“Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich…The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings…

So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person” (1Sam 25:2, 3, 35)

Dear Sisters,

It is my pleasure to write this letter to you. I desire to share with you my life story so that you can be encouraged to trust God to the very end. My name Abigal means ‘The delight of my Father’. My parents were godly but poor people. They died when I was still young. One day a man called Nabal from the tribe of Caleb came to ask my hand in marriage. He was a very rich man. My uncle accepted the proposal on my behalf because of his wealth. I could not disobey my family’s wishes for I was still very young. This is how I found myself to be the wife of Nabal. At the beginning I was afraid of him for he was much older and a very hard man. He was always drinking with his friends. He had no time for me. He called me his ‘trophy wife’. Many nights I slept alone, my pillow wet with tears. I had no one to talk to. All my dreams died on my wedding day. I wanted to go to school, to be a teacher. I loved children but none came to me. It was the pain of a barren unhappy marriage that drove me closer to God. I prayed and prayed for a miracle of peace, of joy, of life. I used to sing as a girl, but my husband hated music and I could sing no more. Nabal had a big Bible but he never read it. I taught myself to read the Word of God. I memorized scriptures. God revealed Himself to me thru His Word. Little by little my broken heart was healed. My circumstances were still unchanged, but I became a different woman. I made peace with God; found mercy and grace at His throne. Daily I shared my faith with the house servants. Some, like Nabal their master, ignored and mocked me. Few believed in my God and changed too. O, the joy to see a soul set free, even in the prison of foolishness…God granted me an oasis of hope in the desert of life. I became humbled my God’s love for me. I was so grateful…

I prayed for my husband too. I tried to counsel him but he never listened to my words. His name means ‘A Fool’. He continued to behave like a dangerous reckless fool ignoring the grace of God upon our home. He said that he is a believer but I’ve never seen him read the Bible by himself or pray when alone.

I was often embarrassed by his words and actions. I tried to cover him when he made mistakes for I wanted peace for all. But his attitude and his words hurt me often. He never apologized to anybody.  He was always angry, always in a bad mood especially with his servants. The only people he loved were his friends who shared in his passion of partying and drinking. His careless attitude made unnecessary enemies for us. He was rude to strangers and rejected visitors. He was stingy and wicked especially with those in need. Little by little people started avoiding our home…

One day one of our servants came to tell me that Nabal has insulted the messengers of David, the King’s son in law. What I heard about David is that he had left the palace in a hurry and he was now a fugitive in the desert. I did not know all the political gossip. But I felt pity for the young man who once killed the giant. Different people said different things. My husband hated David for no good reason. But as I prayed about this matter, it was revealed to me that David is a good man indeed, loved by God and chosen by Him. I was even more surprised when God told me that one day he will be the king of Israel. I don’t know why I had a feeling that I will meet him one day and that I will never be the same again.

So when the servant said that David was rejected and insulted by my husband, I knew that we are all in serious trouble. I was told that David was coming towards our house with his army. I knew that I have to act quickly or everyone here will die. I quickly gathered a gift of food and other goods and decided to go and meet David, to plead with him to show us mercy. Nabal was drunk as usual partying with his friends so I could not tell him of my rescue plan. This was the only thing in my mind: ‘King David, have mercy!’

I saw David and his men coming down the hill. I hurried to meet him. He looked exactly as the angel said to me. Seeing him I believed he is the true and righteous king of Israel. But he was very angry and impatient. I fell down from my donkey and trembling at his feet I pleaded for mercy. I offered to take the punishment on behalf of my husband.  I also offered to him the gift of provisions and good will. Suddenly a new courage came to me. I openly said to him that I believe he will be a king one day. His throne will be different than the present one. His will be known forever as a wise, patient, gentle and godly king. He will be a worshipper of Jehovah. He will sing and dance for God. I pleaded with him, on behalf of the future glory: no need to kill a man just because of anger. That is what Saul is known for, a wicked man who shed innocent blood. I reminded him that even when a fool like Nabal provokes without a cause, that he should trust God to fight his battles and that vengeance belongs to God alone. Suddenly, I kept quiet… then I waited…on my knees… with my face in the dirt… I waited…

Then David spoke just the way I prayed he will. His voice was like that of an angel to my ears. He thanked me for my words of wisdom and compassion. He accepted the gift and promised peace. He gave me hope that one day, for as long as it is in his power, I shall be free from the curse of foolishness and sorrow. I did not understand the power of his word until few days later. David said that I should go home in peace. I obeyed. I came back to the same house, but I was a different woman. Peace was my royal gift. Nabal was sleeping, vomit all over him. The next day I told him of my journey and he fell down speechless. A week later he died. I became a widow without tears.

Not too long after that David sent his men to ask me to be his wife. I said yes to the man who one day shall be my king. We got married simply, in the desert. Abiathar, the priest blessed our union. The men of valor prayed for us. The stars blinked with joy… the wind touched the strings of the harp…the fragrance of the desert rose filled the air…

For the first time in my life I knew what true love means. I gladly followed my husband in the wilderness and prayed for him daily. I once had money but my life was miserable. I lost all things for the joy of finding true love. Even the desert became like a garden to me. Life was not easy but it was filled with the joy of the presence of God. Once, when David was not around the Amalekites attacked our camp and they kidnapped me. I was not worried for God was with me to strengthen my faith. David and his men rescued us and we worshipped God for His protection over us. Not long after that Saul died and my beloved became king. God also blessed us with a son. We named him Kileab Daniel, meaning ‘Like his Father, the Judge of God’. This little boy brought much joy to me for he was just like David, my lord.

This is my story, dear sisters. I want to remind you that in all situations trust God! Faith has to be tested for a time, in the furnace of sorrow. But the pain is not forever! God will smile over you again! His gifts come without sorrow. Like my husband David used to say, even if ‘weeping endures for a night, joy comes in the morning’. God is faithful! The morning light will never forget to smile at your window, and then your tears will be gone. Trust God for a godly testimony of wisdom, peace and grace! Trust God for the blessing of a happy marriage and good children! Be a woman of God!

Finally, I pray for you…that your wisdom will defeat all foolishness around you…that your peace will overcome the confusion of circumstances…that God’s joy will be your strength even when all things seem difficult and hard to bear…Be anxious for nothing, in all things bring your request to God and His peace shall protect you, His arms shall surround you. Believe in miracles! Believe in the power of a new beginning! May the presence of Jehovah God be with you! God bless you all!

Your sister in faith,

Abigail David.

(ISam 25, 30; 2Sam 3:3; 1Chr 3:1; Ps 30:5; PV 10:23, 11:29, 13:16, 14:16, 17:12, 18:6, 26:4, 29:11, Ecc 7:9, 10:1-3)

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home

When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me…

I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me!
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me!
(By Civilla D. Martin, 1905)

“Those who sow with tears – will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them” (Ps 126:5, 6)

This is God’s law: genuine repentance of sins is necessary before the entrance of peace and joy. If God shall use you as His servant, He shall first of all break your heart. All hardness of sin and the pride of self must be destroyed. The heart of God’s servant must be a heart of flesh, tender in God’s mighty hand. Without tears Hannah could not have had Samuel. Without tears Nehemiah could not have been sent to build Jerusalem. Without tears Ezra could not have brought in revival. Jeremiah wept for his nation until no more tears were left.

There are tears in hell and painful gnashing of teeth. This is because, while on earth, the cheeks were dry. This is because sin looked like a joke and the fear of God was absent. God answers prayers! But God always answers desperate, tears- on –the- face prayers of His children. It is true that one day, Jesus shall dry our tears for in heaven the songs of joy have overpowered the sorrow of death. But until then, we should weep for our sins and for revival to come to our city. The preacher needs to pray before he goes to the pulpit. His heart must break for lost souls. He must taste the salt of his tears before he will be used by God. Ministry done with a dry heart and a powdered face is nothing but a failure.

When last did you weep for sins, for souls, for the need of revival? Do you want to be used by God? There is a time to weep and there is a time to rejoice. Do not confuse the seasons! Be faithful in them!

The Salvation Army was founded by a Methodist preacher by the name of William Booth.  Its mission was to share the message of repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Booth sent many people all over England burdened to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He sent two women Kate and Mary Jackson to Leeds to oversee a mission there. They labored in Leeds for a couple of years and nothing happened. These young ladies toiled every day giving all they had without any return. Then one day they wrote to William Booth, “Would you kindly move us to another station? We’re so tired and disheartened. We’ve tried everything that we’ve been taught to do. Please move us to another location”

Booth sent a telegram back with two words written: “Try tears!”

Those two sisters began to pray and travail for souls and they finally experienced real revival. Kate and Mary did just as General Booth said, and God moved mightily. The Leeds Salvation Army church soon became the largest outside of London.

When it comes to souls, there is no reaping without weeping. When all seem hard and ministry fails…when the worship is on a wrong key and the congregation seems bored… when words fall to the ground hopelessly…when the enemies multiply around you…when you are tired and discouraged…when nothing works…then stop all things, kneel down and pray. Ask God for the blessing of a broken tender heart! Weep before the altar! Pray and trust God!

“Try tears! This is a tasted word, tried in the fire! It shall never fail to move the hand that holds the stars! Your prayers shall be answered! ” – says the Wonderful Counselor!

In Christ I declare:

I am dead to sin!

I am a servant of God!

I pay the price for true ministry!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“The Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for her as He had promised. For Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time God had told him. Abraham named his son whom Sarah bore to him Isaac [laughter]. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac… Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born. And Sarah said: God has made me to laugh; all who hear will laugh with me” (Gen 21:1-6)

Abraham and Sarah waited a long time to have a son. God promised them that one day, they shall be the happy parents of a boy. Along the way the made some mistakes but they never really gave up on the promise. Sarah is ninety one years old when she delivers a baby boy. Abraham was a hundred. This miracle is recorded for us, so that all believers everywhere, to the end of the ages, will know that with God nothing is impossible.

Abraham named his son Isaac. In Hebrew it means ‘Laughter’. Selah!

What is the lesson? God wants us to rejoice in His Word, in His promises, in His presence. We are commended to ‘rejoice always!’ (Phil 4:4). Laughter is God’s idea and His promise to His children. For as long as ‘Laughter’ is not yet born in your home, the purpose of the marriage is not fulfilled. Joy is a promise and Joy is a reward. Faith is the string that connects the two. God keeps the best for the last (Jn 2:10). With all the flowers and the money spent, the ‘honey moon’ period is not the happiest. The best is yet to come. Pray and trust God from beginning to the end. Weeping endures for a long night but Joy comes at last, in the morning (Ps 30:5). Have faith that the older you get, the happier you shall be. Do not fear maturity! We change but God remains the same. Menopause, rheumatism, saggy breasts, weak eyes, slow ears, bald heads and extra pounds on the waist… nothing is able to stop the entrance baby Laughter in the believer’s house. It shall happen in God’s time! Not sooner and not later! Joy will be circumcised with the sword of the Spirit. We shall ‘rejoice with trembling’ (Ps 2:11), worshipping God and serving Hi forever. Joy is not what the world calls happiness. The circumcision makes it pure and strong. It is an inexpressible Joy, the gift of God. Joy is so rare in the world. This Laugher is infectious; it spreads to all who believe. The visitors coming to your house shall taste of it for a moment and they shall know the secret of your strength and success in marriage. Joy is the ‘air freshener’ of the home where Christ is Lord. May you welcome Isaac to your abode! May he find a place to dwell in your home!

In Christ I declare:

God will visit you as He said He would!

All His promises are yes and amen!

God shall give you the gift of a happy and fruitful marriage!

Jesus shall give you His special wine of Joy!

None can steal the blessing of joy!

You shall enjoy your youth and your senior years!

You shall serve and worship God forever!

Rejoice always! And I say again, rejoice!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him: The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage” (Judg 6:12, AMP)

Let’s visit a young man called Gideon. He was a religious man, reading his Bible. The Word of God gave him promises and dreams to be a hero one day. But the circumstances around him were so difficult that nothing made sense. His father was once a believer, but because of the suffering and pains, he became a backslider. Gideon tried to beat the tide of national hopelessness but it was difficult to pray, to trust God alone. He was loaded down with doubts about the purpose of his life. Poverty was a plague that spared none.  He was a poor young man living in difficult times; there was no money to pay ‘school fees’ or to start a business. There were no good ‘jobs’ anywhere. Gideon was confused about his job, threshing wheat in a winepress. He was doing the right thing in the wrong place. Sometimes he thought about entering politics but even so there was no hope of winning for his was the minority tribe. He could never gather enough votes to win. He heard about miracles but he none. There was no music, no sound of celebration, weddings or feasts. Everybody trembled with fear, hiding from the enemy in the caves. Life was boring and life was hard.

Suddenly, God comes down for ‘a chat’. He calls Gideon ‘a mighty man of fearless courage’!

Whooooo… Mmmmme?

‘Yes! You!!!’

’I suspected it! This is how God is…He is completely out of touch with the reality of life’-Gideon thought.

Unmoved, God proposes a deal. Let Gideon go and destroy all the enemies! Let Gideon become a national leader, a champion, a judge and an inspiration to many! God sends him and God will reward him! Gideon looks behind: ’Is He talking to me?’  Surprisingly, the answer is ‘Yes’!

A coward is very fast in asking thousands of questions. What does God think of me? Does He not see how small, how weak, how poor and simpleminded I am? Does God not appreciate the difficulty I have to just survive in these hard times? Does Jesus care at all? I prayed for a miracle of healing, of financial breakthrough and nothing happened? I am not educated enough to have a good job! I am not beautiful enough to marry! I am not well connected to be promoted! I do not have enough money to start a business! I can’t speak! I am shy in public! I can’t handle a weapon! I am too weak, too ugly and too afraid! Where do I even start? God’s dream for me is too big, too crazy, too impossible! I failed to do little things, how can I become a hero? Great things do not happen to small people like me…

This is what my heart was saying and I could not stop it…

But the question still remains: WHAT DOES GOD THINK ABOUT ME?

This is the truth: God loves you. God has good plans for you. God wants to give you hope and a wonderful future. God is life and He wants to share life with you. God is love and He wants to share love with you. In God’s presence there is fullness of joy, unashamed and unapologetic bold joy. God is a musician and he wants you to sing. God is a poet and He wants you to write. God is a creator and he wants you to invent new things. God is Trinity and He wants you to have fellowship, friends and family. God is eternally fruitful and He wants you to have children. God has a family and He wants you to belong. God has a House and he wants you to come in. The door is open…No one can shut it…Are you not seeing it? What do you lose if you believe?

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I am healed!

I am delivered!

I am fruitful!

I am fulfilled!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!”
(PV 23:24, 25; TM)
This is a letter from my “Gratitude basket of blessings” as a mother in Christ…

“Dear Malia
This mail is long over due but I am glad I am able to do it now. I thank God that you are all doing well. I give God all the glory for all your messages on green pastures and on face book, they are the spiritual food I eat in the midst of the scarcity of the word of God. I have also been chewing on past messages from the pulpit of Fathers House Bible church. I was at a fellowship and I shared with them your teaching on Psalm 23, it was an eye opener for all of us including me who was sharing (the word of the Lord is really new everyday). I visited with a relative whose husband is ill, I remembered those word you told us about one of the ten commandments that says we should not call on the name of the Lord in vain, that to call Gods name in vain means to call Him and nothing happens, and I shared it with her and we agreed that we will call on the name of the Lord by faith and with the right intentions to vow to give Him the glory. She was encouraged. I just want to bless Gods name for you and Tali’s ministry. We your children are like your tentacles. May the Lord continue to increase you both. I pray for myself that I may follow Christ the way I see you follow Him.
Sometimes the word ‘thank you’ is just too small to express ones gratitude, we are really blessed to have you as spiritual parents. May God’s blessings for you continue to over flow in Jesus name. amen
God bless…”

“And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth” (Gen 24:38)

After Eliezer meet her family explaining the purpose of his visit, Rebekah agrees to follow him. He had favor with her family. Clearly, God has made his journey successful. Only God could have done this! No one can resist a man true servant of God!

Please observe that Eliezer is not passive but he co-operates, moves on lead by the Holy Spirit. He is not rebellious to his master and mentor. He is not selfish. Even when the host offers him food, he refuses to sit down and eat until he is sure that his master’s need is taken care of. His trip is not what we generally call a miracle. There are not supernatural manifestations during the journey. The secret of his success is total obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit from beginning to end. That obedience is the miracle! Please take note that the Holy Spirit is ‘a practical’ Spirit. He does not lead Eliezer to the desert or to wrong paths, but to the well where the girls come to draw water in the evening. The Holy Spirit knows the place and the hour for your miracle! Just follow! Eliezer prays specifically for a godly, generous, friendly, humble and hard working girl. He is a servant of God and he prays for a girl who has a servant’s heart too. God answers his prayer much more than he could have imagined. The beautiful Rebekah is all that he desires for his master’s son, and so much more. He is a patient man too. Even when he thinks that Rebekah is the right girl, he still waits, praying. Once the Holy Spirit confirms his lead, he falls down and worships God openly and gratefully for the success of his journey. A servant of God is a true worshiper of God!

The greatest lesson here is that a servant of God is always successful! Another lesson is that if you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit you can never fail! God will give you success! Lastly, we are commanded to have the same attitude like Jesus who chose to come as a servant of God sent by the Father. He was obedient unto death, even death on the cross. He is the King -Servant, the Lion- Lamb. That is why He was exalted above all creation, above every other name (Phil 2:5-11).

In Christ I declare:

I am a servant of God!

I obey God’s Word and the leading of His Spirit!

I shall be successful!

I shall marry well!

I shall pray always waiting for God’s confirmation!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps 103:12)

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest takes two goats that look exactly the same. These two shall be tied to stand side by side and look towards the altar. Then the priest plays lots for them. One shall be for Jehovah and the other for the people. The goat that belongs to Jehovah shall be sacrificed immediately for the sins of the Priest, his family and for the nation. Then he takes the other one and turns it to face the people. This is ‘the scape goat’ or Azazel, in Hebrew. The people pray over the scape goat, confessing all their sins. Then the High priest lays both his hands over Azazel and prays like this: “Ah, Jehovah! Thy people have committed iniquity! They have transgressed! They have sinned! I entreat Thee come and cover over their sins! Then they shall be cleansed!” As the prostrate multitude worships Jehovah, the high priest turns his face towards them and utters these last words: ‘You shall be cleansed!” -declaring the remission of their sins!

Then a servant of the temple takes the goat out of the city thru the Eastern Gate and gives it to a Gentile man who is waiting there. He will take her into the desert, whipping her to go away and get lost. Then from far away he will lift up a white flag announcing that the deed was done. At last, all people rejoice that their sins have been taken far away from them to the desert. They are free…They are cleansed…At least for one more year…

This drama is a symbol of the Cross. The two goats represent our Lord, Jesus Christ.  He died on the Cross to do the will of the Father and to save His people from their sins. He is the goat that was sacrificed at the Temple and He is also our Azazel. Two thousand years ago the sinners placed their sins on Him. They whipped Him and drove Him away from the Temple, away from Jerusalem. The religious Jews surrendered Him to the Roman Gentiles. Because of our sins Jesus went to the desert of hell. He was ‘lost’ that we may be found! By His stripes we are healed! In hell He retrieved the keys of life and death from the devil. Our sins are not just forgiven but removed and carried away! We are now reconciled with God the Father!  Righteous and faultless we stand before His Throne!

What a Savior!

In Christ I declare:

I am forgiven, cleansed and set free from the punishment, power and the guilt of sin!

I am the righteousness of God!

God loves me!

I shall worship God forever!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts…”

“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb 4:7-13)

Man is rebellious by nature. Our tendency is to ignore, dislike, disbelieve and reject the Word of God. Also, our natural tendency is to receive, to believe and trust the words of men. The Holy Spirit has to do a deep work in your heart before you can change to appreciate and trust the Word of God.

The Word of God is not like the human words. It always comes with power to produce results. The Word of God never comes alone but is always accompanied by its Owner, the Holy Spirit. Think of this…If your child speaks, you can choose to ignore him. But if, for example Obama speaks, nations tremble, for he has the authority to start a war or to bless with just a word.

No man ignores the Word of God and remains the same. He will be better or worse than he was before he heard that sermon.  Some are hardened unto destruction. This is a very serious warning from God!

There are only two types of people: some hear the Word, believe and receive. By faith and obedience hey make instant progress in their spiritual life. This shall manifest in many visible blessings. And there are others who hear the same Word but reject it. Immediately, their heart becomes hardened. There is no neutral place for the hearers of the Word of God. It is dangerous to attend church and remain unwilling to trust the Word of God. A hard heart is stubborn, harsh, foolishly proud, unreasonable, un-teachable, difficult, holding on his opinion even when things go wrong. This peculiar hardness is God’s stamp upon a rebellious man and changes him into a trouble maker. Even in the presence of danger, he will not submit to the good counsel of God or that of holy men. This man becomes reckless with his life, wasting it in foolish enterprises and carried away by false hopes.

God’s Word is penetrating and powerful like a sword. In the natural, who will not fear a soldier with a polished mighty sword in his hand? Only a fool will be blind to the danger of a sword. That weapon can wound, can amputate a limb, can disable a giant and kill a Goliath. But even so, the natural sword can never enter in the invisible realm of the Spirit and wound our innermost being.

But the Word of God penetrates into the secret heart, to the place of the Spirit, to where we think and make our decisions. The Word of God judges the purpose and motives for every action, even the desire for ministry and the choice of it. The shield of faith can stop evil attacks. But there is no shield in this universe that can stop the Word of God from entering into the hearts of men and performing its desire. It always accomplishes its purpose for which it has being sent. There is no cover to hide, to cave to run to, no army that can defend a rebellious man who rejects the Word of God. The punishment shall be a shameful, restless life, a guilty conscience and at last, a squatting in hell. This warning is giving to the believers too, for it is possible to neglect the study of the Word of God and prayer. It is possible to go into error and secret backsliding. God forbid!

The promise to the faithful and obedient hearer and doer of the Word is rest. The word means to settle down as a winner, to sit down on a royal throne. This is my testimony of rest in Christ: There was a war. I defeated my enemy and now I take over his property. His slaves are now mine to do what I want with them. This blessed rest means strength, victory and prosperity.

May you fear the God who speaks and expects total obedience!

May your obedience be rewarded with blessings from above!

Come to Jesus! Believe in His Word and He will give you rest for your souls!

In Christ alone:

I hear and I obey the Word of God!

I study my Bible daily!

I pray always!

I enter God’s promised rest for my soul!

I settle down as a winner in the Kingdom of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many…” (Heb 9:24-28)

For the Jews the Day of Atonement is the most special day in the year (Lev 16). God’s law requires that once a year the nation gets ready for the holiest day of all. All adults fast and pray. Early morning they gather around the Temple and watch the events.

The success of the day depends on the high priest alone. This is the only day in the year when he has to do all the work by himself. There is no helper. It is also the only day in the year when he is allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, to meet with God face to face. For about a week the high priest leaves his personal house and family and lives in the temple. The only work he does during that time is to study the Word of God, to pray and to get ready to officiate at the Day of Atonement. No other man is allowed in the Sanctuary this day. All eyes are on the High priest. That day he is the solo player. That day, no man can join him to help him. He has to do all the work, the sacrifice and the intercession by himself. The crowd, the worshipers are just spectators, looking at the High Priest from where their salvation comes.

In the same way, Jesus died on the Cross alone to save us from sins. Jesus is our High Priest and Sacrifice in the same time! Salvation is made possible by Christ alone. The Gospel of Christ is the proclamation, the good news that Jesus Christ died for you! Don’t ever forget: Another One died for you! Jesus died once and for all! He will never die again! He lives forever for He is God! Our faith is in Jesus Christ and in His blood shed for the redemption of our souls! Religion makes you miserable. Religion is hopeless! The veil of religion is rent and can never be repaired. Salvation in Christ is much more than religion. It is the New Covenant, the New and Living way by which we can stand before God to worship Him forever. On the Cross, the Blood made it possible that God is now my Father, Jesus is my Savior and heaven my eternal home! That is why no man takes the glory for salvation of our souls. Salvation is of God alone! The glory must go to God alone! This is now our eternal destiny: to follow the Lamb wherever He goes; to endure hardship as discipline and to offer sacrifices of praise! Praise the Lord O my soul!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Lord!

Jesus Christ died on the Cross to save my soul!

The Blood of Jesus was shed for my redemption!

Jesus Christ is my High Priest and my Sacrifice!

God is my Everlasting Father!

Heaven is my eternal home!

I believe!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Gal 3:1-5)

Can a believer in Christ become bewitched? The answer is yes! The Galatians were believers. Apostle Paul rebukes them for their foolishness and backsliding. To bewitch it means to cast a spell upon another, to use occult power to influence the thinking of another, to use witchcraft manipulation to control, captivate the emotions and overcome another person. When under an occult spell, the person is not able to concentrate on the Word of God and prayer. He has fallen in love with something else. There is a secret idol in the heart that provokes God to jealousy. He feels an irresistible attraction towards a person, a doctrine, an idea or an object. He is ready to lose all things, including his soul for the benefit of his idol. This is an internal backsliding. Christ is gone. All is left is hopeless and tragic religion. Life becomes miserable; there is no hope, no vision.

The question is this: WHO has bewitched you? The answer points to a person, to the devil!

If you suspect that you are under a spell of witchcraft, what are the signs that you should look for?

*FOOLISHNESS, UN-NECESSARY MISTAKES, DISAPPOINTING, BORING, UN-INSPIRING, UN-EVENTFUL LIFE

*NO MANIFESTATION OF ANSWERS TO PRAYERS

*REBELLION, STUBBORNNESS, PRIDE, UN-TEACHABLE, UNABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND OBEY THE TRUTH

*WORLDLY, SELFISH AMBITION, EASILY PROVOKED, STRIFE, QUARRELS, ADDICTED TO GOSSIP

*LOSS OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE POWER OF THE CROSS, OF THE TRUE GOSPEL, OF THE BLOOD

*SPIRITUALLY DEAF, ITCHY EARS

*EASILY FORGETS THE WORD OF GOD, WEAK OR SLEEPY DURING THE PREACHING OF THE SERMON

*LITTLE FAITH, ORDINARY LIFE, NO MIRACLES

*BAD HEALTH THAT NO MEDICAL TEST CAN DETECT AND NO DRUGS CAN CURE

*LONG TIME SUFFERING, CHRONIC DEPRESSION, NEGATIVITY, ANXIETY, COWARDICE

*MYSTERIOUS PANIC ATTACKS

*TRUSTING IN SELF TO MAKE PROGRESS IN LIFE

* MY IDENTITY COMES FROM SECULAR SUCCESS, ADDICTED TO WORK, BUSY, BUSYBODY

*UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE ASSURANCE OF MY SALVATION; CHRONIC DOUBTS

*UN-SUCCESSFUL DELIVERANCE

*UNABLE TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away!” (Heb 2:1)

In Christ I declare:

I am eternally saved by grace, thru faith in the Blood of Jesus!

I trust and obey the Gospel of grace, which is God’s power unto salvation!

I am free from any occult spells, evil manipulation or witchcraft influence over my soul!

Jesus died to save my soul; to set me free from the guilt and punishment of sin!

I am free indeed!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control” (1 Tim 2:11-15)

ETERNAL FASHION – SPIRITUAL FRUITFULNESS

Eve, our mother, was deceived by the serpent. God’s curse came on her and on her children. She shall be known as a victim of foolishness and deception. Her children will be born as sinners. Her daughters in particular will have the same inclination to be deceived. That is the curse of foolishness each woman is born with. This curse can be broken only for them who are in Christ.

In the scripture above a godly woman is described as spiritually fruitful. Her ministry shall be the visible badge of her professing godliness. Her children, both male and female, shall be the sign that she is indeed ‘saved’. It is not that her soul is saved by her children because salvation is only thru faith in Jesus Christ. But her children are the visible proof that she is no longer a sinner but a saint. She does not need expensive clothes and pearls. Her children round her table are her beautiful dress, and costly wrapper. Having this in mind, she can now choose the best fashion style to represent her as a woman of God, a godly wife and a mother in Israel.

A woman of God is described as submissive to her husband and to her elders. She has a quiet spirit. That does not mean that she is dumb or foolish. Quite the opposite! But her speech is a reflection of the work of grace in her heart. The law of kindness and wisdom is on her tongue. She is sober but not sad. She is moderate, avoiding all extremes. She does not attract attention upon herself, but directs all men to the Cross of Christ. She is clearly faithful to God, to her husband and to her children. All these internal qualities need to have an expression in her choice of clothes too.

You are not saved to be ‘an actor for Jesus’. You are a sign board for Him who saved your soul! You are a child of the King, a princess with God, a holy vessel for the Master’s use. May the deep work of the Spirit find its outlet of holiness thru you!

In Christ I declare:

I am a virtuous woman of God!

People shall listen to me and give glory to God!

People shall look at me and give glory to God!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1Tim 2:8-10)

CLASSIC FASHION

We are called to ‘work out our salvation with fear and trembling’ (Phil 2:12). A true believer is to allow the deep internal work of the Holy Spirit to radiate in her speech, her general attitude and her body language. This visible change that has its roots deep in her spirit and it is to be seen even in the choice of clothes. The claim of invisible godliness should be wrapped in an appropriate style of dressing that complements it and not clashes with it.

For example, no man should have any difficulty in making an instant decision about my person. I should not make it hard for anyone to know my identity. There should be no clash between my speech and my appearance. I should not cause confusion between my claim of spirituality and my choice of fashion style. I should avoid any appearance of evil, deception or hypocrisy. If I desire to be a woman of God, then I should pray for wisdom on how to be one. The Holy Spirit shall be my teacher in all things; in my speech, my posture among friends and enemies, in my behavior at home and outside; even in my choice of clothes. It is true that God sees my heart but people cannot see it. I have to help others. I should dress ‘to match’. I am not speaking of colors or fabrics but there must be harmony between my spirit and my appearance. My flesh must submit under the control of the Spirit. If not, I am still under the curse of Eve who became a foolish woman and a deceived wife, in the midst of a wonderful garden of blessings. God forbid!

I am not here to prescribe a particular style of fashion. Different people like different things. My background, my culture and yours is not the same. I am not saying that we should all dress with uniforms. That is not freedom but legalism. There shall be no law in the design of dresses. But each one of us we need to pray and ask God for a fashion style that best suits, not our flesh, but the Spirit. Our dresses should complement and confirm our testimony and not ignore or clash with it.

This is a simple test: If you have not changed the way you dress from the time you were an unbeliever, to the time you became a religious hypocrite, and even until now, when you claim to be a true believer, then something is wrong!!! Selah!!!

In Christ I declare:

I am a virtuous woman of God!

I am a servant and an ambassador of Christ!

My words, my choices and my general appearance are in harmony!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham … help me to accomplish the purpose of my journey” (Gen 24:12 NKJ; LB)

We are climbing the mountain of the Lord. We are going closer to the place where He dwells. We are making progress. Right now our feet are standing on the level called ‘Goodness and Mercy’. We need to acknowledge more often our need for God. We need more holy confidence to answer the wonderful invitation of Jesus Christ, to come and meet Him at the Throne of grace. He is the King of kings, the High Priest of our profession of faith. The more we humble ourselves, the more often we shall depend of God alone to meet our needs. We need to grasp the awesome revelation of the meaning of a true servant of God.
The basic qualification for free access to the throne of grace is to be a servant of God. Apostle Paul described himself as a servant of God ‘entrusted with the secret things of God’. A servant must be faithful to his master. This faithfulness has to be proven in the furnace of affliction. There are many opportunities to betray your leader. God searches the motives for ministry. The faithful servant is rewarded and the traitor is punished. This is the eternal law of God than none can alter (1Cor 4:1-5).

A servant is by definition a man who takes care of the needs of his master. He is very sensitive to the needs of his lord. A true servant is never selfish. The purpose of his life and ministry is to detect the needs of another and to find the best solution, lovingly and faithfully. Because he is so sensitive to his master needs, he has easy access to the throne of grace ‘to find mercy and help in time of need’. In other words, a true intercessor has a servant’s heart; he finds it easy to pray for others, expecting miracles more often than the rest of us. Witnessing the power of the Spirit on behalf of others, his faith is strong and his joy complete. “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus” (1Tim 3:13)
The opposite of being a true servant is to be a proud man, selfish and rebellious. Rebellion is the greatest hindrance in finding the entrance to the throne of grace. A proud man may be in serious need, but until his sin is confessed and forsaken, no mercy shall be revealed.

ELIEZER OF DAMASCUS – THE IDEAL SERVANT
One of the best examples of a faithful and successful servant is Eliezer of Damascus. He was a true man of God and the servant of Abraham (Gen 15 and 24). He is like a son to Abraham and for many years he stood in a place to inherit all his wealth. But God fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Isaac was born. In Genesis 24 we see Abraham as an old man having just one need: to find a wife for his son Isaac. He calls his must trusted servant, Eliezer and gives him the mighty assignment to go to his homeland and find a godly wife for his son. This is a most serious and difficult journey. Eliezer knows the gravity of making a mistake. Jehovah is the covenant God of his master Abraham and his descendants. Generations of covenant people depend on him to find the right wife for Isaac. That is why Abraham asked him to place his hand under his thigh and to swear that he will be faithful unto death to Jehovah’s leading in this journey.
The name Eliezer means ‘God is my helper”. He is the servant of Abraham. The word servant appears 14 times in the Book of Genesis 24. The word means a worker, a bond-slave or a worshipper. We shall study his character. The more we identify with Eliezer, the more we shall be blessed by God. What makes Eliezer a true, faithful and successful servant of God?
This brings into light the powerful revelation of the gift of a mentor. Eliezer was a servant of God and of Abraham. Do you have a mentor? Did God provide the gift of a spiritual covering for you? Do you trust your pastor with your destiny?

Eliezer is faithful to his master in all things throughout the journey. He is a man of prayer who knows the way to the throne of grace. He asks God for kindness and mercy on behalf of his master manifested as success in his journey.
He is a man who carefully listens to his master’s instructions. He could have said that he knows it all, based on his experience and age. But he does not depend on that. He wants to know his master’s will and obey it faithfully.
Eliezer is also a man of prayer. He prays for success and mercy. The two are combined. He knows that his journey cannot be successful without God showing kindness, mercy to his master Abraham. He knows that his need is great. He has traveled more than 500 miles. He does not know anybody there. He cannot be led by his senses in choosing a wife for Isaac. Even if he finds the right girl, he is not sure if the girl will agree to follow him, to marry a man she has not seen. So he comes before the throne of grace as a servant of God and of Abraham. He prays with boldness and faith. Even before he finishes his prayer, Rebekah comes to the well. The grace released for his need is immediate and all sufficient. This is a fulfillment of the prophecy:
“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Is 65:24)
This is a great lesson for us: the mercy of God leads to a successful life journey! Selah!

In Christ I declare:
I am a servant of God!
I follow my mentor as he (she) follows Christ!
God’s mercy shall lead me to success in life!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1Tim 2:8-10)

Many people stumble when reading this very interesting passage in the Bible. It is not my intent to join them and argue about the Word of God. My desire is to help the true believers, especially the women of God. We shall pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will guide us into all truth that we may obey it and become free from the bondage of foolishness and empty religion.

Some people said that Apostle Paul hated all women; that is why he did not marry and said ‘negative’ things about them. But that cannot be right for the Bible is not his personal opinion but it is God’s Word. Let us now use our sanctified imagination…

THE LATEST FASHION –DANGEROUS HYPOCRISY

The passage above describes a church service. The men pray and worship freely with their hands lifted up to God. Suddenly there is a distraction…Some women come in dressed in such a way that they create a stir. The men now find it difficult to worship God. By their physical appearance, these women were able to distract and divide the attention of the worshippers. Ignorantly or not, they became a hindrance, a potential to be idols in the hearts of men and so hinder the true worship of God.

This is the truth: Women in general like to look pretty. This is how God created them. This is not a bad thing. Then what is the danger? How can we describe a foolish and dangerous woman?

According to the scripture above, she may be religious but there is a great division between her ‘professing godliness’ and her appearance. She says she is born again; she prays, sings and dances in the church. All this is good.  But she attracts unnecessary attention upon herself with her style of dressing. Her choice of clothes is according to what her flesh desires. In her thinking she is influenced by the world system, by what is ‘in vogue’. This worldly woman is like a professional actor; she has ‘a costume’ for each of the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21). She can dress like a prostitute, a nun, a millionaire, a beggar, an adulteress, a witch, a juju priestess, a queen, a prophetess or like a drunkard. It all depends on her moods. Other times she dresses and behaves exactly like a man, a sign of rebellion and inordinate ambition. All sinners are hypocrites; they are actors. They pretend to be somebody else, trying to deceive the simple.

The danger here is that the true Christian women start to imitate the worldly ones, in style of dressing, body language and behavior. But a true believer is always a bad actor. Soon, you shall see the clash. They give mixed signals. The godly profession of faith does not harmonize with their outward package. These women are deceived as Eve was long ago…

In Christ I declare:

I am a virtuous woman of God!

I arise and shine for Jesus!

My godly confession and my appearance harmonize perfectly!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Resentment kills a fool and envy slays the simple” (Job 5:2)

This is an African story I heard some time ago. Once upon a time there was a vulture that always envied his neighbor, the great eagle. Daily he looked up on the sky and saw the eagle soar effortlessly, higher than any other bird. The vulture tried to catch the wind that lifted up the eagle. But the same current of air injured him and brought him down. Even their feathers were so different…The eagle looked like a king and he looked like a beggar, or so the vulture thought…

Unhappy, angry and jealous the vulture went to ‘a native doctor’ to make ‘a medicine’ to kill the eagle. The man said that it is possible but he needs some of the vulture’s own feathers to prepare the poison. The vulture agreed and with his own beak he plucked some of his feathers. The medicine did not work and the native doctor said he needed some more feathers to make a stronger one. This went on and on. The vulture agreed and each time he left the shrine he had fewer feathers on his body.

Little by little, he became ‘naked’ and powerless. He then lost his ability to fly. One day, the eagle spotted a bird on the ground that looked like a turkey ready to be roasted. He quickly went down and carried the poor vulture to eat it for dinner. This is the sad story of a vulture that was foolishly envious of the great eagle.

What are the lessons? We are all born sinners. Envy is just one of the works of the flesh. Envy is a wicked thing; it means to desire what is not your own; to covet what is forbidden; to hate the success and blessings of others. Envy is resident in our flesh from birth. Envy kills its owner, it is suicidal. The child of envy is ungratefulness. An envious man is wicked and foolish, not thankful for the portion and destiny God has given to him.

Sinner, give your life to Christ! Come to the Cross of Christ for deliverance! Sin killed Jesus!  Envy has to be acknowledged as sin, repented of and replaced with peace, contentment and thanks to God. If not, it will be slow bitter poison to you, destroying any chance you have to be happy and fulfilled.

Oh…that we may desire to be grateful to God who freely, generously and graciously has blessed us with so many blessings in Christ Jesus!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I am grateful for salvation, for every blessings and gifts given to me by God!

I do not compare myself with others!

I thank God for the blessings given to others!

God is my portion and inheritance in the land of the living!

I am satisfied!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”… And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man” (Judg 6:12-16)

The story of Gideon is a favorite with many people. It encourages the weak, the foolish the timid. It calls us to be servants of Christ. God can change and use any man who is willing to pay the price for ministry.

This is the background of the story: the people of God abandoned the worship of Jehovah and went after idols. God judges their sin and allows the wicked Midianites to oppress them.

These are the descendants of Midian, Abraham’s son with Keturah. Her name means ‘incense’. The Midianites were related to the Jews but remained enemies to them. The name Midian means ‘strife, trouble’. They allow the Jews to plant and raise cattle but they attack just before the harvest to take it.

They represent the unsaved but religious people in the church. They cause division and a lot of harm in the congregation. These spirits do not die. They are merciless. They attack to steal the harvest, they cause miscarriages; they destroy the hopes gathered and the resources saved over the years.

We need the anointing and strategy of Gideon to prevail against them.

Gideon is an ordinary man, a ‘nobody’ but, Gideon is God’s choice. His name means ‘to cut down the enemy’. He has the name of a warrior but in reality, Gideon was not a soldier or an ambitious man. He was weak and timid. At the beginning, he was not sure of God’s call. But he was willing to change to be a leader, a servant of God.  Under God’s mighty training, little by little the holy chemistry of faith and courage began to manifest.  God needs to prepare His servant until his destiny begins becomes reality and the Word of victory comes to pass.

What is the application of Gideon’s story to us? What do I need to be a servant of God?

*I NEED THE FIRE OF GOD

First of all, Gideon offers to the Angel a blood sacrifice as a burnt offering. The fire of God comes supernaturally and consumes the sacrifice. A servant of God needs this fire in his heart and tongue. This fire is the anointing to feel the passion of Christ, to preach the Gospel with power from above. Fire alone purifies the heart and the motives for going into ministry. Nothing can replace it!!!

‘Lord, I need a personal Pentecost, a fresh fire, please…’

*I NEED THE PEACE OF GOD

The Angel introduces Himself as Jehovah Shalom. This is one of God’s personal names. Shalom is a great word. It means God’s greeting to man, the best blessings available to God’s children, the fulfillment of your dreams and your heart’s desire. In particular, it means peace, prosperity, wealth, health, the friendship and favor of God.

‘Lord, I need the peace that passes all understanding, please…’

*I NEED THE HOLINESS OF GOD

Holiness is God’s attribute to be different, special and pure. Holiness is the opposite of sin. Gideon has to be holy as God is holy. He learns to hate evil and all idolatry. In obedience with God’s command he destroys his father’s idol.

‘Lord, I need to be holy as You are HOLY…’

*I NEED THE PURITY OF GOD

Gideon is still not sure on how to proceed. There are still fears and doubts in his heart about the great plan of God for his life. He applies ‘the fleece test’. He makes two requests to God who called him to ministry. The first one is that fleece should be wet with dew and the ground around dry. The second is the opposite; the fleece should be dry and the ground wet with morning dew. The fleece is a symbol of man’s heart and the ground represents the world.  A wet fleece represents a heart filled with the Holy Spirit that is free from the dryness of the environment. A dry fleece is a symbol of the cross; the flesh is dead to sin. The heart is totally separated from the attraction of the world. This proves that God changes a man’s heart deeply.  He uses only a man who is free from the love of the world, from the influence of the circumstances around him.

‘Lord, I need to be pure in my heart and free from the attraction of the world around me…’

In Christ I declare:

The Lord is with me!

I am a mighty man (woman) of valor!

No weapon fashioned against me shall prosper!

I am free from the oppression of sin!

Circumstances around me cannot change my decision to serve God and to give Him all the glory!

I look only unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith!

I have total victory!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high [and defend you]; send you help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen you from Zion” (Ps 20:1; 2; AMP)

This is the promise of Jehovah, the Self-Existent One. He is the only Living God who needs nothing from outside His Person to exist eternally! This is His pledge:  to be with you when you are in in trouble; when you are under attack, alone and sick, abandoned or in pain….when lawyers abandon your case for ‘lack of evidence’… when doctors cannot find the source of your fever… when friends forsake you and the neighbors mock you… when you are ‘too old’ to marry and ‘too barren’ to have a child… when your need is greater than the supply… when hell has found your address and is ready to pay to kill… when prayer ‘does not work’ and the inspiration for singing has dried…

“Holy Spirit, please, come down!!!”

May God who wrote your name in the Book of Life remember you, help you, support, refresh and strengthen you! May God disappoint your fears, melt your doubts, arrest your sickness, fight against your oppressors and overturn the tables! May the power of praise in worship in Zion locate you and ignite a fresh holy fire in you! May the hand of God lift you up, far above the reach of all your enemies! May the increase of God’s kingdom include your home! May you see your children’ children! May you rejoice always, for God is with you!

To the Glory of God who can never fail!

In Christ I declare:

I have seen the downfall of satan!

My trouble shall become my testimony!

I shall always praise and worship the God of my salvation, healing and deliverance!

God is my ever present Help in times of need!

Zion is my hometown forever!

Revival is my portion!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

“Elijah came near to all the people and said: ‘How long will you halt and limp between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal, then follow him!’ And the people did not answer him a word.

So they took the bull given them, dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, O Baal, hear and answer us! But there was no voice; no one answered. And they leaped upon or limped about the altar they had made…And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with knives and lances until the blood gushed out upon them…Midday passed, and they played the part of prophets until the time for offering the evening sacrifice, but there was no voice, no answer, no one who paid attention” (1Kg 18:21-29; AMP)

Let’s go on an imaginary trip to the top of Mount Carmel in Israel. This is the story of the mighty confrontation between the gods. Elijah was the only ambassador for Jehovah. On the other side were hundreds of false prophets representing Jezebel and the devil. Many people came ready for free entertainment. Then Elijah sounds the trumpet: No more doubting! No more ‘halting and limping between two opinions’! You make up your mind and chose who do you want to serve: Jehovah God or the idols! This battle is unto death! The winner takes it all! The loser shall die!

The word ‘doubt’ in this scripture it means to dance with a limp, insecure of your steps. Foolishly, the prophets of Baal picked up the challenge! The ‘burial ceremony’ of Jezebel has started! Her prophets started dancing ‘upon and around’ their altar calling for fire to come. Just imagine the scene! It was like an audition for cripples’ break dance in the woods. The music changed, the melody modulated, the drums changed the rhythm…and yet, nothing happen! When their dance did not gain any converts to the new ‘ballet school’ in town, they tried their final desperate ‘prayer’.

‘Blood must flow today…’ –they said to themselves.  So they cut themselves with knives until their blood stained all around. The spectators were speechless. The spectacle was much more they could have imagined. The ‘actors’ played the part of the prophets and sang and sweated and cursed and danced some more. This drama should have had ‘a happy end’, that was their prophecy…with all the effort and rehearsals for such a day like this…The reputation of Baal was at stake…The people of God, his slaves, may refuse to worship him in case of failure…All hell backed up the show that afternoon…demons were on high alert… emergency coven crew scratched their heads…but the curtain did not rise, the power generator refused to start, the lights blew off and the spectators killed themselves in a panic stampede…

There was no voice, not even an apology coming from the devil. His defeat was total….All people whispered:  ‘the idols are dead…our religion is a disappointment…’

Then evening came, time for the sacrifice at the temple.  The angels came around to see… Elijah prayed to God! It was a simple prayer to the God of the covenant. And the fire fell! Glory to God! El Anah Esh, the God who answers by fire has spoken! He is the only Living God! Jehovah is in charge! He calls the disappointed backsliders back to Himself again!

‘Come home son! Come home daughter!’

Dear friend, Come and pray and worship and sing and dance to the Lamb that was slain! None who trusts in the Lord shall be put to shame! There is no disappointment with Jesus! Praise His holy Name!

In Christ I declare:

The God of Elijah is my God!

Jesus is Lord!

The devil is defeated in my life, in my home!

Revival shall come to my city!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

“We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help…

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need”

(Heb 4:16; TM; NKJ)

We have arrived before the throne of grace. The Lord Jesus is the High Priest. The Lamb upon the throne is there to give grace and mercy for them who are truly in need. Until we understand the revelation of God’s mercy to sinners, we cannot proceed to the higher realms. This royal mercy is the anchor that connects us to the Lord, more clearly revealed when we stumble and fall.

Grace means unmerited favor from God. He sovereignly gives gifts and blesses His people in spite of their sins. Grace destroys all boasting of self and pride. Of necessity, the release of royal grace leads to worshipping the King.

Mercy is God’s sovereign kindness to a sinner who was His personal enemy. Mercy is God’s attitude of compassion to one who suffers the terrible consequences of his sin. In the absence of mercy, the sinner has to die a slow and terrible death, with no human cure available.

When in great trouble, look up and see the throne. Then you shall see His hand waving to you, calling you ‘Come higher…’ So ‘let us’ come boldly to the only place in the universe where we can find help, protection, provision and miracles.

Please observe…such royal blessings come only to them that are ‘in need’. The Lamb upon the Throne is not available to all in the same way. There are many people who suffer, are poor or sick. God has to qualify your status as a person ‘in need’. The word means to lack something vital, to be in want, poor and suffering unto death. Without the mercy of God, the need will kill you. Need is not a selfish desire or a superficial want. Often we confuse need and want, but God is never deceived.

For the release of mercy, we are invited to come ‘boldly’. This word is more connected with the speech. It means to pray with confidence and faith. It describes a free, open speech without any manipulation, religious hypocrisy or deception. For example, in the army, a solider has to ask permission from a senior colleague before he can speak openly. It is not enough to be in trouble. He has to ask for the favor of free speech. If permission is not granted, he cannot trespass his boundary and ‘speak up his mind’.

This type of desperate prayer of need is done when there is no human help available. Another example is this: in the Bible, all widows are not the same. They all suffer but not in the same way. Some have families who can help them. But some have no human help at all. They have been serving God for long time and now they are alone. These are called ‘widows in need’ and they alone have the right to come before the throne of grace to ask for help from God (1Tim 5). The promise is that mercy and grace shall be given in a supernatural way. This is how miracles happen.

“Father, I am sorry for the many years I have wasted deceiving myself that I can do it on my own. The truth is that I need You. I need Your mercy and grace. I need a fresh touch from You. I need Your power, Your resources and Your guidance. Without You I can do nothing. It has come to that…My need has brought me to You. Please receive me…I am Your child…broken and lonely, sick and wounded, O Lamb of God I come, I come…”

In Christ I declare:

“I need Thee, Lord, I need Thee, every hour I need Thee…Bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee…”

In Jesus name

Amen!