CONSTANCE | THE DAY A MOTHER LEFT TOO EARLY

Pacing back and forth in the living room of the apartment he shared with his siblings, Emmanuel felt a slight headache as many thoughts raced through his mind. His pensive mood was soon interrupted by a call from Debby who had been with Titus when Constance departed. As he listened to his younger sister speak, he now better understood the reason for his unease because although Debby didn’t say much, he heard Juliet’s voice in the background and it may have sounded like it but she definitely wasn’t singing.

He got off the phone and picked a cab which seemed to have glided across town because he lost every sense of time as he made his way to meet his siblings who were now outside at the parking lot. He walked straight up to Titus and said “Daddy, we need you to be strong for us”. Titus answered in the affirmative with a voice that obviously was suppressing grief. Then, he walked over to Debby who said “it’s well” with a well doctored comportment that followed much crying. Speaking of crying, Juliet was still much engrossed and seemed unable to bring herself to the reality that Constance was gone. When Emmanuel asked “do you have a pen and paper?” Debby handed him a blue piece of paper and a pen most likely thinking what that had to do with anything. He penned down some thoughts that were strong on his mind. One of which was:

“Don’t let sickness be death’s excuse for taking you out before your time”

He didn’t get to write too many of these thoughts before being distracted time and again by cries and wails from people that kept arriving at the hospital on hearing the news...bad news does travel fast! One woman in particular created such a scene that it almost seemed like she was acting but it’s been eight years now and in the past year or more, there’s hardly a month she doesn’t send a text to Emmanuel…who knows, she just might have been sincere after all.

When Lizzy; Emmanuel’s immediate elder sister arrived, they went to Constance’s ward and learnt that her body had been moved. On their way to see her, they met their aunt, Elizabeth aka “Mom Jummy”; a nurse herself, who seemed to be working very hard at being strong for them but the tears just wouldn’t listen. They got to the room she had been moved to and Constance appeared to be the only one without a worried face in the vicinity; her calm mien spoke volumes of her new location.

Though it was the same distance they had traversed countless times before, the drive home was unusually long and the silence was almost deafening. As they got into the house, Constance’s younger sister; Esther, met the train of quiet loved ones and she instantly got the message; her big sister won’t be coming home anytime soon…or ever. One would have thought gravity focused on her briefly seeing how fast she was on the floor; crying and kicking in protest to the unpalatable reality set before her.

Not so long afterwards, the living room filled up with many people who had heard the news from near and far; including those who had not always been there to celebrate good things that had happened to the family in times past. Like Titus, Juliet was receiving calls from almost as many contacts as were on her phone book as was the case with all her siblings. However, in Martina’s case, Jimmy; her husband, became an impromptu PA in a bid to keep the news from her until she arrived the family house. And Samuel? Well, he arrived town no sooner than he heard the news too and his countenance told the whole story – if death had been human, he would have torn it to shreds!

As the house filled with loved ones and friends, the elders of the church stepped up to the plate as words of hope and comfort were released to both the bereaved and those that came to show their love. That evening was the first in the series of many that would see people coming and calling in to show their love and condolence to the family.

I could go on telling details of this story but I have a feeling it would be a more rounded perspective when Martina, Jimmy, Samuel, Juliet, Princess, Debby and others get to comment sometime later. I believe they’ll be sharing their own experience of what that day felt like but more importantly, who Constance is to them.

For Emmanuel; someone I happen to know rather well, these are some of his thoughts:

Live truthfully: Constance had a tough time pretending that something wrong wasn’t. She didn’t have too many friends because of this but when she passed on, some who used to “beef” her became inspired by her life, love, care, respect etc.

Live joyfully: among other things, many knew her for her special dance and sonorous voice. Hardly is there a dull moment around her…

Live generously: she is a generous giver. Yes; I used ‘is’ because she’s still giving as it were…if this note inspires you in any way, the point is made.

Live passionately: she served with her heart…a passion that  was sometimes misunderstood…

…and the list goes on…

She would always say:

“whatever cannot speak should not be smarter than you ”

This is more or less a testimony to her vibrant and possibility thinking.

Like I said moments ago, I’ll leave the rest of the story to the characters; named and unnamed above.

I’m sure Emmanuel and his siblings would love to be a much more improved version of the sort of parent Constance was; little wonder he’s smiling right now as he’s thinking to himself “how exactly am I going to end this missive now?”

- 'Bayor Emmanuel Martins

Testimony Time | Faithful God

I primarily want to testify about God’s goodness in my life through this writ. 

He has used events and people to be a blessing; some from as far back as my childhood and others in recent years.

I’ll imagine I’m on stage before a large congregation with an allotted time to speak so I’ll try to make this quick…

¹⁵ And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

-          Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)

I’m grateful to God that the scripture above is true in my life. While the list of people that have proved it so is too long to dare enumerate, I think the list starts with my father; Prof. Titus Ade Martins. He gave me (with more action than words) a good “first impression” as it were, of who a pastor should be. God bless you daddy. I love you.

One thing about him that blesses me is the value he places on the Word. People would come to him to pray and he would give them "take-away scriptures". He believes more or less in a “do-it-yourself” approach to breakthrough.

Speaking of DIY, I bless the day I walked into House on the Rock - the Refuge, Abuja and especially when I came under the leadership of Pastor GoodHeart O. Ekwueme. I believe genuine men of God point you to God and not to themselves; they desire spiritual maturity for every member of their fold. He's one of such.

During one of his messages several months ago, he said “fight an ant like it’s an elephant and the elephant won’t come”…I believe it was a Healing and Restoration Service…those words stuck with me. Early this year, he made another statement “three days is not too much to invest in settling issues once and for all from the Word of God”. Those words also made an impression in my heart.

On another service day, his wife, Pastor Bimbo Ekwueme preached a fiery message (as usual) and she said afterwards that we should evoke the power of the Blood of Jesus over the nation Nigeria and ourselves. (PGH calls her a "spiritual ninja" and I think that’s putting it mildly).

Before I say the testimony, let me quickly chip in something he said during the second service today – Leadership Master Class, that also lends credence to the testimony:

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

-          Matthew 11:30 (KJV)

In allusion to the words of Jesus above, PGH said “even though the yoke is easier, it’s a yoke. Even though the burden is light, it’s a burden. It’s a yoke to rise up at 12:00am to study and pray. It’s a burden to rise up at 4:00am to study and pray when others are enjoying early morning sweet sleep...but, it’s a yoke that is easier to bear than sickness and disease…”

Now, to the testimony:

Sometime last year, I noticed a mole on my scalp and I initially ignored it because it wasn’t painful but after some time, I just decided that it was too annoying to remain there so although I tried peeling it off (really, that grimace doesn’t suit your face. Lol.) it would come back…talk about a pet peeve!

With a back drop of all I’ve mentioned earlier, I decided I would take the Communion this month and speak the Word until I saw a difference. I anointed it with oil a few times and addressed it mentioning every other thing in my system that didn’t feel like it was functioning the way God made it (especially symptoms of malaria that made me always fatigued.

On the 10th of this month, although I had dreamt and seen someone that seemed to be my dad, laying hands on my back, chest and stomach as though I was on a healing line; it was when I was driving to work that I got a witness in my spirit that it was settled; I was healed and restored! I later discovered the mole had disappeared! I felt different in my body and my spirit was delighted!

As a sort of confirmation, I was in the salon yesterday and a man walked in and was glad to announce to the barber - Mr. Kelechi, that he had seen a dermatologist, taken medication and now the growth (I assume it was also a mole) was going away. Almost immediately, I asked Kelly if he could see the one that used to be on my head and he said “no” (he would know because the last time I came there, barely three weeks ago, it obstructed the clipper and I bled).

I also asked my wife today if she could see it and after looking for a while, she asked “where was it again?”…point made! All she could see were the waves (yeah, they’re natural!) on a smooth scalp.

This is one of many testimonies I have of God’s faithfulness and sometimes sheer mercy (like when I would wake up during those times I was feeling weak in my body to discover I wasn’t home yet…I was still driving and somehow, I made the bend without being bent!).

I want to quickly add another testimony on behalf of my eldest sister but before then, let me say two things:

First, I purposed to read through the Bible in one year but didn’t want to start in January lest it goes the way of other “resolutions” that people make so, I began on the 1st of November 2014 using the "Genres" Bible Reading Plan (literature) Style and I can’t explain it but it’s doing something to my spirit. I also received wisdom to read it out loud to my own hearing (Psalm 62:11, Romans 10:17). Now, why am I saying this? Thanks for asking. That’s the second thing I wanted to say; I saw the picture below yesterday and it made a huge difference in my outlook to the Word and the reading exercise I've been doing…

I hope your question is answered...

Now, to the testimony on behalf of my eldest sister:

On the 3rd of January, she was involved in a terrible car accident and she came out with nothing missing, nothing broken. She got to the park and on three occasions, where she wanted to seat was taken; first the front seat, then the ones by the door. She ended up sitting in between the people at the back of the car who seemed to later become her “shock absorbers”. She came out of the car through the rear and crossed to the other side of the road to pick another car to continue her journey. That was when she noticed the state of the car and was shocked at the thought that she might not have survived the accident. She took a picture of the car before continuing the journey. She also got her luggage intact (some people's belongings were stolen by some "finder's keepers" around).

I thank God for her life, mine and most especially yours; that you are reading this, it means God has been faithful to you too. By the way, there she is in the picture below in a service recently...she traveled again after that service!

In case you are expecting some good news and it is delaying, please note that the fact that you've not heard bad news instead, is good news on its own.

I think my time is up. Perhaps you also want to share something unique God has done for you. If you would, please write your testimony as a comment below; you never know, someone may be encouraged by your testimony.

God bless you.

/bayormartins 

2862A114

@bayormartins

THE ACTS OF THE SAINTS | POWER PROJECT FEBRUARY 2015 (DAY 1 & 2)

Jan 31 Sat 09:52

NATHANIEL BASSEY:

Hello all. I would like to introduce a project to you all; a spiritual one - ACTS OF THE SAINTS, beginning tomorrow.

We have Acts of the Apostles but Paul calls us SAINTS and since we have 28days in February and also have 28 chapters in the book of Acts, I decided we would go through the book of Acts next month, doing a chapter a day and putting to practice what we read and study.  My church begins this tomorrow. We must reintroduce our 1hr minimum praying in tongues daily.

Peter said in Acts 6, we must give ourselves continually to the ministry of prayer and the word.

And we would find a time to meet to have that spirit and word conference we couldn't do in January and those of you that can, also fast though the month. We would have a time of sharing daily as well

Feb 1 Sun 12:40

IKECHI UGWOEJE:

Shalom Saints, Bro Nath will lead today's 'Acts Of The Saints' session. Let's all join in. Don't fail to spend at least an hour praying in tongues daily. Though the fast is not compulsory through the days, if you can it will be cool, it will help the process. I am expectant and I trust that God will shape our lives and Nation these 28 days.

Feb 1 Sun 22:41

NATHANIEL BASSEY:

Shalom Saints. Greetings in Jesus' name. Welcome to ACTS OF THE SAINTS. We begin the study of the book of Acts, praying and doing. Acts 1:1 is so clear on this.

“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

Acts 1:1”

Jesus began to DO AND TEACH. WE seem to do lots of talking and teaching in our own time. It's time to DO. We must DEMONSTRATE God's power. (Acts 10:38)

Verse 2

He DID AND TAUGHT until he was taken up. In order words, he continued his assignment until his very last moment. May we leave this earth accomplishing that which we have been apprehended for.

Verse 2 also says through the Holy Ghost he gave commandment. Now this is the master himself, doing nothing, but by the Spirit's help. The master was ALWAYS SPIRIT LED.  (Isaiah 11:2-4). No wonder he was always right. We talk a lot about the leading of the spirit, but let's ask candidly, how many times are we really led by the Spirit?

Day by day, we see and hear stories about Christians, and indeed ourselves, and it becomes very clear that we may not be led by the spirit a lot of the times.

So this month, it's my prayer that as we study and pray, seeking the Lord, there would be revival and restoration in nor lives to live the only kind of life we have and know to live: THE SPIRIT FILLED AND LED LIFE.

“To whom also He shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Acts 1 :3”

This is interesting, Jesus wants to reveal himself to us. In fact, scripture says he is passionate to do so. And this month, we'll experience him again; anew and afresh.

I love that phrase: “many infallible proofs” He wants to do it in such ways that of a truth and without any doubt that we know we have encountered him.

Feb 2 Mon 00:17

PEACE:

Amen. I want to encounter Him differently this month and henceforth.

Feb 2 Mon 00:29

AMAKA SERITA:

Amen. The gospel! Simple but powerful! Thank you sir. He did before he taught. Meaning he never taught what He hasn't or didn't experience or practice. His absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit. And by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], he revealed himself. (AMP)

Thank you for this

Feb 2 Mon 04:53

TONIA:

Halleluyah!

Good Morning Saints!

Thanks for sharing @PNath, this is awesome!

Lord I align myself with Your word all through this month and even from hence forth, to DO the word by the power of the Holy Spirit!

And I begin to encounter You afresh, anew, like NEVER BEFORE, cos there is MORE of You and I desire that MORE!!!

Saints, I am indeed blessed and I feel a welling up in my spirit!!!

All through the Gospel, we find Jesus going away, retreating to spend time with in the mountains and you are tempted to wonder what it was He was praying about. He had the power TO DO all that He desired to do for He is God Himself, but He never missed those times cos those times were to fellowship. For He did nothing but by the Holy Spirit and what He did was the manifestation of the influence and principles of Heaven while He was on Earth!

Hmmmm, this same Jesus said in John 14:12. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shalll he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father". We have been called to do the GREATER....how else do we accomplish this, but by the power of the Spirit Himself. There's more brethren, there's more. Until we begin to manifest the MORE, we haven't yet started.

But thank God there's Grace enough and the Spirit is here to help us....thank God for this study this month. We indeed begin to manifest the very ACTS of the Saints as we dive more into this study in Jesus Name!

Feb 2 Mon 06:51

UTIBE:

It's a February that will see us Do and Teach!!!

Feb 2 Mon 09:39

IKECHI UGWOEJE: Amen! Thanks for sharing Bro Nath and others who contributed. We move on to Chapter 2 today and ARM will lead. If you didn't read Chapter 1 yesterday please do and read chapter 2 today also. Everyone should feel free to take us back to any passage from previous chapters that you feel we all can be blessed with. I had a great time praying in the Holy Ghost this morning. When you pray in other tongues, God's will for your life is being process your life takes shape! Halleluyah! You can do 30mins in the morning and 30mins at night or 15mins in the 4 quarters of the day. Over to you ARM

Feb 2 Mon 10:17

NATHANIEL BASSEY:

Acts 1:4

The master commanded them to WAIT. It wasn't a suggestion.  To wait for the promise of the father. The world we live in today does not support WAITING. Everything must happen now. But God is still God. We must wait on God to have genuine encounters with him. And waiting in not necessarily a state of inactivity. Sometimes it means pray, worship and sometimes just being quite before him. May God help us to make out time to WAIT on him. We would wait for contracts. Wait for visas. We must wait on the Lord.

ACTS 1:24-26  

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Holy Ghost is the believer's most precious treasure on earth. He is Christ within.

The scripture says that when he comes he'll guide us into all truth. He reveals secrets and shows us the way to walk in.

The Apostles in Acts 1 had a situation, prior to the coming of the Spirit in Acts 2. They prayed God to show who would take Judas' place, but later cast lots. Isn't this the same case with us sometimes that we ask a thing from God, and can barely wait for his opinion and then go ahead to make our own plans? You would remember that their lot fell on Matthias. But after this day, little or nothing was said or heard about the one THEY chose.

But when you go to Acts 13, we see a similar situation and need, but this time as they ministered to The Lord and fasted, THE HOLY GHOST HIMSELF SAID, "separate unto me, Paul and Barnabas...." And the rest is history. Today we know Paul, chosen by the Spirit, to have written three third of the New Testament.

Right there is the difference when God himself makes a choice.

Saints, God's choice is always far better, and to be preferred. It is worth waiting for.

And the good news is that we have the HOLY GHOST right within us now. He is not coming, or about to come. HE IS HERE.

Oh! May we come to a realization of the awesome revelation that the God of all the heavens and the earth lives inside of us. It becomes a grave irony or paradox when as believers we get confused, lacking direction on issues of life and destiny, when the greatest revealer and guide is just a heartbeat and breath away.

Feb 2 Mon 18:34

VICORENZE:

This is truth and I agree

The Holy Spirit is readily available to us, He is the power we want, the direction we seek and the help we need.

Feb 2 Mon 18:58

TONIA:

Wow! God bless you @PNath; was just talking with a family friend who's confused about making a choice over two job options in Kano and Abuja and this came in. Sent this to him now and he testified it ministered to him. We all need to seek Him (the Holy Spirit) consistently on a daily basis concerning decisions we make.

Feb 2 Mon 19:50

AMAKA SERITA:

Yes sir!!! This is so true. This is the place to be. Yesterday morning the Lord put this song in my heart during my night sleep, which I eventually was singing as I woke up... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him. And He shall direct, and He shall direct your path...... He will not suffer your feet to be moved. He that loves you will not slumber..." By Don Moen. That was how the Lord started His conversation with me that morning.... I tell you brethren, that meeting was very life transforming. He then took me to Ex 23:20-33. Since that yesterday, up until now, I just “siddon dey look” and watching God do the things only He can do!!!! So glorious! And today again, He's speaking to me again through Pst Nathaniel Bassey! See all the benefits that are ours only if we can yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit! "Oh what peace we often forfeit! Oh what needless pain we bear!" God bless you sir for yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to bring through you this timely word for the season.

Feb 2 Mon 20:00

NATHANIEL BASSEY:

Hallelujah. The Lord also put this scripture in my heart to pray with. "order my steps in your word" psalm 119:133. Imagine praying this every morning before you set out on the day's business. POWERFUL THINGS MUST HAPPEN. You will be constrained to do his will.

In Acts 2 verse 1, I saw something;

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come”

Why "fully come"?

Perhaps they'd been praying for days, weeks or even months and it looked like nothing was happening. But you know what? From the moment they started, something was happening. And that's the same with us; sometimes we give up just as the time is almost FULLY COME

 Feb 2 Mon 20:56

FEYIKEMI:

Hmmmmmm... God please help us hold on until it is 'fully come'

Feb 2 Mon 20:56

NATHANIEL BASSEY:

Imagine if these folks stopped 30minutes before it was fully come…

Lesson: keep praying. Something is happening that you can't see. It's building up. And just like the cloud, it is loading and gathering moisture, and like it says in the text, SUDDENLY, THERE WILL COME A SOUND. A sound of revival, a sound of rejoicing, a sound of a baby, a sound of an phone call for that job, contract, a sound of a wife, husband etc. Remember Elijah heard the sound of rain, yet there was no rain, but he kept on at his prayer. May we continue until IT IS FULLY COME.

Feb 2 Mon 21:02

FEYIKEMI:

Amen!

Feb 2 Mon 21:02

SEN. JAIDA ATTAH:

AMEN

Feb 2 Mon 21:13

AMAKA SERITA:

Yes! "Fully come" is it! Some of us stop a step away from the answer. Jesus said in Luke 8. "When the Son of man arrives, will He still find faith...?" Reminding me of His word in Eccles. "when the cloud is full of rain, it'll empty itself on the earth". Thank you Lord. Our prayers build a memorial before God. We should not give up. We will keep on praying. The answers are building up. And I conclude with this: WHEN HE [the Lamb] broke open the seventh seal, there was silence for about half an hour in heaven. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood over the altar. He had a golden censer, and he was given very much incense (fragrant spices and gums which exhale perfume when burned), that he might mingle it with the prayers of all the people of God (the saints) upon the golden altar before the throne. [Ps. 141:2.] And the smoke of the incense (the perfume) arose in the presence of God, with the prayers of the people of God (the saints), from the hand of the angel. So the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and cast it upon the earth. Then there followed peals of thunder and loud rumblings and blasts and noises, and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. [Lev. 16:12; Ezek. 10:2.] (Revelation 8:1-5 AMP) ..... How powerful our prayers can be if we pray without ceasing without fainting and allow it to build up.

 Feb 2 Mon 21:17

NATHANIEL BASSEY:

Woo oh!  Glory.

Took the censer and filled it with Fire from the altar!

Ayayayaya !

Feb 2 Mon 21:18

VICORENZE:

Hallelujah! We will wait by His grace!

I'm so stirred in my spirit! Hallelujah

Feb 2 Mon 21:39

AMAKA SERITA:

Sometimes we pray and the answer comes immediately. At other time we pray and it seems like nothing is happening. No, some things are happening. We should keep praying. It can be likened to a tree, which brings out the flowers first, then the buds, then the baby fruit, which takes another process of time to mature by ripening. In prayer, some of us give up too quickly and pluck the unripe fruit. What if Elijah had given up at his 6th effort???? I receive that prophetic word @Pst Nath.

“Lesson: keep praying. Something is happening that you can't see. It's building up. And just like the cloud, it is loading and gathering moisture, and like it says in the text, SUDDENLY, THERE WILL COME A SOUND. A sound of revival, a sound of rejoicing, a sound of a baby, a sound of phone calls for that job, contract, a sound of a wife, husband etc. Remember Elijah heard the sound of rain, yet there was no rain, but he kept on at his prayer. May we continue until IT IS FULLY COME.”

Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Thank you Lord JESUS!!! !!!!

And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together and they were astonished and bewildered, because each one heard them [the apostles] speaking in his own [particular] dialect. And they were beside themselves with amazement, saying, Are not all these who are talking Galileans? (Acts 2:6-7 AMP)

And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? (Acts 2:6-7 NKJV)

Feb 2 Mon 22:08

EDIDIONG ENO:

Wooooooow!!! Hallelujah!!! Praise God...Keep praying...even when you don't feel like it, keep praying...when it seems like nothing is happening...don't stop praying...cos actually something is happening...The Cloud is getting thick...I hear the sound!!! Praise God...

Could not help but pray in the Spirit while reading through all our post here...some fire stuff

God bless you @P.Nat @ARM @Amaka @Ikechi and everyone that contributed...

Feb 2 Mon 22:12

AMAKA SERITA:

The Holy Ghost himself is set to make some astonishing and amazing sound via as many of us as are willing to yield to His leading. And the sound will draw dignitaries and prominent personalities from all works of life to come to us for solutions. Some of us He’ll use in different nations and in different spheres and arms of the society. Arising from such army are economic prophets, entertainment prophets, political prophets, educational prophets, marriage/family prophets, etc.... Solutions will be given through the utterances given by the Holy Ghost. Some of us He will use to solve, family, organizational or national puzzles. Can we just yield to Him? Remember people from different nations came because of the sound or the noise they heard, and as they got close, each heard the apostles speaking in their own different languages. Meaning that if I was there, I would have heard the apostles in my own original Igbo language! What a mystery. God is ready to package the solution through us in a way that the person or nation or organization or the family or the people we are sent to will completely understand and receive the solution and at the end surrender to Christ!!!! Oh thank you Jesus! A whole lot is happening here. Teach me Lord how you want me to yield. What and what do you want me to put off or get rid of. What are those things about me and in me that seem to block me off from yielding to you? I take the surgical blade like Abraham did to circumcise my heart. Cutting off every trace of flesh and self. Completely at your service Lord. Like little Samuel I say, speak Lord for your servant hears. Samuel, unlike Aaron and his sons was well positioned to hear the Lord. The Bible reported that at that time visions and revelations and Gods word were scarce. Even Eli who was supposedly the priest wasn't hearing the Lord. The difference here was that Samuel stayed in the exact place of God's presence. Constantly at the sanctuary. And he stays until the light goes off.

NOW THE boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had dimmed so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was lying down When the Lord called, Samuel! And he answered, Here I am.

(1 Samuel 3:1-4 AMP)

Feb 2 Mon 22:12

EDIDIONG ENO:

Could not imagine been absent from a Fire Feast like this...

God bless you all...

And its good to be on board Flight "Acts Of The Saints"

Feb 2 Mon 22:15

AMAKA SERITA: I'm being filled again here by the Holy Ghost @Eno. Glory to God!!!!

Thanks family for generating this corporate anointing

Feb 2 Mon 22:17

EDIDIONG ENO:

Woow!! @Amaka that's some great stuff you just shared there…God bless you Sis...

Feb 2 Mon 22:24

VICORENZE:

@ Amaka, the spirit is one, Nat said some of the things u are saying now on Sunday at David Nkennor's album release. Amazing Holy Spirit. :)

Feb 2 Mon 22:44

AMAKA SERITA:

Striking words for me:

The SOUND which was made by the Holy Spirit Himself. The mistake we make is that we try making the Sound ourselves before the fullness of time.

Then the FIRE: the flaming tongues as of fire. Which was the baptism of fire. The fire that's encountered in God's presence which burns off the flesh and the stubbles, and the chaffs and burns off the dross in our lives for the Holy Spirit to have His full and undeniable expression. This fire forms the fruit of the spirit in us. The character of Christ.

Then the SPEAKING: this part is done by us as we are inspired by the Holy Ghost. The action part of the whole stuff is not done by God. We take the action as we are led or inspired or prompted by the Holy Spirit. At the point of action/speaking, the Holy Spirit manifests Himself or demonstrates the power of God, thereby glorifying JESUS.

Then, UTTERANCE: they spoke as the Holy Spirit gives them utterance. Utterance is given by the Holy Spirit. Not by the apostles but by the Holy Spirit. But speaking was done by the apostles. Thank you Lord

The cost for SHINNING is BURNING!!!!

Many believers want to arise and shine but few want to go through the process of burning.

BEHOLD, I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant, Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts. [Matt. 11:10; Luke 1:13-17, 76.] But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; [Rev. 6:12-17.] He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests, the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord offerings in righteousness. Then will the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in ancient years. Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against the false swearers, and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and who turn aside the temporary resident from his right and fear not Me, says the Lord of hosts. For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. (Malachi 3:1-6 AMP).   

After burning (the fire) comes the glory(the shinning).... See Isaiah 4:

After the Lord has washed away the [moral] filth of the daughters of Zion [pride, vanity, haughtiness] and has purged the bloodstains of Jerusalem from the midst of it by the spirit and blast of judgment and by the spirit and blast of burning and sifting. And the Lord will create over the whole site, over every dwelling place of Mount Zion and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a canopy (a defense of divine love and protection). And there shall be a pavilion for shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge and a shelter from storm and from rain. (Isaiah 4:4-6 AMP).   

My dear lovely family, burning may not be an easy and sweet experience, but it's a necessity if we want the glory to fall or if we want to shine as lights for the Kingdom of God.