Day 3 - The River of God

Glory to God! 

Today was the third day of our Heaven on Earth conference in Butuan. We are so impressed with all the guys that are working so hard to make this conference a blessing to all who come. One of the team members is Julius' brother, Aaron (standing next to Frances). We began with another special time of worship led by pastor Julius and his team. I then spoke on our need to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit for us to overflow with heaven on earth. Looking then at the gospel of grace, I showed how one can explain the gospel using the word G.R.A.C.E. and the need for us to live the gospel and preach it! After a short break we looked at how the message of the gospel is received with power, deep conviction and the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Kingdom of Heaven.

During the lunch break we enjoy fellowshipping with the pastors and hearing some amazing testimonies of God's grace, provision and miracles. After lunch Frances spoke on stepping into the River of God and how the believer must seek to come to a place of absolute surrender to be carried by the Spirit. After our coffee break I spoke on renewing one's mind with the word of God and how to resist the lies of satan. We then offered to pray for the group and many came forward for prayer. Once again the Lord ministered powerfully to the people as they  received deep emotional healing as well as physical healing as they fell under the power of God. We then got some of the Bible School students to soak the people in prayer who were still under the power. We spent time with each dear soul and prophesied over each person. Words of knowledge were given and clearly spot on as people responded inmediately to the Father's words. It was simply amazing and very moving as I held some of the people as they sobbed in my arms. Oh how the Father loves these people!

After over 2 hours of ministry we went back to the hotel to quickly get changed before embarking on a mini adventure by ourselves to the local (and only) shopping mall. We saw some interesting misplaced things like Ritter Sport and Ferrero Rocher as well as a corner in the shop where behind a counter filled with Hostias (communion wafers used in catholic churches) was a selection of wines and other alcoholic beverages. After a quick supper we made our way back to the hotel with a local tricycle. 

It has been another amazing day with God. Tomorrow we will be looking at releasing and imparting the Kingdom of Heaven through serving and then Frances and I will wash everyone's feet. I can't wait!

 "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy Place where the Most High dwells." Psalm 46:4 

Saved, healed and delivered

Glory to God! Today started with a visit to the police station and the office of the mayor of Buena Vista, a town near Butuan. I was asked to lead a devotional with a small group of policemen and police women. It was quite an experience to share God's Word with a congregation of armed men! I am glad I didn't offend them. I spoke to them about divine authority as it relates to faith and how submission to authority in the natural is the evidence of true submission in the spiritual. After God's Word to them, I prayed for each person in the room. They were visibly blessed and then I was taken to the mayor's office to share a devotional with the office workers. I was led to speak to them about how David knew the Lord personally as his Shepherd and that when we trust in the Lord as the One to lead and guide us, we will experience rest and protection.

We were scheduled to meet the mayor himself but apparently there was a change of plan so we proceeded to a tiny church in a very rural area outside Buena Vista. About 15 people (including children) attended and I spoke to them about the Father's love. I was prompted by the Spirit to ask if anyone wanted to give their life to the Lord and all of the people came forward. I double checked with pastor Berwyn whether they understood what I was asking and he confirmed twice that they were indeed responding to the offer of salvation! Hallelujah! I subsequently found out that the church is new and that some present were there for the first time! Praise God!


We then made our way back to Buena Vista and passed a coconut production area where workers were taking the shells off the coconuts, splitting them and leaving them to dry on the ground. We then had lunch in Buena Vista and while we waited for the chicken to be ready that was roasting right beside our table, I was asked to share another devotional with the church members that joined us for lunch. I shared an encouraging message on clinging to God from Psalm 63.

After lunch we made our way to the coast to meet a group of fishermen who had formed a fishermen association (not fishermen's friends) that I was to speak at. As it was still raining, we met in a tiny hut amidst other huts and boats and so about 20 of us huddled in the tiny room. The fishermen were very attentive as I shared the Gospel very simply with them and


subsequently asked whether anyone wanted to give their life to God. To my astonishment and delight, all the people stood and gave their lives to Jesus! In my message to them I had explained how Jesus proved the truth with miracles and His resurrection, so I invited those of them who were sick to be prayed for to be healed. Three precious souls came forward and Jesus healed each one of them. I asked them to test whether the affected areas were healed,


and they were overjoyed to discover that they were healed. They were so surprised that they kept testing their healing whilst we prayed for others. It was absolutely brilliant to then observe those who were healed tell about and demonstrate their healing to their friends! I believe their whole village will be affected by today's demonstration of God's Kingdom! Hallelujah!

We then proceeded back to Butuan where I was asked to visit the mayor's wife who was stationed in intensive care after having undergone surgery but with subsequent complications. We went in to see her and layed hands on her. She was visibly moved by the love we demonstrated and I am sure the Lord touched her body. At the hospital, I found this amusing sign in the hospital chapel...

After a couple of hours back at the hotel with pastor Berwyn, where we continued to discuss the future of the ministry in Mabini and KLF's support, we made our way back to Buena Vista to attend an evening church meeting. About 12 of us gathered in a small chapel-like room to worship God and enjoy His Word and His presence together. I shared on the parable of the sower and the difference between natural faith and spiritual faith. After the message I prayed for these precious people and prophesied over some of them. The Lord was present and there were many tears. After I had prayed for each person, the pastor of the church asked people to share what God was doing. One lady confirmed the prophetic words I had shared and another shared that the oppression she had previously suffered from was lifted after I prayed for her.

It truly has been a day of salvation and a day of God's favour. Now I am bushed but tomorrow I can rest as I only have a meeting in the evening.

"When Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick." Luke 9:1,2

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Conference in Butuan - Day 2

Today started with a wonderful testimony. Yesterday we prayed for a young girl called Jireh Mae (see picture) who has been diagnosed with cancer in her brain and spinal column, causing her severe discomfort and pain. We ministered to her for quite a while yesterday morning and I sensed God touching her body and so did she. This morning we received the report from her father that the previous evening was the first time this year that she slept without pain! Hallelujah! God is amazing! We believe God is healing her and that what He has begun He will bring to completion! Please pray for this precious child of God for her complete recovery.

Today we looked at the truth about salvation and our union with God through Jesus; faith and the fear of the Lord as well as how the believer must learn to rely on, respond to and revere the presence of Jesus. After lunch I invited those who desired prayer to come forward to be ministered to. The Holy Spirit touched people's spirit, soul and body and many testified to having experienced a touch from God and the infilling of His presence and power. Tomorrow afternoon I will give opportunity for people to give testimonies.

After our meetings today which went from 9h30 to 16h00 a few of us went to Dunkin' Donuts and had a lot of fun together.

The thing that excited me most today was finding out that the pastors and leaders that are coming to the conference come from very different denominations. I spoke to the leaders about the unity we have in Christ, how denominations are formed and how so often church denominations forget their roots. I explained the origin of the Methodists, Four Square and Pentecostals and showed how the Holy Spirit was behind their beginnings as men and women of God honoured the presence of God and gave Him room to move. I then encouraged and challenged the leaders to return to their roots and allow God to take hold of their churches as they honour the Word and the Spirit!

"Is Christ divided?" 1 Cor. 1:13

"There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and in all." Eph. 4:4-6

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