Sunday Re Cap (31st Oct 2010)

The 5 Stones

Let us see the significance of the 5 stones that David picked to slay Goliath in the light of the NEW COVENANT. The number 5 represents GRACE who is embodied in the person of JESUS. Jesus is known as the Son Of David. Therefore David, as a picture of the Father is able to destroy every Goliath in our lives through the 5 stones, JESUS.
1 John 3:8b For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1. The Stone of The Past

• JESUS IS (OUR) THE STONE OF THE PAST.

This is THE most important stone as it is the 4th of the New Covenant on which all the other clauses hang on! Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their lawless deeds[a] I will remember no more."[b]

2. The Stone of Prayer

• JESUS IS (OUR) THE STONE OF PRAYER

Romans 8:34 ... who also makes intercession for us.; Hebrews 7:25 ... since He always lives to make intercession for them.

3. The Stone of Priority

• JESUS IS (OUR) THE STONE OF PRIORITY (The Father may be glorified).

JESUS IS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE FATHER'S GLORY:

• John 1: 14; John 17: 24; John 14: 13

The purpose of Jesus' coming was to glorify the Father i.e. to shine forth the Father's glory. So what do we need to DO to bring the Father glory? There's nothing we can DO! That is Jesus' role; not ours. So what do we do?

John 6: 28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent." .

This believing is not just in the area of salvation but believing God for every area of life i.e. marriage, healing, salvation. Our idea of glory and Jesus' idea of glory may be different in the aspect of the outcome. One way or the other, God WILL get the glory! WE KEEP BELIEVING FOR GOD'S PERFECT WILL TO BE DONE.

4. The Stone of Passion

• JESUS IS (OUR) THE STONE OF PASSION

We develop Godly passions; abide in JESUS! Joh 15:1-11

5. The Stone of Persistence

• JESUS IS (OUR) THE STONE OF PERSISTENCE

2Ti 2:13 If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.

When we are pushed to the point, where we cannot see answers, deliverance anymore, we have no more strength to be persistent, JESUS continues to persists! Rom 9:33 ; 1Co 10:4

When we are in Christ, we have these 5 stones as all these 5 stones speak of Christ. The key to these 5 stones that defeat every taunting of Goliath in our lives is, JESUS!

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (17th Oct 2010)

The Two Fold Nature of Grace

Rom 3:5-8 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who lays on wrath? (I speak as a man.) (6) Let it not be! For then how shall God judge the world? (7) For if in my lie the truth has more abounded to His glory why am I still judged as a sinner? (8) And not rather, (as we are wrongly accused, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do bad things that good may come? Their condemnation is just.

Rom 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? (2) Let it not be! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

The grace that Paul preached was not a so called “balanced” view of grace but a totally extreme view!

Why did Paul preach an “extreme” form of grace? Because an extreme form of grace will produce an extreme form of believers. When we preached grace radically, we produce radical disciples.

How would we categorise ourselves, and the church in general? Are we producing radical disciples? Are people on fire for God? Why? Could it be because we are preaching “mild” or so called “balanced” grace?

Today we want to look at the life of Paul and see what radical grace produces.

Grace is both to be received and grace is also empowering. Believing and LIVING!

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was toward me has not been without fruit, but I labored more abundantly than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Act 20:24 ; Tit 2:11-12

Witness Lee..Grace is giving the Holy spirit free rein to operate in and through our lives.

Grace has a twofold characteristic; it is to be received and it is to be expressed. The fruit of grace is an attitude of gratitude and graciousness. Parable of the unforgiving servant; parable of the sheep and the goats (Matt 25:31-46)

The Apostle Paul was the most successful missionary apostle in the Bible and we see that it was radical grace that propelled him to a radical ministry and lifestyle.

Let us fully embrace the double fold nature of grace which is to bless us with favour and empower us with RIGHT LIVING. Let us embrace radical grace, like Paul, and see radically explosive sons and daughters of God produced!

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (3rd Oct 2010)

POWER TO FACE YOUR GIANTS Pt 2

Text: 1 Sam 17:40,45

The 5 smooth stones:
5 speak of the grace of God. David was an untrained youth with no titles, reputation.He defeated the mighty Goliath a trained warrior from youth (v33). We can't defeat our Goliath with our own strength, position, reputation, creativity, ideas. The only way is through the unmerited favour and enablement of God! When we are connected, we are anointed and enabled with power!

We are like the smooth stones:

1Pet 2:5
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

They were fashioned by the elements of nature. We are fashioned by the elements of circumstances, the hardships, the challenges that we face over time. Not easy to make stones smooth. Probably took a long time to become smooth being battered all around. As we receive the comfort of the Father, we are able to minister to others around us who are in similar circumstances. 2 Cor 1:3-4.

They were 5 stones and not one stone. This speaks about community. We cannot do it alone but we need one another. There are times we will rub against one another but it is for the good as it will shape us. 1 John 1:7; Heb 10:24-25; Eph 4:3

They were in the brook. The waters speak of the Holy Spirit. In spite of all the hardships and battering, they remained in the Holy Spirit. The stones happened to be in that particular brook; LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. We sometimes wonder what we are doing here or how we got here (in front of Goliath). We can question, murmur, and grumble about our position here and about the Goliath before us. However, if the stones were somewhere else, they would have remained just stones (STONED). Praise GOD they were there and when the time was right, they could be used!

We are living stones in the hand of the Father. It is the Father who gives us the strength, accuracy and direction to defeat the taunting of every "Giant" we face in our lives.

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (26th Sept 2010)

POWER TO FACE YOUR GIANTS

1Sa 17:1-4; 1Sa 17:32

WHAT ARE THE GIANTS THAT YOU ARE FACING TODAY?
DEBT, DESEASES, DEPRESSION, WEAKNESSES, REJECTION, BROKEN RELATIONSHIP, TEMPTATIONS, PAST FAILURES, DISCOURAGEMENT, ANGER

DO YOU HEAR YOUR GIANTS SHOUTING?
• You are not qualified for that job!
• You are not good enough!
• You can't pay your bills!
• You can't save your marriage!

Stand up now and face your giants by the same tactics that God has given to David!

David taught us how to face our own giants.

I. PLUG IN TO THE SOURCE OF POWER – v 37
1Sa 17:37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. Saul said to David, Go, and the LORD be with you.

THE EMPOWERING OF DAVID:1Sa 16:13 ; 1Sa 18:14

THE EMPOWERING OF CHRISTIANS:Act 1:8

Paul testified:
1Co 2:4-5

II. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WEAPONS – vs 38-40
1. The Stone of The Past; 1Sa 17:37 ; 1Ch 16:12
2. The Stone of Prayer; 1Sa 30:6 ; Psa 57:1 ; Psa 59:16 ; Isaiah 26:3
3. The Stone of Priority; 1Sa 17:46 ; 1Sa 17:47
4. The Stone of PASSION; 1Sa 17:32 ; 1Sa 17:48
5. The Stone of Persistence; Gen 32:26

Never give up. One prayer might not be enough. One apology might not do it. You may get knocked down a time or two…but don't quit. Keep loading the rocks. Keep swinging the sling.

Samuel Hari (c) GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (5th Sept 2010)

Practice His Presence And See His Power

Gen 39:2-3 Joseph was conscious of YAHWEH and he was a successful man.

How do we become conscious of YAHWEH in our day to day lives? The Name Jesus which is YESHUA in Hebrew is "YAHWEH is our Saviour"; which is the "LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is our SAVIOUR!"

Mat 1:22-23 His name also means EMMANUEL which is GOD WITH US.

Jer 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).

What is this mystery? What is this hidden thing? Eph 3:1-9. The mystery is Christ, revealed through GRACE! Not through the LAW or our own efforts!

• The Father makes known the mystery.
• When we read the word. We can read with or without the Spirit. One is dry and the other brings revelation knowledge.
• The purpose of revelation is CHRIST and HIS FINISHED WORK. The LAW has been fulfilled.
• The nations, meaning the Gentiles are not 2nd class heirs but FELLOW HEIRS of the same BODY!
• One thing we notice so far is that ALL three of the TRINITY, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT are all involved in the revelation of this mystery. They all testify to CHRIST and HIS FINISHED WORK!
• We are made ministers of this gospel (good news) according to HIS GIFT (unearned, unmerited, undeserved), by the effectual working of HIS POWER (not ours).

Circumstances may be bleak. The world may be crashing down all around us and we may feel crushed, frustrated and disappointed. We may be wondering, "What can Jesus do? Can He rescue me?" The answer is "YES HE CAN!" If He did it for Joseph and HE can do it for you!

Gen 37.His Father loved Him more than all the other children and made Him a coat of many colours. It is a long tunic with sleeves worn by young men and maidens of better class, a dress of distinction; unlike the labourers garb worn by his brothers. This did not only mean he had better looking clothes but a sign to ALL that he enjoyed a higher status in His father's eyes. This also meant that his responsibilities were different from that of His brothers. He was always at the father's side to bring him pleasure whereas the brothers were out sweating under the sweltering heat in the fields. The tunic spoke of His special position of favour and rest with his father.

Joseph is then betrayed by his brothers Gen 37:19-20. It's not the end when the LORD is with us. Is there anyone here who is in a worse position? Was this the end of Joseph?

Gen 39:2 At this very juncture, God called him a successful man!

It is the presence of the LORD in your life that makes you a success!

Success is based on not WHAT YOU HAVE but WHO YOU HAVE in your life!

Col 1:27-28
Christ in you makes you successful in your family, health, finances, relationships. Are you conscious of CHRIST in YOU? SO we should proclaim HIM! In CHRIST we have ALL things; so let's present every man complete in CHRIST. In CHRIST we are complete in every area of our lives!

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (29th Aug 2010)

We Need Each Other

"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:21)

It's time we, as believers, began to enter into the oneness Jesus prayed for in John 17:21. It's time we held onto one another in good times as well as bad. It's time we realized that we need one another.
We do, you know. I need your faith as much as you need mine. Together, we can face anything and win in Jesus.

Let me show you why. In John 3:34, God says Jesus was given the Holy Spirit without measure. He was more powerful than all the demons of hell and all wicked spirits of all classes, including Satan himself. He was able to defeat their power combined.

Now consider this. We are His Body. Each of us has been given the measure of faith according to Romans 12:1-3. That measure is enough to take care of our own personal needs. However, there is more involved here than just our own personal lives.

We have a world to win! We are the end-time generation. We need all the help we can get. But, thank God, we can get all the help we need! How? By joining together. Ephesians 4:13 says that when we all come together in the unity of the faith, we'll have "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

In other words, when the Body of Christ comes together and begins to function as one, we'll have the Holy Spirit without measure--just like Jesus did! We'll begin to see ministries functioning in the fullness of their callings. We'll begin to see manifestations of the Holy Spirit in full measure. We'll see Jesus in fullness as we've never seen Him before. Then the world will know the Father sent Him.

Step into that oneness today. Start today making a daily effort to make yourself available to God to pray for others. Start your day by saying, "Holy Spirit, use me to pray for someone today. I offer You my measure of faith."

Once we truly join together in faith, all the demons of hell won't be able to overcome us. We'll march right over them in the fullness of the power of Jesus and bring the age to a glorious close!

Scripture Study: Ephesians 4:1-16

Kenneth Copeland Ministries-From Faith to Faith

Sunday Re Cap (22nd August 2010)

Practicing YESHUA's Presence

The Name Jesus which is YESHUA in Hebrew literarily means "YAHWEH is our Saviour"; which is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is our SAVIOUR! Every time we call on the Name of Jesus, we are calling on God to save us. This is God's Job Description. In whatever circumstances we may be in; financial, physical, emotional-we can call on YESHUA and Almighty God Himself will save us.

As we call unto YESHUA, He will reveal more and more of HIMSELF, who is the mystery revealed through GRACE. All the entirety of His finished work on the cross. A fuller and complete revelation of righteousness!

God is ALL Powerful; but if we are not confident that He is interested in our success, His power would not be able to work in and through and for us.

Mat 1:22-23 Now all this happened so that might be fulfilled that which was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying, (23) "Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us.

His name also means EMMANUEL which is GOD WITH US.

For the JEWISH mind, when we say "The LORD IS WITH YOU" it means to say that they become successful in every area of life. We can see in the OT that whenever the LORD was with them, they were successful in battles and were never defeated but when God was not with them, it was otherwise.

Practice His Presence And See His Power

It is one thing to know through our mind and knowledge that Jesus is with us and another thing to be conscious of His Presence.

We cannot go by feelings but by the truth and the truth is God promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. It's His NAME! Immanuel!

The best time to practice is when we feel like Jesus is 100,000 miles away. Feelings aren't based on the truth. They are based on facts. God's word is TRUTH!

Gen 39:3 Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how
the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Can we imagine ourselves in that position? Every project, assignment, errand we undertake becomes prosperous? Our hands becoming hands of blessing? Our families, company; we are a blessing waiting to happen.

Col 1:27-28

Even POTPHAR (A Heathen) could see it!

Start resting in His unmerited favour and start seeing His manifested presence and glory upon everything we touch!

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

Sunday Re-cap 01 August 2010

No Middle Ground with Jesus
By: Ps. Abel Phillips

The Two Types
There is no "middle of the road" position when it comes to Christ's view of life, death, and eternity. Jesus declares that He is the One who controls entrance into Heaven. He says that He is the Author of salvation, the Judge of the eternal destiny of every creature in this universe.

It is good to look at some of the contrasts Jesus gave as He taught His longest message we call the Sermon on the Mount.
1. In Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus describes 2 Types of Banks: earth or Heaven;
2. In Matthew 6:22-23 Jesus describes 2 Types of Eyes: good or bad;
3. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus describes 2 Types of Masters: God or mammon;
4. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus describes:
 2 Types of Gates: wide or small;
 2 Types of Roads: broad or narrow;
 2 Types of Destinations: destruction or life;
 2 Types of Travelers: many or few;
5. In Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus describes 2 Types of Trees: fruitful or fruitless
6. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus describes 2 Types of Lifestyles: those who say the right things or those who do His will;
7. In Matthew 7:24-29 Jesus describes 2 Types of Foundations: rock or
sand;
8 In all of Christ's stories He alludes to 2 Inevitable Ends: being throw into fire and entering the kingdom of heaven.

Ps. 78:72 – The heart of integrity & skillful hand is needed to lead

Ephesians 3:19: to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
And to be full of God is to be full of everything God is to you and has for you. To be full of God is to come to a place of life, health, peace, prosperity — total wellness.

Also, when you are conscious of how much God loves you and you become filled with the fullness of God, what follows is the next verse — God doing exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think, according to the power that works in you. (Ephesians 3:20) You will experience the tremendous blessings of God exploding in your life! You will become a blessing magnet!

Sunday Re Cap (20th June 2010)

WHAT JARIUS’ DAUGHTER SAW IN HER FATHER

MARK 5:21-24, 35-43:

How did Jairus respond as a father in this situation and more importantly what did his daughter see in her father? What we will learn here is what children need to desperately see in their own fathers today.

1. SHE SAW HE WAS NOT ASHAMED TO SEEK OUT JESUS:

Notice he sought out Jesus--he did not send his wife, or someone else.
Many fathers leave to the mothers, intercessors and others to seek the Lord for their kids. When you took on the role of a father, you also were to take on the responsibilities of the father, given to by the heavenly father:

Some Simple Guidelines:

1. Dedicate your children to God
2.Teach your children to fear the Lord, & to turn away from evil,
3. Protect them from ungodly influences.
4. Establish them in church.
5. Encourage them to remain separate from this world,
6. Instruct them in the importance in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost:
7. Teach them God has a purpose for their life-
8. Have family devotions

2. SHE SAW HE WAS NOT ASHAMED TO BRING CHRIST INTO HIS HOME:

We must not forget Jesus was to many in the religious crowd, a friend of sinners, a winebibber, that the work he did was doing was by the power of the devil
Don’t leave Jesus in the church when we go home. Jesus is to be LIVED!

3. SHE SAW HE WAS NOT ASHAMED TO EXPRESS HIS LOVE TOWARD HER:

What took him from his daughters side, to seek out a Jewish teacher, what compelled him to fall at Jesus feet & cry out “I beg you, please come”, what would cause a man to forget his place in society, and what others might think or say? LOVE!

Fathers--don’t be ashamed to let your children see you seek the lord
Have him in your home
Show your love

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

The Armour Of God

It’s called the belt of truth, because if you live your life lying, it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught with your pants down.

The breastplate of righteousness covers our heart because the Bible tells us that it’s the well-spring of our life...if we can protect our hearts, keep them geared towards living right, we can keep our life pure.

The shoes of peace are a challenge to be peacemakers wherever we set our feet - bringers of peace in hurting homes and tense workplaces and broken, divided communities.

The helmet of salvation is a reminder that when we’re saved, we’re called to no longer conform, but have our lives transformed as Christ renews our mind daily...the lies of the enemy so often come in the mind, but the assurance of our salvation and redemption helps us defend against that.

Gordon Fee says that we mistranslate the passage that deals with the sword. It’s our one offensive weapon, but he believes it’s not just the word...it’s the word WITH prayer. God’s truth married to our belief, obedience and confession becomes a sword that cuts to the core.

And the shield of faith. Sometimes, at the end of it all, we are left on the field of battle just clinging to our shield...and at that point, our faith is so vital. The enemy would try to sting us to death with doubt and fear and despair, but when all else fails, we have to cling to our faith, the knowledge that even when it doesn’t SEEM like God is doing anything, even when it LOOKS like we’re abandoned and alone, faith is about more than our five senses.
 
Aaron Boots

Sunday Re Cap (13th June 2010)

The Kingdom Of God

Mat 6:33 Jesus said "seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL things shall be added to you".

What are “ALL things”. Are they just blessings and prosperity? In fact, Jesus also said a man is not measured by the substance and riches that he possesses. Luke 12:15-23. There are many people in the world that are very rich and are miserable (Luke 18:24). Mark 19:24; and also Luke 8:14 (In fact this is considered one of the mysteries of the KOG); Mark 10:23;

So what is the Kingdom of God? And where is it?

The Bible says in Mt 16:19 and Lk 12:32 "It is the good pleasure of the Father to give us this Kingdom" and Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is within you". Lk 17:20-21

This is how Paul describes the Kingdom of God. He says that the Kingdom of God is RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST! Rom 14:17. Meaning a man or a woman who possesses these possesses the Kingdom of God!

So do we have the Kingdom of God? Let's take a closer look at the 3 elements of the KOG.

1. RIGHTEOUSNESS
So what is Righteousness? It is not right doing but right standing with the Father. Phil 3:9 (AMP). Rom 5:17 also says that righteousness is a gift. A gift cannot be earned nor can it be paid for; It needs to be received. 2 Cor 5:21 We are the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS!

2. PEACE
The first thing that Jesus did when He appeared to the disciples was he said "Peace be with you". Jesus also said "Peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, but MY peace I give unto you".
How do we allow that peace to guard our hearts? Be anxious for NOTHING! Phil 4:4-7

3. JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST
John 15:11 That MY JOY might remain in you and that your JOY might be FULL!"
Mt 28:8 One of the first emotions that filled the heart of the disciples when they departed from the tomb was GREAT JOY!
Neh 8:10 It is the JOY OF THE LORD that is our strength!
John 16:20 Your sorrow will be turned into JOY!
John 16:24 ASK! That your JOY may be full!
John 17:13 Joy fulfilled in us

Difference between Joy and happiness. Happiness is based on outward circumstances (What others do, what we do, what happens to us and others) but Joy is based on what Christ has DONE on the cross!

The Kingdom of God is where JESUS is KING. When we live under the LORDSHIP of Christ and HIS finished work, we allow Jesus to be KING and begin to enjoy ALL things. These are RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST. Begin to focus on these gifts. Not our failures, weaknesses, our past life. As we do this we truly reign in LIFE as kings!

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (30th May 2010)

Breaking The Generational Curse

Exo 34:6-7

Have we ever wondered when certain things happen in a repetitive manner in our lives or if there is no breakthrough in a certain area of prayer if there is some kind of generational curse operating? i.e. accidents, divorces, marital unfaithfulness, death through a certain disease, financial failures, depression, addictions. Even lust, adultery and fornication have some basis in generational curse.

Generational curses are very real and Satan often uses this as a means to cause calamities to occur in cycles in the lives of people. Are generational curses operating in our lives and how do we break these cycles over our lives?

God's nature of lovingkindness cannot tolerate any form of iniquity. He is so Holy, Loving and Just that sin cannot be found in His presence even as far as to the third and even the fourth generation. However, His lovingkindness FAR outweighs His judgment as His lovingkindness goes to a thousand generations!

God is ever ready to forgive iniquity, transgressions and sin. He is slow to anger and ABOUNDING in LOVE. In other words, God is waiting to forgive us, that is the nature of God. He still has to point out that He will punish our iniquities and His mind towards sin is consistent and unchanging.

So when bad things consistently take place in our lives, is it because of a generational curse or because of sin in our lives? Why do we continue to experience these things? How far back are we to go to breaking these curses?

Many of us have even been taught this scripture that one way we can be free from that cycle of disease, poverty, failure is by going back a couple of generations and breaking the curses in our lives.

But can we do that? Even now, many of us are probably having some sinful thought. There are opportunities everyday to sin. What about our parents if they are alive? How do stop them from sinning? What about sins that our grandfathers committed that we don't know about?

On the one hand God says He forgives iniquities to a thousand generations and on the other hand He says He will visit our iniquities to the third and fourth generation. We can say, to break out of that cycle, repent! I fully agree. But this is not talking about your sins but the sins of your father and grandfather! How are we going to repent for them? What to repent???

It almost seems unfair and impossible to break out of generational curses!

Joh 1:12-13
When we receive Jesus and believe in His Name, we have the right to become the children of God! This verse tells us that we are no longer under our natural genealogy when we receive Christ and believe in His Name (His Nature and Finished Work). We have the RIGHT to BECOME the children of God. The word RIGHT is "exousia" in Greek which has legal connotations. We know from Rom 8:14 that we have received the spirit of Sonship and we are now able to call God, ABBA FATHER.

Friends, what this simply means is that WE ARE UNDER A NEW GENEOLOGY. This is another powerful benefit of the New Covenant! Don't live another day under the Old Covenant. Embracing the New Covenant means embracing a NEW GENEOLOGY. This is how we break the Generational Curse over our lives.

Therefore we are no longer visited by iniquity either through our own sins or the sins of our fathers but we are visited by the lovingkindness and tender mercies of God each and every day of our lives!

Let's stand on this word, we are children of God and we have the RIGHT and the POWER to be one! Don't live another day under the OC. Enter into REST. Enter into the NC and into a New Genealogy. We are IN CHRIST and A NEW CREATION! 2 Cor 5:17

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

YOU TOOK MY PARKING SPACE AT CHURCH

This should wake us up.

One day, a man went to visit a church, He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, "I always park there!

You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, " That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.
Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place.."

Sunday Re Cap (9th May 2010)

Daughters Of Sarah

1 Pet 3:1-7 You are Daughters of Sarah

Sarah was the first woman mentioned in the Hall of Faith in Heb 11.

 ¹¹ It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed^[b] that God would keep his promise.

She was the wife of Abraham, the mother of Isaac who was the son of promise. She was obviously a very beautiful woman as kings desired her even at an old age and that obviously meant that she had youthfulness about her. In this portion of scripture however, it is mentioned that woman need not be overly concerned about their outward beauty but to focus on the beauty that comes from within.

3:1 When a man became a Christian, he normally brought his whole family into the church (Philippians Jailer Acts 16:29-34). By contrast when a woman came to church she normally came alone. Under Roman law, the husband and father had absolute authority over all members of his household, including his wife. Demanding her rights are a free woman in Christ could endanger her marriage if her husband disapproved. Peter assured Christian woman who were married to unbelievers that they did not need to preach to their husbands. Under the circumstances, the best approach would be one of godly behaviour; they should show their husbands the kind of self giving love that Christ showed the church. By being exemplary wives, they would please their husbands.

There is a saying that goes something like this: the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach. There is some truth in that: it's not through preaching the good news by living it. Actions speak louder than words.

When we do this, at the very least, the husbands allowed them to continue their "strange" religion. At BEST, they join them and become Christians as well.

3:1-7 A changed life speaks louder and clearer and it is the most effective way to influence a family member.    

2 Timothy 1:5, "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." Pray!!!

Many a Christian mother has been used by the Lord to plant spiritual seeds that the Holy Spirit has used to bring many to Christ. Just what are some Biblical principles that can be lived out that can capture the spiritual heart of your children?

Susannah was John and Charles Wesley's Mom.

"…although she never preached a sermon or published a book or founded a church, (she) is known as the Mother of Methodism. Why? Because two of her sons, John Wesley and Charles Wesley, as children consciously or unconsciously will, applied the example and teachings and circumstances of their home life."^[1]

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,  But a woman who reveres the Lord will be praised. Proverbs 31:30.

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

Sunday Re-Cap 02 May 2010

Jesus Christ: the Faithful and True Witness
By Pastor Abel Phillips

Revelation 2–3 reveals what Christ said to the seven churches, a select group in a circular loop. His message to them speaks across the centuries to us today.

• Ephesus, the careless church, left their first love. Christ said to them, “Come back to Me!”
• Smyrna, the crowned church, suffered persecution. Christ said to them, “Be
faithful to the end!”
• Pergamos, the compromising church, tolerated evil. Christ said to them, “Separate yourselves!”
• Thyatira, the corrupted church, joined the world. Christ said to them, “Divorce
yourself from the world!”
• Sardis, the feeble church, wasn’t on guard. Christ said to them, “Wake up before it is too late!”
• Philadelphia, the faithful church, was pleasing to God. Christ said to them, “Keep on keeping on!”
• Laodicea, the foolish church, needed nothing. Christ said to them, “Find what you need in Me!”

What He said to the seven churches also applies to individual Christians.
Therefore, I exhort you to ask the Lord Jesus to apply His letter to the seventh church to your own heart!

Rev 2:14“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
Faithful & True Witness = He is trust worthy/ in the totality of His life and words in His ways. He can be trusted & relied upon. Faithful means He is credible.

1. A Witness is an Observer
a) Jesus has seen the Glory and the Splendor of God.
b) Jesus has seen all the demonic and devilish intentions (Jn 10:10)
c) Jesus has seen all that is going on in the world.
d) Jesus has seen everything about us.

2. A Witness Speaks and Testifies
a). Jesus is a Trusted Speaker.
b). Jesus speaks what He has Observed from the Father.
c). Jesus speaks Clearly and Boldly.
d). Jesus’ testimony contains Spirit & life ( Jn 6:63)
e). Jesus’ words have penetrating power.

His speech is so powerful with this life giving source and so accurate with power of the spirit.
a) The Centurion – received the word and his servant was healed.
b) The Disciples saw even the storm obey his words and became calm.
c) Doubting Thomas – life was changed the moment he heard the Lord spoke to him.
d) The disciples- at his words let their net on the side of the boat and experienced a great catch.

WHEN HE SAYS Come unto me you who are weary & heavy laden and I give you rest, let the penetrating power transform absolutely unload the burden we have been carrying.

WHEN HE SAYS- Trust in me, or WHEN HE SAYS Cast all your cares on Me; and let the penetrating power of the LORD come upon us.

So, let’s TRUST IN THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS and in His words/ promises today and experience the spirit led lives for His Glory! God Bless.

Sunday Re Cap (25th April 2010)

The Ministry of the Spirit Is Far More Glorious

Anything that is from God is Holy and Good. Rom 7:12

The Ten Commandments were given to show God's high moral standard for living. However, men were and are incapable of keeping the high moral standards of God. Are the Ten Commandments important? YES! Should we memorize them? BY ALL MEANS! WHY? Because they reveal God's HIGH MORAL STANDARS WHICH IN TURN REVEAL HIS NATURE. Heb 8:11. Are we able to keep them? We can't! Rom 3:23 

If they are God's moral standards, then how are we going to keep them? The Father points us to the ONE who has fulfilled every single one of them. He says, "Walk with my Son". How? The Holy Spirit will teach you. The whole basis of the 4 clauses of the New Covenant is, "as we walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will put the laws in our minds and write them on our hearts". We will experience the miraculous in God's perfect timing and in God's wonderful way and no one needs to teach us continually to obey the moral code of God! The Holy Spirit takes over that role of teaching us the High moral standards of God which reveals His nature.

We may ask ourselves; surely we can have a "balance" of the LAW and GRACE?

Romans 6:¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Luke 5:36-39. V39 (SPLB note)-Jesus sadly describes people who are satisfied with the old system of the LAW and the tradition of the elders and are reluctant to accept the gospel.

There is no place for a mixture of the LAW and grace. Why? Because Grace has fulfilled every LAW through Christ! The NC covenant does not set aside God's moral LAWS but allows the Holy Spirit to write them on our hearts as we walk with Jesus.

Why settle for rules when we can have relationship! Rules are for "servants" and "slaves". Jesus said we were no longer servants but friends in John 15:15. Friends and Family are in relationship.

How can we enter into a place of ever increasing glory? How do we give room to the ministry of the spirit? 2 Cor 3:3-18

1. By walking in the spirit. Take time to pray in the spirit every day. This gives time for the Holy Spirit to write on the tablets of our hearts.
   
2. Decide not to live in condemnation. Live believing that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
   
3. Most importantly, cultivate a daily loving relationship with Jesus every day. Remember His finished work.
   

Samuel Hari

Sunday Re Cap (18th April 2010)

Anointed to Preach the Good News Part 2

Each one of us is anointed to preach the good news. Lk 4:18-20

We are an epistle of Christ written by the Spirit of God. 2 Cor 3:3

2Co 3:5-6

Many of us feel inadequate/insufficient or are unaware of the anointing upon our lives. Why? Maybe because we feel that circumstances (financial, health, etc) are holding us back or failures in the past.

3 key words:

Sufficient-Hakanos-competent

Sufficiency-Hikanotes-enabling

Sufficient-Hikanoo-qualified

1. Sufficiency of ourselves- of ourselves we are incompetent. Ex 19:8, Ex 24:3,7
   
2. Sufficiency is from God-God enables us. He alone gives us the ability.
   

Matt 28:18-20

When we see God's sufficiency, we are seeing the vast resources made available to us through the finished work of Christ on the cross. We don't see our failures, our weakness, our past anymore. What we see is our destiny in Christ! His favour, His love, His supply, His healing, His faithfulness.

Luke 5:1-7; Num 13, 1 Sam 17, Mk 6:30- & Mk 8

1. Made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant,
   

Everyone is qualified through Christ to be a minister of the NEW COVENANT. God makes us. It is not based on our qualifications, abilities or our own righteous acts. He brings us to a place where we are at right standing with Him.

A Minister of the NC covenant focuses on God's ability and the Minister of the OC focuses on our abilities (which eventually fails).

This is the basis of Positive Thinking and all self help teaching. Relying on our own efforts to improve and function. Focussing on our weakness and need to perform. Somehow this has crept into the church and the Bible is used as a self help book when we try to follow the principles of the Bible as much as we can. ALL THAT YOU ASK US TO DO, WE WILL DO! WE WILL FAIL!

Does this mean that we don't change? We must change but we change by focussing on Him. Our sufficiency is from Him; not of ourselves!

Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (11th April 2010)

The Anointing to Preach the Good News

Scripture:

Isa 61:1-3 THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to….

(2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,…

Jesus, the Living Word quotes this in

Luk 4: (19) To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound]. [Isa. 61:1, 2.] …. Today this Scripture has been fulfilled while you are present and hearing.

Note: The day of the vengeance is missing, why? Because that day has come and gone! When God judged Jesus on the cross! What has been fulfilled? Jesus came to fulfil God's plan of redemption. Release of captives, etc…What is THAT DAY replaced by? The day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound! Hallelujah!

There's a tremendous anointing in speaking good. Jesus said so. How much more speaking God's word into and upon our family members? Even into our work situation. When we speak the good from God's heart, we are "anointed" and when we are "anointed" we will speak good. This is not something we can easily do. It comes from feeding on the word, believe and receive it.

(Luk 6:45) What is this good treasure? The treasure is the gospel, the good news! 2 Cor 4:5 Preach Christ, not ourselves!

It's very easy to see bad things in people, situations but it takes the anointing to see the good.

Notice how difficult it is to worship God when we hear "bad" news or have just gotten out of an argument with someone or gossiped and slandered someone. Try to worship as soon as you just got angry with your children or spouse?

On the other hand, notice how differently you feel when you have just had to apologize to someone or did something for someone (forgiving them, buying them a gift) who "especially" did not deserve it. Man! We feel so anointed and can go straight into worship! We were created for good. To say good things.

So what do we say when someone is sick. Let that anointing arise. Speak good. Pro 12:15-19; 16:13, 24, 32

What if we are persecuted? Now we know why we need the anointing! If we find that all that comes out of our mouth is grumbling, complain, murmuring and slander, then we need to go back and seek God for the anointing. One of the strongest sign of God's anointing over our lives is when we find bad news, gossip, slander repulsive!

Read The Message Bible Mat 5:44-48

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (4th April 2010)

We Are An Epistle Of Christ

Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday today, we look into the lives of the early believers who had such powerful convictions about the physical resurrection of Jesus. This powerful conviction led them to witness with great power and as a result received great grace. How can we witness with such conviction? Only by BEING an EPISTLE of CHRIST.

2 Corinthians 3

³ clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

1. The Spirit of God writes in our hearts AS we are aware that we are forgiven.
   

We are an epistle of Christ everywhere we go! How? When we allow the Holy Spirit to write on our hearts. The Holy Spirit writes our destiny and puts new desires in our hearts. When does that happen? When we receive God's complete forgiveness for our sins through Christ! Heb 8:10-12

4And we have such trust through Christ toward God.

1. Faith arises as we TRUST in a growing relationship with The Father.
   

How can we trust someone? Relationship. Who makes this relationship possible? Through Christ! Joh 14:6

We come to the Father through resting in the FINISHED work of the CROSS. Christ alone brought us to God. Jesus not only took away our sins, He opened the way to The Father.

⁵ Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency
is from God,

⁶ who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

1. When our SUFFICIENCY is of GOD.
   

Note 3 times the word sufficient, sufficiency. Sufficiency in ourselves or God. One is the LAW and the other is of the Spirit.

If there is a minister of the NEW COVENANT, then there is also a MINISTER OF THE OLD COVENANT. A minister of the OLD COVENANT ministers about our sufficiency being in ourselves.

We have been called MINISTERS of the NEW COVENANT when our sufficiency is of God!

When the LAW was given, 3000 people lost their lives (Ex 32:28); When the Holy Spirit was given 3000 lives were saved (Acts 2:41)!

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re-Cap 28th February 2010

ENJOYING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
By Bro. Richard Yeoh

WORSHIP IS ENJOYING THE PRESENCE OF GOD – IT IS THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S GLORY AND HIS TANGIBLE PRESENCE WITHIN US.

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING HIS PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE? EXODUS 33:1-3

1. DIRECT DISOBEDIENCE
EXODUS 32:7-8 - “AND THE LORD SAID TO MOSES, GO DOWN,FOR YOUR PEOPLE, WHOM YOU BROUGHT UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, HAVE CORRUPTED THEMSELVES. THEY HAVE TURNED ASIDE QUICKLY OUT OF THE WAY THAT I COMMANDED THEM. THEY HAVE MADE FOR THEMSELVES A GOLDEN CALF AND HAVE WORSHIPPED IT AND SACFRIFIED TO IT AND SAID ‘THESE ARE YOUR GODS, O ISRAEL, WHO BROUGHT YOU UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT!’

WHEN WE WILLINGLY AND KNOWINGLY DISOBEY GOD, WE GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT (EPH 4:30)
WHEN WE GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE THEN QUENCH THE SPIRIT (1 THESS. 5:19)

2. DIVIDED DEVOTION
AN IDOL IS ANYTHING WE LOVE MORE, FEAR MORE, SERVE MORE AND TRUST
MORE THAN GOD.
EXODUS 32:4- AND HE RECEIVED THE GOLD FROM THEIR HAND AND FASHIONED IT WITH A GRAVING TOOL AND MAKE A GOLDEN CALF. AND THEY SAID, “THESE ARE YOUR GODS, O ISRAEL WHO BROUGHT YOU UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT!”

3. DISPLACED DEPENDENCE
EXODUS 32:8 “…. ‘THESE ARE YOUR GODS, O ISRAEL, WHO BROUGHT YOU UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT.’
OTHER DEPENDENCE: MAN, MONEY, POWER, INTELLECT, ETC

4. DETERMINED DEFIANCE
EXODUS 32:9 AND THE LORD SAID TO MOSES,”I HAVE SEEN THIS PEOPLE AND BEHOLD, IT IS
A STIFF-NECKED PEOPLE.”

STIFF-NECKED: OPPOSITE OF MEEK AND PLIABLE, HARDENED CLAY

CONCLUSION
MOSES DID NOT WANT TO GO WITHOUT THE LORD’S PRESENCE
EXODUS 33:15 AND HE SAID TO HIM,” IF YOUR PRESENCE WILL NOT GO WITH ME, DO
NOT BRING US UP FROM HERE.”

DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE.

Sunday Re-cap 21st February 2010

And I Know...
by Ps. Abel Phillips

John 11:42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
-As Jesus knows the Father so well; Do I personally know my God, as my Saviour, Master, Lord, Shepherd etc…?

Psalm 23 is in reality a brief expounding of eight names of God in the first five verses. It brings to light:
Jehovah-Rohi—God our shepherd—Psalm 80:1.
Jehovah -Jireh—God our provider—Genesis 22:14.
Jehovah -Shalom—God our peace—Judges 6:24.
Jehovah -Nissi—God is my banner—Exodus 17:15.
Jehovah -Rapha—God our healer—Exodus 15:26.
Jehovah -Zidkenu—God our righteousness—Jeremiah 23:6.
Jehovah -Shammah—God is present—Ezekiel 48:35.
Jehovah -Mekaddish—God who sanctifies—Exodus 31:13.

- Each of these names provides us with building blocks of knowledge to strengthen and encourage us in the use of faith.
1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (no lack)
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; (Word of God, Bible Study and Prayer)
He leads me beside the still waters. (Christ is with us – Holy Spirit) - Presence
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness (holy & pleasing life)
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Discipline & guidance).
5 You prepare a table (fellowship) before me in the presence of my enemies; (holiness/ righteous life); You anoint my head with oil; (above your head), My cup runs over. - God promises to bless us even though enemies may surround us. Not only will He supply our needs, but He will supply "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus says God will give to us "pressed down, shaken together, and running over" if we follow His way of give (Luke 6:38).
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me (Christ is walking in front- blessing behind us). All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD Forever. “Because of following God's way of life and living in the care of the Good Shepherd, David looks forward to a full physical life, and after that, abundant, eternal life in God's Kingdom.
Ps 121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?
Eze 38:7 7 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.

Salvation does not depend on what we do - it depends on accepting what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross. However, if salvation is real, the new relationship with Jesus should result in a new desire to do what pleases the Lord. (Eph 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them).

Conclusion: Do I really have a daily personal and intimate relationship and fellowship with my God, that I may say like Jesus I know my Father hears me.

Sunday Re Cap (14th Feb 2010)

Have The Faith of God Pt 2

Mar 11:20-24

Last week we saw how Jesus cursed the fig tree before he went into the temple and the fig tree was dried up from its roots the next day. We saw how Jesus was

1. Symbolically cursing the religious system of the day which was based on the law and of external religious acts. Jesus then replaced that system which something much better which is something based on our relationship with God rather than our performance (full of leaves but NO FRUIT).
   
2. Replacing our dependence on anything else other than Himself. The Fig tree symbolizes the peace and security of Israel. Many of us depend on religion, health, finances, and relationships for our FAITH. When things are going right our faith is strong but when things are not, then our faith is weakened. Everything that is not of God will be shaken.
   
3. Did not want us to depend on the facts for our faith but it's the truth which is unchanging that keeps our faith strong. Circumstances will always change but Jesus is unchanging. Everything will change but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Not like the FIG Tree which had no fruit because it was not in season).
   

Jesus replaced all of that by saying "HAVE THE FAITH OF GOD".

How do we have the FAITH OF GOD? What do we need to do? And the answer came back NOTHING! It's all been done, 2 thousand years ago. His Faith is available. There is no performance on our part that is needed to have MORE FAITH like they were doing in the temple. Jesus coming offered us something far better!

His Faith is available to us because as He is so are we in this world. 1 Jn 4:13-19. His Faith is available because if anyone is in Christ, He is a NEW Creation; old things have passed away and all things are new. The KEY here is RECEIVING. There is no problem as far as heaven is concerned. The only thing we need to do as a NEW CREATION is BELIEVE AND RECEIVE. How?

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (7th February 2010)

Have the Faith of God-SAYING IS BELIEVING!

Text: Mark 11:12-24

Mark 11:22-2 Many times this has been taught as a "stand alone" teaching rather than as a whole context. Mark 11:22 was actually a continuation of a same scene and part of the same conversation. Starting from V11. What was Jesus trying to teach in the first place? He was not just teaching faith but he was trying to teach a much bigger lesson here.

We begin by noticing that Jesus was hungry. This natural hunger was symbolic of another hunger that was within Jesus; otherwise, the whole account of the temple would not have been there. We as Christians are looking for something to eat.

What did the leafy Fig tree represent? A Fig tree is symbolic of Israel's peace and security. Israel's peace and security up to that point had been religion. Jesus cursed that Fig Tree and it withered from its roots and died. Jesus said "May no one ever eat fruit from you ever again". Jesus Himself cursed all external forms of religion.

What is our peace and security based upon? Our religion, carrier. Finances, health?

However, He did not leave them without a hope for a better foundation.

V22-Have the Faith of God.

How do we have this kind of faith? Faith on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus was punished, scourged, whipped till His appearance was beyond recognition. Faith that "it is finished". It's all been done for us on the cross. Faith not on things that we can see; facts which change but faith on the truth! When we are sick, that's only a fact and facts change but the truth never changes. It's no longer looking at things and hope they change but it's learning to look at the cross and see that it's been DONE! Instead of praying and asking God to intervene in a situation, we look at the cross and rejoice at the victory that we have.

How do you and I cultivate that faith? Believe is important but sometimes when we are in a tough situation, sometimes it's hard to even believe. It's easy to tell other people in situations to believe but when we are in it, where do we start? How do we start believing? How can we become a Fig tree full of fruit in season and especially like the fig tree above, out of season?

The key is not "Doing" but "Saying". Notice how many times Jesus said in this passage to "Say" and how many times, He told us to believe. Sometimes, we just have to start "Saying". Everyone has been dealt a measure of faith in our hearts to BELIEVE. However when we see circumstances and are overwhelmed, we find it hard to SAY. It is in this very situation that we must SAY for SAYING releases our FAITH into the miraculous.

Pro 18:20-21

It starts with saying the "right thing". The reason many are not seeing fruitfulness is because of what is coming out of our mouth. The devil does not know what is going on until we open our mouth. Sometimes, the whole atmosphere in a situation changes when we open our mouth. Best thing to do is pray; atmosphere changes.

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re-Cap 24th January 2010

The Benefits of Knowing Jesus Christ
Ps. Abel Phillips

A). Rev 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,”[a] says the Lord,[b] “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Alpha is the first letter if the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last. So our Lord is the First and Last, He is the Source of all things. He is the source of all truth, of all the promises given in the WOG, of all the prophecies, of all commands and of all penalties. How great is our Lord, who is and who was and who is to come; – The all-inclusive One! Everything is involved in the two words, beginning and ending.
Jesus is the Lord of the Beginning and He is the Lord of the End. He is the end of completeness of our lives.

John 1:1 -In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
Col 1:16 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him
Col 1:17 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

B). Rev 1:18
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Hades :– is the unseen world we don’t understand. The souls of people who pass away go into; until Jesus’ time… all souls were controlled by the adversary of the souls and were limited
Death (Two aspects)
i. Physiological death – our body weak / limitation of the human body
ii. Second death - our soul being separated from God

Jesus dies and comes back in the glorious resurrection, and ascends to the Father’s Right hand.
We see the unification once again and the healing power and he has the key over everything that separates, ruins, rejects and isolates us. He holds that Key! He is the healer of all relationship, restorer of the fullness of relationship we hope for.

C). Rev 2:12
“…,‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
Eph 6:17 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Rev 2:16 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

ü People say I don’t like the correcting of the Lord, well of you don’t like the correcting of the L, then you don’t know how much He loves you; because he loves you way too much to leave you in that limited stage.
ü He wants to take out of your life that which diminishes and corrupts you and bring about the whole completeness. That’s why He uses the sharp two-edged sword.
ü Don’t avoid the correcting of the L, because it ultimately produces fruitfulness, and fruitfulness of righteousness.
ü The sharp two-edged sword is a counseling sword that guides and teaches thru WOG.
ü It has the absolute ability to deal with any situation, job, argument, finances, health, relationship etc… you don’t way but the WOG has power. The Word of God is quick and powerful and it gets the job done!
ü You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Rom2:4 -4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

So, let’s reap the benefits of the things in stored for us by knowing and receiving JESUS into our lives!

Sunday Re-Cap 17th December 2010

Experiencing Real Peace
by. Ps. Abel Phillips

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace I leave with you… are the legal terms that has to do with an inheritance; that is a will & testament and what’s the moral of that: You have the right to the inheritance of Peace.
What Jesus’ words teach us:
 1. Our Inheritance is God’s Peace
 2. Jesus Christ’s own Peace
 3. The World’s Peace is Limited
 4. Our Peace is a Gift

So how does a person get on the pathway to receiving this REAL PEACE?
 1. Establish a True Relationship with Jesus Christ. (Is 9:6 - Jesus the Prince of Peace)
The real peace only starts by our relationship with Jesus

 2. Obey and Receive the Ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Rom 8:5-6
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (see also Gal 5:22-23)

 3. Depend on the Word of God.
The Word of God is quick, sharp and power to lead us to His transcending peace.

 4. Focus our Attention on God.
Isa 26:3 -3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

 5. Let the Lord Carry our Burdens
1 Pet 5:7 - casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you
Matt 11:28 - Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 6. Care about Others
1 Tim 2:1-2
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men (and women), 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Sunday Re Cap (10th Jan 2010)

New Covenant Life-a LIFE that is FREE

Jesus did not come to teach evil people to become good (the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the LAW could have taken care of that) but to make dead people live (tree of LIFE)!

We need to get it out of our minds that all that God is interested in is SIN. We need a complete change of mindset of God's character and nature.

Eph 2:4-7

How many of us believe that being a child of God is the most favored thing in all of life? Sadly, many of God's people are not living in that environment of favor.

The more we read the word of God and the more we understand His grace, the more we realize that God has specifically 2 agendas over our lives that are intertwined.

Isa 61:1 Jesus quoted it in Luke 4:18-19 as well.

When did the Spirit of the Lord God come upon us?

Joh 16:7; Act 2:33

The Holy Spirit would not be given until Jesus finished His work here on earth and returned to the Father. The work is finished. Sin has been completely dealt with on the cross!

Where is the Holy Spirit now?

Upon us! We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Living breathing walking temple of the Living God! The Church!

What is our mission?

Act 10:38; Is 61.1 gives us a clear picture.

HS anoints us to proclaim LIBERTY and FREEDOM! His main agenda is not to expose SIN as SIN has already been dealt with. His main AGENDA now is LIFE.

Why was the Holy Spirit given to us?

Isa 61:2-3 To proclaim the favourable year of the LORD….So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

When is the Favorable year of the LORD? The more we focus on everything that Christ has already done, the more we are able to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Then FAVOUR HAPPENS! People are set free.

Joh 14:13 Jesus did not only come to heal us, deliver us, cleanse us from our sins. JESUS came to set us FREE! FREEDOM is God's main agenda.

Joh 8:32 Joh 8:36 Rom 8:1-2

Why does God want to set us FREE? Joh 10:10

So that we can LIFE and HAVE IT IN ABUNDANCE!

He wants to set us FREE and He wants us to become more and more ALIVE! Many may say, "it is for us to do missions or pray or give". If we are not FREE and ALIVE, we cannot freely give (freely receive, freely give), do missions or pray effectively!

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (3rd Jan 2010)

Lessons from the Tower of Babel-Resting and Not Striving

How do we ensure that our plans and God's plans are the same?

Gen 11:1-9

There are some powerful lessons that we can learn from this passage. Even though it seems negative, we believe the Holy Spirit put it in the Bible for very positive reasons. This passage gives us an idea of what happens when we push and strive with our own works and what happens when we rest and follow God's plans for our lives.

When the people attempted to build the tower that speaks of our goals, plan our focus. However, there can only be ONE TOWER in our lives. The NAME OF THE LORD IS A STRONG TOWER! Psa_18:2; Psa_61:3; Psa_144:2; Pro_18:10;

Instead of trying to build a tower, let us focus on the TOWER that has already been built! Run to the tower and REST in that tower. The effect will be completely the opposite of what was experienced by the people who tried to build the tower of Babel.

Let's look at this example and see what happens when we REST in the FINISHED TOWER of the NAME of the LORD instead of striving to BUILD THE TOWER with our own works.

When they followed their own plans:

1. Their language was confused. They could not understand each other.
   
   1. When we try to push our plans and strive, we will find confusion.
      
   2. God reversed this in the book of Acts. They were of the same mind, in one accord. Acts 2:1. The spoke the language of heaven, the language of the Father, TONGUES!
      
2. They were scattered. There was no longer any unity.
   
   1. When we are not speaking the same language that happens. In Ps 133 it says that when we are in unity, God commands a blessing. What is it that brings about this unity? In Ps 133:2. It was the precious oil, the Holy Spirit, as was in the book of Acts.
      
   2. The bible also says we are to "Endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace". This means that only the Holy Spirit has already given us unity. We are to NOW endeavour to KEEP IT! Anytime there is strive between us, we reset our relationship to default mode; that is UNITY! This is what the Holy Communion is all about; a reminder that we are united in Christ in His finished work.
      
3. They could not reach their goal.
   
   1. We find ourselves frustrated and unable to achieve our goal. Whether it be healing, finances, salvation for our family members.
      
   2. When we REST in the FINISHED TOWER, the finished work of Jesus on the cross, we are able to receive our inheritance. We need not strive any longer!
      

Conclusion

When we focus on the right tower, which is the NAME of the LORD, which speaks of everything that was accomplished on the CROSS through the Name of Jesus then there no longer be confusion as the Holy Spirit will UNITE our hearts and help us RECEIVE our inheritance through that finished work. Let us not strive to build our own tower but instead rest in the "finished" tower of the CROSS.

Samuel Hari © GROW BM