“All glory! All honor! All power, to You!
Holy Father, we worship You!
Precious Jesus, our Savior!
Holy Spirit, we wait on You
For fire…”
(From this Sunday’s service)
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I WILL NOT FORGET YOU!
“My child, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me” (Is 49:15, 16)
This evening, during the first prayer meeting in 2019, we entered God’s courts with thanksgiving. So many people lie down on their sick beds. Many have died last year. But we are alive. It is not by mistake. We give thanks for the gift of life! “Praise the Lord Oh, my soul, and all that is within me praise His Holy Name!” I was born to worship God! I do not boast of beauty, riches of education. I shamelessly boast that I know the only Living God. He is my God. I know His Word, His Spirit, His goodness, His touch! Worship the Lord! He is the Helper of the helpless! You are alive to praise God. You are alive because God has not finished with you. His grace-work goes on, until perfection comes, until testimony is visible. God has not finished with you! Therefore, do not ‘finish’ with yourself. Do not give yourself ‘deadlines’. You belong to Jesus! He died to pay your debt, your ‘bride price’ for your wedding in heaven. God knows you. Not just you lost in the crowd, but you alone. God knows you in particular. He knows your name, your address, your prayers and your tears. God’s plans for you are good, not evil, to give you a future and a hope.
God wrote your name on the palms of His hands. God said that even if a mother forgets the baby at her breast, He will never forget you. As He sits on His throne in heaven, God remembers you, for good. In between the angels’ songs, in between holy thunders of heaven, God remembers you. If your friend, neighbor or family member forgets you, God remembers you. And that is all that matters. Worship the Lord who alone changes hearts and circumstances. Worship the Lord who has granted you a new beginning. Forget not His benefits! The past does not define you! Let the past rest behind. Worship the Lord who never sleeps nor slumbers! Singing: How great is your God? From East to West, no other god, from North to South, I say, there is no other god! Almighty God, hallowed be Your name, Your dominion is forever more! Hallelujah!
WORSHIP OR DOUBT?
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped him; but some doubted” (Matt 28:16, 17)
Doubt is a type of faith. It is very difficult to describe, detect, or imagine. It is much easier to identify the sin of lust or lying, for example, than to isolate doubt from our mind. Doubt is wavering faith, unstable faith, damaged and unacceptable faith. Doubt is an evil religious spirit. It spreads like a plague. It is much more difficult to produce faith in your listeners. You have to preach the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ Crucified. This ministry has to be done patiently against all odds. Faith comes by the hearing of the preached Word of God. Doubt is like an infection. It is much easier to damage the faith than to produce or increase it. Doubters hate believers and attack their faith. Be careful who you call ‘friend!’
Doubt is wavering faith. To waver means to go to and fro between two opinions, two choices, two loves or two directions. Doubters have an ‘on and off’ type of faith. For example, they believe on Monday, but doubt on Tuesday, then back to believing on Wednesday, and so on. The sin of doubt affects especially three areas of God’s blessings:
• God’s power (especially the supernatural power to experience miracles)
• God’s provision (especially to trust God for abundance)
• God’s promises (especially to trust God for ‘impossible’ things)
Doubters are like the waves of the sea. They move on and off, day and night, without rest. All their movement is in vain for they do not expand the boundaries of the sea. Doubt makes you worried and overactive emotionally but there is no clear progress spiritually or in the natural. Doubters are ‘unstable’ in all their ways. The word ‘unstable’ means to be reckless (they seem bold and take unnecessary risks, but later back off as cowards). It also means to be confused, restless, and unsettled.
Marriages can be affected by doubt. The husband and wife may agree to do something but the next day one of them will change his mind. The unity of the Spirit cannot be established in a marriage where doubt has access. The worst thing that can be said about a doubter is that God refuses to answer his prayers. It does not matter that his needs are great or urgent. Doubt disqualifies him to have communion with God and his prayers do not pass the ceiling. We must repent of the sin of doubt and confess: ‘I believe in God!’
In Christ I declare:
I believe 100 percent and doubt for me is 0 percent! I trust God’s power! My miracle is coming soon! I trust God’s provision! I am blessed with more than enough! I trust God’s promises! They are all yes and amen!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
MY TREASURE
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Mt 13:44)
This is a word for the born again children of God. I encourage you to pay the price to gain the assurance of your salvation and spiritual maturity! Christ is the ‘treasure hidden in a field’. The man who found the treasure is me and is you.
Many seek for hidden treasures all over the world. I read that seeking for treasures is a very expensive form of adventure. They say that pirates hid their stolen treasures in some islands. They wanted to come back later to get them. But they died before they could come back. People look for things like these. But it is not easy to be a treasure hunter. It takes time, physical and mental effort, and a lot of money. It is a dangerous work. Looking for treasures in strange places you are exposed to attacks from wicked men, thieves or wild animals. It is also a lonely work. In the open field it is just you and the dreams that you chase. You need to encourage yourself to go on. There are no human encouragers around. It is not easy… I have been there… I know…
In Greek, the word ‘field’ means a village farm. Try to imagine this story as you seek God. Finally, after years of seeking and digging, you find the greatest treasure of all, Jesus Christ! But you cannot shout for joy! You quietly rejoice by yourself. This is not the time to run and tell your family and friends: ‘I am a rich man! I have made it!’ This is not the time to post it on Facebook “I have found the fulfillment of my dreams!” It is true, you have found it but it is not yet your own! By freely taking from that treasure you will be called a thief. This is because the land that hosted the treasure for thousands of years is not your own. You need to buy the land before you have the treasure. It is like a man who wants to marry and he finally finds the girl of his dreams. He cannot announce that he is married to that girl. People will insult him! He has to pay a ‘bride price’ in the presence of witnesses before he can call that woman ‘my wife’. If not, he is an adulterer and a thief. The man who finds the treasure has to bury it again. This is the wisdom of the Kingdom of God: You find Christ and then you say to Him: ‘Good bye for now…I will come back and see You again…You shall be mine forever…’
The man goes back to the city and announces that he wants to become a farmer. His rich sophisticated friends laugh at his foolishness. ‘A farmer… What a joke…’ But that is all that he can say, for now. He announces that he is selling all his property in the city so that he can buy a farm in the village. He does not sell his things grudgingly. He sells them rejoicing. There is something strange about this man… he is so happy with his decision to change his address….this transition is mysterious to many who do not understand his new love for village things…. he is selling his expensive ‘condo in the Trump tower’ to go and buy a farm in the village… he sells his Mercedes Benz telling people he needs money to buy a farm… nobody knows the secret or the source of his joy…deep secret joy… not shared joy, at least not now…
Do you understand this parable? To ‘find Christ’ is not enough. You need to possess Christ, to be filled with His Word and His Spirit! Then you can truly say that Christ is yours! Not every Christian can say this: ‘My Beloved is mine and I am His”. You need to lose your life for His sake before you can have Christ! There is a price to pay to enter the mystery of this treasure called Christ. In Him there is all the wisdom and the knowledge of eternal life!
I have seen people who claim to be born again but they turn back from total commitment to the Lord, holding tight their little treasures money bought for them. Like with the rich your ruler who could not sell his things to truly find eternal life, a man may see Christ face to face, worship Him for a time but still go back to the world of sin, sad ‘for he has great possessions’.
This is my testimony! This is the truth that I have found: Christ is the greatest Blessing of all! He is the Gift from heaven! He is worthy more than silver or gold, more than the friendship of the best of friends, more than fame and more than culture. I testify that me, a sinner saved by His grace, I have found Him buried in the field called Nigeria! I thank God for the wisdom of not cheaply and foolishly brag about my achievement in finding Him ‘whom my soul loves’. For a long time I had to let go of His benefits and go back to my world of wealthy educated sinners. I simply told them that I am selling my things.
One by one, my cherished treasures of a life time of struggle were sold. This was a painful transition. But there was joy in that pain. I walked on the royal way of the Cross knowing that one day I can openly boast that Jesus is mine! Persecution is part of the price you pay to possess Christ. But it is all worth it! Oh…it is all worth it! After losing all things, I took my money and went to buy that field. The owner, an agent of the devil, had no idea why I am willing to pay all that for a ‘dirty old God forsaken’ field. That is what the devil called my dream. He said that he tried planting cassava and yam there, but the field is barren. I did not argue with him. I just wanted the deed of the land. I did not buy it to plant flowers there. I did not need a garden in Warri. I wanted what is hidden beneath the surface. The devil did not know what I was looking for. Thank God he did now know! He finally sold it to me. Jesus shed His Blood to be my Savior. I shed my tears and sweat to be His Servant! The deed is sealed! This is an eternal transaction no man or devil can steal. I declare that God loves Warri- Effurun, in Nigeria! Glory to the Lamb who seats on the throne! Now and forever! Amen! I am a child of God!
JESUS MEGA VICTORY
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord” (PV 21:31)
Our Church’ (Father’s House Bible Church, Warri- Effurun, Nigeria) annual evangelistic program called “Jesus Mega Party” was a huge success. I am only boasting in the Lord! Many souls were saved. There was joy all around as we praised God, sang and danced like King David. Our brethren generously donated food items and clothes for the poor who came to the event. With that entire crowd of thousands of people, there was no crime reported. Everything was done orderly and beautifully, in the presence of the Lord and for His glory! To the strangers, the program sounded like a wonderful praise and worship concert. In reality, it was more spiritual warfare than just music playing. There was an invisible battle on that field. The territorial demons, especially the religious ones, opposed us. They wanted that Jesus Mega Party should be an entertainment night, when fleshly emotions are stirred but the spirit of men remains dormant. To the glory of God, the evil plan failed. The reason is because we were aware of their strategy. With prayers and fasting, we prepared for the battle. We raised our voices, faces, hearts and hands towards Jehovah Nissi, Our Banner of Victory. God answered from heaven and victory was complete! Halleluiah!
What are the lessons? The background of life is active spiritual warfare. If you believe in warfare or not, if you believe in the existence of the devil or not, this is the truth: there is war in the heavenly realms. For better or for worse, this invisible spiritual battle affects our lives. The horses represent the power of men aided by the devils. They stand for the most sophisticated technology and strategy of the wisest men on earth. But all the ‘horses’ in the world cannot defeat the smallest child of God whose faith is rooted in Christ crucified and resurrected. God is not intimidated by galaxies of demonic horses, by powerful bombs or by the latest deadly weapons invented by men. Salvation, freedom and victory are gifts of grace, coming from the Lord! Even for the youngest believer in Christ, the victory is sure, deliverance is established and freedom is confirmed. Glorious joy is the stamp of champions! Peace that passes all understanding is the strengths of Bible heroes! You can experience these!
Examine yourself: Who are you? Where are you? You are either on the side of the devil and his horses or on the side of Jehovah! You are either on the side of human strength or on the side of Christ Crucified! In Christ you can never lose! Recently, I have seen tired, confused and disappointed ‘horses’, fainting because of thirst in the middle of the battle. They prayed that ‘god’ will increase their strength to do more evil. But no one paid attention to their wicked prayers. There was no river around and no rain forecasted for them to find water to drink. I have also seen the banner of Jehovah lifted high above His children. “His banner over us is Love!” (SS 2:4). God has poured His strength into the weak, healing unto the sick and joy into the broken hearted. Tears of salty sorrow became tears of sweet joy! I have seen all these wonderful things today. One with God is majority! What a wonderful day to be alive and to worship God! Jesus, You are beautiful! There is victory in Jesus! Jesus is Lord!
(fasting and prayers day 8)
(In the picture, my husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh doing an altar call before mid night at Jesus Mega Party)
TALK TO JESUS
“While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:15, 16)
The disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus. They were depressed. Four days ago, Jesus, their Master, was crucified. Their hopes were crushed. Then suddenly a stranger came from the side of the road and drew near them. He started walking with them. They told him about the pain of losing their best friend. They did not know that the ‘stranger’ was in fact Jesus. They did not call on Jesus, thinking He is dead. Nevertheless, He came close to them… This is what Jesus does… He comes close to the hurting souls…
This is a great lesson: Jesus is able to come close to you any time He likes. Even when you do not pray, He still comes close to you. He will encourage you to talk about your pain, giving you answers to humanly impossible questions. Never forget! Jesus gives hope to the hopeless; joy to the depressed; strength to the weak. Jesus heals the sick and delivers the oppressed. At last, when the miracle has happened and the problem is solved, you shall look back and see that all along, it was Jesus! The same yesterday, today and forever!
“O, How I love Jesus, for He first loved me!”
(Picture: This is the road to the village called Emmaus. I took the picture during a trip to Israel)
TESTIMONY OF BLESSED MARRIAGE
Our dear children in Christ, Dr. Toju and Pastor (Dr) Trish Eresanara have renewed their marriage vows and have celebrated 25 years of marriage, giving all the glory to God! We sang a chorus called “Everything na double-double…” Like any couple, over the years they had their ups and downs but we are witnesses that the Lord Jesus has turned their water into wine! We expect more of this type of testimonies! To God be all the glory!
PEACE GRANTS PETITION
“Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad” (1Sam 1:17, 18)
This revelation of God to Hannah applies to any barren situation in life. There are many people who cry silently on their beds at night because of pain of rejection, broken hearts, disappointments and lost dreams. Life is passing them by and there are no fruits to beautify and enjoy. The devil suggests to them that just weeping is a solution; that God will feel ‘sorry’ for them. Many tears wash a barren face and they remain barren still. But what a mighty change it will be to move in faith to have an encounter with God, to meet the captain of your Salvation and let Him dry your face clean. He is able and He is willing.
Hannah discovered Jesus to be faithful and true. The High Priest Eli commanded her: “Go in peace!” As she obeyed, her face was no longer sad. From that moment, she walked on following the beat of an internal drum called ‘Shalom’. No one could hear the holy rhythm, except herself. Lesson: My dear sister, you who pray for the fruit of the womb, once you are able to stop complaining and crying, and you look up unto Jesus, you start walking with a smiling face and a song in your heart, the miracle of pregnancy will happen. The God that shut Hannah’s womb became the God that opened it to overflow. Leave the bed of sorrow, get up and go to the altar of God! By faith, give God a chance to prove Himself to you as the One who opens doors long barricaded. What do you lose if you believe? Nothing! You only lose your sorrow and shame! If you are tempted to say ‘I believed yesterday and nothing happened’, believe again! Command doubt out of your thoughts and believe again! We are called to a ‘living hope’ and ‘inexpressible, glorious joy.’ Never, ever forget that for the true believers, the end of all suffering is glorious joy!
In Christ I declare:
I was a sinner; I am now a saint, saved by the Blood of Jesus!
I shall not weep again, for Jesus is my Shepherd! He has led me to His living waters and He has dried all my tears! My past bareness shall become a testimony of fruitfulness and praise! I am healed! All to God’s glory! Glory! Joy! And Glory again!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
“Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked… But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end… But for me it is good to be near God…” (Psalm 73)
We are climbing the holy mountain of God’s calling. Some pilgrims are already at home resting and enjoying the bounty of the Lord’s house. But there are still many down the slopes, slowly moving up the hill. They struggle with obedience to simple commands. They have difficulty in believing the truth. What is truth? –asked Pilate? The truth is this: GOD IS GOOD! The rich young ruler called Jesus ‘Good Teacher…’ He was rebuked for speaking words without understanding. Jesus said to him: ‘No one is good-except God alone!’ (Lk 18:18-19). Such a simple revelation… But it is still so hard to believe it…
Each step up the mountain requires total trust that God is indeed a good Person. We have to believe that He who called us to a higher place is faithful. But when things get hard, the doubt resident in the flesh starts grumbling. In the wilderness the people of God complained again and again doubting the goodness of God. Even Jeremiah thought that God had deceived him into ministry. Why do we struggle so much in believing that God is indeed good? The first reason is that we are not yet mature spiritually. The Bible raises our expectations concerning our blessings from God. As sinners we had no hope of any inheritance from heaven. But now, we are told that we are kings and priests. We start to imagine golden palaces, exotic temples and flowing gowns… This is the result of fleshly, wild, un- sanctified imagination. For a long time we do not know how to control that. So we dream and claim the gold from the streets of heaven and the pearls at the gates. Then we look around and see a cheap apartment we call our home on earth, we feel disappointed and then blame God for giving us ‘false hopes’.
Another reason why we struggle to believe that God is good is because we foolishly compare ourselves with others. We see them having a ‘better life’ than ours. It is even more painful when the wicked prosper. The word ‘prosperity’ in Hebrew is ‘Shalom.’ This is one of the personal names of God. We feel jealous and bitter. We end up feeling betrayed by God. Without a good explanation why the ungodly prosper, we start blaming God for partiality and wickedness.
The great Oswald Chambers said that ‘we are always suspicious on God.’ We are addicted to doubt about God’s character and motives. This sin is like leprosy; it affects our life, our worship and our commitment. When things get a little bit difficult we quickly jump at the conclusion that God does not care. We forget that behind all this wicked stronghold of doubt is the same devil, the same one that deceived Eve long ago.
What is the solution? We have to go back to the Bible! We cannot find the truth outside the Word of God. Pastors preach and elders counsel. But nothing can replace the daily quiet time to study God’s Word, combined with fasting and prayer. Secondly, come to church. Listen to the preaching of the Word. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in the sanctuary. Many have found peace within its walls. Pray about your questions. Confront your doubts! The Christian life is lived by faith alone. There are times in which you have to close your eyes and your ears. Be blind and deaf to all that is not of God. Be honest with God and with yourself! Draw closer to God and He will draw closer to you! Pay the price for intimacy with God. You shall find Jesus to be the best friend you can ever have, kind and faithful, wonderful beyond description and worthy of all your trust!
In Christ I declare:
God is good! All the time! God is good to me and to my family! I believe 100 percent! I chose not to doubt God’s goodness!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
WHEN MY HUSBAND CALLS ME, I COME!
“King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come” (Est 1:17)
Please read the Book of Esther, chapter one. King Xerxes is married to Queen Vashti whose name means ‘Beautiful’. The king throws a great banquet to entertain and impress his military leaders, princes and nobles. He later invites all the citizens of Susa to come and enjoy the king’s feast. There is no limit to drinking wine and eating the royal special food. The reason for this party was to give glory to himself. Like Nebuchadnezzar, King Xerxes was a proud foolish man! He loves to drink alcohol. He was also a hot tempered man. Suddenly, becoming tired of the entertainment provided, the drunken king orders his Queen to come to him, dressed in her royal robes. He wanted to boast, before all his guests, of his wife’s beauty. Hating to be embarrassed in front of many drunken men, the Queen refuses to obey his orders. What? Imagine that! The great king is publicly rejected by a woman!!! Suddenly the happy party turns into a mourning gathering. The king is angry mostly because he is embarrassed by his wife’s public rejection. Both husband and wife are angry and embarrassed at each other’s actions. Who will win in this foolish emotional manipulation game? Of course the devil who takes pleasure in division, quarrels and divorce!
King Xerxes asks his wise men what to do. They advise him to divorce and disgrace Vashti. In verse 19 she is no longer called Queen Vashti. She is simply called by her name, like any ordinary woman. The poor queen has no credit of grace with anyone. Vashti is sent away from the palace! She loses her marriage, her reputation and her throne! The wise men advise the king to write a new law saying that each man should be ‘the ruler of his household’! It will be on record that all the wives should submit to their husbands. This is a foolish decree for no law can force the wives to submit or the men to love them. Submission and love are spiritual things of the heart!
What are the lessons for us? The first thing I see is that without Christ, fame and riches are useless. Without Christ, there is no peace, no wisdom and no joy! Without Christ, even the best marriages scatter. Without Christ the partying, the happiness of the world will suddenly turn to disgrace and depression. The law cannot change the hearts of men. Only the grace of God found in Christ alone can change hearts and circumstances. Anger, lust, foolishness, pride, rebellion, drinking alcohol, having worldly friends… these are all drops of poison able to kill any relationship.
As a married woman, I am sorry for Queen Vashti. In this story she had to go away. She vacated her throne for Queen Esther who is an ambassador for Christ. In this world, nothing is permanent. Only God never changes! ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever’ (Heb 13:8). If you marry an unbeliever, you will suffer. Money and fame cannot help a broken heart. Only God can do it! Another lesson is this: once you are married to ‘a famous’ man, or you hold a position of authority, if you like it or not, you become a role model. Others will imitate you, for better or for worst! Visibility requires responsibility! Remember that!
MY TESTIMONY
My husband and I are married for almost 44 years. Both of us work full time to make our marriage happy and strong. It is a sacrifice made because of love. We are not ignorant of the attacks of the devil which is able, if given the chance, to destroy any marriage. This is the wisdom I have learned from the Book of Esther chapter one: Each time my husband calls me I will answer and immediately come to him! I promised myself that I will not be like Queen Vashti! This is my pledge to God and to my conscience: If my husband needs me, if he calls me, I will answer! It can be morning, afternoon, evening or night time. I may know or I may not know the reason for his call. I have made a covenant with my feet not to be tired to walk up and down the stairs when my husband calls me. I cannot even imagine ignoring his call. I take it as serious as the call of God. For me, rejecting my husband’s call is a luxury I cannot afford. I want our marriage to continue.
If I was Queen Vashti, knowing that I will be embarrassed in a room full of drunken men, I could have still come to see my husband. I will pray in tongues in my heart that before entering that room, my husband (even if he is drunk) will pity me and let me to go back to my room. I believe that God can change the heart of any king! And even if I have to stand there embarrassed, I will ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen me among those foolish drunkards. In difficult times I pray to be able to use my pain for the glory of God! The shame I will experience will bring me closer to Jesus who also suffered shame on the Cross, dying for me. But no matter how, if my husband calls me, if he needs me, I will come at once! So help me, God! Dear Queen Vashti, I am sorry, but you cannot be my friend! I am with Queen Esther, who is my sister and mentor!
Now I have to go for my husband is calling me… “Come with Me from Lebanon, My bride, come with Me … My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me…. (SS 4:8; Jn 10:27)
YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him” (Est 4:13-17)
This was a spiritual emergency. Like a father to his daughter, Mordecai spoke the word to Queen Esther. He could only speak. He could not force her to fulfill her destiny. Esther knew that she has to stand and speak to the king, not as a wife, not as a mother, but as a woman of God.
Each ‘office’ comes with its own mantle of responsibility. There is a way you dress as a single woman and there is another way you dress as a married woman. There is a way you dress as a wife without children, and there is another way you dress when you are pregnant. In the same way, there is a way you behave and speak when you are on vacation, or when you relax at the end of the day. There is another way you behave and speak when the Word of God is deposited in your heart and comes on your lips. For example, it does not really matter how you say ‘good morning’ to your neighbor. But it matters the way you speak to him saying: ‘you must be born again!!!’. There is fire in the Word of God. It burns the chaff. It polishes the gold. You need to prepare your heart, mind, body and spirit for what God has called you to do. You must be ready to preach the Word in season and without season. It does not matter if you are in a good mood or not. Once the Spirit’ trumpet sounds, as a soldier, you must obey the command. There is a possibility that people will reject you and God’s Word in your mouth. There is a possibility that you will ‘perish’ trying to save the lives of others. If that is the case, it is better to ‘perish’ fighting like a soldier, than to hide under an expensive table, in a palace that cannot protect you from the wickedness of evil men outside.
Child of God, after you have done everything, taking the whole armor of God on you, the royal garments of authority provided by the King of kings, chose to stand!!! Like the way God was Moses, the same Jehovah God will be with you. No man, no woman will be able to stand against you. If anyone fights against you, that one shall fall at your feet, beg for mercy and acknowledge that God is with you and that God loves you. This day, as you enter a new year and a new season of life, I plead with you, re-surrender your heart and mouth to God! Serve God with the fruit of your lips! Offer your mouth to God! To the glory of your King who can never lose a battle! Praise God! Proclaim His name! Pray to God! Preach God’s Word! In Jesus’ name!
(Fasting and prayer day 1)
SELDOM VISITATION
“Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house; lest he become tired of you and hate you” (Pv 25: 17, AMP)
God is jealous over you! There is a danger among Christians. They replace the comfort of the Holy Spirit with close relationships, even marriages. The foundation for this is the work of familiar spirits. A familiar spirit is a demon that uses friendships. Two or more persons become too personal, unduly intimate in sharing all secrets. This becomes the basis for their friendship. It may not be sexual; it could be just emotional ties. They know each other too well, from close association and exchange of ideas. To the world this sounds like the perfect relationship or marriage. But the Bible calls this human over-familiarity -witchcraft. In the Old Testament, such were punished with death (Lev 20:27). In Hebrew the word for wizard is ‘to know another.’ It is someone who knows too much about you, who can predict and manipulate your spirit. Never allow yourself to be known completely by an-other human being. Never replace the comfort of the Holy Spirit with human friendships! No person can be ‘god’ to you! Friendship with people who have Familiar spirits will affect you with strange sexual lust and anxious guilty conscience!
“‘Do not turn to spirits of the dead, and do not inquire of familiar spirits, to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God..I’ll oppose and eliminate from contact with his people whoever consults mediums or familiar spirits, thereby committing spiritual prostitution with them” (Lev 19:31; 20:6)
In Christ I declare:
I will bring all my relationships to my Heavenly Father’s altar and lay them there. Lord, may the only ones that survive the fire of Your jealousy remain. I let go of all the rest. May all my relationships bring You glory, even in my marriage and friendships. I ask for forgiveness and cleansing for any ungodly relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
BREAK CAMP – ADVANCE – SEE – TAKE POSSESSION
“You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance… go… see… Go in and take possession…” (Deut 1:6-8)
There is something called “frozen” will. Too much thinking, too many options, emotional overload, too many questions of ‘what to do next’ until your will becomes frozen and you can’t move on at all. You have to make a decision! See, you are exhausting the available time to act. The door of opportunity opens and closes and you are still there in front of it. A door is a sign to move on! Are you afraid to try, afraid of change, afraid to move on, or afraid of making mistakes? While waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment, you may lose the only moment you have! Be ready for a change! Be ready to see and possess something new. Just move forward the next time the door opens. You never know when, but it may be any time, thru the narrow way, straight into your destiny! As for me, I’ll see you over there…
In Christ I declare:
It is true: In the past, I have wasted too many opportunities to move ahead in my life! But no more wasting! By faith, the next opportunity God gives to me, the next door He opens for me, I shall go though it; body, soul and spirit! Help me God! No more regrets! No more delays! No more fears! No more doubts!
Watch people: the next thing you see of me shall be only my ‘break lights’ (A Nigerian slang meaning you see the back of the car, moving on). Today is the day God has made! I shall rejoice and I shall be glad in it! Oya! (Another Nigerian slang meaning ‘let’s go’!)
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
LOVELY SONG IGNORED
“So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them” (Ezekiel 33:31, 32)
Many people (I call them ‘spiritual artists’) like prophetic meetings and prophetic utterances. They like to feel the rush of emotions when the secrets of hearts are revealed, when darkness gives way to the light of God. They like the sound of prophetic words spoken aloud in a congregation. They quote the prophet’s words to others, they admire them, they say ‘wow,’ they imagine the background music compatible with the utterance for the season; they design T-Shirts and banners or dance to the tune of heavenly bells. But… here comes the sad part of the story; they just like the sound of the words but they do not take them seriously, they do not obey them! Is this possible? Absolutely! In fact, it is quite common.
God warned Ezekiel to be careful with people who pay the price for a visit, have the right greeting prepared at the door, the attached smile and hand-shake, and all the flattery ready… but they were not true friends at all! They were gossips and greedy for selfish gain. They came to visit the prophet to glean some ‘garage sale’ prophetic words, cheaply bought but with some little polishing and repackaging in order to make millions in their latest bestselling books.
God’s Word is not a luxury, it is not sugar icing on our emotions or chewing gum to keep us awake in the church. The Word of God is not for sale! The Word of God is life, it is salt, and light in the darkness and it is the greatest weapon given to men!
In Christ I declare:
I trust in God and I trust in His Prophets! Because of this, I am established spiritually! I shall experience victory and prosperity!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
I AM ACCEPTED!
I use to live by ‘feelings’. Mistake!
I felt rejected!
I now know (and feel too) that I am ‘accepted in the Beloved’! (Eph 1:6)
TRUE WORSHIP IS SACRIFICE AND INVESTMENT THAT NEVER FAILS!
‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the sea shore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me” (Gen 22:16-18)
God calls Abraham up on the mountain. He is now an old man. All His prayers have been answered. God’s promises to him have been fulfilled. Possibly he thought; ‘what else is there to talk about?’ Then God says He wants back that which He has given: the promised Son. God wants Isaac, as an offering. How can a man process this in his mind? But Abraham is God’s friend and friends trust each other even when they do not understand. Abraham started climbing the mountain. He told his servants he was going up there ‘to worship.’ They carried the fire and the wood… ‘But where is the lamb?’ Isaac wondered. ‘The Lord shall provide Himself with a Lamb,’ said Abraham. Jehovah Jireh, God the Provider is His name; He provides the need and He supplies the answer. That is the God we shall worship forever. No fear, no going down the mountain without a glory encounter!!!
God indeed provided the Lamb, not just on the mountain to save Isaac from death and to save Abraham from crime. But He provided His Own Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the spotless, sinless Lamb who by His death on the Cross saved all who believe! Now you know the secret of my worship!!!
In Christ I declare:
God is my God! God is my Father! God is my Provider! God is my Praise! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
THE REST WILL FOLLOW
You have expected too much from man and too little from God! It is time to set your priorities right! The rest will follow!
SEE YOU UP THERE, MY FRIEND!
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” (Is 40:31)
The eagle is a royal bird. One of the cherubs around the throne of God has the face of an eagle. Eagles inspire us! Eagles know how to be lonely and they know how to rejoice as families. Eagles flock together. They never mix with other birds. Lesson: We pray for discernment to be careful with the people we call friends. Just as light cannot mix with darkness so a believer should not be intimate with an unbeliever.
Eagles do not eat dead things; only the vultures do. Lesson: We take the Holy Communion, the Body and the Blood of Christ, who is Life and the Living God.
Eagles mate for life. But they test each other before commitment. The female takes a twig up in the air and drops it. The interested male will go and catch it and return it to her. Then she flies higher and drops it again. The male is to go and faithfully catch it each time. Any male that gets tired of cooperating, of ‘sacrificing himself’ for her, working or playing with her, will be rejected. Lesson: A righteous person is prudent and prayerful when choosing his (hers) life partner. Be friends! Labor together in God’s vineyard, study each other’s ministry before you even consider a marriage candidate. Can you pray together? Can you repent together? Can you rejoice together? Test before you commit into marriage!
During winter, some eagles have to migrate to other places. If they have to leave the nest, the eagles migrate alone, for safety purposes. In spring time, they come back from different places to the same nest. They openly rejoice to find each other again. They fly together, hunt together, just for the pure pleasure to reconciliation. Lesson: both husband and wife need to be strong individually, to withstand pressures of loneliness in ministry and life in general. The period of separation may be hours or days, but there is always a rejoicing, a coming back together,which is ever sweeter.
In old age, the eagle goes away to a lonely spot and plucks up all his feathers by himself. Then he patiently waits for them to grow back again. That is a lonely and vulnerable place to be. But the new feathers are stronger than the old ones and he comes back to his nest with renewed power and zeal for life. Lesson: The Cross is not just history. Unbelievers totally ignore its call. As a believer, you are supposed to know its power intimately, to trust God for seasons of hiding and for the power to push you higher than even before. This power of resurrection is the sure and unique stamp of the true child of God!
In the scripture above, all the words are in plural. You have to imagine many eagles helping one another to fly higher than ever before. This is the power of the encouragement in the Body of Christ. If you are discouraged, look at another believer, and rise from self-pity! If you are bored with the Bible, admire the hunger for righteousness in another brother or sister! Get up to pay the price for it! If you are afraid of your environment, see other believers who face worst temptations than you and still stand to confront the enemy! If you are in doubt, imitate other believers who persevere unto the end, focused and faithful! You are an eagle, not a chicken! Look for other eagles! God’s eagles!
The marathon race is hard. Many start but few finish it. The true champions will tell you that it is easy to start. It is hardest in the middle of it. But if you persevere, then suddenly, the joy of receiving the crown will ignite a new, strange power in you. It is the secret deposit of the Holy Spirit within. I have experienced it. I witness to the glory and to the never ending reserves of Christ in me, the hope of Glory! There is a point in the journey of life when you can confidently say: No more weariness, no more fainting! So, on the wings of prayer and praise, just like the eagles, rise up my friend! I’ll see you up there!
TRUE LOVE ACTION
“Dear children, let us not love with only words but with actions and in truth” (1 Jn 3:18)
When my husband and I got married 44 years ago, the foundation of our marriage was love. Because we married as unbelievers, our relationship was based on an impure love mixed with lust, I might say. This is our testimony: when Christ saved our souls He also purified our marriage relationship. He changed our ‘polluted water-love’ into ‘ pure wine-love’. Praise the Lord!
As a pastor, I counsel many people who plan to marry, especially the women. I see more and more young (and not so young) people who plan to marry, not for love, not to fulfill their destinies, but for ‘business- like’ reasons. There is no romantic love as I used to know it. They marry to ‘settle’ in a marriage that has only financial or social gain. They call it love. But it is not. Many of them, even after their marriage, they continue to keep their single life style. They keep their former friends as close friends. The topic of their discussions does not change. It does not reflect their new position as married people. There is a terrible danger of marrying to have more money, to please friends or to impress the world. The devil is deceiving many people to misuse the gift of marriage for self promotion! How sad! A wrong foundation is an hindrance to the growth of love, to the maturity of the marriage relationship.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Gen 2:24, 25). Marriage is a gift from God. If you desire to marry, you must ‘leave’ your past relationships before you can ‘cleave’ to your marriage partner. This God ordained ‘cleaving’ is a covering so that in marriage, you do not feel ‘naked and ashamed’. If the husband or the wife are still closely connected to their natural family and former friends, they will feel ‘naked and ashamed’. They will feel an inferiority complex concerning their status as a married couple. They feel apologetic now that they are married. They shall lack the confidence of a romantic love and the holy boldness manifested in a godly mature marriage, as God designed it to be.
The question is this: what do you do if you discover that you got married for the wrong reasons? Divorce is not an option because ‘God hates divorce’ (Mal 2:16). You need a miracle from God! Your marriage needs the touch of the Living God. Your marriage needs to be ‘born again’. The Holy Spirit must change your marriage. Money and friends cannot fix it. You need a true new beginning! A new foundation must be laid! Christ must be that foundation! Adjustments must be made in line with the Word of God. These changes are painful but necessary. There must be a testimony based on prayers, repentance and restitution.
This is my counsel: Dear married couples: please pay the price to have a new, good, spiritual, sweet and successful, Bible based marriage! It is not easy but it is more than worth it! God bless you!
O MY SOUL! HOPE IN GOD!
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God” (Ps 42: 11)
These few weeks I met passivity in the hearts of many believers; it is a type of discouragement and apathy; a strange affliction that makes their faith weak; like a soldier that does not buttons his coat, forgets his cap and drags his weapon on the ground…
Warning! It is an infection! It is an evil spirit! It is an occult virus! Fight back, believer! Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts) is with you! May your testimony increase! Let the devil be disgraced! Let the saints be encouraged!
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow! Because He lives, all fear is gone! Because I know, that He holds my future! My life is worth the living just because Christ lives!”
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God! God is the strength of my heart and my confidence for-ever! My hope is not in men or circumstances, but in God! I trust God who is the Lifter of my head! Sickness and sorrow are not my gods; they are not my counselors! I shall not listen to their words! I believe the Word of God and His Promises! Jesus is my Savior and my Lord! I will fear no man, no virus, no demon! I am free to praise God! I will praise God! Hear me say out loud; “Praise the Lord!”
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
Green Pastures 