Tag: Encouragement

A Word From The Prophet’s Pen – December 2022 (Dose of Prophecy)

by evsopiadmin, posted in Daily Prophecy, Prophecy, Prophetic Teaching

Greetings in the name of Jesus the Name above all names!

In our fifth portal, we covered speaking in Tongues. We continue on the topic of portals. Our sixth in the series ‘Portal Time Traveller,’ will be the Portal – ‘RUDDER.’

The Tongue is like the Rudder of a ship.

In James 3:4-5, the Bible compares the tongue to the rudder of a ship.

“Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue…”

Even when a massive ship is facing strong winds and massive waves, the direction the rudder is positioned holds more power over the ship than the winds.

The tongue is like the rudder of a ship powerful enough to steer a person’s life amidst fierce trials, tribulations, circumstances and situations.  When it seems as though all circumstances are against you, your tongue holds more power than the circumstances. You can position your words in the way you want to go, just like a rudder does. In fact, even the power of life and death are in the tongue

God is Spirit. He designed humans, made them in His likeness and image to be speaking spirits like Him. As He is, so are we in this world., to be His spokesman. We use our tongue in the same way God does- to set things in motion. 

God said – Let there be light and there was light. Genesis 1:3

While reflecting on Genesis 1, we understand that God created the universe and everything in it including the earth, with His words. He spoke forth and saw it come to pass.

Isaiah 55:11. “…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” 

We can use our words the same way. Even though you may not like your past, you can’t change who you’ve been, but you can choose who you want to be with the words of your mouth. Identity is a decision, not a destiny. You can change your world by changing your words.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” 

The tongue has the power of life and death. Our words are very powerful. 

They can either speak life, or death. Our words, can build others up, or tear them down.

Your tongue can steer you in the direction you want to go.

Slowly but surely as you begin to speak of where you want to go, you will get there. This is the way you are designed to function. This is how faith works.

Believe it in your heart, and confess it with your mouth. Mark 11:23-24. Romans 10:9-10.

Do you want to change the direction where your life is headed? Change the words you speak! God has given us the ability to steer our life in the direction we want it to go by using our tongues.

Words can make us or break us. They heal us or make us sick. According to the Bible, words destroy us or make our lives full of life, happiness and health. The words we spoke yesterday – make life what it is today. What you say is what you get. You can change your world by changing your words! Mark 11:23.

You may read my book “Change Your World” specially designed with power-packed dynamic words to program your potential for success on this website.  Realise how important this portal is -the Rudder

It is written: “I believed; therefore, I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 2 Corinthians 4:13

If you want to change your circumstances, change the words coming out of your mouth. If you want to see good days, learn to choose carefully the words you speak that are in line with your aspirations. 

But you also need to exert caution! This is a principle that can work for or against you. If you constantly say things like I’m always broke, sick and disgusted with life, nothing good happens to me, and so on, then you are likely to see these things become a reality in your life. 

Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Psalm 34: 12-13

The book of James also compares the tongue to a bit in a horse’s mouth. 

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths, so that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. James 3:2-3

This verse is saying that just as a horse is bridled by the bit in the mouth allowing the rider to control its direction, so can our entire bodies be bridled by our tongue. We will go in the direction our words go. 

Mark 11:23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

Words have power to affect our bodies, emotions, and actions. Our bodies are designed to respond to the words of our mouth. The mountain symbolizes our problem, be it sickness, lack, confusion, contrary circumstances or whatever we want removed. We are to speak to it. Everything responds to faith-filled words. 

Most people speak to God about their problems. This verse is saying we need to speak directly to our problems. Jesus is our model. As He is, so are we in this world. He spoke to bodies, sickness, trees, winds, demons, and even to dead bodies and they came alive! So must we.

Psalm 107:2. “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” 

We should say things like –  In the Name of Jesus – “Sickness, leave my body” “Body, you be strong and healthy.”  We are supposed to use the authority Jesus gave us through our words and command the problem to be removed. And when you take the place of a Commander, blessings shall come upon you and others as well.

You create an atmosphere of blessing or cursing with your words. Christians should control their tongues. 

But is that possible?

No one can conquer their words on their own. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can! Without being filled with the Holy Spirit, tongues are evil and full of poison. James3:8

Jesus taught us the power of our words. He said that people who believe that the words they say will come to pass, without doubting in their hearts, will have what they say Mark 11:23.  

“…you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. Proverbs 6:2

When it comes time to rebuke sickness or command healing in some people, their bodies don’t respond. Why?  Because they are constantly saying wrong words, not understanding the power of words. So they train their bodies not to believe or take their words seriously. However, there is hope. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can train our tongue to only speak words of truth and life. Then, we will begin to see our lives go in the direction of our words. 

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7.

When you think wrong, you believe wrong. When you believe wrong, you speak and act wrong. Wrong thinking causes you to make wrong choices. Deliverance from these things only comes from the knowledge of God and His Word.

Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” – 

Prophets and those who are prophetically oriented especially should ask for wisdom and take heed to this scripture.

We can begin to control our tongues by speaking the word of God aloud. This will in turn train our heart and tongue to speak truth, even in opposing circumstances. We need to start thinking about the words we speak. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us speak only words that line up with His truth. Then you will begin to see the promises of God become a reality in your life!

Proverbs 4:23. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” 

And your heart connects with your mouth, the tongue, the portal – Rudder of life. For what you say is what you get.

Hope you have been blessed with the commentary of the Portal – The Rudder.

Much love in Jesus!

A Word From The Prophet’s Pen – November 2022 (Dose of Prophecy)

by evsopiadmin, posted in Daily Prophecy, Prophecy, Prophetic Teaching

Greetings in the name of Jesus the matchless One!

We have covered so far four portals in our series ‘Portal Time Traveller.’ The last one we covered was the ‘Bread of Life’ – portal. 

We now deal with the fifth – ‘Tongues’

Speaking in Tongues is the gateway, or portal into the supernatural, the door into all the other spiritual gifts Mark 16:17-18.

I have found in my own life that the more I speak in tongues, the more I pray and worship, operate in prophetic – seer realm with spiritual antennas opened into the invisible and gifts of the Spirit manifested.

What precedes that of course is my desire for spiritual gifts and earnestly coveting the best gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1), in order to be more effective in my Christian walk and be a blessing to all those around and fulfil my call and commission for the Glory of God.

This began in my life years ago through the door of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit when I began to receive spiritual gifts God promised those who believe His Word. Those who haven’t been baptized in the Holy Spirit should do so.

God has made available to each one of His children a supernatural way of communicating with Him through the gift of tongues, to supernaturally build ourselves spiritually. When you pray in tongues, you are praying God’s will, directly to Him. It gets your mind out of the way so your spirit can commune with the Father. When you pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit Himself teaches you all things.

1 Corinthians 14:39 “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

Tongues is a face to face encounter with God – your access to His Glory.

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

This is why the devil has fought speaking in tongues more than anything else.

To cite a few cases

Apostle Paul was responsible for writing most of the New Testament!

He said: “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than ye all.” (1 Corinthians 14:18)

John G. Lake said: “Speaking in tongues has been the making of my entire ministry.”

Kenneth Hagin had the divine ability to pray in the Spirit for hours. It was reported that he has prayed in Tongues for few days without stopping – praying and Interpreting Tongues.

Smith Wigglesworth who had a powerful ministry along with healings and raising the dead said: “It is a wonderful thing to pray in the Spirit and to sing in the Spirit, praying in Tongues and singing in Tongues as the Spirit of God gives you utterance. God has ordained this speaking in an unknown Tongue unto Himself as a wonderful, supernatural means of communication in the Spirit.”

There are many good reasons for praying in the spirit:

  • Supernatural Praise (1Corinthians 14:15-17)
  • Supernatural Power (Luke 24:49; Acts1:8)
  • Supernatural Edification (1 Corinthians 14:4)
  • Supernatural Prayer (Romans 8:26-27)
  • Supernatural Refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12, John 7:37-39)
  • Supernatural Overcoming (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 Jude 20; Galatians 5:16)
  • Holy Spirit Gifts Channelling (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) and much more

Tongues…a portal to the Presence and Power of God.


Giving yourself to long stretch of time praying in tongues will add to the weight of glory that you can carry and impart in people’s lives

Giving yourself to long stretch of time praying in tongues will be a vital key to tapping the miraculous and moving in the glory of God.

Words spoken in tongues by your tongue will determine the direction of your life, just like the rudder of a ship determines the direction a ship will go – if you continue in that direction, you will arrive there.

Use this great portal by praying in Tongues for long stretches of time, many hours daily and watch the miraculous unfold and God use you to perform His Will in your life

Praise the Lord!

STIR UP YOUR GIFT — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Encouragement, Prophetic Teaching, Wisdom

2 Timothy 1: 6. “…I remind you to stir up the gift of God in you.”
God gave you a gift. You need to discover it and stir it up. No one else can do it for you. You must do it yourself.

Proverbs 17: 8. “A gift is like a precious stone in the eyes of the one who has it – wherever it turns it prospers.”

When you use your gift it will prosper you.

Many work for money which is an inferior reason. They need to work for the vision within them. Why be jealous of the gifts of others, stir up your own.

God used people who may be termed as ‘old eagles’ – Abraham & Sarah; Elizabeth & Zechariah; Wigglesworth beyond their retirement age – they were ‘retired and re-fired.’

You stir up your gift by discovering it, developing it and using it. Your gift will make you young again brimming with vitality and health. You will cease talking about dying and start talking about living.

Ecclesiastes 9: 10. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”

Proverbs 18:16. “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”

God intended you to be super-normal not get lost in the crowd. Among 6 billion on this planet earth no two individuals are alike. God created all originals, but we continue to be imitators, copying others trying to fit in and not stand-out. But do not forget you are unique God’s workmanship! – So be yourself! Be original! Live life to the full till there is nothing left for you to do because you have become all you were created to be, done all you were designed to do; given all you were sent to give. Be satisfied with nothing less than your best.

John 4: 34. “My food,” said Jesus “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

God dreamed about you. He put potential and ability within you to fulfil that dream. Many are aware of this but limited by past fears and negative influences. You alone are responsible to use what God has put in you. Make sure you complete your assignment when you leave the earth.

Deuteronomy 33: 11-12. “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. The Lord alone leads you.”

2 Corinthians 8: 11. “Now finish the work so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it according to your means.”

We cannot become what we were born to be remaining what we are. Just like the mother eagle removes the comforts of her feathery nest to disturb her young eaglets into flying so our creator moves us beyond our comfort zones and forces us to fly. An eagle that does not fly does not fulfil its purpose. Your life will lack purpose and focus until you discover your wings [gifts] develop and use them.

Prophet Elijah in 1 Kings confronted the prophets of baal to prove whether baal or Jehovah was the true God. After much prayer and dancing the prophets of baal had no results. Then Elijah called on the Lord God and fire fell and consumed the sacrifice. He then commanded the people to kill the prophets of baal and it was done. Queen Jezebel a worshipper of baal heard the news and sent a life-threatening message to Elijah. He was now on the run with great fear wanting to die but God intervened and showed Elijah that there was much more left to be done before his full potential and purpose was maximized. If Elijah died when he wanted to quit, his successor Elisha who performed twice the miracles as Elijah would not have discovered his purpose and fulfilled his potential.

Can you imagine what the world would have lost if you were not born? What the world would lack if you failed to live out your potential? – Would you commit the music, songs, books, videos, inventions, cures, discoveries…to your grave? Ponder over how you can bless others while you are alive.

Stir up the gift of God in you. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Be yourself! Be original. Complete your assignment!

THE CALL

What on earth am I here for? Have you ever asked this question? It’s one of the greatest questions you could ever ask. It could put you on the path to finding God’s Will for your life. It will bring you great joy once you find and accomplish it. And a greater joy to hear the Master say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant…”

In the story of Mary and Martha, the Lord commends Mary for having found it.
Luke10: 42. “And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Paul found and accomplished it too.
Galatians 1: 15-16. “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles…”

2 Timothy 4: 6-7. “…the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Lord Jesus found and finished the work his Father gave him to do.

Hebrews 10: 7. ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will, O God.”

Luke 4: 18. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”

John 4: 34. “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.

John 9: 4. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me…”

John 17: 4. “I have glorified You on earth. I have finished the work You gave me… “

John 19: 30. “It is finished!”

What does God want me to do?

Believe in Jesus and bear fruit.
John 6: 28-29. Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

John 15: 8. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

Have you heard some say, “It’s my life, I’ll live it the way I want to!”
Where is God in it? Is Jesus Lord of my life? – God called us to finish our assignment and spend eternity with him.

There are two aspects of your call, one eternal and one temporal.
In the eternal aspect you are called to spend eternity with him, and your testing ground is here on earth where you relate in love with him and his family, and 1 Corinthians 13 is the standard.

In the temporal aspect, you don’t need stars to foretell or a fortune-teller which are both an abomination in God’s sight. What we need is His Word and promises. You are special. He will guide and prepare you according to His Word.

Jeremiah 29: 11. “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

Psalms 32: 8. The LORD says, “I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.”

We need to find His blueprint, plan, meditate on it and obey it the way He tells you to, by spending much time with Him and with His Word.

He has given us His Spirit to show us things to come.
John 16: 13. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Proverbs 15: 22. He has given us godly counsellors in tune with him to assist in guiding us.

Finally, trust the Lord to complete the work he began in you.

Philippians 1: 6. “…He who has begun a good work in you will complete it…”

AWAKEN YOUR PROPHETIC DESTINY — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Prophetic Teaching, Wisdom

You may be holding on to prophetic words decreed over your life over the years that have still not come to pass.

You need to know how to make them come true.

Prophetic words are ‘Keys.’

They could also be called Keys of Revelation, Keys of the Kingdom or Rhema. They all mean the same thing. Matthew 16: 17-19.

When God says something about you, or you receive a prophetic word through a prophet, dream, reading of scriptures, television broadcast he is giving you a ‘prophetic key’ to unlock heaven and release your destiny.

In fact, God builds his Kingdom, his Church on revelation.

Simon Peter received a ‘Prophetic Key’ from heaven when Jesus asked his disciples a personal question: “Who do you say I am?”

He replied: “You are the Messiah the Son of the living God” Matthew 16: 15.

When Jesus heard this He told him of four things.

1. God the Father had revealed this truth to him.
2. His name would be called Peter, ‘a rock’ which means revelation.
3. Jesus would build his Church on revelation.
4. He would give him Keys of the Kingdom.

This prophetic word needs to be birthed. If it is not birthed it will not come to pass. Did Peter birth this prophetic word given to him? Yes, he did. How do we know?

He received the Father’s revelation; he changed his name to Peter in obedience; he received further prophetic keys of revelation that prompted him to write:

2 Peter 1: 19. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; to which you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place…”

To make prophetic words come to pass you need to take four steps.

A. “Receive the Prophetic Word” 2 Chronicles 20: 20.
“…Believe in the Lord and you will be established; Believe his prophets and you will succeed.” – You receive only when you believe it and speak it forth as Peter did! God builds his Kingdom through you through prophetic words.

B. Send Out Warrior Angels to War Psalms 34: 7; Psalms 103: 20; Jeremiah 1: 10.
On your behalf in the Name of the Lord with specific instructions regarding the word you have received.

C. Bind the Enemy – Matthew 18: 18.
Bind, pull-down and uproot whatever opposes the fulfilment of the word you received.

D. Loose or Release Your Prophetic Destiny Psalms 39: 3.
Daniel birthed God’s Prophetic Word given to him while reading the Book of Jeremiah – to release the Babylonian captives. He meditated, prayed and declared this word. In fact, Christianity is called Our Great Confession.

So Release Your Prophetic Destiny With These Four Vital Steps in Faith.

RESURRECTION POWER (RESURRECTION DAY SERMON) — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in EASTER, Encouragement, Prophetic Teaching

Hello Church – This is Prophet Tony and also Senior Pastor of Kingdom Seekers International Mumbai India. I am going to speak to you today Resurrection Sunday April 12, 2020 – my topic ‘Resurrection Power’ appropriate for this day.

Hallelujah, Jesus is Alive!
Death has lost its victory
And the grave has been denied
Jesus lives forever,
He’s Alive! He’s Alive!
He’s the Alpha and Omega
The first and last is He
The Curse of sin is broken
And we have perfect liberty
The Lamb of God has risen
He’s Alive! He’s Alive!
Jesus is Alive!

He is the one who died to cleanse us and clear our record of all sin, then sat down in the place of highest honour beside the Great God Of Heaven.

Someone said:
Christianity is based on the law of forgiveness and an empty tomb – How True!

Calvary expresses the ‘Love of God,’
Resurrection explains the ‘Power of God.’

Resurrection is the greatest event that draws the line between Christianity and all other Religions.

Jesus rose from the dead; His tomb is empty. Hallelujah!

Christianity is our Great Confession.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Christ Jesus the Apostle and High Priest of our Confession. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrew 3: 1; 4: 16.
“That I may know Him and the power of His Resurrection!” Paul writes in Philippians 3:10.

There are four important interconnects that believers should take note of:

  1. Calvary
  2. Resurrection
  3. Power 0f the Resurrection
  4. Return

CALVARY – The most completed historical event depicting the ‘death of Jesus’ on Calvary’s Cross – God left nothing undone at Calvary by the substitutionary death of Jesus His Son.

  1. Curse was broken Galatians 3: 13
  2. Sins washed away by His blood 1 John 1: 7
  3. Power of sin broken Romans 6: 10
  4. Sickness borne 1 Peter 2: 24
  5. Poverty annulled 2 Corinthians 8: 9
  6. Abundant life given John 10: 10

RESURRECTION

  • Jesus rose from the dead on the 3rd day
  • Defeated Satan (hell and the grave, the empty tomb proves it)
  • Lives forever 2 Corinthians 5: 15

No other religion has a resurrection!

RETURN
The disciples gazed at his ascension while He promised He would return
The angel reassured them He would come back again Acts 1: 1
Jesus assured us He would return and take us to our heavenly home.
The Prophets and Sons of the Prophets are busy heralding His return.

POWER OF THE RESURRECTION
Now what are at a time between the ‘Resurrection and Return’ of Jesus – what are we supposed to do?
‘Know Him and Show’ Him to the world.

How? – By the Power of the Resurrection – The Holy Ghost Power – The same Holy Ghost who brought Jesus into the womb of Mary, raised him from the dead, and that power and person of the Holy Spirit dwells in us believers –
“He is able to do exceeding…Ephesians 3: 20

“Call those things that are not as though they already were” Romans 4: 17
We have ‘Resurrection Power’ to cancel and expel this virus and its effects from planet earth and much more… “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8: 19 – through the power of ‘praise and worship’, ‘intercession,’ ‘groaning’ and ‘decree’ and this virus shall cease to exist. It is time!
Something worth remembering!

Prophet Elisha the great miracle worker in 2 Kings worked miracles when he was alive and the unfading power after his death even raised one from the dead.
Elisha was in constant touch with God and that is why he was always able to bring life out of dead situations wherever he went
And it was the same with Apostle Paul where people came to him with their problems and needs.

What about you and the Resurrection Power in you?
Do you feel or sense it?
Are you in constant touch with the Lord and His Word?

Only then can you expect Him to use you increasingly and effectively!
And we can do nothing except with the Holy Spirit who came down with power after the resurrection. – Didn’t he say?

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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

I tell you that the time of the ‘Lone-Rangers’ is over – DON’T resurrect them, DON’T hero-worship them! although you must honour and esteem them for labouring in God’s Kingdom, and practice godly principles you learned from them. Don’t go back, but go forward into your excellent prophetic future!

Revelations 22: 9. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!”

The God of the now, expects you to move with power because you’ve got the Holy Ghost on the inside of you and scriptures beside you, with God’s Generals behind you to assist you since you know you belong to Jesus! God does everything beautiful in His time! Ecclesiastes 3

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2: 14.
It’s a new day, it’s a new hour, it’s a new visitation in a brand new way – Revealing the Father exalting the Son, God’s Holy Spirit is making us one!

Rick Joyner says:
The kingdom of God is coming, and it cannot be stopped or slowed, but it can be hastened! We are told that we should be “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. 2 Peter 3: 12.”
What could we do to help bring His kingdom faster? We can do this by building our lives on His kingdom now and preaching the good news of His kingdom everywhere we go.

I believe the Tsunami wave of revival the greatest move of God of all time is breaking upon us globally despite the corona-viral pandemic and its horrors, from Christians in retreat to Christians in advancement! – The prophets and the sons of prophets are giving a wake-up call for preparing the bride for the soon coming return of – the heavenly bridegroom.

The heavenly Bridegroom soon will come,
To claim His bride, and take her home,
To dwell with Him on high.

Trim your lamps and be ready; for the Bridegroom’s nigh.
The Bridegroom comes, let no man doubt;
Alas, for those whose lamps are out!
They’ll find no oil to buy.

Who ready are shall enter in;
The marriage feast will then begin;
And every tear be dry.

The righteous, saved forevermore;
Their God shall ceaselessly adore,
In bliss beyond the sky.

O sinner! ere it be too late;
Flee now to mercy’s open gate,
And join Christ’s waiting band.
(Echoes Of Grace Hymn book)

GOOD FRIDAY: CROWNED OR CRUCIFIED?

by evsopiadmin, posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Prophetic Teaching, Wisdom

His Name is not Henry! – His Name is not Henry! His Name is Jesus!

Story told by Dr. Larry Lea

– He ran around the psychiatric ward of a hospital, depressed and bewildered with a collection of crucifixes in his hand gazing at the Latin inscription INRI, with the sisters close at heels – his muttering was amplified for all to hear; “His Name is not Henry His Name is Jesus.” – He fell on his knees weeping saying Jesus! Jesus! Merciful Jesus! over and over again.

Several days later he heard an inner voice speak to his spirit – “Now you are My son you will take this message to this generation You will be My mouth and My minister – then the voice said get up and go home.” – He says Jesus came through the locked doors and barred windows walked right into his heart placed a call upon his life to serve his generation.

This is the testimony of Dr. Larry Lea, mega-church founder – author of the book, “Could You Not Tarry One Hour” – the Book that changed the prayer life of multitudes and my life as well resulting in the printing of my first book, “Prayer Mantle.”

How true! – He who calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved, healed, delivered!

INRI – Jesus Of Nazareth King Of the Jews – Hail King Of the Jews!

In the cold, black night of Christ’s betrayal, His disciples could not tarry one hour with Him in prayer. In the Garden of Gethsemane, while Jesus earnestly prayed in such agony of spirit that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground, His disciples, oblivious of the eternity-shaping events about to transpire, slept. Jesus, heavy and sorrowful in spirit, awakened His sleeping disciples and asked:

‘Could ye not watch with me one hour?’

Jesus was flogged, spat upon, insulted; The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee and mocked him, saying ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’

Though Jesus was sinless He was led to His crucifixion – nailed to the cross after he had been condemned to death. Through His crown of thorns, Jesus removed from our foreheads, the curse and badge of sin, and brought us blessings of God.

Jesus was assassinated! We call it Good Friday because of the good results.

Dying, He destroyed our death, and rising He restored our life.

And here is another so-called king that so many are talking about globally, Corona-Virus – Corona means crown in Greek and Latin. They mocked Jesus with a Crown of Thorns in the sight of people, He was crucified, died on the cross, was buried and rose again. A crown of global-mockery just before the return of Jesus, the King of Glory.

This virus shall never be crowned with its false crown and false robe – as the world unites in its expulsion.  And there shall be an exit of this virus soon as the people continue to intercede, thank, praise and worship the living God – the strategy of God!

Panic-driven, fearmongering, pandemic pandemonium of massacre, distancing, lockdowns, indescribable suffering. We know that governments of the world, doctors, nurses, hospitals, police-force and others in positions of responsibility and authority are doing their best to combat and eradicate this dreadful virus. This is a wake-up call to pray and praise – stand in the gap – a historical repeat of the sleeping disciples!

Mirrored in this tragic scene is the plight of the church today. Jesus, our Intercessor High Priest, is praying; His disciples are sleeping; It would be difficult to list failures, defeats, broken relationships, broken homes, tragedies and now this virus that could have been averted if believers prayed. However it is not too late!

2 Chronicles 7: 14: If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – It would be impossible to measure the destruction that could have been turned and the judgment averted if only God’s people took time to pray – God’s people are responsible!

But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! In these days there is a return of many of God’s people, backslidden as well, unbelievers, the world at large crying out for God’s help against this pandemic with its aura of horror, deaths and global- suffering. Will He not hear? –Yes He the God who answers prayer!

Church of the living God cheer up! We shall rise triumphantly!

Isaiah 62: 3-4. “You will also be a crown of beauty in Yahweh’s hand and a royal diadem in your God’s hand. You will not be called forsaken anymore, nor will your land be called desolate anymore…”

I am reminded of a beautiful song extolling the Lord:

Father in heaven how we love you; We lift your name in all the earth; May your kingdom be established in our praises; As your people declare your mighty works.

Blessed be the Lord, God Almighty; Who was and is and is to come; Blessed be the Lord, God Almighty; Who reigns forever more

A Word to the Church – Many attend Lenten services; see movies on Good Friday like ‘Passion of Christ’ dealing with His sufferings. That is fine but not good enough. It will do us good when we meditate on His suffering and imitate him. Then we become like Him in His death.; – He was silent Isaiah 53: 7; Matthew 27: 12-13. Many are quick to retaliate, hit back or take revenge at the right moment.

Philippians 3:10-11. “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Paul spoke of two interconnects: “Resurrection Power & Suffering.”

Resurrection power — makes dead situations alive

Suffering — is the key to release that power.

Paul wanted to become like Jesus in his death.

Now we may have suffered but do we look like Christ in His suffering?

Do others see it?  – If we “become like Him” in His suffering, we will become like Him in His resurrection power.

“Father, forgive them, they do not know what they do.”

“Pastor it is so hard to forgive! – God’s love nature in a born-again helps forgive!

“Pastor, people are not sorry for what they did to me.”

Jesus forgave without waiting for others to repent.

He forgave the Sanhedrin, Scribes, Pharisees, Pilate – He forgave all.

He didn’t tell the crowd to repent for yelling ‘Crucify him’ then He would forgive them.

He didn’t tell the soldiers to repent and change their lives then He would forgive.

Forgiveness has the quality of love as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13.

Love does not demand its own way,

Love does not hold grudges;

Love is not irritable or touchy

Love hardly notices when others do it wrong;

We have all missed it!

If we are bitter, unforgiving, can we say we’re suffering with Christ living a resurrected life?

 “Simon Carried the Cross.”

Jesus was humble He allowed Simon to carry his cross.

You hear of addicts often turning away from help:

“Leave me alone, I can stop when I want to.”

We need “Simons” to help us.


“The Women wept for Jesus”

He said to them “Do not weep for me.”

Many try tears;

Many suffer with self-pity to be noticed. Self-pity is pride. It blocks God’s help or grace.

“Can’t people see what I am going through?” – They want applause for suffering endured.

That was not how Christ suffered – He had no self-pity. He was humble so should we!

Repentance and Confession of sins are seldom spoken of;

We need to return to this Truth. God demands both.

We know of sins mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21 – those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to expose areas of sin in us and then repent!

Richard Lovelace – “Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage.”

Many are enclosed in their self-made prisons – Jesus set them free but they like to remain within with prison doors open – Jesus had to die this shameful death to be our perfect substitute in all areas of life

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross;
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best;
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross; Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross; And exchange it someday for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world;  Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above; To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine; A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died; To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away; Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Please read Isaiah 53.

There may be someone reading this message who has never been able to connect with God and wants to, here are three simple steps to God:

God loves you and He wants you to be His child John 3: 16; John 1: 12

God sent His One and Only Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and rose from the dead.

He offers you the gift to live with Him forever in heaven.

If you believe this with your heart you can take the third step – accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord Romans 5: 8; John 14: 6

Say this prayer aloud:

Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. You died on the cross for my sins. And rose again from the dead. I repent and turn away from my sinful life and turn to you

Lord Jesus Christ come into my heart, I make you my Saviour and Lord.

Thank you for saving me, forgiving me and giving me eternal life.

Almighty God I thank you for making me your child. I will serve you all the days of my life.

God Bess You All.

THE SECRET PLACE OF PRAYER — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Encouragement, Faith, Intimacy, Prayer, Prophetic Teaching

“When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6: 6

Where is this secret place of prayer?
In – the shadow of the Almighty Psalms 91: 1; heavenly places Ephesians 2: 6; God’s presence. Psalms 31: 20

For no particular earthly reason, you may find yourself praying for a city, nation, person, or unknown situation. When this happens you need to understand that God has raised you by His Spirit into the heavenly places, the secret place of prayer.

Here we hear and pray the prayer of Jesus as He intercedes for us, praying in line with His will.

Praying in the secret place moves us beyond what we know naturally into the revelation of what He knows supernaturally. This is often the ‘beyond words’ prayer of travail and moaning given to us by the Spirit.

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8: 26

You might have been praying about some things and suddenly the Spirit of God began to work within you and you found yourself interceding for someone you never intended to pray for. That is the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit being carried out through you a believer. Not knowing what to pray, for whom to pray, when and how to pray is no problem at all. The Holy Spirit knows it all. We need to yield to Him and let Him pray through us.

Praying in the secret place releases miracles, makes provision to those in desperate need, health to the sick and much more to those we may never have met or known, until we step into life eternal. It would take us into doing His work. John 14: 12.

However, we don’t always have to wait for his prompting before we pray for others. As believers, we are called to pray for others whether inspired or not at the moment of prayer. When we intercede for others in this way and in line with God’s Word, God also hears it.

Finally, you need to know that the prayer of intercession is always on behalf of someone else which needs persistence.

You don’t stop praying until you sense a note of victory in your spirit being certain of receiving what you asked for.

YOUR FAITH WILL HEAL YOU — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Encouragement, Faith, Healing

Healing can come to us in various ways – through medicine, surgery, therapy, home remedies, fasting, and so on.

Every good and perfect gift comes from the hand of our Father in heaven.

Whenever healing comes, we need to give God praise for He is God of supernatural as well as natural healing.

In the New Testament, we read of how Jesus spoke to his disciples about their faith, using words such as “your faith, his faith, or their faith.” He spoke of “little and great faith.”

Jesus said to the Canaanite woman who asked him to heal her tormented daughter: “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted. Her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15: 21-28

My faith is God’s gift to me. I am responsible for how I take care of it.

We read in the Bible that “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrew 11: 1.

If we can see it, we cannot exercise faith for it because faith operates in the realm of things unseen.

You receive healing by faith BEFORE, not AFTER you see or feel changes taking place in your body.

Jesus says, “Have faith in God . . . I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11: 22-24

The faith that makes things happen comes to us as we hear or read the promises of God Romans 10: 17.

As you meditate on the promises of healing and continue to feed your faith, your faith will grow and the miracle of healing will come.

Jesus Calms The Storm — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Encouragement, Faith, Prophetic Teaching

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Matthew 8: 23 to 27Luke 8: 22- 25 One day He and His disciples got in a boat. “Let’s cross the lake,” He said. And off they went. It was smooth sailing, and He fell asleep. A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake. Water poured in, and they were about to capsize.

They woke Jesus: “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

Getting to His feet, He told the wind, “Silence!” and the waves, “Quiet down!” They did it. The lake became smooth as glass.

Then He said to his disciples, “Why can’t you trust me?”

They were in absolute awe, staggered and stammering, “Who is this, anyway?

He calls out to the winds and sea, and they do what He tells them!”

Whether saved or unsaved, everyone encounters storms in life on this sin-cursed earth. No one is immune from storms.

The Question is – Is Jesus in Your Boat? Make sure He is!

What kind 0f Storms Do We Face in Life?
Stock market, property problems, in-law, tax problems; health issues, job loss, financial lack; children out of control; divorce…Perhaps your marriage is crashing. Or, you lost someone close to you, a health problem or addiction…

Just because we’re followers of Jesus doesn’t mean we Will Not have storms in lives.

“In this world you will have tribulation…

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble Job 14:1.

There is a miracle in the storm and beyond!

Jesus has a purpose and a strategy in every storm. He wants us to get into the boat where He is, to go to the other side.

If you don’t set sail, you’ll never know what treasures lie beyond on the other side.

It might look difficult nay impossible.

But there’s an answer awaiting you on the other side.

There is a miracle on the other side of the mess you are in.

The miracle happens when you turn the page and enter a new, unfamiliar chapter.

Believe that and push forward.

It may be that God has directed us right into the middle of the storm, which is right where He wants us along our life journey.

You holler! Where are You, God? You just don’t care – He does! He is in our boat! He says I am with you all the days of your life.

He is the Stiller of the Storm! He works in every storm for our good if we trust Him and praise Him Romans 8: 28! – Praise is accepting the present as part of His overall plan for us which is for good and not for evil, to give us the future we hope for.

The Question is – Is Jesus in Your Boat? Make sure He is!

Three specific places for us to ponder over – Before the Storm; During the Storm and After the Storm.

Before The Storm

Four Things to Remember:

  1. Make Sure Jesus Is in Your Boat The disciples survived because Jesus was in the boat with them. He will never leave you once He is in your boat.
  1. Make Sure 0f Your Calling and Election Are you saved, sins forgiven, possess eternal life; Is Jesus your Lord & Saviour?
  1. Make Sure to Call 0n Him Call on Me and I will answer you… He who calls on the Name of the Lord shall be Saved, Healed, Delivered.
  1. Make Sure You Have the God-kind 0f Faith – faith in your words Mark11: 22-23 When Jesus said, “Let us cross over to the other side,” – He believed His words. The disciples expected to go to the other side too.

Jesus slept peacefully without anxiety. He knew they were going to the other side no matter what.… So should we – As He is, so are we, in this world…We will go to the other side!

Unfortunately, the disciples expected to go to the other side without opposition. When the storm arose, they became fearful, don’t we? That is our plight too.

We can’t focus on Jesus thinking about waves and storms around us. That is what the devil wants. He comes to kill, steal and destroy us John 10: 10. The devil is the storm-maker, Lord Jesus is the storm-silencer. No matter how stormy the seas, rough the winds in our lives He will never leave us He does not jump out of our boat whenever we face a storm.

During the Storm

When we are in the midst of a storm, some of us look to family and friends, intellect, ability, money to discover that we are not equipped to handle these storms and change our situation. But there is 0ne and 0nly – Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above … Ephesians 3: 20.

Four Lessons to Learn from Jesus Calming the Storm.

  1. Follow Jesus The Disciples Followed Jesus when He got into the boat. Followers 0f Jesus had problems so would we. But in the midst of problems we will have peace following Jesus. Following Jesus faithfully not only helps us stop worrying, but gets us to heaven!
  2. Focus 0n Jesus If we focus on the storm, we’ll empower doubt. If we focus on Jesus, we’ll empower our faith. We are given divine power to shift our focus. Ephesians 3: 20
  1. Fear Not! He was asleep in the boat, but in control of the situation. We are not to panic even If Jesus Is Silent or it seems He has deserted you. Fear not, He is right beside you!
  2. Cry Out for Help The disciples asked Jesus to help them. Worry is useless, prayer is always effective. We will get what we need. Don’t jump ship when the storm whips.

If you want to make it through the storm, then you need to take God at His Word.”

It takes a storm to know that God is healer, deliverer, refuge and strength.

It takes a storm to answer the question about who God really is.

You already have inside you what you need to handle any storm – the Greater One.

After The Storm

Psalms 107: 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

One Lesson to Learn.
Testify – Look What the Lord Has Done!

After Jesus calmed the storm, “the men marvelled” Matthew 8: 27

Recall the many times Jesus helped you.

That will increase your faith and help you deal with future problems.

Imitating the disciples at sea is a great idea.

Let us give it a try and see what happens!

 

SONG
 He can turn the tides and calm the angry sea
He alone decides who writes a symphony

He lights every star that makes our darkness bright
He keeps watch all through each long and lonely night

He still finds the time to hear a child’s first prayer
Saint or sinner call and always find Him there

And though it makes Him sad to see the way we live
He’ll always say, “I forgive”.

He can grant a wish or make a dream come true.
He can paint the clouds and turn the grey to blue.

He alone knows where to find the rainbow’s end.
He alone can see what lies beyond the bend.
He can touch a tree and turn the leaves to gold.
He knows every lie that you and I have told.

Though it makes him sad to see the way we live.
He’ll always say, “I forgive.”

The McGuire Sisters / Richard Mullen / Jack Richard

Is Jesus in your boat – then fear not!
There is a miracle awaiting you on either sides of the other side.
May Christ within you now rebuke the winds and the waves and bring great calm.

In the matchless Name of Jesus Christ, the Storm-Stiller!

Burden Bearer — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Encouragement, Faith, Prophetic Teaching, Wisdom

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A story is told of a man tall and strong. His job was to carry people across the river and receive money from them in return. He was proud and very confident about his strength he felt he needed no one’s help not even God’s help. He was not a Christian.

One day a beautiful child came to the bank of the river.

As the man bent down to allow the child to climb on his back, the young child said, “Are you sure you can bear my weight?”

The man laughed. He said – I have carried men across the river. You, little one, you are as light as a feather.

“Very well,” said the boy. “But I must warn you. I am heavier than I look.”

The man laughed again and raised the child on his big shoulders and stepped out into the river. But the weight on his back grew more and more heavy and he was surprised. Soon he was struggling and with great difficulty landed on the other side of the river where he put the child.

He asked the child “How can you be so heavy?” “Who are you?”

The child replied – “I am Jesus Christ of Nazareth I carry the burdens of the world on my shoulders. Let me carry your burdens too.” – This man became a Christian and a powerful testimony following this incidence.

This story reminds us that we don’t have to struggle every day on our own. There is One stronger than us. He is the Great Burden-bearer. He carries our burden if we will give it to him.

Burden Bearer
People are bearing all kinds of burdens today which opposes what God says in His Word that they should not be doing so and that includes us.

Prison Doors Open
People are in all kinds of prisons today, often prisons of their own making – trapped in fear, worry, cares, sin, sickness, failure, joblessness, lack, poverty…

They say: Does God care about me – Does he know what I go through?
– Yes, He does. Could that be you?

Jesus Your Burden Bearer
The good news is that Jesus the Son of God paid the price by his blood to open the prison doors and set everyone absolutely free. We have been sent to preach the gospel the good news to tell others that the prison doors are open (although many choose to stay in – unaware or refuse to live in freedom).

Jesus said:
Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all of you who are tired and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

1 Peter 5:7 – “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you.”

Psalms 55:22 – “Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you.”

Philippians 4:6-7 – “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”

Many are in prisons of fear, worry, sin, sickness – 25% of the world depressed. The Good News is that God has already opened your prison door and you are free. You need to know how to come out! Carrying your burden will leave you in prison.

Once you carry your burden you have a problem. You try to solve it yourself – you tell others, they will talk about it to others and your problem gets bigger.

If you carry your burden the Lord doesn’t have it. If He has it, you don’t.
And when He has it and He will solve it – miraculously all by himself; through you or others by His leading.

‘Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us’ – Ephesians 3:20.

But you first need to first cast your burden on the Lord then He will take care of it.

How Do You Cast Your Burden?

Three Steps:

Say – Believe – Do

Step No.1 – SAY
Mark 11:23 Say with your mouth you are casting the burden on him.

Step No. 2 – BELIEVE
Hebrews 3:1 Believe with your heart that you have done without being anxious.

Step No. 3 – DO
James 2:17, 26 Faith-in-action – Ask the Lord if you need to do anything about the same, then do it.

Ask the Lord if you need to do anything about the same, then do it. Keep praising and thanking the Lord in advance that the problem is solved.

That all sums up your faith in action, showing you have believed.

Once again – How Do You Cast Your Burden?

Say something like this:

Lord Jesus Christ You are my Savior, my Lord my burden bearer.
I cast this burden on You and I go free.
Without You I can do nothing. With You I can do all things.
Let me know if there is anything for me to do in this situation.
I will follow Your lead.
Thank you Lord!

Now DO as led by the Lord.
If you do this, you will have peace and assurance your problem is solved.
He will not fail you nor forsake you.

Conclusion:
Let us summarize in brief what we have learnt.

You have a Burden?
Cast it on Jesus, He is your burden-bearer. He told you to do so.

Cast your burden on Him in three steps.

  1. SAY with your mouth that you have cast the burden on him.
  2. BELIEVE in your heart that you have done so.
  3. DO something – faith in action, obeying his leading, praising and thanksgiving.

Next, He will solve your problem in at least three ways: – Either, or a combination of all three:

  • Miraculously by Himself
  • By leading you
  • Through others

What happens next?
Your problem is solved! You tell others ‘Look what the Lord has done!’
He gets the glory!

Household Salvation — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Prophetic Teaching, Salvation

There is only one way to salvation and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation only comes through an individual believing in Christ. It is not something a father can do for his son or daughter. There is no guarantee that if one member of a family believes the rest will do so. Matthew 7:13-14; John 6:67-68; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8.

Jesus Himself indicates that the Gospel often divides families. Also, God elects individuals to salvation and the elect believe and are saved. This indicates that both ‘election and salvation’ are more individual in nature than corporate although God does have a family plan. Matthew 10:34-36; 24:24,31; Mark 13:20; Romans 9:16-18.

If salvation is an individual action, how are we to understand passages in the Bible that seem to promise of household salvation? Let us consider a few examples.

Cornelius’ Household
Acts 10: 33; 11: 14-18; Romans 1: 16

A promise was given to Cornelius that his household would be saved. This does not mean it applies universally to all households. It was a specific promise to a specific person at a specific time.

Cornelius and his household gathered to hear Peter commanded by the Lord speak. They were in a position to hear the Gospel which “is the power of God to salvation.”

Hearing Peter preach the Gospel Cornelius’s entire household believed and were baptized. So, they were saved was according to God’s plan of salvation, the preaching of the Gospel. They were saved because they believed not because Cornelius did.

The Philippian Jailer
Acts 16:30-33

The jailer asks “Sirs what must I do to be saved.” Paul and Silas responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.” Again this promise is given to a specific individual in specific context yet universal in nature unlike the promise to Cornelius. The promise is not one of household salvation but is entirely consistent with every other verse in the Bible that speaks of salvation – believe in the Lord Jesus “you shall be saved.”

Again we see that salvation came as the result of hearing the Word of God and responding in faith which is also consistent with every other verse in the Bible concerning salvation. They were not saved because they were part of the jailers household, instead they were saved because they believed the Gospel message and responded in faith. – Individual people hear the gospel, respond in faith and are saved.

However, God’s plan is also a family plan. All of the beautiful ties of home and family are meant to be eternal. We may not understand how God can accomplish a family relationship in heaven. His desire is that none should perish but all be saved. It is impossible to understand his methods. Romans 11:33

Rahab saved the spies who went into Jericho. The spies, inspired by God, said, asked Rahab, to bring her family here into the house and they would all be saved. Rahab did so and her family was saved. Joshua 6:17-25

God showed his keen interest in families by forming the home before he made the church. He wants that same wonderful unity, and recognition of himself, which people expect to feel in the church, to also be in the home.

Many Christians have been praying for the unsaved loved ones in their families. “Does this mean they are already ALL saved?” “No, God will not violate the free will, but it means that he is going to do everything necessary to bring people to the point where it will be easy for them to make the choice to serve him. And yet they could reject his offer.

If you have laid your loved ones before him in sincerity and in faith you can start praising God right now. He is on the job, and has released forces to bring about circumstances which would make it hard for these people to resist God. The Holy Spirit is preaching to them along with his angels on errands. God desires none to perish but all to be saved. He really loves people!

Fellowship — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Faith, Prophetic Teaching, Relationship

Fellowship is a place of ‘invitation,’ ‘birthing,’ involvement,’ and ‘testing.’

INVITATION: The Gospel invites to people to become friends in close fellowship with God and his people Christ gave us the ‘Ministry of Reconciliation’ to bring into friendship and fellowship with God and his people.

And friends do share things in common speaks about the day of Pentecost the fiftieth day after Passover when they were in ‘one accord’ in close harmony, unity, agreement and fellowship.  1 Corinthians 1: 9; 1 John 1: 3; 2 Corinthians 13: 14; 2 Corinthians 5: 18; Acts 2: 1

BIRTHING PLACE: Fellowship has always been the ‘birthing place’ for God’s Plans – a principle also employed in the secular world, marriage, business, prayer and so on. What was the result of the close ‘one accord’ fellowship of
believers?’ The Church was born on Pentecost day!

INVOLVEMENT: When people are good friends and in close fellowship good things often begin to happen as a result as they get involved. Let us see what happened to the Church then.

The believers regularly attended the fellowship, teaching sessions of the apostles, communion & prayer services. There was a deep sense of awe and the apostles worked many miracles. All the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, selling their possessions and dividing with those in need. They worshipped together regularly in the Temple daily and met in small groups in homes for communion and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness, praising God. The whole city was favorable to them and God daily added to them all who were being saved. Acts 2: 42-47

What was the result? – Miracles; sharing; caring; bearing each other’s burdens; meeting needs of people; joy, thankfulness, praise and worship; favor of God and people; salvation; additions to the Church.

TESTING: Fellowship is also a place of testing. For example, David in 1 Samuel 17: 40 chose and picked five smooth stones from the brook.’ Surely there must have been some jostling among the stones so will there be among believers. A friendly discussion is as stimulating as sparks that fly when iron strikes iron. Fellowship is a place of testing – ‘jostling.’ No Fellowship, No Brook; God can’t pick and choose you – he can’t find you. So welcome testing, you are sharpened! Proverbs 27: 17.

YOUR RESPONSE? – WALK IN THE LIGHT – 1 John 1: 6-7.
‘‘If we say we are his friends but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying. But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship with joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin.”

John 3: 19-21 “They are condemned because light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their deeds were evil. They hated the heavenly light because they wanted to sin in the darkness. They stayed away from that light for fear their sins would be exposed and they would be punished. Those doing right come gladly to the light to let everyone see that they are doing what God wants them to do.”

‘Avoiding Fellowship is ‘Walking in Darkness’ – sinfulness with evil deeds.

‘Out of Fellowship is really being Out of Light.’

No light – No Protection by the Blood of Jesus! Knowing him does not save us. We are saved because he knows us. “I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from me, workers of iniquity!” Matthew 7: 21-22.

Hebrews 10: 24-25 “In response to all he has done for us let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good. Let us not neglect our church meetings as some people do.”

Let us walk in the light doing what is right, being involved, helpful and kind to each other doing good, sharing; caring; bearing each other’s burdens; meeting needs of people with joy, thankfulness, praise and worship; having the favor of God and the people; not neglecting church meetings; welcoming testing because He always causes us to triumph; sharing things in common as friends in close fellowship with God and his people. We will then birth God’s plans, see miracles; salvation; additions to the Church like the first disciples.

Labour of Love — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, Prophetic Teaching, Wisdom

The Lord ‘records and rewards’ all the hard work and sacrifices you make for the sake of the gospel.

The Lord listened and recorded the names of those who feared and honored Him and what they spoke with each other. Malachi 3:16

God does not forget how hard you worked for him and how you showed your love to him by caring for other believers…Hebrews 6:10

Let’s take Peter’s example. Let’s see the ‘record and reward’ in his case.

Jesus on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, taught the people who crowded around him to hear God’s message. Jesus got into the boat that belonged to Simon Peter and asked him to row it out a little away from the shore. He then sat down in the boat to teach the crowd. Peter was disappointed and exhausted. He had spent a night of fruitless fishing. Imagine how he felt when the Lord asked him to give him his boat yet he helped the Master to preach his message. Jesus noticed this and rewarded him for it. How?

After having finished speaking, He told Simon to row the boat into the deep and let down his nets. When Simon and his men obeyed they caught so many fish that their nets began ripping apart. They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. The men came, and together they filled the two boats to the point of sinking Peter toiled all night caught no fish. Now he had plenty, just because he helped the Master. Luke 5:1-7

Have you made any sacrifices for the sake of the gospel? – Time, money, family, friends, relationships…
God hasn’t forgotten.

Your blessings don’t wait till you get to heaven; they begin to rain down here on earth. Peter didn’t receive his harvest of fishes in heaven. He got it on earth!

Mark 10:29-31. Jesus said: “…anyone who gives up home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for me and for the good news will be rewarded. In this world, they will be given a hundred times as many houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and pieces of land, though they will also be mistreated. And in the world to come, they will have eternal life.”

God doesn’t forget your labor of love. He will reward you in due time.

Finally, you prove your love for God and your love towards Him in the way you show your love to others, especially fellow believers.

1 John 4:20 – “He who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” – If you don’t actively love those for whom Jesus died for, then you really don’t love God.”

We must do good to others at the slightest opportunity.

“My dear children let’s not just talk about love; let us practice real love.”
– 1 John 3:18

God records and rewards our labor of love!

The Web Of Deception — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Encouragement, Prophetic Teaching, Temptation, Wisdom

Deception – ‘believing a lie as the truth,’ & Disobedience were the first sins that broke God’s family and is doing the same today! We were born liars. Some of the first lies we were told as little babies was about the Boogie-Man and we repeated the same to other babies.

We lie to protect or hurt ourselves or others. Two main reasons for which we ‘lie’ are:
1. ‘Fear’ of consequences and
2. ‘Pride’ –man’s approval.

What will others think of us? Lying causes hurt, disappointment, and disharmony in the body of Christ. It makes people lose respect, creates conflicts destroys relationships. Are Christians guilty of lying? – Very much! What happens when people make it a habit to lie? –there is the danger of the Lake of Fire Revelation 21:8.

Is there hope? Yes! Repent!

Satan is a liar and the Father of lies John 8:44. He deceives the whole world Revelation 12:9. His ‘favorite and fundamental’ lie is ‘Has God Said?’ That means that according to him God is not who He says He is. By saying this he got Eve & Adam to get deceived and to disobey.’

As someone said: ‘The Snake will always be a snake who twists and turns as it crawls. He even twists the truth for his own purposes.’ He used this lie in the Garden of Eden, and he will use it against you and me. Satan deceived Peter, Solomon, and David, and he will try to deceive us unless we are careful. Let us examine the three persons we have mentioned.

PETER Mark 14:27-31 – Jesus told them that they would all fall away. But Peter declared that he would not. Jesus then told him that on that very day he would deny him thrice. Peter again insisted that he would never deny him. It is clear that Satan deceived Peter. He may have whispered to him that he was strong like a rock, others would fall not he. He had caused him agree with Satan that God was lying.

SOLOMON 1 Kings 4:29-31; 11:1-4. – God gave Solomon great wisdom and insight and yet Satan deceived him. How? – God’s original plan for marriage was ‘one man – one woman,’ yet he had around a thousand wives from surrounding nations living in idolatry against God’s clear command. And that resulted in him being an idolater.

DAVID 2 Samuel 11:1-4 – God called David a man after His own heart yet, he was deceived. Like Solomon, he disobeyed God’s plan for marriage. He already had many wives and yet commits adultery with Bathsheba and covers up his sin with the murder of Uriah her husband who is one of David’s most loyal army officers.

Perhaps Satan deceived him by telling him that a little break of adultery after serving God so faithfully would not make any difference, that no one would know [secret sin]. David’s sin brought disaster for himself, his family, his country. And God’s enemies mocked the name of the Lord 1 Samuel 12:14.

What lies has the devil whispered in your ears? – “just a little sin” “you are different” “it doesn’t apply to you” “you’re strong!” Just this once” “No one will ever know!” “You can’t resist this temptation – don’t try!” You don’t need to worry about this temptation!”

Here’s an easier way to do it!”
What did Jesus do when He was tempted? He drew out His sword – the weapon of God’s Word against that temptation and he quoted – ‘it is written!’ Be wise when you are tempted and do likewise.

1) 1 Timothy 6:12. ‘Fight the good fight of faith’ – Fight the ‘lie’ by declaring God’s specific Word
2) John 15:5. ‘Apart from me, you can do nothing.’ –Be assured ‘God is a very present help.’
3) 1 John 2:5-6: ‘…Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.’
4) Luke 12:2: ‘There is nothing…hidden that will not be made known…’
5) 1 Corinthians 10:13: ‘…God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.’

Know that Satan is a liar. Know his ‘lies.’ You can resist his ‘lies’ when you are in the Word, Prayer, and Fellowship.

Blessings And Miracles — Prophet Tony Mathias

by evsopiadmin, posted in Blessings, Encouragement

Although we serve the God of miracles who performs miracles [temporal bypass of natural laws] to draw people to himself, yet he desires to bless us even more than perform miracles. What is the difference between a blessing and a miracle?

Blessing – prevents crisis; renders a permanent solution; always brings abundance.

Miracle – delivers from crisis, offers temporary solution, brings abundance once in a while.

To be healthy is better than getting healed repeatedly.

To be wealthy is better than getting financial breakthroughs.

To avoid problems is better than getting delivered from them.

Isn’t it? Which do you prefer?

As someone said and how true it is? – Living from miracle to miracle is living from crisis to crisis. When it comes to personal needs, miracles are for people who don’t have a revelation of God’s blessing. God always wanted His creation to remain blessed but sin polluted it and blessings flew away. Sin brought sickness, poverty and wars. Then came the need for miracles.

Believers pray for financial miracles, healings or other temporal needs yet disobey God’s Word. For example, God told us to work so He could bless the work of our hands. God told us that if we would give, it would be given to us. If believers don’t work and don’t give offerings, how will they be blessed?

If we abuse our bodies, we can receive a miracle of healing. But if we go on abusing it, sickness returns and we need another miracle. Following instructions on diet, exercise, work, sleep and right use of emotions will work like medicine.

Laughter they say is the best medicine. Ignorance of God’s Word, as well as unbelief, stops God’s blessings and in turn brings crisis, and disaster.

If in a crisis if they believe for a miracle, it will come; yet, again and again, they need more miracles. Deuteronomy 28:12.

The Lord prefers to keep you healthy and wealthy rather than to heal you miraculously or give you financial breakthroughs repeatedly.

Abraham’s blessing belongs to us through faith in Christ. Divine favor brought him abundance. It will do the same for us when mixed with faith Galatians 3:13-14

How would you receive blessings instead of looking for miracles? Ephesians 1:3; Luke 6:38

– Knowledge and Faith. Meditate on his Word and act like it is so.
– Be a good cheerful giver