God's Power moves through His people's testimonies

During the very early hours of the morning on 8th of february, I was going through facebook and then suddenly, I saw a new message. You know the feeling of wishing it's a really nice message, all for me to check and it was from the group "I'm a christian because...". I was dissapointed and actually thought about leaving the group to avoid all those 'unnecessary' messages. The message was about a new testimony on the blogpost. Although, it wasn't the first time I was receiving such messages, on this occassion, I decided to check out the blog- little did I know what God had planned out for me. I started reading the various testimonies and I was deeply moved. It wasn't long before I started crying and praying amidst tears. By the time I got to CJ's testimony, I was crying so much and saying lots of things to God. I desired the presence of the Holyspirit- 1 John3:24(Amplified)

²⁴All who keep His commandments [who obey His orders and follow His plan, live and continue to live, to stay and] abide in Him, and He in them. They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ.] And by this we know and understand and have the proof that He [really] lives and makes His home in us: by the [Holy] Spirit Whom He has given us.

Before long, I was speaking in tongues but I had doubts and I was still praying for what I already had. I always thought that the first time you start speaking in tongues, it would be for about an hour or more, you'll be shouting and stuff like that (remember that this is the case with some people and there's nothing wrong with that). Later that day, I sent a message to Tolu about my experience and my doubts, and her reply was really encouraging and insightful. She gave me lots of scriptures to read about the Holyspirit which stenghtened me greatly. I also sent a message to CJ whose testimony really gave me the burning desire to receive the Holyspirit and hear the Voice of God. He explained so many things to me that centered on the diverse ways God speaks and then he also said the Holyspirit just whispered to him that I was going to hear Him(Holyspirit) tell me things as I read the message. By the time I finished reading, I still didn't hear anything and I was disappointed. All along, I was waiting to hear an audible voice( which I would still hear really soon cos His words are ye and amen and He said my sheep hear my voice), but CJ made me understand that desiring the experiences of others might not always work as He treats everyone differenly and His word(Bible) is one of the many ways He speaks to you(and I've got evidence of that as well). It wasn't until some days later that I understood that reading the message CJ sent about me hearing Him speak was actually Him speaking to me through CJ.

It's been a week now and have developed this strong desire to always read the Bible which prior to now was like a task and routine for me every morning or afternoon, as the case may be. It's like there's so much to know and its so interesting. Know that it's not just about reading the Bible but doing what it says but it's only the Holyspirt our helper that can help you do this, so go ahead, receive Him, make His heart your home as He's making yours His home. John 15:4(KJV)

⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

God loves you and wants you to dwell with Him eternally, that's why He sent His son Jesus to die. I leave you with this, 1 John 3 which is kind of my favourite part of the Bible now.

Tomilola Lawal.

This is my story!

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

Your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The Sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”

For I know that I know that I know that my Redeemer lives. You don’t believe? Listen to my testimony. And you are not reading this by mistake or error, for I do not serve a God of error.

In February, my older sister, who just graduated from College in Maryland gave her life to Christ. We had always grown up with the Christian doctrine. We had morals, we were ‘good’ girls. But for her, I believe she lacked something more personal. To cut a long story short, her new life changed me. She did not have to tell me that she did not listen to secular music for me to know that she had changed. She did not have to say oh wow, see what God has done for me. You could feel it. For it says behold old things have passed away, I have made all things new. And isn’t it easy to spot something new?

Anyway her new found zeal and passion for Christ motivated me. It created in me a thirst like no other. I remember calling my mum on the phone and crying because in my sister’s Church, I felt inadequate. Oh yes, I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember. My goal has always been to please Christ, but I don’t know if I’ve always shown Him in my words and actions and thoughts. I also know that I did not have the best friend Jesus had promised to send at His ascension. My mum encouraged me and talked to me a bit. But I was still uneasy. You see when the Spirit of the most High God wants to do something in your life, He’s going to so bug you until you yield. Because we are created for Him, only Him, so why should He share you w another?

From mid March I started attending Christ Apostolic Church, Bethel Campus Fellowship. Sometimes I would be so tired because I go to school in DC and the Church is basically in the Greenbelt area. That was a long journey and I started using that as an excuse not to go. The youth pastor Uncle George said we must find a way because I must fellowship with them. It’s so funny because I love my sleep, lol. If you know me you can testify to that. But on Sunday mornings I would wake up bright and early w a song in my heart and an even bigger song on my lips when I got to Church. For you could not NOT feel the Spirit moving when you got to Church. It says at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord!

For the fool says there is no God, but wise men still seek Him.

Yet there was still something missing. I had started reading Benny Hinn’s book called Good Morning, Holy Spirit. Everything seemed so easy and I guess that was the problem. All the youths around me were speaking in tongues and I remembered learning in High school that yes there are different gifts, but not everyone has every single gift. So I thought tongues were for specific people, people who were in a ‘higher’ walk with Christ. Sometime in April, I called my friend and she told me that the gift of tongues is only a heavenly language. For when we pray in English or Igbo/Hausa/Yoruba, French, Chinese whatever it may be, devil hears us. Yup, he does. And it’s at that point that he sends his demons and agents to obstruct your prayer. You might ask not to fall into temptation and that’s when temptation will hit you like never before. So that is ONE of the reasons why there’s tongues, so that we can talk to God through the Holy Spirit, uninterrupted. Sometimes we ourselves do not even understand what we are saying

Romans 8: 26 – 27 says

In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13

We have not received the Spirit of the World but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has FREELY given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

For the wisdom of man is foolishness before God.

On April 24^th, there was Gethsemane experience at Howard University and a lady that I absolutely love preached about turning point. I wanted a turning point in my academics because there is this class that attempted to give me trouble (poor class does not know that God said “Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm” 1 Chronicles 16:22)

Anyway, I had stopped praying so hard for the revelation of the Holy Spirit but as I went out to pray everyone around me was speaking in tongues and I began to feel bad. My hands were open, God has promised it as a GIFT and He said if your earthly father knows how to give you fish not snake and poison, how much more me? And the gift is irrevocable. He said seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given unto you, knock and the door shall be opened. So I began to search myself. Was there something I did that was holding my gift back? Did I sin? Am I a bad girl? Is God trying to teach my patience?

I cried for so long. But this God answers at His own time. After the program I went back to school because I had to hand in History homework before midnight. I prayed a bit more and fell asleep, into very fitful sleep initially because I had a terrible tooth ache.

At about 4 or 5am I stood up to use the bathroom and a Bible verse came to me.

Psalm 6:8

Away from me all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping

Oh Jesus! I had legit never seen that verse before, possibly ever in my life. When I saw that I dried my eyes but the devil has a way of planting doubt in our minds. I called my friend again and she said you know what, after Church tomorrow we’re going to pray. Because it is really very easy. It is a gift, all you have to do is ACCEPT His gift.

I was at peace but I did not want to be so ecstatic because I had heard this before and still nothing happened. After church we went to my friend’s house, where we talked about different issues, read a Bible passage and began to pray. At some points I would not know what to say. You know when they say you run out of things to tell God? That was how I felt. And of course the water works started again. The devil is a liar oh. What did he not plant in my mind? So many times I simply began to doubt if it was ever for me. But how can it not be? For His word says for as many have believed I have given the right to become sons of God.

At some point my sister placed her hands on my ankle and began to pray and speak in the Spirit. She said, it is there just open your mouth and talk. I did, and all that came out was English. I was so ashamed. I just began to sing Cece Winan’s No One

Then later on my friend came and held up my hands. Haha! Oh sweet Jesus. She said I should just be quiet and accept. I cannot even begin to explain to you in detail because this note is long enough as it is. But of course you know how the story goes.

God has a sense of humor. It was as if He said this girl see how you have been disturbing me for something as easy as this. So all I could speak for hours was tongues. I tried to switch to English, no show. All I could do was talk to Jesus, and devil had NO idea what we were saying to each other. I’m sure he was so mad. Who cares? For we are in this world but not of this world. So the prince of the world, Lucifer has no hold over me. One of my friends said this is a God of extremities. You do not want to know all I did in that room. For those who do not understand call it foolishness.

I did not get back to school till like 7pm and I immediately fell on my bed and fell asleep for 2 hours. When I woke up I was a bit scared. You know when you get into God’s presence you never want to leave so the rest of the World won’t taint you. But I opened my mouth and there it was. It’s like your mum buys you this bag you’ve always wanted and you go to bed. When you wake up you are still worrying, wondering if it suddenly walked back to the store and was sold to someone else. Impossible right? Well that’s the same thing with God. As if to solidify this point in my mind, my devotional for that day said whenever we feel He is far away, it is only an illusion. It’s either that we have turned our backs on Him through sin or put worry in front of our eyes and blocked out the fact that He is still there, right where He said He would be.

So I’m not worried. If I open my mouth and I pray in the language of men, so be it. My commission is not about what I can and cannot speak. I want to decrease as God increases in and through me and God forbid that my love and admiration of the gift blocks out the One who gives such gifts.

I’m not saying everything will be rosy and cherry from here on, but He that is in me is greater than he that is in the World. I have someone greater to fight my battles, that’s all I need to know.

If you read this to the end, my prayer for you is that your spirit remains troubled until you see the face of the one who created you. Until you feel His presence like nothing else, may you always search for Him. For w Him there’s no looking back!

This is Edia Uko's Testimony, written April 26th 2009.

God bless you sister!

He knows my name!

A wonderful testimony from Ceejay in Baltimore, MD...

I had lived most of my life in religion…it was like a ritual to go 2 church every Sunday. Even at that, we (‘we’ means ‘I and my nuclear family’) always came late …like the church was the pastor’s and we were doing him a favor by attempting to come. We also had morning prayers at home every day, and the prayer was like a pattern – I pretty much learned about prayer as a means of getting God to do stuff for you, you know? When I got to high school in 1999, it didn’t help me that much, because I didn’t know God personally; just thru the patterns of prayer I had learned at home. I attended the schools services though, and most of my friends were from Christian homes as well, so that created a blanket of ‘self-styled goodness’, which prevented me from doing things that every normal high school kid would.
In 2004, June 22nd, or a Sunday around that date, an alumnus of the high school I was attending was the guest speaker for the school’s service. He talked on the Holy Spirit, and explained how he gives us the power to speak in tongues. Before then, I had heard my Mum speak in tongues occasionally around the house. I didn’t know what it was she was saying, and it sounded like some variation of a Dead Sea language to me. But she didn’t speak it very often. When this alumnus (his name is Ovie Onokpachere – can’t forget the name because of what happened next) finished talking, he asked us to begin praying, and told us that as many of us that wanted to receive the Holy Spirit could do so at that moment and start speaking in tongues. Since I had heard it before from my Mom, I knew it was possible for someone to speak in tongues and I desired to commune in the language as well. As we worshipped, I just started saying some strange things…had no clue whatsoever what I said. But yet, I knew I was praying – in a way I had never prayed before. Surprisingly, there were only 2 people that spoke in tongues that day. Much, much later on, I came to realize that receiving the Holy Spirit does not automatically ‘shoot’ tongues from one’s mouth; it could happen as soon as the person received the Holy Spirit, or could happen sometime else. Then I also realized that I had received the Holy Spirit long before that event – maybe 1 or 2 years before, and HE was the reason I couldn’t do what everyone else was doing, not my ‘safe haven of Christian friends.’ Unfortunately, after that experience, I did not maintain the habit, and it sort of ‘died down.’ The fact that we did not speak in tongues during the family morning prayers did not help either.
On a nice sunny Sunday at church in July 2005, during the worship session, I ‘got lost’ in worship as I praised God in English. Then, something else happened. As I closed my eyes, I began seeing words that were written out – like they were written on my heart or a tablestone or something…most were written with letters from the English alphabet and I did not know what they were, but they were definitely not in the English language. I tried pronouncing them, and as I did, they would be replaced by new, different words, and I would try pronouncing those as well. I continued doing that throughout the time for worship, before I finally realized that I was speaking in tongues! Wow! It felt so good too! I just started thanking God and praising him for restoring what I thought I had lost (though we know now that the gifts of God are without repentance). And, during the coming weeks, I learnt in the church that God speaks to everyone, and we should take time out to listen, and that He loves us. So one fateful day, after the family morning prayer, I tried it – I stayed behind and just bowed my head to listen. I know the first words I heard were, “Chijioke, I love you. I will bless you like no other” and several variations of it. I suddenly felt basked in the Father’s love (though I didn’t know what it was called then), like layers upon layers of a thick warm blanket were placed over me, yet I felt co comfy. Finally! This God I’ve heard so much about speaks! And he knows my name! And he likes me!!!
I felt on top of the sky throughout that day, skipping everywhere and dancing to made-up tunes. As I was going to bed that night, I remember the last thing I said was “Good night Lord”….then I heard clearly, “Good night son.” I was his son! It felt different hearing it from him that from others. The next day, I awoke with a ‘Good morning Lord’, and suddenly all the blanket layers were back. And then I went: “So, what should I wear today?” And He went “Put this shirt on, and match it with this pair of pants and do this and that.” By the time He was done grooming me, I was astonished at myself. Ever since then, I’ve had impeccable dressing sense – He taught me what I know about fashion today. Ain’t it cool?
It got even better. As we communed, He would point me to a verse, and would explain it to me. Then he would tell me some stuff about some people, so I could pray for them. During this period, my desire for reading the bible became like…the closest thing I can describe it to is the same hunger with which a vampire desires blood (apologies for the description) but the Holy Spirit is his Word. Naturally, as we spent more time together, I desired more of his word…like I needed to catch up on something. I read copious amounts of the bible per day…and whatever I found interesting, I underlined, or wrote down. And later on, as I went back, and studied, he taught me. Once (very late at night), I asked him a question on a quite puzzling scripture, where it says “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” I asked him, ‘Why? It is strange, and not supposed to be so. Why did Jesus say that?’ Before I knew it, I had written seven pages on the subject. WOW!
And you know what? All that happened BEFORE I came into Christ Embassy as a member, although I was an ‘outside spectator” for a while. And with the amount of knowledge on the Holy Spirit that Pastor Chris has dealt us with, can you imagine where I am now? St. Burnivine, ‘This Goke Boy Sef’ and Abimbola E. can testify, not so? LOL.
I want to sincerely thank the Holy Spirit for what He has made me, and also for reminding me of parts of this story I had forgotten…I had to edit some parts where he reminded me that what I wrote was partially inaccurate…He’s so cool! He loves me, and if you are out there reading this, He loves you too. He’s right next to you, always waiting to hear, ever ready to help and answer – because He loves you for you, like no other person can ever or will ever love you. Why don’t you speak to Him now? It’s as easy as you think it is, and that shouldn’t discourage you because you think you have to deserve any kind of love you get. He just loves you, and that’s it! Talk to him now; He’s waiting….

All His Promises are Yes and Amen!

For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.

(2 Corinthians 1:20)Amplified Bible

Sometime last year, I woke up to the sweet, unimagined whisper of Acts 1:8:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

If I had ever desired the Baptism of the Holy Ghost before, after this, the desire intensified. I waited and hoped every time I prayed that this would be the time of the "mighty rushing wind and cloven tongues of fire" like it was in Acts 2. When it didn't come, I would think, "maybe next time" or "maybe it'll come when I'm not expecting it". I smile as I look back; if only I had known to receive the Baptism by faith.

One of my friends had received the Holy Ghost Baptism and spoke in tongues. She kept encouraging me, telling me that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost was a gift - a free gift (it can't get freer than that!)- from God to all His children. I knew the Bible said so but I still didn't understand. When people would pray for me to receive the Holy Spirit, after praying, they would say something along the lines of: "Just speak" and in my mind, I would go, "I want to speak but speak what?!"

After a while I stopped seeking. I felt when God was ready, He would give it to me. I wish I had known that God had been ready ever since that Tuesday night, almost two years ago, I asked Him into my heart.

A few months short of a year since I heard the promise, I was on holiday in Baltimore with my cousin. My steps are truly ordered because when I decided to go to Baltimore, I did not know I was going to meet the most crazy-for-Jesus, on-fire-for-the-HolyGhost young men, I had ever met. I had fun in Baltimore! I never knew sharing God's word and praying till your eyes were red from crying could be fun but it was! (Note to reader: I had "regular fun" in Baltimore as well!).

These brethren (shout out to my BLW loves! God bless you!!) have such a knowledge of the Word of God and have close relationships with the Holy Spirit I have never really witnessed before in young people. I learned so much during my three weeks there. They made me feel right at home and I fitted in with perfectly with them. The only difference I can think of between them and me was that I was the only "English-talker" at prayers. All of them had received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. They never made me feel like less of a Christian though (Speaking in tongues doesn't make you any more Christian than another believer who doesn't speak in tongues). Through them, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the benefits of speaking in tongues (I suggest you read 1st Corinthians 14 and Romans 8, especially from verses 20 -28).

My faith grew as I realized that the gift of tongues was for and beneficial to every Christian. I asked them to pray for me and they did. Like with previous attempts, I didn't notice anything. One of them- the one who had laid hands on me- said the Holy Spirit said He had already filled me. Though I had known this and had believed this for a while, I still couldn't understand why I wasn't speaking in tongues. I guess I was still waiting for the mighty rushing wind. Don't get me wrong, it is very possible to have a 'mighty rushing wind' type Baptism of the Holy Spirit but sometimes it may come as a whisper in your spirit or even in another way.

I continued waiting and building up my faith through the Word of God. In another meeting, another person laid hands on me and told me to speak. I waited, hoping for a voice to rise up within me. I heard nothing. In my heart, I was somewhat disappointed. I had thought this was the night!

These wonderful people of God encouraged me to take a step of faith. Quiet, I nodded in agreement though I was not really sure what this step of faith required.

The next day, 21st January 2010, was when I took the step of faith. I don't recall how exactly I took the step of faith but I remember we had been interceding for Haiti and for other places God has brought to our attention. That night, I felt the deep concern God has for his people. It was in this place I took a step of faith and one word in a heavenly tongue was all the Holy Spirit used to seal it in my heart that I was officially a tongue-talker!

That step of faith is necessary because though the Holy Spirit gives us utterance, we are the ones to speak (Acts 2:4).

Of course doubts came but I had a conviction in my heart and I chose to hold on to it.

It's been six days and I'm proud to say that I'm a tongue-speaking, fire-spitting, demon-casting, sickness-healing, Spirit-filled child of God through the Power of the Holy Spirit that works in me!

I'm Christian because God is good to me and has given me the gift of His Holy Spirit!

For more scriptures on speaking in tongues, see Acts 19:1-7, Acts 2:1-4, Mark 16:17.

Incase anyone is not clear about it, 'Holy Ghost' and 'Holy Spirit' refer to the same person: my Boss.

Jesus loves you and so do I,

✝Child of Promise♥

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

(Hebrews 10:23)