Devotion Of The Week | James Miklos Ministries https://miklosministries.com Christian Relief and Developmental Organization Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:14:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://miklosministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cropped-favicon-Display-Picture-32x32.webp Devotion Of The Week | James Miklos Ministries https://miklosministries.com 32 32 Be Aware of Misconceptions https://miklosministries.com/be-aware-of-misconceptions/ Wed, 25 Sep 2019 14:33:16 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=836

“How is it that you do not understand…?”  Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:11 NASB).  Jesus in speaking with his disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees was totally misunderstood they thought he was talking about the leaven in the bread.  My point is simple, we can hear wrong things even as a group due to previous conversations, events, and corporate beliefs or where the brain can simply hear something that was never said.  In verse 5 it states that they had forgotten to bring bread with them which would appear to indicate that they were preoccupied or worried about their negligence which seems to have lead them to hearing something that Christ never said.  If we are going to be successful as followers of Christ in all we do and say it is imperative that we have ears to hear.  Too often we hear people talking and our mind jumps to a false conclusion because we think we heard them say something when they actually did not.   

 

Strife and offences often arise as the result of faulty hearing in the mind and our inability to humble ourselves, to stop and take a second look, or second listen.  There are numerous word games that you can find on the web or that you may know personally that can trick the brain into thinking something that was never said or written.  I remember a time when my darling wife was hosting an Avon party at which she gave people gifts.  Afterwards a friend had asked for her gift and she said that she specifically remembered giving her one already.  She had the memory of doing it!  Yet, after some pondering she realized that she had made what is called a false association, which gave her a false memory.  All too often people, for various reasons, experience a false association or memory which then can lead to strife and offence and for no good reason other than our personal pride getting in the way.  We are not flawless and as you live longer you may be intuitive enough to realize that neither is your memory flawless.  Some times it’s just not worth the conflict and ill feelings due to possible misunderstandings.  After all even Jesus’ disciples thought Jesus said things that he never said and yet they were humble enough to re-listen to Jesus to hear what Jesus had really said. 

 

So the next time you think you hear something that is off, ask the person before you accuse them, “Did I hear you correctly when you said… ?”  Verify it from the source not even from a secondary source such as another person that said they heard it, read it or even wrote it.   

 

And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring anybread. And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the [f]leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up?  Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up?  How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the [g]leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  (Matthew 16:5-12 NASB)

 

 

Written By – Rev. James Miklos

 

 

 

 

]]> Addressing The Core Problem Of An Unhappy Marriage https://miklosministries.com/addressing-the-core-problem-of-an-unhappy-marriage/ Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:15:31 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=652

Rev. James Miklos

There are many unhappy marriages today and the root cause of that is ignorance, arrogance, and a lack of the love of God.  Self-centredness or what some wish to call selfishness is the reason for this lack of happiness in marriages today.  Without the love of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ operating in the heart and life of a person then automatically self-centredness will be taking precedence.  

First let’s get this right, original sin or fallen human nature always leads to self-preservation and self-centredness.  Always, always, always!  To have a happy marriage there has to be an understanding and the proper order of things.  Happiness is a result of things that happen that please us.  All outward behaviour (happenings) are the result of inward choices.  In all humans there is a carnal nature that will express natural human love in a marriage relationship in either of four basic types:  the self-serving person, the justice person, the compliant person, and the self-sacrificing person.  

  1. The self-serving person is the person who will do things that will only benefit themselves.  If they are not being benefited then they will not continue in the relationship, at least not in a committed manner.  
  2. The justice person is all about fairness and equality.  They will be exacting, demanding and resentful.  They will be frequently trying to be right and right things in their partner.  Their approach is about fairness and what they perceive to be right.
  3. The compliant person will try to please their spouse and will go along with what they think their spouse wants.  They usually have low initiative and self-motivation.  
  4. The self-sacrificing person is a person who is not only compliant but they will serve their spouse and do everything they can to make them happy so that their spouse will never be unhappy.  They can be enablers of their spouse’s abusive behaviour if they are that type of person.  Whatever their motive is they are all about trying to keep their spouse happy so that they are never unhappy, usually this is a result of a fear.  This is the strongest counterfeit to the love of God.

These four types lead to an unhappy marriage and an unhappy life because the motive of each is self-centred.  These dispositions stem from original sin.  

This article is not meant to be a theological article but I should clarify what is original sin in short.  Original sin began with Adam and Eve.  They were made children of God, but they listened to Satan and committed high treason, they betrayed the Lord God Almighty who was their father.  In Genesis chapter 3 we see that from that time forth all their offspring would be tainted as original sin was passed down.  Original sin is that which is in each person inherently that wants to say no to God and yes to themselves.  It is that which separates us from God once we are cognisant enough and have reached the age of maturity where we know better, then it becomes sin.  Original sin is iniquity which is in our “flesh”.

for I have known that there doth not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh, good: for to will is present with me, and to work that which is right I do not find (Romans 7:18 Young’s Literal Translation).

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.  (Romans 7:24-25 KJV).

When it comes to marital relationships if a person is not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the love of God then the law of sin through the flesh will prevail and the end result will be unhappiness and pain.

Here are some important questions to ask yourself if you are in the flesh or the love of God concerning your marriage?

  1. Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ?  (If yes, then you are now spiritually alive and can walk in the love of God).
  2. Do you daily commit to walking out the love of God according to scripture? (If yes, then you are in the Spirit).
  3. Do you know love scriptures and can quote them?  (If yes, then you know how to walk in the Spirit and the love of God).
  4. Do you seek to please God?  (If yes, then you moving in the right direction).
  5. Do you seek to please your spouse or yourself?  (If yourself then you are in the flesh, but if your spouse then you are moving in the right direction according to scripture).
  6. Are you being kind and loving so as to not have your spouse get upset with you?  (If yes, then your motive is not one of love but of fear, which will end in unhappiness).
  7. Are you grateful for your spouse?  (If yes, then you are waling in the love of God, keep doing it, make it a daily practice).
  8. Do you desire to meet your spouse’s emotional needs?  (If yes, then you are moving in the right direction).
  9. Are you quick to forgive?  (If yes, then you are walking in love and the Father will forgive you your trespasses).
  10. Are you touchy?  (If yes, then you are carnal and not in the love of God.  Your self-centredness is strong).
  11. Are you fretful?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  12. Do you take account of the things they have done you wrong?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  13. Do you take account of the things they have done right?  (If yes, then you are moving in the right direction).
  14. Do you complain more than compliment?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  15. Are you critical of your spouse?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  16. Are you resentful of your spouse?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  17. Do you pay attention to their idiosyncrasies?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  18. Are you easily irritated by them?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  19. Are you thoughtful?  (If yes, then you are moving in the right direction).
  20. Do you believe that you are a giving self-sacrificing person and blame your spouse as you praise yourself?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  21. Do you withhold sex from your spouse without their consent?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  22. Do you communicate with your spouse as an adult or as a child or parent?  (If your communication is adult like then you are moving in the right direction.  If your communication is child or adult like, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  23. Do you call your spouse names and degrade them?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  24. Do you give your spouse the cold-shoulder?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  25. Do you avoid discussing things that are uncomfortable for you?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).
  26. Do you believe that when you are angry you are right or more right than your spouse?  (If yes, then you are in the flesh and not in the spirit and your outcome will end in unhappiness).

Many more such questions could be asked but here is a scripture that will help you to yield to the ways of God.  Remember your flesh will want to be self-centred, but if you are born-again then your spirit will want you to obey the word of God.  

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMPC.

Too many people will baulk at this because they are in fear and do not trust in God and His ways.  They believe that they will be let down, hurt and taken advantage of and the result will be no change, only more of the same.  Trusting God and his ways will lead to happiness if pursued fully.  Trusting in God and his ways means that you are now allowing the supernatural intervention of God into your relationship and your life.

The way of God is the way of peace.  The way of God is the way of faith.  There is no other way that pleases God.  Walking in the flesh will only bring grief in the long run.  Deal with yourself first that is the way of God and the scriptures.  Take ownership of your thoughts, feelings, and actions and get the biblical help you need so that happiness can be yours, especially in your marital relationship.

]]> What Is It That You See? https://miklosministries.com/what-is-it-that-you-see/ Tue, 29 Jan 2019 15:52:27 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=649 James Miklos

“Jeremiah, what do you see?” (Jeremiah 1:11).  The Lord asked Jeremiah this question in the midst of experiencing a vision from the Lord.  If you ever have had a vision then you may understand the the peculiarity of this question.  It would be like me showing you a picture or a clip of a video and asking you, “What is it that you see?”

Our eyes are a beautiful gift from God, seeing is an amazing thing.  Our eyes give us vision which enables us to enjoy creation and give us the ability to understand, perceive, relax or protect.  Our eyes are a gift from God. “I will praise You, for I am fearfullyandwonderfullymade; Marvelous are Your works…” (Psalm 139:14).  For better understanding how our eyes help us to better understand here are some fun facts:

  • The eye has 2 million working parts.
  • 80% of our memory comes from what we see.
  • The human eye can see 7 million colours by its 250,000 colour decoding cones.
  • Human eyes (plus dogs) are the only living beings on earth that can see and seek visual cues from another individual’s eyes.
  • Human eyes are the second most complex organ after the brain.
  • Humans can see from approximately 100 feet.
  • We can also focus on objects just from a few inches from our face.
  • The retina takes the light that comes in and changes it into nerve signals so that our brain can understand what our eyes are seeing.

Yet, in spite of this ability and beauty humans can have difficulty understanding or perceiving what it is that they may see or even hear.  There are some physiological issues in the brain that may impair this, but for many this is not the case.  Often we humans do not understand or perceive.  Why?  Let’s see what scripture has to tell us:

Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? (Matthew 16:9 NLT)

Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Matthew 16:9 ESV

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’ ” (Mark 4:10-12 NKJV)

We see in scripture where the Lord tests ones ability to see, perceive, and understand.  This is a condition of a person’s heart.  Seeing and understanding has to do with the softness or hardness of the heart of a person.  The level of humility, submission to the Lord, and faith in God.  Let me give you some scriptures to substantiate this.

“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” (John 12:40 ESV)

For they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. (Mark 6:52 ESV)

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. (Mark 16:14 ESV)

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:18 ESV)

The Lord’s desire is for us to see him, his ways, to understand and walk in his ways.

Here is what we can do:

  1. Humble ourselves and submit to him according to his word (scriptures).
  2. Repent and confess sins where needed.
  3. Serve the Lord the way he wants to be served not the way we want to serve him.
  4. Develop teachableness without resistance to the will of God.
  5. Be tender hearted.
  6. Love what God loves and hate what God hates.
  7. Grow your faith in God though the hearing and doing of God’s word.
  8. Pray and seek the Lord for greater spiritual sight.

In conclusion we need to seek the Lord and pray Ephesians 1:17-21 regularly with all fervency.

 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Let us humble ourselves and believe so that we can see!

GIVE today to help us help others as we go into the nations of the world!

]]> The Problems Of “Doing It My Way” https://miklosministries.com/the-problems-of-doing-it-my-way/ Tue, 22 Jan 2019 16:15:26 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=639 -Rev. James Miklos –

In 1969 Frank Sinatra popularized Paul Anka’s song, “My Way”.  In this song we see personified the man Adam.  Adam’s sin was choosing to do things his way and rejecting God’s way.  All human flesh loves to say, “…I did it my way”.

In Proverbs14:12 (NKJV) it reads, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”  We can read in Genesis 2:17 where God told Adam “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”  (NKJV).  And continuing, we see how man was tempted to do things their way instead the way the Lord had told them to.  The result was spiritual separation from God (or spiritual death), shame, guilt, self-effort to rectify their situation by covering things up, fear, and blaming God and the others involved in the sin (Genesis 3).  The result was spiritual death, life long difficulties and struggles and eventual physical death.  So here stands my question, is it worth continuing doing things our way or should we do things God’s way?

The Bible is full of excellent examples of people who did things their way.  One such example was King Saul of Israel who in the beginning loved God, and was humble.  Once anointed king then things began to decline for him.  The reason?  His concern of what others would think of him.  The Bible calls this the fear of man.  

“The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25 NKJV

The fear of man is a snare, this means it is a trap.  This kind of trap meant a certain death to the animal caught in it, therefore for us it means either spiritual destruction or at least costing us in other areas such as family, health, and peace.  It is a stressful thing to keep other humans always happy as this is an impossibility.  Even trying to keep yourself happy doing things your way is the way of pain and death.

Back to King Saul.  In 1 Samuel 15 we read an account where King Saul is instructed by the Lord through the prophet Samuel to destroy all the Amalekites and their livestock.  King Saul instead saves king Agag along with the best of the livestock (1 Samuel 15:8-9).  That very night the Lord comes to visit the prophet and tells him, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” (Verse 11).  When Samuel comes to him the next day the king greets him, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” (Verse 13).  But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” (Verse 14).

Excuses, kings Saul makes a number of excuses after he lies against the truth.  Are we making excuses for our disobedience?  Are we doing things our way?  Saul said, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me “(verse 20).  How many who call themselves Christians claim to be obedient to the word of God, written or spoken, yet have done it their way, where they have added or subtracted to what was said by God Almighty?

Here is what God said through Samuel, ““Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” (Verses 22-23).

What was Saul’s response?  Was it true repentance?  Notice, “Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord.” (Verses 24-25).  Saul admits he sinned because of the obvious because he was backed into the corner where his subterfuge was revealed but then proceeds to make excuses as to why he sinned.  Are you like that?  Do you make excuses and give reasonings to your disobedience?  There is a simple solution but it does involves the pain of humility and possibly humiliation and that is true repentance towards God.  

Repentance means the act of turning in the opposite direction and going in the new direction which was exactly opposite to what you were previously doing.  This act shows true sorrow concerning ones disobedience towards God.  All too often I have heard Christians say, “But, I love the Lord you know!”  Well then why are you not repenting and doing things God’s way?  Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  (John 14:5 NKJV).  In keeping the commandments, not suggestions, of Jesus Christ we show that we love him.  

Saul loved himself more than he loved God because he wanted to do things his way.  The first sin of Adam and Eve was the sin of doing and going their own way.  This is still prevalent in humanity as it is the way of flesh and original sin in the flesh.  It is something we must see, understand, and avoid doing by obeying and doing the will of the Father.  We must do the word of the Lord, Bible first, then the leadings of the Spirit.  If we add or subtract from the word of God then bad and painful things will happen to us, even possibly eternal damnation (Deuteronomy 4:2: 12:32; Revelation 22:18-19).

King Saul lost the promise that his linage would be a long line of royalty, instead it was given to one who was better than he in heart and obedience, David.  David though sinned, as we all humans do, but his heart was towards God rather than towards himself.  He sought to do things the Lord’s way rather than singing the words, “I did it my way”.

Are you the the person that sings, “I planned each charted course, each careful step along the highway And more, much more than this, I did it my way”?  Or, are you the person who sings these words, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”? (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).

We can choose that is the beauty of freewill!

Join us for a service or a mission trip. Please GIVE as this will allow us to do the work of the Lord, thank you. http://miklosministries.com/index.php/donate/

]]> All That Glitters Is Not Gold https://miklosministries.com/all-that-glitters-is-not-gold/ Sat, 12 Jan 2019 00:00:35 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=630

In 1596 William Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice and within this work he pens the words, “all that glisters is not gold”, today we say glitters rather than glisters.  This statement has been used repeatedly to emphasize that appearances can be deceiving no matter how beautiful, convincing or wonderful they are.  In scripture we see where the Lord was talking to Samuel the prophet when he was desiring to anoint Eliab as king of Israel, “So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”  7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  Though he was a handsome outstanding looking man the Lord tells him that He is looking at his heart not at what is seen.

Scripture contrasts two kings for us to reveal to us that we should not choose that which appears to be the right one or right thing.  Rather, we need to hear what the Lord is saying to us.  

In 1 Samuel 9:1-2 it reads, “There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.”  Prior to these verses we can see that Israel was ruled by God through judges which were in essence prophets.  There were people in Israel who wanted to be unified under a king and as Samuel grew old and his sons were dishonest in their judging they banned together and requested a king.  They requested that which was not the will of God for the people but nevertheless the Lord aided them.  

Based on the verses above it would seem that the Lord gave to them what they were looking for, a man of great appearance, where stature and strength were paramount to unify the people.  Yes, the Lord through Samuel chose Saul son of Kish and anointed him king over Israel at the approval of the people.  The people had wanted somebody that looked like Saul and so they got him.  In the beginning Saul was humble, but he did not have what it took to remain so.1

So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel? (1 Samuel 15:17)

In short, Saul disobeyed the word of the Lord and became his own guide as his heart was lifted up because of the people’s approbation.  He feared the rejection of men, he even had a statue built in his honour (1 Samuel 15:12).  In the end he committed suicide, needlessly and recklessly went to war to save his own pride and lost all of his sons, his entire heritage and legacy.  In the end when he was tried by fire there was nothing left.  When gold is tried by fire it becomes purer and endures (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

“Not all that glitters is gold” is true when it comes to human character.  Character is discovered when one goes through tribulation or when they are exalted, either extreme will reveal and amplify who a person really is.

In contrast David was a young man who was deemed to be insignificant and was not big and strong in appearance.  Scripture describes David as, “… the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” (1 Samuel 13:14 KJV).

These words were spoken to King Saul concerning David.  Scripture gives us the contrast of these two kings.  One was anointed by God because the people demanded such a man who outwardly was strong and appeared to be so, but inwardly was weak and cowardly.  The other, David, was God’s choice rather than the choice of the people, because the Lord saw the heart of David as he tended his father’s sheep.  David was not ugly but he was not what people would choose.  

The take away from this lesson is for us to not judge by appearances but to know the heart of God and not be carnal in our decision making processes.  In particular when you are searching for great spiritual leadership, do not look for the glitter but rather for the gold.  The glitter could include good looks, eloquence of speech which is smooth and appealing, one who tells you what you would like to hear, one who is popular, has a good gathering of people, and is highly influential or popular.  Remember, the anti-Christ will be all of those things.  Rather, choose the gold, at times gold does not shine as it may be mistaken for a rock of no value.  Spiritual golden leaders are those who are sound in character, biblical doctrine, who have been pastored and mentored themselves, having a spiritual father(s), who have submitted to strong leadership and were able to maintain humility.  These leaders may be like John the Baptist who did not have an appealing appearance, possibly someone who is not popular with the masses, but is sound, and has a heart after God and would even speak the difficult things of God.

What do you choose the glitter or the gold?  Who do you wish to be associated with and why?  Are you a person of glitter or are you a person of gold?  What you choose to be you will become.

]]> Kenya Mission Report 2017 https://miklosministries.com/kenya-mission-report-2017/ Wed, 22 Mar 2017 18:30:09 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=100 This year’s mission trip was a success!  With over 60 pastors in attendance at each of our two 4 day intensive trainings.  Pastors reported to us that they had never been in such seminars before where practical, challenging and helpful information was given.  The two intensive leadership trainings were held in Kombwe, north of Kisumu near Lake Victoria and the other was held in Kayole, north east of Nairobi.  We also conducted
two marriage seminars as well.

Special thanks goes to Bishop Charles Magaga for the set up of
these trainings and to Pastor Chris McMichael of Engrafted Word Church of Cookeville, TN., http://engraftedword.org, who co-laboured with me in these trainings.

Below is a testimonial from Bishop Charles Magaga of Kiserian, Kenya who was instrumental to the success of these said trainings.

We had a glorious time. Many church leaders acknowledged and confirmed that they received real teaching and they will never be the same again. Then on 19.02.2017 Sunday, Miklos preached in our church at Kiserian. Many were slayed by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God descended on the man of God and spoke to many people prophetically and word of knowledge. Thanks to all who made this mission possible. May the Lord bless you all.

In these intensive training sessions these pastors were taught and trained in financial stewardship, budgeting and ethics, understanding authority, ministerial ethics, proper interpretation of scripture, scriptural praying,  and much more.

Our plans for our next trip to Kenya currently involves 2-3 trainings in various local churches around Nairobi as well as marriage seminars.  We are currently planning on going February of 2018.  We do appreciate your support, thank you.

-Rev. James Miklos, Ph.D.

]]> Compelling Love https://miklosministries.com/compelling-love/ Sat, 11 Feb 2017 18:25:21 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=94 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.  1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV)

Just as the message of Corinthians is a message of love, so too is the heart of those who desire to go into the mission field. The worker of the gospel is compelled by this love to go forth and to show the love of Christ to those in need.

I had an opportunity to go to the Ukraine on a mission trip a few years ago and saw the hunger of the people for the gospel. Soldiers sitting in a cold dark barracks listening to the message of love and salvation and eagerly accepting Bibles being given out. How would they have received Bibles if these people hadn’t gone into the mission field and given them? If no one went how would they have heard? If those who went didn’t demonstrate the love of Christ how would they see the tangible love of Christ. If no one went and gave out tracts and Bibles how would they be able to have the written word in their hands?

This is the labourer going into the mission field, motivated by love for people. The same people that our Jesus died for.

We also went into schools and were able to share the gospel and give the children pens and writing books. How would they get these things if people weren’t willing to go into the mission field.

We went into hospitals and were able to lay hands on the sick and pray for them.

This was a mission trip that was life changing. We get so comfortable in our cosy homes and have so much. Going on this trip and seeing people with nothing and yet were so eager to hear the good news was very humbling.

Going into the mission field is a very real and tangible way to express the beautiful love chapter in our Bible.

-Deborah Johnston

 

]]> Judge Yourselves https://miklosministries.com/judge-yourselves/ Sat, 04 Feb 2017 18:27:00 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=97 All my life I never ever wanted to go on a mission trip to Africa and I was very vocal about it too.  It took two years of sitting under my Pastor’s anointing Sunday after Sunday for the Holy Spirit to show me that not trusting Him completely was the real issue.  I didn’t trust my Heavenly Father’s plan for my life nor trust Him to protect me.

All of Psalms 91 is about trusting our Heavenly Father. He says that those who trust and rely on Him know that He will never forsake them.  That if we call upon his name, He will answer us and be with us in trouble, He will deliver us and honour us.  He promises us a long life and that we will be satisfied and we will see and taste His Salvation.

Isaiah 1:19 says that the willing and obedient will eat the good of the land.  The good of the land is health, protection, peace of mind, love, joy, divine favour, happy marriage, good children, provision, good job, promotion, etc….  But if we refuse and rebel, we shall be devoured by the sword, the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

Remember the parable of the two sons in Matt 21:28.  The first son answered and said : I will not: but after he repented , and went. The second son answered: I go, sir; and went not.  He never got around to it.  Remember Martha and Marie, Martha was a server and Marie only wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet.  We have to be both Martha and Marie and have both sons in us in order to enjoy the best of the land.  Being willing alone isn’t enough and being obedient alone won’t do it.  The key to the kingdom of God is being willing and obedient we will eat the good of the land and see and taste of His Salvation.  They work together like love and patience and they bring the power in our lives and fulfill our destiny.

Matt 21:44 Whosoever shall fall on this corner stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.  Which means, if you partake of Jesus and let him change you, you will be broken and humbled and become the servant of the Most High God.  But if you don’t fall upon Him and He falls upon you in judgement then you will be crushed to powder.  One of these is based on our judgement and the other is based on the Lord’s judgement.  Our judgement will determine His judgement.  That is why we must judge ourselves so we will not be judged and we must learn to apply this in our everyday lives.

What do you value?  Do you value church attendance, tithing, the Word of God, forgiveness, the name of Jesus, healing? We have to judge ourselves every day and be willing and obedient when the Lord calls on us to do His bidding.  Only then will we eat the good of the land, see and taste His Salvation and partake of our inheritance in Christ Jesus.

Since this writing, I’ve been on three mission trips to Kenya and I’ve never regretted it.  The Lord has always proved to be Faithful and Trustworthy every time and I know that He will always be because I trust Him.

-Carmen Desilets

 

]]> A Message of Hope https://miklosministries.com/a-message-of-hope/ Mon, 30 Jan 2017 18:15:24 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=78 Breakthrough, is the word that the Lord gave to us this past fall for this new year 2017.  For many 2016 was a year of frustration and challenges, a year without gaining traction.  I think about the precious promises of God that is in his word as well as those words that he speaks to our hearts and how we have hope.  So many today don’t have hope.  I am amazed how the unbelievers in our society can even have hope, for many of them are atheistic humanists that believe that somehow they have a life of meaning, yet how gloomy this is.  Without the hope of eternal life there is no life, there is no hope!

To have hope in the Lord and  to know that ““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?” Numbers 23:18 NKJV.  Having this hope and confidence we can be at peace for a better tomorrow.  A tomorrow where there can be a breakthrough in our lives!

What is a breakthrough?  Miriam-Webster’s dictionary defines it as:

a warfare :  an offensive military assault that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line.  (And/or)  an act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle <a breakthrough in the talks between the region’s leaders> <a breakthrough agreement>.  (Also,)

a :  a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique <a medical breakthrough>
b :  a person’s first notable success <a breakthrough novel> <the actress’s breakthrough performance>

A spiritual breakthrough comes when we as believers are actively believing God for a breakthrough in our lives, either a specific area, or overall.  As you stand in faith you must remember also to:

  • Breath through these things, allow yourself to be at peace knowing that Christ is working right now.
  • Go through, you are going through this problem not stuck permanently in it.  The Lord makes a way where there seems to be no way out.
  • Pray through, this term I have heard for years and have found it true.  To pray through is to do what Jesus told us to do, “Keep on asking and it will be given you;  keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 Amplified.
  • Run through, we must not stop running the race of Christ that is set before us.  Do not let any worldly distractions take away from you the hope of this breakthrough.  Remember, “For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.” Psalm 18:29 Amplified.

We must meditate on Isaiah 43:18-19 for this is the word for us this year!

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

Old Things

We are exhorted to forget, to cast away, to cease entertaining the thoughts of yesterday, or yesteryear.  These old things are experiences that evoke in us feelings and thoughts of regret, sorrow and longing.  Things of our past keep our eyes in nostalgia, anger, hopelessness because we are trying to change our past experiences but we must give up all hope for a better past.  Our past can also represent our failures and reinforces them for our future.  If we can’t let go of the old we cant have the new.

New Things

Shall you not know the new thing that the Lord is going to spring forth?  He is giving you hope, can you believe him?  In the middle of your wilderness, those areas of your life you may be ashamed of, frustrated with, depressed about, tired and exhausted with the Lord will make a way out of your scenario, he is going to deliver you if you will let him.  Remember, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV.  Keep your mental focus on the Lord and his promises to you and the Lord will give you and keep you in perfect peace in the midst until the fulness of his goodness is revealed in the land of the living.

In the desert there is no water, no shelter, no provision, a place of loneliness, and abandonment, but the Lord tells us that he will provide for us water.  Water is the provision of refreshing and life and vitality.  He is going to provide for you and I even in the desert the impossible.  He specializes in the impossible, for with God all things are possible (Luke 1:37).

If we are focused on the new things he is bringing for, on Him, His ability and promises then hope springs forth in our hearts and mind.  Through hope faith is born which yields supernatural results.  Results such as rivers in the desert.

“It is God who is at work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13,14)

James Miklos Ministries is a missions organization that aids people physically, mentally, and spiritually around the world.  Please donate today and help us to help others.  It’s people like you that make me go!

-Article by Rev. James Miklos, Ph.D.

]]> The Great Commission Our Mission https://miklosministries.com/the-great-commission-our-mission/ Fri, 27 Jan 2017 18:10:25 +0000 http://lfio.ca/?p=74 And He said, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’  Mark 16:15

Before Jesus went up into Heaven He gave his disciples His final instruction that still stands for us in this day and time. Notice in this scripture Jesus only said. GO!  He did not say He already had calculated the cost, created a budget and found ways to fundraise to pay for the disciples to go on their Mission trips. He did not explain how or where their provision would come from.

Like the disciples, Missionaries need funds to cover food, shelter, transportation and the many other costs involved in travel. For some years now our ministry has faced what at first looks like an impossible financial need. Our Mission trips are planned and arranged without the financial provision already available in our hands. And yet every year we have found creative ways of raising the funds. We have also been blessed with a growing list of private and corporate donators that contribute to James Miklos Ministries which helps us cover the costs of the Mission trips plus blessing a local Church in Kenya with many of their financial and material needs.

This brings to mind the story of Elisha and the Widow Oil found in 2 Kings 4:1-7 NKJV.

A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” 2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. 6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR HOUSE?

I liken this scripture to the financial giant we face every year. This woman perceives she is facing an impossible situation. Her husband is dead and creditors are there to take her two sons away as slaves to work off a debt he left behind. With the threat of losing the financial support of her two sons she cries out to Elisha for help. Instead of just bailing her out, Elisha answers with “What do you have in your house?” Either dazed or desperate she perceives she has only a little oil.

Elisha now has her cornered by forcing her to realize she already had something in her house that God could work with to bring about her miracle. This put the woman in the position of having to trust God for the provision. However, it would not just appear out of thin air.  She had to obey the command of her man of God by physically going out to her neighbors and ask if she could borrow many vessels.  Through her being humble and obedient the miraculous happened.

OUR JARS OF OIL

At first when we heard the cost of each Mission trip, like the widow woman who looked at the lack in her house, we too may have perceived it to be an impossible situation. Over the years we have learned to draw on the faith that we do have and believe for God’s provision.

By obeying what the Holy Spirit reveals to each of us as to what to do, where to go and who to speak with, our ministry has experienced financial miracles. We had to put action to our faith by baking and selling hundreds of loaves of banana bread, holding garage sales every weekend from May to September and like the widow woman who had to humble herself by going out to borrow many vessels, we go knocking on doors to get monetary and material donations for our yearly Auction/Dinner Fundraiser.

When the widow’s vessels were finally filled she sold the oil, paid off the debt, and they all lived off the overflow. We have been very blessed every year by the generosity of donators for our yearly Auction as well as monetary donations that are poured into our ministry.

The more we seek God, trust Him for the provision and are obedient to the vision of our Pastor for Missions, our vessels will increase with oil and we will have more than enough to fulfill the work of the Great Commission.

Diane Whitworth – team member at James Miklos Ministries

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