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Day 106: The Mystery of April 16

April 16, 2020

Welcome to the 106th day of the year! Day 106 is the first day and beginning of the 16th week. It is the first day of the second week in the third seven weeks of the year. It is the 8th day in the third 49 days. Day 106 is a first-season day. It is April 16 in a clear year; and April 15 in a leap year. The Bible keys to understanding Day 106 are the first day of creation narrative, Psalm 106, and the first two chapters of the sixteenth book of the Bible, and the first ten books of the Bible.

Day 106 is a first-day-of-creation day in the 16th week. The first season is the season of ‘the Light’. On the first day of creation, God said, “Let there be light”. That light was the expression of God himself. The first season is for saying, “Here I am”. The first season is the Lord’s. God must be honored in the first season. Men must align with God in the first season. Otherwise they get into trouble. Problems that happened in the book of Genesis were the result of getting out of alignment with God. The first season is for pursuing alignment with God through obedience, repentance, or prayer. Day 106 is for bringing the Light into my darkness. The darkness of this season is often of disregarding God; so, the light of this season comes from honoring God. The darkness comes from disobedience and the light comes through repentance and obedience.

Day 106 is a Nehemiah 1-2 day in the 16th week. The first two chapters of the sixteenth book of the Bible is applicable to the first day of the sixteenth week of the year. In this chapter, Nehemiah heard news of the state of Jerusalem and it inhabitants and was moved to seek God in fasting and prayer with repentance and confession of sins. Amid prayers to God, he caught the vision of a rebuilt Jerusalem-wall and prayed for favor before the king. In the second chapter, God answered his prayer; and gave him favor with the king. The king gave him leave to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and gates. He also gave orders concerning provisions and security. God also gave him favor with the Jews oat Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s move to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem enraged the adversaries of Judah – Sanballat and Tobiah. The battle between light and darkness began over rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Day 106 is a day to go before the Lord for the desolations. It is a day to make a move against the reign of darkness.

Day 106 is a Psalm 106 day. Psalm 106 is also the first of the sixteenth seven psalms (106-112). It is a first season psalm. This psalm recounts the grace and long-suffering of God amid the repeated failure of His people.

Psalm 106 records 20 confessions:

1. (6) We have sinned with our fathers,

2. We have committed iniquity,

3. We have done wickedly.

4. [13] They soon forgot His works;

5. They did not wait for His counsel,

6. [16] … they envied Moses in the camp, And Aaron the saint of the LORD,

7. [19] They made a calf in Horeb, And worshiped the molded image.

8. [20] … they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass.

9. [21] They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt,

10. [24] Then they despised the pleasant land;

11. They did not believe His word,

12. [28] They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor, And ate sacrifices made to the dead. [29] … they provoked Him to anger with their deeds,

13. [32] They angered Him also at the waters of strife,

14. [33] … they rebelled against His Spirit, So that he spoke rashly with his lips.

15. [34] They did not destroy the peoples,

16. [35] But they mingled with the Gentiles And learned their works;

17. [36] They served their idols, Which became a snare to them.

18. [37] They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons,

19. [38] And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters,

20. [39] … they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds.

Today, go before the Lord with Psalms 106, in repentance, and request His merciful intervention in our world. This is a day of alignment with God – by obedience or repentance.

This psalm calls God to show mercy despite the sin of His people. Psalm 106:4-5,47 says, “Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation, [5] That I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, That I may glory with Your inheritance. [47] Save us, O LORD our God, And gather us from among the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise”.

Day 16 is a Genesis – Second Samuel day in the week. Going through any week is like taking a journey through the Bible. Every week has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four days of the week belong to the Old Testament side and express the 39 books of the Old Testament. The remaining three days of the week constitute the New Testament side and express the 27 books of the New Testament. The first day of the week is the beginning of the Old Testament side of the week; and expresses the first 10 books of the Old Testament and the Bible. In the first 10 books of the Bible, God revealed Himself as Creator and Caretaker. He chose those who aligned with His purpose for blessings; and reserved judgment for those who disregard Him. The first 10 books began with the creation and fall of the man in the image and likeness of God; and ended with the emergence of the man after God’s heart sitting on the throne of God’s choice nation. David was absolutely loyal to God. He gave himself for whatever God wanted. This is a day of aligning with God and becoming a man (woman) after His heart. Day 106 for recruiting God’s man and agent. It is a day to align one’s heart towards the pursuit of God’s purpose and pleasure.

DECREE AND DECLARE: God made us in His image and likeness to rule, have dominion, and impose His will on seasons; as He did with the seven days of creation. He decreed what He wanted for each day. We are to decree what is revealed concerning each day. Today, decree the collapse and end of expressions and manifestations of darkness in your life and world. Decree that expressions of light will triumph in this first day of the week. Today, make a quality decision to receive the word of the Lord and act on it without fear or doubts. Make a quality decision to walk in unconditional love. This is a day of sacrificial (tough) love. Today, take time to hear from God. Do not act without His direction. Follow what He says or shows. Today, seek the Lord against disasters in the week as you come into alignment. Call upon Him for mercy! Happy 106th day!

Learn more about this day in history: http://timelines.ws/days/04_16.HTML

16 Things to do in a 16th Season

Nkem Okemiri

April 15, 2020

It is one thing to know about seasons and another thing to know what to do when each season comes. Knowing what you ought to do, and doing it, secures gain. Here are sixteen things I recommend to you for the sixteenth season.

1. Be a Rebel for God; Not a Rebel Against Him: As with every other season, the way to succeed in the sixteenth season is to pitch your tent with God. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (NKJV). Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He will make even his enemies to be at peace with him”. In the sixteenth season, it is futile to stand against those who are standing for God. Those who resist God’s allies in the sixteenth season end up disgraced. Those who imprisoned Paul and Silas at Philippi, in Acts 16, were put to shame eventually. The adversaries of Judah in the book of Nehemiah lost the battle. Those who resisted Moses and Aaron in the sixteenth chapter of the book of Numbers were destroyed. The prophetic axe of judgment fell on Baasha for rebellion in the sixteenth chapter of First Kings. The sixteenth chapters of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, are prophecies against those who rebelled against God. Revelation 16 also shows there is no hope for those who rebel against God in the sixteenth season. The rebels of Revelation 16 received the seven bowls of the comprehensive wrath of God.

2.. Get Passionate About God’s Heartbeat as You Feel It: What is the heartbeat of God in this generation – as you feel it? The sixteenth season is a time to be concerned with, and pursue, the heartbeat of God. What is the burden the Lord is placing on your heart in this season? For Moses, in the sixteenth chapter of Exodus, it was the sustenance of Israel in the wilderness. For Nehemiah, in the sixteenth book of the Bible, it was the rebuilding of the broken walls of Jerusalem. For Ezra, it was the proper teaching of the Law of Moses. For Samuel, in the sixteenth chapter of First Samuel, it was to have God-fearing leadership over Israel. For David, in the sixteenth chapter of First Chronicles, it was to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, into the Tabernacle he erected, and institute proper worship of Jehovah. For Paul, it was to preach the gospel, and win souls wherever doors opened.

3. Trust the Holy Spirit and Do Not Grieve Him: The Holy Spirit is the trusted Helper of Church. The Lord spoke of Him in the sixteenth chapter of John. He is our Teacher. We need Him to speak through us at every defense. He knows where we should go or should not go. The Holy Spirit directed Paul and his team to Macedonia. When Samuel anointed David, the Spirit began to move him mightily. Samson, Saul, and David, were anointed to fight the Philistine enemies. The first two died, reproachfully, at the hands of the Philistines. Only the third, David, executed the task successfully. We must give room to the Holy Spirit, and yield completely to Him. He knows the heartbeat of God. He is the secret of divine power. He knows everything. If you secure the help and partnership of the Holy Spirit in the sixteenth season, you’ve got everything. Both Samson and Saul lost the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives and assignments. We must be careful to not grieve or quench the Spirit in our lives – especially in the sixteenth season. “But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them” (Isaiah 63:10 NKJV). The Spirit witnesses that, in this season, there are men and women who had been mightily used of God who would become weak and ordinary like Samson and Saul.

4. Dream Great Dreams: The reason you are to dream great dreams is because a great door opens in the sixteenth season for those who want to do great things for God. Nehemiah had a great dream – to rebuild the ruined walls and gates of Jerusalem. The Lord helped him to realize the dream. The sixteenth century reformation was a great dream. God helped the reformers. He is waiting to help you with His power, with men, and with resources. Moses embraced a great dream when God called him to go and get Israel out of Egypt. God began to feed Israel with Manna and Quails in the sixteenth chapter of Exodus.

5. Preach the Gospel to Every Creature in All the World: This is a great necessity. Jesus commanded us to preach the gospel in the sixteenth chapter of Mark. Paul and Silas went to Macedonia to preach the gospel in the sixteenth chapter of Acts. They made desperate attempts to preach the gospel at Asia and Bithynia but did not get permission from the Holy Spirit. In the sixteenth chapter of Luke, the rich man died and found himself in a place of torment. He needed a just drop of water from Abraham to quench his thirst but got none. He also requested that Lazarus be sent to go and warn his brothers about hell. His request was not granted because there were preachers on earth to reach out to his brothers. The gospel is a great need in the sixteenth season. It will save people from hell.

6. Do Not Be Afraid of Persecution: Persecution is part of what happens in the sixteenth season. Jesus spoke of his death in the sixteenth chapter of Matthew. He spoke of tribulations in the sixteenth chapter of John. Those who want to save their lives by running from trouble will eventually lose it. The only way to be free from the fear of man is to have God magnified in your heart. Our God is greater than man and everything man can do. If God is magnified in your heart, you will see men as they really are. To magnify God in your heart, you must magnify His word above the laws of me.

7. Preach the Gospel with Power: We must trust God, and also learn, to preach the gospel with power. In the sixteenth chapter of Mark, Jesus said signs and wonders will accompany those who preach the gospel with faith. “…In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17, 18 NKJV). The resurrection of Jesus in Mark 16 is a great sign divine endorsement. Paul cast out an evil spirit from a slave girl at Philippi in the sixteenth chapter of Acts of the Apostles. In the sixteenth chapter of Matthew, the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus to show them a sign from heaven. Moses gave Israel in Exodus 16 when Manna began to fall. They called ‘bread from heaven’. Power-signs are a necessity in the sixteenth season. You will not lack signs in that season.

8. Preach the Gospel with Discernment:

Deceptive (evil) spirits are rampant, and work very hard, in the sixteenth season. Their goal is to neutralize the power of God in the lives of His servants, and destroy the work in their hands. They sponsor rebellion against God in the sixteenth season. Samson was ruined by evil spirits working through Delilah in Judges 16. King Saul was overtaken by evil and needed a harpist to help soothe him. Satan spoke through Peter in the sixteenth chapter of Matthew; to dissuade Jesus from going to the cross. Jesus also said the gates of hades will not prevail against His church in Matthew 16. In the sixteenth chapter of Mark, the first sign Jesus said would follow those who believe, is ability to cast out demons. Paul had to deal with a spirit of divination in Acts 16. The sixteenth chapter of Revelation speaks of the activities of demon spirits that would accompany the outpour of the sixth bowl of wrath.

9. Prepare to Teach the Word of Grace with Clarity: Nehemiah made room for Ezra to teach the Law to those living in Jerusalem. Ezra read the Law before the people in the eighth of Nehemiah. People were sent everywhere to give people understanding in the Law. The result was repentance and renewed commitment to serve God. The sixteenth season is for revival and reformation. As Ezra taught the Law, there is a need for teachers of the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

10. Engage the Power of God through Prayer: Courage to face persecution comes through prayer. Jesus prayed earnestly before the cross. Paul and Silas came out of imprisonment in the 16th chapter of Acts by praying to the Lord. It was by going to the place of prayer that they met Lydia. They were even going to pray when they encountered the slave girl possessed by the spirit of divination. In Nehemiah, the sixteenth book of the Bible, Nehemiah prayed several times. Samson fought his last battle against the Philistines by praying to God. The sixteenth chapters of both Psalms and Proverbs show that power belongs to God. To be prayer-less in a sixteenth season is to be a reproach.

11. Engage the Power of God through Singing unto God:

Paul and Silas overcame imprisonment by singing to God in Acts 16. David was first called to the Palace in First Samuel 16 to serve King Saul because of his ability to play harp and sing. He was the great psalmist of Israel. He made singing and singers to be part of temple worship. He sang to the Lord in the sixteenth chapter of First Chronicles as he brought the Ark into the tabernacle he erected. He must have won battles by singing unto God. The word ‘singers’ appears in about 37 verses in the entire Bible. About sixteen of those is found in Nehemiah; the sixteenth book of the Bible.

12. Be sensitive to hear God and bold to declare His word: The sixteenth is a time to speak from God. It is a season of prophets and messengers of God. A prophet confronted Baasha in the sixteenth chapter of First Kings. Another prophet confronted King Asa in the sixteenth chapter of Second Chronicles. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, declared the mind of God against nations in the sixteenth chapters of their books. Be bold to proclaim, or declare, what God has given you to release.

13. Be open to visions and revelations: It was by revelation that Paul went to Macedonia. Peter received the revelation that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God. Jesus said Peters confession of Him was by divine revelation. It was by the spirit of revelation that Samuel did not pour oil on the wrong head in the sixteenth chapter of First Samuel.

14. Package wisely and properly: Proper, wise, packaging is a huge factor for success in a sixteenth season. God taught Samuel how to package himself in First Samuel 16. Though he was on a mission to anoint a knew king, the people saw him as coming to sacrifice to the Lord. His mission was successful. David did not go to Saul’s palace as ‘the Lord’s anointed’. He went as a servant. Saul loved him and even made him his armor bearer without any idea that David had been anointed the next king. In the sixteenth book of the Bible, Nehemiah packaged his vision properly and secured the favor of a Persian ruler who became his sponsor. Ezra also package well and was sponsored on his mission by the king.

“Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right. As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it. In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (Proverbs 16:13-16 NKJV).

15. Be part of a supportive company of like-minded believers: Do not be a lone-ranger. Nehemiah did not labor alone. He had a company. Paul and Silas had a company at Philippi (Acts 16:40). The sixteenth chapters of Romans and First Corinthians reveal that Paul was a man of company. Disunity is weakness in a time of persecution. David survived Absalom’s revolution in the sixteenth chapter of Second Samuel because of the company of men who were loyal to him. They weakened the revolution from inside by pretending to be on Absalom’s side.

16. Be willing to serve and learn from those who dominate the scene: Although David was anointed to be king, he was first admitted to the palace to serve king Saul. God’s order is for you to serve, or learn from, people you would replace or succeed. Part of the reason it is so, is to enable you learn from them at no cost. Even if the fathers have erred or are erring, there is still something they know that the children do not know. The children need to humble themselves and learn it.

The angel of the Lord sent Hagar back to Sarai in the sixteenth chapter of Genesis. Though she had ran away from Sarai, the angel still called her Sarai’s maid. She had conceived for Abram. Sarai had never experienced conception. She had also had the privilege of seeing and speaking with the angel of the Lord. Sarai had never experienced that. Whatever Hagar had more than Sarai did not qualify, or permit, her to break away from Sarai. There are servants who need to return to their masters. There are students and disciples who need to return to their teachers. There are protégés that need to go back to their mentors. There are sons and daughters who need to return to their parents. The Lord will not permit improper separations in this season.

Except in cases where people are thrown out by their masters or leaders (as Jesus prophesied in John 16:2), the sixteenth season is not a time to rebel against legitimate masters because of any advantage. It is rather a time to connect or reconnect to them. Timothy became Paul’s disciple in the sixteenth chapter of Acts. People who dominate the front-lines, today, in your field of interest, know something you need to learn. You can get it from their speeches and, or writings – even if you are not close to them.

The Mystery of the 21st Week (May 21-27)

Nkem Okemiri

April 15, 2020

Welcome to the 21st week of the year. This is the seventh and last week in the third 7 weeks of the year. This week consists of days 141-147. As we pray into this week, it is important for us to be guided by the Holy Spirit as we pray with understanding also. As usual, we would consider the Biblical patterns for the season and then, revelations and prayers points for the season. You may also jump to the prayer-points section.

A. BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE SEASONS

1. THE THIRD SEVEN WEEKS OF THE YEAR

To understand this week closing the third seven weeks of the year, it is important for us to know the agenda and purpose of the third seven weeks. The thirds of the Bible are helpful here – the third day of creation and the book and third chapters of the Bible. Equally important are Bible passages mentioning the third. The Bible indicates that third is a game-changing point. So, the third seven weeks of the year is a game-changing season – when history is made. In 2023, the historic 21-day Isaiah 62 fast occupies the last three weeks of this season. The 21st week is the last week of this game-changing season. In this season, the enemy wants to kill (Genesis 3; Esther 3; Daniel 3) but the life giving Voice of God also sounds in this season (Exodus 3; 1 Samuel 3; Matthew 3; Luke 3; Acts 3). Think of what the evil one hoped to do with the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 and how God turned it

2. THE 21ST WEEK

There are seven biblical patterns for understanding the 21st week: the seventh day of creation narrative, the seventh book and chapters of the Bible, the 21st book of the Bible, the 21st chapters of the Bible, the seventh section (last three chapters) of the third book of the Bible (Leviticus) and the 21st seven Psalms.

a) . The 7th Day of Creation Narrative: The Creator ended His work and rested on the seventh day. He also blessed the seventh day and consecrated it to Himself. So, the seventh season is a season of intervention to end affliction and oppression. It is also a season dedicated to doing the Creator’s pleasure. That is the reason it is called the Lord’s day. Under the New Covenant, everyday is the Lord’s; but the temptation and tendency to pursue your own fleshly thing is more in seventh seasons. The seventh season is often a season of battling enemies to end oppression and affliction. It is a season to end toils and struggles. In the sight of God, the seventh season is an end-point for wickedness and oppression. In seventh seasons, men are pressed to the wall to cry out to God for intervention and deliverance.

b). The 7th Book of the Bible Judges is the seventh book of the Bible. In this book, Israel severally broke God’s covenant; and this brought untold hardship on them. They were oppressed by their neighbors. But each time they turned to God and cried to Him, He raised a judge for them to deliver them from the oppression of their enemies. The 21st week is a week of challenges and interventions.

c). Psalm 141-147 season. It is a time to cry to God for intervention, preservation, deliverance from troubles, and from the wicked. Psalms 141-144 are prayers to God. The enemy unleashes trouble in the 21st season; and so, the righteous must cry to God for intervention. The 21st is also a time to praise God and sing to Him – for His works and for His mercies. It is a time to trust in God and focus on Him. Psalms 145-147 are psalms of praise to God – because they focus on His excellence, goodness, greatness, and mighty works. The 21st season is not a time to focus on man, on self or on the flesh. Think of Ecclesiastes the 21st book of the Bible. It begins as a ‘book of me, my, and mine’; but ends as a book of redirected focus on God. Think about the 21st century and entertainment of the flesh? The pleasure and satisfaction of man is the heart of every invention, innovation, development, or advancement. It all aims at putting man in command. Before the end of the 21st century, man will awaken to the truth that serving God is the purpose of existence. Nothing else will make sense to man.

.d). The 21st book of the Bible: Week 21 is a book of Ecclesiastes Week. Ecclesiastes is the 21st book of the Bible and is applicable to the 21st week of the year. Ecclesiastes is an ‘it is done’ book. It says nothing is new under the sun. The word ‘done’ is used 15 times in this book. The phrase ‘done under the sun’ is used 10 times in the book. The phrase ‘under the sun’ is used 29 times in the entire Bible and only in the book of Ecclesiastes. The word ‘vanity’ (including ‘vanities’) is used 36 times in this book. The phrase ‘grasping after the wind’ is used nine times in the book. The book of Ecclesiastes holds out a realistic but negative view of life. It looks at life ‘under the sun’ as profitless exercise. It sees living and working as grasping after the wind’ because of the limitations imposed by death and impermanence. Death opens its mouth wide and makes mess of human existence in 21st seasons. For the saint in Christ, who is living under God, the 21st season is not a season of wastage; but a season of making profit, accomplishing eternal results, and overcoming death. Our labor is not under the sun but ‘in the Lord’ and it is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

In the 21st seven years of the United States (1916-1923), when Woodrow Wilson was President, the spirit of death claimed the lives of about 675, 000 citizens through the Spanish flu; and over 120, 000 soldiers through the First World War.

e). Leviticus 25-27: Week 21 is a Leviticus 25-27 week. This seventh section of the third book of the Bible is applicable to the seventh week in the third 49 days of the year. The 25th chapter is about ‘the Sabbath of the year’, the year of Jubilee, the redemption of purchased possessions, lending to the poor, and laws that prohibit Jewish enslavement of fellow Jews. Leviticus 26 is about blessings for obedience; or curses for disobedience. The 27th chapter is about the redemption of persons and things dedicated to God. Week 21 is a Sabbath week of REST. It is a season of deliverance from unrest. It is a time of returns and REWARDS – blessings or curses. It is a week of DEDICATION of people and things to God. It is a day of REDEMPTION.

f). The 21st chapters of the Bible: The 21st week is a 21st-chapters-of-the-Bible week. In Genesis 21, the child Abraham and Sarah waited for, was born. Isaac is also the 21st from Adam. In Joshua 21, Israel witnessed and testified that the Lord had given them the Land He promised their fathers. Not one word of the promise failed. In Psalm 21, the Lord gave the king the desires of his heart. In Matthew 21, Jesus recovered the temple of God from merchants and restored it to be the house of Prayer it was intended to be. In Revelation 21, the ‘new heaven’ and ‘new earth’ which Isaiah and Peter spoke about (Isaiah 65: 17-25; Second Peter 3:13) became reality.

g). The Last 9 Books of the Bible. Every seven-week season is like going through the Bible. It has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four weeks (28 days) is the Old Testament side and expresses the 39 books of the Old Testament. The remaining three weeks constitute the New Testament side and expresses the 27 books of the New Testament. Week 21 is the last week in the New Testament side of the third 49 days; and expresses the last 9 books of the New Testament. It is a Hebrews – Revelation week in the third 7 weeks of the year. Those nine books are books of correction, judgment, recovery, and restoration. Week 21 is a week of results. The 21st week of 2021 is a very unique, once-in-a-century gate of time. It is the 21st week of the 21st year of the 21st century; and began May 21.

B. BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Going through the 21st week is like taking a prophetic journey through the 21st seven Psalms (141-147) and the 21st book of the Bible (Ecclesiastes) plus the 21st chapters of the Bible.

You may read as follows:

May 21: Psalm 141 & Ecclesiastes 1-2

May 22: Psalm 142 & Ecclesiastes 3-4

May 23: Psalm 143 & Ecclesiastes 5-6

May 24: Psalm 144 & Ecclesiastes 7-8

May 25: Psalm 145 & Ecclesiastes 9-10

May 26: Psalm 146 & Ecclesiastes 11

May 27: Psalm 147 & Ecclesiastes 12

C. THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK

Here are 10 things from the 21st book and chapters of the Bible that we can bring before the Lord in the 21st week.

1. The 21st season is about kings and the King.

This is the season to tame arrogant rulers and leaders both in the Church and in the Nations (Ahab in First Kings 21; Manasseh in Second Kings 21; David in First Chronicles 21; and Jehoram in Second Chronicles 21. This is the season to recover kingdoms and thrones from abusive leaders and rulers. The 21st chapters of Exodus and Deuteronomy reveal that this is a season of justice and responsibility. The governments of this world have become too compromised to stand for justice. The church, by prophetic unction, must rise to this responsibility of enforcing the rule of the Kingdom in the nations.

It is a time to tame the proud and the arrogant. In First Kings 21, Elijah stepped in to confront and curse Ahab and his house – over the case of Naboth. In Second Kings 21, judgment came upon Manasseh and Judah because of the sins and wickedness of Manasseh. In First Chronicles 21, Israel came under a plague for David’s wrong step in numbering Israel. The 21st chapters of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are judgments decreed on nations. Heaven reacts against human pride and arrogance in the 21st season.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord would visit wickedness and the wicked in our world. Pray that the Lord would hear the cry of the poor and helpless and answer their prayers against wickedness. Pray that the Lord would move the heart of kings and people in authority to do His will this season. Pray that the king’s of the earth will humble themselves before the King of kings.

2. This is a season to fulfill prophecies and promises

The 21st and the realization of dreams go together. It is a time to realize dreams and receive long awaited promises and expectations. The birth of Isaac (the 21st from Adam) is recorded in Genesis 21. This is a week of laughter. Israel began to possess the land of her enemies in Numbers 21 (defeating Og, Sihon, and the King of Arad). This is the season to bring down and dispossess giant enemies (2 Samuel 21: 15-22). The tribe of Levi received their inheritance in Joshua 21. In the same chapter, it is recorded that God fulfilled to Israel the promise of land He made to their fathers. Psalm 21 is about a king whose desires the Lord had granted. Revelation 21 records the fulfillment of the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, the manifestation of the tabernacle of God on earth, and the wiping away of tears. The 21st season is a season of dreams coming true. Read Genesis 21: 1ff; Joshua 21:1-3, 43-45; Psalm 21: 1ff; Revelation 21: 1-4). Under the 21st president of the United States,Arthur Chester, the Civil Service reforms that the 18th, 19th, and 20th presidents could not achieve, became reality.

Receiving promises may require the removal of obstacles. So, this season is also for dismantling all barriers to access. In Numbers 21, Israel overthrew three kings that denied them access on their way to Canaan.

PRAYER: Pray that this week would be a season of receiving promises and realizing dreams. Pray that it is not a season of unjust miscarriage of hopes and expectations. This week, pray that the Lord will grant you access to purposes, places and people you desire.

3. This is the season to separate Ishmael from Isaac.

It is a season of pain for Ishmael but the Lord will reveal the well of living water to Hagar and her son (Genesis 21).

PRAYER: Prayer that the Lord would cause a separation between that which is of the Spirit and that which is of the flesh among His people in the nations. Pray for Israel – that Isaac would rest from Ishmael’s trouble.

4. This is a season of refreshing. This is a season of wells of water. The Lord opened Hagar’s eyes to see a well of from which she and her son were refreshed in Genesis 21. In Numbers 21, God led Israel to a place of wells of water.

PRAYER: Pray that times of resting would come from the presence of the Lord this week and that the thirsty would find wells of refreshing water in the assemblies and congregations of God’s people.

5. This is a season of three Rs – recovery, restoration wand redirection:

It is a time of recovery and rehabilitation. In Judges 21, Israel came together at Shiloh to solve the problem of finding wives for the men of Benjamin. That step saved the tribe of Benjamin.They recovered Benjamin. In First Chronicles 21, David recovered a holy ground that had become a threshing floor from Araunah (Ornan). In Matthew 21, Jesus cleansed and restored the temple. In John 21, Peter and the other disciples wanted to return to fishing but Jesus redirected Peter to shepherding. In Acts 21, Paul returned to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. The Jews wanted to kill him; but God delivered him and began to make way to take him to Rome.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will grant recoveries and cause rehabilitations among His people and in the nations. Pray for the recovery of Holy grounds of faith and wells of living water lost to the world as in Genesis 21 and Second Chronicles 21. Pray that God’s Vineyard will be recovered from unfaithful and wicked caretakers as in Matthew 21. Pray for the restoration of the temple and house of God suffering abuse from self-centered pursuits. Pray that the Lord will redirect His people from returning the familiar place we used to be, to move on to to new grounds we’ve never been to.

6. The season of the bride

The 21st season is for the presentation or engagement of the bride. Ishmael got married in Genesis 21:22. Exodus 21 talks about the slave wife.; Leviticus 21 is about the wife of the priest. Moses addressed the issue of the unloved first wife in Deuteronomy 21. Israel found wives for the men of Benjamin in Judges 21. Jezebel fought for her husband, Ahab, in First Kings 21. The wife of the Lamb is introduced in Revelation 21. A man’s wife makes his dreams and desires reality. Sarah bore a son to Abraham. Jezebel gave Ahab Naboth’s land.

PRAYER: Pray that the Bride of Christ will shine forth and be celebrated in the nations this season.

7. Season of laughter instead of crying.

In Genesis 21, Sarah said God had made her laugh; and in Revelation 21, God said “there shall be no more crying or pain”. This season, Gods people are to proclaim “no more death” by the force of truth.

PRAYER: Pray that this would be a seasons of laughter and celebration for God’s people – and not a season of sorrow and tears.

8. Season of finding answers

It is a time to gain knowledge and receive answers to questions. Ecclesiastes, the 21st book of the Bible is about seeking and finding answers to life’s hard questions. In Genesis 21, God showed Hagar a well of water in a critical time of need. In Numbers 21, Moses received an answer from God concerning the plague of the fiery serpent. In Second Samuel 21, David gained insight concerning the three-year famine that afflicted Israel. In First Chronicles 21, David wanted to know the population statistics of Israel; although it got him into trouble. In Luke 21, the disciples of Jesus wanted to understand times and seasons. In John 21, Jesus delivered His disciples from their struggles to catch fish; by telling them what to do. This is a week of answers.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will lead us to answers this week. Pray that the Lord will open the eyes of leaders to His answers to plagues in the nations as in Second Samuel 21.

9. This is a season to pay attention to times and seasons;

The 21st book of the Bible (Ecclesiastes) and the 21st chapter of Luke give prominence to the value of understanding times and seasons. Understanding times and seasons will save individuals, families, the church, and the nations from evil surprises (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; 8: ; 9:12). It is costly to be ignorant of times and seasons in this age.

PRAYER: Pray for a clear understanding of the times to know what you ought to do and to do it.

10. This is a season to be guided by love rather than selfishness.

Israel was guided by love in Judges 21 when the tribes came together to seek the welfare of Benjamin..Ahab and Jezebel treated Naboth’s matter selfishly in First Kings 21. Manasseh was a very selfish king. Second Kings 21 bears witness. He shed much innocent blood. Jehoram was selfish in the way he killed his brothers in Second Chronicles 21. The 21st book of the Bible opens with the king and author and his self-centered achievements and pursuits. In John 21, Jesus queried Peter to secure a commitment of love. This is a week to walk in love, project community and emphasize connectivity. Isolation and individualism are killers in this season. The 21st book of the Bible says, “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12).

PRAYER: Pray for grace to walk in love and for wisdom to go the way of community, collaboration and company. Pray to be deliver from self-centered people and be kept from following selfish ways.

To learn more about praying into the 21st week, go to

https://nkemokemiri.com/praying-into-the-21st-week-of-the-year-may-21-27

The Mystery of the 20th Week (May 14 – 20)

Nkem Okemiri

April 15, 2020

Welcome to the 20th week of the year! The 20th week is the sixth week in the third 49 days of the year. It is a sixth-season week. The Bible keys to understanding the 20th week are the sixth day of creation narrative, the sixth four chapters (21-24) of the third book of the Bible (Leviticus), the 20th book and chapters of the Bible, and the second 9 books of the New Testament.

Week 20 is a sixth day of creation week in the third 49 days. God completed the creation of flesh on the sixth day. That was when He made land animals and Man. God expressed Himself in the creation of Man. So, the sixth season is when God expresses Himself by His wisdom, power, generosity, love, mercy, works, commandments, interventions, justice, or judgments. God made Man to be like Him. He demands uprightness and godliness from Man in the sixth season. After God made man,He gave man instructions about his work and his food. The key to success in the sixth season week is communion with God and following His instructions. If man follows divine instructions in the sixth season, He would see success. If he disregards divine instruction, the result is failure. God blessed man with food, fruitfulness, and multiplication; and commanded him to rule and have dominion over the rest of creation. God’s will is for the righteous to dominate the wicked in the sixth season; but the ungodly will fight hard to bear rule. God’s will is for man to have food in the sixth season but the adversary will want man to have scarcity in this season. So, man must be guided by God to find the provisions for the season. God wants man to express Him but the evil one will want to win man over to his side. You must stay with God in this season. God wants man to be fruitful and multiply in this season; but the adversary will want to plague man with barrenness and decimation through deception.

Week 20 is a book of Proverbs week. The book of Proverbs is the 20th book of the Bible; and is applicable to the 20th week of the year. Each of he first three days of the week expresses five chapters of the book; the remaining four days of the week will express four chapters each. The 31-chapter book of Proverbs is a compendium of wisdom for everyday living. It is a call to move from wickedness to righteousness, from foolishness to wisdom, from ignorance to knowledge, from laziness and lack to diligence and wealth. Knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and heart, are key words in the 20th book of the Bible. The book of Proverbs is an answer book. It is a powerful Guide-book that points the reader to the right way and also shows the consequence of following other paths. The book shows why people end up where they do in life; and how to end up at the right or desired place. The book shows that our results are determined by our choices. Week 20 is a season to prosper through following divine counsel. In the 20th week, you cannot fail following divine instruction.

The 20th week is a 20th Chapters of the Bible week. The 20th chapters of the Bible reveal at least five things about the 20th season: 1. It is a season to be guided by God – through laws and commandments. The reason God guides in the 20th season isn’t just because He wants to lord it over man. It is because the adversary seeks to destroy men in this season. In Exodus 20, God gave Israel the Ten Commandments. This shows that God seeks to guide and direct man in the 20th season. In this season, divine guidance delivers from deception, disasters, destruction, and death. In Numbers 20, Moses and Aaron were barred from the entering the Promised Land because Moses disobeyed instructions. That is how serious instructions and commandments are in the 20th season. You can’t just choose to do your own thing and prosper in a 20th season. 2. It is battle-season. In Numbers 20, Edom resisted Israel with great force when Israel sought passage through the land of Edom. In Deuteronomy 20, God gave instructions to Israel about going to war. In Judges 20, all Israel fought the tribe of Benjamin and almost destroyed her. In Second Samuel 20, Sheba led a revolution against David but the men of David crushed Sheba and his company. In First Kings 20, there was war between Israel and Syria but Ahab defeated the Syrians twice. In First Chronicles 20, David’s men fought battles. They conquered Rabbah and also destroyed the Philistine giants. In Second Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat received instructions about fighting the enemy nations that came up against him. Proverbs 20:18 says, “..”By wise counsel wage war”. See also Proverbs 24:6 In Isaiah 20, Assyria conquered Ashdod and God spoke though Isaiah that Assyria would take Egypt and Ethiopia too. In John’s Revelation-20-vision, Satan led rebellion against God after he was released from prison but his company was crushed and judged. Is it mere coincidence that these accounts of war are recorded in the 20th chapter; or is the Holy Spirit showing us a pattern? There were two world wars in the first half of the 20th century. The later half of the century was another long season of Cold War and literal wars in many parts of the world. This 20th week, may the Lord deliver our world (including our homes) from unnecessary wars. 3. It is a season to gain wealth. In Genesis 20, Abraham gained much wealth following his encounter with Abimelech, king of Gerar. In Second Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat and Judah gained much wealth after stripping their dead enemies. The 20th book of the Bible, Proverbs, is a guide-book to wealth and riches. May the battles of this week bring you great material gain. 4. It is a season of revival and breakthroughs. The 20th chapters of John and revelation speak of resurrection from the dead. John 20 is about the resurrection of Jesus. Revelation 20 is about resurrection before the last judgment. Things thought impossible are made possible in the 20th season. Space exploration became possible in the 20th century. Men we to the moon in this century. 5. It is a season to walk by faith and not by sight. In 2 Chronicles 20:20, Jehoshaphat told his people “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” In John 20, the disciples of Jesus struggled to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. In this season, men want to see before they believe. They want to come to knowledge through experimentation. This was evident in the 20th century with scientific and technological breakthroughs. Although we should pursue knowledge and understanding in this season, it must not be at the expense of faith.

The 20th week is a Ephesians – Philemon week in the third 49 days of the year. Every 49-day season is like a journey through the Bible. This season has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four weeks is the Old Testament side. The last three weeks is the New Testament side. This sixth week belongs to the NT side and expresses the second 9 books of the New Testament. Tho second 9 books of the NT are books of teaching and instruction. They are guiding light to churches and church leaders. They address our inheritance in Christ.

The 20th week is a book of Joshua week in the third 49 days of the week. Joshua is the 6th book of the Bible; and is applicable to the sixth week in the third 49 days. In the sixth book of the Bible, God fulfilled to Israel the promise of land He made to their fathers. Israel fought and subdued their enemies; took over their land and gained much wealth. God wants you to have a book of Joshua experience this week. He wants to give an inheritance this week. He wants you to be the victor rather than the victim. May this week flow with milk and honey for you.

20TH WEEK PRAYERS

1. Father, guide me by your word, away from the attitudes, thought patterns, and actions, that hurt or destroy men in the 20th season. Deliver me from any form of crookedness or falsehood.

2. Father, this week, show me mercy and deliver me from people and things that are too powerful for me. Keep my heart from fear. As you delivered Sarah and Abraham from the hand of Abimelech, deliver me from the great and mighty.

3. Father, deliver me from falling into the hands of those who are angry with me. Deliver me from deception.

4. Father, deliver me from any war or conflict that is unnecessary, destructive, and counter-productive. Grant me the wisdom and humility to deal with all men in this season.

5. Father, grant me sensitivity of heart to know my enemies and to deal cautiously and appropriately with them. Deliver me from trusting, or toying with, the enemy.

6. Father, lead me to prosper materially this week in my labors.

Happy 20th week!

The Mystery of the 19th Week (May 7 – 13)

Nkem Okemiri

April 15, 2020

Welcome to the 19th week of the year. Every week has its unique contribution to the year. The nineteenth week is a fifth-season week. It is the third fifth season week in the year. It is the fifth week in the third-seven weeks (49 days) of the year. As a fifth season week, the nineteenth week is a season of fruitfulness- physically, materially, and spiritually. It is part of a broad third season of overthrows, deliverances, manifestation, and productivity. The Bible keys to understanding the nineteenth week are the fifth day of creation narrative, the nineteenth book and chapters of the Bible, the fifth four chapters of the third book of the Bible, Leviticus.

The nineteenth week is a fifth day of creation week. It was on the fifth day that God made and filled the waters with abundance of sea creatures. He made the birds of the air on the same day. The fifth day was the beginning of movement on earth. It was the beginning of flesh and blood, voice-sounds, and also the beginning of blessings. God did not bless His creatures until the fifth day. On that day, He blessed the swimming and flying creatures with fruitfulness and multiplication. The fifth day also marked the beginning of the sound-producing creatures. As a fifth season week, the 19th week is a season of warring, and triumphing over, things that war against the release and expression of life – dryness, poverty, disease, death, barrenness, and wickedness.

The 19th week is a 19th-chapters-of-the-Bible week. The 19th chapters of the Bible reveal the following about the 19th season.

1. It is a season of loose morality leading to anger and destruction against vileness. The season requires purity and separation from pollution. In Genesis 19, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah after separating Lot’s family from the land. In Judges 19, vile men raped a woman to death. Revelation 19 opens with praise to for the destruction of the evil city by fire.

2. This is a season of separating men from men. In n this season, God calls men to separate themselves to Him. In Genesis 19, God separated Lot from Sodom. In the 19th chapters of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, God called Israel to separate from pollution and be holy to Him. in Deuteronomy 19, God told Moses to separate six cities for the accidental manslayer. In First Kings 19, God called and separated Elisha for the ministry. In Second Chronicles 19, God rebuked Jehoshaphat for aligning with the house of Ahab. The 19th book of the Bible (Psalms) opens with the blessed man who stands out from the ungodly, the sinners, and the scornful. In Matthew 19, Jesus speaks of those who are willing to leave everything and follow Him. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus separated from the crowd and ran ahead to be able to see Jesus. n Acts 19, Paul separated the disciples for special instruction. Magicians who received the gospel at Ephesus separated from their former ways and gave up their books for burning. Revelation 19 mentions the separated bride and those who are called to the wedding supper of the Lamb. What is the Lord saying to you about standing out in, and from, this 19th week? Two outstanding Nigerian politicians departed the earth in this week of different years. Chief Obafemi Awolowo died May 9,1987. Nine years later, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe died. May 11, 1996.

3. It is a season when the wicked and evil men seek to destroy their righteous enemies. The evil one wants to see men dead in this season; especially the righteous. For this reason, God makes a preservation plan for His people. In Deuteronomy 19, He commanded Moses to provide cities of refuge in Canaan for those escaping from the avenger of blood. In First Samuel 19, David escaped being killed by Saul. In First Kings 19, Elijah ran from Jezebel. In Second Kings 19, Sennacherib went up against Judah to destroy it. God intervened and slew 185, 000 of his troops. He withdrew in shame. Enemies multiply in the 19th season. In the book of Psalms, the word ‘enemy’ is used in 26 verses; the word ‘enemies’ is used in 78 verses; and the word ‘wicked’ is used in 104 verses. That is the reason we should be prayerful in this season; but not be afraid. Do not give in to self-pity in this season. In Job 19, Job lamented his loneliness in distress. He feels like no one, not even God or his friends, is on his side. He stressed his faith in his Redeemer (Job 19:25). Your convictions may make you stand alone in the nineteenth season. This is a season to find company in God. Elijah was alone in First Kings 19.

4. The 19th season is a season of triumphs in battle. The victories of this season come from divine vindication as a result of trusting Him. In 19, six tribes received their inheritance in the Promised Land. In Second Samuel 19, David wins the war with Absalom and is restored to his kingdom. In First Chronicles 19, David defeated the Amorites and the Syrians. In Acts 19, Paul’s ministry at Ephesus triumphed over idols and Idol worshippers. In Revelation 19, the King of kings defeated and captured the beast and the false prophet in the last battle. God overthrows His enemies in the 19th season. In Isaiah 19, the prophet makes proclamation against Egypt. In Jeremiah 19, God announced judgment against Judah. Ezekiel 19 is the Prophet’s lamentation for the degradation of Israel because of her sins.

5. The 19th season is a time to focus on the spiritual side of things. In Matthew 19, Jesus taught about marriage, divorce, and celibacy. He gave counsel to the Rich Young Ruler – to sell everything he has and distribute to the poor. The man went away sorrowful – though he had come to Jesus to enquire about eternal life. Materialism is a problem in the nineteenth season. In Luke 19, a rich man, Zacchaeus, sought to see Jesus and was found. Jesus told the parable of the minas. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and cleansed the temple. The nineteenth is a season of intense hunger for the spiritual. It is a season of reckoning, and of change. John 19 is about the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. The 19th is a season of self-denial. Jesus chose this path of spirituality for the sake of salvation for humanity. The nineteenth season is not a season to gratify flesh. It is a time to deny self for the benefit of self and others.

6. This is a season of intimacy when marriages are attacked and may be disrupted. In Genesis 19, we see a intimacy perverted. Lot lost his wife and fathered his grandchildren in this chapter. Judges 19 is another perversion of intimacy. A levite lost his wife or concubine in this chapter also. In First Samuel 19, David’s wife (Saul’s daughter) saved her husband from death. In Fist Kings 19, Jezebel, fighting for her husband, wanted to kill Elijah. In Matthew 19, answered questions about marriage, divorce, and celibacy. In Revelation 19, John was given a revelation of the Bride and Marriage supper. The ultimate realm of intimacy is between man and God. The 19th book of the Bible illustrates this intimacy. The psalmist lived in communion with God.

The nineteenth week is a Leviticus 17-20 week. The fifth four chapters of the third book of the Bible is applicable to the fifth week in third 49 days of the year. This fifth section of Leviticus is about the sanctity of blood, laws of sexual morality, moral and ceremonial laws, and penalties for breaking the law. It is interesting that this fifth section discusses the sanctity of blood because flesh and blood came into existence on the fifth day. Men tend to become lawless in nineteenth seasons. The 19th week is for guarding the flesh and holding it in check. It is a season to protect flesh and blood; and eschew sexual morality. The nineteenth chapters of Genesis and judges make references to homosexuality. There is a rampant growth of wickedness and aggression in this season too. Saul wanted to kill David in the 19th chapter of First Samuel; and Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah in the nineteenth chapter of First Kings. The nineteenth chapter of John is about the crucifixion of Jesus. God began to give laws to Israel in the nineteenth chapter of Exodus. Other nineteenth chapters, like Genesis and Revelation, reveal that the nineteenth season is a time to punish law-breakers.

The 19th week is the beginning of the New Testament side of the the third seven weeks. It is a Matthew – Galatians week. Every seven-week season has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four weeks constitute the Old Testament side of the season. The last three weeks belong to the New Testament side of the season. The fifth week is the beginning of the New Testament side; and expresses the first nine books of the New Testament. Those nine books are about Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. They are books of the gracious intervention of God through Jesus Christ. They are books of salvation, deliverance, and restoration. To be on the New Testament side of the week means salvation has come. It means promises and prophecies are going to be fulfilled. It means grace and mercy has come.

This 19th week is a book of Psalms week. Psalms is the nineteenth book of the Bible. From the book of Psalms, we learn that the nineteenth season is a season of meditations, prayers, songs, confessions and declarations of confidence in God, expressions of gratitude, praises, and worship to God, and acknowledgements of the greatness and awesomeness of God. The three major ‘P’ words of this season are pressures, prayers, and praises. The nineteenth season is a season of triumphs, victories, interventions, revivals, deliverances, and testimonies. It is a season to tap into, and experience the sufficiency of God for all needs and desires. It is a season to be preoccupied with God – regardless of circumstances. It is also a season of punitive reactions to man’s rebellion. This is the season of the Word! This is the season of songs.

The nineteenth seven psalms (127-133) is also applicable to the nineteenth week; because days 127-133 belong to the 19th week of the year.

DECLARATIONS FOR THE WEEK (DRAWN FROM 19TH SEVEN PSALMS: 127-133).

1. This week, I will not labor in vain. I will not keep awake in vain. My efforts shall not be wasted. I will not go in my own strength but in the strength of the Lord. This is a week of fruitfulness and multiplication. Our children shall live and not die (Psalm 127)

2. This week, our families shall be safe. We shall not lose any parent or child. Our children shall live and grow up to become adults and parents. Our parents shall live to see their children’s children. I shall eat the fruit of my labors (Psalm 128)

3. I will not be afflicted this week. The Lord shall cut the cords of the wicked in pieces. Those who hate me unjustly shall be put to shame and turned back (Psalm 129).

4. This week, the Lord will show me His fearful mercy and abundant redemption. The Lord will hear my voice and show me His grace (Psalm 130).

5. This week, my spirit and soul shall be calm and quiet like a weaned child with his mother. My heart shall not be haughty. I shall not set my eyes on lofty things. I shall not concern myself with great matters or with things too profound for me (Psalm 131)..

6. This week, I shall see the fulfillment of promises. I can never be forgotten or forsaken (Psalm 132).

7. This week, I shall experience a joy in natural and spiritual family reunion. Disunity, division, and quarreling shall not be my portion. I shall experience both the oil and the dew on my head. I shall not be missing in the gathering of God’s people (Psalm 133)..

Happy 19th week!

The Mystery of the 18th Week (April 30 – May 6)

Nkem Okemiri

April 15, 2020

Welcome to the eighteenth week of the year! This is the fourth week in the third 49 days of the year. The eighteenth is the fourth of the third seven (15-21). So, the eighteenth week is a fourth-season week. What is the mystery of the eighteenth? The Bible patterns for understanding the eighteenth week are the fourth day of creation narrative, the eighteenth book and chapters of the Bible, and the fourth four chapters of the third book of the Bible, the last 9 chapters of the Old Testament.

Week 18 is a fourth day of creation week in the third 49 days. On the fourth day of creation, God made the luminaries, to give light, divide the darkness and the light, rule the night and the day, before seasons. The luminaries tell us when it is night or day; or when the seasons have changed. They are judges. They give verdicts concerning times and seasons; and the earth submits to their verdicts. This is a week of verdicts and pronouncements. It is a season of dominion over darkness through light. In the eighteenth season, God seeks to preserve life because the enemy seeks to kill and destroy. The enemy is angry with every carrier of light in the eighteenth season; because light obstructs his dark and evil operations in the eighteenth season. Light does not allow him to deceive and destroy. He attacked Job in the eighteenth book of the Bible. He attacked Jesus in John 18. He attacked David in First Samuel 18.

Week 18 is a ‘book of Numbers week’ in a seven-week season expressing the book of Leviticus; because it is the fourth day in a third week. Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible; and Leviticus is the third book of the Bible. In the fourth book of the Bible, Israel went through testing for the Promised Land. God EXAMINED them and PRONOUNCED the judgment that kept Israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years until the generation of Joshua and Caleb had all perished. Joshua and Caleb passed the examination and were allowed to cross over and inherit the Promised Land.

Week 18 is Leviticus 13-16 week. Leviticus 13-16 is the fourth-four chapters of this 27-chapter book. This section of Leviticus opens with laws about how the priest should handle people with skin diseases, boils, and bodily discharges; and closes with laws about the day of atonement. People with skin issues are to be EXAMINED by the priests and given a PRONOUNCEMENT towards isolation from people or integration. The priests were the judges in matters of skin affliction or infection. They were the light of the season.

Week 18 is a book of Job week. The eighteenth week of the year is an expression of Job; the 18th book of the Bible. Since Job has 42 chapters, each day of the week would express six chapters of the book. In the book of Job, Satan struck the godly man with boils and skin disease after he had lost his children and business. He also went through emotional turmoil as his friends argued with him about his plea of innocence; and rather charged him with guilt. Job’s condition was a test of his faith. After God had EXAMINED Job, He PRONOUNCED Him ‘not guilty’ and turned his situation around for good. This 18th week, may you receive a pronouncement of remarkable PASS before Heaven and whomever you stand.

God is the Controller-General of the Universe! That is the lesson I learnt from the book of Job – the eighteenth book of the Bible; and I think it’s a big one. I didn’t see that Satan is stronger than Job. I saw that God is greater than Job’s adversary. Satan is in God’s cage and cannot do what God had not authorized; or take what God had not given him. Whatever he did to Job was within the limits God allowed. Until God took off the hedge around Job, the enemy was powerless. This is the 18th week of the year! Another good news is that God has given us power to rule in the eighteenth season. Matthew 18:18 says, “…Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven”

There are seven key P-words that are associated with the eighteenth season. They are Pressures, Prayers, Persistence, Perseverance, Partnership, Preservation, and Praise, The eighteenth season is a season of pressures requiring prayers and partnership if we want to experience preservation. Preservation of lives and property is a great need in the eighteenth season. The 18th book and chapters of the Bible reveal this. The eighteenth book (Job) and chapters also reveal that the 18th is a season of pressures. The forces of darkness unleash their powers in the eighteenth season. This makes the season one of distress. This also makes prayer imperative. Luke 18 says men ought to pray always and not faint. Praying according to the Promise of God is the key to preservation in the eighteenth season. Partnership is also key to preservation in the 18th season. Isolation is a killer in the 18th season; so, it’s a season to build or strengthen relationships. Job’s relationships seemed unhelpful in the 18th book of the Bible; but at least they help us to know what relationships should, or shouldn’t, be in the eighteenth season. Whatever pressures you face this week, through God’s promise, prayers and partnership, you will be preserved.

The 18th week of the year is a Psalm 120 – 126 week because the 18th week consists of Days 120-126. The 18th seven psalms are psalms of preservation; and are applicable to this 18th week. As the 18th book of the Bible ends with God turning the captivity of Job, Psalm 126 is about God ending and turning the captivity of Judah. This is a week to stand strong on the word of divine preservation. This week will end with joy!

PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK

In the 18th book of the Bible, Satan received permission from God to try Job’s faith by attacking his business, family, health, and relationships. Suddenly, Job’s world fell apart. He and his friends entered and endless war of words – as their tongues wagged with criticisms and condemnation. Eventually, God stepped in and turned Job’s circumstances around with greater blessings. Job moved from agony to gladness. This 18th week of the year, say the following prayers:

1. O Lord, scatter and frustrate every conspiracy of darkness against Your Church, my nation, my life, my family, my business, my work, my studies, and my ministry. Keep and preserve me from the arrows of the wicked and from any harm this week. Deliver me from people and things that would want to swallow me up. Deliver me, my family, my friends, my organization, and nation, from sudden arrows that bring disease, death, and destruction of property.

2. Father, deliver me from using my mouth wrongly this week. Let my words build what should be built; and not tear them down. Deliver me, also, from those who will use spoken or written words against me unjustly – for lies, deception, insults, or contempt.

3. Bring helpful relationships to me this week; and also make me succor to the weak. Help me to delight strongly in your presence and in the fellowship of the brethren this week. Strengthen my prayer life. Help me and show me your mercy concerning the needs in my life.

4. This week, let tears turn to joy; let good seeds and labors turn to harvests; let mouths be filled with laughter and tongues with singing. Let this week end with joy resulting from recoveries and restoration.

This week, the Lord will preserve you and all yours. He will show Himself greater than your adversaries! Happy 18th week!

The 16th Week: The Mystery of April 16-22

Nkem Okemiri

April 15, 2020

Welcome to the sixteenth week of the year. Week 16 is the second week in the third seven weeks (third 49 days) of the year. The Bible patterns for understanding the 16th week are 1) the second day of creation narrative, 2) the 16th book of the Bible, 3) the 16th chapters of the Bible, 4) the second ten books of the Bible.

Week 16 is a second-day-of-creation week. On the second day of creation, God created the firmament to DIVIDE the waters and thwart the monopoly of the waters. The firmament God created on the second day, made room (space) for everything else. The second season is when way is made where there is no way. The same happens in the sixteenth season. It is a season of door-opening supernatural encounters. The 16th week is for thwarting monopolies and breaking controlling powers. This could happen in a positive to remove or dismantle evil barriers or powers. It could also happen in a negative sense through rebellious revolutions. The righteous should expect the collapse of evil powers; and also watch against rebellious and wicked uprisings.

Week 16 is a book-of-Exodus week in the third 49 days of the year; a 49-day season that expresses the book of Leviticus. Israel was delivered from slavery and bondage in the book of Exodus and began to learn commitment to their Deliverer-God. Week 16 is a season of quest for freedom and space and territory. It is a season to declare freedom for the oppressed.

Week 16 is Leviticus 5-8 day. This section of Leviticus is about trespass offering – compensation for unwitting infringement or certain intentional transgressions (peripheral sins). Week 16 is for outward or peripheral boundaries. It s a week to draw the outermost boundaries of behavior. Trespass offerings are about refusing to protect others and yourself. It is about allowing others to take advantage of others or about allowing things that should not come near you to touch you. Touching an unclean thing is opening your life to trespass and you are guilty. Refusing to witness or testify where and when you should exposes someone else and makes you guilty. Speaking thoughtlessly is allowing vanity to trespass into your mind and mouth and makes you guilty because you did not protect yourself from that trespass. This is a week to defend or stand up for your ground and right. It is not a week to throw yourself open to invaders, intruders, and ‘defilers’.

Week 16 is a book-of-Nehemiah week. Nehemiah is the 16th book of the Bible. The burden of Nehemiah, in this book, was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem – “that we no longer be a reproach”. He was in a spiritual fight to restore the glory of Judah. An unwalled city will have problems with trespassers. It is easier to check trespassers when a wall is in place. Week 16 is a day to protect yourself from unlawful intrusion and invasion. This week, protect your life from unlawful mind-invaders, time-invaders, faith-invaders, and privacy-invaders. Build a wall of faith and responsibility around your life this week. The 16th season is for rebuilding ruined people and places. It is for confronting challenges and breaking the norm and status quo. This week, also, may the Lord make a way for you to repair things that had broken down in your life, family, nation and in the nations.

Week 16 is a sixteenth-chapters-of-the-Bible week. The 16th chapters of the Bible reveal three things about the sixteenth season:

1). The sixteenth season is a season of demons working deception through pressures or pleasures. Evil spirits of deception are deployed to cause havoc in this season. In Genesis 16, Sarah was deceived to give Hagar, her maid, to her husband as wife. In Numbers 16, Korah and his company were deceived to question and challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. In Judges 16, Delilah deceived Samson to his death. In First Samuel 16, an evil spirit took over the life of King Saul. In Second Samuel 16, Zuba deceived David to believe his lies against Mephiboshet. In the same chapter, a deceiving spirit possessed Absalom through the influence of Ahitophel. In First Kings 16, Zimri was deceived into a coup that left him dead after seven days of being in power. In the same chapter, Hiel of Bethel was deceived to rebuild Jerich in the days of Ahab and Jezebel. In Second Kings 16, king of Ahaz was deceived to forsake God and embrace the idols of Syria. In Second Chronicles 16, Asa was deceived to seek the help of an ungodly king. God rebuked him for it. Nehemiah escaped deception in the 16th book of the Bible. A false prophet was hired to prophesy lies to him. He found out God didn’t send him. Proverbs 16 warns against the deception of following the way that seems right but ends in death. In Matthew 16, sign-seekers came to Jesus to ask for a sign. Jesus exposed them. In Mark 16, Jesus said those who believe in Him would cast out demons. In Luke 16, the rich man was deceived by his wealth untitling he woke up in hell. John 16 said deceived people would kill while thinking they are doing service to God. In Acts 16, Paul cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl making money for his master through fortune-telling. In the same chapter, the master of the delivered slave girl told lies against Paul and Silas; leading to their imprisonment. In Revelation 16, three unclean spirits deceived kings and nations and gathered them to the great battle of Armageddon. There is a strong spirit of delusion that comes upon people in 16th seasons. Watch out against deception in this 16th week.

2). The 16th chapters also reveal that the season is a season of both rebellion and war against rebellion. As God makes a way against unjustified slavery, in the 16th season, He also shuts doors against those who rebel against just causes. In Genesis 16, God stood against Hagar’s rebellion against Sarah. In Numbers 16, He stood against the rebellion of Korah and his company against Moses’ leadership. In Second Samuel 16, King David came under judgment for his sin against Uriah. In First Kings 16, God brought judgment on kings rebelling against His will – Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, and Omri. In the same chapter, a man rebuilt the Jericho which Joshua cursed, and said should not be rebuilt. In Revelation 16, God released the seven vials of judgement against rebellious humanity. The sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, stood against and defeated the Confederate States Army seeking secession from the Union. In the 16th year of Nigeria, B.S Dinka led a failed coup against the Murtala Mohammed regime. He and 41 others indicted in the coup were executed by firing squad. The 16th season is a season of wrath leading to mass destruction and death. The 16th chapters of Numbers, Judges, and Revelation, bear witness to this. This week, go before the Lord and intercede against the wasting of lives through disease, war, terrorism, violent protests, and all manner of disasters.

3). The 16th season is a tough season in which God makes a way where there is no way. In Genesis 16, a way was made for Hagar to become wife to her blessed master. In Exodus 16, God gave Israel bread from heaven. In First Samuel 16, God made a way for David to be anointed king. In Second Samuel 16, God made way for David’s friend, Hushai, to join Absalom’s cabinet to counter Ahitophel. In Mark 16, Jesus rose from the dead. In Acts 16, God made a way for the Macedonians to hear the gospel; made a way for a slave girl to be delivered from demon-possession. and also opened prison doors for Paul and Silas. In the sixteenth century, God made way for the Protestant Reformation to kick off. Under the 16th President of the United States (Abraham Lincoln), God made a way for slaves to gain freedom. In the 16th book of the Bible, God made a way for Nehemiah to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Obedience, repentance, prayer, and singing praises to God, are keys that open doors in the sixteenth season.

Week 16 is First Kings – Proverbs week in the third 49 days of the year. The second ten books of the Bible are applicable to the second week in the third 49 days of the year. Going through every seven-week season is like going through the Bible – from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The first four weeks in the season is the Old Testament side of the season and has it guiding light in the 39 books of the Old Testament. The last three weeks is the New Testament side of the season; and has its guiding light in the 27 books of the New Testament – each week expressing nine books. On the Old Testament side, the first three weeks have, each, their guiding lights in ten books of the Bible. The fourth week has its guiding light in the last nine books of the Old Testament. The second week in the seven-week (49-day) season expresses the second ten books of the Bible (1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). These books are full of stories of deception (from pleasures and pressures); they are books of deliverance from enemies and troubles; and they also speak of defections and destructions. The second ten books of the Bible show that the 16th week is a season to handle life through dependence on God’s wisdom and power. It is a season to draw divine strength into circumstances in the earth realm – through prayer, praise, proclamations, and pleasing God.

Week 16 is a week of singing and making music. David was first called to the Palace in First Samuel 16 to serve King Saul because of his ability to play harp and sing. He sang to the Lord in the sixteenth chapter of First Chronicles as he brought the Ark into the tabernacle he erected. He was the great psalmist of Israel. He made singing and singers to be part of temple worship. He must have won battles by singing unto God. The word ‘singers’ appears in about 37 verses in the entire Bible. About sixteen of those is found in Nehemiah; the sixteenth book of the Bible. Paul and Silas overcame imprisonment by singing to God in Acts 16.

This is a week of freedom from oppression. It is also a week of rebellion and war against rebellion. It is the longing for freedom that drives people to rebellion in the sixteenth season. Do not restrain things that should be free; and do not release things that should be restrained. This is a week to restrain the flesh and release the spirit. May this week be a week of boundaries for yourself and others. Happy 16th week.

PRAYING INTO THE 16TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (APRIL 16-22)

This is a week of exploits and breakthroughs. Closed doors are opening. As we pray into this week, we call time to align with the Word of God – that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I’ll show numeric biblical patterns for this week from the 16th book and chapters of the Bible, outline few prayer points and share a promise.

A. PATTERNS

The 16th chapters of the Bible reveal 5 things we can apply to the 16th week:

The 16th season is a time of exploits through singing and making music. David was first called to the palace in First Samuel 16 to serve distressed King Saul because of his ability to play harp and sing. David also sang to the Lord in the sixteenth chapter of First Chronicles as he brought the Ark into the tabernacle he erected. He was the great psalmist of Israel. He made singing and singers to be part of temple worship. He must have won battles by singing unto God. Singers are mentioned more in the sixteenth book of the Bible than in any other book of the Bible. The word ‘singers’ appears in about 37 verses in the entire Bible. About sixteen of those is found in Nehemiah; the sixteenth book of the Bible. Paul and Silas overcame imprisonment by singing to God in Acts 16. The Lord grace us to experience victories and breakthroughs as we sing to Him this week.
The sixteenth season is a season to cast out demons working deception through pressures or pleasures. Evil spirits are deployed to cause havoc in this season but this also the time to stand against. In Mark 16, Jesus said those who believe in Him would cast out demons. In Genesis 16, Sarah was deceived to give Hagar, her maid, to her husband as wife. In Numbers 16, Korah and his company were deceived to question and challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. In Judges 16, Delilah deceived Samson to his death. In First Samuel 16, an evil spirit took over the life of King Saul. In that chapter, Samuel was almost deceived about who to anoint as the next king. In Second Samuel 16, Ziba deceived David to believe his lies against Mephiboshet. In the same chapter, a deceiving spirit possessed Absalom through the influence of Ahitophel. In First Kings 16, Zimri was deceived into a coup that left him dead after seven days of being in power. In the same chapter, Hiel of Bethel was deceived to rebuild Jericho in the days of Ahab and Jezebel. In Second Kings 16, king of Ahaz was deceived to forsake God and embrace the idols of Syria. In Second Chronicles 16, Asa was deceived to seek the help of an ungodly king. God rebuked him for it. Nehemiah escaped deception in the 16th book of the Bible. A false prophet was hired to prophesy lies to him. He found out God didn’t send him. Proverbs 16 warns against the deception of following the way that seems right but ends in death. In Matthew 16, Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. In Luke 16, the rich man was deceived by his wealth until he woke up in hell. John 16 said deceived people would kill while thinking they are doing service to God. In Acts 16, Paul cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl making money for his master through fortune-telling. In the same chapter, the master of the delivered slave girl told lies against Paul and Silas; leading to their imprisonment. In Revelation 16, three unclean spirits deceived kings and nations and gathered them to the great battle of Armageddon. In the season of the 16th President of the United States, a section of the nation was deceived to drag the nation into a costly civil war. There is a strong spirit of delusion that comes upon people in 16th seasons. Watch out against deceiving spirits in this 16th week. Be strong to cast them out
The 16th season is a season of both rebellion and war against rebellion. As God makes a way against unjustified slavery, in the 16th season, He also shuts doors against those who rebel against just causes. In Genesis 16, God stood against Hagar’s rebellion to Sarah. In Numbers 16, He stood against the rebellion of Korah and his company against Moses’ leadership. In Second Samuel 16, King David came under judgment for his sin against Uriah. In First Kings 16, God brought judgment on kings rebelling against His will – Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, and Omri. In the same chapter, a man rebuilt the Jericho, which Joshua cursed and said should not be rebuilt. In Revelation 16, God released the seven vials of judgement against rebellious humanity. The sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, stood against, and defeated, the Confederate States Army seeking secession from the Union. In the 16th year of Nigeria, B.S Dinka led a failed coup against the Murtala Mohammed regime. He and 41 others indicted in the coup were executed by firing squad. The 16th season is a season of wrath leading to mass destruction and death of rebels. The 16th chapters of Numbers, Judges, and Revelation, bear witness to this. This week, go before the Lord and intercede against the wasting of lives through disease, war, terrorism, violent protests, and all manner of disasters. War against (unjust) rebellion against legitimate authorities making right policies.
In the 16th season, God makes a way where there is no way. In Exodus 16, God gave Israel bread from heaven. That’s when Manna began to fall for them. In First Samuel 16, God made a way for David to be anointed king. In Second Samuel 16, God made way for David’s friend, Hushai, to join Absalom’s cabinet to counter Ahitophel. In Mark 16, Jesus rose from the dead. In Acts 16, God made a way for the Macedonians to hear the gospel; made a way for a slave girl to be delivered from demon-possession. and also opened prison doors for Paul and Silas. In the sixteenth century, God made way for the Protestant Reformation to kick off. Under the 16th President of the United States (Abraham Lincoln), God made a way for slaves to gain freedom. In the 16th book of the Bible, God made a way for Nehemiah to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Obedience, repentance, prayer, and singing praises to God, are keys that open doors in the sixteenth season.
Women are key-players in the 16th season. The 16th book and chapters of the Bible indicate that women play strategic roles in this season. Genesis 16 opens with a woman calling the shots. The chapter is about Sarah and Hagar. Judges 16 introduces the seductress, Delilah, as the Philistine’s last hope of gaining victory over Samson. They succeeded with her. In Second Samuel 16, Absalom sexually abused his father’s concubine whom he left to keep the house as he fled Jerusalem. In First Kings 16, Jezebel came to power with her husband, Ahab. In the second chapter of the 16th book of the Bible, the king’s wife sat beside him as Nehemiah sought permission to go and rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem. In Mark 16, Mary Magdalena, Mary the mother of James, Salome went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus on the morning of resurrection. They took the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to His disciples. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas started ministry in a women prayer meeting. There they met Lydia, the prominent seller of purple who became a follower of Chris; and in whose house they lodged. They went to prison because they cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl that made money for her master through fortune-telling. Women are great movers in the 16th season – for both good and evil. Pray for all women in strategic places at home, community, work, or church to courageously rise to do the Lord’s bidding this week.

B. PRAYER POINTS

1. Pray to awaken leaders and nations who have succumbed to deception in various ways. Pray against deceiving spirits behind war, terrorism, shootings, anti-semitism, blatant rejection of truth, and resistance to the gospel.
2. Pray against spirits of rebellion working through sin and disobedience, ill-advised protests, or blatant violation of positive orders.
3. Pray that help will reach refuges in need in different parts of the world; and that a way be made where there is no way – for them, for your family, for the church, and for nations.

C. PROMISE

Matthew 16:19
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

BIBLE READING: Nehemiah 1-13; Psalm 106-112.

The Mystery of the 17th Week (April 23-29)

Nkem Okemiri

April 12, 2020

Welcome to the 17th week of the year! Week 17 is the third week in the third seven weeks (49 days) of the year. It is a core third-season week. The Bible patterns for understanding the seventeenth week are the third day of creation narrative, the third four chapters of Leviticus, the 17th book and 17th chapters of the Bible, and the third 10 books of the Bible.

Week 17 is a third day of creation week. On the third day of creation, God gave boundaries to the waters, displayed the dry ground, and released vegetation from the dry ground. On the third day, God removed the barrier (water) between heaven (firmament) and earth (dry ground). The third season is a game-changing season. On the third day of creation, dry ground took over from the waters and became the new platform for good. Dry ground brought forth new life. The seventeenth is a change-over season.

Week 17 is a 17th-chapters-of-the-Bible week.

This 17th week, as the 17th book and chapters of the Bible indicate, there will be mega victories for those who trust in God; and mega failures for the proud arrogant who despise God. This week, freshness will surge from dry and dead places; and good things will come from unexpected places.

In Genesis 17, God appeared to Abram at 99, made a covenant with him, changed his name to Abraham, changed Sarai to Sarah, and struck the circumcision-deal with him. The dry couple became fresh and fruitful – parents of multitudes, nations, and kings.

In Exodus 17, Moses struck a dry rock by the word of the Lord, and water poured out for Israel. In the same chapter, Israel defeated Amalek; and recorded her first victory in armed warfare.

In Numbers 17, Aaron’s dry rod budded, blossomed and produced ripe almond fruits overnight to distinguish and vindicate God’s priest. The Rod was given room in the revered Ark of Covenant.

In Joshua 17, the five daughters of Zelophehad received inheritance in the name of their father who had no son.

In First Samuel 17, David brought down Goliath with his unconventional sling and stone.

In Second Samuel 17, David’s friend and ally joined Absalom and helped to overthrow the wicked counsel of Ahitophel in answer to David’s prayer. Ahitophel committed suicide consequently.

In First Kings 17, Elijah the Tishbite came on the scene. He invoked drought over Israel because of Ahab and Jezebel. Ravens brought him food at Brook Cherith. He prophesied a continuous super supply of food to a widow’s empty store. He also raised the widow’s son from the dead. That was the first time a dead person was raised to life in the Bible. The 17th week is a time to invoke dryness upon the wicked; and a time to revive the dead and dry situations.

The captivity of Israel (the Northern kingdom) is recorded in Second Kings 17. They fell to the Assyrians for disregarding God.

In First Chronicles 17, God made an everlasting covenant with David concerning the throne of Israel.

In Second Chronicles 17, Jehoshaphat became king of Judah and started teaching and calling Israel back to God. This is a week of receiving the dead and dry.

In the 17th book of the Bible, Esther won a contest to become Queen of Persia. She changed the course of things in the nation. In this book, Mordecai and the Jews won a major victory against their enemies; a victory that laid the foundation for the Purim festival.

Jeremiah 17 says the one who trusts in God is blessed and shall see good; but the one who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm is cursed.

In Matthew 17, Jesus was transfigured before His disciples, cast out a stubborn demon, and directed Peter to fetch tax money from the mouth of a fish.

In Luke 17, ten lepers received their healing and cleansing from Jesus; but only one returned to give thanks.

In John 17, Jesus prayed His longest High Priestly prayer recorded in the Bible.

In Acts 17, Paul and his associates were said to have “turned the world upside down”.

This 17th week of the year shall be a week of outstanding testimonies for those who trust in God.

Week 17 is a Leviticus 9-12 week. The third four chapters of the third book of the Bible are applicable to the third week in the third 49 days of the year. Aaron’s priestly ministry began formally in the ninth chapter. His two sons, Nadab and Abihu died in chapter 10 chapter for offering strange fire. The eleventh chapter is about foods forbidden and unclean animals. The twelfth chapter is about the ritual following child-birth. This section is about manifestation for service, overthrows, and bringing forth. This is a week of rendering acceptable service before God and to men. Those who would not do what is expected stand the risk of being overthrown and displaced.

Week 17 is a book of Esther week. Esther is the 17th book of the Bible. In the book of Esther, there were overthrows and replacements. Vashti was removed. Esther was crowned. Bigthan and Teresh were killed for plotting against the king. Haman was promoted, clashed with Mordecai, and decided to destroy the Jews. Everything turned against him. Mordecai and Esther and the king became the new platforms for good – after the dysfunctional platforms which the king trusted were removed. This is a week of backlashes against the wicked. Those who dig pits to harm others will fall into the pits they had dug. This week is for the manifestation of those who can be trusted to deliver desired results through service.

The seventeenth season is the season of the Great Search. In the seventeenth book of the Bible, Esther and Mordecai became the platform for the king’s operations – replacing Vashti, Bigthan and Teresh, and Haman. In the seventeenth century, the Indian American soil became the new world and new platform for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. John Bunyan wrote his classic Pilgrim’s Progress in this century too. Andrew Johnson (the self-educated tailor) was the seventeenth US President and successor of Abraham Lincoln. He was undesired and became the first president to be impeached by Congress. He still ended his term in office but as mere (powerless) figure head. The seventeenth seven years of the US was opened and closed by Cleveland Grover, the 22nd and 24th President. He was the first and only US President to serve two non consecutive terms. He lost power to Benjamin Harrison , the 23rd President in between, but bounced back to power again. The seventeenth season is a bounce-back season. Mordecai and the Jews bounced back in the book of Esther. In the 17th book of the Bible, the Jews escaped death. In the hundred and seventeenth 49 years of Israel’s history (5684-5733; i.e 1923-1972), the holocaust occurred and about 6 million Jews lost their lives. The 117th belongs to the 17th seven (113-119).

Week 17 is a Psalm 113-119 week. Psalm 113-119 are the 17th seven psalms.

Psalm 113 shows that God is to be praised, in this season, for His loftiness, His humility, and for His gracious intervention in the lives of the poor and the barren.

Psalm 114 reveals that, in this season, forces tremble; and obstacles flee, at the presence of God. It also reveals also that God does unusual things in this season – turning (converting, translating, transfiguring) a rock into a pool of water; and a flint into a fountain of waters.

Psalm 115 shows this is a season of the Lord’s sovereignty; when idols (and those who serve them) are mocked; and the Living God is magnified, as Help and Shield, in those who serve Him. In this season, God stops death because “the dead do not praise God”.

Psalm 116 reveals that this is a season of great answers to prayers. It is a season of testimonies of deliverance from death – in answer to prayers. It is not a season of tears or mourning. It is a season to experience how much God treasures the life of His own (not their death).

Psalm 117 has only two verses. It is the shortest chapter of the Bible. It reveals that this is a season to praise God for His merciful kindness towards us and for His truth that endures forever.

Psalm 118 reveals seven things about this season: 1). It is a season to give thanks to God for His goodness and for His enduring mercies. 2). It is season to trust in God instead of looking to princes. 3. It is a season of intense conflict in which we triumph through the name of the Lord. 4). It is a season of rejoicing and celebrating “the right hand” of the Lord. 5. It is a season to say NO to death. “I shall not die; but live and declare the works of the Lord”. 6). It is a season to bounce back. “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone”. 7. It is a season of marvelous works, joy, and celebration.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible. It has 176 verses and is about confidence in the sufficiency of the word of God. This chapter reveals that the 17th week is a season to completely trust in the word of God and preoccupied with it.

It is interesting how the Holy Spirit arranged to have the shortest psalm (117) and the longest psalm (119) in the same group of the 17th seven psalms. It is to make a loud statement that, in the 17th season, God raises the lowliest to sit in the same place with the loftiest. I pray you experience that in this week. This is a week to promote the humble and humble the proud. In this week of intervention and dominion, in this week of intercession and decrees, in this week of mercy and truth, put your trust in God and call upon Him. The plans of the wicked to kill and destroy will be suspended and reversed. The killer will die; and the destroyer will be destroyed. I do not imply that COVID-19 will end this week. However, there shall be great deliverances this week. There will be great escape from death this week.

Week 17 is Ecclesiastes – Amos week in the third 49 days of the year. The third ten books of the Bible is applicable to the third week in the third 49 days of year. In these books, God spoke to Israel and other nations through prophetic voices. The seventeenth week is a season to heed the voice of Counsel and Direction. Those who listen to divine counsel prosper. Those who disregard divine counsel fail.

This week, give thanks and sing praises to God. Pray with great confidence and focus on Him. Expect divine intervention. Expect victory. Expect favor from high places. Prepare to celebrate. Happy 17th week!

The Mystery of the 15th Week (April 9 – 15)

Nkem Okemiri

April 12, 2020

Welcome to the 15th week of the year! Week 15 is the first week in the third 49 days of the year. Week 15 is a first season week and has its pattern in the first day of creation, fifteenth book of the Bible in the fifteenth chapters of the Bible, and in the first ten books of the Bible.

Week 15 is a first day of creation week in the third seven weeks of the year. On the first day of creation, God went to work with His word. God spoke and called light over darkness. The fifteenth week is a week of light triumphing over darkness. It is a week of truth rising above lies. It is a week of good overcoming evil. This week, those who sit in darkness shall see the light. The fifteenth week is the week of the Word. God’s word goes to work and rules in the 15th week.

Week 15 is a book of Genesis week in a 49-day season expressing the book of Leviticus. Genesis is the first book of the Bible and is about beginnings – the beginning of the earth, man, sin, death, languages, nations, and so on. The 15th week is a week of new beginnings. It’s a turning-point week.

Week 15 is a Leviticus 1-4 week in the third 49 days of the year. The first four chapters of Leviticus are about offerings – burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, and sin offering; when to offer them, why, and how to offer them. The offerings are for gratitude and for reparation of ruined relationship with God. Week 15 is a week of call to duty towards God. It is a week of offerings.

Week 15 is a book of Ezra week. The book of Ezra, the fifteenth book of the Bible, opens with a written proclamation from King Cyrus to go and rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. It marked the end of Babylonian captivity. He gave the Jews in Persia liberty to go and rebuild the House of God and also released to them the treasures looted from the temple. That was a serious breakthrough for the Jewish captives. They faced opposition in the rebuilding of the temple and the opposition would have prevailed if the king had not put that proclamation in writing. The fifteenth season is the season of the Word of God; especially the written word. This is a week of restoration by the Word of God. This week is for proclaiming the Word concerning the House of God on earth. It is a season to make to make reference to what had been written; and see it implemented.

Week 15 is a 15th chapters of the Bible week. The word comes to men in the fifteenth season. The word of God came to Abraham in Genesis 15. It came to King Saul in First Samuel 15. It came to Cyrus in the fifteenth Book of the Bible. It came to John the Baptist in the fifteenth year of Caesar Tiberius. It came to Josiah, the fifteenth King of Judah from David. The reformation he carried out was based on the written word which was found in the temple. The Bible (the Word of God) was first printed in the fifteenth century. The fifteenth season is a season of encounter with God through His word. In Acts 15, the first Church Council met at Jerusalem and took a decision in favor of the Gentile believers. They made reference to the written word (Amos 9:11) about restoring the tabernacle of David which was broken down. The decision of the Council was communicated to the churches in writing. This is a week to set your heart on the Word of God and the house of God, the Church. In First Samuel 15, Saul was disqualified from being king of Israel because he disobeyed the written word of God concerning Amalekites. In Exodus 17:14, God commanded Moses to put it in writing that Amalek would be destroyed. Samuel commanded Saul to execute that written word but he failed. Those who violate the written word of God cannot prosper in the fifteenth season. This is a season to do the written word.

The 15th week is a Psalm 99 -105 week. The 15th week runs from the 99 day of the year to the 105th day of the year. These seven are mostly celebration Psalms. It opens with “The Lord reigns” in Psalm 99 and ends with “Give thanks to the LORD” in Psalm 105. We go into this week knowing that the Lord is in charge and loving His people.

Week 15 is a Genesis – Second Samuel season in the third 49 days of the year. Every 49-day season has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. Week 15 is the beginning of the Old Testament side of the third 49 days; and has its guiding light in the first ten books of the Bible. The first ten books is like a journey from Adam to David. In the 15th season, God seeks men and women who will do His will by performing His word.

As a first-day-of-creation week, the fifteenth week is for ending and dismantling the oppression of darkness. As a book-of-Genesis week, it is for new beginnings. As a book-of-Ezra week, it is for restoring ruins and rebuilding waste places. As a Leviticus 1-4 week, it is for building and rebuilding fellowship with God through offerings and worship.

Since God intends this week to be a week of rebuilding ruins and making new beginnings, we must watch against the enemy turning it into a week of causing ruins and bringing lives and great purposes to an end. This is a week to run with the written word. Expect the implementation of written policies. Stand on the written word. Happy fifteenth week!

PRAYING INTO THE WEEK OF APRIL 9 – 15 (THE 15TH WEEK OF THE YEAR).

We shall be praying into the 15th week of the year from the 15th book and 15th chapters of the Bible. The 15th week is the beginning of the third seven weeks of the year – the seven weeks that will change the course of the year. How should we pray this week?

Zechariah 10: 1 tells us to ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Holy Spirit can guide us to pray in line with seasons through impressions and revelations. He can also guide us through principles and patterns in the Bible. The 15th book and chapters of the Bible reveal five basic things about the 15th season:

1. This is a week of restoration, recovery, revival, and resurrection.

In the 15th book of the Bible, Ezra, Cyrus proclaimed the release of Jews in captivity. The captivity ended, and some Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple destroyed by Babylonians. This is a week of rebuilding ruins and experiencing fulfillment of prophecies. Unfortunately, the evil one intends to make it a season of losses and desolations. This is the week (April 14, 2014) when 276 high school girls were abducted by Boko Haram in North-east Nigeria. This week in 1912 was when the Titanic sank and 1500 of over 2000 passengers perished. This is not a week of losses

In Exodus 15, Moses and Miriam sang to the Lord after Israel crossed the Red Sea. God healed bitter water for the people and also spoke of healing them of diseases if they obey Him.

In Luke 15, Jesus spoke 3 parables of restoration and recovery – the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

In Acts 15, James referred to the prophecy of Amos about restoring and rebuilding the Tabernacle of David.

First Corinthians 15 dwells on resurrection and triumph over death. The 15th season is resurrection season.

The 15th week is a week of singing. There was singing and dancing in Exodus 15, after Israel crossed the Red Sea, in First Chronicles 15, when David brought the Ark into Jerusalem. There was singing in Revelation 15. They sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb. It speaks of those who had victory over the beast and all his company.

The 15th week of the year is a week of Victory Celebration

2. This is a week of receiving the word about issues in your life.

In Genesis 15, God spoke to Abraham about having multitude of children and about inheriting the land of the Amorites – after He had argued with God about having no child. God also spoke to him about Egyptian bondage without mentioning Egypt. This is a prophetic season – both for declaration and fulfillment.

The Word of the Lord came to John the Baptist in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. God speaks in the 15th season.

The Bible was printed for the first time in the 15th century. The 15th season is a season of the Word – season of releasing the Word and a season of performing the Word.

3. This is a week of receiving the fulfillment and manifestation of God’s word. The Lord remembers His word to perform it in the 15th season.

In First Samuel 15, God told Samuel it was time to perform the word He spoke to Moses against Amalek in Exodus 17. Saul was called to be the agent of the fulfillment of that prophecy. He trivialized the calling and was rejected from being king. The Lord is passionate about His word this 15th week of the year.

In the 15th book of the Bible, Ezra, Cyrus proclaimed the release of Jews in captivity – to fulfill the word of God through Jeremiah. This is a week of experiencing fulfillment of prophecies.

4. This is a week of contending against opposition and resistance to the fulfillment of God’s word. This week, you must stand against resistance and opposition to God’s purposes.

The 15th book of the Bible also indicate that this is a week of contending against resistance and opposition to God’s will for our lives. Sanballat and Tobiah rose against the Jews rebuilding the temple in the 15th book of the Bible. The work stopped, was restarted, and then completed. Don’t let the devil stop you this week!

In Acts 15, the council at Jerusalem dealt with the opposition against admission of gentile believers into the church.

Jesus was crucified in Mark 15. In 2022, April 15 is Good Friday.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the 15th week of 1865 (precisely April 15) – the day before Resurrection Day. The 15th seven years of the United States (from 1776) ended with the assassination of the 20th President, James A. Garfield on July 2, 1881.

5. This 15th week is the beginning of a new beginning in the year. This week is a terminus for the status quo.

Babylonian captivity of the Jews ended in the 15th book of the Bible; and the Return began.

The Promise of the child born in Genesis 21 began in Genesis 15.

In Exodus 15, Israel was on the other side of the Red Sea where Egyptians were no longer a threat.

In First Samuel 15, God finally rejected Saul and the search for a new king began.

King Asa carried out sweeping reforms in Judah in Second Chronicles 15. That was a new beginning for God’s people.

In Acts 15, Gentiles were formally admitted into the church. It was a new beginning for Gentile believers. Paul and Barnabas parted ways in this chapter too

PRAYERS

1. Pray for sensitivity to receive the Word of the Lord this week. The Lord has a word for us this week.
2. Pray against resistance and opposition to the fulfillment of God’s word in our lives, families and nations.
3. Pray for the recovery and restoration of what is lost. Pray for the rebuilding of ruins. Pray for the resurrection God for the week will prevail in the nations.
4. Pray for the activation of prophecies this week. Pray that what Heaven had declared in the past will find room for performance this week.

PROMISES

Exodus 15:26: “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

The Mystery of the 14th Week (April 2 – 8)

Nkem Okemiri

April 12, 2020

Welcome to the 14th week of the year! The 14th week is the last week of the second 49 days. It is a seventh-season week; and has guiding light in the seventh book and chapters of the Bible; and also in the narrative of the seventh day of creation. As a seventh season week, it is a week of faith-rest for divine intervention. It is a week of devotion to God’s pleasures. It is a week of freedom, and breaking of yokes, leading to joy and celebration. Whereas the kingdom of darkness wants the 14th week to be a season of disasters, pain, unrest, bondage, death, grief, and mourning, God wants it to be a week of deliverance and peace. The fourteenth week is the Lord’s. It is when the Lord is magnified in word and in deed. The 14th book and chapters of the Bible bear witness to this. The 14th seven psalms (92-98) call us to give thanks to Him and to sing to Him. The psalms remind us that the Lord reigns and is the Judge of the earth in the fourteenth season.

Week 14 is a seventh-season week and has its pattern in the seventh day of creation. On the seventh day of creation, God ended His work and rested. He also blessed and hallowed the seventh day. Rest only comes when work ends and there are no more battles. The seventh season is a season of rest from labors and battles. It is a season to arrest and overthrow agents of unrest. From the narrative of the last day of creation, we know that the 14th (the seventh of the second seven) is a season of divine intervention leading to rest from struggles. You have come into a week of intervention. I pray you will experience divine intervention this week.

Week 14 is a book-of-Second-Chronicles week. Second Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Bible; and is applicable to the 14th week of the year. Each day of the fourteenth week, except the first, will express five chapters of the 14th book. The first day of the week will express the first six chapters of the book. This 36-chapter book opens with the reign of Solomon and featured prominently the kings of Judah – especially the reformer-Kings: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. These reformer kings were threatened by mega enemies from whom God gave them victories. Although Judah went into captivity in the last chapter of this book, the book ends with the proclamation of King Cyrus ending the captivity. The book vindicates God by highlighting that God sent prophets to warn His people but they hardened their hearts until there was no remedy. This book does not highlight the sins of Solomon; but only his wisdom, exploits and greatness – especially his dedication to the construction of the house of God. Why does this 14th book hide the sins of David and his sons? The fourteenth is a season of mercy. It is when sins are covered or atoned for by the blood. Israel escaped death on the fourteenth day of their first month by the Passover. The fourteenth is a season of salvation by grace.

Week 14 is a 14th-chapters-of-the-Bible week. The fourteenth chapters of the Bible reveal that the fourteenth season is a season of judgment and salvation; a season of wars and deliverances. The 14th season is a season of fearful things. In Genesis 14, enemies attacked Sodom and her allies and took many captives – including Lot and his family. When Abraham heard it, he and his servants and allies went and fought four kings who had defeated five kings; to rescue Lot and others from their captors. In Exodus 14, God delivered Israel from their enemies at the Red Sea. Egyptians perished at the sea. In Numbers 14, God vowed to destroy men of Israel, from twenty years and above, in the wilderness; except Joshua and Caleb. In Joshua 14, Caleb drove out those enemies occupying his inheritance. In Judges 14, Samson-began his battles against the Philistines. In First Samuel 14, Jonathan and his armor bearer fought the Philistines and bright great deliverance to Israel. In Second Samuel 14, Absalom returned from Exile; but not with penitence; and still received pardon from David. In First Kings 14, God judged the house of Jeroboam for misleading Israel. The king of Egypt also came against Rehoboam and Judah and took away the treasures of the house of God and treasures of the king’s house. In Second Kings 14, Judah fought Israel but was defeated in battle. In the fourteenth chapter of the fourteenth book of the Bible, Ethiopians fought Asa and Judah but God delivered Ethiopians into the hands of Asa and Judah. The fourteenth is for battle between God and the gods. Matthew 14 records the story of the beheading of John the Baptist. Jesus fed five thousand here, walked on the sea, and healed many who were sick. In Acts 14, Paul and his team engaged in spiritual warfare in the first leg of their missionary journey. A man who had never walked before was healed and he walked. Paul and Barnabas were called gods appearing in the likeness of men. Revelation 14 speaks of the harvest of the grape of God’s wrath – in mass destruction. The 14th season a season of intense warfare – man against man, man against God, or God against man. That is the reason John 14 opens with Jesus saying, “Let not your heart be troubled”. This week, God will fight for you against your enemies.

Week 14 is an Exodus 36-40 week in the second 49 days. Exodus is the second book of the Bible; and is guiding light for the second 49 days of the year. The first week in the second 49 days is Exodus 1-6 week. The second week is Exodus 7-12 week. The third week is Exodus 13-18 week. The fourth week is Exodus 19-24 week. The fifth week is Exodus 25-30 week. The sixth week is Exodus 31-35 week. The seventh and last week is Exodus 36-40 week. In these last five chapters of the book of Exodus, the tabernacle work began and was finished. The 14th week is a week of “It is finished”. All problems are solved in the House of God and in His presence. As God ended His work on the seventh day, that is how man’s work ended in this seventh section of the book. The tabernacle was erected, the glory of the Lord dedicated and opened it. When the glory of God came into the tabernacle, the cloud filled the tabernacle; and man could not go in because his work had ended. Week 14 is an end-of-work, end-of-battle season.

Week 14 is a Hebrews – Revelation week in the second 49 days. Every 49-day or seven-week season has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four weeks is the Old Testament side. The remaining three weeks is the New Testament side. The first week on the New Testament side (5th week) expresses the first nine books of the New Testament. The sixth week expresses the second nine books of the New Testament. The seventh week expresses the third and last nine books of the New Testament. Those nine books are books of recovery, renewal, and restoration. So, the 14th week is a week of recovery, renewal, and restoration.

Although Week 14 is a Sabbath season, the evil one intends it to be a season of sacrilege, disasters, war, destruction, and unrest. Instead of a season of blessing, he wants it to be a season of curses. He does this by setting man against his Maker. The fourteenth century was a century of disasters. That was the century of the Burbonic Plague or Black Death. The First World War began in 1914 – the fourteenth year of the 20th century. 2014 was a year of disasters around the world. The fourteenth President of the United States, Franklin Pierce, suffered the death of his only surviving son just before his inauguration; and the death of his vice – VP James S. Sherman. The first presidential impeachment happened within the 14th seven years of the US (precisely February 24, 1868).

May this 14th week be to you a week of experiencing the Passover. Christ, our Passover has been sacrificed! May the destroyer and destruction pass over you this week. May all agents of unrest in your life, family, and territory, come under divine arrest and detention. As God delivered Lot from his captors in Genesis 14, delivered Israel from death on the Passover night – the 14th day of their first month, delivered them from Pharaoh at the Red Sea in Exodus 14, separated Joshua and Caleb from death in Numbers 14, helped Samson and Jonathan against the Philistines in the 14th chapters of Judges and First Samuel, helped king Asa against the Ethiopians in Second Chronicles 14, helped King Hezekiah against Sennacherib and disease in the 14th year of his reign, overthrew Lucifer and evil kingdoms in Isaiah 14, so may the Lord help you this week. Happy 14th week!

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