START MAKING MONEY FAST. GET YOURSELF A PERSONAL WEBSITE OR E-MAIL ADDRESS AND STOP BEING USED TO ENRICH OTHERS.

Yeah! What I'm saying in simple terms is that it is TIME FOR YOU TO OWN A WEBSITE! Why give free publicity to Yahoo! Hotmail or Gmail? I mean, it's not in your nature to look out of your depth - awkward! You have served your undeserved masters for too long, NOW is your turn to rule your world!!!

Let the world KNOW YOU BY YOUR OWN NAME through the PalmGate Global Personal E-mail and Website Promo Package.

We make it easier for you to create your own e-mail address and personal Website. It could be for your School, Business, Ministry (Church), Organization or other Religious bodies. It is easy, cheap (affordable) and exciting. It's wonderful to be addressed by your own NAME such as you@yourname.com. We are here to serve you. Always contact us at:

PalmGate Global Ventures Inc, C35 Kobi Street, P.O. Box 1867, Bauchi 74001
Bauchi State - Nigeria. Tel: 0802 818 1829. E-mail: info@firebrandhq.com
Websites: www.firebrandhq.com, www.palmgates.com
 
 
This write-up was originally titled: End of the Road: It's Time to Take Stock! and was published in the November-December, 1999 edition of Foundation Satellite magazine.

There is Time For Everything
Everything in life begins and ends somewhere. The wisest man that ever lived on the face of the earth rightly observed and declared: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-22). From the first day of January to the 31st day of December there is always a celebration to mark the ending and the beginning of a new year. Most people just see themselves at the end of every year unprepared, others buy new things to show that the year was very good to them, and that makes for a warm celebration. Whether good or bad, there is the hype about accountability. That's the word that makes vegetables out of real men. Sure, stock must be taken. We must give account: profit or loss?
(Copyright: Foundation Satellite, 1999)

 
This Is War! 11/23/2009
 
Nehemiah was commissioned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, but opposition arose. First it was ridicule, then attempted compromise, and lastly, a threat of violence! To meet this, he armed workers with weapons; and gave a prudent precaution “The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore you hear the sound of the trumpet, resort you thither unto us: our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:19-20). They were to rally to the point of attack and thus the task was finished with victory.

There are dozens of major wars going on in the world today. Some of these wars are unending and unsettling as the Middle East crises and the drug war in Latin America or as devastating as the AIDS scourge in East Africa. Horrifying as these calamities may be, they are little when compared with the deadliest warfare raging today to prevent human beings from having unrestricted access to Jesus Christ. The situation is desperate and the battle is now coming to our door-steps.

The hottest war zone of the world today is the opposition against God's word! The apostle Paul was aware of this fact when he was addressing this insidious evil. He said, “I marveled that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1.6-7). Also, being aware of the onslaught that would be made against them, Paul warned the elders at Ephesus: “Take heed… for I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30). He was warning that they might rally at the point of an attack!

'For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they will turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Even yet, it is vitally important that we guard against all false teaching and compromise. It is time we listen to the sound and noise of battle!

Any preacher who is in the business of a 'high-toned' or 'Light-browed' sermon hides the fundamental simplicity of the cross of Christ as well as opposing the cause of Christ! When some intelligentsia spend weeks exploring current events and latest theological theories to weave a sermon that confuses the audience and the simplicity of God's plan of salvation, many may cry, “Master Piece”, but it has hidden the real “Master!” Paul said, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Paul was not happy when he saw that many are not doing it the right ways. He shouted: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke... make full proof of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5).

You see, we find ourselves in a war zone but we daren't fire a shot, we only kept mute. And within our territories are the giants and deep down there are the world's most plundered and impoverished souls. Billions of them are held captive by Satan, the arch-enemy of the human race. In this territory, sanctity of life is at its lowest ebb. Christians are marked rebels. Their death (murder) is considered a reward for 'embarrassing their community'. You can then see a 'Christian' who cares less about Christ. He moves in fear. Those within his area thus become the least evangelized and the largest unreached people of the world. It wasn't a surprise to see some states in Nigeria like Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno, Kebbi, parts of Adamawa and Plateau, Kaduna and Niger falling within these territories. For many years these states have prevented the message of Christ to penetrate the frontiers of their areas as they present a unique and complex challenge to the spread of the gospel. What then do the preachers in these territories do?

Any preacher that is worth his onion should bear in mind that these territories are the last frontiers in the war against ungodliness, the final gate of the enemy to be possessed. It is the hottest war zone! Have you considered it?
Fire-Brand Int'l Ministries invites all and sundry to this fight to save the lost and recover them to Christ. I feel happy to recruit every Christian believer, by the mandate given me by God, into the army of God - Fire-Brand Soldiers! Yes, if you are Fire-Brand, you will not run away from the barks of the enemy. If you are Fire-Brand, there will be no need of respecting those 'no fly zones' either in the north or south, East or West, or keeping away from supporting those who are arriving to reach the core of the remaining unevangelized people of this generation.

A Fire-Brand Soldier is mindful of the activities of the devil. He knows that his actions excite the devil and he fights him spiritually to stop him from driving millions of souls to hell. Satan has fouled the air for too long in these territories and we are declaring WAR in these zones from now! The children of God have slept for too long. Some have forgotten all about their ministries. Our key Church leaders are in for the 'real thing' - money making! They are busy with fanfare, pomp and pageantry, title and name chasing, partying and celebrating while 'there remains yet very much land to be possessed' (Joshua 13:1). They feel at ease seeing the Anakims waxing stronger about to put off the fire of the Lord in them. They are not bothered seeing the multitude of sins being perpetrated in the land; how millions and billions, of souls are passing on to a Christ-less eternity.

Fire-Brand Soldier, I urge you to be concerned about how the gospel will reach the fortified people of the North, South, East or West or the major religious blocks of the world. A Fire-Brand Soldier does not look on the much he had put in the course of fighting this war but by how much he is fighting. He prays, supports and gives to the welfare of missionaries (money or materials), involving himself in witnessing for Christ at the local level. He gives his life to fighting the enemy to a standstill and moves to the hottest war zone.
This is the mandate. We are committed to fulfilling it, what about you? Please, join us!

 
 
START MAKING MONEY FAST. GET YOURSELF A PERSONAL WEBSITE OR E-MAIL ADDRESS AND STOP BEING USED TO ENRICH OTHERS.

Yeah! What I'm saying in simple terms is that it is TIME FOR YOU TO OWN A WEBSITE! Why give free publicity to Yahoo! Hotmail or Gmail? I mean, it's not in your nature to look out of your depth - awkward! You have served your undeserved masters for too long, NOW is your turn to rule your world!!!

Let the world KNOW YOU BY YOUR OWN NAME through the PalmGate Global Personal E-mail and Website Promo Package.

We make it easier for you to create your own e-mail address and personal Website. It could be for your School, Business, Ministry (Church), Organization or other Religious bodies. It is easy, cheap (affordable) and exciting. It's wonderful to be addressed by your own NAME such as you@yourname.com. We are here to serve you. Always contact us at:

PalmGate Global Ventures Inc, C35 Kobi Street, P.O. Box 1867, Bauchi 74001
Bauchi State - Nigeria. Tel: 0802 818 1829. E-mail: info@firebrandhq.com
Websites: www.firebrandhq.com, www.palmgates.com
 
 
A retrospective look into the terrain reveals an imbalance in the scheme of our human activities. The Lord has set us up in this estate called the world, to harness it and return back to Him. But our activities under the sun tell a different story about us. The reason of our calling, to liberate the land from the hand of Satan, is fast taking a different direction. It is quite unfortunate that Jesus Christ has today almost no authority at all among the groups that call themselves by His name. That is, among the gospel Churches, Christ is now in fact little more than a beloved symbol. "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" is the Church's anthem and the cross is her official flag, but in the weekday conduct of members someone else, not Christ, makes the decisions. 

In the conduct of our public worship, where is the authority of Christ to be found? The truth is that today the Lord rarely controls a service, and the influence He exerts is very small. We sing of Him and preach about Him, but He must not interfere; we worship in our own ways and it be right because we have always done it that way.

We can be sure that true Christianity owes its supreme test for the present soundness and ultimate worth of everything religious to the place our Lord occupies in it. A Church becomes worldly when Jesus becomes a symbol and not the Lord in charge of its project but merely one of the crew who helps to carry out the plans of other people.

In fact, there is no more fundamental statement than that the world is to be renounced by every true disciple of Christ, and that to love the world and the things of the world puts us in open and standing enmity to God. By virtue of the relationship of love or friendship to the world, we are the enemies of God. There needs no other sin, no other crime by virtue of our attachment to the world. By that alone, we are the enemies of God.

Are you now on the path of worldly pleasure yourself? Remember Samson. Samson was a man of in-like manner with wisdom and power, who grew and walked with the Lord (Judges 13:24-25). He threaded the path of unstraigh-forwardness.
An uneven, unpredictable, winding path that only divine wisdom can unveil to the hearts of men. That was the path of Samson's fall - the worldly path! It was a path of many “slips” - the slips of the eyes, slips of thoughts, etc. Indeed, it was a path of many steps some even looked spiritual, highly anointed but wrong steps; steps that brought great victories… but all the same steps in the wrong direction!

You, man of God, the lesson of Samson had a lot to teach you today (Judges 14: 1-3). Samson had an eye for worldly pleasure. Samson was a man of pleasure who was easily fascinated by the appearance, the dressings, the make-ups, the hair-dos of ladies and got lost as he imaginatively followed each passing lady with his eyes, until he no longer could have a good and clear view… then he switched to another. He took particular interests in beautiful looks, neck-twisting and body-shaking deals of the daughters of Philistine that gave the enemy the ground to explore (Judges 16:1). He was everywhere but in each case he saw nothing but women! When he sees a woman, all discussions become suspended until he either touched the woman or caressed her. When decent women were not available, he turned to harlots - the commercial sex workers! Also, like Samson, many people had taken a dangerous hasty decision. He told his father: "I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah; NOW get her for me as my wife" (Judges 14:2).

Haste was another "slip" that plagued his life. He rushed and rushed, until he rushed his life to an abrupt end. The Bible says, "For you shall not go out with haste…" (Isaiah 52:12). Instead of listening to God, many men of God insist on their own self-will. They look through the window bent on copying whatever they set their eyes upon. They are always in haste. Most ministers today do not draw programme outlines until they see others do so, just to have a clue on how to pattern theirs. A lot of programmes and crusades today are floated to enrich a certain group of individuals. We have threaded where angels dread. Many of us are experts in raising money in programmes, selling indulgences - the very worst thing that Martin Luther condemned in the Cathedral. It is good to have crusades, revivals, seminars, etc, but what is the motive?

There is also the evil of caging people in a particular place not minding what they are being fed with. People are afraid to lose their members to a better godly Church where they learned a great deal during a Revival Programme. This time they are denied access to learn about the Lord from a better preacher. This is why Church programmes clash with one another in dates and time, only the venue remains different. But that is not the solution. The solution lies in the time you spend to do your home-work; hence not everybody has the same calling and gift.

Believe it, your ministry may not start out with a miracle, but every ministry starts off with God doing miracles for someone, somewhere. There is always a need and God steps on the scene and turns things around. Why run the race alone? That is Samson's spirit. I mean the same spirit that made Samson to throw his parents' counsel into the wind and insisted on his own self-will: "Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well…" There was no room to inquire about the lady, none for family discussion, none for Holy Spirit ministration, and infact, none for prayers! Notice the desire for self-pleasure: "…for she pleaseth me well". It is one of the quiet "slips" in the life of Samson that ruined his life. Women were his undoing! Now therefore, beware! Yes, you may be careless before now; looking through the window, copying whatever thing that pleased you. But now, be careful! Be wise! Do not be careless any more.

Beloved, you should always allow God to be the centre of all the programmes or activities of your life by giving Him the chance to plan and fix those programmes Himself. When He has had His way in these activities, you can then look conveniently at each time span, with all its ups and downs, both unplanned and unexpected circumstances, and rejoice! The Psalmist says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23).

Therefore, if we are connected to God, He will direct our steps. Today and every day God is interested in what comes our way and is in wait to direct us if we let Him, and our aim of liberating the land will be achieved.

 
 
When this topic was chosen for an edition of the Foundation Satellite, I remembered a popular song that says, "The mountain shall depart" and while going through some ideas of this column, I meditated on the word of God: "For the mountain shall depart, and the hills be removed but my kindness shall not depart, …from thee…, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed" (Isaiah 54:10). 

It is natural for a person to defend himself and his mission against the attacks of the enemy. This is even more the case where lives are threatened. In this dispensation of grace, Christians are called to rise above the level of nature. We have the example of the Lord Jesus Christ to guide us in all things: "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (I Peter 2:21). Jesus submitted Himself to suffering and He suffered wrong without fighting back or retaliating. He died on the cross at Calvary. He also taught His disciples the same thing in Matthew 5:39 where He said, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also”.

The Lord also told Peter to put away his sword when he was about to defend Him. (Matthew 26:52; John 18:11). In Matthew He adds, "For all who take the sword will perish by the sword". The call of Jesus is a call to die with all our affections and lusts. That means the person so called is going to be separated from his former attachment to the things of the world. He is separated from friends and loved ones, from the family and other associations - a strain in relationship.

When God called the Israelites to the land that flows with milk and honey, some of the tribes of Israel relaxed and were no longer bothered about the remaining land that were yet to be possessed. Contentment was set into their hearts making them to think they have reached their comfort zone, They became at ease in Zion and started trusting in the mountain of Samaria, but actually as they take the gifts of God as a means of lying upon the beds of ivory where they settled, chanting, singing, dancing and making merry as to put away the evil day, they cause the seat of violence to come near (Joshua 14:6-13).

The Lord's declaration in Joshua 13:1 was that "there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed". Prior to the time of this declaration soldiers with dangerous and sophisticated weapons in their hands were drinking wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the chief ointments. They were not even grieved for the affliction of "Joseph".

As a good and powerful soldier, Caleb determined as he was grieved to see the Anakims waxing stronger on the hill country; he requested Joshua to give him the mountain and swore to drive out the enemies of God: "So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day; for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities: It maybe that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out as the Lord said"  (Joshua 14:12).

Today, children of God are becoming like the "partying and celebrating" tribes of Israel. Things are changing. Many Children of God are washing their fishing nets. Like fishermen, they are concluding the session with washing of the net and spreading it dry. You see, the funny thing is that (like Simon Peter), almost all their boats for fishing are empty and there is not a single for their Master (Luke 5:1-6). They are not bothered as long as they are taken care of - even their needs. But the question lingers on: Are there no lands that are yet to be conquered in our midst? Have we not rested too long on our oars? You say, "This is the land God promised to give us", but then? The Holy Bible says that any comfort you established for yourself by yourself is most likely to be destroyed or pulled down by God, hence only Him is your Comfort (Matthew 15:13). He declares: "There remains yet very much land to be possessed" (Joshua 13:1).

Are you not bothered that after you declared and announced your days of rest, the Lord tells you, "It's not yet"? Beloved are you not bothered? Are you not bothered that beyond this your self-made Comfort zone (this present "fertile land" you are living in), there are mountains, high hills, rocks, giants and Goliaths that needed only the touch of God to get thawed? Are you not bothered seeing these Anakims rising from the four walls of your "fertile land", waxing stronger on the hill country; fortifying the territories which they snatched away from you at the time of rest (your unguarded moments), with a serious jealousy over their captives?

Are you not bothered that despite your advancement in age and experience in this "fertile Land" or your achievement in life and ministry, the Lord is still showing you the lands (tribes) that are yet to be conquered?

Beloved, it is not too late to cry like Caleb today in your heart sincerely: "Lord, give me this mountain!" This is the prayer that began this Ministry - Fire-Brand Int'l Ministries. I believe that at you sincerely say it in your heart, the Lord will begin something new in you, and His peace shall not depart from your life. Like us here in this Ministry, the Lord will tell you how to start. He said to us. "Tell and reach the people through those powerful means of social communication. By this, the Lord meant Radio, Television, and the Print Media, even when the use of these for evangelism presents a big challenge. It is true that by their use the evangelical message should reach a vast number of people, but with the capacity of piercing the conscience of each individual, of implanting itself in his heart as though he were the only person being addressed, with all his most individual and personal qualities, and evoke an entirely personal adherence and commitment.

The God we serve is a specialist in making ways where there is no way, only for those that trust in Him (See Exodus 14:13-29). Seeing the pain, the trouble, and all that is required for this job, the Lord promised a means of producing resource materials for this evangelical mission, because without which not much progress will be made in this field. As the Lord sends labourers into His vine yard, may He also give us the strength to fit into the warfare and self-denial by sending His light at dark times of trouble and the might not to shrink from any painful labour for Christ's sake. Amen.

Beloved, the call to send the light to the regions beyond is for you and me. It is a call to work for God in the midst of the untold millions who have not had the opportunity to hear of Jesus. May we not relent as we pray together - "Oh Lord, Give Me This Mountain!" Amen.

 
 
Have you ever realized that you are never really and continually happy? You are looking for success and happiness. You are looking for it impatiently because you know that the time to find it is limited. How long have you been seeking already?

Money! Perhaps you put your trust in riches. Your sole aim is to get as much money as possible. You want to be able to buy whatever pleases you. You want to be admired by your friends for spending your money freely. Perhaps you have been very successful in these your aims. But deep down you are not happy!

Enjoyment! Perhaps you spent a great evening with your friends. Everything went as well as you could have wished. You felt very happy. But - for how long?

Nature! Perhaps you enjoy nature. Watching a sunset fills you with happiness - and yet at the same time it makes you sad. You feel a longing which is not fulfilled.

Hobby! Perhaps you are enjoying a hobby. Sport is your greatest ambition and whenever you practice it you feel happy. And yet - even, if you are very successful, you realize that there must be more - there is a longing for real happiness.

Love and Care! Do you have the feeling that nobody loves you deeply and yet you sense that love would make you happy? Out of love you try to look for your fellowmen. Quite naturally you are expecting a response to your acts of love - and again you are disappointed.

Sex! Perhaps you are looking for happiness in sex and again you are unsatisfied. The pleasure is just for a moment and there you go again… disappointed and unsatisfied!

Our friend in the story above did all that and yet he could not find lasting happiness. Happiness came only when he traced his root back home. Jesus is your root; in Him is everlasting joy and happiness. The only thing you MUST do is to:
Acknowledge: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23). "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13).
Repent: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).
Confess: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).
Forsake: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him... for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7).
Believe: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
If you are a new Christian, write us and receive a gift from the Director.

 
Just A Moment... 11/23/2009
 
Yeah! Let's pause for a moment. Let's think about ourselves. Or may be take a few personal questions like, why am I so miserable? And if I am, whose fault is it? Well, it could be that you or I never happened to ask such questions. We could also go right to the opposite and ask ourselves, "Why am I so unspeakably happy? Whose merit is it?" There must be a reason behind these questions I may never have thought about. Let's find out!

Jesus once told the story of a young lad who wouldn't have been able to give a reasonable answer either. He was neither miserable nor really happy. He just took everything in life for granted. One day he decided to increase his happiness in an all-out freedom. Leaving home and doing whatever he desired just seemed the right thing for him to do…

And the day came when he packed his goods. Together with all his belongings and his inheritance drawn in advance, he left his father and brother behind.

Enjoying Life
All kinds of worldly attractions soon took hold of him. Glittering luxuries he never had dreamed of filled his days. Eating and drinking and amusing himself with girls seemed to produce endless happiness. His self-satisfaction made him so self-confident.

Yet, with no income, it was foreseeable that his fortune was inevitably going to dwindle. Another problem started right then to be hard at his heels. A severe famine broke out. Food became scarce and jobs were hard to be found. He however had to desperately beg a farmer in this faraway land for some kind of employment.

Now, why am I so miserable? Our friend has come to a crossroad. He discovered his mistake and had to look for money to help himself. Having had pity on this poor fellow, the farmer sent him to look after his pigs out in the field. Plagued with hunger, the young man desired to fill his belly with pig-food, but no-one gave it to him. And he didn't dare steal it either.

So, whose fault is it? At this point, he came to his real senses. At long last he asked himself, “why am I so miserable? Whose fault is it”? And the answer wasn't too hard to find, “It's my own fault. My egoism has driven me into this hopeless misery. If I had been loving and patient and content with what I had; yes, if I had trusted my father and thanked him for everything, I would have stayed at home. I can still see the many servants around my father's table with an abundance of food and I, his son, I'm going to die of hunger!”

And he got up. Deep within him he was determined to go all the way back. Home, home to his father he went. While drudging along and still a distance from his father's house, he was spotted by him. "It could well be… it must be him, my son!" And off he went, running - to meet his son. He threw his arms around him and kissed him.

I have sinned! Now his son admitted, "Father; I have sinned against heaven and against you. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son" (Luke 15:21), and he had in mind to beg him, "Make me like one of your hired men." But he couldn't. His father had already ordered to let him wear the best suit, to put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet and to kill a fattened calf. With real joy the father said, "Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!" (V24).

Forgiven and really happy! Can you imagine, how unspeakably happy our friend must have been? And if you could ask the reason why: the only possible answer would be, "It's my father's love who freely forgave me my very bad behaviour".

The Apostle John exclaims, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him!"(1 ]ohn3:1).

 
First Post! 11/21/2009
 
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