1 John 5:4 ‘For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.’

DAILY READING; • 1 Corinthians 14:1-25; 2 Kings 8; Jonah 3

John Sherrill was a young reporter with Guideposts magazine. A skeptic about speaking in tongues and baptism of The Holy Spirit, he determined to objectively dig out the facts by examining contemporary events. His investigation brought him face to face with amazing stories of the manifestations of the Spirit in modern times, which drastically changed his life. His book ‘They Speak with other tongues’ is a classic that has inspired millions of people around the world. One of the stories there is about the missionary to Liberia Reverend H. B. Garlock and his wife. The Garlocks had arrived in Liberia in 1922, on a dangerous assignment to preach to a small tribe in the interior of Liberia called the Pahns. No missionaries had ever before worked with the Pahns because they were cannibals. The Garlocks set up camp with a group of African Christians whose tribal boundary touched that of the Pahns.

One day, Reverend Garlock went into the region of the Pahns and was captured. The armed natives with him escaped leaving him to face the cannibal tribe alone. Surrounded by a people whose language he could not understand death seemed eminent. However, at that moment he recalled Mark 13:11 where Jesus said ‘but whatsoever shall be given to you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak but the Holy Ghost”. And so he began to pray in tongues. As he prayed, the Pahns leaned forward, enthralled, listening intently to his words. After some minutes, the Chief of the tribe and the witch doctor gave a command that he should be released, and even sent warriors to escort him back. What had happened was that without understanding it, Reverend Garlock, through the Holy Spirit had spoken to the Pahns in their own language. This opened the door of evangelism to the Pahns who would eventually give up their cannibal life and convert to Christianity.

1 John 5:4 says ‘For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.’

Indeed it is unto every believer according to his faith. Abandoned by his men and faced with death Reverend Garlock was only delivered through his faith in God and guidance of The Spirit. .

In times of trouble the depth of our faith can make the difference between life and death. We each therefore have a personal responsibility to build up our faith in God. Especially with all that is happening in the world today, we need to be spiritually sensitive.

1 Chronicles 12:32 tells us that the children of Issachar, were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

Today, we ought to look beyond the various News Headlines and understand the spiritual implications of our times. Currently a lot is happening globally that should put us on spiritual red alert. Something is happening that has rarely ever happened in the world. At the same time, in many nations, a halt has been put to the corporate gathering of Christians. Outwardly it is a genuine move by government to curb the pandemic, but spiritually it could also be a tool for the enemy. Without the discipline of timed corporate gatherings some believers may become slack in their spiritual schedule. We must therefore guard against this. We cannot afford to grow spiritually cold at this time because the last days on earth are climatic days of spiritual warfare. We must therefore remain spiritually alert.

While we may not gather physically let us continue to congregate spiritually. Let us continue to connect to the Body of Christ through every available means. This period of staying indoors, is not the time to increase movie watching or other mundane things. Rather it is opportunity to build up our faith in God, through diligent study of His Word and fellowship with The Spirit. The faith we build up now will answer for us when we most need it.

The last days are indeed perilous times. While we may not know what next is coming upon the world, as long as our faith in God remains strong we will always overcome. Let us therefore, draw closer to God through a more intimate love walk with Him. When faith in God dominates our heart, we will be sure of victory at all times, because faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to continually build up my faith in You through diligent study of Your Word and fellowship with The Spirit. Thank You for causing me to keep growing from strength to strength; and from victory to victory in Jesus Name

QUOTE

Illuminate your world for you are a star destined to shine. WORDBITE 222.