Month: October 2020

Amidst the fear and concern of Covid19, North America and some other parts of the world enter a dark, cold winter. The winter season is a period when every driver must relearn how to drive. During this period, vehicles change their wardrobe of tires into ones adapted for the season. Social distancing is natural on the road if accidents are to be prevented. Otherwise, someone might end up either in a ditch or tangled in a chain of collisions. Thank God for all the systems in place to keep people safe on the road. However, sometimes, it could get helplessly serious. Lois once found herself in such a frightening situation. Find below the testimony of her deliverance. God is ever faithfulness to His own.

​Driving became treacherous as I came off the north end of the Quesnel Bridge heading home.  Black ice, the kind that you cannot see, covered the three lanes ahead but I was unaware of this.  The Whitemud freeway had been clear up to this point and the speedometer on my car had crept up to the speed limit.   

​As I left the bridge and rounded the curve in the road a shocking scene was before me.  Cars were sliding everywhere.  The two lanes immediately in front of me were blocked by cars sliding crossways and there was no time to get into the far outside lane.  At that same instant a cry came from my lips and immediately I heard these word as if a voice was speaking inside my head. “Hold the wheel steady, don’t touch the brakes, and when you get there, there will be a way through.”   —These words were just there in my mind.  As I gripped the wheel, I wondered how I would ever maneuver between those cars, there is so little room?  But even as I wondered, my car was upon the scene and I sailed through.  Strangely enough, there was plenty of room.  The cars on either side seemed to slide out of the way.  This must have been an odd sight to any on-lookers, cars sliding everywhere and my car speeding through without ever slowing down.  I left the scene behind me knowing that I had been delivered from an accident.  

​​Now I recall the one-word prayer that came from my lips as I approached the ice-covered stretch of road.  It was all I had time for —‘Jesus’.   Miracles take place when we use His name.  Jesus said, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”  Help in the time of trouble is just a breath away when you know that one called Jesus, God’s Son.  That help is there for whatever lies around the next bend in the road.

I remember those words, “ when you get there, there will be a way through.” Today, I look at other circumstances that seemed impossible and I’m calling on the name of my Savior and Friend.   He can be your friend too, just for the asking.

Lois Hathaway

No Matter What, Never Give Up

While taking a walk amidst trees of various types and various history, l came across this particular tree that took me aback. It was once marked for uprooting because it was dried out and seemed dead. But on one side of it was a flourishing branch shooting out. I could not but take a break in front of it and flow in the inspirations flowing out of it.

 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

Job 14:7-9 (KJV)

Battling is what everybody faces every day. It comes in various ways depending on the individual’s peculiarity. Many soldiers go to war but not all return. Some die on the battlefield; some are injured and wounded; some are emotionally or psychologically traumatized. Regardless, many go through it safely while some even become outstanding experts. So is the life of everyone, including women. 

Women face different challenges according to their situation. The challenge of a mother is different from that of young ladies and from that of a wife. The circumstances surrounding each person defines the uniqueness of their battle. How we fight our battle would determine the extent and quality of our victory. It is worth noting that not every conflict is worth our time and attention. That is why we must choose our battle with wisdom. There are things we should just let go.

For us to have consistent victory over the challenges that cross our path, there are things we must possess:

1. Knowledge
2. Understanding
3. Wisdom
4. Kneeling knee (Prayers)
5. Faith
6. Patience
7. Perseverance, etcetera

Let us take counsel from the words of God through some wise ancient men. The book of Proverbs 4:7-9 (KJV):

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”

The battle could arise from any angle; marriage, family, health, finance, government, profession, child training, etc., we need wisdom to handle our issues. Before wisdom, we need to have good knowledge and a perfect understanding of the root cause and the factors surrounding the situation. That is when we can apply wisdom in tackling it. It is necessary to be patient and diagnose the situation before jumping into a solution.

Many of us women are too sentimental and fragile. The enemy usually takes advantage of our fragility to break us down and take charge of the situation. But once we know the rule of the game well, we are no longer be vulnerable. Wisdom knows when to talk and when to keep quiet, when to react and when to let go.

Be Soft with Your Words

Harsh words stir up anger, so be soft with your words.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”.

Proverbs 15:1

Honestly, many women need to work in this area. One husband said he wishes God could allow men to be slapping their wives once in a while. This speaks volumes. Conflict arises in many homes because the woman of the house would not stop fighting with her mouth. Two wrong cannot make a right. A wise woman will pick her words with wisdom.

Let Your Words Be Few. 

“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”.

Ecclesiastes 5:2

It is not about the quantity of the words we blast out, but the quality and presentation of our conversations. That and looking for an appropriate time to present our views.

Be Prayerful

As a woman, we cannot afford to be prayer-less.

Proverb 14:1 says: “The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”

A wise praying woman builds her home, life, career, the life of her children etc., on her knee in prayer. Even when she lacks the required wisdom she knows where to find it:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5.

So, we have no excuse. When Peninnah was busy showcasing her children and her husband was busy with wine, Hanna was busy having a private time with God. Everyone has something to be busy with. Eventually, Hannah got a unique child whose history abides until today. Esther, the beautiful queen of Persian king Ahasuerus did the impossible under the influence of prayer, and as a result, the lives of many Jews were bought back. Set your priority right in the place of prayer, reinforce your war room, and you will posses your victory in the Lord.

We must have noticed the consistency of prayer in the comments of our ladies who contributed to this topic in ‘Ladies Interactive Talks’ group. Prayer never fails, especially fervent prayers. Prayer can penetrate the thickest situation and break it apart. Sometimes, it may entail going into fasting and praying for some hours, or some days. Like Jacob said, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Genesis 32:26. Jacob did not release that angel until he got his life changed and was empowered to face his enemies and fulfill his destiny in peace. Sometimes, we may consider engaging some sincere friends to join us in prayer. When we kneel before God in worship and prayers, He will certainly stand for us, fight our battles, and grant us our requests. Every drop of tears matters to God. Prayer can move any mountain and fill every valley. It has the power to turn life around and softens the toughest bones.

Exercise Faith and Patience

To please God, it is required that we have faith in God’s ability to fix all things.

“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’ Hebrew 11:6.

After we have done our best and prayed, we should leave everything in God’s care. The time and method God chooses to answer our prayers is left to Him, and this may vary from one person to another. Therefore, we must wait for God patiently.

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Isaiah 28:16

Thanks, Ashley, for inspiring me to write this experience.

The year 2016 and 2017 were challenging years for both my family and me. We went through a situation that almost drenched our faith, especially me. In December of 2017, my family decided to fly to the State for a National Retreat (a yearly Christian program that the church organizes globally). We desperately needed some time with God as a family. We needed time to heal and the strength to move on. We planned to stay back in my sister-in-law’s place after the retreat for a holiday.

During the retreat, we lodged in a hotel that allowed us to focus on God throughout those 5 days programs (thanks to our pastors over there). The first 2 days of that retreat could be referred to as a period of weeping and crying. Every congressional song penetrated my soul and spirit like an arrow and launched me into ceaseless tears.

The remaining part of the program was a period of healing, renewal, and revival. Before this period, my spirit had suffered deep dryness and was almost dying of spiritual malnourishment. During the programs, it was like my thirsty heart was thrown into a pool of refreshing water, swimming like a fish in the ocean of life. I got so many insights from the words of God that I penned down accordingly. The ministers, the teachers, the choir presentations, etc., were fantastic. You could tell that they were operating under the power of prayers. There was no doubt the presence of God was in the place.

I started the retreat with tears and ended with rejoicing. God is forever faithful. It was like that retreat should not end. Anyway, we must go back home to face the world again. We returned to my sister-in-law’s place in Rhode Island.

The next day, after my family had gone to bed at night, l decided to stay back and go over my notes. I pulled out my Bible, my pen, and my notebook. As I started going over my jottings, I somehow dozed off. The next thing l saw was me in a place amidst some people. We were all busy doing one thing or the other. Suddenly, something happened, and the next thing was that people started flying in the air and disappearing. Immediately, l knew it was rapture taking place.

If there was any time l was sure of making it to heaven, it was that period. I started preparing myself for my turn. I began to feel something happening in my body… I was in that experience when I suddenly found myself still sitting on the bed with my notebook and my pen in my hands. The fear mixed with confusion gripped my soul tightly and won’t let go for a moment. I quickly turned around to check my husband. Thank God he was there sleeping, like a baby. I climbed down the bed and went to check my children. They were all still there deep in sleep. My heart could not still stop pacing within me. I reached out to my phone and started sending out random messages to those l knew were really children of God. I wasn’t getting instant response as it was already late in the night, but we were 2 hours ahead. Eventually, I got some responses and finally got my relief; rapture had not taken place. It was too tormenting that night but relieving in the long run.

Bible is an ancient book that contains a lot of prophecies. Hundreds of these Biblical prophecies had come to pass, while some are still pending. Among other prophecies yet to be fulfilled is the prophecy about the rapture.

What is Rapture?

Rapture comes from the Latin word ‘rapio’ meaning ‘caught up’ or ‘carried off’. Simply put, it is catching up or carrying off of the believers in Christ; the wise virgins who have given their life to Christ. They live above sins and are diligently waiting for the rapture which could happen any moment.

‘For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’

1Thessalonians 4: 16-18

The enemy is also aware of the rapture and would do anything possible to hinder any Christian from making it. Temptation, trial, tribulations, challenges, persecutions are out there to challenge believers waiting for the rapture. The stain of sins would disqualify any believer who yielded himself or herself to it. The Bible says without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrew 12:14). The temptation of life would post itself strategically to trap any believers in their careless moment. False prophets, the business-minded, celebrity pastors would be there to misdirect the ignorants, to suit their purposes. Carnality and offenses might creep into the congregation of people of God to drain grace out of the life of any vulnerable believers. These are the reasons believers cannot afford to sleep off at this late hour but to watch and pray. Regardless of the situations out there, we have confidence in God’s words that He who has begun a good work of salvation in us will bring it to completion. God’s grace is fully available to carry us through as His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

If you are believers, you can not go back now to those things which you have left behind. For all the bridges you burned don’t try to find them; that songwriter warned in his song titled: ‘Don’t turn around to the things you left behind’. You must set your face like a flint and walk right unto the promised land. Don’t turn around to the things you left behind.

If you are still undecided about Christ, it is getting dangerous now. Jesus Christ is loving and patient. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. His hands are wide open waiting for you to jump in so He could catch you and embrace you in love. But He will not wait forever. There is no repentance after death.

Who is sufficient unto all these? Thank God, our sufficiency is of God. He will hold our hands and lead us on. My honest prayer is that God in His mercy will have mercy on every one of us and grant us daily grace that diligently awaits Christ coming in rapture.