“For we live by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7)
When preaching about living by faith and not by sight, the example of the Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert of Africa is a very god example. They really live ‘like the birds’. They do not farm or store their food. They hunt animals or gather fruits to eat. They live in temporary shelters and are ready to move on any day. They usually possess only what they can carry. The only concession most Bushmen have made to the modern era is wearing clothes. The desert is a very harsh environment. For a stranger, there is no food available. They are very good in reading ‘the signs of the times’. They know much about animals and how to hunt them. They use poisonous bow and arrows. They cook or fry the meat in the fire. They are very artistic. They draw in the caves scenes of their daily life. Most of them are pagans. They need faith daily to survive.
They do not look good to our ‘civilized’ eyes. They do not look like they can teach us anything. Is there any lesson?
What is the lesson? If we as Christians have such faith, we shall never complain about any hardship. We shall trust God daily for our daily bread and make much progress in life.
“Dear Lord, increase our faith! In Jesus name we pray, amen!”

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the way that is good and right” (1Sam 12:23)

This is what Samuel told the people of Israel, after they rejected Jehovah as their God and Samuel as a prophet. To pray is the mark of a true believer. You do not pray to please men You pray because of your relationship with God.

The Gibeonites succeeded in convincing the Jews that they can be good friends (Joshua 9). The people of God agreed to make friends with them. God commanded them not to make any covenant of friendship with the Canaanites for their will lead them astray (Deut 7). The reason why they fell to deception is that they did not pray. They did not ask the counsel of God. Lack of prayer is the main reason why believers are deceived. The devil deceives many into friendships or marriages with unbelievers. This form of deception is more common than you imagine.

The lesson here is this: always pray about everything! In things big or small, remember to acknowledge God. If ever you have been deceived, repent also of the sin of prayerlessness. Be careful especially in times when you ‘fall in love’, when you make commitments to ‘nice’ strangers. Pray that God will reveal the truth, for only Him knows the hearts of all men. “The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (PV 12:26)

This is my testimony: I love to pray! Prayer to me is like oxygen for my lungs, like food for my stomach. If God answers me or not I will continue to pray. Sometimes is easy and sometimes is hard. But I can never stop praying! Even if the devil begs me on his dirty knees, even if circumstances are difficult, I shall continue to build up my prayer life. For I do not know of any other way how to live my life! I cannot forget to pray, for prayer has become a part of me! To God be all the glory!

“A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet” (PV 29:5)

Religious flattery is a common tool of deception used by the devil. Flattery is defined as insincere praise. It is a lie designed to make you proud and to weaken you spiritually. This flattery is a snare to cage your soul. Your mind, emotions and will shall be restricted if you allow flattery to poison your soul.

I read somewhere that the great preacher Charles Spurgeon was congratulated at the end of a Sunday service by one of the elders in his church who said to him: ‘Pastor, this is very good preaching! This is the best sermon you have ever preached!” The old wise man of God answered: “This is exactly what the devil whispered into my ears few minutes ago”.

What is the lesson? What should you do when people ‘compliment’ you, when they tell you that you are beautiful, that you sing well or that you preach wonderfully? Always be ready to give God ALL THE GLORY (not part of it) for any success He grants you to experience in life. Then you are free from the dangerous snare of flattery. Then you shall grow from strength to strength and shall do exploits! You shall be humble and wise! God’s favor shall be your portion! In Jesus name, amen!

This is a letter from a young sister. She is happily married with a baby. She has been struggling to overcome inferiority complex, doubt and fear of the future. She has made great progress. Please pray for her. God will perfect the good thing he has started.
This testimony is to the glory of God and to encourage others who have similar challenges!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim 1:7)

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard” (Mt 20: 1, 2)

The kingdom of God is like no other. The King of this Kingdom is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Its constitution is based on grace. God does not owe men. God is the creator and the owner of all creation. Everything God does to man is by His grace alone. This grace works from beginning to the end. We are saved by grace, live by grace, and shall breathe our last by grace.  Jesus Christ came to earth ‘full of grace and truth’ (Jn 1:14). Grace means the unmerited favor of God upon men. No man can ‘claim’ anything from God. God is sovereign in all things even in the way He dispenses this grace. When we become born again we need to change our way of thinking to be in line with the Kingdom’s principles. The flesh is offended at the manifestation of God’s grace.

In the parable of the workers hired by the Landowner we see the grace of God in action and the reaction of people towards it. The first group of men hired early in the morning made an agreement with the Landowner. They expected to be paid $1 dollar a day (for example). The rest men were hired without any labor contract and promised to receive ‘whatever is right’. At the end of the day all the workers received the same amount. The ones without a contract rejoiced for they did not expect to be paid so well. But the first group of men, who worked since morning and ‘borne the burden and the heat of the day’ were disappointed. They started murmuring against the Landowner. It is true that they agreed for 1$ but now, they expected more since the rest received the same.

I want you to see this: This expectation is wrong. This is how the flesh reacts in the presence of the generous grace of God. This is a great lesson for us all: If you make a business contract with God, if you have your own personal selfish expectations what your reward for serving Him should be, then you shall receive exactly that, not more, not less. You will still be disappointed when you see others blessed more than you. No man should do such a ‘business deal’ with God! Do not limit God! Trust Him for He is good and generous like no other!  But if you say: “Father, whatever You consider right for me, I receive with thanksgiving, you shall be surprised that your reward is much more than all your dreams. His grace is very romantic and adventurous. God loves to surprise His children! Just serve God with all your heart and leave the rest to Him! Today, I thank God for His amazing grace!

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

The prayer meeting was good. There was a hindrance at the beginning of the meeting so we did warfare and praised God too. I have learned over the years to do what is right and then to leave the rest to God. Then the preaching of the Word followed:

“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17)

In the New Testament there are three men said to be rich:

*The rich young ruler (Mk 10:17-22)

*the rich fool (Lk 12:13-21)

*The rich man with Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31)

It is important to note that all these three went to hell!

The rich young ruler has everything men wish for: youth, authority and wealth. Many young men are poor and jobless. By the time they get rich they are old and cannot ‘enjoy’ the money. But this one ‘had it all’ in the world. Yet, he lacks on thing, the most important thing of all: eternal life. If a man gains the whole world and loses his soul, it profits nothing. The word ‘lack’ means to be inferior, deficient, to fall short of a normal standard, to be in want, to be left behind. Deficiency means to lack a necessary quality, to be imperfect.

This is a good thing: he wants to have eternal life. Muslims think of heaven as a natural place where the natural desires are fulfilled. The new age religion describes eternal life as reincarnation. The believers in Jesus Christ, we know what eternal life is! To know God! It means to go to heaven, the place where God dwells. This man too wants to go to heaven. He has heaven on his mind, but sadly he goes away to hell. There is no report that he was saved later. He wanted to ‘inherit’ eternal life. In other words, he wanted to be a son to Jesus, just like Elisha wanted to be the heir to Elijah. He is confused: he thinks of eternal life as something ‘to do’. He thinks salvation is of works.

Jesus responds with a rebuke. Obey the commandments of God! Jesus presents to him the last five commandments. These speak about the relationships between men. The young man confidently answers that he has kept ‘all of these since youth’. He is either ignorant or proud. Jesus looks and loves this man. Jesus is the friend of sinners. He confronts this foolish proud man with his lack, the hindrance why he cannot have eternal life. Jesus gives him clear commands to expose his love for material things and the need to have a relationship with God. He commands him to do the following: Go- Sell- Give- Come- Take up your cross- then Come and Follow Me! Jesus said that if you do these, you shall be rich indeed and have great treasure in heaven.

But the man ‘was sad at this word’ and goes away. You can see that money do not bring happiness. “But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mk 10:22). In Greek, the word ‘sad’ means gloomy, depressed or hateful. The ‘word’ is ‘logos’ something said, preaching, doctrine, utterance, God’s revelation in Christ. This young man became depressed when he heard the Word of God. The idea of treasures in heaven made him sad.  He stands face to face with Christ, his only hope for eternal life. He has arrived at the gate of heaven. He becomes sad at God’s Word and from that gate made of pearls, he sadly goes away. Where to? Leaving Jesus, where do you to? It is only to perdition and despair!

We prayed and made a vow this evening, that no matter what, we shall never forsake Jesus Christ, our Savor and Lord, the Word of God made flesh! Never ever we shall draw back to perdition! So help us God!

“God will slow down and weaken your enemies! By the time your enemies gather to attack you, to destroy you and your family, by that time you shall be too strong for them. You shall defeat them! In Jesus name, amen!”:

(This is a prophetic word given last night, during the prayer meeting in our church)

We have just ended our women’s fellowship. We praised God for who He is. We shared testimonies of His love and faithfulness. This is our confession: God is good to us and our families. The Word came with anointing and power. It was about deception. We heard about how the Gibeonites deceived the people of God. This is a very interesting subject. Humanly speaking, as women, we are more prone to deception than the men (1Tim 2:14, 15). We prayed for ourselves and for one another. We did warfare against all lying deceptive evil spirits. The meeting was blessed by God’s presence. To God be all the glory!

“Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us…” (Joshua 9)

The story how the Gibeonites deceived the Children of Israel is not just Jewish history. There are many great lessons for us in it. The story is found in the Book of Joshua Chapter 9. At the end of the previous chapter, we see Joshua leading the people in a spiritual revival. He challenges them to come back to God, to commit afresh to be obedient to His Word. He builds an altar to God, just the way Moses instructed him. He reads aloud the Word of God in the presence of all; men, women, children and even the foreigners living among the Jews. Immediately after this event, they are attacked by the Canaanites. This is a good lesson: when we renew our commitment to God, satan will attack. In times of revival, we need to watch, pray and be prepared to resist the devil! Selah!

The attack came in two ways: A group of Canaanite kings gather together to plan and to openly war against the people of God. We ask ourselves: why did they wait so long before preparing to fight them? It is possible that they still did not believe that the Jews will win all battles and enter the Promised Land. Here we see that the enemy is slow to prepare a defense. This is the effect of the grace of God upon His people.

The second form of attack is thru deception. This is a more subtle form of warfare and more difficult to detect. Gibeon was the next city to be conquered by the people of God. After seeing the fall of Jericho and Ai, the Gibeonites knew that they have no chance to win against the Jews. They did not join the other kings in an open war against Israel. They decided to play a trick, to deceive them into friendship so that they can save their lives. They dressed up with dirty rags and carried dry bread in their sacks. This was done to convince the Jews that they come from a very far land. Joshua and the leaders of Israel were totally deceived. They tasted from their provisions without ‘inquiring’ of God. By eating what was offered, they entered into a covenant of friendship with the Gibeonites. Three days later, when it was discovered that Gibeon was just the next town to be conquered, the Jews could not revoke the covenant made. The people of God became angry that their leaders were deceived. Joshua judged the deceivers. The punishment given to the Gibeonites is that they will forever be slaves to the Jews in general and to the priests in particular. Their work will be to carry water and wood for the temple of God.

A 60 years old man asked us to pray for him. He has just been diagnosed with cancer of the kidney, which has spread to other organs. He lives in England. The doctors do not give him much hope. They will administer chemotherapy to him. That is all that they can do for him.

He said that he is born again. my husband and I prayed for him. We encouraged him to put all his trust in God. We told him that here in Nigeria, the hospitals are not well equipped so the patients pray and trust God more than in Europe. We told him that God is the same everywhere. We reminded him that there is nothing God cannot do. He promised to pray every day for a miracle. Thank you for praying for him too. God bless you dear intercessors. In Jesus name, amen!

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen 50:20)

The story of Joseph in the Old Testament is one of my all times favorites. If I feel somehow low, I read it again and each time God speaks to me thru it. You know the story… I will not repeat it again. One thing that stroke me recently it is how much God was in charge of everything that was happening with Joseph. This is called the doctrine of the providence of God. It is defined as God guiding and sustaining all human beings on earth, in charge of their destinies. This is actively done by God, if men acknowledge and pray to Him or not.

The scripture above is what Joseph told his brothers, after they reconciled at last. He tells them that all the while it was God working behind the scenes. They ‘meant’ it for evil but God ‘meant’ it for good. God is the only Person who can change evil into good. We read these words and stand in awe… God ‘meant it’? It means that the story of Joseph, his pains and his gains were not a product of chance. No! God ‘meant it’ to be so! In Hebrew, this word means to think, to plot, to plan something and to weave it in the fabric of life. It means to imagine, to purpose, to conceive and invent. The purpose of God was to highly bless Joseph and to make him the savior of his family. Out of this family Christ came later. This family had to be saved! The word God here is Elohim. This is God’s name as it appears in Genesis, the Creator; the One who makes something out of nothing. The conclusion is that Elohim imagines and creates all men for His glory and pleasure!

Dear Child of God, relax and worship God!  One thing is clear: you are not the product of accident! Even if you do not know you parents, even if you are sick or troubled… Your pains, successes and failures shall one day have a meaning! These shall be revealed to be part of a bigger whole, like a rainbow after the rain, on the sky, weaved on into a tapestry of original beauty only God can do! One day all things about you shall make sense! God’s sense! For His glory alone!  Why don’t you start praising God right now?

To return evil for good is devilish!
To return good for good is human!
To return good for evil is divine!
(Archbishop William Temple, 1881-1944)

“A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised!” (PV31:30)

As a girl, I always dreamed to be happily married. For me, prostitution or marriage for money was the worst nightmare. I pitied the women who wasted their lives, who never knew true love. After I became born again, my dreams came true at all levels. As a young (and unbelieving) bride, I loved my husband with all my heart (that should be about 42 years ago). But I lacked the power to make my love eternal, to give it spiritual value. Christ did that for me, for us… It is still a great passion for me to be a woman of God. I now have the privilege to mentor younger ones. I still pray for revival, for the strength to love my family (natural and spiritual) as Christ loves the church. Over the years I discovered many treasures in the Bible, how to fulfill my dreams as a wife, mother and now as a grandmother. The following I gladly share with you:

The wise woman is first of all a spiritual blessing to her family. She fulfills this ministry by being a student and a doer of the Word of God. Wisdom is the skill to apply the knowledge of the Word of God in daily living. The wise woman is a practical Christian. She has visible fruits of her commitment to God. She is totally surrendered to God. She is a woman of prayer. She loves God, her family and God’s house. She faithfully attends her local church activities and pays the price for ministry. Her children know without any shadow of doubt, that mummy loves to go to church and pray.

She is a humble and a virtuous woman who has gained her husband’s total trust. That is a great achievement! She is modest in her choice of clothes, rejecting any appearance of evil. She is confident of the power and beauty of holiness. Her spirit is quiet and humble but also free and adventurous in the safe perfect path of God. She is a grateful woman, full of thanksgiving to God, for all the gifts and blessings, for her marriage and for her family. She is industrious and confident that God has blessed the work of her hands. She makes profit from her trade and she invests in new opportunities. Her business expands. She works a little and she makes great profit for God leads her in all her decisions.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is manifesting in her. She combines them all: love and self-control, patience and joy and kindness… Her speech reveals the content of her heart. On her tongue there is the law of kindness and grace. She speaks the Word of God to her husband, prays and prophesies over him. She chooses her words. She is wise with the timing, when to speak and when to keep silent. She makes the preaching of the Gospel attractive to her family so that they never feel bored when listening to her.

One of her greatest achievements in life is to be happily married. Not for a show, not to impress others, but really happily married, inside out, day and night, in sickness and health… A happily married couple is a proof that, with the help of God, you can live a life of fulfilment on earth. Fruitfulness promised can be achieved! A godly happy couple is God’s masterpiece. They are a picture of the eternal holy and romantic love story between Christ and His church. O, how I love Jesus, for He first loved me…

This is my prayer:

May you be such a woman!

May you be such a couple!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

This is a chat between young sister in Christ and me. She is a student in University. She is a committed Christian, born again and Spirit filled. She is involved in her fellowship in school. By reading these words, young people (and all of us) may learn something good. Read and be blessed! Love in Christ alone, Malia

Sister T: Good evening Malia. I love for others to know the love of Christ, that I now know . In school where I am now, there are a lot of people with issues but don’t know any way out . I know of three girls who drink, smoke and party (there are a lot more like them in my hostel alone). I was getting a little bit fond of one of them , My desire was to somehow help her come to the Lord, but one time I felt like I shouldn’t be too close to her or spend time with her like I used to, I believe its Holy Spirit’s way of telling me to mind my discussions(since she talks in a manner and language that is not descent or pure) with this particular person . I feel I should tell these girls about Christ without sounding like am forcing them or in a way that seems scary. The truth is I desire that everyone around me know Jesus but don’t know where to start. Sometimes I feel too quiet and even invincible. The preaching on evangelism makes me realize I have to reach out to people, but I only get very few chances to say something about Jesus. Though I know my life can be a ministry to people around me

Malia: Your life in general, your attitude to people and things is the best way to evangelize. Then people are attracted to you as flies to the light. Do not evangelize without this holy attraction manifested. Words are good but actions must back them.

Sister T: I probably should focus on living for Jesus, than on the faults around me.

Malia: Yes! Focus on Jesus! Offer yourself as a living sacrifice! Let the Holy Spirit totally change you in the midst of the people. That mighty change is very attractive. People will come to you and ask the reason for this change. That door of favor has to be opened. Do not preach behind closed doors!

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1Pet 3:15)

Be ready does not mean to preach to everybody. You are a holy prepared vessel, ready to speak only when the Holy Spirit has prepared the way to the listener!

Sister T: Yes. The Holy Spirit should prepare the way! Not me! Thank you for your love and prayers!

Malia: That’s it! To God be the glory!

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19)

“The wise woman builds her house…” (PV 14:1)

Since I got saved, my strong desire is to be a woman of God, a godly wife, mother and grandmother. I am ready to pay the price to obtain this crown of glory. These are few of the wisdom pearls I found, as I dive daily in the ocean of God’s Eternal Word.

Pastor Leigh and I are invited to attend the birthday party of a man who shall be 80 years old. The children want my husband to preach to all the invited guests. Their dad was a very successful man in his business. He was a religious man in the past, but never born again. He has not gone to any church for more than 40 years. Right now, he says that he is spiritually ‘neutral’. All the children are born again. They have been fasting and praying that on his birthday, their dad will surrender his life to Christ. Please pray that a supernatural door of faith shall be opened that day so that the Gospel shall produce fruit in this man’s heart and in the lives of all who believe that day. Please pray that Pastor Leigh shall be granted utterance by the Holy Spirit, that his words shall be fire and the people shall be ‘the wood’. Pray that Jesus Christ shall be glorified that day! Thank you dear intercessors! God bless you! In Jesus name, amen!

“Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Is 46:4)

“The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake” (Ps 23:1-3)

This is the song of the sheep. It is never the song of a goat, or of a wolf. It is always the sheep. Jesus is my Shepherd. I am His Sheep. This is just a little glimpse from our hearts bonded together.

The sheep needs her shepherd. The sheep cannot find green grass to eat, clean water to drink or a good place in the shadow to rest. The shepherd goes ahead to find the trusted path of life, peace and prosperity. The sheep needs to be reminded of a good rest, lying down in ‘green pastures’. If not she will run and run in circles or sleep standing on her feet. The shepherd makes the sheep ‘to lie down in green pastures’. This is the picture of a beautiful home where she can settle down. A hotel is beautiful but you can only settle in your own home. Green pastures are signs of springtime, of a new beginning, the birth of a new season. The shepherd leads on, tests and proves the right path. The waters are still and quiet, a settled spot of a happy relationship, a happy marriage.

I feel comfortable in my own skin; I desire nothing else than what it is offered to me by my Good Shepherd.  My soul is restored by Him, for I am fed with the best seeds. I produce fruits. The field is beautiful because I am in bloom. I know that I am safe. I have no guilt to just be me. My hidden desires, the remembrance of my special dreams of long ago, things I could not tell men on earth, come to the surface, easily, flowing like oil on my head…

I look at Him… The shepherd nodes His head and says: ‘You can have those, the desires of your heart are yours now…’ ‘Mine Lord?’ ‘Yes, yours…’ I am afraid to ask but still I do: ‘All of them Lord?’ ‘Yes, all of them…’

I now receive… I joyfully accept my portion… I believe it is mine… No need to explain or preach about it…

It feels so good…

Now I know that forever and ever I shall not want, fail, go lower, decrease, demote or die. My path goes upwards, closer to the House of the Lord where I shall dwell forever.

I FEAR NOT! I AM NOT DISMAYED!

FOR GOD IS WITH ME!

FOREVER!

“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” (Ps 3:2, 3)

This is a Psalm of David, written at the lowest time on his life. His son Absalom rebels against him and takes over the kingdom. To protect Jerusalem from bloodshed, David makes the hasty decision to abandon the city and the palace. He runs away with some few faithful people. This is an unexpected time of pain, when his enemies have ‘increased’. A man prepares himself for battle from outside enemies, but when betrayal happens from inside, it is always unexpected and most painful.

This is the story: Absalom has ‘stolen the hearts of the people of Israel’ (1 Sam 15:6). Almost everybody followed the handsome, young and flashy Absalom. Most people decamped and joined the rebellion. It was now fashionable to be rebellious. Faithfulness became a thing of the past. Who needed David on the throne, an old grey haired king, bent over and with rheumatic pains? Two generations now claim the crown? Who shall win? Who knows the future? It is only God who knows it and He is yet to reveal the winner.

The enemy is confident that ‘there is no help for Him in God’. The word translated ‘help’ is ‘Joshua’. The devil says that Jesus has abandoned David. Ca that be possible? Can Jesus help a loser? Can Jesus help old King David? The answer is yes, He can and He will! For God is the covenant-keeping God, the faithful God! Please observe what a true worshiper does. Lear from David! Selah! In the midst of this terrible trial, David draws closer to God. He remembers that God is his God! He knows that God is the Best he has, the Glory, the Shield and the Lifter of his head. God has promoted him from shepherd to king. That same God is able to keep him on the throne until he dies. No man can demote him. Outside his beautiful palace, David now sleeps now outside, on the rocky ground. But God sustains him and he sleeps well. Supernaturally, he is free from all fears. He does not know the end of the story, but one thing he knows: he is not alone! God is with him in all circumstances of life.

At last, Absalom’s rebellion is quenched. The evil prince is dead. The teeth of the ungodly, of the wicked and evil men are broken. The viper has no more teeth and no more poison. It is crushed unto the feet of the winner. God always destroys rebellion!  Someone gave this good advice: ‘Do not use your trials as a microscope, to look closer at yourself. But use your trials as a telescope, to gaze at God’. This is the conclusion of the matter: God can never lose any battle. If you are a child of God, you too can never lose! Let me make it more personal: I really pity my enemies. They can never win against me! For God is with me! If this is the only thing I know from my Bible, then I know my Bible well!

Be encouraged child of God! God is greater than your trials, pains, disappointments, sickness, barrenness, poverty, rejection and all!  The number of the enemies is not important. ‘One with God is in majority’- said Mary Slessor, a missionary to Nigeria. God will not always prevent trials, but He will deliver you from them all! Have faith! God has the last say in all human affairs. God will help you at the break of the day! The story is not over! No man can demote the one who God promotes! If God has opened a door for you, no man or devil can shut it! Put all your trust in God, for there is still hope! May the Lifter of your head speak at this hour on your behalf! For His glory and honor! In Jesus name, amen!

The Bible teaches us to do good, to relate well and love others, especially the brethren in Christ. The combination of words “One to another” appears 8 times in the New Testament. We are commanded to: Love, Receive, Encourage, Serve, Be Kind and Compassionate, Forgive, Bear, Submit and Offer Hospitality to one another. This is the language of sacrificial love. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our example! May the Holy Spirit convict us of sin if we ignore these commands! For obedience is better than sacrifice! Singing: “Bind us together Lord, Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken…Bind us together in love!”

“A new commandment I give to you, that you LOVE one another; as I have loved you, that you also LOVE one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have LOVE for one another.” (Jn 13:34, 35)

“Therefore RECEIVE (accept) one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Rom 15:7)

“Therefore ENCOURAGE one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1Thess 5:11)

“SERVE one another humbly in love” (Gal 5:13)

“BE KIND and COMPASSIONATE to one another, FORGIVING each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph 4:32)

“BEAR with each other and FORGIVE one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13)

“SUBMITTING yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:22)

“Offer HOSPITALITY to one another without grumbling” (1Pet 4:9)

“And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that… Ruth the Moabites… I have acquired as my wife… You are witnesses this day… And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses”… So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son” (Ru 4:9, 10, 13)

Many young men and women pray for a happy marriage. They are believers but many make mistakes and imitate the world. They dream of that day when they are able to announce to the public that they are engaged and plan to marry. They dream of their wedding day. For them, that day marks the height of their happiness…Or so they think…

But in the Bible we see that all good visible things, all public rewards start with a hidden root in Christ. That holy invisible root has been growing in the ground of the Spirit for many years. In the first three Chapters of the Book of Ruth, we see her life story as a faithful, kind, submissive, obedient and hard working woman. She suffered much but kept her new found faith in Jehovah. In Chapter four her quiet testimony becomes public. The proposal for the marriage is done by Boaz at the City Gate. This is a peculiar place. It is the most public place in the city. It is the gate where the elders gather to discuss all important events in the community. It is the Gate of Judgment and revelation of Grace. Ruth’s life story is now displayed before all men in Bethlehem. Boaz pleads her case knowing that she has a good testimony with all the people.

How many times has Ruth passed thru this gate! Each day in the morning and evening she passed thru this gate to go outside the city and work in the fields, for her daily bread. The Gate is a witness to her pains, labors and faithfulness. Jesus also said that all good deeds done in private shall be rewarded openly in the presence of all the people (Mt 6:4).

Do you want to marry well? True and lasting romance starts long before the engagement day. It begins in the hidden place of prayer, commitment and humble service to God and men. The road to happy marriage is soaked in prayer. That narrow holy road will end at the Gate! Jesus said ‘I am the Gate of the Sheep’ (Jn 10:7). The Gate shall speak for you at last!