Category Archives: salvation

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Reuniting the household

May 19, 2016 thepearlsisters 14 Comments

If one where to ask you to describe your family in five words, what would you come up with? How many of us would have positive things to say about our family members? Do we display a perfect image, and yet have underlying issues? Are we ready to deal with these issues, or are they better off buried away? Every family has issues- every one of them. With some, it is more evident than others and a lot of the time we would prefer to leave things the way they are, rather than dealing with them.

We are in a season where the Lord wants to restore our families. Not only does He want to restore, He wants to reunite our households. The family unit is very powerful, in particular when it operates in unity- hence why the enemy constantly tries to bring division. Just imagine your entire family sold out for Christ, praying and aligning to the will of God. You would collectively demolish the kingdom of darkness and contribute to building God’s kingdom.

God has given individuals as well as families a purpose that will add to His kingdom. However, most families are broken and that is not of God. He has seen the cries, pains, sorrows and disappointments within our families and He wants to knit us back together.

Joel 2:25-26 So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame.

In this season, God wants to cleanse our hearts from the unforgiveness, selfishness, strive, bitterness, anger, jealousy, envy and all things that do not please Him. He’s clearing out our homes and rearranging it the way He ordained for it to be. God is tearing down the old foundation of our family and is building a new one.

Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD

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The scripture the Holy Spirit gave me is If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand – Mark 3:25. We need one another! Even within His Kingdom, He calls us the body of Christ. He has purposefully made us unique with different spiritual gifts. When we all come together and operate according to His will, we become an empire of greatness. God wants the same for our families. We all have a unique identity, duty and have role to play in our families. The way He showed it to me is that our families can me compared to a puzzle. Without each puzzle piece being put together, the puzzle is incomplete. You may ask yourself why God has placed you in your family? Why did He give you the relatives you have? It may seem like they don’t have a role to play in our lives. In fact, sometimes we wonder whether God made a mistake. However, when He created you, He knew He would raise you up and use you to intercede for your family and save not only a generation but a nation! Sometimes we are so focused on our own needs that we forget to ask God what His purpose is in it. And although the road may have been rocky at times, it was not in vain. There is always something for us to learn and God will always bring something good out of it

Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

In first vision I had, I saw God’s mighty hand capturing His children and bringing them back home. This included children who had driven far away from Him. He was drawing family members back to their households, like the prodigal son (read The return of the prodigal son) Hence why in this season it is crucial for us to keep praying for our lost relatives. There is no person who God cannot capture and rebuild in His goodness. In the second vision, I saw Jesus in our homes and He was weeping. As He shed tears, our homes were being cleansed. I then saw Him with a broom and He was sweeping our homes. He was removing all that He did not place in our homes and in our hearts. God is indeed with us and is doing a new thing.

Haggai 2:9 The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”

I encourage you today to continue pray for your unsaved relatives and those who you find hard to forgive. It takes the grace of God. God loves them as much as He loves us and He as entrusted us to continue to pray for their salvation. May this year be known as the year where the Lord restored our families, reconciled us and did a new thing in our homes.

Reuniting the household- pointers

Come to the Lord with a genuine repentant heart. Ask Him to forgive you for your sins.
Pray that God will give you the grace to forgive all your relatives and for Him to heal and restore you.
Be honest with God about how you feel about particular relatives or incidents that have happened in your family.
Ask God reveal all the emotions/feelings we have towards one another and pray that He will remove them.
Restoration of headship. Invite Jesus into our home and pray that He will be the centre of your household.
Ask God to restore your home and for there to be divine order.
Make a list and ask God for all the things you want Him to do in your household.
Pray that the love of God, which is unconditional will manifest in your household.
Ask God to reveal all generational curses that may still be holding you back as a family, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray over these matters.
Cancel any negative word which was spoken by relatives and declare positivity over it.
Ask God what your families purpose is in the kingdom. Every single one of us has been given a spiritual gift and has a purpose.
Pray for the salvation of your lost relatives (see Salvation of a loved one)
Ask God on how you and your family can move forward together in unity.
Talk out your issues with family members. God wants to iron out our issues, resolve them, so we can move forward.

Let us stand together and pray in unity for the reconciliation and restoration by clicking on the video below:

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Seasonal people

November 13, 2015 thepearlsisters 31 Comments

The year 2015 has been a year of rearrangement, growth and isolation for me during my Christian walk; in particular, concerning the people in my life. The Lord has rearranged my friendship circle, brought individuals who have helped me spiritually grow, and kept me isolated to spend more time with Him.

The discontinuity within friendships is never an easy one to comprehend: in particular, when God mysteriously removes people from our lives. One wonders: “Why would God remove this person? We have been friends forever”. These friends are seasonal and have fulfilled the purpose God had for them in your life. When this disconnection occurs, one may feel a number of negative emotions. However, remember that God knows what He is doing and sees ahead of time (Isaiah 46:10 “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please”). In addition to this, rearrangements allow us to move unto the next stage in our lives without hindrances.

Not long ago, I went through one of the most difficult seasons I have ever witnessed in my life. I was being tested in every area of my life and unable to cope. It was as if God was playing hide and seek with me and the trials and tribulations of this world had really gotten to me. I had not guarded my heart and the deceits of this world had started to creep in. I had gotten to a place where I was so overwhelmed and asked God to take me home (thank God He doesn’t answer all our prayers). But I remembered what Jesus did when the trials of this world got to Him (Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father, he cried out, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine).

So I cried unto the Lord and asked Him to give me the grace to keep walking. And out of the blue, people started calling me saying that God had placed it unto their hearts to pray for me. Others had visions and dreams of my pain. These individuals were not my usual friends or people I would usually turn to in tough times. In fact, those people actually turned their back on me during this season. The individuals God sent were seasonal people, who helped me overcome the battles and pass the test.

Recently, I was not feeling too well and spent the day at the hospital. Unable to walk properly and in excruciating pain, I decided to download the UBER app to take a taxi home. However, for some reason the app refused to fully download and kept freezing at 2%. I turned my phone on and off, sat in various positions to get reception (though I had full reception) and it refused to load. I decided to give up and cross the road and take a bus home. In the far distance, I saw a lady cross over the road and walk towards me. Upon arrival she said: “ Excuse me, the Lord has told me you are in pain and that I need to give you a lift home”. I was in so much shock “Could this really have been God?”. I decided to take the leap of faith and went along with her to her car. I sat next to her daughter who was about 7-8. I asked her what her name was and she said Vanessa Anne (my full name is Vanessa Annelies). At this moment it hit me that God was with me, in fact He never left!

I just want to encourage you today to keep pressing on and keep walking. Our Christian walk is packaged with many challenges, but God will always bring someone to pray for you or use them to show you that He is still with you. Thank God for the people He has brought, the people He has taken away and the seasonal people He is bringing to help you reach your destiny.

Seasonal people – pointers

Do not be upset when people leave your life, they have fulfilled their purpose.
Allow God to rearrange your friendship circle, He knows what is best for you.
Do not look at people you have helped to stand there with you during difficult times. God will send His seasonal people to stand with You.
Periods of alone-time are good, it allows you to hear God’s voice more clearly and have an intimate relationship with God.
When times are tough, look unto God and not unto man (1 Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God).
People will always disappoint you, but God never will (Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes).
Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life).
Focus on God and all things will fall into place (Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things).
You are not forgotten and God has placed you unto the hearts of His servants to intercede for you (Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ).
Ask God what He is trying to teach You in this season and ask Him help you to pass the test.
Strive to please God and not man. All other things will fall into place (Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you).

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The struggle of the prophetic

October 19, 2015 thepearlsisters 4 Comments

Struggle, a word that depicts many negative connotations. Whenever I reminisce on the struggles I have encountered in my life, innumerable questions race through my mind: Why me God? Where were You? Did You see what was going on? I even wondered why God would create me for the sake of struggling. As much as I do not enjoy the restraint and immense efforts a struggle entails, it is where God brings out His glory in the most hopeless situations and produces a mind blowing testimony. It is a way in which God builds up our spiritual muscle for greater battles ahead and moulds our Christ- like character (Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law). At times we find ourselves struggling in situations we never planned to ever encounter and wonder how we got ourselves entangled in it.

We learn from our brother Joseph (read Genesis 37) that if ones’ struggle is based on a glorious word from the Lord, it will manifest in an extraordinary way. It also illustrates that this God given word is given to the individual to form an intimate relationship between the Father and His child.

Joseph was a young man favoured by his father and disliked by his brothers (Genesis 37:3-4 “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him”). Furthermore, he was blessed with a prophetic anointing. When operating in this gift, it requires a spirit of discernment on whom to share prophetic messages with.

(Genesis 37:5-11 “Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed:There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf. And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind).

God is gracious and when He reveals a prophetic message to us, He will speak more than once before He establishes it. Discernment is key, as others who did not receive this revelation directly from God may not stand with you in agreement. Also, some people are envious of others’ prophetic gifting and will try and discourage you.

(Job 33:14-16 “For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction”).

Nevertheless, God loves us and does not lie or let us down.

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?.

The valuable gift of prophecy is what commenced Joseph’s journey of struggling. Out of malice and envy, his own brothers sold him into slavery.

Genesis 37:28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

However, God was with him and he was sold by an officer of the Pharaoh (read Genesis 37). The favour of the Lord was upon him and was promoted from a slave to an overseer in the house of Pharaoh (read Genesis 39).

Just when life seemed to be getting back on track and God’s promise was starting to manifest, Joseph was imprisoned for two years for not sleeping with his masters’ wife, who tried to seduce him (read Genesis 39). One has to wonder; why did God allowed Joseph to go through all this struggle?. Why grace him with honour and then demote him back to shame? To us in the physical, one may think that Joseph was cursed and would sympathize with him. However, in God’s eyes he was on the right path to victory.

(Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts).

Nonetheless, during his time in prison is when God spiritually elevated him and blessed him with the gift of interpretation (read Genesis 40). This gift was valuable, and he was the only person able to interpret the dreams that troubled Pharaoh (read Genesis 41).

(Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men)

Joseph found favour in Pharaoh’s eyes and this is where God’s promise started to finally manifest.

(Genesis 41:39-44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt”)

As you continue to read further in the book of Genesis, God allowed Joseph to undergo hardship and struggle to preserve Joseph’s family and an entire nation from starvation. Had God not sent his servant to undergo temporary pain, the 12 tribes of Israel would not have been established and a nation would not have survived the famine. God was also faithful to the promise He made Abraham (Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing”). In addition to this, the dream God gave Joseph came to pass (Genesis 42:6 “Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth”).

In this life time, it is a blessing to be able to struggle in life for Christ because you are guaranteed to come out victorious. God’s plan is always greater than our human understanding. As a disciple of Christ, it is inevitable that you will experience suffering in your Christian walk. Our messiah suffered so that we would be redeemed. There is always a greater plan that God has for you during your struggle, though you may not see it during the time its occurring. We learn from the story of Joseph that what the enemy targeted for bad, God’s glory will always triumphant over it. If you didn’t go through struggles and gain an testimony, then how can you encourage other people?

Rejoice in your struggles, knowing that God is in control and that at the appointed time, it shall come to pass.

The struggle of the prophetic- pointers

Write down the things God has promised you and meditate on them, regardless of what your current situation states.
Be mindful of who you share your dreams and visions with, not everyone wishes you well.
Have faith, meditate on the word and know that God does not lie and will not disappoint you.
Give thanksgiving, and thank Him for your journey and for the glorious outcome
Ask God what He is trying to teach you during the hardship.
Do not try and convince people to understand what God told you. If God wants them to understand He will show them for Himself,
Do not try and physically fulfil a prophetic message- God knows what He is doing and does not need help.
PRAY PRAY and PRAY! We are spiritual beings and ought to deal with things in the spiritual realm.
When you are uncertain whether you have heard from God, ask Him to reaffirm the message, He will send a message either through a person or dream/vision to confirm.
Be patient and still. Know that God will fulfil what He has promised you at HIS appointed time.
Spend more time with God. This is the best time to build a more intimate relationship with your Father.
Ask God to bless you with more spiritual gifts to edify His church.
People may come and say the contrary to what God has told you. In such cases, be steadfast and hold unto the promises God has given you.
Know that God is allowing you to go through this struggle to build you up spiritually and help you overcome greater battles that are ahead.
Be open with your Father about how you are feeling and ask Him to give you strength, comfort, peace and patience.

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God’s lost children

September 30, 2015 thepearlsisters 3 Comments

Amsterdam, one of the most diverse cities I have visited. The chaotic, dynamic, autonomous environment that keeps one’s eyes observant. The contrast between my childhood perspective and adult perception- incomparable. Growing up in a town 14 miles away from this city, going to Amsterdam with the family was an exciting treat. Walks along the canals, shopping on Kalverstraat, scrumptious roasted duck in China Town- memorable childhood memories. More than a decade later, my perspective changed. As I walked around with my childhood friend, we came across the forbidden fruit- the red light district. I had never visited this part of the town before, however the Holy Spirit prompted and directed my steps there. I did not understand why He would lead me into an area of ungodliness, but He whispered ‘pray of them’.

As me and my friend strolled around the district, my spirit saddened. Women were displayed as a mannequin through a see through window, with very little covering. At first I felt disgusted, and with my head down I was trying to comprehend what was going on. Why would one degrade themselves to this form of occupation? How can the society we live in allow this form of profession to be legalized? But then the Holy Spirit whispered and said “Those are my children, pray for them”. I felt convicted: who am I to judge them for being there? I don’t even know their story”. One thing that came to my mind was that, if God was to return today, what would He find us doing? Would we be prepared and ready? Would He be proud of the activities He finds us doing? Would I as a disciple, have done my best to help those who are lost?(Mark 13:32-33 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come”).

The spirit of perversion is controlling the lives of many of God’s children. It is our duty as disciples to pray for lost souls, for the deliverance of those engaging in perverted activities and of course for ourselves (Ephesians 5:3 “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people”).

I encourage you today to stand with me in prayer for all the women and men all over the world engaging in sexual perversion. For the strongholds that have been capturing God’s children to be broken down and for there to be total liberation. May all God’s children know that when Jesus died on the cross, He died for them.

Let us also pray for ourselves, that where we are still short of God’s glory, for Him to have mercy upon us, deliver us and that on the day of judgement He will say to us “Well done, good and faithful servant”. When He comes back for His church, may He find us ready, blameless and without blemish in Jesus Name.

(2 Peter 3:11 “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him”).

God’s lost children- prayers

Dear heavenly Father,

We thank You for our lives and for allowing us to come into Your presence. Before we ask You for anything, we repent of our sins and ask that You will forgive us and cleanse us with Your blood. Lord, we come to You in regards to the matter of sexual perversion. We come before You and bring every man and woman who has been struggling with perversion. Lord, we pray that You will deliver them from the hands of the devourer.

We pray that You will open the eyes of their understanding, that they will get to know You (Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe”).May they know that You bought them at a price and that they are worthy in Your eyes. We repent on their behalf and pray that You will transform their lives and use their testimonies to touch the lives of others. We pull down all strongholds of perversion holding Your children captive and we destroy them in Jesus name (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”).

I pray that You will remove any filthy garment, may You dress them in a garment of righteousness. I pray that You will remove any shame and bless them with honour. We declare, holiness, righteousness and purity over their lives and also upon our own lives. We pray that You will heal them from all pain, hurt, disappointment, and all other things that may be troubling them. We pray Lord, that on the day of Your return, Your children will be prepared (2 Peter 3:9-10 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare”).

We pray that in all areas worldwide where perversion has been ruling, that Your light will shine there. May fellowships, churches and places of worship be planted where there has been darkness. We also pray for our own lives, that where we have struggled with perversion that You will help us and that all our ways will glorify You. We also pray that Your hand of protection will be over our lives when we sleep and that no attack from the enemy shall prevail In Jesus Name. We thank You and believe that our prayer has been heard. AMEN.

Dear heavenly Father,

I thank You Father for all You have done in my life and all You continue to do. Thank You for allowing me to see another day. It is by Your grace that I am still alive and I do not take it for granted (Psalm 127:2 “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat– for he grants sleep to those he loves”). Lord, I come before You and I repent of my sins; all that I have committed knowingly and unknowingly- have mercy. I pray Lord, that You will remove everything from my life that may be hindering me from entering Your kingdom, may You cut it off in Jesus name (Matthew 5:30 “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell”). Give us the grace to overcome the desires of this world and be righteous in Your sight. I commit all my plans and ways to You, and that it will be pleasing in Your sight. I declare purity, holiness and righteousness over every aspect of my life in Jesus name. I pray Lord that on the day of Your return that You will find my garment without blemish (Ephesians 5:26-27 ^“that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish”). I pray that I will be on guard daily, ready for your return.

I pray that on the Day of Judgment, You will say “Well done, good and faithful servant”(Matthew 25:21). I pray that You will shield me from the spirit of perversion and that Your light will shine upon me all the days of my life. I thank You for it is done. In Jesus name AMEN.

Pearl Sisters