THE LORD HEARS REPENTANCE

 

HOW FAR IS TOO FAR FOR THE LORD TO REACH?

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. - Psalms 139:7-8 

Is there a place so low, so dark, so broken that God cannot reach you there?

Sometimes it feels like there is, particularly when we go through tough situations. At times we go to places we never imagined-places of regret, shame, loneliness, or failure. And in those moments, we feel within ourselves that we are in a situation where the Lord cannot reach out to us. We think in our heart that we have gone too far. But we must understand the truth that those thoughts are not from God.

The Bible tells us that even if someone makes their bed in the depths, even in hell itself, God is already there. There is no corner of darkness where His presence cannot reach. No matter how far you think you have fallen, you have not fallen beyond His reach.

You may feel like your mistakes have pushed God away. But Scripture tells us in Isaiah 59:1: Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.  

Think about Jonah. He disobeyed and ran away. He ended up in the darkest place imaginable. And yet, when he cried out from there, God heard him.

And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.” – Jonah 2:2

 

At times, tribulation comes without a reason we can understand-without a fault of our own. Even then, God can still reach you and save you.

 

Consider the life of Joseph. The Lord promised him a beautiful future when he was safe in his father’s house, loved and protected. The next, he was betrayed by his own brothers, thrown into a pit, sold like a slave, falsely accused, and forgotten in prison. Step by step, it looked like his life was moving further and further away from God’s promise. But the truth is, God never left him. The pit didn’t stop God. The prison didn’t change God’s plan. And when the time was right, God lifted him from the lowest place to the palace.

 

No matter where you are right now, God can still reach you. No matter how far you think you have gone, you are not far beyond His mercy. No depth, no darkness, no failure is greater than Him. For God, nothing is impossible. And no matter how far you are, you are not out of God’s reach. He will surely transform your life.

 

BOOK REVIEW - 12 (THE WHITE QUEEN OF OKOYONG) BY Ms. GLYNNIS ARASHEL

 

The book The White Queen of Okoyong shows us the true story of Mary Slessor, a Scottish missionary who lived and worked among the people of Calabar (now Nigeria). In the book, we see her as a brave, determined, caring, kind, and God-trusting woman who refused to give up even when situations were dangerous.

 

She was also a woman who was ready to give anything and everything for God’s glory, even while battling serious health issues (for example, suffering from terrible fevers) that left her weak and exhausted. Even through all this, Mary Slessor was, as previously mentioned, a determined woman. Instead of staying in the mission house (a place where most missionaries stayed to rest and eat before traveling to preach), she moved to a village, took it upon herself to learn the local language, and lived there as if she were one of them—helping anyone she could while also teaching everyone about Christ and His love for them.

 

The book also reveals her understanding about the harmful and dangerous traditions and practices that villages in the region had (for example, killing and putting twins in pots because they were believed to be devils, and forcing people to take tests by drinking boiling oil or eating poison beans) and her struggle to raise awareness of Christ and stop these practices.

 

Amidst these challenges, Mary Slessor’s deep God-reliant character is clearly shown through her words, “Lord, the task is impossible for me but not for Thee. Lead the way and I will follow.” This quote reflects her unwavering faith and complete dependence on God’s guidance in facing fear, danger, and opposition.

 

She put in great effort by rescuing twins and adopting them as her own, going to places no missionary had ever been before to share the love of Christ, solving conflicts between tribes and preventing wars, giving medicine and healing the sick, loving and caring for everyone around her, and never hesitating to help someone in need.

 

A few things I liked about this book are the valuable lessons I was able to learn from it: the amount of time she spent working for God, the many days she pushed through illness, the days she battled homesickness, and the immense love she showed for the people around her. All of this led to her becoming a respected woman of God who reached thousands of Nigerians and led them to Christ. This is as inspiring and admirable as we read and imagine it.

 

Mary Slessor’s life resulted in a strong impact for Christ. She is well known for abolishing the practice of killing twins, and by the end of her life in 1915, her efforts had not only established a strong Christian presence but also expanded trade, infrastructure, and education—benefits that continue in the country to this day.

 

Therefore, this book is a must-read for people who need a push toward living a life for God, help in leading a faith-based and God-reliant life.

 

‘‘My life is one long daily, hourly record of answered prayer. For physical health, for mental overstrain, for guidance given marvelously, for errors and dangers averted, for enmity to the Gospel subdued, for food provided at the exact hour needed, for everything that goes to make up life and my poor service. I can testify, with a full and often wonder-stricken awe, that I believe God answers prayer.’’-Mary Slessor

GOLDEN QUOTES - LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

 

IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION

 

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Today, the Lord wants you to remember that in this world you will have tribulation.

Jesus says this as He finishes speaking with His disciples and brings His conversation to a close: You will pass through tribulation.

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” – Acts 14:22

Paul and Barnabas give precious counsel to the disciples. They say that we must enter the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.

There will be trials, there will be struggles, troubles will arise, and pain will come our way. We may be led on paths that we do not like. In the midst of all these, the Holy Spirit tells us today that we must strive to fulfill the will of God.

Look at the life of Jesus.

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” – John 18:4

Knowing all things that were going to happen to Him means that Jesus fully understood the suffering ahead of Him — that He would be beaten, His blood would be shed, He would be mocked and humiliated, spat upon, struck on the cheeks, stripped of His robe, and ultimately give His life on the cross.

Why should He go straight toward the path filled with suffering and tribulation?

So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” – John 18:11

Why, people of God, should we go forward even when we know the path is difficult?

Because this is the cup my Father has given me. The cup He entrusted to me in faith. I must drink from it.

Here, my will is not important; His will alone is important. It is not about whether I am put to shame or not. What truly matters is that He is not put to shame because of me. That alone is what truly matters.

My dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, we must always remember that this is not about our comfort. This is not about our preference.
It is about obedience to the Father’s will.

May the Lord strengthen you, uphold you, and give you grace to walk faithfully through every trial and tribulation, for His glory and His purpose.

FIVE SPIRITUAL PROPHECIES FOR THE YEAR 2026

Five Spiritual Prophecies – As revealed to a senior pastor of a church

1. God is placing gracious words in your mouth so that you may lead others to salvation.

2. Many of you were afraid of evil spirits. God is placing upon you the gift to cast out those spirits.

3. You will overcome the sins in which you stumbled again and again. Your shame will be turned into victory.

4. You will pray for those who are in captivity and the Lord will set you free from your captivity.

5. You will develop an overwhelming passion for reading the scriptures (Bible) and prayer. Many will be astonished by the power of your words.

GOD's PROMISE FOR THE YEAR 2026