GOD’S WIND OF CHANGE
Dr. Steve Ogan
Thank you very much.
Remember it was actually the sixth day of the third month of the bible – Sivan. On this day Israel came to the Mountain Sinai and three days before this day they waited on the Lord and on the sixth day on that mountain of Sinai which happens to be in Africa, the wind of glory blew. That was the very first recorded Pentecost in the bible.
That wind blew to the point that the Torah was actually released on that day.
In Exodus 19:4, “you have seen what I did to the Egyptians how I bore you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my Commandments then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
On that day of Pentecost, the very first Pentecost in the Old Testament, the Bible says that “there was a shaking; sounds, lightening, thundering on the mountain”. In verse 16, “then it came to pass on the third day…” That third day was actually the 6th day, i.e. the day of Pentecost – in the morning, there were thundering and lightening and a thick cloud on the mountain and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were on the camp trembled.
On this same day, the sixth of Sivan, interestingly a man whom moved by the wind of the spirit – a man who was noted by the relationship he had with the Holy Spirit, David, was born, on the sixth of Sivan interestingly. David also died on the sixth of Sivan and speaking about his death, in 2Samuel 23, Now these are the last words of David. Thus, says David the son of Jesse; Thus, says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel.
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
‘He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God.’
On this same day, in Acts 2: 1-4, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”. Just as the spirit gave them utterance to speak, we pray that the spirit will also give us utterance to pray for a change.
The spirit of God is the wind of the change we are talking about and this change is necessary for the church, this change is necessary for our nation. Currently our nation is in dire straits. So also is the church in dire straits. In fact, in many places, some people say Nigeria is gone- Nigeria is literally dead. But we must on this day remember that there is a wind blowing that whatever is dead in our nation can come back to life. In Job 14: 7-9, “For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease.8 Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may die in the ground,9 Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant”.
And so we are here to bring the fragrance of the word of God, the fragrance of the presence of the Holy Spirit – Nigeria will sprout again. And I say there is hope for Nigeria.
And in Job 14:14, God himself asked a rhetorical question, ‘If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes.’ So the wind of change has come and it has come upon the church and our nation.
There are 7 dimensions to the wind of change we must consider
- CHANGE OF IDENTITY
I said that in the sixth of Sivan-the sixth of the third month of the Bible in 5780 based on the biblical calendar. it’s a strategic day, and in Isaiah 55 vs 6, “seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near”. So there can be no better time to pray, than on this day. I’m hopeful we need to work on this change of identity now. Our nation’s identity needs to be changed. Our nation is notorious currently for corruption. It is notorious for covetousness both for leaders and followers. It is noted for economic weakness, political weakness and the same is true for the church. The church is notorious for ignorance. In fact, it will amaze you that notwithstanding the changes we see currently based on covid-19, many pastors have not changed their message. It is the same old message as if nothing has happened. The church is full of corruption, weakness, covetousness and we have a Laodicea spirit.
We think we are rich not knowing we are very poor and wretched. God needs to bring a change of identity and the scriptural example that it can happen is the fact that in the 20th year of Jacob’s surgeon in the house of Laban. In the 20th year of Jacob’s running away from his brother Esau, God changed the identity of Jacob. In Genesis 32:27-28, A man who is not a man who is not also an angel as some versions of the bible claim- a redeemer himself. Jesus in his re-incarnate form came to wrestle with Jacob. “And he asked him what is your name? And he said,’ my name is Jacob,’ and the man said to him your name shall no longer be called Jacob but Israel for you have struggled with God and prevailed”. Jacobs identity was changed in 20th year from a covetous man, a weak and corrupt man to a nation that prevails.
Jacob asked the man, ‘what is your own name? And the man replied why do you ask? Jacob suddenly saw a veil removed from his face and what did he say in Gen 32 vs 30? He said I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved.
As individuals and intercessors, we need to pray for a change of identity of our nation and for the church.
- CHANGE OF CHARACTER
The second aspect of change is the change of character. Change of character came as a result of change of identity. Notice that before this 20th year, all through Jacobs life he thought he was smart and clever which made him supplant his brother to take over his birthright. He felt superior. The reason why church denominations cannot come together is because the leaders have a Laodicean spirit. We think we are smarter than the other and we tend to cheat one another.
The same is true for our nation but once the identity of Jacob was changed that year his character also changed. But if you notice, before this time, Jacob was one who will not bow to his brother. But in Genesis 33 vs 3-4 the scripture says, “then he (Jacob) crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times until he came near is brother. But Esau ran to him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept”.
So for us to follow this wind of Change, we must humble ourselves to one another. There must be reconciliation between both intercessors, believers and church denominations. There must also be a reconciliation between tribal groups. But this is important as intercessors, we must take responsibility, then this wind of change can blow through us to the nation. The key point of the change in character is important in the context of the scripture in Isaiah 59vs20. It reads “the Redeemer will come to Zion and to those who turn from the transgression of Jacob”. The transgression of Jacob was turned in the 20th year.
That’s why we need to pray that the Redeemer himself, the one that wrestled with Jacob will come to Zion (our nation) as we turn from the transgressions of Jacob in the area of iniquity, sin, blood-guiltiness, lies, injustice, etc. In Isaiah 59vs 1-3, “Behold. The Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save no more his ears heavy that it cannot hear but your iniquities have separated you from your God and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear for your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity”.
So the redeemer will come to the church, come to our nation, come to Zion as we turn from the transgressions of Jacob so that, just as the identity of Jacob was changed to Israel our own national identity can change. Just as Jacobs identity was changed as a prince that prevails, the identity of the church will also change and the God that said I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail will ride upon the foundation of our turning from the transgressions of Jacob.
- CHANGE OF FOCUS
The third aspect of change we need to focus on is change of focus change. Jacob illustrates a change of focus at the national and church level. If you notice before this time, throughout the time he stayed with his uncle, his focus was personal, carnal, it had nothing to do with the kingdom. It had nothing to do with the nation.
In fact, his focus was how to do business to prosper as a person. His focus was how to build his family and what a family he built with two major wives and two minor wives so his focus was carnal, his focus was just individual, his focus had nothing to do with righteousness either.
If you look at the altar he raised at Bethel when he was running away from his brother. The prayer he prayed at that altar was also very selfish; “If you will bring me back to my mother’s house and give me food to eat. Then I will give you a tenth of everything I have.” All these while he didn’t think about the nation. We as intercessors, some of us also are not focused on the nation as we should. Its only about our personal need. Also in terms of the church many denominations are focused on themselves only and not the nation. But this time there was a change of focus and that change of focus is reflected in what God spoke to him and how he responded to it.
In Genesis 35 vs1-3, “Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.
2 And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments”.
This was the first time Jacob was making a call for repentance. God said to him,”arise, go back to Bethel-my house and make an altar unto God”. Many of our altars for church denominations and local churches are altars built for themselves and not to God. Just as the first altar Jacob raised from a carnal point of view in Genesis 20 vs20.”If you will bring me back to my fathers house, give me food to eat…”.
Now why would God raise three altars in one place? The first altar in Bethel was built by Abraham. Second was the selfish one that Jacob built and the third, God told him to go back to Bethel to raise an altar to God (change of focus) not to self. So in this season, as the wind of change blows we must;
i) Change our focus
ii) Arise and go back to Bethel
iii) Raise an altar to God, not to self or men.
iv) Remember, I am the God who delivered you when you fled from Esau…we must remember God had delivered our nation during Ebola, June 12, military dictatorship.
In Genesis 35:3,’Jacob responded to God, “Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress …”. In this season of our distress, God will also answer us. We should know that we are in a time of distress- church wise, family and nation wise. For the first time churches are shut down in the nations. Its distressing. This is a test-run where we can have a church-less world. When we come for congregational worships there is a spiritual energy that is released the use of several deceptions to show us the essence of technology. As individuals and families, we need a change of focus by the wind.
- CHANGE OF SYSTEMS
Change of systems can also mean change of doing things. Today, church meetings and conferences are being held on zoom. Aside from that, we need to change the way we do business. Our people are still analog in doing business. Most businesses are online. Many of our people are still analog in the way they are doing business. We need to get them to master the digital. Somebody in the city of Port Harcourt is selling vegetables, carrot and cucumber on the net. The transportation is done using his facility or available Logistics facilities. We need to change because unless our people prosper also economically there are limitations to what you can do. Also, we need to pray that the health care delivery system in Nigeria must change. Professors, top government functionaries have died more this season. We cannot travel anymore to obtain health-care abroad. Our educational system must change and not only change but to affordable education system.
So, we need a change of systems and this change must happen in different dimensions. the world is already changing and that change is going to affect all of us and we need to respond to it. For instance, In Daniel 7:25, “the Antichrist he will speak of pompous words against the most high he shall persecute the Saints of the most high and shall intend to change times and laws then the same shall be given into his hand for a time(1yr).times(2years) and half a time(6months)”.
Notice the people in the new world order in alignment within Antichrist are already speaking pompous word. For example, bill gates said that the world will not go back to normal until 7 billion people are vaccinated. And the process of these shows in an attempt to change of times and laws. you know, what happened when House of Representatives speaker attempted to bring a bill for mandatory vaccination which will give him ten percent from the proceeds to be made according to that scripture.
That scripture says “then the saints shall be given into his hands…” so we need to pray that the laws (eg. mandatory vaccination and others) will not change so that the Antichrist will not have the saints in his hands. That time has not fully come yet, so we need to intercede. We must come up against the new world perspective that will make the saints be given into his hands before the time.
I understand that our systems are changing, we are possibly using their technology to change systems. The scriptural pattern is clear, when David shot the sling and Goliath fell. He ran to Goliath and collected his sword to cut off his head. So at some point we will use their systems, the technological systems, the communication systems, but we must understand that there is a limit.
I was sharing the other day to a few brethren, that on the heat of the covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan China, a certain church held their service by zoom. The church did not know that they were being monitored. They were caught alongside with the pastor and today they’re in jail. So, we must use their systems just as David .
- CHANGE OF BATTLE STRATEGY
The next aspect of change is change of battle strategies. As a rule, we must understand Ecclesiastes 3:1,”to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven”. We must begin to wage war at a time appointed by God. You see, God makes all things beautiful at his own time.
Now in the context of changing battle strategies. It is important to understand that we are still in the springtime season. We are at the latter end of the spring time season, and in 2Samuel 11:1 – 3, is says “that in the spring time when kings go to war, David remained in Jerusalem and did not go to War in the springtime season of the year when kings go to war. That’s how he got involved in the adultery of Bathsheba now if we don’t wage war at the time we’re supposed to then we will miss out. Remember the reason we need to take notice of this strategic day is that in Psalms 33 vs 6, ‘everyone who is Godly Shall pray unto you at a time you may be found.’ I noticed that springtime is the time Kings go to war.
In 1 chronicles 20:1- 8, “It happened in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the armed forces and ravaged the country of the people of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. And Joab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it”. In the scripture, you will notice that 3 giants were killed. First sepia, second Liami- goliaths brother. In the season goliath was killed his brother wasn’t killed and in another season of springtime when kings go to war, David was supposed to deal with Liami but refused- thank God Liami was still killed. The third giant which was killed was the one with 24 fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each toes.
If these giant were killed at the spring time when kings go to war, there are giants in our midst that need to be taken out at this time. Don’t forget Giants are products of intercourse between demonic and human and whenever Demons have intercourse with humans, the product is an abnormality and our nation is full of abnormalities. As I speak, hundreds and thousands of almajiris, bokoharam members, Fulani terrorist are being ferried down south at a time they’re supposed to be a national lockdown.
A week and half ago, 40 vehicles were heading into a certain state carrying 400 men and suddenly they were intercepted. Am asking the question… where are the vehicles? Who are sponsoring them? Where are the player? Who is sponsoring their movement? And this is not just for Abia. It is the same for Delta, Lagos, Enugu. The issue is that the people are preparing for war in the dead of night. What many people don’t know is that, those people may not be carrying gun but most places of worship in our nation are armories. So it is important to understand that there are giants we need to deal with.
Again, it was at springtime that God took three human principalities that were rulers of nations. It was at springtime that Pharaoh drowned in the Red Sea. It was a spring time that Hamman was hung in the gallows he prepared for Mordecai and for the Jews to kill them. It was a springtime that at king, Herod, killed James, he took Peter wanting to kill him after the Feast of unleavened bread, which is the springtime season. But the church prayed without ceasing. Peter was not just released from prison. We are told that an angel smote Herod and he was infested by worms. This is in Acts 12. So it’s important to wage war not just with human giants, who are principalities of heads of nations, institutions, and state but we are also dealing with tech- giants.
It is so important to note that in this season of pandemic, the leaders of tech industries are the richest in the world. Jeff Besoz is $34.6bn richer in 2 months, Mark Zuckerberg is $25 richer in two months. Bill gates $8bn in 2 months.
- CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT
Now, change number six is change of governments and this has become so heavy in my heart because a government is in place and people are dying in Kaduna. In fact, during this pandemic, more people have died than ever before. The government is in place yet there is movement of Fulani herdsmen, book haram people through borders that were supposed to be shut. It is time for us to wake up, because the present people of our nation are liable to two streams of wickedness. Wickedness at the New World Order and wickedness at the Islamic fundamentalist order. These two dimensions are operational in our nation.
So, we need to think of bringing Daniel 2:20-22. I don’t know how God is going to do it but let’s ensure that everyone who is practicing wickedness in our nation – everyone who wants to take this nation to the docks, it is time for us to ask God to take them out of the way. Daniel 2:22 says, “Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.”
It is time for us to pray this prayer. Let God remove the kings that want to jeopardize the peace of Nigeria. Remove kings that want to cause another civil war in Nigeria. And raise new kings that understand the role of Nigeria as the first-born of Africa. We need to pray God to raise new kings that understand the role of Nigeria as missionary agency for transformation of the world as a whole.
There are deep secrets God wants to uncover in our nation. I was shocked that the minister of Health who went to the airport to receive the so-called Chinese doctors says he doesn’t know where they are and it turned out that they were not doctors. So in this season when God reveals deep and secret things we must pray that every deep and secret thing in our nation that wants to tear our nation apart must be revealed. He knows what is in the darkness of Nigeria because light dwells in him.
- CHANGE OF INDIVIDUAL AND CO-OPERATE POSITIONS
Now you wage war from the vantage point from the vantage position. And if that position is not right you may lose the battle even before it has started.
In mark 4 vs 35 – 41, “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” And that’s the position we need to take. Cross over as the wind of change blows. Where we are now in our character, focus, etc is not where we ought to be. 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace,[a] be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How[b] is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
The proclamation is, Let us cross over to the other side. Now, why should we cross over to the other side? We need to cross as far as the nation is concerned, as far as the church is concerned, because life is a movement and not a monument. Change is constant and we need to move. Things may be bad now but it will become good. Things may be good now but, they will become better. Things may be glorious now in certain areas. There is hope for a tree that even though it is cut down, by the scent of water it shall spring forth again.
Why do we need to cross over to the other side? Jesus said because evening has come. I was combing my hair the other day and saw several strands of grey hair. Why? God is telling me evening has come. Prophetically evening has come to the world. Evening is a time, there is light but there is also darkness. But it doesn’t matter how even the little light of the moon shines in the dark it dissipate darkness. In the season where we have this light, we need to crossover to the other side because If we remain where we are now, night will catch up with us.
In Romans13:11-12 ”And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent; the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”
Why do we need to cross over to the other side? There are multitudes distractions. Notice they had to lead the multitudes. Multitudes of problems- Lack of food, sicknesses. Etc. are all multitudes. Notwithstanding there are multitudes of problems even at individual levels, we need to cross over to the other side.
The most interesting part of the passage is that they took Jesus along in the boat to the other side as He was, as he was.
Notice Jesus spoke several parables in that mark 4. He was tired. Many are tired in the work of intercession but we need to cross the way we are. Many are hungry and sleepy but we must cross as they are.
Why must we cross to the other side? The great windstorm has arisen. Covid-19 is a great windstorm. Killings in the north.
Finally, why must we cross to the other side? There was great ministry across the other side as we see in Mark 5, that was a great ministry for him across the other side. First, there was the man with an unclean spirit who dwelt among tombs the place for the dead and no one could bind him but Jesus restored him. He wanted to follow Jesus but Jesus said no, go home to your friends. Jesus said he should go to Decapolis(ten cities). There are cities we need to conquer for God.
Jesus said go home to your friends go to the Decapolis in the couple’s intensity and proceedings.
Across the other side, there was the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years. She has suffered many things at the hands of physicians. There are women and men with issues who have suffered many things in the hand of physicians. Our vantage position across the other side enables us to minister to them.
There is Jairus daughter who had died but Jesus spoke to Jairus- don’t be afraid Jesus said do not be afraid only believe. some people think that Nigeria is dead. Nigeria is only sleeping. Across the other side we will wake Nigeria, we will resurrect Nigeria by the spirit of the wind. That wind that blew on Israel. A nation that was dead on the valley of dead bones. for more than 2000 years arose. That same wind is what we are celebrating today.
Across the Other side there was Jesus ministering to the people that she was just sleeping but he was scorned but eventually they saw the manifestation of God’s power when he said “little girl arise.” so we need to speak to Nigeria and the church to arise from slumber.
There is need for us to deploy these seven winds of change and Also war in prayer so we can cross over to the other side because life is a movement, not a monument. So, we can cross to the other side to reach out to others who are lost through ministry. To young girls and boys that are literally dead through abortion, drug addiction whom God is waiting to resurrect just as He is waiting for Nigeria to arise. I think I will rest my case here.
Amen!!!