Dear Partner,
Happy New Year! It seems like the year is on an express train to deliver all the goodness of our big God to us. One month is over already and God is truly BIG in us.
If you have been watching Freshdew on our different scheduled broadcasts, on YouTube, on Facebook or on our website, you would have received the word that, “God Is BIG In You.” It has been an exciting period exploring the bigness of God with Pastor Sola as my guest on Freshdew, and I hope you have been on this journey with us.
What expectations do we have for 2017? My prayer is that they will not be cut off in the Name of Jesus, because God, the big God is with us.
The story of Joseph in the Bible is one I truly love, as it is a story of a young man who had God with him. I believe it will be a refreshing blessing to you.
9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him
10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Acts 7:9-10 NKJV
9 “These sons of Jacob were very jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him
10 and delivered him from his anguish. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of all the affairs of the palace.
Acts 7:9-10 NLT
God, not a mere man, but God, the Creator of the Universe, the BIG God whom we have been talking about is with you. You’ve got to know what to expect when God is with you so you can maximize His Presence like Joseph did. If you are ignorant of what He has done for you, you will be like someone who has bought the most expensive, most sophisticated sound system made till date and all you know how to do is put it on and adjust the volume button.
Joseph found out that: When the BIG God is with you, you are delivered out of all your troubles
9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him
10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Acts 7:9-10 NKJV
Note “his troubles”: there is no mistaking who the troubles were directed at. There is an enemy out there who directs troubles the way of the believer – he is self-employed and you are the focus of his business.
“Troubles” (KJV: afflictions) means pressure. Troubles don’t always come your way because you are unspiritual or because you are a sinner – they also come your way because there is a devil who is quite busy with his manifesto.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 NKJV
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
The good news is that Jesus pulled the rug from under Satan’s feet, and his manifesto towards me and towards you, Leslie, is but a pipe dream.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psalms 34:19 NKJV
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:10-12 NKJV
Joseph also found out that when the BIG God is with you, you are a recipient of His favour.
9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him
10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Acts 7:9-10 NKJV
“Favour” (grace, Greek: charis) means acceptable, benefit, gift, joy, liberality, pleasure etc.
Grace is God’s unmerited favour.
14 But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house.
15 For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.”
Genesis 40:14-15 NKJV
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:14 NKJV
Joseph knew that God was with him so he was expecting His favour to manifest. Leslie, are you expecting the favour of God to show up for you? I know I am so ready for waves of His favour daily! When his day came. Joseph was ready. Although he was a condemned man, who ought to have been afraid of the King of Egypt, he wasn’t. He got dressed and quickly left to answer the call of favour. Declare out loud – “Favour is calling me and I am ready to answer!”
Receiving favour from God or God’s people is enough of a miracle; however, it is a super-miracle when you receive favour from people who normally would hate you.
37 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.
38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”
Genesis 41:37-38 NKJV
That same favour from the BIG God breeds respect from those who would normally have nothing to do with you. It’s time to get dressed! Wear the favour of God – don’t wear lack and inferiority – and that favour will attract respect.
Joseph discovered that when the BIG God is with you, He causes your territory to expand.
9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him
10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Acts 7:9-10 NKJV
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
43 And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt.
44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:39-45 NKJV
Look at the expansion of Joseph’s territory: from ruling in dreams, to ruling on a small scale in Potiphar’s house, to ruling the world.
Joseph was set over the land of Egypt. Egypt is symbolic of the world’s system. When God is with you, areas that had previously been ruled solely by the unbeliever (business, oilfield, media, education, and so much more), will be governed by real God-fearing uncompromised believers who know that the BIG God is with them. Are you one of those believers? I believe so in Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Leslie, at the start of this New Year, I want to appreciate you and your partnership with Freshdew. We are pleasing God as we touch the lives of people. We have no idea how far we are reaching. Recently I was getting introduced to a new account officer in one of our banking relationships. I noticed how warmly she smiled as she was introduced to me. Then it came out. She had been watching Freshdew many years ago as a young teenage girl on ITV Benin (one of the stations where we began in 1998). She testified that Freshdew had made an impact in her life. It is humbling to get a glimpse of lives that we, together have touched for Christ. Only eternity will truly reveal how many. The power of partnership is such that for every life I get rewarded for reaching, you as a partner get rewarded too, for we both needed each other to make it happen. Our Circle will get bigger in Jesus’ Name. We will touch even more lives together. It is a good time of the year to talk to God about your partnership commitment. Does He require that you increase it? Whatever He tells you to do, I know you will do in Jesus’ Name. Please click this link to enjoy my gift to you – the message: God Is Big In Me – Part 3.
Remember to tell others about Freshdew. Please continue to engage and explore our new website www.freshdew.tv. Send in testimonies! We need them to hear what the BIG God is doing in you and through you! If you haven’t logged in to the new site and registered your current details as a partner, please do so.
Great talking to you again,
Love unfeigned,
