Friday, February 27, 2009

A Born-Again, Spirit-filled, and Spirit-led Christian

Are you a born-again Christian? Or are you still under the dominion of Satan? Who is ruling your heart and your life right now? Are you a new citizen of the Kingdom of heaven, or are you still a slave of the kingdom of darkness? Is God your Father or Satan your master?

Are you a sinner saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus? Or are you still very proud of your own self-righteousness and good works, thinking that if I would try to do just one more good thing then God would look upon me favorably? Where are you heading toward right now? What will your eternity be like, with God or without God?

Have you had God’s power operated in you to help you live a victorious Christian life, or are you still struggling in your own strength to rise above mediocrity everyday? What are you focusing right now? On God or man? On heavenly things or earthly things? Are you just thinking of yourself all the time or are you thinking of others? Are you thinking of yourself less or less of yourself?

Are you still in Egypt being slaved to sin? Or are you getting out on your way in the wilderness wandering, wanting to go back into slavery so you will have something familiar like cucumbers, slave food that satisfied the desire of the flesh? Or are you marching forward into the Promised Land, crossing the Red Sea and the Jordan River?

Are you full of faith or full of fear? Do you only see the giants in the land or do you see Almighty God fighting the battles for you? Are you hiding sin under your tent and is about to be destroyed by your rebellion or are you willing to get rid of things that burden you down in your daily walk with God?

Are you full of God’s wisdom or man’s wisdom? Are you led by the Spirit of God? Is He manifesting His power in you destroying the works of the devil? (I John 3:8b)

Scripture is very clear, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Are you a born again Christian? You are. Great. Are you satisfied with where you are in your spiritual walk right now with God? No. Or are you glad just to be saved; or are you still pretending, kidding yourself thinking in your mind that by you saying just the right formula, doing just enough to get by hoping one day when this life is over, God will give you just a plain and simple ticket to heaven?

Being born again is just a beginning. Great things are to come to you. Get the full package! Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be continually filled with the Holy Ghost.

You are kidding yourself when you pretend to be somebody else that you are not. God sees the heart of man. God sees your heart right now. He knows exactly where you are and what you really need to live a victorious life. You are either one of God’s children, or you are not. Period.

If you are serious, you will answer yes to God and no to Satan. Your answers to these questions will help you evaluate where you are right now in your walk with God. I pray that you will not miss out God’s plan for your life. Be drunk with “the Holy Spirit”. Be filled with God’s Spirit.

The number one thing to do to make sure right now is to give your heart to Jesus and invite Him to come inside of you to be your Lord and Savior. There is no sweeter or greater thing to know that you know you are God’s children as the seal of the Holy Spirit is placed upon your heart.

The second thing is to make sure that you are baptized by the Holy Spirit and to walk in His power and to do His will just like Jesus did.

Will you humbly seek God and let His presence, His gifts and His power daily be manifested in you and through you as you seek to obey God’s Word at any cost? He will be with you to show you the truth and guide you every step of the way as you surrender totally to the Holy Spirit.

What a blessed life to live, a born-again, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life!

Pastor Linh

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Spiritual Power and Authority

Everyday, whether we realize it or not, we are living in the world which is still under the rule of Satan. However, since we are saved and brought into the Kingdom of God which is ruled by the Lord Jesus, we are no longer belonged to Satan.

Jesus has come to destroy the kingdom of darkness ruled by the Devil. The kingdom of darkness is shaken. People are getting saved and delivered. Satan is desperate to destroy the Church. Jesus is anointed “with the Holy Spirit and with power” and he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38).

On the other hand, the Bible also reminds us, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (II Cor. 2:11)

Anyone who is either arrogant or ignorant will fall into the devil’s temptations, snares or evil schemes. We need to watch and pray and stay alert against the Evil one. Satan, the father of lies; who disguised himself as angel of light; who is the accuser of the brethren; who is the roaring lion roaming around looking for someone whom he may devour will not leave God’s children alone. He cannot hurt God, and therefore he may try his best to hurt and harm God’s children.

We are to watch out for Satan and not to let him have the upper hand. He formed weapons against us, but the Word says, “No weapons formed against us shall prosper.” We have a better weapon system, the Word of God that can and will defeat the devil. We’ve got to depend on the Holy Spirit everyday, every moment to protect, to lead and to guide us.

Spiritual power and authority come from the Lord, the Holy Spirit operating in us. It depends on our daily relationship with God; how close we are to God; how much of God’s Word is in us; and how much of His love is being demonstrated through us; how dependent we are on the Holy Spirit; how obedient we are to His prompting; how much we are yielding ourselves to Him; how much we are dead to sin and alive in the Spirit; how much of God is in us taking control over our very lives; how much we have control over our words and deeds.

When our relationship with God is not strong, when we are like Adam and Eve hiding behind a bush away from God’s presence, when we are like Jonah running away from God’s calling in our lives, we may have already chosen to believe the devil’s lies. Then our fellowship with God is not the same like before.

We lose spiritual power and authority. Yet, God is still out there looking for us, calling us back to the Fold. We’ve got to be aware of the Evil scheme which Satan tries to use to get us down causing us to drift away from God, His Word and His presence. And the moment we put our guard down, he attacked us and hurt us or destroyed our lives.

When we sin, we lost our spiritual power and authority and when we allow sins to continue to dominate us, we lose our spiritual power definitely, until we are no longer effective or fruitful. Yes, definitely, there is a U-Turn; there is always room for the prodigal son or daughter or servant of God to come running back to the Father.

We need His power and authority to do the works He calls us to do. Without it, our preaching is in vain. Our hard works are nothing. Oh how we need God’s power to do His will, to win souls for the Kingdom of God.

Are you connecting to the Source? Is there any interference? Is there anything stopping the flow of spiritual power and authority?

Do you know why you don’t have spiritual power and authority? Do you know why you have lost the power of God in your lives? Do you want it back? Do you want to preserve the flow and keep it flowing?

Come to Him today.

Pastor Linh

In Jesus' Name, the blind sees

I just met a middle-aged lady two days ago, and right away she said that she wants to see. Nobody stops long enough to listen to her. She wants to read her Bible which she was not able to do so for a while due to her poor eyesight.

After listening to her for a while about her story, I felt something rising in my spirit, and I asked her "Would you like me to pray for you?" "Certainly," she said. She started singing Jesus Loves Me. I know that she has faith in God. I told her that I am going to anoint her with the anointing oil and lay my hands on her eyes and pray for her.

After the first prayer, she felt better immediately, but did not feel that she can read it yet, and about to say "I know that God will heal me some days." I stopped her there and told her that I will pray for her the second time.

After the second prayer, she could notice my name, not clearly though. I know that God is listening to my prayer. There was a friend seating nearby watching the whole thing.

I told her the story of Jesus healing that blind person two times before he could see clearly. (Mark 8:22-26) I told her that I am going to pray for her again the third time. After the third prayer, she can see. She can read alphabet letters and numbers at 4-5 feet away from her. Praise the Lord.

We tested her vision by asking her to read some other sentences, names. She can read it.

I told her that I am going to find her a Bible and ask her to read it. I gave her a Bible which she read. Indeed, "The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them." (Matthew 21:14)

God is great isn't He. He is so amazing, so true and so loving. He commands us to do what he has done. He gives us power to do it in His Name with His authority.

Oh, yes! I pray for more of God's holy anointing on my life; more love, more power, more of You, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my life. It feels so good to see a smile on her face witnessing a miracle happened right in front of my eyes.

What God has started in me and you, He will complete it on the Day of His Blessed return. Receive the anointing of God on you right now in the Name of Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit come upon you right now. Read His Word again and again. Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Obey God's commands. Go forth in His power, in His authority and in His Name to declare that the Kingdom of God is at hand, to preach the Good News. In His Name, heal the sick, cast out the demons, cleanse the lepers, raise the deads...give thanks to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. (Matthew 10:7-8)

Believe Him and trust His Word and you shall see and experience God's great works in your life today. "Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them, so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel." (Matthew 15:30-31)

"Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it." (John 14:12)

Yes, Lord. Help me Oh Lord. I am committed to do what you have called me to do in your Name.

Pastor Linh

Monday, February 23, 2009

Fighting the Battles for Souls

Souls are precious in God’s sight; but unsaved souls and lost souls are lost unless they come to Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life, in repentance and be saved by grace through faith.

There is no other way; there is no other name on earth or under heaven that man can call on and be saved except the Name of Jesus. There is the only way to the Father through Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Other ways will lead you somewhere, ultimately not to heaven.

In this fearful time in which the economy is at the lowest level in modern history of the world, people are probably more in tune with the state of their physical needs; how will I hold the job. How will I feed and take care of my family; how will I put my children through school; what is the future for me.

People are struggling to deal with their emotional and mental needs as well; the tensions and conflicts between husbands and wives; the struggles between parents and children; they are easily provoked to anger; frustration is felt deep in their tones of voice and shown on their faces. They are easily aroused of things that trouble their souls and spirits; hurt, anger, rage and wrath are all in the same family attacking them from all sides.

Satan knows that his time is short, and he is out of control as well trying to prevent souls from coming to know the grace of God; blinding their eyes from seeing the glorious Gospel and be saved. The Devil is busy out there trying to destroy as many families, marriages, churches and lives as he could.

Lives are being disrupted by disappointment, fear and worries. Sadness and gloom, depression and despair were seen and vented out. People are losing their patience and minds. “'What’s going on', and 'I can’t take this any more!'” is the phrase that shows the desperation.

What does the church of Jesus Christ of Nazareth do about it? What hope does it offer? What Good News does it share? Who are out there representing Christ as ambassadors of the Good News? Who are out there living with integrity and accountability? “Whom shall I send? Who shall go for us?” God is counting on you and me to represent Him well in this hour. Shall we rise up or shall we fret and fear?

With faith in God, with love, joy and peace in our hearts, with truth felt deep down in our souls and spirits we are to live out daily the Gospel of Jesus Christ as salt of the earth and light of the world, as agents of change.

Positive, affirmative, Godly changes in the lives of many are needed in this critical hour. With the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit we engage in spiritual battles. Lives will be spared if we are diligent; if we persevere till the end.

Are we willing? Are you willing to live up to God’s calling in your life? Am I ready to die to self so that Christ will live in me and through me freely demonstrating the glory and presence of God in my life?

Are you willing to crucify your flesh on the cross so that Jesus will be able to use you? Am I humble to bow down before the presence of God and to seek diligently to hear His gentle and sweet voice saying the things that dearest to God’s heart to me today? Are we ready to obey His commands accepting the cost even with our very own lives so that Christ will be glorified?

I am ready to live out God’s calling for my life. What about you? Will you join me fighting in the army of the Lord? In the Name of Jesus, victory is won already before we’ve even begun. The Devil is defeated at the cross on Calvary.

Jesus has come through for you and me. March on.

Pastor Linh

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Praising You Lord Is always the Right Thing to Do

My Lord and my God, I praise you for who you are. You are awesome. You are great. You do great wonders. Miracles and signs happen because of you. In your holy presence there's healing. In your loving arms there are plenty of love, peace and joy. In your Word there are eternal promises that are being fulfilled in my life.

You alone can change the hearts of man. We are in your hands. Use us for whatever purpose you want Oh Lord. Yes, You use them to accomplish your will and plans. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, You alone deserve the glory and the honor and the praise. You are majestic. Everything is done precisely the way you want it to be done.

Holy is your name. I love you Lord, and I worship you. I long to praise you all the days of my life. Help me always look toward you to strengthen me, to undergird me, to guide me. Love me, lead me and warm my heart with your pillars of fire at night, with your clouds in noonday to protect me and with your Holy Spirit in my life to preserve me till your plans are fulfilled in my life.

Let your holy and awesome purpose be revealed to me. As I seek you, reading your Word, help me obey your Word each day and apply it in my daily life. Walk with me and let me lean on you from time to time.

Carry me Lord when life gets rough and when the storm billows roll; when the waves suddenly were pulled under me. You are my Fortress; you are my hiding place; you are my safe refuge; you are my Rock of Salvation. You are my Deliverer. You set my feet on higher ground. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

Lord, draw me closer to you each day, each moment. I need you. You are my all in all. You're all I've got. My strength is in you Lord. My life is in you Lord. My hope is in you Lord.

I need you more than anything else in the world now, always and forever more. Yes, Lord just as you've said in your Word to me today that I need to rest in you. "Be still and know that I am God."

Your son, Linh

Friday, February 20, 2009

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Freedom is God’s great gift to us. Everyday we exercise our freedom to choose. Freedom to choose God or Satan; freedom to choose life or death. Freedom to choose words of life or words of death. Freedom to choose to be bound in sin or to be free from the snares of the devil.

Freedom to choose to believe and to trust in God’s promises or to hear Satan’s lies. Freedom to choose not to let the encroached sin come into our lives to destroy us when we lose our spiritual perspective and focus. Freedom to exercise our spiritual gifts received from God and His power to serve Him and the church.

We all know in our hearts, believe and feel in our souls and spirits and see in our minds that there is a true and living God. Indeed, Scriptures tell us that there is the Almighty Creator God who loves us so much; who brings light unto our souls casting out darkness and dispelling doubt and fear. Who made himself to be the only way to the Father; who through the Spirit leads us into all His truth and reminds us everything the Lord has taught us. Who gives us strength and power each day to do His will. Who promises never ever to leave us orphans nor abandons us fatherless.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Emmanuel, God is with us. He is yesterday, today and forever the same. Jesus has come to give us life and life more abundantly in Him and through him, through His power of the blood, the redemptive works and the victory at the tomb. In Christ, we are overcomers and more than conquerors. In Christ, we are to love God, to worship and to praise Him. In Christ we are to love others as we are to love ourselves.

However, there is the Devil who loves to deceive people; who is a father of lies; who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He causes physical injury, brings emotional pain, hurt, mental hopelessness, despair, physical and spiritual death to the world of unbelief. He uses lust, greed and power to seduce us to bite.

When we fall into his temptations, we allow anger, rage and wrath to dominate our minds and thoughts and to cause us to lose our focus on God. We are in big trouble. We must be well-aware of his cunning schemes yet were deceived sometimes by his lies and accusations made before the throne of heaven. Job was accused, harassed and almost destroyed because of Satan’s jealousy, rage and destructive power.

Though the world is under the rule of Satan, we, the people of God, don’t have to subject ourselves under his rule. He is no match, however, for Jesus, the Son of God, who comes to destroy the works of the Devil.

Spiritual warfare is real. It’s very intense. We have got to know and be aware of his schemes and devices (II Corinthians 2:11). Lest we are caught unaware or fooling ourselves that he cannot harm or hurt us. We are not to fear him. We are to humble ourselves before God and to resist him. We don’t want to become his easy victim, someone he would devour in a second when we put down our guard.

Jesus prayed for Peter that he would remain strong, that after he learns his lesson he will strengthen the brethren (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus is interceding for us; he is praying for us so that we will know who Jesus Christ is, what he did for us on the cross, what he has given us at our disposal, who we are in Christ, and what he wants us to do while we are still on earth.

We don’t just merely exist. We are enlisted in His spiritual army. We are foot soldiers engaged in a spiritual battle daily under the banner of Jesus Christ. The battle belongs to the Lord. He will fight for us.

Are we hearing the voice of our Good Shepherd? Are we obeying the clear commands of our Commander in Chief Jesus Christ to march forward? What does Jesus want us to do today? Are we ready for battle?

Is the church, His bride, ready to meet Jesus Christ when He comes in glory?

Pastor Linh

Thursday, February 19, 2009

We are the people of God

We are the people of God; we belong to the Kingdom of God. We were bought with a price, the blood of the Son of God, Jesus our Lord and Savior. Scriptures clearly tell us that only the people of God, sons and daughters of God, can defeat the Devil because Jesus has defeated Satan on the cross. The empty tomb is the proof that God has power to raise Jesus He can raise us too and give us the victory.

Jesus has given his authority to the disciples, and he has given his authority to us today to do His works on earth. We are to fight. The battles are still on. God is on our side fighting the battles for us.

Romans 8 tells us that in Christ we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. If God is for us who can be against us. We are overcomers. We overcome to become the people of God who has given us the power to destroy the works of the devil.

Everyday at work, at school, at the hospital, on the street, at church, or wherever you may be the evil forces are raging war against us. We have to be on our guards at all times. We cannot take it easy, kick back and relax. The Devil is the roaring lion looking for those whom he can devour. (I Peter 5:8).

Everyday sickness and disease seem to attack us; our families, our loved ones and even we at times seem to suffer physical pain, emotional hurt, mental anguish, spiritual disappointment, depression, demonic oppression, spiritual battles, victories and defeats and the like. Life does not have to be this way unless we allow it to dominate us with negative influence and impact.

Everyday when you face challenges of life, and when everything seems dark and easily you may sink into hopelessness and despair, take heed today that the Word of God in you and His power in you will give you the power over the power of the enemy, Satan himself.

We have works to do; Jesus has given us works to do, and the Great Commission is to command us to go into the world and to preach the Good News…

Everyday we must go in the Name of Jesus and in His power. Everything we do we exercise the authority that Jesus has given us. We are to glorify God with our words and our deeds. Our attitudes must reflect the attitudes of Christ. Humility is the key. Integrity is a must. Godly characters are the norms that go against the tides of the world.

Everyday we wrestle “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph 6:12). Everyday is a new battle field and we have to be ready; we have to stay alert for new schemes that the enemy may throw a fiery dart at us when we are least expected.

Everyday, we have got to equip ourselves with God’s armor, the Word, the truth, the sword, the Holy Spirit. We have got to stay constantly in touch with our Commander in Chief Jesus Christ.

Demons are spirits that have no bodies like us. They have to dwell in a body to act out their stuff. Our human eyes cannot see the spirits and all their evil demonic forces, yet with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in us, we can know their deeds which they have manifested in the lives of people that they tormented or harassed or oppressed or demonized.

Want it or not, you and I are in the hot spots, hot zones or the heated battle. The raging spiritual warfare is indeed very real. The daily conflicts are constant between the darkness and the light; the kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God; the evil and the good;

You have to know exactly which side you are on! Which position you are fighting from. Who you are fighting against. Sometimes, instead of fighting the devil, we are fighting against each other; we have had friendly fire that accidentally shot and killed our own comrades. We are sorry, but we have lost a few good men.

You have to know that in Christ you are victorious. The war has been won in the heavenly; it has been won on the cross and at the tomb. Yet the battles still occur daily and we have to rise up and defeat the enemies who are still hiding around the corners to ambush us, to surprise us with many fear tactics, evil schemes aiming to cause us losing our focus on God.

You have to draw a line in the sand and choose to stand on God’s side. There is no DMZ. There is no Neutral or middle ground. There is no Maybe. There is no “I don’t know what’s going on.” Or “I don’t know which side I am on.” You are either for God or you are against God. You are either for Satan or you are against Satan.

You are either to choose to do God’s will or to go against God’s will. You choose. You choose either to serve the King of kings, and the Lord of lords or you are to choose to serve the devil. You choose to be faithful and remain faithful in the midst of suffering pain and loss; you are to remain steadfast following the Lord Jesus Christ to the final victory.

The time is NOW. Now is the time. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to choose your destiny. Today is the day to choose Christ Jesus for yourself. Today is the day that will decide in the heavenly how the victory will be realized here on earth and in your life.

Rise up. Stand up for what you believe. If you don’t stand up for something you shall fall for anything. Stand for God and you shall never regret a moment in your life. Stand on the truth, the Word of the living God. Stand ready at the call to advance. Be willing to lay down your life for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

Remember to abide in God, and He will abide in you. Abide in His Word and His Word shall abide in you. Humble yourself before God. Empty yourself. Get rid of all the worldly things that stand in the way. Obey His Word. Obey His commands. Trust Him to lead you each day.

Submit yourself, your will to the Lord. Resist the devil, and he shall flee from you. (James 4:7)

Pastor Linh

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Dealing with Disappointment

The Word for Today
18 Feb 2009

Dealing with disappointment (1)
'...Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him...' 1 Samuel 3:19

Welcome to life; disappointment guaranteed! Webster defines disappointment as, 'When expectations fail to be met, producing anger, frustration, sadness and discouragement.'

Here are some examples to help you when:

1) You're disappointed with those you look up to. Think of Samuel and Eli (1 Samuel 1-4). Samuel's mother entrusted her child to Eli the High Priest, confident he'd mentor and prepare him for God's service. But Eli had a serious character flaw. He was a weak, passive parent who stood by while his sons abused their priestly privilege, bringing shame and disrepute to the ministry.

Who'd have blamed young Samuel for taking a nose dive when the man he looked up to failed so badly? But no, he fielded his disappointment and kept his eyes on God: 'Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him.' As a result God turned him into one of Israel's greatest prophets. So keep your eyes on the Lord.

2) You're disappointed in those you live with. If anyone wouldn't let you down, surely it would be your family. Right? Wrong! Ask young Joseph. When God promised him a big promotion he thought his brothers would celebrate. Instead they responded with jealousy, ridicule and resentment, selling him into slavery.

Far from friends and home he languished in prison for a crime he didn't commit. What an invitation to bitterness, to rehearsing the wrongs done him while plotting his revenge. But if he'd done that he'd have died an unknown convict in a foreign jail. Instead he allowed God to vindicate him, using his circumstances to position, prepare and promote him to being Egypt's Prime Minister: and that's how you deal with disappointment.

Dealing with disappointment (2)
'Now go, lead the people...' Exodus 32:34
Here are two more types of disappointment you'll deal with in life:

1) Disappointment in those you work with and depend on. To succeed, you need people; you can't make it without them. And when those people fail you it's painful. Imagine Moses' disappointment. He leaves his brother Aaron in charge while he attends a summit conference with God and receives the Ten Commandments.
Returning, he finds Israel in anarchy, idolatry and unspeakable perversion. Where's Aaron? Leading the rebellion! When Moses needs him most, Aaron fails him miserably.

But watch Moses; true leadership shines in deep disappointment. He confronts Aaron, takes the mess to God for resolution, and prays forgiveness for Israel. God listens, and then reminds Moses of his assignment. '"...go, lead the people...my angel will go before you...'' (v. 34). Disappointment doesn't cancel your assignment - or God's presence. Do what He sent you to do.

2) Disappointment in those you've poured your life into. Let's check in again with Moses, Founding Pastor of The Church of the Critical and the Ungrateful, a congregation of former slaves, delivered, abundantly blessed, en route to the Promised Land, but without a shred of loyalty or gratitude for the man who put everything on the line to make it possible.

Fresh out of Egypt they turn on Moses, accusing, blaming and berating him (Exodus 14). Was Moses disappointed and hurt? Yes. But each time he wanted to quit he'd discuss it with God, pray for his complaining flock, receive fresh orders from headquarters and return to work. It's what God-called men and women do when they're disappointed and feel like giving up.

Dealing with disappointment (3)
'But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.' 2 Corinthians 4:7

Finally there's:
Disappointment in ourselves. It's potentially the most debilitating kind of disappointment because it can throw you into a downward spiral that's hard to stop or recover from.

Peter had sworn undying love and fidelity to Jesus. 'Lord, everybody else may abandon you, but not me! I'm yours till death' (Matthew 26:33-35 paraphrased), and he meant every word of it. But under the pressures surrounding the crucifixion he yields, and three times denies knowing Jesus.

Later, remembering Jesus' words, '"Before the rooster crows...you will deny me three times"' Peter, heartbroken by his own dismal failure, '...went outside and wept bitterly' (Luke 22:62 NIV). Ever asked, 'God, how can you possibly use someone as messed up as me?' Peter failed to meet his own expectations and went on a downer.

But Jesus wasn't shocked. He was well aware of Peter's flaws when he called him into the ministry. He also knew that his blustering, outspoken disciple had a tender heart, so He extended grace to him rather than remove him from office.

When Christ gave post-resurrection orders to '...tell his disciples and Peter...' Mark 16:7 NIV) to meet Him in Galilee, He reaffirmed His choice of the failed disciple. The rest of Peter's story is New Testament history.

When not if you confront failure:

a) don't add insult to injury by letting disappointment mire you in hopelessness and despair

b) humble yourself and repent. Confess your sin; don't excuse, rationalize or blame circumstances and people

c) receive God's grace and forgiveness by faith, not by feelings. Don't let Satan convince you your case is beyond grace

d) get whatever help you need to get back on track; sooner, not later.

-The Word for Today

***
Lord, I am going to trust in You and You alone. You shall never ever disappoint me. In you I take refuge.
On You, my Rock of Salvation I shall stand firm and watch your marvelous works in my life unfold.

Pastor Linh

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

A Choice to Make

There is a time for everything in God's grand plan;

A time to speak up;
A time to be still.

Time to take strong actions;
Time to do absolutely nothing, yet waiting patiently for God to move.

Time to watch and let the flesh rise up and cause more damage and harm;
Time to let your spirit connecting to the Spirit of God lives well in you to restore and to prosper you.

Time to hurt and be hurt;
Time to heal or be healed.

Time to forgive and time to be forgiven.
Time to forget and time to remember.

until time is no more...

Every time there is a definite choice involved.

A choice to hear good and Godly counsel.
A choice to listen to the Spirit of God and to let God work on your behalf.

A choice to yield to the Holy Spirit and not the flesh.
A choice to choose between good and evil; between negative or positive.

A choice to choose Jesus and to reject Satan.
A choice to pray and pray more and talk less.

A choice to trust God to intervene and to reveal to you His plan.
A choice to watch and pray and to see God's power displayed and His glory revealed.

Today, I have chosen to obey the Spirit of God and to hear His voice spoken to my inner spirit. I have chosen this sacred life, God's life, abundant life and life eternally offered by Jesus.

I believe the choice I make today will make me.

What's your choice?

Pastor Linh

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Called to Be Free

My dearest child, read my word again in Galatians 5; Nehemiah

Remember you are called by Christ to be free. Nothing shall keep you in bondage. No fear of man. No fear of evil forces in this world.

No fear of any spirit in the heavenly realm which may cause you to lose your focus on the Word of God and on Jesus Christ. Whatever a man sows, he shall reap.

Stand firm. Be strong and courageous. Be faithful to My calling on your life. What I call you to do, you shall do. Wherever I send you, you shall go. Whenever I command you to speak for Me, you shall speak.

Remember I have put my words in you to be my witness. You shall do what I have called you to do in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

In my Name you are to destroy to works of the devil. Let no hatred, no resentment, no bitterness rule your heart or dominate your mind. Let My pure love flow freely in you and through you.

Speak the Word of life into existence. Choose life. Choose hope. Choose to walk by faith and not by sight.

Let My love and justice, mercy and grace dwell in you fully. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in everything you do or say.

Love, Your Master and Friend

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A Desperate Man Found Christ

To encourage your hearts and mine, let me share what Jesus Christ did for a friend of mine.

Yesterday, I met a man who came straight out to tell me that he no longer wants to live his life. He said, "It is lonely life here. Nobody is left in my life any more." He went on saying, "My parents died last year. My sister also died recently this year in a car accident. My other relative died also. I am left alone all by myself. I have nothing to live for. Money is nothing to me. I just gave whatever I have away to people on street. I even bought drinks for them. I was drunk most of the time. My mind is blank. I did not think straight any more. I can't do anything. It's useless."

"I drank everyday now, whisky and other stuff from home to the bar and back home empty. I don't want to drink myself to death you know. Why would God take all these dear people away from me, at least He could have left me with one. I am not married. I don't have any children. I am getting assistance. I am not working. I am going to church but not now. I believe in God you know."

"If only I could find out why and what my purpose on earth I would be fine or feel better, but I have had it. I don't want to live any more."

I told my new friend that he was hurt, lonely, and very desperate, trying to fill the empty void in his life with alcohol, with other things that would not satisfy the desire of his heart. He hung around with the wrong crowd.

He has lost his desire to live and his belief also not accurate about God, how cruel God is for taking people away from him, leaving him alone by himself.

By the grace of God, after listening to him for a while which allowed him to pour out what was on his heart and mind, then God's Word is able to penetrate into his heart and soul. The Word of God was read to him and the truth is told clearly to him in a loving manner.

The friend finally understood that he is not in this world alone. There are people still around him for him to love, to care and to share his life experience with. There are lives that he could touch with the loving hands of God loving people through him. He then understands the purpose that God may have for him that his life on earth is not over yet until God says it is over.

He has found hope; he has found life; he has found Christ Jesus who he has invited again to come into his heart to be the Savior and Lord of his life. He repented of his sins; he has received God's forgiveness and peace and hope.

He is grateful to be alive today. He is a different person now.

I am glad I was there to be the link that God used to point him back to the Lord of hope; The God of second chances; The Deliverer of man once bound by alcohol and other stuff; The Life Giver, the Holy Spirit Baptizer.

I anointed him with oil and prayed for him. God has healed him in the name of Jesus.

It is so exciting to see a new smile radiated on his face. Christ's glory has been revealed through him. Others will see positive results in his life. I am glad to know a new friend in Christ now.

Pastor Linh

Monday, February 9, 2009

God Loves Our Praise and Worship

I am learning to worship God fresh for the first time. My spirit feels free to worship God and to let the Spirit of God ministers to my soul and to rekindle my love for God.

Sunday Praise Worship was awesome, and the Missionary testimonies shared were moving. God is at work. Come and join us.

Our hearts melt in the presence of God. If only we know that God loves to hear the praises of His people we will prepare our hearts well for worship. God's glory came down heavily on some as they fell flat down. People of God sang beautiful sweet melodious music of praise and worship together with the praise team;

Here and there, people just humbled themselves and bowed before the Lord's presence in praise and worship and adoration. Tears flowed down many cheeks. Joy evidently shown on the young and the elderly faces. They stood for hours praising and not tired. What an amazing thing God's Spirit has done. The joyous singing in the tabernacle of David is awesome. God loves to hear our praises.

People feel free to dance in God's presence; I know I am. My emotions were high. I experienced so much love from the Heavenly Father. People from all over the sanctuary lifted up their hands and open arms stretched to reach heaven singing. The children, the teenagers are in worship as well.

They were touched by the grace and power of God. I had the privilege to pray and anoint on Daniel and Joshua. These children were touched by God and started to cry out to Jesus. Daniel began to pray in tongues.

What a beautiful sight to see him fall flat down couldn't lift himself up many times because he was under the presence of God's Spirit; God has blessed Daniel as I prayed over him, and anointed more oil on his hands and head to bless him. Words just started to come as I prayed for him. I spoke of the things God wants to accomplish in Daniel's life. Yes, the Lord shall fulfill His purposes in our lives.

The ministry time was powerful. Pastor Khanh and the pastors prayed and imparted the anointing of God on the souls who are ready to receive more and more of God into their lives. Many were touched mightily by the grace and power of God through the anointing and laying on of hands. Prophetic words were spoken over these lives. God's Word were prayed over these hungry souls. What a beautiful sight to see as the music continued to play.

Sam, a 16 year-old young man, full of the Holy Spirit, had it totally immersed in the holy presence of God. He was literally taken up in the presence of God. He wants more of God in his life; more and more of the Holy Spirit invading his hungry and thirsty soul for more of God in his spirit; He is very serious with God, following God wholeheartedly.

Later on, Sam shared about the serious line drawn in the sand where the committed to follow God seriously and wholeheartedly crossed over in 2009 as a symbolic testimony of their decisions to choose to follow God. Watch it from now on. Every week there will be great and mighty things happen in the lives of God's people.

Definitely, God is preparing the people of God here at VBC to bring the full Gospel to the four corners of the earth. We must get ready for God to multiply the numbers of lost souls being brought into the Kingdom of God. Let the fire begin from here. Let it start afresh with me o Lord I pray.

Revival will start from here. No doubt about it. Are you prepared to receive? When you have a personal encounter with God you are never the same again.

Pastor Linh

Friday, February 6, 2009

Spiritual Warfare - Satan is Defeated

Everyday, you and I "wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world..."

Everyday, there are wars between the flesh, the carnal minds and the spirits. I pray that God's Word and the Holy Spirit in us will help us "cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

The Holy Spirit is helping us fight the battles. Satan is defeated. Jesus has come to defeat Satan and to destroy the works of the devil. He has given you power and authority to do His works in His Name. Lo, He is with you till the end.

Yes, in Christ we are more than conquerors. Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. His Name is powerful. At the Name of Jesus everything shall bow; every knees shall bow; every tongues shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

How wonderful it is to know the Lord and Savior in a more personal and intimate way. We live by faith and not by sight. Through the Holy Spirit, our daily walks are strengthened; our witnesses for Christ are more effective; our preachings are not empty words but by the Holy Spirit's power pulling down every stronghold.

I pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen you and me that we will walk in His presence and operate in His power.

Oh yes, there are souls to be won into the Kingdom; there are the sick to be healed; the lepers to be touched and loved; there are the demons and evil spirits to be cast out of every troubled souls.

Are you called? Are you responding to God's calling in your life? Are you equipped with the Word? Are you walking in His way? Are you exercising your authority given by Christ and in His Name to do His works?

Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zones. Step out of the boat and walk on water with Jesus like Peter did.

What is impossible for men is possible with God. With Jesus by your side, what do you get to lose?

Trust in Him who loves you, protects you and guides you. You can soar like eagles; you can run and not grow weary; and you can walk and not be tired.

Pastor Linh

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Intimate thoughts

"Dearest Child of God,

I love you, my Child. How I long for you to spend time daily with me. My Spirit in you is drawing you closer to me each day. Seek me first and foremost. I know your thoughts and your heart desires. I know what you desire to accomplish in life. You are in the right place at the right time.

There are places I will take you there that you have not even seen or heard of. That time will come. There are words that I will put in your mouth to speak for me that you have not even known yet. I will be with you. My will will be accomplished in you and through you. I am seeking for obedient hearts not head full of knowledge nor hearts full of pride.

I have seen it all and through. I will see you through. Persevere. Stand firm. I have called you by name, and you are mine. I have chosen you and sent you ahead to share the full Gospel of power and grace, of forgiveness and love.

Do not be discouraged. Do not let pride get in the way. Always be humble before me and I will lift you up. When I need you to say something, stand up and declare the truth in love to build up the Body of Christ.

Focus your attention on me and my Word. I will be with you always till the end."

Jesus

***
Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever is the same. He is the One I trust.

Jesus, you are the Lord of my life; you are the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit; You are my Redeemer, my Savior, my Healer. You are the One I trust. In you I have life and life more abundantly. In you and through you the Holy Spirit's river of life will flow abundantly out of me unto eternal life.

Lord, I pray that more people will be touched by Your love, your grace and your power manifested through me and those who love you.

Pastor Linh

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

What a Love He has for You and Me

Dearest Child of God,

My child, you are loved. You are valued in my sight. You are worthy of my love. Remember always that I love you while you were yet a sinner I died for you. I carved you in the palm of my hand. I will lead you to the still water and the green pasture. Dwell in my presence and taste my goodness and enjoy the fellowship.

You are my servant. I have chosen you and trained you and sent you. I have set you apart for my use, for my glory to be revealed and shown and demonstrated through your obedient heart. Child, desire me above everything else, everyone else.

Put me first in your life. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and my righteousness and everything else will be given unto you. Definitely, spend time reading My Word, diligently study it. Meditate upon the Word day and night and do it.

You are my bride, my redeemed one. I can't wait for the Blessed Day when I will come for you. The time is near. Make good use of every opportunity that I will give you to spread my Name, to share my love with the unwanted, the outcast, the loss and the untouchable. I love them all, and I want them to be in my Kingdom too.

Yes, yes, yes, I long to talk to you and with you. Every moment passes by I want to hear you mention my Name, the name above every name. Call out my Name any time and every time you need me, and I will be there. Remember I am always with you till the end and throughout eternity. So my child, pay close attention to my soft and gentle voice whispering to you in the midst of everything that is going in your life.

My Spirit is guiding you, leading you in my truth now, giving you power to bring down strongholds, to destroy the works of the devil. You must remember that the Devil is defeated. He has lost. Let him have no part in your life. Watch out for his deceitful scheme. He is a liar, father of lies, a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come to give you life and life more abundantly.

Do not be afraid of man, for they are dust. Fear me, honor me, humble yourself down before me and I will lift you up in my time. Do not seek the praise of man. My praise is all you need. My reward for you is great. I am proud of you my child. Love me, trust me and obey my Word.

Trust me always to provide for you. It will always be enough. Commit yourself unto my hand, and you shall experience a life that you have never lived or experienced before. Live your life for the sake of the Kingdom. Honor me with everything that I have entrusted into your care.

Be faithful and be humble walking in my narrow way that leads to life, abundant life and life everlasting. My presence and my power will confirm my Word. My Father is pleased to fill you of the Holy Spirit. His power will be manifested in your life as you seek to do God's will.

I love you. You are mine, and I am yours forever.

Love, Jesus

Monday, February 2, 2009

Leading People to Christ

Yesterday, after a powerful time of praise and worship and sermon, the pastor called to invite people to come to accept the Lord as his/her Savior. He waited for awhile, but nobody came. He called for people who have needs of healing, and lots of people came forward.

I realize that there are a lot of broken hearted people out there, and they are in the congregations as well in need of His healing touch everyday, every time we gather for worship.

Sick people and the infirm and the oppressed are there needing God's healing touch through you and me. He is the Healer, yet He commands His disciples to go and heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons...Will you go in His name?

Anyway, after the worship was over, people were fellowshipping with one another through the New Year luncheon. After awhile, most of the people left, I stood up saying good byes to a few people. Then I walked up to an older gentleman to say good bye to him, and we did wish each other all the good things. However, he turned around to introduce to me this man who I had not seen before. The story was this man came to worship, was willing to accept the Lord Jesus as Savior, but he was afraid because nobody else came forward when the pastor called earlier.

After we talked a little bit and read some Scripture to him, and the Holy Spirit helped him see his needs for the Lord, and it was the right time now to invite Christ into his heart. I led him to the Lord right there at the lunch table with the rest of his family witnessing this beautiful moment. We all cried tears of joy and thanksgiving was offered. Mr. T. is a new man in Christ Jesus. He belongs to Jesus. Jesus is his now.

He is introduced to the pastor and later on, the pastor introduced him to the congregation. What a beautiful day to witness a new convert.

Turning around, there were some young people standing around, yet there was one particular teenager who needed prayer and God's healing touch as well. As I shared the Gospel to her, tears started to flow and healing did take place in her heart. Her emotional pain is healed in the name of Jesus.

God is always ready for people to come to Him. Are you willing to make Him yours?

Pastor Linh

Deliverance ministry moment

Last week, I met a man who is in his 30, but for the last 4 years he had heard voices screaming in his head and saw faces staring at him from the ceiling, on his hands, inside his head. It was very distressing for him, and they made him very scared and paranoid.

After listening to him and learning where the open doors are in his life, I helped him accepted the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior. I led him to rebuke the evil forces, darkness, wicked things that ever brought upon by him or others and renounced and broke all the devil curses and spirits of deception and lies.

I let him know that the devil is a liar; he is the thief that comes to steal, kill and destroy, then after that I prayed over him and bind these spirits in the Name of Jesus and command them to leave him and don't ever come back.

The next day I checked with him, and he said he did not see any faces or hear any voice since yesterday. I will follow up with him and invite him to church for more healing ministry and deliverance.

Praise the Lord for He is great; He is good and powerful. His name is above all names.

Pastor Linh