By Funmi Komolafe

We are all familiar with stones. They are toys for children in many African villages. Most of the time, we do not bother to trace the source of the stone. It’s usually found lying some where on the ground. It is picked and used as toys.

As ordinary as they look, stones can be harmful. Stones can be used to bring down an object or used to prevent one from reaching one’s goal.

The story of David the Shepherd boy and Goliath the soldier is our witness.

1st  Samuel 17 vs 40    (New International Version) “Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine”.

The aim of David was to bring down the Goliath but could the stones alone have been enough?

The answer is no but there was a power that backed the stones.

Ist Samuel 17 vs. 45 – 47, David replied Goliath who had made a mockery of the five stones. Our emphasis is in vs. 45 ( King James Version ) “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I    come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel , whom thou has defied”.

The point here is that a stone may seem harmless but if backed up with Spiritual power, it becomes a potent weapon to bring down any obstacle.

The stones of David backed by the power of the Lord of Hosts, brought down Goliath and gave the children of Israel rest from the troubles of the Philistines.

Brethren, whether we admit it or not, there are Spiritual stones in the lives of many people. Stones have been used by people to limit your progress.  Stones have been put in the womb by the forces of darkness to prevent    you from having children.

In other cases, stones have been implanted into your life to keep you permanently in your father’s house. Stones can be used to hinder any aspect of your life .

However, stones can be lifted. When stones are lifted, what happens? Let’s consider the story of Lazarus who had been dead four days before Jesus arrived.

John 11    vs. 39-44  .    Verse 39, “    Jesus said, Take ye away    the stone…..”. Martha argued and told the Lord, her brother had been dead four days. Then Jesus said “ Said I not unto thee , that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

In verse 41 action was taken “ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me “.

Verses 43 and 44 “ And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin, Jesus said unto them, Loose him and let him go”.

When a stone is removed every limitation is removed. What has been stagnant becomes mobile. The dead receives life. In the name of the risen Christ, every stone that the enemy has placed in your life to limit you will be rolled away very soon, in the name of Jesus .

What steps do we need to take before the stone is rolled away? Now that we know that stones as lifeless as they are, can receive Spiritual power of light or darkness, we too must take Spiritual steps to roll away stones placed by the forces of darkness.

Testimony-

Let me share this story of a young man who travelled abroad for greener pastures. He travelled to Europe but unlike his friends, he never made it. When he gets a job and makes some money, before he begins to benefit from the money, he would get into trouble with the police. His money will either go to giving bribes to set himself free or paying lawyers to save him from going to prison. Finally, he was sent to prison. After he was released, the police arrested him again for the same offence and sent him to prison the second time. Then he called his sister and said, his travails are    not ordinary. He knew but he didn’t know what to do.

The sister cried unto God with the assistance of men of God and it was revealed that two persons were behind his troubles. His wife and his stepmother. The wife begun a relationship with her boss and didn’t want him to return. It was also the wife’s strategy to turn the children against their father by saying, he abandoned them and never sent money to them. Whereas, they both took the decision that he should go abroad.

The stepmother on her part, wanted to remain the landlady of the house, the young man’s father left behind. She didn’t want to share with anyone, the rent paid by the tenants.

In life, anyone meeting these two women will see they as sworn enemies but in the Spiritual world, they were united for a purpose.

By the grace of God, every gang up against your life, the Lord of Hosts will scatter in the name of Jesus.

To shorten this story, the man’s sister advised him to return home to Nigeria and he did. When he returned, he invested his time in prayer and fasting. Of course, his wife picked up a quarrel and left the home with the children .

The good news is that after series of prayers, God intervened. God opened another way for him and he is back in Europe now and making a success of his endeavours.

However, we must note that God can also bless and has been blessing many people here in Nigeria. Actually, it is at this time of recession that God is  making some people very rich.

Back to the issue of the steps to be taken

Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure of Throne trust Ministry suggested the need to be more creative at this time of recession. For him, it is a time to think of a cottage industry that can save your family from hunger. Where you have free land around your house, it is time to do something with it. Plant, start poultry or do something else that can fetch you some cash.

Apart from this, more importantly, we need to study the Word to move the stone be it physical or spiritual.

Apostle Kure said, you must open your mouth and send the Word to remove the stone. He told the congregation, “ Don’t fear, the devil knows when you are afraid. Your voice is the voice of God”.

Remember, had David been afraid, he would not have had the courage to call on the Lord of Hosts to back his smooth stones.

Another method suggested by Apostle Nuhu Kure is that you praise God continually.

Brethren, the easiest way to bring the power of God down is by praising him.

A notable man of God said, when praise goes up, the power of God comes down.    As the power comes down, it rolls away every stone.

Those who choose to get to the church service after praise worship are doing themselves a great disservice.

The choice is yours. Take up the word of God as your stone and use it to silence all enemies and obstacles against your life or remain silent and  stagnant.

It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit leads you to pick the right stones to tackle your enemies in the name of Jesus.    Note that you can only do this by studying the word of God

Get up, be determined to roll away every stone and your story will change in Jesus name.

Have a fruitful week.