Monthly Archives: August 2013
ENJOY YOUR LIFE!
In Christ I declare:
THE MOUNTAIN IN THE SEA
THE CROSS MY HOME
WISE SAYINGS
“If I finish without my family, I do not finish…
Most pastors quit right before harvest…
God is all about fulfilling HIS vision…”
(Pastor Shawn Lovejoy, at a church conference, 2012)
Press on to the fullness of Christ!!!
A PROPHET’S REWARD
“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Mt 10:41)
The Lord Jesus says that anyone who receives a prophet recognizing the prophetic mantle upon him, that person shall receive a prophet’s reward. The word ‘receive’ is not a superficial word. People can receive a gift and throw it in the trash-can a minute later. That receiving is only temporary. Here we are told about receiving a prophet, not as an ordinary man in need of shelter, not as a poor visitor or as a stranger, but as the messenger of your God. It is said that the greatest honor you can give to any man is to receive his words, to obey his teaching. The Lord Jesus was training His disciples to go and preach the Gospel. He warned them that most people will refuse to listen to them. They should be prepared to continue to preach even in the face of many rejections. A prophet is not received by his natural family. Rejection from parents, siblings or children is one of the highest forms of grief. These are trials of faith to humble us in preparation for ministry. Success, especially if it comes too early, is a dangerous snare. But the Lord encourages us by saying that along the lonely way of life and ministry there shall always be people who will welcome us as we carry the prophetic mantle to the nations.Even when all hope seems lost, we shall meet people who will receive us for who we really are. They shall also accept the Gospel we preach. They will not argue or resist the truth.
Receiving a true prophet means receiving His Lord. If any man says he is a believer in Jesus and refuses to accept His messengers, that man may still be deceived and in bondage to empty religion. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev). Each time I see Jesus in someone’s eyes, each time I hear the voice of many waters during the new song of worship, each time I hold a hand and touch the stars and the scars…Boldly, I receive the words from lips of clay and tongues of fire…And I have peace…
In Christ I declare:
I trust in God and in His prophets!
I receive God’s messengers!
I love to give water to God’s prophets!
My reward is increasing daily!
In Jesus name,
Amen!
VICTORY IS POSSIBLE!
“Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1Cor 6:18)
The story of Joseph is full of wonderful lessons of life. He successfully resisted the seducing spirits in Potiphar’s wife. It is possible to overcome trials, especially sexual temptations. The unbelievers accept defeat even before the attack comes. They do not believe that God has provided a way of escape for them in the mist of trials. In the wild, most animals do not fight back when the lion attacks them. His size and roar paralyzes them and they faint with fear. That is how unbelievers behave. But it is not so with Joseph and with the true believers.
First of all we see that it was not his choice to be in a place where he can be tempted. Joseph is not like the foolish youth who ‘lacks judgment’ and goes down the street, in the evening, towards a place where prostitutes sell their bodies. That street goes downwards to hell. Many men have perished in its dark spirals of sin and death (PV 7). As for Joseph, it was not his choice to live in Egypt, in the house of the powerful Potiphar. He was betrayed and sold as a slave by his own brothers. Potiphar liked him and bought him with money. Joseph could have been like any slave, no freedom, no future and no joy. But in the house of his master he proved to be a unique man of godly character, faithful, humble and wise. God was with him and He gave him success in all things. Soon, Potiphar gave him responsibility over the entire household. Then the lion attacked. He obeyed the command to ‘flee fornication’. That landed him in prison for the life. Joseph was not yet a free man when he was promoted to the highest position any man, slave or free, could have. After many nights of silent tears, he came to a place of authority, honor, comfort and peace. What was his secret? He cultivated the presence of God! God was with him thru all the trials of life. ‘The anointing will teach you all things…’ that is the promise of God (1Jn 2:27). His faith in God gave him wisdom much above his years.
This is a great lesson for all: A wise man is a strong man! A strong man is a successful man! Selah!
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I obey God’s commandments!
God shall reward me according to His promise!
I flee fornication!
I serve the only Living God!
I daily pray for wisdom from God!
I am strong and successful!
My life is a testimony of God’s grace!
To God be all the glory!
In Jesus name, Amen!
SWEET DREAMS
THE OPEN HOME OF WORSHIP AND WISDOM
LOVING EACH OTHER
(by Richard Steele, 1672-1729)
“This is both the husband’s (Col. 3:19) and the wife’s duty (Tit. 2:4). Love is the great reason and comfort of marriage. This love is not merely romance, but genuine and constant affection and care for each other “fervently with a pure heart” (1 Pet. 1:22).
Marital love cannot be based on beauty or wealth, for these are passing, and not even on piety, for that may decay. It must be based upon God’s command which never changes. The marriage vow obliges “for better or for worse,” and married persons ought to consider their own spouses the best in the world for them.
Marital love must be durable, lasting even after death has severed the bond (Prov. 31:12). This true-hearted love brings true content and comfort in its train. It guards against adultery and jealousy. It prevents or lessens family trouble. Without it, the marriage is like a bone out of joint. There is pain until true holy love is restored”
May this be your portion, in Jesus name,
Amen!
‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
(by Louisa M. Stead, 1882)
The story behind the song:
According to the story: It was a beautiful sunny day. Louisa M. Stead, her husband, and her daughter Lily, decided to go for a picnic. They went picnicing on Long Island Sound. While having their picnic, the Steads heard a scream. It was from a young boy. Mr. Stead ran to the rescue. Louisa Stead and young Lily watched helplessly as Mr. Stead and the boy drowned. Their troubles were not over yet, however, and without her husband, Mrs. Stead became very poor and destitute.Yet God never left her. He provided for her always and she and her daughter made it through. Louisa learned to trust God, and thus the words to the song ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.’ Shortly after this incident, Louisa and her daughter Lily moved to South Africa where they became missionaries. The song is included in many hymnals and has been recorded by many artists.
BLESSINGS FROM DAUGHTER TO MOTHER…
(Our daughter has graciously and willingly volunteered to gather the many articles and letters I wrote… into a book to be printed and released before January 2014. Please pray for the strength and for the resources for the two of us. Thank you all and God bless)
“Dear Malia,
It is almost 10pm and in the last few hours, all I’ve done is work on
the book. There were so many times I just started shouting out to the
Lord. I had many Selah moments. I journeyed with Rahab and so enjoyed
her story. I openly spoke declarations and sometimes went back again.
The Holy Spirit filled my room like a sweet fragrance as I read it. Tears filled my eyes when I read the entry were God Ran! Who am I that He should run to me…
I’m motivated. My back may hurt, but I change positions, I stretch, I
pray… I say, I’m doing this as unto the Lord so this back of mine,
this neck, they must comply. My body will listen to my spirit. And my
spirit will overcome. And let me say that I am happy for my
accomplishment today! God is faithful! I’m overwhelmed because I feel
His love.
There are many things I don’t know. Like in the meeting today. They
spoke of many things beyond my understanding. In the past my heart
will shake thinking oh how will I cope. Today, I was a confident
lioness. I just sat there as if I have a big secret… because I do! I
worked on the book even while they were talking… that is confidence,
no fear. This is because I feel like I have a personal contract from
the Biggest Boss in the universe. No one can intimidate me. I am
blessed. My marriage is blessed, my finances are blessed, my work is
blessed, my future is blessed. To God be the glory.
I write all these things to encourage you. Just in the time of editing
this book, God has empowered me. I feel strong, confident, blessed! I
don’t consider it to be a chore, but a reaping. I am excited! As we
move on, I feel the wind blowing on me, encouraging me. The finish
line is within my vision and I expect to meet God there too as He is
with us on the journey. You are blessed Mother! God has used you. He
is using you. And He will continue to use you. I am so proud to be
your daughter, your partner, your friend. May God bless you even more,
with all the desires of your heart. I believe!
Love,
Jimmi
DEFEATED DEAD DRUNKARD
“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement…And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues…
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
(Rev 17:6; 18:4, 20)
There is a high rank evil spirit called ‘the queen of heaven’ or ‘the spirits of Jezebel’. This is a religious stronghold in many churches. It deceives men to live in a false confidence of salvation. For as long as you are ignorant of the existence and the strategy of this evil spirit, you cannot have peace and you cannot prosper. Even if you go to church, give offerings, pay your tithes, pray and fast, you still remain under her spell and wicked bondage. What is the solution?
First of all pray that the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to see the root of your problems. The only solution is repentance and deliverance. Come back to the Cross of Christ, back to the simplicity and purity of Christ, radically removing all forms of deception and religious entertainment in your worship. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you are to identify, repent and renounce all hypocrisy and wickedness from the heart. Do not be sorry for the devil! Do not be sorry for any idol! Destroy anything that competes with God in your heart!
No man involved in the sin of idolatry can ever prosper. Sooner or later, the mercy of God, His covering over that person is removed, leaving him exposed and vulnerable to the devil to attack and defeat. The curses of disobedience and rebellion are too many: chronic, often incurable sicknesses, both mental and physical; anxiety and confusion; unhappy marriages that end in divorce, wayward children, bondage, failure, frustration with work, general unhappiness and restlessness all year round… (Deuteronomy 28)
Every form of religious deception and entertainment in the church, is the product of false doctrines of devils, is the worship of the so called ‘queen of heaven’. Every form of sexual immorality in the church is a form of worship of this wicked demon. That is why sexual immorality among the Christians is so difficult to defeat, because it is not just a sexual addiction but a stronghold of false worship and idolatry.
Listen: Jezebel is a wicked power of darkness, a religious demon who rules in the heavenly realms. You need to prepare your mind for battle. She hinders prayers, intercession and the true worship of God; she kills the prophets and sheds innocent blood. She desires to have your heart so that you worship her. She hates God and wants to compete with Him in your heart. The Bible calls her a Criminal and the Mother of all spiritual prostitutes, of them that forsake God to give themselves to idolatry. She was over confident of her reign over the bodies and souls of men. She boasted of her eternal throne. She was deceived and many followed her in her deception. But the hour of judgment has come. The proud Queen who claimed heaven for herself has been judged by the True King of Heaven. We are to rejoice that her reign is ended and her victims are set free (Rev 17-19). The Holy Spirit has to open your eyes to see the victory of the Lamb and the vision of true worship in the church. Then believers shall be mature, they shall grow in the grace and in knowledge of Jesus Christ, producing fruits for God’s glory!.
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God! I am born again and Spirit filled!
I hate and reject sin and any form of idolatry!
Jesus died on the Cross to set me free from the bondage of empty religion!
I have eternal life!
I totally destroy the stronghold of Jezebel in my life, my home and my church!
Let all her victims and prisoners be free!
I rejoice in the victory of the Lamb!
I will forever worship only the King of Kings!
In Jesus name,
Amen!
WISE SAYINGS
“The two greatest days in a man’s life are these: the day when he was born and the day when he discovers the purpose of why he was born” (Anonymous)
Be born again!
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST!
MY TREASURE
ALL MY HAPPINESS IS FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE!
SECRET SERVICE
“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed…Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God” (1Cor 4:1-5)
The wisdom of God is unsearchable and His peace beyond understanding. God cannot be totally understood. That is why He is God. The only revelation of God Jehovah available to men is in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The impartation of this revelation comes only thru the Holy Spirit. No other man or spirit can reveal the truth of God to others.
A mystery is a secret thing that cannot be understood just by human reasoning and cannot be fully explained. A mystery needs the revelation of God to become useful to men. The secret things belong to God and only that which is revealed (by Him) become ‘the property’ of men to whom it has come. Then they can truly obey the Word of God. This blessed revelation is the divine royal stamp and a family inheritance. The children of the faithful servants of God are blessed together with their parents (Deut 29:29; PV 25:2).
All children of God ‘know God’. This knowledge is eternal life. The anointing of the Holy Spirit teaches them all things. But the Apostles and the Prophets are special servants chosen by God as a gift to the Body. We are to consider them as servants of God entrusted by Him with a wonderful treasure called ‘the mysteries of Christ’. The Holy Spirit opens their understanding more than to others. They see the truth below the surface, the deep things that are hidden in the Word of God.
God’s glory is connected with this mystery, so that He cannot be fully understood or controlled by His creation. It is God’s decree that some men will have a greater spiritual understating of His Person and Purpose. It is the highest privilege to be called by God to share in His deep secrets. These men cannot call themselves to such a holy office. They have to be called by God Himself. The rest of us we are to acknowledge their anointing and honor God’s sovereign choice.
The basic requirement for these men is to remain faithful to the God who has entrusted them with the mysteries of His Kingdom. No matter what they know, they are to keep silent until God opens their mouth to speak. Also, no matter the consequences, they are to speak the truth in love when commanded to do so. They are not to betray the King by privately revealing His secrets to ‘personal friends’ interested in religious gossip. That will grieve the Holy Spirit and ‘dry’ the flow of the anointing.
Be totally faithful to God who called you to be His servant!
Do not be quick in drawing conclusions when it comes to the secrets of God! Wait for the Holy Spirit!
He that called you to be His servant must bring to light the revelation of the secret things!
God who gave you the secret has to approve the hour of public revelation to men!
Do not use human understanding in preaching Christ Crucified!
Do not be impatient in the ministry of prophetic counseling!
If in doubt, do not move, do not talk!
Sooner or later, the green light of faith shall come with power, the approval and the pleasure of God! Then your speech shall become utterance from above, the hammer that breaks the rocks and the fire than burns which no man can resist!
All to the glory of God!
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I am a servant of Christ!
I am a member of the royal priesthood of believers!
I am faithful to God who called me to be His servant!
Help me, God!
In Jesus name,
Amen!
STAND OR FALL?
They are both interested to hear the Word of God. Both of them go to church, pray and preach. But the next step reveals the quality of their foundations. The wise man applies the Word of God in his practical life. He reads and studies the Bible with the desire to give God the glory by his changed character. The Word of God penetrates deep into his spirit where it germinates and produces fruit. For the wise man the Word of God is bread and not chewing gum. It is living water to drink and not just a shower. It is medicine to heal and not just a bleaching cream. His flesh may resist the change but slowly, faithfully, he allows the Word to dominate his thinking and his life style. His repentance from sin is deep. He makes no allowance for backsliding. He takes his cross and dies to sinful choices daily. The power of resurrection becomes the dominant factor in his life. Others see this new emerging wisdom, maturity and stable character. His humility is attractive because it is real. He is interested to please God first of all. He is ready to ignore the stares of men or their worldly counsel. He pays the price for holiness and desires to be like Jesus. His body is a willing living sacrifice that the Holy Spirit fills daily with the unmistakable fragrance of Jesus. His marriage is strong, growing and beautiful. His wife and children have a real fellowship with God and with each other. Each activity is done in the presence of God. Jesus is the Lord of their home. The unity of the Spirit is faithfully kept: The husband loves- the wife submits and the children obey! Each problem is referred to the Rock, to Jesus Christ and His word. They are not shy about their allegiance to the Lamb. That is a home that nothing can destroy. There is not attack designed by hell that can shake this marriage, this family. During the terrible attacks from the outside, the peace that passes all understanding proves to be the stamp of success approved by God and man. Oh, that we may desire this type of marriage and home…
SOUL EXAMINATION
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Mt 7:21-23)
Let’s look once more at the words of Jesus. These are the most disturbing words in the Bible. He warns against false security. He says that not everyone who calls Him ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven. This attracts our attention that Christianity is not just a changed speech. It is not just ‘mouth’. Salvation is deeper than just having the correct religious confession, for men can easily imitate what they hear. We are warned that just visible works are not enough to save a soul. Salvation is a miracle of life done in the spirit of man as a result of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. This miracle of salvation is the direct work of the Holy Spirit! No man, no angel, no any other mediator is able to save a soul!
To be truly born again, that is the foundation for life eternal and it can never be replaced with anything else. A child of God produces fruit of light for all to see. It is not just words or works. It is a fundamentally changed character, the testimony of a soul set free from the bondage of sin and death. So many people have entered the church with false hopes. We must preach the Gospel of free grace to all again and again.
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2Cor 13:5)
So the foundation stands: Are you born again? Are you sure that your name is written from the foundation of the world in the Lamb’s Book of life? Has the Holy Spirit convicted you of sin? Did you see yourself at least once in your life time, as a wretched sinner, lost and gone? Did you experience the fear of God descending upon your soul, griping it with pictures of hell? Did you cry like a dying man for a Savior? Have you been to the Cross of Calvary? Have unstoppable tears washed your face and soul? Did you see death face to face, calling you to come to the land of despair? Did the light of life eternal shone on your heart? Are you free from the punishment and shame of sin? Are you sure,that you are sure, that you are sure… that you are saved? Then let’s rejoice together with the angels and saints! It is well with your soul…
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I am saved from the punishment of sin!
I am born again!
I am free!
It is well with my soul!
In Jesus name,
Amen!
SUPERNATURAL SPARKLE AND SONG
“The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty…
The floods lift up their waves…
The Lord on high is mightier
than the noise of many waters…
Holiness adorns Your house,
O Lord, forever” (Ps 93)
In God’s house I am reminded that God reigns! Jesus Christ is Jehovah in flesh! This sure testimony is the foundation on which the church is built. No man can know Jehovah God except thru the revelation given by the second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. No man can know Jesus Christ except thru the revelation granted by the Father, thru the Holy Spirit!
God reigns! This clear statement reminds me that my life has been designed by God. I am not an accident of men. God knew me before I was conceived in my mother’s womb. God wanted me to be born. God has kept me alive for His pleasure and purpose. God loves me! God has called me to Himself, He has justified and glorified me in Christ! What a revelation!
God alone knows my past, present and future. My destiny is not in my hand. My future is not in my neighbor’s hand, and surely not in the power of my enemies. My life is hidden in Christ and in God. I belong to Jesus! I rest in this assurance and in this perfect peace!
The floods represent compound attacks coming against me. For example, a man loses his job, discovers that he has malaria and the girl he proposed to marry leaves him without an explanation. All these happen in the same time. That is a flood. In Hebrew the word ‘flood’ means a river that has burst its banks, flooding the land. Its waters are moving with anger, fast and fearless. The surface of the flowing waters sparkles, like the jewels on the crown of a champion. It looks like nothing will stop its trespassing power and boasting. For a time, all bow to its force…
But suddenly, the God’s voice is heard over the mighty waters…His voice thunders and strikes the flood with flashes of lightnings… The once boastful flood with its cheerful sparkles stops at once. Humbled and defeated, the mighty waters hide underground.
The Holy God takes over His House. The mightier voice of God, His Sparkle and Song is heard freely over the land! Revival is here! God’s throne is of old! The Lord reigns over all!
At the sound of His voice all bow down and cry ‘Holy!’
Jesus Christ is Lord indeed!
In Christ I declare:
God reigns!
My God reigns in my life!
The Holy Spirit has lifted a standard against the evil flood coming towards me!
Even if the earth gives way I am not afraid! For God is with me!
My heavenly Father is King over the flood!
God’s holy sparkle on my forehead is my victory crown!
I will worship God now and forever!
I sparkle supernaturally!
In Jesus name,
Amen!
MY PRAYER
“Dear Lord Jesus, help me to look up to You as I preach the Word to men down below”
In Jesus name, Amen!