Go to the Sea

Living Water at Christianity Oasis

John 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Quench your thirsty soul!

Go to the Sea

Welcome to Christianity Oasis Purity Publications. This E-book is titled Go to the Sea. Christianity Oasis in association with Purity Publications proudly presents you with this Go to the Sea E-Book free of charge for your enjoyment.

Table of Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgements
Preface
Golden Page
Chapter 1: The Sea
Chapter 2: Operations of Territorial Gate Keepers
Chapter 3: Superiority Contest
Chapter 4: Silence the Sea
Chapter 5: Subdue the Sea
Chapter 6: Plunder the Sea
Chapter 7: Handle the Season
Chapter 8: Are You Ready!
About the Author

Published by:
SOW House Publications
8, Ifelodun Street Agege
Lagos Nigeria
sowhouse@yahoo.com
+2348069385426
© 2018 by Marcus Agboola

Unless otherwise stated, scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means–for example, electronic, photocopy, and recording– without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my Father in the Lord, Apostle (Professor) Johnson Suleman, the Pathfinder and dragon slayer.

Acknowledgements

My profound gratitude goes to God Almighty. Thank you for making me your choicest pen and for your glory that is embedded in me.

I am grateful to my Parents in the Lord Apostle (Prof) and Reverend (Dr) Johnson Suleman. Thank you for showing me the path to greatness through Grace.

I acknowledge my mentors and pastors Reverend Fidelis and Pastor Gladys Ayemoba. Your wisdom -teaching has taught me how to imitate you. Thank you for teaching me for free.

My thanks also go to my mother and siblings whose love and encouragement have helped me this far.

I also thank my cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Adedayo Akomolafe for their sincere help and support in the course of this work.

To all pastors and members of Omega Fire Ministries, Lagos, I appreciate your love. I say you are the best.

King's House family worldwide, I appreciate you all for believing in me. You have made the work quite easy.

Preface

A baby was born to my family before me, but a foretelling came to him at infancy that "his head was not ripe" hence, he would not live long because he would not be able withstand the wiles of the enemy. He was actually born with a terrible disease and eventually died after four months. This made my parents to consult powers so that the baby coming which is me would have a stronger head. A major herbalist was employed to monitor the pregnancy. Amazingly, after birth the herbalist said that the baby did not eat all the concoctions, which my mother had been fed with. She fed my mother with concoctions so that the fetus could eat from it. In her terms, she said the baby (I) turned back to the concoction. But a bigger hand hid me in the womb.

That is not all; the herbalist then said since the baby refused to eat concoction in the womb probably he would have nothing to do with potions. He should be dedicated to water; after all, water is life. Nobody makes enmity with water. That was how the baby was dedicated to water, by throwing him to the river bi-weekly with full incantations for dedication. The child (I) started growing with challenges, limitations and frustrations, until I heard the voice of the master who said, "Go Thou to the Sea" and thought me what I want to share with you in this book.. As you read it and pray all the prayer points in Chapter eight, you will conquer and take back what the sea has stolen from you in Jesus name.

Marcus Agboola

Golden Page

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Chapter 1: The Sea

The "SEA" is a metaphorical face of powers that rule in the affairs of men by taking the advantage of the sea as the hidden place, the marine powers and the principality of waters. These powers impose their will upon the earth. That is why, the Jews hate the sea with utmost passion; Hebrew culture viewed it as evil and destructive. The sea is the foundation of tribute,

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:9-10

The Lord commanded the sea to shift so that dry land could appear. Then the sea practically became the landlord to the dry land because it allocated part of its property to the earth. By implication, the sea has a forceful influence upon everything that dwells on the surface of the earth including man. The fall of Adam in Eden brought tilling activities to man and tribute to the sea. God owns all things; He gave the terrestrial kingdom to man before man lost this mandate to the devil in the Garden of Eden. Hence, when it comes to matter of the sea, it is the duty of man to address it.

The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Psalms 24:1-2 NKJV

The sea provides respite for the earth every day. Scientific procedure explained that the sea blows cold wind towards the earth (land) during the day to cool the surface of the earth and protect the land from the scourge of the sun. In the night, the reverse is the case; the land blows cold wind to the sea. This process is called sea breeze and land breeze. By the virtue of this mutual relationship, it is mandatory for man to interact with the sea. Man has an obligation to breathe to the sea and breathe from the sea. This interaction allows the sea to rule the earth. The sea uses the power of the night to plunder the earth. It usually demands for a tribute from the earth along with breeze while men sleep. It does not just demand for land breeze, it demands for treasures. Since about three quarter of the earth surface is covered by the sea, the land will need more than breeze from the remaining twenty nine per cent of earth surface to pay tribute. Men do not have choices other than to comply. Sea is ruling over the earth. Because all the labour and activities of man are performed on the land and the respites come from the sea.

Moreover, every treasure on earth is connected to the sea. Mineral resources found in a particular topographic area is connected to climatic factors which are functions of the sea.

Whenever the sea requests a tribute from the land, the land withdraws tributes from the treasures amounted for the generations of Adam and pay.

Chapter 2: Operations of Territorial Gate Keepers

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? Matthew 17:24-25a

The sea is always after a mission. If a man has no dream or assignment, he may not be bordered by the marine powers. The moment you have a purpose and determine to pursue it, you become a target of the sea. The sea has territorial gate keepers. They that received tribute were the gate keepers at Capernaum. Landlord or co- tenants, or even co-workers could be the gate keepers in your own territory. Gate is a place where transaction takes place. Gate is a place of negotiation, a place of buying and selling, where destinies are being traded. Destiny of Ruth was redeemed at the gate.

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. 10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. Ruth 4:1, and 10

The sea even negotiated with Jesus at the coast of Galilee called Capernaum. The gate keepers operate in various ways and their target is to stop you and your mission. When you open your door to gate keepers, they manipulate you to the advantage of the sea. If you do not pursue your dream, you enrich the sea.

Mission Challenges

The sea will surely challenge your mission; here are some of the challenges the sea pose through the gate keepers before a man of vision:

1. Locus Encounter

   And when they were come to Capernaum,

   Capernaum was at the seashore of Galilee. The sea was planning to truncate Christ's mission at the coast of Galilee where he should be glorified. The city of Capernaum had a lot to do with Jesus Christ's ministry. Every assignment is attached to a location. And every promise land has its giants. Jesus fought his greatest battle with the sea at Capernaum because that was his location. There will always be territorial battle at your location because that is where your allocation will come. These are some the reasons why opposing force is strongest at your location:

   1. Capernaum was the place of Jesus' prophecy. Just as prophet Isaiah was waiting for the appearance of messiah at Galilee of nations by prophecy according to Isaiah 9:1, the sea was also waiting for Jesus to fight his prophecy at Capernaum.

      And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; Matthew 4:13-15

      The sea will usually fight your prophecy, but you must not give in. If you want to enter into your prophecy, you must also be ready to deal with the sea. In spite of the sea, every prophecy hanging upon your head whether from the scriptures or direct personal prophecy, it shall be fulfilled at the appointed time. Every agent of the sea waiting for you at your Capernaum will not be able to gainsay your grace to contend in Jesus name. It was regarded as Galilee of the gentile because it was the administrative capital of Galilee.

      Interestingly some of the attributes of Capernaum made it a territory of powers of the sea. It was a centre of operation of the sea.

   2. Your location is your base

      Capernaum was Jesus ministry base. There is always a giant at every promise land. Christ moved from Nazareth to Capernaum at the inception of his ministry because there was a need for enlargement. If you have a big assignment and you find yourself in a small location, God may need to enlarge the location to accommodate your vision or take you to a larger location that is able to accommodate it. The latter was the case of Christ. Capernaum was a commercial centre being a coast as usual. Jesus left Nazareth because it was too small for his assignment,

      And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. Luke 4:23

      The Sea will do everything to attack your base. There is hope for a tree when it cuts down but there is no hope for it when it is uprooted. If the sea cannot shift you or make you a vagabond, he cannot terminate your destiny. He knows that your root determines your height and fruits.

   3. Your location is the place of your greatest battle

      Capernaum was Jesus greatest battle field. At Capernaum, Everybody was just behaving as if nothing happened despite the signs and wonders performed by the messiah, and the prophecy that had gone ahead of him. They were not moved. They have been waiting for this messiah for over four hundred years. Instead of them to worship him they exalted themselves unto heaven. They were the examples of butterflies that call themselves birds. They embattled him in superiority contest. They recruited themselves as gate keepers to the sea.

      And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Matthew 11:23

      If you want to possess your location, be ready for battle. To lay down your sword at your location could either mean you have fought and conquered the generation of Giants in your territory or you have submitted your destiny at the feet of the sea. The prince of peace is a man of war.

   4. Your location is your place of posterity

      Some of the disciples including Peter, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee were chosen at Capernaum. The strength of his ministry was built at Capernaum. The sea knew that Capernaum was his place of strength. The future of his assignment was handled at Capernaum. The future of your assignment is attached to your location.

      And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

   5. Your location is a place of comfort and protection

      Capernaum means "a village of comfort and protection". Capernaum was a place of comfort and protection for Jesus after John the Baptist had been arrested.

      Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: Matthew 4:12-13

      If there is any battle that territorial powers will engage you more than any battle, it is the battle against your comfort. Dis-ease is a plot of the devil to steal your comfort.

2. Destiny Helpers Temptation

   They that received tribute money came to Peter:

   The second challenge is the deceptive approach to destiny helpers. They that receive tribute were agents of manipulation. They came to attest to the decision of the sea to make Jesus submit his authority. The attack against Peter was actually against Christ. If the sea can weaken your pillars, he has weakened your work. If it can stop your helpers, it has stopped you. This scenario was similar to the serpentine visit to Eve in the Garden of Eden. He did not go to Adam, he went to Eve but the original target was Adam.

3. Manipulation Against Destiny Helpers

   And said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

   Why did they ask such a sensitive question? One of the instruments of manipulation is a rhetorical question so that you will not be able to know their aim. It is like an arrow shot at your emotions, in order to sweep you off your feet. I believe Christ was well more than twenty years old at that time, may be about thirty. Which means Jesus has being paying this tribute for the past ten years. Peter's reply to this question also proved that Jesus had being paying the tribute since he got to the land of Capernaum. So, such question should not arise. This kind of manipulation was launched against Eve in Eden to disannul God's divine plan for man. Each time they ask such a rhetorical question they actually expect you to say yes! They want to hold you by your word. Beware of manipulation.

How to Overcome Manipulation From the Sea

1. Delayed Response

   He saith, Yes

   The disciple was not aware of the plan of the sea to subject the son of God, he was manipulated into it. Many a time, people have being subjected to the condition that they cannot control. They have said yes to sickness, poverty and limitation in the dream. And these started manifesting in their life. There is power in your tongue. Some have agreed to situation that can mare their future forever. Some have submitted their destiny to demonic counsellors. You need to delay your response if you are not sure. You must also know that you need to consult God before you answer. Before you make any important decision, pray for direction. Delayed response always exposes the original intention of the manipulator.

2. Divine Intervention

   And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him

   Jesus stopped Peter and prevented him from entering the house to forfeit the manipulation of the sea. Jesus prevented the new plan of the sea. Peter was intending to go inside and get some money to pay the tribute. The house is a place of treasure. When the sea attacks someone's life, it is after the house. The sea is a resource waster. The sea can attack somebody's finance, or job just to cause confusion in the house. Marital challenges are attached to manipulations of the sea. Sudden loss of mutual feeling as a result of demonic walls, financial challenge, lack of appreciation, and diminishing communication are some of the demonic tools of manipulation against home. God prevents families from this marine manipulation when they seek him in agreement.

   The house is a place of strength, wisdom and riches. That is why every wise man fights for his house. If you are rich it will be found in your house. Your strength is found in your house. Queen of Sheba did not believe in the wisdom, strength and riches of Solomon until she came to his house.

   And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.3 And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not anything hid from the king, which he told her not.4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. 6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 7 Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. 1Kings 10:1-7

   Peter was proved with hard question and he was about to lose his treasures before Jesus intervention. It is absolutely important to guide your house if you want to keep your riches, wisdom and strength and, many more.

   In some situations, when we want to take certain step, God may bring persons or circumstances to prevent us. In these cases, we need to submit to him. We may remain stripling until God's appointed time when God prevents us. If you appear before your appearance, you will soon disappear before your arrival. Prayer can help us to receive divine intervention whenever we do not know what we are putting ourselves into.

3. Seek Godly Counsel

   Saying, What thinkest thou, Simon?

   "What were you thinking" that was an amazing question to Peter. This time Jesus Christ had to address him as Simon. Sometimes when there is manipulation the victims may not be able to think straight. At that time you need someone who can address your "Simon" like a mature Christian or spiritual father. It is very important to seek Godly counsel instead of allowing emotions or zeal to carry you away. When the voice of your emotion is louder than the voice of your spirit, you need Godly counsel. Simon means "hear intelligently" Simon could hear but he did not think intelligently. He was not aware that the battle line had been drawn. He only acted on the immediate.

Chapter 3: Superiority Contest

.......of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Matthew 17:25b

Who actually has the obligation to pay tribute? Is it children or strangers? He did not say that because he was son of David. He was talking of Yahweh, the master of the world.

The Subject Pays Tribute to the Supreme

Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute?

This particular statement established a point that custom or tribute is not a general levy. That there is discrimination, there is favouritism in paying and receiving of Tribute. When God gave the children of Israel law he commanded the Levites to receive tithes from other tribes. The Lord called them His possessions. The son is the owner of the tributes received by the father.

The power of word is a universal power that never fails in battle. The ability of a gladiator to trade words and move the crowd to his side is the strength of the arena.

Quietness is consent in warfare, there are three types of shout in the battle field, the shout of defeat, the shout of victory and the shout of Joy. In as much as there is battle, there must be a shout.

Moses replied, "It's not the sound of winners shouting. It's not the sound of losers crying. It's the sound of a wild celebration that I hear." Exodus 32:18 GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION.

1. Shout of defeat is the shout of "yes" to your adversaries. When Peter said yes to the tribute collectors he wanted to give the treasure of his house to the sea, when he said yes to the agents of the sea he began to sink. Whatever happens in your life got your permission. You see, even God will not do anything on earth without the consent of man because he is a faithful God. He has given the earth, the sea and the air to man to dominate. He will never contend with him. He displayed his faithfulness in the garden when the woman was beguiled. He did not interrupt the devil though he knew that Eve was naïve. God is still faithful he will not interrupt in your affairs unless you invite him unless you shout yes to him. If you have not made this decision earlier, you can do it now, say:

   Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and I believe you came to the world to die for my sin. I accept you as my lord and saviour. Thank you for forgiving me all my sins In Jesus name.

   If you have said this prayer and believe it wholeheartedly, you are now a child of God. You can now contest for your destiny because heaven is shouting the shout of victory already.

2. Shout of victory is a shout of superiority contest. The sides that have the upper hand in battle shout to motivate themselves and to weaken their opponents. When you contest with your adversaries for what they have taken from you, you are on the way to take back. Your reason is your victory, if you don't fight for your right, you lose it. When a champion emerges in a sport or game, the only way for the trophy or medal to change hand is another contest. The contest between Jesus Christ and the sea was a superiority contest though the first Adam lost the fight to the sea. There is just another contest, the rightful owner of the tribute is right here, right now.

   Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17:45-47

   David defeated Goliath with words and the host of Angels came to fulfil his word. He acknowledged God as the warrior who only can bring down a giant with a stone and sling. If a man loses a battle with his mouth, he cannot win it even with most sophisticated weapons in his disposal. The word of your mouth in the face of battle is a platform for God's attention to you. If a man that had been trained how to drip sword from a distance of less than fifty centimetres could not dodge a stone from a sling at a longer distance, another hand must have been involved.

   When we speak the word, the power of the WORD will quickly bring it to pass.

3. Shout of joy is a shout of testimony. This is the celebration that follows the victory. This celebration is meant for people whose victory had been conferred upon by the conqueror.

Establish Your Strong Reasons:

Of their own children, or of strangers?

This scripture established son ship of Jesus and qualification to receive tribute rather than pay. If the strangers pay, it is the children that are in the position of receiving. When a child does not know his right, he is not better than a slave but the day he understands his right he claims it back. Jesus was in position of a child until this day of manifestation. That is why children must be skilful in using power of your mouth to silence, subdue and plunder the sea.

Chapter 4: Silence the Sea

Go thou to the sea, and silence the roaring sea

The word SEA means roar. That is why Roaring is one of the major attributes of the sea. The sea roars to scare his victims. When the victim loses his stand he then attacks. You may either silence the sea or be silenced by the sea.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.38 And he was he hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:37-39

The Storming Wind

And there arose a great storm of wind,

The storm is a very important weapon of the sea. It means heavy, uncontrollable or violent attack. When there is storm, the end result is loss. There will be loss of lives and properties. Then the sea will eventually have abundance of deposit as a result of the loss. The sea usually gathers his wealth from the labour of men.

All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. Ecclesiastes 1:7

Roaring of the Sea

And the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

The sea roars to defeat his victims. When a man loses his confidence, he is about to lose out in battle. David was not scared at the terrified voice of Goliath. In the battle of life, intimidation is an advantage.

Roaring sea is after the victim to make him lose his voice. Another trick of the sea is to preoccupy his victim with a lot of distractions. Such distractions will take him off balance. Thereafter, he can easily attack. Whatever your challenges may be, the attack is not after your present, it is just an indication that the sea is terrified about your future. Any area of your life that attracts the greatest battle is definitely the area that the sea fears most. The wave of life is to distract you and change your focus.

These are some of the procedures that Jesus used which should be our guidelines to silence the sea:

1. He Set a Boundary

   And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow,

   The bible says earlier, that the ship was full of water but not a drop touched Jesus, the sea knew his boundaries. He knew that the commander was in the ship. He didn't just know whether the disciples had that understanding or should we say that the sea was aware of their ignorance. The commander is ever ready to give you victory and silence the sea. Jesus always maintains the boundary. If we commit part of our life to him, he will not go beyond the boundary. When we trust our own efforts to achieve certain measure of success, he will not struggle with us.

   A group of friends, drunk went to pick up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to her daughter holding her hands who was already seated in the car. "My daughter, go with Jesus and may he protect you" she responded, only if Jesus travels in the trunk, because inside here, its already filled up. Hours later, news came that they had been involved in a fatal accident everyone had died. The car could not be recognised, what type of car it had been but surprisingly, the trunk was intact. The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their greatest surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken. (Campinas, Brazil 2005)

   You may not be able to stop the operations of the sea on earth but you can create your own boundary. Every child of God can keep the sea at bay if he knows his right and ready to contend for it.

2. He Demonstrated the Attribute of a Good Shepherd

   And they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

   Jesus Christ displayed the attribute of a good shepherd in this concept. The disciples were afraid but it is the desire of a good shepherd that his sheep trust him completely. The phrase "master carest thou" was used as third person singular. By implication, the disciples were saying, "we know that He cannot perish but what about us" when the sea roars, you do not need to panic. Jesus Christ being a good Shepherd wanted his lambs to grow and become sheep. You feed lamb with milk but sheep depend on straw. The lamb is very tender and can run into evil easily but sheep trust the shepherd that he shall lack nothing. It is the lamb that always demands for the attention of the sheep for protection and feeding. Sheep always believes that the shepherd will lead him to the green pasture. Then, sheep can continue from there. In this hopeful condition, Jesus told Peter in the gospel according to the account of John.

   So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep John 21:15-17.

   First, that He should feed his lambs, this gave Peter the role of a sheep because the lambs need much attention from the sheep. It is the sheep that feeds the lamb with milk.

   Second, he asked him to feed his sheep and repeated it. These gave him the role of a shepherd. This means the sheep need to be fed as much twice as the lamb. The sheep need to learn obedience by challenges as much twice as the lamb. The sheep need to learn trust by persecution as much twice as the lamb. The sheep need to be fed for strength, to feed the lamb and for multiplication or increase.

   When God allows you to pass through some difficult conditions, it may be a need for you to be weaned and grow from Lamb to Sheep. When you will not depend on milk but eat the straw, then you will trust him for victory. He cares and you will not perish.

3. He Helped the Helpless

   And he arose,

   In the battle of life silence is not an option, when you cry out; there is ever ready help for you. From the above analogy, you will agree with me that both the sheep and the lamb need help. Help is a universal gift from God to every creature. We are born by help, live by the help of our environment. We breathe from there we live on plants and animals. And we give to them in return. If your battle is fierce turn it to God I tell you he cares. God will arise and........

4. He Said, Why the Rage?

   And rebuked the wind,

   When he gives victory he gives it absolutely, when he gives life he gives it abundantly. If God will silence the raging of the sea in your life, he must visit the foundation. The foundation of the raging sea was a raging wind. He rebuked the wind because the wind needed to go back to its position for the sea to obey. Any foundation in your life that is not addressed will stop you from experiencing the divine peace prepared for you. If you do not address the sources of anger or lust, it can make your life miserable. It may even stand against you at the gate as a gate keeper.

5. Jesus Silenced the Sea

   And said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

   In the previous chapter, I described the sea as powers that determined to rule in the affairs of men without permission. We can also read from the above scriptures, the raging waves of the sea and how it threatened the lives of the disciples. But here is a shout of joy; the sea is made silence for our sake.

   And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark 4:41

   I will also amplify the above scripture this way, "what manner of man are you as you are reading this book right now that even the wind and the sea are silenced for you".

   Jesus Christ Silenced The Sea. We are expected to keep him silent. To be silent is a declaration of peace. It is a sign of agreement. If the sea tends to show himelf, we have a mandate to silence him.

Chapter 5: Subdue the Sea

Go thou to the sea, and trample upon the sea. The sea is a toothless dog, he cannot bite but he can swallow. When he swallows, he closes mouth.

How to Subdue the Sea

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. Matthew 14:25-26

1. Be a Man of the Night

   And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them,

   The man that will subdue the sea must be a man of the night. The sea wages his war vehemently in the night when men sleep as I have said earlier. If a man cannot handle the sea in the night, he cannot subdue him. The sea is more active in the night because that is when he demands for his tributes. Verse 23 of the above chapter of the bible says,

   And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Matthew 14:23

   It is crystal clear that Jesus was coming from the mountain to subdue the sea when he knew that the sea raged against the disciples. Night prayer is a powerful weapon to subdue the sea.

   The Lord had prayed from the evening till the fourth watch while the disciples had sailed for four hours also. But when the sea was raging he met them at the speed of light. The same route they have travelled with ship for four hours, he also travelled it without ship in zero second. There is no limitation to the prayer of a righteous man. There is no force that can be compared to force of prayer. The name of Jesus is as potent as then. When you call on that name, he appears at the speed of the LIGHT of the world. He is the light of the world, the fastest traveller ever exist.

2. Keep the Procedure in Progress

   Walking on the sea

   Jesus was walking upon the sea to subdue the sea. He could have just appeared in the ship and the wind would still be ceased. But he decided to step on the sea to put the sea under our feet. He created the shout of Joy. Now we are more than conqueror through him. We are not only shouting the shout of victory, we are shouting the shout of joy. The phrase "walking on the sea" means that Jesus is winning continuously. If you have won the battle against academic delay, you will also overcome marital delay. Do not give up; keep the spiritual activities in progress. Keep trusting, keep strong faith. Each time the challenge of life presents itself; there is an assurance of victory.

3. Believe That it is Well

   They were troubled;

   Jesus said we should be rejoicing in tribulation because we are overcomers. When I described the shout of victory earlier, I described it as a strategic shout from those that have the upper hand to weaken their opponent. Therefore, we are always on the winning side. We should keep shouting the shout of victory. When it looks like there is trouble, let's listen to that still voice and magnify it.

   There is no mountain that we cannot move!
   When I say we, I mean Jesus and I!
   Since I have Jesus walking by my side!
   There is no mountain that we cannot move!

   Verse........

   Across the bridge there is no more sorrow!
   Across the bridge there is no more pain!
   The sun will shine across the river
   I will no more be ashamed again!

4. Fear Not it is I:

   Saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear,

   Jesus cares so much that, he often attends to all our challenges. From the next verse we can see that Jesus attended to the challenges the disciples were facing one after the other. He took notice of their challenges. To meet their emotional need, to clear their doubt and to help them.

   But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:27

   Here are the three challenges and his response:

   They were troubled and Jesus said be of good cheer. He met their emotional condition, even when nobody understands what you are going through. He knows because he is there with you. Be of good cheer Jesus has overcome the sea.

   They said, it is a spirit and he said it is I. he assures you again that it is I to remove your doubt. The spirit of truth that he sent to us as his representative is our comforter, Counsellor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strength giver and Standby. He is not just a spirit, he is I. He always whispers to our ears the ever presently presence of God.

   They cried out for fear and he said be not afraid. He is the present help in trouble.

   He said, come and let us subdue the sea together. The only way to plunder a strong man is to subdue him first.

Chapter 6: Plunder the Sea

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Matthew 17: 26-27

The power to plunder the sea is the power of freedom. You need this power to be totally free. Life does not respond to desire, it responds to demand. The principle of demand and supply has been established since the foundation of the earth. In the kingdom where resources are unlimited, increase in demand will result into increase in supply. It is demand that precedes supply in this kingdom and not vice versa. The factory of heaven never runs down of resources. It only requests your demand to exploit the unlimited heavenly resources. Even as innocent a baby could be, it cries to demand for attention.

The King Has Come

Peter saith unto him, Of stranger,

Peter was on track by confirming a truth that tribute is a due for strangers. Who are the strangers? They are not children. They have not become parts of the church of the living God. They are those that should pay tribute to the sea. But this truth seems not to manifest in the life of believers. It is recorded in Revelation

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. 4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. Revelation 16:3-6

The sea also receives tribute from the children. That is not God's plan. Even after Jesus had received authority over the sea, the sea is pouring out the blood of the saints by wasting their efforts perpetually.

The angel who has authority over all waters cries out in amazement, because the saints did not give him order to handle the sea while they have a chance.

The angel watches all the atrocities of the sea and feels the pains of the saints, and set for action, but the Saints are crying helplessly. The word "Shed" is a figurative expression which means to "bestow or collect with honour". The saints and the prophets bestow their sweats and blood upon the sea in pain. The sea collects their treasures with honour.

There will be many surprises if the children of God fail to plunder the sea with holy anger. There will be many unclaimed treasures, riches, and kingdoms. It will definitely be a painful end. It is time to engage the angels in this spiritual warfare.

If you do not plunder the sea you will keep yourself under his bandage continually. If you wait until the second Angel slaughters the "man in the sea" via vial, it will be too late.

The Children Are Free

Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free:

The freedom we have is in Christ we only need to stand on this truth. Freedom is an expression. It is not a mere title. Some people are in bandage but they are professing freedom. We are the children of most High. It is very important to know how to exercise our authority as children of God. We have all the heavenly mechanisms at our disposal.

The Less Submits to the Superior

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them,

The word notwithstanding does not mean that Jesus relinquished his right; rather it means that he set to claim it in legal way.

When a king has any issue with another kingdom or territory. He does not relate with the servants because he will either offend them or be offended by them. He deals with the ruler of that domain. Jesus would not offend the tribute collectors because they were just gate keepers. You do not need to fight at the gate. Go to the place of treasure, the house of power. That is where you can find the looted proceed and recover. He had to send his disciple to the sea. He sent him to their domain both as an emissary as well as a contender.

Command to a Victorious Life

Go thou to the sea,

This is a command to a life of perpetual victory.

Jesus led the disciple to silence the sea; he also led them to subdue the sea. But when Jesus would plunder the sea, he sent the disciple to the sea. If the sea is roaring against you silence him. When the sea is standing against you, subdue him. But the only way to recover what the sea has stolen is to plunder the sea. Secondly, we can stand on his silence and subdued protocols and keep plundering the sea. You must surely go to the sea and plunder the sea.

How to Plunder the Sea

1. Blackmail the Sea

   And cast a hook,

   A hook is a bent device; it is an instrument of manipulation. You need to manipulate the sea to submission. You need to make the sea tremble with power of your tongue. Overpower the sea on your knees. Get your hooks into the sea by what is written about you. You need to blackmail the sea.

   With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the crooked You show Yourself astute. Psalms 18:26 NASU

   The sea cannot gainsay the power of the truth in your mouth. You need to kill whatever needs to die and make alive whatever needs to come alive with power of your tongue.

   Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit – you choose. Proverbs 18:21 THE MESSAGE:

2. Capture the Best

   And take up the fish that first cometh up.

   The target of the sea is to take your best. You must capture the best and the first fruit from the sea. Demand earnestly whatever the sea had taken from you and the generation before you. There is a glory that belongs to your father's house that has been captured by the sea. You may not be aware of this. There was tribute that the generations before you had paid to the sea. Some people whose ancestors had rededicated to the sea will find it more difficult. I said

   rededication because there was a "dedication of mankind". These ancestors had willingly submitted their glories and that of their unborn children to the sea.

   Why You Need to Capture the Best

   Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. 3 And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. Isaiah 23:2-4

1. The Sea is the Bank of Generational Treasure

   Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.

   Sidon was a gateway to the sea; she ransacked the sea by idolatry. She worshipped and identified the sea as a mother. Sidon could then enter into store house of the sea to withdraw treasures. The greatest demand of the sea is worship. He is looking for potential worshippers that he might deliver temporal wealth to their hands. But the lord had a plan to disgrace the rebellious nations.

   The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. Isaiah 23:9

   Sidon was an ideal place to capture the best of the sea. Sidon means fishery, so the money-carrying fishes were the merchants of Sidon.

2. The Sea is the Market of Nations

   And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.

   Destinies are being traded at the isle where the sea exchanges treasures for the treasure, stones for diamond. Iron for gold. Some go to the sea to acquire powers and wealth in exchange for their souls. Some people sell souls of innocent men to the sea. The sea is more experienced in this market. Verse 11 of the above chapter of the bible says,

   God reached out to the sea and sea traders, threw the sea kingdoms into turmoil.God ordered the destruction of the seacoast cities, the centers of commerce. Isaiah 23:11 THE MESSAGE.

   As children of God, plundering of the sea is meant for us. God threw the sea kingdoms to confusion for our advantage. It is time to capture the best we desire in the market place of the sea.

3. The Sea Stole From You

   Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. Isaiah 23:2-4

   The above phrase "hath spoken" means a response to a question, or disapprover to a claim. The sea is a thief. When he speaks, he speaks his native language. He is a betrayer.

   Sidon has put her trust in the sea and the sea was yielding constantly to her, her revenues until the sea spoke with a different tongue. The Sea has changed the wages of his devotee. The sea always speaks of frustration to his worshippers. It cannot defend them in time of trouble. The sea offers shame and disgrace to his trust worthy followers. There are two ways a thief can steal from you: he can come to you and take away your belongings; he can also deny you of your mandate with lying tongue.

   Consider this analogy; most countries have three arms of military forces: the army force, the sea (naval) force, and the air force. If a thief steals from you and runs on the land, you only need a fast runner to capture him. If a thief steals and flies into the air, there is no packing space in the air. He will not be out of sight he must come down. But when he jumps into the sea, you must also go to the sea. There is a hidden place in the sea, the sea has a belly. The sea has swallowed from you.

   If you have not been able to achieve your goals in life, it is time to go to the sea. You need to pursue and capture.

   Receive grace to capture the best opportunities that will wipe away your tears in Jesus name. You need agents of restoration if you must recover from the sea. The fish was an agent of restoration for Peter, that was why the sea denied Sidon he did not want her to experience total restoration. As you plunder the sea, be watchful. If you must recover all from the sea, you must be led. Do not make a meagre demand from the sea, plunder it without mercy. The lord asked for what was enough because of you. He is the conqueror but we are more than conqueror. If he had asked more than he required, he would also be plundering us. You need to plunder and dispossess the sea.

   If the thief be found, let him pay double. Exodus 22:7c

3. Dispossess the Sea

   And when thou hast opened his mouth,

   Mouth is a very important part of every living being. It is the source of life. It feeds the body; it supplies energy to the entire part of the body. If a mouth is open it can even perform the functions of nostrils. Apostle James said,

   Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, James 3:5-6a.

   The power of mouth cannot be underestimated. If the sea had swallowed what belongs to you through the mouth, you also need to open your mouth to recover it. Let it be mouth against mouth. The sea does not understand your emotion; it does not understand your complaint. Stop apportioning blames. Open your mouth and command the sea to release what he has stolen. When you open your mouth, you open the mouth of the sea. There is fire in your mouth, that fire is your tongue.

4. Be Diligent to Discover

   Thou shalt find a piece of money.

   Sometimes people dispossess the sea, yet unable to find what he has stolen from them. When a man has stayed long enough in slavery, he develops slave mentality.

   There was a king long ago; he did not have a son. So, he decided to adopt one of the slave children born in his house as a son. He loved him and took good care of him. One day, there was a great celebration at the palace of a king in a neighbouring kingdom. It was a celebration of royalties. This king was invited alongside with other kings. He took his slave-son along as it was expected of him. When they brought food to the table for the kings, the boy just stood up as if he wanted to use the comfort room. He went straight to the kitchen where the food was prepared and started eating the remnants from the pot. When people saw this boy in royal attire eating from the pot like a goat, they called the attention of the father to it "Your Highness come and see your son", they said. The king shouted it loudly, "he is not my son! He is a slave"(African folktale).

   Yes, slave mentality made the boy rush for remnants but we have a father who will not deny us no matter how many times we fall short of his expectations.

   To find back you need to be diligent and persistent. Be diligent to discover your new identity. Do not rush for the crumbs because there is bread well-buttered for you on the table. That you have not been able to find it does not mean it is not there. Look again; go through the exercise again until you discover what the sea stole from you. Do not settle for less. The sea cannot stop you, strongholds cannot hold you. You will surely find.

5. Recover All

   That take, and give unto them for me and thee.

   When a man recovers, he always recovers what will be more than enough for him alone. Any recovery that satisfies only you is not absolute. You must recover what will feed and satisfy your generation. Your recovery is a victory of many generations. One of the factors that enhance recovery is love, the desire to help others. When you have the mind of Christ who said, for me and you, God will empower you.

Chapter 7: Handle the Season

Go thou to the sea, and handle the son.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a season for everything including time to handle the season. There is no better time to handle the season than when you have plundered the sea. Season is the SON of THE SEA and it needs to be handled. Sea is the reservoir of the existing water. It is the sea that releases water to the atmosphere in form of vapour and this water comes back to the earth as rain. This process gave birth to the scientific process called water cycle. Water cycle involves exchange of energy which leads to temperature change. It is the temperature change that influences climate change. This climate change is called season (Sea-Son). Season comes at the convenience of the sea. It puts you at the mercy of the sea.

You cannot cooperate with convenience, irregular process, and uncertainty. Do not let the sea deprive you of your spoils by the power of season. Know that you are the one in charge.

There is a purpose here which is to handle the season. If you do not handle the season, it will prolong. Season will say that a particular thing must happen only in a particular time. People get ill at this season. Season says you cannot get your car at twenty-five because your father got his own at sixty. Season says you cannot get married at twenty-four because your aunt got married at forty. Your elder sister is thirty-five and she is not even married. Season says your atmosphere of favour is empty, it says your atmosphere of showers of blessing is not full. What are the challenges that season is posing before you? What is the season saying to you at present? You must handle the season.

How to Handle the Season

1. Handle the Season by Knowledge

   Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32

   There is a need to know what season you are; you need to know what God's plan is for this period. The knowledge of the scripture and knowledge of God's plan will enable you to handle the season.

   And it came to pass after many days, that the word he Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 1 Kings 18:1

   The lord told Elijah that he will release rain to nation of Israel but the rain did not come. Elijah had the knowledge by prophecy but the sea held the rain to prolong the season until Elijah handled the matter. We shall consider how he handled it in the other two dimensions later.

Steps to Knowledge:

1. Believe

   Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,

   You must believe in him before you can learn of him. Believe also in his prophets who he has appointed to lead you through his ways. They may instruct you through teaching, advice or direct instructions. The Jews believed in him and he could give them further instruction. Belief in him will make you receive further instructions about the season.

2. Have a Teachable Heart

   If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

   Jesus requested the Jews to have a teachable heart. The heart that is ready to unlearn the Judaism and its heresies, the heart that is prepared to learn a new thing. You can only continue in his word when you believe him. There is a need to unlearn whatever you have learned that is not profitable. If what you have learned did not produce your desired fruit. You need a teachable heart to learn new things. There is something called deficit model in education, the model says that a learner is empty and the teacher teaches to fill that emptiness but there are other models that have proved it wrong. These models say that a teacher only facilitate learning. A learner knows some things, that may remain as a piece of information, incoherence, or which may not be sequentially processed by the learner. This proves that learning takes place any time at anywhere. If you must learn, you need to know that you are not empty. If the new things that you are learning do not correlate with what you knew, then test it in the light of the word of God.

3. Stand on the Promise

   And ye shall know the truth,

   Another step to knowledge is to stand on the promise. Jesus promised that we shall know the truth. If you have not been able to find out the truth, stand on his promise. The spirit of truth will guide you to the truth. Sometimes you may need to make enquiry from parents or elders among your family. The spirit of truth can also minister to you the mysteries that are hidden to any man about yourself or family secret that will make you unveil the reasons why the season is working against you.

4. Walk in Knowledge

   And the truth shall make you free.

   One good thing about knowledge is that it brings freedom and freedom got from knowledge can be maintained because you are more than what you know. I like the word "make". It means to produce or manufacture. We can say the truth will produce a brand new you, or manufacture a new brand of you. The truth has the ability to change the way you think, the way you talk and the way you pray. Obviously knowledge is the pivot upon which the other two methods of handling the season stand.

2. Handle the Season by Sacrifice

   And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God. 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. 41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 1 Kings 18:35-41

   The season was speaking ill against the nation of Israel by the virtue of their affliction because of the famine as a result of absence of rain for a space of three and half years. Elijah remembered God and offered sacrifice unto the lord. He had the knowledge that the season can be handled by sacrifices. He offered three different sacrifices unto God that day:

1. Sacrifice of Need

   And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

   The children of Israel needed water from above to drink, to feed their beasts and to grow their crops. Water was their need. That was why Elijah requested for water as sacrifice unto to God. They filled the altar and the trench with water because they needed abundance of it. It was not a good time for them to fill the trench with twelve pitchers of water; one pitcher for each tribe of Israel. But it was their offering of need. Your sacrifice must also be tagged on your way to handle the season. The oldest law in the universe is the law of sowing and reaping. It can never change because the maker of all things also abides by it.

2. Sacrifice of Vindication

   And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

   Sacrifice of vindication is a sacrifice that justifies the all-sufficiency of God. The prophets of Baal were slaughtered for God's Zeal. When you give a sacrifice that helps somebody or a people to handle the season, it is a sacrifice of vindication. Giving a helping hand to a Christian family or assisting a Christian organisation to complete a project, you may even give a material such as this book to somebody, any sacrifice that brings shame and disgrace to the sea and the season is a sacrifice of vindication. Sacrifice of vindication is especially necessary to put and end to the wiles of the devil. Until the prophets of Baal are all dead, activities of Baal worship will not cease.

   Phineas gave this type of sacrifice when the children of Israel were in agony of Sin.

   And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. 10 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. 12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. Numbers 25:6-13

   God is always looking for a man who will vindicate him with sacrifice. When we vindicate him zealously, he will vindicate us.

   When you declare judgement upon every witchcraft and powers against your purpose and destiny fulfilment, you are vindicating God's faithfulness. Until they are dead, they will deny you of your progress. When you stand in the gap for someone in sacrifice, prayer or fasting, it is your sacrifice of vindication. You may accompany your prayer, sacrifice and fasting with praises. Your sacrifice of vindication may or may not be necessarily placed on the altar of your place of worship. God may lead you to any opportunity to meet a need. So far it justifies God's faithfulness in the life of someone or a people; it is a sacrifice of zealousness and vindication.

3. Sacrifice of Burnt Offering

   Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice

   Burnt offering is a sweet smell unto God. God desire this type of offering, according to God's covenant with his people, ha said fire must not go out of the altar. The burnt offering is constant and regular. If you will handle the season your burnt offering must be regular and constant at the altar. Do not go to the altar empty handed. When the sea wants to prolong your battle, he will make you realise that the season is not convenient. Giving is not proper now, wait for a convenient season. Then you should know that there is a need to handle the season. Let me make it clear here that evening sacrifice was voluntary sacrifice usually bloodless for any one apart from the priest.

   Evening sacrifice is just a time for regular offering, until you make it a sacrifice. The burnt offering offered by Elijah was not the usual burnt offering offered by the priest. It was a special burnt offering. It means the children of Israel doubled their burnt offering that day despite the famine. You see when you are in dire need that is when you give your best. It is not the time to reduce your offering but make it a sacrifice indeed.

3. Handle the Season by Prayer

   So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 1Kings 18:42-44

   Another important power to put the season under subjection is prayer. There is no force like the force of prayer. It takes knowledge to pray the right prayer.

   So Ahab went up to eat and to drink.

   The one on the throne may not be the one leading; leadership is not a function of title. It is a function of knowledge and influence. Elijah had brought hope to the nation, even Ahab could not but obey his simple instruction.

   Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:17

   Though Ahab was on the throne, Elijah was the one fighting the Lord's battle. He was confessing strong faith when he said that Ahab should go and eat. You need dangerous confession of faith when you are battling with the season.

Types of Prayers That Can Handle Stubborn Season

1. Fervent Prayer

   And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,

   If you want to handle the season, you need to be fervent in prayer. It takes effectual fervent prayer to handle this season because it has the backing of the sea. Jesus Christ even said some seasons may not be handled without prayer and fasting. That is the type that Elijah was handling here. Elijah was not distracted with anything. He even put his face between his knees so that he would not see the sky or any distraction. It is not a time to pray religiously but a time to pray with answer in focus.

2. Revelational Prayer

   And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea:

   There is a need to know the direction which we need to focus upon. Knowledge is germane in the battle against the season. Elijah told his disciple to look towards the sea. Ordinarily, if we are expecting rain, we look up to the sky. It takes divine revelation to look towards the sea. Many times we look towards the sky, for heavenly blessings, and help from above whereas God has released our request. It is being held by the sea. More often, we need to look towards the sea. Most times when we are handling the season we need to pray more in the spirit. Praying in spirit connects us to divine understanding.

3. Consistent Prayer

   And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

   You do not give up until you win. The battle against the sea is a battle of consistency. Only those who can be persistent will overcome. Can you keep on making the same request in prayer for seven times? What about seven months, seven years! Consistence prayer is a work of faith. Do not forget, Jesus is coming for those who are persistent in faith.

There May be Need for Divine Accumulation

And it came to pass at the seventh time

"It came to pass" means that something has passed. There was a situation which has just come to pass. Every challenge you might being facing now, it shall come to pass. The reason why stubborn situations refused to change, and several promises refused to come to pass is because you give up so soon. If you hold on a little longer, then it shall come to pass. You say, may be this thing is not meant for me. But the bible says all things are yours.

The Season Will Bow for Consistent Prayer

That he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand

The bible says that cloud arises out of the sea. Remember that Elijah told his servant to look toward the sea. You can only find what you are expecting. If you are not expecting it, you would not know when it will pass. The man in the sea has a hand, if he has a hand that means he is still holding some peoples glory. He is holding some marriages at ransom. He held the season of a whole nation. The rain did not come until the hand appeared. The hand had always been there. But it was holding and hiding the season.

What Happens When You Handle the Season?

1. You Avenge Yourself of Your Enemies

   Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day Joshua 10:12-13.

   The lord obeyed the voice of Joshua to handle the season. The sun stood still and cooperated with Joshua in his quest to conquer the Amorites. The pose of limitation was at display because the sun was about to shift base but when Joshua prayed he handled it. He did not allow the season to give command of convenience. Many destinies have been truncated after the order of the season. To fulfil destiny you must handle the season. Your destiny has a life span. The currency that you need to fulfil it is time. If the time is not properly managed or consumed by season, the destiny may not be fulfilled to its fullness. The psalmist described the purpose of man as pages of book.

   Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, Psalms 40:7

   If the book is not read when it is ought to be read, some pages may not be read. Some pages may not be relevant if they are not read at the appropriate time. Battle against the sea is a battle of vengeance. It is a battle that provokes God unto jealousy. It is a battle of fire himself. The sword of God in your hand is not for nothing, it is meant to slay the sea.

   In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. Isaiah 27:1

2. There Will be Abundant Rain in Season

   I will make them and the places around my hill a blessing, and I will cause the rain to fall when it should – there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34: 26 CJB

   To be made a blessing is Abrahamic covenant which we receive in Christ. When we handle the season, then we can become a blessing when we should. You can be promoted when you should, you can get married and have your children when you should. The sea cannot stop God from releasing the abundant rain upon your life but he can hold it from getting to you when it should. So you need to handle the season to your favour.

3. You Will be Honoured

   And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

   The destiny of Jabez was decided by the season. The mother had a long season of sorrow and this also conditioned her mind to sorrowful life. She said to herself, this season will never end. So she named her beloved son after the ordinance of the season. If you have being named based on the condition you are, I have a word for you as a servant of the living God. Your name shall no more be called forsaken, your name shall be called Hephzibah because God is delight in you. Once again, I say your name shall no more be called hopeless single, your name shall be called Beulah because you shall be married.

   Jabez realised that he needed to handle the season. You may be the first to handle the season in your family. You just have to handle it anyway. Jabez brethren did not handle the season; he was not the only one whose season had been prolonged by the sea. These are the names of his brethren and their meanings:

   • Ashur - to be dim or dark,
   • Coz - thorn
   • Chelub - cage,
   • Shuah - pit or ditch.

   They all had prolonged dim, thorn, cage and pit experiences respectively because they did not handle the season. Your name may be the major instrument of the sea to prolong your painful season. But as you pray today, the lord will change your season. Jabez was a season changer; he changed the season of his generation. The names of his children were not mentioned because he was not just a clan but he built a city.

   And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; 1 Chronicles 2:55

   The prayer of Jabez can be divided into three sections. So that you can also channel your prayer in three dimensions:

1. Supplication to God

   And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed,

   He prayed that God should bless him; he reclaimed his inheritance from the covenant of Israel which is the first procedure to recover what the sea has taken from you. You must be aware that there is something missing and call it by name, be specific and claim your birth- right.

2. Plundering the Sea

   And enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me,

   To enlarge someone's coast means to diminish another. God is not creating a new land; he is only taking his people to a new land flowing with milk and honey. If you want to enlarge your coast you must plunder the sea. Cities on the coast will have a better understanding of this. If they want to increase their land mass, they have to displace the sea. He also knew that he could not overcome the sea by his own power. There was a need for a superior hand to overpower the sea. If you ever pray the prayer of Jabez , do not forget that you are displacing the sea.

3. Handling the Season

   And that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!

   Jabez also handled the season. The prolonged season in his life was grief. So Jabez also knew that when he might have plundered the sea, he still needed to handle his son, the season which will want to prolong his pain. He moved from the painful season to season of abundance and became honourable.

4. The Name of Your God Will be Magnified

   And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Matthew 21:19-20

   This Christ experience with fig tree was not a mere coincidence. He has silenced the sea at the earlier chapter of the book of Mark. He has subdued and plundered the sea at the earlier chapters of Matthew. Now the season wanted to deprive him of his sovereignty. Even though, the account of Mark said,

   And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Mark 11:13 NKJV.

   Jesus is Lord of the season. This scripture was the only account in the bible where Jesus Christ desired a thing in his mind and it was not. The fig tree cooperated with the season to deprive Jesus. If you have plundered the sea, take heed that the season did not deprive you. If it was not possible for fig to produce fruit that time, Jesus would not have judged it instantly. That is what I call "Kanna of God". With him there is no impossibility; Jehovah Kanna will judge the Powers that liaise with the season to deprive you in a hurry.

   And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

   The name of God was magnified in the sight of everybody that saw the wonderful judgement of God upon the fig tree. You may need to handle the season by destroying its works. You may devour its product. Some organisations or companies may have to fold up if they will not let you enter your own destiny. Someone may need to be dethroned for you to be enthroned.

Chapter 8: Are You Ready?

Now that you have realised why you need to go to the sea, are you ready?

If you are ready, then pray the following prayers:

1. My father, my father, as I pray scatter every demonic challenge poses before me by territorial gate keeper.
2. My father, my fighter, fight every power of the sea against my vision and give me victory.
3. My father, my father, release every prophecy hanging upon my head in a hurry.
4. My father, my father, let every territorial power fighting my destiny location die by fire.
5. My father, my father, as I pray let every power domicile at my destiny location waiting to waste my effort catch fire.
6. My father, my father, as I pray powers of the sea gang up against my destiny's helpers scatter by thunder.
7. My father, my father, frustrate every temptation against my destiny helpers (mention the aspects: marital, financial, career, ministry) with the aim of making me lose my destined focus in the name of Jesus.
8. My father, my father, as I pray I declare judgement upon the territorial gate keepers, programmed to manipulate me out of divine purpose; I crush you with divine bulldozer.
9. My father, my father, as I pray, I subdue the sea and put season under subjection.
10. I refuse to say "yes" to every "no" poses to me by the demonic gate keepers.
11. Every giant, waiting at my destiny location I slaughter you with divine sword.
12. My father, my father, I receive grace to contest for my destiny with holy contest by the content of fire.
13. My father, my father as I pray, I recover everything stolen from me by the sea and its gate keepers by fire.
14. My father, my father, as I pray, I overcome the sea and I fill my territory with shouts of celebration.
15. Oh lord, whenever I want to give myself to the manipulators/witchcraft prevent me.
16. I contest for my destiny with holy contest and recover what the spirit of the sea have taken away from me.
17. My father, my father, as I pray, I cry against every power receiving demonic tribute in my life expire by fire.
18. My father, my Lord, I silence the sea permanently in my life by fire.
19. My father, my father, as I pray every storming wind shaking the boat of my destiny I silence you for ever in Jesus name.
20. My father, my father, as I pray every violent attack of the man of the sea programmed to my direction scatter by fire.
21. My daddy, my God, let every power of the sea programmed to deny me of what is written about me die.
22. My father, my father as I pray every power of the sea to keep my favour overseas scatter and shatter in Jesus name.
23. My father, my God as I pray, let every power of marine keeping my treasure beneath the sea expire by fire.
24. My father, my father, as I pray every season prolonging my afflictions expire by fire.
25. Whatever cooperate with season to deprive me of my blessing wither by fire.
26. I come against every arrangement and pattern programmed by the sea to put me in obscurity in Jesus name.
27. Every hand upon the sea holding what belongs to me release it in a hurry.
28. My father, my father, as I pray, every hand holding my marriage upon the sea release it, and catch fire.
29. My father, my father, every air-borne of the sea blowing to my life to cause me discomfort dry in Jesus name.
30. My father, my father, as I pray, every ancient family tree empowers by the season to feed me with fruit of disappointment and frustration wither.

Other Books by Marcus Agboola

Seamless Style

Teach Us to Pray

Battle of Placenta

The Man That Paid All Tithes

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About the Author

Marcus Agboola is an insightful teacher and an international evangelist. He is the president of The Righteous King Ministry. He is given a mandate to bring people to their purpose through the teaching of the word and spiritual empowerment. He has authored many books such as The Man That Paid All Tithes, Battle Of Placenta, Teach Us To Pray and Seamless Style.

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