Become All Things To All Men

Hello brothers, sisters, and Heartdwellers family.

We finally went to the town to begin clearing the City of God land. It’s about an hour and an hour and a half drive, two hours of traffic from the city Accra.

The day we arrived we were ready to start. However, one of the locals who is helping us, and is also a member of the family who sold us the land, mentioned that in the community no one does work on Friday. It is a by-law they have held for years in order to allow the land to rest. So, we were a little disheartened we couldn’t start but we respected their day of sabbath.

Then he mentioned, the family says before we begin the work, we must pour libation on the land to appease the gods for all the trees that would be cut down and the stress the land would undergo through the clearing of the land of so many acres. Immediately my alarm went up and I said, ‘No way’! I already had a fight about that the week before and now I wanted to take my firm stance as a Christian. The entire community surrounding the City of God is all Muslim but practice some forms of traditional rituals.

They are very welcoming to Christians and even pray with us. However, I wasn’t budging on this. I made my stance clear, and he said it would cause an issue among the elders and even would hinder his working with us. It’s a tradition they have done and everyone who purchases land in the community has done it. I was still very firm in my stance.

However, Father Derrick, seeing my frustration and anger arise, pulled me aside and made it clear that we should respect the customs of the family and of the community we are coming into. Although we don’t not have faith in that, we should allow them because this is not the time to fight, with all the work we have to do. They would use this rather to even frustrate our plans in every way. We indeed have a fight before us in building God’s work—that we need to pick our battles, and this wasn’t one. However, I thought to myself, ‘No, I’m tired of always fighting in prayer’. Ghana has not been easy at all. So much warfare and finally this work I have prayed into for years and we start off like this? I thought, ‘No way!’. I was in tears and angry and not understanding. Until I pulled Rhemas.

The first said,

“Love begins at home, Love one another”

The third said,

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”

I told a few of the intercessors to pray alongside with us because I was so confused as to what He felt was the right thing to do. When I went home, I pulled Rhemas.

The Rhema said,

“Everything is fine now St Michael is here”.

Then the intercessors got back to me and confirmed, again, that God was behind Father Derrick’s wise decision covering this and I didn’t need to worry. No one can curse what God has blessed.

There is a local shrine near the City of God community land the locals pay homage to as well. I didn’t know what to think but I submitted. The next morning, they did their blessing as we had a young man from our Bible fellowship there too who blessed the land with anointing oil and holy water before they prayed.

So, during my prayer time I still pondered, ‘Lord why would you allow it here and have me speak against it just the week before, to certain people close to me?’ I was also frustrated at the Lord, if I can be honest, because of this contradiction. I told him, ‘You gave me the name Elisha’. Truly, I feel like Jeremiah many times. There is a fire in my bones for Your word and your ways. That is why I am so strong willed and so passionate about teaching and sharing the truth of God’s word and who He is. When I feel I have to be quiet and allow others to continue in error, it’s so uncomfortable. (Maybe it’s a little bit of my pride too, guys).

‘Still, what are you up to, Lord? I really need understanding’. During my Lord’s Supper, all the readings spoke to me.

The first was Psalm 147, and the response was,

“The Lord heals the broken-hearted.”

The second reading was 1 Corinthians 9: 16-19

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The last reading was the Gospel Mark 1:29-39

After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38 But Jesus replied, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this is purpose I have come” 39 So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

I could feel Jesus speaking to me. And I said, ‘Lord, I am so sorry for my attitude yesterday. I am still trying to wrap my head around this. Please help me to understand. I humble myself before You, Lord. Your infinite wisdom and your ways are so much higher than my ways. Teach me, Oh Lord, to do the right thing, and lead me in the path you have willed for me.

Jesus began,

“Well, that is a good place to start, My beloved little one. (I could just see Him chuckling)

So, Lord, why are you laughing at me?

“Because you truly carry your name in all its fullness. There is a fire in you that was given at birth to burn for Me and burn for me alone. With the fire I will use you to rekindle the hearts of the cold and lukewarm. And with the same fire I will use you to burn down the many lies of the enemy and manipulations that have so entrapped many of my people. That fire is a fire of My love, Beloved. You will have to discern at times which fire I am leading you to use. The fire to convict snatching many by their garments from the fires of hell, or the fire to love. And that is what I want to teach you today, Beloved, and many of my brides who will find themselves in this predicament.

“You can never go wrong in love. Always lead in love first. You have been through much these past few weeks. A lot more than you know not only physically but spiritually. There are many battles that you have been in and many battles against you, beloved little one, and you have had need of much ER (emergency attention), much TLC (tender loving care) from Me, and My Spirit so as to not lose the love I have given you completely.

“Heartdwellers, you are a unique bunch. I have given you the tools to be aware of Satan’s tactics. I have given you the authority to be victorious over the works of darkness and to be on the front lines in battle through intercession. I have given you the keys to My heart to enjoy your trysting time in the chambers of your heart where I dwell with you as God and spouse. Indeed, you truly are My warrior Brides. You go in the darkness but do not come out stained with darkness. But rather gleaming from My love that ever grows in you. That is why time with me is important—because of the many battles you face, My Brides. You must spend ample time with me so that I can heal your wounds each morning and your injuries do not fester, become infected and cancerous— spreading, affecting every area of your life. For some it has, and to you I say, let go of bitterness, resentment, self-pity, and condemnation and come to me so that I may heal you and restore you.

“Many of you need to be restored because of the battles you have been in and the battles you are going through. It is a must—or your love for me will not last— and definitely not the love of your neighbour. That is what Satan is after when I allow the righteous to suffer. He hopes that just one would curse me—would turn their backs, and rather run to him. Although many get angry and turn from My love for some time, very few run to him. However, if he can have souls whose hearts turn cold and lose their hope in love that is all that matters to him, he will do anything to keep My bride in that state. So come, My beloved ones, to get healed.

“Now back to the matter.The reason why I permitted the elders of the community to do their custom ritual, is so that it wouldn’t be means of a barrier to Me. This indeed would have become fight within the community with many now scorning you and having disdain toward the work I have called you to do here. The enemy would have used this as means to spread gossip, opposition and even hatred towards you and all who are involved in this work.

“You see, they are unbelievers, and the gospel has never been preached to them. The true gospel, that is. So, they are following customs and rituals passed down for years and they believe this is a means of their protection and respect towards the land. I know you did not agree—I know you both do not consent to it in your hearts. And by the way, My little one, I have already gone before you to bless this land. Do you think all those three years you were on the mountain and praying for the City of God community have fallen to the wayside. Do you remember the vision I gave you of My Mother going to consecrate the land with incense?

“They cannot undo what has already been done, My beloved. Before me and the courts of Heaven, you are clean and so is your beloved—and so shall this land be once it’s cleared and prepared for the work I have destined for it so long ago. No one can curse what I have blessed, and Satan, your accuser, has no legal grounds to present this case before Me in the courts of heaven I assure you.

“That is why I sent St. Michael to assist and come to your aid. There was much infiltration of the devils and demons with their assignment surrounding you all—surrounding the community and this work. Now that you have begun do not be moved by the trials or opposition you face or see. Know that I am fighting each battle, and you will continuously have the victory. The devils will try to drive you out of here, whether through the community or through various misfortunes. Do not be moved but stand your ground. This is your ground—your land, and this community I have given into your hands to subdue with My love and for you to preach the gospel. The readings given to you this morning are a foreshadowing of what is in store for the both of you here.”

So, family, what I felt the Lord was saying, is that the reason He was so adamant about me saying something (during the function I attended) for the same practices and other occult practices, is that those practicing these things call themselves Christians. It was the will of God for me to call them out in love, and out of the darkness, that they were aligning themselves with, and calling them to question—snatching them, as the scripture says.

Jude 1:23 ESV)

…save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

It was a must that I said something.

However, with this group, they were a Muslim community that practiced traditional customs and the Lord wanted to win their hearts, not by forceful tactics by me taking a stand and coming across intolerant, and disrespectful to their beliefs, especially as a missionary. The purpose of my call is to reach unreached people groups with the love of God. So, it’s not for me to go in and change things right away like I wanted. But rather submit myself under the culture and ways of the people. It will be by my love, charity, and kindness I will give me an audience with them, and little by little, begin to share the gospel so they realize they don’t have to do such things anymore.

What came to mind in my moment of anger and tears was Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I cried out to her in my heart, “What would you do? Help me”, and the Holy Spirit brought to my mind her movie. There was a time when they had no place to put all of the sick people, so they purchased a Hindu temple and used that to take care of the sick. The community was in an uproar and wanted to even stone her because it was a sacred place to them. But when she opened the doors of the temple their hearts melted because she was taking care of their people. And that is what love looks like.

So, I realized she used a place I probably would never use, thinking it would grieve the Lord and have spiritual repercussions to use such a place to do God’s work. But her concern was about the sick people. What a motivation of love. Jesus wanted me to be concerned about these sick people—the elders and many in the community who also need to know God’s love. So, I needed to yield. I never saw it that way at all. I thought to myself, ‘This is going against everything I stand for, I have fought for’. I was so tired of fighting these spiritual battles in prayer already, I didn’t want another. I believe this message will help many of you who are called to mission somewhere in a different country, to not go with intentions of correcting the customs and traditions, of whatever land God sends you, immediately especially if they are unbelievers. Give it time, and submit yourself in order for Jesus to touch their hearts with His love, as you share the truth of the gospel when the opportunity is provided.

Jesus continued,

“This is where your public ministry will begin as I anoint you to heal the sick, open blind eyes, and cast out devils. As Paul said, he didn’t come with wisdom of speech, but with power. It’s necessary for My power to be manifested here very tangibly and visibly so as to draw the pagan and unbelieving to Me, to see that the powers of darkness are nothing in comparison to even that of the supreme power.

“I need you to continue to trust your beloved’s leading. Oh, my bride, trust him. I’ll move through him in ways sometimes you will not understand. In many ways, that may contradict some things I’ve told you. These are all lessons of abandonment, obedience, and submission to My will, through your beloved. The devils continue to tempt you to undermine his leadership and authority over this work of mine. But he is so the right choice for the job. I could not have picked a better soul. He moves by my Spirit in his decisions, and he has been given great favor and grace with others. He’s also a just judge. That is why the small, influential, poor, and rich alike, will always submit to his leading when he gives counsel or mediates through difficult situations because he has been given wisdom from above, like that of Soloman. So please trust him and listen.

These are all means to grow you in virtue and in brotherly love. I know it’s a real trial for you—these various contradictions that present themselves. Just know, however, that everything I have promised will come to pass. This work of the shrine, the Mother of Mercy, the City of God will be a light of salvation unto the nations.”

And that was the end of Jesus’ message.

So, thank you, family, please pray for me—and please pray for us as we move forward with this.

I am excited to share with you guys, the pictures, and videos of the land clearing, very soon. So far we have raised and used all of the $14,000 that has been raised for Phase 2. We used it to purchase mulch for the farming, and then to clear ten acres of the land, and excavate a 50-foot dam which will be our water reservoir for farming. We still are in need of finishing the roads to do land preparation for the farm, and a bore wellfor the inhabitants of the community. We still need $23,000. Once the clearing is done on Saturday, we’ll be at a standstill and will have to wait until more donations come to do anything else. So please remember us, please donate to the GoFundMe link so your donations will go specifically towards The City of God community. If you use PayPal, write a note putting donations to The City of God.

God bless you guys, until the next message.