James 5:16 also emphasises that prayer is effective, meaning it is powerful. To further this point, there is a noteworthy aspect in praying loudly. Just as there is a season to pray quietly, there are also seasons to arise and pray aloud. Loud prayers echo the enormity of what the Holy Spirit has birthed in us. These fervent prayers yield spiritually loud effects, shaking the visible realm. Moreover, these prayers are effective when the children of God are under threat as we will learn below. 

By offering loud prayers with praise, Paul and Silas reflect the effect of prayer that went as far as freeing even those who were guilty from prison (see Acts 16:25-26). Job also illustrates the power of prayer as he cried aloud to “His Redeemer, who lives” and was delivered (see Job 19:25). Similarly, Jesus Christ Himself made a loud prayer at the Cross, which had a powerful impact on the earth, causing it to shake, splitting rocks, tearing the Temple in two and causing tombs to open (see Matthew 27:50-52).

However, we are still doing less by praying louder or longer. The power of our prayer does not compare equally to the sound of our voice. God, who does exceedingly above what we can ask or think, amplifies our weak cries so that they may match the power at work within us, producing effects of divine magnitude (Ephesians 3: 20-21). 

Thus, the power and effect of prayer will always outweigh the sound of our voice. Since there is a time for loud, effective prayer, let us not hold back, but continue to echo the power at work in us. And when a brother or a sister’s fire has gone down, let us be the iron that sharpens and encourages another to pray loudly (see Proverbs 27:17; Matthew 18:19-20). 

Let us revisit a topic that is central today in the Christian walk as it has been for the past 2000 years: “being out and about Jesus”.  As we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour, our lives experience a turnaround for the better! Soon, we will have the confidence to share the Good News of committing to a relationship with Him. Being out and about Jesus necessitates witnessing to the world the experience of a loving God. It is an invitation to belong to the family of Christ, in which we ourselves have been adopted.

Our salvation qualifies each and every one of us for the calling to share the Good News. Whether it is social anxiety, shame, or financial challenges standing in the way, God only requires our availability.. He who calls, qualifies and equips us for the mission. Our infirmities are not a limitation. Where we fall short, we can trust Him to empower us!

Therefore, being out and about Jesus first begins with us understanding that God is pleased with us sharing with those in less fortunate situations. If it is not within our financial means, we can offer our time or even our creativity to help those in need. Hebrews 13: 16 reminds us that such sacrifices do not go unnoticed by God.

Secondly, we have entities that bring people to Christ that we should always be keen to participate in; to heal the sick, feed the poor or visit the orphans through church structures is just as spiritual and pleasing to God as evangelistic campaigns (see Acts 20: 35). Despite being blessed enough, many believers find this opportunity challenged by other obligations in life. An exam or a business opportunity soon becomes a legitimate reason to miss an appointment with God. Others are too selective, even picky, about where God should use them – not in a shelter for the homeless or a football field – yet our Master’s first miracle was not in a place of convenience.

In John 4, Jesus Christ, in His exhaustion and hunger, demonstrated to us that God uses us mightily when we make ourselves available in our discomfort. God will expect us to give out of the inconvenience we face, yet He will soon bless us in abundance for our sacrifice. Little that is managed faithfully and well calls for promotion (Luke 16: 10). This applies to investing in the Kingdom of God. The church grows with our financial resources supporting the Work of God.  And for that we are blessed (Acts 20: 35).

Being out and about implies leaving things that are dear to us. We are to know that what used to dictate our lives will challenge the position of Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Thus, Christ invites us to entrust the yoke of that burden to Him (Matthew 11: 28), rather than turning away like the young man, who, like many of us, established his possessions as authority above Jesus Christ (see Matthew 19: 21-22 and Matthew 10: 37-39). The body of Christ works in unity and harmony when all are fuelled by the same Hope, serving One Lord, Christ Jesus.

Lastly, the joy of our salvation drives our genuine participation in the salvation of others. Sharing what God has done for us through our testimony fosters hope for those held captive in hopelessness. We are overcomers because of the blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimony!

James 5:15–18 tells us of how Elijah, an ordinary man, prayed an effective, and fervent prayer, which was answered, and the results were powerful. With results far beyond his capacity, It demonstrates that it also possible for us to render prayers that yield such results. Prayer is a central element of our relationship with Jesus Christ and there is much to learn from Elijah’s story for our benefit in this regard. 

While prayer gives us a happy feeling, James 5:15–18 shows that ultimately, we pray to hear back from God. We communicate with God in prayer, expecting a response from Him. Teaching His disciples in Matthew 6:9–13, Jesus Christ shows us that, as children, effective prayer gets a response because it seeks for God’s will to be done in all circumstances. 

Being specific in who we stand in front of in prayer and specific in our plea is what gives prayer its power. Just as Elijah, who had a relationship with God and was considered righteous, gave a plea, we are confident in our prayers because we stand in front of the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the faithful and living God! 

A righteous person will always offer an effective prayer (James 5:19). Jesus Christ, who reconciled us with our Heavenly Father, clothed us in righteousness so that we may enjoy the privilege of this relationship (John 1:12–13). When Jesus Christ came, after His death and resurrection, He was given complete authority. Thus, He empowered us to pray in His name because He promised that if we asked for anything in His name, we would receive it (see John 14:14).

In James 5:17 Elijah was called earnest in a prayer offered without fasting, shouting, or going for hours (1 King 17:1). Simply founded on the will of God and anchored in the covenant he kept as a righteous person, he brought about God’s will against those who willfully departed from God’s mercy. The result, three long years with no rain! In the old covenant of justice and judgment, the earnest prayer easily brought judgment, yet it took a lot in prayer to bring out grace and see the rain return (see 1 Kings 17: 1 in comparison to 1 Kings 18: 42-44).

The earnestness of prayer is founded on the covenant of God and His people. In the new covenant of mercy and grace, Jesus Christ is our qualification, taking away the punishment that was for us so that we may be left with all the spiritual blessings (Hebrews 8: 12). Therefore, praying fervently in the new covenant becomes a declaration  of our knowledge of the finished work of the cross: healing, forgiveness, the glorious riches of God, His protection, and grace (see Ephesians 1). 

Similarly, we pray earnestly when we pray in the truth of the new covenant with God, wherein blessings and judgement no longer depend on our good or bad works for Christ took on our judgment and availed blessings for anyone who believes in Him. The Holy Spirit, who bears witness to Truth, intercedes for an answer to the Father according to the covenant, making our request effective (see Romans 8:27; John 4:23). Yet, in an old covenant mindset, we hinder ourselves in begging God in emotions for what He calls us to declare over our lives and circumstances. Therefore, let us pray with an understanding of what makes prayer fervent, so that we may live in the grace and mercy of the New Covenant. We know the effectiveness of our prayer is not based on its physical intensity but on the righteousness of Christ in us, who came not to judge or condemn but to lead us to the acceptable year of God’s favour (see Luke 4:17-20 and Isaiah 61). 

The beauty of testimonies reminds us that God is still working and moving.

Have you ever heard of the phrase “Live your truth”? It seems that living in truth has the ability to set you free, and it is human nature to constantly search for understanding and try to learn and know about the truth. But what is it about the truth that brings a sense of liberation and freedom when it is found?

In John 8:32, Jesus indicates that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Having knowledge of something means that you come into awareness of what it is. The word says we will discover this truth and it will, as a guarantee, set us free. Our truth is Jesus Christ (see John 14:6). Because Jesus is the truth, when we get to know Him, we are made free because of the power that is in His name and in proclaiming it. He came to save His people from their sins ( Matthew 1:21) and his name is testimony that God is a Saviour. The truth about our Saviour is able to liberate us from personal struggles and things that are holding us back.

Since finding the truth means coming into Christ, we also have to become a people of truth. There is a truth that we should be made known to us regarding our personal struggle, the things we hide and keep secret. This is the truth about the things other people do not see, and the false image we portray about ourselves. The Bible in Psalms 139:7 shows us that there is no place we can go from God’s presence because He sees everything including that which is hidden. So even in our attempts to hide our depression, sickness, addictions, we cannot hide them from God’s presence.

What are the things you are dealing with and happening to you that people do not know? Our reputation feels like a currency where it is protected so we do not feel judged for the things we go through. There are things we have personalised and made them out to be truths of our own. Proverbs 28:13 – 14 shows us that concealing your sin [your personal struggles, what you are failing in and what you need assistance with] does not lead to prosperity. Any battle fought in darkness is bound to be a losing one so when we bring our truths to the light we get assistance and receive victory.

The truth is a liberating light and we delay our freedom every time we conceal the truth. When we step into the truth, we are set free. But it is impossible to receive assistance when you conceal the truth of your reality. How often do we step out and ask for help? When we step out into the truth, we are made to walk in the freedom that is a promise and reality for the children of God. Every time we conceal the truth of our struggles we are delaying progress.

The irony about keeping things to yourself is that you may be sitting in a room where people can assist what you are struggling with and not get help. How long do we reach out to a leader in the church about the things we struggle with? Personal struggles are different. Peter, for example, was able to walk in the water going toward Jesus. Then came a reality that made him afraid and instead of concealing what he was feeling and what was happening around him, he screamed “Lord save me” (see Matthew 14:30). Who knows what would have happened if he did not call on Jesus. The name Jesus is saviour because He can save us from any situation. When we start to understand what this name means, we are able to approach Him concerning the struggles in our daily lives. Whenever we see a situation, depression or worry creeping in our life, we have to scream for the Lord to save us. As long as the Lord is present with us, we have peace because His presence has the ability to bring peace to a storm.

We want to search, discover and know things. We need the truth. What is the truth that we know and carry inside of us? When you know where you belong, nothing can shake you because you will know the will and purpose and intention of God. We need to start believing that God is loving, caring and wants us to be free. The enemy has distorted the word of God and what we know about His image and the moment we believe this it leads us away from God. If we do not believe the truth about God, we will not approach Him. Jesus told us to cast our cares to Him because HE CARES for us (1 Peter 5:7). God’s intentions towards us are always pure (Jeremiah 29:11). He is the kind of God who will purely and wholeheartedly take our struggles.

Proverbs 28 also speaks about the consequences of hardening our hearts. That when we do them we fall into trouble (verse 14). We are to confess so we may be healed (see James 5:16). The word does not speak about being careless when exposing our struggle to just anybody but it refers to “one another”. James was writing to believers and as such we need to reach out to fellow believers so we may pray for one another. This is not to create a ministry of gossip, but to pray for one another about our struggles to God to help those who need. There are people God has anointed and equipped them for your sake. God is able to do it and He is so intentional does not send us to a place without preparation or people who are able to assist.

The Lord does not do anything by chance, He has prepared you for this moment. The enemy makes us think that no one understands or relates to what we are going through and this is what keeps us trapped and in silence. Once you step out into the truth, there is no bondage or anything that can hold back. If we say we are without sin, personal struggle, weaknesses, the truth is not with us(1 John 1:6-9). We have a lot of personal struggles -depression, hopelessness, addiction, pride. There is more freedom when we open up and expose the works of the enemy instead of trying to hide and pretend that everything is okay. God does not just know our struggles simply because we struggle, but He knows it from a personal level. He will come down through His son Jesus to our level and walked like us. Jesus faced everything with the same strength and struggles we faced. We are under the impression that we have to be perfect Christians, but we can be the most broken and still be perfect for God. God’s hand can stretch out to where we are and save us. There is nothing we have gone through that can shake God. It is His will for us to be free. It was not our desire but God’s, to be free. In all pursuits, search to know the right truth. Buy it, protect it, carry it and spread it.

Pastor Elie Hamuli

In this era of information, an overwhelming amount of news constantly calls on our attention. While it is essential to stay up to date with current events, immersing too deeply in the details wither faith and dries up the soul. News not only instills information but also fosters anxiety and fear—the absence of peace and rest. Consider what causes you to lose both sleep and appetite. What situations cause you to isolate at the thought of them? These all have anxiety and fear in common, which saps faith in God’s Word.

Reflecting on Mark 5:23, it is clear that our patterns can be a major source of fear, especially when situations do not unfold as we imagined. Jairus had a specific expectation on how Jesus Christ would heal his child: by “coming,” “laying hands,” and “healing her.” When fear overwhelmed him, hearing the death of his daughter, Christ’s commanded him to “have faith,” and his daughter rose (see Mark 5:36).

The solution God provides also challenges our preconceived notions about how He works. Jairus most likely did not expect the miracle of his daughter coming back to life. This shows us that God’s ways are not like ours; if He relied only on human strategies, we would trust the methods rather than His infinite power. His ways are perfect, and though seemingly delayed, perfectly timed.

Our perception of challenges limits us from grasping the greater reality of God’s power and plans. 1 John 4:4 assures us that the God within us is greater than any opposition we face; therefore, we can rest knowing this. Rest does not encourage inactivity but empowers us for Spirit-directed activity. Each new challenge gives us the opportunity to respond with rest, knowing that God is in control. Position always precedes provision; thus, when we are positioned in rest, our rightful place in Christ, we experience God’s blessings.  

Those who rest accomplish more than those who do not. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to “be sober and vigilant” in light of the agenda of the devil. The enemy’s first attack is often on our “sitting”—our rest in Christ. In other words, he goes around seeking those who are not at rest, those who are unsure of their position in Christ. When we neglect to feed our souls with God’s Word, we become vulnerable to his schemes.  

Psalm 23:1 assures us of God’s provision, while Psalm 23:5 illustrates that He prepares abundance in the presence of our adversaries. Even in the most challenging situations, like the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), God remains with us, and recognizing His presence dispels fear and anxiety. Christ is in the crisis with you—appreciate His nearness, make the most of the safety in Him.   We frequently grow in our trust of Him during times of crisis. In Psalms 23, David initially talks about God in the third person, but when he talks about his journey through the “valley of the shadow of death,” he speaks to God in the second person, depicting proximity. He later speaks directly to God, saying, “For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Just like David, when facing your own trials, remember that these are times of closeness with the Lord. He is always with you, but He also desires a conscious decision from your part to involve Him in all areas of your life.  

This promise was not merely about transient excitement but about profound, transformative power that sustains and guides us. Unlike water baptism, which is an outward sign, the baptism of the Holy Spirit brings inward change that impacts our personal lives and those around us. The Holy Spirit’s omnipresence ensures that He is always with us, providing constant support and guidance. He empowers you to do the work of God. Jesus left us with “Allos Parakletos”—another comforter just like Him—reminding us to acknowledge His presence.

You cannot just talk yourself out of your fear. Instead, let God’s perfect love effortlessly cast out your worries and fears so that you can fully experience His power and presence in every aspect of your life. Therefore, keep in mind how much God loves you whenever you feel afraid. Our faith is in the Lord, so let us not panic like the rest of the world does. Let go and let the supply of God flow in your life!

Furthermore, as God’s children, we must adopt Christ’s mind even in the face of adversity (see 1 Corinthians 2:16), so we cannot be pessimistic. So regardless of our circumstances, we are called to live by faith, not by sight (see 2 Corinthians 5:7) and this faith comes from hearing the Word of God (see Romans 10:17). Many people only claim faith in certain situations, but God is calling us to be different and live by faith in all circumstances.

The good news is that we can overcome worry! We do so by, firstly, being joyful people (see Isaiah 54:1). The response of a child of God in the midst of any situation is praise and worship. This is because some battles are won just by songs of praise; thus, lifting up the name of God has the power to cause our situations to change. Next, we should be people of prayer;

When we pray, we give God the leeway to step into the situation. Many of us, because of worry, have been convinced by the enemy to go and find solutions rather than seeking God first. God answers prayers; He may not answer in a way that pleases us but He still answers! Thus, He is calling us to a place of prayer. It is in these moments of prayer that we see who God is, exposing us to a side of Him that allows us to worship Him.

Finally, we can overcome worry by staying in the right place with the right people. Being in the right place allows us to cultivate the gifts God has given us, thus, He has established places and conditions for us to grow. For example, Hebrews 10:25 tells not to neglect the gathering of the saints (place), and Proverbs 27:17 emphasises that “iron sharpens iron” (condition). If we are not in the right place that God calls us to be in, worry will be our story. In order to be in the right place, we need to consult with God, because where God has called us to be, there we will be fruitful.

There is a call for each of us to enter a place of intimacy and prayer. It’s natural to feel worried because we are humans, but remember that God is greater than what we face. If you truly know Him, you will stand strong and accomplish great things. God doesn’t work alone; He desires to partner with us in the fight. Even when we stumble and sin, He knows and still chooses us because He has made provisions for us through Christ. When we shift our focus from our circumstances to God’s faithfulness, they diminish and He is magnified.

CAMP DAY 2 (Morning Service)

Worry is a state of mind that arises in impossible situations and is usually accompanied by fear. Both believers and unbelievers face worries, but our response is what sets us apart. God is not ignorant of our worries; He encourages us to be still, as He told the Israelites in Exodus 14:14. He desires to free us from worry and to guide us into a new dimension where we agree with the heavens [through the access we now have as a result of the Cross, into His presence (see Matthew 27:51)] and move according to His Word. Christ’s death on the Cross has also brought us victory through salvation, equipping us to combat worry. There was a shape that we had and lost but through Christ’s redemption, we’ve been brought to the new shape. This understanding reveals God’s power to help us overcome our worries, allowing us to achieve the victory already available by faith.

As believers, we focus not on the problem but on the God who can help us through it. Hence, to live a worry-free life, we must know who God is. He is good and His goodness is inherent to His nature; it is not merely based on His actions. Focused on our circumstances, many of us struggle to grasp His goodness, leading to doubt. When we don’t understand God’s hand in our difficulties, we must seek His heart—to remember that He is love—to shift our perspective.

We also often forget His past faithfulness—an ignorance which the enemy uses to distract us from coming to God with our worries. In Revelation 4:8-11, the 24 elders worship God, proclaiming, “Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” This worship refocuses them on God, and if we too focus on worshipping God, this will dispel worry; our problems diminish and He is magnified. The world needs children of God who truly know Him so they can shift things wherever they go!

When we walk in worry, we tend to create our own blessings. In Genesis 16:1-3, God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, but because he and Sarah were ageing, they were led to take matters into their own hands. Sometimes we too find ourselves in similar situations, ultimately wanting to take control, indicating how much we can be control freaks. We must understand that when God speaks a Word, it does not return to Him without fulfilling its purpose.

We also often respond without being led by God. In 1 Kings 18-1:4, we see how Elijah ran away in response to the threat Jezebel had made to do to him what he had done to the Baal prophets. A person who walks in worry is led by their fears, which shows that we are not being led by God. This is dangerous because God directs us to see beyond our problems and without His leadership, we won’t see beyond and we will end up falling.

Day 3, Tuesday 03 September 2024

Morning Service

By Pastor Elie Hamuli

A life of rest and acceleration as a believer is reflected in the practice of letting go and letting God. By letting go, room for acceleration is afforded, and when we “let God,”  rest is secured. To us, it is a fulfilled promise of rest, yet a declaration of war against the devil, who strives to have us keep control over what we should surrender to the Lord. Just as Satan went after the children of Israel after reluctantly letting them go in Egypt (Exodus 8, 9, 14), he pursues us in our deliverance, reminding us of our captivity by deceiving many into keeping control.

Letting go should not be understood as being lazy or irresponsible. Realizing that God’s Word has the power to supersede our worries is what it means. Carelessness leaves us agitated, but in letting God, we navigate life led by the peace of God (Philippians 4:6-7). We do not prove that we are in God’s Will by yearning for peace in every situation, but we have His presence; therefore, His peace leads us through life pathways.

We cannot command peace over life’s storms unless we have His rest within us, just as He portrayed it in Mark 4:35–39. While the world seeks peace amid torments, Christ holds us in peace. With His peace, we are effective witnesses in our workplace, in the agitation of familial strife, or in the chaos of this world. To let go means to be aware of this reality that overrides our physical circumstances—the hurt and pain that calls our attention.

We let go because we have someone to sustain us—the Holy Spirit. In John 14:1-4, Christ’s disciples were anxious to discover that with Him gone, so was everything that guaranteed their confidence. Today we live in the fulfilled promise of another helper who will never leave us, One who is always there. He is described as another advocate, the same as Jesus. In Greek, the word another means “Allos”, and helper means “Parakletos.”

Another helper who is the same as Jesus is thus Allos Parakletos (John 14:16–17). It means we would not lose out on Jesus not being physically present with us. Have we trouble letting go of entertaining temptations, anger, holding grudges, or battling with addictions?  The devil wants us to fight with our own strength and to focus on what will affect our peace. The let-go lifestyle obliges us to rely on the Holy Spirit. Being sensitive to His help streamlines the life that God called us to live: that of purpose and fulfilment.

In the ignorance of His nature, many fail to benefit from the fullness of a friendship with Him.

The way Jesus spent time with the disciples in fellowship is what the Holy Spirit came to do. To have time with us. Our solemn task is to not neglect the Spirit, as He will empower us to do those things we cannot do, including letting go and letting God work in our lives