Turning Point (1)

Scriptural Reading Genesis 3:1-19

Beloved the journey of life has ups and downs. On it there are potholes, bus stops, stumbling blocks and even robots put on the way to control movement or traffic. Most of the time, these bus stops and potholes are deliberately put by satan to pin you to a spot (not because you have reached your destination but) to put a stop to your life journey. At some of these junctures people cry and others laugh. While some are bemoaning their fate, others are rejoicing and are happy. For some others, their life is filled with fits of depression and some have a good story to share. These points and many others are turning points.

A Biblical Example

Genesis 3:1-6

3 Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [satan] said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 Except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You shall not surely die, 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity.” 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate.

Beloved when God created the first man and woman, He made the man a husbandman- a man who would love and care for the woman and take charge of God’s estate of creation, and the woman/wife- to love the man and care for God’s estate of nature. The woman then became the perfect gift of God to man because she suited man’s every need and requirement from God. But in the course of discharging these duties they sinned against God because of an unfriendly friend (satan - an enemy posing as a friend). I decree and declare that God Almighty will give you His Spirit of discernment to correctly identify unfriendly friends and give you the wisdom to not fall for their trap, in Jesus name! Adam and Eve disobeyed God as result of covetousness. Beware of lust Beloved in all its three forms. See the scripture below. 

16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. 1 John 2:16

 

Satan used this pattern in the garden to ensnare them and he still uses one or all three to ensnare people into demonic exchanges and yokes. (Declare this) In the name of Jesus, I command any power, any authority of darkness stirring my flesh to lust, to covet what is not mine, filling my mind with greedy longings and prideful thoughts - catch fire burn to ashes. 

God punished Adam and Eve and drove them out of the Garden of Eden – a place of comfort and no lack. The result was sickness, pain, hardship, suffering and death. The eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and the punishment that followed marked a turning point in their relationship with God [and by extension mankind and his Creator]. Their life changed dramatically from what it used to be to an unimaginable life of living through burying their murdered son amongst other hardships. Another vivid example can be found in the book of Acts.

  

An entirely different Scenario

 

Acts 9:1-16

9 Meanwhile Saul, still drawing his breath hard from threatening and murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 And requested of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus [authorizing him], so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way [of life as determined by faith in Jesus Christ], he might bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he travelled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, 4 And he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me [harassing, troubling, and molesting Me]? 5 And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]. 6 Trembling and astonished he asked, Lord, what do You desire me to do? The Lord said to him, But arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. 7 The men who were accompanying him were unable to speak [for terror], hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank [anything]. 10 Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he answered, Here am I, Lord. 11 And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying [there]. 12 And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem; 14 Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call upon Your name. 15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel; 16 For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name’s sake.

As can be seen in the scripture reference, a sudden turning point took place in the life of Apostle Paul (Saul). He was on his way to Damascus to attack and persecute Christians. But his mission was cut short. The arrester became arrested. He was converted. His sudden conversion marked a sudden twist in his life. What a turning point! 

What then is a turning point?

To conclude, a turning point is an event or occasion that marks a unique or important change in the course of a life. It is associated with an historical landmark, a beacon on which important progress or ‘slow-gress’ depends. A turning point could be regarded as a circle or corner where a change of direction takes place. It may mean that a crisis point has been reached which definitely requires a decision. A crucial stage reached that requires action signifying a milestone. In such situations, these milestones or tipping points can mean suffering, a setback/disappointment or a moment of breakthrough. Let us pray against negative turning points.

Prayers

·    In the name of Jesus, any power assigned to put my life into a reverse gear be roasted by Holy Ghost Fire.

·      Any authority of darkness assigned to derail my destiny from its God given track, somersault and die, I am not your candidate, somersault and die in Jesus name. I bind you from your operations against my spirit soul and body, my life and destiny.

·        I curse the assignment of satan against my progress in the name of Jesus.

·     Any power assigned to lead me back to square one let the anger of God fall upon you and destroy you in Jesus name.

·        In the name of Jesus, let the power assigned to arrest my life and destiny be arrested by Holy Ghost Fire.  

·   In the Mighty name of Jesus, any power of darkness persecuting me, harassing, troubling, and molesting me, hear the word of Jesus. I belong to Jesus, I am part of His body and He is saying, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep provoking me and offer vain and perilous resistance, take your hands off my servant or be destroyed!