All posts tagged: Dominion of God

Journey Through the Tunnel: Pathway to Promotion

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A tunnel to promotion…

This past year, I have been crying out to God for many hours every day. I’ve prayed, worshiped, read the Word, and soaked in sermons; I worked hard as well. I sought the Lord with all my heart, and just as David did, I have strengthened myself in Him. I’ve experienced dark times before, like when I was betrayed by one of FHL’s partners. It was a season filled with despair, but God turned it around.

Running away

In 1 Samuel 22, we see King David hiding in a cave, fleeing from King Saul, though David had done nothing wrong. Saul’s jealousy drove him to try to take David’s life. Yet, amid this trial, David found strength in the Lord.

King David hiding from King Saul

David went hiding and his family and many others joined him—those who were in distress, debt, or discontented—and he became their commander. “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.” – 1 Samuel 22:2 (NIV)

To the darkest cave

The organization I founded, Faith Hope and Love Community is in some kind of distress and debt and discontented. It has been challenging but God has a way of bringing transformation from the darkest caves, and I believe I am about to see that transformation unfold.

The experience I am dealing with currently is nothing compared to King David’s. I can only imagine the immense stress and persecution David must have endured from every side. In his desperation to escape from Saul, he found refuge in the land of the Philistines—Israel’s enemy. Despite this, David’s loyalty earned him the trust of Achish, the son of the King of Gath. As a result, Achish gifted David the city of Ziklag. Together with his army, David fought many battles for the Philistines, achieving great victories (1 Sam. 27-28).

Moments of rejection

But then came the moment when the Philistines prepared for war against Israel. David and his men were ready to fight, but the majority of the Philistine leaders rejected him, fearing that David might turn against them in battle (1 Sam. 29). In an instant, David found himself rejected—not just by Saul and his own country, but now even by the Philistines.

When David and his army returned to Ziklag, what they found shook them to their core. Smoke filled the air over their city. “David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way 1 Sam. 30:1-2, (NIV). David’s men were so devastated that they even talked of stoning him. But, in the face of despair, “David found strength in the Lord his God 1 Sam. 30:6 (NIV).

Victory Awaits Those Who Believe

I urge you to do the same—to continue strengthening yourself in the Lord, as David did countless times. And just as David inquired of God, you too must seek Him for guidance. 1 Samuel 30:18-19 says, “David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken… Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back.

FHL’s journey, like mine, is filled with testimonies of God’s unwavering faithfulness. There were times I went without a salary for six months, on the brink of losing my home and facing bankruptcy—but God always made a way.

About David… after all the trials, rejections and even on a brink of mutiny, the next scene of his life was becoming King. And if you read further, the foundation of his kingdom was built by the”mighty men of David”who in the past were distressed, in debt and discontented.

You are on the Pathway to Promotion

It is our obligation to encourage one another. Though you’ve been on your Journey Through the Tunnel of challenges, God has been using this time to strengthen you so you can carry the weight of the promotion that’s coming. You may need to adjust—not according to your own plans, but to God’s. No matter what, do not lose heart! God’s promises never fail—for each one of us. Your breakthrough is coming. Strengthen yourself in the Lord! The question is, “Do you believe?”

Merlin GonzalesJourney Through the Tunnel: Pathway to Promotion
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Is It God’s Will or Just My Own Desire?

I have this issue…

Maybe you’re struggling with it too.

How do you know for sure?

How do you know you’re truly on the path God has for you?

How do you know you’re truly on the path God has for you? You trust in His promises, but doubts creep in—”Am I just making this up?” or “Is this really from God?” Sometimes, it’s hard to discern if the voice you’re hearing is God’s or just your thoughts. And you wonder, will the answer come now or in the distant future?

Uncertainty clouds your mind. And in moments of challenge, these questions often become the core of our faith journey.

Let’s dive into Deuteronomy 30:9-14, where God offers clarity and reassurance about His will, promises, and our path forward.

“9 Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, 10 if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

God gives the Israelites a clear promise of blessing, prosperity, and favor, along with a commandment to obey His word. (Prosperity is not limited to financial abundance, though that may be part of it).

The Promise:

Verse 9 emphasizes God’s desire to make His people prosperous in all areas of life. This includes:

  • The work of their hands (their labor and efforts will be fruitful).
  • The fruit of the womb (their families will thrive and multiply).
  • Their livestock and crops (their livelihoods will flourish and provide abundance).

God’s blessings are comprehensive—He wants to bless their work, their families, and their land. The phrase “The Lord will again delight in you” is a powerful reminder that God longs to have a deep, joyful relationship with His people, as He did with their ancestors. He delights in blessing those who obey Him.

The Condition:

Verse 10 tells us a condition. Obedience is the key. God desires not just surface-level compliance but wholehearted devotion—obeying Him with all your heart and soul. This means a deep, sincere commitment to follow His ways and live according to His will. The blessing is not automatic; it requires a turning of the heart, a commitment to live by the commandments given in the Book of the Law.

The Simplicity of Obedience:

When God gives us command, we also provides us ways to accomplish His will. In verses 11-14, God is reassuring the Israelites that His word is accessible and close to them. The commands are:

  • Not in heaven (so they don’t have to send someone to fetch them).
  • Not beyond the sea (so they don’t have to travel far to understand them).

Instead, God’s word is already with them. “The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.” This means they already know what to do—the commandments are present within them, the ability to obey is within their grasp… and the promises are sure.

Is it God’s will or is it our own desire?

I hope this short exposition of the passages gives us more clarity and builds our faith: God desires to bless His people, but these blessings are tied to their obedience and their wholehearted devotion to Him. The commandments are not meant to be a burden or an unattainable goal. Rather, they are near, familiar, and possible to live out daily.

In essence, God is showing that obedience leads to blessing, and this obedience is not out of reach. It’s not a distant or impossible task—it is simple, close, and achievable through the heart’s willingness to follow Him.

True clarity often emerges in the darkest moments.

God’s promises are sure, and when we obey His word, we align ourselves with the flow of His blessing, favor, and delight. The fulfillment of His promises—prosperity, joy, and abundance—are always contingent upon our choice to live according to His will with all of our heart and soul.

Merlin GonzalesIs It God’s Will or Just My Own Desire?
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Laptop from Heaven

On December 10, 2024, I had another spiritual encounter—one that tested my faith and taught me about trust in the unseen.

That afternoon, I had returned home after running errands at a hardware store. As I unloaded my purchases, I made a startling discovery: my laptop case, which I always carry with me due to the important information stored inside, was missing. Panic set in immediately. I frantically retraced my steps, remembering that I never leave my laptop in my vehicle. Surely, it must have been lost somewhere between the checkout counter and my vehicle.

As I unloaded my purchases, I made a startling discovery: my laptop case, which I always carry with me due to the important information stored inside, was missing. Panic set in immediately. I frantically retraced my steps, remembering that I never leave my laptop in the car.

I quickly called the store, hoping someone had turned in a laptop case. But their response was disheartening: no one had reported finding one. Filled with anxiety, I drove back to the store to check for myself.

When I arrived at the Customer Service desk, they confirmed what I feared: no sign of my laptop case. Determined not to give up, I scoured the entire parking lot, examining every cart in sight. But despite my efforts, the case—and my laptop—was nowhere to be found. Throughout the day, I called the store multiple times, hoping for good news. Each time, the answer was the same: no, nothing had been turned in.

Desperate, I decided to file a police report. The detective assigned to my case was empathetic and assured me he would do everything in his power to find out what had happened. He even followed up several times to gather more details. His concern brought some comfort, but the worry still gnawed at me.

Later that night, I managed to reach the store manager. He told me that the police had already contacted him, and he had alerted all of his employees to keep an eye out. He promised to let me know if anything turned up.

That night was agonizing. I spent hours remotely clearing sensitive files, trying to protect my personal and business accounts from potential identity theft. My mind raced as I considered the implications of losing so much valuable information. Sleep was elusive, as I battled with thoughts of what could happen.

The next morning, I woke up with my mind still in turmoil. Yet, amidst the chaos, I held onto the words of Jesus: “Do not worry.” I repeated this to myself over and over, convincing myself that somehow, everything would be alright. I didn’t know how, but I trusted that it would.

An hour after arriving at my office, the phone rang. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that it was the hardware store calling. I just knew they had found my laptop. Sure enough, the voice on the other end confirmed it—the case had been located.

Later that afternoon, I rushed back to the store with a mixture of hope and relief. As I walked down the aisle, I spotted a woman approaching me, her face warm with a smile—and in her hands was my laptop case. In that moment, all the anxiety and fear melted away. I thanked her profusely and asked where they had found it. She explained that an employee had discovered the case late the previous night, abandoned in a cart at the back of the store. I smiled and, overwhelmed with gratitude, said, “I believe in miracles.” She grinned and responded softly, “Merry Christmas.

Standing there, holding my laptop, I felt more than just relief. I was reminded that, even in the most uncertain and worrisome moments, there’s a greater plan at work—one that I may not always see, but I can trust.

In the days that followed, I spent time in conversation with the Lord, reflecting on why He allowed this to happen and what lessons I needed to learn. As I thought about the sequence of events, it seemed impossible that a person collecting carts could have missed my laptop case. The store had been thoroughly searched, every employee notified, and even the police had gotten involved. Yet, despite all that, the case was found.

I choose to believe that God returned my laptop, whether it had been stolen or simply left behind. The most curious part is that I cannot clearly remember whether I left it in the cart or if someone took it while I was shopping. What I do know is that my prayers changed the outcome, and God showed me favor in how the story ended.

This was not the first time such an incident had occurred. It was the third. On each occasion, something I had lost was returned to me, always with details too unexplainable to ignore. There is no doubt in my heart that divine intervention is real.

Praise God, and I am grateful to the angels who assist and protect me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank You, Jesus!

Merlin GonzalesLaptop from Heaven
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A Wallet from Heaven

The day before Faith Hope and Love Community (FHL’s) annual fundraiser dinner was very busy.

As you may know, many details encompass the planning for such an event, but it was important to my team to hash out the details necessary to make the dinner a success. After accomplishing our plans for the day, my wife and I treated ourselves to a relaxing dinner. However, when it was time to pay, I discovered my wallet was missing!

A queasy feeling

Assuming I had left the wallet in one of our FHL trucks, we decided it would be best to just wait to retrieve it the next morning when we arrived for setup-the day’s events had left us very tired! The next morning, though, I was dismayed to discover that my wallet was nowhere to be found. This worried me greatly, but I was tasked with assisting with setting up the venue. Throughout the rest of the day, I searched the vehicles I had travelled in the day before inside and out, even searching through the venue several times thinking I had perhaps left it sitting somewhere. That lingering anxiousness stayed with me for the next few hours. Finally, my wife finally told me to forget about my wallet and concentrate. I decided she was right. The angel of the Lord would just have to deliver my wallet back to me.

The fundraiser proved to be an excellent distraction. It was an evening filled with powerful stories and life-changing testimonies, including stories of miracles.

When the guests were gone and everything put into its proper place, I started the drive back to my home around midnight. Suddenly, I remembered my wallet! Immediately, the feeling of anxiousness and dread came rushing back over me. The thought of my personal information being open to a stranger was interrupted by a “thump” on my windshield. For some reason I can’t explain, I thought that perhaps this could have been my wallet! After pondering this for several minutes, I decided to turn around, (thank God for round-abouts), and I drove back to where I heard the sound. My hope began to fade as my methodical search did not reveal my wallet. Besides, I couldn’t figure out how it would have suddenly shown up anyway. I got back into my car to go home, but I felt the Lord’s nudging to go back. Hesitantly, I turned around saying to myself that this would be the last time.

Choosing what to believe

I turned on my hazard lights and got out of my truck. After about 2-3 steps I saw on the side of the street what seemed like a piece of paper and not thinking anything else, picked it up. To my surprise, it was a copy of the FHL tax-exempt certificate! I had inserted it into my wallet to have ready to show to certain merchant who offered us an exemption to rent the tables we needed for the annual dinner.

A surge of energy radiated all over my body! It only took me a few minutes after that to find all my credit cards, pictures and my wallet! It was a moment when I knew that heaven invaded earth!

I called my wife immediately and as I proceeded home, I tried to remember how, when and where I lost my wallet to dispel the notion that indeed, an angel of the Lord had brought my wallet back to me.

Moments like this give me confidence that God uses such times to build our faith in Him. I believe He chose that moment to, ‘drop my wallet from Heaven,’ to give me assurance that He is intimately involved in my life.

Beyond life’s circumstances

Our God is a God of miracles that can go beyond space and time, and infinitely out of the bounds of our limited minds and experience (Ephesians 3:20). This experience reminded me that whatever happens in my life or my ministry, He is in control and I have nothing to worry or be anxious about. The same is also true for you, and your worries and cares. We can trust in the promises of God, no matter how absurd or illogical they may seem to be.

God is with us and He is good all the time.

Update: When my wife read the story, she had vision of an angel and the demon who stole my wallet fighting in the sky and the angel got my wallet back and threw it in my truck.

Merlin GonzalesA Wallet from Heaven
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Session 4: Signs of the Kingdom

Signs of the Kingdom are here with us

Signs of the Kingdom are here with us

Shiloh MBC Men's Choir

Shiloh MBC Men’s Choir

Session 4 started with worship from Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church! It was such a blessing to join the worship of a 7 – man choir. Thank you to Pastor Brian and his group. This week, our session will start with worship led by Najwa Loh and Tim Taylor, both from Midtown Vineyard community.

White board discussions

White board discussions

One of the Signs of the Kingdom is change. We watched this video from Andy Stanley about leadership and change. We learned that tradition could be a stronghold and an obstacle in experiencing the Kingdom. We also learned that the Pharisees and the Sadducees (basically the religious leaders with their tradition and unbelief) had more conflict with Jesus than the demoniacs and the sinners.

Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” – Matthew 15:1-3

Assignment for Session 5

You are a Time Changer

You are a Time Changer

Read pages 107 – 140 of “The Kingdom In Our Midst”and answer the Group Discussion Questions in Session 5.

Contemplation: Think about a project, service or event that you’ve wanted to do but have not taken the first step to start the process.

Experiential: Make intentional efforts to increase your faith by relying more on the Lord rather than your own strength and will.

Listen to Parts 1 and 2, 3 and 4

Part 1:

Part 1

Part 2:

Part 2

Part 3:

Part 3

Part 4:

Part 4

Merlin GonzalesSession 4: Signs of the Kingdom
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