Yemisi Vese

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The power of constant prayer

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“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19

Believers have been given the power over the enemy and all his works to destroy it. How do we use this power? I have found that the model is Prayer! Prayer declarations, agreement prayer, travailing prayers, prophetic praying, etc. We establish heaven on earth by the words we utter from our mouths in prayer! Whatever you say is you speaking into the atmosphere and the result you would get would depend on what you are saying!

“The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:21 ERV

“be unceasing and persistent in prayer;”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP

“Pray all the time” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 MSG

In this season of a worldwide pandemic, what are you saying? What are you sharing with the world? What are you speaking into the atmosphere of your life? Maybe you do not understand what persistent prayer can do in your life and in the world today! Let me share from the Bible:

“So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent and persistent prayer for him was being made to God by the church.” Acts 12:5 AMP

Study Acts 12:1-17, it shows how King Herod arrested James the brother of John and beheaded him. The Jews were pleased with him and he was also so pleased with himself that he went ahead to arrest Peter. He did not count on one thing, the power of persistent prayer from believers! The church started intense intercession for Peter and several things happened as a result. A verse would be highlighted for each point from Acts 12:

  1. It changes impossible situations – Peter being arrested looked like an impossible situation as no human being could rescue him from the king but God, who specialises in turning impossible situations, intervened in the matter and the impossible was turned around. “And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.” verse 6
  1. It arouses angelic activity – The prayers of the believers stirred up the activity of angels. “Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him” verse 7a
  1. It causes light to shine in darkness – “and a light shone in the prison” verse 7b
  1. It sets free from bondage – Peter was in bondage and the prayers of the saints loosed him from it.”And his chains fell off his hands” verse 7c
  1. It causes gates to open without human intervention – “When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.” verse 10
  1. It gives you direction in unknown parts/paths – “and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.” verse 10
  1. It delivers you from evil expectations – “And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.” verse 11
  1. It gives you a testimony that looks like a lie – “So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.” verses 12-15
  1. You escape the clutches of the enemy – “Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place. Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him,” verses 16-19

I pray that today you would make the decision to engage in constant prayer today to lift off the hands of the enemy from our lives, families and nations.

Sleep, Wake up and Speak.

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On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41 NKJV

Jesus had given His disciples a word that they should cross over to the other side of the lake. These words should have been a comfort for them when the storm started but it was not. He had performed many miracles in front of them and He had taught them many things, yet they still did not understand that His Word was powerful and true. They were subject to their senses, what they could see, hear and feel instead of the word of the One who had shown them that He was the son of God. This is likened to many of us today! We are saved and have personally experienced the power of God but the current pandemic and the issues of life have led us to forget whose Word we live by. We panic and lose our peace at the sight of a storm.

Our reaction to the uncertain and troubling circumstances of life should be the way Jesus responded in our anchor scripture today! Sleep, wake up and speak!

  • Sleep – everyone of us is in a state of rest when we sleep. As believers, our lives should be in a constant state of rest and trust in God. Not worked up and panicky like the disciples (or as I would like to refer to them here, unbelievers). This signifies that the peace Jesus had within Him is what we also have, He gave it to us (John 14:27). Our lives need to reflect that peace which the world does not have and which cannot be understood by them (Philippians 4:7).

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] – John 14:27 AMP

And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. – Philippians 4:7 AMP

  • Wake up – The noise and fear pervading the world should cause us to wake up from slumber and be the light that we have been called. We are at peace still because nothing can take away our peace which signifies rest! The waking up here means we arise to show the world the power of God and leave them in awe of who He is. Jesus woke up in this storm because the disciples (the world) needed an urgent solution to the problems they were facing. There is a call to all believers to wake up from slumber, to wake up from hiding and hoarding the power of God in our lives. We need to wake up in the storm to shine the very light that the world needs to see the Father in the deep darkness covering the nations (Isaiah 60:1-2). Believers, we should not be confused and scared of the darkness covering everywhere but we need to wake up without fear and full of confidence.

Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you. Isaiah 60:1-2

  • Speak – Our waking up is to take action and exert our authority over the circumstances creating the fear and panic in the world. Power over the enemy has been given to us (Luke 10:19) and as believers, we destroy the works of the enemy in our own lives and in the communities we find ourselves. We speak to negative circumstances and see them levelled and resolved (Mark 11:23-24). Speak life into dead situations. Speak death into the growth of the enemy. (Proverbs 18:21)

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

Listen to the truth I speak to you: If someone says to this mountain with great faith and having no doubt, ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea, and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done. 24 This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—believe that you have received it and it will be yours. Mark 11:23-24 TPT

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

Child of God, are you ready to sleep, wake up and speak? Shine your light and take authority!

Have you downloaded my 40 scriptural confessions against fear, anxiety and sickness yet? Download here

The Coronavirus antidote for believers

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I have watched the coronavirus permeate every continent of the world and wreak havoc, more havoc from fear of the virus than the actual virus. Safety measures with cleanliness are absolutely critical and is not discounted in anyway by this post, social isolation is extremely critical as well to slow the spread and ultimately eliminate it.

However, as children of God we need to do much more than just maintain hygiene and distance from others. We need to find out what the heart of God is about this season and declare it out loud for everyone to know and to shift the trajectory of this deadly disease. The toolkit that has helped me the most in this season is knowing God’s Word concerning incidences like this and listening for His heart at the moment. Keeping the Word of God on my lips and in my heart has stemmed the flow of fear into my life and caused me to stay strong and without fear.

To help at this time, I have compiled 40 scriptural confessions and declarations to help believers navigate this tough season and to keep us declaring the Word of God into our lives and nations. The confessions booklet is absolutely free for download and I encourage you to get it and share this post with your friends for them to get it as well. You can get it by clicking on the image of the booklet below for immediate download.

Remember that God’s Word is our primary antidote for sickness of all forms and this pandemic is no different:

“He sent out his word and healed them;
    he rescued them from the grave. ” Psalms 107:20

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22

I am – The Resurrection and the Life

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‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”’ John 11:25-26 NKJV

Resurrection  – the state of one risen from the dead.

Here Jesus is letting us know that the resurrection is not just an action or event but a person! His very presence causes death to become life. We cannot have Jesus in all His fullness and death in the same place, it is impossible. He has destroyed death in our lives. 

‘This truth is now being unveiled by the revelation of the anointed Jesus, our life-giver, who has dismantled death, obliterating all its effects on our lives , and has manifested his immortal life in us by the gospel.’ 2 Timothy 1:10 TPT

I broke out in tongues reading this verse, pure excitement and joy! Jesus, the resurrection and the life, has dismantled death  and completely obliterated all its effects on our lives! Do you know what death is in our lives? 

Sickness is death.

Lack is death.

Everything not manifesting the life of God in your life is death!

We are the generation who will only live in the fullness of God and would settle for nothing less! Jesus has life in Himself and because we are in Him, we have LIFE!! I am so excited about this. Can you see who you are? Life! Let me use some scriptures to show you this:

‘For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, ‘ John 5:26 NKJV

Jesus, the Son, has life in Himself. Guess where you are:

‘Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.’ Colossians 3:3-4 MSG

You have in you the same life that Jesus has. 

The life that destroys sickness on contact.

The life that has wisdom for abundant life.

The life that made demons tremble and flee.

The life that multiplies food.

The life that brings money out of the mouth of a fish.

The life that has answered prayers 100% of the time!

This is the life you have. This is why Jesus died, to give you that life. Spend the next few days meditating on the truth shared today and watch as your life aligns with this truth.

‘A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow! ‘ John 10:10 TPT

Yahweh (Jehovah, YHWH) – The Relational God

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This name of God was first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 2:4 and is translated as “Lord”. However, the most important mention of this name is when God Himself revealed it to Moses in Exodus at the burning bush.

‘But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “ I Am Who I Am . Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.’ Exodus 3:13-15 NLT (emphasis mine)

Yahweh is the God who relates with us, the One who is seeking to have a relationship with His people. In English language scriptures, Yahweh is usually written as LORD and in how He relates with man. What’s your relationship with Him like? Is He just a distant God to you that you are afraid of from afar or is He the One in a relationship with you and is your Lover, Father, Provider, Protector, etc?

God wants us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to die so He can have more sons sharing His glory with Him. Do you keep God at a distance because of how life has treated you? Repent of that today and get into fellowship with the God who wants to be your everything. Today is not about asking God for anything but it is for us to rest in Him, enjoy Him and just bask in the love of this God that so desperately wants fellowship with you.

I want you to take just a few minutes to worship and thank God this morning. Revel in the love of Yahweh/Jehovah. Be quiet in His Presence and let Him speak to you. Call Him by the name He is to you and desire Him strictly for who He is and all He would ever be.

My Yahweh, You are my Lord and my everything! Today I revel in the knowledge that You want to be in continuous relationship with me. You want to be everything I will ever need. Thank you for choosing to be with me. You are the eternal God who has been before time and yet still dwelling in time with me. You depend on nothing and no one yet You want to be with me. Thank you my I AM

The Breaker

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I have been sending out devotional emails since the beginning of this month on the names of God. I’ll like to share a day with you here. Please feel free to subscribe here:

‘I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely collect the remnant of Israel. I will bring them [Israel] together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in the midst of their pasture. They [the fold and the pasture] shall swarm with men and hum with much noise. The Breaker [the Messiah] will go up before them. They will break through, pass in through the gate and go out through it, and their King will pass on before them, the Lord at their head.’ Micah 2:12-13 AMPC

This name of God is messianic, that is, referring to Jesus. Our Breaker who has broken through and conquered sin, satan and the world for us to be restored back to the original intent of God for man in the very beginning, dominion. Jesus, our Breaker, is bringing you into full restoration and I have come to let you know that it is yours already.

The heavy yoke of sin over your life is broken and as a believer, it can no longer hold you captive. (Romans 6:14)

The powers of darkness have no power over you because the Breaker has conquered and triumphed over them for you. (Colossians 2:15)

The weight of uncontrolled negative emotions is broken over you and you are no longer under the heavy weight of shame, guilt, discouragement and depression. (Romans 8:1)

Our Breaker has broken through the negative circumstances hedging you in and has brought you to wide open spaces of freedom in Him, this is why He came (Luke 4:18-19). My prayer for you today is that you will come to a full knowledge of what Jesus, the Breaker, has already done for you. Yokes are broken and you have been brought to a place of expansion and freedom! .

‘In that day the Lord will end the bondage of his people. He will break the yoke of slavery and lift it from their shoulders.’ Isaiah 10:27 NLT .

‘With you as my strength I can crush an enemy horde, advancing through every stronghold that stands in front of me.’ Psalms 18:29 TPT

How to grow your confidence in God’s Word

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Watching my daughter grow is a constant delight, particularly when she was a cute plump toddler! I remember constantly calling her name until she recognised it and by the time she could talk, she said her name with utmost confidence. Why was she confident about her name? She had heard it for so long that she believed it without a doubt. You could not convince her she was anyone else but herself. Her constant hearing her name and abiding with me, the author of her name convinced her that it was true. By the time she could talk, she would repeat her name over and over, further reinforcing her confidence.

Do you know this is the same way your confidence of faith in God’s Word grows? The author and finisher of your faith has spoken to you in His Word, do you know it? Do you believe it? Is it the first thought that comes to your mind when you are in trouble? Or is fear your first port of call? Why do so many of us believers lack confidence in God’s Word? We have not spent enough time with God and His Word!

Imagine a child who was never told her name or called by it. That child would have no identity and no name! She would be unable to tell you her name or where she is from or any details that could tell anyone who she is. There are too many believers today without a firm grasp of their identity and who the Author of their faith is. A lack of identity means you have no idea what you are entitled to and you definitely would not have confidence in what you don’t know you have.

‘Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. ‘ Hebrews 10:35 NKJV

The word confidence in this verse in the Greek is parrhesia and it means Outspokenness, Boldness, Openly, freedom in speaking, free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage!

How do you get to the point where you can courageously say what God has said about you? Just like my daughter, I will share the steps that renews the mind till we have a full confidence of faith in God!

Hear the Word

‘So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. ‘
Romans 10:17 NLT

My daughter kept hearing what I called her, this was what planted the seed of her name in her. This is the same with you the believer, faith is planted in you by the Word of God you keep hearing. You hear by listening and reading the Word of God. The more you study, the more you see the Good News that is for you.

Meditate on the Word

This is contemplation and continuous thinking about the Word. You become what you constantly think about. The more you meditate on the Word, the more that Word becomes a part of you. The more my daughter stayed with me, she kept hearing her name and must have thought in herself that this must be who I am. Your reality is defined by what you are thinking! Spend more time meditating on the Word and your life will follow the path of your thoughts. Not only that, your confidence in the Word of God and your faith will grow constantly.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7

‘And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ‘ Philippians 4:8 NLT

Confess the Word

When my daughter was able to talk, she spoke her name confidently and without fear. She declared constantly who she was and even when teased about it, she would come back to me and I would affirm that she is who I have always called her. Never stop confessing the Word as it is a sign of what you believe. Faith speaks!

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Hebrews 10:23 KJV

‘We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, “First I believed, then I spoke in faith.” So we also first believe then speak in faith. ‘ 2 Corinthians 4:13 TPT

Praying in the Holy Spirit

‘But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit. ‘
Jude 1:20 TPT

Whenever you pray in the Spirit, you are speaking mysteries and praying the complete will of God because your human understanding is not involved. This causes answers to things you do not know you prayed about, your faith will be strengthened!

To help me abide constantly in the Word; I listen to the audio bible in different versions, sermons from bible-based anointed teachers, study the bible and read books from anointed authors.

What ways have you found to stay in God’s Word?

The Word transforms

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‘Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.’ Romans 12:2 TPT

We all grew up with sin as the natural way of life, even toddlers lie to avoid punishment as that is what comes naturally to them. It is so natural that a lot of the time it requires no thought at all. However, as believers, we have been given a new nature at the new birth and sin is no longer our natural behaviour.

‘Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. ‘2 Corinthians 5:17 TPT

Why then do we continue in our old habits? The reason is because even though our spirit is renewed, our minds and bodies are still used to what we have always done. The answer is staying in the Word and training yourself by the help of the Holy Spirit. Your life is changed as you see who you are as a new creation as portrayed in the scriptures.

Spend your days soaking up the Word by studying the Bible, listening to Bible-based teachings, reading articles like this one and so on. What you listen to will begin to change how you think and this would manifest in what you say and do. Your thoughts define your life (Proverbs 23:7).

Today, i want you to decide that you will change your thought life with what you feed on.

Feed on the Word and not on the lies and discouragement flying through the media space. The constant barrage of evil and lies in this world contradicts the promises God has made to you and if you persist in listening to them, your life will mirror what you believe.

Stay in the Word and watch your life and circumstances align to the Word you constantly feed on.