HOW TO KEEP YOUR MIND ON GOD DURING PRAYER || PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME
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Overview
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome argues that the decisive struggle in fulfilling a divine calling is the choice between personal preference and God’s direction, illustrated by Jesus in Gethsemane and Moses’ change from Egyptian training to shepherding. He urges listeners to discover their purpose, protect their focus from family and worldly distractions, and serve God through their work and evangelism, trusting that obedience brings a meaningful future and God’s provision.
Key takeaways
- Oyakhilome presents the key test of a calling as surrendering personal preference to God’s will, using Jesus’ Gethsemane prayer as the defining example.
- His account of Moses contrasts Egyptian military preparation with 40 years of shepherding, arguing that God’s assignment may require a different kind of preparation than human ambition expects.
- Luke 9:62 is used to frame distraction from God’s planned work as a serious threat, so Oyakhilome advises actively defending focus against attractive alternatives and social pressure.
- Oyakhilome’s university story shows how he moved from resisting a school choice to accepting it through prayer, and then preached widely at that university.
- He argues that careers and trades can serve a larger purpose, pointing to Mary Slessor and Albert Schweitzer as examples of service-driven lives.
- Oyakhilome encourages perseverance through opposition and sacrifice, citing David’s self-encouragement and Jesus’ submission as models for staying committed.
Chapters
- Oyakhilome frames the central test of a calling as whether a person yields their own will when God allows room to reconsider.
- Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, including “not my will, but your will,” exemplifies choosing the Father’s plan despite personal anguish.
- He identifies the greatest personal battle as the conflict between one’s desires and God’s direction, rather than Satan’s attacks.
- Oyakhilome describes pressures from relatives, friends, circumstances, and personal desires as forces that can make someone question a calling.
- Moses knew he was meant to deliver Israel but initially acted within Egypt; after fleeing at age 40, he spent another 40 years in the wilderness.
- Moses was prepared as a shepherd rather than an Egyptian army general, illustrating Oyakhilome’s claim that God’s work is accomplished by the Spirit, not political or human power.
- Oyakhilome recounts resisting the university he sensed he should attend because he feared how friends would judge the choice.
- After delaying a year, he received admission to both his preferred school and the other university, where he had been admitted to study production engineering.
- He says prayer brought conviction to attend the less-preferred school, where he later preached at major student meetings, including one attended by lecturers and the vice chancellor.
- Oyakhilome says that a calling gives meaning to decisions such as education and relationships, and that a person must seek God’s direction rather than drift.
- He recalls being told that many people live and die without discovering why they were born, calling purpose the key to a meaningful life.
- Using Luke 9:62, he warns that anyone distracted from the work God planned is unfit for the kingdom, and urges listeners to fight to keep their focus.
- Oyakhilome reads Jeremiah 29:11 from the King James Version, Contemporary English Version, and New Living Translation to emphasize God’s plans for a future and hope.
- He argues that purpose creates passion and gives people something to live and work for each day.
- He cites missionary Mary Slessor’s work against the killing of twins and physician Albert Schweitzer’s service among people with leprosy as examples of lives shaped by purpose.
- Oyakhilome contrasts choosing a career only for job security or money with serving people through a purposeful vocation.
- Referring to John 4:34 to 38, he describes Jesus’ harvest as ready and says those who gather people for eternal life receive wages from God.
- He urges listeners to direct any profession, trade, or area of interest toward winning souls rather than being attracted by worldly rewards.
- Oyakhilome warns that some people abandon ministry after asking God for permission to pursue personal plans, including settling family concerns by their own methods.
- He says following the Spirit’s direction can initially create conflict at home, and calls for conviction rather than retreat when relatives oppose a calling.
- He recounts continuing campus meetings despite a vice chancellor’s initial objection, then urges listeners to encourage themselves in the Lord as David did before pursuing and recovering what he had lost.
- He closes by promising that God sees sacrifices made for the gospel, encourages wholehearted service without looking back, and returns to Jesus’ submission in Gethsemane.
Transcript excerpt
0:00 There's something about a calling. There's something about it when God calls you. God will never force you to do what he's called you to do. He will allow anybody anything to try to talk to you and talk you out of it and GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE YOUR MIND. GOD GIVES YOU THE opportunity to change your mind. He doesn't stop you. Always he gives you ample opportunity to change your mind.
0:47 Even Jesus Jesus knew he was supposed to die for us. Jesus knew the will of the Father. Yet the Father GAVE HIM ENOUGH OPPORTUNITY TO change his mind. Look at the Garden of Gethsemane. When he prayed, Jesus had the chance to change his mind. So much SO THAT HE PRAYED THE FATHER if the Father too would change his mind. But then he said "Not my will, but your will." He submitted his will to the will of the Father. That's where you win. When you give your will to the will of the Father. That's where you win. That was where Jesus won.
1:33 >> Welcome to Word with Pastor Chris, where the study of God's Word brings encouragement, wisdom, and strength to those who receive it. As we explore this message, may our faith be renewed, our hearts be encouraged, and our understanding of God's truth be stronger. Amen. Let's get started. >> The biggest battle that Jesus faced was not with Satan. It was with himself. It was WHEN GOD GAVE HIM THE chance to change his mind. That was his biggest battle. Not with Satan. With Satan, all he needed was to speak the word. But then in Gethsemane, the Bible says
2:24 sweat came out of his body like great drops of blood. The tension was high. This was the REAL BONAFIDE
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Summary, takeaways, and chapters were generated by AI from the video's transcript and may contain errors. The video belongs to its creator, WORDS WITH PASTOR CHRIS.