Brethren, we are still in the season of appreciating the Almighty God. To the glory of God, you and I are alive to testify to the last Sunday in the month of January.

As Pastor J.T Kalejaye of RCCG would say,  thank God that  January dd not jam you.   You  have seen the last Sunday and by the special grace of grace of God, you will see the end of the month.

Brethren,  I may not know  how you have decided to  handle your spiritual life this year but my advice to you is Connect with the LORD.

When  you connect with God, he would dwell in  you and you in him.

John 15 vs. 4& 5 is  our authority: “ Abide in me,  and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that  abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit ; for without me ye can do nothing:”.

Brethren, let’s reflect a bit on this Bible passage. It simply tells us that there must be interaction between us and the LORD.   

When we abide in Him, his glory would manifest in our lives.   When it does, it would not be invisible.  The glory of God in one’s life would be seen by all.  Well-wishers and adversaries would see it.   It is a tangible blessing.

The LORD  Jesus stated emphatically that without him, we can do “ nothing”.

In other words without  you being connected to the power of the Most High God,  you can do nothing and it means NOTHING.

The question now is how do you connect with the  Saviour to get your heart’s desires.  

Numerous examples abound in the Holy Bible but we’ll consider a few and I pray that these examples will lift up your spirit  and the Holy Spirit would guide you.

Make no mistake brethren, two persons may have similar challenges but the ways to connect miracles might be different just as God may  choose to you different  ways to attend to particular persons.

The first example for us Cornelius. Acts 10 vs. 1-4 ( KJV) :  There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band.

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

And when  he looked on him,  he was afraid, and said,  What is it Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God”.

Let’s take note of some salient points . Cornelius was probably a Christian like you but he was one that prayed always.

He feared God that means he kept away from sins and ensured that members of his family tried as much as possible to keep away from sins.

Note that Cornelius was a giver.  The Bible records that he gave much “ alms to the people”.

Before we go further, brethren, do  you fear God? Are you making conscious efforts to keep away from sins?

Cornelius prayed always.  Ask yourself, how often do you pray? Once a day or once in a week.  You know the answer.

When the angel appeared to Cornelius he told him “ thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God”.

This teaches us that though prayer is good especially if one is very regular with it, but giving is also important.

Even when you pray, for how long?  Is your prayer the type that you quickly want to get done and do other things.?

Alms giving combined with prayers made God to remember Cornelius.

What are you doing for God to remember you?

That apartment  you reside in has no altar.  I mean, no place dedicated for special prayers.

When last did you help a fellow Christian or make a significant contribution to meeting the needs of the house of God.?

Brethren, if you do not go beyond the ordinary, do not expect a spectacular miracle.

Back to the story of brother Cornelius.

Something came up as a memorial for him. Specifically, his prayers and alms.

Brothers and Sister, what exactly are you doing that could come up as a memorial before God?.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 28 vs. 27: “ He that  giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes  shall have many a curse”.

Proverbs 21 vs. 13 : “ Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be  heard”. 

With these Bible passages we have the point that giving provokes the Lord’s blessings.

Cornelius was a giver.  Are you ready to be a give this year?   Make you decision but remember that only those that give do received.

Giving is not all about money.  Let’s not forget that we are discussion connection with God. 

Hannah’s vow that  made God to remember her was about giving.

We have identified prayer and giving as ways of connecting with God.

Another way of connecting with God is singing praises. Acknowledging his awesome powers by calling him his mighty name.

King Jehoshaphat praised the Lord with songs and God fought his battle for him.   He got total victory over all his strong enemies.

As you connect with God  with prayers, God will set you free from bondage in Jesus name.

Brethren, there are different types of bondage.   Barrenness, loneliness, poverty, sickness are all forms of bondage.

But our God is able to deliver us from them all.

Choose your own method of connecting with God.

A woman that is connected with the LORD will have her womb open for conception.  It doesn’t matter who is behind her challenge, once the womb received the power of God, pregnancy would be achieved.

Once you are connected with God the forces of darkness causing sorrow in your life would give way.

As  you connect with Jesus, every challenge  would give way.

Only remain in the Lord using your chosen method of connection.

Pray fervently and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

This year, by the Grace of God, every challenge that made you sorrowful in 2023 would give way in 2024.

With your connection with God, darkness will give way to the Light of God.

When light overshadows, darkness,  joy takes over.

Connect with Jesus, connect with the power of the Most High God.

This year, resolve to subdue fear and connect with God.

You shall celebrate as an overcome very soon in Jesus name.