MUSIC: ANOTHER EDUCATION UNFOLDED (PSALMS 100)

The mystery behind music still stands unknown to many, the fulfilling power it wields and the many keys it possessed is still something that is yet to be unraveled.
 

Music means any fine tune that can be produced by anything abstract or non-abstract. Abstract ones can be the howling of wind, the soft tune made by gentle breezes and so on, while the non-abstract are musical instruments, human voice, singing birds etc. Having known what music is, we would have to know about its power.
 

First and foremost, we have to know that our God loves good music. It as it is our duty that saints after death will continue to praise God in the splendour of His glory. Also, he made angels so that they praise Him. He (God) uses music (I mean good music) to win wars for the Israelites.
 

Music is also known for its soothing and healing power. In 1 Samuel 16, the spirit of the Lord left Saul and he was possessed by an evil spirit, it was with the power in the good music that David made that soothed and healed him all those times. Several testimonies have been made in this contemporary period about many people being inspired by the power of music.
 

But lo and behold, the music that we know to possess this great power is nothing to write home about our environment today. Bad music is being sought after by both the young and the old. Our call as Christian is to learn Godly music, know it the core, and then use it to bring back our brethren that have gone lost.
 

Now, using America as a case study, it is discovered that there is no way an average American citizen won’t know about an instrument, and why is that? It is simply because right from a period in their childhood age, when they assimilate every possible teaching being passed across to them (precisely age 3), they would be made to learn an instrument but that is not the case here in our society because even most parents do not see any usefulness as to what music is.
 

It is also so devastating that our Baptist Churches are doing nothing to keep music alive, so it is a clarion call to our pastors to please encourage learning music and using it to serve God in our churches. Music is another reason many Baptist members are leaving for greener pasture in terms of music.
 

Another bad turn on the side of music in our churches is that people that are not supposed to be seen playing instruments in the church are the ones that are handling it because the responsible youth who should be there do not know anything about those instruments.
 

One day at a wedding programme where our choir was to minister, we started the programme well with some instrumentalists we can get, but at the time meant for thanksgiving, a drummer was called to come and play (only God knows who), because we have our drummer and he was already playing. Suddenly, he was asked to stand up so that the new guy could replace him. Many of us did not agree, but we had little to say in the matter. The guy started playing and just before the end of thanksgiving, he spoiled the bass drum and ran away. It was then someone came and told us that he had smoked Indian hemp before coming to playing in the church. This kind of occurred because he was deemed fit to play than our other drummer because we did not have many.
 

So right now, I am urging us to rise and take what is ours. There are many instruments you can learn that will make you useful in God’s vineyard. Learn something today, and when you do, use it for God alone and not for selfish reason. Rise up brethren and let us beat the devil’s music down. And remember Christ loves music. SHALOM!

Alagbe Faith I.

08163855258

25 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

School may have been – or still be – boring, a killer of creativity or downright awful for you. But education is still important because it opens the mind and expands it. And if your years in school were bad or boring you can still educate yourself now. Anyways, here’s some wisdom and inspiration from the people who have walked before us.

Know thyself

- Socrates

One of the greatest tragedies in the life of a man is to be found not yet prepared during the divine searching,

- Anonymous

Champions are not born, but they are groomed, raised and made through a process and journey that requires focus, great sacrifices and commitments.

- Anonymous

The difference that is seen in the life of a man chosen by God is brought about by the anointing of God.

- Anonymous 

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.

- Epictetus

Have you ever been at sea in a dense fog, when it seemed as if a tangible white darkness shut you in and the great ship, tense and anxious, groped her way toward the shore with plummet and sounding-line, and you waited with beating heart for something to happen? I was like that ship before my education began, only I was without compass or sounding line, and no way of knowing how near the harbor was. “Light! Give me light!” was the wordless cry of my soul, and the light of love shone on me in that very hour.

- Helen Keller

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.

- Abraham Maslow

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.

- Clay P. Bedford

Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism.

- David M. Burns

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.

- Henry B Adams

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.

- Mark Twain

The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.

- Gloria Steinem

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.

- James Baldwin

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

- Will Durant

The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.

- Tom Bodett

Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.

- Chinese proverb

If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.

- Jim Rohn

People learn something every day, and a lot of times it’s that what they learned the day before was wrong.

- Bill Vaughan

Education cost money, but then so does ignorance.

- Claus Moser

What sculpture is to a block of marble education is to the human soul.

- Joseph Addison

Education makes a people easy to lead but difficult to drive: easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.

- Peter Brougham

Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.

- Plato

It is in fact a part of the function of education to help us escape, not from our own time — for we are bound by that — but from the intellectual and emotional limitations of our time.

- T.S. Eliot

If people did not do silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done.

Ludwig Wittgenstein

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.

B.B. King

MY PRIDE IS THE CROSS OF JESUS

The cross of Jesus

May I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died. (Galatians 6:14 NLT)

You can have Christian law just as much as you can have Mosaic law; you can be in bondage in Christianity just as much as men were in Judaism. Christianity can be made into an imposed system just as much as Mosaic law was, and there are many Christians today who live under the fear of the "Thou shalt" and the "Thou shalt not" of a legalistic conception of the Christian life. You can take the Bible as God's standard for your life and try to fulfill it and yet still be burdened with a sense of constant failure. It is God's standard, and it is a very exhaustive one which leaves no part of the practical life untouched, but those who make the effort to try to live up to it only end in disillusion. No, it is not just a matter of a Book but of a Person, the Person who did live up to that standard, absolutely fulfilling every least demand with the most perfect success, so satisfying God to the full. By His death He has delivered us from the bondage of legal demands. This same Person now lives in us by His Holy Spirit, seeking to work out that perfect will of God not on the basis of some binding instructions from without but as a living force within. We have the law written in our hearts. To be in Christ is a matter of Life and not of legalism.

Christ, and Christ crucified, is the power of God to bring deliverance from sin, from the flesh, from the law and from the world. "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14). Paul was not glorying that he could enjoy so much of the world and yet have a clear conscience, but was enthusiastic about having been delivered from the world. For believers the only possible way of staying in this world is to know that they no longer belong to it.


By T. Austin-Sparks from: Christ the Power of God

YOU ARE NO MORE LIVING FOR YOURSELF BUT...

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)

Christ is not a second personality or power, to come along to reinforce us, to vivify us, to strengthen us, for us to use in life and in service, and that He should make us something. That is not the thought, and that is not the angle of Scripture at all. And yet, how almost universally, perhaps largely unconsciously, that is what is happening. Christians are wanting to be made something, even as Christians; and Christian workers and the Lord's servants are, though perhaps unwittingly, wanting to be made something as workers; and they want Christ to reinforce them, come behind them, and make them something as His servants and in His service. That whole system of things is diametrically opposed to the truth. The truth is that Christ shall be All, and that we decrease that He may increase; that He should be the primary Personality, and that the impact and registration of any life and any service should not be: "What a good man he was!" or "What a good woman she is!" or "What a fine worker!" but: "What a presence of Christ! What a testimony to Christ! What an expression of Christ! What a sense of Christ! What a reality of Christ!"

Are our hearts set upon God having that which is wholly of Himself? That means "I" crucified! No longer I, but Christ! And that means that Christ in us is the basis of our conformity to His image, until we partake with Him of His own nature – pure gold. It is something to face seriously before Him. It brings to us a challenge, but surely it also brings to us a glorious possibility! What Christ is can be made good in us!

Adapted from Austin-Sparks.net

TOP 100 BIBLE VERSE

Inspirational and Encouraging Bible Verses. Favorite, Inspirational, Motivational, Uplifting, Comforting, Encouraging, Reassuring Bible Verses, Quotes, Scriptures, Quotations, Passages, Readings, Words, Sayings. Best, Top & Popular List of Bible Verses. Famous, Popular, Common, Uncommon and Unusual Bible Verses. Nice, Great, Inspiring Verses To Memorize & Reflect. Bible Verses You Should Know.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “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 your paths.” (NKJV)

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (KJV)

Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

1 Corinthians 13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV)

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (NASB)

Isaiah 50:10 “Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His servant, That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” (NASB)

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (KJV)

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Psalms 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:38 – 39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV)

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalm 119:9-11 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (NIV)

Habakkuk 3:19 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (NIV)

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Psalm 37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

John 14:19 “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” (ESV)

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV)

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 Corintians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (The Lord’s Prayer)

Isaiah 43:1-3 Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God.

Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Romans 5:3–5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope; And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:6 -7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Matthew 11:28–30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Philippians 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

Revelation 19:9 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Psalms 88:2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Matthew 24:34-35 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass.

Luke 10:19 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.

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. .

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Psalm 145:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

2 Samuel 23:5 Yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

Psalm 117:1 & 2 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Acts 2:38 Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with thy might. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Philippians 3:13 “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 5:6,7 “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

1 John 4:20 If a man say, “I love God,” and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

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

Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Philippians 4:4-8 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (KJV)

Isaiah 43:18-19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  (NIV)

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 22:21 The grace of Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (NASB)

HE REIGNS OVER ALL

"The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice."
Psalm 97:1

Causes for disquietude there are none so long as this blessed sentence is true. On earth the Lord's power as readily controls the rage of the wicked as the rage of the sea; His love as easily refreshes the poor with mercy as the earth with showers. Majesty gleams in flashes of fire amid the tempest's horrors, and the glory of the Lord is seen in its grandeur in the fall of empires, and the crash of thrones. In all our conflicts and tribulations, we may behold the hand of the divine King.

"God is God; He sees and hears
All our troubles, all our tears.
Soul, forget not, 'mid thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns."

In hell, evil spirits own, with misery, His undoubted supremacy. When permitted to roam abroad, it is with a chain at their heel; the bit is in the mouth of behemoth, and the hook in the jaws of leviathan. Death's darts are under the Lord's lock, and the grave's prisons have divine power as their warder. The terrible vengeance of the Judge of all the earth makes fiends cower down and tremble, even as dogs in the kennel fear the hunter's whip.

"Fear not death, nor Satan's thrusts,
God defends who in Him trusts;
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns."

In heaven none doubt the sovereignty of the King Eternal, but all fall on their faces to do Him homage. Angels are His courtiers, the redeemed His favourites, and all delight to serve Him day and night. May we soon reach the city of the great King!

"For this life's long night of sadness
He will give us peace and gladness.
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns."

THE PALM, GOD AND A NATION (NIGERIA)

THE PALM, GOD AND A NATION (NIGERIA)

This is a story of the Palm tree, God and a nation. When God created the Palm tree, He saw it was very good. And He was very pleased with it. However the Palm tree thought otherwise and decided to let God know about how he felt. The Palm tree didn’t like the way God created him so he went complaining to God and vented out his feelings. This is the conversation they had;
The Palm tree started by saying: “Dear God, why do I have as many as 2,600 species? It’s hilarious and ludicrous! Why can’t I just be one of a kind, just one type of me? And how come you made me so gigantic and grotesque? Other trees laugh at the way I stand shoulders above them with my bare and not so good-looking trunk.  My evergreen or immortal leaves are not like the leaves of other trees that have different shades in different seasons. Why? God why did you make me so different from them? Why do they despise me so? They are always looking for ways of making me look bad and they constantly say dissenting things about me. I hate the way I look! I also don’t like the way I bend and sway with every wind that blows my way. Why for heaven’s sake did you make me so unattractive?”
God didn’t reply immediately. He said nothing for about five minutes but it seemed like forever to the Palm tree. When God finally spoke He said “My dear Palm tree you are asking me the wrong questions.”
“So what kind of questions should I be asking?” said the Palm tree in a furious and frustrated tone.
“What is my assignment to be? What is the purpose for which you created me? How am I to fulfill my destiny on earth? These are the questions you should be asking Me.” said God.
“OK, God please would you be so kind as to answer those questions? I’d really love to hear what you have to say.” said the Palm tree with an attitude.
And this is what God said “There is a nation that I have created that I will one day direct to use you as a similitude for its existence.  In fact you already sound like them with your complaints. I love variety that’s why you have many species – over 2,600 in number. Like you, the nation in question also has many ethnic groups, over 300 in number and many languages, over 400 in number. They are one of the most fascinating, enthralling, jollification loving and exciting people you’ll ever meet. There is never a dull moment in this nation! And I mean NEVER!  I want the citizens of this nation to understand that I made them a nation of nations. And it is in their diversity that they will discover their strengths.” Your evergreen leaves speak of your exuberance, buoyancy and vivacity.”
Like you, the citizens of this nation are energetic, warm and friendly. They are full of life and sturdiness. It is an engaging society! I made them to be one of the most optimistic and happiest people in the world. I equipped them with a great sense of humour to help them deal with the numerous challenges that come their way. And funny enough they think it’s a problem.”
Do you know why you bend and sway as the winds blow your way? I made you strong, hardy, and elastic, that’s why when the winds blow you bend and sway without breaking unlike some other trees. The winds have made you strong and hardy. No matter the winds that may blow your way you won’t break under its pressure. Even the hurricane winds have been humbled by your resilience! Don’t you think that is something you should be proud of? Perhaps you didn’t know, you were designed in such a way that you will flourish in all kinds of adverse conditions.” Like you, the people of this nation are tough, resilient, resourceful, and creative. They are tough minded, they have the never-say-die attitude. And nothing can ever break their indomitable spirit. They have successfully humbled problems, challenges, crisis, chaos and confusion by their resilience! In challenging and adverse conditions they don’t crack under pressure. This nation always finds a way to bounce back from the oblique. It is a comeback nation!” I didn’t make you unattractive and ugly, it is a figment of your imagination! I made you tall, stately and elegant, with an exotic and striking appearance.  I created you to be the image of vacations and the stereotypical tropical island paradise. You may not have realized it but I made you one of a kind that why you are the Prince of the Plant Kingdom. I made you beautiful!” Like you, this nation has exotic tourist attractions begging to be discovered. And once developed they will end up becoming some of the world’s greatest tourist attractions. Like you, this nation will stand tall like a giant shoulder above every other nation of the world.” I made you special really special. You are useful and fruitful. You are the most useful plant in the universe. You are of great economic importance to many people. Your fruit is eaten daily by millions around the world especially the Arabs. Every part of you is useful. Over 300 products can be made from you. Isn’t that awesome!  That is why you are the envy of other trees. I created you to be a WONDER tree.” Like you, I have blessed this nation with abundant mineral and human resources. Every state in this nation has at least one mineral resource. Its human capital is highly resourceful. It is absolutely INCREDIBLE! I have blessed them with an abundance of CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE that will help them build the WONDER of WONDERS! They will use their creativity to give the world powerful breakthrough ideas and products that will innovatively solve problems for many people in different countries in the global village.
You are a religious tree. Do you realize that you are mentioned over 20 times each in the Quran and the Bible? I know the nation in question will love that about you. The men and women of this nation will be able to identify with you in this area,” Like you, this nation’s citizens are extremely religious. There is a church or a mosque in almost every street corner. At one time they are named the most religious people in the world?” I made you an oil producing tree.” Like you, this nation is an oil producing nation. Its oil represents a flow of abundance of blessings I will bring their way which every citizen of this nation will soon enjoy. Like you, this nation is also a figure of HOPE to many developing nations.
When I think of you I think of this nation. And when I think of this nation I think of you. Isn’t that revealing?” Your purpose on planet earth is to be a emblem of HOPE to the citizens of this nation. They are almost giving up hope.” Like you, they complain about their nation nonstop. I want them to see what I see in them. I want them to focus on their strengths and not on their weakness.  I want them to use what I have given them to build THE 8TH WONDER in their nation!”
After a long period of silence and thoughtful reflection, the Palm tree found ‘his’ voice and ‘he’ asked God, “What is the name of this nation?” “I am referring to that great nation, NIGERIA! And the interesting thing is that they don’t even seem to know what I have installed for them. My desire is for them to unleash their GREATNESS and enter their PROMISEDLAND. I want Nigerians to use you as a reference point for focusing on their STRENGTHS, ASSETS, and the GOOD THINGS about themselves. They must build on their strengths, that’s how great nations are built.
Please tell them all these things that I have told you.” In a sober voice the Palm tree said to God “I am so sorry for complaining and my bad attitude. Please forgive me. And thank you for unveiling to me my life purpose. I want you to know that I have a better appreciation for my creation and I appreciate it. You want Nigeria to flourish just like me – the Palm tree. I just thought of three slogans that I think will work for a campaign for a GREAT NEW NIGERIA. The slogans are ‘Nigeria is flourishing like a Palm tree.’ ‘Nigerians are flourishing like a Palm tree.’ ‘Think NIGERIA, think PALM TREE!’ God said “The slogans sound great. So, now that you know your purpose get on with the job and let Nigerians know so that they can see themselves and their situation differently! I’ve got work for them to do. I have given them the assignment of building THE 8TH WONDER of the world, first in Nigeria, then in other African nations and Third world countries. And they can only do it with this new perception of themselves. Please tell them to GO, BUILD and WOW the world!” And the Palm tree replied “Thanks God, I’m already running with the vision. I’ll be back daily to get ideas from you on how to help build NIGERIA into THE 8TH WONDER of the world! Thanks again! See you later. YOU’RE THE GREATEST!”
Note: Everywhere you see “this nation” replace it with NIGERIA. Does it motivate you? Does it inspire you? Does it make you feel proud? Does it give you hope? Does it make you believe in a GREAT NEW NIGERIA? Do you feel like running with it? I sure hope so! NOW GET TO WORK, BUILD the NEW AND GREAT NIGERIA of our DREAMS! A NATION OF EMULATION!
With reference from an article
   AJAMU, Gabriel Ifeoluwa

HELL IS REAL!

Hell is real, I went there!

(This testimony is of a 15 year old girl who was raised in a Christian home. She later backslid in her walk, found herself overdosing on drugs, dying, and being sent to Hell.  Fortunately, she was given a second chance and mission to go back and warn the lost, backslidden, and lukewarm with an urgent message)

"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."

My name is Jennifer Perez and I'm 15 years old.  It's hard for a teenager like me to come to you and recognize my own mistakes.  But with the help of the Holy Spirit, He will help me, and give me the strength I need.  First of all I want to say that this is for the Honor and Glory of my Lord Jesus Christ.  I don't want to say any doctrine or make up any new doctrine, I'm only going to tell you what I saw, what I heard, and what I felt.

Nicky CruzI'd like to tell you a little bit about my family.  My parents are Christians, and they aways taught me good examples, and the way of the Lord.  I became a Christian 3 years ago, when I accepted the Lord with the brother Nicky Cruze.  I walked in the ways of the Lord for 2 years.  But when I started High School, I started getting rebellious and left the way of the Lord.  I was rebellious to my parents and I got into drugs.  My friends that taught me to do those things.

I thought I was a Christian, and that I would bring my friends to be Christians.  But instead, they brought me back out into the world.  I was being rebellious to my parents, and they thought it was just something teenagers go through.  But in fact, it was what the drugs made me do.  Evil spirits got into me, that was when I was being rebellious to them.  They were strict on me, they never let me go out anywhere, not even spend a night over at a friends house.  I always had to do everything sneaky or behind their back.  I would skip school.  I would hardly even go to school, just to keep my habit.  I was at the point of getting addicted, but the Lord took me out of all that.  Like I said, I was a Christian.

My testimony starts on May 2nd, 1997.  I had a friend, and we were only friends, nothing more, and he knew that.  I though I had gotten to know him, but in fact, I didn't really know who he was.  That night, he called me and asked if I could go out.  My parents weren't home.  They were at a prayer meeting, like every Friday.  I told them I wanted to stay home because I felt sick.  I was also mad at them because I had plans to go out that night with a different friend, but my parents didn't let me go.  So I asked to stay home, and they let me.  When they went to the Prayer meeting, my friend called me.  He said, "Why don't you go out, everybody else is going out?"  I thought to myself, "I don't want to be disobedient to my parents, but maybe if I sneak out, my parents would never know", so that's what I did.

That night when my parents got home, and they fell asleep.  I was all ready to sneak out so I called my friend and told him to wait for me at the corner of my street.  I told him not to pass by my house, because it might wake up my parents, and ruin everything.  So I put pillows under my blanket and climbed out of my window.  I live in a two story house, and all the windows of my house have screws in them.  But since my parents trusted me, my window didn't have any screws.  So I took advantage of my parents trust.  Since I live in a two story house, I jumped off the roof and I landed on the ground.  The Lord had everything planned, because I could have broken my leg, and that would have stopped everything the Lord had planned for me. 

I walked down the street, and my friend was already there.  But when I got in the car, I saw 3 guys and 1 other girl.  I though to myself, "I'm not going to do anything, yea, I'll get high, do drugs, drink".  But when there are 3 guys and 1 other girl, I feared they could take advantage of me.  But I got in the car, and we left.  Before, when I was talking to my friend on the phone, he said that we were just going to go cruzing around the town.  I said "OK that sounds like fun", that's why I went.  I never though he was going to take me to a motel.  That's were they took me.

When we got there, they dropped me off at a laundry service room, belonging to the motel.  They told us to wait there, they said that they were going to pick up another friend.  I said ok, but I guess they left to rent a room.   When they came back and picked us up, they took us to that room.  They said, "Don't worry, put your trust in us! We aren't going to do anything, we're just going to wait for our other friend to come, and then we'll all leave together".  So I put trust in my friends, I though they would never hurt me, but in fact I really didn't know who my friends were.

At first, we were just talking, so I said, "while we're waiting, why don't we get something to drink?"  So my friend and I left the room, and walked to this little restaurant in front of the motel.  We bought three Sprites and then walked back to the room.  They started pouring the Sprite into cups.  They didn't bring a bag or anything that looked suspicious, that would make me think they were going to put something in my drink, or do something to me.  It all looked innocent.

I went to the restroom to fix my hair and do girl things, and when I came out my cup was already served.  I put some gum in my mouth, strawberry, and I drank what I thought was my Sprite.  After this, I don't know what happened.

But when I could see, I felt my spirit come out of my body.  I was already at the hospital, I saw the doctors and nurses all around me.  When I was out of my body, I saw my body on the bed.  You know how you look at yourself in the mirror, you see a reflection.  But I didn't see a reflection of myself, I saw my body there on the bed.  When I turned around, there were 2 men dressed in red, "come our way" and they grabbed me, one at each arm.

They took me to a place, and when I looked to see where I was, it was heaven!  The first thing that I saw was a great big wall.  It was white and stretched out so far that it didn't have any end.  In the middle of the wall was a door, a long door, but it was closed.

In the Old Testament, Moses speaks of the tabernacle and describes its features.  And I remembered this, and I saw that the wall looked like it.  Right besides the door, there was a large chair, and there was a smaller chair on the right side.  And they looked like they were made out of gold.  On my right side, there was a large black door, it was so dark around, but I knew it was a door becaue of the knob.  It was an ugly door.  But on my left side there was a paradise, there were trees, a crystal clear water fall, grass.  It was such a peaceful place, but there was nobody there.

I looked and I saw the Father in front of me, I couldn't see His face, because His glory, it was so big, so bright, it shined and lit up all heaven.  His glory made everything bright.  There was no sun, no moon, no stars, He was the light.  I did see His body, and his body was with the Son, they were one inside each other, they were together, you could see the separation of them, but they were one inside the other, they were together.

Right beside them were 2 angels, Gabriel and Michael.  The reason I knew their name was because it was written on their foreheads in Gold.

When I was in front of the Father, I felt dirty!  I fell to my knees and cried.  I was very ashamed of myself.  Even if I could see their faces, I didn't want to, because I was ashamed of myself.  As I was there in front of the Lord, He showed me a movie of my life, from the beginning until now.  He told me that the most important part was the things that I did after I was saved.  I told my friends I was a Christian, but in fact I didn't show my fruits.  And He told me that I was destined to go to Hell.

The angel Gabriel came and grabbed me by my arm.  He took me to that ugly black door that I didn't even want to look at.  I tried to stop myself, but I was in spirit, and we went through the door.  When I was on the other side of the door, it was dark all around, I couldn't even see myself.  Then we started to fall really fast, like a roller coaster.  As I was falling it was getting hotter and hotter.  I closed my eyes, I didn't want to see where we were.

When we stopped, I opened my eyes, and I was standing on a great road.  I didn't know where it lead to.  But the first thing that I felt there was thirst.  I was really thirsty!  I kept telling the angel "I'm thirsty, I'm thirsty" But it was like he didn't even hear me.  I started to cry, and when the tears ran down my cheeks, they completely evaporated.  There was the smell of sulfur, like burning tires.  I tried to cover my nose, but that made it even worse.  All my 5 senses were very sensitive.  When I tried to cover myself, I could smell the sulfar even more.  Also, all those little hairs on my arms, they just disappeared.  I felt all the heat, it was very hot.

When I started looking around, I saw people being tormented by demons.  There was a lady there suffering, a demon was torturing her.  This demon would cut off her head and with his long spear he would stab her everywhere.  He didn't care.  In her eyes, in here body, in her feet, in here hands, he didn't care.  Then he would put her head back on her body and would stab her and stab her.  She would cry with screams of agony.

Then I saw another demon, this demon was torturing a young man about the age of 21-23.  This man had a chain around his neck, and was standing in front of a pit of fire. This demon would stab him everywhere with a long spear, in his eyes, everywhere.  Then the demon would grab him by his hair and with the chains he would throw this man into this pit of fire, then take him back out and would stab him and stab him.  This would go on continually, and every time he would go inside that pit, I couldn't hear his screams, but when the demon would take him out, he would scream with agony.  I tried to cover my ears because the sound was so horrible, but I could still hear.  My hearing was more sensitive.

I looked at another demon, and this demon was ugly, the other 2 were ugly to, but this one was the ugliest.  He had characteristics of many different animals, I can't even explain it with words.  He would go around and scare people, and the people would be really scared. 

And then I saw another demon, but this demon was a beautiful demon, he looked like an angel of God, but he wasn't.  The difference between the angels of God and the demons, was that the demon did not have their name written on their forehead with Gold, but the angels of God did.

After that, I looked back at the angel Gabriel, and he was looking up.  I though he didn't want to see the others being tortured.  I thought to myself, "why is he still here? Aren't I suppose to be there waiting for my turn to be tortured?"  I was also thirsty.  And I cried out to the angel, "I'm thirsty I'm thirsty!", I think he heard me because he looked down on me, and he said, "the Lord is going to give you one more chance."

Immediately when he said that, all my thirst, all my agony, all my hurting, it just went away.  I felt peaceful.  And then he grabbed me by my hand and we were about to rise, but suddenly I heard my name being called, "Jennifer, Help me, Help me!"  I looked down.  I wanted to see who it was, but when I did the flames blocked their face.  It sounded like a girl's voice.  I could only see her hands stretched out, wanted me to help her.  I had such a desire, such a want to help her.  When I tried, I couldn't, because my hand went right through hers.  I wanted to help her so much, but you see, she didn't have any hope.  I couldn't help her.

And then I looked around and I saw my friends, people that I knew, and other people.  They looked familiar but I didn't know who they were.  I didn't know their lives, but when I saw friends from my school there, it hurt me!.  I though to myself, "maybe the bad testimony that I was giving them, of saying that I was a Christian but turning back, made them not want to know about God, and turn away from Him.  Maybe it was me that brought them their".  That's what I thought.  I saw that in Hell there is no time, there is no past, present, future, everything is the same, they are destined to go their.  But like I said in the beginning, I don't want to make up any doctrine, but that is what I saw their.  The people that I saw there are still alive today. 

Then the angel took me back into the presence of God.  When I was standing before Him I was on my knees crying and crying.  I still didn't want to look upon His face, because I was ashamed of myself.  But the Lord, with such sweetness in His voice said, "I love you"  Just like He loves you who are listening to me.  But He told it directly to me.  He said He forgave me for everything that I have done when I offended Him.  He forgave me.

God looked at me and He showed me many things.  He showed me the world, the earth.  Around the earth I saw something soft, like the ozone layer, it was around the world, it looked very soft, and I had such a desire to touch it.  When I touched it, I realized it was the Holy spirit, because it baptized me, and I began to speak in other tongues.

During that time, I looked up and many evil spirits came out of me.  When I would get high and do drugs, that would mess with my mind and would open doors, and these evil spirits would come into me.  They would torture me.  The way that I would act was not really me, it was the evil spirits inside of me.  In the Word of God it says that when your house is cleaned, evil spirits would try to come back by bringing 7 other evil spirits.  My house was cleaned when I got saved.  And I saw these evil spirits when I was being babtised, they have 7, and those have other 7, and those had other 7, and I couldn't even count them all!  But the Lord cleaned me of all those evil spirits.

He also showed me the future.  He showed me the Earth and how things were going to happen, events that were going to happen.  The vision I was given was from now until rapture.  He didn't show me the rapture, but He showed me the things that were going to happen before that.  Each day we are getting closer and closer, and I'm telling you that the rapture is near!  You need to examine yourself, your life, and ask yourself, "am I ready to go with the Lord?"  The Lord showed me this, but He told me not to tell anybody, but to wait and see that the end is near, I don't want to temp God, that is why I won't tell you what I saw.  But I am telling you and warning you that the rapture is near.

I read in Joel 2:28, it is one of the last prophecies, all of them have been fulfilled.  This prophecy is the only one that hasn't been fulfilled, and I tell you now that is it being fulfilled.  Many young people are rising up and preaching the Word of God.  The devil wants to make an army of young people, but the Lord is more powerful.  And if you really accept the Lord and want to serve Him, He will give you the strength to overcome the devil, so you can preach the word all around the world, just like He commanded in the Bible.

He told me that I had a mission, and this mission was to tell all the young people about my vision.  Even if I don't want to do this, its a commandment that the Lord gave me me, and I will complete it.

When I went back to my body, I woke up and found myself in the Hospital.  I looked around and saw needles in my arms, things checking my heart, tubes.  Soon my parents walked in and I started crying.  They looked very mad, but the Lord told me to tell them everything, and that's what I did.  I told them everything.

When the nurse walked in, she told us they were very very worried about me.  She said I would leave and then come back, then leave and come back.  I'd be unconsciouses then conscious again.  This happened three times.  They said that one of those times, I didn't want to come back, and they were worried about me.  They also said that foam would come out of my mouth, and I would blabber words that they didn't even understand.

Also that night, my mom was having bad dreams.  The little dog that I sleep with went into my parents room and scratched my moms arm and tried to wake her up.  When she woke up, she walked to my room and saw the pillows fixed there.  She thought that I was there so she walked back to her room.  Then she saw police lights outside the window.  When she looked out the window, she saw policemen walking to our house so she woke up my Father.   The police told them to call the police department to find out about me.  My parents found out that I was over intoxicated in the Hospital.  At that moment, the Lord spoke to my father and told him not to worry, because everything was in HIS hands, so my father didn't worry.  I spent three days in the hospital.

A week later we talked to the detectives, and they told us about that night.  They said that the other girl I was with, she was not suppose to go out either, and her father got all worried.  He went looking for her, driving around, but couldn't find her.  So he went to the police department, and the police announced the kind of car that my friend was driving to all the patrol cars.  A certain off duty officer, was across the street at a car dealership.  He was looking to buy a used car.  He glanced over and saw the car of my friend, so he called the police.

When the police went to investigate, my friend's car was parked in another spot, so they didn't know where she was.  We were on the 2nd floor in the corner room.  The police wanted to start from that room, and walk down to check each room, asking for the owner of the car outside.  They weren't looking for the girl, they were just looking for the owner.

When they knocked on our door, they opened the door and saw me on the floor.  But then they left.  My so called friends thought that the police left for good, but in fact they left to get an ambulance.  Soon other police came up there to see what was happening.  When they opened the door, at that moment, my friend, the one I was talking to, the one I trusted, he was at the point of raping me.  But the Lord used the police to stop all that, and they didn't do anything to me.  That is why I thank the Lord, because He had mercy on me.

And also the prayers of my parents, I'm talking to you parents.  Don't ever stop praying for your child.  If they aren't walking with the Lord, keep on praying for them, never give up.  My parents never game up, and look where I am now, preaching the Word of God; telling young people to come serve God, because they need Him.

And I want to give a message to all the young people, I want you to think of yourself, examine yourself.  Think, why should I care what anyone says about me.  I used to think what other people might say about me, but now I understand that they don't even care about me.  They are not going to be there when the Lord is right in front of me.  I remember when I was in front of the Lord, my friend weren't there to help me, my family wasn't there to help me, my pastor, the church wasn't there to help me.  I was there by myself, and I had to defend myself.  In front of Him you can't lie, because He is so holy.  And when I was there I didn't feel like I belong there, because I was in sin and in Heaven it is holy.

I told you today that if you haven't accepted the Lord Jesus, to accept Him today.  This is the most important decision in your whole life.  I'm not telling you all this to scare you into Heaven, but so you can see the mercy, the love that He has for us.  He the Father, sent His Son to die for us.  So each little drop of blood that was shed would forgive all of our sins.  If you want to accept the Lord, it is the most important decision in your life.  Come to the Lord, don't care what anybody else says about you.

If you want to server the Lord, then do it with all your heart, don't just say it with your mouth, say it with your heart and mind.  Don't worry about the future, worry about today, you never know when you are going to die.  I'm only 15 years old and in my mind I never thought that I was going to die at 15, never.

But you need to think about that.  My life isn't mine, your life isn't yours, we are borrowing our lives, our lives belong to God.  We take advantage of this by not caring, by going into the world, by doing the things of the world.  The world has many things to offer, but remember God has even more things to offer.  The world has hell and death, but God has eternal life.  Eternal life is forever.

Right now if you want to accept the lord, I want you to bow your head and close your eyes, "Lord God, in the name of Jesus I come to you, O my Lord God at this moment I want to accept you as my Saviour, I want you to come to my life.  Like the sister said about her testimony that Hell is real, she was there.  Lord God, I don't want to go there, I don't even want to think of going there.  Lord God I ask you to forgive me for all the sins I have committed.  Forgive me for everything that I have done.  Every little secret sin, my Lord God, I reveal them to you, so please forgive me for all that.  Lord God I believe that You died on the cross and that Your rose from the dead.  I believe that You will come into my heard and that You will reign in my heart, and be in my heart.  I will read Your word, and I will be more in the Word.  I'll go to Church, my Lord God because I know that You are there at Church.  You said that when two or three are gather together, You are there.  My Lord God I want to be where You are.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen"

If you prayed this prayer, I want to welcome you into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Now you have brothers and sisters all around the world.  This is the most important decision that you will ever make so don't take advantage of it.  Don't go back into the world.  The world leads to death, but God leads to eternal life.  At each moment you need to live like it is the last day, and the last time of your life.  If this testimony has touched your heart, give it to a friend, so that they might also accept God into their heart.  Don't let this time just pass by, because this could be your last time.

Hell is real, I went there!
by Jennifer Perez