Encouragement to our Faithful Readers
Short visions
Important notice: We have made some additions to our "Blazing Holy Fire" Teachings and the Sabbath Question article. Also, beloved people of God, our second book is now available in both E-Book and paperback formats. Our intention is not to use manipulative marketing ideas to coerce you into buying our books. We however, expect you to support us and pray for us as we labour to reach the lost, the discouraged and those who are hungry for the word of God. I (Brother Glenn) has received two short visions from the Lord and I am permitted to share it with you here.
On the 22 September 2016, I had a vision from the Lord. I present the vision to you just as I received it. I need to point out though that I am not a soccer fan nor a follower of any soccer club. The Lord simply used this sport to illustrate the message He wanted me to share with us.
When the vision opened, I knew it was a soccer world cup event taking place somewhere in the world. Two strong African teams (Cameroon and Nigeria) were in the world cup final and they had to compete for the coveted world cup trophy. I heard someone whom I couldn't see saying, 'It doesn't matter who wins, either way we win'. Suddenly the vision changed and I saw a man scoring a goal with his head. I could sense the man's thoughts, he was thinking, 'if I score a goal, the people would vilify me as being unpatriotic'. However, when the soccer ball landed behind the goal post I heard everybody loudly applauding and celebrating that goal throughout the world. I could feel the joy and excitement of people everywhere and I heard a voice saying, "People has lost Country loyalty".
Interpretation: Football as we know it, divides people and Countries alike. The Lord used this most loved sport to show that there will be a common unity of nations. I perceived in the vision that countries of the world are uniting and working towards a single government system. People everywhere would welcome and embrace this new system. There is scriptural evidence of this (Daniel 2:41-43; Revelations 13:3). Brethren, we must remain praying while we are looking forward to the rapture!
Also, on the 23 September 2016, I had another vision. I saw a group of about 5 people having a conversation. These were white South Africans, male and females having a normal conversation. They could not see me, neither could I hear what they were saying. However, I knew that they were talking about Mr Mandela (our late former president). I perceived that they were praising him for his leadership and longing for a man of his stature. I then heard a gentle voice saying, "These people should be praying for their Country so that the Lord can give them peace". (1 Timothy 2:2; 2 Chronicles 7:14). End of vision. This vision needs no interpretation. The Lord is encouraging the people of South Africa to pray for our Country, which is facing wide-spread student protests. Please pray for rain also, as our livestock and food security is being threatened.
This article concerns that we should extend our love and care to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. We often find many truly born again Christians ignoring the plight of others because they reckon those in need are not from "our church" or don't belong to our group.
The denominational spirit of our times is largely responsible for this selective care in today’s society. Understandably, while it is easy to extend a helping hand to those of our immediate fellowship, we should not limit the Lord’s work and fail to care for others outside our immediate fellowship. Neither should we fear those in our fellowship who are driven by a spirit of sectarianism (Acts 11:2-18). What we do for others, we do for Christ (Matthew 25:40).
Bible Examples of True Christian Care
In denouncing sectarianism within Christianity, the Lord rebuked John for trying to stop someone (who was not part of their immediate company) from ministering deliverance in His name (Luke 9:49-50). Even so when Tabitha, a disciple, became sick, concerned brothers and sisters nursed her, remembering her loving and caring spirit before the Lord; they stood as one and trusted God to bring her back to life, and He did by honouring their faith and care for their fellow sister (Acts 9:36-41).
Often, people who consider themselves Christians lack compassion for the needy and they show their impatience with the needy person by avoiding contact, citing uncaring excuses (Luke 9:57-62). If I may put it this way, the ‘package’ of salvation includes a great deal of discomfort to ourselves and our families while God delivers His care and love through us to those in need (2 Corinthians 5:20).
In addition, our Lord Jesus Himself expressed compassion and care on many occasions to the sick, needy and the dead (Matthew 9:36; 20:34; 15:32; John 11:33-36). The Lord did not expect anything in return from those He took care of; His gift to them was to restore them in fellowship to God (2 Corinthians 5:18).The Lord’s care for the needy is real because He always initiates the action for help and deliverance for our good (Philippians 2:13; Acts 10:2).
Furthermore, when my family and I were on the verge of losing our house with the court summoning judgment against us, and being weak in our faith through sorrow, we turned to the Lord in desperation. In His compassion He lifted our faith in Him by commanding us to fast for a day. He used the fasting to draw our attention to Him, which served as an expression of faith, and this He did to deliver us from the bondage of our circumstances. In other words, He used fasting to motivate us to believe, so that He can help us. What an all Wise God we serve!
Do We Care Enough for Our Fellow Brethren?
In reality, when saying we must care for the needy brethren, the Lord is not expecting us to go door to door and look up for needy people. Scripturally, He sends them to us or sends us to them (Luke 10:31-33; 1 Kings 17:9). Our caring must not be grudgingly, but from a pure heart of love (2 Corinthians 9:7). The needy often recognised Christ being the source of our caring. Also, our mere knowledge of a person’s need should spur us into action and not just our physical presence. The Lord recently rebuked somebody for not showing enough care and compassion to a fellow believer who is in need of care. As a word of caution, our care for others should never be used by us or others to elevate us. Where Christ the giver through us is absent, we point people to our compassion for them, and the Lord says we have no Heavenly reward for our effort (Matthew 6:2).
In conclusion, when we care for our needy brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, we ourselves will not fail to receive mercy when our turn for mercy shows up; this is a Biblical fact of faith (Matthew 5:7). Furthermore, if we express and give care to the needy in Christ against our own will and discomfort, our response would either be out of genuine love or out of guilt. Guilt is fruitless and can be identified by the impatience of the giver, but care from a loving heart shows no remorse and the recipient of such care recognises God, whose Goodness to us we express through praise and thanksgiving.
Let us continue to practice hospitality, for it is not a matter of what we have or where we are, but being available to give care from our hearts wherever we are.
If you are not yet born again, please pray this
God bless you all in Jesus name,
Brother Glenn.
