WISE SAYINGS

“The two greatest days in a man’s life are these: the day when he was born and the day when he discovers the purpose of why he was born” (Anonymous)
Be born again!

GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST!

SECRET SERVICE

 

“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.  I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed…Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God” (1Cor 4:1-5)

The wisdom of God is unsearchable and His peace beyond understanding. God cannot be totally understood. That is why He is God. The only revelation of God Jehovah available to men is in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The impartation of this revelation comes only thru the Holy Spirit. No other man or spirit can reveal the truth of God to others.

A mystery is a secret thing that cannot be understood just by human reasoning and cannot be fully explained. A mystery needs the revelation of God to become useful to men. The secret things belong to God and only that which is revealed (by Him) become ‘the property’ of men to whom it has come. Then they can truly obey the Word of God. This blessed revelation is the divine royal stamp and a family inheritance. The children of the faithful servants of God are blessed together with their parents (Deut 29:29; PV 25:2).

All children of God ‘know God’. This knowledge is eternal life. The anointing of the Holy Spirit teaches them all things. But the Apostles and the Prophets are special servants chosen by God as a gift to the Body. We are to consider them as servants of God entrusted by Him with a wonderful treasure called ‘the mysteries of Christ’. The Holy Spirit opens their understanding more than to others. They see the truth below the surface, the deep things that are hidden in the Word of God.

God’s glory is connected with this mystery, so that He cannot be fully understood or controlled by His creation. It is God’s decree that some men will have a greater spiritual understating of His Person and Purpose. It is the highest privilege to be called by God to share in His deep secrets.  These men cannot call themselves to such a holy office. They have to be called by God Himself. The rest of us we are to acknowledge their anointing and honor God’s sovereign choice.

The basic requirement for these men is to remain faithful to the God who has entrusted them with the mysteries of His Kingdom. No matter what they know, they are to keep silent until God opens their mouth to speak. Also, no matter the consequences, they are to speak the truth in love when commanded to do so.  They are not to betray the King by privately revealing His secrets to ‘personal friends’ interested in religious gossip. That will grieve the Holy Spirit and ‘dry’ the flow of the anointing.

Be totally faithful to God who called you to be His servant!

Do not be quick in drawing conclusions when it comes to the secrets of God! Wait for the Holy Spirit!

He that called you to be His servant must bring to light the revelation of the secret things!

God who gave you the secret has to approve the hour of public revelation to men!

Do not use human understanding in preaching Christ Crucified!

Do not be impatient in the ministry of prophetic counseling!

If in doubt, do not move, do not talk!

Sooner or later, the green light of faith shall come with power, the approval and the pleasure of God! Then your speech shall become utterance from above, the hammer that breaks the rocks and the fire than burns which no man can resist!

All to the glory of God!

 

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I am a servant of Christ!

I am a member of the royal priesthood of believers!

I am faithful to God who called me to be His servant!

Help me, God!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

STAND OR FALL?

 

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Mt 7: 24-27)
This is the parable of the two builders. There are some things they have in common. They both look interested to be landlords; they both work hard to construct a house; they both have dreams for the future for their families. But the differences between them are greater. The end of the story shows that in their foundations they are different as people and as family men (or women). Their marriages and homes are very different internally. Their hearts and destinies are opposites.
What is this difference?
They are both interested to hear the Word of God. Both of them go to church, pray and preach. But the next step reveals the quality of their foundations. The wise man applies the Word of God in his practical life. He reads and studies the Bible with the desire to give God the glory by his changed character. The Word of God penetrates deep into his spirit where it germinates and produces fruit. For the wise man the Word of God is bread and not chewing gum. It is living water to drink and not just a shower. It is medicine to heal and not just a bleaching cream. His flesh may resist the change but slowly, faithfully, he allows the Word to dominate his thinking and his life style. His repentance from sin is deep. He makes no allowance for backsliding. He takes his cross and dies to sinful choices daily. The power of resurrection becomes the dominant factor in his life. Others see this new emerging wisdom, maturity and stable character. His humility is attractive because it is real. He is interested to please God first of all. He is ready to ignore the stares of men or their worldly counsel. He pays the price for holiness and desires to be like Jesus. His body is a willing living sacrifice that the Holy Spirit fills daily with the unmistakable fragrance of Jesus. His marriage is strong, growing and beautiful. His wife and children have a real fellowship with God and with each other. Each activity is done in the presence of God. Jesus is the Lord of their home. The unity of the Spirit is faithfully kept: The husband loves- the wife submits and the children obey!  Each problem is referred to the Rock, to Jesus Christ and His word. They are not shy about their allegiance to the Lamb. That is a home that nothing can destroy. There is not attack designed by hell that can shake this marriage, this family. During the terrible attacks from the outside, the peace that passes all understanding proves to be the stamp of success approved by God and man. Oh, that we may desire this type of marriage and home…
The foolish man starts with a wrong foundation, better said, with the lack of it.. He reads His Bible daily but without the necessary faith to apply the Word of God in his life. He starts to build his house directly on the sand, without any foundation. The truth is that it is very difficult to dig in the desert. The sand immediately fills any hole you try to dig. But the wise builder has to continue to dig until he touches the rock underground.
Spiritually speaking, you have to study the Bible and pray until you come to the revelation of the Word. The foolish man’s marriage and home is not eternally anchored on the Rock of eternal stability. He is not born again; he does not have the vision of a true new beginning. His marriage is not ‘born again’. He does not pay the price to start well. His confession of salvation, his marriage, his family and all are very superficial and unstable. He lives in a permanent anxiety of possible future collapse or divorce, but denies the danger. The sudden attack from outside reveals the weakness and the tragedy of his life. All his efforts and investments end in a sudden loss, disgrace and regret.
The question remains…are you a wise or a foolish person? Does the Word of God impact your thinking, your emotions, your will? These questions are too serious to be ignored. Life is too short to postpone the real soul searching. May God give you the grace to stand and to be established by the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
My life and my family are right with God!
My marriage is born again!
To the glory of God!
In Jesus name,
Amen!

SOUL EXAMINATION

 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Mt 7:21-23)

Let’s look once more at the words of Jesus. These are the most disturbing words in the Bible. He warns against false security. He says that not everyone who calls Him ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven. This attracts our attention that Christianity is not just a changed speech. It is not just ‘mouth’. Salvation is deeper than just having the correct religious confession, for men can easily imitate what they hear. We are warned that just visible works are not enough to save a soul. Salvation is a miracle of life done in the spirit of man as a result of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. This miracle of salvation is the direct work of the Holy Spirit! No man, no angel, no any other mediator is able to save a soul!

To be truly born again, that is the foundation for life eternal and it can never be replaced with anything else. A child of God produces fruit of light for all to see. It is not just words or works. It is a fundamentally changed character, the testimony of a soul set free from the bondage of sin and death. So many people have entered the church with false hopes. We must preach the Gospel of free grace to all again and again.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2Cor 13:5)

So the foundation stands: Are you born again? Are you sure that your name is written from the foundation of the world in the Lamb’s Book of life? Has the Holy Spirit convicted you of sin? Did you see yourself at least once in  your life time, as a wretched sinner, lost and gone? Did you experience the fear of God descending upon your soul, griping it with pictures of hell? Did you cry like a dying man for a Savior? Have you been to the Cross of Calvary? Have unstoppable tears washed your face and soul? Did you see death face to face, calling you to come to the land of despair? Did the light of life eternal shone on your heart? Are you free from the punishment and shame of sin? Are you sure,that you are sure, that you are sure… that you are saved? Then let’s rejoice together with the angels and saints! It is well with your soul…

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I am saved from the punishment of sin!

I am born again!

I am free!

It is well with my soul!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

SUPERNATURAL SPARKLE AND SONG

“The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty…

The floods lift up their waves…

The Lord on high is mightier

than the noise of many waters…

Holiness adorns Your house,

O Lord, forever” (Ps 93)

In God’s house I am reminded that God reigns! Jesus Christ is Jehovah in flesh! This sure testimony is the foundation on which the church is built. No man can know Jehovah God except thru the revelation given by the second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. No man can know Jesus Christ except thru the revelation granted by the Father, thru the Holy Spirit!

God reigns! This clear statement reminds me that my life has been designed by God. I am not an accident of men. God knew me before I was conceived in my mother’s womb. God wanted me to be born. God has kept me alive for His pleasure and purpose. God loves me! God has called me to Himself, He has justified and glorified me in Christ! What a revelation!

God alone knows my past, present and future. My destiny is not in my hand. My future is not in my neighbor’s hand, and surely not in the power of my enemies. My life is hidden in Christ and in God. I belong to Jesus! I rest in this assurance and in this perfect peace!

The floods represent compound attacks coming against me. For example, a man loses his job, discovers that he has malaria and the girl he proposed to marry leaves him without an explanation. All these happen in the same time. That is a flood. In Hebrew the word ‘flood’ means a river that has burst its banks, flooding the land. Its waters are moving with anger, fast and fearless. The surface of the flowing waters sparkles, like the jewels on the crown of a champion. It looks like nothing will stop its trespassing power and boasting. For a time, all bow to its force…

But suddenly, the God’s voice is heard over the mighty waters…His voice thunders and strikes the flood with flashes of lightnings… The once boastful flood with its cheerful sparkles stops at once. Humbled and defeated, the mighty waters hide underground.

The Holy God takes over His House. The mightier voice of God, His Sparkle and Song is heard freely over the land! Revival is here! God’s throne is of old! The Lord reigns over all!

At the sound of His voice all bow down and cry ‘Holy!’

Jesus Christ is Lord indeed!

In Christ I declare:

God reigns!

My God reigns in my life!

The Holy Spirit has lifted a standard against the evil flood coming towards me!

Even if the earth gives way I am not afraid! For God is with me!

My heavenly Father is King over the flood!

God’s holy sparkle on my forehead is my victory crown!

I will worship God now and forever!

I sparkle supernaturally!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

PROSPERITY HOUSE

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly;

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night…

And whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps 1:1-3)

 

The climbers have found rest and peace in the house provided by the Lord of the Mountain. The same house has a room called ‘Prosperity’. We have been given the key and now it is time to enter.

In Psalm 1 the believers are given one of the greatest promises of the Bible.  Basically there are two types of men in the world: the righteous and the ungodly. The first group is made of all the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. These were former sinners but Jesus gave them His own robe of righteousness and now they are justified before God! They are the ones who receive this wonderful promise that ‘whatever they do shall prosper’. Yes, you read it correctly: WHATEVER THEY DO SHALL PROSPER!

The ungodly are the unbelievers. They do not believe in Jesus Christ. They may look like nice people, they may be religious and be moral men, but they are called ungodly or wicked because of their stand against the Lord. The easiest way to understand the word ‘ungodly’ is to see it like this: any man who lives his life, who does his things in a way different than God’s prescribed way in His Word that is an ungodly man. For example, looking for a job, starting a business, the act of dating and marriage, making friends and the rest, these all can be done God’s righteous way or the ungodly way.

To claim the promise of godly prosperity, the believer has to trust and obey the word of God. In particular, the believer has to walk, stand and sit God’s way. Then the promise of total prosperity shall be fulfilled.

The first command is to refuse ‘to walk in the counsel of the ungodly’. The word ‘walk’ means your attitude in your daily life. It also means to travel out of your comfort zone, to experience new things far away from home. God says that we should be careful with the type of counsel or advice we take in; who is our teacher, our mentor. If we say that we are believers, then we should talk, dress and behave according to God’s Word. The ungodly mentorship shall be revealed especially when we travel far away from home and all moral restrains are lost.

Practically, if you study the Word of God and wisely you apply it daily to your life, at home or in a strange land, then you shall prosper. If you carefully reject any spirit, ungodly idea or teaching that directs you to ignore your Bible, then you shall surely prosper. This is the promise of God!

The second command is to refuse to stand in the path of sinners. The word ‘stand’ means to abide in the same spot, to be established in a particular way of thinking, to refuse training and change. It is an attitude of suborn unyielding to the truth. The word ‘sinners’ means the unbelievers, the worldly, the reprobates or the ungodly. This command speaks against the attitude of insisting to keep wrong friends or business associates. God warns us against staying in an unequal yoke relationship with the ungodly. You are a believer but you enjoy ungodly friends; people who succeed in life but in a way different than God’s way.

Lastly, we are warned not to sit with the scornful. The word ‘sit’ in Hebrew means to dwell in the same house or to marry. The scornful are the mockers. These are rebellious proud people who always judge or criticize others, are openly rude and disrespectful to men better than them. Be careful, mocking is very entertaining to the flesh and very addictive.

The ungodly are most unstable. They cannot stay long in a place of peace. They cannot have a happy home and marriage. Their hopes will prove to be false, their confidence a dream cut short. They cannot be a blessing in any fellowship. They shall be restless moving from one church to another. Lastly, if they continue without repentance to the end, they shall end in hell to meet the deceptive spirits who inspired them unto error and foolishness all lifelong. May God forbid this!

 

In conclusion: as believers who are to live our lives God’s way, according the His Word. This is not an easy exercise, for God’s ways are very different than our ways. They are ‘high mountain’ ways of thinking (Is 55:8-9).  We are to actively search the scriptures to find not just answers to our questions, but God’s style of doing things. Our decisions should not be done by common sense or by the teaching of religious men. We are to change our habits of thinking and doing things. We are to become mature Christians, doing all things God’s way, at home or abroad.  We are to actively seek to have the mind of Christ. We are to separate from any person who likes to succeed in a way different than God’s prescribed way.

We are to acknowledge God in all our ways and He shall direct our paths and make the straight and simple (PV 3:5, 6)

Then the mighty promise of prosperity shall be fulfilled in our humble lives! In Jesus name, Amen!

 

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I search the scriptures daily to find God’s ways of doing things!

Whatever I do shall prosper!

In Jesus name

Amen!

SOMEBODY’S PRAYING ME THROUGH

Pressing over me like a big blue sky
I know someone has me on their heart tonight
That’s why I know it’s gonna be alright
‘Cause somebody’s praying me through
Somebody’s praying me through

It may be my Mother, it might be my Dad
Or an old friend I’ve forgot I had
But whoever it is I’m so glad that
Somebody’s praying me through
Somebody’s praying me through

Through the tears, through the rain
Through the sorrow, through the pain
It keeps bringing me through
Over and over again

So when you’re drowning in a sea of hurt
And it feels like life couldn’t get any worse
There’s a blessing waiting to push back the curse
‘Cause, somebody’s praying you through Oh…
Somebody’s praying you through Oh…

Somebody… somebody is, Praying
Oh… Somebody is, Someone Somewhere

Someone got down on their knees and prayed for me
Somebody’s, praying
Somebody’s praying… you through

(anonymousworship 5)

FOUNDATION DESTINY

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mt 7:24-29)

We have just read the authoritative words of our Lord. These are printed in red in my Bible. These are to be sealed with the fire of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Let’s revisit the parable of the builders. There are two of them: one wise and one foolish. You could not have known who is who except at the end of the story. The wise builder has a permanent home that no attack could destroy. He has eternal peace and security inside. The foolish one also labored hard, but at the time when he was supposed to enjoy the fruit of his labor, suddenly, the whole structure was destroyed. The parable is a warning and a call to choose one of two options: wisdom of foolishness. Wisdom is a choice. If you ignore it or reject it, you shall be a foolish man and you shall suffer loss. The houses speak of personal lives, marriages, families and ministries.
The main lesson here is that the foundation is the most important thing in any building. For example, how you begin your marriage will determine its success later. The size, the quality, the design of the foundation determines the size and the destiny of the house. A little crack in the foundation becomes later a major fault of the building. Time does not heal foundations. Only God does! To repair a faulty foundation is very difficult. Often, the building has to be pulled down and the damaged foundation destroyed. Then a completely new foundation is laid. This applies to all things spiritual.

The secret for eternal success is Christ alone! For the assurance of salvation, for success in marriage, for the blessing of having godly children and fruitful ministry, Christ is the only foundation and the most excellent building.
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Cor 3:9-11)

The question still remains: what type of foundation was laid for the salvation of your soul? How did you start you marriage, your business or your ministry? Please pray about the answers to these questions. Do not deny the truth! Confront the old lies! In Christ God offers us eternal life! It is without regret, full of beauty, fulfillment and glory!
May this be your portion, in Jesus name, amen!

In Christ I declare:
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand”

BE HEALED IN JESUS’ NAME!

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues. They will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover”
(Mark 16: 17, 18)

If you have been sick for quite some time, taking medicines and there is no healing yet…
If you have been feeling tired, depressed and anxious, for no good reason…
If you have been faithful in prayer, church attendance, giving tithes and offerings, but your finances are still not balanced…
If you have been praying for a life partner and no one has come…
If you have been praying to have children and no one has come…
If you feel like going in circles and have not experienced any breakthrough recently…
Then it may be a spell of the devil and his agents upon you!

Let’s pray:
“Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for them that read these words and believe in You. I pray that You show them mercy and touch them! I pray that they are healed, delivered, and set free from the bondage of the devil to come to You, to serve You with joy! I pray that you give them a new testimony and a new beginning!
As for you devil, I command you to leave these people now, in the name of Jesus! I command you to pack your load and go away from them in the name of Jesus! I destroy any covenant or claim you have upon their lives in the name of Jesus!
I plead the BLOOD OF JESUS upon their lives, body soul and spirit; over their marriages, children, families and the work of their hands! Reveal to them Father the way to serve You better! Use all their testimonies for Your glory alone! Father I thank You for the healings, miracles, signs and wonders performed in Your name!
IN JESUS’ NAME I PRAY,
AMEN!

In Christ I declare:
I say “yes and amen” to this prayer over my life.
I will see these miraculous signs in my life because I believe!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

CHILDHOOD DREAMS

 
 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said” (Gen 37:19)
 
All children dream to be special, to be great one day. It is God’s gift to them. The future looks bright to them, filled with hope. Even if the parents are poor, uneducated or wicked, the children easily rise above their earthly limitations.  It is easy for them to believe in fairy tales and impossible stories. That is why we call them children. But then one day, they have to face the sad reality of sin and death.
This is a true story…Just try to imagine a little girl discovering for the first time that she has an incurable sickness. The mother waits for the right moment to explain to her daughter: “Sweet heart, you are not like the other children. You are a sick. The doctors cannot treat your sickness. You were born with Sickle Cell anemia. You will never run like others. You can never be free from pains. You cannot be a champion.  You will not live long. You may go to school and not come back. You cannot go to university even if your grades are excellent. That will be a waste of time and money. Your future does not exist. Don’t compare yourself with other children. Nobody will marry you. This is the truth…”
I met a young Christian girl who said to me that her mum said so. She overcame many obstacles. Against all odds she became a graduate in English. She is a teacher. She is beautiful and intelligent. She is in her thirties, still a virgin, still unmarried. Some of the seeds of fear and doubt planted long ago by the unbelieving parents proved difficult to uproot. I told her that her only hope for healing and happiness is found in Christ alone! I reminded her that as a believer in Christ she can do all things and that her future is safe in God’s hands. I told her not to fear sickness, pain, hospitals or devils. I told her that one day she will marry. I told her to write her life story and to encourage to many. She continues to do so…One day she came to my office smiling…She bought a pair of silver sandals with shining crystals for her wedding day. She gave them to me to keep. She believes that one day she will be a bride. The pretty sandals shall not waste in my drawer. My daughter in Christ shall be a beautiful bride to a wonderful man! I believe that her future is better than her past! On her wedding day, her parents shall surrender their lives to Jesus Christ! Amen! I believe, Lord! I believe!
No matter the situation, no matter what your parents, your doctor, your bank manager or your boss says, trust in Jesus Christ with all your heart!
Never betray your childhood dreams…They are not for sale…Pay the price and redeem your lost vision…be God’s friend!
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
The visions and the dreams God gave me as a child shall be fulfilled!
I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me!
In Jesus name
Amen!

AFTER THE STORM

 

“When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,

but the godly have a lasting foundation” (PV 10:25, NLT)

If you are not sure about somebody, wait to see what happens during and after the pain of trial. The believer and the religious unbeliever look alike when all is well. Their homes, marriages and businesses prosper and they look happy. But please remember there is something called false security and temporary peace. This life is not always easy. There are seasons of pain. The trials of faith come in different ways. Peace gives way to war; health retreats for sickness to sing a solo number; trouble, loss of money and other things suddenly come close. God allows some suffering.
During the storms of life, look around you and see what happens to your friends, how they react to the pressure, the words they speak and the choices they make. Like the wind separates the wheat from the chaff, so the same troubles will separate the believers from the unbelievers. The light of God will shine in the darkness. Suddenly you know the truth that was hidden in times of peace and prosperity. The revelation may be painful but let it be welcomed. For truth is a doctor! Truth sets free from the bondage of deception! At the end of the trial, the friends that remain by your side are the true and faithful ones. They are approved by the fire of God. Any friend who could not ‘make it’ let him go!
This is an advice for the singles who plan to marry: find your life partner during war time! May your dating be in the army barracks of God, under the supervision of the Captain of your salvation! May it not on the promenades of seduction and false peace!
The same currents of air that help lift up the eagle are the same that bring other birds down!
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
The foundation of my eternal salvation is Christ Crucified!
I grow in the grace and the knowledge of my Savior!
My feet are planted of the Rock Eternal!
My wings are strong to fly like the eagles!
I fear no trial of life for God is with me!
My marriage is approved by heaven!
Each trial has made me stronger and wiser!
All to the glory of God!
In Jesus name,
Amen!

 

HOLY TRANSITION – TABLES TURNED

 

‘On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them but now the tables where turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them’ (Est. 9:2).

There is a time when God ‘comes down’ and executes judgment.  Justice means that God makes the wrong things right. After a long season of suffering, suddenly God ‘overturns the tables’. The false happiness of the sinner has come to an end. For a long time he lived in denial. He thought that God doesn’t exist or that He is too busy to observe him. Thinking he stands undetected, he strengthened himself in the way of wicked doubt and became worse with time. He took God’s mercy and patience for granted. Now the Day of Judgment has come.

‘When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong. Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God- fearing men, who are reverend before God; yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them and their days will not lengthen like a shadow’ (Ecc 8:11-13).

This is the truth: There is a time of reckoning. There is ‘a day of the Lord’, when His judgment is revealed. At last, the thief is caught and he has to restore many times over. His victim becomes free and is promoted above the oppressor. The silent one can finally speak and sing. Sin, sickness, the bondage of fear and the vision of untimely death, all is destroyed and replaced with life and joy.

God ‘delights in judgment’ (Jer 9:24). This is a spiritual law. It should be great encouragement for the victims especially during times of oppression and persecution. The devil wants us to deny the truth. We have the impression that God has abandoned His creation or that He is does not care about our situation. We see the wicked prosper and we feel bad. This period of pain may be longer than we expected. But God allows us to pass thru the fire to mature our faith. Every tear that falls is counted by God, be sure of that. The training unto godliness seems so painful and lonely. But God is the One who supervises it. Please remember, there is a moment when a woman’s labor is over and her child is born. That is the moment when we are released from the sorrow and anxiety that defined our past. The body has no memory. It immediately forgets the pain and comes into rest, victory, strength and joy.

‘The righteous man is rescued from trouble and it comes on the wicked instead’ (PV 11:8)

God alone knows this holy moment of transition. The glory of the power of resurrection replaces the shame of sin, defeat and death. There is no fairy tale as beautiful and as exciting as the story of redemption in Christ Jesus. The perfect picture of overcoming joy is found in Christ alone! We are now invited to partake from the same glory! ‘What a wonder You are , my Lord…’

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

God saved me from trouble!

I shall judge the wicked!

For God’s glory!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

TO MY FELLOW CITIZENS

‘You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone’ (Eph 2:19, 20)

The kingdom of God is not static, it is not passive; it is not dead. The power and the peace of its Government have no limits. Within there is life, order, activity, beauty and glory like in no other. Among its citizens there is a continual growth to maturity and unity of the Spirit!  They are seeking and searching to find treasures hidden in the dark. Its soldiers take new territories from the enemy, all this for the glory of the King. But it is not just the men who are seeking the Kingdom of God. The wonder of it all is that the Trinity is searching to find people on earth worthy to populate heaven.

For example, it is said that America is the richest country on earth. Millions from all continents want to go and live there, especially because of the freedom of worship. But the miracle is that America itself is looking for people to come and live there. Initially, men come as immigrants. After some time, passing the test of loyalty to the country, they become citizens, with all the privileges afforded to the native born. Many apply to come but there is a particular type of people the government is looking for. They want good, obedient, faithful and hardworking people. They want the best of men, the champions of other nations. Who can blame them?

In the same way, the kingdom of God has extended this gracious invitation for people to come in and become citizens. The call is made to all men. The entrance is given only to them who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. They all come as poor sinners.  But somehow they have faith and hope in the King of Glory. This entrance into the Kingdom of God is always a miracle and a royal privilege.  It cannot be purchased with money or with any other valuable thing available on earth. It is a gift of grace given by the King of Kings. Rich or poor, educated or not, black, white or yellow, the call is made to all men. Come to Jesus! The visa is given at the foot of the Cross where the ground is level, so that no man can boast.

This is the eternal and glorious truth: Salvation is of God alone! The price for the admission in the Kingdom is too great for any man to pay. None is qualified to enter on his personal merit. All men without exception are born sinners and they are enemies of God. We are born outside the Garden of Eden. Sin produces death. Our only claim is that Jesus died in our place for the remission of our sins.  It is only the blood of Jesus shed on the Cross that can save sinners like me and you.

No religion is good enough. To become a child of God you must be born again, by the power of the Holy Spirit! God is love and He is looking for lovers like Him. The Father desires to bring more lovers of Jesus into heaven. He likes them to be around His Son. God calls them sons. The atmosphere in heaven is one of holiness and worship, one of beauty, purity and power. There is glory in heaven like in no other place in the universe. So I say to all who read these words:

‘Surrender unconditionally your life to Jesus Christ! This is the best decision you will ever make on earth! Go to the Cross! Gaze long on Christ Crucified! Let the Holy Spirit convict you of the sin of unbelief! Let religion lose its grip upon your soul! Open your heart to the Holy Spirit so that He can fill you with peace and joy, the seal and the proof of eternal life!’

This is the Gospel of Grace! This is what I believe! This is how I became saved! This is my testimony!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I have eternal life!

I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God!

My permanent and eternal address is in Heaven!

These statements are final and true!

In Jesus name, Amen!

STRIVE TO ENTER THE HOUSE REST

Some of the pilgrims have already entered the rest promised and provided by the Lord. Many are still on the slopes, slowly coming towards the gate of God’s house. This is a word of encouragement for them who are still on the way. Come inside!

What are the conditions to enter God’s house? To whom does the gate open? Who are the ones who will not make it?

 

FAITH IN GOD’S WORD

The first condition to enter is to have faith in God and in His Word! For as long as you doubt God’s existence or His promise of rest, you can never enter that blessed house. This entrance granted to you is the proof of your faith in Christ and your tested obedience to His commands. The Word of God divides the people who claim to know God. There are two groups: some enter God’s house and others are rejected. The ones who enter God’s rest are the faithful, obedient believers. The reason why the gate did not open for the second group is sin; doubt and rebellion in particular.

Be warned! The battle is the fiercest just before the gate! The devil will try all his strategies to make you doubt the Promise of God! The devil will try to discourage and to confuse you. He will like you to lose focus and forget the reason for this prayer. He will deceive you to reject the prophetic anointing, the word spoken to you directly by the Holy Spirit. Reject this wicked doubt!

But God is faithful! God knows His job! God never fails! Trust God to perfect all that concerns you!

 

‘Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,

In the day of trial in the wilderness,

Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me…

So I swore in My wrath,

‘They shall not enter My rest!’

‘There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience’ (Heb 3:7-11; 4:9-11)

 

What a wonderful promise? God says that if I believe in Him I shall be like Him. I will enter a life of peace and fruitfulness whose source of success is not of this world. I will not work like a slave but like a son. My life will not be defined by how much I make per hour. My destiny is not limited by the level of my education or lack of it.

My identity is hid in Christ alone, the eternal fountain of all blessings and treasures manifest. I will not live to work. I will not work for my daily bread. My promotion is not based on how many hours I clock in. I work for God! I testify about Jehovah Jireh!

My life shall be defined by Grace; by the manifestation of this unsearchable treasure, the unmerited favor of God. I will work little and make a lot of money, so that I can promote the interests of the Kingdom and help many people. My holy generosity shall be financed by the Banks of heaven.

I will supervise and others will work for me. My God’s given wisdom and gift of administration shall be in demand. I will say: ‘Good morning’ and miraculously, $1,000,000 shall appear as credit in my account. My greeting is a blessing that people will covet.

Are you laughing at my faith? I will not stop you, but you shall see the miracle of this peculiar prosperity working in me. One day you shall be tired of mocking and you shall come to join the choir.

If there is any work I should do now, it is to strive to enter the front Gate of God’s house! Jesus is the Gate! I shall not stop short of the Gate! I shall not climb over the fence! I shall not jump through the window. I shall not just admire the golden paint of the handle. I shall not just day dream and imagine streets of gold, then at last go back to my idiotic doubt culture. I shall stand and knock until the Owner comes and opens the door. And I shall enter in….

This is the holy pledge I make to my soul!

 

In Christ I declare:

I am saved!

I am free indeed!

Heaven is my eternal home!

Christ has given me rest!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

THE TALE OF TWO LIGHT-HOUSES

light house
‘Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…’ (Mt 7:21)
This is the true story of two light houses built long ago. During a great storm, one fell. You can see the remains. Later they build another and that one is still standing.
This is a parable in pictures! The religious fake believers shall fall, but the true believers in Christ shall stand and give light to many!
‘You remember the lighthouse that was built off the coast of England by Winstanley. The architect was confident that the structure was strong, and laughed at the criticisms upon it. To show his confidence, he took up his abode in the building. In the midst of that fearful November storm, how little that confidence availed him as the structure was caught in the grasp of the winds and shaken to pieces!
Now another lighthouse stands there well founded, well builded, and lights the mariner to the safe harbour. So that character that is rightly founded and builded in Christ will not only be secure itself, but light others to security’
(C. H. Spurgeon 1934-1892)

THE TURTLEDOVE’S PRAYER

‘O God, why have You cast us off forever?

Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old…

The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.

Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place…

They set up their banners for signs…

They have set fire to Your sanctuary;

They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.

They said in their hearts,

“Let us destroy them altogether.”

They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land…

We do not see our signs;

There is no longer any prophet…

Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast!

Do not forget the life of Your poor forever…

Arise, O God, plead Your own cause!!!’ (Ps 74)

 

“Dear Heavenly Father,

We need You. Please incline Your ear and listen to the cry of Your Beloved. We are in great danger. I call You in this day of trouble, answer me and I shall glorify You!

Birds of prey have entered Your house. Their voices are loud and their laughter so cruel. They have destroyed all that was good, all the gifts You have given to us. They use the golden vessels of Your worship to drink wine and to make merry. They have their own banners, their own music and their own prophets. They steal Your words and scatter them. They spoil the faith of many. They are bold and harsh, violent and rude. They manufacture miracles but the healings do not last. They break the hearts of the poor and oppress them with yokes too hard to carry. Your people are discouraged and hide away in caves. There is no true prophet to speak Your Word. There is a famine of the hearing of Your Words. Their prophets dream fake stories and deceive the simple. Their leaders make merchandise of your Gospel. They promise people peace, when there is no peace. Prayer has become a burden and worship is a wasted interlude.

Father God, remember the glory of Your name! There is no name like the name of Jesus!

Father in Heaven, please remember Your congregation! We are gathered in Your name! We are the sheep of Your pasture! We are the people of Your inheritance! We are the people of Your covenant!

Our hope is in You alone! If a man could have helped us, we could not have bothered You, O Lord. But no man and no angel can help. Salvation is of God alone. Your Sanctuary, Your Word, Your Name, Your Kingdom and Your Glory…all these are Yours alone. All power belongs to You! None can resist You, O Lord! We believe Your promises! Your Word is yes and amen to us! Your testimony is at stake in our lives! We plead for mercy, O Lord! Glorify Your name in our midst!

Father God, come and fight against the enemy of Your Bride! Cause confusion in their midst! Remove Your protection from them! May they be disappointed in their wicked plans!  May they fall in the pit they dug for us! Arise O Lord! Come down from heaven and plead Your own cause! Let people see that we are called by Your name!  Grant us revival, with true miraculous signs following!

May light shine in the darkness! May the blind see and the poor rejoice! May the sick be healed! May the depressed be comforted! May people be saved and delivered! May the glory of God cover our land like the waters cover the sea! May freedom blow its trumpet!

I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord over all!

 

Thank You Father for reading this letter….We wait for You to come…

I love You Lord!

 

Your Turtledove…’

WISE SAYINGS

‘I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.

The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.

I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me’

(D. L. Moody 1837-1899)

HOLY WORSHIPPERS

 

‘Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth’ (Jn 17:17, AMP)

In the natural, it takes about a year for a baby to walk unaided. It takes even longer for a child to come to maturity and to learn how to love His parents and others. In the same way, in the Spirit realm, it takes a long time for a believer to mature and to learn how to love God and others. It is a long and difficult journey and few are ready to pay the price. Salvation is the open gate for your soul and through it you go into another ‘country’. The difference is radical; from total spiritual darkness you enter into God’s Kingdom of marvelous light.  The passage at the gate of salvation is free because Jesus paid it all. Please take notice: it is not cheap, but free. Jesus died and shed His blood so that we can be saved.

After passing thru that gate, there starts the road toward maturity, which the Bible calls ‘sanctification’ or becoming holy. Not all people are willing to pay the price for sanctification. Spiritual growth is not equal to all men. Few are willing to be trained by the Holy Spirit. Some study the word of God, they learn the art of prayer, they value the fellowship of the brethren and so they make fast progress. Others are satisfied to be barely saved. They trail behind becoming a source of discouragement to many.

Because we are all born into sin and have chronic bad habits, we easily grieve the Holy Spirit through willful disobedience.  We all need radical training. God the Holy Spirit is willing to be your teacher. He prepares you to meet and worship the King of Glory. It is true that the way to the throne has been opened forever by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. But you still need much preparation of the heart to draw near God without the condemnation of your conscience. This work is done only by the Holy Spirit! No religion, no church, nobody else can change the heart of man.

The Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, is the greatest Worshipper ever. Thru this process of sanctification, you will become more and more like Him. None in all creation can make you a true worshipper except the God who saved your soul. You need to learn to apply daily the revelation of the Cross of Christ.  As your flesh dies and your spirit rises within you, you will start to reflect the beauty and the glory of Jesus in this dark and dangerous world.  The Holy Spirit shall comfort you to be able to endure to the end. The presence or the absence of this peculiar internal comfort and strength will separate the religious people. Sooner or later, the fake worshippers become tired and go back to their life of sin.  But God raises His army of worshippers, a standard against all the wickedness in high places. Your life style of worship is a great and living testimony for God’s power, His glory and His love to you.

Child of God, this is your eternal destiny! Worship God!

 

In Christ I declare:

I worship God!

I was born to give glory to my Savior, Jesus Christ, my Lord!

I shall pay the price for sanctification, for this is God’s will for me!

I shall fulfill my destiny!

In Jesus name,

Amen!