*LECTURE 27 — GOD'S GIFTS AND CALLING SERIES (Every Wednesday)*

Wednesday, 3rd May, 2023

(Released 4th May, 2923)

Ministering: Segun Olumide

*TEXT: For THE GIFTS AND CALLING OF GOD are without repentance (Romans 11:29 KJV).*

*LECTURE 27: *PROVING YOUR CALL —PART 5*

*ANALOGY OF THE WILDERNESS*

*5. The wilderness is to a believer what the pottery is to clay*

Isaiah 64:8 KJV
*But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are THE CLAY, and thou OUR POTTER; and we all are the work of thy hand.*

The Lord is our potter, we are the clay and the wilderness is our pottery where the clay work is made and fired or baked.

The Lord has chosen us; we have not chosen Him. He has called us; we have not called Him. He is making us; we are not making Him.

Jesus told His disciples: *YE HAVE NOT CHOSEN ME, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you* (John 15:16 KJV).

*GOD MAKES US AS HE PLEASES, AND NO ONE CAN QUESTION HIM!*

Jeremiah 18:1-6 KJV
*The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, [2] Arise, and go down to the POTTER'S house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. [3] Then I went down to the POTTER'S house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. [4] And the vessel that he made of CLAY was marred in the hand of the POTTER: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the POTTER to make it. [5] Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, [6] O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this POTTER? saith the Lord. Behold, as the CLAY is in the POTTER'S hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.*

Friend, the Lord will only make us into a vessel as it seems good to Him as the POTTER!

You see, His principles, process, plans, purposes, choices, timing and guidance are unquestionable!

And how He raises us is not dependent on our wishes or struggling, but on His mercy according to His purpose!

Yes, it's God that raises us. We cannot raise ourselves. A self-made man will crash sooner or later. It's a question of time.

Unless God raises an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher, they labour in vain that are raising him or her.

Similarly, unless God makes a psalmist, intercessor, drama minister, giving minister, mercy minister or even any believer, those who are trying to make him or her are merely wasting their time.

Psalm 127:1 KJV
*EXCEPT THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE, THEY LABOUR IN VAIN THAT BUILD IT:* except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

John 3:27 KJV
*John answered and said, A MAN CAN RECEIVE NOTHING, EXCEPT IT BE GIVEN HIM FROM HEAVEN.*

Our God does as He pleases, and we are to live and minister to please Him!

Psalm 115:3 KJV
*But our GOD is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath PLEASED.*

Psalm 135:6 KJV
*Whatsoever the LORD PLEASED, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.*

If it pleases Him, He can make one a vessel of honour while another a vessel of dishonour.

He may choose to preserve a vessel while he breaks up another vessel.

*IS IT BY CHANCE OR PREDESTINATION?*

Very significantly, the law of divine predestination is very important for us to understand if we would get to our divine destination in destiny.

The passage below shows that we don't choose our destiny, but God does.

(It's our responsibility, however, to discover, embrace, pursue and fulfil our God-given, God-ordained or God-assigned destiny or assignment.)

Romans 9:11-23 KJV
*[11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. [14] What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. [15] For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
[16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. [17] For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. [18] Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. [19] Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? [20] Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? [21] Hath not the POTTER power over the CLAY, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? [22] What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: [23] And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,*

Vs 23 above says the Lord had afore prepared vessels of mercy unto glory.

The Amplified Bible (Classic) renders it thus: *"... the vessels (objects) of His mercy which He has PREPARED BEFOREHAND for glory,"*

The NIV puts it as: *"... the objects of his mercy, whom he PREPARED IN ADVANCE for glory —"*

Paraphrasing that you can say: *"... the vessels of His mercy that He has PREDESTINED for glory,"*

(See also Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:5,11 and Jeremiah 1:4-5).

*FROM THE WILDERNESS TO THE FOREST!*

Isaiah 29:16-19 KJV
*Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the POTTER'S CLAY: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? [17] Is it not yet a very little while, and LEBANON shall be turned into A FRUITFUL FIELD, and THE FRUITFUL FIELD shall be esteemed as A FOREST? [18] And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. [19] The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.*

Isaiah emphasized above that clay cannot challenge or question the potter or his choice.

And he encouraged us as we keep on yielding to God without jumping the process or defeating God's purpose of the wilderness that (in) a very little while, Lebanon shall become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest!

To understand verse 17 above better, let's compare it with Isaiah 32:15-16 KJV: *Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and THE WILDERNESS be A FRUITFUL FIELD, and THE FRUITFUL FIELD be counted for A FOREST. [16] Then JUDGMENT shall dwell in THE WILDERNESS, and RIGHTEOUSNESS remain in THE FRUITFUL FIELD.*

So, Lebanon in this context speaks of a life, ministry, marriage, finance, career, business, relationship, or so that is expected to be fruitful, seems to be fruitful, used to be fruitful or promises to be fruitful, but is not fruitful.

Contextually and figuratively, Lebanon is comparable to a wilderness in our study here.

And the Lord says that the (unfruitful) wilderness or Lebanon will become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will become a forest!

And those who have been well-trained in the wilderness and have proved their calling and have revelation knowledge of God through His Word will move from obscurity to limelight, from darkness to light (Isaiah 29:18).

They used to be blind, but now, they see the mind of God through His Word (Isaiah 29:18).

Also, they used to be deaf, but now, they ear the mind of God through His Word (Isaiah 29:18).

What a joyous thing to be transported by God from the wilderness where little or nothing seems to be happening to the forest where you are happening (Isaiah 29:19)!

(It's one thing to have things happen to you, but, it's a different thing when you happen —become a happening man or woman!)

*YOU HAVE A PART TO PLAY!*

As a matter of caution, our yieldedness to God, cooperation with Him, consecration and obedience play a great role in how the Lord makes or raises us!

We can hinder or help, delay or ease the process.

It's not automatic because we are not robots, but free moral beings.

Jeremiah 18:5-12 KJV
*Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, [6] O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this POTTER? saith the Lord. Behold, as the CLAY is in the POTTER'S HAND, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. [7] At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it ; [8] If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, TURN FROM THEIR EVIL, I WILL REPENT OF THE EVIL THAT I THOUGHT TO DO UNTO THEM. [9] And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it ; [10] IF IT DO EVIL IN MY SIGHT, THAT IT OBEY NOT MY VOICE, THEN I WILL REPENT OF THE GOOD, WHEREWITH I SAID I WOULD BENEFIT THEM. [11] Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord ; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good. [12] And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.*

Many believers need to repent of their evil thoughts and ways if they want to make heaven and fulfil their destiny on earth.

For example, it's sad to say today that an average Nigerian is corrupt.

Therefore, an average Nigerian apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, psalmist, intercessor, drama minister or believer in general is corrupt.

And that's why the nation is groping in darkness!

What a pity!

The Church therein that is supposed to beam her light for direction and change is struggling in darkness for her thoughts and ways are dark (see Matthew 5:14-16)!

Let's repent individually and collectively of our evil so that God can relent of the evil pronounced against us!

Let's consider what God says in Jeremiah 18:8 NIV: *and if that nation I warned REPENTS of its evil, then I will RELENT and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.*

*Prayer*

Father, in Jesus' name, help and teach me to understand your dealings in my life and ministry.

Help me never to jump your divine process and timing lest I should become half-baked.

May I never faint in the day of adversity. May I grow stronger, purer, deeper, better and kinder through challenges and warfare.

*16 May God grant me out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling my innermost being and personality].17 May Christ through my faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in my heart! May I be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18 That I may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; 19 [That I may really come] to know [practically, through experience for myself] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that I may be filled [through all my being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (Ephesians 3:16-19, AMPC personalized).*

And as Paul wrote in Galatians 4:19 AMPC
*My little children, for whom I am again suffering birth pangs until Christ is completely and permanently formed (molded) within you,* I pray that may Christ be completely and permanently formed (molded) within me and my spiritual children in JESUS' name!

*To be continued*

*Share with others pls*

*Note*

Our weekly messages can be sent directly to anyone who requests.

Source: This lecture is taken from my upcoming book: *PROVING YOUR CALL* — Volume 2 in the *GIFTS AND CALLING SERIES.*

*GIFTS AND CALLING SERIES* (Coming soon)

1. UNDERSTANDING THE CALL OF GOD [out]
2. PROVING YOUR CALL
3. PURSUING YOUR CALL
4. WHY SOME MINISTERS FAIL
5. FULFILLING YOUR CALL

*SINNER'S CONFESSION*

If you want to become a child of God now, then say this confession:
"I choose to repent today. Also I choose to believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose up for my justification. The scripture says, "If you confess with you mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Therefore, I believe in Jesus with my heart and confess him as my Lord. Now, I am born- again (Amen)."

*PRAYER FOR HEALING & DELIVERANCE*

So put your hand on the part of your body that needs healing. Also on your chest for inner healing of your spirit or soul. You can also do it on behalf of your loved ones.

Now in the mighty name of Jesus, be healed of cancer, HIV/AIDS, barrenness, insanity, lameness, blindness, deafness, dumbness, fibroid, tumour, broken bone, hypertension, epilepsy, kidney failure, liver failure, weak heart, leprosy, emotional crisis, failed marriages, failed ministries, failed businesses, academic failure, broken heart, depression, wounded conscience, and all manners of sicknesses and diseases.

In the name of Jesus, I command your total deliverance from generational or family curses, spirit of death, bondages, and so on.

Be healed in Jesus' name! Be healed in Jesus' name! Be healed in Jesus' name!

*SAY THIS ALOUD TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT*

Also Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).

And on the day of Pentecost  “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).

Therefore, I receive the Holy Spirit by faith right now and I begin to speak in an unknown tongue (unlearned tongue) as He gives me the utterance.

I command every foul spirit [spirit of fear, spirit of unbelief, spirit of doubt, religious spirit, unforgiving spirit…] wanting to hinder me to stop in its evil operation in my life in Jesus’ name.

Thank you God for filling me with your Spirit in Jesus’ name (Amen).

Books By Segun Olumide

*Faith Series*
(Volumes 1 - 7 are out. God willing, watch out for the last volume soonest.)

(1) Three Types of Faith
(2) Understanding Real Faith
(3) The Power of Faith
(4) Developing Strong Faith
(5) How To Release Your Faith
(6) The Test of Faith
(7) Faith, Healing and Health Scriptures
(8) From Faith to Faithfulness

*Healing & Health Series*
(1) Ten Things You Should Know about Healing
(2) Why Some Are Not Healed
(3) How to Receive Your Divine Healing
(4) Healing of Crushed Emotions & Disturbed Minds

*Ministry Gifts Series*
(1) Unfolding the Fivefold Ministry
(2) The Ministry of an Apostle
(3) The Ministry of a Prophet
(4) The Ministry of an Evangelist 
(5) The Ministry of a Pastor
(6) The Ministry of a Teacher
(7) Biblical Ministries Today (Questions & Answers) [coming soon]

*Holiness & Heaven Series*
(1) Preconditions for
Heaven - Vol 1
(2) Preconditions for Heaven - Vol 2

*Marriage*
(1) How to Find The Right Life Partner 
(2) Why Marriages Break [12 Things That Can Make or Break Your Marriage]

*Bible Course*
(1) Basic Bible Course
(2) Certificate in Christian Ministry

*The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Series (School of the Super Supernatural)*

[All are out, but Volume 5 will be out very soon]

Volume 1: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Volume 2: UNDERSTANDING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Volume 3: DISTRIBUTION OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Volume 4: ACTIVATING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Volume 5: MINISTERING IN THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

*Others*
How to Interpret Dreams and Visions
Passion for the Lost
How to Receive the Holy Spirit
Fulfilling Your Divine Destiny
Day of Reckoning: God's Formula for Eternal Rewards
Identifying Counterfeit Ministries
Sanctification: Changing from Inside Out
O Suffering, Why Really Me?
Intimacy with God
The Pastor's Wife
Why Some Churches Won't Grow!
Just Before You Start a Church
How to Prepare and Deliver Sermons
Finding Your Own Ministry
False Doctrines Exposed!
How to Raise Money for Ministry

*GIFTS AND CALLING SERIES* (Coming soon)
1. UNDERSTANDING THE CALL OF GOD [out]
2. PROVING YOUR CALL
3. PURSUING YOUR CALL
4. WHY SOME MINISTERS FAIL
5. FULFILLING YOUR CALL

SCHOOL OF FINANCE SERIES
VOLUME 1 — THE DIVINE LAWS OF MONEY
VOLUME 2 — FINANCIAL FREEDOM
VOLUME 3 — SECRETS OF FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL PROSPERITY
VOLUME 4 — MINISTRY OF GIVING
VOLUME 5 — MIRACLE MONEY

*AUTHORITY SERIES* (COMING SOON)
1. UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL WARFARE
2. UNDERSTANDING BELIEVER’S AUTHORITY
3. UNDERSTANDING THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE
4. VICTORY OVER SPIRITUAL ATTACKS
5. FROM DELIVERANCE TO DOMINION

*SPECIAL! SPECIAL! SPECIAL!*
(A MUST READING/VIEW)

(Google the following free of charge on the Internet and God will change your life forever.)

1. “Holiness Required For Heaven by Carillo from Bolivia”
2. “Eternal Destinations: Godly Attire and Adornment”
3. “Another Warning by Kingsley Ubani”
4. “Time Is Over : Run For Your Life by Kingsley Ubani”
5. “9 Testimonies on Tithing from Heaven and Hell Visions”
6. “The Dangers of Eating God’s Tithes and Offerings”
7. “The Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega”

(Crosscheck these testimonies with the Scriptures and if you have questions you may send us an email.)

We have free materials online that will help you serve Him better.

For prayers and enquiries, contact:

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Note: Please kindly send us your testimony to bless someone else. Get ready to testify soonest.
God bless you real good!

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