You walls of Daughter Zion

You walls of Daughter Zion

Scripture: The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner. Lamentations 2:18-19

Observation:- Every heart of every human being everywhere has a deep longing desire that cries out to know God. There is an emptiness, a void, that needs to be filled in our souls that can only be satisfied when we find that personal, loving relationship with God. The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord, even if they do not know it. Even the man who does insane acts of violence or knocks on the door of a brothel is actually seeking God. People everywhere need God, but some do not realize it. Other things cannot fulfill. They give temporary relief but the emptiness returns, worse than before.

What do walls symbolize? They protect the city from invading armies. In a sense, we who follow Christ are living walls for the community where we live. We are called to be intercessors to stand up, to stand in the gap and intercede for the community where we live, where we work, where we play and spend our time. We need to cry out for these people, to pour out our heart like water in the presence of the Lord, to lift up our hands for the lives of our children, those that the Lord has brought us. The children faint from hunger for lack of hearing the Word of God that nourishes soul and mind.

Application:- See ourselves as living walls in the communities, the peoples we interact with everyday. Learn to pour out our hearts to God and intercede for them. Ask God for perseverance and grace to be worthy watchmen, and intercessors, standing in the gap for our home, our workplace, our church, our social places, our country.

Prayer:- Lord, You have appointed me as a watchman, as a living wall, right where I am. Help me pour out my heart to you in prayer for your blessing, your revival, your peace to sweep across all you have given me, my home, my school, my workplace, my church, my country. Let Your presence be real in my life and the life of those I touch everyday. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

My eyes overflow with tears

My eyes overflow with tears

Scripture:- “My sins have been bound into a yoke; by his hands they were woven together. They have been hung on my neck, and the Lord has sapped my strength. He has given me into the hands of those I cannot withstand. Lamentations 1:14

“This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears. No one is near to comfort me, no one to restore my spirit. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed.” Lamentations 1:16

“The LORD is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples; look on my suffering. My young men and young women have gone into exile. Lamentations 1:18
“See, LORD, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death. Lamentations 1:20

Observation: The book of Lamentations is popularly believed to have been written by the prophet Jeremiah. It is a book that depicts the mourning and grief of Jerusalem in a time where she has been ransacked by the armies of Babylon and left destitute and poor. After enduring a terrible siege, most of the people have been taken away into captivity, and there is nothing but grief and sadness in a place once beautiful and renown.

The first verse speaks of sin like a yoke that binds Jerusalem and hangs around her neck, sapping her strength. For each one of us too, when sin is in our lives, it is a yoke that binds us and weighs heavily on us. For those of us who have received our Lord Jesus, the truth has set us free, and we no longer have this yoke of sin over us. How precious it is to be free from the yoke of slavery!  

The second verse pictures Jerusalem weeping uncontrollably. There is no comfort, no restoration. Jerusalem in Lamentations is a picture of the sinner coming to repentance. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Jesus proclaims in the Beatitudes. There are times when we need to let our emotions overflow before God, and our God who sees cares. When Jesus felt the sadness of the people on account of Lazarus’ death, He too wept even though He already knew He would raise him from the dead. 

In the third and fourth verses, we see that there is an understanding in Jerusalem that all these has happened because of her rebellion against the Lord. She is in torment and her heart is disturbed because she has been rebellious. However, her attitude is turning from rebellion to repentance.

Application: Recognize the burden of sin that weighs heavily on us if we do not repent and ask God to forgive us. At times, we may suddenly receive a burden to weep for a church, a nation or a people, like Jesus had when He prophesied over Jerusalem. In those moments, let our tears overflow as the Spirit leads us. In expressing our emotions to God, there is a release of power in the spiritual realm. Arrogance is like the sin of idolatry and rebellion like the sin of divination. We need to constantly check our hearts to see that we do not become arrogant or rebellious towards God in any way. Pride will distance us from God, and may lead us down a road to destruction.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You that on the cross You took my sins, that I might be forgiven. I thank You, Lord, that I am free in you. Help me to be attuned to Your Spirit, to cry out and mourn for the nation that revival may come forth. Forgive me O Lord for the times where I may have been proud or rebellious to You in any way. Create in me a pure heart O God. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.                          

The fountain and the sash

The fountain and the sash

Last Friday, we were privileged at FGB Chapter Jaya One to have Pastor Pierre Wuytack from South Africa share with us. Pastor Pierre is the founder and driver of Madgascar Island Mission, an organization that has built 20 schools in Madagascar and regulars reaches out to children, to the poor and the sick.

Close to 10 years ago, Pastor Pierre was diagnosed with TB (tuberculosis) and chronic pneumonia. He was not responding to medication and was literally dying when he happened to saw an anointed Christian speaker having a healing rally. Pastor Pierre managed to get to the rally, and the speaker laid his hand on his throat, praying, “Lord, give him new lungs.” A few days later, Pastor Pierre went for an X-Ray, and the doctor treating him was completely shocked. It was as if he really had brand new lungs, with not a trace of TB. Pastor Pierre turns 73 next month, but has supernatural strength from the Lord. Quite often, people forget how old he is. Now he other than his work in Madagascar, Pastor Pierre travels regularly to Malaysia, Singapore and French Canada.

Pastor Pierre began by sharing with us a message burning in his heart – that the time to play church is over. Many Christians feel it is their duty to go to church on Sunday, but the rest of the week, they live lives no different from the rest of the world. However, the Bible is living and active, it is the Sword of the Spirit. What is the full gospel? It is not just making disciples, but laying hands on the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead. The gospel means good news. Healing the sick is good news. Setting the captives free is good news. However, churches have become more concerned about numbers and individuals. Beautiful churches show no the glory of God but rather, the glory of man. We are the church. People are in need. Some Pastors don’t pray for the people. So, people are the same before and after they go to church. The church must wake up. We must wake up.

In Madagascar, sometimes church lasts from 7am to 9pm. The anointing keeps Pastor Pierre going. The presence of the Lord is there.

Lately, the gospel of grace and prosperity has become very popular. Grace, yes, but not license to sin. There is also holiness. We cannot agree that you can do whatever you want. We need to live in holiness and righteousness. God wants you to prosper but we need to seek God’s face, we need to seek God first. When we fellowship with the Lord, blessing will follow. Some just seek God’s hand. They are only interested in what they can get. Grace is receiving from God what we do not deserve. Put God first and God will bless you. Some people are just interested in getting blessing for their family, their house, their business, their bank account. God knows we need those but Jesus said “Seek ye first the kingdom of God”. Jeremiah 2:11 says: Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Just like Israel of old, have we changed close fellowship with the Lord with what does not profit? We are the people of the Lord. Jeremiah 2:13 says: For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. The fountain of living water is the Holy Spirit. Jesus said “If you had asked me, I would have given you that living water in John 7.”Whosoever believeth in Me, rivers of living water will flow out of your hearts.” With the Holy Spirit, the sick can be healed and the captives set free.

Consider the picture of broken cisterns which can hold no water. An easy gospel puts asking for possessions before God. God wants a close relationship with you. In Jeremiah 13, there is the symbol of the sash. If we wear a sash today, there will be a shirt or other clothing between our flesh and the sash. The more we put in between the sash and our flesh, the looser it becomes and eventually it will fall off, losing all contact. Jeremiah hid that sash in the rock by the Euphrates, and it was ruined after some days. This is a picture of ourselves, we need that close relationship with God. Jesus died for us that we might have his righteousness. Is God first in your life? Is it money? Is it prosperity? Seek ye first the kingdom. In 3^rd John, the apostle exhorted Gaius, wishing him prosperity and health, even as his souls prospered. When we prosper inside, our outside will manifest. Jesus is the good shepherd. If we follow the good shepherd, mercy and grace will follow us.

In Madagascar, Pastor Pierre and his team built many schools and orphanages. They never lacked because God is faithful. People who follow the dictate of their own hearts shall be like the sash, profitable for nothing. Nowadays people are more interest in prosperity and business. Those are not the blessing. Those are the fruit of the blessing. The blessing is Christ. Consider a basket of apples. The apple is fruit but the blessing is the apple tree. Jesus is the tree of life, and we are the house of God. We are the church. Denomination brings division. Christ is the head. The sash and the flesh must have contact. True Christianity is not about what we can get out of God. Too many Christians do not hear. The church all over the world needs revival. Some churches in America are seeking to take Acts from the Bible because they don’t believe in miracles. Some doubt the virgin birth.

Now Pastor Pierre shared his testimony. He was a service manager for a distributor with many workshops in South Africa with 140 people under him. One day, there was a change in management. The new ungodly management decided to open a bar after hours. In bars, people are led to do things that are not right. Do not compromise. Some say to go and drink a Coke, but that is compromise. Because of his principles, Pierre lost his job, his house, his motorcar, everything. He had no savings and his two children were at school. He had lost everything except his faith.

One day, he received a phone call from a friend at the distributorship. The principal was looking for a technical person to take over the department and liaise with the distributor. The people knew him and hired him immediately. Now, Pierre was reintroduced to the distributors as the representative of the principal, Komatsu. Pierre went on to work 12 years for Komatsu. Later, Komatsu purchased the distributor and his boss became the CEO with Pierre as the right hand man, the GM of marketing. We can even be in prison, but like Joseph, God will prosper His own. Pierre saw that his promotion mirrored closely to Joseph. He lost his job with the distributor and then came back as the second in command.

Now at this time, Pierre was a lay preacher, teaching at a Bible School, and a friend as he had often done, asked him why he was in the marketplace and not full time ministry. He told Pierre, maybe you need to make a step of faith. Pierre had no pension, no savings, and his children were still at school. However on 23/11/97, he prayed “Lord, if you want me to move out, confirm it!”. He was 59 years old. Soon after, Pastor Pierre just happened to turn on the TV and watch Joyce Meyer. She said “You may be called, but to sacred to walk on to where God has called you. He will provide.” So Pierre submitted his resignation, giving 3 months notice. There was no Christian opening and he didn’t know where to go, but to trust God. At times he would wake up at night, sweating, because of the uncertainty but his wife stood with him. And then on 15^th February 1998, World Outreach called him, asking him to replace a missionary who had died in Madagascar. And so on 12^th March 1998, he left for Madagascar, and started his incredible work of building schools, orphanages, and ministering to the poor, the sick, and the lost. He never asks for money but receives from the Lord.

In closing, Pastor Pierre reminded us a wonderful little book on Building your faith in 7 days.

Introduction:- Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The time to get in spiritual shape is NOW! The time to develop your faith is NOW. The greatest tests in life come unannounced. Therefore we must prepare now. I see myself as He sees me according to His living Word, for my life is hid with Christ in god. I will train myself to say the same things as God says in His Word, for how can two walk together except they be agreed?

Through regular time in His presence, I will cultivate a sensitivity to hearing His voice. He will make His Word a reality in my life as I nurture my friendship with Him. Faith will not be a formula or technique in my life, but the natural by-product of knowing Him intimately as My faithful Lord. Knowing him, I can totally trust Him. His Word will always be the final authority in my life. I base my entire life upon Him and His living Word. Because I meditate upon His Word day and night and carefully do all that is written in it, my way shall be prosperous. The word of faith is in my mouth and in my heart.

DAY 1 – JOY

I renounce a spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise so that He may be glorified. I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Jesus bore my grief. This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I rejoice in the Lord always. I do all things without grumbling and complaining. His words were found and I ate them and they became unto me a joy and delight to my heart. In spite of trials, I offer sacrifices of joy. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises unto the Lord. I have high praises of God in my throat and a two-edged sword in my hand.

I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. My body also dwells secure. Thou dost show me the path of life. In Thy presence  there is fullness of joy. At Thy right hand are pleasures forevermore. I will rejoice in the Lord. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. I wait upon the Lord and He renews my strength. I will mount up with wings like eagles, I will run and not be weary, I will walk and not faint.

I will be a success to the glory of God. All His blessings shall come upon me and overtake me because I obey the voice of the Lord, my God. Of this I am confident: Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. I will not live by bread alone but by every word (current utterance) that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

DAY 2 – VICTORY

I’m not just an ordinary man or woman – I’m a son of the living God. I’m not just a person; I’m an heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. I’, not just an old sinner; I’m a new creation in Jesus, my Lord. I’m part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; I’m one of God’s people. I’m not under guilt or condemnation, I refuse discouragement for it is not of God. God is the God of all encouragement. There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Satan is a liar. I will not listen to his accusations. I gird up the loins of my mind. I am cleansed in the blood. No weapon formed against me shall prosper and I shall confute every tongue rising against me in judgment. My mind is being renewed by the Word of God. I pull down stronghold, I cast down imaginations, I bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

I am accepted in the beloved. If God be for me, who can be against me? Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. As the Father loves Jesus, so does Jesus love me, I’m the righteousness of God in Christ. I’m not a slave to sin, I’m a slave of God and a slave of righteousness. I continue in His Word, I know the truth and the truth has set me free. Because the Son sets me free, I am free indeed! He who is born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him. I’ve been delivered out of the kingdom of darkness.

I’m now part of the kingdom of God. I don’t serve sin anymore. Sin has no dominion over me. I will not believe the enemy’s lies. He will not intimidate me. He is a liar and the father of lies. Satan is defeated. For this purpose the Son of God came into the world, to destroy the works of the devil. No longer will he oppress me. Surely oppression makes a wise man mad. I will get mad at the devil, I defeat him by the blood of the lamb, by the word of my testimony, loving not my life unto death. I will submit to God. I will resist the devil and he will flee. No temptation will overtake me that is not common to man. God is faithful, He will not let me be tempted beyond my strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape that I may be able to endure.

I will stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made me free. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. Christ always causes me to triumph. I’ll reign as a king in life through Christ Jesus. As a young man (or woman) I am strong, the Word of God abides in me, and I have overcome the evil one. I am more than a conqueror though Christ who loves me. I am an overcomer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thanks be to God who gives me victory through Jesus Christ, my Lord!

DAY 3 – FAITH

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. By my God I can run through a troop and leap over a wall. He makes my feet like hind’s feet; He makes me walk on high places. With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible. All things are possible to him who believes. If I have faith as a grain of mustard seed, I can say to a mountain “Move”, and it will move and NOTHING will be impossible for me. I’m a believer, I’m not a doubter. I know that whatever is not faith is sin. I know that without faith it is impossible to please God. I know I am to live by faith, and if I shrink back the Lord has no pleasure in me. Every man is given a measure of faith. I’ll develop my faith to the glory of God. I have faith towards God. My faith is not my faith, but in a living God who said He would never fail or forsake me. Therefore I choose to walk by faith and not by sight. I trust in the Lord with all my heart and don’t lean on my own understanding. I’m not ruled by my feelings, I’m not in bondage to my emotions. I’m not under the circumstances, I’m above the circumstances. I’m seated with Christ in the heavenly places. The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.

The righteous man falls seven times, but rises again. Champions don’t give up, they get up. One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind, straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, my Lord. I put my hand on the plough and I don’t look back. I run to win. Zeal for Thy house consumes me. The kingdom of heaven comes by violence, and those who take it, take it by force.

It is not by might, nor by power, by His Spirit. He ever lives to make intercession for me. He is able to do exceedingly far more abundantly above all that I ever dare think or ask, by the power at work within me. He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion in the day of my Lord Jesus.

Boldly, I can approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and grace for help in the time of need. I’ll be anxious for nothing. He will keep me in perfect peace for my mind is stayed on Him. Therefore I will enter his rest. I’ve been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, and the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Whatever is borne of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even my faith. I choose this day to live by faith, to walk by faith, to see through the eye of faith. Therefore I am an overcomer. I’m going from faith to faith, strength to strength, glory to glory. The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn which shines brighter until full day.

DAY 4: BOLDNESS

I give no opportunity to the devil. I give no place to fear in my life. That which man fears comes upon him. Fear hath torment. The fear of man brings a snare, but perfect love casts out fear. I sought the Lord and He head me and delivered me from all my fears. God has not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, power and a sound mind. In righteousness I am established, so I’ll be far from oppression. I will not fear or be in terror. It shall not come near me. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? God is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore I will not fear. If I were still trying to please men, I should not be a servant of Jesus Christ. But I am a servant of the most high God. I fear not, for He is with me. I’ll not be dismayed, for He is my God. He will strengthen me, He will help me, He will uphold me with His victorious right hand.

I’m not shamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. I’m a minister of reconciliation. I’m an ambassador for Jesus Christ. The anointing I’ve received abides in me. The anointing breaks every yoke. I received power when the Holy Spirit came upon me to be His witness. His Word which comes out of this mouth will not return void but will accomplish His purpose and prosper in the thing for which it was sent. I know my God, I am strong, I will do exploits. As He is, so am I in this world.

I am righteous, therefore, I am bold as a lion. He will never fail me or forsake me, therefore, I can boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I’ll not be afraid. What can man do to me? As a young man (or woman), I am strong. The Word of God abides in me. I have overcome the evil one. I am an overcomer. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I am a hundred-fold Christian. I am complete in Him. I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me. Grant, Lord, to Thy servant to speak Thy Word with all boldness while You stretch out Your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Thy Holy servant, Jesus.

DAY 5:HEALTH

I will bless my Lord with all my heart, for He not only forgives all my sins, he heals all my diseases. Because the Lord is my refuge, the most High my habitation, no evil shall befall me, no plague shall come near my dwelling place. He gives His angels charge over me to guard me in all my ways.

It’s His will that I prosper and be in health, even as my soul dost prosper. Jesus of Nazareth went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. He said “I’ll remove sickness from the midst of you.”. He is the Lord, my healer. I look not to the healing, but to the Healer – Jesus, my loving Lord. My body is for the Lord and the Lord is for my body. He bore away my sickness and carried away my diseases and by His stripes, I am healed”. The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in my mortal body, giving me life. I expect a miracle. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Is anything too hard for the Lord? For all things are possible to him who believes. I’m not just a hearer of the Word, I’m a doer of the Word. Therefore I am blessed in my doing – for faith without action is dead. It is done unto me according to my faith. Therefore, I will not only confess the Word, but I will be a doer of the Word.

DAY 6:PROSPERITY

I continue to keep my way of life free from the love of money. I cannot serve God and money. All things come from Thee and of Thine own I have given Thee. Being faithful with money, I am entrusted with true riches. I do not rob God of my tithes and offerings, therefore, I’m not cursed with a curse and the devourer is rebuked. I put the Lord to the test and the Lord opens the windows of heaven and pours down an overflowing blessing.

I do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season I reap because I do not lose heart. I cast my bread upon the waters and I find it after many days. One man gives freely yet grows all the richer, another withholds what he should give and only suffers want. The generous man will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.

I’ve been young and now am old, yet, I’ve not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. I am ever giving liberally and lending and my children become a blessing. My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I give and it is given to me, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, men give into my bosom. If I sow sparingly, then I will also reap sparingly. So I will sow bountifully and therefore reap.

God loves a cheerful giver.

He is able to provide me with every blessing in abundance so I may always have enough of everything in order to provide in abundance for every good work. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply my resources and increase the harvest of my righteousness.

I do not see godliness as a means of selfish gain. My passion is to see the gospel of the kingdom preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations so then the end will come. I do all I can to hasten the coming of that day.

DAY 7: DESTINY

The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth in order to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully blameless towards Him. God rewards those who diligently seek Him. He who calls me is faithful and He will do it.

I’m not lukewarm. I’m not a compromiser. I’ll not be conformed to this world. I’m not a loser, I’m a winner. I’m a partaker of His divine nature. God indwells my body. I run the race to win. His grace is sufficient for me. His power is made perfect in weakness.

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise a standard. I’m part of that standard. We are soldiers of the army of salvation that God is raising up to save this world. I’ll not despise the day of small beginnings. We will reclaim that which the thief has stolen through tradition and ignorance. The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein. He said He would pour out His Spirit in these last days. Sons and daughters would prophesy, young men would see visions, old men would dream dreams. I;m part of this end-time vision for without it, I will perish. For still the vision awaits its time, it hastens to the end, it will not fail. If it seems slow, I will wait for it. It will surely come. It will not delay. Therefore, I have a sense of destiny. Jesus is restoring His church. He is coming back for a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or blemish or any such thing. It will be a triumphant church. It will kick the gates of hell in. I’m part of this end-time move.

I’ll pay the price. I’m giving my utmost for His Highest. I press on towards the goal for the prize of the high call of God in Christ Jesus, my Lord. I’m out to change my generation. I’m beginning today. I redeem the time. I’m not weighted down by the cares of this life. I cast my cares on the Lord.

Whatever the task this day, I’ll do it heartily serving the Lord. I’ll pursue excellence, for I serve a God of excellence. I stir up the gifts within me. I’ll step out in faith. I’ll move in the supernatural. I’ll set captives free.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

I’ll not limit the Holy One of Israel. I’ll not be disobedient to the heavenly vision. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our god of His Christ.

Now to Him who is able to keep me from falling and to present me without blemish before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only God, my Saviour, through Jesus Christ my Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority before all time, now and forever, Amen!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

The earth by his power, the world by his wisdom

The earth by his power, the world by his wisdom

Scripture:- He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Jeremiah 51:15-16

Observation: Powerful volcanoes, mighty hurricanes, great earthquakes, tornadoes and tidal waves. The forces of nature bring awe and terror to the inhabitants of the earth. Events such as these remind us of the latent power inherent in the earth and the frailty of our human existence in the light of the great energy holding the world together. They remind of us the greatness of God, the power of the great Creator, the magnificent wisdom by which He has put all things together on earth.

When we think of the earth, we think of the fruit of the soil, the animals that roam the wild, and the dust from which men was made. God in His power made it all. When we think of the world, we think of the miracle of life, the myriad of incredible interactions and processes that make life go on, the air that we breathe, the food chain, the law of gravity, the laws of nature that give stability and order to life itself. All these were made possible only by the wisdom of God. When we think of the heavens, the vast skies that stretch out infinitely above us, we can only wonder at how great and how vast is the understanding of the mighty living God of Heaven for He made it all.

When God speaks, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens. He has set the system in place whereby water condensates as vapors to the skies, and comes down again as rain. The clash of the clouds bring forth lightning. And God controls too the great winds of the earth, that bring joy and sorrow in all the earth in different forms.

Application: Since God is all-powerful, let us depend on Him. Since God is all-wise, ask Him for wisdom. Since God has all-understanding, seek out and listen to what He has said in His Word. God created by His Word. We too create with the words we speak. If we speak words that tear down and destroy, we will create a sad, negative world. If we speaks words that build up and give life, we will create a beautiful, life-giving world. It is all in the words we speak.

Prayer:- Lord, You are all-powerful and all-wise and all-understanding. I will ever trust in Your power alone. Grant me wisdom I pray that I might live life in a way that glorifies you, and grant me understanding that I might know Your Word today. In Jesus name, Amen.

Who said it was impossible?

Who said it was impossible?

This Friday, we were privileged at FGB Chapter Jaya One to have Pastor Robert Ssesanga of Uganda share with us. Pastor Robert Ssesanga leads the FORM, Flames of Revival Ministry, and he is a renown radio evangelist, author and speaker who moves powerfully in the gifts of prophecy and healing.

For this Friday’s meeting, Pastor Robert spoke to us from his book “Who said it was impossible?” Are we caught in an impossible situation? Is it health, business, a relationship? Jesus says that all things are possible for him who believes. Believe in God, believe in His Word. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. God never changes. As a son and daughter of God, you have given yourself to a life of miracles. In His ministry, Jesus often said “Be it unto you according to your faith”. In Mark 9, the disciples of Jesus were unable to cast out a spirit from a young boy. His father asked of Jesus “If you can do anything, have compassion upon us and help”. Jesus answered “If you can? All things are possible for him who believes”. In a sense, Jesus is saying: its about you. You must believe. Faith is a must to live a life of miracles. Everything is possible. Adversity, problems, are all in your mind.

What are advertisements after? Preachers? Politicians? Teachers? They are all after your mind. The lawyer in court is after the mind of the judge. In the world, there are 2 kinds of people, those who are born again, and those who are not. For those not born again, their spirits are dead. For us, our minds have to be aligned with the Spirit. In Proverbs 18:21, it is written that the tongue has the power of life and death. It is so important for us to say right words. What words are you saying? Words you say will determine your life.

At this point, Pastor Robert shared of how a doctor told him and his wife to terminate her pregnancy or she would die. Pastor Robert refused but continued to profess God’s Word over her and the baby. “You shall not die but live. God has plans to prosper you, to give you a future and a hope. By Jesus stripes, you are healed.” When the time came and she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby, the doctor said it was a miracle.

The mountain Jesus spoke of is a barrier. There can be mountains of depression, mountains of debt, mountains of various types that stand before us. Do mountains have ears? In the valley of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel spoke and the bones came to life, flesh returned and there stood before him a vast army. Every creature listens to its Creator, living or not living. We can speak to any situation and believe that all things are possible.

Jesus raised Lazarus calling him to come out. Jesus called a dead body with the Word of God, the Word of life, and the body was filled with life again. Jesus spoke peace to the storm with authority and it became still. Once, Pastor Robert prayed for a girl crying because she had HIV and said “You are healed”, and she was. Here entire family gave their lives to Christ. With God all things are possible. Before Pastor Robert comes to a nation, he says to the nation “Open up in the name of Jesus”. A Word in the spiritual realm is a thought. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Think in miracles, then declare in miracles. God is a creator. He declared “Let there be light and there was light. Likewise, our words create something. Hebrews 11:3 says that by faith, worlds were framed by the Word of God. The word “framed” means set in order, to craft, to create. Words we speak frame the world we are in. Speak the positive things you want to see. The mother of a deformed, sickly baby came to see Pastor Robert, passing the baby to him bundled in a dirty cloth. Pastor Robert shut down his mind, and commanded healing. After praying, nothing seemed to change, but later that night, the parents found the baby could urinate and defecate, and soon they could remove the tubes for the baby was completely healed. The wife’s husband who had ran away because of the baby came back and gave his life to Christ. Pastor Robert declared “I am not anyone special, but the Bible says “these signs shall accompany those who believe”. Miracles happen by declaring, by speaking the Word of God. I declare it by faith. I expect God to move. Job 22:28 is very powerful - Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Tell your children “Jesus brings joy to you, stand strong”. In a 1998 encounter with God, Pastor Robert shared how he was filled with fire. He couldn’t close his mouth, in tears. Hebrews 1:7 says He makes his angels spirits, His servants flames of fire. “I am giving you a prophetic anointing, you are going to stand strong in victory. Don’t keep quiet. You are strong, not weak!”

Pastor Robert closed the session by speaking prophetically over different members of our FGB Chapter. To one sister, he spoke for her to stand up as a role model to her younger sister who looked up to her so much. To one brother, he declared that God would open doors for him to serve in a nation on his heart. To different ones, he declared financial breakthrough, healing for kidneys, a call to reach out to a Mark, a Susan, a prophetic destiny, a prophecy for one’s son to rise up and speak amazing words in 5 years time. 

Preaching in a dark land

Preaching in a dark land

On May 13^th, we were privileged to have a special brother give a testimony on his ministry in a country where it is forbidden to preach Christ.

He shared how he first started off helping with a street feeding program and telling the gospel very simply to some of the poor people there. One ex-convict told him, “I have served my time in prison, but society is still punishing me.” He could not get any job and was not even allowed to go to religious places. Our brother shared with him the verse “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal that Christ has called me heavenward”. And the verse had a profound impact on the poor man.

Another time, our brother was walking in a train station when he saw a familiar face begging by the side of the road. He proceeded to buy some food for the poor man, and prayed for him. Soon, our brother noticed someone following him and he turned around. The man who followed asked our brother to do the same thing he had done for the beggar. Calmly, he explained what prayer was about and asked the man if he wanted to receive Jesus, and he did. They prayed together, and another lost soul entered the kingdom of Heaven.

One thing our brother noticed was that many churches have a grasshopper mentality, viewing reaching out to the lost as impossible in many countries. However, our God is a God of the impossible!

One important thing he learnt is that we must share the gospel from their perspective, from the perspective of the audience whom they are speaking to. In the country’s religious book, Jesus is a prophet too. So a question he may ask of their people is “What do you think of Jesus?” They will say he is a respected prophet, a respected man. “Where is Jesus right now?” They will say in Heaven, for they cannot accept that Jesus died on the cross. “Of all the prophets in your religion, which one is still alive today? Their Holy Book says Jesus was taken up to heaven. “Which prophet can show us the way to heaven then?” Jesus. “If I want to go to a place, who should I ask?” Who has been there? Who can show the way? No one can be in the presence of God unless they are holy, therefore Jesus is holy.

In their religion, they believe in judgment day. The sign of judgment is when Jesus comes back, the same as Christianity. Jesus will come back one day to judge mankind. “The destiny of our soul is in whose hand?” Jesus.

In their religion, they believe good works will get them to heaven. Their works will be balanced on a scale, and those with more good works than bad works will go to heaven. When will they know? Only on judgment day, and on judgment day, it also depends on the mercy of God. Thus, there is no strong basis for salvation and the forgiveness of sins. One goes through life, living in fear about tomorrow, about the afterlife. However, we believe in Jesus know that we need not fear tomorrow, for He has made the way for us to go to Heaven.

Many follow their religion as merely a form, never really knowing what its all about. Their priests keep the people in the dark by using a foreign language and the masses are not encouraged to read on their own.

Interestingly, our brother reports that a lot of conversions come through dreams and visions. An old man in a backward village called the village of darkness received a marvelous vision. He was under water and there were poles with the names of different prophets, but the name of Jesus was lifted higher than the rest. He received dreams and visions and personal discipleship from the Lord, and he spoke from the Lord even in poetic form. And to think he was a former medium.

Indeed, while the church was sleeping, God used His own miraculous methods to reach out to a people in darkness. May the Lord give us greater courage and wisdom to be bolder in our faith and declaring the gospel of His salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.