The ANAN Experience Group

Lately, I’ve been reminded that walking in God’s plan often involves intentionally getting closer to those who don’t yet know Him not to compromise, but to be a living reflection of His love and truth. It’s easy to stay comfortable around fellow believers, but God’s heart is for the lost. He desires that none should perish, and sometimes He sends us into unfamiliar spaces to be that light.

Jesus did the same He sat with tax collectors, spoke with outcasts, and loved those the world rejected. If we’re truly following His lead, we’ll find ourselves in places where our faith is the only sermon someone might hear.

Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” May we never shy away from shining brightly, even when it’s uncomfortable. Let’s continue to grow, not just for ourselves, but so others can meet Jesus through us. 🙏🔥

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

This verse has been resonating with me deeply this week. It’s a reminder that even in moments when our faith feels small or our prayers feel limited, God’s power is still beyond measure working within us and exceeding our expectations. 🔥

Sometimes, the breakthrough isn't in our plans but in trusting that God's capacity far outweighs our own. I'm learning to surrender my limitations and believe for immeasurably more. 🙏🏽

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Misconception About Being the Lost One

Did the Shepherd carelessly leave the ninety-nine in an unsafe place to go find His lost “favorite” sheep? I believe the Shepherd first placed the ninety-nine in a safe location before going to look for the one. To the Shepherd, the hundred are simply one hundred “ones” (1x100).

I used to think the Shepherd would have taken the remaining ninety-nine home before going out to search for the one. But it seems He doesn’t take any sheep home until they are all complete (2 Peter 3:9; John 18:9).

Hopefully, the wolves hadn’t gotten to the one before it was found by the Shepherd. If the lost one was still alive, it would have stories to tell—and as the saying goes, “What the eyes saw, the mouth won’t be able to say.” The found one would surely testify about the goodness of the Shepherd and the dangers of wandering without Him.

My question is: where did the Shepherd leave the ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness—or did He? How safe were the ninety-nine if they weren’t taken home?

What do you agree or disagree with? What are your thoughts?

Lately, God has been teaching me about the power of faith in His timing. It’s easy to think that because something hasn’t happened yet, God is silent or distant. But I’ve come to understand that it doesn’t take God hours, days, or even years to answer our prayers He can change everything in a moment.

The waiting isn't about God's delay, it's about building my faith and trust. Faith reminds me that even when I can’t see it, He’s working. And more importantly, His timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t match mine. I’m learning to rest, trust, and believe that what He has planned is worth the wait. 🙏❤️

This week, the Lord has highlighted the importance of always staying connected to God and being aligned in the place of prayer. That God said 'go' last week does not mean that the instruction is still 'go' today. Today, the instruction may be 'wait'.

Apostle Paul was ordained to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15-16). He was called out and sent on that assignment (Acts 13:2) and that was the 'go' he received.

Then we see that the instruction he received in Acts 13 was different from the instruction he received three chapters after that, in Acts 16.

This highlights the importance of staying connected to God in devotion for the next steps. This is how we avoid errors on seemingly right journeys.

The seven spirits in chap 4:5 sent me on a bible study. I learnt that based on isa 11:2-3 & John 14:26, the seven spirits are manifestations/workings/offices of the Holy spirit. Chap 4 put me in a meditative and worshipping mood all week. Like I always say, there is no Elohim like my Elohim. Peace out.

Hello Oluwatofunmi,

This is an excellent question. I will answer this question in two parts - first, within the context of the scripture you quoted, and then I will answer the question outside of the context of the scripture. The reason I’m doing this is because we should not take a verse of the Bible and use it to explain something else, it won’t be the best way to interpret the Scripture in itself. However, we can still get answers to your questions by looking at other scriptures say about it.

In context, when you read John 3 from verse 22 to the end of that chapter, we see a dispute. John’s disciples had issues with the fact that Jesus was having more disciples. Then they come to ask John what he thinks about that, and his response is verse 27, 'a man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.' He further explains what he means in verse 28 - "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him." To summarize that bit, what he meant was that his ministry to baptize people unto repentance came from heaven, and since Jesus also came from God, they were on the same side and his ministry was to point to Christ. Therefore, now that Christ has come, his ministry must decrease so that Christ can increase (John 3:30). To buttress this point, see the question Jesus asked the priests and elders in Matthew 21:25, 'The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?' Comparing both scriptures, we can confirm that John was referring to his ministry of baptism.

Now, to the second part, outside of the context of the scripture you quoted but to answer the question. Yes, God gives. Yes, the devil also gives. The Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). On the other hand, the devil only gives evil - lies (John 8:44), disobedience (Genesis 3:1-6), the gratification of the deeds of the flesh (James 1:14, Galatians 5:19-21), false doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1), spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), and so on. The gifts of the devil are against the Word of God and will do us no good.

While it is important to know these vices of the devil and not be ignorant about them (2 Corinthians 2:11), it is also important not to glorify and focus on them. We should rather keep our gaze on God and His Word. The Bible says that we should walk in the Spirit and we will not fulfill the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

Finally, it does not matter what the devil does, there is nothing that happens to us that God does not know about. In the end, this is the testimony of the believer - that all things work together for our good because we are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Even if we make mistakes, God is able to cause our mistakes to work in our favour.

This is so profound! Truly, faith in Jesus and His unchanging character brings wholeness. Thank you for sharing this insight!

🙏🙏🙏