If praise is like perfume
I lavish mine on You…
Until every drop is gone…
I pour my love on You!
Imela-e….Imela-e…..

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

“And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus” (Mt 14:28, 29)

The prayer meeting was good. To me, ‘good’ it means that the Person of God the Holy Spirit was here moving freely in our midst. The Holy Spirit gave us a word so that we can pray and worship God with it. This was the word: ‘Come back to Me!’ The Holy Spirit was leading the way so that we are able to come back to the Rock of our salvation. Thru thanksgiving, The Holy Spirit ministered entrance to us, into the presence of God, Thank You, Abba Father! The message was about Jesus and Peter walking upon the stormy waters (Mt 14:22-33). This is the story: Jesus miraculously fed thousands. They wanted to make Him king by force (Jn 6:15). He forces His disciples to take the boat, to cross the sea and to go ‘to the other side’. Jesus separates the disciples from the crowd because there is a danger to become attracted to desire only material things.  Spirituality is a personal race. The crowd may ‘swallow’ you into following a false gospel of ‘prosperity’. “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong” (Ex 23:2). Lesson: If Jesus commands you to go somewhere, you shall arrive at the destination. No storm is able to stop you! Jesus is the King of the storm! Fear not! In God’s time, you shall arrive at heaven! But God does not prevent storms in life. The trials come so that your faith is purified and your hearts established in grace. Jesus separates you from the materialistic crowd. Do not have too many friends. Do not follow unbelievers because they will drag you away from God. Pray for God to bring quality spiritual friends who challenge you to repent and to follow Jesus! True friends are more than gold!

It was a great storm. The boat was in serious danger. Jesus was not with them. It was in the middle of the sea and in the middle of the night. The wind was contrary and the waves terrifying. The disciples thought that they will die. At about 4 am Jesus comes walking on top of the waters. He was not running like somebody who is panicky. Jesus walked towards them calmly. Lesson: The trial will not kill you. Jesus will come to save you! Jesus is never too early and never too late.  They thought He was a ghost. Fear of death was added on top of fear of death. When fear is too much you should know that the devil is attacking you. How many deaths do you want to die? The devil is a liar! The stormy waters represent your problems. To be free from fear you need to see Jesus walking on top of your problems. For example, there is the problem of poverty, loneliness or sickness. What is it that you need? You need a fresh vision of the Resurrected Christ calmly walking on top of that poverty, that loneliness or that sickness. You need to hear the Lord’s voice that is stronger than the storm saying to you: ‘Come!’ His voice is above and louder than many waters (Rev 1:15). His courage will ignite courage in you. Because He lives, you shall live also! You shall come out from the boat of human effort and you too shall walk on top of your problems. The solution to all your problems is fresh spiritual sight and fresh spiritual hearing. ‘Walk like Jesus walked’ (1Jn 2:6). This is how progress, healing, deliverance and financial breakthrough is made. I pray that God will open your eyes to see Jesus, open your ears to hear His Word and give you the courage to get out from that passivity-doubt-fear boat into the faith that knows no borders. In Jesus name, amen!

“And He (Jesus) appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach” (Mk 3:14)

A Minister wrote me saying that he is frustrated with his ministry. This is my answer to him:

“May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace” (Ps 144:12)
This is my testimony: God has blessed me as a mother in Nigeria. This is me with my daughters: Jemine (the bride), Trish and Alina. Praise the Lord!

“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength” (Ps 18:1)
Five days ago, a sister in our church, a member of the choir, a young wife and mother of three children was shot and killed by armed robbers. This was a shock to all of us. Such a tragic and untimely death! Like a cloud of darkness, this event brought a sudden pain and depression upon myself. For two days I could only grieve without comfort. I was restless. I am her pastor. My sheep was killed by wicked men from outside the fence. ‘Abba Father, what shall I do?’ Some months ago she told me: “Malia, I think that God is calling me to come closer to Him. But I am afraid…” I told her: ‘If God is calling you don’t be afraid. God is a good God. He wants to bless you!’ Like an evil tsunami, the shock of this story pushed me away from the usual peace of God. The only scripture that I could remember to anchor my soul upon was this: “When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps 61:2). I needed a leading back to the Rock of Ages. Jesus is the way. I prayed for help so that I can follow His leading. I did not want to settle in depression and doubt. I need to go to the Savior, my solid unmovable Rock! A rock in the desert protects from the heat of the sun. Occasionally it rains in the desert. It produces flash floods that can easily drown a man. I hide in the Rock. I climb on the rock. This rock is my safety and my strength. I am week but He is strong. This Rock is not just a place, but a Person. This Rock is Christ, the only source of Living water (1Cor 10:4).

The Holy Spirit led the way back to the Word. Slowly, I crawled back to the manifested presence of God. On the third day I touched the Rock once more. Immediately my eyes were opened and I saw God in the tragic story. Like drinking water in the desert, I received the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, peace rested on my soul again. It was a miracle deliverance healing holy comfort moment. Praise the Lord! The Holy Spirit directed me to Psalm 18. I read it slowly and with each word I gained more strength. I saw that David too has suffered many things. He knew loneliness, rejection, betrayal, tragic loss and pain. The words I, me and mine appear 95 times in 50 verses. This describes a personal pain and a personal salvation. I need Jesus!!! Before I can help others, I need the Holy Spirit for myself! For as long as you are not able to enter another person’s pain, you cannot help that one. ‘You weep with those who weep and you rejoice with them who rejoice’ (Rom 12:15). These are deep words, exchanges of spiritual virtue and life from the stronger to the weak. Supernatural comfort is given not to store but to be shared with the needy.

I saw that thru all the trials of life one thing never changed: God! David testifies that God was always with him. God delivered him from violent men and from wicked hateful spirits. With the Help of the Holy Spirit, reading this Psalm, I could see God in the tragic story of this sister’s death. The armed robbers could only kill her body. They could not kill her soul. They could not take her to hell. They are not the heroes of this story. They were agents of darkness, cowards and failures. God is the hero of the story. Jesus, the Savior of this sister takes all the glory. What looked like a tragedy, to me now looks like powerful deliverance. The wicked men were violent and noisy. But the angels of God were gentle with her, quieting her soul in the few seconds of life she had on earth. ‘You stoop down to make me great…Your gentleness has made me great’ (Ps 18:35). In that night of lonely pain, God stooped down and Sister Mimi became ‘great’ in His presence. What a change of feelings for me! The angels carried her soul up to God in quietness and peace. This is my testimony: for me, the two days of painful mourning ended when I saw the truth. Sister Mimi is now free to worship God forever, in heaven. God won the battle! To God be all the glory! Me too I worship God who is greater than all!

Let’s pray: I come against any evil spirit of depression, witchcraft, fear, doubt and backsliding. I reject you! I destroy any spell of unholy bitter hopeless mourning over your soul. In Jesus name! I declare that Jesus is Lord! By the power of the Holy Spirit, be comforted today. Comfort others with the comfort you have received from God. We shall continue to worship God to the end, now and forever! Death cannot separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

“I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul, rejoice!
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your ear…”

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2Cor 1:2-5)

Question:                What is your only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.  He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.

We had a difficult week. A sister in Christ, member of our church, soloist in the choir, wife and mother of three small children, was shot and killed by armed robbers. In the middle of the pain, we have to go back to the Word of God, for comfort; for there is no other comfort outside Christ. The question and the answer above are taken from the Heidelberg Catechism. This is the stand of all Christians. We need Comfort always! Life is hard. We all need supernatural comfort. Not only when we are old, sick, mourning or in trouble. We need God’s comfort always, every moment, even when we are well, young and happy. Comfort is a spiritual word. It means to live in a state of freedom from anxiety, pain, shame, suffering, guilt and grief. It means to experience rest in your soul, joy, peace, hope and satisfaction in life. The opposite of comfort is depression, anger and spiritual torment.

The Holy Spirit is the Heavenly Comforter. We need to receive and retain the Holy Spirit. We need to remain filled with the Holy Spirit even to overflow, to be able to touch others with the comfort we have received from God. Family and friends may help and encourage you in times of trouble. Money can buy some little happiness. But no one and nothing else apart from the Holy Spirit can truly comfort your soul. Seek God and His comfort! If you desire to live an independent and rebellious proud life, then you reject God’s comfort, for He comforts only those who confess their need for God. Jesus Christ, our Great Shepherd, only takes care of His sheep and not of the goats that ‘join’ His flock by the side, for temporary entertainment and some stolen food. The Holy Spirit’s comfort works in life and in death. It works unto the end. It works in all circumstances and seasons of life. Have faith in God! No matter the trials and temptations, because we have the hope of glory, we have God’s comfort too.

Are you a child of God? Then receive the strength, peace, joy and comfort by the power of the Holy Ghost! At the name of Jesus, depression, fear, sickness, loneliness and grief must bow and go away. Holy Spirit, please come and fill us again! Thank You Lord! Joy comes in the morning… It is well!

M-am nascut an Romania. M-am casatorit si am avut doi copii (Alina si Ion) an Romania. De ziua Romaniei, eu ma rog ca Dumnezeu sa biecuvanteze tara mea natala cu binecuvantari spirituale si materiale. An numele Lui Isus, Amin!

Romania is my birth country. I met my husband Richmond Leigh in Romania. We got married and had two children (Alina and John) over there. Today is Romania’s national day. God bless Romania with a fresh move of God, with true revival, with spiritual and material blessings found in Christ alone! For His glory! In Jesus name, amen!

“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved” (Eph 1:4-6)

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2Tim 1:9, 10)

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Heb 13:20, 21)

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear” (Rev 13:8, 9)

The story of your salvation did not start the day you gave your life to Christ. It did not even start 2000 years ago on that Cross of Calvary. Your destiny story, your salvation testimony started in the heart of God ‘before the foundation of the world’. Before the visible universe was formed, before there was light on earth, there was a holy council in heaven between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Trying to use our imagination, the Trinity meeting went like this:

God the Father: ‘As you know, since Lucifer was sent away with a third of the angels, heaven seems empty to Me. I have purposed to populate heaven. It is not with more angels, but with a new race, called mankind. I propose that We will create them according to Our likeness. They shall be male and female and they shall dwell on earth. They shall multiply according to their flesh. Out of their multitude we shall choose some to be saved and sanctified. Thru much suffering they shall become holy as we are holy. They shall come up here to join the choir of worshippers. On earth, Lucifer shall have access to them. He will deceive them to betray us. These things are planned to happen. Because of the future pain, I want You, God the Son, to pay the price for the rebellion of men. Their salvation depends on us, on You in particular. Down the ages, You shall take the body of a man and live among them. You shall tell them about Me, how much I loved them, even before the foundation of their world. The ones we chose in this meeting shall believe You. The rest will reject You and go to the desert of perdition. This is My heart plan and My mind purpose… What do You say?’

God the Son: ‘God the Father, I hear You and I love You. I understand Your plan. I love Your thoughts. I embrace Your purpose. I delight in Your words. I also understand that love has a price called death. I willingly lay down My life for these little but mighty worshippers. Right now I write their names on My Book of life. None shall be lost. Their numbers shall be complete. Father, may Your love slay My heart now. It shall manifest later on earth, when My human Blood shall flow down from a wooden Cross… I rejoice on behalf of sinners who shall become lovers and friends of God. I salute the grace that saves men. I can see the New heaven bubbling with praise and worship. I drink the cup You give to Me now. May Your will be done…All honor and adoration be unto You Father!’

God the Holy Spirit: ‘God the Father and God the Son, You have spoken well. I am a witness to all You’ve said. I also willingly accept the challenge to populate heaven with more worshippers. I shall go down to earth and I will tell men about Your love for them. Like wine in the vessels, I will fill them. I will work inside their hearts. I will give them the power to change. I will give them the strength to believe in God. I will direct their attention to God the Son. I will keep burning in their hearts the little flame of love until it consumes all bridges to their past of sin. I will seal them unto the eternal purpose of the Father. May Your will be done…All honor and adoration be unto You Father’

This is the story of unending love. This is the everlasting covenant that can never fail. Man was not there when his conception was ordained and his salvation was performed. Man broke other covenants in earth. But this everlasting grace covenant can never be broken. For the covenant was made with God Himself. God is a faithful God. There is no weak link in this holy agreement to create and to save worshippers. Before the mountains where placed on earth, before the birds flew in the sky, before the fishes swam in the ocean, before the flowers bloomed and the breeze cooled the air, the price for love was set and was paid in Blood. Life for life! Dear child of God, your destiny is too holy and your salvation is too old to be lost in a moment of time. Nothing in all creation can separate you from the love of God found in Christ Jesus! For love is older than creation. The plan of the Ancient of Days must stand. The Word of God is marvelous and mysterious yet forever true. Truth can never die. Truth is on your side. Love can never fail.  Be encouraged today in what God has done for you. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!

MEMORY LANE

This is what I wrote under this picture, on this day exactly 6 years ago: “Today at the church building site I was impressed at how the brethren worked and helped one another. One of the brethren forgot his yellow boots and the other shared one of his with him. One boot on one leg is better than none. It has to be God! Give thanks…” This picture is taken as we were building our church, Father’s House Bible Church, Warri-Effurun (November 2011). Jesus is Lord!!!!

Lord God “You are good and You do only good” (Ps 119:68)
You who pray for healing, for deliverance, for marital or financial breakthrough… You need to obey God’s Word and start to praise Him for what He has already done in answer to your prayers! You need to exercise your faith and move on from prayer to praise! It is not easy! The devil will try to block you so that you pray forever and praise never! Submit to God! Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Then you will be able to praise in advance and the testimony shall become visible! I believe 100% that God has heard and answered your prayers already! Therefore it is your time to rejoice and praise the Lord!!! Doubt 0%! Praise the Lord!

I know my Redeemer lives!
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives…
For I am a child of God!

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

“Go in peace,” Elisha said” (1Kg 5:19)

The prophetic prayer meeting was very good. The Holy Spirit came and covered us with His light heaviness. We sang in the Spirit… ‘What manner of Man is Jesus? Halleluiah! He makes the blind to see! Halleluiah! He makes the lame to walk! Halleluiah! He came from heaven to earth, to show us the way… From the earth to the Cross our debt to pay… From the Cross to the Grave…From the grave to the sky…Lord I lift Your name on high… You are the Lord…You are the Lord… You gave me eyes to see… You are the Key that opens the door… You are the Owner of my soul… You love me, I cannot tell why… On Calvary tree, You suffered and died for me…You love me and I cannot tell why…’ There is a lifting… a burden that God did not place on you… The Holy Spirit lifts it now… We reject the evil spirit of depression, backsliding, religion and false prophets… Holy Spirit please come and do what no man can do… Fill us afresh…   Glory to the Father…glory to the Son… glory to the Holy Ghost!

The Word was from 2 Kings 5. It was the sad story of Gehazi, the servant and prophet in training of Elisha. His name means ‘The Valley of vision’. But he was spiritually blind and a greedy man. He was blind to the grace working in his master. Elisha healed Namaan and refused to take the money he offered. You can’t buy grace! You cannot buy divine healing! You cannot buy salvation! But Gehazi saw it as a lost opportunity to become ‘rich thru ministry’. Elisha sent Namaan away ‘in peace’. Healing is peace. Grace and peace are ‘twin sisters’. Gehazi runs after Namaan and greets him with the same word: ‘shalom’ (It is well!). Gehazi takes God’s name in vain!!! He lies to Namaan that Elisha is in need of money. He spoils the reputation of the prophet. He pays for this with his health. He loses his ministry, his health and the health of his children. (See the responsibility we have as parents!!!). The leprosy Namaan left behind is placed on Gehazi and his descendants. What a turning of the tables… The sick man is healed and the healthy man takes that sickness. Grace is free… God is sovereign in His dealing with men. God has no chancellor and no judge. God is no respecter of persons! He is the judge.

We repented from any connection with the evil spirit of Gehazi: loving money, greed, rebellion, giving and taking of bribes. Greed kills grace. Covetousness hinders the miracle you pray for! The same Gehazi is seen later working for the King of Israel (2Kg 8:1-6).  The prophet in training is now a politician… (Who knows how many of our politicians could have been in ministry but their spirits have been poisoned by demonic bribes? Lord God have mercy…)

“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent” (Ex 23:8). I shared a personal testimony with the congregation. More than ten years ago, a married man with children who was attending our church at that time came to me with a big envelope. He said that he wants to bless me with ‘a substantial amount of money’. He said that I have been a blessing to him especially thru the prophetic Saturday class. He looked humble and friendly.  I suddenly felt that something was not right…I could not explain… I then decided to ‘test the spirits’ (1Jn 4:1). I told him to give that gift to my husband who is the senior pastor of the church. He said ‘no’. He was insisting that I should take the gift. I started feeling even more uncomfortable in the spirit. I then told him to put the envelope in the offering box. He said ‘no’ that this gift is for me. I then said to him: ‘If you cannot give this gift to my husband or to my God, I cannot take it’. He put the envelope back into his briefcase and he left unhappily. Not long after that he and his family left the church. Since then I met people who have been spiritually wounded by the bribes of this man. He looked very ‘nice’ but he was clearly an agent of the devil to pollute Christians with bribes. I thank God for the restraining wisdom of the Holy Spirit. This is warning to all Christians in general and to pastors in particular! The devil works thru deception. Be careful especially when you pray for financial breakthrough. You need money. But not all money is good! Not every ‘envelope’ is from God! Not every gift comes without sorrow! Pray about the money offered to you as ‘gifts’. The Holy Spirit will tell you when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’! Your soul, your ministry, your marriage, your anointing, your vision that God gave to you is NOT for sale! May the Holy Spirit awake you from slumber and strengthen you to continue the race!  Jesus is Lord!

Our Women’ Fellowship was very good. We prayed and we praised God. We shared testimonies of the goodness of God. This is the sermon that was given:

There is a psychological phenomenon called ‘midlife crisis’. It is a time of increased anxiety concerning the future. It is more common with men but the women experience it too.  Women go through it earlier than men, often between the ages of 35 and 40. There is a major difference between the way men and women react during this crisis. Men are anxious for provision and women are anxious for identity. Men hate that they are getting old. They look back and wish to be young again. That is why they experience greater levels of anxiety. But for women, midlife crisis manifests more as a time to ask questions about their identity and purpose in life. Most women dream to marry and have children. Some also desires to achieve success in their careers. For many years they try hard to be ‘super-women’. They combine taking care of their families with involvement in business. These dreams are good enough for them when they are young, when they go to university and fall in love with the man they have been praying for.  These dreams are the source of most of their prayers from childhood until late thirties. But a time comes when they realize that God has already answered their ‘old’ prayers. By this time the children leave the home to go to the boarding house or to the university. Their husbands are more interested in making money than making love. The wine of romance is not bubbling again. In the office, the younger women are coming from behind and push them off from their pedestal of success. This creates a crisis in any middle age woman’s heart. Their youthful dreams are fading away and they awake to the reality that life is not easy and time is waiting for no one. As they reach menopause, most women become anxious, angry and depressed. They feel like losing control. They start putting on weight. They become careless with their appearance. To add to their problems, their husbands experience midlife crisis as well…

These are some signs of midlife crisis in women (I look these from the internet):

1-Starting to ask questions about life, destiny…

2-Desiring a simpler life

3-Realizing that many of your youthful dreams may not be accomplished (owning your own house… being slim and beautiful…)

4-Thinking about your ‘happy’ childhood a lot

5-Being jealous when you discover that your friends are richer or more successful than you

6-Buying a very expensive gift for yourself out of anger (something you can’t even afford…)

7-Worrying about your appearance (your hair is getting thinner, your waist is getting bigger, your face has wrinkles…)

8-Taking up a new hobby (like learning to play a musical instrument…)

9-Feeling sad when you look at the pictures showing you when you were much younger

10-Fearing that your parents will die soon (even if they are not sick…)

11-Reading obituaries and always checking how people died

12- Obsessively comparing your looks with others who are the same age with you

13-You stop telling people how old you are

14-Taking vitamins and supplements hoping that they work ‘miracles’

15-Worrying about High Blood pressure, Diabetes and other ‘old people’s sicknesses’

16-Always observing when your boss, your pastor, your landlord etc is younger than you and you feel embarrassed

17-Worrying that a younger person will take your job in the office

18-Dreaming about having hair transplant (men) or cosmetic surgery (women and men)

19-You are anxious, easily distracted and unhappy for no good reason… You lose your temper about little things

20-You stop reading books to educate yourself (you only check things on the internet on your phone for quick information)

21-You always complain that ‘you have no time’ for yourself …

How to prevent midlife crisis or any other emotional disappointment in life? It is to trust God and His Word!

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates” (PV 31:30, 31)

To find peace, joy, comfort and wisdom we have to go to the Bible. The Word of God applies to all, men, women and children; young and old. No matter the season in life, you will find encouragement and healing in the Word. Read Proverbs 31 and you shall find the model for us women. For example we are told that some things like sexy charm or physical beauty are temporary. They can deceive you thinking that they last forever. Nice dresses, jewelry, hairstyles are all good. Thank God for them. But if you give these too much importance you shall be disappointed and the crisis will be deeper. (Dear wife, no matter how nice you look in that new dress, your husband may be attracted by a younger (fake) version of you, whose face is smoother and whose body is slimmer than yours). Trusting and investing in these temporary things will end in disappointment.  But there are other things which are permanent: spirituality and ministry. The fear of God is the source of wisdom and godly character. The work, the business of a godly woman is always successful and fruitful.  May God encourage you at such a time as this!  In Jesus name!

‘It is God’s will that you should be sanctified’ (1Thess 4:3)

Do you want to know God’s will? So that you can do it? Read the Scripture above. God desires that you should be ‘sanctified’. This word means to be holy like God. If you say that you are a child of God, then you must resemble your Father in heaven in the way to think, speak and behave. To be holy it means to be different than the ordinary men and to be dead to sin. Do you hate sin? Or are you still addicted to sin, still a slave to sin?

‘And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to go round the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became impatient because of the journey (their soul was much discouraged because of the way)’ (Nu 21:4)

After many years of walking thru the wilderness, the people of God came close to the Promised Land. The country of Edom was the last hindrance for them to conquer. They were finally ready to possess their possessions. Moses sent a message to the king of Edom. He asked for a passage thru their territory. Moses promised that they will only walk on the ‘King’s highway’. They will not damage Edom’s fields and vineyards; they will eat their own food and pay for the water they shall drink along the way. The people of Edom were the descendants of Esau, their far relatives. The request seems reasonable. But to their surprise, Edom refused them the passage. Across the fields of Edom, they could see the Promised Land but they could not enter in. The heavenly cloud (re-)directed them to withdraw and to change direction. They have ‘to go round’ Edom to enter the Land of Promise thru the land of Moab and thru the River Jordan. This means a longer journey… They have to postpone their joy of entering their inheritance… This was hard for the people of God. Their souls became discouraged ‘because of the way’.

In Hebrew, the word ‘discouraged’ means to cut down to size, to diminish hope or to reduce your dreams. Essentially, discouragement is a loss of confidence in God. This feeling cripples faith and leads to sin. This is a warning to all believers and especially to the pastors who try to encourage discouraged people daily. We see discouragement as just a harmless weakness. We often try to encourage people with simple words: ‘Don’t worry… it will be better…’ But most of us don’t realize just how dangerous discouragement is. Discouragement is a spiritual virus!!! It leads to impatience, ingratitude, doubt, unbelief, selfishness (pity party), sins of the tongue (careless speech), distraction, blindness to temptation, anger, giving up (you lose spiritual strength, you become weak and lazy. A discouraged person retreats from the race. You say: ‘why should I bother to be a champion, a leader, a mentor? No need to fight… You are on your way back to the world. You become a discourager tempting others in the church to backslide! You choose to live your life in spiritual passivity, regrets, fault finding, resignation, bitterness or self-pity. God forbid! I hate that way!

How do I know that discouragement is a sin? Because God punished them with death! ‘The wages of sin is death’ (Rom 6:23). Discouragement made them to dishonor God. They complained about the longer way to enter the Promised Land. They spoke against God and their leader, Moses. God takes it personally when you insult His servant. This is rebellion. Complaining is rebellion!!! They started to doubt God’s salvation and God’s purpose. ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt?’ They complained against Mana, which represents the Word of God. Discouraged people hate the Bible! They cannot enjoy the Christian life. They want to backslide. They blame everything and everybody. They drag many on the road back to the world. But they soon discover the discipline of God! The serpents bit them and many of them died!

Listen to these wise words: “Discouragement makes the hard path—much harder; and the heavy load—much heavier. Discouragement is a slow but methodical killer that feeds upon the unresolved disappointments of your life. It is a predator of the human spirit, dragging its prey, over muffled pleas, to the dark cellar of broken dreams” (J R Miller)

What is the cure for discouragement? God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and to lift it on a pole. Anybody who was biting by a fiery serpent and who looked at the brass serpent, that one shall live! Jesus said that the brass serpent represents Himself, the Savior who died for our sins (Jn 3:14, 15). What about us today? We too must look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:1-3).

This is my testimony: that by the grace of God I have fought and defeated the demon of discouragement!!! That is why I enjoy my work as a pastor. I made up my mind that I will obey God’s Word and leading Spirit. If the road is long or short, if the road is crooked or straight, if it passed thru valleys of across the mountains, in the midst or good people or bad, I must follow Jesus. I am not saved just to enter my ‘Promised Land’. I am saved not only to enjoy the promised blessings of God. I thank God for the blessings, gifts and rewards promised to me in Christ. But I know that I am saved primarily to give glory to God by becoming more and more like His Son Jesus Christ. You may be surprised that I say this: my destination is not heaven. My destination and destiny is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And because Jesus lives in heaven, I too will go there. My holy priority is to maintain and mature my relationship with Christ. My desire is to walk with Him daily. My passion is to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit. For me life is simple because God made it simple: Jesus Leads and I follow. The length and the narrowness of the road do not matter. Sooner or later I will have my testimony, that I have entered my Promised Land. I refuse to be discouraged by anything and anybody, man, angel or demon. I live free and happy to serve my Lord! This is the truth! May this be your portion too! In Jesus name, amen! Glory to God!

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

“For God’s anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps 30:5)

The prayer meeting was very good. Outside it was raining heavily. Few people made it to church. But the Holy Spirit came heavily upon us. There was an expressed passionate hunger in our hearts to draw closer to God… We sang: ‘Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, Come and quench the thirsting of my soul, Bread of heaven fill me till I want no more, fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole”… I want to be made whole… The opposite of being whole is to be scattered. The evil spirit of religion attacks my mind, bringing conflicting thoughts, distracting feelings and scattering imaginations. But the Blood of Jesus makes me whole. I plead the Blood of Jesus upon your lives (your bodies, souls and spirits); upon your marriages and children… We prayed for a new filling with the Holy Spirit. We prayed for revival. We prayed for a fresh touch from the Master. We prayed that God does a new thing in our lives, something that only God can do; something that money cannot buy and nobody can steal away.

We rejected the evil spirits of depression, pornography, homosexuality and empty man-made religion. Some Christian people told me that they hide to smoke Indian hemp, take cocaine, drink alcohol and take sleeping tablets each evening. They tell me that ‘prayer is not enough’. They tell me that it is because of ‘life’s frustrations’. This is a lie! The devil is a liar! This is a wrong medicine! They need Jesus in their soul and to be filled with the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit comforts like no other. Jehovah Rapha can heal any disease! Jehovah Jireh is the great Provider! The Holy Spirit brings peace in the midst of the storm and joy in the midst of loss. We wept at the feet of Jesus. Our tears belong to Him alone. Then the joy of the Holy Spirit took over and we danced ‘like David danced…’ Joy came as a wave of living water on all of us this evening. Happily we said: ‘Welcome Favor! Good morning Joy!’ And we praised God!

Two teenagers: Bro. B and Sis. M, knelt down and thanked God for His grace upon their lives. Their father died two years ago leaving their mother with four kids. They are the oldest. Against all odds, God kept them. They just passed the exam to enter university. It is not easy to have good children even when both parents are alive. It is not easy to bring up godly children in Nigeria. But these two young people and their mother held onto Jesus. They knew that He is their only Hope! They attended every church activity. Bro. B decided to live in the church premises. Sis. M lives with a Christian family to help them with their children. Their mother is a usher in our church. Each time we gather for service they weep, worship and pray like there is no tomorrow. The Lord did not disappoint them. We pray that God will continue to provide all that they need, school fees and all… We ended the meeting with Spiritual worship and heart felt thanksgiving. We sang: “Oghene Miguo…” (It means ‘Thank you Lord’ – in Urrhobo language).

Indeed, Oghene, Miguoooo…..