ZAOGA FIF Malvern Region, Johannesburg Central Province

28/06/2020

*28 June 2020*

*International Sunday live service*

*Pastor Rejoice Samundombe*

*Believe in God: Faith*

Matthew 17 vs 19-20

-A grain of a mustard seed is so small, it’s the least measure of faith that a person can have.
-You shall by that little faith be able to accomplish things to the glory of God.
-When you have faith, you are able to do anything that can be done
-When you have faith, you are able to do that which cannot be done by physical energy.
-Faith is confidence in what we hope for.
-Faith says even though I cannot see a thing in my situation, God is doing something about it.
-Faith is saying you have it even though you don’t have it right now
-Hebrews 11 vs 1 gives us the scriptural definition of faith.
-Faith is the connecting power into the spiritual realm which links us to God and makes Him a tangible reality.
-Faith is the basic ingredient to start a relationship with God.
-Hebrews 11 vs 6
-Faith is the assurance that the things revealed in the Word are true.
-Faith says I am waiting for it and I am expecting it and I know it will come to pass.
-Faith gives you the ability to possess something that is still in the spiritual realm.
-Faith gives you the ability to have something, it becomes a reality to you.
-Faith is a spiritual title deed, it proves what you have even though it’s still in the spiritual realm.

1. Our Faith is based on the promises of God
-2 Corinthians 1 vs 20
-2 Peter 1 vs 4
-All God’s promises are ‘Yes’ and in Him Amen’
-Our Faith is based on the promises that God has made. We have not been promised by a human being

2. Our Faith is based on the integrity of God’s Word
-James 1 vs 7
-The Word of God carries God’s integrity.
-God’s Word does not change, it is not like a shadow.
-Numbers 23 vs 19
-God is not a human being who changes his mind. He does not speak and then fail to act.
-God does not say something and then fail to do it.
-We know you don’t trust people believe in God because He is not a man that He should lie.

3. Our Faith is based on the ability of God to endorse the promise.
-Romans 4 vs 20-21
-God in Him carries the power to fulfill every promise that He makes.
-He has the ability to endorse the promise that He makes.
-God is not shaken by time. God is never too late. God is not controlled by weather. God is not controlled by the environment.
-God is never too late, He can give you a child at your age.
-He can help you to accomplish you everything that you have always wanted to accomplish.
-I know I am talking to people who are looking at their plans and you are thinking things are not moving, I am saying to you God is not too late.
-I am talking to people who are saying my age mates have already achieved this, the Holy Spirit is saying God is going to do it.
-God is working something,even though you cannot see it, God is doing something so put a smile on your face.

*How does faith work?*

1. For faith to work it must be centered on God.
-Hebrews 12 vs 2
-Our faith must be on God Himself. You must have a relationship with God for faith to work.

2. Faith works better through the Word of God
-Romans 10 vs 17
-This hearing is a spiritual hearing. It is the work is the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual ears.
-Faith is the faculty of the human spirit so the human spirit must be well fed.
-This feeding is done through the Word of God.
-Without basing our faith on the Word of God, we can discouraged by what is going on around us.
-If you are still learning to read of God, our mother says you can read 4 chapters a day.
-Our father says I read the Word of God even when I’m tired, I lie on my tummy to read the Word of God.
-For us to be physically fit and spiritually fit, we need the Word of God.

3. Faith works best when it’s being used with the correct motive
-Matthew 6 vs 33
-It is when our desires are centered on spiritual things that the promises of God apply to us.
-It is when we have the Kingdom of God and His righteousness are all the other things added to us
-James 4 vs 3
-Our faith must be centered on advancing the Kingdom of God; on helping others.
-God does not help us on envious and jealous faith. That’s not how faith works.
-Faith works through righteousness, through a sweet spirit, through a clean heart.

4. Faith works better when it’s accompanied by positive confession.
-Faith not verbalized is faith not activated
-Proverbs 18 vs 21
-Speak life to your situation and you will see life.
-Mark 11 vs 23. This is the God kind of faith
-What are you saying? Because positive confession is very important when we talk about faith.
-We have in us the creative power, we are little gods. This means you can even speak to your problem be removed from there and be cast away and it will go.

5. Faith yields results when it’s mixed with prayer
-Mark 11 vs 24
-Faithless prayers are weak prayers
-You must not go before God without faith.
-For our faith to grow, we must fellowship with God.
-The Kingdom of God that our father E.H Guti is teaching us, it needs us to have faith.
-We must fix our faith with prayer for some of the mountains to be moved.
-Matthew 17 vs 21
-In addition to our faith, we need to put prayer and fasting.
-The Holy Spirit may teach us to pray and to seek God if we want to do so.
-Hebrews 4 vs 2

6. Faith needs to be mixed with action
-Habakkuk 2 vs 4
-Faith is not an event, it’s a lifestyle you possess.
-Go ahead and apply for a tender, go ahead and market on those big platforms.
-Start and God will do the rest.
-God is not too late, don’t give up. God is working on something.
-Jeremiah 33 vs 3
-Great things are there in the Kingdom of God.
-Faith activates healing. 1 Peter 2 vs 24
-Faith is the currency that we use to trade in the Kingdom of God. 2 Corinthians 8 vs 9
-You are not going to die poor. Even though you are not seeing it, believe it and God will do something.
-You shall not die in this pandemic but you are going to live and see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

*Compiled by:*

Elder Mrs P Zhuwao
CCCI district, Harare
2020

21/06/2020

Happy Father's Day to our Evangelist Peter Graham

09/06/2020

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Apostles Update Week 22
JUNE 2020

MONTH OF PRAYER & SEEKING GOD

Dear Friends,

In this second week of our month of prayer, may grace abound as we take time to pray and seek God. This week we look forward to the elders prayer convention after very successful pastors prayer conventions held this past weekend around the globe. Despite restrictions still in different places, prayer was not restricted. Pastors used all methods/platforms available to ensure they prayed together.

INTERNATIONAL BIG TUESDAY LIVE BROADCAST
Women from all over the world got another opportunity to sit and learn at the feet of the maidservant of God, Apostle Dr. Eunor Guti. This time around she was revealing an additional ingredient for effective prayer which is reading the Word of God. She emphasized that without it our prayers cannot be confirmed by God. Many are testifying that they are being grounded in their ministry as intercessors for the Servants and Apostles of God and the work of God.

INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY LIVE BROADCAST
This Sunday was dubbed ‘Double Impact’ with two live broadcast services featuring Overseer Eddy Chizeya from South Africa and Pastor Shami Mwale from Cyprus. Overseer Chizeya kicked off with a hope giving Word entitled “Victory over anxiety”. He described anxiety as a sense of hopelessness and helplessness and gave the antidote from the scriptures that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Pastor Shami took the baton and shared on the topic “Seeking God” and explained that it is engaging your whole being into finding God through obeying His commands, by fasting, praying, giving, reading the Word and serving with all your heart. Two people in Dubai gave their lives to the Lord. Thousands of viewers all over the world were blessed and encouraged and grateful that the church also addresses mental health issues. Many are now looking forward to these international services every Sunday.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
We want to thank God for a great week we had as prayers continued in various places and the Word being taught to believers on a daily basis. As it is a month of prayer we also have joined together with Forward ln Faith family to seek the face of God. The pastoral team continues to encourage the believers to seek God and giving them scriptures every day. The pastors had a time of prayer and we thank God for the mighty move of the Spirit and prophecies were manifested. We thank God for the 2 services held on the international Sunday live broadcast as we received powerful testimonies on how many believers were delivered from worry and received the spirit of seeking God. "Indeed we will never be the same", they exclaimed.

GUYANA
We bless the name of the Lord for a blessed week in the month of prayer. As we continue with our morning devotion this has made it easy for the believers to join in the month of prayer and fasting. The Tuesday messages from our mother Dr Eunor Guti encouraged many ladies to pray. Friday we had a powerful service with Pastor Farai Kupamhama from Abu Dhabi, UAE. We saw believers praying and worshiping God online during his preaching and this was indeed a refreshing moment. What a blessed Sunday we had with very powerful word from 2 powerful speakers. Many believers were encouraged by the life changing Word. Some of the comments from our believers were that Pastor Shami’s message is life changing as it encourages you to push for more of God through prayer while Overseer Chizeya’s message encouraged us not to worry and not to allow anxiety to control us. Now our believers every Sunday look forward to these international services. One believer said we feel connected to the whole family of FIF through these services. We give glory to the God of our father Apostle Ezekiel Guti. Continue praying for us as a nation and as a church.


NEVIS
This has been a powerful week of prayer and breakthroughs. Our Monday prayer saw a total of 36 people as families, neighbours and friends are joining our prayer groups. Our Ladies group spent Tuesday Evening listening to the International Big Tuesday presentation by Apostle Eunor Guti, one member testified that she felt so blessed that her life was being transformed as a woman who is a part of the Tuesday Prayer. Thursday and Friday we dedicated to praying for our local elections. Saturday afternoon we listened to a Powerful Delivery from Pastor Verda and our power packed weekend continued with two International Sunday Services and our local Service and Pastor Isaac who delivered yet another powerful word. We are continuing to pray for smooth clearance of the church bus and funds to buy our own building.

JAMAICA
We would like to thank the God of our father Professor Ezekiel H. Guti, who has been truly faithful to us this week. We kicked the month of prayer with our Monday service where our guest speaker was Pastor Carol Guti. After her powerful delivery, one believer who was experiencing severe headaches was healed. On Friday the Montego Bay and Portmore assemblies had another combined service on Zoom with 20 participants in attendance. Believers from around the world tuned in. Evangelist Chriswell Mandimutsa was our guest speaker. Sunday we had two services with attendance of 18 and 6 persons respectively. We were blessed with the two international speakers, Overseer E. Chizeya and Pastor Shami Mwale. This week testimonials include:
A believer testified that after years of fear and procrastination, she finally received her driver's license. Her husband even allowed her to drive alone to the mission house. She thanked God for her Pastors who prayed for her.
An Elder testified that for the 6 years of owning his car, this year for the first time, he was able to pay for his car insurance, licenses and registration in full and not in installments. He thanked God for the teaching of the Word that is being manifested in his life.
We thank you for praying for us as we remain protected by the God of our father.

UNITED KINGDOM
We want to thank the God of our father Apostle Ezekiel Guti for His faithfulness this season in our nation. A group called Mountain Movers was created to encourage women to pray. We saw around 700 women joining the group and every day in their provinces, regions or assemblies they were encouraged to pray. We then for the first time this year had a break through this Saturday night where approximately over 400 women across the nation came together over Zoom to pray and Reverend F. Simango delivered a powerful Word on prayer giving her own testimony, teaching ladies how to pray strong prayers that bring results. Ladies were so excited and can't wait for the next meeting. We believe through God's grace UK will never be the same again.


MAURITIUS
We thank the God of our father Ezekiel Guti for the church in Mauritius, which is experiencing very exciting times. We are truly grateful. Our pastors taught us fervently about growth and nurturing of the believers at the assembly level and went on to set up three assemblies, based on geographic region and each led by at least two leaders. The assemblies have brought a rejuvenated sense of belonging and participation by all. The assemblies are now doing weekly activities during mutually agreed times at least a day of fasting and prayer, Bible studies and sharing of the Word. We had a special fellowship session for the leaders on Saturday, to enhance cohesion and ground the team further on leadership and our pastors encouraged us. Our pastors also lined up a charged session, where they prayed for the leaders. Our Sunday service was special as we met in person for the first time in 10 weeks at our church, following the lifting of lockdown rules by authorities. The congregation was ecstatic as we celebrated and praised God for His protection and provision during the lockdown. None of our believers got sick, and none lost their job. We serve a living God. Our lives are truly being enriched and we are being grounded in our Christian walk.

SOUTH SUDAN
We are so thankful to the God of our father Apostle Ezekiel. H. Guti for his continued faithfulness in our nation. The church has continued to thrive even in these restricted circumstances. This week the pastors taught more on prayer, fasting and reading the Word of God as they prepare the saints for the prayer conventions.

We also want to thank God because He is providing for His people in such times as these of lay-offs and job scarcity. Recently a big company sharing the fence with our church premises, started operating and employed three of our youths. Other youths and women are providing meals to the workers. On Friday the church organised a service for restaurant staff in outlets near the church and it was a wonderful time of worship and prayer as pastors taught on the Kingdom of God. Gospel tracts were distributed to some restaurants and tea places. This Sunday we had wonderful services at our homes as usual with pastors visiting homes to share the Word of God on prayer and fasting. We thank God because the saints have gained momentum as they prepare for the prayer convention. Continue praying for our nation to stabilise and the church to hold onto the teachings of our father Apostle E .H Guti.

This week:

1. Thanking God for the Servant and Apostles of God, Prof Ezekiel H. & Dr. Eunor Guti that He continues to give them supernatural strength on a daily basis. Thanking God for divine wisdom and revelation in the several meetings with different groups scheduled for this week. Thanking God that He continues to makes them victorious in every assignment He has given them in 2020.

2.Thanking God who is preserving the saints around the world and protecting them from the Corona Virus. Thanking God for delivering people from the spirit of fear.

3.Thanking God for ZEGU for grace to abound as the vision continues to be implemented and that they are able to get more professors that are needed. Thanking God that the process of the August intake for new students is successful.

4.Thanking God for MDH (Mbuya Dorcas Hospital) for grace to abound in implementing the vision.

6.Thanking God for the growth of the FIFMI churches around the globe as some continue to gather worship God as families spending time in the Word of God.
Thanking God for those who are now meeting in their church buildings. May spiritual growth continue to take place together with deeper relationships with God and fellowship with each other..

6.Thanking God for successful prayer conventions throughout the month of June.

7.Thanking God for your nation.

TEACHING: PART OF BABA & AMAI'S MESSAGE

We have people, who can preach but we cannot learn anything from lives. We must first be saved before we go to save others. We must be saved, we must become full of love and people will want to be around us.
Your church is not growing and those who come to visit do not return. It’s the love of God that will make people stay in church. Love is the glue that causes people to stay.
Today we have man-made miracles to cause people to believe. But a true miracle happens itself and causes people to want to be around you.
What you eat cannot defile you because it doesn’t go to the spirit but the body. Things that defile people are from the heart. Our hearts must be saved. What comes from your heart is dangerous. We are leaders but we have a problem - our hearts must be saved. God bless you.

We love you and are praying for you,
Drs Steve & La-Verne Simukai
ZAOGA Forward In Faith Ministries Int.
+263 777 282 356, +263 777 282 092
[email protected] | www.fifmi.org
"The Love Of God Through Fellowship,
Breaking Of Bread & In Prayers"
Acts 2:42, 46

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26/05/2020

25/05/2020

Apostles Update Week 20
MAY 2020

HAPPY DIAMOND JUBILEE ZAOGA FIFMI HAPPY 97TH BIRTHDAY BABA!

Dear Friends

INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY LIVE BROADCAST
We continue to see the great wealth and diversity of Pastors in ZAOGA FIFMI as General Overseer Atoria Gudyanga shared the Word on this Sunday’s International live broadcast. Explaining the correlation between the Kingdom of God and righteousness indeed, the Kingdom of God did not end in word only but in power demonstrated by these testimonies:
Someone was healed from a headache, another healed from pain in their left hand as Dr Gudyanga was praying and another’s leg was healed as he was preaching.
Another had a sharp chest pain since Sunday which was extending to their shoulder at the back, but when the Overseer prayed on TV, the pain stopped.
When Overseer shared his testimony of being healed from Arthritis and proceeded to cast out kidney problem and high blood pressure an Elder who was struggling with those 2 for a while was touched.
Another felt some electric fires running in their stomach as he said you sickness go.
One lady received Jesus as their Savior
From last week’s broadcast when Pastor Michael Dooley was preaching an Elder was delivered. She was becoming overwhelmed by fear and worry after the death of her husband but as Pastor Dooley was preaching she felt something come out of her and has not suffered those things since. Praise God for Ezekiel TV channel.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
We thank God for a blessed week and for your prayers. The church is continuing to grow stronger in this lockdown. We are noticing positive changes in the believers as they show a hunger for prayer and the Word that is being ministered to them on a daily basis to conquer the spiritual dryness season. Prayers continue to take place. We thank God for the grace in Tobago another lsland in Trinidad. The believers there are growing and looking forward for a great revival there after the restrictions. Some testimonies:
One lady suffering from stomach pain was instantly healed as the pastors ministered to her.
One man who was having trouble sleeping for more than 2 years was also healed now he can sleep normally, to God be the glory.
We thank God for a powerful international big Sunday. A number of believers managed to log in and testimonies are coming through as many appreciate how they have benefited and understood salvation at another level, "this church is rich", they said. We continue to ask for prayers for the protection of believers.

GUYANA
We want to thank God for his faithfulness in our nation as we continue with our morning devotion which is changing the prayer lifestyle of many believers. As some of the members testified that they were shy to pray shouting out loudly and some were saying they could pray for 10 minutes only and were done but the morning devotion taught them to pray for an hour or more and also praying with loud voices. Wednesday we had bible study and Friday we had our service but many people were inconvenienced by the network. What a powerful Sunday we had as many testified about the powerful word and powerful worship songs on live broadcast as believers are continue to learn how we do praise and worship in Forward in Faith. One lady testified how the live broadcast is giving an impact to her co-workers because they always watch it together at work. Thank you for your prayers as you continue to pray for our nation for the election recount to go on well and peaceful

ST KITTS
Glory be to the God of our father Professor Ezekiel H. Guti for His continued grace and favour. FIFMI St Kitts continues to pray as we see God working on our behalf. Our Pastors Sibett and Violet were able to visit our senior members during days of partial lockdown, ministering and fellowshipping with them. Due to the relaxation of lockdown measures, our Pastors were able to have meetings with persons who needed prayer, deliverance or counsel with dedicated days specified for prayer and deliverance. Pastor has also begun a New Believers class teaching on the basic topics such as prayer, fasting, faith etc., from the Word of God and books written by our father Apostle E H Guti. This week we had all our members actively engaged in the services with three members bringing the Word, while others led prayer and the meetings with the anointing of God. Our Sunday service was powerful as we fellowshipped in song, testimonies, a review on our International Sunday Service with Overseer Dr A Gudyanga and a powerful word on the Abundant Promises we have through Prayer. We continue to pray and seek God as we stand in faith of our faithful and gracious God. Continue to keep us in prayer as we pray for all our brothers and sisters worldwide

NEVIS
Our members continue to encourage and draw family members and neighbors to our weekly activities on Zoom and via Whatsapp as we stay connected spiritually. Our Monday Prayers brought together a total of 37 people in our groups praying and sharing encouraging words. On Tuesday 13 Ladies fellowshipped via Zoom with Pastor Mollyn and an Elder sharing encouraging words to the Ladies. We thank our Pastors who have been truly innovative in helping us stay connected. Friday's prayer in Groups saw a total of 36 people praying and sharing encouraging words. Our groups are growing and we are starting to see people who would normally attend our Lunch-Time Ministry joining in with prayer groups. Sunday many of our Members joined in the International Service and enjoyed a very powerful word delivered by Overseer Gudyanga. Our Power Packed Sunday continued with Service where we had a total of 35 Members worshiping: 29 in Nevis and 6 from St.Marten and received a Powerful word from Evangelist Nathan Ndaza. Sunday's service included Communion and followed after with Children's Church. One member testified, "Praise God for the teachings of this Ministry, when you do exactly what they teach you receive your Kingdom Blessings”. We continue to pray for the Servants and Apostles of God, Drs. Ezekiel and Eunor Guti, for Deacon Lucien and the work he is doing in St. Marten - that growth will continue as he spreads the word of God throughout that community. We also pray for the safe delivery of our Church Bus expected this week and provision to meet costs for clearance.

JAMAICA
Thanks be unto the God of our father Professor Ezekiel H. Guti for another successful week. God has indeed blessed us this week, as we sat at the feet of three international guest speakers. Midweek service went well including Pastor Sibett from St. Kitts speaking to us, On Friday, over 21 people from the Montego Bay and Portmore assemblies joined the combined service on Zoom with Pastor Cacius Banda from Zambia as our guest speaker... Believers from around the world also tuned in. After preaching, he prayed for the believers and these are the testimonies:
A believer testified that as the Pastor was praying for those with abdominal pains, she felt a burning sensation and the pain left her.
Another believer testified that she had a pain in her right knee and was healed of the pain during the prayer.
Many believers testified how they were blessed by the message and they are now ready to lift their faith higher in God.
On Saturday, the ladies from the Montego Bay and Portmore assemblies met for Wise Women Roundtable guest speaker was Mama Bishop Greater Chikwawawa from the UK. Over 19 women including some from USA and South Africa attended. Women testified that they are enlightened and now have the zeal to operate fully in this ministry. Sunday we had two services with attendance of 14 and 10 people respectively. After the message from the General Overseer Atoria Gudyanga, persons testified that they were truly blessed by what they heard, knowing that our situation cannot change the Word of God but the Word of God can change our situation. We were encouraged to pray and confess on behalf of our government for our country so that God can heal our nation. We thank you for praying for us as we remain protected by the God of our father.

CYPRUS
We want to thank the God of our father Ezekiel Guti for His faithfulness in this season. Our nation, North Cyprus had been on lockdown since 7 March and God kept us. We were having successful virtual church since then and the church was encouraged. Glory be to God because On Sunday 24 May we were allowed to meet in our church buildings. Although the social distancing measures are still emphasized, we are grateful to the God of our father that the saints can now gather and worship together physically. Our Lefke, Lefkoşa and Girne assemblies had their Victory Services. People were overjoyed. There was dancing and crying and great anticipation. We then flighted on the projector the International service for word where Overseer Dr Gudyanga delivered a powerful word. Thank you for your prayers. To God be the glory.
This week:
Thanking God for the Servant and Apostles of God, Prof Ezekiel H. & Dr. Eunor Guti that He continues to give them supernatural strength. Thanking God for His faithfulness in 97 years of life, 72 years of preaching the gospel and 60 years of advancing the Kingdom of God. Thanking God for divine wisdom and revelation for the many meetings scheduled for this week and the work around the globe. Thanking God that He makes them victorious in every assignment He has given them in 2020.
Thanking God for preservation of the saints around the world from the Corona Virus. Thanking God for delivering people from the spirit of fear. The God of Ezekiel is protecting His people.
Thanking God for ZEGU for grace to abound as the vision continues to be implemented and that they are able to get more professors that are needed. Thanking God for the process of the August intake for new students.
Thanking God for MDH (Mbuya Dorcas Hospital) for grace to abound in implementing the vision.
Thanking God for the growth of the FIFMI churches around the globe as people continue to gather worship God as families spending time in the Word of God. May they deepen their relationship with God while obeying regulations. Thanking God that fellowship and prayer grows in the home churches. Thanking God that we will not lose anyone in this period.
Thanking God for your nation.

TEACHING: PART OF BABA & AMAI'S MESSAGE

Colossians 3:10 “and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,”
We need to put on the new man
V12 “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;”
V14 “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
Put on tender mercies and put on love
When you are saved people will want to surround you. It is not about praying for power but being saved. There’s nothing we can do unless we ourselves have been saved.
You are still fasting but is there any result in it? I fasted for short temper and now I know I’ve been saved, I also fasted for the spirit of lust and now I know how to control. I have results for my fasting where are your results? God bless you

We love you and are praying for you,
Drs Steve & La-Verne Simukai
ZAOGA Forward In Faith Ministries Int.
+263 777 282 356, +263 777 282 092
[email protected] | www.fifmi.org
"The Love Of God Through Fellowship,
Breaking Of Bread & In Prayers"
Acts 2:42, 46

Copyright (c) 2019, Forward in Faith Ministries International | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Login | Register| Website by ZAOGA FIFMI ICT

24/05/2020

Bible Study
Coping With Calamity
Scriptures: Ps 18:6; Ps 118:5; Ps 120:1; 2 Sam 22:7; John 16:33; Room 12:12
Our God is a God of all seasons. He is the same in times of abundance and joy as he is in times of calamity and distress. In times of plenty we approach his throne with thanksgiving and praise. In like manner, when all seems to be lost, we need to seek the Lord, for we find our peace and rest in him. As we see in Ps 18:6; Ps 118:5 and 120:1, the Psalmist called upon the Lord when faced with sorrow and snares of death and the Lord heard his cry and delivered him. Indeed, you might be in a situation where there seems to be no sign of hope - all doors seem to have been shut in your face. Be assured that when, like David, you cry and call upon the Lord, he will set you in a large place (Ps 118:5). This means that when we seek God diligently, he will equip us to soar above calamities - he will make a way, even when you had reached a dead end. The Message Bible refers to distress as being pushed to the wall, while the CEB calls it a tight circumstance. We are encouraged by the Psalmist who shows us that only God can take out of tight spots, provided we call on him. As the latter part of 2 Sam 22:7 shows us, our cries of distress enter into God's ears. John 16:33 also assures us that although we are bound to fall into tribulations, we will not perish. The latter part of this verse reassures us to be of good cheer, even when confronted with disasters. Why does Jesus say this? Because he himself was condemned by the world, but he overcame it and he overcame it for us. We close with Romans 12:12, which encourages us to rejoice in hope, to be patient in tribulation and persist in prayer. Our salvation in Christ is real, it is our lifeboat in calamitous floods.