Finishing Strong With the Lord!

Life with GOD is an exciting journey, and every believer is expected to finish strong. Finishing strong is finishing successfully. Finishing strong is accomplishing every assignment that GOD has given you. Finishing strong is completing your course. Finishing strong is continuing until the end and fulfilling your GOD-given purposes. Finishing strong is going against all opposition and pushing ahead until you achieve your goals. GOD’s desire when He called you is that you finish strong. He never planned that you stop half way. That’s why Jesus Christ advised the believer who puts his hand to the plough not to look back.

Finishing strong implies that there will be troubles on the way. It implies that there will be challenges. It implies that the devil will do everything within his power to stop you, so you don’t complete your assignment. Finishing strong speaks of you continuing until you end up at the feet of Jesus. Finishing strong is going against all odds and overcoming them. As the challenges come, you stand against them in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul, said, “....having done all to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). That is to say, at the end of the battle, you are still standing. But even if you fall, you will get back up again and continue.

Just as in boxing, when a man is knocked down, and gets up before the count of ten and ends up knocking out his opponent. You will stand against the enemy and refuse to give in to all the challenges he brings your way, holding on till the very end. Finishing strong means that if you are knocked down by the enemy, you refuse to be counted out. You just get back up and knock the devil out! So, there might be times when you hit the canvas along the way, but as long as you refuse to remain down you are going to finish strong.

However, if you allow a setback to discourage you, and you refuse to get up, then you are disqualified from the match. Yet, that is not the plan of GOD for you. Many of you have experienced some trials in your personal lives this year (in the course of your assignments for GOD). But you must look beyond the circumstances of your past and move on to finish your race with joy. Finish strong means, “in spite of any opposition, I will continue and I will reach the finishing line.”

Blessings,

Apostle L.R.Gooden Jr.

Greetings in the name of Jesus,

There is no doubt that we’re already living in our last days on the earth. The reason for saying this is because the Bible doesn’t only talk about these days but it also leaves us with some specific signs that we need to look out for. 

One of these signs is what Paul spoke about in his letter to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1 “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be VERY DIFFICULT TIMES”.

The specific sign that is spoken about here that will dominate the last days is “VERY DIFFICULT TIMES”. 

These “very difficult times” which characterize the last days are synonymous with “hardships”, and Paul went further to tell Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3, the kind of attitude he was expected to put up in dealing with these hardships: “Therefore ENDURE hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”.

I want you to know that GOD doesn’t intend to frighten us by revealing such truths about the last days, but to equip us to be able to deal with the outcome of such days. Like Timothy, one of the attitudes He expects us to put up is ENDURE difficulties and not to run away from them, given that enormous difficulties will characterize these last days.

Difficulties come in different ways such as financial and material lack, insufficiencies, inadequacies, poverty, inability to have a good business, unable to send children to school, lack of shelter, and much more, which compel humans to live from the hand-to-mouth, crawl and end up as beggars. The closer we get to the end of the age the more rampant these vices will prevail over human lives, especially those who don’t know their GOD, or those who know Him but aren’t acting on that knowledge.

David was once in enormous hardships, yet he chose to speak the right words that attracted GOD in his situations. The Spirit-inspired words of David would go a long way to teach us how to endure difficulties or hardships. Like David, despite the difficulties everywhere, we must learn to stick with the infallible Word of GOD. Take a look at what David said in Psalm 37:25: “I have been young, and am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his seed begging bread”.

Speaking further about the righteous, David said, “Everyday he is generous, lending freely, and his descendants are blessed” (Psalms 37:26).

This is how you deal with difficulties or hardships – by declaring GOD’s Word again and again and again until what you are saying becomes a physical reality in your life and household. Hallelujah!

I don’t know what you’re going through or how you got into it, but you have the chance today to change things by speaking out the right words substantiated by the Holy Spirit.

Now, say this out loud:

“Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not lack any good thing. He leads me to pleasant places where the lines have fallen in my favour.  Because the righteous have never been forsaken, as GOD’s righteousness in Christ Jesus, I refuse to be forsaken. I refuse to be stranded. I live and walk in over-abundance because GOD supplies all my needs daily according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Therefore, my offspring, will never beg for bread”.

Hallelujah!

INTERRUPTED TO BE POSITIONED!

But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven” Deuteronomy 11:11

Lately I have been asking GOD this one question for the Remanant who are boldly standing on the frontlines for JESUS “What’s next?”

I believe I heard in the spirit POSITIONING;

“My Remanant is being POSITIONED!”

Positioning means;

To put in place or position.
The right or appropriate place.
A strategic area occupied by members of a force.
The arrangement of body parts; posture: a standing position.
An advantageous place or location.

Interestingly, the origin of the word means three things; To leave, To build, and To settle.

GOD is moving his Remanant into their locked positions in the months to come as a warrior-army poised for victory and strategic, innovative exploits.

I sense a great reshuffling  of roles and spiritual appointments and positions in the months to come where those who have been faithful to steward their previous post are being moved into a new capacity an enlargement.

I also sensed GOD is handing new keys to those who will be the breakers and key forces of impact in their cities and communities in this season.

I feel strongly that this positioning is because of the Remanant's POSTURE in the past months and years. So many have stayed in the secret place and stood even when they were at their breaking point.

Many have been sensing these new assignments coming for months as the grace on our old assignments has been lifted and passion and focus has been released upon GOD's Remanant in order to step into something new.

For many though, this assignment shift has not just been spiritual but physical as GOD has been preparing His Remanant to move from one temporary location to a place where they can finally settle.

This process has been quite traumatic for many who have been longing to plant their roots but now feel like they will always be wanderers moving from place to place but where GOD is leading His Remanant next will SETTLE us and establish us.

So many of the Remanant have felt disillusioned and lost in this season of Chaos asking “Wasn’t the last move the final move? Wasn’t the last faith step the final one?” No you were simply en route through the transitionary place to the place of establishment.

Blessings,

Apostle L.R.Gooden Jr.

YOUR MOUNTAINS ARE COMING DOWN

BY FAITH!

Zechariah 4:7 NKJV...⁷ ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”

For those facing new giants daily, new obstacles, new opposition, new resistance, new impossibilities, and immovable mountains I prophesy that you will also see the greatest miracles, turnarounds, and suddenlies more than any other season of your life.

GOD took you this far so why would he leave you now? Why would He watch you fall and fail now?

I prophesy that the GOD of breakthrough is going to smash through your giant of lack and cause you to thrive even in Chaos and regardless of what left you or turned against you. GOD is going to break through closed doors and padlocked gates, cut through red tape and override political bureaucratic processes to bring you what you need to move forward into the Promises of GOD.  GOD is going to take that negative report and show you He is still the GOD of unusual, supernatural miracles, and the GOD that can shift the current flowing against you in a moment.

There are NO STOPS, NO ROADBLOCKS that can defy GOD or prevent Him from increasing you, launching you, and leading you into victory. In fact, GOD is going to unleash such favor in the very place of those mountains that people will say “that could only have been GOD!”.

Many are going to sign the papers to major dreams in the middle of this Chaos and see divine opportunities that were not even available before it. So today I dare you to shift what you see and begin to prophesy MIRACLES to your Mountains.

Blessings,

Apostle L.R.Gooden Jr.

THIS U-TURN IS WORKING FOR MY GOOD!

^{Acts 26:18  NKJV...18} to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

I. FROM WHAT MUST WE TURN?

A. Darkness ~ Acts 26:18.
B. Sin ~ Acts 3:26; I Peter 3:11.
C. Idols ~ Acts 14:15; I Thessalonians 1:9.

D. Satan's power ~ Acts 26:18.
E. False knowledge ~ I Timothy 6:20.
 

II. WHY TURN TO GOD?

A. So that the veil be removed ~ II Corinthians 3:16.

B. To be forgiven ~ Acts 3:19; 26:18.
C. To be blessed ~ Acts 3:26.
D. To inherit ~ Acts 26:18.
E. To live ~ I Peter 3:10-11.
F. To enter the kingdom ~ Matthew 18:3.
 

III. WHAT PRECEDES TURNING TO GOD?

A. Preaching ~ Acts 11:20-21.
B. Hearing ~ Acts 28:27.
C. Understanding ~ Acts 28:27.
D. Opening of eyes ~ John 12:40; Acts 26:18.

E. Faith ~ Acts 11:21.
F. Repentance ~ Acts 3:19; 26:20.
 

IV. WHAT FOLLOWS TURNING TO GOD?

A. Worthy works ~ Acts 26:20.
B. Serving GOD ~ I Thessalonians 1:9.
C. Doing good ~ I Peter 3:11.
D. Waiting for Christ ~ I Thessalonians 1 9-10.

Blessings,

Apostle L.R. Gooden Jr.

        IT'S TIME TO COME OUT OF CHAOS AND COME INTO THE PROMISES OF GOD!

Ephesians 5:15-21 NKJV...¹⁵ See then that you walk ^[a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of ^[b]God.

IT'S TIME TO COME OUT OF CHAOS AND COME INTO THE PROMISES OF GOD!

I. BY REDEEMING THE TIME – Verse 16
 
“Redeeming” is a market term meaning “to buy out” or “purchase completely.” Time is a Greek word which means “opportunity.”
 

We need to move on out opportunities.

To study the Word – II Timothy 2:5.
To witness in Power - Acts 1:8.
To Prayer in the Spirit.
 

II. BY UNDERSTANDING THE WILL OF GOD – Verse 17

The primary consideration for a Christian should never be what is most profitable financially, what is most pleasurable, or what will bring the greatest personal advantage or honor.
 

Our first concern should be to discern what GOD wills us to be.
 

Will of Salvation.
Acts 9:6

Will of Surrender
Romans 12:1-2
 

Will of Separation
I Thessalonians 4:3

III. BY BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT – Verses 18-21

Verse 18 contains both a negative and a positive command.
The positive command, “Be filled with the Spirit.”
The Spirit is the element in which we are to be filled.
The results of the fullness: - Joyfulness -verse 19.

Praise GOD for His Unshakable WORD!

Do you really want to know what time it is? It is time that you are going to find a pearl in the field. It is time for the doors that have been closed to you to be opened so you can walk through!  GOD is saying I am bringing you into a new time, a new place. The old is passed and it is time for a change! There are brighter days ahead for God's will to be done.  GOD is saying I have a remnant of people who hear my voice clearly. They are beginning to move, they are going to release, and they will move mountains!”

“So do you want to know what time it is? It is time to move mountains! It is time to shift things out of our way! We are entering into a season of fire and Glory.

GOD said you have felt so out of place, but this is your time now. The Lord is putting together things you know not of. Things are advancing in your favor! GOD's Kingdom is coming to you in ways you have not even yet dreamed of! Listen clearly to GOD's voice as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Remember it is only a shadow seeking who it can devour, but it shall not touch you for you are walking through The Valley of the shadow of death.

Beloved “It is time! My job is to move the mountain. Your job is to speak to it, believe it, and walk through it knowing it is already done!”

“Do you know what time it is? It is the time of My Kingdom that cannot and will not be shaken!”

Says the LORD our GOD.

IT'S TIME TO BE RENEWED IN 2022!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul … who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” (Psalm 103:2,5)

The Bible speaks much about renewal. Abraham lived a full life and was rich in all things when he died at the ripe old age of 175. His wife Sarah was gorgeous in her older years and gave birth to her first child in her nineties. Caleb at age 85 was eager to fulfill prophetic destiny. Moses began to lead Israel through the wilderness in his eighties and in his older years his eyes did not grow dim. When we receive Christ we are filled with eternal life. This is God’s glorious life. You can have expectation to be renewed daily through the Word of God.

God wants your strength, vitality, and beauty to be rejuvenated regularly.

We do not need to buy into the lie that declares we will diminish in vitality and appearance as we age. We can always be fresh. As our days are, so shall our strength be! (Deuteronomy 33:25). We can always radiate the glory of the Lord. In fact, the Word reveals that, “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9). You are blessed with rejuvenation in Christ. Eternal life – “God-life” – dwells within you. Rejoice and plan with expectation for a glorious future!

You can activate this truth in your life by Confessings Powerful Prayer Directives over your life daily. Look in the mirror and proclaim with confidence the beauty, energy, renewed favor, and brightness of mind and vision you carry in the Lord. Decree youthfulness with confidence and faith over the awesome person you see in the mirror (you!).

 Prophetic Prayer Directives:

1. I am refreshed and rejuvenated in the Lord. I am invigorated and renewed.
2. Every living cell in my body is rejuvenated.
3. I am empowered by the Lord in my inner man and as a result I am full of vigor and vitality.
4. I receive age reversal – my youth is being renewed as the eagle.
5. I decree Christ in me is the hope of glory (bounty, splendor, majesty) for my body, soul, and spirit. I am filled with His glory.
6. I celebrate my salvation in Christ daily and as a result I am rejuvenated, refreshed and replenished.
7. As my days are so shall my strength be.
8. I am ever strengthened and rejuvenated from “glory to glory.”
9. I am blessed with eternal life activating daily in me.
10. I am renewed this day because the Holy Spirit is filling me with life and light.

IT'S TIME TO GET THE MIND OF CHRIST IN 2022!

For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct him?  But we have the mind of Christ.”   — 1 Corinthians 2:16

Have you ever thought of how wonderful it would be to think just like God? I have good news for you – you can!  When the Spirit of God dwells within you, you have the mind of Christ.  It is given to you in your salvation package when you receive Christ.  Very few, however, activate and utilize it, but every believer can.

How many times have you leaned on your own understanding for solutions to problems before going to the Lord for His divine answers?  I believe we all fall short in this but we can change our ways and seek Him for insight, solutions, knowledge, wisdom, counsel and understanding whenever we are in need of these things. All these blessings are all available to us in the mind of Christ, all the time. We simply need to access His mind by faith.

Here are some keys to help you cultivate the activation of the mind of Christ that dwells within you.

1. Believe that you possess the mind of Christ within your new nature.
2. Nurture the mind of Christ within you by the renewing of your mind through the Word. Meditate on His Word and you will discern the will and ways of God.
3. When needing insights, solutions, knowledge, wisdom, counsel and understanding for situations in life, inquire of the Lord by humbling yourself before Him and requesting His response through prayer.
4. Spend time with the Lord listening for Him to share His heart with you and waiting on Him with expectation for His divine insights.
5. When you receive His insights, believe them and apply them.

Bible characters like Daniel and Joseph had “divine intelligence” operating in their lives. They knew God’s solutions for problems and as a result they affected their nation.  Can you imagine what the world would be like if every Christian accessed the mind of Christ? I think the world would be a better place, don’t you?

Prayer Directives

Here are some powerful decrees to activate the Mind of Christ within you:

I decree that:

1. I have the mind of Christ residing in my inner man.
2. The mind of Christ lives big in me and is full of all the knowledge, wisdom, insights, understanding and solutions that I need.
3. I possess “divine intelligence.”
4. I do not lean unto my own understanding, but in all my ways I acknowledge God.
5. God’s ways are higher than my ways, therefore I humble myself before Him and receive His understanding.
6. Through the mind of Christ I can access the knowledge of witty inventions.
7. The mind of Christ reveals thing I need to now about the future.
8. The mind of Christ teaches me to make godly decisions daily.
9. The mind of Christ grants me good memory and recall.
10. I have the ability to retain knowledge.

Eight Decrees to Bring Healing and Alignment to Your Nation In 2022!

                                                  I declare that:

1.  Every plot, ploy, attack, assignment, minion and manifestation of the enemy sent against my nation will be revealed and rendered null and void!  (1 John 3:8, John 19:30, Isaiah 60:3, Luke 8:17)

2.  My nation was made by God, belongs to God, will know God, and will serve God!  (Psalm 24:1-2, John 1:3, Deuteronomy 20:23-24)

3.  God is for my nation and with my nation.  He is well able to heal the land and bring us fully back to Him!  (2 Chronicles 7:14, Romans 5:8, Psalm 86:15, Zephaniah 3:17)

4.  The church will arise in Truth and Love, awakening to our power as His dominion stewards in the land.  We will take up our place of impact; ignited by God’s presence, power and personality!  (Isaiah 60:1-3, Isaiah 61:1-4, Job 29:17)

5.  May we receive an infusion of grace and faith to believe, receive, and see made manifest the full greatness of I AM in our lives … now!  (Ephesians 1:17-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Hebrews 13:20-21).

6.  Jesus is King of my nation, enthroned on the praise, prayer and worship of His people to rule and reign in this land!  (Psalm 47:6-8, Psalm 22:3)

7.  The Lord will protect, provide for, empower and equip His men and women in government, media, schools, families, arts and entertainment, business, and the church!  And He will stir and empower His people to pray for our leaders!  (2 Peter 1:3, Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 1:3, James 13:20-21, 1 Timothy 2:1-3)

8.  Light Be! Light Be! Light Be! In every sphere of influence in my nation let the Light, Love and Life of God break forth in great and mighty ways shattering the darkness, lies, chaos and confusion of the enemy!  (Genesis 1:3-4, John 1:5)