PUT GOD FIRST

Pray To Him In Times Of Peace

For those of you who don’t know, I am an aerospace painter. At my job, our production cycle follows 3 different shifts: mornings, evenings, and weekends. Some months ago, the company I work for tried to start a new latenight weekend shift. They posted a signup sheet in the cafeteria where volunteers can write their names to apply for this new position, but after 2 months this paper was still blank. At that point, we all thought they had given up on this venture. 8:30am comes around; break time for others, prayer time for me. When everyone was busy eating their bagel, I was busy feeding my spirit. Alone inside the little paint booth, the undisturbed silence and peace allowed me to get down on my knees and raise my deepest prayer of gratitude and joy, and when my words end, my spirit desires to talk some more. I start a little cold, but I finish on fire.

Since I was young, sometimes I had nothing for breakfast, but people without knowing showed up with food for me. After a while, I started to notice it and my faith grew stronger. My family and I never missed a meal and this situation was NO EXCEPTION. Again, I cried, I praised Him, I prayed in the Spirit and asked for wisdom. I started warm and finished on fire.

Pray To Him For The Unthinkable

PRAY

To Him In The Storm

So, it turns out, they didn’t forget about the late weekend shift. One morning during our 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer, our supervisor called us all in for a meeting. He informed us that the administration had decided to pick by seniority, members from each shift type to fill the new late-night weekend shift. We couldn’t believe this was happening. The next day, our union delegate, HR, my supervisor, and his boss came down to the paint shop. One at the time, by seniority, all new employees like me were called into the office to receive the official letter to sign to complete the transfer. When my time came, I greeted them, and humbly informed them that I couldn’t do this shift because I attend church Friday nights and Sunday mornings. The evening shift was also not an option because I have family and this shift would cause me to not see them for four days. I told them that I really loved my job but unfortunately, I would start looking for another one. I thanked everyone and walked away. The next day, 8:30am came. I was in that booth again praying. In the past, God had provided for me in the small things as well as in the big things.

PRAY

To Him In The Unknown

One of my colleagues had been transferred to the evening shift and kindly offered switching with me. I would take his evening shifts and he would take my weekend shift. To me, this wasn’t really an option. It’s quite simple: evenings are with my family and weekends with God. I cordially refused the offer. Later, I was immersed in my thoughts and was reflecting on how it would be working weekends for the next few weeks. I then heard HIS voice in my head. I recognized it immediately because it was the same voice I heard when I decided to leave my family and friends in Italy and come live in Canada. In my confused mind, the words were clear like water: “seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all other things will be added unto you.” I felt compelled to choose between Him (weekend shift) and my family (evening shift). I cried with joy because I heard His voice and my heart felt supernatural peace. I wasn’t scared. I was resolute and direct. I went to my colleague, and I accepted his offer. The next day, 8:30am, but this time was different. No warmup. Quick thanks and get to business. I asked God to lead my steps and to give me wisdom. I begin to pray and was filled with the Holy Spirit. A cloud passed throughout my body, from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. My legs were jiggling, I fell to my knees, laughing. Surprisingly I wasn’t hungry anymore (even if we were on our 21-day fast).

I thought I had seen it all that week. I was wrong. One of my colleagues who had resigned almost 2 weeks prior, showed up in the morning. I greeted him and I asked him what he was doing here. He told me that HR had called him and asked him to come back to the morning shift. So, I went to talk with my supervisor and asked him “so are we all coming back to morning shifts?” Very confused he ask me “why? “I answered him, “because I have 3 months seniority over Vincent.” I think I saw a light bulb lighting up over his head. “You have a good point, let me talk with my boss and I’ll let you know tomorrow.” Tomorrow came, and he texted me saying that I was back to my usual morning shift. 8:30am, same place, same time.

I had no words. I thanked Him and He rewarded me with a worry-free life. In my mind there had been two options: honor God and His House or not. At that moment, I heard His voice say to me, “because you have been obedient with what I asked, I have given you what you didn’t ask for.” I cried, I worshiped and thanked Him. I wiped my tears and went back to work, with joy inside of me because we serve a mighty God. Only He can turn hopeless situations around in less than a week. If He did it for me, He can do it for you!

As the young adults of Good News Chapel, we have experienced a freeing year in 2022. We have come out of one of the most “difficult” times that the modern Church has seen to date. Now, we can look forward to what will be one of the most powerful seasons we have ever experienced! For when a tree is pruned, much fruit is produced, and a great harvest awaits. Some soldiers who emerge from battle reminisce on its misery. In our case, as faithful soldiers in God’s glorious army, we enjoy the celebration of victory! No matter the battle won, we must always remember the charge of our Lord Jesus Christ as issued in Mark 16:15: “GO into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."Although for a season our strategy was defensive, the ‘GO’ we are charged with by Jesus in Mark 16 switches our game plan to the offensive. We must GO and seek out all of creation so that we may proclaim to them the Good News. Jesus'; call to action does not end there. In Luke 19:13, Jesus tells a story of a master bidding his servants to: “occupy till I come.” Our battle cry rings the same. We must occupy the earth until our Master comes. We must conduct business, occupy the workplaces, occupy every sector of education, and hold influence in governmental realms. Our innovation and philanthropy should be unmatched. We are called the Church of Jesus Christ. We share in the likeness of the One to whom we belong. We have the mind of Christ, the burden of Christ, and share in His desires for mankind and creation. Such a combination is fatal to the kingdom of darkness. Many Christians agree that we have dominion over the devil in the spiritual realm. “The enemy is under our feet” is a quote shared often. That, he is! However, should we not see this spiritual reality manifest in the physical realm? Yet, when we look at the world, we see many wicked people in charge. We see people that hate the Church and hate God drafting and passing legislation. We see earnest followers of false gods funding their religions by the billions. Yet, many churches are having trouble buying a building to meet in or struggling to make ends meet. This is not the reality purchased for us with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, nor is this the precedent set forth by believers throughout history.

The early Church was a wrecking force in the world! It is said that the church in Jerusalem grew to 100 000 members in its first 25 years. Such exponential growth took place in a city that persecuted and hated followers of Christ. The leader of the most powerful government in the world at the time, Caesar, accepted Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior, legalized Christianity and 10 years later, it became the official religion of the Roman Empire, one of the most wicked of its day. The key to the success of the early Church and its believers can be attributed to our key verse, Hebrews 12:2. Where have we gone wrong? Where have we dropped the ball? “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

THEY FIXED THEIR EYES ON JESUS. HAVE WE?

We must incorporate our Lord into our everyday life. We must listen to His still small voice and follow His leading. Like Daniel, God will bring us before great men so that we may bring His presence into places of influence, into the realm of business, and into spheres of education. I firmly believe that Jesus, through the perfecting of our faith, will make GNC the stronghold of our nation. Now is the time for the glorious Church of Jesus Christ to stand firm and occupy until He comes. GNC will start to occupy like never before, with the Young Adults at the forefront of the greatest move of God the Church has ever seen.

On the 10th of September, I was enjoying some time at the park with my children. As I was at the smaller park with my two year old daughter, my older daughters were playing on the obstacle course section of the park. Suddenly, I heard a scream, and as I turned, I saw my six year old on her back, on the ground with very little movement. I ran towards her and picked her up to her feet and started asking her where her pain was. With her eyes staring wide at me and mouth wide open, she could not respond. I called her by name and asked her if she was able to hear me. She kept trying to respond but the words would not come out. I grabbed her in my arms and started praying over her, canceling the work of the enemy. I then thought to myself, “you should call 911” but as soon as that thought went through my mind, I heard a voice say, “but you already did.”

I took my daughter to sit on the bench and then asked her again if she had any pain. She then said her back, neck and head were hurting, so I continued praying. By that time, she seemed to be back to being herself, so I decided to leave. While driving, I could hear the voice of fear saying, “you should call 911,” but I kept on saying, “I already did” and trusted God for her complete healing. Before we got home, Nakeivia said “mom, I feel much better.” Within after an hour of being home, she was bending backwards. I thank God that He is always close and that He was on the scene faster than any paramedics could have been. Nakievia decided to get baptize on the 2nd of October and I am extremely proud of her for making that decision all on her own. To God be all the glory, honor, and praise.

Seeing Jesus Through The Lens Of Prophecy

The Bible presents Jesus as the Eternal Messiah, the One Who has always existed; the One Who was with the Father and the Holy Spirit at Creation.

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word (Jesus) was God.”

Jesus was involved in the creation of all that exists. In Genesis 1:1 it says, “in the beginning, Elohim (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit) created the heavens and the earth.” The entire Godhead was involved in creation. These and more were the activities that Jesus was involved before His Incarnation.

Colossians 1:16 says, “For by Him (Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him (Jesus) and for Him.”

From here on, I would like to look at Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Anointed One and the Savior promised through prophecy.

The first prophecy concerning Jesus is that He would come to redeem men and defeat Satan.

Genesis 3:15

“I will put enmity (a state of hostility) between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.”

first coming to His death and resurrection:

1. Isaiah 7:14 - A virgin to conceive and bear a Son, Immanuel

Fulfillment: Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 2:6-7

2. Micah 5;2 - Jesus to be born in Bethlehem of Judea

Fulfillment: Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:4-6; John 7:42

3. Isaiah 40:3-5 - A voice in the wilderness to announce the coming Messiah

Fulfillment: Luke 3:3-6; John 1:23-27

4. Psalm 69:8 - The Messiah to be rejected by His family

Fulfillment: Mark 3:21

5. Zechariah 9:9b - The Messiah to arrive riding a donkey

Fulfillment: Matthew 21:5,7; John 12:12-16

6. Psalm 41:9 - The Messiah to be betrayed by a friend

Fullfillement: Luke 22:47; John 13:18, 21-30

7. Psalm 22:7 - The Messiah to be scorned and mocked

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:27-31,39-44; Luke 23:25

8. Psalm 22:14-15, 17 - The Messiah to suffer greatly

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:27-50; John 19:28; 1 Peter 4:1a

9. Psalm 60:21- The Messiah to be given gall and vinegar

Fulfillment- Matthew 27:34,48

10. Psalm 109:4- The Messiah to pray for His enemy

Fulfillment- Luke 23:34

11. Psalm 22:16b- The Messiah’s hands and feet to be pierced

Fulfillment- John 19:18, 20:25,27

12. Psalm 109: 6-19- The enemy of the Messiah (Judas) to be destroyed

Fulfillment- John 17:12; Acts 1:16,20

13. Isaiah 53:2b- The Messiah to be seen as physically undesirable

Fulfillment- Mark 15:32

14. Psalm 22:18- The Messiah’s garments to be divided by lot

Fulfillment- Matthew 27:35

15. Psalm 34:20- None of Messiah’s bones to be broken

Fulfillment- John 19:31-36

16. Isaiah 53:9a- The Messiah to be with the wicked and the rich in death

Fulfillment- Matthew 27:38, 57-60; John 19:38-42

17. John 2:19-21- Jesus to be raised after three days

Fulfillment- Acts 10:40

18. John 6:62- Jesus to ascend to heaven

Fulfillment- Acts 1:9

The Bible is the only book in the world that records over a thousand prophecies, of which over half have been fulfilled with complete accuracy. Based on this consistency, we can expect the remainder will be fulfilled as written.

In the next issue of GNN, I will share some of the prophecies yet to come.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to send them to GNN@GOODNEWSCHAPEL.ORG

Written by Marcy Sevior