The Hand Of God Ministries

THE SADDEST CONSEQUENCES OF MAN FALL

One of the saddest consequences of the Fall was not merely sin entering the world, it was the distortion of relationships.

Ever noticed how some people seem to rejoice when they find a verse they think silences, rebukes, or diminishes women, yet overlook the hundreds of passages that reveal God's honor, value, and purpose for women?

Could it be that sometimes our interpretation is influenced more by Adam's fall than by Christ's redemption?

After sin entered the world, God said to the woman:

"Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you" (Genesis 3:16).

This was not a command from God for male domination. It was a description of the brokenness sin would produce. The Fall created power struggles where there was once partnership.

Before sin, both male and female were created in God's image (Genesis 1:27). Both were commissioned to have dominion (Genesis 1:28). There was no hierarchy of value in Eden.

Then Jesus came.

And whenever Christ encountered women, He elevated them.

He taught women publicly when culture rejected it (Luke 10:39-42).

He revealed His Messiahship to a woman first (John 4:25-26).

He appeared first to women after His resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10).

Women were among the first witnesses of the Gospel.

The same Bible that people use to suppress women also tells us:

"There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

Many of the controversial passages about women cannot be understood apart from context.

Sometimes "woman" refers to a literal female.
Sometimes "woman" symbolizes Israel.
Sometimes "woman" represents the Church (Ephesians 5:25-32).
Sometimes "woman" symbolizes a false religious system or doctrine (Revelation 17).

Context is king.

A text without context becomes a pretext.

The goal of biblical interpretation is not to find ammunition for our biases. It is to discover the author's intended meaning.

If your theology consistently makes women smaller while Jesus consistently lifted them higher, then the problem is not the Bible.
The problem is the lens through which you're reading it.

The Gospel is not the story of men ruling women.

The Gospel is the story of Christ redeeming humanity.

And humanity includes women.

Men, honor women.

Women, know your value.

The Church, interpret Scripture through Christ, not through cultural wounds.

We win always!!

MANY OF YOU TALK TOO MUCH.

There are good things in your life that you simply shouldn't say, and there are testimonies you shouldn't give. You must mature to a level where you can discern which things to keep to yourself, because that is how you utilize the three "S" factors in spiritual warfare: Speed, Secrets, and Surprise.
​Keep secrets, move with speed, and operate with the element of surprise. When you know how to keep a secret, you naturally gain the advantage of surprise because the enemy doesn't know your next move and lacks the details to plan against you.
​Managing the Element of Surprise
​You must also know how to use these moments to inspire the people following you. When you inspire them correctly, they will run with the vision as if they are intoxicated.
​For example, we are currently building an auditorium. A man called me and said, "Sir, I am going to drive a trailer load of cement directly to the construction site." I told him, "My members will be absolutely glad to see you do it." And he did it.
​Before this, our members were coming to tell me about our progress, noting that we had previously been buying cement day by day. Then, suddenly, someone drove an entire trailer load of cement onto the site.
​The truth is, I knew about it beforehand, but I intentionally did not disclose it because I wanted to surprise my members. Even my wife called me and urged me to reveal who the donor was. I told her, "I will tell you later." She countered, "Did the man tell you not to tell anyone? Did he say you shouldn't even tell your wife?" I simply repeated, "Look, I will tell you later."
​There are certain secrets in ministry and in life that you must keep to yourself alone—things that remain strictly between you and God.
​Operating Like an Eagle
​Consider how an eagle drops down from the sky to pick up a chick. It succeeds because all three strategic factors are actively in place:
​Secret: It watches quietly from a height where it cannot be detected.
​Speed: It dives out of the air at incredible velocity.
​Surprise: It strikes before the target even realizes it is in danger.
​I pray that you will become highly strategic in the way you live and navigate your life. May these three "S" factors become personal weapons for you in spiritual warfare. May you receive the grace to keep secrets, to move with divine speed, and to always maintain the element of surprise. Amen.

CONQUER EVERY RESISTANCE WITH PERSISTENCE

Don't quit because of your haters, competitors or naysayers.
Don't quit because of the gossip and lies. Do not let the mud they throw at you stick on you.
Don't quit because you are tired.
Don't quit because you are hurt.
Don't quit because the outcome wasn't what you expected.
You didn't come this far to quit. Stretch yourself more. Keep pushing.
This is life and you were born to win.
Conquer every resistance with determined persistence. When you persist, you eventually breakthrough.

LET US PRAY

Dear God,
Remove every fear living inside my heart.
The fear of failure.
The fear of rejection.
The fear of not being enough.
The fear that keeps me silent when I should speak.
The fear that keeps me hidden when You have called me to shine.

Lord, break every chain of fear that has limited my growth, delayed my purpose, and weakened my confidence.
Your Word says You have not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
Today, I reject fear in every form.

Replace my fear with faith.
Faith to believe that I am not forgotten.
Faith to believe that my future is still beautiful.
Faith to believe that closed doors are not the end of my story.
Faith to trust You even when I cannot see the full picture.

God, remind me that I was not created to live a small life filled with doubt and insecurity.
I was created with purpose.
I was created with destiny.
I was created to glorify You.

Every lie that says I will never make it, silence it.
Every voice telling me to give up, silence it.
Every burden of anxiety, discouragement, and intimidation, take it away from me.

Teach me to walk boldly into the calling You placed upon my life.
Give me courage to step out in obedience even when I feel afraid.
Help me remember that giants fall, mountains move, and impossible situations change when You are involved.

Lord, heal the wounds that created fear inside me.
Heal the disappointments, betrayals, failures, and painful memories that made me doubt myself.
Restore my confidence again.
Restore my joy again.
Restore my strength again.

I pray for a fearless spirit.
A spirit that trusts You completely.
A spirit that refuses to quit.
A spirit that keeps praying, keeps believing, and keeps moving forward no matter the battle.

Father, remove every mentality of limitation.
Remove every mindset of defeat.
Do not allow me to settle for less when You have called me for greater things.

Help me to stop doubting the gifts You placed inside me.
Help me to stop comparing myself with others.
Help me to stop living beneath the purpose You designed for my life.

May my faith become stronger than my fear.
May my prayers become louder than my doubts.
May my hope become greater than my pain.

God, open my eyes to opportunities I was too afraid to pursue.
Open doors no man can shut.
Connect me to the right people.
Lead me into places my fear once told me I could never reach.

When fear tries to return, remind me who You are.
You are my defender.
You are my provider.
You are my protector.
You are the God who goes before me and makes crooked paths straight.

Today I choose faith over fear.
I choose courage over worry.
I choose obedience over excuses.
I choose to trust You with my future.

I declare that fear will no longer control my decisions.
Fear will no longer silence my voice.
Fear will no longer stop my progress.

I am rising again.
I am believing again.
I am trusting again.

Because the God who created me did not create me to remain broken, hidden, weak, or defeated.
He created me for purpose, impact, victory, and His glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GEHAZI DID NOT FALL BECAUSE HE WAS BROKE , HE FELL BECAUSE HE WAS CLOSE TO POWER WITHOUT BEING TRANSFORMED BY IT

One of the most dangerous people in church are not the witches, the atheists, or the false prophets, It is the people who serve around the anointing but whose hearts were never discipled by truth.

Gehazi is proof that you can carry the prophet’s staff and still carry greed in your heart.

WHO WAS GEHAZI?

The Holy Bible introduces Gehazi as the servant of the prophet Elisha.

He was not an outsider. He was not a pagan. He was not an enemy of ministry.

He was INSIDE prophetic ministry.

He saw miracles. He witnessed the dead raised. He watched oil multiply. He saw Naaman healed of leprosy.

Yet despite all this exposure to divine power, his character remained untouched.

That is the tragedy of Gehazi: He was around glory but never submitted to transformation.

THE MOST SCARY THING ABOUT GEHAZI

Gehazi knew ministry language but lacked kingdom integrity.

In The Holy Bible, after Naaman was healed, Elisha refused gifts because the miracle was meant to reveal God’s grace freely to a Gentile commander.

But Gehazi secretly chased Naaman for money.

Why?

Because he believed ministry was an opportunity for personal gain.

Read this carefully: Gehazi did not steal from Naaman first… He first departed from the heart of his master.

Every outward corruption begins with inward disagreement with truth.

NOW LET'S LOOK AT IT CLOSELY 🤔

Gehazi represents ministers who love the benefits of ministry more than the burden of representing Christ.

He wanted prophetic association without prophetic consecration.

Today many want:

The microphone without meekness

The title without transformation

The platform without purity

Spiritual authority without death to self

Gehazi teaches us that proximity to spiritual things is not the same as spiritual maturity.

Judas walked with Jesus. Gehazi walked with Elisha. Yet both had corrupted hearts.

HIS BIGGEST SIN WAS NOT MONEY

Many think Gehazi’s problem was greed alone.

No.

His deeper sin was misrepresenting God.

Elisha had demonstrated that God’s grace could not be bought. Gehazi reversed the message and commercialized the miracle.

That is why judgment came severely.

When ministry becomes business and grace becomes merchandise, the gospel is distorted.

The Apostle Paul the Apostle warned strongly, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil…”1 Timothy 6:10

And Peter the Apostle also warned about ministers who, “…through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.” 2 Peter 2:3

Gehazi was an Old Testament picture of a New Testament warning.

GEHAZI HAD MINISTRY ACCESS BUT NO INNER BROKENNESS

In The Holy Bible, Elisha even trusted Gehazi enough to send him with the prophet’s staff to lay on the dead child.

Imagine that.

He carried the staff… But could not carry the spirit behind it.

The child did not rise through Gehazi’s attempt.

Why?

Because kingdom authority is not in objects, titles, or association. It flows from fellowship with God.

This is why Paul the Apostle told Timothy, “Keep thyself pure.”
1 Timothy 5:22

And again, “A bishop then must be blameless…”
1 Timothy 3:2

God has always cared more about the vessel than the visibility.

LESSONS FROM GEHAZI’S LIFE

1. Exposure to anointing does not automatically change character

You can sit in church for 20 years and still be carnal.

Israel saw the Red Sea split yet still rebelled.

Transformation comes through faith in truth and yielding to God.

2. Secret sin eventually becomes public

Gehazi thought Elisha would never know.

But spiritual corruption cannot stay hidden forever.

Numbers 32:23 says, “…be sure your sin will find you out.”

3. Greed destroys spiritual sensitivity

The moment money became Gehazi’s obsession, discernment left him.

Covetousness blinds people spiritually.

4. Serving a man of God is not the same as knowing God

This is a dangerous deception in church culture.

Your pastor’s prayer life cannot replace your own relationship with Christ.

5. Ministry without integrity eventually collapses

Character sustains what gifting attracts.

THE LEPROSY WAS DEEPER THAN SKIN

When Gehazi was judged with leprosy, it symbolized inward corruption becoming outwardly visible.
Sin eventually manifests.

Jesus taught this same principle in The Holy Bible, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

The kingdom has never been about appearances. God looks at the heart.

THE GOSPEL CONTRAST

Gehazi tried to gain materially from grace.
But the gospel teaches the opposite.
Jesus became poor so many could become rich in Him spiritually.
Salvation cannot be sold. Miracles cannot be bought. The Holy Spirit cannot be purchased.
Remember Simon Magus in Acts 8 who tried to buy spiritual power?

The Apostle Peter rebuked him sharply, “Thy money perish with thee…”
Acts 8:20

The spirit of Gehazi still exists anywhere ministry becomes manipulation for gain.

Gehazi is a warning to every believer, Don’t only pursue spiritual power, Pursue purity of the heart.

Because the greatest tragedy is not being far from the anointing.
The greatest tragedy is being near it daily while your heart quietly drifts away from God.

We win always!!

PEOPLE THAT MATTER

There are people who matter… that must be involved in the matters of your life.

No one succeeds completely alone.
At different stages of life—
Certain people matter.
Mentors.
Destiny helpers.
Wise voices.
People who genuinely care.

And many people…
Ignore valuable relationships.
They move through life
without counsel.
Without guidance.
Without accountability.

But here’s the truth—
Right people…
Can change direction.
One conversation.
One connection.
One piece of wisdom.
Can save years of struggle.
Because God often works…
Through people.

Even in life—
Isolation can limit growth.
That is why discernment matters.
Not everybody should have access to your life—
But the right people should.

Even in faith—
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 15:22

So value wise relationships.
Stay teachable.
Stay connected to people of value and truth.
Because some people…
Are part of God’s strategy for your growth.

Somebody Declare:
God connects me with the right people.
I value wisdom, counsel, and healthy relationships.
I walk with people who add purpose and growth to my life.
My destiny is aligned with divine connections.

BEFORE YOU BECOME A PASTOR'S WIFE, KNOW THESE 10 THINGS

(1) KNOW WHAT HE’S CALLED TO DO

Not every pastor is the same. Some are teachers, some are evangelists, some are always casting out demons at 2AM. Find out what kind of ministry he’s called to because his calling will shape your marriage, schedule, and lifestyle. Don’t marry a man with a global mission if you only want a quiet “Netflix and chill” life.

(2) GOD SIGNS HIS CHECKS

Just because he pastors a church doesn’t mean he’s secretly rich. Ministry is not a get-rich-quick scheme. There may be seasons where money is flowing and seasons where faith is the family budget. If you’re marrying him mainly for financial comfort, this might not be your lane.

(3) YOU’RE NOT JUST GETTING A HUSBAND — YOU’RE JOINING A MISSION

Being married to a pastor means you’re part of the assignment too. You’ll need to pray with him, support him, encourage him, and sometimes help carry the weight. Ministry works better when the wife is a teammate, not a competitor.

(4) GET READY FOR SACRIFICES

Date night might get interrupted by emergency counseling calls. Vacation plans may suddenly become revival plans. Ministry life can be unpredictable. If you need everything to always go perfectly your way, pastoring may stretch you a little.

(5) YOU NEED A BIG HEART

Church people come with different personalities. Some are sweet, some are complicated, and some act like they were baptized in drama. You’ll need patience, wisdom, and grace because everybody will not think, act, or talk like you.

(6) DON’T LIVE OFF PEOPLE’S APPROVAL

One Sunday they’ll call you “Mama,” the next Sunday somebody’s criticizing the way you smiled during worship. If your confidence depends on people clapping for you, ministry life will wear you out. Let God’s approval matter most.

(7) YOUR HOUSE MAY NEVER REALLY BE PRIVATE

People will call, visit, text, cry, ask for prayer, and sometimes show up hungry. A pastor’s home often becomes a safe place for others. Hospitality is part of the package. Basically… learn to hide snacks wisely.

(8) CHURCH CONFLICT IS REAL

Yes, even church folks disagree sometimes. Shocking, right? There may be misunderstandings, criticism, or tension. Don’t make things worse with anger or gossip. Learn to handle conflict with prayer, wisdom, and maturity.

(9) YOU NEED YOUR OWN PRAYER LIFE

You can’t survive ministry on borrowed spirituality. Prayer is not optional. You need your own relationship with God because spiritual battles are real. Some days prayer will be the only thing keeping you from replying to people “in the flesh.”

(10) REMEMBER — HE’S STILL HUMAN

Yes, he’s anointed. Yes, he preaches powerful sermons. But he’s still a man who gets tired, discouraged, stressed, and emotionally drained. Encourage him, love him, pray for him, and don’t expect him to float around the house speaking King James English all day.

HOW Do I PRAY WITH SCRIPTURES AND I HAVEN'T MEMORIZED THEM?”

One of the mistakes many believers make is thinking that effective prayer only belongs to people who can quote 100 scriptures off head.

No.

You do not have to memorize the whole Bible before you can pray powerfully.

This is why Bible study is very important before prayer. When you study the Word of God, you are storing spiritual materials inside your spirit. The Word gives you direction in prayer. It gives you confidence in prayer. It gives you language in prayer.

The reason many people struggle in prayer is because they want to pray without the Word.

Prayer becomes easier when scripture fills your heart.

Even if you have not memorized scriptures, you are allowed to open your Bible and pray with it beside you.

Yes. Carry your Bible into the place of prayer.

Open it. Read it slowly. Turn every verse into prayer.

If you do not know Psalms 91 by heart, open it and begin to pray with it.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…”

And you begin to pray: “Father, let me dwell in your secret place. Preserve me and my family. Hide me under your shadow.”

That is prayer.

You can take one scripture and stay on it for one hour in prayer.

Imagine praying with this scripture:

“No weapon formed against thee shall prosper…” — Isaiah 54:17

You begin to declare: “Father, every weapon formed against my destiny shall not prosper. Every attack against my mind, my family, my calling and my future shall fail in Jesus’ name.”

You are praying scripture.

The Word of God is not only for reading. It is also for praying.

When Jesus was tempted, He responded with: “It is written…”

The Word is a weapon in the place of prayer.

Ephesians 6:17 calls the Word of God “the sword of the Spirit.”

Many believers want strong prayer lives but they do not study scripture. You cannot consistently pray beyond your revelation.

Bible study fuels prayer.

The more Word you have inside you, the richer your prayer life becomes.

And please, try to reduce unnecessary phone usage during prayer.

Sometimes you carry your phone to “read the Bible” and before you know it, notifications enter the prayer room.

One message. One status. One video. One notification.

And the atmosphere is distracted.

There is something powerful about carrying a hardcopy Bible into the place of prayer.

Underline scriptures. Read them loudly. Meditate on them. Pray through them.

The goal is not to impress God with memorization. The goal is to engage Him sincerely through His Word.

Start with one verse. Pray with one Psalm. Pray with one chapter.

And as you continue studying the Bible daily, scriptures will naturally begin to stay in your spirit.

📖 Scriptures:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” — Psalms 119:11

“Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer…” — Ephesians 6:17–18

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…” — Isaiah 54:17

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night…” — Joshua 1:8

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” — Colossians 3:16

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” — Luke 4:4

“Praying at all times in the Spirit…” — Ephesians 6:18

CHILD OF GOD, TAKE TIME TO PRAY THE PRAYER OF INQUIRY.

Many people are praying, but very few are asking God the right questions.

You keep saying:
“Lord, settle this debt.”

But have you ever asked Him:
“Father, show me why I keep struggling financially.”

You keep confessing:
“I will be wealthy.”
Which is good.

But have you asked God:
“Lord, reveal to me the secret and pattern for wealth assigned to my life.”

You need LIGHT.

Because one revelation from God can change an entire generation.

There are battles fasting alone cannot solve until understanding comes.
There are cycles prayer alone will not break until God opens your eyes to the root.

Stop copying everybody’s strategy.

Destiny is personal.

Just because everybody is taking loans to start businesses does not mean you should take loans.

Just because everybody is travelling abroad does not mean your answer is abroad.

Just because everybody is applying for jobs does not mean that is your divine path.

God deals with people differently.

For some people, God lifted them through business.
For others, ministry.
For others, marriage.

Ruth entered wealth through marriage.
Esther entered royalty through marriage.

So stop forcing another man’s pattern on your life.

Ask God:
“What is YOUR pattern for me?”

Some people are entering relationships because age is increasing.
Others are marrying because they got jobs.
But child of God, ask Him first:

“Lord, is this the right time?”

One wrong step can delay destiny for years.

Take time and pray the prayer of inquiry.

Go on a fast.
Separate yourself.
Stay in God’s presence.

And ask questions.

“Father, what is affecting my family?”
“Why is nobody progressing?”
“Why is there constant divorce in this bloodline?”
“Why this sickness?”
“What door gave the enemy access?”
“What can I do to host Your presence in my family?”
“What must change in me?”

Many believers are too dependent on people.

Every time there is a problem, you are texting everybody:
“Pray for me.”
“Help me pray.”
“Please remember me in prayers.”

But when will you lock yourself in a room and seek God until light comes?

There are answers God wants to reveal to YOU personally.

Light is not transferable.

A man can pray for you, but he cannot replace your personal encounter with God.

You need revelation.
You need direction.
You need understanding.

Some problems are not ending because you are fighting symptoms while ignoring the root.

Pray the prayer of inquiry.

Ask God to show you.

And when light comes, confusion disappears.

THE MISSION Of JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO Luke 4:18–19

Mission begins in the heart of God (Escobar). God sent his only beloved Son to this world. God and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to this world.

Jesus sent his disciples and us. Where? To this world. The Holy Spirit is the principal actor in fulfilling the mission.

The teaching ministry of Christian educational institutions ought to assist the church in accomplishing its ministry, purposes, and mission in society.
Jesus’ mission was to save that which was lost. This salvation and good news was and is directed toward every area of need, poverty, and problem of humanity. By nature, man lives separated from God. He lives with a great number of problems and misfortunes, urgently needing the good news of the love and the grace and the favor of Christ.

Jesus was convinced that he was able to fulfill his mission because God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit.

One passage that speaks to us of Jesus’ mission is found in Luke 4:18–19.

Problem: Poverty
Luke 4:18 (a): “to proclaim good news to the poor”

There is much spiritual and moral poverty. p. 294

Economic poverty is also a very real problem, especially in a country like Paraguay, but in many other countries as well.

What did Jesus do for the poor?

He had compassion on a poor widow and raised her only son from the dead, because this son was the source of support for the widow’s future.
He healed the lepers, so they could return to their work.
He condemned the rich who exploited the poor, especially the orphans and the widows.
On the other hand, we see that he praised the action of a poor widow who placed all that she had in the offering plate.
He did not prevent her from giving, nor does the Bible mention that he gave her any funds, now that she was without money.
The poor are not always poor. On the contrary, they are often rich in faith. “Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5).

I know several people with significant economic needs, yet they are rich in faith and progressing economically. They do not feel abandoned by God, but rather they feel very loved.
From my point of view, a person who follows Jesus and trusts him is not poor. He or she may lack material things, as did both Jesus and Paul.
The promise is that God will provide for their needs. Do we know and preach contentment?
Problem: Captivity
Luke 4:18(b): “He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners”

In the Gospels we do not read of Jesus freeing anyone from prison. (In Acts we do read of some who were miraculously set free from jail). He did not even give freedom to John the Baptist when he was in prison, although he certainly would have had the power to do so.

So, what prisoners did he free?

Prisoners of the devil. Jesus liberated many people who were possessed by demons.

Even today there are many people who are prisoners of the devil and his demons.
In our country there are many who have turned to spiritism, witchcraft, and mind-reading and are bound in some way by evil spirits. Do we teach the students at our Christian institutions how these people can be set free from their captivity? p. 295
Prisoners of sin and vice

“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin’ ” (John 8:34).

It wasn’t just the prostitutes, adulterers, and tax collectors who were sinners. The Jews thought they were free, but Jesus saw that they were totally enslaved to sin.
Today, many think they are free, but we realize that they are imprisoned by such things as addiction, hate, violence, hypocrisy, envy, greed, and many other sins.
Prisoners of wealth

Wealth prevented the rich young ruler from following Jesus, and money continues to be a great obstacle, hindering many people from faithfully following the Lord.
Our mission is not only directed toward the poor, but also toward the rich. They need to be freed from the love of money.
Prisoners of tradition and legalism

The religious in Jesus’ day were bound by their traditions and laws, such that they could not accept the grace of Jesus Christ.
Today, many believe they can secure their salvation by observing religious traditions. Believing themselves to be free, they are slaves of tradition.
There are many captives, even in our Christian institutions. They need to be freed. Do we proclaim freedom in Christ to them? Do we proclaim freedom from the bo***ge of some traditions?

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
As the hymn says, “Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom, no more in chains of sin I repine.”
Problem: Physical Suffering
Luke 4:18 (c): “recovery of sight for the blind.”

Jesus took an interest in people’s physical suffering. We are not the God who heals, but we believe in the God who can heal.

The first Christian church cried out to God for miracles and healing, and God answered. How many of us cry out to God for healing?
God is the same God, yesterday, today, and forever.
Sometimes he heals instantly, sometimes it is a process, sometimes he uses medicine, sometimes he only removes the pain; but we can cry out to him and trust in him. p. 296
Problem: Oppression
Luke 4:18 (d) “to set the oppressed free”

Many are oppressed, distressed, weighed down, and grieving.

Socially oppressed

Jesus had compassion on the outcasts (lepers, for example).
Do we have a mission to reach the outcasts of society?
Oppressed by sin and a destructive lifestyle

Jesus restored the life of the Samaritan woman.
The prodigal son returned to his father’s warm, loving home.
Oppressed by difficult life experiences

Many live oppressed by pain and hurts of the past—childhood abuse, marital infidelity, and financial injury.
Do we give hope and encouragement to their wounded and broken hearts?
Oppressed by fear and worry

Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not worry” (Matt. 6:31). Fear and worry do not allow a person to live a happy, abundant life.
Even so, many Christians live oppressed by this current evil—fear of what is to come, fear of what others will say, worry about the current economic state, worry about their children, etc.
Do we live and preach freedom in Christ?

Do our neighbors, students, and brothers and sisters in Christ see us as free people?
Jesus was completely free and only he can give true freedom.
Conclusion
Good News: Now is the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:19)

We believe that the time has come where God is manifesting his favor in a special way in Paraguay and South America.

The teaching ministry of Christian educational institutions should align with the mission of the church. Moreover, it ought to assist the church in accomplishing its ministry, purposes, and mission in society.

Christian institutions should speak the same language as the church. The church’s mission, and consequently our mission, since we form part of the church, is to take the good news of the grace of Jesus Christ to this world full of needs, problems, and misfortunes.

Like Jesus, we need the anointment with the Holy Spirit; otherwise our ministry will be limited to just human power and human efforts.

Jesus was sent by his Father “to proclaim good news to the poor . . . freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18–19). And p. 297 he says, speaking to his Father, “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (John 17:18).