. Divine Health

God desires His children to prosper and be in health (3 John 2). The Israelites enjoyed divine health as they left Egypt because of God’s covenant (Exodus 15:26). Caleb testified at 85 years that he was as strong as when he was 40 (Joshua 14:10–11).

Through Christ’s sacrifice, divine health is assured for God’s children (1 Peter 2:24).

4. Material and Marital Prosperity

Isaac sowed in the land during a time of famine and reaped a hundredfold because the Lord was with him (Genesis 26:12–14). Covenant causes believers to prosper even in unfavourable seasons.

5. Removal of Negative Stigma

Naaman, though a mighty man of valour, was a leper. Through obedience to God’s instruction, his stigma was removed and he received a new beginning (2 Kings 5:1–14).

Jephthah, rejected because of his background, was later raised by God as a deliverer (Judges 11). Covenant replaces rejection with honour.

 6. God Silences Every Storm

In Mark 4, a violent storm threatened to capsize the boat. When Jesus was consulted, He rebuked the wind and there was calm. Covenant guarantees divine intervention in life’s storms.

7. Spiritual Growth and New Beginnings

God does not desire stagnation for His children. Every season brings the opportunity for change and advancement (Psalm 46:1; Joshua 1:5).

At Pentecost, Peter, once fearful—received boldness and preached with power, leading to the salvation of about 3,000 souls in one day (Acts 2:14–41). Covenant replaces confusion with clarity, weakness with strength, and fear with favour.

#𝒓𝒄𝒄𝒈𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆1𝒉𝒒

#𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉

#𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂

𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐘 𝐌𝐑𝐒. 𝐓𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐎!

𝗠𝗥𝗦. 𝗧𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗚𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗢

TOPIC: LIVING AHEAD OF THE NEW SEASON

‎PREACHER: MRS. TOSIN OGUNTAYO 

‎TEXT: GENESIS 13:14–15

‎The journey of Abraham teaches us that divine calling does not always translate to immediate manifestation. There was a season when Abraham’s progress appeared stalled, not because God had withdrawn His promise, but because certain distractions hindered full alignment with God’s purpose. It was only after Abraham separated himself from distractions and obeyed God’s directive to lift his eyes that a new season of fulfilment emerged.

‎Alignment precedes manifestation. A person may carry God’s promise, yet remain stagnant until they reposition themselves according to God’s plan. What we see with the eyes of faith determines what we eventually possess in reality (Genesis 13:14–15).

‎What do you see concerning your destiny? God’s promises are certain, but they may not always manifest speedily. Delays often create room for preparation, growth, and spiritual maturity. God remains ready to fulfil His word, but our posture and perception must align with His will.

‎

‎Steps to Reposition and Enjoy the Gains of a New Season

‎1. Identify and Release the Weights

‎Weights are not necessarily sinful, but they slow progress. Emotional trauma, unresolved pain, disappointments, and wounds from life experiences can hinder spiritual momentum. Healing is essential for progress. A believer must allow God to heal the heart in order to run the race of destiny unhindered.

‎2. Decongest Your Inner Space‎

‎Repositioning begins internally. Guard your heart diligently, renew your mind, and intentionally disconnect from distractions. Discipline, focus, courage, punctuality, and intentional living are vital tools for growth. When the inner space is aligned, outward progress follows.

‎3. Discern the Season and Align Accordingly

‎Every season comes with its own demands. God may be doing a new thing, but only those who are spiritually perceptive will recognise and align with it. Let go of past limitations and embrace what God is presently unfolding.

‎Living ahead of a new season requires vision, obedience, and deliberate alignment with God’s purpose. As believers, we are called to lift our eyes, reposition our hearts, and walk boldly into God’s promises. The land of promise is available, what remains is our readiness to possess it.

#𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒑

#𝒓𝒄𝒄𝒈𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆1𝒉𝒒

#𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉

#𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂

𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐓 𝐁𝐘 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐌𝐈 𝐎𝐁𝐀!

𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐦𝐢 𝐎𝐛𝐚

TOPIC: LIVING IN THE SPIRIT

PREACHER: PASTOR ADEYEMI OBA

TEXT: JOHN 4:23-24

INTRODUCTION

Brethren, one of the reasons you're not getting your life right is because you're living like the first Adam. Living as the first Adam will limit your salvation experience and your journey with God. The first Adam was a living soul, but the last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. It is wiser to live by the pattern of the last Adam, who has life in Himself and also gives life to others. (Isaiah 9:6)

MESSAGE

The Holy Spirit is the administrator of this present dispensation. Without understanding and yielding to Him, a believer will struggle to enjoy the fullness of the Christian life. The prayer life of a Christian must not be carried out in the flesh. When prayer is flesh-driven, it becomes routine and powerless. Your understanding of the Holy Spirit enables you to truly live. Life in the Spirit is sustained by relationship, not effort.

The Holy Spirit is not a thing; He is a living being and the third person of the Trinity.

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

1. The Holy Spirit is a living Spirit. He has a personality. He has emotions. He can be grieved and He can be blasphemed. Matthew 12:31 makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is not a force but a Person.

2. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. John 14:16 shows us that He is just and truthful. Walking in truth, even in the marketplace, strengthens your Christian walk. Integrity is not optional for a Spirit-led life. He doesn't joke with truth; when you lie, you make the Holy Spirit angry. You can feel His presence, whether within, in, or around you, and nothing is hidden from Him. (Rom 8:1, Rom 7)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT?

To walk in the Spirit means that your life, decisions, actions, and responses are directed and coordinated by the Holy Spirit. The day you know how to connect with the Holy Spirit, you will no longer fear, and you will enjoy everything in Christ. (John 14:6, John 16:10) He is the true connection to worship the Father.

Living in the Spirit means being directed by God. The day you start to connect with the Holy Spirit, nothing will catch you by surprise. Let everything come against you; as long as you are being directed by the Holy Spirit, they will fall for your sake.

Whether you are trusting God for a job, a life partner, or direction in any area, you must allow God to lead you from the beginning. Do not make decisions independently and then expect God to repair the outcome later. God is not an emergency option. He is a guide.

A common phrase among young people today is “I am following my heart.” Scripture warns us that the heart of man is desperately wicked. If the heart is unreliable, then decisions based solely on it will eventually lead to regret.

Living in the Spirit means ensuring that all your ways are submitted to God. Prayer can never be too much. We are instructed to pray at all times, not just to speak, but to receive guidance and direction.

I pray the Lord will not be done with you in Jesus' name.

CONCLUSION

If there is anything you have to do this year, don't lose your connection with God, unlike Saul. Whatever you do, tell it to God and be patient. If you desire to make right decisions, you must pray and listen. Many believers know how to pray, but few know how to listen. Prayer is communication, and true communication requires listening more than speaking. This is where meditation comes in. Stillness before God sharpens discernment.

PRAYER

God, help me to trust You. Help me not to be wise in my own sight.

 #𝒓𝒄𝒄𝒈𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆1𝒉𝒒     

#𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉

#𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒐𝒏𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒑

#𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂