Latest Posts

When Heaven invades Earth

Published by

A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. Apostle John

Here are 10 Bible verses about heaven invading earth:

Your kingdoms come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luke 11:20

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:2

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

Acts 16:25-26

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

1 Corinthians 2:9-12

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17

This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

James 3:15, 17

May God give you a slice of heaven in 2017

Heaven is our blessed hope. And I know it will exceed everything we imagined it to be. The fact that we will be just like Him when we see Him face to face sends chills down my spine.

Jesus died, rose again, ascended into heaven and promised to not only prepare a place for us, but to also come back to take us there. I know what we have right now is just a down payment or a foretaste of glory divine, but I am looking forward to the fullness.

I think the promise and hope of heaven should affect the way we live here and now. Unfortunately, I see too many miserable Christians. They are full of bitterness and regret. They spend their days whining, complaining. They live in fear. They are restless, full of stress and depression.

They’ve allow the circumstances of life to sap away every ounce of joy, life and God’s presence out of their life. I think that is a very horrible way to spend one’s days on this earth. I understand that some people have been dealt a very heavy blow by life, and I don’t want to minimize the pain they  feel.

But there must be a better way to go through our tribulations and trials. Allow me to leave you with these words from Hillsong’s ‘As is in heaven’:

So I will sing like I was there

In the fearless light of glory

Where the darkness cannot find me

And His face is all I see

Oh I will sing like a man

With no sickness in my body

Like no prison walls can hold me

I will sing like I am free

Cause I know He loves me

I know he saved me

I know He found me

And His grace will never fail me

So while I am waiting

I am not waiting

I know heaven lives in me

I wish you a little slice of heaven here on earth in 2017. Yes, I know earth is imperfect and that we are frail. But this down payment – ‘thing’, this foretaste of glory – ‘thing’ must count for something, right? Happy New Year!

Monday Night Meditation 

Published by


This text makes reference to the house of David and when we look at this house it is lying in ruins. For 600 years we see a bare , withered tree stump, robbed of its trunk and top. It looks as if the stump will never bear any fruit any more. When it all seem bleak, dark and a lost cause , God, on Christmas night, stepped out of eternity and into time in the form of a baby. All of a sudden, from this long-dead stump springs forth new life.

Let me prophesy over you this day after Christmas:

Things that you thought were once dead are breathing in life again

Years the cankerworm has eaten are being restored in your life

Valley places are being raised up

Crooked places are being made smooth

Dead seeds are invigorated
Dead dreams rejuvenated

Dead ends obliterated

I see light at the end of your tunnel
Something good is already happening to you.

Your possibilities are endless
Your resurgence is inevitable

Your prospects are bright

So step out, Christmas has made all things possible. Let this Christmas Miracle take you into the new year.

All day long I opened my arms to them

Published by

If you’re hurting, broken or overwhelmed by any form of physical, emotional, or psychological problem – I know someone who can fix you.

If you have become aware of the weight of your sin, burdened by its guilt and bound by its evil claws – I know someone who can fix that.

God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting Life

Like the songwriter rightly said, through Christ:

There is no problem too big
God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall
God cannot move it

There is no storm too dark
God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep
He cannot soothe it

The arms of Jesus are wide open waiting for you to come. You might have heard His name before, but you have never felt compelled to take that brave step toward Him as you do right now.

So in your little corner of this world wide web, I would like to introduce you to Jesus Christ. He volunteered in your stead to take upon Himself your punishment for sins committed against His Father. By believing in Him and accepting His free gift of eternal life you can be completely set free from the weight and bondage of sin.

All you have to do is:

  1. Believe in your heart that He is Lord
  2. Confess with your mouth that God raised Him from the dead
  3. Receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior
  4. Commit your entire life to Him
  5. Pick up your cross and follow Him

You may ask, “how sure are you, Walter, that He will receive me and forgive me?” Here are His very own words: “God said, ‘All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.'”

His arms are always open to disobedient and rebellious. So what are you waiting for?

COME!

Romans 10:21

John 3:16

Quote: Scott Wesley Brown

I know who you are: 10 days of Holy Confidence

Published by

Day #2

Lord, Maker, Savior
I know that through it all
You are greater
Your love for me
Will never fade away
Those who hope in you
Will never be ashamed
‘Cause I know who You are…’

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.”

According to the Old Testament, your name is your identity. There is usually a meaning and purpose behind every name. This idea applies to God as well. He reveals Himself to us through His names.

This Thanksgiving season, let’s do ourselves a favor and ask ourselves this fundamental question: How well do I know God? Many bible characters asked and answered that very same question. For example:

Paul said, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

David said, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Job said, “I know my redeemer lives, and in the end, He will stand.”

When we find ourselves in the valleys of life; when we go through dark times; when we the hurt is real and the storms are relentless, we must answer with utmost confidence – “I know you, Lord.” You are:

Jehovah Rapha:: Jehovah Rapha means to heal; to restore, to make healthy. Jehovah Rapha is the God who heals, the great physician who restores the physical and emotional needs of his people. 

Too many a time when we talk about God healing His people, some immediately go to instances when people are not healed either in a meeting or when prayed for. I think that is a mistake. What you are doing in that moment is empowering doubt and fear. 

The best and only option is to draw from testimonies of his healing power. Here is why: Revelation 19:10 says, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The testimony about Christ’s miraculous healing is able to spark faith in your heart to believe for a miracle. 

So, keep his good works before your eyes, and his good word on your lips.

 Prayer: Lord, I know who you are! You are The God who heals my diseases – the One who restores. You sent forth your words to heal my sickness and my disease. My eyes are on you. Thank you for your timely miracle – for you know how much I need your touch.

________________

Quote: Planetshakers

Jer 30:17; Jer 3:22; Isa 30:26; Isa 61:1; Psa 103:3

Thanksgiving: Take a Minute to thank the Lord for His promises. Thank Him in advance for healing your physical or emotional need. Tell Him how much you trust Him and how nothing will shake your faith, even if the healing doesn’t come swiftly.


He will Hold me Fast: A Post Election Day Prayer for our Nation.

Published by

From the beginning of the election season, I’ve watched with eager enthusiasm. Along the way, I made my feelings abundantly clear to my family where I stood on the issues.

I also made a comment or two to close friends but never made a public comment either on social media, this Blog or from my pulpit. Wait, maybe one time, as I shut down a guy who shouted, “build the wall,” as I made a sermon illustration on an unrelated topic about China’s Great Wall.

I believe everyone is entitled to their own political beliefs, but when we gather for worship the focus should be Christ-centered. So, I led  the church I pastor in prayer on a regular basis for our dear and beloved country. Something I hope to continue moving forward.

As you have rightly suspected, this nation is deeply divided, but it is important for us to heal this great divide by calling on the Lord. We are at a critical point right now. We cannot miss this moment. If we will ever reach a perfect union, we must all pull together and start that process this morning.

I appreciate the tone I’ve heard so far from the newly elected president, Hilary Clinton, and the outgoing president. We must now lift them up and pray for their success as the Lord calls us to do.

No matter who you voted for or didn’t vote for; no matter if the candidate you supported prevailed or not, join me in asking the Lord to hold this nation fast.

Take a listen to this song and read the lyrics. May it move you to sing it over the nation, over your family and over the nations of the world.

“When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

Chorus:
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

CHORUS

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last

Original Words: ADA HABERSHON

New Words: MATT MERKER

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy

Saint Francis

I know who you are: 10 Days of Holy Confidence

Published by

Day #1

Lord, Maker, Savior
I know that through it all
You are greater
Your love for me
Will never fade away
Those who hope in you
Will never be ashamed
‘Cause I know who You are…’

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.”

According to the Old Testament, your name is your identity. There is usually a meaning and purpose behind every name. This idea applies to God as well. He reveals Himself to us through His names.

This Thanksgiving season, let’s do ourselves a favor and ask ourselves this fundamental question: How well do we know God? Many bible characters asked and answered that very same question. For example:

Paul said, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

David said, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Job said, “I know my redeemer lives, and in the end, He will stand.”

When we find ourselves in the valleys of life; when we go through dark times; when we the hurt is real and the storms are relentless, we must answer with utmost confidence – “I know you, Lord.” You are:

El Shaddai: E for God. Shaddai for ‘Breast’ and in some cases ‘Mountain.’ Meaning, a caring God who provides, sustains and gives nourishment, strength, and power to His child.    Gen 17:1; Gen 28:3; Gen 35:11; Gen 43:14; Gen 48:3

 Prayer: Lord, I know who you are! You are El Shaddai – the One who is completely able to nourish and supply all my needs just like a mother would to her child. And since mountain gives us the idea of strength and power – I lift up my eyes to the hill whence comes my help. You are my help!

________________
Quote: Planetshakers
Hebrews 10:35
2 Timothy 1:12
Psalm 139:14
Thanksgiving: Take a Minute to thank the Lord all the different ways He sustains you provides for you and nourish you. Be thankful for all His rich material and spiritual blessings toward you.

The Holy Spirit has feelings too

Published by

Somewhere along the way we learned that through humble prayer and pursuit, radical consecration, deep worship and diligent study of God’s word, we can experience His supernatural power – and rightly so.

As a result, we run after the Holy Spirit just for Him to make us look good, successful, anointed and powerful. We run after Him just so He can help us teach with power, lead extraordinarily, and do “greater things.”

I believe it’s about time we start running after the Holy Spirit not because of the comfort he brings; the needs he meet; the dreams He fulfill or the power He gives, but simply because of who He is – God – deserving of our pursuit, our worship, our longing and our honor.

When we wait for Him – we wait not because we want to take, but because we want to give Him our very lives. We want to expose the very fiber of our being, till everything we’re made of burst in endless love and adoration.

When we run after Him – we run not because we expect something to make us look good – but because we want to bring Him maximum pleasure. After all, our chief end is to glorify God.

When we consecrate ourselves we do so because we love Him so much and hate to grieve Him. After all, the Holy Spirit has feelings too. The Spirit comes not primarily as a reward for our consecration, but principally because He takes pleasure in our consecration. He works in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure.

So we ought to live our lives in such a way that we do not grieve the Him.

The fullness of joy, the fire, the power, life, pleasure, and anointing that come as a result of Him being in our lives, are not to make us look good. They are intended to make us fall more in love with him, bring Him maximum pleasure, and drive us to serve Him with awe and wonder.

So we ought to embrace Him in such a way that we do not “quench the Spirit’s power”

Bottom line:

  • It’s not about us – it’s all about him!
  • The Spirit is a person – HE is a PERSON
  • He is more precious – He is a great Reward

Just as the Bible says, “these signs shall follow those who believe,” so will the Spirit’s power follow those who diligently run after Him. After all, when He comes, He fills us with the joy of presence, and eternal pleasures at His right hand. But we need to get the focus off ourselves and fix it on Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Ephesians 4:30

Psalm 16:11

Reset: A Second Chance Prayer

Published by

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22, 23, 24

Father, for:

The sins of commission
The sins of omission
The passion I had before
The love turned cold
The faith that lacked zeal
The truth to which I failed to yield
The credibility I lost
The bridges I burned
The hurt I caused
The rebellion I learned

I pray for a reset

  • Clean Slate
  • Fresh Start
  • New Beginning

Let me feel your steadfast love that never ceases

Taste your mercies that never come to an end

Turn them into every morning experiences

Until God, the Most High becomes friend

For:

Your faithfulness is great!

Your Lordship is what I crave

Your hope is a firm grip!

Note:

The key passage in Lamentations is 3:19–24, where the speaker affirms that belief in God’s mercy and faithfulness is the key to a restored relationship with God. This fact is true even for people who have merited and received God’s judgment (1:18). Hope, not despair, is the final word in Lamentations. See this quote source here…

Our prayers are with the people of Haiti, the State of Florida and everyone in Hurricane Matthew’s path.

The Treasures of Darkness

Published by

I hope it was the title of this post that compelled you to click. I know it sounds ridiculous. How can darkness produce any kind of treasure?

My family and I went on a 9 to 10 days Norwegian Vacation Cruise to the Islands of Hawaii a few weeks ago. On board the ship, I signed up to do a workshop entitled, “Eat more to weigh less.”

You can imagine how happy I was, given the fact that there are more than 4 or 5 restaurants on the ship; not counting the other 3 or 4 spaces where the most delicious food (buffet style) is served all day long.

Unfortunately, my hopes came crashing down when the fitness coach told us to stay away from all the “good stuff.” You know, the foods that are really bad for you. And yes, the ones you really like. She told us to eat more of the “good stuff.” You know, your kale and broccoli sprouts.

So when I first read the Oswald Chambers’ devotional, based on his book, The Philosophy of Sin,  I was a bit apprehensive when I saw these two words – “treasures of darkness.” “What good can come out of darkness?” I asked myself. But the following question in the devotional, put things a bit into perspective for me:

Which are the days that have furthered you most in the knowledge of God—the days of sunshine and peace and prosperity or your days of calamity and adversity?

Beyond the shadow of a doubt, my life is so much richer, fuller and better because of the many adversities God allowed me to go through. God doesn’t bring tragedies and calamities into our lives. But I have seen Him use them for our good:

The great producers

God can use adversities to produce something in you that you could never have experienced on a sun shining day driving a very expensive convertible down the highway.

Check this out: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-5

The strength of weakness

God can use adversities to not only assure you but also provide a paradigm shift to know that even when you’re weak, you’re strong.

Check this out: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

More than a conqueror

God can empower and equip you for battle through adversities. Knowing that you can never go down in defeat if the Lord is one my side.

Check this out: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation.” Romans 8:37-39

Treasure in jars of clay

God can give you opportunities to testify of His life give power. He can allow you to carry the aroma of life everywhere you go – even in the midst of adversities.

Check this out: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Refiner’s fire

God can help refine my faith, purify my life and sharpen my focus on what’s important through adversities.

Check this out: “So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7

Eternal glory outweighs them all

God can, and often He does make me laugh at adversities; especially when I compare them to the glory to come and the blessed hope we have in Jesus. Sometimes I feel like shouting – “is that all you got.”

Check this out: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

Jesus said, “In this world,  you will have many tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We live in a fallen world. Bad things are bound to happen. Adversity is everywhere. This post is not advocating more of it. However, we believe that even though we live in a fallen world and adversity is not good, God can still use it to bring about good in our lives.

Finally, all things work together for good

Adversities remind me of the creative power of God. He takes the good; the bad and the ugly; puts them all together and makes something beautiful out of them.

Check this out: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Let me leave you with the backbone of this post:

We would never know the “treasures of darkness” if we were always in the place of placid security. Oswald Chambers

What do you think about that?

When all hell breaks loose: Lessons from Job

Published by

It was a beautiful day. I imagine tempretures in the low 70s. The warm summer breeze graced his face as he stood in the front of his ocean view house, basking in the glory and favor of his God. In the distance he noticed a runner – than another. One by one, messengers approached him dropping to their knees as they delivered heart breaking accounts of a beautiful and festive day gone bad.

Job stood there listening to each one of them as they unloaded tragedy after tragedy. But the account that knocked him off his feet and brought him face to the ground was the account of the last runner.

 Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.

Have you ever been hit with bad news? How did you handle it? How should you handle it? I confess there is no telling what one should or should not do when tragedy hits out of the clear blue sky. Maybe Job can help us a bit.

What Job didn’t understand was high up in the presence of God the accuser and enemy of his soul had conspired to take him out. Why? God had been bragging about him for a while. “Have you seen my servant Job?”

  • When all hell breaks loose in your life, know that you are blessed and favored. You are doing something so good that it atrracts the praise of God and the plots of the devil.

Somebody once said,

As long as you are stationary, no one will complain. Dogs don’t bark at parked cars. But as soon as you accelerate—once you step out of drunkenness into sobriety; dishonesty into integrity; or lethargy into compassion—expect the yapping to begin.

  • When all hell breaks loose in your life, know that your Heavenly Father is aware and not taken by surprise. 
  • When all hell breaks loose right out of the clear blue sky, know that your Heavenly Father has already set in motion your path to victory.
  • Your life may never be the same, but God will take the bad, and the ugly and turn them into something beautiful. 

When all hell breaks loose:

Keep your foot on the accelerator:

Keep doing the things that got you the praise from God. As long as you are getting praise from God, it doesn’t matter what the enemy throws your way. The obedience that made you a victim at the hand of the enemy, is the same obedience that will make you a victor at the hand of your Father. Press on!

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”

“In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

“There is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.”

“If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents.”

“What is my strength, that I should wait. And what is my end, that I should be patient?”

Keep a positive confession:

This is far superior to a positive thinking or a name it and claim it rigmarole. Your positive confession is centered on your absolute trust and assurance in the goodness of God. It is a reckless abandon, complete faith and total reliance on faithfulness of God.

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

“I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

“Though he slays me, I will hope in him.”

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end, he will stand.”

“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.”

Conclusion:

After all was said and done, “the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold. And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.”

Quote:

Max Lucado

Job 1:18-19

Job 23:10

Job 1:22

Job 16:17

Job 11:14

Job 6:11

Job 1:21

Job 42:2

Job 13:15

Job 19:25

Job 42:5

Job 42:10-13