He's never too far away!

“And, behold, I send the promise of my father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” [Luke 24:49]

Grew up a Pastor’s son and that helped a lot; but, until you experience God for yourself beyond “what I heard”, nothing has really begun. But, then came a book that revolutionized my walk with God. All the epiphany I needed to begin an experiential walk with God was unveiled through a book I came in contact with titled ‘Good Morning HolySpirit’.

On the day that I now write of, most of my high school confederates had gone home for a holiday - hardly remember what it was about. At this point, my schoolboy fascination with holidays had waned; my interests dwelled more in the control I thought I had over my life while I was in boarding school. Anyway, back to the day [more like a night it was since, once again, I hardly remember the day part of it] in itself.

I sat there in the large assembly hall all by myself with a book in my hand – one I didn’t want to finish and yet I couldn’t wait to consume entirely. I read, probably for hours, intently. With all my attention focused on that one book, the thought ran through my mind – this just has to be true. With tears in my eyes, a heart pounding in my chest, and my knees knocking together, I read the experiences of the healing minister, Benny Hinn, with the HolyGhost in the earlier parts of his life. He shared the understanding of God’s word, color, beauty, and substance introduced by this precious third person of the Godhead into his life. There was only one True reason why I believed all he wrote, and it was because of the witness. That same HolySpirit now stood there with me, telling me “yes, it is all true…and you too can know me the same way.”

Prior to this day, I had begun nurturing an interest in “something more”. I was never what many considered a bad guy – yet, I wasn’t righteous by their standards either. I had religion – so much of it that I got sick of it. And, by religion, I mean the routine of church, prayer, bible reading, and more of the stuff you may already know. For weeks before the day, I had pondered on the person of the HolySpirit. I took interest in the lives of those who lived the supernatural around me like Rev. Chris Oyakhilome. It may be important to know that, at that time, I had no idea I would ever be in Christ Embassy [presided over by Rev. Chris]. Erstwhile, a couple of alumni of my school had come to our school fellowship and spoken highly about the person, character, and power of the HolyGhost. I knew I had to have it; well, then I thought I was dealing with an “it”. Little did I know!

By the time I was done reading “Good Morning, HolySpirit”, the presence of the HolyGhost had so overwhelmed me. I had come to know that He is more than an “it”. I discovered He’s a rational being co-equal with God. That He is, in fact, the person of the Godhead that brings the Word of God to pass. Though I received the HolySpirit that same night, I did not know it till weeks after this experience. But, one thing was sure that night; I had received life. I didn’t mind telling everyone that I saw. I ran to where a dear friend was doing some laundry to explain my experience, and I am glad till this day that we ran from there together for the HolyGhost! There began my series of fortunate events.

-- St. Burnish

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.

Victory Sheets are here!!

Dear Overcomers,

God is wonderful!! The first 'I'm Christian because' Victory sheets are out!!

What is a Victory sheet?

A Victory sheet is our official physical testimony spreader. It's a publication, much like a flyer, on which someone's salvation testimony is featured. It's a single sheet (at least for now) that has a testimony in front and the gospel and a prayer to come to salvation behind. It's a way to share testimonies with people and also share the gospel with them.

It's also a declaration of your status as overcomers; hence the name, Victory sheet!

Feel free to print copies and share them with those around you. The publication is attached (the front and back pages appear as single documents. You can decide to print them on the same sheet or as separate pages)

Remember that you have overcome the devil by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimonies. (Revelation 12:11)

Stay victorious,

Child of Promise

February 10 2010

January Edition

God's Word will not return to Him void!

My name is Diana De La Rosa and I am currently a Christian because God pulled me out of the most horrible lifestyle anyone could live in. As a child, my parents were night club owners in Miami, FL. They made a lot of money and to the world everything seemed to be going perfect in their lives, but that couldn’t be more far from the truth. During that time, although we seemed to be the most prosperous family, in reality, at home, my parents and siblings fought like cats and dogs. There was no peace in my household because it was divided. By the year 2002, my parents had to sell the night club we owned and as a result of all the money we lost and the terrible times we were facing, my parents got a divorce. Coping with my parents separation was difficult for me and although I was a good student and generally a good kid, I felt a lack of purpose, an emptiness inside me that needed to be filled.

When I was 14 years old, on a Sunday morning in the summer, I turned on my television and started flipping through the channels when I suddenly found myself watching the Trinity Broadcasting Network, a Christian television station. On the station, a Pastor by the name of Dr. James Kennedy from Coral Ridge Ministries was asking if anyone wanted to receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. At the time I only knew God from what I had been told, but felt a desperate need to get to know Him for myself. So I prayed the sinner’s prayer as the Pastor recited it and when I was through, I turned off the TV and fell on my knees and said, “God if you are real, all I ask is that my parents get remarried.” Instantly, I heard a voice say to me “Diana get up!” There was no one in my house at the time so I knew God was speaking to me and He directed me to do the following: “Go to your mother’s room and find the first wedding ring your father gave her (my parents had been together for about 32 years before they separated and had had previous marriage engagements).” When I found the ring, God directed me to put on the finger that best fit, and I placed on my left thumb. He, then, said, “You will wear this ring until the day that your parents get remarried, and when they do, give the ring back as a sign that I am your God and that I fulfilled this promise to you.”

As I served the Lord and continued to get to know God it took 5 years before I saw my miracle, but in 2008, my parents got remarried and I was able to give the ring back as a sign that God does answer the desires of our hearts. Ever since, my parents and most of my family have also come to the Lord and are now currently serving God in different ministries in my church back in Miami. In conclusion, God saved my family from utter destruction and saved me from complete despair and just as He saved me and brought me to His feet, he could do it with you.

So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.(Isaiah 55:11)

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!

A good girl

I was a good girl. At least, by many people's standards I was. I was born into a Christian home and grew up in Church. Growing up, 'God', 'Bible' and 'prayer' were not strange words to me. I was an active child in Sunday School. I always enjoyed being in plays and presentations at church especially when I was the 'star'. Bible recitations were probably one of my favorite activities. I was a smart child (still am, Thank God!) and for my age, was very good at memorizing Bible verses. Bible recitations were the best avenues to "wow" the mummies and daddies. Looking back, I probably did not have any ulterior motive for participating in those presentations but I must have enjoyed the attention.

I was a good girl. I did the right things, got the right grades and made friends, for the most part, with the right people. My life was pretty good. And then came those years when your mind tricks you into believing you're old enough to run your life. The rebellion kicked in slowly. It started with minor grievances with my parents -most of which I did not really voice out because if I did, I might have been rude. Now that would have been bad, you see, I was a good girl. Then it escalated to angry words and hot tears burning with anger over something they did or did not do- like not letting me wear the clothes I wanted. The anger continued to grow and would often invite loneliness and sadness. Together, they would have a feast on my insides, leaving me hollow and empty. Still, I was a good girl. I was able to whip out my dimples on many occasions, masking the sadness within. I pulled off the facade really nicely but one person was not deceived - my mum.

I was a good girl; everyone but my mum knew that. She saw right through me, like a good mother would. She tried to talk but I shut her off emotionally. She was the one with the wrong perspective and the restrictive views about who she wanted me to be. Though I was adamant, she refused to let me go. How could she? Her daughter was a very good girl going to a very real hell. Luckily, this good girl's mother was a praying woman. With tears in my eyes, I can imagine my mum on her knees, crying to God to save her daughter. I can imagine her going to weep before God, every time we had a hurtful conversation. I knew I was hurting her but I was not sorry. Why should I have been? I was a good girl.

Good but empty, I depended on compliments and people's opinions about me to keep me happy. I sought companionship and was happy when I found it. I loved my friends a lot (I still do). I may not have known it, but I was looking for love - not the "butterfly-in-your-tummy" kind that ends but the deep, long-lasting one that never fails. Yet, in my quest for love, I turned away from the only One who could ever love me the way I needed - God. But this good girl had a praying mother. For a long time, I was satisfied with mediocre love - the kind that fades with time. I was like Prophet Hosea's prostitute-wife (Hosea 1-3), running away from my True Love.

On the 15th of July, 2008, this good girl finally went for the real thing. That night, on the floor in my room, I allowed the Lover of my soul, Jesus, to love me. I accepted His love and asked Him to come into my heart. He did!

Today, this good girl isn't just good anymore. She's righteous by reason of Jesus' blood! Goodness without Christ won't get you anywhere. Allow him to love you today. Accept Jesus into your heart. Ask Him to cleanse you with His blood and make you free and whole. Don't wait till you feel you are lovable - that day will never come! Accept His grace today. He loves you just as you are. He loves you so much!

This righteous girl is Christian because she has found True Love in her Savior, Jesus!

I leave you with this verse from the song, How He Love Us by Kim Walker

He is jealous for me

Love's like a hurricane,

I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of

His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me

I Love you, child

I have empowered you. Never doubt that.

I will be with you always. I have promised and I am faithful.

Walk before me; walk with me and I will make you fishers of men.

I love you and I died for you.

I died for you so you could be made whole. You are whole.

I love you, child.

I always did and always will.

You are the apple of my eyes.

My love for you runs deep, deeper than the deepest ocean

and wider than the seas.

I love you, child.

I love you.

I paid a price for you no one can ever pay.

My love for you runs deep. Never doubt it!

It never fails. Never doubt it!

Jesus loves you. Never doubt it!