Happy New Year!

 

At the beginning of the month of December, the LORD spoke to me about 2014 using a passage from the book of Joel, the prophet:

Joe 2:2-11, “…There is... a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. 3 Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them. 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run. 5 … like a powerful army drawn up for battle. 6 Before them peoples are in anguish; all faces grow pale. 7 Like warriors they charge; like soldiers they scale the wall. They march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths. 8 They do not jostle one another; each marches in his path; they burst through the weapons and are not halted. 9 They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls, they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief… 11 The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful…”

When the LORD used these verses to speak to me, He opened my eyes and I saw a great army of powerful Christians (vs. 2) charging at 2014 and assailing it like locusts. I saw an aggressive people laying hands on everything that 2014 had to offer. This army was focused on its objective, determined, disciplined and persevering (vs. 7 & 8). They were not deterred by any obstacle (vs. 9).

I am very convinced that 2014 will be an exceptionally rich and prosperous year for those who would have been ‘violent’ enough. Indeed, the kingdom of GOD suffers violence and it is only violent who take it by force (Mat 11:12). 2014 is pregnant with things which are not going to fall down on their own, like manna from heaven. One needs to be prepared to fight to get them (vs. 5). Forget what others are doing. If you want to ‘win’ 2014, be violent in spirit; focus on what you have seen and wish to obtain. Mind your own business, mission and projects. Do not look for excuses; on the contrary, do not let anything stop you: scale every obstacle (vs. 7 & 9). Those who want to prevent you from possessing 2014 are actually afraid of you (vs. 6); but you don’t know it. Dare to dream and do in 2014: the LORD is with you. He utters His voice before you and is ready to fully execute His Word.

I pray that GOD opens your eyes so that you may see all that He has in store for you in 2014. I pray that He makes you crave to get hold of 2014 and that He also gives you the strength to achieve this. It is He who works both to will and to do in us, for his good pleasure (Phil 2:13).

If you fear the LORD and apply yourself to all these things, come December 31, 2014, you will notice with joy and gladness that there was nothing to worry about, for the LORD would have done great things! The former areas of wilderness in your life would all be green. The trees would be bearing fruits; the fig tree and vine would give their full yield. Your barns (bank accounts) will be full. What you had previously lost would have been replaced and even multiplied (vs. 22-26). Then, you will know, and everybody will know around you, that the LORD is GOD and He walks in the midst of those who fear Him.

From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely pray that you will not to miss anything good and perfect that GOD wants to deliver into your hands in 2014.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Answering my own question…

 

Last week, I asked you what you thought was the worst possible tragedy that could befall somebody, a community or a nation? I imagine that with all that has been happening lately, one would easily be spoilt for choices. I mean: losing everything in a natural disaster as it was recently the case in the Philippines? A terrorist attack as on September 11? War? Cancer? A plane crash? A nuclear accident? An economic crisis which can lead a thriving country like Greece to bankruptcy? Losing a job or a house? Dying before having the chance to get married and have children?

All these things, and others, are indeed very tragic and the victims deserve our sympathy and prayers. However, I cannot vividly remember what I was recently thinking about when the thought suddenly crossed my mind that the worst tragedy possible is the lack of a prophetic voice. Huh??? Seriously??? I can easily imagine the facial expression on some of your faces. Let me explain.

It is written: "Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed" (2Chr 20:20). So, our success greatly depends on our level of trust in the LORD’s messengers. Oh? But I thought that cursed was the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength and that, we were to put ALL our trust in the LORD (Jer 17:5; Pr 3:5)?

Don’t panic; there is no contradiction. Jesus said that those who really wanted to do GOD’s will (i.e. trust GOD) would know whether His teaching/message is from GOD or not (Jn 7:17). Indeed, when we fully trust GOD, we welcome those He sends to us with open arms; we believe what they say; we receive the reward of the prophet and thus, succeed.  

It is not often that GOD thunders His voice from heaven. When He wants to instruct or warn an individual, a people or a nation, He speaks through somebody: a prophet. Prophets are not just there to predict doom; they are also –mainly- there to provide us with solutions and a sense of direction - even though these are often quite disconcerting for GOD’s ways are not ours.

• A woman was about to die of hunger with her son, when she met a prophet (1Ki 17).
• The sons of a poor widow were going to be sold as slaves when a prophet told her what to do in order to pay her debts and prosper (2Ki 4).
• An army General would have been plagued with leprosy if not for a prophet (2Ki 5).
• Armies suddenly found themselves without water for the troops and horses, until a prophet gave them a solution to their situation (2Ki 3).
• Another army always knew what the enemy was about to do, thanks to a prophet (1Ki 20).
• Some men almost got into serious trouble after losing a borrowed axe in a river; but thank GOD, they had a prophet in their midst (2Ki 6).
• Some other men unfortunately ate some poisonous fruits or veggies and would have all died, if not for the intervention of a prophet (2Ki 4:39-41).
• A young man could not find his asses. Luckily, he had the reflex to go to the seer who lived in a different town. The prophet did not only tell him where to find the donkeys, he also told him that GOD has chosen him to be king! What a journey! (1Sam 9)
• What is your own problem?

If only we would pay attention to prophetic word, we would spare ourselves a lot of trouble. We would even deal with the suffering which is beyond our control like natural disasters better; and may even find unsuspected solutions, if we could just stop to ask: "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, through whom we may inquire of the LORD?" as well (2Ki 3:11, 1Ki 22:7).

After having said this, I am not advising you to entrust your life with just anybody: the fact that one bears the title ‘Prophet’ doesn’t mean that he/she is a genuine. Jeremiah said: “As for the prophet who prophesies peace (i.e. prosperity, success, health etc.), when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet» (vs 28.9). And warning against false prophets Jesus concluded: “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Mat 7:15-16). Don’t be fooled by prophecy-traders. When giftings are truly authentic, one doesn’t have to pay for them: they are freely given. You can decide, on your own accord, to give an offering to the man of GOD whom you are going to see: it is scriptural (1Sam 9:7-8); but it is not up to the prophet to tell you what you must give him in order to be blessed. He himself must believe GOD who knows his true needs and who will surely know how to touch the hearts of those coming to seek the LORD through him.

I said that the worst possible tragedy was the lack of prophetic voice. When there is no prophet, there is no compass. People are like sheep without shepherd. They don’t even realise that much of what they call ‘good’ is ‘abomination’ in GOD’s eyes. Unfortunately, one day or the other, GOD will have to intervene. It is to avoid this tragedy that the greatest Prophet of all times, the Word, GOD’s perfect mouthpiece, Jesus, was born and came on earth. He is the Beloved in whom GOD is well-pleased: Let’s listen to Him. The Bible is the greatest prophecy. Let us read it, believe what it says and put it into practice.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just a question…

 

I was so busy yesterday that I forgot to post! Anyway, this week’s article is very short. It is just a question over which I would like you to ponder and eventually share your answers on the blog or my Facebook page. Let’s debate.

“What do you think is the biggest tragedy that can befall an individual, a community or a nation?”

‘See you’ next week with my own answer. Up until then, take care and GOD bless!

Living to influence the world

 

I had scheduled another article for this week; but I could not ignore the headline news, which is dominated by, the death of Nelson Mandela. I know that you have already read countless articles on him online; so, I won’t be writing another one.

Since the 20th century, there haven’t been many whose death has shaken the entire world. We can think of Gandhi, J.F. Kennedy, Lady Di, Michael Jackson and, to a lesser extent, Whitney Houston and Mother Teresa. However, Mandela’s death seems to have been at another level and had the biggest impact. Perhaps, it could be because we now live in such digital times that any information can quickly become a planetary event. What is certain, is that, like Gandhi and Diana, Mandela was loved by all – the few Afrikaners who could see nothing else than a terrorist when he was released from prison excluded of course. Everybody loved him and there are not many people in the world who have never heard of him – which cannot be said of some other illustrious individuals like Mother Teresa or Whitney Houston.

I do not know whether Mandela was a Christian or not; and, actually, I do not even think that it matters anymore. If he was one, praise GOD! But if he wasn’t, then we have to acknowledge the fact that his life has exemplified many Christian values.

Personally, I sincerely wish most Christians could display at least half of his humility, forbearance, magnanimity and sense of mission and sacrifice. I wish Christians would love their enemies and their oppressors as he did. Oh, yes, I do believe that if our churches were filled with such people, we would definitely change the world. We would definitely make disciples of all nations. After all, today South Africa is a pure product of the inheritance and philosophy of Nelson Mandela.

Test everything – and thus, every life -; hold fast what is good. Earnestly desire the higher gifts (1Th 5:21; 1Co 12:31). I would therefore like to exhort us to examine his life; hold fast to what has made it great; and be inspired to live lives that will deeply transform all our circles of influence.

I leave you with four of his quotes:*

• There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
• It always seems impossible until it is done.
• I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowing what to do. Or very similar: There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a program that will help me bring a little happiness to those with no resources, those who are poor, illiterate, and ridden with terminal disease.
• If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.

Think about this and refocus your life.Have a great week and GOD bless you.

*Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/nelson_mandela.html

He is under your feet…

 

I was at a prayer meeting on Saturday and a verse was read from the book of Joshua which caught my attention. Until that moment, I had never looked at it closely and had never linked it to another passage in the Gospels.

Before going any further, let me remind you that in hermeneutics*, when a fact is mentioned two times or more in the Bible, it carries a particular importance – “At the mouth (on the evidence) of two or three witnesses shall the matter be made sure” (Deut 19.15). And this is even more so when the fact is repeated in both the Old and the New Testament. In such a situation, it basically becomes a perpetual law.

After the fall of Adam and Eve, GOD cursed the serpent, saying: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen 3:15).

Centuries later, by GOD’s grace, Joshua had just won a war against a coalition of five kings. He turned to his generals and told them: "Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings… Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight." The guys obeyed, put their feet on the kings’ necks and Joshua struck them to death. Then, he hanged them on trees; let their bodies hung until evening**; threw them into a cave and set large stones against the mouth thereof (Jos 10:24-27).

Joshua was so ruthless because he knew that this war was not just a natural one: it was essentially a spiritual warfare. Indeed, these kings were actually the physical representatives of certain spiritual entities: the princes of darkness (Eph 6:12). And death by hanging was a curse (Gal 3:13).

Finally, there is another witness in the New Testament. Jesus sent some disciples on an errand and they came back rejoicing that even the demons were subject to them in His name! Jesus replied saying: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you” Lk. 10:17-19.

When do you think that Satan fell from heaven? It was definitely not while the disciples were fulfilling their mission; but way before, sometime in eternity. It is written indeed: “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” Rev 12:7-9.

The demons are subject to us since eternity, GOD has long decided that their fate and that of their master is to be under our feet. The books of Genesis, Joshua and Luke remind us that all our combats are pre-recorded; they are not a live broadcast. GOD has already fought for us. Satan has already been thrown down. Demons have already been publicly put to shame on the Cross and we wage war from a position of victory. We are seated in Christ in heavenly places. We are in a position of domination and in the highest possible position. We war from above; and when we look down, we can see the enemy under our feet!

GOD bless you and strengthen your hands in the battle. Have a great week.

*Hermeneutics is the science of the interpretation of sacred books and ancient texts.

** Having stripped rulers and authorities, He made a show of them publicly, triumphing over them in it (Col 2:15).

Thanksgiving Day and Hannukah

 

If you do not live in the US, these two celebrations may not mean much to you. However, I mention them because this year, on Thursday – November 28, 2013 -, they both fall on the same day. The last time this happened was in 1888 and, according to some calculations, it won’t happen again before 77,798 years! There is even a special word that has been created for the occasion: Thanksgivukkah! But before going any further, let us look at the origin/meaning of these feasts.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621 and lasted three days. It was a narrative about an arduous journey to escape religious persecution for freedom in a new land, the establishment of a democratic charter and the sense of Divine providence that carried them through their plight. On Oct. 3, 1789, George Washington proclaimed the first official and national Thanksgiving Day; but it is only since 1863, during the Civil War, that Thanksgiving became a federal and public holiday in the U.S. when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."

Hanukkah aka the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Greeks (2nd century BCE). King Antiochus IV had previously ordered the service in the temple to stop. It thus symbolises the spiritual resistance of Judaism to heathen assimilation. As the Maccabees rededicated the desecrated Temple, a small quantity of oil, enough to last for only one day, miraculously burned for eight, which is why Jews light the candles of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, for eight nights. The first of these nights falls this year this Thursday, on November 28.

Having all this in mind, let’s use this opportunity to remind ourselves of a few things:

1) Christ Jesus acquired us a victory by His blood in order to call us out of darkness into His marvellous Light. As the two feasts both celebrate religious freedom we must equally resist assimilation by popular culture which ultimate goal is to impede us from practicing our faith. We live in the world, but, as Jesus said, we are not from the world and must constantly be transformed by the renewal of our mind, that we may discern the perfect will of God. As the Message reads: Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you (Rom 12:2).

2) We are the light of the world and the lamp of our candlestick, our inner light, should not shine on Sundays only or for eight continuous days: it should shine till death. We do need to realise that when our light does not shine, a whole part of the world – our sphere of influence – is thus covered with darkness. We no longer only belong to ourselves, we are responsible for others.

3) In spite of its vicissitudes, life is the most precious treasure that we’ll ever have down here. Let’s give thanks to GOD for life, for HIM, for our loved ones and acquaintances etc. one just needs to listen to the news (plane crashes, car accidents, murders, earthquakes, floods, kidnappings, wars, fire, people living in slums and from garbage, famine etc.) in order to acknowledge that we have more than enough reasons to be grateful. As long as GOD extends your lease on earth, give HIM thanks, enjoy it and honour HIM. It may also be a good time to read one of my former posting, “Dayenu: You are more than enough”.

Have a great week in CHRIST JESUS, The LORD.

For those who are interested, here is a copy of George Washington’s proclamation of thanksgiving:

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

The price of love…

 

Do you remember my posting ‘GOD is love’ where I wrote that though I can receive – and I actually gladly receive – the love of Christ, I could simply not conceive/fathom the love that the LORD has shown for me/us on the Cross? Well, the same love, which has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5), can sometimes lead us to do things which are –humanly- unconceivable. Elisabeth Elliot is the perfect illustration of the type of actions and sacrifices that this love which has been poured into our hearts is capable of unleashing when it is not restrained.

Elisabeth was born in Belgium in 1926 from missionary parents. In 1952, she also went to Ecuador to work as a missionary. It was there that she met Jim Elliot and they married in 1953 in the city of Quito, Ecuador. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas (now called Huaorani) were in that category -- a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. On January 8, 1956, after a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death and their bodies were dumped in a river. Jim died leaving a young widow behind and a 10 months old baby daughter.

Any other woman would have left that ‘cursed/wicked’ country and gone back home, telling the LORD: “After all, I’ve tried.” But not Elisabeth. She remained in Ecuador and continued to work with another Indian tribe. Then, in October 1958, after learning their language through two Huaorani women living amongst the Indian tribe she was working with, Elisabeth took her three year old daughter and went to live with the Huaorani, the very people who had killed her husband. She spent two years with them! To those who could not understand her ‘mad’ decision, she said:

“The love of Christ constrains us. There is no other motivation for missionary service that is going to survive the blows of even the first year. You do it for Him.”

This is how far love for Jesus will carry you. With hindsight, we can always say that she had to do it so that her husband would not have died in vain. Or that it was not good for evil to triumph and people to be too scared to go into that tribe again. Or even that love and grace much more abounded where sin and evil abounded; but all this would be a bit too cheap and easy to say afterwards, wouldn’t it?

From 1988 to 2001, she could be heard on a daily radio program, Gateway to Joy, produced by the Good News Broadcasting Association of Lincoln, Nebraska. She almost always opened the program with the phrase, "'You are loved with an everlasting love,' – that's what the Bible says – 'and underneath are the everlasting arms.' This is your friend, Elisabeth Elliot ..."

Sometimes, we wrongly think that it is only 15th or 18th century missionaries who were capable of such abnegation. Elisabeth Elliot was born in 1926 and is still very much alive. As I write, here are the latest postings one her Facebook page:

• “God will not protect you from anything that will make you more like Jesus.” (Oct. 22, 2013)
• “The way we live ought to manifest the truth of what we believe. A messy life speaks of a messy and incoherent faith.” (Sept. 25, 2013)

Have a brilliant Christ-love-filled week!

Keep your faith!

 

Lk 22:31-32, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

We do not like pain and testing. If we could always have it easy, then we would be more than happy. However, we live in a fallen world and suffering is part of (daily) life. I am not going to be metaphysical about the existence of evil or the devil: reason allows me to, but faith advises against. Furthermore, I personally do not see how knowing why GOD created the devil will help me cope better with the death of a loved one, cancer, rape or a tsunami. Therefore, I can do without all the explanations today, knowing that, in any case, I will know everything one day (1Cor 13:9-12); and when I cannot ignore the reality of evil and suffering, my faith comes to my rescue.

Indeed, Paul reminds us that the temptations/testing that we go through are common to man. There is nothing exceptional about them. It is just… life… It is therefore useless comparing our predicament with that of others because, what seems terrible to me may not be a big deal for someone else and what I have easily overcome may be someone else’s biggest weakness/stumbling block. To everyone their grace; and this is why Paul goes on to say that GOD will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, but will also provide the way of escape along with the temptation, so that we can endure it (1Co 10:13). Most of the time, when we quote this verse, we stop here and yet, Paul immediately goes on saying: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry (vs. 14). In other words, if we do not deal with the testing the right way, we are in great danger of falling into idolatry – i.e. giving in to, submitting to and serving anything other than GOD.

Now, I can better understand Jesus’ words to Peter: I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. He doesn’t say: “Don’t worry Peter. My Father has forbidden Satan to sift you guys.” No. It is rather: “You will go through hell, but that’s not a big deal. It is your faith that concerns Me the most. I know it is not strong enough and so, I have prayed that it may not fail and you may not fall into idolatry. Regardless of what is coming, it is important that you remember that if you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour – your Jesus. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. You are precious in my eyes, I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you (Is 43:2-5)… Only watch your faith. Do not lose it because of a challenge. Instead of moaning and crying, think, for GOD has already provided a way out. After you have overcome the Adversary, strengthen the remnant – of brethren – which is about to die (Rev 3:2).”

Same thing in Smyrna (Rev 2:10). The LORD told them: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” He did not promise them to keep the devil at bay, but exhorted them to be faithful even unto death - i.e. to hold onto their faith even if they had to die for it. I am sincerely convinced that if die we must, then it is better to die in Christ than outside of Him. Do not let any temptation or transitory testing rob you of your crown: Keep your faith in GOD: He is Faithful.

Have a wonderblessed week in HIM!

PS: After writing this posting I stumbled upon a trailer of an upcoming movie which reflects everything I’ve written here. You can watch it at http://www.godsnotdeadthemovie.com/ and also visit their Facebook page.

So, you also want to see His glory? (II)

 

As promised last week, here are a few words of explanation concerning the LORD’s reply to Moses: I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy (Ex 33:19).

Moses had requested three things: 1) To know His ways in order to know Him better, 2) The company of His presence on the way, and 3) To see His glory.

This is the LORD’s answer to the first request: I will make all my goodness pass before you. In other words, if you seek to know Me, then, know that I am GOOD. GOD is GOOD. Regardless of the natural disasters, death and all manner of suffering in the world, GOD is and remains GOOD. If you do not understand this, then you have not even begun to scratch who GOD is. It is not by chance that Jesus told the young rich man that only one is GOOD: GOD (Mat 19:17). He knew the terrible fate that awaited Him, but this did not stop Him from proclaiming GOD’s goodness. This is also why David invited the people to taste and see that the LORD is good, even though his own life was not rosy every day (Ps 34:8). As a matter of fact, he added: “Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Why seek refuge if everything is ok and there is no danger ahead? Let me tell you this: what you are going through right now, or will go through tomorrow, doesn’t change a thing to the inherent goodness of GOD. An apple tree can only bear apples and GOD can only ‘produce’ goodness. This explains why His ways (which Moses desired to know) are essentially Grace and Mercy, and why Jesus exhorted us to be merciful, just like our heavenly Father (Lk 6:36).

As for the second request, GOD had already promised to go with him in verse 17: "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favour in my sight..."

Lastly, when Moses asked to see His glory, GOD replied: I will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' This might not mean a lot to you, especially if you have never found yourself in the presence of a king or a head of state. However, during official events, before the arrival of a king or president, someone (a herald) goes before them and announces loudly: ‘His Majesty the King! Or, ‘The President of the Republic!’ and everybody stands up etc. Yet, in our case, it is not Moses who announces GOD, but GOD who is Moses’ herald; and He doesn’t shout: ‘His Excellency Moses!’ before him, but instead, He proclaims His own Name. In other words, wherever Moses goes, GOD announces him saying: ‘Behold, GOD!’ Had He not said before: ‘See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh?’ And, speaking of Aaron, ‘He shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him?’ Ex 7:1 & 4:16

This is how GOD’s glory is manifested in people’s life. Do not be fooled: it has NOTHING to do with houses, cars and designers’ clothes. If this was the case, Hollywood would be a better place than the church to look for it.

You know that you walk in GOD’s glory when the LORD Himself trumpets your arrival to the world, systems and Creation by calling you by His Name. This is the reason why elements instantly submitted to the LORD’s orders and why GOD backed up Prophet Elijah when he boldly said that there would be no dew or rain except by his word (1Ki 17:1)! By the way, do not forget the fact that Elijah wore a garment of camel’s hair which was not the then-days’ equivalent to luxurious clothes (2Ki 1:8). When GOD is well-pleased with someone, He does not withhold any good thing from them (Ps 34:10 & 84:11)… I could have written more, but it is not necessary. Those who seek the LORD with all their heart will find Him and understand much more than what I have shared. As for the others, well, it is best to make a better usage of pearls…

Have a wonderblessed week!

Do you also want to see His glory?

 

One of the things that Christians like to ask is to see GOD’s glory. There are countless seminars and conventions on this. I have attended a few in the past. However, today, I cannot help but notice that what people expect and imagine when they pray this prayer probably has nothing to do with what the glory of GOD truly is. Indeed, the Bible says in 1Kings 8 that when GOD’s glory fell down, even the priest could not remain in the temple to serve: they all had to leave (vs. 11). In Deuteronomy 5, it came as darkness, a mountain burning with fire and a voice coming out of the midst thereof and the people were so afraid to die that they begged Moses to be excused (vs.23-27). In Revelation 21:23, it is a light which is brighter than the moon and the sun. We can’t even look directly at the sun when it is in the zenith, but we want to see GOD’s glory? Hmm…

We usually pray like that because we want to imitate Moses; but we forget (or ignore) the necessary preliminary steps he took before GOD could grant his request. Indeed, he told the LORD: “If I have found favour in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." And GOD replied, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And Moses said to Him, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?" And the LORD said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name." Moses said, "Please show me your glory."” Ex 33:12-18

In other words, Moses requested three things:

1) Show me your way: This was also David’s prayer (Ps 25:4). However, people are usually not interested in knowing His ways; they just want to see His deeds (Ps 103:7). They don’t want to know how to make a car or a computer; but just want the finished product. They don’t want to learn to cook; they just want to enjoy the meal that someone else has laboured to prepare. This is what the children of Israel said to Moses in Deut 5: ‘Staying here is too difficult; it will kill us. You, stay. Find out how it works and then, come and tell us.’ People demand to see GOD’s glory, but they don’t want to prayerfully study and understand the Scriptures. They’d rather listen to preachers with bizarre motives teach them rubbish…

2) Let your presence be with me all the way. ‘Be with me as I walk on the very way that you have shown me. I’d rather stay where I am certain You are, rather than venture into places without you by my side.’ It is one thing to know GOD’s ways and it is another thing to desire and accept to follow them. People want to see His glory whilst they are not ready to die to self and forsake their plans B, C and D to follow the LORD’s one and only plan A.

3) Show me Your glory, even as I walk in Your ways. This is the outcome of the first two steps and you cannot take a shortcut. It is because he had done the rest and GOD was pleased with him, that Moses could now ask to see His glory. In fact, if GOD’s glory was really to come in our gatherings the (foolish) way we sometimes beg for it, many Christians would die on the spot; because of them, GOD has to wait until they grow and sanctify themselves. Moreover, when GOD granted Moses request, fire did not fall from heaven and nothing supernatural happened – the sort of things that glory-askers usually hope to see. The LORD instead caused all His goodness to pass before Moses and proclaimed His name before him; then He added enigmatically that He is gracious to whom He will be gracious, and shows mercy on whom He will show mercy.

Please take time to ponder over these things. GOD’s willing, I will touch on the implications and meaning of His answer to Moses next week. GOD bless you.

As promised: A few words on the revival (II)

 

Three weeks ago, I mentioned the fact that the revival has a price; and although we are many to desire to witness it in our churches or cities, few of us are actually prepared to pay that price: the price of perseverance. As early as yesterday, Pastor Olly Goldenberg reminded us that when George Mueller -whose faith is legendary- became born again, he vowed before GOD to pray for the salvation of five of his friends twice a day. He did this faithfully every morning and every evening; but it was only after ten years that the first friend gave his life to Christ. After 20-30 more years of assiduous prayers, only four of them were converted. Mueller died without witnessing the conversion of the fifth one, who became a Christian a year after his death. Did GOD answer his prayers? Yes, indeed; totally. Did He do it within the timeframe that most people would expect? No. Are there many of us praying with such regularity for our children, parents, friends, colleagues, nation or pastors, even though everything seems to indicate that nothing is happening and GOD is deaf? I don’t think so; and yet, this is what it really is about when we speak of faith. The Bible tells us that, against hope, Abraham believed in hope (Rom 4:18). We need to learn to live within the time as if out of it; after all, eternity is embedded in us.

Dr Roberts Liardon also explained to us that the first signs that the revival has finally started are:

• Strange things begin to happen. In Paul’s days, clothes that had been in contact with him were used to heal the sick and cast out demons (Ac 19:12).
• Then, there is a shift in the spiritual atmosphere and demons begin to manifest. Paul had been casting demons before in the city (vs. 19:13), but without repercussions like that which was seen after the trashing of the seven sons of Sceva by a demon-possessed man (vs. 17).
• Then, there is a cultural impact. When the Ephesian revival started, people burnt books and magical artefacts of great value; things which were inherent to the culture of the time.
• Finally, people start paying attention to what Christ says and wants: the Word of GOD begins to increase and prevail mightily. This result will not fall from heaven by itself: Christ gave power and authority to the Church. She is the one who needs to pay the necessary price for the revival - i.e. for the bringing down of systems and discipling of nations.

We were also reminded that the greatest moves of the Spirit always come with the greatest reactions from the enemy. Remember the events surrounding the birth of Moses and Jesus? And those surrounding the exodus of the children of Israel or the persecution that followed the birth of the Church at the Pentecost? In other words, while we long for revival, we should also prepare ourselves for adversity.

“I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (Mk 14:27). There are countless revivals which started here and there and did not last, usually because of flaws in the leadership. This is why it is necessary to prepare agents of revival; a team that will carry on the work. This is what Jesus did with the 12; what Paul did in Ephesus, and also what he advised Timothy to do (2Tim 2:2).

The Ephesian leadership meeting in Acts 20:17-ff, teaches us that Paul never tried to mesmerize the elders with his spirituality. He presented himself to them just as he was; they saw him happy and they saw him crying as well; he was no superhuman to them, he was a man just like them. He had taught them publicly and privately as well, in words and in deeds, and did not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of GOD to them. Nowadays, many men of GOD struggling with self-assurance are afraid to pass on what they know, in fear that the beneficiaries will be empowered and leave the church with some of the sheep. But I have this question: even if someone were to go, is it not preferable for the Body of Christ that such person leaves well equipped instead of the contrary? Then Paul insisted that they take heed of themselves and pay attention to the flock which was being entrusted to them. They needed to know themselves; especially, know their weaknesses and govern them before governing the church. What temptation of the enemy gets your attention? If you know it, run away as soon as you discern it from afar. As a former alcoholic, pubs are probably not the best place to go about evangelising.

GOD bless you and have a great revived week in HIS Presence.

Don’t be afraid of the future

I know I promised to post the last part of the article on revival; but I have the feeling that the LORD would rather have me write on something else – at least for now.

September 29 was our thanksgiving and testimonies Sunday. Two people gave some testimonies whose lesson was a great message of hope.

The first one, our music director, said how he remembered an impossible situation a few years ago. He was totally lost and could simply not envision a bright future for himself. However, when he now looks back at what was so scary and how far the LORD has taken him, his then apprehension seems so laughable today. Yesterday’s future has become today’s present and GOD has not disappointed him!

The other one told us how they were about to lose their house in June; they were even taken to court and bailiffs stopped by. Her husband had lost his job and her income was not enough to cater for the whole family and pay the mortgage. They had reached the end – or so they thought. I will spare you the details of what GOD did; just know that today, she has resigned from her job, has a thriving  minibus-to-hire business and she is even looking to recruit more people because of the enormous demand for her services. The future which seemed pretty sombre in June has now turned into a glorious present.

My pastors have just celebrated their 20^th wedding anniversary. Twenty years of marital bliss. They have also looked back at the journey road. They have also acknowledged the fact that when the LORD ‘promoted’ the well paid chartered accountants that they were to a pig and then a cow farm a little less than 20 years ago, stripping them of any ounce of self-confidence, nothing in the world could have help them envision the life which is theirs today.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love… 1Cor 13.13

All this is to tell you to take heart and hope. Look back. Remember some situations which appeared to be insurmountable in the past but you managed to get through them by GOD’s grace. This should give you hope that you will soon look back at what terrifies you today, and notice that yesterday’s scary future has become a glorious present. GOD is Good and He knows the plans that He has for you; plans to prosper you, to give you hope and a future (Jer 29:11).

Have a happy week and a Great future: GOD has not changed; He is GOOD!

A few words on the revival…

 

Dr Roberts Liardon* has just spent four days with us, sharing us some heavy and mostly unheard stuff on the revival. Here is a short summary of what we learned.

Revival can stem out of two ‘things’. The first one is a supernatural and sovereign move of GOD and the second one is when men and women decide to believe GOD and to aggressively implement what they read in the Scriptures. In the first case, GOD suddenly breathes on a city or a church. Everything starts in heaven and thousands are converted as it was the case in Acts 2 and Azusa Street, with the birth of Pentecostalism. Christians usually tend to spend their time praying for this kind of move, even though it is very rare. Instead of waiting for something that depends solely on the LORD’s goodwill, they should rather focus on the second trigger of revival. Instead, when a people totally changes their way of thinking and doing things (i.e. repentance - Ac 3:20, 2Chr 7:14) and begins to use the Word of GOD in a bold manner, they break through spiritually. This was the case in Ephesus (Ac 18-20) and it can also be the case in any of our churches, if only we are willing to pay the price.

The Ephesian revival started with a seed planted by Apollos. He was an eloquent man, bold, fervent in spirit, teachable and competent in the Scriptures. He knew how to deliver his message in a way that was received by many. Through his ministry, twelve people got born again: they were Paul’s first disciples, the remnant that would soon become a majority. Before using them, Paul made sure they were baptized in water and in the Holy Ghost. Then, he began to water the seed which Apollos had planted. He taught day and night in the synagogue for three good months, disputing the Jews and persuading the crowds. Faced with their stubbornness and unbelief, he left the synagogue (see Jesus at Nazareth) for the school of Tyrannus and there, he went on teaching daily for two more years before the first fruits of the revival could be seen! 2 years and 3 months of total commitment: the price to pay for the Ephesian revival.

Most of the time, when we hear the accounts of signs and wonders taking place during revivals, we often wish to witness such phenomenon. Many of us actually pray for this. However, revival has a price that many are probably not as willing to pay. Indeed, are we really ready to change our lifestyle and come to church every day, twice a day, for as long as it takes – weeks, months, years-, so that our church, neighbourhood, city or family would experience a true Pentecost? Are we even ready to kneel down in prayer day and night, spending a good deal of our day in the Scriptures, until tongues of fire come down from heaven and set us ablaze afresh – revive us once again? Those are some of the questions that we were asked…

I will stop here today: there is enough food for thought. I will conclude this article next week. Have a wonderblessed® week!

 

Roberts Liardon, Author, Public speaker, spiritual leader, church Historian

The descent to hell or descent to paradise?

 

Ex 14:8, “And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly.”

Today’s exhortation or encouragement will be relatively short. The children of Israel had not done anything wrong; and yet, the king of Egypt and his troops went after them, thanks to GOD... After everything that they had already endured, they would not even have the ‘chance’ to die in the fields or their beds. They could only choose between drowning or dying by the sword. It looked like a descent to hell, but it was actually a 'descent' to paradise.

Joseph did nothing wrong. There was nobody as blameless and loyal as him in those days. He had a pure heart. Nonetheless, he also descended to hell after falling victim of betrayal and a miscarriage of justice, again thanks to GOD...

The sun set in Abraham’s life the day that GOD asked him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice: that was his descent to hell. How could he hurt this child after waiting so long for him? As they travelled, a little part of him was dying at the thought of what was going to take place: he was descending to hell and, all the way down, demons were having a blast.

On the day of crucifixion, people looked Jesus descend to hell. Even He Himself could not believe that the Father whom He loved and had faithfully served could forsake Him and turn His face away. Outside of GOD, there was no light, everything was dark: it was hell! At least, that is what it seemed… The devil gathered his henchmen and opened a bottle of champagne. Nobody could understand that He was actually en route to glory. He was not descending to hell; He was ‘descending’ to paradise. Indeed, this descent, fully orchestrated by GOD, enabled Him to receive the Name above all that can be named in the Creation.

The descent to hell of the children of Israel was in fact a march towards the Promised Land, Freedom and glory: it was a ‘descent’ to paradise.

Joseph’s descent to hell was part of his ascension towards the throne of Egypt. It was a ‘descent’ to glory and elevation, a ‘descent’ to paradise.

Abraham was more than satisfied. He was happy. He had nothing else to ask to the LORD. Indeed, before having children, GOD had promised him a great reward to which he had replied: “What will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” Or, as the GNB puts it, "What good will your reward do me, since I have no children? My only heir is Eliezer of Damascus. You have given me no children, and one of my slaves will inherit my property." (Gen 15:2-3) In other words, what reward can surpass the joy of fatherhood? Sarah had finally given him a son who filled his heart with joy. Moreover, Abraham was rich and had many years ahead of him; so what more could he have asked for? He had everything; at least, so he thought. He did not know that GOD could still bless him even more. His descent to hell was in fact a ‘descent’ to paradise. When he thought he had hit the bottom of the pit, GOD told him: "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." (Gen 22.16-18). Wow!

We cry for help too quickly. We are too quick to call any trial as diabolical. However, every testing is not necessarily a punishment and very often, Satan is not guilty. Most of the time, it is GOD who, out of love, makes us go through fire. The descent to hell is frequently just a 'descent' to paradise. Humility and abasement go before glory and elevation. Are you passing through the waters right now? They will not overflow you. Are you walking through the fire, you will not be burned. You will not die; you will live and will speak of the LORD’s wondrous deeds: GOD is Good!

Looking for grace? Answer the call…

 

Dear readers, I am sorry I did not post anything last week. I had a long trip to plan and not a minute for myself. I am now back to my usual routine .

I came across this somewhere: “When grace speaks, laws are irrelevant, merit is needless, connections become useless and protocols suspended.” David is the perfect illustration. The Law forbade lay people from eating the shewbread: yet, he ate it and also shared with some of his soldiers with GOD’s approval.

He did not go to military school and could hardly walk with the then armour’s gear; and yet, that did not stop him from defeating Goliath.

He was a shepherd. He had no relative or friend at court and yet, he found himself in the palace. If he had wanted to use his connections, it could have been to enlarge his father’s flock or open a school for aspiring harpists. But GOD had another and better plan. The forgotten and underestimated son of his father became the king of Israel and the most heroic soldier of the land. Grace and favour were speaking in his life.

It is not difficult to live under permanently open heavens; heavens which do not withhold the morning dew for you. You just have to answer the LORD’s call, like David. Unfortunately, when He calls, many are those who try to run away, like Jonah. When He calls, many are those who hesitate and give Him all the reasons why they should not be sent, like Moses. When He calls, many are those who obey with great sadness, like Jeremiah. And yet, the LORD’s calling is supposed to be a source of great joy, comfort and encouragement. Indeed,

Mar 10:46-50, “And they came to Jericho. And as He with His disciples and a large crowd went out of Jericho, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, was sitting by the side of the highway, begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!... 49 And Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying to him, Be of good comfort; rise up, He is calling you. And casting away his garment, he rose up and came to Jesus.”

Be of good comfort; rise up, He is calling you. The GNB reads: "Cheer up! Get up, he is calling you." When Jesus calls, it is to encourage, comfort and give us something to rejoice about. Why is it then that our first reaction to His call is often negative? Why do we not often throw everything else away, like Bartimeus, to run after Him? Bartimeus reacted as if he had just been spending his time waiting for Jesus to call him. And we often react as if we spend our lives wishing that He would never point His calling finger at us.

Jesus does not only call us to full time ministry. He does not only call us to give us difficult messages to deliver. He calls us every morning to live for Him. He calls us every morning to be HIM in our sphere of action and influence. He calls us to go from glory to glory and victory to victory. He invites us to read the Holy Scriptures and believe what they say about Him. He invites us to obey His Word. He calls us every morning to follow Him and not to sit where He is not. If we do this, if we abide in His presence, GOD’s grace and favour will not cease to speak in our lives. Have a great week in HIM and GOD bless you.

Do we really love?

 

I have just read a wonderful story. Last June, a 31-year-old priest donated his kidney to a 60-year-old parishioner of his. He approached the man after Palm Sunday mass and told him of his intention to give him a kidney.

However, when it comes to transplantation, one needs more than willingness to help because in most cases, even parents and brothers are not always compatible. But, as GOD alone would have it, the priest had no antibodies against and was a perfect match to his old parishioner. On the day of the surgery, he came in with anointing oil, gave the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and invited the patient’s wife and children to join him in the laying on of hands for the man’s healing. Then, he left him in a state of absolute calmness for the surgery. All along, the priest only concern was the impact the drastic surgery would have on his life in ministry. When he was certain it would only be temporary, nothing would stop him.

Apparently, there are a few other cases of pastors donating their kidneys like that; there is one in Jacksonville, Al. and the other one in Denver, Colorado.

What I found most fascinating in this story, is what the priest, Father Jonathan, said. 

1) He first said that whenever he meets somebody who has any kind of need, he always asks himself whether he is the person who can respond to that need.

2) And, framing his gift in the context of the Christian concept of sacrifice, he said that even from before the time of Christ, a priest has always been defined as one who offers sacrifice. So, since Christians are baptized as priests, prophets, and kings, offering sacrifice is a therefore a real aspect of the life of every Christian.

Jesus asked us to love one another AS we love ourselves and love our fellow brethren AS He has loved us. He loved us to the point of giving His life that we may live. Do we really love one another? Do we love our brethren as Christ loved us? Do we see ourselves as the solution to the problem of X and Y or do we keep running away from our duties and responsibilities? We can mesmerise ourselves everyday thinking that we truly love our brothers and sisters. We can even congratulate and praise ourselves for the love that we have for one another because we visit them from time to time, lend them a bit of money now and then, pray a 2min-prayer when they are in distress. But can we really give a kidney to a fellow church member? Many of us would not even do the preliminary blood tests in fear of hearing that they are a match. “If I give my kidney now, and tomorrow my wife or child needs one, what will I do? And if I lose the only one I have left, who will help me? I’m only 31!” Some will even say that this priest could do such a thing because he had no family to think of. Let’s not forget that two pastors have also done the same. We are still very far from the Christian ideal and the way to love is very tedious...

These men of GOD have exemplified what Christian love is; and those who know how serious the surgery they underwent is, are also aware that, in a way, they have actually given their very life to save their own.

2Co 4:8-12, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”

Have a great week. May the love of Christ, which has been liberally poured into our hearts, find full expression henceforth. GOD bless you.

You can read the original story here.

Know your sheep…

 

About two months ago the Norwegian Prime Minister went out to the streets and drove around the Capital city Oslo for hours as a Taxi driver, in order to be able to understand the minds of his people. One can say that he spent time listening to the heart of his people.

I am sure you would agree with me that this is probably unprecedented. Let’s be reminded that Norway is a kingdom and thus, the PM is actually like the President, like in the UK.

It is written: Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds (Pr. 27:23).

This PM has put this verse into practice. Nowadays, politicians and all sorts of leaders tend to safely stay in their ivory towers, far from the concerns of their voters. They are surrounded by advisors who do not often tell them the truth about the real state of the country. In general, these leaders don’t even know it themselves, since they are too busy doing other things and stuffing their pockets while it all lasts. Consequently, they make unfruitful decisions or, worse, decisions which are contrary to the best interests or their voters. Know well the condition of your flock.

Churches are no exception. In many of them, there is a world between the pastor and the members. Many pastors do not visit their flocks – there is a dedicated team set-up for this purpose. In some cases, their members do not know their pastor’s home address; and when they do, they will not even dare going there because they may never even be received.

Pay attention to your herds. In serving His own, even in tasks as servile as washing people’s feet, Jesus showed that the way to greatness is through service. Indeed, washing the feet was the duty of the doulos, the lowest among the slaves. Imagine the state of feet in those days. People used to trek, in the desert, with just some little leather sandals. The rich had donkeys or camels. It seems as though Jesus only used a donkey once, to enter in Jerusalem (Mat 21). Most of the time, Jesus’ feet and those of His disciples, must have been very ugly and dirty. One of my daughters loves taking care of my feet; but as for the other, it is a completely different story. You need to see her when I ask her exceptionally to remove nail polish from my toe nails. She just doesn’t like peoples’ feet. It is even one of the first things that she looks on people; and she can be very critical on her criteria regarding beautiful feet. If my feet were muddy and I, her mother, was to ask her to wash them for me, she would not touch them; or, may finally do it in tears after may be an hour of serious pressure.. Yet, Jesus did not hesitate to wash, anoint, perfume and dry (perhaps, even massage as well) 12 pairs of such feet: 24 little horrors before dinner!

The way to greatness is through service. Today, those who are exalted – in the world or in church – think this means that their greatness will be measured by the manner and extent to which others are going to serve them; and not by the manner THEY will serve others.

The way to greatness is through service and humility goes before glory and elevation. There are upcoming elections in September in Norway, and I will not be surprised to see that his party has won, and that after struggling in the poll, Jens Stoltenberg, the PM is sworn in again for another term.

We are all leaders to some extent; and those who are not yet, aspire to become one. I pray that the examples of the LORD and of the Norwegian Prime Minister inspire us all. Have a great week in CHRIST JESUS and serve people. Know your sheep very well and pay attention to your herds. GOD bless you.

The church and money…

 

I read a very well written article dealing with the issue of church and money. The author, Larry Tomczak, shares a collection of charismatic aberrations destined to motivate Christians to give –or rather, to plunder the believers-, which he had recently watched during a telethon. You can read the original article, “The truth about the church’s fundraising tactics,” here. In the meantime, below is a summary thereof, along with a few personal comments.

He writes that in a highly charged atmosphere, a speaker told her audience to shout "Amen!" and then, to "Slap someone in agreement." In Agreement with what? He wondered. Then, the speaker quoted Psalm 71:21 - You will increase my greatness and comfort me again - and promised that if viewers would pledge $71.21 a month for 12 months ($854.52), God would give them "increase and greatness." She went on saying: "He'll stop that lawsuit. ... Greatness will be released in your job and finances and ministry and marriage even if you don't have the resources or have ten cents to your name or don't have a man to support you! Go to that phone and pledge $71.21 a month; and I prophesy to you that God will increase your greatness! Give now!"

He also writes that later, a bishop, who remarried only one week after divorcing his wife, forcefully told his audience to "obey the prophet of God and give." He said God gave him a word for the young people: "You are in tremendous credit card debt, but if you'll get up and pledge money and put it on your credit card, God will intervene for you. Don't let anything hinder you. Today salvation comes to your house." Larry Tomczak says he wished he could have reminded him of Pr 22:26-27 which says that if you foolishly go into debt even your very bed will be snatched from under you. Personally, I would like to say two things:

It is true that one must obey the prophet in order to prosper (2Chr 20:20). But it is exactly that: obey the PROPHET, i.e. someone who speaks on GOD’s behalf and whose life testifies that he/she hears the LORD’s voice and hearkens to it themselves. Anybody can take the title and pretend to speak in GOD’s Name; but you will be mad to listen to such a person. A young man of GOD ended in the belly of a lion because he had listened to an old prophet (1Ki 13:1-24). Listen to the PROPHETS and obey them; and you will know them by their fruits, Jesus said (Mat 7:15-16). The gift of discerning between spirits should not be forgotten or neglected in these end-times. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1Th 5:20-21, 1Jn 4:1). Test EVERYTHING. Do not swallow everything because somebody says he/she is sent by GOD. The apostle Paul himself had asked his followers to curse him or even any angel from heaven if they happened to preach another Gospel (Gal 1:8-9). I do not know many men of GOD of his stature nowadays; and yet, those that we have in our midst do not hesitate to threaten all those who dare to question what they say. Test EVERYTHING. Renowned pastors, bishops, popes and miracles-workers said to Jesus on that day: “We have done this and that in your name.” He rebuked them saying: “I never knew you. Depart from me…” (Mat 7:22-23). Do not follow people who are not known by the LORD and that He has not sent. No matter the sincerity of your heart, you will bitterly bite your fingers in regrets, like the young prophet (1Ki 13:24).

It is written: “But now also finish the doing of it, so that, as there was a readiness to will, so also the finishing, giving out of what you have. For if the eagerness is present, it is acceptable according to what one has, and not according to what one does not have. For it is not that others may have ease, but you trouble…” (2Cor 8:11-13). A pastor, who truly has a shepherd and a father’s heart, will NEVER push people to borrow to give what they do not have. And every wise Christian should never allow themselves to be manipulated by unscrupulous men whose eyes are only on their wallet. There is place in Christianity for sacrificial giving, but not in such a manner.

The author writes again about this internationally known church leader who told his TV audience that eight men were supposed to give $1 million each in the offering. "You have a choice," he told them. "Obey God and win or disobey God and keep losing. You will lose God's blessing! Go! And praise God while you're dialling the phone." I leave you to judge. You may shout because we are talking about a $1 million pledge; but if he had said $100, maybe you would not have noticed anything wrong with it…

After saying in other broadcasts that people would be healed if they sow money into his ministry, another leader apparently told the viewers that the more they pledged, the more protection they would have from God!

It is time to stop the Madness, Larry Tomczak wrote, wishing that Jesus would pick up His whip to cleanse the temple once again! As for me, I am convinced of this: when the LORD calls, He equips. When He sends, He supplies and there is no need to manipulate people for His provision to abound. When Moses was called to build the tabernacle, he had to tell the people to stop giving (Ex 36:6). Today, on the contrary, preachers beg people not to stop giving, because one has to keep up with the ‘lifestyle of the anointing’; a lifestyle of stars – the stars of the Gospel -, a royal lifestyle – the princes of the Kingdom.

I am a member of a ten year old ministry which has never made any appeal for donations. We only have one collection during services, no matter what special event; and guest preachers are never asked to motivate people to give. Yet, we have bought a massive temple in extraordinary circumstances. We have buses bringing people to church, free of charge. Believers even heard about the buses when they were already bought; they were never asked to contribute beforehand. We have our challenges, but GOD is aware of them and frequently sends people to drop envelopes full of money in our letterbox anonymously. Not to mention donations made by people abroad who just like what we do.

If anybody feels the need to pressurize people to support a project, then either the project does not come from GOD, or the person lacks the necessary faith to back it up. Know this: GOD does not need any help to support what He has initiated Himself and He is not a beggar. The whole universe and everything in it, belongs to Him.

I strongly recommend you read the original article which is full of personal testimonies of divine provision divine and instructions as to what to check before giving money to any ministry. Have a wonderblessed® week!

Go to sleep…

 

This week’s exhortation is relatively short. I was going to write on another subject matter, but I was greatly touched by certain things that my pastor said in his message of yesterday and decided to share.

August 2013 is our month of divine rest. We have been urged to stop fighting and allow the LORD fight for us. Yesterday, Pastor taught about the correlation between faith and rest; and the supporting Scripture was Mark 4.35-41. 

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"”

The disciples were awake and panicked whereas Jesus is peacefully asleep. Our pastor reminded us that GOD neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps 121:4). Therefore, He is the only One allowed to keep His eyes opened and none of us can watch for Him – besides, if He is not the one watching, whoever pretends to watch does it in vain (Ps 127:1). However, since the disciples decided to stay awake, well, GOD –in Jesus- went to sleep! “You think you can watch? Then, watch!” We know the rest.

No matter the problem or worries that may be yours right now, I would like to extend my pastor’s invitation, to rest in GOD, to you as well. Go to sleep and switch off the lights. He told you: “Let us go across to the other side.” You will get to the other side. You will not sink. He told the Israelites that He was going to lead them out of Egypt and into the desert. He kept His promise. The Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army could not stop Him from keeping His promise. Are your problems bigger than the Red Sea or greater than the Egyptian squads? No! So, stop fretting; you will cross; He is taking you to the other side.

Let’s also note than when Jesus woke up, the first thing He did was to proclaim the peace and command the sea to be still. Our pastor reminded us again that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart (Mat 12:34). So, peace, calmness, assurance, rest and tranquillity were the things that filled the heart of the Son of GOD and Prince of Peace. Today as well, He is giving orders to all the storms of your life to be still.

Have a wonderful week enjoyng GOD’s rest!

A few lessons from the parable of minas

 

Lk 19:12-27, “He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.' But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' And the second came, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made five minas.' And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.' Then another came, saying, 'Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' He said to him, 'I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten minas!' 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'"

In this passage, Jesus explains that a nobleman had to travel far in another country country to be crowned king. Can you imagine Prince Charles or Prince William travelling to China or the US to be crowned? It would be quite strange, would it not? In verse14, we are told that the reason for this journey was that his countrymen hated him and did not wish to be his subjects. There were powers working against him; spiritual powers, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual entities (Eph 6:12). These are territorial spirits capable of using anybody within the territory under their control, to harass another individual or destiny. There are precedents in the Bible. Joseph had to travel very far to be crowned, in spite of his noble birth and evident calling; same with Nehemiah (vs. 2.6). As a child, Jesus had to flee to Egypt and when He came back, He had to leave Nazareth –where He was not received- and go elsewhere to do the work of the ministry (the anointing). Can it be that the LORD is calling you to leave where you are so that you can reign?

He asked Abraham to leave his fatherland for an unknown destination. When we think about this, what usually comes to mind is Abraham extraordinary faith. But is it possible that, beyond the test of his faith, GOD simply wanted to remove him from a place where powers were working against him? After all, did He not tell Joseph to take Mary, his wife, and the child (Jesus) to Egypt until those who wanted the Christ dead were no more? That is, until the spiritual climate of the land was once again favourable to them (Mat 2:13, 20). If there was one human being on earth at the time for whom GOD would/could/should have mobilised the armies of heaven, it would have been for that child: Jesus. Yet, GOD advised the flight… As long as the freedom that He has granted to some powers has not expired, He cannot directly intervene and must trick them in order to get away with certain things. He could have simply shortened Herod’s reign ; inasmuch as he could have shorten Saul’s as well, instead of letting him persecute David; but He did not do it, because He is true to His word and His gifts and calling are irrevocable (Rom 11:29). Remember Job. When He gave the green light to the devil, He gave him the green light. The only restriction was not to kill him. If the city is resisting you; if the land is refusing you its rain; could it be that GOD wants you to change locations?

This parable is very similar to the parable of talents (Mat 25); but there are also fundamentally different. The parable of talents illustrates the equal fidelity of two servants with different degrees of advantage at the beginning. They both looked after their master’s business wholeheartedly and fructified what they had been given. It shows the fact that all the fingers are not of same length; and that our birth, education and environment will affect our capacity or starting potential. However, the parable of minas illustrates different degrees of improvement of the same opportunities; it is all about what people can do with the same opportunity. It is like in the church. We all have the same Bible and listen to the same sermon; yet, some people grab the message and run with it; others walk with it; some other sit down with it; others fall asleep with it and some do not even bother listening to it. Some people are attentive and hungry for the message, while some others are forgetful. As soon as they step out of the church building and greet a few people, they have forgotten all about it and their good resolutions. The worst is that, when the time comes to show results, they will not even take the blame for their negligence and laziness. It is the pastor’s fault: “He has preached a hard message. Who can listen to it?” (Jn 6:60) It is GOD’s fault: He asks for things that are just impossible to do in the 21st century!

We may not all have a golden spoon in our mouths at birth; but the church is the place where the LORD resets all the clocks back and puts us all on the starting line. After this, it is up to each and every one of us to run as to win the prize of his or her destiny. You desire ten cities? Simple: work more than anybody else to multiply what you have received by ten.

Have a wonderblessed rest of the week!

PS: By the way, I am sorry about Monday. I am presently on holiday and my usual routine is somehow difficult to maintain.

Unique destinies

 

The arrival of the Royal Baby has inspired this article. It cannot be more obvious that we are not all born the same way and we do not die the same way – and I am not speaking in medical terms. When J.F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Diana, Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston died, the whole world felt the shockwave. Now, the world seems to live to the rhythm of Mandela’s hospitalisations. When my grandfather died, well…….. he just died. Nothing special to say or add. Like him, many loved ones die every day in a certain form of anonymity.

The United Kingdom caught the royal Baby fever a few months ago. Without even knowing the gender, people were already selling all sorts of memorabilia everywhere. Since the start of the month, journalists from all over the world have literally been camping in front of Buckingham Palace and St Mary’s Hospital, lest they are guilty of the blunder of the century: missing THIS birth.

When Kensington Palace - Prince William’s residence- announced yesterday morning that Kate had gone into labour and had been admitted at St Mary’s earlier on, men, women and children started contracting with her in the kingdom – in fact, they were not alone as Italy, Spain, France, Belgium and the USA, just to name a few, also had contractions. Finally, at 04:24pm, the deliverance happened. The Royal Baby made his royal entry into the world. 8lbs 6oz of rosy flesh, the heaviest future British king to be born in recent history. Guardsmen played 'Congratulations' to mark his arrival, ahead of the Changing of the Guard. A town crier ascended the steps to the Lindo Wing of the Hospital and heralded the news to the assembled well-wishers and media:

"On this day, the 22nd of July in the year 2013, we welcome, with humble duty, a future king, the firstborn of Their Royal Highness the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the third in line to the throne. And our new prince is the third great-grandchild of Her Majesty the Queen and the grandchild of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. May he be long-lived, happy, and glorious, and one day reign over us. God save the Queen!"

Today, at 2pm, there was  a 41-gun royal salute by the Royal Horse Artillery at Green Park, staging 71 horses; and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London by the City of London's Army Reserve Regiment, The Honourable Artillery Company. The 21 additional guns are for the citizens of London to show their loyalty to the monarch. Finally, in home and international waters, all of Her Majesty's ships are flying the Royal Navy Ensign flag from their mast to mark the birth of the prince.

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, did not hold a son into his hands: his eyes beheld a king to be. I thought of the exceptional fate of this little one who has not chosen to be born, but that GOD has chosen and sent. Some will say that the lot has fallen on him; then, what a lot! What a promising and glorious destiny! All this ‘fuss’ for a child who, given the longevity of the Windsor – bless them -, may not reign before his fifties! In other words, many of those who have witnessed his birth may be dead and buried by then and his contemporaries may have no idea of the ‘royal-baby-mania’ of July 2013.

All this made me catch a glimpse of the spiritual dimension of the event and it also reminded me of our LORD. Before He was born, his parents also knew that He was not going to be like any other child. When they held Him in their hands, they held the Saviour of the world, the Christ, the LORD. Their eyes beheld the King of kings. People equally came from afar to witness the event: shepherds and wise men. It was not just a Town crier who bellowed the news out; angels sort of sang His coming instead: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Lk 2:13-14). This is without mentioning the star which specially guided the magi to Him! We are not all born the same way. Some seem to have received it all from Day-1, like Prince Charles, William, this new Royal Baby and Jesus. But, rather than envying them, let us remember that to whom much is given, much is also expected and required. If the guy who was given five talents had buried them all like the one who received one, it would have been the height of laziness and folly. So, instead of envying these ‘privileged’ few ones, we need to realise that even if we did not receive five talents, we may have received two or one and it is up to us to multiply them wisely in such a way that, even if our birth was not as noisy as that of the future king of the United Kingdom, our death will make up for it. Martin Luther King, Mandela, JFK, Whitney Houston, Diana and Michael Jackson were all born in ‘silence’, but they all died in tremendous ‘noise’. Let they who have ears, let them hear.

I wish us all an exceptional destiny. It is never too late to start a revolution.

Have a wonderblessed week in HIS wonderful presence.

The responsibility of faith

 

My pastor said a few things this week-end which were a real eye-opener for me and I thought it was nice expounding on them and sharing them with you. Quoting Isaiah 55:11 - GOD’s word does not return void to Him, but accomplishes what GOD has purposed and succeeds in the thing for which it was sent -, he explained on Friday that ensuring the materialization of the word is actually the responsibility of the one who has received it. We are used to believe that it is GOD’s job to make it happen; but in fact, GOD sends His word, a seed, and it is up to us to see to it that it bears the most and the best fruits possible. The word gives us a glimpse of what can be done; it makes us envision what we had never thought about; but once we have seen it, the ball is now in our court and our responsibility is now engaged. Indeed, contrary to popular –Christian- belief, if you have faith, then after praying for GOD’s favour during your exams, you study even harder. You don’t fold your hands waiting for GOD to do the entire job - a miracle. No, you put even more ardour in your revisions.

This reminded me of farmers. As they labour and sow, they have the harvest in mind. They see the huge sales and the investments that they will make with that money. It is thus because of their faith in what they see in their spirit that they toil and sweat. When you start a business, after praying and fasting for GOD to make it prosper, the living room does not become your new dwelling place; instead, you roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Faith implies prayer; but the conviction that your prayer has been heard and answered must lead to action: work can begin.

Besides, the way he related faith and works is very interesting. When you read Mk 11:23, “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him,” you may think that if one truly has faith, they only say it once, with conviction, and that’s it. It is not always easy to know what to do between this verse and others passages, like the story of the widow and the wicked judge in Luke 18, which teach us to persevere. We tend to think that keeping on asking is tantamount to unbelief. However, if you really believe that Mark 11:23 is true, you will speak to the mountain UNTIL it shifts. Ceasing to speak shows that you no longer believe in the feasibility of what you were asking for and now doubt that it will ever work. So, instead of saying: “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, you now say: “LORD, if it is Your will, cause this mountain to move.”

We need to speak UNTIL the mountain obeys; speak UNTIL we see the result, the fruit of our words. This is why the psalmist said that the words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times (Ps 12:6). GOD’s Word goes through fire –the fire of testing- many times. The fact that you have prayed once or twice and nothing – apparently- happened doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work. Elijah sent his servant back seven times to look for the rain. Naaman had to wash himself seven times in the Jordan and the children of Israel had to walk around Jericho, a whole city, 6 + 7 times as well (1Ki 18:43, 2Ki 5, Jos 6)! In each case, GOD could have performed the miracle the first time, but He didn’t. He let them refine His Word in the furnace. As seven is the number of perfection, we can understand by these examples that, sometime, our prayers also need to be refined through the fire of perfection.

GOD has entrusted us with His Word –the Bible, the sermons, prophecies etc. - ; what are we doing with it? What are we doing to make sure it does not return void to HIM?

Have a wonderblessed week!

In order not to die prematurely…

 

Ex 4:24-26, “At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it and said, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" So he let him alone. It was then that she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.”

Freaky title, I know; but anyway this passage tells us how Moses would have died prematurely, if it was not for the wise intervention of his wife. GOD almost killed him because he failed to circumcise his son. The same GOD who had just revealed Himself to him and asked him to deliver a whole people. This is rather disturbing isn’t it? Before Joshua set out to conquer the Promised Land, GOD asked him to circumcise the people (Jos 5:2). Why did GOD not instruct Moses likewise? Why did He not tell him that sanctification, consecration, the setting apart (symbolised for the children of Israel by circumcision) was a prerequisite before any walk in the Name of GOD? GOD’s ways are unpredictable…

At the end of his life, Paul said to Timothy: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2Ti 4:7). He could have simply said that he had finished the race, i.e. accomplish his mission, but he knew it wasn’t just about finishing the race; it was also about fighting the good fight, and competing according to the rules in order to be crowned (2Tim 2.5), and keeping the faith. In another article, I explained that the only thing GOD is interested in, is for His will to be done perfectly – as in Heaven. When He finds someone who is entirely willing to do it, He personally makes sure that this person is protected and all their needs are met, until His will, His purpose, is fulfilled. Paul was kept alive by his faith expressed in running his race according to GOD’s rules, without cheating or taking shortcuts. Encouraged by the popular saying, some people think that the end justifies the means, but nothing can be further from the truth with GOD. It is not enough to go to Jerusalem because: “GOD said.” You must also go there using the road and resources that He has indicated.

I like keeping my husband and daughters informed of the big tasks that GOD gives me. I usually add that if they hear that I have died without doing them, and if they are also aware that I was living in obedience regarding what GOD expected me to do, they should not panic but command me to rise and I will get up. I don’t just say: “If I have not yet done this thing that GOD has asked me to do.” No, it is not enough. I am particular on the fact that they must be aware that I am actively working on the project. Under these conditions if death comes, it can only be premature for me… and for you. And I know what I am talking about. I came very close to death thrice. I was only 5 years old, the first time, when someone tried to cut my destiny short by forcing me to swallow an incredible amount of medicines for adults. I miraculously survived. Then, in May 2007, my heart stopped beating and I sank into unconsciousness… I have kept the five electrocardiograms which prove this. The third time was in February 2008 when I spent four nightmarish days in intensive care. Unfortunately for my enemies, I had barely started what GOD wants me to do and death had to go back empty-handed. Remember that no one could lay a hand on Jesus when His hour had not yet come (Jn 7:30 & 8:20). And when the hour finally came, He knew, because He had nothing else to do. He had glorified the Father by completing the work which had been given to Him to do. “It is finished”, He said, and died (Jn 17:1, 4 and 19:30).

This is why I am not afraid of death. Regardless of the day, it will come to me at the right time. I may go through the fire, the waters or whichever storm, but I know that I will pull through because I have the will of GOD in me. I carry GOD’s mission in me and I am GOD’s key for something that needs to be done. The day I notice that I no longer have any divine assignment, I will tell my loved ones: “Be prepared, because from now on, I can go back to the Father at any time.” We did not come here to visit and just go-by. We were born because we have a mission to accomplish. When that mission is over, it is then time to go back Home.

May GOD help you find your purpose in life and engrace you to do it. Have a wonderblessed week, basking in His presence.