Mary Slessor was born in Scotland. She came from a poor family. Her father was a violent drunkard but her mother was a born again Christian. She was convinced that God called her to go to Africa, to Calabar in particular. At that time Nigeria was an English colony. Very few English men wanted to go and live there. Because of malaria and other infectious diseases it was called ‘the white man’s grave’. She was a single woman of 28 when she went to Calabar as a missionary. It is hard to understand the terrible and mysterious forces against which missionaries are ranged.
Witchcraft was interwoven with life in such a way as practically to rule the land. Superstition was rife everywhere. When a chief died numbers of people were murdered, and his wives, after dressing in their finery, were strangled, in order to go with him to the spirit land. Blood sacrifices were offered to ‘jujus’. The human skull was worshipped. Guilt was decided by eating poisoned beans or the hands plunged into boiling oil. When twins were born they were always killed, for they said one belongs to the devil and they did not know which one is that. Their mother sent away into the bush to do the best she could, generally to starve and die, or to be killed by wild beasts.

Mary had heard about all these things in faraway Dundee, Scotland. Now she was going to see them for herself, to fight the demons in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. She had nothing except faith in the Lord who had died to save these poor uncivilized people. Born again herself, and overflowing with love to her Savior, she had a salvation worth speaking about, a real, definite thing, and with this treasure to share with all who would, she went forward eagerly, joyfully, into the dim, mysterious future now opening before her.

She quickly learned the Efik –Calabar language fluently. She eat the native food. She always dressed in a straight baggy sleepless dress. Her red hair was always cut short, like a boy, for she never had time to dress it. God gave her favor with the elders, the chiefs and the rest native people. She had the courage of a man, better said of a lion. Each time the elders gathered to convict someone of stealing, witchcraft or other crimes punishable with death, she will go in their midst and argue as the lawyer of the accused. She was a smallish woman with a strong voice. Almost always she got the death sentence changed into public beating, saving the lives of many. Then she will take care of their wounds in her hut and preach Christ to them. This is how many became saved. All abandoned children were adopted by her and many grew up to help in her ministry. She was engaged once to a man from her home town, but later he became afraid and he refused to come to live with her in Calabar. The relationship ended and she never married another. She never had natural children but left behind a great harvest of fruit that still abides.
She was sometimes lonely. She lived in the deep jungle villages most of the time. When her mother and sister died and she did not hear of it until a year later.

Her motto was: ‘One with God is in majority’
This is what the High Commissioner of Nigeria said in 1909:
‘Miss Slessor can go where no white man can go. She can sway the people when we cannot sway them’
The Calabar elders gave her the title of ‘Eka kpukpro Owo’, ‘Mother of All The Peoples’
These are her words spoken before she died:
‘Heaven is now nearer to me than Britain. My life is one daily, hourly record of answered prayer….for guidance given marvelously, for errors and dangers averted, for enmity to the gospel subdued, for food provided at the exact hour needed, for everything that goes to make up my life and my poor service. I can testify with a full and often wonder-stricken awe that I believe God answers prayer… I know God answers prayer. Glory be His wonderful name!’
Her very last words were not in English, but in Efik:
“O Abasi, sana mi yok…” (O Lord, release me…)
She grew old but her work and ministry never stopped. She collapsed and died in one of the villages in the forest. The villagers she loved so much brought her corpse to the city by canoe. She had a state funeral with all honors. She left behind Calabar a much better place; thousands heard the Gospel of Christ and multitudes of souls got saved. Only God can reward such a labor of love. Amen!
(in the picture there is Mary and some of her adopted children)

Absalom called Joab but he refused to come. He called him the second time, but his call was still ignored. Then he thought of a way to attract his attention. He remembered that Joab’s field of barley was next to his own. He then told his servants to set it on fire. That was enough for Joab. He came immediately and did what Absalom wanted (2Sam 14:28-33).
These are two wicked and manipulating men. But the story has a greater spiritual meaning. When God is calling you and you refuse to answer, He can burn your field with fire. Your ‘field’ is next to God’s own. You are God’s neighbor. God is not far from you. He knows everything you do, good or bad.
What is your ‘barley field’? God can burn your property, your marriage, your money, your health…The loss may be painful but the gain is greater if you come back to God. Many a man answered God’s call for ministry thru the burning of his field. Jesus baptizes with fire, so He has all what is necessary to burn the things you love more than Him.
Some people, like Jaob, answered the call. But there are many, even with all the destruction around them, they still refuse to come to God. Their ashes remain bitter and never turn to beauty. The truth is that once your filed is burn, there is not much God can do to still call your attention. God says: ‘My Spirit will not strive with man forever’ (Gen 6:3). If the infatuation with idols is too great, like Ephraim’s own, God says: ‘Leave him alone…’ (Hos 4:17). It is painful for fire to destroy the thing you love. But it is even worse if God decides to leave you alone to the useless ‘comfort’ of your fake idols.
The best thing to do is this: If God is calling you then please come to Him immediately. Why are you stubborn? Why tempt God? Why suffer so much loss and pain? God loves you and He will do anything to attract your attention… you need a Savior, a Deliverer and a Friend Forever! God is calling you…Come home!

“A religion without mystery must be a religion without God”
(Jeremy Taylor)

The younger son went away, to ‘a far country’ to waste his inheritance (Lk 15). He lived a prodigal life. The world ‘waste’ means to scatter something that was whole into small, 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. Until all the wealth was gone. He then ‘joined himself’ to a man, hired to feed swine. Hungry and cold, lost and lonely, he arrived at the bottom of the valley of life. But that is the point of grace. He remembered the bread in the father’s house. That 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 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. None like it. The world has no idea of what is best in this life. God will so arrange the circumstances of your life that you will not have peace in the world and the longing for the reality of the Spirit will draw your heart home.
Son, come home!

“Lie has traveled half the world already when TRUTH is just putting on his shoes. But TRUTH always wins the race at last”

“The grass wither, the flower fades: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever” (Is 40:8)
Because of sin, life has many problems. Our natural tendency is to focus directly on our problems and ask God to remove them. But that is an immature and selfish desire.
The correct strategy is this: in the middle of your problems, remove your eyes from them and look to God with faith and worship. As you ‘identify’ God in the middle of the crisis, that vision is enough to bring peace to your soul, wisdom to your mind and the strength to do God’s will.
For example, Job was tormented by the devil and suddenly he found himself living in hell on earth. He had problems of health, of marriage, the loss of children and all his wealth. When attacked with so many problems, Job fell into the trap of complaining.
Please note: it is very easy to grumble in the midst of life’s problems. It is very hard to ignore them and seek God in the midst of them all. Like the clouds cover the sun, the problems hide God. You must find God in midst of them and they shall disappear!
For a long time God kept silent. But when God finally speaks to Job, He does not address his problems. What God does is to point Job to Himself, to His power and glory. Once Job sees that, he repents of doubt, foolishness and impatience. He worships God and the problems become like dust under his feet.
If men create problems to you…do not look at the men!
If moneys create problems to you…do not look at your account!
If microbes create problems to you…do not quickly go to the lab for ‘blood test’!
In sickness and in health, in poverty and riches, in old age and in youth…seek God, His Kingdom and His glory!!!
We are like the grass and like the flowers. We are strong and beautiful just for a season. But life on earth is short. Even problems have to bow at the hour of death! We should remember that God gave us this life as a gift. He will ask what did we do with it? How often did we seek God in the midst of it all!
The problems, like our mortal bodies, are only temporary…Let’s go to the Word of God who never shakes and never fails! The Word of God stands forever! Though it all, learn to trust in Jesus and in His Word! Do not fear the problems of life! Let the same problems fear you, for you have found the secret key of success! It is the eternal strength found in God’s Word alone!
I do not trust my beauty! Like the flowers on the field, it slowly fades!
I do not trust my mind! Like the reed by the river, it can bend under much pressure!
I do not trust my emotions! Like the grass, it is fresh in spring time but pales in July!
I do not trust my wealth! Like paper, it can be burnt by a stray spark coming thru the window!
BUT I TRUST GOD AND HIS WORD!
IN CHRIST, I STAND FOREVER!
MY BODY MAY BE OLD, BUT MY SPIRIT IS RENEWED EVER DAY!
I WORSHIP GOD! I TRUST GOD! I LOVE GOD!
I STUDY AND BELIEVE THE WORD OF GOD! ALL HIS PROMISES IN CHRIST ARE YES AND AMEN!
THIS IS MY CONFESSION IN THE PRESENCE OF MANY WITNESSES!
IN JESUS NAME!
AMEN!

Charles Spurgeon was one of the greatest preachers who ever lived. He was a Baptist minister initially, but later he separated from the mainline denomination because they became too liberal in doctrine. At twenty, he became a full time pastor at the famous Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. He preached there until his untimely death at the age of fifty seven.
It is said that in his life time he preached to about ten million people. Thousands got converted. His voice was loud and clear. The anointing of God was strong upon him. Men will weep like babies convicted of sin under the power of the Holy Spirit and the preached Word of God. He was never officially ordained by any denomination. He did not believe in the ordination of men. He said that God’s calling and ordination was enough for him.
He grew up in a Christian home. He got converted at sixteen. As a boy, he has been searching for God for some years. He went to different churches trying to find the way of salvation. He said that no preacher could explain the way of grace to him so that he can be saved. He could have been deceived himself by saying that he is already born again for he grew up in a Christian home. But he knew that he is just a good religious boy and not saved. One day, during a snow storm, he went to a small church to hide from the cold wind. The real preacher could not come because of the storm. ‘An ordinary, nameless man’ stood there to preach to the small, freezing congregation. The preacher read Isaiah 45:22 and said: “look unto Jesus alone! Look unto His drops of Blood! Look at the Lamb on the Cross! Look Jesus in the grave! Look at Jesus raised from the dead! Look at Jesus seated at the right hand of God the Father! Look and be saved! Look! Look!
Suddenly, his eyes opened to the way of the Cross! He knelt down on the icy floor and at last, he believed! The Holy Spirit filled his soul and this is how God arrested His mighty soldier.
He was sick often. He suffered from painful rheumatism and chronic kidney infections. He also had depression and could not sleep well. His wife Susannah was also too sick to attend most of the church services and to listen to her husband preach. But all these could not stop the man who burned like fire behind that pulpit, who preached the Word with passion and power.
He died at the age of 57, in a hotel room in France where he went to find healing form his painful rheumatism.
He had two sons, twins. One of them, Tom Spurgeon succeeded his father as the pastor at the same church.
His sermons have been translated and published all over the world and read by millions of all denominations.
His secret as a mighty preacher was a solid conversion and the experience of carrying the cross daily. He paid the price for revival and he witnessed it personally in the lives of millions all over the world. He did not allow his body infirmities or the difficulty of family life to slow him down the race. He often wept in public. When asked ‘Why?’ he will say that nobody can know his pain or his burden for souls.
This is the truth. There is a price to lead revival and to make an impact in your generation. From Paul to Charles Spurgeon, all God’s servants, all who truly inspired others with their commitment and faith; these were people who carried on with ministry against great odds. They were human beings like us, but they also had a fire in their bones that made them light to the world.
The question is this:
‘Are you willing to lay down your life for the Gospel of Christ, for souls to be saved and for the glory of God to cover this land?’

“For what does the scripture says? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness…
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead, and called those things which be not as though they were” (Rom 4; 3, 17)
We declared the Word of God over our lives. We declared that from now on, if anybody asks: Who is your father? Who is your mother? We shall confidently answer: “My father is Abraham. My mother is Sarah!” If people will mock, we have decided to endure with grace and wait for the Holy Spirit to explain the reason why we say so.
We declared: “I believe in God the Father! I believe in God the Son! I believe in God the Holy Ghost! So, I can never fail!”
We also declared: “I am not ashamed of my God! I will loudly proclaim that He is my God!”
We danced in the Spirit: first with the human instruments, later all music stopped but all of us still continue to clap the hands and dance at the beat of a mysterious sound of heaven.
We declared that somebody shall go to a pilgrimage to Israel next year! God has provided all the necessary founds! Just believe!
We saw the vision of a round, big table surrounded by our children and grandchildren. It means that the single shall marry and the barren shall be fruitful. For the vision makes no sense except God connects the dots.
We declared that our future is better than our past!
We declared that God has revived our hearts, our marriages and our finances!
We declared that we worship the God who made Abraham a father just by His Word! He that was called impotent became a father or many nations!
We declared that we worship a particular God: the One gives life to the dead! All dead areas in our lives have been inundated with the rived of life!
We declared that God calls invisible things and they cannot resist the voice of their Creator! They all say ‘yes, Lord!’
We declared that the sick are healed, the poor will have money, the tormented will have peace, the single shall marry and the married shall have children!
Faith 100% and doubt 0%!
The anointing was so strong that we could not close the service in time…
Praise the Lord!

“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets” (2Sam 6:14, 15)
This is one of the most touching storied in the Bible. Jesus is getting ready to go to the cross. The religious leaders became frustrated trying to arrest and kill Him. They were looking for ‘a sly’ way to capture God without offending His people.
This is a very great revelation: in Greek, the words ‘seeking to kill’ are the same with the words ‘seeking to worship’. Herod sought Jesus to kill Him and the Wise men sought the same Jesus to worship Him. You can see, same words, opposite actions…O, how the appearances deceive so many… how religion has ‘killed’ truth and the joy of salvation…but yes, it is possible to find Jesus in the midst of sinners and murderers of His presence…Seek until you find Him whom the world wants dead…Seek Jesus and you shall find eternal life!
Mary decides ‘to sacrifice’ the most expensive treasure she has: an alabaster box of very expensive, fragrant ointment (Mk 14:1-11). The price of it was about a year of wages.
Worship is sacrifice. It will cost you personally. It will cost you time, money, and emotions. The religious people will despise you and you shall lose your standing with them. No true worshipper still keeps his reputation in the midst of religious ‘wolves’. Your worship shall trigger anger in others, enough to destroy and kill the best of men. Do not be deceived, worshipping God is costly!
David understood the power of the presence of God. The law of God is simple: he who hosts the Ark , that man and his house hold shall be blessed beyond measure. The joy of worship manifests itself in music, singing and dancing. That is what David did. He brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem with the sound of trumpets. Did you hear that sound? TA-TA-TAAAAAA!!!!! That is godly, flesh- disturbing noise! Boast that you know your God! Sing unto God a new song for Him alone! Dance on that holy ground until your feet hurt!
Please observe: David did not dance for entertainment! He did not dance to please the lust of flesh. David did not even dance at the beat of the drums…Just like Mary of Bethany, David danced at the hidden music, the beat of his heart, as worship overflew the bounds of his spirit…
For as long as church is ‘as usual’ the Holy Spirit will remain ‘cold’ and He will not move. But when God’s children step into the light of His presence, with grateful hearts and dancing feet, the religious ice melts and God’s smile is revealed once more.
Do not seek miracles! Seek the God of miracles and all good things shall follow!
Now, let the trumpets sound and let the worship begin…
Let’s dance…

“Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives be rescued from the fierce?
But this is what the Lord says:
“Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce;
I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.
I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine.
Then all mankind will know, that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Is 49:24-26)
Even if a mother forgets her baby, God does not forget His children. Even when they are in a strange land, apparently forsaken, poor and lonely, God knows about them all. God never forgets His responsibilities as Father or Redeemer!
When His children become rebellious, He chastises them. That is a sign of fatherly love. But in judgments there is always mercy. Look for this divine seal of love, the mixture of chastisement and mercy! It is the peculiar family style of the household of God!
The above promise is prophetic. Isaiah saw ahead, with the eyes of the Spirit, that God will always have the last say concerning His children. During their captivity in Babylon, after exactly seventy years, God opened His door of mercy and His people came back to Jerusalem. The so called ‘warrior and fierce’, the Babylonian and Persian kings, they willingly released their victims. God decreed that their Captors will even sponsor the return of the Jews. And it was so!
Apart of this historical event, the revelation in the above scripture is eternal. The prophetic principle, the nature of prophecy is so that we can apply it directly to all the children of God, for all times. Prophecy moves over long periods of time but delay is never denial. Trust God and trust His prophets! Prophecy is a message of hope given as a light during periods of darkness and depression. The devil hates the true prophets and true prophesies. You have to bind the evil spirit of religion, before you can plunder his goods and release his victims (Mt 12:29). Resist and bind the devil and you shall enjoy the true benefit of prophecy.
This is the application for us who are in Christ:
God will never forget your name and your situation.
God is in charge of your life.
Even if all things seem hopeless, with just a touch, God changes all things, in a second.
No true child of God dies in his sin, in his depression.
No child of God will remain lonely and wretched to the end.
If you are a believer, God will surely come to your rescue.
God will remove mountains and dry the seas, just to make a path of breakthrough for you.
God can use even the breeze to blow strength unto your tired bones.
God loves your testimony as an overcomer and He will not allow you to lose your weapon to the end.
Just have faith and wait for God to come to your rescue. What you call ‘strong man’, your kidnapper, your boss, your oppressor, your violent husband… all of them are in God’s hands. The God you keeps you alive, is the same God that can seize their breath if He wants to do it.
God will trouble them that trouble you.
God will make the rich proud man go away empty and disappointed!
No prophet will be able to bless an oppressor. Their wickedness will come back to them. They will fall in the pit they dug for you. They will be hung on the gallows they raised for you. They will divorce for the reason that they attacked your marriage! They will be excommunicated from the assembly of the saints, for their slander against you! Their laughter shall be turned to weeping for the unnecessary grief they caused to you! They shall be weak, confused, afraid, poor and isolated for the betrayal against your trust!
This is called the justice of God!
Just learn to rest in His care. Learn to praise God even before the manifestation of the miracle of deliverance, for it will surely come! Your testimony is God’s property, available to the ‘all mankind’ to ponder on the mighty acts of God on your behalf!
Your name is engraved in His palms! The nails at the Cross tattooed your name there forever!
God knows His job!
God loves you!
This is the truth that sets free!
BE FREE!
In Jesus name, amen!

It is not just tears…it is sowing righteousness during difficult times! That is the secret to a surprising harvest of great, happy testimonies! In season or outside season, if you are happy or sad, if you are well or sick, with money in the pocket or none, morning, afternoon or evening, to friends and strangers…speak the Word to all around you…you will never regret this type or supernatural farming and the harvest will be beyond your dreams!

‘You have heard that it was said to the people of long ago: Do not murder; and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment….anyone who says ‘You fool’ will be in danger of the fire of hell’…settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court…for you will not get out (of prison) until you have paid the last penny’ (Mt 5:21-26)
This is a portion from the Sermon of the Mount, the Constitution of the Kingdom of God. Jesus preaches to the believers, for the unbelievers can never obey His law. In the above scriptures, Jesus reveals the power of sinful anger. He equals anger without cause with murder. The religious leaders taught the people that if they physically kill a man, they shall be judged by the court and condemned by the judges. That is how they interpreted God’s 6th command: ‘Thou shall not kill’ (Ex 20:13). So the people had to devise means by which murder should be done in secret. The interpretation of the law by the religious leaders made the people more skillful hypocrites, just like themselves.
Religion indeed has the power ‘to nullify the law of God’ (Mk 7:13). The word ‘nullify’ in Greek means to kill the effect, the fruits, the supremacy, the control and power of the Word of God. Religion makes church to become a social club, the preacher becomes just a speaker and the Bible, just an interesting fiction novel. Think about it! The evil spirit of religion infiltrates the churches and like a slow, silent poison, destroys the power of the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word preached with the power and the anointing of the Spirit. Religion destroys any chance for the hearer to have faith. Doubt then is the only option. What God calls ‘a command’, religion turns it into an opinion. Religion removes the authority of God’s law to convict the soul of sin. The fear of God is demoted to become the lesser fear of men, of human courts and of police. That is a spiritual tragedy! No wonder there are so many sick, afflicted, oppressed, hopeless and wretched people in the churches…
Jesus brings back the Spirit of the law. Jesus never destroys the laws of God, but He brings back the spiritual content in them. Even in the Old Testament, all God’s laws are spiritual. But the Pharisees cleverly separated the Spirit from the Word of God. They continued to teach the Bible, while quenching the Holy Spirit by their religion. Jesus reminded the people that fearing men and their judicial system is not good enough for God. That type of fear is sin and bondage itself. That is why Jesus said that murder is not done just in the natural, for example, killing a man physically. He said that murder originates in the heart and it manifests thru speech. Anger, intolerance, impatience, losing your temper, refusal to forgive another, jealousy, hurtful speech, insults, slander…all these are criminal, these are the bullets of AK47. We wrestle against wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12). Theses demons arrest the souls of men. The least they can kill are sleep, self-esteem, peace and joy in the victim’s soul. This sinful anger against another is one of the greatest roots of poverty that no man can cure. The angry man pays until his last penny. The welfare system cannot help! The compassionate but undiscerning ministry cannot help! The sympathy of people cannot help!
The worship of God is quenched when ‘criminals’ lead the congregation. God expects a sacrificial offering of repentance on His altar! Calvary can never be ignored! The Blood of Jesus speaks and cannot be silenced by sinful, reprobate men!
Are you a murderer?
Can you frustrate and intimidate someone until the person becomes a fool? Then you are a murderer, if the courts of Nigeria have convicted you or not! God who created you, Jesus Christ who died for you, warns you against the added sin of procrastination. The earlier the better you repent to God and you settle your arguments with men. For if you have offended anyone, that person becomes your ‘enemy’ taking you to the court of heaven. Do not deceive yourself! Do not expect mercy from God when you still oppress, terrorize and make life miserable for another human being.
Joseph’s brothers, King Saul, Herod, Herodias, all these were wicked, jealous, angry people. They could have killed many more if God permitted them to do it. The lesson here is that anger has a power of its own that cannot be contained. Anger is not just an emotion. Anger will explode into murder, dragging its victim to hell. The angry heart kills. The angry tongue kills!
Please do not resist the deep truth of these words! If you judge ourselves here and now, we shall not be judged by God later! Allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate your soul and bring it to its knees. Repent and turn away from sinful anger. Be angry with the principle of sin, but do not be angry without cause with men! Do not allow the devil to become your heart’s tenant? He will pay his rent with the blood of the innocent! (Eph 4:26, 27)
Finally, pray for mercy! God delights in showing mercy!
A true child of God is forgiving and merciful as his own Father in Heaven!
He that has ears to hear- let him hear!
Amen!

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up [to Him] and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but [only] one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Lk 10:38-42)
There are two sisters in a village called Bethany, close to Jerusalem. They had a brother named Lazarus. Bethany means ‘house of misery’. It gives the impression of a poor village, dusty and forgotten. But the Lord saw something in that place, a pearl of great price…may you find what He found…
During His travels with His disciples, He often stayed in the house of Martha and Mary. He did not like to sleep in Jerusalem, with its majestic temple built by Herod, with its expensive houses and theological schools for rabbis. He chose to trek back to Bethany and rest his body in the house of His friends who loved Him as a Person, and not just as a miracle worker.
Both sisters loved the Lord. Martha seem to be the older one, for she was the one who ‘opened her house’ to Jesus. Possibly Lazarus was the youngest in the family. Mary soon made a habit that became the talk of the home. Each time the Lord came to visit, she will sit at His feet to listen to His words. She did not sit at the feet of Peter or Andrew. Her eyes, her ears, her heart, her attention, her time, her strength… were for the Lord alone.
Martha became angry with her younger sister. She needed help in the kitchen. After all, she was the hostess and it was not easy to feed so many men. She rebuked Mary in private, but Mary refused ‘to repent’. This time, she came to ‘the parlor’, hot with sweat and flour on her dress. She complained and she ‘judged’ Mary to the Lord. Mary is supposed to be in the kitchen, helping her with the cooking and the serving. That has been the traditional place of all godly women in the past. Mary should be rebuked for breaking with the holy, respectable tradition… so she thought.
To her greatest surprise, Jesus gently rebuked her. He said that her frustration comes from worry about too many things. He also said that the work of serving men is good. But there is another type of ‘work’, not found in the textbooks of men. It is called ‘the ministry of the Word of God and prayer’ (Ac 6:1-7). It is an apostolic ministry of breaking new grounds, of replacing the traditions of religious men with the realities of the Kingdom of God. The apostolic ministry is so rare and precious that men may ignore it. But it has to be recognized and given priority over all the rest forms of laboring for God. Men need help and encouragement. That is a good and godly work. The poor shall always be amongst us, said the Lord. God rewards all who help His needy people in so many ways. But Mary discovered ‘the one thing necessary’. That in fact is a spot and an anointing. It is a positional, peculiar, special, eternal ministry, uniquely blessed: to seat at Jesus’ feet and to listen to His word. Selah!!!
What does it mean to sit at the feet of Jesus? Let’s ask our sister, Mary of Bethany…
Mary honors Jesus with her faith and her submission to Him as a Teacher and a Prophet. There is no greater respect and honor you can give to a public speaker than to listen attentively to his speech. Mary loves Jesus more than her own life; she loves Him more than her own reputation as a godly woman. Mary loves Jesus with a passion that kills all other pursuits, even in ministry. True worship is creative! Her love made a way where there seems to be no way. She was the one who later anointed Jesus with the perfume from her alabaster box. Jesus said that her love and her deed will always be connected with the preaching of His Gospel. True preaching is forever one with worship!

Have you found this blessed spot and Jesus’ feet?
Are your eyes gazing uninterrupted at His lovely face?
Have you disciplined your ears to desire to listen only to the Word of God?
Has your soul found rest under His gentle yoke of teaching the Word?
Is your heart trained to abide in His presence, to desire nothing else, for as long as the Teacher is speaking?

I know that you are busy…you do useful many things for the ministry…I am not saying that is bad…but do you ever stop and think about just pleasing the Lover of your soul?
I know that you give offerings and you help the poor…I agree with you, it is a good thing to do…but do you ever stop and think if the Master needs something…maybe a cup of water…something that only true love can offer?
You say that life is short, therefore you must enjoy it…you take care of your family…people say that you are a responsible man…that is good…but do you ever stop and think if there is a way to bring a smile on the Teacher’s lips?
I know that you are busy, active and committed in the church…people see and greet you well…but do you ever stop and think of Him who died on the Cross that you and your family may live?

As for me, against all odds, I found that place…my heart, my feet, they could not rest from seeking until I found that blessed spot…men have pushed me aside and prayed against my passion…men laughed at my longing and pointed other things to do…but the Lord of my sister Mary became my Lord also…He called me heavenwards and revealed the space prepared and preserved for me alone…throughout my journey, He encouraged, defended and covered me…I have never seen a Man like Jesus…He speaks mysteries and my heart melts at the sound of His voice…He who holds the stars in His hand, holds my breath and my soul forever…The Lord is my Shepherd, what can man do to me? Nothing… for I fear nothing except to grieve Him by my doubts, restlessness and foolishness…I have found peace and joy…this is my treasure…this is my testimony…My spot at His feet is secure forever…His seal is there… my name is stamped on that holy ground and none can erase it…From the words of His mouth, I share with you all… in the presence of my enemies, He calls me to His personal banqueting table…I seat with Him on His throne…men’s eyes stare at something close to the ceiling…surprised, I too look above and see: His banner over me reads:
“FOREVER LOVE”

‘How beautiful You are and how pleasing, O Love with Your delights!’ (SS 7:6)
The Song of Songs is placed in the middle of the Bible. It is pure passion; a fire that burns the rest of the scriptures.
The woman is called the Beloved, the Bride. She represents us, the true worshippers, the Body of Christ. The Lover is Jesus.
The woman desires intimacy with her lover. At the beginning, she is shy about her appearance. She had no time to learn how to dress up, how to do make up or how to look like a lady. She is a shepherdess, a pastor. She had been working so hard for her brothers that now she is ugly in her own eyes.
She says to others: Please…’do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun…’
But even so, her inferiority complex is not strong enough to stop her desiring to marry the most wonderful Man in the universe. He is the Lover of her soul. She openly confesses her need of Him; she desires to be kissed and embraced by Him. She is ‘dark’ and He is ‘the Fairest of ten thousands’. The two of them look so different at the beginning…But love has its own power to change. At their wedding day, the Bridegroom lovingly kisses all her body, her hair, her lips, her neck, her breasts…He kisses the scars of the past away….He kisses the darkness of sin away and His Bride becomes ‘white as snow’…’without spot or wrinkles’.
Has Jesus kissed your scars away!
Marriage is a very important subject in the Bible. Marriage is a mystery, something that only God can design. The intimacy of marriage will leave you in awe of God’s romantic power. Marriage is a wonderful celebration, a gift from God, especially designed and bestowed on His children on their wedding day.
No two human beings can experience this joy, except the Prince of Peace attends their wedding. Flesh is a cheap counterfeit. Lust is the enemy of true love. Sexual sin is an insult to the mystery of marriage. It destroys the divine seal of protection and the romance will leak away, leaving the couple feeling guilty, bare, weak and ashamed. If your marriage is not extremely happy, something is wrong. If you are not proud of your spouse, if you are not ‘madly’ in love with one another, something is seriously wrong. Your marriage is sick and dying. You must pay the price for its restoration; for God will ask an account from what He has given to you.
This is my testimony: On the outside, I was ‘a successful’ person. But inside, I was dark and ugly, lonely and sad. But one day, I permitted myself to become crazy…I chose to chase the most wonderful Person in the universe, Jesus Christ, my Lord. I had many doubts at the beginning. I imagined that He will reject me, for I was too dirty for His royal court. But something new entered my heart, a strange new passion, to cling to His Cross and touch His cleansing Blood. Religious men discouraged me, reminding me of my past of sin… But still, I could not stop this awaken love, this seeking the King with tears like a flood…Just at the mention of His name, I will weep and weep, unable to stop this longing to be one with Him….Each tear from my eyes was a rebuke to the doubt of my heart, for ‘he that has suffered in the body is done with sin’.
It was a long and dangerous road. I passed thru dry lands and barren seasons. I passed between roaring lions and poisonous snakes. But worship became bolder and none could harm me anymore for ‘love is as strong as death’. At last, exhausted on a pursuit of impossible dreams, I fainted and died, all alone, surrounded by mockers who sang the ugly chant of unbelief. I still remember the hour and the very spot of my death when I became nothing…zero…It is finished, I told myself…
The next day, to my greatest surprise, I found myself in the royal chamber of my Holy King… I lost myself in His presence…His eyes are like doves…His lips are like lilies… His mouth is sweetness itself…This is my Lover, this is my Friend, O daughters of Jerusalem…
Jesus saved my soul, my marriage, my children, my ministry and my all!
Just in case you ask…yes, I lost all my fears and all my insecurity…I am not ugly anymore for He has kissed my scars away…I am now wonderfully and fearfully made, to love Him forever…’You are beautiful, my darling…’- He tells me…And I do believe Him!
To Him be all the glory, both now and forevermore!
Amen!

THE LORD BURNS ALL THINGS TO ASHES AND THEN MAKES BEAUTY OUT OF THEM!
LET THE FIRE BURN IN WARRI, NIGERIA!
EVEN SO COME, LORD JESUS!

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth- for Your love is more delightful than wine” (SS 1:2).
“If only You were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts! Then if I found You outside, I would kiss You, and no one would despise me” (SS 8:1).
The song starts abruptly with a strong, intoxicating passion, the desire for a kiss. The Beloved has seen a glimpse of the Lover and the attraction is instant and magnetic. This is a love that has no fear, no second thoughts of danger or doubt. We can see the movement forward, closer to the Lover, desiring intimacy from the very beginning.
What is a kiss? The dictionary gives us the meaning of the word ‘kiss’ and helps us to have a greater revelation of this verse. A kiss is a gentle contact or touch, especially with the lips, as a sign of affection. A contact is a union, a joining of two surfaces. In the field of electricity a contact is a junction of wires thru which the current passes. We see then that the kiss is a superficial touch that expresses a deeper connection, establishes the reception of significant signals from another. The kiss then is part of a coded system of signals or symbols, ‘a body language’, a behavior with the intent of establishing communication. There is no kiss without a meaning. Nobody desires a kiss by accident. The kiss communicates an idea, there is an exchange of information between two people; both understand and cooperate with the meaning.
The kiss is the symbol of unity, of forgetting self in the fire of love. There is no regret, to fear, no doubt. To an outsider, this desire expressed in the kiss, is a terrifying act to behold. Spiritually it is the heart desire to become one with Christ, to be like Him, to feel His embrace. The kiss is the desire of all true believers, born by the Spirit. I have seen people who call themselves Christians, who have all the correct doctrine in their head, but never feel comfortable with the passion of the kiss. There are only two explanations for this; this people are either not born again or they are just very much baby Christians.
In my own experience, the moment I gave my heart to Jesus, I could not rest again until I came closer and closer to Him. I never had the desire to rest apart from Him, not to feel the fire of His presence. In a way I became addicted to His kisses on my soul. The older I get, the more I desire Him and nothing else makes sense to me apart from Him. Just in case someone reads these notes and thinks that I am talking of just an excited imagination. Far from it! The Kiss of the Lover is a real touch on the soul and nothing else can compare with it. It gives instant strength and joy from heaven. Something happens in that very moment. Things may look so dark, life may feel so sad, and yet, with just a touch from God, the spirit and even the body quickens at once. What a miracle!
I want to make it as simple as possible for you dear reader, who has never felt the kiss of love from Jesus. One reason may be ignorance of the best God has for you. That is why is good to study the book of the Song of Songs. I praise God that ‘the Song’ is part of the Bible. It makes my work so much easier. If you love the word of God, there it is! Our Lord died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and to reconcile us back to the Father. That is the greatest price any one had to pay for a man in the whole universe. Don’t you think that salvation is more than a little bit of religious feelings and going to church? ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends’ (Jn 15:13).
God the Son is the most romantic person in the whole universe. Can you imagine that some people, even among believers, think that Jesus is a boring, hard master? The devil has deceived so many, especially about the character of God. From the time of Adam and Eve, the enemy of God has tried to convince men that he, the devil, is the one who loves and cares, the one who really understand us. The tragedy is that people do not want to know the truth; so few believers are willing to pay the price for spiritual maturity. I look around me in the church and I see so many ‘baby Christians’. They like to come to a church where there is a little preaching combined with a lot of music and excitement. Much effort is spent in creating ‘the right atmosphere’ or ‘the right sound’; but at the end of the service the hearts of men remain unchanged. It is in fact a double tragedy because the people do not even know that they are unchanged, at least not for a long time. The emotions are swelled with the personal charisma of the preacher or of the singers. People cry and ‘worship’ and all along they are ignorant that they do not touch the heart of the Father.
The bride cries for a ‘holy kiss’. We are commanded to desire and to kiss the Lord. It is the antidote to God’s anger on sin. We see in the Bible that there are only two options; to kiss Jesus means life and to refuse to kiss Him, to ignore Him, means death. ‘…you kings be wise…Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for His wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him’. We see here that to kiss the Lord Jesus is life, is wisdom and protection; it is an eternal blessing. The reward is authority over the nations of the earth. ‘Ask of Me and I will make the nations your inheritance…’ (Ps 2:8-12). The only other option is to ignore His love for us and to be foolish enough to resist Him. That option is surely death. Even as I write these lines I ask myself, do I long for this passionate touch? I am really ready to pay the prize for such a holy kiss? There are so many people who see passion as foolishness, completely unnecessary for a ‘successful’ Christian life.
As I write these words the easiest way for me to concentrate to go on is to do it only for the sake of my Lord. I can’t really imagine what type of men will appreciate these words. But for me, they are words from my heart and soul. These are words that were conceived in me with many tears along the way. I know the touch of Jesus. I know that He desires intimacy with the believers. I know the power and the life of a kiss to Him and from Him. O, Lord, I need more anointing, the utterance of spiritual truths wrapped in spiritual words. Holy Spirit please come and help me! You encourage me to write what seems impossible to me! Fill me I pray! Amen!
There is similar scene recorded in heaven by the prophet Isaiah. He became spirit and ‘saw the Lord seated on the throne, high and exalted’. He heard the voices of angels crying “Holy! Holy! Holy! Then the prophet discovered that he is the only stranger there, so different than them all. He saw that the only words that could come out of his lips were words of woe and ruin. Then he saw the mercy of the Lord in sending a seraph with a live coal taken from under the altar of sacrifice. The fire touched his lips and suddenly the guilt and shame of sin removed (Is 6). What a touch! What a kiss of fire! I may not understand everything about it but I feel my spirit saying ‘yes’ to it. I need the fire, I need the passion, I need the kiss of life! Then I can go in the name of the Lord and preach to my last breath.
There are two types of ‘kisses’ in the Bible. The first category is the kiss of the traitor, the kiss of the seducer and adulterer. ‘…an enemy multiplies kisses’ (Pv 27:6). This type of kiss is the mark of the pain of betrayal and goes together with the ‘flattering tongue’. ‘A lying tongue hates those it hurts and a flattering mouth works ruin’. ‘Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet’ (Pv 26:28; 29:5).
There is in the bible a classical scene of seduction and capture played million times in the history of man. Sin starts with a kiss and like a snake; it entangles its victims and crushes the breath out of them without mercy. ‘At the window of my house…I noticed among the young men a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner…at twilight…Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent…She took hold of him and kissed him…with persuasive words she led him astray…All at once he followed her like an ox going to slaughter…’ (Pv 7). You may think that the devil has improved in his technique since then and today there more sophisticated methods of falling into sin. The word of God can’t be broken. This passage in the Bible is still the way he operates. The heart of man is still the same. This is the kiss of death. Every Samson has his Delilah. ‘So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man…’ (1Cor10:12, 13).
Just in case you taught that this is the worse that can happen to any man, there is in the Bible the most infamous kiss of all; it is the kiss of the devil himself. In other words the devil used his lips to stain the face of Christ who is the image of God (2Cor 4:4). Do you remember the last day on earth in the life of our Lord? ‘…As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered him. What you are about to do, do quickly, Jesus told him…As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night…Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: The one I kiss is the man; arrest him. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said: Greetings, Rabbi! And kissed him. Jesus replied: Friend, do what you came for. Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him…’ (Jn13:27-30; Mt 26:48-50).
Even as I write these words my fingers are shaking. I can see the scene, I can hear the sounds, I can feel the emotions as Jesus was troubled in spirit (Jn 13:21). Since that night of betrayal the kiss of man has been sold forever to the devil. There is no innocent kiss anymore in this world. Like everything else, the kiss had to be redeemed at the cross. The blood of Jesus has been shed to reconcile us to God and to one another in Christ. There is now no condemnation for us in Christ. All members of our bodies that were used for sin before have to learn the new way of conduct, as slaves to righteousness. We are to use our lips to praise God, to worship Him. And we are to show love and appreciation to one another, with a holy embrace and a holy kiss (Ro 16:16, 1Cor 16:20, 2Cor 13:12, 1Thess 5:26, 1Pet 5:14).
What is that ‘a holy kiss’? Many believers quote the above scriptures; many of them greet, embrace and ‘hug’ one another. But the question still remains; what is a holy kiss? I have seen many kisses in my life, but I can’t really tell how many of them were holy. The word ‘holy’ means something that is like God, it belongs to the realm of heaven. It means something different than the ordinary, it is uncommon, special. It also means something that is pure and also has the power to purify what it touches, life fire purifies the gold. A holy kiss then is the kiss of Jesus if He was here on earth. We know that words spoken under the anointing of the Spirit have the power the touch people’s lives and change hearts. Just the same way, a holy embrace imparts something of the presence of God, His comfort and strength.
The best example I can think of is the touch, or let’s say the kiss of the woman of the issue of blood (Lk 8:43-48). She was sick for so many years. She needed healing but more than that, she needed the Healer. She was desperate to kiss the feet of the Master, or even the ‘hem of His garment’. The touch was of faith, of desperation, of love, of worship. Many around were close by, pushing from all sides. Only one really touched Him in worship. ‘Who touched Me?’ Jesus asked. The kiss of worship made the connection and virtue came out of Him into the woman. There was a transfer of virtue, like electricity passed at the joining of wires. It was not an accidental kiss. It had a meaning. Jesus felt it, He stopped because of it. The woman was there, in His presence, made whole. That means she was not just healed in her body, but freed to worship the King forever. What a kiss! What a touch! From death to life eternal!
To the world this type of passion stirs up anger and judgment. The world knows nothing of the power and purity of a holy kiss. ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is-that she is a sinner…Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house…You did not give Me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet… for she loved much…’(Lk 7:36-50). He then said to her ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace’. What was her faith? She knew the Song of Solomon of long ago and she believed the word. Remember that faith is the response of the human spirit at the preaching of truth. She was a ‘sinner’ but save by grace. She knew the word and acted on it. ‘Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth…If only you were to me like a brother…then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me…’ (SS 1:2, 8:1). Every scripture has to be fulfilled in Christ. That is why He came. That is why He died.
O, blessed are they who have faith to worship God in Spirit and in truth!

‘And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him’ (1Sam 5:4)

The Ark of God was captured by the Philistines (1Sam 5). The Glory of God is now in the possession of His enemies. God permitted this strange capture of Himself for two main reasons: to chastise His people for their long standing rebellion against Him and secondly, to defeat His enemies from within their own camp.
The Ark represents the visible presence of God. It was made of pure gold. On top there was the mercy seat with the two cherubs worshipping God. This Ark was now placed in the temple of Dagon, the god- fish of the Philistines. The next day the priests of Dagon discovered that their idol was fallen on the ground before the Ark of Jehovah. The word ‘fallen’, in Hebrew, it means to be demoted, to be inferior, to fail, to be a fugitive or to be divided.
‘A house divided shall not stand but fall’- said Jesus (Lk 11:17).
The priests of Dagon gently set back their idol on its platform, pleading with it to stand and not be disgraced publicly before Jehovah’s Ark. That prayer failed too. The next day, Dagon was face down, on the floor again, this time with the head and both hands cut off. The word ‘face’ means the presence or the favor of a person. The word ‘head’ means the leader or the ruler. The word ‘hand’ means the power, the resources, the sense of direction and identity; it also means fellowship or ministry.
Spiritually speaking, the Philistines stand for the people who serve religious idols, in particular the wicked ‘fish- water’ spirit of Jezebel. They infiltrate the churches and actively oppose the true worship of God. But their altars have been destroyed in our midst. Except they truly repent or their spiritual wickedness in high places, they shall be punished with division, divorce, losing leadership, losing their jobs, poverty, confusion, foolishness and madness. They shall lose any favor or influence they have over the true believers. Do not just pity a poor man, a jobless man. Direct him to the Cross of Christ. It may be that he is connected with Dagon worship and he is your enemy, even if ignorantly. His greatest need is not money or a job, but Christ!
The Ark was finally removed from the shrine of Dagon and carried from city to city all over the Philistine territory. The hand of God was on these cities and brought great anxiety over them. The inhabitants got sick with ‘emerods in the secret parts’ (1Sam 5:9, KJ). The word ‘emeords’ means tumors, painful boils in the genital area, venereal diseases, hemorrhoids, breasts lumps, ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids. Medically speaking, these represents painful, hidden, very difficult to treat infirmities. Medication or surgery may not be enough in some cases. Prayer and deliverance, for them that are willing, may be required before healing can come. This was indeed my experience as a medical doctor and a Christian over the years.
The hands of Dagon were cut off but the hand of God was troubling the cities of the enemy. The word ‘hand’ is the same in both scriptures. The religious unbelievers shall lose strength and vision. But none can cut off the mighty hand of God, His power, His resources, His sense of direction and identity. As the idolaters in the church continue to lose power and direction, the people of God will become stronger by faith. God’s power and resources, His confident sense of identity and sense of direction will propel them to greater heights and spiritual promotion. Darkness will become deeper and the light will shine brighter, in the same time. The difference between the true and the fake believers shall become clearer than ever before, to the glory of God! The veil of deception over the minds of the Children of God is now destroyed! You are free!
The capture of the Ark and the defeat of Dagon, in his own domain, is a wonderful picture of the Cross. Christ was crucified in weakness but resurrected by God’s power and glory. Our Lord was ‘captured’ by the forces of darkness and dragged to hell. This was on behalf of our sins that deserved no less than death. But on the third day He came out of hell and grave holding in His hands not only the stars, but the keys of hell and death. Keys mean authority. The devil had the power of death over all of us, the sinners. But now, this authority belongs to Christ. It is the Lord who decides who goes to hell or not. It is not sin or the devil or even death that determines our destiny. It is Jesus!
“I saw satan fall like lightening from heaven! I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions (and ‘fishes’) and to overcome ALL the power of the enemy! Nothing will harm you…Rejoice!” –says the Commander of the Army, our Lord Jesus Christ! (Lk 10: 18-20)
I REJOICE! I REJOICE! I REJOICE!
All the Glory to the Lamb upon the Throne!
Amen!