“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 impossible questions. 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 solved, you shall look back and see that it was Jesus! The same yesterday, today and forever! O, How I love Jesus, for He first loved me!

“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer…” (Ac 3:1)

In the past, Peter and John worked together as fishermen. Jesus called both of them to salvation and ministry. We see them here going together to ‘the prayer meeting of the church’. They were instruments in the hands of the resurrected Christ to miraculously heal a man who was born lame. In the natural, they had very different temperaments. Peter was hot tempered and talked a lot. John was gentler and quieter. But in Christ, they were brothers, friends, co laborers united in purpose and zeal.

This is a question: who are your friends? ‘There is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother’ (PV 18:24). His name is Jesus! His family in heaven and on earth is very big! Jesus has many brethren that may come your way.  Blessed are you if the love of God comes to you thru people! Blessed are you if your friends invite you to church! Blessed are you if your friends pray for you, encouraging you to read your Bible or to think about Jesus! Blessed are you if your spouse is spiritually mature and is a true worshipper with a servant’s heart! Today, when you pray, please thank God for your family and friends in Christ! They are the brethren of Jesus, ‘the angels’ that God uses to bless you! Even if you have no money, you are blessed and rich beyond words! To God be the glory!

This was the last prayer meeting called “Saturday Class” for this year. We started strong and we finished even stronger.  This evening we prayed for a sister from our church that lost her husband. Her in-laws want her to worship the river goddess, to appease it so that she and her daughter will not die. But this is a lie! We know that she is a child of God. We prayed for strength to stand for Jesus, for wisdom to speak or to keep silent and also for peace. Secondly, we also prayed for all the activities in our church this month: The dedication of the new sanctuary, the Christmas programs and the end of the year Jesus Mega Party. We prayed that all our guests will travel safely. There shall be no trouble, loss, lack, quarrels, anxiety or confusion. Everything we shall say and do will give glory to God!  We invited the Holy Spirit in our midst.  He came ‘as usual’ in His own ‘special way’. We rejected the evil spirit of religion, the fake ‘holy spirit’. We rejected the fear of sickness, the fear of bad news, untimely death, poverty, pride and ‘bad luck’. The Holy Spirit brought joy to us as we yielded to Him. We then praised God for His goodness and faithfulness towards us. To God be all the glory!

The idea of being ‘a career woman’ is more common in the western world than in Nigeria where I live. But the advice is universal and we can all learn from it. I write this with a new compassion for the single women. A ‘career woman’ is a woman whose main priority in life is achieving success in her career or profession. It may specifically refer to a higher interest in career than in marriage and having children. In other words, her job is her husband and children. It can thereby be used in contrast to what is called ‘a housewife’. Interestingly, there is no male equivalent. Have you ever heard of a “career man?” No!

The truth is that not all working and successful women CHOSE to be ‘career women’. They just ‘become old’ while working in their offices. They postpone marriage and having children until it is ‘too late’ for that. But some women do choose to pursue their careers in place of being working wives and mothers. Some others delay motherhood for years because they feel they need to stay competitive in their businesses. Later they regret that decision. Some women believe that their dedication to their career, and the good that they are building through their work, is their ultimate legacy. Oprah Winfrey is the best example of that. Finally, some women have absolutely no interest in becoming mothers, their careers notwithstanding. Their identity is rooted in their business.

I am a wife and a mother. I am also a pastor. From the Word of God I find that the majority of women want to ‘settle’, to marry and have children. They want to have time to enjoy their home and the gift of motherhood. Most of the scriptures encourage the women to marry and have children. Marriage and motherhood is work and ministry. The sacrifice is great but the reward is greater.

But there is hope even for them who did not marry. They are called spiritual ‘eunuchs’. These women should serve God in their local church. They should become spiritually fruitful. They should mentor younger women. In this way they can have spiritual children. They can be mothers in Christ to many needy daughters. This ministry of mentoring the next generation of women is very fulfilling. I know it by experience. God can bless you too.

This is the Word of God: “Nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.” For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off” (Is 56:3-5)

This is what our Lord said: “But He (Jesus) said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” (Mt 19:11, 12)

The worst thing is to live a life of regret. The truth is that a business career cannot satisfy your soul. The money you make and the fame you get do not give you peace and joy forever. Even your husband or your child cannot satisfy your soul. Only Jesus can do that. But this is the truth: To be a wife and a mother is more rewarding than any promotion in any office in any country. Wives and mothers be encouraged today! And you, if you are single and ‘too old’ to have children, then consider adoption. A baby somewhere in this world needs your love.

May the Holy Spirit direct your path! May the Holy Spirit help you to choose the right thing at the right time! Be blessed! In Jesus name!

My husband and I. Forty one years of marriage! Love never fails!To God be all the glory!
Sotul si eu. 41 de ani de casatorie! Dragostea nu va pieri niciodată! Slava Domnului! (Romanian)

But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. So David inquired of the Lord, saying: “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And God answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” (1Samuel 30:6-8)

This is one of the most difficult times for David, the future king of Israel. He was rejected by the Philistines as a soldier. He came home to Ziklag to discover that he has lost everything. The wicked Amalekites took away his wives, his children and his property. Also, everything belonging to his soldiers was all gone. The people were so grieved and angry that they wanted to stone David, their leader. The word ‘grieved’ in Hebrew means to become bitter and rebellious. May God help you not to become bitter and rebellious during the trials of life!

What does David do in this situation? What will you do?

The Bible says that he wept until he had no more tears. After that, he gets up and he ‘strengthens himself in the Lord his God’. In Hebrew, this word means to be encouraged, to help, to play the man, to prevail, to be courageous, to lean on another who is stronger and become strong again. This is David’s secret. This is the secret of the saints in the history of Christianity. When difficult times come, they run towards God and pray! They do not backslide; they do not run to the world for false encouragement. They run to God, they worship and pray and so, they are saved!  David runs towards ‘The Lord his God’. The names of God here are: Jehovah and Elohim. The meaning of ‘Jehovah’ is ‘I AM’. He is the self-existing One; the covenant God of Israel, the personal God of His people.  Elohim is the God of Genesis, the God who created all things. Elohim has to power to change the circumstances, to grant a new beginning and to make all things new.

David believes that God loves him, that He cares! Alone, rejected, and in trouble, David ran to God! Be careful: in difficult times the devil will attack you with doubt and confusion. He will point you to the wrong direction. The devil wants you to doubt the love and faithfulness of God. He will push you to run and run without any vision or destination. You shall be attacked with fear and discouragement! But do like David: run to God and pray. Ask for wisdom. God will answer you. His Word is final. It is not what your doctor, your bank manager, your boss or any other man says to you. It is what God says! That is final!  Defeat discouragement! Pick up the broken pieces! Is there fresh trial? God supplies fresh, more abundant, grace! There is a difference between a strong man and a strengthened man! Even if you are weak, lean on Jesus and receive strength. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and so you shall become strong!

This is the lowest point for David, just before the ascending to the throne! The true king David emerges!  Sorrow and pain do not last forever. Labor is not forever. Soon, the baby shall be born and the mother shall rejoice!! This is the royal way of the Cross. Embracing the pain of brokenness, accepting the risk of humility, thru the tears of holiness, God will lead you from tragedy to triumph. This is His Word for you today: “Pursue the enemy, overtake those losers and, without fail, recover all! God is with you! You can do it! For the glory of God! In Jesus name,  amen!”

Pastor Leigh, my husband, blowing the shofar, announcing the beginning of the worship in our church this morning! Worship the Lord!!!!!!

My hands are filled with God’s Harvest!  The parents attend our church. They waited for 8 years for children. These are our blessed twin grandchildren (a boy and a girl): Michael and Michaia! This is God’s promise fulfilled: ‘You shall live to see your children’s children…” (Ps 128:6). May the blessing of fruitfulness be your portion too! In Jesus name, amen! Glory to God!

Eu cu nepoteii mei spirituali. Mama lor (fata mea an Hristos) a asteptat 8 ani de casatorie ca sa aibe copii. Sant gemeni: un baiat si o fata. Slava Lui! “Să te binecuvînteze Domnul din Sion, să vezi fericirea Ierusalimului, în toate zilele vieţii tale, şi să vezi pe copiii copiilor tăi!” (Psalm 128:5, 6)
(Romanian)

The evening service started strong. Each time we are real and hungry for more of God, our weakness is overtaken by strength. The faith and anointing increased. We prayed for the Holy Spirit to ‘come down’ in our midst. We prayed in English and in tongues. There was a great longing for an encounter with the Living God. We prayed and we worshiped Jesus with a ‘new song’ directly from the heart. We poured our best at His feet. ‘Awesome God how great thou art…’

Then the message followed: HOW DOES CHRIST BUILD HIS CHURCH?

Jesus said: ‘I will build My church…’ (Mt 16:18). But how does He build it? He uses ‘spiritual tools’ to build up His people, His church. The first two ‘tools’ are called ‘Grace’ and ‘Prayer’ (Ac 20:32; Jude 1:20). The third one is called the ‘Gifts of the Resurrected Christ’ also called the ‘fivefold ministry’. “So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:11-13)

This is the Gospel: Jesus Christ died for sinners. He was buried; He resurrected and went back to heaven. From over there He sent the Holy Spirit and the ‘maturing gifts’. These gifts are the offices of ‘apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers’. Their function is to mature all the believers.  These gifts are given for the benefit of the whole church; not only to some isolated ‘perfect’ Christians but to all the believers so that they all become strong and mature.

This is the desire of Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church! He wants to build you up so that you can worship God and be strong enough to work for Him! It is not the Bible school that makes you a worker for God. It is the grace of God, the power of prayer and the impartation of the fivefold ministry in your church! If you ignore or reject those, you can never be strong, fruitful or mature.

How do you know that a church is growing? There are two basic elements: The Unity of the Spirit and the Knowledge of Jesus Christ. The unity of the Spirit is between the parts of the body. Each part needs to become ‘perfect’ and mature. Then they can come together to work together. The Body is not perfect until every cell, every member is perfect. The cults produce a false unity where all members are the same, like clones. But the Holy Spirit is creative and produces unity and diversity in the same time.  The glory of the church is manifested by the extraordinary variety and creativity of its members, mixed with loving humble submission, thus creating a beautiful unique unity. This mature church is able to create the right atmosphere for true worship! Carnal believers and immature church leaders mix worship with entertainment or business. That is very sad!

The knowledge of the Son of God means to know Him intimately and experientially. You need to study who the Lord Jesus is. You need to meditate upon the doctrines of Christ: the virgin birth, the fact that He is Man and God in the same time. Jesus is Prophet, Priest and King. This knowledge will increase the faith of each member and together the body is building. Let’s pray with Paul: “That I may know Him (Jesus Christ)…” (Philip 3:10)

“God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecc 3:11)

All the Word of God is good for me. But there are scriptures in the Bible that immediately encourage me and without fail. I am sure that you know the story of how Haman was disappointed when he was told that Mordecai, the man he was planning to kill, has been promoted by the king. It is found in the Book of Esther, chapter 6. What amazed me recently is the timing of these events. It is wonderful to see how God orchestrated the events.

*God’s time is always perfect
We often pray: “Lord, how long?” We hate to wait. But waiting on God is not a waste; it is blessed by Him.
Timing is very important in sports, in finances, in medicine and other things.
God’s name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther. In the first five chapters, the wicked Haman is promoted and things go well for him. Mordecai is suffering and he is in danger to die. In chapter 6 there is a change coming. This is a new beginning.
Things can really happen in the night when men sleep but God moves. We are told that the king could not sleep that night. He asked for the chronicles of the Kingdom. That is a boring thing to listen to. Maybe he thought that will make him sleepy. But no! He was reminded of how, five years previously, Mordecai, the Jew, saved his life. He quickly asks: What has been done for this man? Nothing- was the answer. There was no reward given. The king was afraid that he is found to be an ungrateful man. He them planned to greatly reward Mordecai.
That same night Haman slept well with a false sense of security and enjoying success. In no night was Mordecai in such a danger. Up until this moment Mordecai was persecuted, not appreciated and not rewarded. But that early morning the tables were changed. Haman was disappointed to discover that his enemy was promoted. If God was few hours to late, Mordecai could have been dead. What a story! See God’s perfect timing! Remember, even if no man remembers you, God knows about you. He will reward and bless you. In His Time!

We see God’s perfect timing with Joseph. His brothers wanted to kill him. But just then, there came a caravan of Ishmaelite. They bought Joseph with money. He became a slave but that slavery saved his life. If the caravan came few hours too late, Joseph could have died. God comes at the right time.
Another example is the Pharaoh’s daughter who came to the River at just the right time. She heard the cry of baby Moses. The baby cried at just the right time and so he was saved.

God’s time is always beautiful. We praise God for the timing of things! God’s time is always for His glory and for our good God is never too early and never too late. Do you believe that? Then praise God as you continue to wait on Him! No one who trusts in God to the end shall be disappointed! Halleluiah!

“Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face”
(William Cowper, 1774)

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
My testimony is sure!
My future is better than my past!
As I trust in God and patiently wait for Him, I shall not be disappointed!
To God be all the glory for His work in my life!
In Jesus name,
Amen!

“God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecc 3:11)

This is a lesson I had to learn: If you say that you trust God, then you need to trust not only God’s power but also God’s timing. Many Christians believe the promises of God but do not trust His timing. They believe that God can do miracles. But they become impatient as they wait for the miracle to come. They never think that God is too fast. But they complain that God is ‘too slow’. What lessons can we learn about God’s timing?

“The one who listens to you listens to Me; and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and the one who rejects Me rejects Him [My heavenly Father] who sent Me” (Luke 10:16)

I am a servant of Christ. I am an ambassador of Christ. He sends me to speak His Words. These are not my words but His. Along the way, as I do ministry, I know that I will meet two types of people. Some will listen to me and some will close their ears. Some will reject me and some will accept me. There is no other group. This is a simple instruction from the Master. I shall not be confused or deceived by men.

The Lord has sent me into a good and great field. It is an abundant harvest.  It is also a dangerous field. I am a sheep sent to save other sheep that are lost in the forest of the wolves. I do not have physical weapons. I do not have strong teeth to bite. I cannot run faster than the wolves. But the wisdom, the power and the grace of God given by my Shepherd are always sufficient. My life is a miracle. I lose nothing even when I pour out daily. The supply, both spiritual and material, never stops. God’s mercy and encouragement is new and creative every morning. My spiritual engine is fueled by the agape love of God that never fails. I carry with me in my heart and mouth words of peace, healing and life. If any receive them, the seal of the Holy Spirit will become visible upon that one. He will be blessed with all types of riches. The spiritual connection between me and him (or her) endures forever. In heaven we shall remember the holy testimony that started on earth.  But if anyone politely ignores or rejects my words, that person does not need me. He will answer to the God who sent me.  When someone rejects me, I never feel sorry for myself. I feel sorry for that person. I count that one as a foolish man or woman. I know that person has lost an opportunity to enjoy a treasure that could have been his. My work for God comes with a very high responsibility. But it carries the greatest reward. I give God all the glory for my salvation and my ministry!

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (PV 18:24)

A person with many friends may still run into problems. A large number of friends does not equal help in the time of need. Many popular celebrities have faced this dilemma—they can have thousands of fans, yet fame is fickle, and the fans quickly disappear during difficult times. Our era of social media promotes many superficial connections who are called “friends,” but there are few true friends. Even the most connected can be lonely. The concept of friendship is a strong one in Proverbs, and the word friend is used nine other times in the book. Wisdom is called a friend (7:4), a friend loves at all times (17:17), a poor man is deserted by his friend (19:4), everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts (19:6), a person with gracious speech has the king as his friend (22:11), faithful are the wounds of a friend (27:6), the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel (27:9), and do not forsake your friend and father’s friend (27:10).

We are preparing for the church’s dedication later this month. We printed some billboards for the events and we wanted to place them in some parts of the city. We were informed that we needed the approval of the city council and of the ‘area boys’. The leader of the ‘Uvie youths’ asked for 350,000 Naira (about $1500). He said that this is ‘approval fees’ for the community. He said that we can use the spots for ‘one year’. We gave him the money last week. He gave us the receipt stating that the money will expire on the 31st of December 2015. He said that what he meant by ‘one year fees’ ends on the last day of the year, even if we pay in December. He succeeded to deceive us. He threatened us by saying that if we do not pay the same amount on the 1st of January 2016, the youths will bring them down that same day. This was high manipulation. Pastor Leigh pleaded with him but he was very stubborn and rude. Then Pastor Leigh told him: “I see that you do not fear God. This money was gathered by the church people for a church event. You deceived us and took the money. Now you have changed your word. I will not beg you anymore. Take the money and go. Do what you want with God’s money. May God have mercy on you!” Still talking proudly, the young man left. This happened yesterday afternoon. My husband was sad the whole day. This is a lot of money to be lost. Then we prayed that God should take control and glorify His name in Father’s House.

“Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as Christ’s sufferings are ours in abundance [as they overflow to His followers], so also our comfort [our reassurance, our encouragement, our consolation] is abundant through Christ [it is truly more than enough to endure what we must]”
(2Cor 1:3-5; AMP)

“Hear my cry, O God;
Listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak;
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I [THE ROCK that is too high to reach without Your help].
For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me,
A strong tower against the enemy
Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings”

“Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” (Eph 5:18)

To be filled with the Holy Spirit is God’s command. It is not a once and for all times experience. You need to be filled always. After pouring out to others, as you do ministry, you need to be re-filled again. You need to have faith that the Holy Spirit is willing and able to fill you. You need to trust the love of God your Father. You need to present your body as a ‘living sacrifice’ and pray that you be filled. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is an experience. You shall feel the filling. It is like drinking water on a hot day. It is like wine, sweet and strong. It is not just a wish or an imagination. You shall become happy beyond expression. You shall pray in tongues as easy as you breathe.

We shall dedicate our new sanctuary in December. This is our poster!

“I cannot do it (I am not able to do it; It is beyond my power to do this)” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires (a favorable answer of peace)” (Gen 41:16)

Joseph stands before the greatest man alive at that time. Pharaoh has the power to kill him or free him. Jehovah God sent a dream to Pharaoh and none of his ministers could interpret it. God gave Joseph a dream as a young man. He also gave him the gift to interpret other’s dreams. He was successful in the past in this ministry. He has enough experience to be confident about his skill. His fame has gone before him. The ‘drama’ is set for him to promote himself. But no, standing before Pharaoh, Joseph remains calm, patient and humble. He refuses to fall to the temptation to give glory to himself for the gift of God. He clearly says: “I am not able to interpret your dreams…”