God Provides

A fortnight ago, I discovered that the water pump had been running for a while without the overhead tank filling up, usually when it fills up, it overflows and then we put off the water pump. But on this Sunday, the water pump kept running for close to 40 minutes. 

My husband decided to check the overhead tank to see if there was any debris blocking the pipes. He couldn’t find anything, but noticed that the little water flowing into the tank was not clear. It was like a colloidal solution.

We called the plumber and he decided to check the underground tank, where the water was being pumped out from, only to discover it was nearly dry. Apparently, the State water supply system had some challenges and water supply to the whole area was cut off for about three weeks.

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The plumber advised that we buy water which costs about NGN12000 for a full tank. Quickly my husband ordered for it, because our reserves were already running out. In three days, the water we bought was used up, hubby and I were already thinking on how to sustain this unbudgeted expenses, since we were not sure when the problem with the State water supply would be rectified.
Before this event, I was reading a book God’s Generals by Roberts Liardon, I read about FF Bosworth, who when confronted with scarcity of food in his household, began to shout “glory” even to the empty bread box.

Excerpt: When there was no food left, Fred Bosworth would stick his head into the empty bread box and shout, “Glory!” at the top of his lungs. Then, Estelle and little Vivien would do the same. God always provided!

I told my husband about his experience and we also decided to put our faith to work, and not to worry about the issue. I committed the matter to the Lord, and thanked Him for an answer, I also asked the children to pray and trust God for a miracle. Meanwhile, my husband was already making plans to order for another full tank of water.

The next day, on my way back from work, strolling down the street, I noticed water was flowing in the drainage a few blocks away from the house. When I got home, I noticed water was flowing into the underground tank also. The water supply had been restored! 

Glory to God in the highest! He will always come through, trust Him at all times.

He is part of the Family

Luke 12:6-7(NKJV)

6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?[a] And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Last week Saturday, during my devotional time in the morning, my daughter came into my room, I asked her to go and read her Bible, specifically the book of Proverbs. She came back to tell me she couldn’t find her Bible, since I was having my quiet time, I said to the Holy Spirit “Please excuse me for a minute, let me attend quickly to the issue.” 

I went to her room and searched everywhere for her Bible, but couldn’t find it, we checked her Sunday school bag and it wasn’t there, I was tempted to get upset, because apparently she had forgotten her Bible in Sunday School class and wasn’t even aware, I decided to go back to my room and continue my quiet time with the Lord.

When I got back to my room, I asked the Holy Spirit to pardon me for keeping Him waiting, He said to me – I am part of the family- actively involved in everything that is going on in your home, so I asked Him to help us find the Bible, after that, He blessed me with His peace.

Philippians 4:6-7(NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The next day Sunday, we all went to church, before the service started, I went to the ‘lost but found” Unit of the church to look for the Bible, it wasn’t there, I went to the Children Sunday School office, it wasn’t there either.  I went to my daughter’s Sunday School Class, and there I found the Bible on a chair with her Sunday School notebook.

I was grateful to the Lord for His care and for granting me peace, in the past I would have been very upset and anxious. He said even the hair on our head is numbered, that’s how much He cares for us. The Lord wants us to know that He wants to be involved in everything that concerns us, we need to acknowledge His presence and ask for His help. He is the present help in time of trouble. He is not just a guest in our homes, but an active member and Lord in our families.

My husband was amazed that I didn’t react as I would have done in the past on the day we discovered the Bible was missing. Well the secret is the Holy Spirit who gave me His peace that passes all understanding. 

I love the Lord!

What are you Focusing on? Are you Sin Conscious or God Conscious?

Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I usually take a short walk down the street to my house after closing from work, during these times, I like to pray in tongues or engage the Holy Spirit in conversations, so last week, as I was walking home I began to ask myself questions, my thoughts went thus… “I hope I didn’t commit any sin today”, “I hope I got everything right today”, my mind was focused on searching for any sin I had committed from morning until evening, the Holy Spirit suddenly interrupted my thoughts, He asked “Are you sin conscious or God conscious?” whilst it is not wrong to ask the Lord for forgiveness whenever we do wrong or fall short, it is wrong to keep our minds busy searching for sin continuously, what we behold is what we become.

If we keep focusing on our imperfections, we would never see or grasp what God has done for us. We are the righteousness of God in Christ in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The word of God says …as we behold Him we become changed, not as we behold ourselves or imperfections.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

This transformation occurs as we spend time in His presence, studying and meditating on His word, fellowshipping with Him and keeping our minds focused on the truth of His word.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Prayer

Dear Lord, please grant me grace to always keep my mind focused on you and your Word. In Jesus Name. Amen.

What are you Focusing on? – Heaven or Earth?

Mark 11:24 (NKJV)
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Last week I wrote about being focused. Today, I want to share an experience I had some years ago, when I was still in the University.

In my fourth year in the University sometime in the second semester, I started thinking about accommodation in my final year (fifth year). Though as final year students, we were entitled to accommodation provided by the school. However, I didn’t plan to stay in school accommodation; I wanted to stay in a rented apartment on campus, because it was more convenient and would help me concentrate more on my studies and project work, since there would be fewer people in the apartment.

My desire was to live in a rented Lecturers’ Boys’ Quarters (BQ) which was a prime area for students. I didn’t know of any lecturer to approach and make my request, but I have my heavenly Father. I prayed about it and asked the Lord to also give me 2 young ladies whose lives He wanted to touch as roommates.

Psalm 37:4-5 (NKJV)

4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

School resumed and I still hadn’t gotten a place to stay, I was going to school from my cousin’s house about 5 kilometers away. I trusted God and believed I would get a place. However, after a while, my faith started wavering, I was worried because there was no one to talk to about getting an accommodation. 

One morning before going to school, I began to talk to the Lord about the challenges I was facing. Guess what? The Lord said to me “In heaven, no one is worried or in panic about your accommodation challenges, there is a place for you.” I wondered - so heaven is not worried about my accommodation problem? I changed my prayers to “Lord direct me to the place you have provided already.” 

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Shortly after, I met an old friend who had just resumed also, she told me she was looking for a roommate, because she had rented a BQ from a lecturer and was looking for someone to share the apartment with. I couldn’t believe my ears. She also said she had contacted another person, but the lady hadn’t accepted the offer yet.

I told her I was ready to move in, and that was how I got a place to stay in my final year. The other lady she approached eventually accepted the offer.

The Lord answered my prayer as I had requested and it was a beautiful year for us. The Lord touched our lives and it was one of my best years in the University. 

God is interested in everything that happens in our lives, He has made provision for our needs and desires that are according to His will for us. Choose to trust Him and see Him manifest in our lives, in ways we can never imagine. Even when we falter in our faith walk, don't give up, go back to Him and receive clarity, direction and even grace to sustain you until the manifestation of His promise in your life.

Note: In heaven, no one is worried about our challenges, the Lord has made provision, even before the need ever arose. Stay focused on Him. It is finished!

What are you Focusing on?

Focus (noun)
1.
the centre of interest or activity.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Last night I had a dream, I woke up this morning and couldn’t remember what it was. And I have no wisemen and magicians like Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar to issue an order to help me recollect my dream. So during my devotional time, I was trying very hard, digging into my memory bank to recall the dream. However the Holy Spirit interrupted my thoughts and said to me “I am here, why not focus on me, I am more important than the dream”. Suddenly it dawned on me that my devotional time, which I should have spent in fellowship with the Lord, I was being distracted by what I thought was more important, immediately I switched my thoughts and began to receive His thoughts for me for the day.

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Sometimes when I read reports of what is going on in the nations of the world, the conflicts and wars, murders, lack of direction exhibited by young people, I feel very sad. One day as I was thinking about these events, the Lord asked me to change my focus. He led me to:

Isa 6:2-3 (NKJV)
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!”

The whole earth is full of His glory, not was full or going to be full, but present continuously full of His glory!  
When we see things from His perspective, we would have no choice but to rejoice.
Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha’s servant was afraid, but Elisha asked the Lord to open the eyes of his servant and he saw things from a different perspective, which gave him courage.

2 Kings 6:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

We see this severally in the life of Jesus and his disciples. They had 5000 hungry men, excluding women and children who had just listened to Jesus’ message. A young boy had only five loaves and two fish, which could have been his lunch for the crusade he attended. But from heaven’s perspective, it was more than enough to feed the crowd. Jesus was not distracted by the problem or challenge. He lifted up His eyes and gave thanks; broke the bread and His disciples distributed the supply. At the end of the day, they had twelve baskets left.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to always see things from your perspective. Grant me grace to remain calm and trust you that you are in control of everything. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Count it all Joy

James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Last week Wednesday, I boarded the public bus to the office, the weather looked okay from the bus stop, but there were so many people at the bus stop and the traffic was heavy. I eventually got on the bus, well dressed for the crucial meeting I had in the office. Some few kilometres to the office, it started to rain heavily and I had no umbrella, I prayed quietly in my heart that the rain should stop, it did, but by the time I alighted from the bus, it started showering again, I was drenched in the rain.

Photo credit: www.telegraphindia.com

On arrival at the office, I sat at my desk, ready to change my flip-flops – I usually put my work shoes in my bag. To my surprise, I couldn’t find my work shoes, I had forgotten it at home. Here I am preparing for a meeting with pink flip-flops! I quickly asked a friend if she had some spare work shoes and she said she had taken it home. 

The meeting was to start by 2:00pm, so I had ample time to do something, as I was busy thinking about what to do, I remembered there was a store that sells shoes close to the office. I quickly walked down to the store and got myself a beautiful pair of black sandals that did the job for the day! (Hallelujah!)

In all these I see the hand of God guiding me that day, I was drenched in the rain without an umbrella, I forgot my work shoes at home, yet the Lord helped me figure out what to do and before the meeting, my wet clothes had dried. Initially I had began to feel distressed by the events of that morning, but I chose to rejoice inspite of it all and it was as I rejoiced that I remembered the store close to the office.

How we handle distressing circumstances in our walk with the Lord matters, we must choose the path of joy over complaining and murmuring or wearing a long face!

Prayer

Lord I asked that you grant me grace to rejoice in every situation. In Jesus Name. Amen.

The Lord is my Strength

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV)
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;They shall mount up with wings like eagles,They shall run and not be weary,They shall walk and not faint.

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Last night, as I lay on my bed, meditating on God’s goodness the Holy Spirit began to quicken these words in my heart, “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength”, “when I am weak, then am I strong,” “for my strength is made perfect in weakness”.

Two weeks ago, I had some health challenges. During this period I felt very weak and my productivity level was low. I’m much better now and I thank God for healing me, but the energy is returning gradually, I wish it can happen faster…

Well, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Apostle Paul, who was left for dead after being beaten up by the Jews, yet in that state he was connecting heaven (Hallelujah!) The enemy meant it for evil, but it worked out for good! 

2 Cor 12:2-10 (NKJV)

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I’m learning to draw from God’s strength, but I’ve come to realise that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, when I am weak, then I am strong. Let the weak say I am strong.

In our walk with the Lord, there will be times, when we become faint or tired, but the word of God says that during those times, we should wait upon the Lord.

We wait upon Him by spending time in His presence, seeking His face and fellowshipping with Him.

As we wait upon the Lord we exchange our weakness for His strength, then we mount up with wings as eagles. In His presence is FULLNESS (not half measure)of joy, No matter where you find yourself, don’t let anything steal your joy, look to Him, meditate on His goodness because the joy of Lord is your strength. 

The Lord is my strength!

I cannot be boxed into a corner

Romans 8:37-38 (NKJV)
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today I want to talk about God’s power to save us in the midst of challenging circumstances. Our attitude to seemingly insurmountable obstacles should be that of faith and praise to God, for we are more than conquerors.

The Bible is full of stories that show God’s power at work when His people are faced with helpless situations. When Jesus was crucified, the enemy did not know that it was all part of God’s plan for redemption, as is written:

1 Corinthians 2:8 (NKJV)

8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

I can tell you that all things work together for good for those who LOVE the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

Two stories I would like to share from the Bible.

Israel had recently defeated the Arameans in a mountain battle. 

1 Kings 20:22-23

"Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said to him, 'Go, strengthen yourself and observe and see what you have to do; for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.' Now the servants of the king of Aram said to him, 'Their gods are gods of the mountains, therefore they were stronger than we; but rather let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they."

The enemy said that the God of Israel was a god of the mountains, but if they fought the Jews in the valleys they would defeat them. 

I Kings 20:28

"Then a man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, 'Thus says the Lord, "Because the Arameans have said, 'The Lord is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys,' therefore, I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord”

No matter what the enemy tries to tell you, God is God of the mountains and He is also God of the valleys. He has not stopped being God because you happen to find yourself boxed into a corner. 

Another story in the Bible that shows that God is sure to make a way for His children is seen in the parting of the red sea. When the Lord sent Moses to deliver the children out of the land of Egypt, they came face to face with the red sea and behind them was Pharaoh pursuing hard after them.

Exodus 14:13-14 (NKJV)

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

God did the unthinkable as He always does, He asked Moses to stretch his rod, and the red sea parted. The same red sea drowned Pharaoh and his army. The Lord gave them victory and they didn’t have to fight!

Whatever it is your facing today that looks like you’ve been boxed into a corner like the saying goes: “in between the devil and the deep blue sea”, the Lord will make a way for you, just like He did for the children of Israel, both “the devil and the deep blue sea” would be dismayed at what the Lord will do. For He is well able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. Maintain an attitude of faith and praise to the Lord and He will come through!

When the Music Fades

John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Many times, we associate worship with slow music or song, however the first place worship was mentioned in the Bible, was when the Lord asked Abraham to go sacrifice Isaac. After he arrived the foot of the mountain, he told his servants “I and the lad will go yonder and worship”. 

Genesis 22:5 (NKJV)

5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

Worship is beyond music, it is a heart attitude of complete surrender and obedience to God, irrespective of the circumstances around us.

Another example we see in the Bible about worship is Job, who when he was confronted with the news of the calamity that had befallen him arose and worshiped. 

Job 1:20 (NKJV)

20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

God created us primarily for His glory

Rev 4: 11(AMP)

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

As we walk through life, let us remember that our God deserves our worship and our complete obedience and surrender to him is an act of worship.

Romans 12:1 (AMP)

Therefore I urge you,  brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

Song

When the music fades 

All is stripped away, 

and I simply come 

Longing just to bring

Something that's of worth

That will bless Your heart

Bridge:

I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself

Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within through the way things appear

You're looking into my heart

Chorus:

I'm coming back to the heart of worship

And it's all about You, all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it

When it's all about You, all about You, Jesus

Matt Redman

The Transforming Power of God’s love

John 15:2 (NKJV)
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

God’s purpose for us is to be transformed into the image of His son – Jesus

Romans 8: 29 (NKJV)
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren

As we bear fruit in the kingdom, there comes a time, when our loving Father begins to prune us, the result is to bear much fruit for the kingdom. Read post on Fruitfulness

In our walk with God, certain areas of our lives that do not conform to the image of Christ would be highlighted, when the light of the Holy Spirit begins to shine in those areas, our response is to yield and not to make excuses. As we behold him, we are changed.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
He loves us too much to let us continue with our selfish ways.

Song for the day
Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I found in You.
And Lord I've come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love.

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side.
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love.

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me.
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
In the power of Your love.

Songwriters
BULLOCK, GEOFFREY/BULLOCK, GEOFFREY

The Word of God

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Photo credit: http://www.truthandcharityforum.org/

I’m currently reading a book “Outliers – The story of success” by Malcolm Gladwell, in one of the chapters of the book, he talks about the 10,000 hour rule, which when applied in learning or practicing a skill, one gains mastery.

As we spend time studying God’s word and meditating on it, our lives begin to change, our thoughts and words changes. The enemy of our soul does not want us to spend time studying God’s word, he will rather us get occupied with “legitimate” things than the important thing which is studying God’s word. When Jesus visited Martha and Mary, Martha was preoccupied with serving, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, just to listen to His words.

Luke 10:38 – 42 (NKJV)

38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

In my fourth year in the University, I decided to go on a “Bible excursion – reading & studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation”. That year, my life really changed, I used to have challenges in my thought life. I could think about twenty things in five minutes and sometimes end up confused, especially when I wanted to make a decision. I struggled with my will power but it didn’t work.

As I began to study and meditate on God’s word daily, my thoughts began to change, I discovered that the enemy wanted to occupy my mind with other things than the Word of God, after reading the scriptures, I found myself naturally thinking about what I had read that day. The Word of God became so sweet to my soul, the Lord gave me an unusual hunger for His word.

By the time I got to my final year, my vocabulary and discussions began to change. I remember my room-mate once said to me “Constance, you have a beautiful mind” at that time, I realized it could only be the Spirit of God that had done it, through His Word, if only she knew where I was coming from… 

Ephesians 4:23 (AMP)

23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]

Psalm 119 gives us a bird's-eye view of how invaluable studying God’s word is.

As we face trials in life, the Word of God which we have stored up in our spirits, helps us to overcome, the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. You can imagine a soldier in a battle without a sword or weapon of attack, that is what happens when we don’t study the Word, we become easy prey for the enemy.

Eph 6:17 (NKJV)

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Prayer

Father give me a fresh hunger and passion for your Word, a strong desire to study and meditate on your Word. Grant me grace to yield, whenever I’m prompted by your Spirit to study your Word. 

God is our Refuge

Isa 59:19b (KJV)
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

Last week, on my way to work in the staff bus, the enemy of our soul started bombarding my mind, with thoughts of “what the Lord is yet to do for me”, past failures – which God had forgiven me and forgotten about, my inadequacies, etc, it was like a deluge. If I were at home or somewhere secluded, it would have been easier for me to command him to stop in the Name of Jesus, or loudly declare who I am in Christ.

I couldn’t even pray in tongues out loud, because I was in the bus on my way to work. Guess what, the Holy Spirit my Helper, came to my rescue, He said to me, the enemy knows your position in Christ, you are under the rock where he can’t get at you, but can only taunt you.
Suddenly a song swelled up in my spirit and I began to sing… 

I am under the rock
The rock that’s higher than I
Jehovah hides me, I am under the rock
Go tell my enemies, I am under the rock
Jehovah hides me, I am under the rock
                                                     ...Donnie McClurkin

I could sing softly in the staff bus, even though I couldn’t pray out loudly or command the enemy to stop his barrage of attacks on my mind, I’m sure the enemy thought he had boxed me in. It is written…

Psalm 89:22 (NKJV)
22 The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.               
This happens to be one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

As I continued singing, all of a sudden, there was a great calmness in my mind, all the barraging thoughts had disappeared. I was so joyful, that the Holy Spirit, my best friend had given me another strategy to overcome!

No matter the battles of life we face, we are more than conquerors, the Holy Spirit is always there to help us overcome, we can never be boxed into a corner, He will always make a way for us, Hallelujah!

God Answers Prayers

James 5:16b (NLT)
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Last week, I received a call from a family friend, and he began to tell me what the Lord is doing in his family, the wife had agreed to support him in the ministry, after waiting on the Lord for three years, he now has four children already, a new job, and many more. I was so excited about the news, it was like cold water to a thirsty soul. I have been praying for a long time for this family to fulfill the call of the Lord upon their lives. The Lord has done much more than I asked.

Prov 25:25 (KJV)

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

I’ve learnt that the Lord never gives up on us, sometimes we give in especially when praying for people and we don’t see immediate results, but the Lord never does, He is patient. He sure answers prayers, no matter how long it takes, His Word would not return to Him void. 

Another family has been blessed with a baby also, been praying for them for four years. It gives me a lot of joy, when I see prayers answered.

Are you believing God for a miracle? Don’t give up, keep trusting Him, He sure will answer you and at the right time. 

1 Thessalonians 5:24(NKJV)

24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 

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Abraham waited for twenty-five years, Joseph for thirteen years, and David also had to wait before He became king of Israel.

The promises of God are yea and Amen. Hang in there, do not give up, the enemy will try to get you to lose focus and doubt God’s promise, but he is a liar and we must not believe his lies.

The TRUTH is that God will answer you. Choose to believe the TRUTH of His Word.

There is Power in the Name of Jesus

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

On Wednesday last week, I was resting in my room in the evening, when I heard my little son screaming, I called his older brother who was playing with him in the sitting room to find out what the matter was.

He told me he accidentally poked David’s right eye with a pen, while playing. I ran out to the sitting room and behold, the eye was bleeding. Immediately, I held him close to me, put my right hand on his eye and commanded the bleeding to stop in the Name of Jesus. I took him to the bathroom and washed off the blood on his face. 

The eye had stopped bleeding, but he couldn’t open his eye, he said “Mummy I can’t see” I began praying in tongues, I called him by his name saying “David, you will not go blind, you will see.” I took him to my room, my mind was racing, what do I do next? Should I call my hubby who had gone for a prayer meeting or should I call the doctor? Which hospital can I quickly take him to that has a consultant ready to attend to him right away. In the middle of all this I kept on praying in the spirit and also saying to him “David, you will not go blind, you will see.”

I gave him some pain medication and cuddled him close to me still praying. Suddenly, he said to me “Mummy I want to play with the iPad.” I looked at his face and there was a little swelling at the corner of his eye, he said “Mummy, I can see now” I want to play. In thirty minutes, he was already playing around the house again, no more bleeding, no more pain, the swelling had almost disappeared. 

By the time my hubby returned from the meeting, we were already asleep. The next morning I narrated to him what happened and he said at about that time, a brother had raised a prayer request for children, that the Lord will protect our children, especially during the summer break.

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I thank God for His faithfulness, and the courage He gave me to trust Him, in the midst of that situation. Honestly I believe the Spirit of the Lord took over the situation. I thank God that instead of fear, I was filled with faith and boldness to confront the situation.

The Lord took charge of the situation when the disciples feared they would drown, He got up and rebuked the wind and there was a great calm. Like my Saviour, I rebuked the bleeding in His Name, and it stopped! My journey to becoming more like Him continues, not just in character, but also in the demonstration of the Spirit and power.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (KJV)
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Let Your Light Shine

Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)

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14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Lord expects us as His ambassadors to be shining lights in the midst of the darkness in the world today.

How do we let our light shine?

Where there is strife and hatred let the love of God flow through us

Where there is turmoil, let the peace of God flow through us

Where there is sadness, let the joy of the Lord spring forth through us

Where there is despair, let Christ in us the hope of glory manifest through us

Where there is unbelief and doubt, our faith in Him must rise above circumstances

May we become His body indeed here on earth, able ambassadors of the Kingdom of God!

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

He will come and save you

Romans 10:13 (KJV)

¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

https://drmthomas1975.files.wordpress.com

Say to those who are fearful hearted
Do not be afraid
The Lord your God will come
And with His mighty arm
When you call on His Name
He will come and save you

Chorus:
He will come and save you x2
Say to the weary one
Your God will surely come
He will come and save you;

He will come and save you x2
Lift up your eyes to Him
You will arise again
He will come and save you

Say to those who are broken hearted
Do not lose your faith
The Lord your God is strong
And with His loving hand
When you call on His Name
He will come and save you

(Chorus)

Bridge:
He is our refuge in the day of trouble
He is our shelter in the time of storm
He is our tower in the day of sorrow
Our fortress in the time of war

(Back To Chorus)

By Bob Fitts

He cares...

Matthew 10:30 (NKJV)

³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

On Tuesday during lunch time I went to a canteen nearby my office to eat. On my way back, a young man in a tricycle tried to get my attention, I ignored him, but he kept on, so I turned to hear what he was saying, “Madam, see your earring on the floor” he said calmly.

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I looked and there was my earring, I picked up the earring and thanked him for showing concern and trying to help in spite of me ignoring him earlier.

I believe the Lord prompted him to help me because I didn’t notice that one of my earrings had fallen off. It goes to show that the Lord really cares about the little things in our lives that we think are insignificant. The very hairs on our heard are numbered, not just counted!

God knows, God sees, God hears and God cares - Tony Evans

He sent His Word and healed them

Psalm 107:20(NKJV)

²⁰ He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.

Two weeks ago, as we were getting ready for Sunday Service, one of my children said he had stomach ache, I wrongly thought that it was one of his usual tricks, when he didn’t want to have breakfast.

We all went to church and I took him to the Children Sunday School. After service, my hubby went to pick him up and the class teacher told him that he was unusually quiet in class. We got home from church and just before we had lunch, he vomited.

I became worried, because we had just treated him for malaria and bacterial infection some few weeks prior to that day. My hubby and I had a fellowship meeting, we had committed to attending that Sunday afternoon after lunch.

I had mixed feelings about attending the fellowship meeting, we prayed for him and decided to watch him for a while before taking him to the hospital. At the fellowship, I kept calling home to find out how he was doing.

During a prayer session at the fellowship meeting, the facilitator gave a word from the Lord about someone who was worried about a child and that the person would surely testify as God had intervened in the situation already.  Another facilitator who rounded up the meeting also gave the same word. I received the word with faith in my heart, believing that the Lord had healed my son.

We arrived home in the evening and I quickly went to check up on him, I discovered his body temperature was high, we called the doctor who prescribed some medication for him.

That night, I kept on mediating on the word I had received, and the Holy Spirit reminded me of this verse of scripture ...He sent His word and healed them… He reminded me that He had sent His Word through the facilitators at the fellowship meeting and that I should not be afraid, I was already thinking that it was going to be one of those sleepless nights again, because I would have to wake up regularly to check his body temperature. Somehow, I slept off and didn’t keep to the scheduled regular checks.

In the morning before I got out of bed, my son had woken up and was already playing (Hallelujah!) completely healed! No more high body temperature, no more vomiting, hale and hearty!

The Lord is our Healer!