IT’S A NEW SEASON: Dr. Mensal Otabil – Sunday August 9th, 2020

ONLINE SUNDAY SERVICE MESSAGE BY DR. MENSAH OTABIL (GENERAL OVERSEER INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL GOSPEL CHURCH (ICGC) ACCRA, GHANA)

TOPIC: IT’S A NEW SEASON.

DATE: 9TH AUGUST, 2020

TEXT: DANIEL 2:20-21

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!!!

Shall we make our DECLARATIONS OF EXCELLENCE in this very Special Year of Excellence.

… Are you READY? SAY WITH ME:

Out of Zion, the Perfection of Beauty, God shines forth. The Lord my God causes the Righteous to shine forth as the Sun.

His Awesome Hands has formed me; His Creative Spirit inspires my mind. He Skillfully guides my hands.

Therefore, I boldly declare: I am Set Apart for Excellence. The Ruler of the Universe has exalted my horn among the Nations. He sets my feet on high! In His Strength, I rise!

By Faith, I Press forward towards the Prize of my Highest Calling.

I believe in my heart, and confess with my mouth: that Jesus is Lord! He is the Vine, I am the Branch; in Him I abide, in Him I Blossom.

As it is written: God, who commanded Light out of darkness, has Shone His Light in our hearts.

We have His Treasure in Earthen Vessels. That the Excellence of the Power may be of God, and not of us!

In this Year, I commit to EXCELLENCE, I commit to EXCEPTIONALISM, I commit to do the EXTRAORDINARY.

In Jesus’ Name – Amen and Amen and Amen and Amen.

And you may be seated in His Presence wherever you are or reading now on the Label of DMC.

So, my Massage today is simply Titled: “IT’S A NEW SEASON.”

Our lives on Earth is subject to Change.

If you have lived long enough, by now you know that life is subject to Change.

The Earth itself Physically rotates and revolves constantly. The Earth is constantly turning.

It is interesting that we live on this Earth and think it is stable. But in reality, it is a big ball in the Sky, hanging, driven by Gravity that is constantly on Motion.

And because of that, there are Changes in Season on our Earth. But Spiritually, God is also constantly Changing things.

And we have to know that when God is indicating a Change one way or the other because the way we respond to that will determine how effectively we live our lives.

… So there are Changes in the Seasons of God.

Daniel made that observations in Daniel 2:20-21.

Daniel indicated that God changes Seasons.

it says (NKJV):

Daniel answered and said:

20 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.

The Part that I want you to note is: “He Changes the Times and the Seasons”

So, God changes Times and Seasons – And it is important when Times and Seasons Changes – to recognise it.

Normally, we recognise it when the Times and Seasons Change.

If we are in a temperate region, there will be Four (4) Seasons of: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.

… That is four (4)!

In our part of the world, (Africa) it is two (2) Main Seasons – It is either Raining or it is not Raining. Rainy Season and Dry Season.

But in between, there are normal changes; although we are now in the Rainy Season, relatively, our weather is a bit cold at this time.

… So weather changes!

Weather is not the only thing that Changes. God’s dealing with us also goes through Changes.

And we have to recognize when God is indicating a Change in Seasons.

A Season is not the same as a Circumstance.

Having a change in Circumstances is not the same as having a change in Seasons.

… A Circumstance is very different!

A Circumstance for example, when it rains, the ground would get muddy – And that is Circumstance.

It is an event or an activity tied to an event because it has rained, the ground would get wet.

That is circumstance! It is not a season.

And if you wait till the next morning, the ground would dry.

So, when our lives go through Circumstances; if we wait a little but, it changes back.

But when there is a Season, it is not just something that you wait and say: Oh, by tomorrow it will be different – No, it is a BIG transformation. It is a BIG EPOCH.

And so, when we say that God is changing the Season, you can’t wave it out!

You can’t say: Oh, God is changing it; but I will stay where I am – hopefully, the world would return to where it was.

… It would not!

And that is just something I want all of us to understand;

What is happening in this world is bringing about a change in seasons – It is a Seasonal Change.

So, for those of us who are waiting that things would get back to normal; the normal will not be the NORMAL you are used to.

So, we have to know when there is a Change in Seasons.

And then, I just want to talk about a similar thing that happened in Israel when there was a Change in Seasons.

And it occurred when King Saul died.

King Saul had been King of Israel for forty two (42) years. His reign had been a bit turbulent: People’s Spiritual Life had deteriorated. And he himself at some Point was consulting witches.

And so, the Nation is in a bad shape. And it is been so for forty two (42) – they were losing battles. But God had indicated that David was going to come in as a New King.

He didn’t have to wait for years for that day to come into manifestation.

And then Saul dies in battle, and now there is a Change in Seasons – The Seasons are changed.

Something that they had been doing for forty two (42) years is about to Change!

And if you were an Israelite at that time, if you are the only one who had been King for forty two (42) years, you would Probably be the only one that most People knew.

And his style of Leadership is all that they knew. And his decisions were all that they knew.

Now, David is come – I want you to watch something that happened when this Change of Season is taking place.

1 Chronicles 12 ( and in the whole Chapter generally) the Passage is talking about the Armies of Israel that came to ensure that this Change in Seasons happened.

And I want you to Pay attention to 1 Chronicles 12:23, and then later I will read verses 31-33 (NKJV):

23. Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the Word of the Lord:

I want you to note that Phrase: EQUIPPED FOR WAR.

They came to turn over the Kingdom of ‘SAUL” not the Kingdom of Israel. the Kingdom is Saul to David.

Because Leadership is shifting from the House of Saul to the House of David – And so, these People came.

And the Bible says: They were EQUIPPED FOR WAR – To ensure that the Change is Season occurs.

Now you jump to Verses 31-33, and it says:

31. Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were designated by name to come and make David king;
32. Of the sons of Issachar who had Understanding of the Times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;
33. Of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who could keep ranks;”

Now, if you read earlier in the context, each Tribe is mentioned and the number of People who went and the weapons they carried.

These were Military People who were going to ensure this Change in Season happens. And they go to make David take over in this New Season.

But then in Verse 32, a Tribe is mentioned (the Tribe of Issachar) and they don’t have weapons of war. They are not Military men, they don’t have a Shield, they don’t have a Sword, they don’t a have Spear.

But the only thing they had, the Bible says: “They had Understanding of the Times – Understanding of the Times!

So, the weapon they went into battle with, was not spear, sword and shield; but they went with an Understanding of the Times.

There are moments in warfare where Spear doesn’t do the work effectively; but Understanding does the Job effectively.

And that is what the People of Issachar understood – That this is a Change in Season.

You don’t just go with weapons of war, you have to go with Understanding of the Times.

And it is very interesting, that of all the Major Tribes of Israel, Issachar should be the one who had Understanding of the Times.

I mean, David’s Tribe is Judah; the Bible does not say they have Understanding of the Times. There is the Benjamin – they are the Levite. All of them had weapons of war.

… But Issachar had Understanding of the Times!

The name Issachar means: “One who is Paid to serve; or Wages Paid for Service:”

1. And it came about because of how he was born – Issachar’s mother was Leah.

And if you know your Old Testament a bit; Leah was the wife of Jacob that Jacob didn’t love.

And unfortunately or fortunately; the one who was not loved, is the one who was giving birth.

So, Leah started giving children to Jacob! – She gave birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah.

At that time, Rachel who was the loved one came to negotiate with Leah (and I am not going to go into that negotiations).

But negotiations took Place, and her maid gave birth. And then afterwards, Leah goes and say well, I will have to come back for my husband!

You can listen to the audio here: It’s A New Season – Dr Mensah Otabil

So Jacob comes back to Leah, and in the Process, Issachar is born!

And so Issachar is like the reward for the Service that has been Provided.

So, all that you can say is that: His birth was not a Glorious one!

He was not born under a very noble circumstances – He was born under a very shady dicey circumstances.

… That’s the first thing to note about Issachar.

2. The second thing to note about Issachar is what his father (Jacob) said about him.

Jacob said in Genesis 49:14-15 – When he is speaking about his children and their descendants, and Blessing them curiously.

Listen to the Blessings he gave to Issachar – Genesis 49:14-15:

14. Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between two burdens;
15. He saw that rest was good, And that the land was pleasant; He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden, And became a band of slaves.”

Jacob, Predicted that Issachar would be a Tribe of Slaves.

The father says: “He is a Strong donkey. All he knows how to do is to bear burden.

And when they got to the Promised Land, he will see that the land is Good. And he will be a Slave in the land.

So, if you look at this guy (Issachar): His birth, is very shady, the negotiations was not a nice descent one; his father’s Prophecy concerning him is that he is going to be a Slave.

But in this Passage (1 Chronicles 12:32) he is not a slave. He is actually Providing Guidance and Leadership.

And the Bible says: He had Understanding of the Times.

So, something happened between what Jacob (his father) said should be the DESTINY of Issachar the REALITY of Issachar.

His father says: He is going to be a band of slaves; here in 1 Chronicles 12:32, they have Understanding of the Times.

Sometimes, what has been SPOKEN concerning you can be ALTERED.

And in this moment of Destiny, when Israel is shifting Seasons; Issachar is the one that has Understanding of the Times – Although Jacob said he is supposed to be a Slave.

I came to announce to somebody (even as you read on the Label of DMC) – It has been said about you that you will not make it, that you will be a slave forever; but in this SEASON, a People of Understanding are going to emerge from us – Amen!

So, something happened; now: If you look at the Passage carefully, it talks of two (2) interesting things:

The SONS of Issachar and the HEADS or the Chiefs of Issachar.

The HEADS or the Chiefs are two hundred (200); but the SONS is the whole Tribe.

When you read through the Passage (the whole Passage) especially if you look at the Hebrews words used to describe them.

Issachar is the only Tribe whose Officers was designated by the Title ‘HEADS’.

The others have ‘Leaders’, but they are not called ‘Heads’ – Issachar’s Leaders are called ‘Heads’.

I believe there are some importance to attach to this!

They are not ‘Heads’ only in terms of Leadership, they are ‘Heads’ also because they are THINKERS.

… They are Heads also because they are THINKERS!

So, out of a supposed Band of Slaves, emerged THINKERS.

What changed them from the expectations of Jacob (for them to be Slaves) to Reality where they are Leading with Knowledge is because the New Generation of Leaders – who were THINKERS; and it is this Group who went out to turn the Kingdom over to David.

So, it is very Possible for People to decree that you will be a Slave, and you turn that Prediction around because you have a HEAD.

Somebody says: I HAVE A HEAD, I can THINK!

Because Issachar could THINK: they had Understanding of the Times.

They could read what was happening, they discerned what was happening, they had clarity of focus about this Season of Transition from Saul to David and they knew what Israel ought to do; they knew not what they as a Tribe ought to do; but what the whole Nation ought to do.

So, in essence: this very insignificant Tribe became the Influencers of National Thought because they knew what Israel ought to do.

… Very Interesting!

SO WHAT WAS THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS?

If you know what to do, then you must do what ought to do!

You cannot say: Oh, I understand the Season, I understand the Season that we are in; and act in a way that does not conform to the Season that you are in.

And we see from Issachar: His birth, very dubious, the Prophesy by his father (concerning him) not encouraging, the Reality, very different from the Prophecy because he had Understanding of the Times!

I believe we can rewrite History, we can change Outcomes, we can change Projections because we have Understanding of the Times.

Now, when you go to Verse 40 of the Passage we are looking at (1 Chronicles 12:40):

There is something said about Issachar again, with other Tribes – including Zebulun (that is the Tribe of his Younger brother).

“Moreover those who were near to them, from as far away as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, were bringing food on donkeys and camels, on mules and oxen —provisions of flour and cakes of figs and cakes of raisins, wine and oil and oxen and sheep abundantly, for there was joy in Israel”.

An Army is gathering to go and make David, King. And there are thousands of People!

And if you know anything about an Army: An Army marches on his stomach – They need food!

People are happy that the Season has changed, but they made no Provision; the People who made (based on the Change of Season) is Naphtali, is Issachar and is Zebulun.

And I can say clearly, that I believe that Issachar influenced them because in this Change of Season, you must make Provisions for the Season.

You cannot say there is Change and your Action does not reflect that!

So, if there is a Change in Season, if the kingdom is turning over to David; and an Army is gathering; then there must be Practical Solutions Provided.

And Issachar was right there – Providing the food for the Army, making sure there is Provisions. Making sure that this Assignment becomes a Reality.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO US?

It means that, knowing that there is a Change in Season – is one (1) thing; Making Provisions for the Change in Season is another thing!

It is possible for us to theorize and say: if things are going to Change, things are going to be different but do nothing about it – Make no effort, and hope that by just talking about it, it will be well for us!

You know sometimes you can see something, and even talk about it but not Partake of it simply because you did not Plan ahead for it.

So, is there a Change in Season?

… I believe so!

I believed our world is in such a Change of Season. There is a Transition. And this is my conviction.

You don’t need to believe it but I believe it:

1. And I believe that if we join together, it will work out well for us – Amen.
2. I believe that the band of Slaves – The band of People whom the world says would be Slaves are coming this time, to Change the cause of History.

And they are not coming with weapons of war (as others came with); hey are coming with the Understanding of the Times.

Africa has never been known as a Place of Knowledge and Information, and Science and Technology. We have been known as People with Energy, People with Vibrant Culture: We dress colourfully, we have Art, we have Physical Structures and more so.

That era is coming to an end! – A New Band is coming from this Place. Our strength will not be muzzled. It will not just be Athletes: Winning a hundred metres (100 M) Race. Boxing and beating People up – It is going to come because they have HEAD, and they have Understanding of the Times; and they will know what the world ought to do!

The People who know what the world ought to do, are the People who lead the world.

And that (my Friends) is where I believe this Change of Season is leading us.

I believe God is bringing us into a New Opportunity. And in this New Opportunity, those who were condemned or spoken of as Slaves, are going to come into this Season and show direction for the rest of the world.

But it is going to come because they have HEAD – We have Head.

… May God give you Understanding – Amen!

Somebody put your hands upon your head and say: “Lord, give me UNDERSTANDING!”

May God give you Understanding – Amen; May God give me Understanding – Amen; May God give Our Nation Understanding – Amen.

I want my Nation to be a Nation of Understanding; I want Africa to be a Continent of Understanding.

I don’t want our Greatest achievement to be Athletes, Sports, Boxing, Wrestling.

Our Greatest Achievement should not be Giraffe, Lion, and Elephants – Who live in our Continents.

Our Greatest Achievement should not be what Nature gave us.

Our Greatest Achievement should be what UNDERSTANDING has given us!

Men of Issachar: Men of Africa, Women of Africa: the Seasons have Changed.

And God is bringing us Heads of Understanding; in our homes, in our Businesses, in our Churches. Heads of Understanding.

That is what Changed this Group – They moved from a Group without a Positive Destiny; to a People of a Positive Destiny; a People of clear Destiny, a People who went out and made a difference.

And I don’t know about you, I believe we can also rise like Issachar.

Nobody expected much from them – Not much is said about them.

Infact, when you read through the Bible, not much is said about them.

But in this Epochal time, this Major Transition in the life of Israel: they stood TALL because they had Understanding of the Times.

And may God give us People of Understanding that recognized the Significance of the Times they were in – Amen.

At the beginning of the Covid Pandemic, I said this Season is a SET UP for our Continent (Africa).

It is Set Up for the Shifting of Kingdoms – People who have been drawers of wood, drawers of water – Slaves to the world; are going to SHIFT BACK into gear.

Because there is something happening here that is going to equalise and level the Playing Fields in our world.

And if we go in with Understanding, we are going to turn over this world into the direction that it should go.

And I Pray that Africa will not miss her Day of Visitation – Amen.

It cannot be Business as usual.

We cannot just use Muscle Power to win the Battles of life; we cannot use rude force to win the battles of life – We are going to use Delicate Thoughts, Delicate Thinking, Clarity of Thoughts, Clarity of Understanding.

And that is one of the things I want to speak to every Christians: It is great that we Pray. We Pray a lot!

And during this time, all of us have Prayed.

But as we Pray; the Number One (1) thing that we should be Praying for, is Understanding.

And if our Prayers becomes: Lord, give us Understanding. Give me Understanding; Give my Pastor Understanding; Give my father Understanding; Give my mother Understanding; Give my children Understanding – If that becomes our Obsession and Preoccupation; eventually, we are going to see the answer to Prayer of Understanding of the Times.

… People who know what ought to be done at every time!

We are the New Issachar of our Generation. You are the New Issachar. God will give you Understanding in whatever Fields that you are in, in whatever Industry you Participate in, in whatever efforts that you put in.

If you are a Pastor, that is your Field. If you are not a Pastor and you are an Industrialist, that is your Field. If you are a Farmer, that is your Field. If you are a Lawyer, that is your Field. If you are a Doctor, that is your Field!

Whatever Fields that you are in, we are not just supposed to be, “Low Level Players” in the world; God has ordained us to be “Top Players”.

And the key to that, is to be like the People of Issachar: They had Understanding of the Times: They went into battle, what they simply had is Understanding.

… Can you imagine that?

If you were in that Battle Field, and you saw People with Spear, some with Sword and some with all kinds of weapons of war and then this one (1) Tribe comes – they are holding nothing!

Then you ask them: Where is your Weapons?

It is in our HEAD!

What are you going to fight with? – It is in our Head!

You would look at them and despise them. And say: Oh, they have lost it. They don’t even know what a battle is.

The Bible says: They knew what Israel OUGHT TO DO.

In other words, they became the Leaders of Thought of the whole Nation in that Particular Season.

It is Possible to win with Understanding; it is Possible to win with Knowledge; it is Possible to win with Wisdom.

May God cause you to win – Amen. May God cause us to win – Amen. May the Lord lift us up to the Place, where in this battle in our world, we will become LEADERS.

If you are ready to be in Power, just Stand Up wherever you are. (Standing up is a Sign of alertness). And lift up your hands.

And just talk to God, and tell Him: Lord, in this Season, may I become a “Major Player” in the world.

If you are in Trade, you must be a “Major Player” in Trade.

If you are in Agriculture, you must be a “Major Player” in Agriculture.

A “Major Player” in the world – Not just in whatever Town you are in but a “Major World Changer”!

Because in this Season Transition, the Hand of the Lord is upon you – Amen.

… Just talk to the Lord!

And ask the Lord to open your eyes to Opportunities.

COVID is an opportunity; it has caused havoc, it has caused pain, it has caused death but within it, there are Opportunities.

And if we keep our eyes only on the havoc, we can never see the Opportunities.

Just Pray and say: LORD, help me to see the Opportunities, help me to see the Doors You have opened. Help me to see what You are doing. Help me never to miss it.

Now I want you to put your hands on your head, and I want to Pray with you.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father I Pray for everyone under the sound of my voice (and those reading now on the Label of DMC); as you did for Issachar – With a dishonourable birth; and with a damaging Prophecy upon his life. At the crucial time he rose up with Understanding.

And I Pray for everyone, whose hands are upon their heads, that in this crucial time of World History; You will overturn the Negativity of their Past, and give them Understanding for this Season.

And may you cause these men and women to break Barriers, to break Pains, to break the Yokes of Slavery, to break Inferiority, to break Limitations.

May you be Breakers in your Generation.

And may the Lord use you Mightily, and Powerfully in your Time and in your Season.

In Jesus’ Name – Amen and AMEN!!

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