Who Are You. What Do You See.

Dr. Omolola Omoteso

Who Are You. What Do You See.

Let us pray:
Ancient of Days, we thank You for life, for loving, for love, for leverage and for laughter.

Psalm 119:130 records that the entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

We come in simplicity; let Your Word lighten our paths and brighten our minds. Let Your enlightenment and encouragement flow in as darkness and discouragement dissipate.

Thank You for all who are gathered at this assembly. Let them know who they are in You and help them to see You and all You want them to see clearly, in Jesus' name.

As hinted before now, I bring you the message titled, "Who Are You and What Do You See?"

I already ministered extensively on who you are in this assembly, but what do you see is a fresh word from the Holy Spirit to me and you.

Have you ever felt like God was asking you two questions at the same time:

1. Who are you?
2. What do you see?

That is exactly what He asked two different people in Scripture. And when they answered, everything changed.

Things will change for you as you respond through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Let us unpack each, but first I need 3-5 people to respond. But let me clarify:

Who are you beyond your titles?

Beyond the title of sister, wife, daughter, friend, pastor, deaconess, nurse, mother, teacher, coach, consultant, entrepreneur - who are you? If you are stripped of all titles, who are you?

I pray we will never be stripped, but let us answer: before or beyond the titles, who are you?

We have done this before and we narrowed it down to the fact that we are who God says we are - winners, not worriers; royal, not wretched; successful, not suppressed.

Responses received:

Minister Taiwo Ojo responded that she is God's daughter, sent to be a blessing in different ways.

I let her know what was missing in the identity description. As she is sent to give, she must also position herself to receive so as to avoid burnout.

When we see ourselves as worthy of giving only, we may miss the opportunity to be refreshed, and burnout may be inevitable.

I need another 5 to respond to this...

What do you see when you walk the streets, visit the hospital or work there, take your children to school, go to the market, sit in traffic?

Sis. Kemi Aborisade:
I see the wonders and mercies of God upon His creatures and the privilege of being His child and enjoying being under His shield for protection.

Sis. Bukonla Awokoya:
I see the faithfulness of God. He still answers prayers.

But one member I called, Sis. Yemi Ajayi, who may have spoken for the first time, gave the answer I was looking for:

She shared a description of her visit to the hospital where some are fed, bathed, and even helped with toileting and hygiene. She ended by acknowledging God's grace upon her and her family.

Many thanks for the responses received.

Let me push forward the question - Do you see just crowds and problems, or do you see what God sees?

Let me share what I saw.

I was in a hospital hall recently and I saw a woman who used to be the life of her family. Her food tray lay on her bedside table a short distance from her while she sat on the twin bed, staring into oblivion.

The food was within reach, but blindness prevented her from reaching it. The person responsible for feeding her avoided her room because she displayed psychosis every now and then and had been known to hit, scratch, or push. I did NOT see a sick woman as others did. I saw a woman created by God, whom life has happened to.

I walked in calmly and said a word of prayer as I moved closer. I avoided walking stealthily because training made me know that just happening upon her could make her react aggressively. I walked quietly but in a way that made her aware of my presence. I am sure she felt more than presence... she felt power from the anointing that some may be blinded to.

When I got close, I greeted her, held and slightly rubbed the back of her hand, and I said, "Ma'am, your food is here; may I feed you?" She is known to feed herself, but the table could be messed up, and if she happens to be angry, she could push away the table, splashing food all around.

Already her room showed signs of disarray. I prayerfully began to feed her, concentrating only on the feeding. I sensed she was conscious of spills, so I handed her a napkin, granting her autonomy. The way she cleaned her mouth told me she was a woman of decorum and class.

She once had sight, success, people, and all that pertains to a good life, going by the photos around her, but life happened, I believe with the death of her husband. She snapped and entered into sickness. When we refuse to be comforted, grief can become a lifetime crisis.

She was emotionless at first, and gradually she began to smile as she ate more and more. I stopped short of feeding her all the food on the plate. She could not make a decision on when to stop receiving food or drink; I had to gauge that she was full.

This is not a sight we see often, but if we are mindful, such is around us daily. People who have lost the divine essence of who they are and who they ought to be.

But one thing is certain, even in her circumstance, God's love is still available for and to her; the question is, does she know it or does she feel it?

She definitely did in the way I treated her - with dignity, discipline, and decorum.

Her room was upside down, and I saw later that she was trying to move, but things she threw around in a previous state of psychosis prevented her from finding her wheelchair. I put her in her chair, ensured she was safe, and cleared up her room. It was while laying her bed that she spoke for the first time, a few hours after I fed her.

"Nurse, can you give me my jacket? I am cold." She never said a word from when I fed her till that point. But as she sensed she was safe and loved, she asked for help. I had no idea where her jacket was, so I covered her with a blanket and laid her bed. She said, "Thank you."

Divinity is with her. Humanity is in her, but who she has become informed what others see and affected how she is treated - as a recluse. I treated her with dignity, and both divinity and humanity were reactivated.

We will never lose what makes us who God says we are, in Jesus' name.

Do you truly know who you are?

Do you truly see the deep needs around you?

1. Who are you?
God defines you before the world does.

Abigail had wisdom and influence, but this was affected and afflicted in widowhood. Let us read 1 Samuel 25:41:

"She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, 'I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord's servants.'"

Some call this humility, but it was debasement.

This was a woman who had insight beyond vision and had prophesied to David in 1 Samuel 25:30 - "The Lord will appoint you ruler over Israel, and when He does, you will not have this heavy load on your mind..."

Who are you? You are who God says you are, NOT who the world defines based on your academic record or accomplishment.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-5.

Jeremiah's first problem was not his calling. It was his identity. He must have shouted in Jeremiah 1:6:

"Alas, Sovereign Lord, I said, I do not know how to speak; I am too young."

That should sound familiar - I am too young. I am too old. I am too broken. I am not qualified. I recollect saying about my husband - he is too old, and he also said she is too young, but God who connected us collapsed the 26-year gap when we yielded to His will.

We all have a version of "I am."

I am just a wife.
I am just a volunteer.
I am just trying to make it.
I am just a teacher!

That one annoys me. Being a teacher is noble and must never be belittled. I am a teacher; a shaper of purpose, a transformation strategist who marshals destinies!

We must never let the world use our titles, our roles, even our wounds to rename us. God already did in 1 Peter 2:9:

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you..."

Back to Jeremiah, did you notice God does not argue with Jeremiah's insecurity? He goes deeper when Jeremiah tried to go backwards.

Before your parents met. Before your resume. Before your failures and your wins. God knew you. God set you apart. God appointed you.

Who are you?

I am happy to let you know that:

You are not your job title.
You are not your trauma.
You are not what people called you in high school.

In high school I was called oju igo, SBM - small but mighty, MT - Margaret Thatcher, flat arse because they believed my behind was shaped like the Britons!

To God, I am a Mighty Woman of Valour, Daughter of the Most High God. Even as a child, I had a relationship with the Holy Spirit who led me in the path of righteousness for the sake of His Holy Name.

You are who God said you were before you took your first breath. Picture the race that happened before the womb - the million sperm cells racing to one or two eggs, and you won!

The world will always try to rename you - angry, anxious, tired, behind, single, divorced, not enough - BUT glory to God who named you first.

Set apart.
Chosen.
Known.
Appointed.
Sent.

The Lord answered Jeremiah:

"Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 1:7-8.

Your identity is not something you build. It is something you receive. And once you receive it, fear loses its grip because you are not going in your own name. You are going in the name above all names - El Shaddai, Elohim.

When you know who you are in God, you stop performing for people and start walking in purpose.

2. What do you see?
God reframes what is in front of you.

God sees your future.

Let us see another story. Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an enemy army.

I invite you to, in the eyes you use to visualise that Bible story, go to the streets. The hospital ward. The market.

The servant wakes up, sees horses and chariots, and panics:

"Oh no, my lord, what shall we do?" - 2 Kings 6:15.

He saw the problem. And it was real. The army was there. But Elisha, who has vision, saw much more, so he prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see."

"Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 2 Kings 6:17.

Same mountain. Same street. Two different sights. Do you need God to refresh, restore, and renew you?

The servant saw danger. The servant saw what was against them. The servant saw a mighty army coming to annihilate them.

Elisha saw God's army. Elisha saw what was for him. What do you see?

When you walk the streets, do you see strangers, or solutions for people Jesus died for?

When you are in the hospital, do you see charts, shifts, and sicknesses, or hurting people who need prayer?

When you go to the market, do you see prices and pressure, men and women struggling in various degrees and prices rising astronomically, or opportunities to show kindness and encouragement?

I used to go home happily after going to the market. Why? I would haggle and get what I considered a great bargain, until God opened my eyes to see that the happiness was one-sided! I may have cheated someone struggling out of gain or profit.

What do you see when you look at your family or friend - a mess to run from or a mission field to run towards?

What do you see when you look at your church - a failed system, manipulative pastors, politics, or people Jesus died for?

What do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror - your monthly flow, flaws, or God's workmanship? Can someone read Ephesians 2:10?

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

The problem was not that the servant was wrong. The army was real.

The problem was that he could not see anything else. His limited sight negatively impacted his spiritual vision.

Burnout, fear, and people-pleasing all start when we see only one layer of reality.
God's invitation is still - "Let Me open your eyes."

3. When identity and vision meet, obedience happens.

It was while in the woman's room that God ministered this message to me and the Holy Spirit spelled out why it is needed in this season when loss seems to be recurrent. Worse still is the loss of self, loss of our real image.

Over the last couple of months, I have heard of a pastor whose parents died within a week of each other. I have heard of a female pastor whose sister's death triggered the death of their mother, and also of a male pastor whose brother's death triggered the death of their father at 102.

Was it death that took them, or grief, or what will people say?

Who you are and what you see determines your level of resilience. If when life happens, all you say is "I cannot move on," you may be speaking death to your destiny.

Moshood Kasimawo Abiola got his middle name from being tagged a child who kept coming to inflict his parents with pain - Abiku. In spite of the expectation that even his own birth will end in death, his parents decided to celebrate his naming as they did other children. They borrowed money to buy a ram or goat, and when mockery humiliated them for celebrating in poverty, they named him Kasimawo - well, let us keep watching whether he will survive. He did and became successful. But when he stopped seeing God and grace, he died on his journey to becoming the first widely unanimously elected president in Nigeria.

When many women go to conferences, they plan to connect with the big names, but the Holy Spirit led me differently. Before I go, I say, "Lord, lead me, guide me, connect me, make me a blessing and send others to bless me..."

In Nigeria, I met a woman who said, "I will be coming to the USA." I immediately connected with her and continued to encourage her. She had a loss and I stood by her. I connected with her again during the Feast in Dallas. I was interested in her divine positioning and I honoured God in her. I saw a woman who carries grace. When she needed someone to minister at her big conference, she didn't look for a big known name; she immediately said, "You are coming as our Guest Minister." She added, "It will be in person and we will sponsor your participation, which includes hotel and air ticket." Someone just arriving in America, yet doing what many are unable to do.

God puts these two questions together on purpose - if you do not know who you are, you will see everything through fear rather than faith, through limitations the world points out to you rather than the love that led God to create us in His Divine Image. Rather than being anchored in church, anguish will trail the journey of life.

Who do people who see you see? Do they see a woman of God, the glory of God, the light shining in darkness? What do you see when you look at others?

If you do not know what to see, you will waste the identity and the calling God gave you. When I meet men called mad on the streets of Ibadan, I see husbands and leaders, so I begin to decree that their original destinies be restored. I cry out to God like I know their families.

A man was helped to the hospital by another man recently. Soon a woman joined them. While his pain was clearly visible, I saw a man who needed God's grace and a woman in his life. I immediately saw him as a husband to one of our sisters. Sadly, I didn't have the audacity to approach him. He was there for therapy, and I was concerned my words could have been misread. Those two were legally or occupationally assigned to him, and they were in the least concerned for his health but there to earn their pay. His aloneness and pain hit me, and I am still praying for his wellness.

Jeremiah accepted who he was once God gave him clarity; a prophet not just to his native city but to the nations.

So when he looked at corrupt kings and collapsing nations, he did not say, "Too big for me." He did not say, "God help you."
He said, "This is what I was set apart for."

"See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:10.

God was not sending him to be popular. He was sending him to be faithful.
And faithfulness starts when we stop asking - Who do people think I am?
and start asking - Who does God say I am?

Deborah said audaciously in the Book of Judges 5:7 KJV:

"The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel."

Many women run away from leadership. Are you running?

Many women turn a blind eye when they see children walking the path of rebellion, affliction, or addiction. Is that you?

It is time for us to stop pointing fingers but to start wielding our faith and ask God, "What would You have me do? What are You doing in the lives of my loved ones that I am yet to see? What are You doing in my marriage?" When we see the beautiful tomorrow of the lives around us, we start guiding and guarding towards that path.

Years before one of us here acknowledged my mentorship and leadership, God had led me to see a leader in her, and I prophesied that she is called to lead. She struggled but eventually submitted herself for training. As mentorship chiseled what God already deposited in her, her light shone. Your light will shine. My light will shine.

She was in a season when anger and anguish should have become more visible, but grace grew in her and she glowed.

Omolola is glowing. Omolola will shine.

This week, take these two questions with you to work, to market, to the hospital, to your home. Ask God who you are and what He wants you to see; commit to asking the Holy Spirit to see what God says you are.

Song:

I am who God says I am
I am a winner and not a loser
I am who God says I am

Who are you?

Beyond every title, you are God's. Ephesians 2:10 says you are His workmanship.

Write down the lies you have previously believed about yourself. Then write Jeremiah 1:5 over those lies:

Before I formed you I knew you. I set you apart. You are not an accident. You are an appointment. You have an assignment.

What do you see, beloved?

Name and list the enemy army in front of you right now. The bills. The diagnosis. The relationship. The long line before your turn. The dwindling expectation...

Now pray Elisha's prayer: "Lord God of Omolola, open my eyes."

Let us dig into two stories - Bartimaeus and the Israelites.

Do you know why Blind Bartimaeus' nickname never changed? Do you know why the Israelites remained poor and enslaved after being led out of poverty and slavery?

I will tell you why. Bartimaeus' physical blindness was healed but never his mental vision. He remained spiritually blind. The Israelites were taken out of slavery and poverty, but there was no knowledge transfer and mind surgery to take enslavement out of them. They only knew how to be slaves!

Until you learn, unlearn, and relearn, you will sit in the grief of "Help Me Lord!" No doubt it is sweet to sing and the prayer is apt. But we must learn to walk in the confidence that "Baba ti gba mi," God has helped us. We must walk in confidence, make decrees, and ask for time and season to work for us while still praying... "Jesu gba mi!" Help Me Lord!

I need you to ask God:

Where are the chariots of fire?

Where is God already at work that I have missed because I am staring at the problem?

You do not need new circumstances. You need new sight, insight, and inspiration.

You do not need a new identity. You need to believe the one you already have in Christ Jesus.

Not wounded but worthy
Not sad but saved
Not lonely but loved


The only time you need a new identity is if you are yet to accept Jesus as your Personal Lord and Saviour.

This is an opportunity for you to reach out. If God is calling you into the family of Jesus, reach out to any of our leaders to minister salvation to you.

I ask you again, not to pressure you, but to invite you into supernatural identity, divine humanity, and Christlike dignity.

Who are you, beyond your titles?

What do you see, when you look at yourself

What do you see when you walk through your day?

But what does Jesus see?

The woman at the well saw the age-old conflict between Samaritans and Jews, but Jesus saw a woman in need of the Living Water. Rather than judgment, He advocated for her. We must love beyond the walls.

What do you see?

What would you say to Jesus?

As we close, I pray that your answer would be, "Jesus, I am Your own."

I am your own, I am your own
Till the day you will come
Jesus, I am your own

I am your own, I am your own
Till the day you will come
Jesus, I am your own

I need you to bow your heads and talk to God about divinity, your identity, your humanity, your dignity, and your visibility as I continue to sing this song.

I am your own, I am your own
Till the day you will come
Jesus, I am your own

You are my everything
You are my standard
Till the day you will come again
Jesus, I am ylur own

I am your own, I am your own
Till the day you will come again
Jesus, I am your own

You are my melody
You are my song
Till the day Christ will come

"Speaking in Tongues"

I am your own, I am Your own
Till the day you will come again
Jesus, I am your own

Go ahead and speak in your heavenly language if you are able to, or in understanding if you are unable to speak in heavenly language.

When the woman at the will encountered Jesus,, she herself as Jesus saw her. Her real identity was revealed and she went away joyfully testifying.

God desires to hear you.

Declare after me
By the power of the Holy Spirit, I remain yours and see like you see, I see with your eyes in Jesus' majestic name! Amen.

Prayer Points

1.  Prayer for Identity
2.  Prayer for Vision
3.  Prayer for Dignity and Compassion
4.  Prayer for Resilience in Loss
5.  Prayer for Faithful Obedience

Dr. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.

The Perfected Rest

Day 2: Winning Daily

The Perfected Rest
Genesis 8:4

Divine Settlement

How to Enter Into Divine Settlement

1. Surrender the fight

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord
Stop forcing doors or controlling the timeline. 

2. Obey the last instruction

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 God settles the obedient.
There is progressive revelation. Last year He may have said "wait." If He says "go" this year, go gallantly. 
  

3. Stay in His Presence

Psalm 132:14 here will I dwell
Settlement is in His habitation.  We read an expanded version yesterday. Psalm 132:12-14
God is not taking you in circles. He is leading you to your Zion. A place where your voice, gifts, and family will rest and multiply. The Lord encouraged Abraham with His presence and friendship. Yahweh appeared to Abraham “in the heat of the day.” Abraham responded: _“My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by,”_ *Genesis 18:3*. He was eager to encounter God.

4. Encounter God

Abraham served in worship — for divine settlement you must be personally involved. Abraham sought God, developed intimacy, and God revealed Himself. Supplicate — ask humbly or earnestly, and that is why we are praying.

5. It Comes After Process, Not Before

God won’t settle an unsettled character. He first perfects, establishes, strengthens, and settles_ you on the inside, 1 Peter 5:10, before He does it on the outside. Otherwise the blessing would destroy you.

Key:
Settlement is not the end of warfare. It’s the end of being a wanderer.

Quick Check:
Are you asking God for location or for settlement?

He can move you to a new place in a day. I told you how God blessed me with 17 shoes in one day. But settlement is when He makes _you_ new, so the place, the location, condition or position can hold you.

Know The God of Divine Settlement

Rewarder Hebrews 11:6
He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Restorer Joel 2:25
I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.

Redeemer Joshua 1:8
Meditate on the Word day and night, and you shall have good success. (John 3:16, Proverbs 18:10)

Recoverer 1 Samuel 30:8
Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

Refuge Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Rebuilder Isaiah 61:4
They shall build the old wastes… and repair the waste cities.

God will settle us in Jesus name

Declaration

Isaiah 50:7
Help me, O Lord, let me not be put to shame.

Job 14:7-9
There is HOPE. Say it out loud: there is hope for me.

You labour to enter His rest, Hebrews 4:11.

Prayer Points

1. Holy Ghost, perfect all that concerns me and restore me completely. 

2. Almighty God, settle me in my Rehoboth and restore all that is lost. 

3. Holy Spirit, strengthen and establish Your anointing upon my life for the benefit of the church, community and generations. 

4. Great Jehovah, anoint me with fresh oil and settle me into a new beginning. 

5. Lord Jesus, uproot every stronghold of contention and confusion. From today, I destroy the covenant of failure and fruitlessness.

Pastor: Motunrayo Akinola

Intercessor: Omolola Omoteso

Mrs. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.

Is He The One

How Can I Be Sure He Is The One?

We all ask(ed) it at some point: *“But God, how can I be sure he’s the one?”

God’s answer is seldom a name, face or voice. It is a standard. The right man won’t just love you. He will reflect God to you.

What standards should you look out for?

1. Steadfast, sacrificial love
He will love you as Jesus Christ love the church after the order in Ephesians 5:25.

2. Cherishes your heart
He will cherish the person within not just your appearance after the order in 1 Peter 3:4.

3. Leads with integrity against temptation
He will stand firm against worldly temptations after the order in 1 Corinthians 16:13

4. Guides you toward God, away from chaos
After the order in Proverbs 4:25-27, his eyes will look straight ahead to make level paths for his feet.

5. Patience that seeks to understand
This is the issue I had with my fiance, hasty conclusion. The one after God's heart must take the time to truly understand you after the order in 1 Peter 3:7 which ask us to be considerate as we live with wives or wives to be.

6. Honors your worth as partner and individual
He will recognise your worth and honour you as commanded after the order in 1 Peter 3:7 which says we are heirs with God of the gracious gift of life.

7. Accountable when tempted
He will choose to hold himself accountable after the order in Proverbs 28:13 which counsel thay those who conceals their sin will not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

8. Pursues growth for both of you
He will grow for the betterment of himself, you and those around him after the order in 2 Peter 3:18 that ask us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

9. Gentle, nurturing love
His love for you will be gentle and nurturing, wrapping you in kindness after the order in Ephesians 5:29

10. Builds a future of faith in love
The one will intentionally create without rigidity, a future established on and filled with love, respect, and faith after the order in Proverbs 24:3-4.

11. Reflects God and walks with believers
He will reflect the heart of God by walking, standing, sitting in the company of believers after the order in Psalm 1:1-3.

12. Intimacy with the Holy Spirit
The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit will dwell with him and shall be in him, not as visitor or guest but as teacher guide, comforter, and friend after the order in John 14:17

13. Voice for the voiceless
He will speak out for voiceless, defend the weak and support the poor after the order in Proverbs 31:8-9

14. Prosperous in righteousness
As he continues in the assembly of the righteous, he will prosper with incorruptible fruits after the order on Psalm 1:3

15. The Flip Side – His Standard and Yours Too
If he is stumbling or stalling in any of the ways shared above, and you have established that He is God's will for your journey, you will stand strong with and by him in faith and faithfulness after the order in Ecclesiastes 4:9 which states that two are better than one, because they have a good return and I daresay reward for their labour.

In Conclusion

This is NOT just what you should expect from him, it is what God expects from you too.

Romans 8:17
NOW if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

In Excel Leadership Academy where we train and retrain people in the art of listening, excellence and Asking, we stand on Romans 12:2 that ask us NOT to be conformed to the pattern we see in this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that, we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

The man God desires for you won’t chase shadows or worldly patterns. He will stand firm, lead with integrity and guide you closer to God.

This is the difference between a man who reflects culture versus a man who reflects Christ.

This is a no doubt a long list and I can compress it into just one which is He must be God's will, know God's word and walk in God's way.

You are not looking for Mr. Perfect, you are in search of direction. A man planted by the water of God’s Word will grow, even if he’s not fully grown yet.

I urge you to focus on the standard, not sensation.

Dr. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.

African Children, Heirs of Purpose

AFRICA'S CHILDREN, GOD'S PROJECT:
FROM ORPHANS OF CIRCUMSTANCE TO HEIRS OF PURPOSE

Day of the African Child Message

Text: Psalm 127:3-5; Galatians 4:6-7; 1 Samuel 3:1-10

The African Child is NOT a statistic of poverty, war, or broken systems. In God’s eyes, every African child is a “heritage” and an “arrow”, loaded, aimed, and waiting to be shot into destiny. Our commemoration today must move past pity to partnership with God’s project.

3 Points:

1. They Are Heritage, Not Headache

Psalm 127:3, Children are a heritage from the Lord. Many see them as load or burden but God sees them as legacy. When the church treats children as ministry future, not ministry distraction, nations shift.

2. Their Cry Has a Name: Abba

Galatian 4:6-7. Many African children cry from abuse, illiteracy, homelessness, drug, trafficking. But the Spirit teaches them to cry “Abba, Father”. Ministry to children is beyond food and school fees. It is introducing them to their true Father before the world names them “lost cause”.

3. God Still Calls Out to Children in the Noise

1 Samuel 3:1-10. Eli’s generation was corrupt, but God called Samuel, a child, in the dark. Africa’s systems may be noisy and failing, but God is still calling children to be prophets, builders, healers. Our job: like Eli, say “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” on their behalf.

Today, as we commemorate the Day of the African Child, we remember not only the struggles many African children face but also the courage, resilience, and destiny that God has deposited within them.

The Day of the African Child was born from the sacrifice of children who demanded access to education and a better future. While the world often defines the African child by poverty, conflict, displacement, or broken systems, God defines every child as His heritage, His workmanship, and His arrow prepared for destiny.

The African child is not a project to be managed but a purpose to be nurtured. Every child carries divine potential waiting for godly guidance, protection, and opportunity.

Our commemoration today must move beyond sympathy to stewardship, beyond charity to discipleship, and beyond celebration to intentional investment in God's project for Africa.

Five Prayer Points

• Father, preserve the lives and destinies of Africa's children from every form of violence, abuse, trafficking, exploitation, and premature death. Isaiah 54:13

• Lord, raise Samuels from among Africa's children—children who will hear Your voice and transform nations. 1 Samuel 3:10

• Father, restore every child who has been robbed of education, opportunity, identity, and hope. Let their future be recovered. Joel 2:25

• Lord, strengthen parents, guardians, churches, schools, and governments to nurture children according to Your purpose. Proverbs 22:6

• Father, make the children of Africa arrows in Your hand, launching them into leadership, innovation, righteousness, and kingdom impact across the nations. Psalm 127:4

Altar Call + Charge to Church

What kind of generation will we leave behind?

Will we be spectators while children struggle, or stewards who shape destiny?

Will we be like Eli who accommodates corruption, tolerated decline, or like Eli who finally pointed Samuel toward God's voice?

Day of the African Child is our reminder: invest now, or bury potential later.

The Day of the African Child asks every believer a question:

The future of Africa is sitting in our homes, classrooms, churches, streets, and communities today.

Let us commit ourselves to raising children who know God, hear His voice, discover their purpose, and impact the world for His glory.

For every African child is not merely a survivor of circumstance but an heir of purpose, a heritage from the Lord, and an arrow in His hand. Amen.

Dr. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.

Dr. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.

10 Signs You Are Overthinking

 

 

10 Signs You Are Overthinking Instead of Trusting God

5 ways to move from over thinking to trusting God

The following will help you know if you are overthinking issues yet claim to trust God:

1. Lack of Understanding of God's Sovereignty:

You may not fully comprehend God's control and goodness, leading to worry and overthinking.

2. Fear and anxiety:

Deep-seated fears and anxieties can cause you to overthink, even if you trust God.

3. Human nature:

Humans have a natural tendency to analyse and control situations, analysis paralysis, which can lead to overthinking.

4. Past experiences:

Traumatic or negative experiences can lead to overthinking as a coping mechanism.

5. Misconceptions about trust:

You may believe that trusting God means having all the answers or outcomes, rather than surrendering control.

6. Lack of faith development:

You may wrongly believe that trusting God is a muscle that needs to be exercised; if that muscle appears not to be developed, overthinking can prevail

7. Satanic influence:

Spiritual forces can tempt individuals to doubt and overthink, undermining you trust in God.

8. Perfectionism:

Some individuals may feel the need to control or analyse situations to ensure perfect outcomes.

9. Lack of prayer and surrender:

Failing to surrender all including social anxiety, pride and fear and bring concerns to God in prayer can lead to overthinking.

10. Intellectualism:

Overemphasising intellect and reason can lead to overthinking, rather than relying on faith and trust.

Remember, trust is a journey, and it is normal to struggle with overthinking.

My encouragement for you is to:

1. Seek God’s wisdom, James 1:5

Seek God's wisdom. Ask Him to guide your thoughts and decisions.

2. Surrender in prayer, 1 Peter 5:7

Practice this by handing over what you can’t control instead of carrying it alone.

3. Remember who God is,

Numbers 23:19
Focus on His character, promises, and past faithfulness.

4. Let your faith grow through practice, Proverbs 3:5-6

Acknowledge God and develop faith. Trust is built by small acts of surrender.

5. Lean on your community, Hebrews 10:24-25

Seek support from fellowship and mentors. Let other believers encourage and remind you of the truth.

Overthinking feels heavy because you were never meant to carry it alone. Trusting God doesn’t mean your mind goes quiet overnight — it means you keep bringing the noise back to Him.

Trust in God is a journey, and struggling with overthinking doesn’t mean your faith is fake. The goal isn’t to have zero doubts, but to bring those doubts back to Him.

God is not waiting for you to have it all figured out. He wants you to bring the overthinking, the fear, and the questions to Him and let Him carry them.

God desires to help individuals overcome overthinking and grow in trust.

Surrender and let God help you.

Dr. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.