The Prayer meeting was again very good. These days I just prepare the sermon and pray.I give ample room to God to do what He wants to do. The holy adventure makes my heart tremble with excitement. I feel like I am the pastor and also the congregation. I am not in charge. The Holy Spirit is in charge. Thank God! The brethren shared testimonies. A brother who plays the keyboard in our church for almost 20 years bought a land to build his first house. God provided all the money in bulk just thru a supply business he received thru a phone call. Yes, we shall have testimonies of encounters with Jehovah Jireh. More to come…We praised God and then the message came…

The Roman Catholic introduced the idea that wealth and pleasure is sinful. Many believed this doctrine and became monks. They gave up their earthy possessions and made covenants of celibacy and poverty. On the other extreme, the world ‘preaches’ materialism. The truth is that wealth is not sinful but it can be potentially dangerous for the soul. We need the Holy Spirit to navigate in these troubled waters to arrive at the Truth! Holy Spirit come!

The parable of the shrewd servant (Luke 16) is not easy to understand. Many get confused by reading it. Jesus intended it for His disciples but the Pharisees were listening too. On the surface, it seems that our Lord praises a deceitful man. But this is not what He says. Thru this story, our Lord tells us to be wise with our temporary resources on earth and to use them to gain spiritual eternal gains. Wealth, resources (money) can be used in three ways: Spend it; save it or invest it. This is divine wisdom for us the believers. Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you to understand!

This is a story about investments. A rich man had a steward who was in charge of his goods. The word ‘steward’ means a house manager, a treasurer, a servant who is in charge of his master finances. His master’s check book is with him. He buys provisions for the home and deals with the master’s clients. It is a position of trust. He was possibly a former slave who was set free and now he works for his master

One day the rich man hears that his manager was wasteful with his property. This word ‘waste’ is the same as with the prodigal son. He calls him to give an account for his job is terminated. Immediately the steward thinks of a plan so that he can benefit even in the absence of his job. He knows that his present situation is terrible. But he can do something so that his future is secure. He calls his master’s debtors and he reduces the amount they owe to the master. It seems like his master was a whole sale trader and many people buy from him to sell retail. The steward blesses these men by reducing their debt. He knows that they will be grateful and will remain his friends for life. Favor is repaid with favor. He cheats his master to gain favor with men. He knows that he can end homeless. He cannot ask his master for a good recommendation so that he can have another job like this. He cannot do hard labor. He is too ashamed to beg in the streets. By blessing his master’s debtors, he secures for himself a place to stay in the future, a home, a family and the fellowship of friends.

Why does Jesus commend this deceitful man? Not because he was cheating his master. But because he uses what he got at the present to invest in a better future. Jesus said that this man was shrewd. He knew that he has a limited time to use the master’s resources. The wealth and position will eventually ‘fail’ him. He could have wasted his few hours at the office in weeping for his loss, or begging to stay. Even in the crisis he did not give up. He found a plan to gain something for the future. He sponsored his future dreams. He invested in his hope.

Jesus says that we should invest wisely. In the world, investment is defined as spending or devoting money for future advantages. Having this in mind, men open savings accounts in the banks. They also buy shares in good companies so that later the interest will be added to their capital. In the world, there is always a risk when investing, for the value of money or the shares may fall. The only safe place to invest your life, your money, your dreams and all is in the Kingdom of God!!! Selah!!! This is the prophecy given by Isaiah and fulfilled in Christ:

“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end” (Isaiah 9)

The only place to invest where there is no risk is in the Kingdom of heaven. Its Government authority, its peace and prosperity shall know no end. This is because of its eternal ‘increase’. In Hebrew, the word ‘increase’ it means interest on capital, the greatest part of a whole. This ‘increase’ shall have ‘no end’. It means that the interest on your capital is limitless. No man or demon can cut it off. The word ‘government’ means an empire, a royal kingdom, a monarchy that will always prevail. The word translated ‘peace’ is shalom. It means perfection, safety from enemies, good health, prosperity, favor and friendships.

For example, when I place 100 naira in the offering basket, having faith that it is God’s, this is a deposit in my heavenly account. The interest on the money shall increase forever. Until Jesus comes all my descendants shall benefit from it. ‘The Bank’ called the Kingdom of heaven will never lose capital or interest. My deposits shall be fruitful and increase forever. I say that it pays to serve the Lord! Does this sound too strange for you to believe? But as for me and my household, we believe God’s Word and we serve the Lord! Can I hear a loud AMEN?

In Christ I declare:
Jesus is my Savior, Lord and the Owner of my Bank!
I invest in the Kingdom of God!
My interest on capital will increase v forever!
God said it! I believe it! It settles it!
To the glory of God!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“All at once he followed her,  like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose, till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life” (PV 7:22, 23).

Who is the victim of such a crazy woman? The man is described as a simpleton, a foolish man or ‘a youth who has no sense’. Please, remember this: Sin makes no sense at all. You try to describe it, you try to explain it, but at last, you find no words for it. You never know why men fall into its snare, what attracts them to go down to hell.

This man was walking in the evening towards her house. That is the wrong time to go out and the wrong direction to go to. ‘The steps of a righteous man are directed by God” (Ps 37:23). But this is a man who has lost any sense of danger. The devil is in charge of his feet. Like a fly, he goes straight into the prepared net of the spider. The woman comes ready for her client. She is ready and prepared, experienced and skillful. She has the words, the dressing and the actions. The ‘programed’ kiss is there to seal the contract. The promise of free sex is offered. Even religion is added so his conscience is not troubled. The devil tells you that God does not mind if you sin. The husband is not at home… The devil will tell you that sin is safe and all is well. But then, this is the sad end of a promising young man… The tragedy that he is ignorant of his future… He behaves like an animal, an ox, a deer or a bird trapped in the snare…This is the end of the story. Fornication kills! Adultery kills! Pornography kills your soul!

What is the solution? Flee fornication! Run away from danger! Be prudent! Be wise! Go to Jesus! Pray! Pray! Pray! Call the name of Jesus! The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run there and they are safe!

The Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross for the remissions of sins has greater power than any addiction of hell. The name of Jesus is stronger than any other name. Do warfare! Pray for yourself, your husband and your children. Fornication is not normal! Pornography is not normal. Adultery is not normal. These are the games provide by the devil! These are terrible sins that destroy your soul, your body and your destiny. God loves you! I who write this letter, I love you too, for Christ’ sake who saved my soul. Please consider these words and come back from darkness. God is waiting for you. Son, Daughter, come home…

In Christ I declare:

My feet are directed by the Lord!

I do not live by sight but by faith in Jesus Christ!

I submit to God and to the delegated authority God placed over me!

I obey my leaders, my pastors who feed my spirit and have to answer for my soul!

I resist the devil and he will flee from me!

I have no business with fornicators!

I am free from sin by the grace of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me” (Micah 7:8)

Your enemy was deceived to think he has won the battle. God allowed him to be deceived. He has prepared the ‘victory party’. He has hopes that you will become a nobody, a loser, a thing of the past. But he wrong 100%! His wickedness has encouraged him all these years. But he has a false hope that will be cut off.
God is with you even in the trials, suffering, loneliness and all. God will vindicate you at last. Soon it shall be seen that you are a child of God, prince of the Kingdom, a child of light! The powers of darkness tried to capture you but failed for they can never comprehend or hold the glory shine. Your fall was only temporary, to slow you, to humble you so that God can freely bless you above your dreams.
The enemy’s laughter will freeze on his lips. After all these things, he will vow never to attack a child of God!
Your story has not ended. The best is yet to come. Your life is in God’s hands! Your labor on earth shall be rewarded. Wait and see what the Lord will do for you, in you and thru you! Men will say: “God has done great things for this one!”
Jesus is Lord!

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children;

Pay attention to the words of my mouth:

Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,

Do not stray into her paths;

For she has cast down many wounded,

And all who were slain by her were strong men” (PV 7:24-26)

What is the power of sexual sin? It is the attraction and promises of pleasure. The adulterous woman described here is wayward in behavior but sweet in speech. She is rebellious by nature. She obeys no law except her own perverted desires. She submits to none except to the demonic voice in her head. She behaves erratic and looks crazy at times. But she is a good entertainer. That is why men admire her, for her ‘freedom of speech and action’. She uses flattery with ease. She lies with no guilt at all. She is a mistress of romance, a lover of shadows and forbidding love. She makes the present look attractive, covering up the future which dwells in death. There is no hope with her. She is a restless traveler; ‘her feet do not stay at home’. The temptation of sexual sins is more common than you think. It is everywhere, ‘in the streets and in the squares’. Jezebel is ‘dressed like a prostitute’ who advertises her trade. Most of the fashion houses all over the world are under her control.

(I hope you know that there is a great difference in the appearance of people, between the dressing of a godly woman and one who is successful in the sexual trade. I just felt adding that…)

What is the solution then? Come to Jesus! Cling to the Cross! Surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ! Do not just pretend! You may deceive many people! You may deceive your spouse, your friends and your pastor! You may even try to deceive yourself. But you cannot deceive God. And you have to meet this un-deceivable God one day. There is a final judgment one day. Why not make today a decision to live for God, to serve God. Then you shall have peace in your heart, joy in your soul and health in your body. Some people fear that if you become born again you shall be poor and you shall not enjoy life. That is a lie from hell. True prosperity, peace and joy is found only in God’s presence. Please receive these words!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I resist and reject any evil spirit of sexual lust!

I come out from among the worldly crowd!

I touch no unclean thing!

I purify myself from anything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God!

I am a holy vessel prepared for my Master’s use!

God Almighty is my Heavenly Father!

Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Lord!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

“Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both’ (PV 27:3)

To provoke it means to wound you with words, to excite your anger. Fools hate your God’s presence with you. They hate your rest and peace. They want to scatter your happiness. They hate when you ignore them. They want you to over- react, to become frustrated. In particular, they love to attack the believers. Fools desire to see you react in flesh and then regret it. They want you to backslide. When you become bitter with God and men, they feel good. When you make mistakes they rejoice for they are champions of destruction.

Do not excuse foolishness! Fools are not ‘innocent and mild’ sinners. When ‘the fool says in his heart that there is no God’ he denies all things pertaining to God and the Bible. They ignore and oppose the Word of God, the Kingdom of God, the servants of God, the Holy Spirit, even the very presence of God that gives them breath. The fools care nothing about cursing, slander or mocking all God’s children. They cause much harm thru their selfish, deadly words. Their main weapon is their mouth; they hurt and destroy the faith of many with their bitter words.

Do not underestimate a fool’s mouth…Do not think that a fool is funny…Do not laugh at their ‘jokes’ for you may be the next victim. Make no friends with fools! Do not marry a fool!

My Testimony…

Maybe you ask, dear reader, how is it that I know so much about foolishness? This is because once upon a time I was the greatest fool myself. I was an atheist until I became 32 years old. I believed in the Big Bang and Darwin’s theory. I too said in my heart and even with my lips: ‘there is no God’…I said that heaven and hell are the imaginations of men…I said that prayer is a waste of time…I said that faith is the deception of the illiterates and ‘religion, the opium of the masses’…I mocked the faith of the Christians and ignored their efforts’ to save’ me…I was a confirmed atheist, as many of my people in Romania, where I was born…These lies were injected into my mind since I was a child… Unbelief was my religion and doubt, my philosophy…

Until the day I became born again…that holy moment when mercy was poured on my head (I can’t think of it and not weep…)… when the true and real grace of God was manifested to my wretched soul…I gave my life to Jesus Christ…I died to sin and to the world… I now no longer live; it is Christ living in me… Christ became my wisdom, foolishness was removed; faith came in, peace and joy followed…O, blessed salvation human words cannot describe…Since then abiding fruits followed to the glory of God!

’Amazing Grace, how sweet thy sound, that saved a wretch like me…I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind, but now I see…’

Lord Jesus, I am forever grateful! To You alone be all the glory! I worship You at Your throne…”

In Christ I declare:

It is my greatest privilege and honor to openly confess that I am a child of God!

I am sure of my eternal salvation! No fool can provoke me enough to deny it!

Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Lord!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“My son…. Keep my commands and you will live…Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?” (PV 5:20; 7:1)

If you feel uncomfortable reading about sexual sins it means you need help. Do not suffer in silence! Ask Help from God! Sexual sin is a terribly expensive pleasure. This is the truth revealed in the Bible: If you are a child of God, a true believer in Christ and you commit sin, you will not lose your salvation. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus and His Blood shed on the Cross, your soul is saved eternally. But if you fall into sin there are many blessings you shall lose. Sin is sin but there is a difference between an unconverted sinner and a redeemed sinner. According to the Bible, a man is either a saint or a sinner.  A Christian does not continue, does not abide in sin for a life time. Sooner or later he will feel bad, repent and come back to His Father. A saved man may fall into sin, may backslide for a while but in his heart he hates sin and desires to repent. But an unbeliever, just like a pig lying in the mud, lives in sin continuously without the fear of God. Are you saved?

What do you lose if as a Christian, you commit sexual sins?

*Your honor, dignity and reputation; your beauty, anointing and your glorious testimony as a child of God.

*Your time; you waste opportunities to serve God; your ministry will be seriously damaged

*Your wealth; you lose the ability to be wise, to make money, to be fruitful, strong and prosperous.

*Your health; you lose your strength, sleep and appetite for food

*Your fellowship with God the Holy Spirit, the joy and assurance of your salvation

If you believe that for every act of fornication the devil will charge you one million dollars, will you still do it? But the truth is that the devil wants more than your money. He wants your soul, your peace and joy!

Lesson! Sexual sins and the love of money are still the basic tools the devil is using to make Christians fall.  Watch and pray! Stay close to God! Be satisfied with the gift of God. Be jealous about your testimony as a servant of God. Covetous, ungrateful, prodigal and rebellious people become foolish and reckless. They end in adultery and waste their lives. This is a wise question God is asking you:  “Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?” If you want to be ‘intoxicated’ then be filled with the Holy Spirit! That is a clean pleasure with no side effects, shame or regrets! Be drunk with the Spirit and you shall be free!

“And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit” (Eph 5:18)

My testimony…

Long ago I prayed that the Holy Spirit will destroy the center of sexual lust and covetousness in my flesh. God answered my prayer! The Cross worked its deep final work in my flesh! It was painful but very effective. My heart became holy. I am still praying that God will perfect His work in me. But I really feel clean and free. I am able to connect with all human beings without the interference of lust or covetousness. The devil has really failed in my heart. This victory is possible! Pray and trust God for the best He has for you! I made a covenant with God that by His grace and power I will never love or desire anything that He has not given to me as a gift. It is the same advice I give to my children.  I always pray to love the things God loves and to hate sin like He does!

“Dear Heavenly Father, please grant us the desire to live according to Your Word and to be like Jesus! In Jesus name, Amen! All glory to You alone!”

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jam 4:7)

We had a wonderful Holy Communion service this morning. Just before taking the Bread and the Wine I shared a testimony with the congregation. Some time ago a young woman from the church (I can’t call her ‘sister’ because she is not born again, just religious) said she wants to see me. She had a dream and saw me lying in a coffin. Most of the people who come to my office they have needs, they need prayer or counsel. But this woman was different. Immediately she told me her dream I felt the doors of my spirit shutting off, just like the emergency trap of a ship that takes water. I knew she was an agent of the devil.

I had just a second to prepare my attitude and my answer. I felt supernaturally calm and strong. I knew that if I keep quiet she will interpret it as weakness. So I said to her: “Do you want the contract to buy my coffin?” I could see her eyes…for few seconds she thought of it…maybe she can make some money out of this… but then she said “No, Ma’…” May the Holy Spirit be in charge of your attitude, reflexes and responses in case of evil attack!

By the Holy Spirit I discerned the demon motivating her. Sure of the truth, I was ready to attack. I lifted the shield of faith with my left hand so my heart is covered… No unnecessary emotions… With the right hand I lifted the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Looking straight in her eyes and speaking to the demon controlling her I quietly but firmly said: “you are a liar!” Immediately she drew back two steps. She lost her ‘cool’ and started fretting. I said to her: “go now!” She was very happy to run away. This is the truth: If I had allowed the lie to penetrate my spirit even for a second, that could have done damage to me. Lies are spiritual arrows soaked in poison. This is how many get sick with depression, anxiety and many other ailments doctors are not able to treat. Do not allow the devil to have even a foothold in your mind!

We took the Holy Communion and did spiritual warfare. We prayed against the evil spirits of Pharaoh and his magicians; against the spirits of false prophets, witchcraft; intimidation, and the fear of untimely death. We remembered our Lord! He said that we should take the bread and wine in remembrance of Him! We did that. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow! The children of Israel were not better than the Egyptians. But they escaped death during the Passover night because they had faith in God and in His Word. The Blood of the Lamb covered their homes. In the same way the Blood of Jesus covers us today! We reminded ourselves that the victory is sure! Jesus paid it all on the Cross of Calvary! Jesus died so that we may live! Our Lord said: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Lk 10:18). Satan can never rise! He will fall forever!

Lastly, we started singing: “There is power, power wonder working power in the Blood of the Lamb…”

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord! (Ps 118:17)

Let God arise and my enemies be scattered! (Ps 68:1)

My victory is sure!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

ON THE MOUNTAIN GOD SHALL PROVIDE (3)

“And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (Gen 22:14)

The prayer meeting was very good. We praised God with singing and dancing. Then brethren shared testimonies of God’s miraculous intervention in their lives. This is just one: Sister O who is 14 years old was told by the doctors more than two years ago that she has glaucoma and she will be blind in about 6 months. Yesterday she went to see her eye doctor having complaining that she does not see well. She thought that the power of her lenses became too weak for her. The doctor examined her. To her surprise he said that her sight is improving and he reduced the power of her lenses. That is a miracle. We continue to pray for her.

Then the message came:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt 6:19-24)

Our Lord gives us instructions as we prepared to have an encounter with Jehovah Jireh. Jesus says that there are two treasures: one on earth and one in heaven. He counsels us not to store on earth because the wealth here is good but temporary. Many things can destroy the treasure here. He commands us to store it in heaven. Yes, Jesus wants us to store wealth in heaven. He does not want us to scatter our blessings, but to gather them, to store them.

If you are a child of God then your Father has opened an account for you in heaven. Let me say this… This account is not for God. Read again! It is ‘for yourselves’. How do I pay in my account in heaven? By using my resources (money, time, gifts etc) for the increase of the Kingdom of God! I cannot carry cash with me when I die. The deposits must be done now, while I live on earth. For example, if I use 100 Naira to buy groundnuts and eat them, that is good. But tomorrow I will be hungry again. But if I place 100 Naira in the offering basket, as an offering to God, it has a greater value. The reward for that will be paid in my heavenly account. It is the same me and the same amount, but different values!

You need to change the way you think. You need to have faith in the Word of God. Then it will not be hard for you to increase your true eternal riches. Your heart will be in heaven where your treasure is. As thieves cannot break into your heavenly account no devil can break your heart. This is the secret why some people are spiritually and emotionally strong. No devil can break their heart for it is un-reachable and un-breakable.

There are also two sets of eyes. The bad eye is the covetous eye, the jealous eye. Because of that, the body, mind and emotions are filed with darkness, with fear and ignorance. For as long as you covet other people’s property and you want to compete with them, you shall not be able to encounter Jehovah Jireh. You may only meet the devil, the wicked prince of darkness. This is the best advice for you: Repent of covetousness! Tell God that you are grateful with His provision for you. Then God will come and meet with you. He will answer your prayers and provide for all your needs, even much more than you imagine!

Finally, there are two masters: God and Mammon. In other words, there are two gods: God Almighty and the devil. Tonight, we made a vow that no matter how much God will bless us we shall only worship Jehovah Jireh, the Giver and not the gifts. God is our God forever! Money is our servant, never a master, never a god.

Now you are ready to move on, to draw closer to God…arms open wide…we receive your package from above…prosperity without sorrow…Lord, we shall surely testify of your supernatural provision, goodness, power and love…we decided to seek the Kingdom of God…all other things shall follow…The Holy Spirit came as a blanket of encouragement and hope, enveloping us. It is so easy to believe even impossible things when God is so near…Thank You Lord for Your sweet presence. You are all we need…the glory covers and we can only worship…

YOUR WILL BE DONE IN MY LIFE
“I thank You Father for the revelation of Your will and plan for my daily life as I see it in Your Word. Your perfect will, not mine, be done in my life! Your plan for me is good and not evil, to give me a glorious hope and a joyful future! I trust all Your promises! I reject doubt!
I thank You for Your will for my life today is to be filled with the Holy Spirit! Your will for my life is to manifest Your fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! This is Your will for me. It shall come to pass for all to see!

ONE MORE POWERFUL THAN I
The greatest miracle of all is to become a child of God! The next supernatural blessing is to become filled with the Holy Spirit, to receive power to be a witness for the Lord. It is the greatest privilege to serve God, to do ministry, to be a pastor or a teacher of the Word. It is also a great responsibility to be a father (mother) in Christ, a mentor, a role model to others. Children imitate their parents, what they see and what they hear. No man is an island. We influence others to be better or worse. May God use us for more, for His glory and for the encouragement of others!
This is a letter from a brother who attends our church. He got married not too long ago. His wife was attending another church before their marriage. She was born again but not Spirit filled. She came to see me. She had some complains. I told her all she needs is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then the miracle happened. The heavens opened…The Holy Spirit filled her to overflow. She is now so much better, loving God, hungry for His Word. Her face shines with the glory of God. She is a better wife and mother. To God be all the glory!

“For your ways are in full view of the Lord and He examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly” (PV 5:20-23)

The church cannot save a soul. Religion cannot change his heart. If you see a religious man addicted to a particular sin and unable to be delivered, it means he is ‘wicked’. In other words he is an unbeliever. For the believer has real help, the power of the Holy Spirit. He prays in the name of Jesus and he can be set free from any sin. But the unbeliever uses the power of his flesh trying to be free. That is a losing battle. According to the Bible, an unbeliever is a wicked man. Everything he does is wicked. Even his so called prayer is offensive to God. The wicked deeds are the very cords that ‘ensnare’ his soul. It is a trap of the devil forcing his victim to commit more evil.

An unbeliever is not only wicked but also a rebellious fool. Without Christ he will perish for ‘lack of discipline’. In Hebrew this word means chastisement, warning, instruction, restrain, correction, rebuke or instruction according to correct doctrine. Without the chastisement of God the wicked shall go astray. The proud man shall be misled. He will make many mistakes, becoming deceived and deceiving others. Intoxicated with his foolishness, ignorant of the truth, he will wander into more danger and disgrace.

Tonight I worship God…looking back, I discover that it is so easy to go astray! This evening I thank God for His Fatherly love, for chastising me, for blocking my way when I wanted to backslide, for using people to rebuke me for my pride, for my loveless attitude and my dangerous fears…I thank God especially for my husband, who is also my pastor, who pointed out to me my faults as a wife, as a woman of God, and patiently corrected me…I thank God for my children who helped me to see my weaknesses as a mother and help me to improve…I even thank God for my enemies who were hard enough on me. They made me cry but my tears washed the dirt of confusion and the slime of fear…I thank God for the Holy Spirit who did not allow me to go too far in my foolishness …Yes, this is a thanksgiving night for me…To God be all the glory!

Do you know the story of Cinderella? I hope you do for it is one of my favorite children’ story. She was a princess. Her mother died and her father re-married. Her step mother hated Cinderella and punished her daily. She was to stay at home, clean the house, cook and labor like a slave. Her step sisters had fancy clothes and they could go out to the parties. Cinderella was humble, well behaved and beautiful. Her sisters were spoiled, proud, lazy, rude and ugly. One day, the king of that domain announced that he will open the gates of his palace for a great royal party. His son, the prince, was looking for a bride and all the young girls were invited to attend it. The step mother made the decision: only she and her daughters will go to the king’s palace. Cinderella will stay at home. To increase her labor she poured a sack of rice on the floor and added sand to it. She told Cinderella that if she is able to clean the rice, she can go to the party too. This was an impossible task. To make it even more difficult, Cinderella did not even have nice clothes. Then a miracle happens. The angel of God intervenes. Supernaturally Cinderella’s labor was done in seconds. Beautiful clothes and a golden carriage fit for a princess appear at the door. That is how Cinderella goes to the party. She wins the heart of the prince and they get married. Her step mother and her daughters are disappointed and totally defeated. This is a long story made short…

Spiritually speaking, the devil attacks the godly, the faithful and the humble believers. The devil has no mercy, no patience and no kindness. You may be overwhelmed with hard labor and discouragement. You may feel depressed and not appreciated. The main source of this attack is the evil spirit of religion, called Jezebel. Her agents are lovers of money, proud, rude, lazy and morally corrupted. These people (men or women) have some authority over you. They can be your spouse, your boss, political leaders, bank managers, relatives or friends. They love to oppress you. They frustrate your life with impossible demands. They are never satisfied with your labors. They never see anything good in you, they discourage you. They are fault finders. They will ‘add sand to the rice’ and ask you to clean it. If you beg for mercy they will only mock you…If you weep in their presence, they will only be happy…

What can you do, child of God? First of all, remember God! Do not panic! Also, do not be distracted! Have faith in God’s Word! Be strong and courageous! Just like with Cinderella, pray for God to come down and help you. He knows your pain and He knows your address. God is faithful! Pray! Pray! Pray! You need a miracle! Do not make the mistake to fight using your own natural wisdom or power. You need the Holy Spirit to fight your battles. Then you will surely win.

The lesson from Cinderella’ story is this: It is not she who laughs first that will rejoice at last! It is not she who loves money that will be promoted! It is not she who goes to the party that will marry the prince! God is not unjust to forget all your labor of love for Him! The Royal Bride is chosen from among the children of God. Boaz married Ruth! Xerxes married Esther! God calls you ‘My beloved’!  Do not fear what men will do! God’s favor is with you! That is all that you need! Trust the Almighty God who alone knows the end from the beginning! Jesus is the Owner of your life and the Director of your love story! None can delete your destined testimony! Let your light shine before men… I am hearing the heavenly music…Put on your dancing shoes…Let the miracle happen…

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

My horn is exalted in the Lord.

I smile at my enemies,

Because I rejoice in Your salvation.

“No one is holy like the Lord,

For there is none besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God.

The Lord makes poor and makes rich;

He brings low and lifts up.

He raises the poor from the dust

And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,

To set them among princes

And make them inherit the throne of glory” (1Samuel 2)

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I and my family we are blessed!

I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God!

My enemies are defeated!

God is with me so my victory is sure!

I will never be disappointed!

I shall testify of God’s goodness and mercy in my life!

My ashes have become my beauty!

God has vindicated me! For His glory!

I am now happy…

In Jesus name,

Amen!

PRAISE REPORT

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6)

Faith is the breath and the oxygen of the Christian. Faith is an intimate relationship with the Truth, with the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom). Biblical faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is Truth, the Word made flesh. Not all religious faiths are acceptable or pleasing to God. The ‘pleasing faith’ is the total trust of the born again believer in God the Father, who was pleased to allow all His fullness to dwell in His Son (Col 1:19).  You need to be pleased with what God is pleased. Out of that organic unity, true faith in God matures in the believer and shall produce expected fruit. God rewards any person who desires to meet with Him, to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. God is a Rewarder! To reward it means that God will pay back for all your efforts, expenses and losses incurred in the process of seeking Him!

This is a true testimony I just heard it today, at the end of the Sunday service.

A sister came to my office late last year. She, her husband and children attended a ‘white garments’ church for many years (this is a cult, a non-Biblical ‘church’). Her parents are saved and they continued to pray for them. About a year ago, they decided to come to our church. Immediately they saw the light of God and became saved. She told me that they live far away. That the only car they have is used by her husband. That she wants to come to weekly church activities and even to be involved in a ministry. She said that she cannot come because of lack of ‘transport’. Then I asked her: “What will you do if God gives you a car?” She said that she will give God all the glory and she promises to become a usher in the church. Then I quoted Hebrews 1:6. I told her that if she is serious with God, she should take a step of faith and become an usher even without a car. I assured her that God rewards people who sacrifice in seeking Him. She got excited and accepted the challenge. We then prayed. I told her that God will give her a new car that consumes very little fuel. That she will not work for that car. That someone will bring the keys of that car to her as a gift from God. Since then she has been faithful as an usher, coming to weekly activities with her 3 little children using public transport.

At the end of today’s service she came and told me that God has answered the prayer of 6 months ago. This is the story: Her husband is involved in local politics. Yesterday he went to the party’s rally in a village. The leader took the microphone and announced that some people will be rewarded for their hard labor in the party. He called their names. Her husband was surprised to hear his name. He went to the podium and they gave him a new Japanese car (in Nigeria we called it ‘tear-rubber’). He cried and worshipped God. He drove home with the new car. He did not tell his wife about it, so it will be a surprise. He came into the house and gave her the keys of the car. He promised to register it in her name so that she can come to church with the children. To God be all the glory!

May your faith in Jehovah Jireh increase! Believe that God exists and that He will reward your labor of love as you seek and serve Him! Do not seek money, cars or fame. Seek Jesus Christ in whom the fullness of God the Father dwells. Work for God. Pay the price for ministry. Seek God until you find Him. This is the promise of God: He that trusts in God shall not be disappointed! God will reward your faith and pay with much more than you expect!

This is our God!

In Christ I declare:

I trust in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

Faith 100%! Doubt 0%!

My faith in God shall be rewarded!

I shall not be disappointed!

To God be all the glory!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (Gen 22:14)

We reminded ourselves of the prophetic word given last week: “You shall go up the mountain of God and you shall encounter Jehovah Jireh!” We made some progress drawing closer to God. We expect that God appreciates our faith and efforts and shall draw closer to us!
The prayer meeting was very strong today. Recently, the number of people who attend our church has increased. We need more wisdom and a higher anointing to fill all the needy, empty vessels. I was a little worried this evening if the oil will be enough. That was a mistake, to worry myself. The oil started flowing and it did not stop even after we closed the meeting. I love it when the brethren go home filled to the brim, with joy overflow, enough to give others who were left behind. I just love to do ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit!
We praised God! We declared that the name of Jesus is above every other name. All other ‘names’ who had any claim to our emotions, all idols, fancy or not, are all disgraced and ran away. I love to boast of my Lord’s exploits in our midst. I love Jesus! Then the message came. Basically we reminded ourselves that God is the Owner of His creation and we are His stewards or servants. Simply, but profound…No confusion…The Truth will set you free!

JEHOVAH JIREH IS THE OWNER OF ALL CREATION
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters” (Ps 24:1, 2)
“The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me” (Lev 25:23)
“Who has a claim against Me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to Me” (Job 41:11)
“Every animal of the forest is Mine and the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every bird in the mountains and the insects in the fields are Mine.
If I were hungry I would not tell you for the world is Mine, and all that is in it” (Ps 50:10-12)
“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Hag 2:8)
“Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Cor 6:19, 20)

God is the owner of the earth. He chose to give the Promised Land to His people. He told them to drive away the Canaanites. He told them to destroy the shrines they see there. Only the owner can decree such. God created and owns all the animals, wild or domesticated. He owns all the insects. The mosquito you just killed belongs to God. The silver and the gold in the ground and in the jewelry shop belong to God. Your body belongs to God too.

THE BASIC RIGHTS OF A PROPERTY OWNER
These are spiritual laws. These are also earthly laws. God is the ultimate Owner. He gives you some of His property to own in His name. If you own property, you have the right to do the following with it:
*Possess it
Possessing property basically means intentionally exercising physical control over it. If you own real property, you have the right to occupy the land and the structures on it.
*Use it
Property has value because the owner can use it somehow. You can use real property all sorts of ways, such as building things on it, keeping personal property on it, and doing whatever you want to do — eating, sleeping…
*Exclude others from it
You are the owner of the property. The problem is that others want to possess and use the same things like you. As a result, the property would become useless to you. Excluding others is really what makes it your property. If you can’t exclude others from using a thing, it probably shouldn’t be called your property.
*Transfer it to someone else
You can choose to whom you can give your property in a written contract or in a will. You can lend it to anyone you like but you are still the owner.

If you are a child of God, then you are God’s steward or servant in charge of a part of God’s property entrusted to you. You have to be faithful to your master. You shall give an account to God of the way you managed His property entrusted in your care. You may know these things in your head, but you need to know them deep in your spirit. You need to apply them in all decisions you make. Your prayers should reflect them. Your dreams should absorb them. You need to live a life depending on God, recognizing His total rights as the Creator, Savior, Owner, Judge and Lord over your life. Mistakes happen when we forget these basic revelations. Today, humbled by the truth, we stood in awe at God’s mercy and grace to us. To God be all the glory!

In Christ I declare:
God, Jehovah Jireh is the Owner of all creation and of my life as well!
My body was bought with a price, with the Blood of Jesus! I belong to Jesus!
My husband, children, grandchildren and all I possess belong to Jesus!
I am glad I belong to Jesus, I belong to Jesus, I belong to my Lord… (singing)
To God be all the glory
In Jesus name
Amen!

We’ve just finished our Women Fellowship. This month all of us we fast and pray. This was a wonderful idea, to start the New Year well. We pray that the unbelievers in our church will become saved. We pray that the believers will become spiritually mature. The prayer meeting was very good. Many women came; the married and the single. This evening we had a record attendance. We came to God with Thanksgiving. Then we did warfare against the evil spirit of Jezebel. It was very powerful. Below is the message.

“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave” (PV 5:3-5)

Sexual sin is always connected with the sin of rebellion. Rebellion is as witchcraft (1 Sam 15:23). Adultery creates soul ties that are difficult to break. You become a slave to the devil. You may need deliverance. Ask for help! Do not rest until you are free, body soul and spirit! Jezebel will boldly tell you to ignore the commands of God. She will tell you that your body is your property, to do what you want with it. That you can sleep anywhere you want, that you can have sex for money or abortions at will. By this she ignores the truth that says your body belongs to Jesus, was bought you with a price. That contract was sealed at the Cross.

“I (Jesus Christ) gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality” (Rev 2:21)

Basically you will know her by her pride, stubbornness and hatred of true Biblical repentance. She hates to say ‘sorry’. She refuses to repent or be corrected. When she wants to look religious she will ‘repent’ with a fake worldly sorrow that produces more death. Jezebel is not teachable; she can never be a disciple for Jesus.

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death” (2Cor 7:10)

The name ‘Jezebel’ means to be ‘like a virgin’. In the church she pretends to be innocent and pure. She is the mistress of deception. The only way you know that something is wrong is with the passing of time. As you continue to pray, you will observe that ‘old sins’ that should have been repented of long ago are still there. Her victims live a life of constant failure, giving the impression that the Word of God and the Blood of Jesus do not have the power to free from sin. Because of this, many have fallen to the temptation to doubt the Word of God, to believe that Christianity ‘does not work’. Because of her lies, many backslide, thinking that Christianity is a joke or a game of hypocrisy. That is her intent, to make you backslide, to change religion.  She is a liar, a deceiver.

But the truth is that she cannot deceive all the people, all the time. The Holy Spirit will intervene to stop the wave of evil. Watch and pray. Child of God, be encouraged! Jezebel is strong but God is stronger! In spite of all these evil attacks and against all odds, you shall not die, but live in the light of the Word of God! You shall make progress for all to see! This will become your precious testimony as a faithful servant of Christ!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I do not live in sin!

I am a sinner saved by the grace of God, thru faith in the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross!

I reject any connection I ever had with Jezebel!

If I fall, I quickly repent of any known sin!

I watch and pray!

I live in the light of God’s Word and I am led by the Holy Spirit!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

“The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived” (Nu 21:8, 9)

The people of God became ‘impatient’ with the long travels in the desert. Then they started complaining against God and His servant, Moses. In particular they expressed their hatred for God’s choice of food for them. They called the Angel’s bread, manna ‘miserable food’.

God chastised them. He sent venomous snakes among them. Many were bitten and died painful deaths. Humbled, the people went to Moses to ask for forgiveness and to intercede for them. God answered his prayer for mercy and told Moses what to do. He was to make a bronze snake and out it on a pole. Anyone who looks at that manufactured impaled bronze snake shall live. Anyone who refuses to look shall die!

God uses the desert as a class room. God is the Teacher. He teaches His people that the devil is a created being. God created the devil. Thru this picture God shows them that the devil can never be equal with Himself, Elohim, the Creator. Two times God tells Moses ‘to make’ a bronze snake and ‘to put it on a pole’.

In Hebrew, the word ‘make’ means to do, to execute, to govern, to prepare, to provide, to hinder, to finish, to war against it, to work upon or to use for something. The word ‘put on’ means to determine, to appoint, to impute, to lay down or lay-up, a particular place for a particular purpose or to overturn the work of another.
Many hundreds of years later, Hezekiah King of Judah broke the bronze snake because the people worshiped it as an idol (2Kg 18:4)

From these words you can see that the devil is part of God’s creation. It is God who created all things for His purpose. The right of the Creator is to destroy what He wants to destroy. None can argue with that. The pole represents the Cross, raised on Calvary Hill, a particular place for a particular purpose. On that Cross Jesus said: It is finished!

This is the Gospel we preach: Our Lord, a sinless sacrifice, died on the Cross for our sins. He became sin so that His righteousness may be imputed upon us. He said that the snake that Moses made and set up is a symbol of His death and the power released at the Cross (Jn 3). He promised that He will die and rise again. He did! If you look at the Cross and with the eyes of the Spirit you see Christ crucified then you shall become born again, you shall live eternally. This is the truth: The devil is not the sovereign God! He is a created being. The Holy Spirit will reveal to you that the devil has being judged and found guilty as ‘a murderer from the beginning’. There is no redemption for the devil. Do not be afraid of the devil. Fear not the evil spirit of fear! The devil is a loser!

Stop grumbling against God and His ways with you! Do not be impatient! Stop grumbling against your pastor! This rebellious way of life will only increase your sorrows! Change your focus! Do not look to men for your deliverance! Look unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith! Look at the Cross! Look long, patiently and repentantly, until the Holy Spirit will change your heart! There is Power in the Blood of Jesus! You shall see the price Love has paid for the salvation of your soul!

MY TESTIMONY
You shall weep and repent…to repent is not easy…but at last you shall be saved, healed and set free! This is the promise of God! I am a witness that it is so! The snake of unbelief bit me and I was dying…no mercy, no peace… Then I looked up and saw that the devil, my former master was ‘made and set up’. I changed my allegiance. I gave my life to Christ. Now Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord! Thru faith in His Blood I became saved and free. I now serve God! I preach the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected! You too, look to Jesus and be saved! The miracle of eternal life shall be your portion! Look and live!!!

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I am a sinner saved by the grace of God!
I reject every form of rebellion, pride, impatience and grumbling!
I have overcome the devil by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony!
I am a witness for Jesus Christ to the end of the world!
I have tasted God and declare that He is good!
I am saved, healed and delivered!
I have eternal life!
To the glory of God!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Mt 9:14-17)

Fasting in the New Testament is not a specific command. God does not tell us specifically when or how to fast. The Holy Spirit must lead even in this area. Fasting is a spiritual exercise that has great benefits. It is a willing sacrifice, connected with prayer. It is not enough to admire people who fast and pray. You need to do it yourself to discover the value and reward of this, often forgotten, treasure. This is a good question: Why do we fast? This is the answer: To seek God afresh, to draw closer to Him.

The disciples of John the Baptist were a little confused seeing that the disciples of Jesus do not fast like them. The Christians seem to be worldlier than the religious Pharisees who fasted, prayed and tithed even their herbs. Our Lord explained to them the secret of true fasting in the Kingdom of God. When the King is in the midst of His people, happy and strong, with the Bride at His side, there is no need for the guests to fast. Just rejoice! There are times when prayer is easy. You just speak to the Lord directly and share in His joy. But if the King is ‘taken away’, His friends will miss Him, desire Him. Their longing to see His face again will lead them to fast and pray. They will not stop until He comes back and revives their spirits. The Cross always precedes the latter Joy!

Simply said, fasting is eating less food than usual. Fasting is a sign of mourning. Without food, your flesh ‘dies’. Surprisingly, your spirit gets stronger. Like the first flowers at springtime, pushing thru the snow, your spirit will break thru the spiritual slumber. Fasting brings revival; refreshes and encourages you spiritually. It is done in ‘secret’, for the King’s pleasure alone. God acknowledges and rewards your sacrifice with answer to prayers, healing, deliverance, increased anointing and greater intimacy in fellowship with Him.

Our Lord gives us two pictures: the new patch on an old garment and the new wine in old skins. These show us the difference between the old and the new, between religion and the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the King of kings. He brings a new way of serving God, full of power, mercy and joy. For the first time we see that religious rules and regulations are dangerous and dead. For example, Jesus touches a leper and heals him. In the Old Testament whoever touches a leper becomes unclean and disqualified for ministry. But Jesus reverses the flow and makes the man clean. This is the drama of Holiness on earth. But the religious leaders misunderstand and hate Jesus.

This is another example: When Jesus went to the house of Jairus, the flute players were already there. These are hired people to sing sad songs during burials. But Jesus sends them away. No need for weeping, fasting or mournful songs. The King is here, Eternal Life is here and the miracles will abound. Jesus touches the girl. She comes back to life. Immediately the fasting changes into a feast. The song of mourning becomes the song of joy. Weeping in the night is replaced by joy in the morning.
This is God’s promise: They who fast and pray for revival shall rejoice! Even so come Lord Jesus…

In Christ I declare:
God has heard my prayer!
My fasting shall be rewarded!
Revival shall come!
I reject religious spirits!
I am filled with the Holy Spirit!
Miracles of life are my portion!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.

Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it” (PV 2:16-22)

Please study the direction of your relationships. Is your friend taking you higher or lower? “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (PV 12:26). You may not discover the secret of your new ‘friend’ at the first meeting. Pray for wisdom and be patient. Sooner or later you shall know the secret of his heart and the inclination of the way your friendship shall go. The men who followed the strange woman to the end of the road will be spiritually kidnapped and arrested. Her house is a prison and a cemetery, well protected by lions and sharks. Once inside, there is no escape. There is no mercy or hope for her prisoners. Jezebel’s only tenants there are loneliness, fear, depression, tragedy, nightmares and death. Her house is beautiful from outside, but inside, she hosts dinner parties for the leaders of secret cults, crime gangsters and occult champions. Her house is the gangrene of the city and the infected sore of the nations.

Please note this: The stronghold of deception shall be completely destroyed by God. The price for revival includes demolition and destruction of Jezebel’s death chamber. There is no other way for revival to come. Free from the curse of sin and death, the righteous shall shine like the sun. Healed and delivered, the remnant of grace shall forever abide under the canopy of holiness.

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God! I completely reject the evil spirit of Jezebel! I destroy any influence she had over my life in the past! All my friends must pass thru the filter of approval of the Holy Spirit!

I plead the Blood of Jesus over my life, my marriage, the work of my hands and my ministry. Jesus died for me, to set me free from the power, shame and guilt of sin. Therefore I am free, and free indeed!

Revival shall come to Warri, Nigeria! The evil men shall be uprooted from this land! I am not afraid! I am strong and courageous! I shall live in the land! The Light of God will shine in the midst of darkness! To the glory of God!

In Jesus name,

Amen!