Recently, at the end of one of my ‘cool of the day meeting’ at 3am, I went back to bed only to find myself in a revelation receiving instruction from one of the faithful old brethren- Femi Omitokun. This particular brother in the Lord has once bestowed much labor of love required of a mature believer to follow up a young convert to help him stabilize his walk and growth in the Lord during the early days of my conversion in the kingdom. He is a good man and a devout brother, a great encouragement with great zeal for Christ. In the revelation, I found myself in his house and sought to speak with him; but then, the men and women around stood on my way as they tried to prevent me from seeing him because he was in his bedroom praying. I have a sense of urgency within me to meet him, so I pressed hard to his bedroom where I found him praying as expected. And, as soon as I opened the door, he paused from the prayer and spoke the following words directly to me: brother Yemi please, go and pray before the Lord for new power and glory for your ministry. Upon this I woke up. Psalms 92:10.
 
From the texts before us, we see (I) the earnest desire and spiritual longings in Apostle Paul who is increasingly thirsty and hungry spiritually for personal knowledge of the person of Jesus Christ as if he has not once met the Lord on his way to Damascus to persecute the saints. It is not that the apostle had so soon forgotten the impact of his encounter with the Lord where he was once made blind, converted and commissioned into the ministry; but to build upon, and to increase on such experience has he made such desired known – that I may know him.
 
(ii). More also, he expressed desire for increasing personal manifestation and demonstration of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in his life and ministry, by making mentioned of those things which Christ has wrought by him to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, he has fully preached the gospel of Christ – increasing testimonial reports of the power of his resurrection, the manifestations of the apostlic signs and wonders to further confirm his call and ministry. Romans 15:18-19. 2 Corinthians 12:12.
 
(iii) the apostle then made a bold declaration of his willingness to partake in the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, and he thereby called upon his son in the faith (Timothy) not to be ashamed of the testimony of Christ nor of Paul the prisoner of Christ, but to be ready to partake of his own share in the affliction of the gospel according to the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8) just as Christ foretold James and John that they shall both drink from the cup of his suffering according to the measure that God shall send them to drink: likewise, we should be ready to endure hardness (whatever difficulty and challenges that lies on our paths of duty and obedience. 2 Timothy 2:3) as a good soldiers of Christ (be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5: 8-10) to bear joyfully, enduring any temporal suffering in whatever form or package it may come before us: and not to shy away from carrying our personal cross with Christ. It is therefore a call to suffer with him, forasmuch as the cross is the symbol of self- denial, suffering and shame, even as Christ did endure the cross and despised its shame, and is now set on the right hand of God in heaven.
 
Let us work and walk uprightly with God, looking a – head of us for the eternal reward of the great celebration and glorious reception awaiting us in heaven if we faithfully bear our personal cross to the end for the white robe and a palm branch we are to receive from Christ as the symbol of our victory and triumph in him, having triumph and victoriously come out of great tribulations (by faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Hebrews 1:24-26) for even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously: this is part of the fellowship of his suffering. 1 Peter 2: 21-23. Revelation 7:9-17.
 
(iv) Finally, the apostle expressed his sincere and godly aspiration in the pursuit of Christ likeness and character in the world of sin and darkness by living and dying daily to the flesh through the mortification of its members upon the earth (Colossians 3:5) lest sin should reign therein to obey it in the lusts thereof, for we are buried with Christ by baptism into his death (Romans 6:12) that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of Christ death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. This is the reward of a life sown in the Spirit while we are in the body in the world of lusts, sin and corruption as we look forward to harvest and reap eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8), so that we might be counted worthy to partake in the first resurrection – being made conformable unto Christ death, if by any means he might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. It is not an incredible thing (Acts 26:8) that God should raise the dead or will transport some saints to alive to heaven without seeing death at the appearing of Christ: we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.
This is the truth: death is not the cessation of life than the passage of transition into eternity it is designed to transits the righteous as well as the wicked at death into eternal life or condemnation: both shall attain unto the resurrection of the dead because they shall both be raised from the dead at a separate time: many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel:12:2) but with the interval of the thousand years to separate the two events between the first and the second resurrection: blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:5-6.
 
 
 
(A) That I may know him.
 
 
This is Apostle Paul’s prayer for increasing personal understanding of God through approach and attachment – draw near to God and he will draw near to you. James 4:8.
The apostle considers all of his earthly knowledge, privileges, wealth and fame as vain and insignificant and loss for the sake of the most important possession, namely, his increasing acquaintance (knowledge and experience. Job 22: 21-23) with God. This is the primary purpose of our creation and existence, to seek after God, that we may know him increasingly more and more if we’ve come back to the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls.
 
Personal relationship, knowledge and experience with God should be man’s utmost desire and pursuit. Are we not created after his image and after his likeness? Is there anything we can do without him? Do God not hold our souls in life; he, in whose hand is the breadth of every living being? 
At first, it all comes down to believe (trust) in God’s provision and testimony about Christ as your Lord and personal Savior from the wrath to come. This is the kind of trust demonstrated by Abraham when he obeyed God’s call to come out of his place of birth and away from his father’s house to walk after him, and to go into a country he would show him to possess for an inheritance in a relationship that grew to unfold its purposes periodically, but fulfilled its overall objectives in Abraham’s life, and he was called a friend of God. He was called the father of faith as the honorary title of his faithfulness in his faithful and faith-filled life of walk with God. Therefore, relationship with God requires our steadfastness in the spirit, integrity, trust or faith and holiness without which no man shall see him. There is another characteristic virtue and feature in Abraham’s life and relationship with God which is his sole desire to please God in all things, except his failure to hearken to Sarah’s suggestion in the matter of Hagai her Egyptian house girl for Ishmael birth. Note: man’s true happiness and pleasure, his satisfaction and true fulfillment in this present world is in the fulfillment of God’s will and satisfying divine pleasure just as Abraham did loved and obeyed God in all things and in the matter of Isaac test for a burn offering to God by ignoring and despised to subdue and putt aside personal feelings and happiness to fulfill the pleasure and the will of God. This is to know God who is above all, from whom are all things, and to him are all things, and we by him.
 
 
Many people are just looking for a way out of their different personal problems, and they see God as problem solver and solution giver (for so he truly is: his tender mercy is upon all the works of his hand) and they come to him for solution with good outcome: but afterwards, they continue to live in their old normal sinful life and would not consider to deepen their knowledge of his way on how to walk and to please him. The only reason they made such approach to God is to obtain perishable meat (marriage partner, fruit of the womb, job promotion or employment offer, realizing or completing a project or to gain an handsome contract etc) and not for that which does not perish (growth in grace and growth knowledge and perfecting holiness of God in his fear toward eternal life) which could only be found in a good relationship bond with the Son of God –Christ. John 6:26-27.
 
Relationship should deepens as love deepens, but the love of God was first shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and this love is stronger than death that many waters cannot and should not quench it, that we should love him with all the heart, soul and spirit. Partners in any solid and good relationship exert labor to solidify to make it better by doing things to improve the union and not to waste or destroy it by careless and unmindfulness. Today, many are using God to fulfill their personal, but not the kingdom aspiration and pleasure, not to walk with God in sincerity to fulfill divine pleasure and purposes like the sons of Eli were having fun, living their lives unto themselves (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) and having their ways with the offerings of God in the temple and having free unchallenged sexual pleasure with the female worshippers in the temple.
 
 
Today, as I listened to what many so called believers say and do, though they profess to know God, but by judging from the scriptures, you’ll come to understand that they are far from knowing the true God of the bible they preaches. Just like Jesus told the Samaritan woman by the well of Jacob, many are serving and worshipping the God they do not know, and they are content to serve and believe in him without any meaningful experince of a deep and personal relationship with him: the devils also believe and tremble, therefore it is likely possible to be a worshipper of God without having relationship with him: for example, if you don’t serve him in Spirit and in truth, how do you prepare the ground and make room to know him? You don’t want to misrepresent God like Moses did at the waters of Meribah (strife) and was disqualified to enter into the Promised Land. It should be the wisest thing to gladly seek to know the standard, justice and holiness of this God to be able to say like Apostle Paul before the Thessalonians brethren: you are witnesses, and God also, how holily, justly and un-blamably we behaved ourselves among you that believed. Note: everyone who has first heard from the Father and learned from him comes to Christ, but none can show God beyond what they had personally and previously learnt or known from him.
 
The closer you draw to God and look up for transformation changes from glory to glory, (the resemblance and portrayal of his characteristics nature from the word of God. 2 Corinthians 3:18) with the readiness to apply the scriptures, the better it gets with God: the oftener you come and approach to the throne of mercy to find grace to help, the deeper you’ll go in Christ. Note: if there is no self abandonment to God, we cannot grow in our personal intimacy, experience and knowledge of him, for what is the usefulness of head knowledge without spiritual brokenness which empower us to live out the form of godliness in us? The more of self (carnality-flesh) we are willing to let go, the more of himself shall God pour unto us because he dwells with him that is of broken spirit and of a contrite heart.
 
There must be an increasing devotion in personal fellowship, worship and adoration before the Lord, lest we become like the Ephesus church rebuked by him because they had forgotten and abandoned their first love. The Lord warned and threatened to disown them as part of his body (the church) except they repent and return to their first devotion of love before him. Note: there can be no increase in any personal revelation knowledge of Christ if we are not growing, first in obedience as we receive in meekness, the engrafted word which is able to save our soul, and then in zealousness: whosoever love him will keep his word to attract Father’s personal revelation and manifestation of his abiding presence in his life. John 14:23. Revelation 2:4-5.
 
The Lord call us his friends, and we can choose to be the disciple of his love as we lean (rest, trust and love obediently) always on his bosom (John 13:23) that he might continue to show us all things that he’s doing (John 15:13-14) thereby raising the level of our friendship union with Christ (Proverbs 18:24) as we grow in the abiding life (practicing walking like him. 1 John 2:6) to improve our representation and presentation of him before the world. Note: those that have chosen to love the Lord obediently and increasingly, shall repeatedly be discovering new things about him, especially if they choose to follow him boldly to the place of the skull (out of the city and out of the camp: out of the world and its system) they shall know of his pure and undying love, and shall learn of his increasing care for the church and for them. John 19: 25-27.
 
Ravi Zachariah said in one of his messages that if you can tell him the veracity of your prayer, and study and meditation life, he would be willing to tell your spiritual strength and growth. This is truth because the strength of character to exercise ourselves increasingly in godliness and to walk in the manifestation of the anointing and the supernatural is in the secret place of prayer. We cannot have a balance and healthy spiritual growth if we placed one above the other, but we must give ourselves continually to prayer and the meditation of the word (Acts 6:4) as we follow after the pattern of the early apostles of the Lord, if we also seek for the same supernatural success they had with God and in the world – to continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2.
 
Spiritual devotion to God is not only found in prayer, but also in our incessant obedient to the word. If we cannot pray all night long with Christ, can’t we have an hour nightly watch before him in prayer season before the cook crow as he demanded of them at Gethsemane?  Luke 6:12. Acts 16:12. 1 Samuel 15:11.
Oh that we would shake off slothfulness and laziness of spirit away from us, avail the grace to supplicate always, that Christ would found us ready-minded in the fervency of spirit of supplication and intercession (Zachariah 12:10: Romans 12:11-12) to take us alongside with him into greater height of spiritual encounter of unique experience of another dimensional relationship with God such that Peter, James and John had on the mountain where they saw his glory (transfiguration) and heard the voice of God testified of his Christ! Matthew 17:1-6. How can anyone ever be the same again if once they’ve climbed up with Christ to the mountain of transfiguration? Such spiritual privilege, testimony and experience should have an effect of a lifetime spiritual influence and advantage to walk with Christ and to help others grow in knowing him. Once overshadow with the bright cloud of divine glory, none can help but to change their personal opinion and confession about God, from lo, he goes by me, and I see him not: he passes on also, but I perceive him not (Job 9:11) to such word as ‘I have heard you by the hearing of the ears, but mine eyes have seen him’ (Job 42:5): and they shall be as the morning dew, as the shower upon the grass, that does not wait for man (permission to do the will of God, neither seek for approval for doing the will of God or praise of men after doing the will of God and are not offended by man’s condemnation for doing the will of God) even as the earth which brings forth herbs for healing and meats for men to eat, live and be satisfied to receive more blessings from God. If they follow on to know the Lord, they shall see and know him, even as Christ has promised to show himself to his disciples in the world: yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also. John 14:19.
 
Group and weekly bible study is very important to attend that we forsake not the assembly of one another, but nothing is compared to a prayerful personal bible study time before God like the diligent Bereans brethren (Acts 17:11) so that we may grow increasingly in sound knowledge from the secret place to become filled with all knowledge and scriptures, able to admonish others if we can come apart from the distractions and busyness of the world to sacrifice time to study and learn in the spirit of prayer and willingness to obey at his feet (I have more understanding than my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditations Psalms 119: 99) through the anointing that teaches us into all truth. 1 John 2:26-28.
 
The Lord Jesus would not expound the depth of the parables of the scripture to his disciples unless he had first sent the crowd away for the privacy he long for with them (Mark 4:34): none can therefore come to the full understanding of the hidden mysteries of the riches of Christ and of God if they would not first come aside from the crowd and other distractions to seek after the Lord into the deep to discover the hidden mysteries reserved for our glory, even the exclusive revelation prepared for those that are truly hungry and thirsty after God’s righteousness. Has God not promised to make himself known to whomsoever that shall seek him with all their heart? Let us therefore seek with all diligent and with a purposeful heart to know him, for the Lord will richly reward them that diligently seek after him. Jeremiah 29:13.
 
Spiritual growth in the knowledge and experience with God is measured by our comportments and characters, and not by any of the gift of the Spirit: it can also be seen through the labour of love, service and worship in our daily lifestyle in the world. The love of the world or any mark of it on us (James 1:27) and the lusts thereof (1 John 2:15-17) would make us loose the lustre of our spirituality and the pureness of our religion, lest any should fall after the same example of the priests at Shiloh (the sons of Prophet Eli) who, though were serving God daily in the temple, but they knew not the Lord until he slew them. 1 Samuel 2:12. Note: increasing personal knowledge of God is nothing to brag or pride on than the responsibility of character’s transformation and the demand to represent the Lord appropriately before the world and the church in all things: whosoever much is given, much shall be required of him.
 
Personal knowledge and understanding of God is seen, known and discerned through the right citation of the scriptures, interpretations and application, and by speaking and doing the word as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty: not by mis-quote the scripture texts, mis-interpretation and mis -application of the word of God like the blind guide leading the blind.
 
Whatever spiritual growth we may lay claim upon, it cannot be fully measured up if practical obedient and lifestyles does not correspond to the word coming out from the mouth.
God understanding is infinite as we can always learn from others to broaden in knowledge by adding to what we have already known as we are able to discern the spirit (of error or truth, ignorant of the truth or established in it) that is at work in others through biblical dialogue, discernment and reasoning (they are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:5-6) lest we receive another gospel, another Jesus and another spirit: and not by argument or dispute about words to no profit.
 
The Pharisees double lifestyles and standard were publicly cursed and denounced by Christ because their professed knowledge of God was merely on lips talk rather than practical lifestyles – do what I say and not what I do. This is not the true knowledge and understanding of God who will bless and handsomely reward the doer of his word and not the hearer or preacher which does not live by every word that comes out from the mouth of God. You cannot keep your Christianity to yourself, not to bother others with it. Christ  cannot be hid, and you can’t afford not to confess him before men or deny to acknowledge your relationship with him to others. If we don’t stand on the word of God to speak, live it out and defend it, then we are not of God, neither have we known him who has declared that anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19: Matthew: 23:3.
 
Knowing God increasingly require that we put every human, carnal, intellectual and logical reasoning of worldly knowledge and understanding (but what things were gains to me, those I counted loss for Christ.Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. Philippians 3:7-8) aside, for they belongs to the old man and old wine cannot be preserved in a new bottle, lest we break the bottle and waste the wine: let not the prudent glory or rejoice in his knowledge, and let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong man boast in his strength or the rich boast in his riches, but let the one that boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know God, that he is the Lord, that exercises righteousness, justice and loving-kindness on earth. Jeremiah 9: 23-24.
 
Salvation is a process of spiritual growth designed for believer to reach or attain unto a perfect (mature) man in Christ, and unto the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ until he (believer) sees him (Christ) as he is. We are in a dispensation and covenant period of unique personal relationship with God where no one shall teach his neighbor to know the Lord: behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, says the Lord: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, says the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brothers saying know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:31-34
 
Each and every one of us is created and called to seek for deep, personal, meaningful and fruitful relationship with God as sons and daughters through Christ Jesus by whom we are adopted (God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.Acts 17:24-28): therefore, let us seek him early before the arrival of the great and terrible day of God when he will rain fire, destruction and death upon all that have not sought after the Lord to know him (Zephaniah 1:6): note: increasing devoutness and consecration to God will give birth to strong bond and intimacy in our relationship with him and this will ultimately make room for scripture revelation understanding.
 
Only the permanent inhabitants and dwellers in the secret place of the Most high are in the better position against the evil days because their constant and regular devotion would build, prepare and make them stronger against the days of adversity of which none in the kingdom is expected to fail (Proverbs 24:10: Psalms 27: 4-5): for in the time of trouble, God shall hide them in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide them; and set them upon a rock. These men and women of God are true seekers; when troubles knock at their wrong door, the Lord is their refuge and their habitation is in God, they can’t be touched, because the Lord shall be their confidence, and shall never suffer their feet to be moved.
 
Samson lost the glory and power of his destiny for despising and turning away from the symbol of his devotion and obedient before the Lord. Was Samson not conceived and born as a Nazarene with the vow of separation from heaven unto the Lord his God? Were not his dread hairs to serve as the symbol of his holy fear, obedient and dedication before God? Should we forsake obedience as the result of familiarity with God and not get hurt? Was he not captured and humiliated to die with the uncircumcised Philistines, having forsaken the root (devotion and consecration) of his relationship with God by his inordinate affection, frivolous attitude and behavior? We can only know God’s faithfulness in perseverance, and to make him known if we falter not in our trials, willing to go into the den of lion which is the sole place to know that the beasts of the field shall be at peace with us. Job 5:23.
 
If we must know God as we ought to know him, we must first answer the call of 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verses 14 -18. We must first come out from among the unbelievers to separate from the sin of unequally yoked together with the unsaved friends, neighbors and family members for whatever reason. Unbelievers should be curious to learn and know about our Christ if our light is shinning indeed: we are not to intermingle in commonness with them because light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness, Christ and Belial have nothing in common. We should show and share the love and compassion of Christ, but none of their corruptible lifestyles and ungodly interests in the world should be good enough to earn our praise or approval to satisfy them – come out from among them and be ye separate says the Lord. What about ungodly yoked with believers? The scripture also speaks about certain people in the church with the form of godliness, but are denying the power thereof, and we are commanded to turn away from them. This is to separate wisely from fake or false brethren, instead of showing ungodly tolerance in false fellowship, we are expected to make defiant separation to serve God with those that are following after the Lord in righteousness, faith and love out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22: 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
 
I hate to think or talk about the untimely death of Jonathan (Son of King Saul and good friend of King David) and his loss to reign with David as the second in command. His love, affection and intimacy with David was unique because he loved him as his own soul, but his loyalty was half divided and displayed as he failed to associate, align and identify with David in his wandering, afflictions and trials. Hebrews 11:24-26. Jonathan knew by the Spirit of God that David shall be the next King and he’s going to be as the second in command (1 Samuel 23:14-18) at the fullness of time, but his wrongful attachment with Saul his father, though the present king, but he was out of fellowship with God, brought about his ruin, untimely death and miscalculated royal privilege alongside David -whosoever loves father or mother more than Christ is not worthy of him. Intimacy is for the good or worst: David should not be in the wood while Jonathan with cheap lips talk stayed behind in the palace, not identifying with them that are in bonds as he himself in the same body, and to expect that he will be the second in command with David at the end of his captivity: God forbid, for by whom actions are weighed.
 
 
 
(B) The power of his resurrection
 
 
Today, the spiritual perception, mentality, behaviors and religious attitudes of many Christians appears like some believers in Christ Jesus are called to be Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Episcopal, Jehovah witness, Catholic, Mormon, evangelical, reformers, Pentecostal by their denomination (s) etcetera because of the way churches are distinguished or differentiated and divided from one another by doctrinal beliefs and practices. But, for all that are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, baptized by water (immersion) and filled with the holy Spirit (Mark 16: 15-20. Acts 19:1-7) they are called to be a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ in their personal life and collective gatherings, to preach and proclaim Christ crucified, the wisdom and power of God: as it is written,for Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18.
 
The primary message of the church throughout all ages is (a) to preach the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (Acts 4:2) with great spiritual power (Acts 4:33) from God as the sign of his approval and acceptance of the sacrificial death of his Son who was delivered for our offenses and was resurrected or raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25) to bless us by turning us away from our sins. Acts 3 26: (b) that Christ resurrection opens the door for believer’s resurrection from the state of spiritual death (dead in sins and trespasses) to be alive unto God for the gift of righteousness and of eternal life to live presently as new creatures, being born-again: (c) to prepare believer (through the newness of his present lifestyle) to partake in the first resurrection as Christ promised to come back and take him to be with him in his Father’s house, that where he is found, his beloved should also be: that as he has ascended up where he was before (John 6:62) this same Jesus would come back for his living saints and they shall be changed and caught up with him in the air, according to the working which God is able to subdue all things unto himself – the power of his resurrection. Philippians 3:21.
 
This power of Christ resurrection in us is (a) to remind us that we are now partakers of the Holy Ghost and of the power of the world to come (Hebrews 6:5) which the world has no clue about the presence and operations of the power, though they speaks what they don’t know about him: but we know him, for he dwells in us and shall be in us forever: (b) to fortify our faith and assurance in prayer that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think according to his power that lives in us. Ephesians 3:20.
 
Was it not from the place of prayer that Jacob found power with God and men? If we therefore seek for power with God and men, our prayer life must be consistent in the secret place at the hours of prayer as reveals from the book of the Acts of the Apostles – first (6am) third (9 am) six (12 noon, including 12 am as the six hour of the night) and ninth hours (3pm) of the day.
 
Apostle Paul prayed that we should all know what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come….Ephesians 1:17-23.
As believers, our present exaltation with Christ (Ephesians 2:6) has brought us into a position of spiritual authority and access where God made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: and through his indwelling resurrection power, we have being sealed until the day of the revelation of Jesus Christ, and are in a position higher than the angels of God in heaven, and greater than the outcast Satan and the evil spirits or demons on earth. There is nothing in heaven or on earth that can unseal what God has sealed if we do not draw back from seeking and following after God.
 
The Holy Spirit also work like a fire in us (multifunction power), remember the word of John the Baptist that says, you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire! If it is fire, there must be fuel to keep it burning. Has the scripture not given us warning and advice us not to quench the Spirit? Has Christ not warned us to be hot, if we have choosen to be hot? What and where is the fire to keep us hot, if not by the Spirit through continuation instantly in prayer? Philippians 1:19.
This truth may be difficult for many to accept that spiritual power to exercise and wield as individual in the body of Christ is determined by the position of our (a) election, and (b) private communication with God and his word in us-the position of personal relationship. Good labourers are few and God is always in search of the available man who has purged himself from those lusts of the flesh and world to send as the vessel of honour, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use. 2 Timothy 2:21.
Consider what God did to Miriam (leprosy) when he was about to kill Aaron also except Moses prayed for them because they spoke against their junior brother for marrying an Ethiopian woman! This is the position of relationship with God which has nothing to do with the calendar age: it is not of him that wills or runs, but of God who shows mercy. Numbers 12:6-12.
 
After the death of Dorcas (Acts 9:39) the brethren sent for Peter and not for any other apostle to come and pray to resuscitate her because they know that there rest upon him an immeasurable anointing and great spiritual authority. The discipline and measure of your prayer life-time determines the increasing fullness of the Spirit, which also contributes to the measure of virtue coming out of you to bless others.
Now take this example from your car from the gauge and level of the fuel in the tank. The distance that your car can go and take you through would depend on the fullness of your tank’s fuel (gasoline, petrol or diesel) available. More also, constant refilling is required as long as you want your car to run in the street or highways. Insufficient fuel means little distance to cover with your car; likewise little prayer time also means little power with God and men. Faithful intercessors are the ones getting things done in the kingdom. In most cases like the case of Peter while he was shut up in the prison by Herod, it was the unceasing prayer of those women from the church that got him out of the prison and delivered him from the evil expectations of the Jews. Men of prayerful life are terror to the kingdom of darkness but are great asset in the kingdom of God: let men theerefore pray, and faint not. Luke 18:1.
After the Apostle prayed, the earth or the place they were gathered trembled (Acts 4:31) and I don’t think that snail spirit of prayer or lifeless prayer spirit can produced such tremendous effect, other than the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. If we pray without ceasing and we continue instant in prayer, we shall be filled repeatedly and continuously with the Holy Spirit for there is no respect of person with God: let no one think in his heart that God would release the same re-filling of his Spirit upon somebody who has spent four hours altogether in a day on television programs, gossiping others, listening to political news, glue to social application and some other things in comparison to another believer who has spent same four hours or more wisely divided during the day before God in prayer and meditation of the word!
 
Today, just as in the time of the early church, there is power for miracles, signs and wonders for the church purchased by the blood of Christ Jesus, but except by fasting and prayer as Christ declared (Luke 5:34-35) greater works beyond what Christ has done as he promised us shall not come into fruition. John 14:12.
Impactful revival cannot be birthed to flourish and sustain without strong and persistence prayers of the saints: otherwise, what shall be left to see should be the unbroken men and women seeking to bring down fire through the enticing words of men’s wisdom without the demonstration of the Spirit and power.
Are we not called as the sons and daughters of signs and wonders by Christ from the Lord of hosts which dwells in Zion? Isaiah 8:18.
 Is Christ Jesus not the same, yesterday, today and forever? How is it that the church has drifted away from preaching the resurrection power of the kingdom so that the faith of the coverts should not be in wisdom of men but in the power of God? The kingdom of God is not in talking but in power (1Corinthians 4:20): but why are there few men and women walking and demonstrating the power of his resurrection while others seems to berate them like the Jews of old did to Christ to blaspheme the operation and manifestation of the Holy Spirit, that by Beelzebub the prince of demons has Christ done many such things? 1 Corinthians 2:4-5. Luke 11:15.
 
 
 
(C). Fellowship of his suffering.
 
 
None should mistake the fellowship of the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 13:14) to the fellowship of Christ suffering because the two are totally different. The former is the lasting or enduring intimacy and operation of Christ Spirit in the believer’s life, while the latter is part of believer’s difficulty in his passage to heaven, the overwhelming spiritual experiences he must needs go through in Christ Jesus. 
Our Lord’s invitation to carry and bear our personal cross and to follow him in self denial is a direct invitation to us to partake in the fellowship of his suffering in one way or other. The cross is the symbol of suffering and shame, we must gladly bear whatever suffering and shame we encounter in the way, for through many tribulations (a cause of great trouble or suffering) must we enter into the kingdom of heaven. Acts14: 22.
 
Christ expects us to come out of the world and to bear his reproach just as he suffered without the camp (outside the city gate) to sanctify us. God is more glorified and his power is greatly displayed through the sufferings of his persevered saints than in their comforts: though they may be in heaviness (suffer grief) through manifold temptations, but they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Is his strength not made perfect in our weakness as also says the scriptures? Should we rather then not glory in our weaknesses, infirmities, necessities and reproaches, so that the power of God should rest upon us? The rewards reserved in heaven for them that suffers according to the will of God, which continue to commit their souls unto him in well doing as unto a faithful creator is enormously unimaginable for the glory that shall be revealed in them afterward. Romans 8:18-19.
 
The scriptures made it clear that the Spirit of God and of glory is resting upon any believer that is suffering any reproach for the sake of Christ: let them not be ashamed (according to my earnest expectations and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or death. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21) but let such glorify to God for their sufferings: like the early brethren, let them count it all joy and privilege that they are counted worthy to suffer shame or reproach for his name’s sake. Acts 5:41.
 
The new generation pastors and the end time fake churches are making the gullible and itching ears Christians to believe that the gospel of Christ and his kingdom within us should come with no price, that it is full of indulgence grace for present gratification, instead of the grace that teaches and empower us to die to the flesh, bringing it continually under subjection, to persevere in temptation in exchange for the crown of glory which the Lord has promised to them that love him.
Supposedly we remove gospel and salvation sufferings from the kingdom scriptures, where shall we be able to talk about the present chastening of God’s dealing to all his children whom he delighted upon that they should be partakers of his holiness- to present them un-blamable in holiness and without fault before him. For if any be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards and not sons. For we all had the father of our flesh that correct us and we gave them reverence, shall we not therefore reverence the Father of Spirit and live? No chastening for the present is pleasant, but grievous (painful and going under spiritual scrutiny and rehabilitation) nevertheless it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:1-11.
Whatever the nature of our suffering in Christ Jesus, be it the striving against sin which none as ever strive to the point of shedding his blood as Christ did for our sins, let us arm ourselves with the same mind as the Lord, so that as he has suffered for us in the flesh, even so should we suffer: for he that suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he should no longer spend the rest of his time and life on earth in the lusts of the flesh but in the will of God. 1 Peter 4: 1-5.
 
Where is your crucifixion to the world and the world crucified to you for separation and endurance of the contradiction of sinners just as Jesus went through? Everyone and anyone can talk about the eternal glory, but who is talking about the suffering that precedes the eternal weight of glory? If we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him: let us therefore continue with him in his temptation, for he has also prepared for us a kingdom not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Whatsoever it is that constitute to our sufferings in Christ, let us know that the comfort of his love and our consolation from Christ shall proportionally increase to the sufferings we shall have to endure; that as our sufferings abounds in him, so also our consolation shall abounds from God who comforts us in all our tribulations and trials. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
 
If suffering for Christ is excluded from the kingdom’s academy curriculum for her citizens, how dare Christ bid them to endure to the end that they might be saved? What did they have to endure? How dare him prepared and warned the daughters of Jerusalem to be ready for the assaults of the enemy on the dry tree, if the green tree should be treated so much badly that that he had to endure? Luke 23:31.
Let it be known to all in the kingdom of God that there is not only the fellowship of the Holy-Spirit to enjoy for revelation and guidance in spiritual communication, but there is also the consolation in Christ and the comfort of his love from the same Spirit in our fellowship of his suffering that we should not be offended when tribulation and persecution shall arise because of the word (Mark 4:17) for what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously. 1 Peter 2: 20-23.
 
For the fact that the kingdom suffers violence since the day of John the Baptist until now, and the violent shall take it by force should inform us that mental, spiritual, moral and physical determination with personal sacrifices of godly choices are there to make in the face of different and difficult challenges to walk and to please God until we finally inherit or enter into the kingdom of heaven: take comfort and be bold to defend and contend (compete, engage and maintain) for the truth and faith once delivered into the saints: this is part of the fellowship of his suffering in your persecution for truth and righteousness sake.
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. 1 Peter 3: 8-18.
 
Thank God for the freedom of religious gathering and worship in some parts of the world today which really does not totally annul the fellowship of Christ suffering from the brothers who are indeed sold out for Christ. Men shall revile, persecute and falsely accuse them for righteousness sake: men shall separate from their company and give them false names (fanatics, proud, holier than thou) because of their determination and action to please God alone. Christ reveals that brothers in the same faith shall betray one another, and affliction and persecution shall arise because of the word and many shall be offended to walk or fall away from him: beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:12-19.
We are living in a world that is very hostile against the truth because they love darkness rather than light: if you are of the world, the world would love his own, but because you are not of the world, you shall be hated by the men of the world, except you have chosen to compromise and play it (hypocrite) safe among them: they that will live godly in this world shall suffer persecution, but evil men and seducers shall worst and worst, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13.
 
Christ leant obedience to the Father in heaven by the things he suffered in the flesh (Hebrews 5:8) and the trial of faith you gladly endured is part of your sufferings in Christ Jesus, including those things you have counted and suffered their loss in the world that you may gain Christ and be found in him. Is there no roof under your head because of the gospel’s sake and you refused ungodly financial blessings and increase because of conscience sake towards God; it’s your cup to drink with Christ as the part or portion of your suffering in the fellowship of his suffering, even as the Son of man once had no certain dwelling place to lay his head. Has your parents and relatives disown you because of your confession of Christ as Lord and Savior, or your spouse desert you because of the word of his grace; be of good cheer, it’s part of the tribulation in the world you must endure, you have already overcome the world. For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man take advantage of you for his name’s sake, if you are made a gazing stock and if a man smite you in the face for his name’s sake, if you’ve been imprisoned for his name’s sake, if you’ve been banished from a city or village for his name’s sake, if any is martyred for his name’s sake, if you have suffered the loss of your good and material possessions to the false brethren, but you press no charge with the police than to give room for divine vengeance. 2 Corinthians 11:20.
 
 
 
(D). Being made conformed unto his death.
 
 
The effect of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden is the differences in individual’s rebellious attitudes and perceptions of good and evil on earth before God. Before the fall, there wasn’t any difference in moral and spiritual uprightness and mental perception of good or evil between the first parents, but as soon as the enemy divided their opinion to rebel against the word of God, changes occurred and they were never the same again in character, mentality and perception. At first, before their eyes opened, and all things were perfect, they’re always on the same page: but as their eyes got opened, different character features came into manifestation. Adam and Eve were formerly conformed to God’s sinless nature, image and resemblance before the fall; but afterwards, they lost the holy nature and feature by their sin, thus have we all sinned and has come short of the glory of God: we are all as sheep gone astray, everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid upon him the iniquities of us all.
 
The fall of man made us fallen creatures of different opinions, personalities, perceptions, characters and features, according the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the children of disobedient: but from the beginning, it was not so.
Jesus sinless life, death and resurrection was to redeem us from the results and evil effects of the fall through the pardon given and reparation made by the circumcision of heart not made by hand, but by the Spirit of God, so that the redeemed should be conformed to the image of God through his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. What does it mean to be conformed to the death of Christ? It is the re-activation, resuscitation and re-connection of the dead spiritual life in man back with God: and you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved). Ephesians 2:1-5.
Being made conformable to Christ death is the mortification of the works of the flesh and subjection of the desires of the mind contrary to the notion of a free lifestyle of instant gratification the world indulges in if we are crucified with him, and have crucified the desires of the flesh and of the mind. It is to walk in the newness of life and to live daily in the new creature. If the old things are not passed away in our daily life and walk, though we are presumed to be Christians, then we are not conformed to Christ death. Galatians 5:24.
Believer which is truly crucified with Christ is dead to the world and the world is dead to him: it can be spoken of him that he is indeed conformed to Christ death. Believer should not conform or be spotted with the world in any way and be said to be conformed to Christ death. God forbids! If we don’t come out of the world and from the love of it lusts and pride of life, we are in no way conformed to Christ death. Christ died to condemn sin in the flesh, but if we are allowing sin to reign in our mortal body to obey it in the lusts thereof; we are not in living in conformity or made to conform to the death of Christ. Those that are in Christ Jesus are victorious daily in crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts, and they are the ones living presently in conformity or made conformed unto his death. There is no other way to go about it, it’s either we are conformed to the old nature (dead in sin) or we are conformed to Christ death (dead to sin, living in newness of life) by mortifying the flesh with its works through the indwelling Spirit of God (Romans 8:13) so that we live daily in the spirit and sowing in the Spirit to attain unto the resurrection of the dead: most importantly, the first resurrection. We are called upon to live and to walk in the Spirit, and to die daily to the flesh, and by so doing; we can overcome the law of sin and death in our members, awaiting the Lord from heaven who change our vile bodies that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body: but if we are at sleep in the grave, we shall hear the voice of the Son of man, and shall be raised from our sleep to be among the partakers of the first resurrection.