WORD OF THE WEEK from Pastor Martin

27th Sept 10', OTHER SIDE

Praise the Lord brethren.Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya

My message this week is from the book of Mathew 8:28," When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes,^[c] there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

Jesus was coming from Capernaum and he told the disciples to sail to the other side. They encountered a heavy storm until they thought they would die. Jesus was sleeping on the boat and when they woke Him up, he rebuked the wind and calmed the storm. On the other side there were two demon-possessed men waiting for them whom Jesus helped deliver of their condition.

Many time we hear from the Lord, but all of a sudden there are storms on our way. Like the disciples, we think Jesus doesn't really care for us. The storm blinds us from His love and care. All i can tell you is that there is a purpose why you were heading that way. After your storm there is somebody in need. Jesus, being God had seen the plight of the two men. He knew they would encounter a storm on the way but that wouldn't hinder the divine purpose ahead.

I don't know what manner of challenge you might be going through but all i can tell you is that your help is needed on the other side of your storm. You might look needy now but be strong, there are people waiting for your victory. They need you,they need your help. Be encouraged and focused in your storm, God is with you, and will see you through to the other side of need. He will never send you where you are not needed. You are not going through for nothing, what you are learning, is an answer to someone in need. The need on the other side can only be handled by you.

Whatever it is, think of the other side!

10th Sept 10', Demotion for promotion

Praise the Lord brethren.

My Word this week comes form the book of 1 Samuel 9:3 ,Now the donkeys belonging to Saul's father Ki-sh were lost, and Ki-sh said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys."
  This was Ki-sh, Benjamite, a man of good standing sending his son Saul to look for lost donkeys. The bible says that Saul was well built and good to look at. Something is odd with this picture, Ki-sh could have sent several servants to look for his lost donkeys but he choose to send his best son. In other words, to Ki-sh, in this instance Saul was just like any other servant! Whether it was intentional or not, this was a job well fitted for servants. I believe he had other sons and servant being a man of good standing but they were left enjoying the comfort at home while these two looked for donkeys for three days. 

  If you read the following verses, you will understand that God had already spoken to prophet Samuel to anoint Saul to be the next king of Israel. Nobody knew that Saul would return home a king! Not a servant! He became the first king of Israel in the next three days!

Many are the times in life when you feel demoted or brought to a level that you don't belong. This may happen in your financial, social or spiritual situation. You get to a point which is "donkeys' business"- toiling and struggling. I have a word for you, not all demotions are demotions! Earthbound demotion does not mean heavenly demotion. May be God is getting you to a point of listening to instructions that He may uplift you to levels that you or anybody near you have never been. The level that God has for you can't be handled with a mediocre spirit, some ignorance has to go, some attitude has to leave, your focus must be sharper, your features must now start working towards the divine purpose and greater welfare.

Saul was well built, his structure was fit for the next king of Israel. Nobody in Israel had the qualification that Saul had. God will use your demotion to promote you! You are the only one qualified for your next vacant promotion-position. For Saul, what seemed like a demotion was actually a path to promotion. You might be demoted heading for a promotion!