Month: February 2023

OUTREACHES: The Hem of His Garment

The Eyes and Heart of Faith

Many of us started attending church from an early age. Have we started practicing what we have been learning from our pastors? If not, why not? We have taken so much from God and We need to give back to Heaven too – our life, talent, and time. Going to church is one thing, being the doers of the words is another thing.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

– James 1:22-25.

There is something amazing about Christ and His way, it is the fellowship of love and truth. The love of God brings hearts together in the name of the Lord and encourage true fellowship. Sharing that love from person to person, house to house, village to town to the city is what some of us are trying to do.

Ladies Interactive Talks

We are a group of women from different denominations who delight in sharing our faith with others. When you value what you have, you are not ashamed to make it known.

Ermineskin Meeting

Last week we headed to the beautiful Town of Lacombe. Although the day started with snow, as we hit the road, our path became clearer. A family had opened their home to us for fellowshipping and sharing Christ with the invited friends and neighbors.

As the February edition was on ‘Touching the Hem of His Garment,” we read from the Book of Luke 8:41-56. Before this period, we had shared who God is to us and reviewed our encounters with Him.

We talked about the unique faith of that woman with the issue of blood. She knew what she wanted in the midst of the crowd. She would not allow the multitude to stand between her and Jesus who holds her miracle. How has the Word of God been influencing us? Things happen each time we go to the presence of God. The words of God are meant to reform us, shaping us into the image of Christ. Someone said: “if you are not riding the wave of change, you’ll find yourself beneath it”.

Interactive Discussion Time

When that woman touched the garment of Jesus, she drew power and virtue from Him in a special way that Jesus had to stop and ask who touched Him. The question is: How have we been touching Jesus?

Always a friendship loving caring fellowship

Noise and multitude are not barriers to Jesus hearing our cry. It is a matter of heart and faith. The blind man during the earthly ministry of Jesus cried out to Him for mercy but people around Him asked him to keep quiet. They were probably thinking that Jesus was too high for a low man like him. The more people tried shutting him up, the more “he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me” – Luke 18:38.

Lacombe; kitchen Corner

Previous Meetings:

Outdoor Meeting – Edmonton
Garden time

We can begin to touch the hem of Christ’s garment today for various things. He is faithful and caring Saviour. Join us in our outreaches to strengthen your faith. Invite people struggling with faith in Christ, and let’s interactively fellowship together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer of dedication for the youths

Do you want one in your home, neighborhood, or community? Please, contact us: Ambassadors of Faith Foundation; https://theaffglobal.org/contact/

Contact us for more details on the outreaches. We are willing to bring Jesus to any home, any city any town.

Thank you, may God bless! Don’t forget to touch Jesus daily!

Worship time
Interaction and feeding
On the move

The Highway Angel Encounter

I think I have interacted with an Angel. Whether it was a human angel or a heavenly one, I am not that sure, but there was something unique about that encounter.

It was during a late-night drive on a highway. I was on a time- and life-sensitive assignment. Submerged in the inspirational music coming out of the car player, I was flowing in the joy of the Lord, not worried about the thick darkness around me on a lonely two-way highway that cuts through farmland and moderate forest. I was just one of the few cars on the road at that hour of the night. That night was so dark that you could barely see anything except the car headlight guiding the driving. Suddenly, I heard a loud confusing sound which took me a while to decipher its source. This consistent sound was now coupled with the shaking of the car. It was then I realized that the sound was from my car. I had no choice but to look for a safe place to park on that dark and deserted highway.

I came down from the car and discovered that I just had a flat tire. How could this have happened? My husband just replaced all the four tires on it with a set of brand new. For some minutes, I had no idea what to do. Then I remembered the spare tire and that people change tires: this I had never done before. Secondly, I had no idea how to get the extra tire out of the car because of the way it was stylishly hooked up to the car, and that was one of the things I loved about the car then. Thirdly, I have been driving the car for years, and I never had reason to look for where the flat tire accessories were kept in the car. So, I was unsure where to look for the accessories.

I was simply stuck that night, all alone by myself. On both sides of the road were trees and bushes. The nearest residential area to that location was several kilometers away. Then I thought of seeking help, but who would stop in that area at that time of the night? Well, I had no choice but to step aside from the car and wave down all the passing cars.  Of course, no one was stopping. I could understand their reason not to. The car broke down in a very suspicious place where there was no light or building – a sketchy little forest area. To perfect the miracle, my dark skin blended well with the night and the color of the car wasn’t that helpful either. Before anybody could see me or notice the car, they would have driven some meters away.

After I had tried several times with no help in sight, I decided to risk the car’s rim; thank God it got an alloy rim. So, I went back in the car and started driving so slowly beside the road. I knew there was a little town some kilometers away. As I crawled on the rim, I suddenly noticed a vehicle driving at my back slowing, for a second, I was glad thinking it was a police car. What I didn’t realize was that it got no police flashing light. I parked and stayed inside the car as expected. Then, I noticed a huge guy come down from the vehicle and started walking toward me. He came to the car window and asked me if I needed help. That was when I noticed he wasn’t a cop. I had no concern or fear about this total stranger approaching me and asking if I needed help but I was just at peace with him. I said yes, I needed help. I told him I had a flat tire and had no idea how to change it. He said to me, I can help you. So, I stepped out of the car and he started checking the car.

Do you have the key to the car tire? said the man. I went blank for some seconds wondering about the “key to the tire”. Then I remembered my husband giving me a bunch of bolts in a pack as he told me those were the keys to the tires. I didn’t take him that seriously then but put the bag where he asked me to put them. The memory came back to me immediately and I got the keys out for the man. This stranger opened the car boot and got all the accessories out. He looked at them and said to me, I got better tools in my truck, I will be right back. I watched him go to his vehicle which looked like a 4×4 red/orange truck, the visibility was greatly low. He came back with a massive piece of equipment that I had never seen before.

Right away he got into changing the tire while I stood by the road using my phone light to flash off the vehicles on the move. The man who was not talking much seemed worried about the spare tire when he saw it. It has been laid in the car for years and has not been used before. All the same, he finished up with the change that seemed super easy for him. The car got raised like a feather and he could maneuver around it easily. He then asked me to get in the car and start driving. He said to me to drive slowly because of the uncertainty around the spare tire. I thanked him so much and asked if I could get his number. I just wanted my husband to reach out to him when he returns from his trip, but the man said I should not worry about it. So, I got into the car and started driving so slowly, focusing on where I was going. I drove several kilometers, passed through a town, and drove some kilometers from there into another junction where I turned to another city, then for the first time, I noticed a vehicle driving behind me slowly and maintaining the same speed that I was on. I was expecting the vehicle to overtake me and go its way but no. Because it was so dark, I couldn’t see the vehicle very well. The vehicle kept driving behind me until I turned into my destination entrance, then it zoomed off. That was when I noticed the same truck that stopped to help me change my tire and get back on the road. That stranger did not only help me change the tire but ensured my safe arrival at my destination.

While I was stuck on the road, there was no network to pass the message across to people waiting for me. I thought of calling a family friend, but then I realized they would be in bed by that time; besides, I was far away from home. Not even AMA would come to get me in that place, and at that time. But then, this highway Angel showed up from nowhere, not only to help but to ensure my safety. Every time I remember this encounter, tears rush into my eyes. Could this man have been a God-sent Angel or a Human Angel? So many thoughts in my head to justify that it was a human Angel, but things were not just adding up.

How did he get to my back unnoticed? Because it was dark and quiet, every passing vehicle was obvious from afar as I was conscious of safety. I had driven past the location I was waving all cars down. It was on the highway and the speed limit was 100km/hour so, he wouldn’t have just stopped abruptly and started following me slowly. Had he seen me before and decided to turn back and help me? Then he would have turned back to continue his trip. Even when he drove after me for several kilometers and eventually saw me reach a safe place, he zoomed on straight into the direction of another town entirely instead of turning back. He quietly followed me afar off maintaining my 40/50km/hr on a 100km/hr road. He was not talking much but giving direct instructions and won’t share his contact.

One thing I am certain of is that God cares for His own and is ever faithful to His promises. I also know that: “the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; Psalm 33:18

There is an established covenant between God and those who have accepted Him as their personal Lord and Savior. And since God is a covenant-keeping God, such people got nothing to worry about. The words of the Lord say:

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

– Deuteronomy 31:8

The Psalmist said in Psalm 23:1: “…Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…”

– Psalm 23:1

What does the Bible say about the possibility of encountering Angels?

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

– Hebrews 13:2

Those who have God got nothing to worry about. We just need to trust Him and His wisdom. The awesome part is that even when our faith gets smaller than that of a mustard seed, God helps our unbelief in His mercy.

Having a relationship with God is no evil thing, but the best thing that could ever happen to a man. God is not evil but good. We can always trust Him with every aspect of our life.

A songwriter wrote:

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh, for grace to trust Him more

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

– Psalms 34:8

The Journey of Love

Love is a mysterious feeling that cannot be fully comprehended. When it possesses its victim, it takes over many activities and directs its courses. Love is real and powerful. There are 2 major classifications of things in biology; living and non-living things, but biology missed classifying Love under the category of living things. Love is a living thing that can also die if badly nurtured. As a living thing, when Love is born, it brings forth joy and gladness. On its arrival it feels so healthy, great, fulfilling, and radiant.

Good or Bad Love

There are different types of love, yet they all seem to have something in common; “feeling” or “passion”. However, that passion could be so real, powerful, and sincere. It could also be ingenuine, temporary, sensual, or momentariness. If that is so, maybe we can categorize love as bad love and good love. So, love is not always love as it seems. We must diagnose the good one from the bad one.

Love is the bedrock of any relationship and marriage. It is characterized by deep affection between a man and a woman to the extent that they decide to live together for the rest of their lives.

But does love fade over time, or die with time? It is possible, depending on many things, such as the genesis of that love and the factors around it. A relationship built on a shaky questionable love might sink with time. Relationships erected on erotic feelings mostly end in disappointment. So, when you go about searching as unmarried man or woman, be careful that you don’t fall into a trap of bad love. Some people will fake love until they have what they want, then they discard their victim in search of another victim.

The Subject of the Quest; Love

These days, many people are on the quest for true love, which is ok because love is great. It fills a vacuum in the life of anyone. Finding the right person that touches your heart deeply and in a special way is awesome. But the issue is that some are searching sincerely while some are just playing games. Someone said, you don’t have to kiss all the frogs while searching for your Prince. You need to be patient. While the frogs hop back to their ponds, your Prince will stay back and stand out to hold your hand.

The Perfect Love???

I was once having a conversation with a friend on relationship, and she told me all she was looking for in the man of her dreams; the guy must be handsome, tall, no debt of any kind except for a mortgage, not the type that I would be nursing like a baby, not a demanding man, not the one that is interested in my money, and on and on. I simply and sincerely asked her if she had considered staying single for the rest of her life. Some people are just ok without marriage, and I don’t think they will go to hell for that. But if a relationship is being considered there are many things attached to it.

Marriage without a sense of sacrifice can never stand strong. Both parties will simply face their agenda, and this will open doors for many things including finding satisfaction somewhere else and looking for someone willing to listen to them and understand their predicaments. The day we say yes in marriage all our personal agendas begin to go through reformation. And that is why the period of courtship or dating is not only about Romeo and Juliet kind of things but also planning and learning time, as the love continue to grow.

Sustainability

While a dead clock can only be right twice a day, a lasting relationship rooted in Christ is bound to succeed better. It will stand the test of time and dwell in the blessings of the Lord. Like the three Hebrew boys, the fire of Nebuchadnezzar cannot cut short the plans of God for that home for its inhabitants no longer walk alone but with the Prince of peace. When we bring God into our plans and prayerfully ask His guidance on our choice, we will never be disappointed. Even when our boat seems to get stuck in a storm of life, the Master of the storm will be right there calming the storm.

When we allow the Word of God guides our actions and plans and allow no sin or defilement in our courtship, but honor God in our relationship with our fiancé or fiancée, we will always have the confidence to go to God during any marital challenge. We would be able to look straight to God in the humility of our heart, and ‘produce our cause before Him, bringing forth our strong reasons’ on why He must honor our marriage and save it.

But I screwed up before…

What if we had screwed up in the past? God is ever merciful: when He forgives, He forgets. So, we must not allow the devil to build a castle of shame, regret, defeat, or self-pity in our hearts. Mary Magdalene became a virgin in the eyes of the Lord when she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour. Rahab of Jericho, a popular harlot in history, received mercy from God and became part of the genealogy of Christ. Christianity is not about yokes and burdens, but blessings embedded in the ministry of mercy.

Knowing God’s Will in Marriage

God still leads in relationships and marriage. He still guides if allowed. We can’t see into the future, but God can. He also has the manual of our lives in His hands. We don’t assemble a new product with the manual in the garbage, we would struggle a lot and might not get it right. We must let God be part of that decision. We must give our hearts sincerely to Him and be guided by His Word not only in marriage but in every area of life.

The Best Match-Maker

If you are unmarried and found someone attracted to you or someone has asked your hand in marriage, tell God about it and wait for His counsel. Feeling can change anytime, but the true love stay through thick and thin. A daughter of God was once praying about her marital life at one of the annual conferences of her church. God then opened her eyes to see some heavenly bodies in a panel setting taking the requests of people one after the other in that meeting and settling their cases as they were lifting their hearts to God in prayers. She was allowed to hear the decision about her own heart cry on marriage. They clearly mentioned who she would end up with in marriage. Immediately after her case was taken, she was cut off from that vision. Years after, it was consummated as said by God.

God is interested in your love life

God is real, His Words are perfect, and His Love is everlasting. Take a moment with God as you read this article and let Him take over your love life, your marriage, your family, and everything you are. You will never regret handing everything over to God. It is a great wisdom to make God the centre of our life. You will live to share the goodness of God.