As a young missionary, I was eager to spread the gospel to the unreached. Opportunity presented itself for me to go to Lodwar,(Kenya) to preach to the Trukanas. As I prepared for that mission nothing could snuff out the excitement and feeling of importance within me. There were brethren who were willing to offer me advice and counsel to ensure that I am making the right choice. The dryness of the area was among the things they cautioned me about. It was also during an era where violence and war among the Pokots, Trukanas, and the Karamojongs from Uganda was the norm. I listened but still my resolve was strong. I will go and share the good news with them. I was confident in the promise of God found in the great commission.

Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Matthew 28:19‭-‬20 ASV

The highlighted part was my great assurance. I might be in the desert of Trukana but I am not Alone. I eventually went and experienced great miracles and God’s divine presence throughout my stay in Lodwar.

You may not be in a physical dry place,like Trukana, but sometimes in life you feel like you are in a dry place. David tried to explain such dryness in his life. He called it a dry and weary land where there is no water.

O God, thou art my God; earnestly will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, In a dry and weary land, where no water is.
Psalms 63:1‭, ‬ ASV

In that dry place be assured that you are not Alone.

The Lord is Emmanuel God with us, All the time.

God with us Always.

God with us until the end of ages.

God with us unto the ends of the world.

His role in the dry place is to fill you with refreshment. He continually restores your strength. To the extent that no one would even know that you are in a dry place. Because you are flourishing and glowing with glory.

Yahweh will always guide you [on] where to go and what to do. He will fill you with refreshment even when you are in a dry, difficult place. He will continually restore strength to you, so you will flourish like a well-watered garden and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing.

—Isaiah 58:11

Are you in a dry place? Are you feeling scorched and thirsty? Are you feeling tired and weary? Do not worry, you are not Alone. How about you allow the Lord to refresh and restore your strength. How about you trust him to carry you through.

In the few times I have been to Trukana for missionary work,I have experienced his renewal of strength and great refreshment. The joy that fills my heart as I fellowship with those believers is unexplainable.

Be refreshed in the dry place.

©Pastor Lucy Paynter.

A few years ago, I was invited to minister in gospel crusades and revival meetings in the outskirts of Kitale town(Kenya). I love missions, any opportunity to win souls for Christ fills me with joy. Together with my team we traveled from Murang’a (Kenya) to Kitale ready to serve the Lord. We took a night bus to Kitale from Nairobi and arrived in the morning. At arrival my host was still running errands but the church members assigned to meet us and help us settle were right on time. After traveling a whole night on bus there was no way the photo they had on their fliers and banners and the person who has come from the bus with a scarf around her face would look the same. For some reason, the lady incharge greeted us and without waiting for introductions concluded that one of the Ladies (sister Maggie) in my team was Rev.Lucy. I remember the looks that the other teammates gave me when she gave me sister Maggie’s bag to carry for her. I decided not to correct her to avoid embarrassing her and carried Maggie’s bag. When we arrived at the Pastors’ house,she again requested I help her in the Kitchen to serve the Revd and the other guests. At this point Maggie is ready to burst out “no I am not Revd Lucy she is”. Before she could say anything I asked the lady to lead the way to the kitchen. As we prepared food, my mind kept racing, why did she think Maggie is me? What led to this mistaken identity?

Suffice to say, when everyone was having breakfast our host came in and while he greeted us the lady realized her mistake. The look on her face and the outbursts of laughter from our team mingled the embarrassment and the nervousness to form an inside joke.( If you know you know).

After the revival meetings that night, the lady came to my room to explain why she thought Maggie was me. I still laugh when I recall what she said.

“Kusema ukweli mchunganji, unakaa mkonda sana sikudhania wewe ndiye mgeni wetu.”

[To say the truth Pastor, you are too skinny I didn’t think you were the guest speaker. ]

Many times we form perceptions of people based on their outward looks or based on the norms. But, I have come to know that beyond what we see the real deal is on the inside. It’s is unfortunate that in this era of social media we are quick to judge and draw conclusions from what people allow us to see.

What is deep inside? People look on the outside but our God looks deep inside. Before you judge,dismiss or disregard someone can we seek to know them deep inside?

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 AMP

Like Prophet Samuel or my Lady in this article we have drawn conclusions about people from their outward appearances. Can we commit to make an effort of knowing people beyond the surface? I don’t expect you to know everyone deep inside but check around your circle of friends. Do you know when they are struggling despite beautiful updates on their social media accounts?Do you know your spouse,sibling or child deep inside to know that when they say am okay by lips but inside their are screaming am not okay?

Deep inside……..

In the few years of my life, I have experienced my share of pain. Physical, Emotional, and Psychological Pains. The first memory of pain that is very vivid happened when I was five years old. We were running home from school as usual,racing my cousin Steve downhill.There is a magical acceleration that occurs if you are running downhill. That day I tried to break the speed or slow down but I couldn’t I kept flying downhill. When I got at the bottom of the hill and on the main road I lost my footing and fell. I still remember the sound of cracking as if someone is breaking some dry twigs for firewood. The pain I felt was not relived by screaming or tears.

No one who exists or ever lived has been spared this experience of pain,unless they have a medical condition known as congenital insensitivity to pain(CIP). As much as pain is such a discomfort and we all wish that we don’t experience it, Pain is important in life. Studies shows that people with CIP have low mortality because of repeated severe injuries. I am not a medical doctor so let me refrain from going this path. However ,it would be nice to explain how I stumbled on this information; I was researching on what happens in the absence of pain. Yeah, not good,when you feel pain you can do something about it. After that discovery I have changed my prayers to; Lord teach me how to deal with pain and what to learn from pain. I have also realized that in the midst of pain, His comfort and healing is available.

Job, a righteous man went through unimaginable pain. Physically his body was tortured with sores and wounds. Emotionally he was judged by his friends, rejected by his wife,grieving his children and it was deep emotional pain. Psychologically, he tried analyzing and evaluating the root cause of the problem but drew up blank. He came up with one conclusion that made sense and gave him hope. He concluded that the one causing the pain has the ability to heal.

For He inflicts pain, but He binds up and gives relief; He wounds, but His hands also heal.
Job 5:18 AMP

David a man after God’s own heart had his share of pain experiences. I admire his sincerity in prayers. David always articulated what he was feeling or going through to God. His prayers are not elaborate statements but real words with all the emotions included. In his pain he clings to God for help.

But I am sorrowful and in pain; May Your salvation, O God, set me [securely] on high.
Psalms 69:29 AMP

Solomon a man full of wisdom noted that some may hide their pain well. In our days where we worry about social status,many people mask their pains and hide well behind smiles. I have done this many times,smiling and acting strong to hide the pain I am going through.

Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.
Proverbs 14:13 AMP

How do you deal with pain?I would like to hear from you.

To be continued………..

• 

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 AMP

If you are my friend or you follow me closely, then you know that one of my greatest quest and pursuit is to serve the purposes of God in our generation. Recently I have prayed earnestly to God that after all is said and done and my time is up I will not leave behind unfinished business. According to Psalms 39:4 I have become conscious of the transient of life. I know after what is happening around the world and numerous reports of death you have thought about this too.

“Lord , let me know my [life’s] end And [to appreciate] the extent of my days; Let me know how frail I am [how transient is my stay here].
Psalms 39:4 AMP

The ultimate result in serving Gods purposes is to give Him glory. I do a soul searching oftentimes to check out the alignment of my motives and His purpose. (It is so easy to be swayed from the real deal.) In conclusion I confidently clarify that it’s all about Him.

Unto Him be glory. Unto Him be glory in the Church. Unto Him be glory in Christ Jesus. Unto Him be glory throughout all generations. Unto Him be glory forever and ever. Unto Him be glory Amen.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

We have the power working within us but He is the source of that power. He is that Power that is operating within us. I desire to get a glimpse of the magnitude of His Ability. He is able to do Exceedingly, Abundantly, Above all that we ask or think.

Have you ever spent time literally thinking until you feel exhausted? I have but mostly when worried and trying to figure things out,it ends up to be wasted time and energy. Now think about this: He is able to do beyond what we think.

What is your greatest request you ever asked in prayer?You know that impossible thing that you were cautious that no one hears you pray in fear they might call you crazy?

Today I have come to assure you that He is able. As we pray let us not measure our request according to our ability but His ability. In conclusion the glory is unto Him. Venture out in Faith and Let us continue to serve God’s purposes in our generation.

Shalom.

©Pastor Lucy Paynter

The Hidden Things.

There is a way to know the hidden things that may be a mystery to many.
I realized that even though the word speaks of great things that are beyond our imagination, which no eye has seen or no ear has heard.Yet, still, there is a way of knowing the mysteries of the kingdom.

Become a friend of the Holy Spirit and become his confidant then revelations becomes your portion.
With divine revelations, you will tread where many fear to tread. As Johnathan and his armor bearer did.
With divine revelations, you will speak with grace and wisdom. As Daniel and his three friends did.
With divine revelations, you will plant when others say there is no rain and receive a harvest. As Isaac planted during a famine and he got a Harvest.
With divine revelations, you will boldly declare where others see giants that we are well able to overcome and possess our inheritance. As Joshua and Caleb declared while others saw themselves as grasshoppers.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:9‭-‬10 KJV

Remaining in his presence constantly and consistently is the only way to receive these divine revelations. I choose to abide , I choose to dwell there in the secret place of the most High. Just like God asked Adam when he sinned and moved from the place of fellowship, He is asking us today, ” Where are you?”

What is your answer?

©Pastor Lucy Paynter.

A man’s progress can only be determined by their measure of FAITH.
Our God is just and true.The smallest measure of FAITH is the size of a mustard seed.Yet it has ability to produce great results to those who posses and exercise it. God’s judgement will use the measure of FAITH to determine our works.Paul the apostle understood the complexity of FAITH and urged the brethren in Romans 12:3,
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
Does the measure of FAITH equals the WORKS?
With this in mind no one is in a position to boast or be prideful.
Matthew 17:20
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
With the measure of a mustard seed mountains are moved!
Impossibility is erased from your vocabulary!
What’s your Measure of FAITH?
What’s your Manifestations of FAITH?
What’s your Mountains awaiting your Mustard seed FAITH?
It is Time to Manifest use the Measure of FAITH to Glorify God.
© Pastor Lucy Paynter.

I wrote part of this post four years ago.

Today, I had a long talk with my dad over the phone. Distance between us does not allow us to meet for coffee and chat as often as we used to. Our sharing brought back memories of the faith I had in my Dad as a little girl. My Nursery school was in town and so we took a(matatu) bus every Morning to school. He was my hero, and nothing scared me as he held my tiny hand in his strong hand, crossing the roads, walking down the roadside pavements all the way to the classroom every morning. The routine would be repeated in the afternoon when it was time to go home. I believed my dad had a lot of money and he never lacked. The act that prompted this belief was that on our way home my curious eyes would see something I want from the street vendors, my pleas to get it would be met by a yes. One may wonder what I got from the street vendors, sometimes it would be roasted corn, a packet of groundnuts, packaged in cone shaped newspapers. Other times it would be ice cream or the African sausage famously known as (mútùra).The point is, I knew that all I had to do was ask and I will get it.

That simple truth applies to our heavenly father. All we need to do is ask in prayers.

Luke 11:13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

January 14th, 2016

It was only recently that I realized what a profound effect fathers have on their daughter’s lives. That is why I want to thank my dad for the godly example of love that he has been to me throughout my life.
Thanks dad for believing in me.

To all my friends….Whether our own fathers were a good portrait of our Heavenly Father or not, our Heavenly Father’s love for us never changes. We should be looking to Him to find our identities and our self-worth.

Scripture tells us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and that God knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16).

He cares about us so much that he knows even the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7).

We each have value because He created us and He loves us. He is our pattern of what love should look like. We should study Him, imitate Him, spend time with Him, learn from Him, and only date godly men who are doing the same.Perhaps your earthly father let you down, but your Heavenly Father never will. Run into His arms today and find the best Dad you could ever ask for!