In order to make any form of movement you need clarity; if you cannot see well then movement becomes restricted. Genesis 8:5 says “The water decreased steadily until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains became visible.” In this 10^th month, God will move everything obstructing your vision and your vision will become brighter and clearer in Jesus name.   Whatever will impede or disrupt your movement will be uprooted because you are going in the direction of winners 'toward a better condition or higher level' Welcome to the tenth month of the year "October: Onward & Upward".....Deut: 28:1-“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord THY GOD WILL SET THEE ON HIGH above all nations of the earth:” May God set you on high and elevate you above all struggles and limitations. The Lord will lead you away from whatever will bring you down in Jesus name. He will move you onward and upward and never again will you experience stagnation in Jesus name.

From Deut.28:1, we see that complete obedience to God's instructions leads to divine lifting and as we read this passage further from verse 2-14, it enumerates what happens when our obedience is complete. It is interesting to note that anyone can move onward BUT not everyone can move upward. Upward movement is not synonymous with career progression or affluence though those in the secular will make us believe it is important if you want to be ‘upwardly mobile’ but in the kingdom, it is all about fulfilling purpose. In Genesis 37-42, we see a young man who moved not only onward but also upward. His life paints the picture of what awaits us when we yield totally to God's instructions even when it is difficult to do so. This young man (Joseph) had every reason to be bitter and angry with God or go against God but he chose not to. Imagine moving from being a pampered son dressed in a coat of many colours to being framed for rape and eventually landing in prison yet in all of these he never forgot God, he refused to be frustrated and his reward? He became a PRIME MINISTER in Egypt! No matter what life throws at you, do not give room to 'what could have been or should have been' the onward and upward life never looks back; it is a life of no regrets with the inner conviction that everything will work together in the end (Rom.8:28). May all your supposedly disappointment and regrets lead to greatness in Jesus name. Joseph said to his brothers, “you meant evil against me but God meant it for my good (Gen.50:20) I pray that every evil perpetrated against you will become your stepping stone to the fulfilment of your destiny in Jesus name.

Those who will move onward and upward must be outstanding and be able to stand out from the crowd because the crowd can hinder your movement. Joseph experienced 'crowds' while on his onward and upward journey, these included his brothers and Potiphar’s wife but because he was more focused on making it he did not allow the crowd to mislead him. He was a man running with a clearly defined vision. You don’t have to do what others are doing because they are not going in the direction you are headed. They will try and lure you like Potiphar’s wife did; they will pick up offences with you for no reason like Joseph’s brothers did to him but you have a vital role to play if you want to be lifted beyond your current level. Never lose sight of your destination and don’t you ever give in to the devil (whatever the method he chooses to come).   Another area that will assist you in your upward journey is  your gifts; Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams and it is this gift that moved him from where he was to where God ordained him to be. Beloved you too have got something special, there is a gift inside of you, 1 Pet.4:10 says, “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received serve one.” Your gift is not meant for you alone, it is meant to bless humanity. Until you use whatever God deposited in you to bless others you cannot move onward and upward.  Joseph’s gift was a blessing to others even while he was in prison. How have you been utilising your gifts? Prov. 18:16 says “A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Joseph a mere prisoner stood before Pharaoh and brought solution to Pharaoh’s problems. His gifts made way for him to occupy a prestigious position in a foreign land In the name above all names, your gifts will make room for you; your gifts will give you a voice and your gifts will take you onward and upward in Jesus name.

Onward and upward movement comes from extensive study of the word of God and spending time with God in worship and in the place of prayer and ensuring nothing ruins your relationship with God in form of sin and the likes. It comes from being diligent and going that extra mile, Joseph did not stop being diligent because he was a slave or in prison even in that unpalatable circumstance, the bible referred to Joseph as a prosperous man and the house of Potiphar benefited tremendously because Joseph was there (Gen.39:2-5). Of course let’s not forget God’s favour; it is perhaps the most important in onward and upward movement.  You cannot move forward in life without God's favour. Gen.39:21- But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. All that we have highlighted above will come if God is with you. God can only be with you if you have given your life to Him. Have you surrendered all to him yet? If you have not, please do so and let His presence envelope you and move you higher. May God accompany you all the way on your journey to greatness. You are lifted! Onward & Upward EVER in Jesus priceless name. Shalom.