Crossing continents and cultures #ineverystep is a biannual magazine that tells the stories of those whose lives are being transformed. While reading their heartfelt testimonies, experience how God in His great love relentlessly pursues the lost and found. This is His story in our story, our story in His story, a true love story. God is indeed in every step.
CONTENTS
THE MOMENT OF EPIPHANY
An unexpected encounter. p2
KINGDOM OF GOD INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE
Short course online launch. p6
THE HIGHEST HONOUR
A true story of lives that are changed forever. p8
PHOTO JOURNAL
A visual journey. p12
THE WORDS OF TRUTH AND LIFE Heaven to earth. p14
LIFE GIVING AND LIFE CHANGING
Can a book heal? p18
UNRAVELLING THE MYSTERIES OF EPHESIANS
Part 2. p22
THE REPRODUCIBLE SEED OF THE FULLNESS OF THE TRUTH
From birth to life. p24
IT STARTED WITH THE ONE
A willing heart. p26
EDITORIAL FROM GOD
There is a change coming. A new wind. Supernaturally with my extreme grace and reach, everything will be accelerated. For it is my truth deep within that is reproduced. So continue to tell the people to seek me, not the experience. Know me and the fullness of my truth and in those moments of not feeling me, my truth remains. For I am always there.
MOMENT EPIPHANYOF
A prophetic word has been spoken. This trip will bring revelation. Father, thank you that you affirmed this and state, ‘On this trip you will have an epiphany moment.’ I surrender it all back to you.
After a long plane journey and a day to acclimatise, it was time for us to explore. As we hike through the tropical forest in torrential rain, the prophetic word is not on our minds. But God is always with us.
There is a special moment. The clouds part. A faint rainbow appears as the sun filters through the water drops from the cascading waterfall. We take a moment to reflect. All the times a rainbow has appeared, God has brought comfort, affirmation, guidance and joy. We give thanks.
As we hike back and emerge out of the forest, we navigate our way to the last bus stop. The wait will be long. While trying to dry off our socks in a glimpse of sun, we discuss our options. A young man from a distant land comes to the bus stop. He listens. Politely he interjects: ‘I have an uber coming in five minutes and it is all paid for. I’m going near where you are going. I can drop you off there if you like.’ His name is Max.
MOMENT EPIPHANYOF
As we share the ride, the conversation continues. Max shares his journey and how he is searching. Yet he pulls out a cross from under his shirt. He only wears it for his mother.
Max shares his heart and how he has too many questions and doubts to believe. ‘I have read all the different sacred books of the different faiths, yet I am not convinced.’
We share about the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program and how it is available in his heart language. ‘If you want to do this program, you will need to let go of any preconceived ideas you have about God.’ ‘I will do that,’ he replies.
The conversation continues.
We arrive at his destination, just around the corner from ours. Getting out of the vehicle, Max states, ‘I want to believe. If I had a revelation like Saul/Paul, I would be the most devoted follower of Jesus.’ We give respect and say our farewells.
Back in our room, we pray for Max. From the depths of my heart I add these words... ‘Father, I give the revelation, that epiphany moment to Max.’
After five days of adventure, we come to our last night here. We reflect. Wondering about the revelation I was supposed to have. KS reminds me, you gave it away! Then it happened. I felt the unfathomable depth of God’s love and a oneness with Him. I was reminded of how the Apostle Paul, out of God’s great love in him, selflessly declared that he would give up Christ for the sake of his kinfolk to be saved. If that is what it would take. I am also reminded of how you, Lord, gave away everything of yourself, including your spirit form, for us. Everything the Father had entrusted to you Lord, you gave away to us. You did it all so we too could know you and the Father, have the same intimate relationship that you have with Him. Oh Lord, this is so deep, profound and selfless. I am overwhelmed in a place within myself I cannot articulate. We are immersed in the fire of God. Like the burning bush, we burn in the intensity of your great love.
Then KS profoundly states, ‘In giving away your revelation, you have found it.’
Yes I felt it, I know it and experienced the depth of God’s love for others to be saved, deep, deep, and deeper still in my heart. Thank you Father for this moment so deep and pure. By your Spirit may I continue to give away the beautiful intimacy and revelation of you, so that the world may know you, the one true God, and Jesus whom you’ve sent. Amen.
KINGDOM GODINTERPRETINGSCRIPTURE
SHORT COURSE ONLINE LAUNCH
We are excited to announce the Kingdom of God Interpreting Scripture Short Course is now online. Using illustrations and practicals, this course empowers and equips participants with tools to discover God’s intended meaning of His word. We invite you to join us on this journey through God’s love story, the Bible.
‘In tears I tell everyone, I have been in Christian ministry for over thirty years, but I had no assurance whether I was going to heaven or hell. Because of all the pressures and decisions of this life, people brought confusion and had a negative impact on me. So I thought I was going to hell. After completing the Kingdom of God Interpreting Scripture Short Course, I have been empowered to condemn the negative voices. The Kingdom of God Interpreting Scripture Short Course is taking me to heaven. I now live each day in surrender to God and know I am going to heaven.’
HIGHEST HONOUR
The large blue gates are opened and we are greeted by a smiling pastor. He has opened his house for us to come and impart more of God’s truth into their hearts. We are ushered into a small room. There are five local pastors who have journeyed from afar, also two young men and a young woman. They have all come to receive deep truths from our Father. We give each one respect and say, ‘Praise the Lord!’ I am aware of what an honour it is to come and share what God has imparted into us.
We begin with a beautiful song of worship. No electronics, no projector. Just our voices, tambourine and shakers. Together we worship.
I am then invited with brother to share the Secret of Success. The humidity is growing and sweat is pouring freely, but God’s Spirit is here! Together we stand and surrender, both the good and the bad. We give our self-will to our Father in heaven and receive afresh His living waters. One pastor testifies: ‘There is a new place to reach. I have now surrendered it to God and have received His peace. I now know that He will produce the fruit. Praise God!’
Our time together continues with session one of the Kingdom of God Interpreting Scripture Short Course. The five key areas that affect meaning are taught, along with the six questions to ask of each scripture: Who? How? Where? When? What? Why? Each one grabs hold of these and God’s call to go and teach others. They understand how these tools can help everyone discover God’s intended meaning of scripture.
One of the young men stands up and testifies:
‘For many years I have been asking for someone to help me understand the Bible. For someone to explain to me how to read it and receive the correct meaning. People would tell me to just sit and read it and understanding will come, but it did not. Praise God, I now have my answer! Through these questions I have the tools I need to read the Bible and receive God’s intended meaning. I am so thankful.’
We finish the first day and depart for the long drive home.
Day two has now come. We start the Narrative session of the Kingdom of God Interpreting Scripture Short Course, and are completing a practical on the first account of creation. We come to the question, ‘How do the characters interact?’ One response stands out to us. God blessed the man and woman equally, and gave them equal authority to care for His perfect world. The man and woman did nothing to deserve this. Their interaction with God was simply to receive. One pastor testifies of a new revelation he received: ‘I now understand that the authority originally given to humanity was nothing like the authority of this world. In this world, authority is abused and used to push others down to get what self wants. But God’s authority is where we raise others up, where everyone is equal-equal. His authority is never used for self-gain. Only to care for others and all His creation.’
HIGHEST HONOUR
Then came something the group had never heard before. We were discussing in detail what the blessing of God was. There was much lively discussion in the group! Many different ideas were being given with much animation. Then the room fell silent. We heard the words, ‘The blessing of God in Genesis 1 means to kneel down, to give honour and respect.’ Respect is a universal desire and need. God in His great love gave His honour and respect to the first man and woman, and He continues to give this to each and every one of us. God honoured the first man and woman by creating them in His image. He honoured them with His presence, with all of His creation. Out of His great love He honoured them with equal authority to care for His perfect world. This truth goes deep in each one’s heart. The blessing of God is God Himself. The third and final day arrives. The humidity remains high, but so does the joy of the Lord! After each one shares something they have learnt about God from the teaching, together we worship. Our joy in the Lord and in our fellowship together leads to dancing. Each one joins in and rejoices. There is such warmth, thankfulness and joy in each one. We all depart with very full hearts and new revelations to share with others!
WORDSTHE TRUTH LIFE OF AND
From writer to translator, sharer to listener, across the oceans and cultures, the words of truth and life march on. Through the jesus loves : the world sermon messages and recipients’ testimonies, God’s story continues to be told. For this is God’s story in their story and their story in His story. Indeed a true love story that continues on through the ages.
‘For the first time ever, when translating these sermons my thoughts were never disturbed. I was completely involved in them, immersed in the truth. I didn’t get hungry for food, as I know I am bringing the truth to my people. For two days and two nights solid, I was translating. They are so powerful, with very simple things. They are not about outer things, but inward feelings.’
‘From sharing the jesus loves : the world sermons I came to understand that I have the best place in God’s kingdom because I am preaching the truth and what God wants to tell His people. I am now living with confidence and joy that everyone who listens to these sermons will be with God the Father one day. In this I have discovered the purpose of God calling me.’
‘With the jesus loves : the world podcasts, you are hearing the peace. For me, it’s the depth of knowledge. I love the podcasts because the explanations, the beginning, middle and end bring it all together. During the middle, it’s not just explaining but it’s also reinforcing. So I love the fact that there is a lot of reinforcement. That helps with me retaining and understanding. It’s something you can listen to over and over and I choose to do that.’
WORDSTHE TRUTH LIFE OF AND
‘I also like the fact that you can choose areas and listen to a series. If you are in need of healing or you want freedom, you can go to those podcasts and they will give you exactly that. So the podcasts for me are my choice, my go-to every Sunday.’
‘Until I received this jesus loves : the world sermon ‘To know Him, Know God’, I had 42 years of life with no meaning. It is so important to daily know and experience God.’
‘I used to think Christianity was just about following rules like going to church, reading the Bible and praying. I did all those things, but I still felt like something was missing. Then, I heard through the jesus loves : the world sermons about how Jesus wants to change our hearts. That’s when I realised Christianity isn’t just about doing things for God; it’s about knowing Him personally. Now I don’t just pray because I have to, I talk to Jesus like a friend. I know He listens to me, and I can feel His presence in my life. I feel closer to Him than ever before.’
‘For a long time, I felt trapped by my past mistakes. I would keep thinking about the things I had done wrong and feel guilty. No matter what I did, I felt like I wasn’t good enough for God. But then I heard the jesus loves : the world message about Jesus turning water into wine, and something clicked in my heart. Just like Jesus turned ordinary water into something amazing, He can take my life and make it new! I don’t have to live in regret anymore. Jesus has forgiven me, and I feel free. Now I wake up every day knowing that I am loved and accepted by God!’
‘I used to struggle with doubt. I would hear people say that God has good plans for us, but I wasn’t sure if that was really true for me. Could God really change my life? Would He really answer my prayers? But after hearing the jesus loves : the world sermon about the good seed, I understood that when I believe in God’s word, it begins to grow inside me. Even if I don’t see results right away, I know something is happening. Now, instead of doubting I hold onto His promises. I know that He is working in my life and I trust Him more every day.’
‘For most of my life I felt invisible, like I wasn’t special or important to anyone. No matter how hard I tried, I felt like I was always in the background. But then I heard the message about how Jesus gives honour to those who feel unworthy. That changed everything for me! I realised that Jesus sees me, He values me, and He calls me His own. I don’t have to prove myself to anyone because God already says that I am special. Now, I walk with confidence, knowing that I matter to God.’
‘I was really struck by the aspect of the Kingdom of God where both the rich and the poor become powerful. I was overwhelmed realising that this is possible because Jesus became poor and gave up His riches for us. He became poor that we might become rich. He completely laid down the desires of humanity to become rich and powerful, so that we could be free of their controlling forces. Yet the amazing thing is, He does make us rich, but not in the ways of this world, but in the riches of His kingdom.’
‘I really enjoyed the jesus loves : the world podcast titled ‘Come up Higher - God is Goodness’. It made my spirit lift to know that God is only good and His goodness is so pure. And that we can completely trust in Him because of that truth.’
‘It stood out to me listening to the sermon ‘To Have Reverence, Awe and Wonder’ that having reverence, awe and wonder of God is a gift from Him. I don’t need to worry if I don’t feel that way, as I know I can ask Him for that. And most of all, as I continue to know Him and His character more and more, this will become more a reality in my life.’
Can a book heal a person? Can a book bring discipline into the life of a child who does not bother about their mother’s or father’s word? Given they believe whatever they think is right, can a book really make a child understand what is right and what is wrong? Whatever life has taken them through, can a book give freedom to explore all their emotions, including the pain, the good and the bad? Can a book that is only 4-5 lines per page make someone understand the creator of the universe?
AND CHANGING LIFE GIVING LIFE
‘Education is giving knowledge but the Good News Storybooks are giving life.’
I happened to be teaching some children in my village the Good News Storybooks. Children of different faiths were there. One child, born of another faith, due to past circumstances does not respect anyone, especially his family and teachers. He was having bad habits and addicted to drugs. When I met him it was so hard for me, as he would come and abuse me and disturb the class. As days were passing by, he would see the children were enjoying the Good News Storybook program. They were singing and playing, so he then wanted to join. He participated in the action songs and games. That was the start of his journey through the Good News Storybooks. He said that he especially loves the action song in the first session, ‘God Created.’ The Good News Storybooks were so easy for him to participate in and learn from. He really enjoyed every session. In the past, anyone giving him money to get drugs was a god to him. Now he knows who is the creator and what is God’s purpose in creating him. He says, ‘God has created everything and all of creation functions with fruitfulness in doing their duties without fear. The secret is being surrendered to God’s word. When we look at the seas, they produce a lot of fish. When we look at the forest, it grows.’
As he was worshipping God in the Good News Storybook session, God told him that to be fruitful and successful, you just say yes and obey whatever God says.
So the answer is yes! A book can do all this. He is no longer taking any drugs. He is going to school and giving huge respect to his parents and teachers. Now he has come to that secret place with God. He opens up his heart and he worships the creator in happiness and pain.
Also he is now doing the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program and is up to session three.
This was a broken child. Now not only he, but his family have been redesigned by God in a beautiful way. God has taken away so much shame and tension from their lives.
‘We used to walk with our heads down, unable to face others with the shame we carried. Now we lift our heads high because we now understand our equality.’
LIFE GIVING LIFE
AND CHANGING
‘The Good News Storybooks are a touch of God from heaven.’
Before receiving the Good News Storybooks I heard my call from God, ‘Go to this place.’ So I went. I was finding it very hard in this place. It was a very clear word from God, but I had no connection with the people. So I was thinking that when the big miracles happen, people will come to me. I was doing it for that purpose only. But nothing would happen. No one was coming and there was no opportunity to share. After some days I felt God was not with me. Maybe I am not called and this is not God’s plan, I reasoned. So I left the ministry. I was so upset and started to question God. Then I received some boxes of books. As soon as I was carrying some of these books, three children came up to me. I opened the Good News Storybooks Program Manual that came with these books and began to teach the children. It was then I came to understand that we are to teach them about God. It is not about a big church or big miracles.
The Good News Storybooks started with the creation story. It was simple and so powerful to them. Now the three kids brought another three of their friends. Then all of a sudden I was having a big children’s congregation there. When doing the stories and songs in the Good News Storybooks Program Manual with the children, the community observed.
The Spirit of God told me that the Good News Storybooks are His word, the rain which He is pouring into their hearts. It is His unchanging word that will produce fruit in them for His kingdom. This went deep into my heart.
After the Good News Storybooks first session, the parents of the children started to come to me. I was shocked! It was the kids who started to minster to their parents, telling them who created. They learnt the stories and shared them with their family.
Fear was very strong over the people. The gods of their world had a hold over them, but through the Good News Storybooks they received the truth. They have been set free and are now standing in the truth amongst persecution. In these times, they have also protected me.
Through these small books, the Spirit of God has gone in a good way and changed all of us.
UNRAVELLING OF THE
It has taken over a year, but we have completed our journey through the Kingdom of God Ephesians Bible Study. We are from different cultures and backgrounds, each one on a journey. It has been a special time of learning from each other, but most of all gaining a greater understanding of God’s intended meaning of Ephesians has been the ultimate for me. The letter to those in Ephesus has come alive, not just for me but for each one of us. Here are some of our reflections.
‘When I did the armour of God session in the Kingdom of God Ephesians Bible Study, my whole perspective was changed. I used to think that I had to put on the armour of God each day because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have it on. That’s how I was taught in the past. This didn’t make logical sense to me. But when I did the Kingdom of God Ephesians Bible Study I came to know that I always have God’s armour on, as it was given to me at the moment of receiving Jesus. This was very liberating to me. It was clear that the invitation now is to simply stand and abide in that knowledge. Simply stand in the truth. I love that I can take this truth and share it with others.’
‘I found it powerful that God provides practical ways, even in the midst of our flesh, to be empowered. He understands our humanity and provides ways for us to be free in that space.’
‘I’ve read this wives and husbands text many times and normally push past it because ‘submit’ doesn’t make sense. However going back to Genesis, trying to understand where we [humanity] are coming from really helped me. Especially taking it back to God’s original intent of how we are meant to live and how God created us to be, gave me a lot of clarity. It really made sense to me that the head of the household is not to be bossy, but it is about nurturing, caring and nourishing.’
‘When we read, “We are His body of His flesh and bones…” to me that was a very powerful analogy. As the first man said of the woman, flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. It speaks to me of the oneness and very closeness we have to God in accepting Jesus’ sacrifice in becoming human.’
‘For me it just solidifies that when God created man and woman, He didn’t create them as unequal. If there has to be a head and a body, the only way it can work is if we surrender our selfish desires to control and manipulate each other. Learning that being the head is not a dominance thing has really helped to solidify what is truth in my mind. Now I will be able to put it into words to someone else.’
‘I read this passage many times but it is now very clear that Jesus as the head does not dominate, does not oppress, does not make us do something to get what self wants. I now have an amazing sense of what it is to be the head from God’s perspective. The picture we have of what it is to be the head is so wrong. It is not like what God is like. When we list out all the things God is, that really touches me and gives me God’s truth on what the head is.’
‘I learnt that Paul is not giving instructions on how to behave, but revealing who were are in Christ and it is God who transforms. This truth brings true freedom.’
REPRODUCIBLETHE
I’m a gynaecologist, providing counselling about nutrition and diet to pregnant women. I have been in this field for many years and seen many surgeries in the hospital. Through the surgeries of others, I have experienced the life coming out when the baby is healthy. The families are so happy and there are many celebrations. Yet when something goes wrong, people become very disappointed and hurt. Sometimes they will fight the doctors and the hospital management. Looking at all these situations has caused us to not have any sympathy or emotions, as both good and bad happens.
‘God said doing the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program with the women is like putting the pure seed into the ground. Once the women have given birth to their child, the baby is the fruit. It will be coming out into this world with the fullness of the truth.’
This particular lady had been coming to the hospital many years. Two times she had miscarried. The first pregnancy was 6 months, the second was at delivery. The baby was born dead. This was the third time for her and she knew it was her last chance. Again she lost the baby. Her womb was removed due to serious infection and complications. But this third time she showed up in a different way. The last two times she had a broken heart, pain and many tears. But this time with the same pain of losing the baby, she was completely changed. She had a confidence I had never seen before. As her doctor I went to her house to comfort her.
Out of curiosity I asked, what is the reason for the change in you? She explained to me the Secret of Success and the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program. As we started to do this together, God spoke to us both. We were to bring the same boldness of faith that God has given us to others. It was so amazing to me to come to know that we are the vessels for what God has given. So we formed a team and purchased 15 Kingdom of God Discipleship Program manuals. We now have 15 leaders each wanting to take this to 30 pregnant women.
The maternity hospital has given us permission to do the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program with the women wanting to join for the duration of their pregnancy.
REPRODUCIBLE SEED OF THE FULLNESS OF THE TRUTH
The Kingdom of God Discipleship Program is not just a course. It is physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
One woman came to me who was for nine years having a boy child. She is now pregnant having conceived for a second time. Her 9-yearold boy was totally addicted to the phone. Without it he would not sleep, without it he would not eat, without it he would not do anything. The family had tried everything and took him to so many people, but no one could help him. I started to explain to her the Secret of Success and the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program.
Initially she did not like it, as she is from another faith, but said she would be doing it. The next time she came for a checkup, she observed another woman in the room who was also carrying. She had high blood pressure and thyroid problems so we had to tell her the pregnancy may not be sustained. If the baby is born there would be serious complications with the baby and her life. Even in this hard time, this woman had a confidence. The woman with the 9-year-old asked her, why are you not worried? Are you going to see other doctors? She replied, ‘No, I have just given it to God and He does the work.’ The woman asked which one of the gods had she given it to? She replied, ‘This God I give to is a new God. I received Him in hospital. His name is Jesus.’
The woman was shocked and asked, then why do you wear all these things? She replied, ‘I wear out of respect to my mother-in-law. Whenever my heart feels heavy or feels joy, I give it to God and He always is giving me His peace. The great thing is that I was told this when I was carrying at third month and now three and a half months later, I have been doing the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program. God has brought the baby and me to this point now. I feel my baby’s movements and my baby’s heartbeat.’
Seeing the confidence of this woman and hearing her story, the woman with the 9-year-old has now changed her thinking. She started the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program. She was telling me that when she would do the program she would read the sessions out loud so her baby that she was carrying could hear the words. Her 9-year-old boy would come and sit with her as she read out the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program and listen. With great joy she tells me that now he has no phone addiction. Instead he comes and asks her to read the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program to him. Seeing the change in her boy and her, her husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law have also started the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program.
The reproducible seed of the fullness of the truth is coming into our lives. Through it God is bringing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing to many people’s lives. https://jesuslovestheworld.info/discipleship-program
THE ONE WITH STARTEDIT
This all started with one man who was willing to come to us and take us on this journey through the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program. Now the Kingdom of God, equality on earth, has come into our lives. This is our story.
‘In hospital we thought we would be dead in a couple of months. Thirty of us are now gathering alive and living a life in surrender to God. That is the only thing now. Even a doctor of another faith is coming and joining us. He sits with us. We all have equal time and are equal. Now there is no inequality. So we are putting away some money for the workbooks and hoping to start our own new groups soon.’
‘I was struggling with anxiety and hopelessness, but through this Kingdom of God Discipleship Program, I have learnt about the power of God’s Word. As I studied the teachings of Jesus, my burdens were lifted and I found true peace. Today I walk in faith, knowing that Christ is my Saviour, and I am never alone.’
‘Before starting the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program I was lost and searching for purpose. Through these studies, I encountered the love of Jesus Christ in a way I never had before. My heart has been renewed, my faith strengthened, and my life completely changed. Now I live with peace, joy and a deeper understanding of God’s plan for me.’
‘The Kingdom of God Discipleship Program has been a turning point in my life. I used to live without direction, but learning about the Kingdom of God has given me clarity and purpose. I now understand the love and mercy of Jesus, and my relationship with Him has transformed my heart and my daily life.’
‘I thought I knew about God, but the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program helped me truly experience His presence. I have learned to trust Him completely, and as a result my life has been filled with joy, love and blessings. I am forever grateful for this journey of faith.’
‘Through these studies of the Kingdom of God Discipleship Program, I have come to know Jesus in a personal way. My faith has grown stronger, and I now have a passion for sharing His love with others. My life has been transformed and I am excited to walk in the calling God has placed on my heart.’
‘What do you want?’ I want to go deeper into your heart. ‘Come up higher.’ Yes Lord. ‘Touch the stars.’ Oh wow, as you speak it Lord, so be it. I’m totally in awe of you. I’m actually touching a star, ever so gently. It hovers and nestles into my hand. My hand holds it out to you Lord, it feels so light and weightless. It is effortless to touch. Thank you Lord. As I continue to be immersed in you, all the stars are between both of my hands. They are arching like a rainbow! ‘As wide as my arms stretch out, from the east to the west, these are the billions who will come to me.’ Lord, I see your nail-pierced hands are what holds the billions together. Father, I surrender all back to you. Thank you for your beautiful presence, ... so gentle, so precious, so weightless, so divine.
