HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

Our Women’s Fellowship was very good. We praised God with singing, clapping hands and dancing. The sisters shared testimonies to the glory to God, to the shame of the devil and for the encouragement of the brethren. Sister G said that her husband was coming back from Abuja and had a terrible car accident. He was seated in front with the driver. The car is beyond repairs. But ‘he came out without a scratch and did not even have to take Panadol for body pains’. Sister Y said that her teenage daughter is always in terrible pains during a monthly circle. She cannot go to school or even stand up for two days each month. She prayed and God healed her. No more pains! Sister E said that her daughter is doing very well in school. She had been on the honor’s list since the beginning. She said that because she is a very busy mum, only God can take the credit for this excellent academic performance. Sister B said that last month she was ‘broke’ and had no food to eat; not even garri or rice in the house. Then somebody bought food stuffs at her door. They all gave glory to God for His protection and provision.

Then the Word came. The sermon was titled Life from a barren womb. This is the story of a great woman of God called Hannah. In Hebrew, her name means favor, grace, mercy or prayer. She is a blessed woman, beloved wife and mother. There is a lot we can learn from her. She was in great need. She wanted a child, a son. Her mate provoked her daily. When living under terrible provocation, what do you do? The only way of escape is to run to God and pour your soul’s pain before Him. This is exactly what Hannah did. She used her pain to go to God. Her heart was ‘grieved’ (1Sam 1:8). The word ‘grieved’ means angry, broken to pieces and exhausted. Her situation was painful for two main reasons: ‘God shut her womb’ and Peninnah persecuted her because of her barrenness. It seems that both God and the devil attacked her. The word ‘womb’ here does not describe only the female organ that carries the pregnancy but also the heart, the center of emotions or the source of compassion. God shut down her heart, her love. In the midst of her problems, Hannah discovered that her passion to worship God is quenching, the love for her husband is falling; her faith is getting weaker and that the store of compassion is almost empty. Hannah is drifting towards the danger zone of backsliding. Chronic sorrow poisons the spirit. We should not grieve like the unbelievers who have no hope that God is able to change the circumstances (1 Thess 4:13). We feel pain when attacked, insulted and provoked for no good reason or persecuted for our faith. But this pain should never overpower our faith in God. The devil’s plan is to destroy your faith and to make you backslide. But remember that the Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest, promised this: Child of God, “I have prayed for you … that your faith may not fail” (Lk 22:32). Hannah runs to Jesus, the High Priest who prays for her! That is what we should do!

“So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish” (1 Sam 1:9, 10) This is the turning point in the story. Hannah arose! She leaves husband, friends and enemies behind and alone, she goes into the Temple to meet with God. She ‘arose’ from that place of pain and failure and by faith, she goes to meet with God. The word ‘arose’ describes spiritual warfare. It means divine strength to rise against your enemies like God’s standard high against the flood of evil. It is not a pretty female word. It describes a soldier for Christ standing against the enemy and ready to take the crown of victory. Hannah arose and prayed! This is a powerful combination. Many pray in the horizontal state of defeat. God does not answer. If there is breath in you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, woman of God, arise, shine and pray! Your light has come! Your testimony is here!

The word ‘ask’ appears 7 times in this chapter. Number seven is the number of perfection. It is also translated as prayer or a desire to obtain something. Hannah said that Samuel is what she has asked of God. Hannah prayed to God a particular form of prayer. She ‘continued praying before the Lord’ (1Sam 1:12). The word ‘continued’ here means increase, abundance, to enlarge, to excel, to multiply and to fill the store. This ‘continuing in prayer’ is praying with the strength of the Holy Ghost. You start praying in English, waiting for the Holy Ghost to take over your heart and mouth. It is like an eagle flapping the wings to reach a current of air. From that point on, the current carries the eagle. He soars by the power of the wind. He does not get tired. In the same way, you need to have faith that the wind of the Holy Spirit will suddenly take over your spirit, heart and mouth. You pray on and on without getting tired. This sign of God of ‘continuing in prayer’ is the preview of the miracle.

Hannah says that she is a woman of sorrowful spirit and that she poured her soul before the Lord. The word ‘sorrowful spirit’ means a terrible spiritual pain, a soul that is in labor and wants to deliver life. The word ‘pour out’ here means to spill forth (liquid or blood). It is like her soul is bleeding in prayer. It also means to spend money, life or soul in prayer. In other words, for prayer to be answered by God, you must pray not from your mouth, but from your heart. You must pray to God until, like Jesus said, ‘power leaves you’ and you become empty. “Jesus said: “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from Me.” (Lk 8:46). You pray in the Holy Ghost and you connect with the Lord. Healing power, miraculous power will come down from heaven into you. At the end of that prayer you know that you have given God your best. Your whole heart is on the altar. This is a ‘labor prayer’ that never fails to deliver. Most of the Christians are too lazy to ‘pray through’ like this. They pray a little and they get tired or discouraged. But they still wish to receive a big miracle. As you can see, Hannah has much to teach us about prayer that ‘moves’ God.

The next thing we are told that happened after this poured-out-soul-breakthrough prayer is that Hannah’s face has changed. Suddenly, her face changes from sadness and anxiety to one of peace and joy. This change of face reflects the change of heart. This is the Holy Ghost signal that God has changed the circumstances. Hannah now goes to eat and drink at the ‘table prepared for her in the presence of her enemies… But now, her head is oiled with joy and her cup overflows…’ (Ps 23:5) She now worships the Lord. We are told that God remembered Hannah and gave her a son. She names the boy Samuel, meaning ‘God has heard me’. Hannah prayed for two things: for God to remember her and to give her a son. Both requests were answered. Later, she brings little Samuel and gives him to God according to her vow. “Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there” (1Sam 1:28)

What are the lessons? God listens to the prayer of His people. God is a good God. He cares for you. This is His Word: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1Pet 5:7). But remember, God has the authority to give or to withhold blessings (God is able to shut the womb and to open the same womb). When God remembers you, that remembrance guarantees He’s blessing you. God answers our prayers in His own time. Nothing is impossible for God! Like the dead dry bones rise again when the Holy Wind blows on them, so also life can spring up from the barren womb! Trust God for your miracle! Until then, the worship must continue…

‘Open heavens… Open heavens… Baba Jesus, open the heavens over me…’

I am not worried about tomorrow. It is to far for me. My Lord Jesus Christ is here with me right now, in this present moment! His presence is enough for me. I live moment by moment. By His grace! Thank You Lord Jesus!

“Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Mt 6:34)

“Holy darkness, blessed night,
heaven’s answer hidden from our sight.
As we await You, O God of silence,
we embrace Your holy night.

“Do not neglect the gift that is in you…” (1Tim 4:14)

Each born again child of God has a deposit of the Holy Spirit in his heart. This is a basic doctrine. He also has at least one spiritual gift so he can serve his Lord. This gift is given by the Holy Spirit for the glory of God and for the benefit of the brethren. If you are a child of God, you shall give an account to God for the gift He has given to you. It is your duty to stir the gift in you, to use it, to manifest it and not to neglect it.

We are commanded not to neglect the gift deposited in us. God’s command is to be obeyed. To neglect a gift it means to be careless with it, to disrespect it, to fail to use it or to appreciate it. It also means to be bored or un-excited about it; to refuse to acknowledge it or to praise God for it. A neglected gift remains dormant like a seed ‘planted’ on the hard pavement. It has no roots and to fruits. There is great potential in the gift but it remains barren. if you neglect your gift you give the impression that God has not blessed you with anything special. You look like a prince that has no food to eat. People know that you are a christian but that there is ‘something wrong’ with you.

What is the effect of neglecting your spiritual gift? Because the gift is like a tool to work or weapon to fight with, a neglected gift makes you poor and afraid. You observe that, with all your hard labor, you are still poor. This poverty is mysterious. You do not experience supernatural ‘open doors’. There is no breakthrough in your life. “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men” (PV 18:16). You shall be surrounded by ordinary men, poor men who are not able to help you. A strange anxiety follows you like a shadow. When you pray, God will not answer. God will direct your attention to your neglect of His investment in you. Repent and pray to be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit! Then go and use your gift! Immediately your life will change to better and testimonies shall follow! In Jesus’ name, amen!

What is the solution? The opposite of neglect it means to lovingly care for the gift, to patiently invest in others until you see fruits, until you see it multiplication of testimonies. Please remember that the gifts of God are not for personal fame or wealth. They are tools for service. Pride is another hindrance in using your gifts. Humble yourself! Do not compare your gift with others. Use what God has given to you and see the results!

If you use it, God receives the glory for your gift. The Body of Christ shall benefit from your gift. This is the sure way of holy success. God shall reward you for your faithfulness. Great men shall help you. Prosperity shall follow you.Truth is simple but truth is also deep. May truth be merciful to you and set you free!

Let’s pray: Dear heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus, Your Son and my Lord. I ask for forgiveness for the sin of neglecting the wonderful gift you have invested in me. Have mercy on me, Father. I repent of my sin. I turn away from my sin. I come to You. Fill me Holy Spirit. Help me to stand in Your name and manifest the gift You have given me. I dedicated all the success of ministry to You, Father God. All glory goes to You! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

(In the picture you see a neglected dog who was adopted by a family and cared for him and loved him back to life. This is a picture of a neglected gift that can be stirred back to life. Do you see the difference?)

The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge in New York City and is one of the oldest roadway bridges in the United States. Started in 1869 and completed fourteen years later in 1883, it connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, spanning the East River. It has a main span of 1,595.5 feet (486.3 m) and was the first steel-wire suspension bridge constructed.

“The story is told of the engineer who designed the Brooklyn Bridge. During its building he was injured. For many long months he was shut up in his room. His gifted wife shared his toils, and carried his plans to the workmen. At last the great bridge was completed. Then the invalid architect asked to see it. They put him upon a cot, and carried him to the bridge. They placed him where he could see the magnificent structure in all its beauty. There he lay, in his helplessness, intently scanning the work of his genius. He marked the great cables, the massive piers, the mighty anchorages which fettered it to the earth. His critical eye ran over every beam, every girder, every chord, every rod. He noted every detail carried out precisely as he had dreamed it in his dreams, and wrought it out in his plans and specifications. And then as the joy of the achievement filled his soul, as he saw and realized that it was finished exactly as he had designed it, in an ecstasy of delight he cried out; ‘It’s just like the plan, it’s just like the plan.’

Recently, I had to counsel and pray with some young men who are taking marihuana. Their lives are scattered. Their minds are confused. They hear (religious) voices. The devil keeps them in bondage. The cage is very strong. Without help from God, they cannot recover. I write these lines with pain and anger in my heart. I hate the devil! I hate these drugs! I write these words as a doctor, pastor, mother and grandmother. It is not a subject I like to think about. But I cannot ignore it! I had to re-examine the terrible effects these illegal drugs have on the people, especially the youths. Many are true Christians and come to church. They love the Lord and want to serve Him. They want to have a good life, to go to school, marry and live well. But the addiction to this poison hinders them to live well and live long.

The most common and the cheapest addiction that the devil offers here in Nigeria is ‘marihuana’. The young men smoke it or drink the tea made from its dry leaves. Marijuana (Cannabis, Hemp, Hashish) is a plant used by many all over the world as an illegal pleasure drug. The word ‘marijuana’ is related with a Spanish word which is translated ‘prisoner’. (Attention: the devil wants to make you his prisoner thru this plant that God has created!!!). More and more young people try it and become addicted to it. It is a deception to think that marihuana is a harmless drug. It has great potential of destroying your health and your future. Marijuana, like other drugs of abuse, can result in addiction. During intoxication, marijuana can interfere with the cognitive function of the brain (ex. memory and perception of time) and the motor function (e.g., coordination). These effects can have detrimental consequences (ex. traffic accidents). The people who use marijuana have a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety and other more serious psychiatric sicknesses. Repeated marijuana use during adolescence may result in long-lasting changes in brain function that can jeopardize educational, professional, and social achievements. Most people who smoke marihuana drop out from school and get involved in other crimes.

Dear young man! Dear young woman! You who takes illegal drugs: If you read these words, it means that God is talking to you! God wants to help you, to deliver you from the demons associated with them. God loves you! Give your life to Christ! Start reading the Bible and pray. Go to a good church. Let your pastor pray for you. Deliver yourself! At the name of Jesus every knee will bow! One with God is majority! God is able and more than able to deliver you, to heal you and give you a good future.

This is God’s Promise to you:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity…” (Jer 29:11-14)

Let’s pray: “Dear Heavenly Father I come to You on behalf of Your people who desire deliverance from drug addiction, especially marihuana. Have mercy Oh, Lord. Nobody can help them except You. Do for them what money cannot buy and man cannot give. I take authority against the wicked demon of drug addiction, against fear, anxiety, depression, madness, restlessness, poverty, suicide, hopelessness, deception and confusion! I bind you! I silence you! Leave God’s people alone and go away! In the name of Jesus! I destroy every spell that the devil has placed on them! I destroy the spiritual cage of addiction! Holy Spirit please take control. Let the miracle of freedom happen! Let freedom be real! Revel to them the power and the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! Let their body reject the desire to go back to drugs! I plead the Blood of Jesus over you! I declare that their minds are sound, that their hearts are filled with peace and joy! Father God, it is all to Your Glory! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!”

“Test all spirits for not are from God!” (1Jn 4:1)
Look well at this insect in the picture. It looks like a bee but it is not. It is called Volucella. This is an insect that has a strong resemblance to the humble bee. They are ‘co-workers’. They too eat the nectar of flowers. They are ‘friends’. But the Volucella deceive and exploit the bees. They abuse this resemblance to introduce themselves fraudulently into the bee nests, and they deposit their eggs there. The bees do not seem to identify this foreign insect. It looks like they trust them, for they meet on top of flowers, eating the same nectar and making friends there. When the Volucella’s eggs have hatched, their larvae, which have two strong mandibles, devour the larvae of their hosts, the bees. This wickedness is the ‘reward’ they give to the bees for the hospitality they have received!

“You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you…  I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is… it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you … In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.…” (Gal 5:7-10; 2 Thess 1:6; Rom 8:37)

Child of God, you are a champion because God has made you so! The Holy Spirit is your teacher, coach and encourager. He is training you daily. He expects you to run according to the rules of the game. Though you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit will not accept bribes or manipulations to bend the rules. He trains you to be a real champion in your mind, emotions, will, body and spirit! This marathon race is hard work. But you are looking for your reward in the future. The promise of reward helps you overcome the difficulties. The gold crown or the gold medal you shall receive is a gift you want to place at the feet of Jesus Christ, your Savior and Lord.

One of the ways satan tempts the children of God is to bring one of his people by your side as you run the race of faith. The Accuser of the brethren sends an athlete alongside you. You have never seen this strange man training in any stadium around. You don’t know his coach. You do not know his past achievements. All you know is that he is huge, with big muscles and strong voice. He is confident and he is boasting of victory. He is placed to run next to you. Suddenly, he whispers words of mockery and discouragement to you, saying: ‘you call yourself a Christian, you are a fool… you can never finish this race… this race is too hard for you… I am the best athlete in the world… you are a ‘nobody’… there is no need to run… just go away and rest… leave the stadium and go home… nobody in your family is a champion… it is not in your DNA… just go away…if not, I will push you aside, and wound you, and kill you… the director of the stadium is my friend… nobody will help you… don’t you see how insignificant you are?’

For a time you listen to these wicked words. Fear of failure, of disgrace, of untimely death… is trying to enter your heart.  A strange weakness squeezes your soul. You breathe hard… You start to doubt your faith… You almost stumble and fall… Then you remember that the Holy Spirit is running by your side… ‘What a relief!’- you tell yourself… Then you whisper to the Holy Spirit… ‘Did you see this great champion running by my side? He says he will take my crown… What shall I do?’ Then the Holy Spirit speaks: ‘My child, fear not! Resist him and he will run away from you! He is a fake athlete. The enemy has sent him to tempt you, to give up your crown. He is already disqualified because he has tested positive for illegal drugs. He is a liar! Do not listen to him! Focus your gaze on Me, the Author and the Finisher of your faith! You are the true champion! I am always by your side! Let’s move on!”

Suddenly, my eyes got opened to see the King of glory seated on His throne! Truth sets me free! I now remember who I am in Christ! I am complete in Him! My Lord has never lost a battle! In Him I too can never lose! I am more than an overcomer thru Him who loved me and died for me! I am a champion! Nobody can take my crown! You devil, get out! Go away before I crush you underfoot! Nonsense liar! Defeated foe! Disgraced thief! Yeye athlete! Holy Spirit is my guide, even to the end! I receive power as the Holy Ghost comes upon me! Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to men on whom His grace abides! Halleluiah!

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

“So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2Kg 6:13-17)

The Saturday evening prophetic prayer meeting was wonderful. We entered God’s courts with praises! There was an anointing of acceleration. Faith was revived! We quickly ran before the throne of grace. Drops of glory were falling on us. Our heads were anointed with the oil of joy. Our cup overflows… We took this to be an encouragement from above. In God’s presence there is fullness of joy. It is in God’s presence that we truly belong.

We have entered a season called Shalom. In Hebrew, it means peace, prosperity, health and wealth, favor and friends. By faith we claim them all! Prophetically, we identify with Joseph and with his journey.  He suffered great pain but God vindicated him at last! His reward was greater than his sorrow! He was betrayed by his brothers and sold as a slave at a place called Dothan (Gen 37:17). The word means ‘Two wells’ or ‘Double blessings’. Dothan, the place of tragedy and loss becomes a wonderful place of divine intervention and victory during the time of Elisha. Please read the story how Elisha uses his prophetic gift to defeat the Syrians to the glory of Jehovah (2Kg 6:8-23). In this story we identify with Elisha and his servant. Therefore, according to the Word of God, prophetically, in Christ, we declare:

*God is with us! Our victory is sure!

*The ‘heart of our enemies is greatly troubled’. In the camp of our enemies there is great confusion. They are suspicious of one another! They blame one another. They are very anxious! They are failing and they don’t know why! For God is with us!

*Like the king of Syria, who knowing that Elisha listens to his bedroom conversation, is foolish enough to send an army to arrest the man of God… so our enemies are becoming more and more foolish, doing things that they shall regret!

*Just few years previously, Elisha healed the great commander of the Syrian army called Naaman. He did not charge him money. The king of Syria is ungrateful for the good gift he has received from the prophet. He wants to fight the man of God. He can never win this battle! Our ungrateful enemies can never win the battle against us!

*Our enemy is totally defeated because he uses natural weapons (horses and chariots) to fight the spiritual weapons of the Holy Spirit (heavenly angels; fire horses and chariots)! Sickness, poverty, oppression has failed!

*God shall use this crisis to open our eyes. Our vision of God shall be purified. We shall be delivered from all fears! We shall see in the Spirit’ realm and move led by the Holy Spirit! No army can defeat us! No weapon formed against us shall prosper! Every tongue that rises against us shall be condemned!  This is our heritage as servants of God!  Religion, rejection, mockery has failed!

*There is a reversal of blessings! Our eyes become open; in the same time, our enemies shall become spiritually blind. This strange blindness will have effect upon their lives from now on: They shall easily stumble and fall; they shall make mistakes; they shall become sluggish as they try to make progress; they shall become overly anxious; they shall (over) depend on men to move. These ‘helpers’ will take advantage of them. They are men who will lead them into trouble. When a blind man leads a blind man, both shall fall into the ditch. The ditches will be crowded with foolish proud stubborn blind men! Their only hope is to repent and give their lives to Christ!

*We declare that the ones with us a more than the ones with them. The angels surround us because we fear God!

*Our Dothan of pain has become our Dothan of praise!  We shall celebrate our victory with a great feast of the Holy Ghost singing and dancing! Many shall hear the rejoicing in the camp of the righteous and shall give their lives to Christ! Our God is omnipotent! He reigns forever! Power belongs to God! He is over-generous with His blessings. The heavens are opened over us. We have no other option than to shout unto the Lord with a shout of triumph! To God be all the glory! In Jesus name we pray, amen! Halleluiah!

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

“And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called… So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you whole.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road” (Mk 10:46-52)

The Women’s Fellowship was very good. We praised God with singing and dancing. Then it was time for testimonies! These are some of them: Sister A said that she and her husband came back from a trip in Greece, following in the footsteps of Apostle Paul. She now appreciates how committed the Apostle was to preach the Gospel. It was not easy to go from city to city. Sister R said that her son was always over active. That was the reason why he did not do well in school. She prayed and cried to God for a miracle. This year, to everybody’s surprise, he did so well, that he took a most desired reward. Sister D is a teacher. She teaches the students in primary one (first grade). One day, she received a call from a teacher who works in the same school. This teacher forgot her phone in the class. The Holy Spirit was prompting her to go and look for her phone. The only two people who have the key to the school were Sister D and the security man. This teacher got the key and entered the class looking for her phone. This was in the evening. To her surprise, she found a child sleeping there in the darkness. He has been there since the class closed at about 1pm. Sister D was grateful that the Holy Spirit led her colleague to go back and look for her phone and so, find this ‘lost’ child. Sister B is 43. She is pregnant with her first child. Her husband has epilepsy for more than twenty years. They both prayed and asked God for a miracle of healing. The last time he had an attack was June 2017. After that she got pregnant. The baby will be coming any time from now. We all gave thanks to God for His grace, mercy and goodness to us!

Then the Word of God came. This is the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man healed by Jesus! He was a beggar. He was in great need. He knew that no man can help him. The people around were more than useless. They had no faith in prayer or in the God that answers prayers. Job calls them ‘miserable comforters’ (Job 16:2). They not only refuse to help, but they hinder help. They ‘warned him to be quiet’. They discouraged him to pray or trust God for a miracle. They have sight and they tell a blind man to remain blind. This was their attitude: ‘Man, rest in peace! Accept your cross! Stay blind! Beg for food! This is your life! God has forgotten you!’ Recognize the voice of doubt and failure. Bartimaeus lived in bondage to this familiar lying spirit for many years. But that day, as he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was ‘passing by’ him, something happened in his spirit. For the first time in his life he decided to pray for a miracle, for something new, for something better. He dared to believe in a new life! He made the decision to resist and reject the wicked counsel of fear, doubt and defeat. He chose to trust God with all his heart! He decided to pray aloud and to ‘cry out all the more’. He chose to believe that his cry will be heard by Jesus who alone can heal him. As faith rose up in his spirit, so his strength and courage to shout unto God increased! Thru faith he touched the Throne of mercy and grace and ‘found grace in his time of need’ (Heb 4:16). Hallelujah!

Observe what happens next! His cry for mercy made Jesus to ‘stand still’. In Greek, these words also mean to stand up, to stand by, to abide, to bring (a gift), to continue in that position without interruptions or to establish the covenant. Jesus stopped for Bartimaeus, waiting calmly for him to come closer. Immediately, Bartimaeus ‘got the message’. This was his moment. It is called ‘destiny changing moment’. It is an open door in the Spirit. You use it or you lose it. He was blind but he was not a fool. Now observe the changing of the tune at the background. The same men that told him to stop seeking for a miracle, they now encourage him to go to Jesus! As you pray to be more sensitive with the leading of the Holy Spirit, this is a great lesson: Once you sense that ‘the men’s choir’ change their song, from the minor key of doubting to one of encouragement, then you should act by faith and run to Jesus! Bartimaeus was the Lord’s sheep. He did not see the road ahead but he heard the voice of his shepherd. That was all he needed to move on. Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn 10:27). He ‘threw aside his garment’. This old dirty garment tagged him as a useless man, a blind beggar. The garment was designed for him as a symbol of rejection, failure and loss. But things change… In the presence of God, the garment was heaviness is needed no more. By faith, he put on the new garment of praise given to those who believe in God. As ‘busy’ as Jesus was, He stopped His work to attend to one simple man. Jesus waited. Bartimaues ran to Jesus! A discussion started. Jesus was not in a hurry to move on. The Lord gave him His full attention. The blessings released at the Cross benefited this needy man. The Blood of Jesus spoke on his behalf. Jesus gave him eyes to see! This is how the miracle happened. Glory!

By faith, Bartimaeus received not only his sight, but he received life! Eternal life! He received the miracle of a new beginning, a glorious testimony that the only living God has made him whole. This man’s cry touched the heart of God! He prayed in such a way that Jesus was ‘moved’. When His friend Lazarus died we are told that “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb” (Jn 11:38). When Jesus saw the people, confused and lonely, He was moved in His heart. “When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36).
It is very important that we should know the truth about the Person of Jesus Christ. Child of God, Jesus loves you. Your pain ‘moves’ the Lord! He sees your tears! He wants to help you. Jesus is now in heaven. He is our High Priest. He listens to our prayers and to our praises. He is moved by them. That is why we have confidence in prayer and during worship (Heb 4:14, 15). May the faith of Bartimaeus challenge and inspire you today! May we do the same! When in need, run to Jesus! Run to the mercy seat! Nothing is impossible for God! May God grant you a new beginning! Be healed! Be delivered! Praise God forever!

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I throw aside my garment of sin, shame, doubt, guilt, poverty, heaviness, fear, failure and loss!
I put on the righteousness of Christ, His garment of light, love and hope of glory!
My miracle has come! I move on! My life will never be the same again! I am healed! I am made whole!
To the glory of God! In Jesus’ name! Amen!

“To everything there is a season; a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecc 3:1)

God is eternal. He created time for us who live on earth. God’s time is always different than ours. When trials come, He seems too fast. When we need help, He seems too slow. Therefore, God’s time is mysterious. None can totally explain it. But God’s time is perfect. Looking back, you see the fruit of God’s timing in blessing us! You agree that ‘all things work together for our good’ in God’s time.

In His Word, God gives us wonderful promises. But He does not tell us when they shall be fulfilled. He wants us to trust Him for the fulfillment of these promises. He wants us to leave in His hands the timing of the visible manifestation of that invisible faith.

After the Lord Jesus died and resurrected, the disciples asked Him some questions about the future. They knew the promises of Jesus but they also wanted to know the time of their fulfillment. But Jesus did not tell them when the promises shall manifest. He said that timing is under the authority of God the Father. “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Ac 1:6-8)

Most of us are behaving the same.  We want to know ‘when’ we shall experience that healing, that breakthrough we have been praying for. We complain: ‘God, when?’ But God does not tell us ‘when’. Then we get discouraged… The devil will torment us with lies: ‘God has forgotten about you…God is too busy to attend to your case…’ We must reject these lies and trust God!

We need to walk by faith. We need to exercise patience to see the promises fulfilled. Practice faith and patience in little things. Then it is easier to practice it in bigger things. In my experience, faith is easier to achieve than patience, but we need both.  Pride and rebellion will push you to insist knowing the timing of future events. Therefore, pray for the grace of waiting quietly! Pray that God will increase your strength to endure from the moment the promise is given until the visible manifestation comes. In the meantime pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then ‘power will come upon you’! Continue to witness to others about Jesus. This is the best way to use your time until the miracle comes. For in God’s time it will surely come! I promise you!

“The Lord is my Shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul…” (Ps 23:1-3)

A sheep that has rolled over on its back is called a “cast sheep’. It can’t get up because its center of gravity is off, sometimes because it’s pregnant or simply because it has a full fleece. Once fallen, a cast sheep tries to restore itself back on its feet. But it is not easy. The sheep then panics, cries and waste more energy. The gasses start to build up in the abdomen and it can die in a matter of hours. A wild animal can come and kill the defenseless sheep. Most of the times, the sheep is not be able to get up without assistance. That is why the shepherd has to be very observant to know when a sheep is missing. It is the shepherd or his trained dogs that can turn a cast sheep back on its feet. The process seems rough but it saves the sheep’s life. Once the sheep stands, she still needs to be supported for few minutes. The shepherd holds it between his legs until it stops shaking, until the fear is gone and it is balanced again. After that, the sheep is free!

David was a shepherd. He knew the danger of staying downcast, spiritually ‘upside down’ for too long, just like a cast sheep… “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps 43:5).

The word ‘downcast’ describes a cast sheep. His soul is upside down, helpless, depressed, anxious, sinking down in despair. The danger for a sheep to lose its balance and to overturn is especially when it is pregnant or the fleece is too heavy. Spiritually speaking, our soul is in danger of backsliding when we become fruitful or too comfortable in our blessings. The devil attacks in both situations especially with an evil spirit of pride. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (PV 16:18)

Pride is extremely difficult to detect. God allows us to fall a little, to expose the hidden pride. We need to repent and become humble servants. Pride leads to backsliding. This is my testimony: when I become proud, I start falling spiritually. Suddenly, my life becomes upside down. Just like a cast sheep, I panic, trying to save myself. My soul becomes ‘disturbed within’. This word means trouble, war, noisy voices and arguments inside my soul. I lose my peace and spiritual balance. I feel hopeless and my world is upside down. The more I struggle to restore myself back on my feet, the worse things become, inside and outside. That is when I have to exercise self-control. I have to stop this crazy, frantic, lonely struggle…I have to remind myself that I am not alone. I belong to Somebody! I have a Shepherd! Elohim, the Creator of the Heavens and the earth is my God! Jesus is my Shepherd! I shall not want…There is hope!!I I shall praise God again in the sanctuary…I cannot die as a backslider…God forbid! I claim God’s promise: God will “restore my soul”…I shall humble myself and wait on God…He knows all things…He knows that I am missing from the fold…He said that He will leave 99 sheep to look for me alone…He shall find me and bring me back to His flock where I belong…I encourage myself thru the Word of God! This encouragement has never failed me! Praise the Lord!

My prayer: “I need You Lord Jesus…I trust in You, Savior…I humble myself…Forgive me for my foolish pride…Please come to help me…I cannot live alone…Nothing else can satisfy but You…No one else can restore my soul, except You…I love You more than any human on earth, more than my own life…I promise never to go astray…Holy Spirit fill me afresh…Thank You Jesus… Thank You my Lord…All the glory goes to You alone!”

In Christ I declare:
The Lord is my Shepherd!
I shall not want!
My soul is restored!
My health is restored!
My marriage is restored!
My ministry if restored!
My finances are restored!
My peace and joy are restored!
To the glory of God!
In Jesus’ name
Amen!

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
THE ENEMY SANK LIKE LEAD IN THE MIGHTY WATERS!
“The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’
But God, You blew with Your wind
The sea covered them
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods, who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders” (Ex 15:8-11)

We just finished our Saturday evening prophetic prayer meeting. It was very good. The anointing of victory was upon us. Holy courage was imparted in us. What I mean by ‘very good’ is that from the beginning to the end the Holy Spirit was in charge, directing our path, encouraging us to believe for grater things and to move forward. In the presence of the Holy Spirit there is fullness of joy and an unending supply of supernatural encouragement. We started praying and praising God. Suddenly my eyes opened in the Spirit and I saw a vision connected with us. We were a group of believers running. Another group of people, mean looking, like ‘area boys’ or gang men, were pursuing us with weapons, like machetes. We the believers were running together. Then all of us arrived at a airport and a plane was waiting for us. We all entered the plane. The engine was on. After the last brother entered in, the pilot closed the doors. The plane started moving towards the runway to take off. Suddenly, the evil men invaded the airport trying to stop the plane. But they failed. They were totally disappointed and defeated.They started fighting against one other. Then some cursed us and did some incantations to their gods to crash the plane.

In the plane we started singing praises to God for the mighty deliverance. But as the plane was going higher it suddenly entered a thick black cloud. The plane was shaking badly. Our praises stopped. Fear started to creep among the brethren. Some began thinking about going back. Doubt about the journey started rising in some hearts. But if we go back, we shall fall into the trap of the wicked men. We had a choice to make. We needed to be together in this for the plane cannot stop for some few. The unity of the Spirit was necessary for the deliverance of all.

I asked them: ‘Brethren, what do we do? If we tell the pilot to turn back we shall fall into the hands of our human enemies. They have no mercy on us. But if we trust God to pass thru this darkness, to defeat this spiritual enemy, then we shall arrive safely to the other side, the place of breakthrough and victory. Is anybody here ready to go back? Do you want to go back to sickness, to poverty and to oppression? Do you want to betray your success? If your answer is yes, put up your hand’ … Nobody did so… ‘But if you are ready to trust God this evening to carry us on Eagles’ wings, to the other side of the darkness, where the sun shines and there is no storm at all, to the place of shalom and victory, stand up and pray!’

Everybody, adults and children stood up and prayed. We rejected the demons of fear, of backsliding, of doubt, of empty religion, of confusion and of failure! We asked the Holy Spirit to fill us afresh. We started confessing by faith that victory and breakthrough in Christ is ours! We started praising God for the mighty deliverance from both human and spiritual enemies! We praised God even for the trial, for the dark cloud, for because of it, when looking back, we did not see the enemies again! As we were praising God with singing and dancing, a strong smell of burnt wire came into the hall. Some brethren looked for the source of the smell but they were not sure from where it was coming from. I asked them: ‘This is a smell of burning. We do not know from where it is coming from. What do we do? Shall will stop the prayer meeting and run away or continue to praise God! Everybody said we shall praise God even more! The praises increased! We declared that our enemies, both physical and spiritual, have been totally defeated! They fell into the sea of judgment like heavy lead! There is no peace for the wicked! God is with us! Jesus has never failed any battle! Inside the ‘plane of the Holy Ghost’ like the Ark of Noah, there is rejoicing and overflowing praise! Glory!

It is always wonderful to be in the presence of our God. I pity the Christians who only attend Sunday services. Congregational prayer and intercession is always very healthy and uplifting to the soul. To pray is hard, I know. But the reward is much greater than the labor! The gain cannot be described. The spiritual profit multiplies itself. You learn more in one hour under the anointing of the Holy Spirit than one year of going to Bible school (I am not condemning Bible schools, please…). This evening we declare that in Christ, trouble became testimony! Fear became faith! Doubt melted and became dancing for God!

At the end, the Holy Spirit eagle softly deposited us on the platform of greater grace. We landed to earth loaded with great spiritual benefits and blessings untold. Overwhelmed by the goodness of God, we knelt down and thanked God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for making these things real to us, for the progress, for the protection, for the privilege to partake in His victory and for the manifested gain of the Cross in our lives! Hallelujah Hosanna! Thank You Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

“But others mocking said: “They are filled with new wine.” (Ac 2:13)
This is the definition of mocking:
*To treat others with ridicule, contempt; malicious belittling;
*To imitate, to mimic as to resemble a clown, just for fun 
*To frustrate another’s hopes or efforts; to cause another to appear irrelevant, ineffectual, or impossible

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (Jn 10:27, 28)

I am a child of God. I am also a pastor. Many Christians struggle with the doctrine called ‘the assurance of salvation’. The argue and quarrel about it. They think it is their duty to live in doubt and fear. The evil spirit of religion is the wicked author of this confusion. They assume that spiritual confidence is pride and holy assurance is empty boasting. If they are truly saved, in spite of their doubts and fears, they will go to heaven. But they will not enjoy their journey on earth. What a pity…

“The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes,..So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom 13:12)

My name is Silvia Lia Leigh. I am 64. I was born in Romania. I was an atheist all my life. This is until I met the Lord Jesus and thru a crisis conversion became saved. That was in 1986. I still remember the joy of enrolling in the army of the Lord. The first time I tried the armor, it was too big and too heavy for me. I was surprised because I knew that The Holy Spirit is the greatest Designer of all. Can God make mistakes? No! Then I prayed asking… ‘My Father God, why is the belt of truth too wide for me? Why is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God too long for me? Why is the shield of faith to heavy for me…’