WE always remember the humble beginnings of the Kingdom Nation wherein the Almighty Father had led us from spiritual wilderness to the Promised Land. It was a journey of enduring faith. Blood, sweat, tears, pain and agony have marked each step to bring us to the glorious position where we are today. We reflect on how we sacrificed, at the same time, we never forget how the Father had delivered us in every moment of affliction.
The Father has always been with us. This ministry is pock-marked with affliction, persecution, agony, and bashing. But we went on through to the way we are today.
This is why these affliction and sacrifices are very necessary ingredients to be strong in our faith. Without these, we will be weak. Now, our faith is stronger than ever before!
THERE IS NO FEAR IN FAITH
There are promises in the Scripture — instructions along our journey of faith. Just like when you drive down a highway, there are many road signs, instructions so that you don’t get wrecked or have an accident. We also have road signs in our faith, in our journey towards heaven.
Psalms 143:5 says, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works’ I muse on the work of thy hands.”
How had the Father given those apostles that great faith within them, having no fear of death? They have overcome the fear of death. Just imagine Paul the Apostle. He was to be beheaded tomorrow. That night, he was still writing to Timothy; he was still writing to Titus: “I have fought the good fight of faith. Now, I am ready to take the crown of life. Timothy, be a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ.” If there was a nurse who could have taken the blood pressure of Paul, it would have been the same — 110 over 80. No fear, nothing. Because he was the one who wrote “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) We are not afraid to die.
THE PRETENDERS WILL NOT ENDURE
So, when we are put in the place of glory because we have been through sacrifices that are not even worthy to be compared to the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles, let us look at ourselves and say, “Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage (Deuteronomy 6:12).” From the sacrifices we were in.
That’s why people who don’t sacrifice for the Lord are very dangerous people. They are candidates to become traitors. All they see are the blessings. All they see are the material things that are now in the ministry. And they just want to come into the fence and say, “We will enjoin with you; we will pretend to be with you.” But when the sacrifices and the shaking comes, all the pretenders will go and be pulled out. So, the shaking and the spiritual earthquakes that shake us are very important, so that only the genuine will remain.
Hebrews 10:32-39:
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
LIVING BY FAITH
You gave comfort to your bodily pleasures while you were alive but you did not mind about your soul? Your body will die. Don’t fear those who kill the body or give pleasure to the body. Look at your soul first of all.
We have the faith. We can live by faith. The essence of faith is that our faith will never backslide.
Why are you here? Because you believe in what I say. If somebody persecutes you because of your faith, will you be weakened? Don’t be shaken. That is living by faith. We are living by faith. If you backslide, the Father is not pleased with your soul. Whatever tries you, stand up!
For those who want to go to heaven with me, this ministry is appointed to affliction. So, if you are looking for comfort only, this ministry is not for you. If you are looking for blessings only, this ministry is not for you. If you are looking for material gain only, this ministry is not for you. If you have greed and love for money only, this ministry is not for you. Because this ministry is appointed to affliction. Affliction is our friend.
(to be continued)
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For more spiritual manna from the Almighty Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, through His Appointed Son, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, visit his official website at www.apolloquiboloy.com.