“The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord” (PV 18:21, 22)

THE TONGUE OF DEATH HAS BEEN DEFEATED!

Recently, a sad young man showed me a text message on his phone. It was from his wife who claims to be a Christian. The two of them had a quarrel. I could only read few words and I felt like sick. She wrote: “You are a goat, a slave and an idiot…” The rest I can’t even print. I was very sorry…I knew his wife. She never insulted me directly, but these words revealed her real spirit. There is no need to ask him what provoked his wife to say such things…No woman of God should speak like this! Not even to her driver or house-boy! Try to imagine, after hearing these words, how can such a man go to church to worship? Dear brothers and sisters, under no circumstances, under no provocation you should speak write or even think such wicked words. A wise woman builds her house (with kind, patient, loving and encouraging words…with silences when needed…with prayers…with kindness in action…) but a foolish one will destroy her own marriage with bitter words and with the fiery tongue of a serpent on errand from hell (PV 14:1).

Read the scriptures above. The Holy Spirit has placed them together. The success of any marriage depends on the words spoken at home. I counsel women (mostly) and men in my office. Often they come crying, quoting painful words and bitter curses from the mouth of their spouses. Physically, men are stronger. Under provocation they may react violently. As a wife, it is terrible to be a victim of physical domestic violence. No wife forgets that slap, that punch, that beating. Years pass by but the anger, the shame is still there. The women attack their husbands with words. They hurt their feelings with insults, mockery or curses. Words can be even more painful than a ‘silent’ slap. We may regret the words and the hurt caused in anger. We may even say sorry… but the wounds last for a long, long time. Words have power. Words are seeds of life or death. There is a harvest for each one of us. We must eat it, if we like it or not. We cannot divorce our words. They shall hunt us, for better or for worse. There are consequences we must bear for the words that came out of our mouths.

There is power in the tongue. During the time of dating, study each other and especially, listen to one another. The beauty of her face or the money in his account cannot compensate for the mistake of marrying someone who does not fear God and cannot control the tongue. Our words reveal our hearts.

Dear brother, do you want to know if this woman you say you love will be a good wife to you? Then listen to her well! Listen to her speech! What is she saying to you? What is she saying to others? Especially, listen to her when she is angry….Listen to her when things do not work her way… Listen to her when she is tired to pretend…

A mature Christian woman is known by self-control. She has the power to control her tongue, even under painful provocation. Your wife should not curse you at all! If in pain, she will explain to you how she feels, but she will never curse you. ‘The law of kindness is on her tongue’ (PV 31:26). She will either bless you or she will keep silent. But she will not lose her temper and angrily scream bitter insults at you. That is how unbelievers react. Marry a child of God! You say that this is an ideal woman. Yes, but this ‘ideal’ woman exists somewhere. Pray that God will connect the two of you. Why marry danger? Why connect with hell? Why gamble with your destiny?

The tongue has the power to kill the listener. A wayward woman is known by her speech. She uses flattery to seduce the ignorant. Flatter means insincere, lying praise. Dear brother, why do you want to listen to lies? Why do you want to hear wonderful things about your successes or about your possessions? Why do you want to feed the pride of life? Why will you be infatuated with a woman who falls in love with your bank account? Why will you admire a woman who praises your car? Flattery is a red flag of danger. Listen to your conscience!

A true woman of God will speak the truth in love, hurts you only if you need correction and directs your heart to Jesus when you go astray. ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend but an enemy multiplies kisses’ (PV 27:6).

Marry a woman who knows the road to life eternal, who directs others to Jesus and not to herself or to you. Marry a woman who fears the Lord! Therefore she will hate evil and what the devil will do to you.

Your wife should not lie at all! God hates a lying tongue. The devil is a liar! You will not want to marry a woman that God sees as a trouble maker. No matter what you and your friends say about her, it is only God’s opinion that matters. A wicked heart produces wicked words. They will kill your spirit, quench your passion for Jesus and destroy your ministry. No human being should do that to you! Your wife should not be a gossip, should not be an idle busy-body. During dating, study her mouth, her feet and her hands. What does she like to talk about? When both of you are silent, what subjects does she initiate? Where does she go every day? Who are her friends? What church does she attend? What type of preaching does she listen to? What is she doing from morning till evening? You should want to know the truth about her spirit before you join your body to hers. The foundation of marriage is very important, I’m sure that you know it!

Do not marry to divorce! Do not marry to please people! Do not marry for fun! Do not marry for money! Honor marriage as a gift of God! Marry as an act of obedience to God! Marry to stay married and to serve God together, all the days of your lives! Do all things to the glory of God! Then you and your children shall live long and be happy! This is God’s promise! Amen!

In Christ I declare:

The law of kindness is on my tongue!

I am a blessing and an encouragement to my husband!

I am a blessing and an encouragement to my wife!

I reject all evil spirits of bitterness, hot temper and lust!

I bring all my friendships and relationships to the altar of God!

Let the altar speak!

Let the fire fall!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord” (PV 18:21, 22)

THE TONGUE OF DEATH HAS BEEN DEFEATED!

There is a spiritual connection between these two verses. The lesson, read in between the lines, is that much of the success or the failure in marriage depends on the words spoken at home, especially in the bedroom. It seems that the power of the tongue is stronger than even the sexual connection. This revelation is a surprise to many; nevertheless, this is the truth. Knowing this, we should be much more careful with our words as a married couple.

This is the question: what does it mean to have the power of death in the tongue? What type of person, better said what type of heart is that who can kill her (his) lover thru spoken words? Who gives that power to a man?

In Hebrew, the word ‘death’ in the scripture above means to completely destroy another; to suddenly kill someone and send him to hell. The word also means to be a necromancer. Before we go and look at the dictionary to understand what a necromancer is, we remind ourselves that this study is done to help marriages. Most of the marital troubles are spiritual and cannot be solved by natural means. Behind every insult, every act of betrayal, behind slander, gossip, hatred, manipulation, lust or adultery, there are demons who initiate them. So it is possible, the tongue of the wife has the power to kill her husband and his love for her (or the other way round).

I pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit as we proceed further. Necromancy is an occult demonic practice. It is the act of bringing back to the visible realm the spirits of the dead men and communicating with them. This is done to gain secret information about the past, present or the future. This information has the power to influence present circumstances or to manipulate other people. The practice is done by skillful spiritists and belongs to the realm of witchcraft. It is a pagan practice and it requires a sacrifice. It is totally forbidden by God (Deut 18:9-13).  A good example is the witch of Endor. King Saul went to her that she may bring back from the dead the spirit of the Prophet Samuel. The king wanted to know the future, what will happen the next day in the battle (1Sam 28). OK…that was not easy, I understand… but it is in the Bible, so let’s go on…

Maybe you argue saying that your wife is not a witch. That she does not go to spiritualists, to native doctors, to the forest or to the cemetery. You say that you met her in the church and you believe she is a Christian. All these facts may be true. Please remember that witchcraft is one of the manifestations, one of the works of the flesh. We all live in a body of flesh. Ignorantly or not, we all have a native tendency to sympathize with the powers of the occult. We all desire to know secret things of the invisible spirit realm. We all want the direct power to change people’s hearts or destinies. We all want to know the future. This inherent curiosity is the platform the devil uses to operate thru our spirits. Demons do not have bodies. They use the human flesh. It is only the Holy Spirit that can drive them away. Until a man is born again, he cannot help himself. He is a slave to the powers of darkness and cannot deliver himself from them. These demons are more active in some families than in others.

The question still remains: for example, how can a woman use her tongue to kill her husband or her marriage? The answer is this: thru the power in her tongue to speak death into the home. She may be ignorant of it but a demon of necromancy may work thru her tongue. She has the spiritual power to invoke the spirits of the dead. She does this especially when she is angry, when she is provoked and she wants to retaliate. This is a test for you: how do you know if your wife speaks death into your home? Just like a necromancer brings back the spirits of the men who died long ago, she will bring matters of the past and stir up things you thought long forgotten. She will remind you of sins and mistakes of the past. She will not let you rest creating anxiety about past mistakes. She will create false guilt and a burden of condemnation that the future is not secure because your past of sin. She will terrorize you with the past, destroying the hope of the future. Remember: ‘Love is not rude…is not easily angry…Love does not keep record of wrongs…’ (1Cor 13:5). All her words are hateful arrows designed to kill the love in your heart.

For as long as you listen to her, you cannot have peace, joy or the assurance of your salvation. You will struggle to love God and to love your wife. May God open your eyes to see the truth behind the natural things!

What is the solution? If you are not married yet and you date such a woman, separate immediately! It means that she is not born again. Children of God do not kill! They bring life to you! It means that she is an agent of the powers of darkness sent on an assignment to ‘kill you’ (spiritually or even physically). If you are married already, then pray that you may know the truth. Pray that God will have mercy and deliver you. Be sure that you are truly saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. Study the Word of God and claim the promises of God. Ignore her negative comments for they are all lies. You need to pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you. Most men make the mistake and carry their wives for deliverance. The best way is for the husband to become a mature believer. It is not an easy task with such opposition at home. But it is possible! I have seen it done! The spouse of a demoniac becomes a preacher of the Gospel! He now has a great testimony!

The demons in your wife may react. These are proud ‘prophetic’ evil spirits! They will be punished by the devil if they fail to drag you to the road of death. It is a battle unto death. But the advantage is that as a believer, you have God Almighty on your side! God can never lose! Your faith in the God of the Bible is the key that never fails. The power of the Cross and the Blood of Jesus will speak on your behalf. Your wife may threaten with divorce or violence. She may curse you and accuse you falsely! Learn to die to such words. Ignore them! Do not argue in the flesh! Do not quarrel! No matter what the provocation, please, do not fight physically! Just ignore the lies and go on with your life. Sometimes, just quote the scriptures back to her! Do not preach! Just speak the words of life! Have faith in God! For as long as she is willing to live with you, do not drive her away. But if she leaves and desires divorce, then let her go, you are not under any obligation to bring her back (1Cor 7). The truth is that she cannot help herself, for now…but one day, the light of mercy may fall on her, and she too will be free. For nobody know the destiny of a soul, nobody knows the future, except God and God alone!

As for me, I have done my work as a pastor to you. I have obeyed the command of God that says:

“Rescue those being led away to death;

hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”

does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who guards your life know it?

Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?” (PV 24:11, 12)

Finally, dear child of God, I plead the Blood of Jesus upon your body, soul and spirit; upon your marriage, your spouse and your children; upon the work of your hands and your ministry! May God anoint these words of life to bring light to the blind, to break the chains of bondage, to heal the sick and to set the captives free! In Jesus name, Amen!

In Christ I declare:

I am free and free indeed!

The tongue of death has been defeated!

I no longer live but it is Christ who lives in me!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Husbands…Honor your wives as those who share God’s life-giving kindness so that nothing will interfere with your prayers….I want men to offer prayers everywhere. They should raise their hands in prayer after putting aside their anger and any quarrels they have with anyone” (1Pet 3:7; 1Tim 2:8; GWT)

OUR HANDS

A Christian marriage is a marriage of prayer. Do not even think about marrying someone who hates prayer. That marriage will not last. There is a wonderful saying: ‘They that pray together- stay together!’ This is the truth. Nothing else will ‘melt your heart’ towards a man, even if he is a stranger, like the feeling you have when you pray together. The presence of the Holy Spirit with you, as you bow your heads in prayer, will seal that friendship. You are drawn towards each other in a holy way. You have this feeling that you pray to the same God, that you are family. If this is how you feel with people in general and your brethren in particular, so much more that chemistry will work in your home and establish your marriage.

Simply said, prayer works! I have tried this method many times. This is my testimony over the years…When there is crisis in the marriage, when there is the shadow of misunderstanding, when words hurt and tears fall…the moment we make the slighted move towards each other, hold hands (even a little touch) and pray…O, something good always happens…the Holy Spirit moves… our love blooms again, our friendship revives and the devil runs outside the window. Every marriage should be soaked in prayer. Hold hands when you pray. Be sensitive to any hindrances to the flow of prayer. Be careful to note if the prayer life in your marriage is suffering. It is not enough to pray well separately. The marriage is designed to need both of your prayers, together, as a husband and as a wife. Pray in the parlor, when the children and the visitors come! Pray at the table and bless the food on the plate! Pray in the bedroom when no one but God listens! Long before you even think of a doctor, pray for one another when you are sick! When there is anxiety about money, pray! When you worry about the children, pray! When you feel like talking but you don’t know what to say, pray! Pray in English, pray in tongues! Like the tracking number on a gift sent to you, quietly and faithfully, monitor the answers to your prayers as they come closer to the earth. Rejoice together when they come!

There is no competition here; no pride. There should be no one who says things like this: ‘I am a better prayer warrior than my spouse. If it was not for my prayers, I don’t know what will happen to our marriage…’ (I have heard such words in my office many times). Maarige is like a marathon. It lasts a life time. Sometimes one is stronger than the other. No need to take the glory for prayer. If you can pray more often and you are more able to intercede for the marriage, do so without complaining. Let not your pride quench the desire to pray together, as a couple! Pray together, love together, go to church together and you shall stay together. This is God’s mathematics!

It never fails. When dating, take pleasure in ending all your discussions and plans for the future with prayer. This is not just a routine religious prayer, so that the other may think of you as spiritual. No! Prayer is a privilege, a priority and a joy! By praying together, you are training to be successful as a couple! You are inviting God into your marriage! He is the Holy Unbreakable Sealer!  You have to learn to trust God for your future as a couple. The success of your life and marriage lies in His hands.

My husband and I live in ‘a prayer atmosphere’. This is not just because we are pastors, parents or grandparents. This is because we have developed a holy habit of coming together to pray often, for all things, even little things. Sometimes the pressure of life is increases; the devil attacks with anxiety or sickness. Old age is a factor too, we are not deceived…But when one forgets the good gift of prayer and he seems lost in space, when depression tries to steal the joy of living…the other will come close and gently touch the lonely hand…that touch speaks…it means ‘let’s pray’… Our hands have become sensitive to the buttons of prayer and true love. When we got married long ago, as worldly people, the touch of the hands meant sexual message. But by the grace of God, now it is different. Our hands have grown in grace too. They have learned the new message of true love, support, encouragement and peace. They are witnesses of the blessing of prayer. Our hands have wrinkles now, but their beauty shines forth. Our hands can freely be lifted now, as holy instruments of worship. Our hands can be laid on other people and the Holy Spirit imparts the power of life in them. Our hands have been soaked with tears of repentance together…and now they are a witness that the bridge of marriage can never be broken. ‘If your hand leads you into sin, cut it off’- said the Lord. But if your hands have learned to pray and worship, then good has come at last.

Yes, ‘the three-fold cord of marriage cannot be easily broken’ (Ecc 4:12). Let your hope rise! May this be your marriage story! May your testimony together touch the hearts of men! To the glory of our God!

In Christ I declare:

My hands are holy!

My marriage is holy!

My marriage is soaked in prayer!

My marriage shall last forever!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones…

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord…” (PV 12:4; 18:22; NIV)

Marriage is a gift from God. Successful marriage is a proof that God exists; that God knows you personally and that He loves you. Dear brother please remember: It is the man that does the seeking. You will not find your wife by mistake. The woman prays for the seeking man, that they paths may meet. Not any Christian woman can be your wife. She has to be God’s choice and gift to you. Your wife is prepared by God to be your helper, to supply what you need and what you lack and to make you complete.

For example, Abigail was a good wife. Her husband was a foolish man, greedy and wicked. To marry such a man the woman had to be very special. Abigail compensated that great need by being extremely wise, generous and kind. Thru her intercession and actions, she saved his life. Manoa’s wife was also a good woman. Spiritually, she was more sensitive than her husband, correctly interpreting the purpose of the angels’ visit. By her prophetic words she encouraged her husband and delivered him from the fear of death (Judges 13). But not all women were good wives. Among the women in the Bible, Jezebel is the worst of all. Another negative example is Job’s wife. She tempted him to betray his faith in God, to backslide and even to commit suicide (Job 2:9, 10). Attention, sisters!

The noble wife is a gift from God. She does not come to a man by mistake. In Hebrew, the word ‘noble’ means strength of character. She has the power of an army to win the victory. The word ‘crown’ means to surround the enemy, attack and totally defeat him. It also means to protect the head of the home. A godly wife is a mature intercessor and a spiritual warrior. She prays against the forces of darkness that try to destroy her home. She attacks their stronghold, wins the crown of the enemy and silences his boast. She does it on behalf of her family. She then gives the crown of victory to her husband as a trophy. In this way, she becomes a crown herself, like Sarah, a princess with God and a mother of kings.

Many men have fallen to the temptation to marry unbelieving women. Others choose to marry the wrong believing wives. All these mistakes have serious consequences. ‘A disgraceful wife’ is one who will disappoint you spiritually, delay your progress in life, confuse your mind and dry your spirit. She is not able to understand your spiritual needs. She is not designed by God to do that. Even if she is willing, she is not able to do it. Basically, she is too selfish to care about your destiny or your ministry. She will be like ‘decay in your bones’. The greatest sign that you have married the wrong wife is chronic spiritual weakness. For years to come you will not be able to read your Bible, to understand the Word, or to pray well. You discover that you cannot stand and succeed as a man of God. You will battle depression, doubt and fears almost every day. You will be tempted to backslide. Going to church will be a burden to you. Worship becomes a past glory. You will become skillful in religious hypocrisy for you see no other way to live your life outside your home and still call yourself a Christian…

If that is your case, there is no other word for you except to come back to Jesus, back to the Cross of Calvary!!! Repent of your sins, for choosing to satisfy the desires of the flesh above your spiritual needs. Let the Holy Spirit have His way! Let your flesh die! Let your spirit be revived! Be honest with God! You cannot seek divorce for God hates it. But you can repent for the sins of your past. Pray for mercy for the two of you. Your repentance may provoke your unbelieving wife to abandon her home. Like Hosea, bring her back if it is possible. But if she goes away and rejects all invitations to return, then you are free from her spirit and her influence (1Cor 7).

To avoid such tragedy and pain, lay the proper foundation of your marriage!  Pray, seek and find the woman God has prepared for you personally.  Your wife is God’s gift to you and a personal favor from Him! Marry well! Marry your holy strong wise loving warrior princess and God will be your ‘father in law’, sorry, your ‘Father in Grace’. What a wonderful promise! Marriage made in heaven is one of the greatest joyful surprises God gives to men! It is a package that comes with God’s personal favor, approval, blessings and grace! May that be your portion, it is my prayer…

In Christ I declare:

From the bottom of my heart I am grateful to God for our marriage!

I am a noble wife!

I shall marry my princess with God!

My marriage is made in heaven!

God’s favor is in my marriage!

Our marriage is a ministry and a blessing to many!

Our children shall be a royal priesthood!

We are worshippers of the Living God!

To the glory of God and to the increase of His Kingdom!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord…

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies” (PV 18:22; 31:10; KJ, NIV)

The brother who desires to marry and he is willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit shall surely find his wife. Do not read to fast…I said ‘he shall surely find his wife!’ In the scripture above the wife is called ‘a good thing’. Let the married men say: “I have a good thing!”

The word ‘good’ in Hebrew means something beautiful, pleasant and precious. The wife starts as a good thing and with time, just like the wine, she becomes better, sweeter and wiser. This wife called ‘a good thing’ is filled with the Holy Spirit. She overflows with peace and joy. She is kind and strong. She prays always! She does not complain! She does not manipulate! She will be by your side as a friend, doctor, lover, mother and sister in the same time.

Dear brother, you who desire to marry…what are you looking for in a woman? First of all she has to be a child of God. A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised. Natural beauty is good, it is an asset. But the choice cannot be made only on that for beauty is temporary. This is the greatest disadvantage with all things of the flesh and of the world: they do not last. They come and they go. Only the spiritual blessings remain with you and are truly yours. They even follow you after death as a crown of life. You gather them from this life on earth. Your status in heaven is determined by your faithfulness on this earth. Do not despise the potential each day has to find rubies in the trash rejected, ignored or trampled by men.

Marriage is a very serious ministry. You need a wife who shall be your life- time helper. You cannot hire a wife. Do not marry a woman who is a liability to you. Do not be enticed by her physical beauty. If God does not set His stamp on her as ‘a good thing’ she is a bad thing, a source of sorrow and regret. The marriage certificate cannot change a goat into a sheep. Your wife needs to be strong spiritually. She cannot be a coward, a foolish, wasteful or careless woman. She is not afraid of the future for her trust is in God. She will not be idle, always depending on you for money, counsel, prayers and help. Do not marry a woman you know needs prayer and deliverance even before her wedding day! No matter how beautiful she is do not complicate yourself! You need a woman of God, established in her faith, serving God, with fruit to prove her holy calling. In the area of faithfulness in marriage, you should have 0% doubt about your wife. You should be able to boast in the presence of others that your wife is faithful to you. The woman you are going to marry must be truly ‘the bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh’. For her alone you shall be ready to leave mother and father, to become one flesh with her. Resist the attraction of coming together with dead men’s bones and their strange flesh.

A helper is someone who knows you; your strengths and your weakness, and still, does not run away from you. A helper is someone who will be by your side in your life’s journey. The truth is that life is not easy. But God will give you a helper who will make your life on earth more bearable, even pleasant and peaceful. She will pray for you and help you to change for the better. She will be prudent, an intercessor, restraining the evil that surrounds you. She has to be a good listener and a true friend. A man should never fear the betrayal of his wife. A man should have complete trust in his wife. A godly wife will never abandon you for another man, no matter how rich, handsome or powerful.  Lastly a good wife is a woman who is willing to be a godly mother to your children. These things are declared to be so when you find ‘a good thing’.

Dear brother, Just in case you are discouraged now saying there is no woman like that in your village, I say: ‘pray’ and God will bring one especially for you. God does not tempt His children with impossible dreams and frustrating desires. God put Adam to sleep. Man must sleep before finding his wife. This is a sleep of rest and trust in God. There is no need to worry, to panic and to be troubled in looking for your wife. To the world sleep means nothing. But for the child of God sleep is sweet for the mystery of romance and true love is conceived in his spirit. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes ‘in the morning’. Sleep brother and rest in the God who loves you. Soon, you shall wake up and find the gift of God, ‘the good thing’ promised knocking at your door. The God for whom nothing is impossible has spoken! Amen!

In Christ I declare:

I rest in the Lord trusting Him for my marriage!

I have a good thing!

I am a good thing!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman” (Gal 4:21-31)

In the Roman Empire the father was not directly involved in his son’s life while he was a child. That was the work of the mother and later, the private paid teacher. This teacher lived in the house and was completely in charge of his student. He taught him not only the sciences or the languages. He also taught him how to do war, the tradition of the family and the social skills preparing him to be a true son and heir to his father. Later, when the boy becomes a teenager, there was a special public ceremony when the fully trained son is handed back to his father. In other words, his father redeems him, ‘adopts’ his own son. From that time on, he will be by the father’s side. Everybody will know them together: father and son. They are a team. The son shall be known as the heir to the family estate.  The two generations shall walk together side by side. The father knows that the heir is ready, mature and faithful to the name and interests of the family. The power of death and failure has been destroyed because the two generations have been linked together by an indestructible bond. From this time on, the son shall take active part in the administration of the estate, even going with the father as a soldier, to help him in times of war. He is a mature son who can make wise decisions. The teacher who trained him as a boy is no longer needed. The obedience to the law is replaced by the intimate family relationship between father and son. This is a picture of the peculiar work of grace in the heart of the true believers. This transformation between the time of conversion and the establishment of spiritual maturity is called sanctification. It is under the sovereign control of the Spirit of God. No other man, spirit or angel can perform this miracle of spiritual growth. Please observe that all spiritual children shall be treated like slaves at the beginning. But there is a difference of hope. Sarah’s sons shall become spiritually mature, while Hagar’s own will never grow. Selah!

This is a very practical lesson: study the people you call believers for a long time. If they are truly born again, they will surely grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. There shall be spiritual fruit. They become more loving, more patient and more self-controlled with their tongues. But the religious unbelievers do not change. Even if they attend the best churches, even with the preaching of the Gospel, even in the presence of the anointing of the Holy Spirit after many years they still remain the same: selfish, lazy, wicked, rude and irresponsible. Like the sheep and the goats, Sarah and Hagar’s children shall reveal their true nature! Wait for this revelation before you make any lasting commitment of fellowship with them! You will avoid the pain of a broken heart. Wait for the shine of the stars! No matter how dark the night, the true believers shall arise and shine!

In Christ I declare:

Sarah is my mother!

I am a child of promise!

I am the light of the world!

I am a city on hill and a light-house for the lost!

My children are free from the law of sin and death!

My children are true believers!

My children shall arise and shine!

The Hope of Glory dwells in me and in my children!

In Jesus name

Amen!

I SHALL NOT BE MOVED!
“Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever” (Ps 125:1)

This evening was different than other times. We sensed a strong opposition in ‘the atmosphere’, something like an evil spirit of intimidation. We prayed, we prophesied victory and we praised God. Even then, the opposition remained. As I got ready to preach God’s Word, something like a veil came on me. I suddenly felt very weak physically, to the point of fainting, but my spirit was alert. I could not finish the message I had prepared. We had to close the service earlier than usual. As I left the sanctuary, this was my prayer: “Father, glorify Yourself in my life, even in this difficult circumstances” I have no doubt that in the days ahead the glory of God shall fill our church like never before. The powers of darkness have failed! Revival shall come to our church and our city!

Psalm 125 is a song of faith. As we go higher on the holy mountain, closer to God, our faith will increase and become stronger. This is God’s promise to His faithful children. The main revelation is that their eternal destiny is secure. The devil attacks and sometimes they stumble. But the saints can never lose their salvation. This is the doctrine of the eternal security found in Christ alone. There are many believers who are not willing to pay the price to grasp this truth. They believe that eventually they will go to heaven but presently, but they often doubt their spiritually status. Doubt is a serious threat to believers. You have to identify it as an evil spirit. Resist it and it shall flee from you. Until you personally witness ‘the fleeing’ of this demon, do not relax in your warfare against it.

The promise given in this Psalm applies to them who ‘trust in the Lord’ or who trust in Jehovah God. He is the eternal faithful God; the ‘I am that I am’, the God of the covenant, the God of the Jews or the God of the Bible. The true believers trust in God and not in themselves. In Hebrew, the word ‘trust’ means to run to a place of security, of confidence and hope. In that place you become bold against the enemy and you are able to boast in the Lord. The reason for this confidence is that God protects you. It is not a man protecting you. It is not that you are strong enough to protect yourself. No! To trust it means to have confidence in another. You trust God Almighty. That is no enemy can touch you. No man or demon can destroy you once you are inside that stronghold of trust. This is more than a wish. This is the reality the children of God have discovered, that God is faithful to His promises of protection against the enemy. This promise is especially wonderful manifested as retaining the blessings gained thru warfare and deliverance. For example, believers pray for healing. Then the healing comes. The next thing, they start to worry about the sickness coming back again. That is when you need the promise of security found in Psalm 125. I remind myself that I am not just saved, but I am eternally saved!

There are three main characteristics of saving faith:
1-Faith understands the Word of God!
‘Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God’ (Heb 11:3, KJ)
Faith knows God and His Word! True faith is not blind, is not foolish and is not ignorant!
2-Faith has the power to rise above the circumstances! Faith believes in miracles!
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up…Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Ac 3:6, 7, 16)
3-Faith trusts God, His character and His promises! Faith knows that God is faithful to His promises!
“For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Rom 4:3)
Lastly the question remains, are you a true believer in God? Is your faith the true living and saving faith? Do you pay the price to study the Word of God so that faith can increase in your heart? Do you find peace even in the midst of negative circumstances around you? True faith has the power to rise up above the waves of the sea! Do you trust God, His character as a Holy Person, His Word, the leading of His Spirit? The true believers shall persevere in their faith unto the end. This is the promise and the prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter what the circumstances may be, in sickness and in health, in poverty of riches…our faith in God shall never fail!
“I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail…” (Lk 22:32)

We sang a prophetic song giving by the Holy Spirit this evening: “I shall never be moved…My feet are planted on the Rock of Ages… I am hidden in the cleft of the Rock…like the mountains surround Jerusalem, I shall never be moved from my faith in God…I shall never be moved…”

In Christ I declare:
I understand the Word of God!
I rise above my circumstances!
I trust God, His character and His Promises!
My faith is the living saving faith!
Jesus prays for me!
I shall never be moved!
I abide forever!
In Jesus name
Amen!

(This is my testimony: one hour later, at home, I became strong and yes, I am not moved! All is well! Jesus is Lord!)

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2)

This is my testimony…it all started at the Cross of Calvary…The Cross has to do its peculiar work, deep in the spirit of man…it is painful it is fearful…this is the work of grace alone, at the very beginning…many run away from the Cross, to them, its call its foolishness…but for the willing, after the heart circumcision is done, their eyes shall see the King in His beauty, their ears shall hear the voice of the Shepherd and their heart shall be willing and joyfully desire to be led by the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead…

I am lead by the Spirit of Life! Each step on the way means a step deeper into the power of eternal life. Each stepping stone is a step into the abundant life that has no end. Death has disappeared from the map of my destiny! Honestly, I did not know that death is such a coward!  Hallelujah! Who could have imagined such a thing?

Free from sin, free from the law, free from the manipulations of men, free from the horror and power of death! Who desires freedom?  Many go to church but so few desire to pay the price for such a Blood soaked blessing freely given by the Lamb of God…Blessed are you who say ‘Yes!’ to Jesus Christ, our Lord!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

The law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth…And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Dan 7:23-27)

God gave Daniel a vision that will be fulfilled in the last days. This message is for us who live at the end of times. The devil shall manifest as ‘the fourth beast’. In the furnace of Babylon, our Lord came as ‘the fourth Man’, to save His people from death. But the devil is a liar and counterfeits the truth. He shall come as a fake ‘savior’. He will save nobody, instead he comes only ‘to steal, kill and destroy’. Do not be deceived!

You shall recognize demonic attacks by the following signs:

*Verbal intimidation, manipulation and persecution (‘he shall speak…’)

You shall encounter verbal bullying in the office, in your marriage, among your friends and relatives. Men shall ‘greet’ you with abusive words. They may call them ‘jokes’, they may apologies later, but the effect is fear, discouragement and depression. Each hurtful word is like a dagger in your spirit. Men become skillful using their tongue to hurt others. This type of attack comes from the most unexpected direction, even from the religious people and it is very painful. It is intended to shake and weaken you that you should backslide. It is only ‘the shield of faith’ that is able to quench these fiery arrows. By holding your faith high, your spirit, your emotions are protected and the arrows made useless. This is God’s promise: ‘You shall refute every word that accuses you’. During warfare, learn to apply your faith in God in a practical manner. You will rejoice when you can successfully withstand ‘the terrors of the night’. You can do it!

*A strange weakness of the spirit, body and mind (‘wear out the saints…’)

The devil shall ‘wear out’ the saints of the most High God. The word means to become tired, to be made useless by long and hard labor. You feel like a slave. You work and work and no joy. The word also means to exhaust, to empty your spirit from vital qualities. You shall lose your patience, strength, peace and joy. Slowly, you character starts changing. You become anxious, discouraged, depressed and cold hearted. You lose the joy of your salvation. You become too weak to pray. Miracles seem impossible. Sleep becomes now so sweet. Food becomes an idol. When sick, medicine will replace your faith in God. The doctor’s counsel shall be more important to you than the prayer of the elders in the church.  When troubled, lawyers will replace the prophets. When poor and you need money, your bank manager will replace the word of the pastor. Worldliness and doubt start to creep in like slow poison and deadly snares. You begin to drift away from the safe path of virtue and truth. Awake, you sleeper!

*Confusion about times, opportunities and seasons of life (‘think to change times…’)

You start making mistakes concerning the timing of things. You will be careless during planting season and then disappointed at harvest time. You will expect rewards when you have not fulfilled the conditions for them. You will not be able to read for exams, and when you fail, you will be confused.

The so called ‘midlife crisis’ is an example of demonic attack. Old men behave like teenagers. Old women want to look eternally young. The spread of the fashion of cosmetic surgery all over the world is also an attack coming from the occult. Pray that you may see the root of the problems!

*Confusion about the laws of God (‘think to change laws…’)

You read the Bible but you are not able to obey the commandments of God. For you, the Bible is ‘a soft’ poetic book. The fear of God is diminishing. You become foolishly bold and make unnecessary enemies. Rebellion starts to grow in your heart. You will have a tendency to despise your spiritual leaders and teachers. You become overly ambitious and strive for promotion even in the church. You have read in the Bible that there are no laws against the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5: 23). But you will not be able to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that fruit can manifest. You do not understand the Person of God the Holy Spirit and begin to grieve Him. You will read the Bible and come to church ‘for nothing’. There shall be no spiritual gain or visible fruit from your ministry.

What is the solution? Go to the Cross and see Christ crucified. He died that you may live eternally and abundantly. The devil can boast for a time; he can rejoice as your master for a time, but his defeat is prophesied and accomplished at the Cross. ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning’. This is the Word of God and none can change.

Child of the most High God, be encouraged today! You serve the God that knows no defeat! The Kingdom of your God is an everlasting kingdom and it shall defeat all others powers on earth. Have faith in God! Rejoice even in your afflictions! The trial shall only humble you so that God can bless you the more. God is in charge of the universe He has created. He has not abandoned His responsibilities to the devil or to any man. In the heat of the furnace, ‘the fourth Man’ shall meet with you! His name is Jesus Chris, our Savior and Lord! Fear not! The hope of glory rises upon you!

In Christ I declare:

The fourth beast is defeated!

The Fourth Man is in charge of my life!

My joy has come!

My healing has come!

My deliverance has come!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands… For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
Do not be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God” (2Tim 1:6-8; AMP)

We are travelling for few days. Yesterday I was attacked by an evil spirit of fear. We were in the plane, high above the clouds. Suddenly I started worrying if I left my pressing iron on in our home in Nigeria. That was crazy. We were thousands of miles far away and high away. Even if the iron was left on, what could I have done? Nothing! I was closer to heaven than when on earth. So the devil can come and attack at thousands of feet high up there? I sensed fear trying to enter my spirit. So I prayed, not for the iron, but for myself. I gained the victory thru faith in the Word of God and the name of Jesus! I share my testimony so that you too may do the same!

Fear is a terrible thing. The only fear acceptable to a believer is the reverential fear of God. Any other fear is a spiritual attack, arrows coming directly from the devil, to plant poisonous seeds in your mind. Fear is described as a painful emotion based on perceived danger. This danger may be real or imaginary. The attack of fear is intended to divide the mind and to produce doubt in the believer. Fear is the enemy of faith. Once you permit fear to infiltrate your spirit, it will become very hard for you to trust God, especially for miracles and breakthroughs. Once there is fear inside, you have this feeling that other people or spirits are in charge of your mind, that you cannot control your thoughts.

Fear is driven away by faith in Jesus Christ, just the way you deliver yourself from any evil spirit. The evil spirit of fear has to bow at the name of Jesus! Do not beg fear! Do not tolerate fear! Command it to go away from you! Once it leaves, you shall suddenly feel good, at peace with God and yourself, calm and strong spiritually. Your faith will increase immediately! The Spirit of God shall fill your heart. You shall pray and God will answer you!

A peculiar type of fear manifests when you have to stand in the presence of God and before a congregation and to preach the Gospel of Christ Crucified. The devil attacks all faithful servants of the Lord. His intent is to make them cowards, too weak to proclaim the truth. The preaching of the Gospel with anointing and power is always done in the face of much spiritual opposition. The Word of God is eternal and all powerful. But you have to learn to speak it with your mouth for others to hear it. Fear will make you too timid to do ministry in such a way that souls are saved. The Word of God in your heart must come with fire and passion. It will then become a hammer that breaks the rocks of opposition and stubbornness in your hearers. The Word of God in your mouth becomes fire and the people will be wood.

My advice is to confront your fears immediately and to drive them away! Do not waste time! It can become a stronghold that is much more difficult to destroy! Be a servant of God, a preacher of His Gospel! Preach to one or to many! Keep the Cross before you and see the price Jesus paid to save your soul! He died that you may live for Him! He died that you may work for Him! That revelation is the Mighty Rock of spiritual stability and your eternal source of power, love and of a grateful heart! Be free!

In Christ I declare:
I am free from all fears!
I only fear God!
I am a servant of God!
I preach Christ Crucified!
To the glory of God!
In Jesus name
Amen!

This morning we prayed for favor with God and men. We received both in abundance. We met people who went out of their ways to help and encourage us. They went with us more than the extra mile. They were patient and kind. They gave us advice on how to economize money and how to find good bargains we knew nothing about. These were all strangers to us but friends of God. This help is even greater because we are far away from home, far from ‘the comfort zone’ where we can find our way.
The devil brings discouragement if you open the door to him. Pray more often! Pray with faith! Pray for favor!

In case you feel depressed and tired because of all the evil in the world, please remember that God is still God and He still answers the prayers of His children.

“Father God, I go to sleep this night grateful for Your presence, love and faithful guidance to us. In Jesus name, Amen!”

“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close” (Rev 3:8)
We checked in a hotel. It was an average hotel. The lady at the reception gave us the room’s key. On top of the key it was written: ‘Open doors you never knew existed’. God speaks in so many ways… For a moment I stood there, in the hotel’s corridor, and my heart missed a beat. I felt God’s love come close. Did I forget that God can open any door? It is so easy to forget good things…and so hard to forget negative things, to forgive offences of the past…But that is another story…
Back to open doors…God knows no limitations, no boundaries and no hindrances…Nobody can say ‘no’ when God says ‘yes’. Did I limit God? Did I write a list with possible miracles, breakthroughs and open doors? Do I desire to control God, to lead God? Why such a foolishness? Sin has planted folly in our hearts and we are ignorant of it. But then, the Holy Spirit comes and breaks the bands asunder, breaks cages and padlocks, and the bird is ready to fly, once more…

The door that Jesus opens is a door of safety, victory, stability and intimacy as reward. These are His holy promises given freely, by His grace alone:
“I will force your enemies to bow at your feet…
I will force your enemies to acknowledge that it is you I love…
I will protect you from the painful trials coming to others…
I will seal you with My name that no one can erase…
The whole world shall see that you are My child and My servant and they shall fear you!
This is My promise to you! Just believe it!”

Today I pray for the grace to be able to surrender to God, again, totally, un-conditionally, from my heart…I pray for the grace to see invisible things, to hear the songs of angels and to be filled with the Spirit that opens doors no one can shut! In Jesus name, Amen!

In Christ I declare:
I am God’s child and servant!
I rule in the midst of my enemies!
My victory is sure!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thess 5:18)

I met a lady here in the US. She left her home country many years ago. She struggled hard to survive. She is a single mother. She is about fifty. She is very hard working. She made money. She has a house. She has many friends. This is what the world calls ‘success’. But the price for this success is a broken heart and fears overflow. She had to do whatever it takes to be what she is. She slept with men she did not love just for money or favor to have ‘an open door’.
I spoke to her. Maybe because I was ‘a stranger’ she trusted me just enough to open her heart just a little. She is confused and afraid. But outside she looks tough. I told her about Jesus, she listened…I told her about the gift of marriage, but she told me that in America most end in divorce, so she is afraid to dream of it. Having ‘men-friends’ is easier and simpler, she said. No need for ‘papers’ and no need for ‘lawyers’, she also said.
But then, I told her that God is calling her to a life of fulfillment and destiny. Not just money and cars…much more than that…I told her to let go of her fears, her bitterness against men, her self confidence that she can save herself…and come to the most wonderful Man who loves her as she is. I told her about the eternal Romance of flying like an eagle, to drink from the Living Waters and feast with real kings, and not just with the shadows of men…I told her who Jesus is to me, how He has changed me, about the Cross and about Victory over sin…She kept quiet…
Light and darkness stood face to face…darkness wanted to keep her prisoner, but failed to find the strength to do so…demons panicked today in Houston…hell looked for a way to retain their slave…darkness could not comprehend light, for it is the eternal decree of the Father to be so…I gave her an embrace and went away…a seed of life has been planted in a hard soil, but who knows, the rain of mercy may soften it and the resurrection power have its way…

To the rest of my brothers and sisters in Christ I say:
Sing this song:
‘Take the world but give me Jesus…’
Be grateful that you know Jesus Christ! Never be tired to give Him thanks for salvation, for peace, for joy, for love and eternal life! You are blessed! Remember that!

In Christ I declare:
I am forever grateful to know You, my Lord!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“At that time, says the Lord, all the families of Israel shall recognize Me as the Lord; they shall act like My people. I will care for them as I did those who escaped from Egypt, to whom I showed My mercies in the wilderness, when Israel sought for rest” (Jer 31:1, 2; LB)

We often forget that God blesses not only the individuals, but the families. I mean the husband, the wife and the children together. Once you believe this promise, your faith will increase ‘to adjust’ yourself spiritually, to belong to a family on earth. The singles should believe that it is God’s will for them to marry. It does not matter the age or the circumstances. For as long as you still breathe, as a child of God you have the right to trust God for the gift of marriage. The wrinkles and the broken hearts can be mended by God. Man did not invent marriage. Adam did not know that he needs a wife. Marriage is God’s invention. Stop calculating and just trust God.

Once you believe the promise above, your faith will increase concerning your spouse. Moses pleaded with Pharaoh on behalf of families. Salvation comes not only to persons, but to households. Wife, pray for your husband and children! Husband, pray for your wife and children! ‘A divided house cannot stand’- said our Lord. But a spiritually untied home is strong during all seasons of life.

Let me be more practical: each time I receive a blessing, a lifting, a revelation, a promotion or a healing touch, immediately I rejoice, for I know that God will give the same thing to my husband. Sooner or later, God will bless him too so that we can walk together, in one step and in one faith. As pregnancy is a gift to the family, so the spiritual blessings shall be shared by all. As a family, you shall all escape the power of evil. You shall all enter rest. You shall all know God’s mercy.

Please remember this: if God blesses one, He will bless you all! He is the God of families and the God of grace overflow! What God starts, He will surely perfect!
Now be ready and, as a family, enter your rest!

In Christ I declare:
Marriage is a gift of God!
Children are a reward of God!
Our family recognizes Jesus as our Lord!
Our family has escaped the power of sin and sickness and the curse of untimely death!
Our family is surrounded by God’s mercy! Our enemies are powerless and completely defeated!
We are healed, delivered, strong and happy!
Thank You Father for the gift of marriage and children!
To the glory of God!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again” (1Thess 4:14)

It is Resurrection time again. Seating in this hotel room far away from home I remember my childhood in Romania. We never attended church as a family. Once a year, when visiting our grandparents in the village, we went to church with them. They were too old to remove the Christian faith from their heart. That is what we were told. The Government thought that with the new generation, religion (‘the opium of the masses’) shall be extinguished. Nobody had any use for religious people. They were not ‘practical’ enough for the state. That was the atmosphere in my country back then. I had no idea that God exists. I never prayed until I came to Nigeria and became saved in 1986.

I remember my childhood…At Easter time the tradition was to sew new dresses. At Christmas we had new clothes ‘winter style’. For Easter, the dresses were more beautiful, lighter and ready for spring time. My sister Adica and I were dressed like twins until we became teenagers. ‘It was easier for the dress maker to sew two identical dresses’- our mother told us each year. We always felt sorry for the hard working lady, but dreaming that one day we shall each have our own ‘style’.
Easter day was special not only for the new dresses, but that day we eat a special meal called ‘drob’. It was made from minced lamb meat mixed with special spices. We color eggs and arrange them in a basket in the sitting room. The poor people boiled their eggs with onion peels. They became beautifully brown in color. Others, who could afford it, bought powder colors. We learned different methods to color the eggs with different patterns. On Easter day each will take an egg and go outside to play a game. We tapped each other’s egg and say: “Hristos a anviat- Adevarat a anviat!” (translated: ‘Christ is resurrected, Indeed He is’). We had no idea what the sentence meant. It was a tradition passed on from the previous generations. The winner is the holder of the last intact egg. The losers get to eat their eggs. I was the proud winner of many such competitions having the strongest egg at last.

Today, looking back, all those games seem so childish. But I thank God for His presence in my life. I did not know God, but God knew me! What a revelation! While I was an ignorant sinner, Christ died for me! All those eggs and the games we played, mean nothing to me now. Except to say, that God is God and He knows His own from the foundation of the world.
God’s plan for us is perfect and wonderful. The Father sent His Son to live on earth as Man, to dwell among us, to suffer and died in our place. On the Cross the mighty exchange was approved by God. Christ became sin in our place that we may become the Righteousness of God in Him alone. There is no story greater than that! Angels try to understand such love…Yes, Easter is much more than rainbow eggs. Even as an unbeliever, in a Communist country long ago, though ignorant, now I see that truth could not be quenched. With each broken egg we declared the eternal revelation that Christ is Lord! That He is resurrected! Indeed He is!

If you are sad, lonely or sick, but you are a believer, please remember that today is not a standard for tomorrow. The weeping of Friday gave way to rejoicing on Sunday! Each day brings new mercies from God. Each day has the potential for a miracle from above. Your future is better than your past, for it shines with the glory of God! The power of resurrection is the greatest power in the universe. If the devil knew that Jesus will open the grave and tear the veil of separation between man and God, he would not have killed Christ. But he did not know…The devil, once created ‘perfect in wisdom and beauty’ became a loser and an ugly fool! Forever!
Forget the eggs…Come to the Cross! Come and see the price God paid for the salvation of your soul! It will change your life! You will never be the same! Come and see the true color of love! Come and taste that the Lord is good! Come as you are…Come to Jesus! I am there, waiting for you!

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I am saved by the Blood of the Lamb!
I died to sin, to the world and to the devil!
I have hope!
I am healed!
I live forever!
Christ, my Lord is resurrected! Indeed He is!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“If, then, you have not been faithful in handling worldly wealth, how can you be trusted with true wealth? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what belongs to you?
No servant can be the slave of two masters; such a slave will hate one and love the other or will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God andmoney”
When the Pharisees heard all this, they made fun of Jesus, because they loved money” (Lk 16:11-14; GNT)

We are visiting a wealthy county. Things ‘work’ over here. The electrical power has not gone out, the streets are clean and the grass seems greener than at home… There are so many cars on the road, all driving fast. The fire trucks, the ambulances and the police cars are noisy and all over the place. If men could create a heaven on earth, this place may compete for the first place.
But the spiritual reality behind the glamour is another story. There is much talk about jobs, creating or losing them. There is much anxiety about money, paying the bills. There is no mercy if you are bankrupt. People are judged by their appearances. It is not just a matter of race discrimination, but the added element of social levels of power, different cars, houses and red carpet looks. Some say that the jobs available are ‘too low’ for them. They prefer to remain on welfare. They also say that to be seen as rich and successful you must be younger, thinner and drive an expensive car.

But I am only interested in what the Bible says. Jesus said that the love of money is a god who lusts after our hearts. Mammon wants to be worshipped. Jesus did not say that we cannot serve in the same time God and satan. He said that we cannot serve God and money!!! That makes money to be much more dangerous that we perceive it to be. Wealth wants to be worshipped. There is a magnetic attraction in the hearts of men to be seen as rich and powerful.

Spiritually, there are two extremes in our attitudes to worldly wealth. In the past, the poor believers were seen as more spiritual. That is why many gave up their estates. These days many preachers say that wealth is a proof of spirituality. I read that 90% of the believers believe that lie. That is why they run up and down, take two or three jobs or play the lottery, trying to get rich. In their hearts they desire to be seen spiritual and godly. Thinking that wealth is holy they run after it. But both these extremes are wrong. Our understanding of the value of money has to come from the Word of God and not from the financial gurus.

This is the truth from the Bible:
God is the owner of everything on earth. That includes all that you call your own. Everything you possess on earth is a loan from the Creator God. When you give an offering in the church, you do not do God a favor. Do not be proud if you are rich! Your whole salary is God’s. Do you believe that? Do you really believe that? Then the truth will humble you and free you from the anxiety to protect and fight for ‘your money’. You are (only) a steward to the richest Person in the Universe. He has promised to reward you for your faithfulness in serving Him. “For, as the scripture says, “The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.” (1Cor 10:26)

Worldly wealth is useful only here, on the earth. It is to be used as a loan from God for His glory and for your own good. No man can take money beyond the grave. He can have an expensive coffin, but no money can be taken out from this world. “What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing!” (1Tim 6:7). Naked we were born, and ‘naked’ we shall go back to God. God proves by this law that worldly wealth is temporary and we are not the owners of our money on earth.

But then, Jesus talks about true riches. These are eternal life, spiritual fruitfulness, the deeper revelation of the Word of God, sanctification, becoming like Jesus Christ and anointing for ministry, to name just a few. These blessings radically change the character of a man. These make you ‘rich towards God’ (Lk 12:21; KJ) and have eternal value. These blessings are approved by God. They cannot be stolen by men or devils. They shall not be left in your grave. These blessings you can take them with you to heaven.
How do you know that you are rich towards God and that you despise Mammon? When, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, you are able not to be over-excited when you receive money and not to be over-depressed when you lose money. Pray for the gift of contentment, humility, a grateful heart and of true worship of God!

If you mock this letter, if you grumble against the truth, if you make fun at me, then sorry, you are a hypocrite who loves money more than God. You need to repent and come to the Cross of Christ! Over there is forgiveness of sin, freedom and peace!
Are you rich towards God?

In Christ I declare:
I serve God!
I hate mammon!
I am rich towards God!
By His grace alone!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“This is what the Lord says! I remember how eager you were to please Me as a young bride long ago, how you loved Me and followed Me even through the barren deserts…” (Jer 2:2, TLB)

God never forgets your holy beginning… He always remembers your first ‘I love You, Lord…’ The echo of your first worship song will always ring in His ears… Your first, timid steps of faith towards Him are recorded and kept on display on His wall of grace… Your simple beautiful wedding gown gently placed on your shoulders long ago… your dreams and your passion for Him at the very beginning… your very first crown and your genuine surprise when you received it… your ring of eternal pledge… your trembling voice saying ‘I do’ witnessed by the stars and angels alike… all these are pictures in His album…

God boasts about your love for Him… heaven has heard your story many times…one day, going up there, you shall be very surprised to see how many know your name and your testimony…for you dear Child of God, heaven will not be a strange place, like an cold airport where they look for fake visas and contraband stuff in your suitcase…not at all…heaven will be your promised marital home, your peaceful rest and your reward of love… your Bridegroom has gone ahead to prepare such a wonderful place for you…one day, in the future, He will come back again to take you there…This is His holy Pledge!

Meditate daily on the love of God! Think about His love for you! Never be tired of His romance! See it displayed on the Cross of Calvary! Do not allow the cares of this world hide His lovely face! Jesus Christ is your eternal Bridegroom! Stay virgin for Him alone! Love not any other created thing! Be holy as He is holy! Does not your spirit rejoice hearing such a word? Is your liver not smiling inside your belly? His death can never be in vain…Remember the beginning, long before God blessed you with ‘stuff’, long before the desert changed into a garden… remember the time you desired nothing more than just a smile, a touch from God, a fresh word from His lips or even a glimpse of His glory… all the blessings and gifts surrounding you, your wife, husband or children, even grandchildren, your houses and cars, your good health, your decrees and your promotions of life, let all these bow at the feet of Him who is the Owner and the Giver of them all.

Do not betray such a love…do not even think of betraying such a passion…God loves you more than you can ever know…He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for you, that you may be able to be a royal bride and the eternal joy of your Creator. When trials and temptations come ugly against you, please remember that the glory ahead cannot compare with the sufferings of the present…Let the hope of glory wash your soul today!
Be faithful to the end! Keep your gown spotless! Take care of your crown! For all must be complete and perfect to the glory of God!
May your pure love for the only Savior be re-kindled in your soul today!
May the passion for true holy spiritual and intimate worship be revived today!
‘Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever’ (Heb 13:8)

In Christ I declare:
Above all things, I love You Lord Jesus, my Savior and my Lord!
I shall wait for You, spotless and holy!
Come…
In Jesus name
Amen!

‘Whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things’ (Phil 4:8)

We have just arrived at Istanbul airport. We had four suitcases trying to carry them all. A Turkish porter asked in ‘broken’ English if we needed help. We said ‘yes, please…’Immediately, he helped us carry them. We then tried to show appreciation and gave him money. He graciously refused saying: ‘Help is help, it cannot be paid with money. Helped offered from the heart is done for God…’ I observed that three fingers were missing on his left hand. I don’t know his religion, maybe he is a muslim… what I can say is this: today we encountered a gracious, lovely and admirable gift of welcome to Turkey, from ‘an ordinary man’ who could as well being an angel. God bless you brother! God bless Turkey! May the Word of God have free access to the hearts of men in this beautiful country! In Jesus name, Amen!

In Christ I declare:
The knowledge of God shall cover Turkey as the waters cover the sea!
In Jesus name,
Amen!

(A song of ascents)

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

    which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

    so the Lord surrounds his people

    both now and forevermore” (Ps 125:1, 2)

My husband and I, we went on a ministry trip for about two weeks. We came back today. My body was tired but my spirit refreshed when I saw the brethren waiting for our weekly prophetic prayer meeting called ‘The Saturday Class’. It is so good to be among people who are truly born again, hungry for the Word of God, passionate in prayer and worship. Even dry bones shall rise again…

Prophetically speaking, we are on a journey, going higher on the Holy Mountain and closer to God. Today we got a fresh revelation from Psalm 125 which is called ‘a song of ascents’. This is one of the many musical poems the pilgrims of Israel sang when going to Jerusalem. Their desire was to go and worship at the temple, to meet with God. In Hebrew, the word ‘ascent’ means a journey towards a higher place. Jacob saw the ladder and heard the angels’ song.  It is the story of our spiritual journey, going up the stairs, to know God better. Once you hear this song you will never be the same again.

The song is about the God who surrounds His children. Like the mountains surround Jerusalem, so God surrounds us. His everlasting arms go round about our lives. There is much power in this revelation. Do you feel it? God surrounds you, strengths you and makes you secure in His love. You can never be shaken by fears of doubts.  Your blessings shall be secure. Once you trust this ‘surrounding’ God, you will never fear losing your salvation, divorce or poverty. God protects you ahead, behind, on the right and on the left, above and beneath. Nothing can destroy, puncture of penetrate this holy fence of fire. Please observe that this promise is given only to the children of God. The rest of the mankind wanders in a world of darkness, embarrassed, without anchor and without hope. No man can surround you like this. The greatest human love will be tired of protecting you selflessly. If your trust is in man, the enemy will break the wall of human protection and wound you at the place you least expect.

Many believers are satisfied too quickly. To be ‘barely saved’ is the silent ambition of many. The passion of a personal, intimate relationship with the Living God scares them to death. The price to pay they do not consider. But that is the secret of the knowledge of eternal life, that you may ‘know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent’ (Jn 17:3). Not just knowing about God in your head, but really knowing His Person, His Spirit and His Word.  This knowledge will transform the lowest worm into a butterfly.

We sang: “Surround me O Lord, surround me O Lord, let Your presence fill this place”

In Christ I declare:

I trust the living God!

I trust Jesus Christ!

I trust the Holy Spirit!

God surrounds me!

I am protected, strong and secure, now and forevermore!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18; NKJ).

The devil is very busy in the churches. Most of the time, he stays in the background and uses his human agents. He rarely attacks directly as an evil spirit. He deceives the believers thru false ‘servants of God’. The devil hates to be exposed. That is why prayer is so important. Pray that light will shine in the darkness. Pray that your eyes will open to see the truth!

The church is the Body of Christ. It is true that He has delegated His authority to human leaders who are apostles, prophets, pastors or teachers. But Jesus Christ is still the Head. The Holy Spirit hovers over the church to detect any danger coming from satan and even when men are deceived, God is never deceived. This is the promise of Jesus: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18; NKJ).

The word ‘build’ means to rise up an indestructible structure that is designed in heaven. It is made of bold, strong and living stones, each connected to the Head which is Christ! The word ‘prevail’ means to be able to overpower, to be strong and work, to be whole, to hold, to possess, to conceive, to make sick, to intimidate, to reign over it, to rest in it or to misuse.  The devil and his agents can never accomplish all these works! They shall be exposed as spies and traitors!  Even if all men are liars, God will forever be true! Jesus is Lord!

In Christ I declare:

We believe, therefore we speak: revival shall come to this land!

God shall be honored!

The Word of God shall be honored!

In Jesus name,

Amen!