7TH NOVEMBER 2024 SEED OF DESTINY WRITTEN BY THE SENIOR PASTOR OF DUNAMIS, DR BY PAUL ENENCHE

SEED OF DESTINY WRITTEN BY THE SENIOR PASTOR OF DUNAMIS INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CENTRE, DR BY PAUL ENENCHE.

Thursday 7TH NOVEMBER 2024.

Our TOPIC: PASSION FOR PRAYER AND SERVICE.

Today's SCRIPTURE: And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. EXODUS 23 verse 25. Hallelujah!

Our THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A functional spiritual life is a life that is given to the service of God.

It has been established that passion for God is a proof of authentic and functional spirituality. Your spirituality is a product of your passion for God. When your passion is weak, your spirituality would be weak.

And passion for God must be expressed in seeking and enjoying His Presence through prayer and in service to the cause of His Kingdom.
So, to have functional spirituality you must have the following passions:

#1. Passion in prayer.
Passion for prayer is a major proof of authentic spirituality.
No wonder, 1st Thessalonians 5 verse 17 admonishes us to pray without ceasing.
Ephesians 6 verse 18 further corroborates it:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

When your spiritual life is functional, you would like to pray always and communicate with God. A healthy spiritual life puts your heart in a state of perpetual desire for more of God, and that pushes you to the place of prayer.

#2. Passion for service.
A functional spiritual life is a life that is given to the service of God. You would always want to serve God if your spiritual life is healthy.
Exodus 23 verse 25 says,
And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
In Matthew 4 verse 10, Jesus told Satan,
Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

A functional spiritual life has a passion to worship, and serve God.
That is why it is wrong when someone only goes to church to seek miracle or to feel good, and is not interested in rendering any service to God or reaching out to souls to save them.

Beloved, make up your mind to prioritize prayer and service to God.

REMEMBER THIS: A functional spiritual life is given to the service of God.

Take this ASSIGNMENT with you:
#1. Make up your mind to always seek the Presence and Company of God in prayer.

#2. Serve God. Serve in the House of God. Serve God in soul winning. Yes sir!

Our PRAYER: Lord, I receive the grace for a perpetual hunger and desire for You. Help me to have a buoyant prayer life and serve You with the whole of my life and all that I have got, Lord, in Jesus Name. Amen!

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: Functional Spirituality.

QUOTE: Living in His service is living to serve Him; it is a secret of preservation. Culled from the book, “15 Kingdom Strategies for survival” by Dr Paul Enenche.

Today's DAILY READING: from the book of Acts chapter 7 to 9.

We start with Acts chapter 7, Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?” And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him. But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. ‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’ Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs. “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. “But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. till another king arose who did not know Joseph. At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds. “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look. ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. “This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’ “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” ’ whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets:‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness,O house of Israel? which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: But Solomon built Him a house. “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Has My hand not made all these things?’ ‘Heaven is My throne,And earth is My footstool.What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,Or what is the place of My rest? “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Hallelujah!

Acts chapter 8, But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” The place in the Scripture which he read was this:“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,So He opened not His mouth. And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. Now Saul was consenting to his death.At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Hallelujah!

Acts chapter 9, Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. Hallelujah!

AMAZING FACT: Lions’ eyes have adapted to night vision, allowing them to see better in the dark.

Today's PROPHETIC WORD (and DECLARATION): Father, help me to move and function with raw and fresh passion for You in this season LORD, in Jesus Name. Amen!