When faith becomes operational - prayer and confession get effectual. These are the words found in James 5:15 and Mark 11:22-23. Be persistent therefore in your prayer, have faith in God.
With holy anger towards the oppression now in your life; (that which holds back manifestation of the blessing of God), exercise your authority in Jesus Name over the situation. Glorify the Father for the victory over poverty/lack, sickness/disease, or whatever else the enemy has stolen from you and may you see the peace & abundance of God manifest even in the physical realm as you continue to sing, praise & make melody in thanksgiving to Him & bring Him glory amongst the people.
Rejoice therefore in the Lord because it is Jesus who did it all for us on calvary and brought to us the power of salvation when God raised Him up from the dead. His Spirit, the Holy one lives inside of us to direct, counsel & comfort. His eyes are upon you and me, interceding for us by the right hand side of the Father whose love for us reign Supreme.
Hold steadfast to your faith, and have your heart fixed & confident of this: That we will see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living!
Scripture reference:
Luke 10 v 19
Ephesians 1 v 11-14 & 18-19
Psalm 57 v 7
Psalm 27 v 13-14
Friday, December 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Healing is your portion - My prayer for you
For God's power is the light that will radiate onto your body to perfect it. May that healing power that came through the blood of Christ, the annointed one in His annointing, flow through your veins this day, touching and cleansing every cell, organ and limb - re-uniting your every thought to the promises of God's word.
It is by faith that we believe and in righteousness that we are healed and restored. May you see Jesus manifest His entire being on you today even more than ever before. The Almighty God is for you & nothing can ever stand in the way of the blessing that He bestowed upon you. Believe and declare it, exercise forgiveness by faith because He,the Lord, waits to show favour upon you and your whole household.
Kneel before Jesus, be focused on His presence and allow the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort and counsel. Receive the joy in Him now & rejoice for you have seen the light come.
I love you, and forever Jesus loves you more. Be blessed.
Amen!
It is by faith that we believe and in righteousness that we are healed and restored. May you see Jesus manifest His entire being on you today even more than ever before. The Almighty God is for you & nothing can ever stand in the way of the blessing that He bestowed upon you. Believe and declare it, exercise forgiveness by faith because He,the Lord, waits to show favour upon you and your whole household.
Kneel before Jesus, be focused on His presence and allow the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort and counsel. Receive the joy in Him now & rejoice for you have seen the light come.
I love you, and forever Jesus loves you more. Be blessed.
Amen!
Friday, November 16, 2007
This is The Call
"It is written, Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that come from the mouth of God."
"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, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always to the end of the age."
Dear friend, the Lord, He who changes not, our Rock, has a great plan for you and me - and this is His call to those who are His chosen to go in deeper - preach His word, for He,the Mighty One, is expecting a harvest in return as a result of our obedience to the call.
As we go deeper into God, may we become more real of our life and the vulnerability of our being so we can understand that there is nothing we can do without Him, let us be mindful that He is our Source, our dependency is on Him and let us seek for ourselves a deeper longing of His being in our lives.
[O God, as you call us to go deeper in our knowledge of You, may the cry of our heart be that You Lord, you alone saturate our hearts in your Spirit, purify us as your Glory is manifest in our life and in our worship of You.
Incline therefore your ear to the Word of the Lord, O my soul. Take it, the Word, and eat it, and may it be to thy mouth as sweet as honey. Prophesy and speak therefore the Word of God to all people and nations, in all languanges and to the kings.
In Jesus Name, Amen.]
Scripture references:
Matthew 4: 4
Matthew 28:19 - 20
John 15: 16
Malachi 3: 1 - 4
Ezekiel 3: 3
Revelation 10: 11
"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, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always to the end of the age."
Dear friend, the Lord, He who changes not, our Rock, has a great plan for you and me - and this is His call to those who are His chosen to go in deeper - preach His word, for He,the Mighty One, is expecting a harvest in return as a result of our obedience to the call.
As we go deeper into God, may we become more real of our life and the vulnerability of our being so we can understand that there is nothing we can do without Him, let us be mindful that He is our Source, our dependency is on Him and let us seek for ourselves a deeper longing of His being in our lives.
[O God, as you call us to go deeper in our knowledge of You, may the cry of our heart be that You Lord, you alone saturate our hearts in your Spirit, purify us as your Glory is manifest in our life and in our worship of You.
Incline therefore your ear to the Word of the Lord, O my soul. Take it, the Word, and eat it, and may it be to thy mouth as sweet as honey. Prophesy and speak therefore the Word of God to all people and nations, in all languanges and to the kings.
In Jesus Name, Amen.]
Scripture references:
Matthew 4: 4
Matthew 28:19 - 20
John 15: 16
Malachi 3: 1 - 4
Ezekiel 3: 3
Revelation 10: 11
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Lord God is ...
I thought I would share this revelation message with you about our GOD.
I recently received a mail titled – “God is like…”, in which God is compared to all kinds of brands and slogans etc. They were all quite true, but it didn’t really feel like any of them did justice to what the Bible teaches us… Psalm 29 says we must ascribe what is due to God, and then starts explaining why:
Psalm 29 - A psalm of David.
PS 29:1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
PS 29:3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
Psalm 97 also tells us more about “what God is like”:
PS 97:2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 3 Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.
PS 97:4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
Imagine seeing that happen… Can be quite fearful, but listen to what God says about Himself:
EX 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished;..."
May you know what God is really like this week!
God bless and keep you!
NB!! Please excuse me should you feel that I should not have forwarded this message through to you, but I just could not resist the inclination.
I recently received a mail titled – “God is like…”, in which God is compared to all kinds of brands and slogans etc. They were all quite true, but it didn’t really feel like any of them did justice to what the Bible teaches us… Psalm 29 says we must ascribe what is due to God, and then starts explaining why:
Psalm 29 - A psalm of David.
PS 29:1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
PS 29:3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
Psalm 97 also tells us more about “what God is like”:
PS 97:2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 3 Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.
PS 97:4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
Imagine seeing that happen… Can be quite fearful, but listen to what God says about Himself:
EX 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished;..."
May you know what God is really like this week!
God bless and keep you!
NB!! Please excuse me should you feel that I should not have forwarded this message through to you, but I just could not resist the inclination.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
The Heart of the Father - Our Secret Place
Lay down all, my dear friend & brethren, lay it all at the Cross. You want to lay down all and take up that rest upon the Saviour's breast - there and there only is always a place of freedom, perfect peace and complete safety - the Heart of the Father which is our secret place.
I love you but Jesus loves you best, so I bid you a successful, good and prosperous life in Him. May the waking up and the sleep of the righteous be sweet. May the truth and faithfulness of God be our shield and a buckler because we believe and trust in His Son, who is our Lord.
The Lord Jesus Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, HE ALONE is able to keep you from falling and present you blameless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy and exultation, unspeakable ecstatic delight.
May you celebrate a good life in Jesus, Amen.
Scripture reference: Psalm 91, Isaiah 25: 4, Jude 24 and Proverbs 2:8
I love you but Jesus loves you best, so I bid you a successful, good and prosperous life in Him. May the waking up and the sleep of the righteous be sweet. May the truth and faithfulness of God be our shield and a buckler because we believe and trust in His Son, who is our Lord.
The Lord Jesus Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, HE ALONE is able to keep you from falling and present you blameless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy and exultation, unspeakable ecstatic delight.
May you celebrate a good life in Jesus, Amen.
Scripture reference: Psalm 91, Isaiah 25: 4, Jude 24 and Proverbs 2:8
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Living in the Grace and abundance of Jehovah Shammah
"I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved ...You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16 v 8 & 11 (NKJV)
This to me is an acknowledgement of how the believer in Christ can live in the abundance, peace and prosperity of the Almighty God, who has revealed Himself as Jehovah Shammah, "the Ever present One". God is always with us whether we feel Him there or not and as His chosen we can have continual fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us.
Are you ever faced with challenges, questions, concerns, problems and even good news? then I belief that God is the first one to run to. Everything we need for successful Christian living can be found in Jehovah Shammah - joy, wisdom, wholeness, protection and the burdenremoving-yoke destroying power of God. It is in His presence that there is fullness of JOY, where forgiveness, restoration, deliverance, healing, comfort and again WISDOM can be found.
It is in Him that we have our being and by whom we have the very things that can improve our situations and circumstances in life. His GRACE makes us realise that we can be accepted with no possibility of being rejected. As His righteousness we need to therefore accept it, live and walk in that grace which brings to us purpose, peace and joy. We really need to get to a point where we are expectant and excited with all of God's blessings; because if God is for us, who then can be against us - the world cannot curse you because the Almighty lives in you and is by your side always.
As we look to Jesus, it is through Him that our situations are turned around to bring amazing blessing into our lives. Eph 2 v 8 tells us 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God.' Note therefore that fear, guilt, intimidation and condemnation has no place to stop us from getting up and going after God with all of our heart, and getting to a place God has for us and becoming what He wants us to be. We need to realise that we have not arrived but are moving onwards towards our destination in Him.
It is in Christ that we live and by Him we move and God has promised that 'He will not leave nor forsake us' - 'The Lord is our shepherd and we shall never be in lack'. Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace, look outside of ourselves -receive and belief in Jesus who is the Lord. The scripture in Phil 2 v 13 says 'for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure' We do not have to be striving, comparing, competing or try being something to out-do others but to relax in God who has forgiven us, empowered and qualified us in Christ.
It is my prayer that you may experience this presence of God in your life as He continue to reveal to you His being as Jehovah Shammah, the Ever-present One, who desires to be with Us. Pay attention to Him and practise His presence that we too can learn to walk with God in like manner as was said of Enock (Gen 5:24 & Heb 11:5). I pray the words of Collosians 1 v 9 - 23 (AMP) over your life always.
Be BLESSED and remember that God Loves you unique as you are, for His own purpose, therefore '....get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehesion, and interpretation) Proverbs 4 v 7 (AMP)
This to me is an acknowledgement of how the believer in Christ can live in the abundance, peace and prosperity of the Almighty God, who has revealed Himself as Jehovah Shammah, "the Ever present One". God is always with us whether we feel Him there or not and as His chosen we can have continual fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us.
Are you ever faced with challenges, questions, concerns, problems and even good news? then I belief that God is the first one to run to. Everything we need for successful Christian living can be found in Jehovah Shammah - joy, wisdom, wholeness, protection and the burdenremoving-yoke destroying power of God. It is in His presence that there is fullness of JOY, where forgiveness, restoration, deliverance, healing, comfort and again WISDOM can be found.
It is in Him that we have our being and by whom we have the very things that can improve our situations and circumstances in life. His GRACE makes us realise that we can be accepted with no possibility of being rejected. As His righteousness we need to therefore accept it, live and walk in that grace which brings to us purpose, peace and joy. We really need to get to a point where we are expectant and excited with all of God's blessings; because if God is for us, who then can be against us - the world cannot curse you because the Almighty lives in you and is by your side always.
As we look to Jesus, it is through Him that our situations are turned around to bring amazing blessing into our lives. Eph 2 v 8 tells us 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God.' Note therefore that fear, guilt, intimidation and condemnation has no place to stop us from getting up and going after God with all of our heart, and getting to a place God has for us and becoming what He wants us to be. We need to realise that we have not arrived but are moving onwards towards our destination in Him.
It is in Christ that we live and by Him we move and God has promised that 'He will not leave nor forsake us' - 'The Lord is our shepherd and we shall never be in lack'. Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace, look outside of ourselves -receive and belief in Jesus who is the Lord. The scripture in Phil 2 v 13 says 'for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure' We do not have to be striving, comparing, competing or try being something to out-do others but to relax in God who has forgiven us, empowered and qualified us in Christ.
It is my prayer that you may experience this presence of God in your life as He continue to reveal to you His being as Jehovah Shammah, the Ever-present One, who desires to be with Us. Pay attention to Him and practise His presence that we too can learn to walk with God in like manner as was said of Enock (Gen 5:24 & Heb 11:5). I pray the words of Collosians 1 v 9 - 23 (AMP) over your life always.
Be BLESSED and remember that God Loves you unique as you are, for His own purpose, therefore '....get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehesion, and interpretation) Proverbs 4 v 7 (AMP)
Sunday, August 19, 2007
We love because HE first loved us
This is a testimony of Praise - JESUS I BELONG TO YOU!!
I come from a family that belonged to the fellowship of the Lutheran Church - a church where I grew up in and where my ever first "bible study" began. What I remember the most about my experiences in this church was my years as a young girl in Sunday School and the confirmation classes I attended. My biggest love for Sunday School was not only in the receiving of the beautiful stars one would get on the attendance register but mostly in completing the lessons with excellence.
The most important lesson ever in my life began at the time when I got chosen to represent our congregation in the Church's Bible quiz competitions for Sunday schools across the different regions of our country. I must have been between 9 and 10 years old at the time, however that memory is still alive and fresh even of today. I made it to the finals, and to prepare for that we were required to memorise the book of Romans chapter 12. Little did I know what a turning point this was to be for my life and just how beautiful the memories and how blessed I belief I am today because of such an opportunity and an experience. Just realising & knowing that Almighty God in His wisdom and infinite love has presented Himself always before me from around that time in my life.
I fell in love more with the book of Romans 12 that I could quote it even in my sleep. I remember how in the years of my youth whenever I was faced with challenging situations those scriptures came alive in my heart, and brought me down to my knees, humbled me and filled me with such conviction that led to repentance.
At our church back home, I recall this one specific incident, it happenned in my year of confirmation class, when this one specific family stood up to announce to the church that they were born-again. By then what I knew & ever saw/perceived about being born-again was the "freaky, crazy extremists" who always saw everybody else as a sinner except themselves and were so judgemental of others it was unbearable. A lot of people in the congregation did not take kindly to this announcement, especially because this family confronted and challenged the authority and leadership in the church publicily. This sort of behaviour became to me like an itching scar towards my belief, and in my earlier years as a teenager I got weary and sceptic about those who proclaimed to be born-again.
I still fellowshipped in our church at home until I had to go to boarding school for my high school education. Even though I believed and trusted in God, I experienced a void inside of me. This started to intensify especially when having been in church but could still find that the word that was being preached seemed to bear no impact in the behaviour and attitudes of some people even minutes after church ended. I started to feel that the way I did church was not enough for me. Something inside of me kept pushing, seeking for a difference and I began to hear the words of Romans 12 speak loudly into my life.
In my first year in boarding school, when in STD 8, I joined what was then called the SCM (Student Christian Movement). This movement was for all the learners without any specific restriction except of cause the interest to fellowship in worship and bible lessons, so this made it easier for anybody to join in without having to fear prejudice.
It was in my 2ND year at this school that I met with this one specific girl, guess what, she was born-again, yet very soft spoken and loving, always respectful in her ways and carried this stature of dignity around her. She was what my pastor often calls, bible believing, spirit filled, tongue talking & devil chasing believer in Christ. What I noticed about her was during break-times she would sneak out to a nearby building outside the school and one day I followed her, inquisitively wanting to know what was going on. This building I found out was a church/temple which belonged to the School of Theology situated right next to our school, and was opened during the day for the students to use as a quiet place of prayer and worship. This was the beginning of my most precious and best valued time period at the school - just to recall those emotions and serenity of the place during a time spent in worship and prayer was so fulfilling. Giving of ourselves unto the presence of God even for as little time as 15 minutes was so precious there are not many words to describe it.
This experience changed everything I ever perceived about being born-again. These special meetings were so intimate, a feeling so intense and a love so beautiful that the thought of it even today brings tears to my eyes. Realising it now and the remembrance of how precious God in His goodness, have shown Himself present in Love every step of the way is like what the apostle Paul decribe by saying, it is knowledge so wonderful, too high I cannot attain it.
One other beautiful witness I recall about the power of God during my high school years, was when I saw just how He changed the life of this one specific boy, known in school as the biggest Casanova, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Not only did this young man get born-again but he became so actively involved that the party events that he used to arrange were now turned over into christian camps for the "Christ for All Nations" outreaches and a number of learners in the school came to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour through his evangelistic mission.
Although in my young life I used to face challenges with my own family due to my way of belief even long before I got born-again, the biggest challenge of them all was when I wrote a letter home, full of excitement and joy, tell about my decision as a born-again believer. Little did I know what a confrontation this would be when I got home for the school holidays, just how spiteful families can be that even your own siblings and parents turns against you. Whenever I did something or missed a mark somewhere, I would be scorned about my choices that I proclaimed to believe in. I can still recall those mocking words being said with such an expression on the face - 'and this is what they call themselves followers of Jesus Christ'.
Life at home became so difficult growing up as a teenage girl, such pain I never could wish on anyone. All that I really longed for was to love and be loved by my family, that together we could be able to just hang around, do things together, understand one another, but yeah, that was just not very easy coming. It is like the song that sings 'Nobody told me the road won't be easy - I won't believe He'll bring me this far to leave me'. What was so beautiful though even during these difficult moments of pain, the words in Romans 12, learned years before, became for me an anchor in my life, and it shaped & defined my attitudes and behaviour towards life and the person I wanted to become.
I remember very clearly the prayer I so often prayed to God was for my family to be reconciled, a forgiving heart and thanking God for clothing my heart with His love that has spared me away from the spirit of hatred and shame. My adult life in itself had many of its own challenges but I always used to recall the teachings by Creflo Dollar I heared once where he shared on the scripture James 1 v 2 - 5 & 12. That too became my testimony to hold on.
I was in my mid-twenties I recall when at one time my mom and my aunts were at each others throats over a misunderstanding that truly stemmed from pride. This prompted me to make a visit to the then "missionary house" challenging the then minister of the congregation back home about his belief in prayer that changes situations, talk about boldness, what could I have been thinking? I guess this is what Prov 28 v 1 talks about. I asked if he would pray and agree with me in prayer, and so we prayed. While he was still dumbstruck, I guess by this boldness of a young woman, challenging his faith in prayer, I said my good-byes and hurried back home. That, believe me, was a move which still scares me myself even today, what on earth got into me, how could I ever confront a leader of a congregation with such a question? Well, I guess I will find my answer one day, God willing. NB! But please, whoever is reading this right now, I beg of you, please do not condemn me for that action.
Allow me to share this with you, something I even laughed with my younger sister about it yesterday while having a chat that my home has in the last six years turned out to be like a "rehabilitation centre" for the family, where those who hurt have been known to just pop-in for a little bit of love, Glory be to God, Hallelujah. Some of my siblings have even turned me into a made-up "little granny" for their kids just so they can find time to spent at my place, and How marvellous God has become in all of that. Though there is work that still needs to done in some ways, but my God has been faithful and all is not lost. His loves endures forever, and I believe He is still busy at work.
Why did I have to learn the words written in the book of Romans 12 so young in my life? What was it that it became the one thing that would ever remain, becoming so alive and forceful even when at times all I wanted so much was to take revenge and be angry with those who hurt me? Lord how come you had to make me listen to many of the stories of those women you brought along my path, their pain and sorrows? Just who am I that you made me to even learn to cry with someone that I barely knew? What is it that you were and could still be preparing me for even before I know it?
I will take refuge in your word Almighty God and seek you while you may still be found, for You have said this to your servant " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"
'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements and his paths beyond tracing out!
Preserve me Lord in your righteousness.
I thank you Lord for the musicians you so anointed in singing worship, words that heal, that restores and encourages a heart to seek repentance. It is in the solace of this anointing that Lord you became alive to me, your favour you bestowed on me and peace you gave and restored me back to joy. Thank you for your grace that does not make man arrogant, for who and where would I have been had it not been by this GRACE.
Lord, you hold my world in the palm of Your hand and I am yours forever. I will walk with You Lord where ever I go. Through tears and joy I will trust in You. I will live in all of your ways & in your promises forever and ever. Jesus I believe in You, Jesus I belong to You. You are the reason that I live, and the reason that I sing with all that I am.
"May your unfailing love come to me O Lord, your salvation according to your promise, then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your commands for ever and ever, I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts...; I lift up my hands to your commands which I love and I meditate on your decrees." Ps 119: 41 - 45 & 48
I come from a family that belonged to the fellowship of the Lutheran Church - a church where I grew up in and where my ever first "bible study" began. What I remember the most about my experiences in this church was my years as a young girl in Sunday School and the confirmation classes I attended. My biggest love for Sunday School was not only in the receiving of the beautiful stars one would get on the attendance register but mostly in completing the lessons with excellence.
The most important lesson ever in my life began at the time when I got chosen to represent our congregation in the Church's Bible quiz competitions for Sunday schools across the different regions of our country. I must have been between 9 and 10 years old at the time, however that memory is still alive and fresh even of today. I made it to the finals, and to prepare for that we were required to memorise the book of Romans chapter 12. Little did I know what a turning point this was to be for my life and just how beautiful the memories and how blessed I belief I am today because of such an opportunity and an experience. Just realising & knowing that Almighty God in His wisdom and infinite love has presented Himself always before me from around that time in my life.
I fell in love more with the book of Romans 12 that I could quote it even in my sleep. I remember how in the years of my youth whenever I was faced with challenging situations those scriptures came alive in my heart, and brought me down to my knees, humbled me and filled me with such conviction that led to repentance.
At our church back home, I recall this one specific incident, it happenned in my year of confirmation class, when this one specific family stood up to announce to the church that they were born-again. By then what I knew & ever saw/perceived about being born-again was the "freaky, crazy extremists" who always saw everybody else as a sinner except themselves and were so judgemental of others it was unbearable. A lot of people in the congregation did not take kindly to this announcement, especially because this family confronted and challenged the authority and leadership in the church publicily. This sort of behaviour became to me like an itching scar towards my belief, and in my earlier years as a teenager I got weary and sceptic about those who proclaimed to be born-again.
I still fellowshipped in our church at home until I had to go to boarding school for my high school education. Even though I believed and trusted in God, I experienced a void inside of me. This started to intensify especially when having been in church but could still find that the word that was being preached seemed to bear no impact in the behaviour and attitudes of some people even minutes after church ended. I started to feel that the way I did church was not enough for me. Something inside of me kept pushing, seeking for a difference and I began to hear the words of Romans 12 speak loudly into my life.
In my first year in boarding school, when in STD 8, I joined what was then called the SCM (Student Christian Movement). This movement was for all the learners without any specific restriction except of cause the interest to fellowship in worship and bible lessons, so this made it easier for anybody to join in without having to fear prejudice.
It was in my 2ND year at this school that I met with this one specific girl, guess what, she was born-again, yet very soft spoken and loving, always respectful in her ways and carried this stature of dignity around her. She was what my pastor often calls, bible believing, spirit filled, tongue talking & devil chasing believer in Christ. What I noticed about her was during break-times she would sneak out to a nearby building outside the school and one day I followed her, inquisitively wanting to know what was going on. This building I found out was a church/temple which belonged to the School of Theology situated right next to our school, and was opened during the day for the students to use as a quiet place of prayer and worship. This was the beginning of my most precious and best valued time period at the school - just to recall those emotions and serenity of the place during a time spent in worship and prayer was so fulfilling. Giving of ourselves unto the presence of God even for as little time as 15 minutes was so precious there are not many words to describe it.
This experience changed everything I ever perceived about being born-again. These special meetings were so intimate, a feeling so intense and a love so beautiful that the thought of it even today brings tears to my eyes. Realising it now and the remembrance of how precious God in His goodness, have shown Himself present in Love every step of the way is like what the apostle Paul decribe by saying, it is knowledge so wonderful, too high I cannot attain it.
One other beautiful witness I recall about the power of God during my high school years, was when I saw just how He changed the life of this one specific boy, known in school as the biggest Casanova, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Not only did this young man get born-again but he became so actively involved that the party events that he used to arrange were now turned over into christian camps for the "Christ for All Nations" outreaches and a number of learners in the school came to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour through his evangelistic mission.
Although in my young life I used to face challenges with my own family due to my way of belief even long before I got born-again, the biggest challenge of them all was when I wrote a letter home, full of excitement and joy, tell about my decision as a born-again believer. Little did I know what a confrontation this would be when I got home for the school holidays, just how spiteful families can be that even your own siblings and parents turns against you. Whenever I did something or missed a mark somewhere, I would be scorned about my choices that I proclaimed to believe in. I can still recall those mocking words being said with such an expression on the face - 'and this is what they call themselves followers of Jesus Christ'.
Life at home became so difficult growing up as a teenage girl, such pain I never could wish on anyone. All that I really longed for was to love and be loved by my family, that together we could be able to just hang around, do things together, understand one another, but yeah, that was just not very easy coming. It is like the song that sings 'Nobody told me the road won't be easy - I won't believe He'll bring me this far to leave me'. What was so beautiful though even during these difficult moments of pain, the words in Romans 12, learned years before, became for me an anchor in my life, and it shaped & defined my attitudes and behaviour towards life and the person I wanted to become.
I remember very clearly the prayer I so often prayed to God was for my family to be reconciled, a forgiving heart and thanking God for clothing my heart with His love that has spared me away from the spirit of hatred and shame. My adult life in itself had many of its own challenges but I always used to recall the teachings by Creflo Dollar I heared once where he shared on the scripture James 1 v 2 - 5 & 12. That too became my testimony to hold on.
I was in my mid-twenties I recall when at one time my mom and my aunts were at each others throats over a misunderstanding that truly stemmed from pride. This prompted me to make a visit to the then "missionary house" challenging the then minister of the congregation back home about his belief in prayer that changes situations, talk about boldness, what could I have been thinking? I guess this is what Prov 28 v 1 talks about. I asked if he would pray and agree with me in prayer, and so we prayed. While he was still dumbstruck, I guess by this boldness of a young woman, challenging his faith in prayer, I said my good-byes and hurried back home. That, believe me, was a move which still scares me myself even today, what on earth got into me, how could I ever confront a leader of a congregation with such a question? Well, I guess I will find my answer one day, God willing. NB! But please, whoever is reading this right now, I beg of you, please do not condemn me for that action.
Allow me to share this with you, something I even laughed with my younger sister about it yesterday while having a chat that my home has in the last six years turned out to be like a "rehabilitation centre" for the family, where those who hurt have been known to just pop-in for a little bit of love, Glory be to God, Hallelujah. Some of my siblings have even turned me into a made-up "little granny" for their kids just so they can find time to spent at my place, and How marvellous God has become in all of that. Though there is work that still needs to done in some ways, but my God has been faithful and all is not lost. His loves endures forever, and I believe He is still busy at work.
Why did I have to learn the words written in the book of Romans 12 so young in my life? What was it that it became the one thing that would ever remain, becoming so alive and forceful even when at times all I wanted so much was to take revenge and be angry with those who hurt me? Lord how come you had to make me listen to many of the stories of those women you brought along my path, their pain and sorrows? Just who am I that you made me to even learn to cry with someone that I barely knew? What is it that you were and could still be preparing me for even before I know it?
I will take refuge in your word Almighty God and seek you while you may still be found, for You have said this to your servant " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"
'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements and his paths beyond tracing out!
Preserve me Lord in your righteousness.
I thank you Lord for the musicians you so anointed in singing worship, words that heal, that restores and encourages a heart to seek repentance. It is in the solace of this anointing that Lord you became alive to me, your favour you bestowed on me and peace you gave and restored me back to joy. Thank you for your grace that does not make man arrogant, for who and where would I have been had it not been by this GRACE.
Lord, you hold my world in the palm of Your hand and I am yours forever. I will walk with You Lord where ever I go. Through tears and joy I will trust in You. I will live in all of your ways & in your promises forever and ever. Jesus I believe in You, Jesus I belong to You. You are the reason that I live, and the reason that I sing with all that I am.
"May your unfailing love come to me O Lord, your salvation according to your promise, then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your commands for ever and ever, I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts...; I lift up my hands to your commands which I love and I meditate on your decrees." Ps 119: 41 - 45 & 48
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Blessed are the pure at Heart
Blessed are the pure at heart for they shall see the Lord. Even though the world may applaude you, the Lord looks at what is from the inside.
"Lord, who shall abide in Your the terbanacle and who shall dwell in Your hills - He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelesssly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart."
Father, when You test my heart, may You be pleased with my honesty in everything I do, guide me by Your Spirit that I may show integrity, soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. Judge me O Lord according to my righteousness, according to my integrity. Search me thoroughly and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
You O Lord, do not look at my achievements or my abilities, all you really want is a life of worship unto You. Thank you Lord for working in me that I may do Your will and act according to Your good purpose. With all that is within me I dedicate and consecrate my being to You.
Expressing my Love to You, I embrace Your Word, hold it in high esteem and choose to disagree with any thoughts, conditions or circumstances contrary to Your Word. Strenghten me, spirit, soul and body - fill me with Your love and grace. Clear my mind of the cobwebs of the day as I place my future and situations into Your hand, commiting to do my very best with the gifts and talents You have given me.
Thank You Lord that Your joy overflows in my heart - As I enter the doorways let me bring with me joy and peace, a character and personality of one who is in love with You and my fellow bretheren. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of others and to express my value of their contribution into my life in wisdom and insight, never to under any circumstances be condescending or to insinuate that I think less of others' capabilities/potential/responsibilities than I do my own or consider them in any way subordinate to mine.
I thank You that I am in Christ Jesus, the annointed one and His annointing, who has become for me wisdom from You - that is my righteousness, santification and redemption. I incline my ear to Your wisdom that I may walk in ways of piety and virtue, revering Your Holy Name.
Blessed be your glorious name for ever and let the whole world be filled with Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen and amen!!!
"Lord, who shall abide in Your the terbanacle and who shall dwell in Your hills - He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelesssly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart."
Father, when You test my heart, may You be pleased with my honesty in everything I do, guide me by Your Spirit that I may show integrity, soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. Judge me O Lord according to my righteousness, according to my integrity. Search me thoroughly and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
You O Lord, do not look at my achievements or my abilities, all you really want is a life of worship unto You. Thank you Lord for working in me that I may do Your will and act according to Your good purpose. With all that is within me I dedicate and consecrate my being to You.
Expressing my Love to You, I embrace Your Word, hold it in high esteem and choose to disagree with any thoughts, conditions or circumstances contrary to Your Word. Strenghten me, spirit, soul and body - fill me with Your love and grace. Clear my mind of the cobwebs of the day as I place my future and situations into Your hand, commiting to do my very best with the gifts and talents You have given me.
Thank You Lord that Your joy overflows in my heart - As I enter the doorways let me bring with me joy and peace, a character and personality of one who is in love with You and my fellow bretheren. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of others and to express my value of their contribution into my life in wisdom and insight, never to under any circumstances be condescending or to insinuate that I think less of others' capabilities/potential/responsibilities than I do my own or consider them in any way subordinate to mine.
I thank You that I am in Christ Jesus, the annointed one and His annointing, who has become for me wisdom from You - that is my righteousness, santification and redemption. I incline my ear to Your wisdom that I may walk in ways of piety and virtue, revering Your Holy Name.
Blessed be your glorious name for ever and let the whole world be filled with Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen and amen!!!
Friday, August 3, 2007
The Love that consumes
"O hear these my words you who are my beloved", says the King of kings!
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing LOVE for you will no be shaken nor my covenant of PEACE be removed" Isaiah 54 v 10
My prayer this day is that HIS love consume you, that you may celebrate forever in the presence of your LORD & KING. May you have a blessed day.
With love to you!
Sheila
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing LOVE for you will no be shaken nor my covenant of PEACE be removed" Isaiah 54 v 10
My prayer this day is that HIS love consume you, that you may celebrate forever in the presence of your LORD & KING. May you have a blessed day.
With love to you!
Sheila
Friday, June 29, 2007
A Celebration in Prayer
O How beautiful and sweet is the taste of your love my Lord and my salvation. How marvelous are your Words Almighty God – How glorious your grace & just how precious is the sound of your voice.
How powerful is your presence Abba Father, for you have made to us your Righteousness and Grace and even called us “Friend”. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Let the world rejoice in you dear God, for you the God of peace, you sanctify us wholly, our whole spirit, and soul, and body is preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Make me your witness Father to this world so mankind may know you. Let my life, my praise, my worship and the words of my mouth, be to you like a sweet smelling aroma. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew the right spirit within me.
For God is faithful in His calling and that He will also perform. So to all who believe, “ye” are sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of night nor of darkness. But “we” being of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet the hope of salvation.
Let us rejoice always, pray unceasingly and in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards us. May the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of the Christ.
The Lord of peace himself give you peace continually in every way. The Lord be with you all, and His name is Jesus.
Amen!!!
Scriptures Reading:
Ps 139: 5-6
I Thes. 5: 16 & 23-24
Ps 51:10
1 Thes 5: 5 & 8; 16-18
2 Thes 3: 5 & 16
How powerful is your presence Abba Father, for you have made to us your Righteousness and Grace and even called us “Friend”. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Let the world rejoice in you dear God, for you the God of peace, you sanctify us wholly, our whole spirit, and soul, and body is preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Make me your witness Father to this world so mankind may know you. Let my life, my praise, my worship and the words of my mouth, be to you like a sweet smelling aroma. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew the right spirit within me.
For God is faithful in His calling and that He will also perform. So to all who believe, “ye” are sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of night nor of darkness. But “we” being of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet the hope of salvation.
Let us rejoice always, pray unceasingly and in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards us. May the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of the Christ.
The Lord of peace himself give you peace continually in every way. The Lord be with you all, and His name is Jesus.
Amen!!!
Scriptures Reading:
Ps 139: 5-6
I Thes. 5: 16 & 23-24
Ps 51:10
1 Thes 5: 5 & 8; 16-18
2 Thes 3: 5 & 16
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Safety with God - Inspirational song
"For he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty God. Even if I walk through the valley of the the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You Lord are with me.
The Lord will keep you from all harm, He watches over your life; your coming and going both now and forever. I will trust in the Lord for He is faithful, His love endures forever. The Lord is closer to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, He hears their cry and saves them.
My heart yearns for His love because He is merciful, holy and true to His word. Rest therefore your faith forever in God's love which He has shown you."
May this be our song and praise today and in days to come. Be Blessed!
Scriptures Reading:
Psalms 23, 34, 91, 122, 145
Jude 20 - 22
John 16 v 33
John 3 v 16 (AMP)
The Lord will keep you from all harm, He watches over your life; your coming and going both now and forever. I will trust in the Lord for He is faithful, His love endures forever. The Lord is closer to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, He hears their cry and saves them.
My heart yearns for His love because He is merciful, holy and true to His word. Rest therefore your faith forever in God's love which He has shown you."
May this be our song and praise today and in days to come. Be Blessed!
Scriptures Reading:
Psalms 23, 34, 91, 122, 145
Jude 20 - 22
John 16 v 33
John 3 v 16 (AMP)
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