Losing a loved one

To those who lost their loved ones: Words seem inadequate to express or to console somebody who has lost their loved one. It doesn’t matter if that person was old or young; child or an adult. Whether it’s a spouse, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, etc. the pain is the same and unbearable. How do you console a mother who has lost their child or who has lost their husband? A father who has lost their child or who has lost their wife. A child who has lost their parents. That is the most painful and difficult experience that anyone can go through.

When I lost my mom, I felt like the other part of me went with her. When I lost my sister and my brothers, I couldn’t comprehend the pain and devastation. Life had to go on after I lost my dad and I didn’t understand why. You would think it will appear on the local news, on every radio station or have a big bill board informing the whole world to stop in a minute in honor of your beloved one who has just departed. No, it doesn’t happen that way as painful as it is life carries on. It is hard, time does not heal all wounds, God does. Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. It’s a process you go through with God on your side. God never promised an easy life, He promised that He will be there with us. He will comfort us, He will give us strength. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:1-3 But now, this is what the Lord says He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers; they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Let’s look at John 11:1-44 Jesus was deeply moved and wept at the loss of His Lazarus. John 11:4 When He heard this. Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it”.

John 11:25 — “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, will live even though they die. God has also prepared a new home for us where there will be no more death, tears or pain (Revelation 21:1-4). It is painful in our hearts that we will no longer be with them here on earth however one day we will meet once again in our heavenly home. May you find comfort in the Lord. May He wrap His loving arms around you during the difficult time of mourning.

 

Walk in love – short story to share

Let me share with you this short yet powerful story. One Sunday we had a visitor in our church. He arrived early parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up next to him and the driver told him “I always park there “YOU TOOK MY PLACE”. The visitor politely kept quiet and proceeded to go inside for Sunday school. When inside church he found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, “That’s my seat, YOU TOOK MY PLACE”. The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome by this church members but said nothing.

After Sunday school the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit, YOU TOOK MY PLACE”. The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment but still said nothing. Later, as the congregation were praying and asking God to dwell among them, the visitor stood and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. With the changes becoming more and more apparent to all in the church to see then someone from the congregation called out, “What happened to you?” The visitor replied “I TOOK YOUR PLACE”!!!!!!!!! Let’s all walk-in love. AMEN

 

God’s unfailing love

• Love is such an overused word, don’t we all or some ‘love’ cheesecake, apple pie etc. But love in the Bible has a much richer meaning, particularly when applied to God’s feeling toward His people. The Bible describes a kind of love that goes far beyond the greatest human capacity. God watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love. We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only He can help us, protecting us like a shield.

Psalm 33:18, 20 says; I have loved you my people with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.

Jeremiah 31:1 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So, rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Psalm 32:10-11 The Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. John 1:14 God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. John 3:16-17 We know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s judgment. For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by His life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God — all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.

Romans 5:5, 8-11 We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called by Him. Romans 8:28 God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved)

For He raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with Him in the Heavenly Realms, all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so, God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of His favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.

Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 Anyone who does not love does not know God for God is love. God showed how much He loved us by sending His Only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love has been brought to full expression through us.
And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and Him in us

Let us spread the love of God amongst us.

 

Have faith

 

Luke 17:6 When the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, He said to them “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree,’Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you”.

You see it takes little bit of faith to get things moving. You got to have faith. Maybe you’ve been praying for something for a while and you haven’t received it. It’s not because of how you have prayed or how long you have been praying for it, but do you have what it takes, do you have faith?

He is the Lord of impossibilities, even if you’ve been told it’s impossible. I just love it when God shows up in a situation whereby statistically it has never happened before. Have you ever experienced that?
Well that’s the God we serve.

You see we serve a God who can turn the water to wine.
Who divided the sea and let his people through.
Who multiplied the widows oil e.t.c
And above all, who died on the cross, and on the third day rose from the dead.
We serve a living God.
We serve a God, who is able to do immeasurable more than all we can ask or imagine.

The Word of God says faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.
Who is the Word – Jesus
Don’t entertain the negativity that will lead to doubt. If you tell yourself you cannot have it, then you won’t, but if you trust God and tell yourself that you have it, then you have already claimed it, it belongs to you. Doubt and faith cannot work together . Once you doubt, you are opening the door to the enemy. You cannot remove obstacles without faith. Yes, maybe it’s been a long time coming but change is going to come.

Mark 5:28 The women with the issue of blood had faith. She told herself that if only I could touch the hem of His garment I will be healed, how great faith is that! She knew that she wouldn’t get His attention. It was so crowded, large crowd gathered around Him. Her only option was to touch the hem of His garment. What transpired thereafter was amazing, she immediately got healed and she felt free from all the suffering she had endured for the past twelve years. She had spent all her savings going to different doctors and instead of getting healed she got worse. But the minute she met the Lord and saviour, her life changed, the diagnosed illness vanished, her misery turned to joy because she was free from the bondage. It took her to have trust in God and have faith that she will be set free.
I encourage you, get closer to Him, just touch the hem of His garment, trust Him, have faith.

 

What you need to know

1. You have an enemy and he has a name – satan or devil

2. You are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12)

• the devil is real
• the devil is invisible
• he is a murderer, a liar and a thief
• he is crafty and scheming
• 100% evil

His purpose is to keep Gods purpose from you. He seeks to replace God with himself in your life. He seeks to get you off track and out of the will of God in your life. He also tempts you and makes you doubt your personal relationship with God.

I am here to tell you, through Jesus Christ death on the cross and His resurrection He defeated the devil therefore we are no longer bound to the devils schemes. We are more that conquerors through Him who loves us.

The grief, suffering or pain is only for a season, the attack will come to an end. You can expect to be stronger in your spirit after you have resisted an attack of the enemy. The Word of God says put the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil schemes.

The devil is real and his aim is to destroy you, to let you lose your focus. He cannot stand it, if you are determined and have enthusiasm for God. He will do anything in his power to destruct you. John 8:44 says he is a liar and the father of lies.

Today I want to talk about the Word ‘weapon’ that God gave us amongst all others. You see God will never leave you powerless or hopeless. He will never allow something to come before you that you cannot handle, AMEN. Luke 10:19 says God has given us authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

2 Corinthian 10: 4-5 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Firstly get the knowledge of God’s truth in you. Fill yourself with His Word. Jeremiah 23:29 says His Word is like fire. Whatever you might face, say His Word. The devil doesn’t have power over you unless when you give him. Remind the enemy what the Word of God says. I tell you if the enemy realizes that you are all buckled up, you know the Word of God and you stand firm on it, he will flee from you.

Jesus Himself in Luke 1 was tempted by the devil for 40 days. Each time the devil tempt Him, Jesus will quote the Word of God. You need to renew your mind with the Word of God.

God sent His only begotten son into the world to save us. Jesus defeated the enemy on the cross and the devil knows it. We have been redeemed, we no longer in bondage. Jesus paid it all in FULL. As long as we are here on earth the enemy will try by any means to destruct you but no matter what he throws at you, know that you have the power, you have the weapons.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. They are spiritual. They come from God, recognize the enemy. Instead of walking in peace and joy, you will find yourself stressed and depressed. Humble yourself before God, Pray, Worship and Praise Him.

May God Bless You