Nothing Can Separate You From God’s Love

Come Near to God’s Love:

Move toward God’s love. Accept and embrace His hope for your life.

“Submit yourselves, then to God…Come near to God and He will come near to you…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. ” James 4:7-10. 

Many of the women on death row may have a defeating  perspective of themselves and what they have done. This way of thinking masks feelings of unworthiness that might be acted out in acts of rebellion. Its a camouflage, a smoke screen for hiding the guilt and the shame, when the bottom line is that they feel unlovable,or  unworthy of God’s love. And to make it worse, they have lived out a lifetime doubting God’s love for them. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that “hurt people,hurt people,” as this is the reason why they have encountered death row.

But the message of the Gospel opposes this view. Regardless of how angry, rebellious, defiant and worthless we feel, when we  surrender our lives to God we will find that He embraces us. Another version of this same bible scripture says “draw near to me and I will draw near to you,” and right after it is revealed how: with clean hands and a purified heart..God does not condemn us; God is seeking a changed heart. He is ready to come to us but he requires a new way of thinking, a new disposition, a heart of repentance, a purging of the old self and a regenerated mind.  Romans 12 verse 2 says “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” God has already declared His love for us but He is waiting on us to turn to him, to submit to Him and permit Him to have His way in our lives. God is willing to lift us up, in fact He is flooding us with His love right now, at this very moment. For one the bible says in Job 22 v 29 “When people are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast.

The beauty of God’s message is that He loves us unconditionally and nothing can ever separate us from His love. Romans 8 v 35-39 “Does it mean (Christ) no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?…I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away…Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Let me repeat that nothing can ever separate us from the love of Christ. His unconditionally love for us renews us, restores us and redeems us. This is the redemptive power of Christianity. It is what it means to be a Christian. No other religion offers the hope of transformation, renewal, and restoration that God offers through the blood of Jesus Christ. When we humble ourselves before a loving God, he can lift us up and give us a new life in HIM! But the beautiful part is that once we know Him, nothing can ever separate us from Him again.

David Kills Uriah

Reproches de Nathân à David, David pénitent

I want you to take a little time to listen to a biblical account from the life of King David. In order to appreciate this story you much have a little knowledge. For example, Do you know what a “mighty man is?” The mighty men were men of skill. The biblical book of 1 Chronicles 12 v 1-2 it says: “ Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag while he was still shut up because of Saul, the son of Kish. And they were the mighty warriors helping with the war. 2 They were armed with the bow, able to shoot right-handed or left-handed, slinging stones or shooting arrows with the bow” and then it goes on further to describe them in verse 8, later in this same chapter:” …they were valiant mighty warriors, soldiers fit for war, expert with shield and spear, who defected to David at the fortress toward the wilderness. And they had faces like lions[e] and were swift as gazelles upon the mountains.” According to the scripture the mighty men are men who gave David support with all of Israel, as the LORD himself had promised.

I am moved to tears whenever I think of the story: Uriah the Hittite , the husband of Bathsheba, one of David’s mighty men, murdered by order of King David It was a premeditated scheme. After King David has an adulterous affair with the wife of Uriah, he impregnates her and then orders his men to place Uriah on the front lines and to retreat when the battle engaged. It was his plan to have Uriah killed on the front lines so that He keep his wife.

God knew about him, don’t think He didn’t. In 2 Samuel 12 v 1-6, it clearly states “ 1Then the LORD sent the Prophet Nathan to David. And he came to him and said, “There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor. 2″The rich man had a great many flocks and herds. 3″But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb Which he bought and nourished; And it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom, And was like a daughter to him “Now a traveler came to the rich man, And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd, To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him; Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die. 6″He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.”… Does David even know about compassion?

God gave the Nathan the Prophet a parable and after sharing it with David, He became incensed with judgment. Totally oblivious He was unaware that He was the one that God was referencing. It was then that Nathan the Prophet who had been sent by God says to David… v.7, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these! 9’Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.…”

What does God do? Here is what He has Nathan tell David, in 2 Samuel 12 v 10’Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.‘ 11″Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12’Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.'”

Immediately, David realizes that the evil that he orchestrated is no longer a secret, David responds to Nathan in verse 14, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.”

When someone commits a murder, they sin against God. If we were to measure David by our standards, David would have been a candidate for execution on today’s death row. We disrespect God when we decide that our sovereign God needs our help to execute judgment and punishment. What we have to realize is that Gods ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. All power and judgment belongs to Him. Romans 12 v 19 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. It is never our job to avenge.

Wrap your mind around John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Thus God knew our righteousness was as filthy rags and we had no “power” over evil until Jesus came and destroyed the power of Satan. In 1 John 3 v 6 it says this: 5You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins, has seen Him or knows Him. The point we need to understand is that a murderer is a person who sins, and no one who sins, has seen or knows the Lord. Verse 8 says, “ He that committed sin is of the devil for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

It is up to those who abide in him and his word to stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of those that have committed murder. Because the bible says that (the enemy) “the thief cometh not, but for to steal , and to kill , and to destroy : I (Jesus)am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.1 John 4:4 Jesus showed His great power over evil when He rose from the dead. He died on the cross to set us free from sin’s power over us.

Standing in the Gap

Albert Camus Sketched by Petr Vorel

“For centuries the death penalty, often accompanied by barbarous refinements, has been trying to hold crime in check; yet crime persists.”  ALBERT CAMUS, Resistance, Rebellion and Death

Suzanne Basso executed on Texas Death Row 2-6-14 by Lethal Injection

Today Suzanne Basso became the 14^th person to die on Texas Death Row. At  5 am, when I arouse for intercessory prayers on the Three Cord Prayer Line, she was remembered by me.  I prayed for her salvation, I prayed that in her grief that she would call upon the name of Jesus. It is our duty to stand in the gap for those lost in darkness.

 In Acts 26 v 18 Apostle Paul is giving an account of His assignment to King Agrippa. He says that it is Jesus Himself who has sent him to redeem the Gentiles. Paul was assigned to ¹⁸ To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Likewise, I prayed for the eyes of Suzanne Basso to be opened this morning. I prayed that she’d turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, I cried out for her repentance and for her to receive forgiveness for her sins, so she would have the inheritance of those sanctified by faith and receive the promise of eternal life. It is our assignment as well; as believers, we are to know that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus came for the ungodly and it is God’s desire that no one should perish but that all would come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Before the year 2014 began, the Lord commissioned me to stand in the gap for the women on death row. He told me to get my church’s women’s ministry to pray without ceasing, for the women on death row. The scripture He gave me was Acts 5 v 12 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him,” which became the name for this ministry “Praying Without Ceasing: A Prison Ministry for Women on Death Row”

In the bible, God was opposed to the sinfulness of the Israelites and was seeking to destroy them. In Psalms 106:23 He says, “Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.”  We like Moses, are to stand in the gap for others, and the women on death row are no exception.

I am only an intercessor, and we know that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availed much but, the prisoners on death row need the army of God to stand in the gap for their salvation; any effective standing in the gap has to involve the church. When I received this mandate, I moved quickly to set up this ministry which involves scripture cards, but I hesitated to inform my Pastors because I was waiting to hear more directives from the Lord, but now with the execution of death row’s Suzanne Basso, it is confirmed that I need to quickly alert the church. As I gather up the names and addresses of the 59 women remaining on death row and as I gather stamps, envelopes and salvation cards. I intend to send His word. I will continue to stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of those who have done the most unspeakable crimes. Because, “when God  finds no man to intercede, He will use His own arm to bring salvation to Him, And His righteousness to uphold Him.” (Isaiah 59:16)

Isaiah 6 verse 8  inspires me, it says” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

In the name of Jesus,

Intercessor Abu

Lifting up my eyes towards the hills…

“I will lift up mine eyes until the hills, from  whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121 v 1-2

It is the discipline of my pastor that defines my life. He equips everyone who wants to receive. I love how he goes to the mountain at the end of every year to get a word from the Lord. He goes to the mountains to be alone with God. It is in this intimacy, that he hears the voice of the Lord clearly. It is a model for us believers in the body Christ; we are not exempt from knowing that our help comes from the Lord; and that if we seek him with all our heart, we will surely find Him. Jesus did it and my pastor is no exception.

The New Year is an exciting time in my church; it’s a time of great expectancy. When our pastor goes to the mountains, he is fasting and praying to seek insight from the Lord for the church. How divine is this? Be assured that nothing can be greater than having a passion for, a desire for and a thirst for a revelation from God for His church. It is illuminating, inspiring and uplifting to receive.

Brooklyn, New York’s Abundant Life Christian Center Church

Sr. Pastors of Abundant Life Christian Center- ALCC Winner’s House
Dr’s Festus & Anthonia Adeyeye

Recently I relocated to Morrisville, North Carolina. I left my church Abundant Life Christian Center, aka ALCC Winner’s House located in Brooklyn’s East New York and I am seriously having trouble transitioning.

Pastors  Dr’s Festus and Anthonia Adeyeye are God’s containers for integrity, compassion, humility and faithfulness.  I have meet many pastors in my lifetime but this couples unique; they are committed to ministry, dead to self and on fire for the Lord. Where am I going to connect to such an anointing? My quest for a new church home has failed, none can compare. Besides who wants to be in the economy seat when they can ride first class? I have decided that they are forever mine; I choose not to be disconnected. They are my spiritual parents, my core, next to Jesus.

An empowering impartation came from the mountaintop visit; It became the vision for ALCC for 2014. The word from heaven was  ”If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat of the good of the land” Isaiah 1 v 19. What a word! What grace and what mercy. Everyone wants an inheritance, we all want to receive the good of the land but there is a price: we must be willing and obedient. What is it that’s our inheritance? For me it’s my health. Last year I received a negative report, but through the love and mercy of the Lord, He is a keeper, and He kept me from the pit. This year I am going to be made completely whole as I intend to fulfill the Isaiah 61 v 1 vow.

This year the Lord instructed me to take the word of the Lord to the women on death row, through a special ministry that the Lord himself has downloaded. It involves a praying church and the word of God. It is through this ministry that I am to encourage and share the message of salvation to those uncertain of eternal life. It will enable the women on death row to be the redeemed of the Lord.

This is the vision for ALCC for 2014

The Living Water: Jesus

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well` “Will you give me a drink?”(John 4 v7)

John 4 v 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” In verse 10 Jesus responds, ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” And the rest of the conversation goes like this: ¹¹ “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Brethren, the water that I am bringing to the women on death row today is the LIVING WATER. I am praying that everyone who drinks  of this water will never thirst again and that the water will become in every death row inmate a spring of water welling up to eternal life and that they like me, will never ever thirst again, in the mighty name of Jesus.