This story is to show the power and the authority of the light-house built on the rock! In Christ we have the same power! We are the humble but necessary Light-houses built on the Rock! We warned men on the danger of disobedience and pride. We do not represent ourselves. We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ! We represent the Light of the World and the Rock of Ages! Totally submitted to the Captain of our salvation, we can never lose! Glory to God!

“In U.S. Navel Institute Proceedings, the magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch illustrates the importance of obeying the Laws of the Lighthouse. Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.
Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, “Light, bearing on the starboard bow.”
“Is it steady or moving astern?” the captain called out.
The lookout replied, “Steady, Captain,” which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.
The captain then called to the signalman, “Signal that ship: ‘We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.'”
Back came the signal, “Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees.”
The captain said, “Send: “I’m the captain, change course twenty degrees.'”
“I’m a seaman second-class,” came the reply. “You had better change course twenty degrees.”
By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, “Send: ‘I’m a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.'”
Back came the flashing light, “I’m a lighthouse.”
We changed course”

“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11)

The women’ fellowship was wonderful. Seven sisters testified to the Glory of God, to the shame of the devil and for the encouragement of the brethren.
Sister O said that she was very sick for the past one month. She spent money and time with the doctors but she was still not well. Then the she heard the message called ‘The Sins of the women’. It was about worldliness. The Holy Spirit revealed to her some secret sins. She was trying to solve her problems in the ways of the world. Immediately she repented, she was also healed in her body.
Sister C is a young widow. She said that she lost her husband and best friend. That it is not easy for her and their four children. But she was happy that God answered her prayers to save the husband. Before he died he openly testified in the church about his salvation and deliverance. She said that the Holy Spirit is with her always to encourage and strengthen her. Her daughter got sick and she was to have a surgery. But God intervened and healed her miraculously. In the midst of sorrow, she said that she has found peace.
Sister B testified how her son started working. He was a very sick child, born with a heart problem. He was operated at 6 months. He survived but he was never strong. He is now almost 2 years. The physiotherapist told her that the boy will not work because ‘the damage to the veins of his legs is too great’. They had a second baby who was also born with a heart defect. The baby did not survive. Then she decided to draw closer to God. She started to come to all the church activities. This is how the boy started working, running in fact.
Sister R got married last year. She got pregnant after two months. She had pains and spotting. The doctor did scan and said that it may be ectopic pregnancy. She prayed and called upon God. The next time she went to the doctor, they found the baby in the right position ‘better than expected’.
Sister L had a premature baby with very slim chances of survival. But the baby made it at last. Her older sister has cancer of the bones and is paralyzed for the past two years. The doctors did not believe that she will make it to 2015. But now her sister is much better, has put on weight and standing on hear feet.

“Peter began to be conscious of an irresistible influence. It was greater than anything he had known; more urgent; more definite; an immense longing, and side by side with it, and immense self revelation. He was taken completely by surprise; he had no time to fight against it; he saw himself and he was ashamed. The secrets of his selfish life were dragged to light and they bowed him down till he ached with the burden of them. And all at once he knew that a Hand was help out to him, that there, undreamed of, unexplained, was God, and a chance of heaven.
He did not hesitate. He did not doubt; it was much too real for doubt. The church service on the radio was over; he rose from his chair and went upstairs to his bedroom. There, at his bedside, with a child’s trust, he took the Hand that was offered him and, devoid of faith as he was, prayed that faith might be given him. He knew that his prayer was heard, for an extraordinary sense of gladness came to him; he felt a buoyancy, a gladness, a singing at the heart. His wife looked at him curiously when he went down again, but he could not talk about it yet. It was something too precious for question or argument.
Dear God…the wonder of it! The loving wonder of it!
Thus it was that Peter Rawlings found God in the shadows. Thus it was that God the Builder cleared a site for re-building. And God the Gardner was biding His time, and the sleeping Seed was waiting His Word to awaken”

(These wonderful words are taken from the Book God in the Shadows, by Hugh Redwood. I highly recommend it. It is the autobiographical story of a backslider who came back to God)

This is a letter I received from a young brother in Christ. It is a sample of many similar letters. Many Christian men and women struggle before finding the will of God for them, as they prepare for marriage. Dear child of God, may you be encouraged too! God loves you and He is interested in every details of your life, big or small. Let God’s perfect will be done in your life! Let God be the foundation of your marriage and home! in Jesus name, amen!

“Good morning Mar’, my name is…, Mar’ during the course of my national service at Anambra state, I met a lady who is so independent and God fearing… During our time we spent with each other she opened up her feelings for me that she will like to spend her life time with me. For me, she is someone I also like to be with because I see many things which we can do together. I have not been in any relationship for the past 2 years now, which I said any relationship am going into now is for the course of marriage. But am so afraid Mar! I don’t know if it’s her love that she confesses to me that is making me to love her back, or because of her personality… Each time I make up my mind to move on with her I find some physical discouragement which I know if I should follow physical things I will fail. Please Mar I need advice and prayers on how to go about this matter since we are not so strong now. I don’t want any lady to say I broke her heart. Thanks Mar’…”

This is part of my answer to him:
“This is a simple matter. You need God! Confusion and fear is of the devil. There are only two options, not twenty. This lady is God’s will for you to marry or not. There is no middle ground. Before moving on with any relationship you need to find the will of God in it. To peace, joy and success, God has to be the foundation of any relationship or marriage. It is only with God as foundation that any relationship can last and prosper. Right now, It is not important what you feel or what you do not feel for her. It is not important what she says to you. The physical attraction is important but not over- important. Your first need right now is to find the Will of God in this proposal, for only God knows your future and your destiny. So pray! I do mean to think about prayer, but indeed PRAY! Bring the relationship before God! Place it on the altar of God. You are a child of God! That is the right thing for you to do! After you pray, then WAIT for God to speak, for He will surely speak! God is not the author of confusion but of peace! God hates foolishness but he wants you to be wise in Christ. God does not give us the spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind! Lastly whatever God says, that you shall do! God loves you more than any man or woman loves you! Trust and obey God! Give God all the glory! In Jesus name, amen!”
“So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants” (Eph 5:17)

(If you have any godly advice for this brother in need, just comment bellow. He will read it. Thank you and God bless you)

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Ex 20:3)

An idol is anything and anybody that comes between you and God. Idolatry is forbidding by God.

These are some terrible effects of idolatry:

1-Foolishness and poverty: “Those who make an image, all of them are useless and their precious things shall not profit” (Is 44:9)

2-Sorcery+= rebellion=adultery=idolatry= disappointment: “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away” (Is 57:13)

3-Forsaking grace (and salvation): “Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy and Grace” (Jon 2:8, 9)

4-Destruction and untimely death: “Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.  But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” (1Sam 12:20-25)

Now, compare the impotence and the emptiness of idols with the power and grace of our God, manifested in our Lord, Jesus Christ: The Lord Jesus speaks to the sick men and they get well. He speaks to the storm and the sea becomes calm. He speaks to the Pharisees and they cannot confront Him again. He speaks peace, healing, hope and life. The Lord Jesus sees the crowds and has compassion on them. The Lord Jesus hears the faintest cry of faith. He turns back to heal blind Bartimaeus. He smells the perfume of love reciprocated. He touches the lepers and the blind and He heals them. He walked upon the waters and up on the hill of Calvary carrying His Cross. Jesus is the God we know! Jesus is the God we serve!  Jesus is Lord!

God is a jealous God. He will punish idolatry, if it is done in secret or in the open, in the heart of in the bush. You need to repent of idolatry. Pray that the Holy Spirit reveals the secret idols of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding! You can never know what an idol is to you, except the Holy Spirit reveals that to you. You need to love Jesus Christ more than mother, father, family, friends, success, money and all.   This command cannot be obeyed except by the born again child of God who is filled with the Holy Spirit! Chose now whom do you want to serve? God or idols! It is a choice! May God give you the grace to choose God and reject the useless shameful idols! Come to Jesus! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

This evening in our prayer meeting in the church, there was a clear longing to go closer to God. In the past, when this feeling comes, we are not always able to articulate it in prayer or worship. But this evening God enabled us to come with the right heart and humble attitude. We could use the hunger for God in a good way. The people prayed for more of the Holy Spirit, for more of Jesus. Many had tears on their faces. We sang “I need Thee Lord I need Thee, every hour I need Thee. Bless me now my Savior I come to Thee…” The song went on and on, with music and without music. Something happened in the atmosphere. A grace like oil started pouring from on high. We all remembered the past, as sinners, how Jesus came to save our souls. The Gospel became fresh and sweet again.

Then a prophetic word came from the Holy Spirit! This is the Word: “Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And God answered him: “Pursue: for you shall surely overtake them, and without fail recover all!” (1Sam 30:8). There was such joy to hear the command of God! The victory is sure! Yes, Lord: “We shall pursue! Overtake the enemy and without fail, we shall recover all!” In Jesus name, amen!

GRACE UPON GRACE

I just received a letter from a Christian sister. She and her husband are a young couple. They lost their first born child. God had mercy on them. She just discovered she is pregnant again. Her husband was ‘rough’ in the past and they had a lot of issues in their marriage. But both of them re-dedicated their lives and marriage to Jesus Christ. Since then things have changed into better. She is so happy that she cannot contain her joy. This change in their marriage is the work of God. I live in Nigeria since 1980 so I can say this: most Nigerian men are not romantic or helpful in the house. They will not like to do ‘the woman’s work’. This is the culture. Things are changing but generally to hear a man brining breakfast to his wife in bed… that is very rare (sorry, brothers!)

Amazing grace how sweet thou sound! I always love to see the devil defeated! I am so happy to see the light shining in the darkness and love in action as the gift of God. To God be all the glory! Thank You Lord Jesus!

“Mummyyyyyyyyyyyy,

Good morning Ma! This kind of love God is showing me these days makes me scared. I don’t know how to put it…The first thing I want to say how my husband has changed…He is so good now…Initially I thought that maybe he has gotten a woman pregnant outside the home…I wanted to be angry with his love…But I discovered that he is not tired of the love. He now cares for me and assists me with things in the home. He never did that in the past. He makes breakfast for me while I am still sleeping and comes to dish the food for me in the bed. I don’t understandoooo…He rented a shop for me and he is working on it as if it is his own. He is becoming too much of a husband in every aspect. I prayed and asked God: ‘is that my husband?’

God is faithful. He has provided all we need, and peace on all sides. I just did a test at home. It is positive. I am pregnant Mummy! I am just shouting Jesus Jesus!!! The truth is that I’ve never seen this type of love and peace all my life. Psalm 23 is my Portion right now. I read it daily. God is truly faithful. He promised to change our sorrows into joy. Now I don’t remember my sorrows anymore because life now is too sweet. I never knew that I can enjoy such love from God in my life. I was undone; a sinner saved by grace. Who am I? I am nothing before God. And yet, so full of joy! I don’t know what is happening right now to me…such joy…I can’t wait for my husband to come back home to tell him the good news because this has been his prayer for me, to be pregnant again. I feel like hugging you Ma! Thank you for standing with me all these years! Thank you for making me a stronger woman of God! God bless you Malia!”

“And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (Jn 1:16)

I just received a letter from a beautiful girl in Lagos. I know her since she was a child. She is now 16 years old, a committed Christian. She has just finished her secondary school, now preparing for her exam to enter into University. She is a shy and beautiful girl. To my surprise she said that she feels ugly. I encouraged and prayed for her. Any more words of wisdom and encouragement will be appreciated for she will read your comments. Let’s help this weak lamb of Christ. Thank you dear family of God!

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1Cor 1:20, 21)

I still remember the process by which the Holy Spirit arrested me and brought me on my knees at the Cross of Calvary. This is my testimony. I am an educated and intelligent woman. I was an unbeliever until 1986. This is what I said to many people: ‘I do not believe in God. I believe in myself’. Of course now I know that this is the definition of a fool. But then, I thought it was the height of wisdom. How deceived I was…

I just assumed that because I am intelligent and educated, I am also wise. That was another mistake. I was telling people that I am not interested in religion, because it is a false ‘science’. I also said that if one day I will put my mind to study the Bible, to discover who God is, that I can easily do it. I trusted myself. How wrong I was. In January 1986 I just made up my mind to discover God by myself. I even read a little of the Bible, ‘trying to do God a favor’. I suddenly discovered that I could make no progress at all. To me it was like a book written in Chinese.

I tried to reason the whole story of God and could not do it. I tried to ‘crack the nut’ of the Gospel but I could not do it. It seems so simple, yet I could not understand it. I became very frustrated. I looked like a fool. I hated that. Nobody called me a fool. I am a doctor. People respect me and my profession… Then why can’t I discover who God is? I felt like shouting in anger. But does shouting help? This is what was in my mind daily fighting with myself, or better said fighting with God.

Mercifully, God cornered my soul and arrested my heart. I felt like dying. I regretted the day I decided to ‘study’ God. I had to declare defeat. There was no other way. God embraced me. I knelt down and prayed my first prayer. It was the sinner’s prayer, for sure. I wept for forgiveness and mercy. I begged for the gift of faith and eternal life. I was not sure if God hears me but I tried my best to press on. Suddenly peace came into my heart like I have never known before. I became a born again child of God and filled with the Holy Spirit. Me, the fool, I discovered the wisdom of God in Christ Jesus! Since then my life is never the same! Glory to God!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:1, 2)

This is one of the greatest promises in the Bible. It is not enough to quote it. You must live in it and experience its power. It will totally change the way you think and behave. It says clearly that for the born again Christians there is no ‘condemnation’. It means 0% condemnation! The devil attacks and brings condemnation on many believers. You must identify and reject this painful lie!

To understand better what is there to reject, let’s see what condemnation means. To condemn it means to declare you wrong and evil after examining the evidence. It means to pronounce you guilty and sinful. This pronouncement is served by a higher authority than you. If you listen to the lies of the devil as your judge it means that you have set him as your authority. But Jesus Christ is the highest authority in heaven and on earth. This is how the devil tempts you: the devil says that he is your judge and you, child of God, have to wait for his examination and judgment. That is a lie! He can never be a fair and merciful judge to you! He hates you because he hates God who is your Father. No matter what you do, he will say you are wrong, evil and guilty. There is no need to beg the devil for he has no mercy. Everything this fake judge says is a lie, including your sentence and your condemnation. The devil says be guilty! The Holy Spirit says you are free! Lies are chains of bondage. Truth sets you free! I chose to believe the Holy Spirit! I reject the contrary voice which is a lie.

But there is still a problem. It is hard for you to believe the truth. The problem is that you are standing in the wrong court! My friend, your feet are standing in the wrong court! God has already judged your sins on the body of Jesus Christ, your Savior and your Lord. That is why Jesus died, so that you can be free. Because Jesus lives, you shall live also. Because Jesus has made you free, you shall be free indeed. Free from the punishment, shame and guilt of sin. Your case has been decided two thousand years ago, on the Cross of Calvary. You are saved and freed by the Blood of the Lamb.

What are you doing in the devil’s fake court? Why are you there listening to the lies of the devil? Right now, I command you to run away! Leave the world of sin, darkness, manipulations and lies! Run to the Cross of Christ, run to the light! Do not be foolish but understand the will of God. No more guilt! Even if you do mistakes that you cannot repair, even then, repent and move forward. Do you hear me? No more guilt! That is the end of the matter!

This is my testimony: for more than 10 years I have not indulged in feelings of guilt. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). I too I am like my Lord. My past, my present and my future are all a testimony of the power of the Blood of Jesus, by which I am set free! I am happy today. I cannot be feeling guilty and sad because of my past. I cannot be anxious and sad about my future. I shout from the roof tops: Jesus died for me! I am saved! It is well with my soul! Jesus is Lord over my life! I reject guilt, grudge, doubt, fear and bitterness. My life shines with the glory of God! Let the devil run away disgraced and defeated for he cannot deceive me with his lies anymore! Stand straight, child of God. Rejoice, for this is the time to rejoice! Glory to God!

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” (Mt 28:18-20)

In the Bible, crossing a body of water is a symbol of death and resurrection. This is what we do as believers in Christ when we baptize in water. By faith, we die to the past of sin and we declare to be alive in the newness of life. The people of God crossed two waters: The Red Sea and the River Jordan. These crossings were both miraculous. They both signify the same thin, death and the power of resurrection. But there is a difference. When they crossed the Red Sea, it signified separation from the world. Egypt is a symbol of the world. After 40 years in the wilderness, because of rebellion, that generation died. Their children were now ready to enter the Promised Land. They are now on the east bank of Jordan. This was the same place where Lot separated from his uncle, Abraham, because he saw the fertile valley of Jordan. That is how he settled in that rich but sinful city, Sodom. Spiritually speaking, crossing the River Jordan means to separate from worldly family members and religious friends. This is a very difficult thing for many believers to do.

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Col 4;2)

Our generator was giving us problems. It will just stop from time to time. We called the mechanic and he did all he knew trying to fix it. But the problem persisted for about two weeks. This is a new generator and it is not supposed to have a problem like this. Yesterday the Holy Spirit said to me: “The generator has a small fault but they did not see it”. I called Bro. Goddey and prayed with him. That the eyes of the mechanic will open to see the little fault. This morning everybody was praising God for the answer to the prayer has come. A little piece of the fuel filter, as small as a coin, was ‘dirty’. They washed it and placed it back. That was all! The generator has been working non stop since morning without any complain. Praise the LORD!

“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint” (Is 40:31)

PRAYER REQUEST
A man of God I know has been given a diagnosis of cancer. Humanly speaking, this is an incurable disease. I am not speaking lightly. I am a medical doctor by profession, but now in full time ministry. I can testify that he is a true servant of God. I prayed for him that he should be healed. God gave me a word. This is my letter to him. It may help any true believer who passes thru a major crisis in life. Please remember: “With God nothing is impossible!”
Please pray for him.
“Dear Brother in Christ,
This is the Word of God: “Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (Jn 11:4)

Like Daniel, you have prayed that God should grant revival to your country. You have prayed that God should silence the false prophets and the religious idolaters. God has heard your prayers. Just like with Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 2, the sentence of death is given against all religious leaders in your country, good or bad. All are the same now. God has decreed that the wicked shall perish. It is a divine decree. Unfortunately, the good men like Daniel and his friends are included in the ‘unfair’ death sentence. They need the mercy of God to survive the judgment. They pray to the same ‘angry’ God for their lives to be spared. This is because they are not wicked magicians or fake prophets who deceive rulers and people. They ask for mercy because they are indeed God’s people trapped into a storm of judgment. This sickness is not your own. God shall prove to you that He makes a difference between His people and others. The mercy of God comes to Daniel in the form of divine supernatural wisdom. God reveals to him the way of escape from darkness, sin, sorrow and death. Daniel alone understands the secret of the dream, the prescription to heal the headache and the insomnia of Nebuchadnezzar who gave the decree of death. By revealing the king’s dream to the king, Daniel saves himself, his friends and even his enemies. You too need divine wisdom more than injections.

This is my testimony: When I am sick, I know that it is not my doctor that will save me. When I am taken to court, it is not my lawyer that will defend and save me. When my enemies attack me, it is not my bodyguard that will save me. It is the mercy of God revealed and the wisdom of God imparted to me. This is my sure testimony as a servant of God. My sickness could not kill me. I forbid, hate and reject untimely death! Each trouble ends with a blessing. With each attack, I become stronger, wiser and more merciful. My anointing as a preacher of the Gospel increases. That is why I boast of my times of troubles. Be healed in Jesus name, amen!

Yes, wisdom is given to the wise, how to defeat the devil and how to survive in times of disaster. Sorry, not only survive, but prosper! But the foolish perish for lack of wisdom.

Dear Brother, God wants to heal you. Intercede directly to Him who loves you, who heals you. Fear not! Faith 100%! Doubt 0%! Do not wait for men. If they remember you or not if they pray for you or not that is ok. Your healing shall be called a miracle, the work of God. You shall testify of your healing. God has given you a second chance! Your testimony shall bring many backsliders back to the God of miracles. The Mercy of God shall be given once more the proper place of honor in the hearts of men. Revival shall come to the land! Glory to God in the highest!

Your sister in Christ,
Lia Leigh”

I just received this letter from one of my daughters in Christ. She is a committed Christian. She is about 40 years old. She has a very successful career. She is not yet married. We chat a lot. I pray that one day, sooner than later, she will be a beautiful bride walking down the aisle. Until then, she has grown to be a wonderful humble woman of God and a blessing to me. Read her letter and my reply to her.

“Dear Malia,

I’m learning from you to be thankful for everything no matter how small. Today I’m thankful for my job. I’m 15 years now in my company.  This means that if I choose to leave now, I will get all my benefits.

People have made mockery of me for staying on the same job for so long but I’m thankful. I’m thankful for the strength to carry on from day to day even when the worries of life set in. I’m thankful for the experience I have gathered and the expertise at the job. When I started I was highly impatient with people but now I can manage very difficult customers.  I’m grateful for the salary that was never delayed, for the people I met, for the people that touched my life and for the lives I may have touched thru my job. I thank God for the challenges I faced and overcame. My list is endless. I’m truly grateful! To God be the Glory now and forever more.

Your daughter…”

“Dear…

O…I really thank God for you! I thank God for being with you all these years, for wisdom and patience. I think that you (ignorantly) made a covenant with your company; to ‘marry’ their spirit. Now I believe it is time to let go. If you chose to remain working for them, that is good. If not, it is also good. Like you said, you shall have your benefits. Thank God! But from now on, you need to learn how to separate spiritually and emotionally from this good job. Remember what I said to you: The good is the enemy of the Best. Now it is time for you to marry a man, a real Christian man. The lessons you have learned in your office you shall apply them in your home as a wife and mother. More than ever, I wait for you to invite me to your wedding. Faith 100%! Doubt 0%! God bless you…”

“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20)

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)

Do you work hard in your business? Did God bless the work of your hands? Be then thankful! Be also humble! Give God all the glory! There are many people who are poorer than you. There are many people who are very sick, and even dying. It may be true that you put in long hours to get where you are. Yet it is God who created you in the first place and gave you the strength and talent to make money. Tell people that it is not by your power or wisdom that you are successful. Tell people that it is God who gives you the ability to be wealthy. God keeps you healthy and happy! It is His grace manifested to you. “Let the weak say: I am strong! Let the poor say: ‘I am rich!’ In Jesus name, amen!

“Rise up, you women who are at ease,

Hear my voice;

You complacent daughters,

Give ear to my speech…

People shall mourn upon their breasts

For the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,

And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,

And the fruitful field is counted as a forest” (Is 32, 9, 12, 15)

In the Bible there is a clear command not to love the things of the world because these represent the enemy of our faith.  “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1Jn 2:15-16)

The world attracts thru the natural senses. The flesh wants the pleasure and the eyes desire to see the entertainment. Slowly, the heart becomes proud and hard. The Holy Spirit is grieved and vain religion settles in. The women become lukewarm towards the things of God. The mouth boasts of what money can buy, of the achievements the world covets after. This is a picture of backsliding. It is a sad and dangerous state, first for the women, for their families and even for the nation at large. The prophet shouts so that the women wake up from this slumber. They seem unmoved and undisturbed by the prophet’s warnings. He calls them to hear his voice which is the voice of God.  But they like the seducing voice of Egypt. They need to hear the prophetic voice, which is loud like a trumpet. They need to wake up and come back to God. The sad part is that these women represent the society. They are a product of their society. In the Bible, the women represent churches. Therefore, this message of repenting from backsliding applies to all the believers, male or female.

The only solution is coming back to God. The strange and dangerous situation with the women and the men ends up in poverty and want. This reveals the jealousy of the Lord. Love is jealous and will not allow the lover to go astray without a fight. God will chastise the backsliders. They will eventually come back home. They will come back to their senses. They will come back to God. It is written that the poverty will go on ‘until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high’. Then ‘the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest’. The only hope is the Holy Spirit. Isaiah is prophesying the coming day of the Pentecost.  In the plan and purpose of God, in His mercy, there is always an ‘until’. The backsliding cannot go on forever. Sin cannot grip the hearts of the people of God forever. Oh, the love of Jesus! There is always ‘until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high’. The Holy Spirit comes upon us. That is His destination. Christ died to pay with His Blood for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Our help is the Spirit that comes ‘from on high’. He does not come from Egypt of America. He is from Heaven. The Comforter and Helper is God the Holy Spirit coming down from heaven. What a promise! Revival shall come at last. There is hope. Our future is better than the present and the past. It is called ‘the hope of glory’ because the Holy Spirit has come.

“Holy Spirit, we need You! Please come!”

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thess 5:16-18)

Not too long ago I discovered that there is a type of bread called ‘The Amish Friendship bread’. It takes 10 days to have a loaf of that bread. They do not use yeast. This is the recipe (that I found on the Utube): Day one: mix flour, sugar and milk in a bowl and cover it. Day two: stir the dough! Day three: stir the dough! Day four: stir the dough! Day five: stir the dough! Day six: stir the dough! Day seven: stir the dough! Day eight: stir the dough! Day nine: stir the dough! Day ten: add more four, more sugar and milk, little baking soda, some cinnamon and vanilla. Then bake it. I have not tasted it but it is said to be very tasty.

What is the lesson? There are things in life when you need to learn to be patient. You continue to repeat the same thing again and again. For example, you need to rejoice not only when things are good, but always! You need to pray on and on until the answer comes. Therefore, do not stop praying. Do not be tired to bring the same thing before God again and again. You need to ‘stir the dough’ of prayer until there is an answer. There may be delay but do not allow that to misrepresent God for He never changes. God is always Faithful and True, All Powerful and Good. To others who use instant yeast to bake fast bread in one hour, the Amish people look foolish with their way of baking bread. But friendship with God and man takes time to perfect.

Lest I forget, give thanks to God in all circumstances. Say ‘thanks’ to people too. You are not a fool. This is what friends do. Now go back to your ‘prayer kitchen’ and stir that dough! Do it, for the sake of eternal friendship and sweet communion in heaven and on earth. Stir the dough! The sweet answer will surely come!

(in the picture Amish Friendship Bread)

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

Our prayer meeting was wonderful. The anointing was so strong that we felt like eagles flying in the sky. There was a feeling of thanksgiving. We prayed for healing and revival. Then the message followed:

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:18, 19)

THE GATES OF HELL

The revelation of the gates of hell, does not mean active attack coming from the demons outside, from ‘the left or from the right. No! It means that the Kingdom of God is always advancing to new territories and the previous gates of sin and darkness that try to block the way cannot stop the advance of God’s kingdom! Once I meet opposition of my way to destiny I rejoice. It means I have made progress! The opposition is a gate of hell and it shall be destroyed. Try to imagine a Bulldozer Church driven by the Holy Spirit with you as assistant driver. The building of the Church always has opposition. The battle is continuous but always unsuccessful! There is no man saved without opposition. No church is built without opposition. But victory is sure! 100%!

THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

These keys are the authority to open heaven so that men may enter. The same keys are able to close the entrance to men so that they cannot go to heaven. These keys are given by Christ to Peter and to all born again believers. Please be careful! We do not have personal authority. Only Christ knows which doors should open and which doors should be closed. Only God knows who will go to heaven and who will go to hell.  The keys are the Word of God and the authority of Christ.

For example, in the name of Jesus and in His authority I stand as the Ambassador of Christ. I work in Christ’s Embassy on earth and I have the authority to give ‘visas’ to men to enter the Kingdom of God. According to the Word of God I can say to someone: If you repent, if you confess Christ as your Lord and Savior, you shall be loosed from sin and you shall go to heaven. But if not, you shall go to hell. Heaven is in agreement with the Word of God spoken by our lips.  This is an extraordinary authority given to the children of God. We repented for misusing the keys in the past  and prayed for wisdom and strength to use them well from now on!

Yes, church is good!

Our ten industrial Air conditioners to be used in the main sanctuary have just arrived at the site. This is one step closer to the opening of our new church. This project has been done by faith alone. Without any loan, without any begging or manipulations of men, God alone has built this wonderful place of worship. I am a witness that the building of our church is a miracle of God, who alone takes all the glory! Praise the Lord!!!!!

“Praise the LORD, all nations; Extol Him, all peoples! For His loving-kindness is great toward us” (Ps 11:1, 2)