‘Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure’ (Gen 41:49)
Joseph has finally come to the place of destiny. The Word of God has tried him and has proved him true! The greatest man on earth, the Pharaoh, trusted a slave, a foreigner, a prisoner. His dreams troubled him but Joseph gave him ‘an answer of peace’. In Hebrew, the meaning is that the Living God greets Pharaoh: ‘Shalom!’ In other words, Jehovah Shalom has taken over the land and His chosen Priest and King shall be Joseph. No man on earth could change this decree. Pharaoh gladly submitted to this revelation and officially enthrones God’s man as second in command. Joseph shall ride in the second chariot next to him and the guards shall force all people to ‘bow the knee!’ He proclaims that from now on, the Word of Jehovah, in the mouth of Joseph shall be the final word for all his subjects. The anointing upon Joseph is so much that the Pharaoh gladly resigns his authority and choses to remain a silent witness to this wonder. That humble wisdom from above to promote Joseph saves his life.
Seven years of abundance came and ended. During this time Joseph traveled a lot, and personally supervises the building of stores of grain all over Egypt. Initially he instituted a ministry of accounting for all the grain gathered. But as the blessings increased each year, the ink and the paper was not enough for the accountants to do their job. The grain gathered was too much for human mathematics. So ‘the department of measuring the harvest’ shut down forever. These stores of infinite blessings became the source of life during the next seven years of famine.
The word ‘store’ in Hebrew means a safe deposit whose overseer has the peculiar job to gather or to empty its content. In other words Joseph’s advice to Pharaoh to build stores and to gather the grain during the years of prosperity was the manifestation of God’s judgment upon the land. The believers shall prosper and the rebellious, ungodly, and lazy unbelievers shall become poor. This judgment was to be over the world. Like the mockers during Noah’s time, the unbelievers discovered too late that their worldly stores of false prosperity were castles built on sand that crashed without mercy. They and their families had to become slaves to Joseph in order to survive. That’s it: At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow…
In these last days the economic recession will only affect the rebellious and the unbelievers. If they want to survive, they have to fall on their knees and declare that Jesus is Lord! If not, only the anxiety of poverty and loss of revenue shall worry them to death.
As for the children of God, we shall rejoice…The meaning of the name Joseph is ‘Addition’. God shall ADD blessings upon blessings until we stop counting them for the overflow is beyond measure! To the glory of His name! Amen!

IN CHRIST I DECLARE (FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD):
Like Joseph, we shall forget the painful past of betrayal!
Like Joseph, we shall become fruitful, spiritually and physically, even in the land of trials!
Like Joseph we shall only know addition and never loss!
We shall never live ‘from hand to mouth’ but ‘money shall meet money’!
We shall reap where we did not plant!
We shall live in houses we did not personally build!
We shall occupy positions of authority without the necessary degree to occupy them!
We shall work little and make much money, so that we can have time to serve God!
We shall have much more money than what we need of your personal needs!
We shall forget how much is in our account in the bank for the money there is always above our needs!
We shall become richer and richer so that the wealth can be used to enlarge the kingdom of God!
We shall have enough money to build churches, sponsor missionaries and help the poor, the foreigner, the widow and the sick!
We shall diligently tithe in honor to Jehovah Shalom!
The heavens shall remain opened over us, to matter what is the economic situation in the world!
We shall completely lack the worry about the future, for God is in charge!
We shall remain wise, patient, humble and faithful in the midst of such abundance!
We shall give God all the glory for these uncountable blessings ‘like the sand on the sea shore’!
We shall joyfully declare day and night that Jesus is Lord!
In Jesus name,
Amen!”

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed because they did not repent.
Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! (Mt 11:20, 21)
Korazin and Bethsaida were once thriving fishing cities on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus visited these towns often and did many miracles there. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, they were destroyed by two earthquakes and never rebuilt. Today you can see the ruins of a great synagogue and many foundations of houses. In the rubble they found household objects, pots, wine containers, olive presses and nails. They also found idols, figurines, pottery jugs used for ritual practices, bronze incense shovels and amulets. All these tell a tragic story of rebellion, mixing the worship of Jehovah with pagan rituals for protection, prosperity and fertility. Their sin was not just a city event, but personal and real; it affected people and their family life.
Bethsaida was the home town of Peter, Andrew and Philip. It was here that Jesus preached the Gospel to multitudes and healed their sick. In Bethsaida a blind man received his sight but the miracle was done ‘outside the village’. For whatever reason, Jesus felt safer to do a miracle outside the city crowd. With his sight restored Jesus advised the man to relocate, not to go back home. This reveals resident doubt mixed with religious pride, a poison that is able to kill the faith in revival in any city.
Jesus cursed the two cities because they received the benefit of His visit and miracles but remained proud, stubborn and committed to idolatry. They refused to repent of their false worship, to humble themselves and to give Him all the glory.
The kindness and the grace of God manifested in answered prayers and miracles is the road that leads us to the Cross, to repentance and true conversion. Taking the grace of God for granted is a very dangerous way for a believer. Sin is like cancer, a plague that spreads and it affects more and more people, families, cities and nations. Sin is a disgrace, a source of shame and humiliation, leading to the loss of the favor of God…God forbid!
May God grant a revival of repentance to the city of Warri, Nigeria!
Personally, I am a stick saved from the fire of sin and of the world. I was slowly burning to death, my mind foolish from the darkness of unbelief, my eyes blind with the smoke of doubt; my lungs collapsed without the oxygen of hope, completely drained of all will to live…. I was a burnt-out, useless soul and ready to perish…
But Christ…But Christ lifted me….He stretched His scarred hand into the fire of my sin and plucked me out at the last minute…I remember, once or twice I tried to jump out of the fire of judgment, but fell back into the hotter side of hell. I could not save myself! I needed a Savior and He came to me…
So how can I forget His mercy? How can I forget His touch, His healing hands, His power that came down and anchored my soul to the mercy seat…His intimate love song oiled my broken heart…Out of the ashes of my despair He gave me beauty, He gave me eternal life…
If I forget You Lord, let my hand forget its skill and let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth…You are my Chiefest Joy and my Everlasting Praise!
I vow to give You all the glory, to be Your friend, all the days of my life!
This is my pledge and this is my promise!
So help me God!

IN CHRIST I DECLARE
I am not saved by man, but by God, by Jesus Christ!
I do immediately and honestly repent of any sin revealed to me by the Holy Spirit!
I do not complain, I do not postpone, I do not minimize or ignore repentance!
I cherish the humility that comes from divine wisdom!
I receive favor with God and man because I am now humble!
The grace of God is sufficient for me for all situations and circumstances! I desire nothing more!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ heals, delivers, protects and prospers me! I shall not want!
I preach the Gospel of Christ Crucified which includes the command: ‘REPENT, for the kingdom of God is near!’
I call sin by its name: SIN! I do not compromise by calling it mistake, weakness or error.
It is sin that nailed my Lord on the Cross and I must remember the danger, power and judgment of sin always!
I say with the prodigal: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you…please forgive me’
I come back home to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit!
I do not willingly grieve the Holy Spirit!
I serve God; I worship Him with all my heart, strength and understanding!
I fear God and obey all His commandments!
I teach my children to do the same!
I shall give God all the glory, all my life, for He alone is worthy!
In Jesus name
Amen!”
(The picture shows the ruins of Chorazin and Bethsaida in Israel today)
(Jn 1:44, Lk 9:10, 11; Mk 8:22-26, 11: 20-22; Rom 2:1-11; Ps 137; PV 14:34; Amos 4:11-13)

 “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith against his onset—be rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world” (1Pet 5:8, 9; AMP)

Facts about the lions: Lions are predatory animals. They are also social animals, living as a family. The females hunt most of the time. They attack as a very organized group. They are smaller, more agile and faster than the males and not hindered by the big, beautiful mane. They bring the victim to the male who takes the best of it, his ‘lion’s share’. Lions have very good sight. They see in the darkness and they hunt mostly at night. They hide and come close to their victim. Then the attack is short and powerful. Most of their victims are intimidated by the swiftness of the attack, by the size of the lion and by the roar of his confidence. Most animals do not fight back once the lion pounces on them. They just paralyze with fear and accept death as inevitable.

The lion roars when he is roused with hunger, for then he is most fierce, and most eagerly seeks his prey. The roar is designed to intimidate the animal, to bring enough fear so that he will surrender. “The lion hath roared, who will not fear?” (Am 3:8)

David Livingstone, the missionary to Africa, told of his encounter with a lion. He shot at it but the lion still had enough strength to attack. Wounded, the beast sprang on him. He said that the shock of the attack brought so much fear of death to him that he fainted, not feeling any pain again. The villagers helped him and he escaped with his life but he was badly injured and never forgot the encounter with the king of the jungle.

Spiritual lessons: The roar of the devil symbolizes its strength and cruelty. He attacks the believers with sudden panic attacks, accusations and lies. The devil is not omnipresent so he has to walk about, moving from one believer to another. He attacks especially the committed Christians, the preachers of the Gospel, the leaders in the Body of Christ. He attacks your prayer life, your peace, faith and purity. The intent is to damage your testimony!

The strategy to defeat the devil is to prepared! Abide in the Word! Pray without ceasing! Stay sober! In Greek the word means to avoid alcohol. But all the works of the flesh have the same effect, they intoxicate the spirit. You become weak spiritually and a potential victim for the devil. Go to the Cross, crucify the flesh and the adversary can never pounce on you unexpectedly! Be vigilant! Don’t sleep! The word means to be active, prayerful, thru the intimate power of resurrection released at the Cross! Resist steadfastly in faith! It is a military word; it means to oppose, to withstand without running back! Have faith that this act of resisting is under the control of the Holy Spirit who gives you the power to win the battle! The tables shall turn and the arrow shall pierce the heart of the one who send it!

“IN CHRIST I DECLARE: I shall not be ignorant of the plans of the devil to destroy my testimony as a Christian! I shall be sober minded, self-controlled at all times; I shall starve the lusts of my flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit! I shall go to the Cross and identify with the death of Christ! I shall rise with Christ! I trust the Holy Spirit to supply the power to resist the devil until he flees from me, injuring himself in the process! I shall not fear any man, devil or circumstances, for God is with me! I shall fear God alone! I shall dedicate times of prayer during the night! I shall fast as lead by the Spirit! I shall encourage other believers to do the same, knowing that these temptations are common to all! I shall walk by faith, led by the Spirit! By faith I shall close the mouths of the hungry lions! No lion shall roar against me! The agents of the devil shall find no more words to spread falsehood to others! I shall pray always and I shall not faint!

Finally I declare that my King, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, has overcome all fake roaring lions!

In Jesus name, Amen!”

This is the story of Joseph, a young, godly man, a prince and the heir in his own father’s domain. Painful circumstances led him to a strange land, among people of strange languages and customs. Potiphar, his present master is fair and wise for a worldly man. .He discovers the potential and the gifts resident in Joseph. He takes a big risk by trusting a slave he bought with his own money. But he could not resist Joseph’s quiet, humble spirit and transparent character. Potiphar is attracted by the anointing in Joseph, by the royal seal of a true child of God.

But when all things look good, without any premonition the roaring lion attacks. The mistress, Potiphar’s wife takes notice of Joseph too. But what she admires is very different from what her husband saw in Joseph. She suddenly observes that this slave is young and handsome, probably the opposite of her husband’s looks. She possibly tries to tempt him with new hair styles and fashion of the royal court. But Joseph was too busy serving his master to notice any change in his wife’s wardrobe. Frustrated at the lack of response from this household slave, like a hunter, she attacks directly: ‘Come to bed with me…’- she said.

For a moment we do not know what could have happened. Most young men in his position could have accepted the proposal. The idea is that it will be a secret romance and no one will know. Joseph has no reputation to maintain for he is already a slave. The natural instinct of a young man, a teenager, was to go ahead with the proposal. But the next three words are so different than all we could have imagined, so much the opposite of things as we know them, ordinary human beings living in a world of sin…

In awe we read these wonderful words: ‘BUT HE REFUSED!’

IN CHRIST I DECLARE: I am holy! I am pure! It is possible to successfully defeat the devil! I resist the evil spirit of Jezebel and she flees from me, not because I am strong but because the Word says so! It is possible to totally overcome the shameful addiction to sexual lust! I am an overcomer!

I forgive the ones who sinned against me in the past so that I am free to stand for Christ in the present! The devil has nothing in me! His temptation is useless against me, for I am dead to him! I am dead to the world and the world is dead to me! I am not attracted by corpses!

I do not live in the past! I live in the present, preparing myself for the future of glory! I live with my future in view! My choices of today define my future and my children’s future! God gives me a hope and a future! I shall not betray His trust in me! In all things I acknowledge God and He directs my paths, my words and my actions! God is with me! I shall not injure God’s image or testimony in me! I am jealous for God’s name in my life and I shall not take it for granted!

No sin is profitable! All sin is a disgrace! All sin is punished!

My testimony of standing for Jesus in the midst of darkness is a light that will inspire many generations!

You wicked evil spirit of seduction, of fornication, of Jezebel, I hate you, I destroy your spell upon my home! Any covenant that was made on our behalf with you, I destroy it in the name of Jesus! The name of Jesus Christ and His Blood is against you!

Because the Son of Man has made me free, I am free indeed!

I am free!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

‘You then, my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus! Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus! No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer’ (2Tim 2:1-4)

Why do some desire to be soldiers? The answer of the majority is this: a strong desire to be a hero; to live a fulfilled life, different than the ordinary one. The army provides discipline, leadership, mentorship, fellowship and an inspiration to do great things for the country. It is a place where service and sacrifice for the common good is highly rewarded. A secondary reason why people desire to become soldiers are ‘job security and benefits’. But the life of a soldier is not easy. Once he signs his name, he belongs to the army. He loses the freedom to decide where to go and what to do. He is constantly watched by the commanding officers. No more privacy! Disobedience of the laws or rebellion is punished immediately. The soldier has to go thru the most difficult training given to men. He also goes to war from which no one is sure to come back alive. He has signed a covenant so he cannot resign from the army until he is released with honors. The soldier has to endure hardship.

If you want an ‘easy’ life or comfort, entertainment and luxury, please do not enlist, for you shall become a traitor like Judas.

The greatest pain is that as a soldier he lives far away from his wife and family. He will not enjoy seeing his children grow. Pictures of them in the trenches… that is all he has for many years… For example, a roman soldier could marry before retirement. Things are not so strict now but still, the soldier has to be very careful whom he marries. The rate of divorce among soldiers is one of the highest. The soldier’s wife has to be strong, patient, loving, mature and faithful in his absence and that is a ministry on its own.

The temptation to resign from the army is very high. The soldiers envy the civilians for only one thing: freedom! When things are hard, when life is lonely, when every day seems so boring, when the zeal of the first love starts to quench, when lying on a hospital bed, wounded and in pain…that is hard to bear! Then the secret desire to become a civilian once more can become an obsession for a soldier. But the price for this lust of ‘freedom’ is the sin of betrayal of trust. And that is a most dangerous path to follow…All the lofty dreams to be a hero, a mentor and a savior to next generation will disappear in the fire of guilt, regret and shame. God forbid!

This is the truth: a soldier cannot complain about his station in life. He cannot look for a second job, like a civilian does, to earn extra money. He has pledged his life, his efforts and his time to the army. He has to be satisfied with his salary and with the reward given at last. He has to be a man of only one thing! His only desire and only job is to please his commanding officer! Any distraction is a crime! Any extra lust is poison! Any look back a pillar of salt!

The rewards of a soldier are few but great. The soldier is a partaker of the spoils of war when the victory is won. But by far, the most important of all rewards is the open commendation of his Captain. These words ‘well done good and faithful soldier’ becomes the eternal root of satisfaction; he has done his best in this life and now finally, he can enter his rest!

I DECLARE THAT IN CHRIST:

I am a soldier of Christ! It is my destiny! I am in the army of the called, chosen and faithful followers of the King of kings and the Lord of lords! I belong to the armies of heaven, riding on a white horse of purity and power! I have entered voluntarily and I shall stay until I see Him face to face! I shall expect hardship for I am destined to partake in them as I fight the good fight of faith!

The hardship of this life will not discourage me but makes me stronger and fruitful! The hardship of life is a sign that I am not an orphan but my Father in heaven is training me as a soldier!

I shall not envy the sinners or ‘the civilian world’ for I was once in it and I have left it behind of my own free will! I shall find strength to continue the battle in the grace provided by my Lord and Captain, Jesus Christ! I destroy any secret desire in me to backslide or to resign from the army of the living God!

I have peace and rest; I am well provided! I shall be satisfied with the benefits and rewards given to me by Christ! I shall not dream of going anywhere else for my Captain has the words of eternal life and victory! I am a soldier of the only army in the universe that knows no defeat! I shall be a hero, a mentor and an inspiration to many that come behind me! I shall love my Captain more than I love my family, friends, property and even my very life!

I shall hear the voice of my Captain at last: ‘Well done good and faithful servant and soldier! Enter into the joys of your King!’ I shall be patient and faithful and I shall inherit the blessed promises in Christ! From now let no man trouble me anymore for I carry the scars of my commitment to Christ! I fight the good fight of faith! The enemy of my soul, the enemy of this nation shall be defeated! Doubt shall be disgraced and its victims redeemed! The fake religion shall end its terror and the unrepentant false prophets shall become vagabonds! I shall enjoy the spoils of war! The nations conquered in the name of Jesus shall be my ministry field, my treasure and my crown! The shout of the King shall be heard in this land and His worship shall increase!

I believe, therefore I have spoken!

In Jesus name, Amen!’

This is the valley of dead, dry bones (Ez 37). The Spirit carries the prophet, pregnant with God’s Word ‘shut in his bones’. It is like Ezekiel comes there on the back of an eagle, or in a mighty helicopter. The movement is ‘back and forth’ over the valley. It is like God is waiting for Ezekiel to see and understand the meaning of this vision. The word in Hebrew is the same as the one used for the Israelites who ‘crossed over’ the River Jordan, from the wilderness unto the Promised Land. The word ‘cross over’ it means ‘to enter and escape from a tight place’, just like a baby who comes out from the womb. It is a word that speaks of action, of the power of leadership.

God shall trust the people with visions of revival and they shall call others to see. He that sees first and moves with the vision… that is the leader of men. The vision may tarry, but the God that gives it is faithful and the leaders of revival shall not be disappointed. According to God’s Word, the vision shall eventually confirm itself, ‘it shall speak at last!’

Revival means transition from a life to death, from weakness unto the manifestation of the power of resurrection. Many believers in Christ do not come to appreciate this deep revelation of power. They know the scriptures but they do not identify with them. For them, the Cross of Christ is only a historical event and not a current manifestation of power. For as long as you remain satisfied with partial success, with superficial understanding of the scriptures, for as long as you accept a form of godliness without the real power to change hearts and nations, you will not be able to sustain the passion for revival.

The bones are very dry. It means that they are located in the desert. There is no moisture around to soften them. The word in Hebrew it means that they are disappointed, ashamed, confused, like men who lived and died trusting God but failed to see any manifestations of His promises. This is not just a cemetery but a cemetery of sad and broken dreams people of old. This is another great revelation of revival. The difficulty of the environment, the lack of true religion, should not discourage us to pray for true revival. It is the opposite, in fact. The less hope we see around, the more we shall qualify to pray and dream again, that with God all things are possible!

The passion for revival has made me ‘crazy’ for Jesus. We concluded that it is better to be ‘a crazy billionaire’ than ‘a normal beggar’ on the streets…I am sure you know what I mean…

Even so come Lord Jesus!

 “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory… the arrow of victory over Aram!” (2Kg 13:17)

The king of Israel went to visit Elisha, the mighty prophet, now a sick, weak and man. But there is still ministry for him to do. Israel was opreesed by Syria. This was God’s will so to humble them. They have been proud and stubborn. They refused to repent from idolatry, still worship the golden calf and the Asherah poles. The king weeps when he sees the dying prophet. This is an emotional reaction of the flesh, for his weeping did not change his heart of unbelief. He waited for some word of encouragement.

Then Elisha tells him to open the window, to take his bow and arrow and to shoot towards east, the direction of Syria, the enemy. With his old hands laid on the king’s hands, the prophet declared: ‘The Lord’s arrow of victory’ over the enemy. The king shoots three times and then stopped. The prophet is very angry and tells him that he will only have three successes against the enemy; that his partial obedience means partial victory. He says that if he had obeyed completely, his victory over the enemy could have been completely.

Lessons: A servant of God never retires from doing ministry! Even in sickness or old age, the glory must be given to God! It is God’s power combined with my complete obedience to His commands that will bring total defeat to my enemy!. Simple actions reveal the truth about the human character… I have to diligently obey God and His true prophets and then I shall prosper! God is not angry when we ask for great things. He is angry when we ask too little, when we stop short of His glory!

“In Christ I declare:

The evil spirits of idolatry, Jezebel, doubt, religion…are defeated and rejected from my life and from this land! I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me! I shall persevere until the end, until the manifestation of my deliverance is clearly seen by all!

I shall not be satisfied with partial results! I shall press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me! I forget what is behind and I strain towards what is ahead! I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward! I do not run aimlessly but I run to win the prize of victory! My victory shall encourage many behind!

I shall not settle down or rest from warfare until the Captain of the Host has sounded His trumpet of victory! If I do not hear a new Word from my Commander, I shall continue non- stop to obey the last command He gave to me! I am a soldier in God’s army! The Battle, the Victory and Glory are His! As a soldier, I shall not entangle myself in civilian affairs! I reject doubt and little faith, for those are hindrance to ministry and an insult to God! I reject any tiredness, boredom, restlessness, doubt, laziness or any desire to sleep when there is time to watch and pray!

I shall continue to pray until I see results! I shall continue to repent of sin until the fruits of repentance are evident to all! I shall continue to ask until I receive the revelation of God’s will and the vision of my destiny! I shall continue to seek until I find the way to please God and I see His smile and favor upon me! I shall continue to knock until the door of victory is opened! I shall defeat the enemy of my soul and of the nations! I shall not rest until the victory is complete and all the Glory given to God!

I will not let You go until You bless me!

In Jesus name, amen!”

‘There was a famine in the land…then the Lord appeared to Isaac and said: ‘Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land and I shall be with you and bless you…and I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed…’ So Isaac dwelt in Gerar… Then Isaac sown in THAT LAND and reaped in THE SAME YEAR A HUNDREFOLD and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper and continued prospering until he became very prosperous…’ (Gen 26)

There was famine. The temptation to go ‘abroad’ was strong. Isaac mediated and prayed on what to do next. Then God spoke, telling him to stay there, in the deep valley of Gerar, during a national disaster. Jehovah shall be his only hope. Isaac obeyed God and learned many lessons he could have learned otherwise:

*God never abandons His children, in famine or not, in poverty or not, in sickness of not, in loneliness or not! God’s Word is enough for my life. I shall not live by bread alone (buttered or not) but by every Word that God has spoken to me. I shall trust God for the performance of His Word. It is His responsibility to perform, mine it is to trust Him totally! God’s command to me is for His glory and also my sake; it is for my good. I shall never doubt God goodness to me! Obedience is rewarded with blessings, increase, fruitfulness and prosperity. Obedience has become my life style. Day by day, it is more difficult for me to doubt and disobey God, for He has proven Himself to me Faithful and True always!

*The blessings of prosperity, spiritual and natural, are connected with particular places. God choses the exact place of blessing for me to stay. God chose my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my in laws, my school or my business to do. God choses my city, my street, my neighbors, my church to attend, my ministry to be involved in… Nothing is ever ‘by mistake’! My tithes and offerings should go to the church that feeds me spiritually. I shall submit to the delegated authority I find there trusting that God will use them to pray and bless me! The environment does not dictate my success. God does! The lack of good things around me shall not intimidate or shake me from trusting God! I shall obey God! Sacrificially and faithfully I shall invest my life and substance in the very place of ministry God has chosen for me! Only good can follow! Sooner or later my promised harvest shall manifest!

*I shall never be discouraged to serve God! My harvest is surely greater than my investment, for God is with me!

*It is easy to live in a place where all are rich. But it takes a miracle to be rich in the desert, in the valley. God shall use me as a sample for His glory, to prove to all men that He is the Almighty God, Jehovah Jireh! The testimony of my prosperity shall lead many people to Christ! My blessings and prosperity shall encourage others to trust in God!

My blessings and prosperity shall confuse my enemies for they will search and never find the human source of it. They may fight me but they can never prevail against me. God is with me and He shall deliver me from all attacks of the enemy! Even if they are jealous, angry or bitter… even if they drive me away… they shall come back at last, with tears of repentance, and like Abimelech they will say: ‘We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you…’ “

In Christ I DECLARE: I am blessed beyond anything I can imagine! I have located the place God wants me to stay for this season in my life! It is Father’s House Bible Church, Warri, Nigeria! I shall dwell here! I shall invest my life and substance here! I shall preach and teach God’s Word to any soul that is willing to listen! By the Holy Spirit, the overflow from Warri shall touch the nations! Revival shall come!

I shall not worry, fret or shake. I shall not be afraid of opposition. I shall stand and not fall. I shall succeed and not fail! I shall not fear men for I owe them nothing except to love them as Christ loves me! I shall not fear devils, for I owe them nothing. Christ has paid with His Blood for my salvation and complete deliverance!

I shall forever worship the King who saved me and blessed me! I shall trust God’s Word that in days of disaster I shall not wither (become dry, ashamed or disappointed in my faith) and in the days of famine and trouble, when all the people complain and weep, I shall be satisfied, I shall have more than I need and be a blessing to many (Ps 37:19)!

As I trust God in the place He has chosen and prepared for me, my miraculous, ‘against all odds’ hundredfold harvest shall come quickly. And it is this year – 2013!” All glory goes to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

In Jesus name

Amen!

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them… I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard…” (Mt 7:15, 16; 10: 16, 17)

True facts about wolves:

They look like dogs but they are not dogs. They are wild, dangerous animals. They live in packs, helping one another to hunt and kill They fear only two enemies: tigers and men They sense of smell is relatively weak. They cannot track animals that hide underground

They hate the sound of strings and become very restless and mad when they hear it

They are able to distinguish between armed and unarmed men. They do not attack bold people who display confidence Running away is the worst strategy for it stimulates them and they will attack and kill. If the targeted animal stands its ground, the wolves either ignore it, or try to intimidate it into running. If the prey is in a group, the wolves try to isolate one from it. Once they get the prey, the kill more than they can eat to teach their young to hunt. They eat first the internal organs: heart, liver, kidneys and spleen. They eat up to 20% of their body weight. When very hungry the strong wolves eat the weak ones.

They communicate with an intimidating sound call howling. They howl together, like a choir, to give the impression that they are more than they really are.

They are not good as pets. Most attempts to train them as dogs ended in failure. They get bored easily with obeying the same commands and they constantly fight among themselves for personal space. They do not respond to kindness and reward. They get friendly with strangers more than with the owner. They refuse to stay in a dog house. They watch the owner how he closes the door and how he unlocks it. Once they have learned to do that, they will not rest until they run away. If later they meet the former owner, they have no remembrance of their relationship and can kill him without mercy They are ultimately unreliable and can never compete with dogs in faithfulness and labor.

They travel long distances carrying viruses with them. They are very resistant to sickness but the viruses affect the livestock

The shepherds hate them because they attack animals that cannot defend themselves. The sheep are their favorite pray. They usually kill in surplus. Because of the stress, the animals that survive miscarry or lose weight after the attack. The wolves are not afraid to attack the dogs that protect the sheep. Many dogs die in these attacks.

Some people worship them for their boldness and strength. The wolves generally avoid humans but they can attack when very hungry, or when they are permitted to stay close to villages and so they lose the fear of men There is no much gain from hunting them. Their fur is beautiful but has a bad odor. Their flesh is tough and smelly and few people eat it.

Therefore, I declare that IN CHRIST:

“I shall not ignore the danger of wicked religious people, false prophets who come to spy in the church, to open the door for demons to come in, to kill, steal and destroy! I shall watch and pray! I should be wise, humble and patient, contently staying hidden in Christ! I should not desire fame or visibility except when my Master approves of it for His glory!

I shall repent of any sin detected under the conviction of the Spirit! My heart shall be pure and holy!

I reject the evil spirit of fear, but I accept power, love and sound mind to do the will of God! I stand my ground, jealous over God’s ministry entrusted to me; I am protected with the whole armor of God! I resist the devil and his agents; I shall not submit to intimidation. The devil is a liar and he shall run away from me!

I praise God for the anointing over my life! I shall preach the true Gospel of Christ crucified to every soul! I shall not fear opposition! I shall not fear what they fear! I shall not be intimidated by their words or faces! My Captain can never lose any battle and I am in his army! I shall pray for the true prophetic gif of the Holy Spirit to be released to the Body of Christ! We need it, Lord!

I shall be cautious and pray before I become close friend with any one! I shall not open my heart to strangers! I shall oversee the flock God has entrusted to me with no fear of man and no lust for money! I shall train helpers in prophetic spiritual warfare: to be mature, responsible, trustworthy, wise, faithful and bold! I shall delight in mentoring them in the unity of the Spirit! I shall be ready to lay down my life for my sheep!

I declare confusion in the camp of the enemy….they shall quarrel and destroy one another, unable to attack the innocent

I shall praise Jehovah with stringed instruments; my guitar shall be free from dust! I shall take pleasure to see false prophets panicking and running away as I worship my KING! I shall hear my name tagged as ‘good and faithful servant’! I have King David and Apostle Paul as my examples! Best of all, I imitate the Good Shepherd, my Lord Jesus Christ!

I declare that the winter season of success for wolves, the false prophets in Warri, is over! The spring time of a new beginning is here! The power of resurrection and of revival is here! Peace be unto this land! In Jesus name, Amen!”

 “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away… Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life…Do not worry about tomorrow…But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mk 16:1-4; Mt 6:25-34)

To worry is dangerous, unhealthy and addictive. The success of a man’s life depends much on the state of his mind. To worry it means to constantly change position, to be spiritually restless, to adjust internally to new mental images, real or imaginary. This leads to mental and emotional tiredness. The store of patience is depleted and the center of self-control is damaged. This spiritual torment and constant panic attacks open the gate to evil spirits to enter and build strongholds. Doubt, fear, confusion, lust, greed and pride become part of your attitude to life. They are wicked tenants to the soul. The peace of God, the comfort and joy of the Spirit, the faith and trust in God’s Word, all these are going away.

The unbelievers spend their time and energy seeking food, drink, clothes, youth, beauty and length of life. These are not just items or ‘prayer points’ but their idols. We are all born sinners so we are experienced and skilled in the sin of worry. Observe that anxiety is always connected with the things of this world. No one is worried how to serve God better, how to study the Word of pray more. Anxiety is foolish and impotent: it cannot make me taller, richer, stronger and wiser or increase the length of my days…

So what is the solution then? How can I defeat this tendency to doubt the Word of God and worry constantly?

The solution is this: Set your priorities right! SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God and its King!

The believers are defined as people whose priorities are right! Invest time and effort in the study of God’s Word, in serving Him in your local assembly, faithfully doing the ministry He has given to you…Then all things shall fall into place. You shall experience the promised blessed increase and addition in all you do….The success of the Gospel in your life shall encourage you to trust God even more…

This is the order of my relationships: with God (first), with myself (second), with my spouse (third), with my children (forth) with my coworkers, friends and others…Seeking God is always first! Once you change that order, you shall worry about your life, marriage, children, job and all. The women came to the tomb worrying who will roll the stone away for them…that worry was natural but it was a lie…there was no need for the worry, for the angels have done the work with just a breath of heaven…

I declare that IN CHRIST: “God has provided me with all I need, spiritually and materially. He has given me wisdom, strength, health, provision, food, drink, clothes, a home, friends, mentors, family, spouse, children, ministry, spiritual covering in the local church…

I command you: wicked spirit of religion, doubt, hypocrisy, foolishness, worry and fear to leave me and mine, and go away in the name of Jesus! I uproot all wrong imaginations from my mind! I destroy all ancestral covenants made with familiar spirits of worry and unbelief!

Right now I speak peace to my soul! My little faith shall increase! I shall trust God, Jehovah Jireh, for all things and in all circumstances! I shall live and walk by faith! I shall not worry about the length and quality of my life, about my reputation as a servant of God or the place where I am told to serve! I shall not worry about tomorrow! I shall live one day at a time! I shall trust that God is able to provide, heal, deliver and change all negative circumstances around…He has even sent angels to prepare the way and to open that new door for me…”

I finally rest my soul… I knell down and I worship the King…for there is no better way for me to spend this moment in time…

 “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to HIS WORKS. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every EVIL WORK and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (2Tim 4:14-18; KJ)

The opposition is working…The busybodies do ‘evil works’. They are looking for new methods to withstand the preaching of the Word of God, the true Gospel of Christ. The word ‘withstand’ means to be established, skillful and experienced in opposition. This prolonged persecution is not the work of a novice. Years of compounded stubbornness have hardened the hearts and wills into the evil work of attacking the righteous. These are professional religious assemblies led by them who hate the Cross. The Gentiles are their ignorant slaves, bending under illegal yokes of doubt and darkness. Hope is just a word and love is just a valentine…

But God…But God…But God!!!

Paul was rejected, abandoned and forsaken by all. But God Himself stood with Him and strengthens Him. The wicked lion open his hungry mouth but could not close it again for the Lord was there and broke his jaws. Paul was delivered and preserved, by the Lord Jesus Himself! Behold the ultimate revelation of power available to men on earth…All glory to the Lamb who was slain!

“I declare that IN CHRIST: The enemies of God who resist the truth, who refuse to enter the Kingdom and block the door that none may go in, these shall not prosper…they shall be paid trouble for the trouble they have caused…they shall drink double from the cup of grief they forced others to drink…the lion that could not swallow Daniel and Paul, shall swallow them and their households, except their repent of their ‘evil works’ and come to the Cross…

The friends of God shall be strengthen with the power by the Holy Spirit; they shall be encouraged to preach the truth; they shall stand firm in the face of all opposition as a testimony to their King; their anointing shall increase; they shall long enjoy the work of their hands; they shall see their children’s children; they shall be rewarded openly for the hidden sacrifices known to the Father alone; willing volunteers shall rise to intercede and help them; they shall be blessed with the blessings of Christ and the intimate presence of God will never depart from their abode…

Lastly: God will raise more preachers who will be strong and faithful to their holy calling; the Gospel of Christ Crucified shall be preached from sea to sea and multitudes of sinners shall find their Savior! None can stop this avalanche of revival!

In Jesus name,

Amen!”

‘I heard and my heart pounded…my legs trembled…Yet, I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us’ (Hab 3:16)

I decree judgment on any shrine, idol, evil spirit or imagination that boldly stands against the knowledge of God in this land!

The idol of oppression in the business world, in the offices, in the markets, in the police force, in the workshops…it is under God’s judgment right now! The money made thru fraud, the success of ‘419’, the wealth stolen from others, the riches taken thru kidnapping and armed robbery…all this unjust gain will speak loud in the Court of heaven, against the criminals, until they shall be mad… except they repent to God and return the stolen money back to the victims…

The idol of religion shall collapse under the weight of intercession coming from God’s people! The priests, false prophets, fake pastors and worshippers of these idols shall be confused, agitated, anxious, depressed…they shall find no peace, no joy…they shall fail in their businesses… they shall lose their wealth… they shall become exposed and disgraced…their name will be remembered as examples of wickedness… their spells over people will fail…they shall lose all favor with all men… no one will feel sorry for them or take them in their houses…none of their so called ‘prayers’ will pass the roof except the one for mercy…no counsel will work for them except the one to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ!

I decree that: you wicked spirit of Jezebel, you bargain for the souls of men, you mislead God’s servants into sexual immorality and idolatry…I declare that you have failed, that you are bankrupt, that you exposed and disgraced…even the children shall laugh at you and you can’t stop it…

The mighty hand of God writes on the wall of your shrine: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin” (“God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end…You have been weighed in the scales and found wanting…your kingdom is divided and given to your enemies!”) (Dan 5:25-27)

I decree that: The oppressed shall rejoice! The victims shall sing! The poor shall dance! The sick shall be healed! Marriages shall be restored! Blind eyes shall open! Weakness shall become strength!

All glory goes to God Almighty, Jehovah Sabaoth!

The victory is sure!

As for me: in Christ:

I will be patient!

I will be faithful!

I shall not be tired to walk by faith!

I shall read the Word of God daily finding His will in it!  

I will continue to pray until the Word of God is performed!

Signs and wonders are my portion and eternal blessings in Christ my eternal inheritance!  

Worship King Jesus for He alone is the Lord!

 “But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you! Power belongs to him forever and ever! Amen” (1Pet 5:10. 11)

“I declare that IN CHRIST…

I am PERFECT, complete, mature, a leader and an example to others; they see Christ in me; they h…ear the Word of God on my lips; they see how God works, begins and fulfills His plan in my life…I hate sin, I hate self…I do not make unnecessary mistakes…I boast of God and of His love for me with no fear of disappointment…

I am ESTABLISHED, confirmed in God’s call, fixed and focused in my desire to serve Him; I abide in the center of God’s will; I am planted by Him in a particular place for the display of His splendor and glory…I cannot be uprooted or demoted by any man…

I am STRONG and with each passing year I become even stronger; Age is just a number; My body is quickened by the Holy Spirit; my mind is sound; my heart is filled with increasing passion for Jesus; I am able to use all my talents and gifts given to me by God; I am wise, persistent, tough, able to resist the enemy until he is confused and he flees away from me…I am not weak, I do not faint or fail in my duty; there is no secret sin that corrupts my heart; I reject heart failure, kidneys failure, destiny failure… am planted by Him in a particular place for the display of His splendor and glory…I cannot be uprooted or demoted by any man… I am STRONG and with each passing year I become even stronger; Age is just a number; My body is quickened by the Holy Spirit; my mind is sound; my heart is filled with increasing passion for Jesus; I am able to use all my talents and gifts given to me by God; I am wise, persistent, tough, able to resist the enemy until he is confused and he flees away from me…I am not weak, I do not faint or fail in my duty; there is no secret sin that corrupts my heart; I reject heart failure, kidneys failure, destiny failure…

I am SETTLED, I have a permanent address in heaven; my name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life; I have a home; I am happily married, with children (natural and spiritual) with grandchildren; my spiritual foundation is deep and secure; I am sure of ‘making heaven’; I am confident of my identity …I am not disturbed, I am not anxious, I am not depressed or disappointed…

Do you think that my boasting is too much? Do you think that it is impossible to be perfect and complete in Christ?
Then you do not know the God I serve…
He is the GOD OF ALL GRACE AND ALL POWER BELONGS TO HIM FOREVER AND EVER!
When He says ‘Yes’… no one can say ‘no’!
When He opens a door, no one can shut it!
When He shuts a door, the whole world cannot open it by force!
What He plants, no one can uproot!
In Jesus name,
Amen!”

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

The valley of dead, dry bones (Ez 37:1-14)

Revival means ‘open heavens’ and the Holy Spirit pouring down in a specific area. The atmosphere changes; the people change, radically and eternally. There is acceleration in the spirit realm. The backsliders come back home, the sinners are saved, the sick and healed, the burden of many generations lifted.

The hand of the Lord is upon Ezekiel. The power, resources, direction, strategy, the intimate fellowship and ministry of the Spirit is ‘the engine’ of revival.

Revival starts with hunger for more of God. The Author of revival is God Almighty. We are to trust, obey and pray for it!

The Holy Spirit carried Ezekiel to a valley full of many bones. The words ‘many bones’ mean abundance of prosperity. The natural people see only death, failure and defeat. With prophetic eyes we see that in the very place where all hope is gone, the power of resurrection shall ignite the miracle of life and prosperity.

The bones of wicked men are buried and the soil covers them. They are forgotten by God and man. But this valley full of bones is an ‘open valley’, it is not covered with sand, it is not forgotten. The open valley means there is hope, that God remembers me in my lowest estate and I shall stand, I shall live, to give glory to His name!

The city of Warri has suffered much. All the inhabitants here desire to ‘travel abroad’. No one really likes to stay here. The streets are dirty and the electric power unstable. There are kidnappers and armed robbers. The markets are full of cheats and violence is the native language.    

But with the eyes of faith and the breath of the Spirit, we prayed and prophesied for Warri tonight. God is pleased with our evening sacrifice.  He promised us that if we pray for this ‘ugly’ city we shall be receive ‘blessings without struggle’.

The Word prophesied in song by a little girl of ten was this:

“If you believe, you shall see My glory…This is My glory, if you believe…

Lord I believe, I stand in Your glory…Glory….Glory…”

Amen!

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 Jn 1:2)

The word ‘To prosper’ in Greek it means to have a constant Friend, Counselor, Helper and Teacher in the journey of life; to start a project and to finish it; to succeed in business affairs.

The word ‘health’ means to be completely protected from sickness and weakness of the body and mind; to be safe and whole; to understand the true doctrine of salvation;

“I declare that IN CHRIST… I am a beloved child of God and I am always about my Father’s business! I walk by faith, led by the Holy Spirit, completely protected from sickness, loneliness, foolishness and weakness. I will never make mistakes for I walk in the light that increases every hour! This year my anointing, my ministry and my business will increase, for it is done to God’s honor! I am the chosen servant of God who takes pleasure in transferring the wealth from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light! My enemies will become poor and my children shall become saved and rich! I shall not fear the devil and his agents, but they shall fear me! I am the personal project and boast of Jehovah Jireh and Jehovah Rapha! All glory to God Almighty!

In Jesus name!

Amen!”

Jesus Mega Party 2012 is over. So many lessons to learn…So many reasons to give praise to God…

Some things we prayed for and expected by faith were the same like in the past. For example, the number of people that came to hear about Jesus was in the thousands. Multitudes answered ‘the altar call’ and prayed ‘the sinner’s prayer’. Praise God!

But this year was different in many aspects. For example, the armed police men that we contacted did not come. At the last minute they went somewhere else. The men in the church had to do ‘the policing’ the best they could. But glory to God, with all that multitude of sinners looking for salvation, no serious incident was reported. Then we discovered, just yesterday, that the man who supplied the fireworks from Lagos, had cheated us. He sent fewer and ‘expired’ ones. So the firework was not as great like in the past. But then, God is ever faithful! The anointing of God, His fire of Baptism took over the field…As the voice of the pastor shouted: Happy New Year…most people fell on their knees and prayed and prayed totally ignoring any firework display in the sky. Another new thing: Probably because I was the only ‘oyibo’ (‘white’ skin) in the midst of thousands Nigerians, the ‘big’ ushers came and surrounded me. But there was no need of man’s ‘protection’…The spirit of fear was totally absent in the field…To my surprise, and theirs too, people just came from all over and knelt down around me asking for prayers and blessings. There was no way to refuse such a blessed request. I started praying in tongues and I told them to pray for the Baptism of the Spirit, for miracles and revival. That’s all! Then I touched their heads…Each one burst in tongues and giving glory to God…tears streaming on their faces, joy overflowing, down in the sand…couples came together, hand in hand praying…the barren and the sick, the strange looking and ‘the normal’ ones…as the praise was going on loud on the stage, the Holy Spirit came down to do His peculiar work in the hearts of His hungry worshippers…I have never heard so many desperate prayers in tongues around me since we started Jesus Mega Party about ten years ago. If there was any robber who wanted to kidnap me, there was no way to pass the wall of tongues and fire… from people I have never seen in my life…

I have seen it with my eyes and I testify that Jesus had His own Party indeed; that His soul was satisfied last night, that He has received the evening offering of praise at the Cross…There is not greater protection that Christ Himself!

“Jerusalem (Father’s House Bible Church, Warri, Nigeria) will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. And I Myself will be a Wall of fire around it- declares the Lord – and I will be its glory within!” (Zec 2:4, 5)

I am a witness to the glory and the revival in Warri!

I believe, therefore I have spoken!

In Jesus name, amen!

BLOOM IN THE DESERT!

The Lord Jesus said to Ananias about the Apostle Paul at the beginning of his ministry:

“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” (Ac 9:15, 16).

This applies to all who desire to follow Jesus. The word ‘suffer’ here is experiential pain, not just imagination. There is a cross that kills the flesh; not all at once, but little by little, daily…

For every drop of the revelation of God’s name, I had to suffer; so that I should desire to know it desperately…The knowledge of God’s name is for them that pay the price. The door of God’s intimate treasures is never found by them that just pass by…

I had to be sick, really sick, with no desire to go to see a doctor…for me to press on to know who Jehovah Rapha is, how He operates and delivers and heals…in the quietness of my spirit, there came a knowing…that my sickness is not ‘a sickness’, not a dead end… but a pathway, a road…who could have believed that…a pain that could not go away, forcing me to come closer to the throne and receive a testimony, not just healing, but so much more…

The healing baptized me…never the same, much more hungry to know the Healer and not just His touch of the moment…I became the apprentice to Jehovah Rapha…what a privilege…how can I ever describe in words the class rooms in the clouds…the surgery on top of the mountain…all my friends dwell in the same atmosphere and they too have lost the desire to be ordinary…

The first test expected by Jehovah Rapha is to praise Him in all situations, not because I feel like praising, not because my pain is gone, not because I know what else to do…but just because the praise belongs to Him and can never be retained by man of idols…so if you look for healing, praise God with all the strength you have…do not imitate others, do not compare with others…just go on and think of God, think of His power and glory and willingness to touch and heal you… the presence of the infirmity, of the sickness, of the pain, is just the pulpit from where the praise must go up to the Owner…

Like a miracle flower in the desert, no water, no shade, but still blooms by the power within, I will rejoice and praise God, my Savior, my Lord and yes, my Healer!

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines; though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food; though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls… Yet! I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in God my Savior!” (Habakkuk 3:17, 18)

 M y name is Silvia Lia Leigh. I was born in Romania almost sixty years ago. I grew up in a loving family of four. My parents were teachers in the school which I attended with my younger sister; Adica. We did not go to church at all. The only contact I had with religion was at Christmas when the priest of the church in town will come to visit people and wish them happy holidays. He will come dressed in a long black dress, ringing a little bell in his hand and accompanied by his younger assistant. My father warned us to run inside when we saw them because as teachers, they were not allowed to invite religious people inside the home. I remember how afraid I was of his black dress, bell, and mysterious chant. Sometimes, my father will ‘feel sorry’ for the priest, as he was ringing the bell outside the door, standing in the heavy snow. He would quickly make a gift of homemade bread, salami, cake, and wine, and then go outside after switching off the front light to give it to him. Only the stars were witness of their meeting. All we heard behind the door were many words of gratitude and blessings ‘in the name of Isus’ (Jesus). Adica and I thought it was funny. I thought that my father was very bold to go outside and embrace the strange looking man. Stranger still was the feeling left behind that Isus sent him to greet us at Christmas. We would never remember the visit or the words until the next year again at Christmas.

Many years passed before my father told me that he was once in the seminary with the desire to be a priest. But the communist take-over after the war closed down almost all bible schools and changed them into colleges of education. My father was forced to choose, and this is how he had to let go of his dream to serve God, and instead became a history teacher. The priest that came every Christmas to our door was one of his colleagues in the seminary. He was one of the very few who chose to continue with his calling in ministry and eventually became a priest. Life separated them, and the cold winter Christmas Eve, was the only time when they could give a quick hug with many painful apologies from one, and a flood of blessings from another.

That is all I knew about God and His servants until I came to Nigeria. While in medical school in Romania I met my husband Richmond, a Nigerian. After graduation, we moved to Nigeria to start a practice in 1980. We became successful as medical practitioners. We had money, fame, and everything man could desire. What else could one possibly want? Nothing! Or so I thought. In 1986 I had a crisis conversion and I met Jesus Christ. I had never seen a Bible before then. In January of the same year, I became very depressed. I saw nothing good in my achievements. I lost my desire to live. In the midst of my despair, for the very first time in my life, I prayed: “Dear God, if You exist, then come down from heaven and change my heart. I am tired to doubting You. I can’t wait forever for the answer to this prayer. I give You one month’s notice to come down from heaven and change my heart. If you come, I promise to be your friend forever. In Jesus name I pray, amen!” I did not know the meaning of the name of Jesus but I heard people pray like that so I guessed it was the appropriate end to a prayer. Immediately I knew that something ‘good’ had happened to me. Not certain of what, but the sense of destiny came down and enveloped my soul. I felt life entering my veins. In exactly 28 days the Holy Spirit came down on me and filled my soul. I became a child of God, never to be the same again.

He that came to me was the same Isus that sent the strange looking priest every Christmas Eve. A few months before my beloved father died, he made peace with God. God’s ways are strange to the unbeliever but perfect and lovely for His own. All glory goes to God.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb 13:8)

Naaman was a general in the Syrian army, ‘a mighty man of valor. But he was a leper’ (2Kg 5). He was a pagan but God’s eye was on him for salvation. The source of his military success in the Assyrian army was Jehovah. Syria as a nation was the enemy of Israel. They attacked God’s people and occupied their land. They killed many and some were carried away as slaves.
(When God told Jonah to go and preach to them he ran in the opposite direction. Jonah could not imagine that God will show mercy to the Syrians. This is just to know how much the Jews hated their violent and wicked neighbors.)
Among the prisoners of war there was a young Jewish woman who became the maid to the wife of Naaman. Maybe the general killed her parents but he had pity on her and brought her home to his wife. She could have been bitter against her master or even against God. But she was surely a woman of God who prayed and found God in ‘her prison’ circumstances. She suggests that Naaman goes to Israel to see Prophet Elisha who will heal him from his deadly, incurable leprosy. This sister had true faith in Jehovah Rapha, the God of her people. She recommended the prophet Elisha by faith, because up to this moment he did not heal any of leprosy. O, the blessing this girl was to Elisha who possibly needed a confirmation to start his healing ministry.
Naaman does what any sinner will do. He took with him a letter of recommendation from his king. He also loaded his chariot with gold, money and gifts. All sinners think that they can bribe God or buy His favor… Rejected by the King of Israel as a trouble maker, Naaman went to see the prophet. Elisha did not even greet him or ‘personally’ pray for him as he expected. He just sent a message that he should go to the River Jordan, dip seven times in its muddy waters, and he shall be clean.
It was such a simple message…even children understand that! But to Naaman, like with all sinners, the word of grace, the message of the Cross is total foolishness and it is to be rejected as ‘a waste of time’. Naaman becomes angry thinking that he was deceived by his forced humiliation. This is the turning point in this story. Naaman almost missed his miracle! But a wise soldier in his entourage advises him to simply obey the word of the prophet, like a child obeys his father. He grudgingly went, did just that, and was healed and saved. Immediately Naaman freely testifies: ‘Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel!’
This story encourages us to listen to the voice of God, even if we do not like ‘the package’ from where it comes. The house maid, the prophet and the wise soldier, God used all these people to direct Naaman to humility and obedience. These are found only at the cross of Christ. The ‘dirty’ river Jordan stands for Christ crucified. If you are baptized in His death, if you share in His shame and rejection, then you shall live! You shall be healed!
This is the conclusion: It is not enough to have a need. It is not enough to pray for healing. Obey God and obey His prophets! Obedience leads to the supernatural, to life, to miracles. Jesus said that there were many leprous people in Israel but they were not healed because of religious pride or unbelief (Lk 4:27).
May your suffering bring you closer to God!
May pride not deceive you to miss your miracle!
May unbelief not deceive you to miss your miracle!
BE HEALED IN JESUS NAME!
(in the picture is me being baptised in the River Jordan, in Israel)<img src="http://fatherscall