The Turnaround : Bishop Tony Samuels

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.           

Philippians 1:19-20 (NKJV)

The Bible tells us that we are supposed to walk by faith and not by sight. What we walk by is what we have accepted as truth, and we know the Truth is the Word of God; this is where the challenge comes in. How do I walk in truth when what I see is contradicting the truth I believe? This is what you do: reject it, and begin to expect the truth to eventually manifest in your life.

In the above Scripture, the Apostle Paul found himself in a rough place in his journey with the Lord. To be more specific, he was in a prison. He opens up by saying, “I know that this will turn…” Our God is a God Who specializes in turnarounds, and Paul knew this. Look at Psalms 126:1-2 (KJV): When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. Sometimes the enemy thinks he has us in a captive situation, but the Lord has not called us to captivity; He has called us to freedom!

Are you ready for a turnaround? Let’s look at some keys to manifest it. You have to pray, even right in the middle of the situation. This is when you know you have a relationship with the Lord. Right in the middle of whatever is going on, you go directly to the Lord and begin to pray. The enemy wants us to doubt God, and he definitely freaks out when we begin to pray to the Lord in the middle of a situation.

Look at what happens when you begin to pray, according to Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP). It says, Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. I guarantee you, Paul was not freaking out while he was waiting for his turnaround. He was enjoying the peace of God. God’s peace gives you the feeling of Heaven while dealing with earthly situations. His peace is not just a coping peace; His peace is a preview of your future. His peace is Shalom, which means nothing missing, nothing broken. (Excuse me while I take a praise break…HALLELUJAH!!!) Then, Paul says, the turnaround is coming by way of the supply of the Spirit.

 1 Peter 1:4 (AMP) says, [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you. There are certain things that the Lord has for us that cannot be touched by Earth. They are in Heaven, waiting to intervene when it’s time for a turnaround. Philippians 4:19 (AMP) also brings our attention to the supply of the Spirit: And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. But the master key was prayer, and the supply was Paul having earnest expectation and a hope that it was going to turn around for him.

 So what are you expecting? What are you hoping for? Have you settled and accepted the way life is? Is the outside more of a reality than the Kingdom of God within you? Well, I want to stir you up, back into expecting, back into hoping…because there is a turnaround the Lord wants to bring to you. Start expecting, start looking, start believing, and watch! When it’s all said and done, you will not be ashamed! Paul said in nothing will I be ashamed!

 I leave you with this…Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Be Most Blessed!!!