The word

Lately I have been thinking about the exact word that brought me back to Jesus.

I had left the church I had attended since childhood, and for a few years my life was in upheaval.  Then I was invited to the UCKG.

Within the first few weeks, I received the word that enticed me so much – “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts (Zac 1:3)

God was telling me to return to Him, but I was already back in the church.  So what else was missing? In my mind I had returned after a long period of being absent, having strayed from His ways and being lost within myself.

It took me a few months to understand what God was really telling me.  I had returned physically – attending the chain of prayers, being a tither, participating in Sunday morning services, giving my offerings when I had them, etc – but I had not really returned yet in my heart and mind.

I was struggling with doubts and fears, trusting and not trusting in God entirely, consumed by the past and afraid of the future, praying that God would guide me, but still following my own way.

Despite seeing some results in all my efforts and chain of prayers, I was still empty inside and feeling unfulfilled, because  I was withholding the most important offering I had to give -– my heart and my mind.

I had decided to be a Christian in my behaviour, but not yet in my mind.  I was acting as one, but not thinking as a child of God.

Hence, God is perfect and patient. That word remained stuck in my mind and week after week I would search for its real meaning.  Then I got my answer – when I committed my feelings and fears to God, I heard His direction.

If you find yourself right now in this situation, you are back with Jesus but feel awkward as if something is still missing, just keep on searching. God will not leave you unanswered. He brought you to His house because He wants to bless you in a way that you will feel complete and blissful.

Only one thing is needed – make yourself available to hear His words.  What is the word that has been pressing on your mind lately?

Marcia Pires

FAST OF DANIEL - DAY TWENTY

Tomorrow is the great day; from Mount Hermon a blessing will be bestowed upon all those who believe, all those who have surrendered and sacrificed throughout these 21 days.

It is not a blessing for everyone alike; the criteria has been your commitment to the purpose of this Fast.

The greatness of tomorrow surpasses all our human understanding. It is not matter of just preparing oneself for this meeting, reading the Word of God and confirming with your words that what Jesus promised will be fulfilled tomorrow.

You need to believe with your Spirit for whatever comes from God is reserved to those who adore Him in Spirit and in truth.

God is Spirit so we can only grasp what He has in store for us if we walk in Spirit.

This is the reason many read the Bible but do not understand what God is talking to them directly.

They know Bible passages by heart, they repeat them over and over, they preach the same word but they have no understanding on how to apply that Word in their own life.

As you prepare yourself for tomorrow, allow the Spirit of God to speak with you.

Tomorrow is the day of putting a life of defeat, insecurities and complexes behind. Tomorrow is the day of meeting our Lord face to face and receiving His DNA.

Prepare yourself with fast and prayer, prepare yourself with a contrite heart, and prepare yourself with sincerity and transparency.

Tomorrow it will be the day of the new covenant – total surrender to the only One who can save your soul.

“ who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit” for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor 3:6)

Day 20 – Put your knowledge of the Bible and years as a Christian all aside; seek for the Spirit and receive life.

FAST OF DANIEL - DAY EIGHT

Yesterday we learned in our church about Martha and Maria and while my husband was reading the passage, it came to my mind the accounted in John 11 – when Lazarus passed away.

Reading it through I found something very interesting and a warning for us. Just recapping the passage, Lazarus passed away and Jesus came.

When Jesus meets Martha and she reports what happened, Jesus reinforce some truths He probably have told her before and she promptly respond as someone who believes and knows it to be the truth (Read verses 23 to 27).

Meanwhile, where was Maria? At home (verse 20) – it shows a quiet spirit.

But the fact is, when Jesus arrives at the place Lazarus was buried and He commands the stone to be removed, the same Martha who seemed to “understand” all about faith, turns to Jesus and reminds Him that her brother was dead for so many days (verse 39-40).

It cleared warned me about what kind of Christian I am. From the occurrence that Jesus tells Martha that Maria had chosen the better part, we clearly see there was no change in Martha’ spiritual life. She was still the very same person worried about the earthly affairs.

And when Jesus was reassuring her of the truth, she was understanding all the message at “an earthly concept” and responding she knew, she had faith, she accepted but the she was not actually grasping the Spirit of what Jesus was saying.

Are you not the same kind of Christian? Who knows the Bible, who says you believe, you are ready to sacrifice, you accepted Jesus but your only concern is earthly?

Are you not the same kind of Christian who cannot discern the mysteries that Jesus is freely giving to His people because you never met Him personally therefore you only understand the Word but you do not discern the Spirit behind it?

Day Eight - Do not remain the same person you were since the last Fast of Daniel, make of this one a turning pointing in your spiritual life. Will Jesus meet you on the way and find out you still only after your earthly affairs?