1John 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; • Matthew 17; Numbers 3-4; Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16

Reverend Henry B. Garlock was a missionary to Africa in the 1920s and 30s. His book titled ‘Before We Kill and Eat You’ captures his adventures in Africa.
He and his wife 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, one of the natives working with Garlock as a messenger was captured by these cannibals. He took some few men and embarked on a journey into Pahn country in an attempt to rescue the imprisoned man, before he could be eaten.
However, in the process, he was captured himself and the men with him ran away. He was surrounded by a yelling crowd of Pahns, armed with spears, knives and hatchets.
Praying all the time, Garlock asked God for wisdom.
The witchdoctor stood up in the crowd and shook a reed wand at Garlock and for about an hour he harangued the missionary in their language.
Though he didn’t understand what was being said, yet Garlock found that peace flooded his heart as he felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. He recalled the words of Jesus from Matthew 10: “Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
When the witch doctor finished talking, Garlock felt a strange faith and boldness come upon him and he began to speak in tongues.
The effect of his speaking in tongues was startling to the Pahns. As they leaned forward, enthralled, Garlock realized that he must be speaking the language of the Pahns.
After 20 minutes, as suddenly as it had come, the supernatural language ceased. Something Garlock must have said while speaking under the power of the Spirit convinced the amazed Pahns to release him and the captured messenger.
The Pahn chief even gave them two of his own men to guide them through the jungle back to their station!
This incident opened the way for the Pahns to eventually receive the Gospel and give up their cannibalism.

Certainly, no situation is too hard for anyone who has faith. Abandoned by his men and faced with death Reverend Garlock was 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 therefore have a personal responsibility to build up our faith as our guarantee of deliverance from any tight or tough spot in life.
To be victorious in trials, we must keep our gaze on God’s Word. There is deliverance power and wonder-working power in the Word.
Even in situations where it may look like you are surrounded or there seems to be no way out, always be assured that Jesus is always the way-maker and miracle worker.
As long as we abide in faith and stay focused on His Word, He will carry out an amazing rescue operation to deliver us, in ways and means we could never have fathomed.
This is why in times of trials, rather than focus on how bad the problem, keep the focus on how big your God is.
As long as our faith is in Him, He is able to deliver from every trouble and make a way where there seems to be no way.
This is why we should use every opportunity to build up our faith through diligent study of the Word and fellowship with the Spirit. As long as our faith in God remains strong we will always overcome.

What dominates your heart will determine your response to issues of life. The more God’s Word dominates our heart the more we will react in faith to whatever comes our way. If you lack the Word, you will automatically react in fear and fear is what breeds failure and defeat. But when faith in God dominates our heart, certainly, we can be sure of victory at all times.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for causing me to keep growing from strength to strength; and from victory to victory. Please help me to continually build up my faith through diligent study of Your Word so that I can always overcome the world in Jesus Name

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