“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1Cor 10:16, 17)

This morning we had our monthly Holy Communion Service. The Lord’s Table was set before us. It is the Lord’s Table, not any man’s table. The Lord Jesus Christ desired that we should partake from this blessed offer in remembrance of His Person, of His work on earth, of His death on the Cross. He knows that our memory is weak. We may forget the power of the Cross, of the Blood shed there. That is why He commanded that we should eat the bread and drink from the cup, the wine prepared. The word ‘cup’ means a drinking vessel appreciated only by him who is thirsty.

Are you thirsty to know God this morning? Are you hungry for revival? Are you longing for an encounter with God? Do you desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Then come to the Lord’s Table and partake, for that is why He died for.

The Lord’s Table is not ‘a snack’. It is life, healing and strength!  It is also a Holy Communion, a Living Fellowship with the Holy Spirit and with the other saints in the Body of Christ. This Blessed Fellowship means that we, who are many, become ONE in Christ. There is a sharing of rights, responsibilities and privileges. Some may be rich and others may be poor; some may be educated and others jobless; but at the Lord’s Table we are ONE. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. There is no boasting of any personal success. Only praise to Him who died to save us from sin!

Some denominations ignorantly encourage spiritual passivity. ‘Just open your mouth’- the priest says. He places the wafer in the mouth of the waiting man, the way the nurse gives polio vaccine. There is no faith required. They assume that the bread and the wine in the mouth will on their own miraculously become a form of medicine inside the body. But the Holy Communion is a spiritual exercise. You need faith to believe in Jesus and in His Blood shed at the Cross. You need more than an open mouth! You need an open spirit, an open heart!

May the mystery of Calvary and the power of His Blood heal, deliver and bless you this morning!

In Christ I declare:

Jesus Christ is God Almighty!

Jesus is my Savior and my Lord!

The Blood of Jesus has set me free from the wrath of God!

I am free! I am healed! I am delivered!

I believe!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world; and the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever…

But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (1 Jn 2:15-17; Gal 5:22)

Lust and love are opposites but have similar definitions. Many confuse lust with true love. Love is spiritual and lust is fleshly. Love is of God and lust is of the devil. There is no middle ground.

Lust is defined as an intense desire in the body or in the soul (mind, emotions and will). Lust will not rest until it possesses its object of infatuation. The source of lust is sin. Lust can be sexual or otherwise but it is always an impatient craving, a longing that cannot rest or wait for its fulfillment. The devil takes advantage of the natural lust and reinforces it until it becomes more and more desperate and evil.

Love is also an intense desire but its source is the Holy Spirit manifesting in the human spirit. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Once the seed of love germinates, its overflow will influence the soul (mind, emotions and will) and also the body. True love is a gift from God. It is available only to the born again child of God. It cannot be bought with money and cannot be sold. Love is sacrificial, generous and holy.

In the Bible sexual lust is always defined as sin. It has to power to defile the mind and the heart. Sexual desire is good; it is a gift from God. But when it is separated from God’s love, it becomes selfish and wicked. That is lust, a fake, fleshly, worldly sinful ‘love’.

One of the most successful lies of the devil is that you need to experience lust and ‘to fall in love’ so that you get married. Millions of singles are trapped into this snare. They look around and pray for acceptable religious lust to come. Except the Holy Spirit reveals the evil of this deception, you will never see your need for a change. Love and lust may resemble occasionally in their manifestations, but their roots and foundations are far from each other as heaven is from the earth. Pray for discernment! Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit into all truth!

LOVE IS A GODLY INSPIRING CHAMPION

LUST IS A FAKE COWARD AND A LOSER

“You have heard that it was said to those of old: ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt 5:27, 28)

The point of entrance of the demon of lust is thru the eyes. The background of the lust ‘drama’ is the world, the system of things running outside the acknowledgment of God. In the world, lust is one of its princes, a spoiled brat, erratic and wild. It has no mercy and no wisdom. The fleshy eyes are busy with looking but never satisfied with what they see. The heart is then filled with the images of visible things, but never comes to rest. Lust is always proud and rebellious. Lust is the poison of peace and the enemy of God.

One of the greatest deceptions of the devil is to convince us that the world system is not so bad. Then be become foolish enough to accept salvation from Jesus but continue to be influenced by the world in our daily life. We are all sinful at birth. The natural man loves and is attracted by the visible things. As children of God we are commanded to reject the magnetic attraction, the addiction of this drug called lust. It is battle unto death. Lust is poison to the mind and to the emotions. If a man cannot pay the price for true love, and uses lust to win the heart of a woman, that man is a wicked coward and a fool.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (4:18)

In contrast, true love comes by the Holy Spirit as a deposit in your own spirit, in a place that is much deeper than your mind can ever conceive. The love of God comes wrapped in peace and joy. Rest is its strength and wisdom its signature. To appreciate and receive the love of God you have to defeat the demon of lust thru spiritual warfare. All true lovers are champions, worthy leaders of holy inspiration. Lust may be powerful, intoxicating and extremely pleasant. But its major weakness is that it does not last. Lust is temporary. Anyone who ‘falls in love’ thru lust, testifies that one day, the experience disappeared as quickly as it came. It left nothing good behind, except the bitter taste of regret, the lasting wound of failure and the feel of failure and broken dreams. Except for the mercy of God, any marriage that has lust for its foundation will end up in divorce.

Lust starts strong but slowly, daily, it loses its strength, passion and romance. That is why lust is always combined with the fear of losing its best treasure. But perfect love drives out all fears of separation, of disappointment of failure. Pray for your marriage until you are free from the fear of its future. Pray until your marriage is baptized in Hope, stable and pure, a spiritual ministry and holy inspiration.

In contrast, true love may start slowly and quietly, but it gains strength each day, each second. God ‘keeps the best for the last’ (Jn 2:10). The sweetness of love in a mature marriage cannot compare with the youthful love of past decades. I speak from the Word of God and from personal experience. Love gets better with time. What a wonderful provision! What a joyful, exciting journey! What a privilege to love as Jesus loves! ‘Love never fails!’ (1Cor 13:8). Chose love! Reject the loser! Chose life!

In Christ I declare:

I love God!

I hate lust and an all evil!

Jesus Christ is my first and eternal love!

I love as Jesus loves me!

I love my husband with the overflow of the Holy Spirit!

I love my children!

I love my neighbor as I love myself!

In Jesus name

Amen!

A sister in Christ sent me this request: “Dear Malia, I need prayer. For some time I have been bleeding from my private parts. I went to the hospital and did some tests. The doctors do not yet know what is wrong. What do you think?”

My answer:

“It is not important what I think! What God thinks about you is what really matters. And God said that He is your Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. There are times when the human doctors are like children, ignorant of their ignorance. Keep your eyes on Jesus, not on the circumstances and not on your strength. Calmly abide in the Word of God that you already believe!

In one way, your body is cheap, not more than ‘the sand’ used to make it. But in another way, your body is very expensive, for the Holy Spirit chose to be its Tenant. The rent was paid with the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross. The price was so much, even more than the body itself. So He has to right to use it as He pleases. There is no fear that your Tenant will destroy it. The Tenant is the Owner too. God loves you with a perfect love. He loves you as a whole person, body, soul and spirit. One day He will transform this ‘lowly body’ into another glorious one, to be just like Him. But until then, He will use this one which is available as a Temple and Sanctuary for Himself on this earth. Like Jesus visited Mary and Martha in their humble home, the Holy Spirit chose to rest in your body. This is a mighty privilege for not all men can say that. His ‘rent’ is paid with many blessings, healing, deliverance, strength, peace and joy.

So I say to you: Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Glorify God with your body! Be grateful for your body!

Pray not just for healing but for a testimony of healing! You are not an ordinary woman so you cannot expect an ‘ordinary’ life style with an ‘ordinary’ healing. This is how the unbelievers do. Let your faith increase! Reject fear and doubt! God is in control! Your body is the temple (not only of your ‘private parts’) but of the SPIRIT OF LIFE, THE HOLY GHOST! Your sickness is an enemy of the Holy Spirit so God will fight His own battle! And God always wins! I am on God’s side! Be on God’s side, Sister…

I plead the Blood of Jesus over you!

Be healed, in Jesus name, Amen!”

“Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that He lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it” (1Cor 6:19, 20; LB)

In Christ I declare:

My body belongs to the Holy Spirit!

I am healed!

I believe!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David…as far as the place in front of the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and as far as the House of the Mighty” (Neh 3:15, 16)

The city of Jerusalem has twelve gates. Each has a spiritual meaning. In the future, in the New Jerusalem, each gate shall be made of one pearl (Rev 21:21). The oyster is wounded with a grain of sand and it produces a beautiful pearl inside. Therefore a pearl is a symbol of our Lord Jesus Christ, His death on the Cross and His resurrection.

The Dung gate and the Fountain Gate are far from the others. These two are located in the most southern area of the city, near the valley where the rubbish was collected and burnt. The Dung Gate represents the confession of sin. The Fountain Gate derived its name from the fact that it was the primary access to the Gihon Spring, Jerusalem’s sole perennial source of water. It represents the Holy Spirit and the power of resurrection.  In other words, after a valley type experience where the rubbish in our lives is cleared out and burnt, true faith shines forth, like gold that passed thru the fire.  Then the fountain of the Holy Spirit, His power and anointing, true worship and healing begin to flow!

When Nehemiah came to repair the city of Jerusalem, it seems that the Fountain Gate was the most damaged of all. The rubbish was so much that he could not even pass thru it. During the Babylonian attack, the king escaped thru the same Fountain Gate (2Kg 25:4). Spiritually speaking this gate stands for the way of escape during times of temptations (1Cor 10:13). God is faithful. He always provides a way out in the midst of trials so that we do not give up but endure to the end. The devil knows about this wonderful promise. He will do all he can to hid and block the escape so that we start to doubt God’s faithful promise of protection and backslide.

Jeremiah described this betrayal of love as sin. Many forsake God, the Fountain of living waters for the foolish choice of a second hand religion, ‘a broken cistern that cannot hold water’ (Jer 2:13). A cistern was like a well, built into the ground, but had no independent source of water. Water was brought from another source to the cistern, which held it in storage for later use. The Lord likens those who trust in their own resources to those who build broken cisterns – their lives leak joy, peace, faith and strength. Jesus encouraged us to come to Himself – the Eternal Spring of Living water (John 4:10-14).

The privilege to repair this gate was given to Shallun, son of Col-Hozeh. In Hebrew, these two names mean ‘The reward of the prophet’. This prophetic family comes from Mizpah, meaning ‘a military watchtower’. Spiritually speaking, God will use warfare prayers and prophetic declarations to restore the flow of the Holy Spirit. This becomes the source of revival in your life, in your church and your city.

A number of prophetic places are associated with the Fountain Gate:

*The Pool of Siloam (symbol of healing- Jesus sent the blind man to wash so that he can see-Jn 7:9)

*The King’s Garden (symbol of intimate communion and worship of Jesus- SS 4:12-16)

*The Tomb of David (symbol of the hope after death, our bodily resurrection – Ac 2:25-32)

*The Steps to Zion (symbol of true worship that results in blessings and spiritual promotion- Neh 12:37)

*The House of the Mighty (symbol of fruitfulness after the total disgrace and defeat of barrenness)

In Christ I declare:

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Fountain Gate of Life Eternal!

Out of my belly Rivers of living waters shall flow to the thirsty nations!

I shall pray until I see revival!

I am healed!

I worship Jesus!

I have hope!

I shall be promoted!

I am a fruitful vine!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mt 20:25-28)

This incident happened during the last week of our Lord’s life. Jesus called His disciples and told them that He will go to Jerusalem to die. He will be betrayed by the religious leaders. He will be handed over to the Romans to be killed. For a Jew to be given to a Gentile to be killed, that was the height of sorrow.

Jesus has just told them that there shall be a dramatic radical change in the status of many, based on their service to Him. ‘The first shall be last and the last shall be first’. Now He addresses their natural desire to be promoted spiritually. A mother comes and worships Him with a request on behalf of her two sons. She wants them to be His ‘personal assistants’ and the highest rulers in God’s kingdom.

Jews respected mothers and took serious their love for children. For example, that is how Bathsheba got her wish for her son to be king. But here, Jesus refuses the mother’s request saying that He is not able to promote men just because they pray for it. Here Jesus speaks not as God, but as a man, as a slave and servant of His Father. A slave has no rights at all. A slave cannot promote himself or others. The royal holy seat of promotion is lovingly designed and prepared by God the Father. It shall remain a secret until the hour of manifestation. It shall surprise many who coveted it, who honestly pray for it.

There is a price to pay for promotion in the spiritual realm. God looks not just at the works, but at the heart and at the motives for service. The lower you get, the more you humble yourself, the higher you shall be. The Kingdom of God advances by the hidden sacrificial work of the royal servants of God. They are placed in strategic places. It is not the visible ‘men of God’ who always have the greatest impact. It is them who, for the love of their Master, have pierced their ears and hearts, have died to sin and to the world and for the sake of the glorious Gospel of Christ. They paid the price in obedience, faithfulness and love. They sacrificed many hours on the altar of the ministry of prayer and the Word. They do not oppress or manipulate others into submission, like the leaders of this world. But going down on their knees, they have learned the secret how to lift the name of Jesus so that others shall be drawn unto Him. They have practiced the skill of intercession. They have the key to God’s heart thru intimate worship.

Are you a servant of God? Do you wonder about a greater impact in your service? Do you pray for promotion? That is good! But remember, God does not pay daily or weekly. He rewards in His own time and His own style. God never makes mistakes. God does not need a counselor. He is sovereign in all His decisions. The promotion of men is a sign that He is alive and in control of all their affairs.

Do not worry anymore, dear (overworked, misunderstood, oppressed…) child of God! God who sees in secret shall reward you openly! This is His law! This is His promise!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I am a servant of God!

I shall be obedient unto death!

I shall be faithful unto death!

I leave my desire for promotion in the hands of my Father, who loves me!

I totally trust God with my life and reward for service!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism…Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of Him to whom you belong?” (Jam 2:1-7)

The natural man is attracted by wealth, status and fame. The desire to be rich is deep in the heart of sinful man. We see nothing good in a life of poverty. But when Jesus came to earth, He chose to be a poor preacher. That was God’s sovereign choice. From His birth in a manger, to His burial in a borrowed tomb, Jesus chose poverty as a background for His ministry. Poor people understood Him faster than the rich ones. While on earth, He did not insist to be served, as a ruler of men. He did not use cash to buy food. He lived by faith in God.  His Father provided all that He needed. The rich religious hypocrites doubted and mocked Him. They rejected His Gospel. They resisted and grieved His Spirit. They finally ‘succeeded’ to kill Him on a cross. But on the third day, according to His Word, He rose from the death. On the fiftieth day the Holy Spirit was given to His faithful disciples. The Church was born.

Jesus warned His disciples about the coming persecutions. He told them that they shall suffer for His name sake. They shall arrest some and throw them in prison. Others shall be killed. The evil spirit of religious pride shall oppose them.  Pharaoh said: “Who is Jehovah? I don’t know Jehovah! I will not obey Jehovah!” Men die but spirits live on. It is easy to fall into the snare of prejudice, to respect the rich above the poor, even in the church. The rich men have money and the poor have faith. We like faith but we love money. Then money wins the battle of the mind. Then a stronghold of mammon takes over the soul. The worship of the idol competes with the worship of God. This grieves the Holy Spirit in the church. The rich people try to manipulate the pulpit. The snare is dangerous and real. Pray for discernment and for the power to remain pure and faithful to God until the end.

This is my personal testimony: All my life I was not ‘a materialistic’ person. I did not like excessive display of wealth even as an unbeliever. I preferred modesty in all things. That is why many people thought that I was a Christian. But I was not, and I told them so. As a doctor with a private practice, the temptation to give ‘special treatment’ to them who are wealthy was great. I remember the first time I read the above passage in the Book of James. I was convicted of sin. Then I prayed for forgiveness just in case I discriminated men based on their social status, education level or wealth. I asked the Holy Spirit to take control. I decided that from now on each patient that comes to my office will be treated just like Jesus was there. With each patient (I am not joking) I will make an offer. I will say something like this:

“What do you want? Choose one option! Christ and prayer or medical treatment? If you want Christ, I will pray for you, for salvation, deliverance or a miracle of healing. There is no bill for that. Just give thanks to God. But if you chose medical treatment, then you shall pay money”

Interestingly, the rich chose medical treatment and the poor ones accepted the prayer. The rich men were offended that I offered prayer in my medical office. Thank God it was my own private practice, so I could do anything I wanted. I will examine and treat them; give them the bill and they paid without grumbling. In this way I had enough money to pay my staff and other things. But thru the option of prayer for them that could not afford medical treatment, I opened a door for ministry that has not closed up till today.

May God help you to see the truth; to desire the praise of God instead of the praise of men; to desire faith above money and peace above fame! May the faith of the poor believers challenge you today!

In Christ I declare:

I do not discriminate any man!

I love God!

I love my neighbor as myself!

I honor all men as God’s creation!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it…And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts” (Mal 3:10-12)

This is my testimony: I tithe for many years. I did not tithe immediately after I became saved. I was ignorant and proud. But once God’s light shone on my heart, I repented and started tithing consistently. It did not matter the amount of money I received, salary or gifts. Each time ‘money came to me’ I took it as a privilege from God and obediently I separated the tithe first of all. With time, I saw the difference. My faith matured, my peace and joy became stable, my finances increased and my health became better. I never regretted my obedience to God. Whatever I counted as loss became multiplied gain. The following are simple guidelines to help in the matter of tithing as a child of God. Pray for confirmation!

Definition
A tithe is defined as a “tenth part”. It is the “first fruit” of your material increase. The principle behind it is that you recognize God to be first in your life and your source of supply; He is the cause of your prosperity. Therefore, the tithe is not ‘any tenth’ but the first tenth of your income.
Tithe is worshipping Jehovah Jireh!
What is an offering?
An offering is a financial gift of any amount as God has prospered you over and above your tithe.
Why should I tithe?
Tithing is a spiritual command from God to walk in obedience to God’s Word. I tithe to support the work and vision of my church. Another reason why I tithe it is to cause the windows of blessings to open for me because of my alignment with God’s Word. This is God’s express way to bless me and my finances.
How much should I tithe?
The Biblical tithe is 10% of all your increase
Where do I tithe?
You tithe to the place where you receive your spiritual food and help. Generally, but not limited to it, that place is your local church
What happens if I don’t tithe?
God calls you a robber and your disobedience causes you to live under a curse. Ignoring the tithe you limit God in blessing you and you limit the impact your church has in your environment.
What are the benefits of tithing?
The House of God is well provided for. There shall be no lack of means or money to carry out God’s work. The windows of heaven shall open over you to pour out a blessing so great that ‘there will not be room enough to receive it’. That means God’s pleasure and favor is over you, manifested in many blessings. God will rebuke ‘the devourer’ (satan) so that he will not destroy your harvest. Lastly, you will be recognized by men as ‘blessed’. Your visible blessings, spiritually and materially cannot be hidden.
What should my attitude toward tithing be?
I should be willing to pay my tithe. It is a privilege. I should have an attitude of joy that God has blessed me enough to contribute to the increase of His Kingdom on earth.

This is God’s mathematics: if you tithe well, you shall be blessed, spiritually and materially. What you will notice is that your mental state changes, attitudes of self-righteousness, selfishness, pride and fear will slowly disappear. This will create a fresh flow of visible blessing in your life. All believers who tithe consistently have experienced the supernatural manifestations of increase in their finances. I have not met any believer who regretted paying his tithes. They are all grateful for the privilege!

If you do not tithe well, or if you do not tithe at all, you will limit God in blessing you, spiritually and materially. The Holy Spirit shall convict you of sin, of rebellion and disobedience. You may hide the voice of your conscience but you cannot quench it completely. Therefore, your peace and joy is not complete. In this case you have to repent of sin to God and to your pastor. Let him pray for you. Let him bless you. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you, to remind you, to give you the right attitude in regard to the tithe. Then leave the results with God. It may take some time, but sooner or later you shall experience the effects of the blessings: increase in your finances (even with the same amount of work or less), no more hospital bills, no more accidents and no more sudden losses. Then you shall have your own testimony as an obedient child of God who actively promotes the interests of the Kingdom of His Father. I encourage you to start or to continue to pay your tithes. God bless you and the work of your hands!

In Christ I declare:
I pay my tithe!
I am blessed!
Call me BLESSED!
In Jesus name
Amen!

“The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbles through the tears that made her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There’s no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last, she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the Master
From her box of alabaster

And I’ve come to pour
My praise on Him
Like oil from Mary’s alabaster box
Don’t be angry if I wash his feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren’t there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When he wrapped his love all around me and
You don’t know the cost of the oil
In my alabaster box

I can’t forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
And I spent my days
Poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box
I’d thought I’d found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul
With the wonder of His touch
So now I’m giving back to Him
All the praise He’s worthy of
I’ve been forgiven
And that’s why
I love Him so much

And I’ve come to pour
My praise on Him
Like oil from Mary’s alabaster box
Don’t be angry if I wash his feet with my tears
And dry them with my hair (my hair)
You weren’t there the night Jesus found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped his loving arms around me and
You don’t know the cost of the oil
Oh, you don’t know the cost of my praise
You don’t know the cost of the oil
In my alabaster box”

(by Ce ce Winans)

“But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever” (Ex 21:5, 6)
A servant of God is first of all a born again child of God. The word servant in Hebrew is the word ‘ebed’. It means a slave, a laborer in bondage and a worshipper of his master. To be a servant of God is a free choice, based on a personal revelation of the love of Christ, the Redeemer or slaves. It is a life time commitment to stay in a covenant relationship with the Lord. There is no room for backsliding or betrayal. This is a responsible relationship based on the sacrificial love revealed at the Cross. We do not love God at ‘first sight’. There is ‘no beauty’ in Christ on the surface (Is 53:2). The unbeliever sees nothing good to admire in the Lord or to worship Him. Jesus said that worship and obedience are intimately connected (Jn 14:15). That is why a true servant of God is also a worshipper. He has chosen to forsake his ‘right to sin’ for the greater good of the glory of his Lord. By losing his freedom, the servant gains his true identity, his real life and eternal destiny. The servant of Christ is known by the Father and rewarded by Him (Jn 12:26). A servant is not paid like as a hireling. There is no ‘salary’ for serving Christ. He is rewarded with the eternal intimate assurance that he is God’s friend.

In the Old Testament a Jew that becomes poor can be bought by another Jew one who is rich. This man who buys another is called a Kinsman Redeemer. There are conditions for this covenant. The Redeemer has to be related to the poor one. He has to be rich enough to be able to secure the purchase. Also, he has to be willing to do the transaction. These are the conditions for redemption. The poor Jew cannot be bought forever. He will serve His Kinsman Redeemer for the next six years. On the seventh year he has a choice to go free. His debt has been paid by his uninterrupted service. If he was married before he became a servant, he can take his wife and together, they shall go away free. But if he was not married when he became a servant, and later, he accepted a wife from his master, then on the seventh year if he chooses to go free, he shall leave alone. He cannot take his wife and children. These belong to the master who gave them to him. But if he loves his master, and the wife his master gave to him together with his children, then he can chose to stay as his servant forever. They shall be known as the life time property of the Redeemer. He shall serve the master all the days of his life and shall be buried by is master.
The servant has to make his final declaration in public before the elders. The word means ‘to declare, to boast, to publish, to speak expressly or to promise freely and openly’. There shall be no regret and no second choice. From now on any rebellion will be punished severely as a sin against love and mercy. This decision is made once in a life time, after six years of labor and training under the master. The ear has to be visibly wounded with a nail, as a sign of a life time of commitment and service to his master. The door shall keep the nail as a witness of his pledge. Each time he opens and closes the door, the servant is remanded that freedom was forsaken for the gain of true eternal love.
Jesus Christ died on the Cross to purchase me with His blood. He is the true Redeemer and the Master of my soul. I have no other option than to be His servant and worshipper forever! His pierced hand has pierced my soul!
“This is my pledge: before God, men and angels: I am Yours forever, Lord!”

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God forever!
I am a servant of Christ forever!
I willingly reject forever the ‘lonely freedom’ of a sinner!
I find my true freedom in my life as a bondservant of Christ!
I will never be ashamed of Jesus Christ!
I openly acknowledge that Jesus is my Savior, my Reward, my Kinsman Redeemer, my Master, my King and my Lord!
I am a living proof of my Master’s love, goodness, mercy and generosity!
My Master shall see the travail of His soul on my behalf, and He shall be satisfied!
In Jesus name
Amen!

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

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

Dear Sisters,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your sister in faith,

Abigail David.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Christ I declare:

I am dead to sin!

I am a servant of God!

I pay the price for true ministry!

In Jesus name

Amen!

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

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

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

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

In Christ I declare:

God will visit you as He said He would!

All His promises are yes and amen!

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

Jesus shall give you His special wine of Joy!

None can steal the blessing of joy!

You shall enjoy your youth and your senior years!

You shall serve and worship God forever!

Rejoice always! And I say again, rejoice!

In Jesus name

Amen!

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

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

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

Whooooo… Mmmmme?

‘Yes! You!!!’

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I am healed!

I am delivered!

I am fruitful!

I am fulfilled!

In Jesus name

Amen!

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Christ I declare:

I am a servant of God!

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

I shall be successful!

I shall marry well!

I shall pray always waiting for God’s confirmation!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“As far as the east is from the west,

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

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

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

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

What a Savior!

In Christ I declare:

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

I am the righteousness of God!

God loves me!

I shall worship God forever!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May your obedience be rewarded with blessings from above!

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

In Christ alone:

I hear and I obey the Word of God!

I study my Bible daily!

I pray always!

I enter God’s promised rest for my soul!

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

In Jesus name

Amen!

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

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

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

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

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Lord!

Jesus Christ died on the Cross to save my soul!

The Blood of Jesus was shed for my redemption!

Jesus Christ is my High Priest and my Sacrifice!

God is my Everlasting Father!

Heaven is my eternal home!

I believe!

In Jesus name

Amen!