SEE GOD AS HE REALLY IS!

Today, we want to look at the sixth principle of breakthrough “SEE GOD AS HE REALLY IS – THE GOD OF BREAKTHROUGH!”

Many Christians do not receive their breakthroughs because they refuse to take the limits off Jesus Christ. They are not convinced that there is nothing the Lord cannot do. To receive your breakthrough, you must be fully persuaded that with God nothing is impossible (Lk. 1:37; Jer. 32:27). You must see God as He really is – the God that created the entire universe from nothing; the God that calleth those things that be not as though they were (Rom. 4:17).

Everything about our God speaks of greatness. So to see God as He really is, you must have a personal revelation of His greatness.

What is greatness? Greatness means wonderful (full of wonder). It also means to be large in size.

Our God is great (Neh. 8:6). No one can measure His size (Ps. 145:3). He is clothed with honour and majesty. He is covered with light as with a garment. He stretches out the clouds like a curtain (Isa. 40:22-23). He lays the beams of His chambers in the waters. He makes the clouds His chariot. He walks upon the wings of the wind. He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flaming fire. He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever (Ps. 145:1-5).

Can you imagine: the whole universe came out from Him! His throne is in Heaven and the earth is His footstool (Isa. 66:1). He sits upon the circle of the earth (Isa. 40:22). The whole world is in His hand.

Everything about God is great. 1. His name is great (1 Chron. 17:21). 2. His might (physical strength) is great (Isa. 40:26). 3. God’s greatness is excellent (Ps. 150:2). 4. His mercy is great (Neh. 13:22). 5. His faithfulness is great. 6. His love is great (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 8:38-39). 7. The power of God is exceeding great (Eph. 1:19). “…Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee” (Ps. 66:3).

The revelation of His greatness will enable you to believe in hope against hope (Rom. 4:18). It will help you to take limits off Jesus. This will energize you to look away from that your aching situation and look unto Jesus, the great and might God who never fails.

Pain, fear, frustration, hopelessness can hinder you from seeing God as He is. I agree that it is not easy for a person to be confined to a bed or wheelchair or to be in constant pain and still be able to take his eyes off his obvious circumstances. But the truth is that you just have to take your eyes off your problems. There is no other way since we do not walk by sight but by faith (2 Cor. 5:7).

The more you look at your problems, the more worried and confused you’ll become. You become a slave of the enemy, and you will not be able to see He who is God, whose power is the ultimate power, who is All-powerful.

As long as you continue to concentrate on your problems, things will never change and you will never experience the breakthrough that you desire. In fact, things will grow worse because those problems will hinder you from seeing God as He really is. But when you take your eyes off your problems and keep them on the God Who is unlimited, you will begin to see things change in your favour.

Once you understand that there are two forces at work in the circumstances in your life, and learn how to see beyond those circumstances and determine who is in control, you will not be fearful and you will be able to take your eyes off your circumstances.

I am not suggesting that you ignore the problem that exists or that you run from the circumstances that you are facing. I am only asking you to take your eyes off that problem and fix them on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). As long as you fix your eyes on Jesus Christ you will not sink (Matt. 14:23-32).

Satan knows that if he can just get you to keep your eyes on your problem, you will not be able to see the solution that God has already provided for you. This is one reason why people give up and live lives of mediocrity, defeat, despair and frustration. With your eyes on your predicaments, you will rely on your natural resources instead of believing God to supernaturally intervene and deliver you.

When you look away from your situation no matter how hopeless it may seem, and focus on the bigness of our God, you will realize that your situation is comparatively negligible. Then you are seeing God as He really is and your breakthrough is in sight.

Examples of people who did not take the limits off the God of breakthrough, and see Him as He really is abound in the Scriptures. They had a limited vision of Jesus.

Martha, the sister of Lazarus is a typical example of a person who did not take the limits off the God of breakthrough, and see Him as He really is. Martha knew Christ very well and had become a devout follower of Christ. She had probably witnessed the many miracles of Jesus. Yet when she was confronted by a seemingly impossible situation in her life, she failed to see Jesus as He really is (Jn. 11). She failed to see Him as the God of breakthrough.

Her brother Lazarus became very sick and she quickly sent a message to Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus loved Martha, Mary her sister and Lazarus her brother. Yet when He heard about Lazarus’ condition, He did not go immediately to them as requested. Why?

In Isaiah 55:8-9 God said, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.  9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

God’s ways are not our ways! God’s thoughts are not our thoughts! We must therefore continue to trust Him completely even when things don’t seem to be working out the way we expect.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

We must allow God to answer our prayers anyway, anytime and anyhow He chooses. What we know is that at His own time He makes all things beautiful (Eccl. 3:11).

Jesus knew that Lazarus had died before He left for the city of Bethany where Martha, Mary and Lazarus lived. He also knew that the power within Him can never be limited by anything (Eph. 3:20). Jesus had a purpose for waiting until Lazarus died. He wanted to build their FAITH in Him by raising Lazarus from the grave.

In John 11: 15 the Bible says, “…to the intent (purpose) ye may believe.” Friend, Jesus has a purpose for allowing that your situation to linger this long. Could be that He wants to build your Faith in Him.

As Jesus approached the city, Martha ran out to meet Him. John 11:20 says, “Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.”

When Martha met with Jesus she said to Him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask of Him." (Jn. 11:21-22).

You see, things have not really worked out the way Martha expected. She expected that Jesus would have come immediately He received the message to come and heal Lazarus. But He didn’t and consequently Lazarus died. Friend, the God of breakthrough may not come when you want Him but He’ll surely come, most times when all hope is gone, and He’s always on time. And at His own time, He makes all things beautiful (Eccl. 3:11).

Realize that Martha had heard of testimonies and even seen the miracles Jesus performed amongst the people. For instance, she may have heard of the miracle in John 2, 5 and 9 plus all the miracles in the Old Testament. She may also have heard of how Jesus restored life to the only son of the woman of Nain (Lk. 7: 11-17), and how He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead in the city of Capernaum (Mk. 5:22-24; 35-43).

But now, faced with the reality of her own situation, the fact that Lazarus was stone dead, even since 4 days back, she gave up hope. She said she believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and that Jesus could perform miracles, but she was not expecting Him to supernaturally intervene in this seemingly hopeless situation. She did not recognize Jesus as the hope of the hopeless. Right now, Jesus is looking for that hopeless situation in your life so that He can reveal His greatness to you personally in another dimension.

In John 11:23 Jesus said to her, “Martha let Me tell you something, your brother Lazarus is in the grave, but he is coming out of the grave again. Your brother will rise again.”

Martha replied saying, “Yes, I know that he will rise again, but that will be in the resurrection at the last day” (Jn. 11:24).

Then Jesus said to her, “Take a good look at Me Martha, I am the resurrection and the life, He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

Can you see? Martha was able to see into the future – tomorrow, at the last day – but failed to see the unlimited ability of the God of breakthrough in the NOW; the fact that Jesus never was, never shall be, but always is. Martha knew that Jesus performed miracles in the past; she knew that Jesus could do it again in the future, but what about NOW?  She had limited Jesus’ miracle power to a specific time and condition. But Jesus cannot be limited by anything. She believed that Jesus would have been able to heal Lazarus before he died (Jn. 11:21). But now being dead since 4 days, it is too late and the game is over. “What more could Jesus do, she imagined?” She never knew that it cannot be over until the Lord says it is over. She could trust Jesus for healing but could not trust Him to give life to the dead body of Lazarus. This is contrary to Romans 8:11.

When they arrived in the place where Lazarus’ body had been laid in the cave, Jesus commanded them to roll back the stone (Jn. 11:39). But still doubtful and unbelieving, with her eyes on the hard fact, Martha said to Jesus, “But, Jesus, don’t you realize that by now Lazarus’ body has began to decay and stink for he has been there since four days?”

Her lack of faith troubled Jesus, but that did not stop Him, because He had a purpose – to build their faith in Him. He was bent on building their faith by meeting to their need.

Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth” (Jn. 11:43). Instantly, Lazarus’ spirit-man left the land of the dead, returned to the physical realm, and re-entered his dead body. Lazarus came out of the grave as an evidence and a testimony of the unlimited power and ability of the God of breakthrough (Rom. 4:17). He is OMNIPOTENT!

In Romans 4:17 the Bible says, “He calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

Today, you too will be an evidence and testimony of the unlimited power of the God of breakthrough.

Examples of people who were able to take the limits off the God of breakthrough, and see Him as He really is abound in the Scriptures. They saw Jesus as He really is – “All-powerful God, All-knowing God, Omnipresent God, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Overdo.”

The Roman Centurion is a typical example (Matt. 8:5-13) of a person that took the limits off the God of breakthrough, and see Him as He really is.

Please realize that as at then this Centurion was not yet a follower of Christ. He was just a Roman soldier. His loyalty was not to Jesus. His loyalty was to Caesar. His loyalty was to Rome. He also came to Jesus with a great need. His servant was sick of the palsy and was in great pain. Thank God he knew where to go (Heb. 12:2). He knew whom to bring his need to. He knew on whom to cast his cares (1 Pet. 5:7). He brought his cares to Jesus, the only solution to all our problems (Acts 4:12).

Jesus wanted to go to his house to heal his sick servant according to the Centurions request. But this Centurion said to Jesus, “LORD Jesus take a good look at me; can’t you see these army bars on my shoulders?” When I walk into the garrison, and say to any soldier “go,” he goes, and to another “come,” he comes. He said, “LORD, I am a man of authority and I understand authority. When I speak the whole Rome stands behind me.”

But when I look at You Jesus, I see something that goes beyond Rome. I see a power that is far beyond the power of Rome. Jesus, you really have no need to come to my house. It is not necessary. All You need to do is to stand right here, and speak the Word only, and my servant who is many miles away, will get out of that bed of affliction totally healed because in Psalm 107:20 it is written that when You send Your Word to anywhere, it will go, heal and deliver the one in trouble from destruction.

Also in Isaiah 55:11 it is written, “So shall Your Word be that goes forth from Your mouth; It shall not return to You void, but it shall accomplish whatever You please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which you sent it.”

When You speak Jesus, the whole heaven is behind You. You are the God of breakthrough! LORD, my servant is paralyzed, totally incapacitated, but if You will just speak only, something positive will happen to his body, to his legs, and to every part of his being.

Why? Because in Hebrews 4:12 it is written, “For Your Word is quick (makes alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Jesus, I know that when You speak to this condition, my servant will surely rise up out of his bed of sorrow. There is none higher in power, in rank than You, Jesus. You are the Captain of the Hosts of the armies of Heaven. You are the only solution to all problems. Just speak the Word, Master Jesus!

The Centurion was actually saying, “Jesus, I see You as You really are. People have been watching You perform great miracles, but they don’t really know who You are, nor do they understand how unlimited Your ability is, but I do.”  You are THE CREATOR. You are the PASSOVER LAMB. You are the LORD THAT HEALETH US. You are the LORD MIGHTY IN BATTLE. You are the LORD OF HOSTS.

Jesus, people in different fields of learning even have names for You:

•    In Agriculture, YOU CAUSED THE FIG TREE NOT TO BEAR FRUIT (Mk. 11:20-21).

•      In Biology YOU ARE THE LILY OF THE VALLEY (SOS 2:1).

•          In Chemistry, YOU CHANGED WATER TO WINE (Jn. 2).

•      In Physics, YOU BROKE THE LAW OF GRAVITY BY ASCENDING INTO HEAVEN (Acts 1:9-11). YOU ALSO BROKE THE LAW OF FLOTATION BY WALKING ON WATER (Mt. 14:26).

•          In Economics, YOU BROKE THE LAW OF SCARCITY BY FEEDING THE MULTITUDE WITH 5 LOAVES OF BREAD AND 2 FISH (Mt. 14:17).

•          In English, YOU ARE THE WORD OF GOD (Rev. 19:13).

•          In English Literature, YOU SPOKE IN PARABLES.

•          In Maths, YOU PROVED ONE PLUS ONE TO BE ONE IN MARRIAGE (Gen. 2:24).

•          In Government, YOU ARE THE KING OF kings AND THE LORD OF lords (Rev. 17:14).

•          In Geography, YOU ARE THE ROCK OF AGES.

•          In History, YOU ARE THE ALPHA & THE OMEGA (Rev. 1:11).

•          In Health Science, YOU ARE THE HEALER, JEHOVAH RAPHA (Ex. 15:26).

•          In Home Economics, YOU ARE THE ONE WHOSE BLOOD GIVES ETERNAL NOURISHMENT.

•          In Medicine, YOU ARE THE ONE THAT RAISED LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD (Jn. 11).

•          In Zoology, YOU ARE THE SHEPHERD (Ps. 23:1).

•          In Geology, YOU CAUSED WATER TO FLOW FROM THE ROCKS (Ex. 17:6).

•          In Architecture, YOU ARE THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED WHICH FINALLY BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE (Ps. 118:25-26).

•          In Astrology, YOU ARE THE BRIGHT MORNING STAR (Rev. 22:6).

•          In Accountancy, YOU ARE THE SURE INSURANCE (Col. 3:3).

•          In Clothing and Textiles, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO STRIPPED OFF HIS GARMENT.

•          In Creative Arts, YOU ARE THE GOOD PORTER.

•          In Fine Arts, YOU CREATED MAN IN YOUR OWN IMAGE AND AFTER YOUR OWN LIKENESS (Gen. 1:26-27).

Professionals also have names for You, Jesus:

•          Administrators call You “THE BEGINNING AND THE END” (Rev. 1:11).

•          Transporters call You “THE WAY” (Jn. 14:6).

•          Horticulturists call You “THE FIRST FRUIT” (1 Cor. 15:20).

•          Oceanographers call You “THE RIVER OF LIVING WATER.”

•          Lawyers call You “THE ADVOCATE.”

•          Industrialists call You “THE GREAT SUPPLIER.” (Phil. 4:19).

•          Photographers call You “THE IMAGE OF GOD” (Col. 1:15).

•          Medical Doctors call You “THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.”

•          Sociologists call You “THE LOVE OF GOD.”

•          Sportsmen call You “THE STRENGTH.”

•          Animal Scientists call You “THE GOOD SHEPHERD.”

•          Botanists call You “THE TREE OF LIFE.”

•          Food Scientists call You “THE BREAD OF LIFE” (Jn. 6:35).

•          Carpenters call You “THE DOOR (Jn. 10:9).

•          Zoologists call You “THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH” (Rev. 5:5).

•          Electrical Engineers call You “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD” (Jn. 8 & 9).

•          Judges call You “THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE.”

•          Footballers call You “THE CAPTAIN.”

•          Publishers call You “THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF THE BELIEVERS FAITH” (Heb. 12:2).

•          Gardeners call You “THE ROSE OF SHAROM” (SOS 2:1).

•          Biologists call You “THE LIFE” (Jn. 1:4).

•          Architects call You “THE CHIEF CORNER STONE” (Eph. 2:20).

•          Theologians call You “THE BAPTIZER WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH FIRE” (Mt. 3:11).

•          Evangelists call You “THE SOUL WINNER.”

•          Morticians call You “THE RISEN ONE.”

•          Professors call You “THE WISDOM OF GOD” (Eph. 3:10).

•          Lecturers call You “THE TEACHER.”

•          Mathematicians call You “THE SOLUTION (to all problems).” Hallelujah! (Acts 4:12).

The Centurion continued by saying, “You are the God of breakthrough! You cannot be limited by anything! Act like who You are Jesus, and let my servant be an evidence and testimony of your unlimited power. Lord, speak the Word!”

In Matthew 8:10-13 the Jesus said, “… I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! …" 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.”

Beloved, can you see that the existing ugly circumstances hindered Martha from seeing Jesus as He really is and trusting Him as such? Are the existing conditions in your life so overwhelming also that you fail to see Jesus as the God of breakthrough?

Are you like Martha or like the Centurion? Do you see Jesus like Martha saw Him or like the Roman Centurion did? If you see Him as the God of breakthrough like the Roman Centurion did, then say with every boldness and assurance, “Lord, speak the Word to my situation, and I will surely receive my breakthrough now. Lord, go beyond my human imaginations and make me an evidence and testimony of Your ability as the God of breakthrough, in Jesus’ name, Amen!” 

When you see God as He really is, you can see (look) beyond your problem. See God as He really is, not as you are, and you’ll instantly become an evidence and testimony of His power.

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!

·        Your friend, I .I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor, HOG).                    

Scripture for the week: “Instead of shame you shall have double honour, and instead of confusion you shall rejoice in your portion. Therefore, in your land, you shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be yours’ (Isa. 61:7).