I have had several near-death experiences, but each time: God blocked it! Now, I have also shared those testimonies in other forums. But for this one, the Lord told me to share it in my blog. So here’s my testimony of where the enemy intended for me to go up in flames – literally- but Jesus said “No!”
Background (for Non-Jamaicans)
In Jamaica, we use stoves that are powered by gas (or LPG) cylinders. Electric stoves are too expensive for us (we have enormous electricity bills as it is), and we don’t have gas lines running through communities (like in the USA). So, LPG cylinders it is.
Another fact? Most Jamaicans can’t afford to buy the huge cylinders that are stored outside the home. So we purchase the 11 kg (or 25 lbs) LPG cylinders and use them inside our homes to power our stoves for cooking.
I always turn off the regulator to my gas cylinder to make it last longer. I only turn it on when I’m ready to cook. The latest cylinder I bought is a bit cumbersome. The rubber hose that connects the regulator (which is also connected to the cylinder) to my stove doesn’t sit easily upon the handles of the cylinder. So, it’s a bit bent.
Therefore, not only was I turning off the regulator, but I was also completely removing it from the cylinder when I wasn’t cooking. I believe that the Holy Spirit of God was making me cautious for a reason.
God Blocked It on Tuesday, July 21, 2020
That morning, I connected the regulator and hose to the cylinder and prepared my breakfast. I didn’t smell any gas, nothing weird was happening. All was well – glory to God. Since I was going to use the stove later in the day, I left it all connected.
Then around 1:00 PM, I decided to begin dinner preparation. I went into my kitchen area and attempted to turn on the stove. I first had to turn on the regulator and then turn on the stove.
Right before I was about to strike the match to light the stove’s burner, I heard a whistling sound. It was a low but sinister whistling of air coming from the gas cylinder. But, it wasn’t air. It was LPG emitting into the house. And I could smell it. I quickly turned off the stove and then the regulator. Then, I looked around, quite perplexed.
“Jesus Christ, what is this?” I prayed.
I looked down at the box of matches in my hand. Then I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to put down the matches and I did.
I turned on the regulator again. And it gave the same whistling sound, sending forth a more pungent smell of gas. I quickly turned it off. The Spirit of God told me to disconnect the regulator from the cylinder and disconnect the hose from my stove because there was a leak.
So I obeyed the Lord. I inspected the hose and couldn’t find the defect at first. And then I located it. There was an imperceptible break in the black rubber hose closer to the end connected to the regulator.
I’ll have to replace the hose, but guess what? That doesn’t matter. Because God blocked it! The enemy meant for me to be severely burned, maimed, or even killed in my home. But Jesus said “No!” The plans of the devil and his agents didn’t materialize! Glory to God! Hallelujah!
Transparency and Revelation
During this COVID-19 quarantine, I find myself quite alone and there are also financial challenges. But, the most pressing is the onslaughts against my mind with episodes of depression and intense warfare in the spiritual realm.
On Monday evening and into the night, I was in the midst of a severe mental struggle with depression. The enemy was telling me that Jesus didn’t care and that my continual prayers were not being heard. However, even in my turmoil, I could hear Daddy Jesus telling me to fight those thoughts. He also reassured me and led me to listen to several gospel artistes (primarily Hillsong’s “Shadow Step” and several Nigerian singers like Eben, Ada, and Mercy Chinwo). My spirit was energized, and then I was able to pray and break that stronghold. Afterward, I began to feel human once more. I then experienced further spiritual warfare in the night, but through Jesus Christ, I overcame and I will always overcome!
The Lord revealed to me that I was attacked because I had just completed my dry fast for that day. Also, I had gone right into checking up on the posts on a few YouTube channels. What I should have done was to suffuse myself in praise and worship music, especially since it was the time frame when such attacks would come against me. I’ve learned my lesson!
Jesus Christ Loves You and He Always Hears You!
The enemy tried to convince me that Jesus Christ was ignoring me. But, that’s a complete lie. Daddy Jesus Christ loves me and hears me; and He loves you and hears you too. He will never forget us:
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me,
And my Lord has forgotten me.”“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.
This case of “God Blocked It!” confirms to me that even in my hardest season, He is with me. He watches over me and He is forever faithful. I want to encourage you with the following scriptures:
For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a Rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.
You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.
So shall they fear
The name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.“For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the Lord for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
May Jesus’ blessings, peace, and wisdom be upon us all.
Sophia.