Monthly Archives: February 2025

Church Sermon in Alton: the Mississippi River flows

“A Divine Call in Alton: Rising in Faith and Fire

Introduction: In the heart of Alton, where the Mississippi River flows with power and purpose, God has called us to rise up with a fire that cannot be quenched. Just as Alton is a place of adventure—where people hike, bike, and explore the great outdoors—so too is our journey with Christ one of discovery, endurance, and triumph. Today, I, Camila, stand before you to declare that the Lord is moving mightily in this season. There may be trials, but there is also overwhelming joy bubbling in the core of God’s people. A fire is being kindled, and it is decreeing: “I WAS CREATED FOR THIS!”

Chapter 1: Trials, Temptations, and Triumph There is no victory without a battle. We see in the Word that even Peter, who once denied Jesus, stood up boldly in faith. He commanded the lame man to rise and walk in the name of Jesus, and the miraculous happened. Today, God is calling us to step into boldness, to declare His truth, and to trust that He is working, even when we cannot see it.

Satan’s greatest tool is doubt. He will tempt us to question, rationalize, and allow fear to overshadow faith. But let me tell you, church, we were not made to walk in fear! His Word is truth (John 17:17). The enemy seeks to keep us bound, but Jesus came to set us free. In the same way that visitors to Alton’s Haunted Trolley Tour may experience fear for a moment, we must remember that fear is temporary, but faith is eternal.

I recall a woman in my own church—a faithful believer for forty years—who saw a move of God unlike anything she had ever witnessed before. Revival had come, and God was pouring out His Spirit in power. In this season, God is performing a divine overhaul. He is calling us to higher places, preparing us for new assignments, new visions, and new territory. The Lord is saying, “Expect the UNEXPECTED ESTABLISHING!” What once seemed impossible is now being made possible by His mighty hand.

Chapter 2: A New Fire, A New Commissioning As I prayed for this gathering, I heard the Lord say: “I am sending forth My trailblazing sons and daughters! What I am releasing in this hour will bring forth the greatest shifts you have ever seen. You will step into what you never imagined possible, and through you, My revival fire will be released in power!”

Some of you have walked through intense battles. You have been wounded, weary, and unsure of how to continue. But the Lord says, “The fruitfulness that is coming will FAR OUTWEIGH the wounds of the past!” Just as Alton’s rolling hills and beautiful vistas offer a place of rest and renewal, so too does the Lord provide times of refreshing for His people. He is redeeming the time, redeeming the season, and He is restoring everything that was lost.

The book of Revelation declares that Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, is the only One worthy to take the scroll and loose its seals. Today, the Lord is unlocking new doors, new assignments, and new levels of anointing over His people. The dry and parched places of your heart—where you have felt empty and abandoned—are about to receive an outpouring of His Spirit. His fire is not only falling to reignite your passion but to bring forth multiple births of destiny in your life.

A Call to Action: It is time to stand, church. It is time to rise in faith. The Lord is saying, “My hand of favor, provision, and vindication is upon you.” The strategies and blueprints of Heaven are being released, and as you align yourself with His will, supernatural doors will open before you. The Bride of Christ is being purified, and He is uprooting all that hinders unity in His body. We are called to be ONE in Him, walking in love, walking in power, and walking in victory.

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Speak life, sing psalms, and declare His goodness. For this is the season of divine outpouring. The promises He has spoken over your life are now SUDDENLY MANIFESTING! You are not alone. You are chosen, commissioned, and set apart for such a time as this.

Conclusion: As I close, I want you to lift your hands and receive this prayer:

“Father, I thank You for every person here today. You have called them by name, and You have set them apart for Your glory. I pray that You would ignite their hearts with fresh fire, remove every hindrance, and open new doors before them. Let the joy of the Lord be their strength, and let faith rise within them. May they walk boldly in their calling, knowing that they were CREATED FOR THIS! In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!”

Church, go forth in victory. The fire has been kindled, the commissioning has begun, and the time for revival is NOW!

The Spiritual Awakening of Sofia in Aurora

Sofia had always found solace in prayer, but one night, as she lay in her home in Aurora, she experienced something extraordinary—a dream so vivid it felt more like a vision. Set on the banks of the scenic Fox River, Aurora, with its world-class retail, charismatic festivals, and architectural gems, had always been a city she loved. But this dream was unlike any other; it was a revelation that left her soul stirred.

In her dream, Sofia stood in the heart of Aurora, amidst a bustling scene of shoppers at the Chicago Premium Outlets. The stores, filled with brands like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, gleamed under bright lights. People hurried in and out, arms laden with bags, their faces marked with fleeting joy. Yet, amidst the material wealth, Sofia noticed something unsettling—shadows lingered around them, whispering words of dissatisfaction and emptiness.

A voice, gentle yet commanding, called out to her. “Sofia, look beyond what the eyes see.” She turned and saw a radiant figure, clothed in light, standing near Pacifica Square. It was an angel, luminous and filled with grace. The angel gestured toward the shoppers and said, “Many seek fulfillment in what perishes, yet the true treasure lies in the Kingdom of God.”

Before she could respond, the dream shifted, and she found herself inside the grand Paramount Theatre. The intricate Art Deco-Venetian façade glowed under the theater lights. A performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS was in progress, but Sofia noticed that, despite the grandeur, many of the spectators appeared distracted, glancing at their phones or lost in thought. The angel beside her spoke again, “The world offers entertainment, but only in Christ do hearts find true joy.”

As the curtain fell, Sofia was whisked away once more, this time to RiverEdge Park during the Blues on the Fox festival. Music filled the air, and people danced under the setting sun. The sound was beautiful, but Sofia felt a deep longing in her heart, as if something was missing. Then, suddenly, the music transformed into a celestial melody—harmonies so pure they resonated deep within her soul. She looked up and saw a choir of angels singing praises to God. “This,” the angel said, “is the worship that fills heaven. Earthly music fades, but the worship of God endures forever.”

The scene shifted again, and she found herself on the banks of the Fox River. The waters shimmered under a golden light, and the angel stood beside her. “Sofia, you have been shown these things so that you may understand the deeper truth,” the angel said. “The city is filled with distractions—materialism, entertainment, momentary pleasures—but the true calling of the soul is to honor and glorify God. The Gospel must be preached, for the end shall come when all have heard.”

Sofia fell to her knees, overwhelmed. She recalled the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:14: ‘And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’ She realized her mission—to be a conduit of heaven’s resources to those in need, to share the truth with those who were lost in the distractions of the world.

When she awoke, the dream lingered in her mind like an imprint on her soul. She knew it was more than just a dream; it was a calling. Rising from her bed, she knelt in prayer, surrendering herself to God’s will. The world around her had not changed, but she had. And with that, she stepped into her day, ready to live out the vision God had placed upon her heart.

Church Meeting in Springfield, Illinois

The evening light filtered through the stained-glass windows of the small church in Springfield, Illinois. A quiet hush settled over the gathering as Harper took her place at the front. She was a poised woman with a warm presence, and her voice carried a tone of deep conviction as she began the discussion.

“Thank you all for coming tonight. Before we begin, I want to take a moment to appreciate the rich history of this town. Springfield is not just the capital of Illinois; it is a place where history breathes. From the echoes of Abraham Lincoln’s legacy to the nostalgia of Route 66, this city holds so much meaning. And yet, no history is greater than the one we build with our faith.”

The group nodded in agreement, many of them settling deeper into their seats. Harper continued, “Tonight, we will discuss the presence of the Spirit, the urgency of our faith, and what it truly means to be ready for the coming of Christ.”

She opened her Bible to John 14:26 and read aloud: “‘But the Helper, the Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things.'” She looked up. “Notice the use of ‘He’ here. Many people refer to the Spirit as an essence or force, but Scripture makes it clear that the Spirit is personal. The Greek word used here is ‘echeinos,’ meaning ‘he.’ The Spirit is not distant; He is here with us, guiding and teaching us, just as Jesus promised.”

A man in the front row raised his hand. “So, does that mean we can interact with the Spirit as we would with Jesus?”

Harper smiled. “Absolutely. The Spirit testifies of Christ. In John 16:13, we are told, ‘However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.’ Just as Jesus walked alongside His disciples, the Spirit walks alongside us today. We only need to listen.”

A quiet murmur of reflection passed through the group. A woman near the back spoke up. “That reminds me of the story in Acts 8 when Philip went to Samaria. The people believed in Jesus and were baptized, but the Spirit had not yet come upon them. It was only when Peter and John prayed for them that they received the Spirit.”

Harper nodded. “Yes! The Spirit’s presence is not just a theological idea; it is a living reality. But this brings us to an important point: Are we truly ready to meet the Lord?”

She turned to John 3:17-19: “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. Yet those who do not believe are already condemned because they have rejected the light.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Then a younger man hesitantly asked, “How do we know we’re truly ready?”

“That’s a question we must all ask ourselves,” Harper replied. “Jesus gave us signs. He warned that in the last days, people would be oblivious to what was coming. But He told us to stay alert, to watch, and to be prepared. Isaiah 13:6 says, ‘Howl, for the Day of the Lord is at hand.’ We don’t have time to waste. The question is, are we living as if Jesus could return at any moment?”

A woman in her sixties nodded thoughtfully. “You know, that reminds me of an experience I had. Years ago, I was collecting pop cans off the street for recycling, and I found myself grumbling about it. Then, I felt the Lord ask me, ‘Who are you doing this for?’ It struck me. My attitude revealed my heart. It’s not just about what we do; it’s about who we are inside.”

Harper smiled. “That’s a powerful testimony. Jesus told the church in Ephesus, ‘I know your works, and your labor, and your patience.’ But He also warned that they had lost their first love. We must keep our hearts aligned with Him.”

A man in the back leaned forward. “That makes sense. It’s not just about believing; it’s about walking in faith. Like when Jabez prayed, ‘Lord, enlarge my coast.’ He wasn’t just asking for more land. He was asking to fully possess what God had already promised.”

“Exactly!” Harper agreed. “Many of us live as if we’re still waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled when, in reality, He has already given us everything we need. We just have to walk in it.”

A young woman spoke up. “But sometimes, it’s hard to understand why we go through suffering if God is in control. Why does He allow pain?”

Harper nodded solemnly. “That’s a question we all wrestle with at some point. I believe that God rules over our lives, and nothing happens by accident. But suffering is not a sign of God’s absence; rather, it is often where we encounter Him the most. Paul said, ‘He who thinks he stands, let him take heed, lest he fall.’ We must remain humble, remembering that even in our trials, God is shaping us.”

The discussion continued, touching on prophecy, the second coming, and the urgency of spreading the gospel. Harper eventually brought the conversation to a close with a final thought.

“Springfield has seen so much history—Lincoln’s legacy, the rise of Route 66, and even the rebuilding of New Salem. But history is not just about the past. It’s about what we choose to do now. Jesus is coming back. We don’t know the day or the hour, but we do know that it is soon. Are we living as if we believe that?”

The room was quiet. Then, one by one, people began nodding, some whispering prayers, others wiping their eyes. Harper bowed her head.

“Let’s pray together. Let’s ask the Spirit to guide us, to teach us, and to prepare us for the days ahead. May we never forget our first love.”

As the prayer ended, the church filled with a deep sense of peace. The discussion had ended, but for many, the journey of faith was only beginning.