Let Go Of Those Past Weights

         And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. But they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:17). This year unlike the past years is different, not because it is the usual rhetoric but looking at the configuration of the months especially the month of February, it is clear that it will be an unusual year with unusual moves in the spirit realm. Only the discerning in these times will understand and be able to successfully negotiate the waters. Those that desire this move of God in order for them to operate in the next level with Him must do away with past weights, attitudes and practices that negate the principles of Jesus Christ. If you believe by faith that God has begun a new thing in your life, then, you must do away with past hurts, anger, bitterness, carnality and every appearance of evil as these will be inimical to God’s move in your life. 

       Many prophecies have been churned out promising prosperity and growth both in the political and economic spheres. While we pray that this will be true, we cannot take our eyes off the fact that the coming of the Lord with the antecedent signs is becoming clearer and more real than ever before. It doesn’t matter whether one believes this or not, do realize one thing, all men may be liars but God never lies. Every word He had declared for so many centuries had come to pass, why do you think it’s on this point He would lie or fail. If we believe that He is indeed coming back again, there is therefore a need for us to check our ways to see if it is in agreement with God’s word: “May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame” (Psalm 119:80). If it is not, please reconcile with the Lord now. 

        So many think Jesus Christ return should not be our focus, rather we should maximize the gifts and talents we have been given by God. While this is true (to maximize our God given gifts and talents), we must equally understand that in all our ‘getting’, God’s Kingdom and His righteousness must be paramount and key for this life and in the life to come. So many argue that we should not damper the feelings of the people by talking about the coming of Christ or of sin; rather we should focus on the ‘much work’ to be done before he comes. If you reason like this, it is sad to tell you that you are terribly deceived. Friend, ample opportunities have been given to you since you came to Christ to do ‘much work’ for Him; how much have you done and what are you doing? Rather than show men the way to the Kingdom and teach them how to remain, you are busy telling them how to be wealthy by using worldly principles coated with God's word, statistics and models. Friend, what would it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul to hell? Like a thief in the night that comes without announcing, so the Lord will return to claim His own. Unfortunately, His own are not ready. 

        Messages being churned out now keep drawing men’s attention to themselves by comparing them with what is operational with the world, neglecting to prepare the men and present them spotless and unashamed before the King (Colossians 1:28). Whether you agree or not, God’s principles negate the world’s and we cannot afford to mix them: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s Table and the table of demons. Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He” (1Corinthians 10:21-22)? The Bible tells us that in the last days we will see an outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh regardless of race, class or language. It is happening, plus unprecedented demonstrations of the power of God in diverse places across the globe. 

        Friend, if you want to have a part in this move, you cannot walk with God on your own terms carrying past weights. You cannot preach or believe a message that draws your attention to yourself as the answer, it is self-delusion. If man is the answer we will not be in the mess we are presently in all over the world. In order to be well positioned to ‘see’ and walk in what the Lord is saying and doing especially this year we must take out all preconceived ideas that negate the righteousness of God from our hearts and seek His righteousness (His way of doing things) and walk in it: “Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be innocent and cleansed from blatant rebellion” (Psalm 19:12-13). God bless you as you lay down those weights and putting your hand in His hands; trusting Him to lead you!