Who do men say that I am? 1

”When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.“

Matthew 16:13-20 KJV

A year ago while on my drive home from church i was lost in thought contemplating how Christians can be careless when we come to the house of God. While in thought the LORD spoke and said “your revelation of who God is determines your worship”. While many believers claim the title Christian many do know Christ Jesus. I want to attempt to examine the person of Jesus Christ who is the reason for our faith.

There are many theories about Jesus: some include

– He was an ancient Jewish rabbi.

– He was just a prophet of some kind.

– He was a ghost or spirit.

– Some asked is Jesus a politician

I am sure the speculation will continue and more opinions and theories will eventually be developed. For Christians, however, the only source for information about Jesus, His life, ministry, teachings – is the Bible.

What does the Bible say about Jesus?This is the best way to discover who Jesus is because only the Bible contains eyewitness accounts of His life recorded and preserved for us to read even to this day. The entire Bible is about Jesus

He is the main point of all the books of the Bible. The different parts explain different things about Him and His interaction with us.

The Old Testament is really the story about the creation of the world and how God prepared for His coming by the forming of the Jewish nation. It contains all the events that set a human and historical stage for His eventual appearance as a man in this world. It tells this story through the eyes and words of Jewish prophets, leaders, and kings.

The four gospels are the eyewitness accounts of His life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven. Again, the story recorded and preserved by men who were with Him for years and who knew Him intimately.

The rest of the New Testament, written by other Apostles and their disciples, shows how His followers established the Christian church according to His instructions. In addition to this there are teachings to help followers/disciples live their Christian lives in every generation and environment.

We could go anywhere in the Bible to find out about Jesus concerning:

The promise of His coming

The preparation for His appearance

The circumstances of His miraculous birth

The content of His teachings

The details of His death and resurrection

The people who knew Him personally and spread His teachings throughout the world

I do not think we would have the time in a single write up to do all this. What we can do, however, is to focus on what the Bible says about who Jesus is. This is actually the most important question about Jesus Christ and we will see what three individuals, mentioned in the Bible, say about Jesus.

Who is Jesus?

Now remember we are asking the question, “Who is Jesus?” according to the Bible, not just what we think or feel or learned from a book or movie or teacher of some kind.

Since most of the direct and eyewitness accounts about Him are in the New Testament portion of the Bible, let us go there to learn about Him. Thousands of people saw and heard Jesus speak, teach, and even do miracles. There is no doubt of His existence because historians of that era write about Him and His ministry.

Josephus Flavius, who was a Jewish historian, wrote about this period. He was not a follower of Jesus but mentions Him and Christianity in general in his history books. History (not the Bible) writes that Jesus was a Jewish man born into a humble family who lived in Israel approximately 2,000 years ago. He began His ministry by claiming that He was the Jewish Messiah or Savior and was eventually arrested and executed by the Roman government at the insistence of the Jewish leaders who accused Him of causing civil unrest by His teaching. Eventually His followers established the Christian church based on His teachings.

This is what history books teach about the facts of His life.

Witness of the Apostles

There were others, however, who actually followed Jesus as His special disciples and they too recorded their accounts of His life. It is from these writers, whose records form the New Testament, that we can establish a much more comprehensive picture of who Jesus really was. For the sake of our study we will examine three of these men’s writings and descriptions of Jesus.

1. Peter

Peter was a fisherman by trade and along with his brother Andrew, had a family business. He was the first “Apostle” called by Jesus to follow Him on a full time basis. He was to hear all of Jesus’ teachings, witness His miracles, and later on be a leader in establishing the church and finally die as a martyr in Rome claiming to the very end that what he heard and saw was true.

During Jesus’ ministry, Jesus asked the Apostles (including Peter), based on what they saw Him say and do, who did they think He was? And Peter answered without hesitation, “You are the Messiah the son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16) So the Bible says that even while Jesus was alive Peter believed and declared Him to be the divine Son of God.

Later on, after Jesus was executed, Peter describes the things that he saw with his own eyes as he rebukes the Jews for their hard hearts and disbelief.

“But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.”

Acts 3:14-15

Now there is much written about Peter in the New Testament and Peter himself writes two of the books or epistles contained in this part of the Bible, but just these two passages summarize well what Peter thought about Jesus based on what he experienced:

That Jesus was the Christ/Messiah/Savior promised in the Old Testament. In other words, Jesus was the one sent by God to save mankind. Peter also concluded that Jesus was divine, based on what he heard Jesus say and saw Him do.

Finally, Peter saw Jesus executed by Roman soldiers and then saw Him after God raised Him from the dead. As I said before, Peter never changed or denied this witness, even when he was threatened, imprisoned, and finally sent to his death for saying these things. So when we want to know who Jesus is, the Bible through Peter’s words says that He is the Son of God, the Savior, and He is resurrected from the dead.

2. Thomas

Another Apostle we know less about was Thomas, he is the one often referred to as “doubting Thomas” because he wanted proof of Jesus’ resurrection before he would believe. What he says about Jesus is interesting because of this very fact: he demanded proof before he would continue to believe.

He knew Jesus and, like the other Apostles, had lived and worked with Jesus for 3 years. He saw the miracles, heard the teachings and witnessed Jesus die on the cross. He was convinced Jesus was dead, so brutal and final was His execution at the hands of the Roman soldiers.

When the other Apostles reported that they had seen Jesus resurrected and alive again, Thomas was skeptical and refused to believe. In the gospel of John we read about Jesus’ confrontation with Thomas to believe.

”But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.“

John 20:24-28 KJV

Note what this exchange teaches us about Jesus:

Thomas believes that Jesus is actually risen from the dead. Thomas acknowledges that Jesus is God, not just a prophet or teacher or holy man. The Apostle demonstrates that Jesus is worthy of not only belief, but worship as well.

Thomas, in calling Jesus Lord, indicates that Jesus has authority over him.

Once again, a short passage, but one where the Bible sets forth important facts about who Jesus is: divine, object of belief and worship, Lord over us. People are free to choose whether they believe this or not but the fact remains that this is what the Bible teaches about Jesus.

3. Paul

Perhaps no one, other than Jesus Himself, articulates in more detail the character or person of Jesus Christ than Paul the Apostle. Paul was a Jew and an early persecutor of the Christian church. As a Pharisee he was part of the ruling class in the Jewish society of Jesus’ day. He was a religious zealot for Judaism who had obtained a mandate from the ruling council of Jewish leaders to wage a campaign of persecution against Christians in order to discourage their growth. In recounting his own experience Paul describes the meeting with Jesus Christ that changed his life.

”Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.“

Acts 22:1-16 KJV

And thus began the conversion and mission of one of the most prolific of Jesus’ Apostles. We know both from history and the Bible that Paul went on to preach and establish the Christian religion throughout the Roman Empire. He was eventually imprisoned by the Emperor Nero and executed in Rome in 67 AD on account of his role as a Christian leader.

Paul, the adversary of the church, the one who initially denied who Jesus was, ended up giving his life for his faith in Christ. In his writings we have a very dynamic description of Jesus and His exalted position.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

Colossians 1:15-18

Note what Paul specifically says about who Jesus is:

Visible image of God – When you see Jesus you’re looking at God.

Existed before Creation – He exists before time, like God.

Supreme over Creation – He has the authority of God.

He is the agent of Creation – Everything in the material and spiritual world was created by and for Him.

He is Eternal – Another quality of God.

He is the head of the church – Jesus is the only leader of the church in heaven and on earth. He does not share this with any other person.

He leads those who will resurrect – Another way of saying He is eternal by saying He leads in the future – He is already there.

These things are not the only things Paul says about Jesus, but we can see from these that Paul was proclaiming Jesus as the divine Son of God based on his own experiences and knowledge of Christ and His teachings. So, we have reviewed three of the eyewitnesses who described and explained in the Bible who they believed Jesus to be. We will explore the testimony of Jesus in the sequel to this.

Shalom, Rev. Ron

DOES GOD REALLY EXIST? 1

People from all walks of life including Christians have in one way or the other asked this pertinent question before in their lives. As Africans it’s easy for us to believe in God since we totally depend on him for everything including food and water unlike my brethren in the Western world who may have the necessities of life at their beck and call and for that matter may not appreciate the existence of the Almighty.

Some even go to the extent of debating God’s existence on social media, radio or television stations. For me, these people do such things because of some reasons and I don’t blame them for that at all because as sincere as they maybe they still do not know the truth.

Some disbelieve the existence of God because of the presence of evil and pain. Innocent people die through terrorist attacks. Some Christians are plagued with inexplicable and life threatening sicknesses whiles evil people are free and fine. Bread winners with good hearts get involved in ghastly accidents and their families later suffer because their bread winners are gone. So the big question is if God really exists why should all this evil be happening to good people? I have asked myself that question before. What about you?

Injustice is rampant in our societies and it’s the wealthy who mostly perpetuate such evil against the weak and poor in life and it looks like God isn’t concerned and the wicked continues with his evil activities but remember the Bible says “ evil shall slay the wicked and they that hate the righteous (u) shall be desolate “ – Psalms 34:21

If God exists and is love why did great men of God like Reinhard Bonke die through sickness, Myles Munroe die in a plane crash? Do these occurrences really negate the existence of Elohim?

To prove to a Christian God exists is simple but to some unbelievers or atheists it’s always difficult without you having light. If we cannot prove the existence of God to our family members, friends and colleagues or loved ones, a time will come our children will doubt His existence and consequently refuse to come to church or have a good relationship with God.

You proving the existence of God to a critic or an unbeliever in ur midst of challenges that plague humanity could make you win them for Christ. What then would you say?

There’s what is theologically known as cosmological evidence. When we talk about the cosmos we are talking about the universe. In other words, we use nature to prove that God exists without necessarily pointing to the scriptures though they are very helpful. God exists on His own but other things depend on Him to exist. Nothing apart from God exists on its own. In fact, the entire creation depends on God to exist and if there’s creation, it’s logical to believe there’s a Creator. How did the sea, mountains, humans, the skies, sun, stars, moon etc come into being? Remember, nothing exists on its own, the earth exists because someone created it and the one who created it cannot be man but an entity and He’s God. Man may try to debate this theory but he’ll always fail and confirm that he’s fool like the Bible says “ it’s a fool who doesn’t believe in the existence of God”. I’m not a fool and I know you are also not one.

Besides, the theory of teleological evidence cannot be overemphasized in proving the existence of God.

The teleological argument comes from the Greek word telos, meaning “purpose, end, or goal.” It is an argument from design and purpose. Everything in the universe has a purpose and everything appears to have been specially designed to fit that purpose.

This theory also stipulates that creation is too orderly to have come from a random occurrence because someone must be behind and sustaining it. Hebrews 1:3 says : “ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word…”. See the way nature is designed, see the way the sea is, its waves roll and toss but never go beyond their limits. Birds are of different kinds and colours. The heavens are beautifully separated from the earth by an invisible pillar. The sun governs the day and the moon and stars the night.

If everything observable in the universe has a design and purpose, then why not the universe itself? There cannot be poetry without a poet, there cannot be music without a musician, and there cannot be design without a designer. The original or ultimate designer, or purposer, is God.

Although not directly arguing for God’s existence in this manner, the Bible assumes this to be the case. The psalmist wrote the following about the God of the Bible: You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart. – Psalm 104:14, 15 NRSV.

The biblical writers saw God behind the intricate design and balance of the universe. We read the following in Proverbs.

Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both. (Proverbs 20:12 NIV)

The design of the human body is credited to God and not man or established institutions or medicine.

The psalmist also noted how wonderfully the human body was made. He gave praise to God for such a marvelous creation.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14 NIV)

There is a majestic harmony in the universe. The order and design we see everywhere tells us that the Creator is not disorganized or that He does things some sort of haphazard way. The Creator has a purpose in everything that He does. From the most distant objects in space, to the minutest material detected by a microscope, we find order and design. This is the sign of an intelligent designer.

Based on the two points given in support of the existence of God above, I strongly believe that “ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he _exists_ and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him – Hebrews 11:6. Hallelujah!

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou

Heaven’s Helpline

In a moment of frustration, desperation and despair, who do you turn to? Who comes along when you cry for help? When you find yourself in a dark place, when you are at your lowest who do you turn to? Who can you trust?

For many of us Christians, we will immediately say God or Jesus Christ. We readily quote Psalm 121, that we look up to the hills just like David said. In that chapter and throughout the book of Psalms, we see how David readily cries out to God for help, for mercy. What qualifies us to call upon God?

”For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“ Romans 10:12-13 KJV

From the above scripture, we see that because of the redemptive blood of Jesus, even gentiles can access our Heavenly Father through prayer. The caveat is to willingly call upon the name of our God, without compulsion. It says that whosoever shall call… so you just need to call upon Him in faith.

For many “believers” however, prayer is usually our last resort when all else has failed. We will only pray when after trying plan A, plan B through to plan Z we are unsuccessful and faced with a brick wall of resistance.

Prayer for many has become very transactional, almost as if God owes us what we desire. Rather than approaching the throne room of the father with reverence and pleading that He be merciful to us, we go to Him from a place of entitlement.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe in exercising the dominion mandate and walking in our God given authority. However never forget that as a child of God, who is emulating the lifestyle that Jesus Christ exemplified while on earth, it is expedient to approach God from a place of humility.

Jesus, the son of God who wields all authority submitted to this protocol. In the heat of the moment when He went to the father in prayer before being captured and crucified, He did not decree and declare that He would not feel any pain when He offered himself as a sacrifice for sins that He didn’t even commit.

Rather, he was meek and answered every question during his trial with wisdom and humility. He acknowledged that although He is a part of the Godhead, his assignment preceded His comfort.

Remember Moses. Besides Jesus, the Christ himself, He was the epitome of meekness. God Himself testified of Him in Hebrews 11:24-27. If humility and meekness are unnecessary, jolt yourself up with reference to how one moment of behaving outside of his usually meek self cost Moses access into the promised land.

Just like Jesus, David with all his shortcomings as a king never failed to approach the throne of God with reverence. He always started off by honouring God while acknowledging his weakness and pleading for mercy.

”I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.“ Psalm 18:1-3 KJV

It is no secret that when we call upon our God, He is able to help us. Our God is a merciful Father and He desires that we not just call upon Him speedily, but that we also trust Him to save us and fulfill His purposes in us.

”Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.“ Jeremiah 33:3 KJV

Sometimes life may throw curveballs at us. We might find ourselves in dark seasons where nothing seems to be working. Remember however that experiences and graces can only be built by going through the tough times.

God is the master strategist. All power belongs to Him alone. Even the darkness is as light unto Him. Your strategies and plans can only achieve so much no matter how logical and well thought out they are. Isn’t it only wise to trust the God who Himself is light to guide you through the darkness?

”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)“ 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 KJV

Be deliberate about your prayers. Cry out to God in reverence and humility so you can attract His full attention. Plead for God mercy and trust Him to answer.

”Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.“ Psalm 30:10 KJV

Never forget that humility is not timidity. May you be marvelously helped by God this day and beyond as you approach His throne room with reverence and humility.

With Love, Esinam.

The Risen Jesus

”But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.“

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

To come to God requires believing that has a foundation of knowing that

⁃ he is sovereign,

⁃ all knowing

⁃ All powerful

⁃ All present

”He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”“

Psalms 91:1-2 NKJV

⁃ the psalmist introduces God to us as

⁃ The Most high and Almighty indicating His placement above all things

He then goes on to personalize The Most high and Almighty God as

⁃ The Lord

⁃ He is my Refuge and my fortress

⁃ my God, in Him I will trust

Many Christians today do not know God on a personal level, there is only the general knowledge about God and His son Jesus.

Many Christians today if they are confronted to give information about Jesus will have very little to say about him.

Jesus asked his disciples one time “whom do men say that I am? –

Jesus was interested in finding out what He was known for

For many in his day and now

⁃ Jesus is still hanging on the cross depicted by the images around us.

⁃ For many he is Joseph and Mary’s son

⁃ For some he is the wine maker who turned water into wine.

⁃ For many Christian’s now he is the answer to their problems

⁃ He is a sure banker to breakthroughs

Jesus died, he was buried but He rose again to bring us victory:

The Bible speaks of 8 different occasions where Jesus revealed himself to his disciples at various times over a forty day period before He ascended into heaven.

⁃ Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene . Mark 16.9, john 20.14 this brought victory over despair

⁃ Second, Jesus appeared to other women as they were leaving the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10). They thought he was dead, but he appeared to them, and they worshipped Him there. Jesus brought victory over death.

⁃ Third, Jesus met up with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). These men were talking about all the week’s events surrounding Jesus. They didn’t understand what had happened. Jesus talked with them and stayed with them until they understood. Jesus brought victory over confusion.

⁃ Fourth, Jesus appeared to 10 disciples who were hiding together (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25). These disciples were afraid of what might happen to them since Jesus had been killed. Jesus brought victory over fear.

⁃ Fifth, Jesus appeared to all 11 remaining disciples (Mark 16:14; John 20:26-31). Thomas, who had doubted Jesus’ resurrection, was with them this time. Jesus brought victory over doubt.

⁃ Sixth, Jesus appeared to seven disciples, including Peter, who had denied Jesus three times (John 21). At this appearance, Jesus puts Peter back into ministry. Jesus brought victory over failure.

⁃ Seventh, Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples at a pre-arranged location on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20). There Jesus told them He had been given all power and authority. He gave His followers the great commission to make disciples. Jesus brought victory over any other power.

⁃ Eighth, Jesus finally appeared to as many as 500 of His followers at one time. He confirmed the completion of His mission and the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-8). Jesus had victory over all things.

Jesus showed himself alive by many proofs

⁃ speaking the things concerning the God and charging them to wait for the promise of the father.

Who is Jesus to you?

”Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,“

Philippians 3:8-10 NKJV

⁃ The risen Christ

”God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.“

Hebrews 1:1-4 NKJV

May you discover who Jesus is to you and pursue Him earnestly all the days of your life.

Shalom! Rev. Ron.

TIPS ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE 2

Ephesians 6:12 reads “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Our inexplicable battles are not against laboratories, science, mortal men but against “ wicked powers of the dark world“ that may use some men to execute their plans on earth. With these enemies, we don’t “ sleep”. We put them where they belong. We don’t do that by mere confessions, though confessions have their place.

We don’t deal with them also by just quoting scriptures or deceiving ourselves that they can’t come and tempt or challenge us. Ask Jesus Himself and he will lecture you on the devil who is now the god of this world, reason why he fights believers.

Don’t be scared for you are more than victorious. Know who you are and let the light of God shine whereever you appear for you are the light of the world.

The 1st thing we made mention of as one of the tips on spiritual warfare in our previous write -up was the time at which we pray to command effective results. Until results are produced in the spirit you won’t see their manifestations in the flesh so spiritual warfare are dealt with from the standpoint of the spiritual world with spiritual weapons and not physical.

The second is the length of time we pray. If we have been a Christian for at least a year and cannot pray for at least an hour, we may not be able to ascend some realms or put an end to certain cycles. I’m not just saying we should be praying for at least an hour once a month, a year or when we are attacked or have a pressing need. I mean spending time with the Lord for at least an hour consistently till we get an answer. Believe you me, if we can do that for sometime, even if God answers us later, our habit of praying consistently at the given time we have chosen for ourselves would have become a part of us because it’d have become a pattern that was developed over time. In other words, it becomes an altar that is a mighty weapon to undo the works of Satan and rewrite the narrative of our bloodline.

Jesus speaks here to his disciples in connection with the length of time he expected his disciples to have at least prayed “ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “ – Matthew 26 – 40.

So you see, no prophet, disciples other than the Master Himself is teaching us a spiritual principle here that cannot be debated if we really want to win some stubborn battles. If occultic men spend months or even years at graveyards to wield power which is a sacrifice they are making unto their demons, what’d prevent you and I from spending time in the presence of God to also open some doors and put the devil where he belongs. You don’t need to personally have a battle before you pray but you can be doing that on behalf of your family, friends and loved ones and see what the Lord will do in, through and with you.

Remember, Jesus said in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” . It’s true we have that authority in principle but does every Christian really have it? The answer is no though Jesus has given it to us. If a father dies with say GHC 200,000 in his account and his children are aware the money is there, do they just sit down and the money comes to them? I know you know the answer is no! Why? Some legal steps must be taken to have access to the cash. It’s the same principle that works with kingdom principles my precious ones so spend time with the Lord henceforth. Don’t let marriage, children, work, etc prevent you from developing your spirit against the evil days. The Bible says “ when you fail in the days of battle, your strength is small – Proverbs 24:10. You see it’s your strength that’ll determine whether you’ll fall when battles come. How do you gain strength in the spirit? By praying for at least an hour consistently ( especially in tongues). When the battles overwhelms you, it doesn’t mean God is not God. It simply means you lack capacity.

The time frames discussed in part 1 are spiritual open doors that we can take advantage of. Even if we are tired, let’s say something at the time we have chosen for ourselves. If you don’t know what to say, speak in tongues. The devil is a liar. You and your family must succeed. Daniel prayed for 21 days to command divine intervention. You may pray less or even more to enjoy some intervention depending on how rooted a problem is. And speedy divine intervention may also depend on the level of the light you command and the mercy of the Lord upon you but remember to always be in His presence for at least an hour.

And Peter, John and James went to the temple to pray at the nineth hour. There was a time allocated for payer and the Jews understood that. In fact, it’s believed at that hour of prayer, the apostles did nothing than prayed. They abandoned everything for prayer.

What do we do these days? Spend time on social media and mundane things and say we are not in the era of the apostles and that Jesus has always prayed for us! Interesting! If you keep that philosophy in your head you will wake up one day and realize that you have done yourself a great disservice.

We don’t understand time. It’s not just the clock ticking. Time is God, a Spirit, communion. Time has a maximum control on the affairs of life. In the fullness of time, Jesus was made manifest. May you not miss your time and become a failure! I see your time redeemed in the name of Jesus. “ Redeeming the times for the days are evil”, the Bible says. Don’t play with your time man, woman, boy and girl.

Everything the devil has stolen in your life due to your stubbornness, baseless arguments, laziness, deception is hereby restored!

The next point is where you pray. The disciples went to a temple to pray. A temple is one of the places you can go and commune with Elohim. In a temple (church), you benefit from what we call cooporate anointing that has more weight than an individual prayer. In a temple, God can use a vessel to meet a particular need in your life that you may not personally be able to deal with. So no need for baseless arguments like I don’t need the church to pray and that God can also listen to me when I pray. It’s true but not in all cases my brother. God knows why he instituted His body, the church.

Moses, like some prophets of old used mountains as their place of prayer and when he came down, cases that other people could not deal with were referred to him because levels are not the same in the flesh and in the spirit. God used 40 years to prepare him in the wilderness.

This does not mean you can’t pray on a field, in your house ( privacy), or any other place you deem fit. All that’s needed is a place you won’t be distracted so that you can easily receive from God.

I declare and decree, henceforth, you’ll pray at strategic times, at least for an hour everyday and at a place devoid of distractions and God will win that health, marital, barrenness, singleness, financial battles for you by personally visiting you via the mode He chooses. You too will testify like others in the name of Jesus!

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudu

TIPS ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE 1

The finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross is a reality that was accomplished in the realm of the spirit but to appropriate such blessings, the believer must observe some protocols in the earth realm. To say there’s no need to make them manifest because Jesus has done it for us already is incorrect. Do we fall sick? If yes, why do we since “by His stripes we were healed”. Are some Christians poor? If yes, why is it so? But hear this the Bible says “ he became poor so we can become rich”. Is the Bible a book of falsehood? In the same vein, when we talk about spiritual warfare, we are not saying we are going to fight from the standpoint of defeat but rather from the standpoint of victory because we are already victorious and “are more than conquerors.

The Arsenal that we rely on in times of battles are not physical but spiritual and there are a myriad of them. One of them is prayer for Jesus said “ men always ought to pray and not faint”. Prayer is part of our Christian walk. It’s not a gift but a disciple. One important tip you cannot overemphasize with regard to spiritual warfare is the time frame you attach to your prayers.

It’s advisable to pray at any of the following times because they are biblical and command so much results ( 3 am, 3pm, 6 am, 6pm, 9am, 9pm, 12 noon and 12 midnight). In fact, these time frames are theologically called prayer watches. These are strategic times to pray because they are portals. You may choose any of the times and make it your prayer time or all depending on your schedules.

Does it mean we can’t choose any other time other than the ones we have listed above? We can and it’s good but it’ll be better you stick to the one(s) we are discussing here.

It was at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to Elohim – Acts 16: 25 -26 ( 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). Sorcerers and enchanters wake up at midnight to do evil things whilst Christians are asleep and are debating as to whether it’s a must for us to pray at such a time or not. Where did these agents of darkness learn the mystery of communicating with evil spirits at night? Of course from our kingdom but we don’t fraternize with demons but with the Spirit of the Almighty God and his angels. However, agents of darkness perverted this mystery by invoking demons and it works for them.

When praying such prayers you must also live to please the Lord at all times because there will surely be reactions from the devil so if you “break the hedge the serpent will bite you”, the Bible says. I mean don’t give the devil a place in your life through disobedience otherwise he will make your spiritual exercise ineffective.

Time and space wouldn’t permit me to pick each time and prove their biblical origins to you but let’s hear about Cornelius at least before I stop writing.

One day at about three in the afternoon Cornelius had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” – Acts 10:3. The Bible earlier said this man was a devout man and regularly prayed and gave alms to the poor and needy and as result he had a divine or angelic encounter. Praise God! Could the visit of an angel from God put an end to that barrenness issue in your life? You may have tried everything to no avail. Why not pick one of the strategic time frames and regularly pray at that time to activate angelic presence that will put an end to that reproach in your life?

Let your altar speak on your behalf. Activate it by consistently servicing it through prayer and commitment. There is no way you will be the same when you encounter an angel. That story will change in the name of Jesus. You will know who you are because the angel assigned to your altar will not only mention your name like he did in Cornelius case but tell you what to really do to come out of that debt.

How many times a day did the apostles pray? It is believed that they did focused reading and studying the Bible for 4 years. They prayed 3 times everyday at strategic times. Once at the 3rd hour of sunlight, roughly 9 am, the 6th hour of sunlight, that is midday, and the 9th hour of sunlight, roughly 3 pm, or 15:00 if you use a 24 hour clock etc….

These men were invincible because they were spiritual and full of light. You can become like them if you want to. Cancel that marital delay, satanic covenants etc by giving yourself to prayer and let’s see whether you will be the same again. I dare you, you can’t and wouldn’t be the same again.

Business man, your time could be every 3 am, man of God, yours could be every midnight, lawyers, could yours be every 6 am as you drive your car and pray? Use every opportunity to develop that prayer altar to flash out that diabetes from your system. It’s not only “possible with God” but also possible “to him or her that believes “says the Scriptures. Sister, believe in yourself and most importantly in God and use say every 7 pm after work to prophetically and corrosively and consistently deal with that fibroid that is disturbing you. I see it dematerialize in the name of Jesus as you mount divine pressure on it with healing based scriptures at least for one hour during prayer at a given time. That blood pressure will go down. Blood pressure is like any other disease or sickness that has ears so if by faith, you say “ blood pressure in the name of Jesus, be normalized “ everyday it’ll obey you for “ Psalms 18:44-45 King James Version says

“As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: The strangers ( cancer, terminal diseases, demons) shall submit themselves unto me. The strangers shall fade away, And be afraid out of their close places. I declare and decree, every stranger in your life obey you now in the name of Jesus!

Trust me, evil spirits and even men will see the difference after you have received answers from above. Angelic presence and manifestation will surely become your daily occurrence and you will also become an extension of God’s winning team.

Stay blessed

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou

Kingdom Priesthood

In the kingdom of God we have an identity. The devils in darkness know our identity when they see us. Unfortunately many Christians don’t know their identity so are just walking around without the consciousness of this.

”Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.“ Romans 12:1-2 TPT

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our identity has been changed to the righteousness of God. It is therefore our reasonable service to offer our lives as a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable to God.

Worship has nothing to do with music. Worship is a posture of service in submission to God. Worship is our sacrifice to and adoration of God. Conformity is flip be like or position yourself to work within a certain framework. The world is not just what we see physically but also refers to the structures and mindsets that govern the world. We cannot live our lives the same way that the world lives. In the world it is okay to behave in a certain framework but children of God must not succumb to the standards of this world.

The patterns of the world will lead you astray from the way we need to live. Your identity in Christ requires you to change the way you think. If in your mind you think like how the world thinks then you will behave the way that the world behaves. When you find yourself in that state you set yourself up to become an enemy of God. Then God will have no pleasure in you and cannot use you for anything. You will end up having a reprobate mind and beer of the course that God has set for you.

The entrance of Gods word brings light and understanding. Instead of thinking like the world you think like God. You become a child of God with His nature and likeness. You need to renew your kind so that transformation can come into your life. We need to renew our minds:

1. For transformation to come in our lives

2. To discover what the will of God is for our lives (the good, the acceptable and perfect will of God)

”God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem.“ Romans 12:3 TPT

You maintain a humble disposition when you do not think highly of yourself.

”So abandon every form of evil, deceit, hypocrisy, feelings of jealousy and slander. In the same way that nursing infants cry for milk, you must intensely crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word. For this “milk” will cause you to grow into maturity, fully nourished and strong for life — especially now that you have had a taste of the goodness of Yahweh and have experienced his kindness. So keep coming to him who is the Living Stone —though he was rejected and discarded by men but chosen by God and is priceless in God’s sight. Come and be his “living stones” who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now you serve as holy priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices that he readily accepts through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Look! I lay a cornerstone in Zion, a chosen and priceless stone! And whoever believes in him will certainly not be disappointed.“ 1 Peter 2:1-6 TPT

Put away all deceit and hypocrisy as a child of God. Many of us pretend to be who or what we are not. Don’t be a chameleon. Don’t preach nothing and do another thing. Our identity as children of God refrains us from exhibiting such characteristics. Jealousy comes to play when ownership is involved. God is a jealous God and watches over His children jealously.When you don’t own a thing and are jealous about it then it becomes evil.

Your speech as a child of God must be clean and kind. For you to walk in your new identity you cannot be speaking in an unkind manner. We cannot apply to enter the kingdom of God, we are born into it as spiritual babies who need to grow. God’s word is as milk onto our souls. You are responsible for your growth as a child of God and this can only be achieved if you desire His word.

You are a living stone that God is using to build His temple. You are God’s holy priest consecrated unto Him for good works. You can offer acceptable sacrifices unto God in the form of worship, thanksgiving, praise and offerings onto God. God is preparing you for great honour. When you trust in God you will never be disgraced. You will not be a beneficiary of shameful things.

”As believers you know his great worth—indeed, his preciousness is imparted to you. But for those who do not believe: The stone that the builders rejected and discarded has now become the cornerstone And A stone that makes them stumble and a rock to trip over. They keep stumbling over the message because they refuse to believe it. And this they were destined to do. But you are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world. For at one time you were not God’s people, but now you are. At one time you knew nothing of God’s mercy, because you hadn’t received it yet, but now you are drenched with it!“ 1 Peter 2:7-10 TPT

You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. God wants to use you as savour to add flavour and spice onto the earth. When you walk in your identity you can show the good ness of God to others. Whenever you are at a place where you feel disadvantaged, you can cry out to God and He will ensure that your life will only bring honour unto Him.

”Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.“ Isaiah 60:1 NKJV

Shalom! Rev. Ron.

Secret of the Tithe

The secret of the tithe is truly a secret.

Psalm 24:1

⁃ In every church, there is always a small percentage of people who tithe. You may also have noticed,

⁃ that it is only a small percentage of people who prosper. I call it a secret because it is hidden from many people.

⁃ You read in Genesis 14 that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek.

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him [Melchizedek] tithes of all.

Genesis 14:20

⁃ Melchizedek was a priest of the most high God. He represented God and the Church.

⁃ All successful people, who have walked with God, know that it is God who gave them what they have.

⁃ Once, David was giving an offering. He said something very important; “I’m only giving You what You first gave me.

1 Chronicles 29:14

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we.

The importance of Tithes

1. To acknowledge God as our source and sustainer- psalm 24:1-3

2. We give tithes in obedience to God’s word – Joshua 1:8

3. We give tithes to honour the Lord – proverbs 3:9

4. We tithe to escape curses- malachi 3:8-9

5. We tithe to support the work of God – Malachi 3:10a

6. We give tithes for a blessing from the Lord – Malachi 3:10b

*Why non tithers become poor*

1. Non-tithers become poor because they have nothing to harvest.

FOR THEY HAVE SOWN THE WIND, AND THEY SHALL REAP THE WHIRLWIND: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.  Hosea 8:7

2. Non-tithers become poor because they do not attract blessings on their lives.

BRING YE ALL THE TITHES into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and POUR YOU OUT A BLESSING, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.   Malachi 3:10

3. Non-tithers become poor because they are cursed.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

YE ARE CURSED WITH A CURSE: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.    Malachi 3:8-9

4. Non-tithers become poor because devourers constantly eat their wealth.

AND I WILL REBUKE THE DEVOURER for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.  Malachi 3:11

5. Non-tithers become poor because the fruits of their fields are constantly destroyed.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and HE SHALL NOT DESTROY the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.   Malachi 3:11

6. Non-tithers become poor because they lose their fruits before they get a chance to harvest.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine CAST HER FRUIT BEFORE THE TIME in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:11

Is it any wonder that tithing is a major key to real prosperity? Are you surprised that non-tithers can become poorer by keeping ten percent of their income away from God?

What can you do without the help of God? How far can you go if God does not help you? It is time to begin tithing so that your profits will not be cast to the ground before you can enjoy them.

Shalom, Rev. Ron

Have faith, there is more!

Faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Hebrews 11:1

The roots of your faith are formed and developed in the love of God. It is in the storm and low moments that the foundations of your faith are tested and strengthened if you do not waver. In times of testing you must not show flimsy hope. The storms that shook the circumstances in your life pushed more of the growth under the surface. Once you surmount the hard times, your faith is established to weather the weather.

Grace and mercy will carry you through any season. What you could not comprehend at the time was what this was preparing you to be strengthened and fruitful in any season. Look through God’s lens of grace today, and you will see His goodness has never left you. You could never elude the embrace of His faithful mercy.

God desires that you trust him even more as you lean on Him and the witness of His spirit lives in you. He will reveal His kindness to you. Be confident in this that provided your fellowship with Him is consistent that your foundations will not be shaken.

Listen! Are you thirsty for more? Come to the refreshing waters and drink. Even if you have no money, come, buy, and eat. Come and buy all the wine and milk you desire-it won’t cost a thing. Isaiah 55:1

Arise and see what God is already doing in and around you. There is a stream that flows from the river of Life, and it’s running right through your heart. It never runs dry. Drink deeply today of God’s measureless kindness. It will fill and refresh you. Your strength will return with His love as your sustenance. Where you have felt depleted, you will overflow again.

You will see Him in the light reflecting from your eyes. There is more to see, more to be, and more to do-and it’s all good. You must trust God to guide you into goodness as you awaken to life once more? Realize that God is all around. God has not abandoned you for a moment. Do not give up hope, for there’s no room for despair when you feast on His glory. Eat, drink, and delight in His abundant goodness. There’s no need to ration God’s love. There is always more.

Notice what the Lord is doing in your life. There is a river of His life flowing through your heart. The immeasurable kindness of God will fill and refresh you. When you drink deeply of it, you cannot help but be satisfied. Where virtue has left you, it will be replenished. Trust that God will lead you into His good. Don’t lose hope, neither despair. The love of God is available in abundance.

God is inviting you into even deeper trust and greater reliance on Him today. Tune into His Spirit that is living and active within you. He will give you revelation of His kindness that has been tending to the garden of your heart all along. ‘There is no height that His love does not tower over. There is no depth that His compassion does not reach beyond. Be firmly rooted in His affectionate friendship, so stand tall in the confidence of your fellowship.

With Love, Esinam.

Be Hopeful

”O my God, my soul is cast down within me: Therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, Mine enemies reproach me; While they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.“ Psalm 42:6-11 KJV

Although things might seem tough and your life may feel chaotic, don’t be hopeless. Hopelessness drains your faith and fills you with doubt and unbelief. The lowest moments in life have a history of being a planting era for many Christians.

Today no mater what you’re feeling, you have an invitation to more freedom in God’s presence. Get close and find Him. He has not left you to waste away under the weight of worry; come into His pleasant presence and drink in the delight of His heart. You can trust Him to take care of every detail of your life. He sees it all, so lay it down and find rest.

”Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.“ Isaiah 41:10 KJV

Listen closely and you will hear the playful invitation to find pleasure in God today. He still holds the world and sees all of its woes, so you don’t have to keep count of it yourself. Breathe deeply of His delight as you follow His voice. He has so much to share with you. Nothing can steal your joy when you find it in His abundant presence. Be reminded today what hope feels like. Be refreshed in the stream of Christ’s joy as you fellowship with His Spirit and in His presence. Only reach out, beloved, and let Him pull you into the pool of His love that revives your weary soul.

”Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.“ Romans 15:13 KJV

There are certain experiences and depths that you can only attain in the night seasons of your life. God is the master strategist and all power belongs to Him alone. Even the darkness is as light unto our God. The Lord wants you to call upon Him in hope and trust. His joy will be to influence your thoughts and actions, steering them on the path of His perfect will for your life. He doesn’t want to control your life but rather influence it. Press on in faith because He is working behind the scenes and overtime in your favour. Your testimony is just around the corner. All things are working for your good in Jesus’ Name.

With Love, Esinam.

Purpose in the valley

We have heard it being said often that life is full of ups and downs. There are some great moments , some flat moments and also the not so pleasant one but we need to learn how we can navigate them all without losing ourselves. The highs, the high highs, the lows and the low lows are all relevant in building tenacity in order that we fulfill God’s purpose and original intent for our lives.

Do not be discouraged by the experience of your humanity. Even Jesus subjected himself to the depths of the human experience, with loss, suffering, and hardship. And yet his life revealed a higher way of living. Uninterrupted communion with God our father in heaven was a gift that you could not have imagined before him, and yet here you are living in the blessing of it. There is not even a thin veil that separates the Holy Spirit from us. We get to experience the fullness of God’s love at all times.

”All the tests they endured on their way through the wilderness are a symbolic picture, an example that provides us with a warning so that we can learn through what they experienced. For we live in a time when the purpose of all the ages past is now completing its goal within us.“ 1 Corinthians 10:11 TPT

Sometimes we need to pause and look over our history with God and remember all that He has brought us through up until now. And don’t stop there! Study the Scriptures and see how He is able to lead us people through impossible situations. Jehovah never fails to consistently show up in faithful mercy. Whatever you face, either now or in the future, is another opportunity to see God’s redemptive power at work. Beloved, look through the lens of His perfect wisdom, and He will give you perspective to see what He is doing. You can trust that He is always with us. He never leaves!

The wards of God are spirit and life; His words are at work all around us. Trust in the lord for He will never abandon you. Hope in this word and always abide in His presence. God’s word is His covenant and can never be broken. All this promises are yea and amen. He will accomplish everything the has spoken. He never fails and He is faithful to the end.

”The earth and sky will wear out and fade away before one word I speak loses its power or fails to accomplish its purpose.”“ Matthew 24:35 TPT

Focus on the higher way of living where you experience an uninterrupted communication with our Heavenly Father, just like Jesus did. We are blessed with the opportunity to fully embrace and experience God’s love through this Holy Spirit.

If He has done it for others, then only you can stop him from doing marvellons things in your life. Dont allow an unyielded spirit to cost you a divine experience. Delight yourself in the Lord at all times and in every situation, especially in the valley.

With Love, Esinam.