THE VALUE OF TRIALS

At the dawn of a beautiful Sunday, thanks to God’s infinite mercy, the children of God gathered in His house to honour Him, enjoying His presence. While believers were praising the living Jesus Christ along with the worship team, He manifested His power throughout the entire service!

This was followed by a powerful message from the man of God Stavros, entitled “THE VALUE OF TRIALS”. The man of God began his sermon by exemplifying something he noticed in believers who go to him for counselling. The point is that many of them express their problems, but they are not eager to follow any instruction or advice. What they are asking is for the men of God to just pray, expecting a magical outcome, without changing anything in the way they handle the problem, because that would be difficult for them. So most people today are not just looking for a solution, but the easy solution! This, he added, is not in accordance with God’s Word. The ingredient that made some people serious, hard-working, or even wise, was the fact that they had no choice but to acquire these values because of adverse situations! Thus, no one can grow without challenges and resistance, a teaching that is missing from Christianity today.

The first verse he read was in Genesis 8:22, which he analysed. God’s Word in this verse states that day and night will never pass from the earth, meaning that there will always be good times and bad times. In essence, we should realise and accept that temptations are a normal part of human life, as long as we overcome them. If what we are looking for is for everything to always go well, then we will be disappointed, he explained.

Then, reading the verses 10-12 from Psalm 66: “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance”, as well as the verses Malachi 3:3, James 1:1 and 12, he went in detail about the way in which God tests and purifies us, that is, as some precious metal from which all impurity must be removed in the furnace of fire. Trial is a multi-tool that God uses to test us, to purify us, to increase us, and to promote us. The reason God tests us is that sin easily hides where there is no heat or trial. Challenges reveal the true condition of a person’s heart. We are all good when times are easy! Thus, God not only tests us, but also purifies us as our character is cleansed through difficult circumstances.

Then, the man of God encouraged the people of God to see trials from another perspective, saying that trials are the soil in which the faith of a Christian thrives and flourishes. Unpleasant situations discipline us and improve our Christian character, thus making us, thus making us better disciples in Christ! In other words, our growth has more to do with how we handle a difficulty than how much we pray. It is something that is useful in our lives, and we should not run away from difficult situations, as they are often the answer to our prayers! If, for example, we ask God for patience, He will allow a situation which will leave us no choice but to be patient! If we ask for love, he will send us difficult people who we will have no choice but to love!

“Your present situation, no matter how hard it is, is meant for your spiritual benefit.” said the man of God, finally advising believers around the world to embrace trials if they want to grow and become successful!

FROM EMPLOYEE TO MANAGER!

Ms. Konstantia from Giannitsa, resident of the Netherlands, decided to visit again the Synagogue, Church Of All Nations Thessalonica to share how the intervention of God had an important effect in her life.

During the laying of hands, as the prophetess was praying for her, the Spirit of God located her and gave her the exact prophetic word: “You will be healed! God wants the best for you and for your children! No worries, only joy! Only joy is coming to your life!”.

Ms. Konstantia started her testimony, saying that 20 years ago, she started praying to God, asking for a reset in her life! She was living in a difficult and dysfunctional family, with many negative consequences for her and her children. She was living in depression for many years, and that depression also affected her children. There were many troubles and anxiety, as everything was going wrong in her life! When she got divorced from her husband, things became calmer, but her mental state didn’t change. She noticed that all she was passing through these 20 years, left its scar on her and her children. She mentioned that there wasn’t anything positive inside their house, as they would always find a reason to not be well. Even if something good was happening, they would just ignore it.

In the midst of all these things, she needed to work 3 different jobs at the same time. The time was passing, her children were growing up and even if she was working hard, the money wasn’t enough. For example, her youngest daughter needed to buy shoes, and Ms. Konstantia needed to borrow money in order to cover the needs of her child, even if she was working…

This had impacted her health, as some psychosomatic problems appeared, not only to her but also to her children.

Later, she started an export company of Greek products to Europe. She worked so hard for that, trying to build a network of cooperation between England-Greece. Even if she was striving to succeed in this part, everything fell!

So, Ms. Konstantia was shocked as she saw all her hard work and time being destroyed after the prophetic word! However, she held onto the word that came directly from Heaven!

Later, an acquaintance told her about a job in the Netherlands, which she wasted no time to accept! Within a few months, she left for the Netherlands to work for an airline company. Her job in the Netherlands is great with a very good salary!

In her job, everything was going well, as suddenly one colleague left and another colleague got sick. After this situation, she needed to work for 15 hours per day. When the situation was normal again and she brought substitutes, the company made her from an employee into a manager as they acknowledged her effort! In one year, God blessed her in a way that she earned 3 times increased in her salary!

As for her children, her first priority was her 15 years old daughter who went to a school where 99% of the children successfully pass it in 2 years. Yet her daughter passed it in only 1 year! Also, she was accepted in a very good school of her choice, due to her high grades and performance! Now, the money that she earns is enough, as she covers her needs and her children’s needs. Moreover, she has the ability to pay the tuition fees of her daughter in the music school and she doesn’t have to borrow money! She is happy because her other 2 children are also happy. Now, she can support them mentally and financially, and her joy has no limits!

Another testimony she wanted to share with the congregation was that 4 years ago, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. As she mentioned, fibromyalgia is a disease that causes unbearable pain in the body. She would even wake up during the night. The doctor gave her medicine, and she took them for a while. For 1–2 years she passed through many difficult situations. She couldn’t have a bath easily and she could not even to cook without being out of breath. It was also difficult for her to move from the sofa to the chair, as she was out of breath.

When she received the prophetic word that day, she forgot to take her medicine, she threw them away and she realised that she didn’t have pain anymore! Now, she is healed through a divine touch!

Full of joy, she advised the congregation that whatever situation you are passing through, you don’t have to rush to be happy or sad for it. Wait to see what God has to say for your situation! Her promise to the Almighty God is to stay close to Him until the end and be a role model for her children!

When God speaks, changes happen in the lives of the people! If the situation you are in right now does not guarantee your future, do not despair;  the end has not come because the best is yet to come!

SHE THOUGHT TALKING TO HER DEAD GRANDMOTHER WAS INNOCENT, BUT…

Ms. Sokratia came from Canada to the Synagogue, Church Of All Nations Thessalonica, being in a situation from which she could not escape by her own strength.

“You have bad dreams,” said the man of God Michael. “Not every day, but sometimes. The attack you have in the dream stops the blessings in your life. There is a spirit there that has been fighting you for 13 years. It is a spirit that is coming and going. That’s why there are limitations in your life, that’s why you’re not content, you always want something more. This is the spirit that is bothering you in your sleep.. I am telling you the root of your problem, but today you will be set free, and the blessings of God will come upon you, whatever you have written on the placard you will receive! But the problem is there, you should pray for that. If the attack comes in your sleep, that means that you need to make some serious decisions in your life. I also see anger and a lot of negative thoughts. These things are not written on the placard, these are the root of your problem. This spirit gives you anger, negative thoughts and limitation in progress. So, don’t worry, I have good news for you; today you are free! ”

After the service, Ms. Sokratia gave some more details about the prophecy she received. She confirmed that she had some strange dreams sometimes, just as the prophet said. She would see someone trying to feed her or sleep with her, and when she woke up in the morning, her mood was affected negatively.

Regarding anger and negative thoughts, she stressed that sometimes someone from her family or the people around her would suddenly make her angry, knowing that such a reaction on her part was not normal.

Ms. Sokratia also realised what the root of her problems was. 13 years ago, her grandmother passed away. As she mourned her loss, she used to talk to her as if she were alive. However, after a while she noticed that she could hear her grandmother walking around the house, which was completely strange and abnormal.

Now, she thanks God that through the prophetic word He has brought freedom to her life and promises to cling to the Lord, knowing that He is a faithful and trustworthy God!

When the power of sin in your life has been broken, the devil has no influence over you. Your future will be great because Jesus Christ is supporting your position!

The following pictures illustrate the love of Jesus Christ in practice, who came to destroy every plan of the enemy of the soul and uproot every demonic influence from the lives of His called ones!