Wisdom For 2026 — Word And Fire by Pastor Jerry Eze: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

The Theme of This Year — Build

From Luke 14:28-30 — For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it? Lest, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, this man began to build and was not able to finish.

If you were asked to give a theme to these three verses, one of the things that would come to mind is: building. A certain man came to build. And Jesus asks: would you not first sit down and count the cost?

Number one: you are in this year to build. Never forget this — I am in this year to build. Build capacity. Build a stronger prayer life. Build a family that loves Jesus. Build a ministry God will be proud of. Build a career the devil cannot bring down. Build a business that will be world class. Build what has never been built by anyone. Build wisdom, intellect, appearance, and communication.

Even Jesus said: I am able to pull down this temple and I can rebuild it in three days. The scripture speaks to you and says: building up yourselves in your most holy faith. The central thing to know is: I came to build. I did not come to complain. I did not come to criticise. I did not come here to feel bad about what did not work last year. I came to build.

The devil is a liar. What he thought he brought down, he is not ready for how God will use you to rebuild it. The Bible says they that be of you shall build the old waste places. You came to rebuild the reputation the devil stole from you. You came to build back a prayer fire that was lost. You came to build something that other people will copy. You came to build something that will become the envy of a generation.

For saviors shall arise out of Zion — walking with a mindset: I came to build. You are going to build your son. You are going to build your daughter. You are going to build family members.

Intention vs Capacity

Jesus explained something very powerful: intention and capacity. If they do not have a meeting point, the result is zero.

• I want to build a tower — that is the intention.
• However, I need to sit down and ask myself whether I have sufficient — that is the capacity check.

Intention is not enough. This generation will not respect your intention. Nobody transacts in the market of destiny with intention. Nobody remembers your good intention when the chips are down — they are looking for your result.

Sit down and say to God: Lord, give me strength for my intention. Give me access for my intention. Give me grace for my intention. Give me capacity for my intention. Don't just run with your intention. Don't imagine your intention is enough. Jesus said: which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first and counted the cost whether he has sufficient to finish it?

Have the Picture of Your Tower

This man that wants to build a tower already has a picture of what he wants to build. Even though the tower has not yet become a reality, he has already arrived at his destination before the building. Somewhere in his mind he has fashioned a tower — he knows what it will look like, how high it will be, what it is for.

It is an error to walk into a year without a picture of how it will end for you. Write the vision. Make it plain. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above what you can ask or think. Let nobody tell you that you are daydreaming — get the picture of this year clear.

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Pastor Jerry Eze

Streams of Joy International, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

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This is that year when heads of nations will need your services. This is that year where you will leave the struggling stage in your career and arrive at a place called peace. This is that year of unrivalled ideas. This is that year that what has never happened before will happen through your life.

Guard Your Mind for Your Picture

Your heart and mind are where your intentions are housed. The reason why you will not let lust invade your mind is that you need your mind for your picture. The reason why quarrel, unforgiveness, and envy cannot take space in your mind is that you need that mind to walk your destiny.

Philippians 4 says: whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report — if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.

You limit the productive potential of your mind when you use it to process negativity instead of creativity. There is a useless demonic boardroom meeting that goes on in some people's heads — lust is talking, envy is talking, jealousy is talking. Tell them: the meeting is over. The chairman of the board — the carrier of my destiny — we have had this meeting enough. It ends up keeping my mind dirty, blocking what God wants to do, taking me back to where I ought not to be.

Proverbs 4:23 — Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it come the issues of life.

There are Josephs here, but God is saying: your heart is too clogged. The interpretation that God gave Joseph — how many times has he given some of you those signals? But your processes of thought kept interrupting the divine signal. Because your heart is like a market square — too many things are talking.

Foundation Is Not Enough — Don't Leave It There

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He said: lest, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it. Foundation is good — but it is not enough. You are a person on assignment. Foundation is not enough.

• Some of you have a strong prayer foundation — don't leave it there. Jack it up. Raise the bar. Don't seek your comfort zone.
• Skills you already have are foundational — up the game. Do an online course. Try harder things. Try something a bit difficult.
• If you are born again, you love the Lord, you are passionate — you have gotten the foundation. This is a year to serve. Lord, I am going to serve in your house. I am done being a bench-warmer.

You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you. Give the best of yourself. People that are relevant don't stop at the foundation — they keep building. Don't stop at what you are used to.

Build What Will Protect You

Build what will protect you. Never build what will destroy you.

Some people have built relationships that drag them down like a millstone around their neck. Others have seen relationships that accelerate them but never built on them — because they came too easily and were treated cheaply.

• Build on what will preserve you.
• Build on what will accelerate you.
• Don't be distracted by the noises of those who are passing by and forget the voices of those who have come to stay.
• Whatever you built that will not protect your future — tear it down.

Not everything and everyone you build with will be there when it matters. For some people, you are just a means to an end. But there are those who first see you as a person — someone to build together with. This year, always ask: will what I am about to build protect me?

The Mockers Are Watching

He says: all that behold it begin to mock him — this man began to build and was not able to finish. People are watching. There are those waiting to mock. But there are also those who are rooting for you, praying for you, believing you will do well.

When you finish well, some will celebrate you. Don't give those that want to mock you the privilege of opening their mouths — because of where God has situated you. Everyone is watching. Finish what you started. Don't leave it at the foundation.

Build what will protect you. Don't stop building.