BE HEALED! BE DELIVERED! LET THAT MIRACLE HAPPEN!
IN JESUS NAME!
“For I have touched the hem of His garment
And His Blood has made me whole”
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
ASLEEP AND AWAKE
“I was sound asleep, but in my dreams I was wide awake. Oh, listen! It’s the sound of my Lover knocking, calling…!” (SS 5:2; TM)
“Beloved… I see that you are tired and have fallen asleep… now it is time to wake up and talk… you have tried to please men…. to impress all men… you have helped all the people around you… you have feared them , prayed for them, worked for them, served them day and night…
Now it is time to serve Me, your God, your Faithful Eternal Lover! Remember the prayer you prayed to Me long ago, when still a youth… when dreams were real and sweet romance was possible… remember the passion you had for Me, before the cold blanket of this world dampened your spirit… before mistakes brought shame and guilt poisoned your soul… remember the dreams we shared together… when the seeds of undying hope were planted in your tender heart… remember your prayers before the tears came, trying to wash away what was left of pure joy… remember the glimpse of glory before the storm destroyed our poems and our books got burned in the fire… remember what I showed you on top of the mountain of frankincense, when we were alone, and no one applauded the show, for there was no show…
Know this: when you are awake and even in your sleep, I am still God, your God… All power belongs to me… My love for you can never fail… My passion for you can never fade… I am able to make old things new again… I have the power to change all things just because… My love is ready to surprise you…
I am knocking My Darling… Listen to the sound of My coming back…Feel my excitement as I am waiting outside your door…I wait for you to open it… My dreams, your dreams, our dreams can never die… and even if they died, they shall manifest from now on… Just believe that I am He… It is Me, your Life, your Lover and your Lord… The angels are getting impatient already… Let the music begin…Come out My Beloved… It is time!”
WHAT TO DO WHEN TROUBLES COME
“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah!” (Ps 3:1-4)
A Psalm is a musical poem. Psalm 3 is written by King David during the time when he was pursued by Absalom. It was a spiritual, national, family and financial crisis. It was a civil war. This is a time of great stress for David. His enemies insult him and his God. David is very emotional here. David knew that his kingdom will be a pattern for the Kingdom of God in the future. But David has to abdicate his throne. What made it more painful is that his son is the traitor. David has lost his crown, his house, his honor, his testimony and his son. The devil says: ‘There is no help for him in God!’ Can this be true? Lies can be very powerful. But truth is always stronger than the lies. After the traitor died, King David came back to his throne. “And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel” (2 Sam 5:12).
A Christian has 3 enemies: the world, flesh and devil. Their work is always to bring you down; to lose your faith, your hope, your testimony and character. The devil uses people to tell you that God has abandoned you! The devil says that your sickness cannot be cured, that you will die poor and rejected. Can this be true? It is a lie! During trials you have a tendency to look down, to be depressed, intimidated and to despair of yourself. Child of God! Remember that God is still God!!! God will change your vision! He will lift up your head and eyes! During trials your faith will carry you thru! Reject fear! If you trust God, your future is as bright as the promises of God. If God is for you it does not matter who is against you! God is your shield. In Hebrew, the word means ‘the scales of the crocodile’. It means that God protects you round about. As arrows cannot penetrate thru the scales of the crocodile, so in Christ, your protection is complete! Your enemies must be disappointed and ashamed! For Christ’ sake, God will change your tragedy will change into triumph!
This is my testimony giving in advance, even before I see the victory in the natural: I declare that in Christ alone I stand! God is my shield and my exceedingly high reward! God can never fail! God is faithful! God is my glory! Whatever beauty, talent of good thing you admire in me it is the work of God the Holy Spirit in me! The good thing God has started He will perfect it to the end! God is my boasting and the source of my glorious anointing! Money cannot buy it and thieves can never find it. My testimony is not for sale! God is the Lifter of my head. No matter how desperate my situation is in the natural, God will change it! Jesus knows how to overturn the tables! He has done it in the past! He will do it again! Like Joseph, in one day I will change my address from prison to palace! I will not just survive this painful trial but I will be promoted and rewarded at last! God is the lifter of my head! God will grant me a new beginning! God will restore back my peace, my health, my dignity and my honor. My testimony is sure! This is my confident faith declaration! In Nigeria we say: ‘No shaking!’ Glory to God! Praise the Lord!!!!
I WAS HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR GOD TONIGHT!
HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat” (Matt 5:6; TM)
Thank God for today’s prayer meeting. There was heavy rain outside. Many people could not come. The ones that came were feeling ’cold’, naturally and spiritually. We started praying and praising God. The temperature of the anointing was rising. But I sensed a hindrance among us. The best way I can explain is this: the brethren became satisfied too quickly; they accepted ‘half measures’ of glory. They were unwilling to push forward, to come deeper and closer to God. In their mind there accepted the possibility that The Holy Spirit may not come and we shall continue with ‘church as usual’. I could hear a voice behind me: ‘If the Holy Spirit does not fill me tonight, I will go home and live like nothing happened’. This mind set is very dangerous.
One definition of sin is ‘falling short of God’s glory’ (Rom 5:23). ‘To fall short’ it means to be demoted, to be late for an appointment, to be inferior, to be deficient, to suffer lack, to be in need or to become worse. Can you imagine these words connected with the glory of God? That is a lie! The glory of God can never be demoted!!! God forbid! But the devil is trying to discourage people to enter the presence of God. There is an evil spirit of religion that has infiltrated many churches. The people attend these churches but they do not become saved, or they are never able to become filled with the Holy Spirit. They are never hungry enough, thirsty enough or desperate enough to come to God and be filled. Their passion for Jesus is minimal. They rationalize the scriptures. They are not led by the Holy Spirit but by their overworked ‘common sense’. This evil spirit of religion invited itself to our prayer meeting tonight. I do not know how it came but it was here among us. We had to do warfare before we could ‘enjoy’ the presence of God. We repented of compromise with the world. We rejected the evil spirit of religion. We then invited the Holy Spirit to come in His fullness and power, in His own special way. Simply said, He came!!! Like a river during the flooding season, like the sun at full blast, like a purging fire, like the soothing Balm of Gilead… He came to me… He came to us… Physically I was not very strong today, but the Holy Spirit filled my heart with peace and joy and strength in a way that only Him can do it. My appetite for God increased this evening. I ate the Bread of Life and I drank from His River. I am satisfied. Thank You Holy Spirit!
As I write these words, my body is stronger, my liver smiles and my spirit sings. “Jesus You love me too much- ooo, To much-ooo, Excess Love-ooo…..” To God be all the glory! Good night, people of God!
MRS. PILATE’S DREAM
HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
“While he (Pilate) was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him” (Mt 27:19
The Women’s Fellowship tonight was very good. We praised God with singing and dancing. We shared testimonies. Sister F has been coming to church with her three little children ‘in the rain and in the sunshine’. She is very faithful in serving God with church attendance. Last week Wednesday was her husband birthday. After the service, somebody called them to see their ‘birthday gift’. It was a new Toyota Corolla. The couple who gave it to them wants to remain anonymous. But God knows them and God will bless them! Sister O was very sick at the point of death. The doctors could not identify the sickness. She lost weight and became ‘like a skeleton’. The church and her family never lost hope. Suddenly she was healed. She started eating food and becoming stronger. She is healed now! Sister E will be 40 years old on Sunday. Sister A and her husband each had car accidents but nobody was injured. All these sisters freely acknowledged Jesus Christ as their Savior, Lord, Defender, Provider and Lord!
Then the Word came. It was about the wife of Pilate. We have just celebrated the Death and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! At the Cross, we wept for our sins. We then rejoiced with the disciples seeing Jesus alive again. The Holy Spirit brought to my memory a woman who was a witness of these events. She is Pilate’s wife. She is not named in the Bible. The only thing we are told about her in the Bible is that she was troubled seeing Jesus condemned to be crucified. She had a terrible dream, more like a nightmare, where she saw the Cross and Jesus hanging on it. It seems that she and her husband had discussed about Jesus in the past. She does not name the Lord, but calls Him ‘that just Man’. In Greek, the word ‘just’ means innocent, blameless, holy and righteous. She takes is for granted that her husband knows that she is talking about Jesus. Pilate is the high judge in Jerusalem. His wife knows that it is a crime to interfere with the decisions of a judge, especially when he seats on his ‘bench’ and the court is in session. But the dream she had that night about the Lord is so terrifying that she cannot wait. She needs to warn him immediately.
Mrs Pilate’s name was Claudia Procula. She was a high-born, Roman lady, from the royal family, well-educated and wealthy. She was the granddaughter of the Emperor Augustus. She became a proselyte to Judaism, being among the women of higher class over whom the Jewish religion exercised considerable influence. She believed in Jehovah God. She heard about Jesus and believed Him to be a man of God, holy and just. He saw that the leaders wanted to punish him for speaking the truth. In the dream she saw Christ crucified. She sent a note to her husband warning him not to condemn Jesus. She is a good prudent godly wife married to a difficult man. She tried to touch his conscience. She tried her best to help her husband, so that he will not do a terrible mistake that he will regret later. What she did not know, is that her husband was too weak against the pressure of the crowd. He needed the job and could not afford a riot in Jerusalem. He loved his job and position more than he loved Jesus or his wife. Her warning failed to change the situation. Many educated women in Rome had a lot of influence behind the scenes. But in this central moment of history, when his wife warned him, Pilate didn’t listen. It is pride when a man does not listen to his most trusted friend in the hour of his greatest need.
Try to imagine this highly emotional drama. Pilate was face to face with Jesus. He was the Roman Governor of Judaea and the High court judge. The Pharisees wanted Jesus dead. Pilate correctly read their minds. “He knew that they had handed Him over because of envy” (Mt 27:18). He thought that it will be easy to free Jesus. There was a tradition that the Governor should show mercy and free one prisoner who was condemned to die. Pilate asks the people to choose between Barabbas, a murderer, and Jesus. Pilate was shocked that the multitudes were so easily deceived to ask for the murder of an innocent man. To add to the stress, his wife sends this note warning him not to kill Jesus. He tried once more to plead with the people asking them ‘what evil has Jesus done?’ But the crowds ‘cried all the more saying: Let Him be crucified!’ When he saw that he was not prevailing against the angry crowd, afraid that a riot might start, Pilate handed Jesus to them to be crucified. He washed his hands saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it” (Mt 27:20-24). Pilate joins his wife by calling Jesus ‘a just Man’. That is all he could do for Jesus. Pilate was a soldier. He was courageous on the battle field. But face to face with Jesus, he proved to be a coward. He missed his destiny moment and the hour of his visitation! In Switzerland, near Lucerne, there is a mountain called Pilatus. It is said that soon after that Pilate lost favor with Rome and was banished to that mountain as a punishment “for his crime against Christ”. He and his wife are buried there. ‘Kings and kingdoms shall pass away, but there is something about Your name, Jesus!’
In conclusion, Pilate’s wife stands among the godly women in the Bible who feared God. Despite a difficult marriage and terrible circumstances, she did the little she could to honor Jesus. She did not know that it was God’s will to sacrifice His Son for the salvation of many, including herself and her husband. Praise the Lord!
(Bellow a painting by Antonio Ciseri, showing Pilate’s wife going away sad, after failing to convince her husband not to condemn Christ)
MY HUSBAND LOVES ME IN PARTICULAR
“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Eph 5:31-33)
In Greek, the word ‘leave’ means to forsake, to let go. Your childhood was happy but it is now over. Something that was previously useful becomes now a thing of the past. Something that was a priority is now ‘demoted’ into the second place. That means for the sake of marriage you must ‘leave’ your parents. The word ‘cleave’ means to glue two parts together so that they become one new object that has a different function. This ‘leaving and cleaving’ is a mystery, a deep spiritual secret. A mystery is something that cannot be totally explained or controlled by human minds. God alone knows who leaves and who cleaves. The marriage between unbelievers is based on lust or other reasons. It is predictable and there is no mystery about it. But for the born again believers, marriage is holy, exciting, adventurous, mysterious but also very practical. No man knows his life partner without fasting, prayer and direct personal revelation from God. Just the way you cannot glue together wood and metal, or plastic and paper, so also the Holy Spirit cannot seal an unequally yoked relationship. Any man or woman who is self-confident and boasting of his choice of a life partner, without asking God for confirmation, that man is a fool. For God made Christian marriage to be a mystery and only Him has the key to open it.
Simply said, in a godly marriage each person has a specific primary duty: The wife submits and the husband loves!
The wife submits to her own husband as a sign that she fears God. This submission cannot be demanded; it cannot be taken by arguments of force. The submission of the wife is her gift to her husband, in the name of the Lord! The husband is to love his wife ‘in particular’. The word means to see her special even if she is ‘lost’ in the crowd; to be attentive to all the details of her needs; to understand how her body and her spirit works; to be careful to avoid mistakes that will hurt her; to desire her best and the fulfillment of her destiny in Christ!
This is our testimony: My husband and I got married in Romania 44 years ago. He came to study medicine in my birth country. We were class mates in the medical school. When we got married we were both unbelievers. I was an atheist and he was just religious. God was not acknowledged or invited in our home. We did not pray. We did not go to church. We were two ‘nice’ people who fell in love with one another. Looking back, I thank God for His mercy, His love and wisdom to us. We later got saved and we are now in full time ministry. I am now free to apply the principles of the Bible in our relationship. I submit to my husband and I honor him for no other human reason except that I fear God. This is the truth: I fear God! I hate grieving His Spirit! I desire to please the Lord Jesus in all things even in my marriage. This element is new in my life. Before I got saved, I submitted to my husband but only because he liked that ‘humble attitude’ and it made him happy. But now it is different. All things must be done respecting God’s presence in our midst. Our relationship with one another is a form of worshipping God and for His glory alone. In the past my husband was telling others: ‘My wife is very good to me’. Each time he complimented me I was very happy. But now, he says much more than that: “My wife is a woman of God indeed!” Now that is what I call a ‘wife testimony’! He appreciates not just my attitude to him, but to the Lord! My husband loves me as Christ loves the church. I feel secure in his love for me. My husband loves me ‘in particular’. He is attentive to my needs and he makes every moment of our marriage special and unforgettable. This is my testimony freely spoken to the glory of God!
In Christ I declare:
I am a born again child of God! I am a happy wife, mother and grandmother!
I left my natural parents to marry my husband, to cleave to him until we see Jesus face to face!
I submit to my husband as unto the Lord! I do not submit to anyone else exactly the same way! My submission is my gift to my husband for the sake and honor of Jesus Christ my Lord!
My testimony as a woman of God is increasing! To the glory of God! In Jesus name, Amen!
(In the picture, my husband and I, on a trip to Israel, in 2009, in front of a Booth during the Feast of Tabernacles)
GLORY TO THE LAMB UPON THE THRONE!!!
Holy Spirit we need You… Without You we are lost… Come Holy Spirit, in Your fullness and power, come in Your own special way…Jesus said: “I am the Resurrection and the Life” … Resurrection is a Person, Resurrection is God’s glory manifested on earth…God’s sovereign power at work… The grave could not hold my Jesus captive… His Body did not see corruption…Jesus did not smell in that grave…He was raised by the glory of the Father… Life eternal has spoken!
Oh, Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup… You maintain my lot… The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places…Yes, I have a good inheritance… Therefore my soul rejoices and my body rests in hope…I wept for You at the Cross…I thought that I will weep forever… But on the third day the story changed… You lifted me up… You wiped away my tears… Death was defeated and disgraced… You are risen… You are in heaven now…I shall rejoice with You forever now…
Children of God, be filled with the Holy Spirit…The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, works actively in you now… Give God all the glory…If you are healthy, do not give the doctor glory… Give God all the glory… If today you are nicely dressed, do not give the tailor the glory…Give God all the glory…On behalf of your family and friends… Give God the glory! For every good thing people see in you… Give God alone all the glory! Jesus Christ died for you…Because He lives you shall live also…This is holy eternal promotion… No man, no devil can stop it… What a love story! What a Savior! Squeeze the last drop of glory and praise you find in your soul and lift it up to God this morning, as an offering of love… For He alone is worthy of our praise! Jesus is alive! Jesus is Lord! Worship the Lamb upon the Throne! Glory! Glory! Glory!
WORSHIP THE LORD!
These are few pictures taken last night as we celebrate the Cross and the Resurrection. Our church is called: Father’s House Bible Church, Warri- Effurun, Nigeria! The presence of God was very strong! You can see Pastor Richmond Leigh, my husband, beating the bell during the Nigerian praise songs! These are pictures taken from the all night service yesterday. We love worshiping God! He alone is worthy! Hosanna in the Highest! Jesus is Lord! Jesus is alive!
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
“When Jesus was starting down the Mount of Olives, His large crowd of disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. They shouted: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God.” Some Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, make Your disciples stop shouting!” But Jesus answered, “If they keep quiet, these stones will start shouting.” (Lk 19:37-40)
This picture is taken some years ago, on a trip to Israel. My husband and I, with some brethren from our church, are walking down the Mountain of Olives, through the same pathway Christ took when He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. As it was then, so it is now. The religious spirits still want to shut up our mouths, so that we should not praise our God. But that is not possible! We shout with all our strength! Like blind Bartimeus we must shout above all other voices! Stones cannot shout when we are here praising God! Shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph! Jesus Christ is Lord! Jesus Christ is alive! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!!! Glory to the Lamb of God!!!
GOD BLESS NIGERIA FOR ME!
I live in Nigeria since 1980. Most of the customs here are very different than in my birth country, Romania. Long ago I made a choice; I take it as a duty to learn the traditions of people here. This is so that I may not ignorantly offend the very people I try to help spiritually. That will not be helpful to my testimony as Christian. By the grace of a God, I chose to show proper respect to Nigerians and all people I encounter!
Many people have helped me along the way, but my husband in particular. He has been my mentor to help me understand the way Nigerian people think and behave. Over the years, he has patiently explained to me how to talk, dress and behave here. It has not been easy but it is my privilege to work here, where God has sent me. I honor my husband and my pastor, Dr. Richmond Leigh! God bless you Sir!
(In the picture, my husband and I dressed in Nigerian outfits)
SPRING TIME JA-GA-JA-GA
HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
“See! The winter is past: the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in our land” (SS 2:11, 12)
A man had a dream. He saw a set of big feet in the sand. They were orderly and moved on a straight line. Then he saw another set of feet, much smaller, going zig –zag, all over the place. After sometime, the smaller feet became one with the big ones. Inside each big foot there was the shadow of the smaller one. That went on for a long time.
Then later he saw that the two sets of feet separated once more. The smaller feet went like mad, zig- zag all over the place. Here in Nigeria, that type of ‘crazy’ pattern we call it ‘ja-ga-ja-ga’.
The man saw the Lord Jesus in the dream and asked him about these three designs in the sand. The Lord said that when he was ‘a baby’ Christian, he was walking quite independent from Him. He was still stubborn and over active. Then the two sets of feet merged together. That is when he became a mature Believer, one with Him in will and purpose.
Then the man said to the Lord: ‘I understand that. But please why are our feet separating again? Did I backslide? Did I become as stubborn and overactive as at the beginning? I am worried Lord…’ The Lord smiled and said:‘No, My beloved….That ‘ja-ga-ja-ga’ pattern you saw is when we started dancing together…’
This evening, during the prophetic prayer meeting, we just danced in the presence of the Lord. All the chairs went up side down as we did pirouettes and tangos and waltzes and cha-cha –cha under the stars. “Dance with me Lord, Lover of my soul! To the Song of all songs…”
Right now my feet are hurting but my liver smiles….
(In the picture, my husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh dancing for the Lord during a Sunday service in our church, as Brother Felix is praising God with singing: ‘Daddy God, I love You sooo…’)
PRAYER REQUEST ON BEHALF OF MRS. C
A Christian sister sent this request for prayer. She has a lump in her left breast. The doctors suspect that it is cancer. She is 39 years old. She and her husband are born again attending a Pentecostal church in Warri. They have three small children. They have been referred to a teaching hospital for confirmation of the diagnosis and for radiotherapy. She needs prayers and words of faith. Right now, she is under attack from an evil spirit of fear of death and depression!
Dear Intercessors, thank you for your prayers! I will forward your comments to her! God bless you! We remember that nothing is impossible with God!
This is the Word God gave me for her: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you” (2 KG 20:5)
I MISS MY FATHER’S BREAD
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (Lk 15:17)
This is an encouragement for the prodigal sons and daughters.
The younger son went away, to ‘a far country’ to waste his inheritance. He lived a prodigal life. The world ‘prodigal’ means to waste; it means to scatter something that was once a piece, into small and useless pieces. He spent all his money on ‘riotous living’, from party to night club and back. Losers gathered around him and encouraged him in his wild dreams. This went on until all the wealth was gone. He then ‘joined himself’ to a man, who hired him to feed the swine. Hungry and cold, lost and lonely, he arrived at the bottom of the valley of life. None can help here…Only God!
The lowest place is the point of grace. Out of many things to remember in his father’s house, the son remembered the bread!!! That soft bread was always on the table, more than enough for sons and servants. He thought he will never remember the father’s love and provision, but now, all he could think of was the fresh baked bread at the Father’s House.
The backslider will always remember what he wants to forget. He cannot run forever. He will remember the taste of the Word of God, feeding the soul. He will remember the sound of worship and the touch of the Spirit. There is none like it. The world has no idea of what is best in this life. Child of God, you who run away from your very self… God will so arrange the circumstances of your life that you will not have peace in this world. Sooner or later you will experience the longing for the reality of the Spirit and your heart will lead you home. Father God is waiting for you! Son, come home!
(In the picture is Nigerian bread, the best bread in the world)
OLD AGE ABUNDANCE
“Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk 1:36, 37)
Angel Gabriel came from heaven to Mary. His words were not his own, but God’s who sent him. Just imagine that! What does an angel know about ‘old age’? Does the word ‘menopause’ is whispered in heaven? How do they talk about barren women in the angels’ club? An angel does not grow old. His wings do not turn grey. No wrinkles are found on seraphic angels. They do not understand the weaknesses and trials we humans face on earth.
The doctor in Jerusalem surely told Elizabeth that she is too ‘advanced in years’ to be a mother. Her priest gave her no more hope. Her dream of having a baby has to be buried with her. Her prayers met God’s door locked. No angel had the key. She may have resigned to be a foster mother to other children. Maybe she can be a teacher… or a nanny to other children… what else?
But things changed overnight. When men give up, God comes down. Always study the moment when hope seems dead. God likes to come at the end waiting times… God likes to do things like these; just so that we give Him alone all the glory. That day God sent a special Angel with a life drop taken from the ocean of glory. The Angel brought a message of love from above. No sickness, no weakness, no mountain of opposition could stop the Word from conceiving. Elizabeth’s name means ‘My God is Abundance’. As simple as that: God the Provider came and gave her a son. The God of abundance brought baby John to his waiting parents.
What is the lesson? Divine abundance may come early or may come later in life. But it will come at last!. Just believe! Let the poor say: I am rich! Let the sick say: I am healed! Let the single say: I am married! Let the barren say: I am a fruitful vine! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Dreams may still come true! For like the angel said: with God nothing will be impossible! What do you lose if you believe? Glory to God!
LOVE NEVER FAILS
“The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (1Cor 11:23-25)
Yesterday we had a beautiful Holy Communion service in our church. We did it in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ! By the power of the Holy Spirit we remembered that our Lord’s love conquered the betrayal of Judas. There is pain in love, but there is no fear in love! Agape love is the champion, now and forever!
Once you give your life to Christ, you must experience the peculiar pain of betrayal and rejection. As a sinner you do not feel this pain because your heart is hardened by sin. Once you become a citizen of the Kingdom of God, love becomes the way of life. Love is open to be wounded. Only love can be betrayed. Only love can be grieved. The risk to be rejected, to be envied and to be wounded by the enemies of love is very high. The devil tempts your friends to betray you for a reward. Few resist this unholy bribe. This ‘grief to glory’ life style is called ‘the royal way of the cross’. But one thing is clear: ‘Love never fails’ (1Cor 13:8)
Personally, I tried to avoid rejection but it is not always possible. It comes from the most unexpected places. The pain is always raw because the heart is now more tender. I have learned to ‘manage’ this pain thru the power of the Holy Spirit. With time, I have discovered, that the pain is still great but the length of the pain is getting shorter. This is because now, in the midst of the pain, I have learned to ignore it and seek my Lord Jesus Christ. I find Him in the midst of pain more than in celebrations. By the grace of God, I do not seek pain, but I use it well. “It is all for Your glory Lord; and even for my good! I worship You forever!”
WORSHIP THE LORD!
Jesus loves me (Lia Leigh) I cannot tell why…
Jesus loves me (Lia Leigh) but I cannot tell why…
On Calvary tree, He suffered, bled and died for me (Lia Leigh)…
Jesus loves me (Lia Leigh) but I cannot tell why…
Worthy, Worthy, Worthy is the Lamb upon the Throne!
Worship God, Jehovah Sabaoth! The Lord of hosts! Worship the One who has never lost a battle! Worship the God who can never lose a battle! Worship Jesus Christ who leads us in a triumphal procession for the display of His glory! Worship Jesus Christ, the Word of God, riding on the white horse, on behalf of truth and righteousness! Worship the Lord Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords! Worship the Lord of the holy Sabbath! Worship the Captain of our salvation! Praise the Lord!
“No other name, like the name of Jesus! No other name like the name of the Lord! No other name like the name of Jesus, is worthy of honor, is worthy of glory, is worthy of power and of praise!”
HARVEST OF LOVE
HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
“We love each other because He loved us first” (1Jn 4:19)
The prophetic prayer meeting was very good. We praised God and we prayed to Him. We are in a season called ‘Shallom’. It is a season of fruitful peace and harvest of joy. I shared with them my testimony. On Monday it was my birthday. My husband ‘took me out’. We went to Shoprite mall and watched the latest movie called ‘Black Panther’… (if you have not watched it, for my sake, please go and watch it!)… The cashier asked us if we want economy or VIP ticket. We both felt like teenagers excited to enjoy an evening out. My husband quickly said: “Two tickets, VIP, please!” I don’t know why I felt so excited. For you just to understand my excitement, let me explain… In Nigeria it is not common for people to go to the movie house. I have lived in Nigeria since 1980 and I do not think I have ever gone to the theater to watch a movie. We usually watch movies at home. But this experience was so different. The VIP section was upstairs, at the balcony. The seats downstairs were filled with people. But up there it was only one other man and us. We sat down. The leather seats were wide and soft. You press a button and it went on relaxing mode… Then a young man came to bring ‘popcorn’ and juice for us. He said that it is ‘complimentary’ for VIPs. Wow… Then he quietly asked if we want food too. My husband said: ‘what do you mean food?’ He said: ‘we have jolof rice and chicken, salad, dodo …’ With all the excitement I forgot that we were hungry. My husband ordered jolof and chicken. I was shocked that we can eat and watch movies in the same time… Shoprite tried for us-ooo! I was celebrating my 64th birthday. But I felt like 24! Halleluiah!
I told the congregation, that they should not listen to this testimony as spectators. They should identify with the blessings of a mature marriage and joy overflow. God’s gifts are always good. God loves not just me or my husband. God loves you! God’s plans for you are good and not evil. In the natural, life gets more difficult with old age. But in Christ, life gets sweeter. Eternal life is not just a long infinite life. It is a sweet and exciting, ‘no limits’ type of life full of worship and love. I tested it and testify to it! Jesus loves you! Let every fear of the future, of poverty, of old age… die now! Let every inferiority complex, every shame about your identity disappear now! In Jesus name, amen! We sang: ‘Jesus loves me (Include your full name here…), I cannot tell why; Jesus loves me (your full name here…) I cannot tell why; On Calvary tree, Jesus suffered for me; He loves me (your name…); I cannot tell why…’
Then the Holy Spirit reminded us how good God is. He called us to a re-surrender to Jesus. I reminded them of my testimony as a baby Christian. I gave my life to Christ in March 1986. I felt so grateful to Jesus for saving my soul that I wanted to give Him something good as a gift. I was thinking what to give to Him. What will my Savior like? Then I said: ‘Lord Jesus, I want to give you all my money. If I wake up tomorrow and discover that all my money in my account has disappeared, I will praise You. That means You took the money. Do you want my money Lord?’ He said: ‘No, keep your money’. Then I said: ‘what else can I give to You? Do you want my medical certificate? I suffered many years to become a doctor. If I wake up tomorrow and I will not remember how to prescribe Panadol, I will be very happy. It means that you took my skill to be a doctor. I will look for another job and I will praise you forever!’ The Holy Spirit said: ‘I do not want your certificate’. I was confused… I said: ‘Lord, You have saved my soul. I still want to give You something. What do You want from me?’ Immediately He answered: “You! It is You that I want! I want your heart, your body, your will, your soul and your spirit!’ I was shocked… Me? Small me? It is me that You want, Lord? Then take my life completely Lord! No conditions! No regrets! No looking back! I surrender all… I surrender all… Unto Thee my Blessed Savior… I surrender all!’
SINGAPORE, AN INSPIRING STORY
Last Sunday service I dressed with a traditional Singapore dress as a sign of intercession on behalf of Nigeria, my adopted country. Please read about the success story called Singapore. Nigeria can be the same!
Singapore is an inspiring success story. Like Monaco and the Vatican, Singapore is also a sovereign city- state. It is located in the Southeastern Asia. An English man called Stamford Raffles founded colonial Singapore in 1819. It has gained its independence from the UK in 1963. It is a ‘small’ island, 15000 times smaller than America. In one hour you can drive from coast to coast. It has no oil, gold or any natural resources.
Even then, Singapore is a global commerce, finance and transport hub. Its standings include: the most “technology-ready” city with the “best investment potential”, the second-most competitive country, third-largest foreign exchange market, third-largest financial centre, third-largest oil refining and trading centre, and the second-busiest container port in the world. The country has also been identified as a tax haven. It attracts many investors from all over the world. Singapore has the world’s highest percentage of millionaires and billionaires in the world, with one out of every six households having at least one million US dollars in disposable wealth. The economy is known as one of the freest, most innovative, most competitive, most dynamic and most business-friendly in the world. The port is the second busiest in the world after Shanghai.
Singapore is consistently perceived as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, along with New Zealand and the Scandinavian countries.
Tourism forms a large part of the economy, with over 15 million tourists visiting the city-state in 2014.
It had a population of 5,6 million, out of which about 3 millions are the native and the rest are foreigners who live and work here. The Singaporean dollar is almost equal with the U.S. Solar. Acute poverty is very rare. The Government has many laws to help the needy. For example, the government gives $500-1000 per month to needy households, providing free medical care at government hospitals, and paying for their children’s school fees. The Singapore government also provides numerous benefits to all its citizens including: free money to encourage residents to exercise in public gyms, up to $166,000 worth of baby bonus benefits for each baby born to a citizen, heavily subsidized healthcare, money to help the disabled, cheap laptops for poor students, paying most of the utility bills and more.
Buddhism is the most widely practised religion in Singapore, followed by Christianity and Islam. Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil. Education for primary, secondary, and tertiary levels is mostly supported by the state.
Singapore’s healthcare system ranks as 6th overall in the world. It has had the lowest infant mortality rate in the world for the past two decades. Life expectancy in Singapore is 80 for males and 85 for females, placing the country 4th in the world for life expectancy. Almost the whole population has access to improved water and sanitation facilities. There are fewer than 10 annual deaths from HIV per 100,000 people. Adult obesity is below 10.
The majority of the population is of Chinese, origin followed by Malaysian and indian descent. Racial and religious harmony is regarded by Singaporeans as a crucial part of Singapore’s success, and played a part in building a Singaporean identity.
What is the most interesting fact about Singapore is that about 50 years ago, this land was a backward swampy place. One man changed all this. He is known as the founding father of Modern Singapore. Harry Lee Kuan Yew (1923-2015) was the first Prime Minister of Singapore, governing for three decades. Lee is known for transitioning Singapore from the “third world to first world” in a single generation” under his leadership.
Clearly, Singapore is a success story among the nations of the world. What impressed me is that with good leadership and the people’s cooperation nations can really change. This evening I pray for my resident country Nigeria where we live and do ministry. May God have mercy and change them into better. With God all things are possible!
(In the pictures me dressed in Singapore traditional dress and the before (1960) and after (today) pictures of Singapore)
THE LOVE STORY OF MY PEOPLE
THE PLAYERS IN THE DRAMA:
*The King (God the Father)
*The Prince (Jesus Christ, the Son of God)
*The Bride (we the believers, the Church)
*The servants (messengers) of the King (Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists…)
*The Farmers- Tenants of the King (the first set of invitees- the sinners, the reprobates)
*The second set of guests, both good and bad – the sinners who repented and by grace got saved
*The naked man- from the first set of guests, also an unrepentant sinner, a reprobate
THE STORY
Once upon a time there was a great King whose name was Elohim. He was very rich. He had a Son whom He loved very much. The name of the Son was Joshua. The King had a very big palace. He had many servants, all faithful to Him even unto death. The King also had a big army who was made of generals and never lost a battle. The greatest desire of the King was to bring honor to His Son. He judged each person He met by the way they responded to His Son. He made it clear to all, far and near, that if they honor Him, they must honor His Son too. Even the children in that Kingdom knew about this decree.
The King had a big fertile land on the hill. He decided to plant a vineyard on it. He wanted to make the best wine in the country because He was preparing for His Son’s wedding in the near future. He hired workers from different countries to attend the vines planted by Him. The King prepared all things at the site: a wall around the property. He built a watchtower as protection against the thieves. He dug a winepress for the grapes to be crushed and made wine. He expected good results in the future. He was seeing the crystal glasses filled with sparkling red wine and the joy of all His guests drinking it. The plan was god and the investment was made. He made a deal with His workers and they decided on a percentage of fruit as payment for their labor, not earlier than the harvest time.
The King made an announcement that he will travel out of the country for an important event. His Son, the young Prince Joshua, will be in charge of the palace and of all the affairs of the Kingdom in His absence. The King knew that the Prince has fallen in love with a beautiful but simple girl and that He wanted to marry her. The Father has approved of the marriage. He told the Son to wait until He comes back from travel and then, He will personally supervise the preparations for the wedding. They all agreed to be so.
After the King left, for a time, all things went well. Then the time of harvest has come. The King sent a message to His Son, reminding Him that He should tell the farmers to keep aside His share of grapes for the royal wine. The Son sent three of the palace servants to His Father’s vineyard with the reminder. To His greatest surprise, the farmers seized the servants; they beat one, killed another and stone the third. The Prince tried to be calm and patient. He sent more servants but His Father’s tenants repeated the wicked action.
The Prince informed His Father about the crisis in the Kingdom. They discussed the best way to bring order and peace in the land. The Father suggested that there is no need for more servants to be killed by these unreasonable tenants. He told the Son to go there Himself to remind the farmers of the agreement made with the King. The Father’s hope was that the farmers will respect His Son and their future King. The Son knew that it will be a very dangerous encounter but there was no other way to reclaim the King’s vineyard. The Prince informed His Bride to be that He will go to do His Father’s business and He may not come alive, but the wedding will go on as planned. This word was very puzzling for the girl. Prince Joshua’s words made no sense to her but she trusted Him with all her heart.
The Father approved that the wedding invitations should be sent to all the corners of His Kingdom. First of all the invitations were sent to the rich and great men. Many of them were relatives of the tenants on the vineyard. The royal card said that all the preparations for the wedding were made. The oxen have been killed already and the tables were ready. The next day the Prince went to meet with the union of the farmers on His Father’s vineyard. He saw a great mountain of grapes ready to be crushed into wine. The harvest was very good just as the King expected. The tenants saw the Prince and discussed among themselves. ‘This is the heir to the throne…Let’s kill Him and start a democratic government. We can all take turns and be presidents of this rich country. We are the work force here. We should not be exploited anymore. The Prince is the only obstacle to our dreams of becoming rich men…’ They lifted their hands and captured the Prince. They publicly disgraced Him. They tore His royal garments and being naked, they nailed Him on a wooden fence. They killed Him and rejoiced in their victory. On the other side of the town, the invitations cards have been rejected by the relatives of the tenants. They knew that the Prince will not survive to see His wedding day. They excused themselves saying that they are too busy with work for the King.
The Bride wept in total despair. She wept until she had no more tears. She was a widow before her wedding day. There was no one to help, no one to listen… Alone in the room, she waited for death to come from the hand of the same murderers. There was an announcement that all the friends of the Bridegroom will be killed also.
Suddenly, in the midst of this tragedy, the trumpets sound! The King is back at His palace! He finds the ground red with blood. Many of His faithful servants are dead! His only Son is dead!!! The Bride to be has collapsed in one of the palace rooms. The King was very angry. Riding His white horse, He went to His vineyard and found the tenants happy, celebrating their victory, still drunk with wine… His wine! With just one word, the King killed them all. He then sent His army to kill all their relatives and accomplices, all the ones who refused to come to His Son’s wedding. No one has ever seen the King so angry before! At last, He took the Body of His dear Son and carried it to His private room. Inside there, alone, where no man can enter, He gave Him the kiss of life. The Son stood on His feet!!! The wicked people forgot that the King has the power to give and take life. The Son came and knelt before His Father. The news went round in the whole palace! The Son is alive again! Hail to the King of kings! The whole Kingdom celebrated and rejoiced with the King and His Son! The Bride to be ran from her private chambers. She came before the throne, shaking with fear and joy! She said that there was a man, one of the tenants, who came to her apartment and tried to rape her. He confidently told her that her Prince is dead and that she belongs to him now. She collapsed as dead in the middle of the room. The thief, thinking that she was really dead, and scared by the sound of the trumpets, ran away and hid in the great palace.
The King invited all the people from His kingdom, good and bad, rich and poor, sick and cripple… all of them from far and near. Those who have repented from their association with the wicked tenants became the guests at the wedding. Each one of them was given a purple robe at the entrance, having the picture of the Son on it and the seal of the King. The hall was full with people loudly praising the King’s goodness, wisdom and power! The angels surrounded the place amazed at what love can do… The sick were healed and the crippled stood and danced for joy! The sorrowful became happy and sang a new song in honor to the King and His Son! The wedding banquet became a praise and worship festival! The crystal glasses were filled with the wine from the King’s vineyard, just the way the King saw it in the vision of the past. The Prince and His Bride sitting together at the right hand of the King joined the choir…Halleluiah!!!!
In the midst of these joyful festivities, the King got up and went to personally greet the guests. He wanted to be sure that each one is satisfied with the food and the wine. Each guest was happy, dressed with the royal purple robe. Suddenly, by the side of the door, the King sees a naked man. What? Who is this man? No robe, no wine, no joy? He asked the man how he came inside the palace. How did he enter the throne room without a robe? Then the Bride said that this is the man who tried to rape her in her room. The King told all His guests to look at this man who refused to honor the His Son! At this accusation, the man was speechless. The King arrested the thief, bound his hands and feet, and threw him in the place prison, to a place or darkness and eternal torment.
The King, The Prince, the Bride and their children, lived happily ever after. I know this story because I am one of their descendants… Today is my birthday and I remember the love story of my holy ancestors… To God alone be all the glory!
(Matthew 21 and 22, Luke 14 and 20, Revelation 5 and 19)
TESTIMONY
Our oldest grand son, Alex Atiyota, 18 years old, just got admission in the University of San Antonio. To God be all the glory!
Green Pastures 