EYES ON JESUS

This is part of a letter from a young man who was our children’s friend. He is now an adult, a very successful man in his career.He is married with a daughter. After more than 25 years, he contacted me. He says that his spiritual life is not too good. He wants to be better and suddenly, he remembered me. He wants me to advice him. This is part of my answer to him .These words may benefit someone there who has similar struggles. To mature spiritually is very important! If you are spiritually stagnant, you can never be happy as a Christian! Pay the price! God will make a way!

“Dear …
I am so happy to hear from you, after so many years…I am also happy to know that you are now married and a father too! Thank God!

I still remember you…The number one challenge you had in the past is that you often compared yourself with others. The Bible calls that foolishness (2Cor 10:12). You have to ‘forget’ other people. You have to chose to discover your own path in life. I believe that God has given you the gift of leadership but you have not being willing to step into it. You chose to follow others even when you should lead.

This is a question: When last you had ‘a heart to heart’ spiritual discussion like this one? You wife is also a very important factor in your spiritual search because she is one with you. If she is willing to pay the price to be a true spiritual helper, then your labor will be less and your progress faster. But if she is not willing to help and challenge you, if she accepts you as you are at the present, then she is not helping you.

However is the situation you have to go to the cross of Christ and see the price God Himself payed to save your soul. The Cross will ignite something in your spirit, a new passion, a fire for your ‘first love’, which is too strong to take second place (Rev 2:4,5). Keep your eyes on Jesus! He is the answer to your problems!
Keep in touch…
Your mother in Christ
Malia”

“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2Cor 10:12)
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Rev 2:4, 5)

PRAISE REPORT

“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Josh 1:5)

I just received a message from a sister in Christ. This is her testimony: She works in a good company. She is a born again committed Christian. She is very good and faithful in her job. She has favor with her boss. But the boss’ secretary, an older woman has been a trouble maker since she got her employment there. She has been working there for many years. She is very negative, manipulative and intimidating. Many fear her, what she will say or do.

When this sister told me to pray about this situation, I told her that it may be possible the secretary is a witch; that she used occult means to stay for so many years in that job. I told the sister that the light of God upon her disturbs the evil woman. I advised her to use prayer as a weapon. I told her to just greet her “Hi or Hello” (as they greet in the US) and never to say “Good morning Ma” to her again. For that will mean to strengthen a wicked woman who can never be her mother. We prayed together that this woman will either repent, give her life to Christ or that she will leave that office. That prayer was about 6 months ago.

The sister just told me that the woman was sacked today. After almost 20 years of being the ‘queen’ of the company, she will be there no more.

This testimony is given to the glory of God, to the shame of the devil and for the encouragement of the brethren all over the world.

This is God’s promise: “God is just: he will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled” (2Thess 1:6, 7)

The word ‘trouble’ means persecution, wickedness and oppression. The word relief means to be free from unnecessary burdens, to be delivered, to be able to relax, to work less with greater results and more benefits. That blessed freedom is your portion!

Dear Child of God! These are facts: God hears and answers your prayers! Pray in all situations! Believe God and His prophets! Trust God for your deliverance, breakthrough and success! God loves you! God will help you! Wait and be patient! Help is on the way! Serve God the best you can! Just be ready to give God all the glory! You shall have many testimonies too! In Jesus name, amen!

DECEPTION DEFEATED (3)

“Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us… Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves…” (Josh 9:22-23)

Here we see how the Gibeonites deceived the children of God. This is a warning for all! This is the reality: true believers can be deceived and backslide for a time. But please observe that the victory of the enemy can never be complete! There are three major successes the Gibeonites may have wanted, but failed to achieve. The first is that they could not turn back the Jews; they were not able to send them back to Egypt. Secondly, they could not expel the Jews out of the Promised Land. Lastly, they could not stop the progress and destiny of the people of God. Israel continued to do great exploits and finally occupied the Promised Land. At last, Joshua calls the deceivers ‘cursed’ and slaves forever.

The Bible offers us the greatest encouragement. The only way the devil makes the Christian fall into sin is thru deception. No true child of God will sin openly and willfully. A believer may be deceived and fall into sin. For a time, he becomes a backslider. But even so, just like with the Jews, he will not lose its eternal salvation. A backslider loses the joy of his salvation, the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit and great opportunities or rewards for ministry. These are serious losses. But no believer will ever become an unbeliever again and ‘go back to Egypt’. They cannot be uprooted from Christ. Nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus! If the devil likes it or not, our destiny as children of God shall be fulfilled! This is what I believe!

God works in all things for His glory and for the good of His people. This is how hope: God is never deceived. God will chastise His children. He will eventually bring them back to the Cross and the journey to give glory to God continues. A righteous man or woman may fall seven times but will surely rise again (PV 24:16). This is the promise of God!

Dear Child of God, be encouraged! Even if you fall, you shall rise again. The devil may steal your money or your joy but he has no power to send you to hell! You shall fulfill your destiny! For God’s name and reputation is at stake in your life! God is faithful! God can never lose any battle! He is able to complete and perfect your testimony! For His glory alone! In Jesus name, amen!

DECEPTION DEFEATED (2)

“But the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers” (Josh 9:18)

This is the story of how the Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the other leaders. Disappointed, the people of God complained against their own rulers. They were ready to attack the city of Gibeon, to conquer it and take the booty. But Joshua stopped them because of the covenant of friendship they made with the Gibeonites. Even if it was the result of manipulation or deception, they could not cancel the covenant once made. Then the people ‘complained’. In Hebrew, the word means to murmur, to be stubborn or to carry a grudge. The people grumbled the whole night, refusing to move and co-operate the next day. To complain it means to accuse someone of causing pain and grief. Complaining is the beginning of rebellion.

This is a great lesson: deception among the leaders will result in disunity and rebellion among the followers. The devil attacks the leaders for a greater damage. He knows that “If the shepherd falls, the sheep will scatter”. Spiritually speaking, if the pastor of a church is deceived, the congregation will become obstinate, unteachable and difficult. It is the same if a husband is deceived. The marriage will be damaged; the wife and children shall rebel against his authority. This is a very important lesson for all, especially for us in positions of leadership. As pastors, as parents, as teachers, we have a greater responsibility to watch and pray!

Please remember the story of the Gibeonites, how they deceived even the mighty Joshua. Never underestimate the ancient skill of the unbelievers to lie and deceive! If you are not spiritually alert, the false brethren are able to use magic or occult means to manipulate your emotions! Pray in English! Pray in your language! Pray in tongues! Trust not your wisdom or your experience! Trust only God!

Please believe this word: It is possible to live a life free of deception! Pay the price to be a good mature leader! Then your congregation or your family will learn to trust you as their mentor! That is indeed a great gain for all! To the glory of God!

PRAISE REPORT

For the past 24 hours three married women in our church have informed me that they are pregnant. All three had medical problems and declared ‘infertile’ by the doctors. I rejoice with them. It also means that our congregation is fruitful, for by the mouth of two or three witnesses, every truth is established. It is a wonderful privilege to be pastor to a living church. God bless Father’s House Bible Church Warri, Nigeria! Praise the Lord!!!! To God be all the glory!

For all who pray to be parents, this is the Word of God: “And the Lord will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your womb…” (Deut 28:11)

LIVING BY FAITH

bushmen
“For we live by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7)
When preaching about living by faith and not by sight, the example of the Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert of Africa is a very god example. They really live ‘like the birds’. They do not farm or store their food. They hunt animals or gather fruits to eat. They live in temporary shelters and are ready to move on any day. They usually possess only what they can carry. The only concession most Bushmen have made to the modern era is wearing clothes. The desert is a very harsh environment. For a stranger, there is no food available. They are very good in reading ‘the signs of the times’. They know much about animals and how to hunt them. They use poisonous bow and arrows. They cook or fry the meat in the fire. They are very artistic. They draw in the caves scenes of their daily life. Most of them are pagans. They need faith daily to survive.
They do not look good to our ‘civilized’ eyes. They do not look like they can teach us anything. Is there any lesson?
What is the lesson? If we as Christians have such faith, we shall never complain about any hardship. We shall trust God daily for our daily bread and make much progress in life.
“Dear Lord, increase our faith! In Jesus name we pray, amen!”

THE SIN OF PRAYERLESSNESS

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the way that is good and right” (1Sam 12:23)

This is what Samuel told the people of Israel, after they rejected Jehovah as their God and Samuel as a prophet. To pray is the mark of a true believer. You do not pray to please men You pray because of your relationship with God.

The Gibeonites succeeded in convincing the Jews that they can be good friends (Joshua 9). The people of God agreed to make friends with them. God commanded them not to make any covenant of friendship with the Canaanites for their will lead them astray (Deut 7). The reason why they fell to deception is that they did not pray. They did not ask the counsel of God. Lack of prayer is the main reason why believers are deceived. The devil deceives many into friendships or marriages with unbelievers. This form of deception is more common than you imagine.

The lesson here is this: always pray about everything! In things big or small, remember to acknowledge God. If ever you have been deceived, repent also of the sin of prayerlessness. Be careful especially in times when you ‘fall in love’, when you make commitments to ‘nice’ strangers. Pray that God will reveal the truth, for only Him knows the hearts of all men. “The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (PV 12:26)

This is my testimony: I love to pray! Prayer to me is like oxygen for my lungs, like food for my stomach. If God answers me or not I will continue to pray. Sometimes is easy and sometimes is hard. But I can never stop praying! Even if the devil begs me on his dirty knees, even if circumstances are difficult, I shall continue to build up my prayer life. For I do not know of any other way how to live my life! I cannot forget to pray, for prayer has become a part of me! To God be all the glory!

DANGEROUS FLATTERY

“A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet” (PV 29:5)

Religious flattery is a common tool of deception used by the devil. Flattery is defined as insincere praise. It is a lie designed to make you proud and to weaken you spiritually. This flattery is a snare to cage your soul. Your mind, emotions and will shall be restricted if you allow flattery to poison your soul.

I read somewhere that the great preacher Charles Spurgeon was congratulated at the end of a Sunday service by one of the elders in his church who said to him: ‘Pastor, this is very good preaching! This is the best sermon you have ever preached!” The old wise man of God answered: “This is exactly what the devil whispered into my ears few minutes ago”.

What is the lesson? What should you do when people ‘compliment’ you, when they tell you that you are beautiful, that you sing well or that you preach wonderfully? Always be ready to give God ALL THE GLORY (not part of it) for any success He grants you to experience in life. Then you are free from the dangerous snare of flattery. Then you shall grow from strength to strength and shall do exploits! You shall be humble and wise! God’s favor shall be your portion! In Jesus name, amen!

PRAISE REPORT

This is a letter from a young sister. She is happily married with a baby. She has been struggling to overcome inferiority complex, doubt and fear of the future. She has made great progress. Please pray for her. God will perfect the good thing he has started.
This testimony is to the glory of God and to encourage others who have similar challenges!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim 1:7)

“Dear Malia,
I’m praying for God’s perfect will. I’m realizing that I have to fight the demon of fear more often now. It’s like God gives me a gift, the gift I’m asking for, then when it’s in my hands fear wants to come and say this is too good to be true you better take the “safe” route. God forbid. I’m just being honest with you. I want to speak it out because I have overcome! I prayed tonight asking God to help me be grateful for His gifts because fear (or doubt) is being ungrateful for His blessings. I must trust God who gave me those gifts to see me through and not leave me hanging or broken. I will jump off the cliff into the arms of love, safety, peace…
God is doing a work in me… I’m grateful!”

THANK GOD FOR GRACE

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard” (Mt 20: 1, 2)

The kingdom of God is like no other. The King of this Kingdom is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Its constitution is based on grace. God does not owe men. God is the creator and the owner of all creation. Everything God does to man is by His grace alone. This grace works from beginning to the end. We are saved by grace, live by grace, and shall breathe our last by grace.  Jesus Christ came to earth ‘full of grace and truth’ (Jn 1:14). Grace means the unmerited favor of God upon men. No man can ‘claim’ anything from God. God is sovereign in all things even in the way He dispenses this grace. When we become born again we need to change our way of thinking to be in line with the Kingdom’s principles. The flesh is offended at the manifestation of God’s grace.

In the parable of the workers hired by the Landowner we see the grace of God in action and the reaction of people towards it. The first group of men hired early in the morning made an agreement with the Landowner. They expected to be paid $1 dollar a day (for example). The rest men were hired without any labor contract and promised to receive ‘whatever is right’. At the end of the day all the workers received the same amount. The ones without a contract rejoiced for they did not expect to be paid so well. But the first group of men, who worked since morning and ‘borne the burden and the heat of the day’ were disappointed. They started murmuring against the Landowner. It is true that they agreed for 1$ but now, they expected more since the rest received the same.

I want you to see this: This expectation is wrong. This is how the flesh reacts in the presence of the generous grace of God. This is a great lesson for us all: If you make a business contract with God, if you have your own personal selfish expectations what your reward for serving Him should be, then you shall receive exactly that, not more, not less. You will still be disappointed when you see others blessed more than you. No man should do such a ‘business deal’ with God! Do not limit God! Trust Him for He is good and generous like no other!  But if you say: “Father, whatever You consider right for me, I receive with thanksgiving, you shall be surprised that your reward is much more than all your dreams. His grace is very romantic and adventurous. God loves to surprise His children! Just serve God with all your heart and leave the rest to Him! Today, I thank God for His amazing grace!

TOO RICH TO BE SAVED

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

The prayer meeting was good. There was a hindrance at the beginning of the meeting so we did warfare and praised God too. I have learned over the years to do what is right and then to leave the rest to God. Then the preaching of the Word followed:

“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17)

In the New Testament there are three men said to be rich:

*The rich young ruler (Mk 10:17-22)

*the rich fool (Lk 12:13-21)

*The rich man with Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31)

It is important to note that all these three went to hell!

The rich young ruler has everything men wish for: youth, authority and wealth. Many young men are poor and jobless. By the time they get rich they are old and cannot ‘enjoy’ the money. But this one ‘had it all’ in the world. Yet, he lacks on thing, the most important thing of all: eternal life. If a man gains the whole world and loses his soul, it profits nothing. The word ‘lack’ means to be inferior, deficient, to fall short of a normal standard, to be in want, to be left behind. Deficiency means to lack a necessary quality, to be imperfect.

This is a good thing: he wants to have eternal life. Muslims think of heaven as a natural place where the natural desires are fulfilled. The new age religion describes eternal life as reincarnation. The believers in Jesus Christ, we know what eternal life is! To know God! It means to go to heaven, the place where God dwells. This man too wants to go to heaven. He has heaven on his mind, but sadly he goes away to hell. There is no report that he was saved later. He wanted to ‘inherit’ eternal life. In other words, he wanted to be a son to Jesus, just like Elisha wanted to be the heir to Elijah. He is confused: he thinks of eternal life as something ‘to do’. He thinks salvation is of works.

Jesus responds with a rebuke. Obey the commandments of God! Jesus presents to him the last five commandments. These speak about the relationships between men. The young man confidently answers that he has kept ‘all of these since youth’. He is either ignorant or proud. Jesus looks and loves this man. Jesus is the friend of sinners. He confronts this foolish proud man with his lack, the hindrance why he cannot have eternal life. Jesus gives him clear commands to expose his love for material things and the need to have a relationship with God. He commands him to do the following: Go- Sell- Give- Come- Take up your cross- then Come and Follow Me! Jesus said that if you do these, you shall be rich indeed and have great treasure in heaven.

But the man ‘was sad at this word’ and goes away. You can see that money do not bring happiness. “But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mk 10:22). In Greek, the word ‘sad’ means gloomy, depressed or hateful. The ‘word’ is ‘logos’ something said, preaching, doctrine, utterance, God’s revelation in Christ. This young man became depressed when he heard the Word of God. The idea of treasures in heaven made him sad.  He stands face to face with Christ, his only hope for eternal life. He has arrived at the gate of heaven. He becomes sad at God’s Word and from that gate made of pearls, he sadly goes away. Where to? Leaving Jesus, where do you to? It is only to perdition and despair!

We prayed and made a vow this evening, that no matter what, we shall never forsake Jesus Christ, our Savor and Lord, the Word of God made flesh! Never ever we shall draw back to perdition! So help us God!

PROPHETIC WORDS

“God will slow down and weaken your enemies! By the time your enemies gather to attack you, to destroy you and your family, by that time you shall be too strong for them. You shall defeat them! In Jesus name, amen!”:

(This is a prophetic word given last night, during the prayer meeting in our church)

THE GIBEONITE DECEPTION (1)

We have just ended our women’s fellowship. We praised God for who He is. We shared testimonies of His love and faithfulness. This is our confession: God is good to us and our families. The Word came with anointing and power. It was about deception. We heard about how the Gibeonites deceived the people of God. This is a very interesting subject. Humanly speaking, as women, we are more prone to deception than the men (1Tim 2:14, 15). We prayed for ourselves and for one another. We did warfare against all lying deceptive evil spirits. The meeting was blessed by God’s presence. To God be all the glory!

“Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us…” (Joshua 9)

The story how the Gibeonites deceived the Children of Israel is not just Jewish history. There are many great lessons for us in it. The story is found in the Book of Joshua Chapter 9. At the end of the previous chapter, we see Joshua leading the people in a spiritual revival. He challenges them to come back to God, to commit afresh to be obedient to His Word. He builds an altar to God, just the way Moses instructed him. He reads aloud the Word of God in the presence of all; men, women, children and even the foreigners living among the Jews. Immediately after this event, they are attacked by the Canaanites. This is a good lesson: when we renew our commitment to God, satan will attack. In times of revival, we need to watch, pray and be prepared to resist the devil! Selah!

The attack came in two ways: A group of Canaanite kings gather together to plan and to openly war against the people of God. We ask ourselves: why did they wait so long before preparing to fight them? It is possible that they still did not believe that the Jews will win all battles and enter the Promised Land. Here we see that the enemy is slow to prepare a defense. This is the effect of the grace of God upon His people.

The second form of attack is thru deception. This is a more subtle form of warfare and more difficult to detect. Gibeon was the next city to be conquered by the people of God. After seeing the fall of Jericho and Ai, the Gibeonites knew that they have no chance to win against the Jews. They did not join the other kings in an open war against Israel. They decided to play a trick, to deceive them into friendship so that they can save their lives. They dressed up with dirty rags and carried dry bread in their sacks. This was done to convince the Jews that they come from a very far land. Joshua and the leaders of Israel were totally deceived. They tasted from their provisions without ‘inquiring’ of God. By eating what was offered, they entered into a covenant of friendship with the Gibeonites. Three days later, when it was discovered that Gibeon was just the next town to be conquered, the Jews could not revoke the covenant made. The people of God became angry that their leaders were deceived. Joshua judged the deceivers. The punishment given to the Gibeonites is that they will forever be slaves to the Jews in general and to the priests in particular. Their work will be to carry water and wood for the temple of God.

PRAYER REQUEST

A 60 years old man asked us to pray for him. He has just been diagnosed with cancer of the kidney, which has spread to other organs. He lives in England. The doctors do not give him much hope. They will administer chemotherapy to him. That is all that they can do for him.

He said that he is born again. my husband and I prayed for him. We encouraged him to put all his trust in God. We told him that here in Nigeria, the hospitals are not well equipped so the patients pray and trust God more than in Europe. We told him that God is the same everywhere. We reminded him that there is nothing God cannot do. He promised to pray every day for a miracle. Thank you for praying for him too. God bless you dear intercessors. In Jesus name, amen!

“By His (Jesus) wounds you have been healed.” (1Pet 2:24)

GOD MEANS GOOD FOR ME

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen 50:20)

The story of Joseph in the Old Testament is one of my all times favorites. If I feel somehow low, I read it again and each time God speaks to me thru it. You know the story… I will not repeat it again. One thing that stroke me recently it is how much God was in charge of everything that was happening with Joseph. This is called the doctrine of the providence of God. It is defined as God guiding and sustaining all human beings on earth, in charge of their destinies. This is actively done by God, if men acknowledge and pray to Him or not.

The scripture above is what Joseph told his brothers, after they reconciled at last. He tells them that all the while it was God working behind the scenes. They ‘meant’ it for evil but God ‘meant’ it for good. God is the only Person who can change evil into good. We read these words and stand in awe… God ‘meant it’? It means that the story of Joseph, his pains and his gains were not a product of chance. No! God ‘meant it’ to be so! In Hebrew, this word means to think, to plot, to plan something and to weave it in the fabric of life. It means to imagine, to purpose, to conceive and invent. The purpose of God was to highly bless Joseph and to make him the savior of his family. Out of this family Christ came later. This family had to be saved! The word God here is Elohim. This is God’s name as it appears in Genesis, the Creator; the One who makes something out of nothing. The conclusion is that Elohim imagines and creates all men for His glory and pleasure!

Dear Child of God, relax and worship God!  One thing is clear: you are not the product of accident! Even if you do not know you parents, even if you are sick or troubled… Your pains, successes and failures shall one day have a meaning! These shall be revealed to be part of a bigger whole, like a rainbow after the rain, on the sky, weaved on into a tapestry of original beauty only God can do! One day all things about you shall make sense! God’s sense! For His glory alone!  Why don’t you start praising God right now?

WISE WORDS

To return evil for good is devilish!
To return good for good is human!
To return good for evil is divine!
(Archbishop William Temple, 1881-1944)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21)

PRAISING THE WOMEN OF GOD

“A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised!” (PV31:30)

As a girl, I always dreamed to be happily married. For me, prostitution or marriage for money was the worst nightmare. I pitied the women who wasted their lives, who never knew true love. After I became born again, my dreams came true at all levels. As a young (and unbelieving) bride, I loved my husband with all my heart (that should be about 42 years ago). But I lacked the power to make my love eternal, to give it spiritual value. Christ did that for me, for us… It is still a great passion for me to be a woman of God. I now have the privilege to mentor younger ones. I still pray for revival, for the strength to love my family (natural and spiritual) as Christ loves the church. Over the years I discovered many treasures in the Bible, how to fulfill my dreams as a wife, mother and now as a grandmother. The following I gladly share with you:

The wise woman is first of all a spiritual blessing to her family. She fulfills this ministry by being a student and a doer of the Word of God. Wisdom is the skill to apply the knowledge of the Word of God in daily living. The wise woman is a practical Christian. She has visible fruits of her commitment to God. She is totally surrendered to God. She is a woman of prayer. She loves God, her family and God’s house. She faithfully attends her local church activities and pays the price for ministry. Her children know without any shadow of doubt, that mummy loves to go to church and pray.

She is a humble and a virtuous woman who has gained her husband’s total trust. That is a great achievement! She is modest in her choice of clothes, rejecting any appearance of evil. She is confident of the power and beauty of holiness. Her spirit is quiet and humble but also free and adventurous in the safe perfect path of God. She is a grateful woman, full of thanksgiving to God, for all the gifts and blessings, for her marriage and for her family. She is industrious and confident that God has blessed the work of her hands. She makes profit from her trade and she invests in new opportunities. Her business expands. She works a little and she makes great profit for God leads her in all her decisions.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is manifesting in her. She combines them all: love and self-control, patience and joy and kindness… Her speech reveals the content of her heart. On her tongue there is the law of kindness and grace. She speaks the Word of God to her husband, prays and prophesies over him. She chooses her words. She is wise with the timing, when to speak and when to keep silent. She makes the preaching of the Gospel attractive to her family so that they never feel bored when listening to her.

One of her greatest achievements in life is to be happily married. Not for a show, not to impress others, but really happily married, inside out, day and night, in sickness and health… A happily married couple is a proof that, with the help of God, you can live a life of fulfilment on earth. Fruitfulness promised can be achieved! A godly happy couple is God’s masterpiece. They are a picture of the eternal holy and romantic love story between Christ and His church. O, how I love Jesus, for He first loved me…

This is my prayer:

May you be such a woman!

May you be such a couple!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

EVANGELISM IN SCHOOL

This is a chat between young sister in Christ and me. She is a student in University. She is a committed Christian, born again and Spirit filled. She is involved in her fellowship in school. By reading these words, young people (and all of us) may learn something good. Read and be blessed! Love in Christ alone, Malia

Sister T: Good evening Malia. I love for others to know the love of Christ, that I now know . In school where I am now, there are a lot of people with issues but don’t know any way out . I know of three girls who drink, smoke and party (there are a lot more like them in my hostel alone). I was getting a little bit fond of one of them , My desire was to somehow help her come to the Lord, but one time I felt like I shouldn’t be too close to her or spend time with her like I used to, I believe its Holy Spirit’s way of telling me to mind my discussions(since she talks in a manner and language that is not descent or pure) with this particular person . I feel I should tell these girls about Christ without sounding like am forcing them or in a way that seems scary. The truth is I desire that everyone around me know Jesus but don’t know where to start. Sometimes I feel too quiet and even invincible. The preaching on evangelism makes me realize I have to reach out to people, but I only get very few chances to say something about Jesus. Though I know my life can be a ministry to people around me

Malia: Your life in general, your attitude to people and things is the best way to evangelize. Then people are attracted to you as flies to the light. Do not evangelize without this holy attraction manifested. Words are good but actions must back them.

Sister T: I probably should focus on living for Jesus, than on the faults around me.

Malia: Yes! Focus on Jesus! Offer yourself as a living sacrifice! Let the Holy Spirit totally change you in the midst of the people. That mighty change is very attractive. People will come to you and ask the reason for this change. That door of favor has to be opened. Do not preach behind closed doors!

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1Pet 3:15)

Be ready does not mean to preach to everybody. You are a holy prepared vessel, ready to speak only when the Holy Spirit has prepared the way to the listener!

Sister T: Yes. The Holy Spirit should prepare the way! Not me! Thank you for your love and prayers!

Malia: That’s it! To God be the glory!

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19)

WISDOM BUILDS THE HOUSE

“The wise woman builds her house…” (PV 14:1)

Since I got saved, my strong desire is to be a woman of God, a godly wife, mother and grandmother. I am ready to pay the price to obtain this crown of glory. These are few of the wisdom pearls I found, as I dive daily in the ocean of God’s Eternal Word.

A wise wife will help her husband to cleave to her. She is sensitive about the unity of the Spirit and she fights anything that breeches it. She prays and yields her body to achieve total sexual compatibility and marriage fulfillment. She cooperates with her husband’s desire for sexual intimacy. Her bed is ‘a holy ground’, a pure gift from God, totally fenced against the outside world. The wise woman has her priorities right. Her relationship with God is always first. She pays the price for a quality time to study God‘s Word and to pray. She seeks God’s will for her life and diligently goes ahead fulfilling it. Her second priority is her marriage. She knows that it is God’s gift and ministry to her. She prays for her husband. She encourages him to fulfill his destiny too. She helps him in all areas where help is needed. She is a good listener, she loves him, forgives him, challenges him and she makes him laugh. Next to Jesus, she is his best friend.

The third priority is her children. She knows that they are entrusted to them by God. She reads the Bible to them even when they are babes. She prays with them and for them. She preaches to them until they discover the reality of God for themselves. She encourages them to serve God. She brings them to church. When they become adults she joyfully releases them into the hands of God and becomes their spiritual mentor for the remaining days of her life. Lastly, just like the wise virgins, she is a woman who intimately knows the third Person of the Trinity. She is filled and lead by the Holy Spirit. She is not afraid of the future for her store is filled with the oil of the Spirit of life. As her light continue to shine before her family, the darkness of this world is defeated. She makes spiritual progress and she is quietly confident of her eternal reward from God.
“A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised!” (PV31:30).

PRAYER REQUEST

Pastor Leigh and I are invited to attend the birthday party of a man who shall be 80 years old. The children want my husband to preach to all the invited guests. Their dad was a very successful man in his business. He was a religious man in the past, but never born again. He has not gone to any church for more than 40 years. Right now, he says that he is spiritually ‘neutral’. All the children are born again. They have been fasting and praying that on his birthday, their dad will surrender his life to Christ. Please pray that a supernatural door of faith shall be opened that day so that the Gospel shall produce fruit in this man’s heart and in the lives of all who believe that day. Please pray that Pastor Leigh shall be granted utterance by the Holy Spirit, that his words shall be fire and the people shall be ‘the wood’. Pray that Jesus Christ shall be glorified that day! Thank you dear intercessors! God bless you! In Jesus name, amen!

“Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Is 46:4)