We make many trips around the country and abroad for various reasons but there are few which remain close to your heart. This one trip to Orissa goes down the memory lane for me personally, simply because of the immense love, care, faith, courage and servant-hood of the people.

It was Oct 27th 2010 and it was my first trip to the Central part of India. There were a few hiccups before the day of travel as one Brother dropped out due to ill-ness. We had one ticket left and did not know whom to take. My wife was already in a state of discomfort because I would be away for 7 days and she would be left alone. But when she got to know that one of the brothers was not going to turn up she was more than willing to cover for us. So we finally decided after a few talks that my wife would come along. It was three of us who (Sridhar, Cleophas David and my wife Lumina) were going to travel the next day. We packed our bags late night and after a short sleep we were up and ready the next morning to travel 1500 kms to a place called Bargargh in Orissa. Not sure of what to expect and being a bit doubtful about enduring a long journey we embarked with the grace of God. It was a 27 hour journey and we spend time talking, eating and having good conversations through the trip. It was lovely seeing the beautiful scenery outside the train and the smell of rain from time to time. The weather was different everywhere at times cold and at times really hot. Looking up to the heavens just whispered a quiet prayer in my heart to the Father saying how wonderful and majestic is your creation. It speaks about your splendor and Glory. We finally reached Bargarh district in Orissa on Oct 28th 2010. By now we were all totally exhausted and tired but deep down in our hearts there was an excitement about the whole thing. There were 2 pastors waiting for us at the station. They were warm in their welcome and very courteous too. The part where I felt most touched was when one of the pastors offered to take my luggage and carry it. I was so moved in my heart that I told the Pastor “No please don’t do that”. But he looked at me and said these words which I will never forget it – He said “I am your security guard”. It was a very humbling experience for me personally and I kept telling the pastor please don’t carry my luggage. But I learnt about the spirit of servant-hood from these pastors. They were extremely down to earth and so loving.

Level of and Courage and Faith: It was amazing to see the level of Courage and Faith in Orissa. They were sold out for the cause of Christ. One Pastor said “It does not matter if we have to die we will die for the sake of Christ”. We will preach the Gospel even if there are threats and persecution. We are not really worried about our lives. The most moving time was when we visited a school and children’s home where a 12 year old girl was burnt alive. She was taking care of the little children there but the extremists killed her for being a Christian. They burnt the vehicle which was outside and the Catholic priest was badly injured. One of the Pastors took us into the place where the 12 year old girl was burnt and burst out crying. Our hearts broke down when the pastor cried and we immediately were led of the Holy Spirit to say a small prayer in that place. We prayed the Lord will bring revival in the same place and the there would be bigger school and university which will cater to many more children and the name of Jesus will be glorified again. The extremists had cut off the electricity in a village nearby where there many Christians. They broke a church down and the pastor of the church was badly injured. We held torches and prayed in the dark for the people in that village. The hunger was so great and presence of God touched each of them whom we prayed for. One old grandma wept as we prayed for saying that she did not have anybody. Her Husband died and her children were no more. It was quite helpless to see her condition. But we hugged this woman and whispered a small prayer saying “Lord hug this old grandma everyday so she never feels alone”. The Love of the Holy Spirit was so strong in their midst and we knew the Lord loved the people of Orissa in a very special way.

Battling with thoughts: As we moved out of that village and we got back into our cars. There was a sense of quietness everywhere. Nobody spoke much. Looked up into the sky and it was full of stars bright and dazzling. It was beautiful above but not very beautiful down in that village. There was fear tension and smell of death and persecution everywhere. But the people still trusted the God of heaven. It was a great lesson for me personally. We blame and murmur with God even in our comfort and blessings. But these people had nothing left. They lived to die someday for their faith. I asked God why this was allowed in Orissa. There was no answer. Asked him again – Father what made you sit still on the Throne when your people down here were persecuted, raped, & burnt alive for no mistake of theirs. Then heard a soft still voice which said “The same thing that made me sit still when my own Son was Crucified on the Cross 2000 years ago”. Immediately I was filled with a fear and awe of God.Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”  The message of Jesus is alive today because of his death and sacrifice on the Cross 2000 years ago. Every drop of blood shed for the sake of the Gospel will be avenged soon. Death, Sacrifice and Persecution will bring about a greater revival in Orissa. The Blood of the Saints in Orissa is crying for justice. The Lord God will soon hear their cry and release a downpour of his Glory and Fire on this Land.

A greater burden: As we went back to our Hotel there was a greater burden and cry in my heart for Orissa. I sat on my chair praying softly within my heart for the people. We knew the Lord brought us to this Land to stand in the Gap for the people. Standing in the Gap is not just sitting in a room and praying for the people. It is going out there and reaching out to them with love of Christ. A smile, A little prayer, a hug, being the hands and feet of Jesus to a people who need the love of Christ. We knew what we did for them was very little compared to the plan the Lord had for these people. 5 days in Orissa gave me a new glimpse of what Courage, Faith and Hope is all about. It has nothing to do with all the money and blessings we have.

A renewed passion: The places where we ministered where places which were so dry. There were no lights, no music, no speakers, no mikes, and no stage. The Land of Orissa was our stage. No resources but only the source available. We were welcomed everywhere and they treated us like kings. With the little they had they did much to honor us. I heard the Holy Spirit tell me “You will step into places where nobody steps into and you will reap what others have labored for”. We preached in a village which had no pastor, no church, no fellowships etc…for the last 12 years. The Lord has raised a Ex-RSS leader as Pastor who used to persecute churches and beat up the pastors. Mysterious are his ways and that’s the God we serve. When nobody was available the Lord had to strike a RSS leader off his horse and call him out to build his Church. He has a church now with 30 people. He has a vision to build to 100 churches and help school children. Please pray for him his name is Pastor Eliya. Another Pastor also a former RSS leader now works amongst Muslims. Their vision is to do something for Jesus before they go away to be with the Lord. A Pastor who was a former Hindu is now converted radically to serve the Lord. His wife sold all her Jewellery for his Bible education. He is now a Theologian and has finished his Master’s in Divinity. He has a home church where many families gather every Sunday. It is the beginning of the great things that are in store for these pastors. The Lord gave us the opportunity to step into their small beginnings and sow a seed of encouragement which will bear fruit in the coming days. They are sold out to win Orissa for Christ. What are we sold out for? Is it for the riches and honor of this world? The Holy Spirit is calling us to surrender our body, soul and spirit into his Hands. If the Son of righteousness surrendered his life to redeem us from our sins, why are we holding back? Release yourself and receive a fresh renewed passion to serve the King of Kings. Your life is precious but it is more precious when you give to our Lord Jesus Christ. Go where nobody goes, Do what nobody else does, Pray with zeal and Fire, Speak what God wants you to speak and continuously endeavor to be like Christ to a people who have not seen him. I’ve tried to capture as much as possible about our experience in Orissa. Let Jesus increase and we decrease.

Glory and Honor to the Lord Jesus alone.

IN HIS SERVICE

Cleophas David.

Have you ever looked at a broken utensil and examined it closely?  The first thing that comes to our mind when looking at a broken utensil is that the vessel has lost its purpose.  You can look at a broken vessel and draw a conclusion that it has no purpose for boiling, heating, cooling and storing. A few years ago while chatting with my brother at home we decided to make some tea and we boiled the milk in a vessel. We were watching TV in our living room and had apparently forgotten about the boiling milk in the kitchen. One hour had passed by and there was smoke coming from the kitchen.  I ran down to the kitchen and to my disappointment saw the vessel had turned black and the milk was no longer there.  We had to dispose the black boiling plan and clean the kitchen. It was quite a mess really and we did everything to restore the kitchen atmosphere back to normal.  A vessel or utensil may lose it purpose after it has been broken or damaged.  

Our hearts are similar to the vessel mentioned above. God searches our hearts to see if there is anything good in us.  He has chosen our heart to be the place of his residence through his Spirit. He breaks it, shapes and makes it ready for the use of his service. 

When a utensil is broken it loses its purpose but when our heart is broken it is the starting point for the Lord to step in make the necessary changes.  God uses broken vessels to display the power of his Glory.

Natural:  The heart is the most important organ in the Human body.  It is the place from where the blood flows to all parts of the human body. The heart is an emotional organ and has a relationship with the “emotional brain.” Beside the emotions, the heart also can be an organ of intelligence that works in unison with the brain.

Spiritual:  Jesus Christ said in Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh

Jeremiah 17:9 says “The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

From Luke 6:45 we see the heart is the treasure hub of all things. If the treasure is evil then our mouth speaks evil things; but if the treasure is good then it speaks good things. Our hearts by nature are filled with sinful things. We are born in Sin and there is no good thing. Jeremiah 17; 9 states the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.

But you may wonder then how in the world is my heart going to be clean. We cannot take a scan report to see how filthy and wicked our hearts can be. There is no technology available to discern what is deep down in our hearts. We don’t know what it contains and how it can be cleansed. But it is only the Lord who searches our hearts and examines us carefully according to Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings. – Jeremiah 17:10

He searched and saw that there were only wicked things. Therefore he gave us a new heart and new spirit through the power of the Holy Spirit. He breathes upon us fresh power as we seek him every day through prayer and study of God’s word.

Breaking process

Ezekiel 36:26 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take or remove the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 

Now it says “I will remove the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh”. Now for the Lord to give us a heart of flesh he is got to remove the stony heart. Stone here refers to something hard and strong. It is not like a stone in the kidney etc…it’s not a disease but it’s the state of heart that God wants to deal with and break it. 

The hardness in our hearts can break only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Here are a few examples of brokenness.

Separation from relationships.  – When the Lord wants to take complete control of our lives he will ask us to give up on a relationship that does not please him. Anything that stands in the way of God’s destiny for our lives is a hindrance and the Lord will remove it. Breaking out from a relationship can be really hard for many.  But as the Holy Spirit guides us into the truth and the purpose for your life you will know deep down in your heart that these relationships are not of God. Coming out of a love relationship can break your heart but entering into a love relationship with Jesus Christ can build your heart.

 No fruit despite hard work. – Many of us could be working really hard in our jobs/ministry but we may not see any fruit coming out of it. You may be in a state where you still don’t have that promotion in spite of all the hard work. God delays the season so he can break our hearts and humble us. So when we are humble and broken he can get all the Glory for the fruitful seasons ahead. Even in ministry we may go through dry seasons where we don’t sense the presence of God around us. God does it so he can break us and humble us. The power of brokenness results in humility and surrender to the will of God. The Lord breaks our ideas and plans to unleash his. “When God breaks our hearts it results in Genuine power”

Prayer and Fasting:  When we pray and fast the presence and power of God fills us to a great extent. It is a place where the heart is broken so your dependency is no longer on self but on God. We pray to let God know that we depend on him for everything and nothing of our flesh will prevail. The Bible says “No flesh can Glory in his Presence”. Our hearts are reshaped in the place of prayer. 1Chronicles 7:15 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and heal their land”. Prayer closet is the place where the desire of the flesh die and the will of God is activated. We often go around asking and seeking the will of God from men of God. But we need to seek the God of men to know his will in our lives. Before God can activate his will he needs to break our hearts. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF GOD BREAKING US IS TO REMOVE PRIDE FROM US AND INTRODUCE CHRIST LIKE HUMILITY IN US.

Death/Loss: Losing loved ones does create severe pain and brokenness. Respected and Honored Late Dr.DGS Dhinakaran lost his daughter in a tragic car accident that resulted in great pain and agony to him personally and his family. In the place of his brokenness God unleashed his power and authority in a greater level unlike never before. There were doubts and questions in his mind regarding this tragic death but the Lord strengthened them with power as he kept his eyes on Jesus Christ. He was promised that his daughter is safe in heaven and one day he would see his daughter. This comforted them to a great extent. But the pain and loss of losing a loved one can only be replaced by the Love of Jesus Christ.

God can use broken vessels and release his power and Glory. If we yield to his will and die to self we are candidates of God’s power in our lives. Surrender your heart today to the Lord and see the great work he will do.

I like to leave you with a powerful verse that has always strengthened me personally.

The sacrifices of God are [fn] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.- Psalm 51:17

 God Bless

Cleophas David.

Mark 5:27:28 – When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole
We have many Heroes of the Faith but we also have many heroins of the Faith in Christ Jesus. We can look at the life of a woman mentioned in the New Testament. We don’t know her name, her address, her website, her phone number but all we know today is that she displayed outstanding faith.

There is a woman mentioned in the Bible (Mathew9:20, Mark5:25 and Luke8:43) who suffered with issue of bleeding for 12 long years. She went to every Hospital in town; every doctor and physician knew of her condition and she was probably the most famous patient in her town or city. She tried every medicine, tablet and treatment but there was no cure for her healing. This was a Jesus case. Only Jesus could touch and heal her from the terrible situation she was left to confront with for 12 long years. The woman who suffered with this illness is more or less connected to so many of us and our problems we face in our daily walk of life. We press through the pressures of everyday and at the end of the day we feel let down by the mounting pressure. When Pressure gets intense the best come out of us. The woman fought her illness for 12 long years. But in the midst of her struggle she had the faith to believe that if she could only touch the clothes of Jesus she would be healed.
The intensity of her struggle was about to produce the kind of faith that everyone would. She lost everything but she was left with just one thing that pleases God.
Hebrews 11: But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Just imagine the agony and separation she would have felt for those many years from society and people who thought low of her. When she had the problem for a year she would have hoped maybe next year I will be well. Year after year her dreams would come crashing down. Her image was going from worse to weak. She was turning pale day-by- day. The Law labeled her as “unclean and untouchable”. No hugs, no pats from anyone and no kisses for 12 long years. It was probably the worst period of her life. There was no one to put arms around her and comfort her saying “It shall be well soon”. The people of Israel during her days followed the Laws very religiously and they would not even touch a woman like her who suffered with bleeding for 12 long years.

She opened her bible and she did not find Mathew, Mark or John or Revelation. She could not find faith. She could not see the cross. She could not see the Blood. . She could not say ‘I claim healing in the name of Jesus”. She turned to the laws if there was no way out for her. But the Law had her gripped under guilt and condemnation. Her situation was very similar to that of Job. She turned to the North and there was no one to help. She turned to South and there was no one. She turned to the East and West and there was no one to help.

The Law did not permit her to even come out. But the desperation in her moved her out of the closet. The Law giver was passing by her street. She could only touch the one who gave the Law. The Law never said ““You cannot touch your God”. She pushed her way through the crowds. She carried a problem that would turn into a testimony. People would talk about it for the next 2000 years. She did not know it. She was only desperation for a healing touch. She had no time to narrate her horrible story of 12 years. She wanted it now. She wasn’t going back without it. The bleeding had to stop. It was now or never.

Many times we are faced with situations desperate for a miracle and we say it’s now or never. The Lord is gracious to release his power and presence over us. He is generous and he wants his children to be free from all bondages. Jesus did not even meet the woman before power flowed out of him and touched her. Her Faith produced the miracle. She reached out and touched him and received her healing.

Faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things not seen. The woman had not seen her miracle. But she had her confidence in Christ Jesus alone. She moved forward with the assurance that even if I just touch his clothes I will receive a miracle. This woman had never met Jesus before but the Bible says she heard of Him. She trusted in the power of God. She trusted in the miraculous and reached out and touched the clothes. When she touched the clothes of Jesus she had stepped into the miraculous. The bleeding stopped instantly because in Christ Jesus sickness and pain was illegal. The woman could now lift her head and walk without any shame. Truly he is the Glory and Lifter up of our head.

Prayer: Father in Jesus name today I reach out and touch your feet for a supernatural miracle. Let the Glory of God cover me and let my needs be met according to his riches in Christ Jesus.

Trust this Word has blessed you. Keep your faith Strong in Christ.
Cleophas David
Email: cleophasdavid@gmail.com

In the Kingdom of God there is no water shortage because Jesus promised us living waters. O the sound of living waters Its fresh, Its pure, It quenches your thirst for life. Its overflowing, abundant and above all you can ask or think of. Nothing can stop you from entering into this overflow of living waters. The Living waters will come down afresh on your personal prayer life, your family, your ministry. Its in the overflow you will see the fullness of God’s Spirit manifest. Even as I write I beleive fresh living waters are going to be released. You need to taste this Water. There is no comparison of  living waters to any brand of fresh mineral water. There it comes! There it comes the fresh living waters! over you right now. Receive it afresh from the Presence of Jesus. At first your feet will step in and the waters will be upto your anke level but you will want to go more deeper. The water will rise from anke level and reach your Knee level.  The living waters will rise from your knee level to Hip level. The Lord wants you drink deeply from his brook and look fresh always. So you go a little more deeper and the living waters reach your neck level. Now you know that you have tapped into a deeper dimension and this is where you lose sight of yourself. Then you reach a level where the waters cover your head and you are totally immersed in the living waters. (Read Ezekiel 47 to know more about this.) Now the Glory of God will move you. You speak a word and it comes to pass. You look into somebody’s eyes and they see someting different about you. You stand next to somebody and they feel the presence of Jesus all around you. There is a tangible presence of  Jesus all around you and people can see it. Some will come next you and they will collapse under the Glory of God. They will get healed. Demons will come screaming out at the presence of Jesus around you and in you.  The annointing is all over you. The mantle of the Holy Spirit is wrapped around you and you do things that you would have never before. O my friend there is no shortage in the Kingdom of God there is only abundance. Take a deep dive into the word of God and see who you are in Christ Jesus. You will go from Glory to Glory from Grace to Grace and from Fire to Fire.

When you and I are thirsty we drink water to quench our thirst and we do it at the earliest. We can’t stay thirsty for too long because water is a basic necessity for every human being on the face of this earth. Parallel to what Jesus says in John 7:37 is a powerful truth. There is a thirst hid deep in our hearts which is not unveiled or unlocked until a person gives his/her life completely to the Lord. There is a spiritual thirst deep inside our hearts that manifests only when we experience Jesus as saviour and Lord. A continuous infilling of God’s presence happens when we seek the Lord Jesus everyday in word and prayer. On days when we do not pray or seek the Father’s heart. There is a deep yearning and hunger for that presence. It’s more than a type of thirst which is only for natural water.The truth is “Anyone who is thirsty come to Jesus”. When you believe on Jesus you can go in and drink from his presence. Rivers of living waters will flow from your heart.

These days with water shortage we see people buying water for exorbitant rates just to ensure they have their basic need meant. Some are not so rich so they walk the distance to places where they can find some water. They carry utensils and fill them to the brim. When you have the money to pay for it the water comes in search of you at your doorstep but when u do not have the money you go in search of it.

Thank God when it comes to the rivers of living water there is no shortage. You can sit all day long in the presence of God and drink deeply and as much as you want. When you call on Jesus his Holy Spirit the living waters comes to refresh you. This is a grace the Lord is given to every believer which we must know. It is an important spiritual principle. O what a Joy to have the living waters of the Holy Spirit flowing in your heart every day. Sometimes when I just read the word for an hour and go out to work my day will be filled with God’s presence and I Know it in my heart that his Glory dwells within me.

Rivers of living water within you is all you need to serve Jesus. Psalm 1:2:3 “But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night”. They are like trees planted along the river bank, bearing fruit each season.
Delight and Meditate on the law of the Lord and you will receive fresh grace from his throne. You will bear fruit in every season. Now that tells me it doesn’t matter if the season is bad or good I will still bear fruit. With Jesus there is no seasonal success you are filled with grace to bear fruit in every season. I prophesy as I write “You are a tree that is planted by the rivers of living waters and you will bear fruit in every season”.
Plant yourself in the presence of God and you will see the growth. Your life is like a seed that must go into the ground. When it dies there and nobody can see it the Lord will come and water it continuously.

Prayer: Father I pray for those who have read this blog. Rivers of living waters will flow over your family; church and nation as u seek the Blessed Lord Jesus and worship him. His tangible presence and Glory will cover you all over. Fill them afresh with your Glory and power. Send rivers of living water into their spiritual bosom and fill them abundantly. They will have no shortage and they will bear fruit in every season in Jesus name – Amen

God Bless
Cleophas David.

Talk about the negative and it had everything written on it. There is nothing worse or hideous you and me have suffered to more than what Jesus Christ suffered on the Cross. Betrayal in friendship, denial in relationship, vengeance by religious leaders over laws and doctrines,, being spat in public, stripped off his clothes, pierced, crushed, scourged, beaten, abused, rejected, neglected, bloodshed, and in spite of all this HE didn’t utter a single word to defend himself. The people who spoke well of him few days back when he rode upon the donkey into Jerusalem now screamed “Crucify him”. From the Highest to the Lowest of people in Israel were aiming to cut the name of Jesus Christ from the history of Israel and have him remembered as a thief who was nailed to the cross for some crime.
To Jesus the Son of Almighty God death was only part of his destiny. Life was in him and nobody could take that from him. He was led like a criminal to Golgotha to be crucified along with two other thieves. He dragged his feet through the journey carrying a heavy cross which to the eyes of Israel was only a wooden piece but to him it was the heartbeat of his Father (“To SAVE THE LOST from their sins). Jesus Christ is depicted in the book of revelation as the “Tree of Life”. He carried the tree of sin and death to give us access to the tree of life. He did not care for his name and took our shame. The God who crowns us with righteousness was crowned with thorns. The one who clothes us with love had no clothes to cover himself. Above everything he became sin when he did not know what sin was. The one whom he loved the most was his Father and he always knew his presence around. But in that moment even the the presence of the Father was not around to comfort him. There was no one to comfort the comforter of all humans. There was no to show compassion to the God of compassion. There was no to show any love to God of Love.. There was no one to heal the wounds of the healer and worker of miracles. There was no one to deliver the deliverer. There was no to save the Savior. Even those who walked closely with him could only stand and watch. The fairest of ten thousands lost all his fairness as his face was marred.

You may think why could not anyone help to avoid this gruesome and horrifying death of our Savior?

The reason being you and me were on that cross in our sinful state. He was carrying our sinful selves in that place. And that is why we could not stop it. Even the people around could not stop it. It may be deep for some to comprehend this truth. But that is the truth straight from the Word of God.
Romans 6:6 “Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin”

The God of the universe, The Lord God of Ages, The one who made the Heavens and Earth by the power of ONE WORD, The Lord God who fought great battles for the people of Israel, The Lord who showed mercy and compassion to generation after generation now HUNG UPON A WOODEN CROSS like a cursed man. HE FORGAVE ALL THOSE WHO NAILED HIM TO THE CROSS. HE MADE NO ENEMIES BUT ONLY FRIENDS. To the naked human eye he was someone who was brutally killed. To the spiritual eyes of the Father in Heaven and all the angels he was a CHAMPION WHO TOOK THE AUTHORITY BACK FROM THE DEVIL AND SLAPPED HIM ON THE FACE BY DYING ON THE CROSS FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND. There was a great earthquake, the sun and Moon faded into oblivion, the veil at the temple in Jerusalem was torn into two pieces and there was a great shaking all over Israel. The Soldiers who had nailed him to the Cross believed he was truly the Son of God.

The Good news is the cross could not hold HIM; Death could not Hold HIM; The grave could not hold HIM; Jesus the Son of Almighty God rose from the dead and now HE is alive forever and forever. One of these days HE is coming back as King and ruler. Every eye shall see HIM and know that HE IS THE RISEN LORD
It is called GOOD FRIDAY because the Goodness of Jesus defeated the evil forces of Satan and gave all of us a chance to enter into the presence of God and worship the Lord with no guilt or condemnation.This Blog is not enough to fathom the depth of love and compassion that Jesus had for the souls of all mankind. I am unworthy and I can’t write about Good friday in 33AD.

Prayer: Lord Jesus we bow down before you and worship you for the great sacrifice. Thank you for the Cross. I repent of my sins and accept you as my Lord and Savior. Forgive me, cleanse me with your precious blood and make me your child in Jesus name Amen

Sarah’s womb was empty and barren but the Lord had seen her as a mother of many nations. While Sarah was looking at raising up children for the family, God was looking at raising up a generation out of Abraham. Abraham and Sarah had a word over their marriage. God spoke to Abraham and said “You shall give birth to a son and he shall be called Isaac”. After years of being married Abraham and Sarah did not see this come to pass. Sarah could not give birth to a child and she took the blame for it. She said “The Lord has restrained me from bearing”. Oh that’s a painful position to be in. You wait for ninety long years and nothing has happened. It sure did cause some damage and hurt to Sarah and Abraham. Sarah was really concerned and worried about this situation like any woman would be. But she did something that most women will not even dare to do. She made a great sacrifice. She gave her maid Hagar to be married as wife to Abraham and through them raise up children for the family. The Bible says “And the two shall become one”. Sarah’s other half was Abraham and she had to give a part of her to another woman. Abraham was her destined man and a man of God’s destiny.

Sometimes we give ourselves to acts of the flesh just to see immediate results and get rid of the frustration in our minds. Frustration will leave you for a while but it will come back and torment you even further. The Problem with Sarah was she saw her dream in Hagar, she saw her vision in Hagar, She saw the promise of God in Hagar. She wanted to use her as the vehicle to transport Abraham to the place of God’s destiny. Sarah was old and rugged but God still wanted to use her to fulfill HIS purpose through her life. Sarah’s kind act gave their family the needed results but the problem was even deeper as Abraham entered into Bondage with Hagar.
Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 4:22 “For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise
Hagar was an Egyptian and a bond servant in the house. Sarah was an Israelite and she had the promise over her life. According to God Sarah was the Promised woman and Hagar the Bonded woman. Hagar came from Egypt. The Promise of God had not come upon her and she was not in the plan of God. But somehow she was made to enter into the plan of God by Sarah to fulfill the promise.

Word of Wisdom;We cannot execute God’s way through our own ways. Hi s ways are different and his thoughts are different. How many times we take a road in our life and ask God to be part of it? We want to do it our way and also ask the Lord to enforce his ways in it.
Eg: A traffic signboard reads Large and heavy load trucks prohibited. There could be couple of reasons 1.Traffic control. 2. Roads are damaged.
In spite of the signboard if you enter that road you probably are in a place where other people are affected, we waste time trying to navigate our way through the heavy traffic and rough roads. Roads could be so bad that it damages your vehicle and load to a great extent. And you also end up paying a fine to the traffic authorities.
Similar to the example mentioned above we are loaded heavily with God’s power and promises and the Lord also does not want us to take a road in life which is not part of HIS plan. The Lord does not want us to be in a place where we waste time, try to prove ourselves to others. Some of us are like the heavy loaded vehicles saying “ I am the big truck and I need my space… Sarah was irritated, frustrated, confused and angry with hagar when she found out that she conceived. We could avoid it all. We fight, we struggle, we push and end up wasting so much time….If we had obeyed the voice of God and held on to his Promise.
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael. -
Genesis 16:16 Abraham married Hagar and they gave birth to a Son whose name was Ishmael.
He was eighty six years old when Ishmael was born and he was 99 years old when Issac was Born. He had to wait another 13 years to see the promise of God come to pass. Maybe if Abraham had avoided the road of Hagar he could have had Isaac a lot earlier.
Sometimes when God is building us we are looking at building his kingdom. The Lord wants to correct us, mould our character, bend our knees more in prayer but we look at achieving results overnight. Abraham and Sarah were stretched in their faith for 99 long years to see the Promise of Isaac. When God is building our spirit we want to try to achieve it with our own flesh. Jesus said in John 3:6“Flesh gives birth to flesh and Spirit gives birth to spirit”T
Today we don’t say God of Abraham, Ishmael and so on…but we say God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. It’s important we walk in tune with the Holy Spirit and accomplish everything he has planned for us. Our role in HIS plan is to spend time with God, hear his voice, obey his word and do everything he tells us to do.

There is more to the Christian life than what you perceived it to be. There is more of the Lord God’s nature, character and Love you need to know. There is a deeper intimacy that Jesus Christ wants you to grow into. The Power and Glory of God has more dimensions and there is more faith available for you. This is not the time to get frustrated, irritated and give up on the call of God. The Lord wants to clothe you with his mantle power and pour his Fire upon you. He wants you to be equipped for the greater exploits. The Mantle of Elijah is going to fall upon the waiting Elisha’s. You are going to look into a realm that nobody has ever looked into. By Faith look into the throne room of God. Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God and all things are in control. Please don’t sell yourself to Hagar type of Destiny. It looks all right, There is something about God in it, There will be grace available, there will be provision, To everyone it looks like you have the dream birthed and promise fulfilled but on a deeper Level you know this is not the plan the Lord has for my life. Your promise cannot be fulfilled with the Bondage hanging over your life. The Bondage will be broken in Jesus name and the Blood of Jesus will intervene and remove the curse of the flesh in your life.

God Bless
Love in Christ
Cleophas David.
Email:cleophasdavid@gmail.com

Abraham and Sarah. – Genesis 12:1:2. Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house; unto a land I will show thee. 2. And I make of thee a great nation and I will bless thee and make thy name great and thou shall be a blessing.
Come out: When God called Abram he called him out of the ordinary to the extraordinary. He called him out of the normal routines of life to an abnormal lifestyle of journeying through the promises of God by Obedience and Faith. He called him out of a generation that had no history to a start a generation that will bring forth History makers. He called him out from being just an individual to become a nation. He called him out from being a father of no children to a Father of many nations. He called him out of obscurity to Prominence. It was the beginning of a great Journey towards God’s destiny. They obeyed God and left the land carrying all the food, water, flocks, and other belongings. Little did they know they carried nations on the inside of them with Kings and Queens. God was not interested in just bringing them out from one geographical location to another but he wanted to reveal himself and show them his nature which nobody else had seen. Just like many Christians think the only purpose the Lord has saved them is to get them to heaven. There is an earthly assignment in Christ Jesus before there is heavenly rest in the mansions made for you and me. Abraham discovered God as a Friend, a divine provider and someone who made promises after promises like a Lover of his soul and built a strong relationship with Him. He Loved Abraham and Sarah and saw in them what they could not see for themselves. He saw nations, Kings, multitudes of people coming through them.

God gave Abraham many promises but here are couple of them which was the key to his destiny in God.
Promise of oneAnd God said Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him. – Genesis 17:9

Promise of multiplication: And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be – And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:5:6
Promises give birth to God’s destiny and a lifestyle of worship in the Presence of God releases these promises to fall in place. Abraham built many altars of worship wherever he saw the goodness of God manifest. He was quick to give thanks and acknowledge the ways of God. He depended on the Lord God for everything. There was nothing hidden from Abraham. The Lord revealed to him the future of a nation for the next 400 years.

Seed falls into the ground
When you receive powerful prophecies it’s only the beginning of a great work that God wants to do in your life. We are excited on the day we receive the prophecy but the next few days all hell breaks loose and we often wonder if the word will come to pass. But the truth is revealed in John 12:24 “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” Promises or Prophecies are like seeds sown into our life by the power of God. When God Promised Abraham a Son called Isaac he was not going to allow Abraham to have only one but he was preparing him to be a Father of many Nations. God had to reduce Abraham to Faith. It took 99 years for Abraham to discover Faith in God alone. When he died he was the Father of only Isaac, Ishmael Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah. He was the Father of many sons but he did not see nations. Though Abraham died the promise over his life did not die. Today we know him as the Father of many nations.

Contd in Part 2

Regards
Cleophas David
Email:cleophasdavid@gmail.com

Even as I begin to write this blog I sense a powerful anointing in my spirit. “The Lord has marked you for a season of new beginnings. I decree in the name of Jesus a powerful restoration into you that will change you and propel you into the next level of walk with Jesus Christ. The Lord is breaking somebody to fashion you into a vessel that will look good in his sight. The Clay is in the potter’s hand and he is molding your character that will reflect the nature of Christ Jesus.

“You are still standing” while all other ground around you is sinking. Your Ground is the Word of God. I have news for you “On Christ the Solid rock you will stand”. It is by the grace of God that your feet are planted on solid ground. The devil tried to touch you but he got an electric shock because all over you the power of the Most high is running in high voltage. The devil has a reputation of touching the wrong people.
1) Did you know God gives permission to the enemy touch your life?
Scripture: “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence – Job 1:12.
2) Why Satan could not get near Job?
a) He was a man of Integrity. b) He was a man who feared God and shunned evil.

Until the Lord gave him permission he could not get near Job. The Bible also says in Job 1:3 “Job had a great substance or possession in the form of sheep, oxen, large household and he was the greatest of all in the east”.

The richest man from the east was in for some severe testing of his character and integrity. When the devil got permission from the Lord to touch Job and he came into the vicinity where Job lived and saw all that Job possessed. The devil saw the seven thousand sheep and thought that was what Job loved and treasured the most and he struck it. The devil saw three thousand camels and thought that was what Job loved and treasured the most and he struck it. He saw the five hundred female donkeys, a very large household with seven sons and three daughters and thought it would hurt Job the most and he struck it.
The devil saw all that he possessed on the outside and struck it. But I have news even though the enemy was given permission or the power to strike, his arrows were not accurate enough to make Job curse the name of the Lord and give up his faith.

Now here goes the revelation. The Bible says in Job 1:20 “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped”

Satan could not touch the heart of worship that Job had developed over the years as the Lord built him and prospered him. He could not touch his character and Integrity. He could not keep Job from being a man after God’s own heart. He could not touch the purpose and plan that God had for the Life of Job. He could not touch his destiny and dream. Job was not only rich on the outside he was also rich on the inside. Like Apostle Paul says “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ – Ephesians 1:3

“The greatest blessing mankind could ever have is a heart of worship. When you know your God all you can do is pour your heart before him and worship him in the splendor of his Glory. This blessing is supplied to us from the presence of God by Christ Jesus. Your greatest blessing is not a car, bungalow or a job, but to know the Lord Jesus Christ in all his power and Glory through a heart of Worship.

Job Arose tore his robe and shaved his head and he fell to the ground and worshipped.
When he Arose and tore his robe the devil thought he had lost his mind. When he shaved his head the devil was laughing at his looks. When he fell to the ground he thought he had fallen. But when he worshipped the Lord Jesus Christ the angels of heaven smacked Satan on his face and said
“You touched the wrong person”.

My Friend Walk with Jesus and let your heart cry out for more of him. It does not matter where you are and what you have been through just make a decision today to worship Jesus Christ. His presence is tangible and real. He will heal your wounds and cause a new work to start on the inside of you.

Pray this Prayer with me “Dear Lord Jesus change my heart and grant me you’re Spirit of Worship”. I want to know you and walk with you closely – Amen.

Blessed to be a Blessing – Cleophas David.

This Word Blessed me to a great extent and I trust it will be a blessing to you as well in Jesus name.

Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethpage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

The Bible says Jesus sent two disciples into a village to untie an ass and a colt with her. Now most times we think it was only one animal that was going to be loosed. The ass is a female and a colt is the male (a colt is the young of the horse). That’s why Jesus said “Loose them”. Now the word them is in the plural and it excited me to a great extent because I thought this verse was feminine. Well my friend it opens a door for me to write or speak to both the genders from this verse which I hope will be a blessing to you.
Jesus did not choose them because they were intelligent animals. He never chose them because they were financially sound and worth riding on. He chose the ass & colt to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah. “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”

The ass and the colt had a prophetic word hanging over them. But they were tied to a hold which needed to be loosed. Their destiny was to get near Jesus and for the Lord to ride on them. All their life they rode many places but all those destinations was never close to what they real purpose was in life. They had an owner who didn’t know what they were called for. He had them tied and used them according to his will and wish. He wanted them under his control. Their day of revealing had not yet come. They were bound and tied like other donkeys. They had no identity and purpose to live for but stay under control. They were loosed for a while but tied again. They were not fully delivered yet. They were called to a prophetic moment in History. When Jesus rode upon the ass and the colt he fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah. They were called to be loosed and set free. All this was for one reason they had a prophetic word hanging over them.
When you have a prophetic word over your life it will drive you places and destinations that you don’t want to go. It will take you through Life’s difficulties and challenges. At times it may look like you won’t make it in life. It may seem like all hope is gone and you look like a donkey tired, weary and forgotten under the hands of an owner who does not understand you or you’re calling. I don’t blame the owner of the ass and colt for not having discerned the greater calling in the life of the donkey. The owner was only human but I have good news for you “Your Master is Jesus”. If God had declared something over an animal and fulfilled it accordingly, how much more will he do it in your life? You’re not an ass but you are men and women of God called to do great exploits. They that know they God shall do great exploits.

There is somebody that needs to be loosed like the ass & colt. For too long you have been tied and bound like everybody else. You have a greater destiny and purpose to fulfill and you’re wondering when my day of freedom will arrive. I prophesy “Let this year be a year where you will be loosed from every demonic holds. Whatever holds the devil has put you will be loosed. Just like Jesus sent his disciples to untie the ass & the colt he is sending angels on your behalf this day to untie you from situations and circumstances that you find yourself tied to.

May be you’re tied to drugs, smoking, alcohol, pornography, unruly behavior, disobedience to God’s word, anger, perverse jokes, gossip, slander, or backslidden from your faith in Christ. I believe the time has come for you to be loosed and be set free.
I speak the words of Fire to break off every hold and untie you from demonic powers in Jesus name. The Bible also says that God warned a prophet by name Balaam through the mouth of a donkey. Only the Lord God almighty can do a miracle of that level. He has power and authority over everything in this world. If men disobey him he causes animals to warn them of their disobedience. I want to declare to you “You’re more than a donkey”. You’re more precious than an ass or colt. God has made you in his own image and in his likeness. The Lord is mighty and powerful in your life to change you and draw you much closer to him.

Blessed to be a Blessing.
Cleophas David.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and I pray the Lord will fill your life abundantly with his Glory and Blessings in the name of Jesus Christ. Recently in a Bible study we had a group discussion on how to get real in the presence of God and draw closer to Christ Jesus. We discussed from the Life of David and Abraham.

It is time to get real and be real. Life is not a performance but a test of your character and how real you are in the eyes of God and people.

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.- Psalm 25:5.
King David prayed that the Lord will lead him in truth and not only lead him but also teach him the truth. The Holy Spirit wants to reinstate and reinforce the truth of Jesus Christ into the lives of people who are destined to know him.
King David was a man who admitted his mistake and always had the desire to learn more from God. He would never shy away from a situation that would make him give up his Kingship and embrace the Lordship. He knew where he came from and always wanted to know where God would take him. The power of brokenness in God’s presence produces the favor of God Almighty. David knew the secret to God’s ways of dealing with his Children. My God somebody reading this blog is on their way to find favor with God.

Friends the most difficult thing to do in life is to be just open and frank about what you feel, think, and even want to say about. We always tend to hide and put on a mask. I pray today that every religious mask and façade will be removed and you become “real” in the presence of God and man. King David openly prayed in Psalm 139:23:24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart!Try me and know my thoughts!24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. He knew within himself even though he was King he was mere human. He knew the day he took his eyes off the Lord, he had his eyes on Bathsheba. He knew he had a lust spirit working around him that was a thorn in his flesh. He knew that once upon a time he was a rejected, left alone little boy roaming in the plain wilderness of Israel. So he became real in the presence of God and said “Search me”. Oh somebody self righteous reading this would say “I know my heart and I am true to my conscious”. But friend God knows more about you than you know about yourself.

God knew the heart of David and said he is a man after my own heart. The Lord did not say ‘He is a King after my own heart”. Before he was King he was a man, he was a shepherd, he was a lonely boy forgotten in the wilderness of Israel. Whom God had chosen and anointed him to be King over Israel. If King David was a man after God’s own heart he was truly a man who knew the heart of God. The connection was strong and no matter what he went through in life. He would call upon the name of the Lord and he would deliver him.

When we enter the presence of God we lay ourselves down, we lay our titles down, we lay our position down, and we lay everything down before the presence of the King Lord Jesus. Our capabilities, talents, gifts, anointing, is down at his feet. “My Friend when we lay everything down that is a place of true surrender”.

Father Abraham in Genesis 22 laid his only son Issac at the altar depicting a picture of surrender. Isaac was a miracle child. He was Abraham’s vision, dream and destiny. He lived all his life hoping to have a child from the Lord. But when he grew up the Lord asked Abraham to sacrifice him at the altar to test his obedience and motives. Sacrificing an animal was a religious act in Israel but sacrificing a son was not known to anybody. It was an insane, hideous act of murder. But Abraham chose to obey God. He was ready to lay his dream down, his vision down, his purpose down, his agenda down and just become obedient to the voice of the Lord. It was total surrender. Some of us think Abraham would have shouted, screamed and complained against the Lord for making him do such a thing. But if we check the scriptures the bible says in Genesis 22:8 “And Abraham said, my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together” Abraham had revelation in the midst of a test of his character. He knew the Lord will provide in advance. He had advance knowledge and revelation about the work of God.

It was unreal for Abraham to sacrifice his only son at the altar, but the revelation is “It is real that God gave his only Son Jesus to this world to be crucified on the cross for our sins. He paid the price for our sins and not only that he rose from the grave on the third day and gave us power to overcome every sin in our own lives.”

Love
Cleophas David.