From May 10 to 23, 2021, the members and visitors of the HOPFAN church of Boy-Rabe in Bangui participated in intense activities around the theme, “The importance of Pentecost in Christian life”. From May 10 to 15, Pastor Léonard Gonitoua led a time of fasting and prayer, followed by a seminar on Pentecost from May 17 to 23. Guests included Cantors Jean De Dieu Guenefio and Dan Ngombe, as well as the HOPFAN Church Worship Group.

For two weeks, Pastor Gonitoua spoke about the Power and Fire of GOD. In particular, he emphasized that GOD uses the Wind as His Power. He explained that Pentecost is also called the “Feast of Weeks” because it is celebrated seven weeks after Easter. Later, it was called the “Feast of Harvest”, and subsequently, Pentecost symbolized the time when GOD’s Power came down to Earth.

The seminar concluded on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, with a special service at the HOPFAN church. Pastor Gonitoua drew on the Book of Acts, chapter 1, verse 8 (NIV) which states, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Pastor recalled that after His Resurrection, JESUS CHRIST remained with His Apostles for 40 days. He revealed Himself to them physically to give them several recommendations. Before going to Heaven, He told them not to leave Jerusalem. He told them: “You will receive power”.

Similarly, Joel 2:28 states, “And afterwards, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

Before He left the earth, JESUS CHRIST knew that there was something missing from His apostles. Of course, when He was on earth with them, He sent them out and they healed the sick and preached the Word. But the Spirit was not yet in them. They had not yet received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That is why John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11: “I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

JESUS CHRIST said: “But you will receive power”. GOD is The Almighty! He rules over the whole Universe.

His Power is also emphasized in Jeremiah 27:5, “With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.”

By speaking this way, GOD has exposed the lies of magicians, witches and other agents of the Devil. Today, many magicians and witches think that without magic or witchcraft one cannot live. And many children of GOD see themselves as weak! But it is GOD who made the Earth, the people and the animals that are on the Earth by His Power! And the Power of GOD is not a small power! He gives the Earth to whom it pleases Him. This means that He gives the Earth, responsibilities, blessings, welfare, health, etc. to whom He pleases.

Many people today seek blessings but they do not seek to please GOD. If GOD decided today to save everyone, who would be able to oppose it? He would do it because He is GOD and He does His Will! He created everything by His Power. When you, who are reading this text, you see the mountains, rivers, oceans, birds flying, all the nature, if you are normal, you will see that GOD is Powerful! It is the Work of GOD, because He said that it is by His Power that He made all this.

JESUS CHRIST said that you will receive a Power, that is the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit can give you Wisdom and any other Fruit of the Spirit.

And Jeremiah 32:17 calls out to us, “Ah Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

GOD has no surprises. Many think that their problems are greater than GOD. But GOD is Almighty. He is the One who commands all things. He is the One who made the heavens and the earth. When you are sitting at home in your armchair, in your church, look at the Greatness of GOD! No one is greater than GOD! The Greatness of GOD has no boundaries. The Greatness of GOD does not perish. The Greatness of GOD is eternal …

Speaking of JESUS CHRIST, John the Baptist said, “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12)

All this to say that our GOD is Mighty. He is above all authority, above all things. Look at all that JESUS CHRIST did by His Power: Before the hungry people, He multiplied the loaves. In front of the troubled sea, He threatened the wind. The Power of GOD compels submission …

To you who have received JESUS CHRIST in your life as your LORD and Savior, remember that you were born of JESUS CHRIST. Nothing should surprise you.

Exodus 32:11 reminds us of Moses: “But Moses sought the favour of the LORD his God. ‘O LORD,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?”

Moses recognized here that the people of Israel had come out of Egypt in great power. Yet the gods of Egypt were powerful compared to the other gods in the whole world. Satan multiplied all his forces to keep the people of Israel in Egypt forever, to keep Israel under the power of the magicians, of those gods. Therefore, it took an Almighty Power, the Power of the Most High, to overthrow these gods. The magicians, the witches and other agents of Satan could not resist the Almighty Power of GOD …

Consider Deuteronomy 4:37-38 and open your hearts: “37. Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, 38. to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.”

GOD is Eternal. You see demonic practices in your family, witchcraft, fetishes, etc., but you have come to JESUS CHRIST. Know that JESUS CHRIST can deliver you from all these demonic powers. Do not harden your heart, do not be intimidated or afraid by these little gods, by human actions. For GOD is Sovereign. He drove out nations before Israel that were superior in number. Even if your enemies are many, you should not be afraid. JESUS CHRIST has threatened the wind. Call upon your GOD before all the demons that bother you, to claim your deliverance. JESUS CHRIST did not say “If you receive power”, He said “You will receive power” …

GOD loves you. Whatever the powers that lock you in witchcraft, in impurity, in hatred, in darkness, in sin, they are small powers in front of the Power of GOD who can deliver you from them. The Power of GOD surpasses the whole Earth and the whole Universe. If the Devil has locked you up, GOD is even Stronger! JESUS CHRIST is more Powerful than the Devil! Open your heart to JESUS CHRIST.

Consider also Hebrews 4:2, “For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.”

If you believe in GOD, in JESUS CHRIST, you must have in you the product of the Power of GOD, such as the miracles of GOD, like during the day of Pentecost, the day of the Power of GOD!

And remember Nehemiah 1:10, “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.”

GOD has redeemed you with great Power! And today is the day of the Power of GOD. He does not change. Remind Him of His promises and claim His Power over your life.

Receive the Power of GOD, in the Name of YAHSHUA!