GROW BLOG

Sunday Re Cap (13th Nov 2011)

2011-11-15T06:27:00.000+08:00

The Life of Abraham-Faith Expressed Through Giving

Gen 14:17-24

Abraham honored Melchizedek by paying him tithes of all. This is the first instance of tithing in the Bible, and it occurs years before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Today, we are going to see why so we are to do the same. We believe there are at least three reasons Abram gave that day.

1. Because he recognized God already owned it all.
In verse 19, Melchizedek said that God was the possessor of heaven and earth, a phrase that Abram repeats in verse 22. God owns it all, and He owns it all in three ways.

He owns it by right of Creation. "In the beginning God created…”
He owns it by right of sustaining.
He owns it by right of purchase. He owns it all because Jesus shed His blood to redeem both man and the creation.

When we give, we don’t give God anything He doesn’t already possess. He expects us to express our recognition of His ownership through a faithful tithe back to Him.

2. Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God to him and his tithe was an expression of faith, an offering of love and gratitude.

Melchizedek was a type of Christ, and God explained this principle in Hebrews 7:1-10. It shows us how Christ is symbolized by Melchizedek and is greater than him.

Hebrews (7:4–10) indicates that these tithes were paid (in type) to Christ, suggesting that believers today are following Abraham’s example as they bring tithes to the Lord.

Abraham was not under the law. He tithed before the law was ever given to the Levites. Why did Abraham pay tithes before he was commanded to do so? Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God and Abram, out of a heart of love and gratitude expressed his faith in God by giving.

2 Cor 9⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

He doesn’t want to force our offerings; He wants us to express our heart toward Him through faith. When we give, we express love and gratitude and trust.

To be continued…

Sunday Re Cap (6th Nov 2011)

2011-11-10T12:50:00.000+08:00

Abram-Faith Expressed Through Giving

Gen 14:17-24

Read Heb 6:12-15

Who is the writer of Hebrews asking us to imitate? In v13, it’s Abraham (waited patiently and received what was promised).

Abram was great because of his faith in God. He was not always faithful, but God saw him through and his faith was strengthened and settled.

We are going to see a third event in Abraham’s life that is an example of his faith and it concerns giving.

Following the victory, Abraham faced a greater temptation as he met the King of Sodom. It is usually true that Satan tempts us immediately after a great spiritual victory. The King of Sodom wanted to bargain with Abraham and get him to compromise by accepting the wealth of Sodom, but Abraham refused. The wealth of Egypt had proved a snare. The wealth of Sodom would be worse. Abraham ignored the king of Sodom, but he honored the king of Salem.

Hebrews 5–7 makes it clear that Melchizedek (“king of righteousness”) is a type of Christ, our heavenly High Priest. As King of Salem (“peace”) Christ gives us peace through His own righteousness, made possible by His death on the cross.

What an encouragement it is to see Melchizedek meeting Abraham just when the king of Sodom tempts him! As King and Priest, Christ is able to give us “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

The bread and wine (v. 18) typify Christ’s body and shed blood and like Melchizedek, the heavenly priesthood of Christ is made possible through the cross. Melchizedek met Abraham, fed him, and blessed him. What a wonderful Savior!

Abraham honored Melchizedek by paying him tithes of all. This is the first instance of tithing in the Bible, and it occurs years before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Abraham refused the riches of the world but shared his wealth with the Lord, and God richly blessed him.

Hebrews (7:4–10) indicates that these tithes were paid (in type) to Christ, signifying that believers today are following Abraham’s example as they bring tithes to the Lord.

Why did Abraham pay tithes before he was commanded to do so? Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God, Abram, out of a heart of love and gratitude he expressed his faith in God by giving.

Sunday Re Cap (30th Oct 2011)

2011-10-31T00:55:00.000+08:00

The Life Of Abraham: God’s Ways Are Higher (Than Our Ways)

Gen 14:1-7 This is the first war listed in the Bible. Zumim: TALL or Powerful Ones; Rephaim: STRONG ones. These were the first attacked to strike fear in all the other kings. It was a one sided and devastating war. Keep this picture in mind.

Gen 14:8-12 These 5 kings were no match to this well organized army. Calvin captured the mood when he said, “The runaways chose the pits rather than be captured”. They took LOT. This man fell from the height of worldly riches to the depth of captivity. The prosperity we long for is captivating; it can both entice us and enslave us if our motives are not in line with God’s desires.

1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…

The abduction shows so clearly that separation from Abram meant forfeiting the divine protection provided by the favored patriarch. We must remain in Christ’s favor.

Gen 14:13-14 Abram was bold enough to take on this task because he had seen God’s divine protection before. We also see that Abram went to rescue LOT. What would we have done in the same situation? Abram could have just left Lot. He goes to rescue him! Why?? Abram was able to extend that kind of forgiveness because he had experienced that kind of forgiveness himself when God sovereignly rescued him and Sarai from Abimelech in Egypt. Remember the parable of the unforgiving servant? When we have difficulty forgiving, we may have lost sight of the CROSS.

Abram took 318 servants only but with God one is a majority against this ruthless and powerful army.

Gen 14:15-16 Hobar is north of Damascus; almost 200km? (One Way) to recapture! Were the 318 servants super soldiers? No way! God intervened! God did miracles!

Common pattern…God deliveres…self reliance…rebellion…captivity…cry out…God delivered….again and again.

Sometimes the way God works and they way we think HE SHOULD work are completely opposite. Is 55:8-9

When we surrender our destiny to Him, HE can work miracles and gets ALL the glory!

God wins the battle because the battle belongs to the Lord. Eph 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace…lest anyone should boast…God despises boasting in our own abilities!

The church is full of life when Christ, and not man is in charge. Let’s surrender ourselves through the 10 days of fasting and prayer and see God move in our nation and in the church.

Sunday Re Cap (23rd Oct 2011)

2011-10-27T14:23:00.000+08:00

Life Of Abraham-Give Us an Undivided Heart

How do bring ourselves to having an undivided heart before God in every situation?

Gen 13:1-4

It is not only how a man responds in times of adversity (Gen 12) but also in times of prosperity (Gen 13) that reveals his true heart.

How do we develop an undivided heart?

1. Abram REPENTED & RETURNED to the place where he WORSHIPPED and HEARD God’s voice.

We need to understand the difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation drives us away FROM God but conviction draws us TO God.

Ps 103:8-13

Abram got back up and fell on his knees. Worship always gives us a fresh start.

Gen 13:5-13

2. The way we handle wealth (SUCCESS) reveals the nature of our heart. It will determine our testimony and destiny.

Lot fell for the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life. 1 John 2:15-17

What happens to Abram? Did he lose out? Let’s read on in Gen 13:14-16. Abram’s life was now in a life of obedience and surrender… It was gracious of Abram to give Lot the freedom to choose where he wanted to take his family and possessions; but even that was going to be Abram’s.

Gen 13:17-18

3. God tells Abram to Arise, Walk… But HOW???

What does the land represent? It is God’s Promised Land to Abram; but to us it is the promises of God in Christ Jesus. We need to hold on to the word of God. This is the most precious key to having an undivided heart!

For us the Promised Land is the Word of God. ONLY the WORD can give us STRENGTH to ARISE & WALK!

Sunday Re Cap (9th Oct 2011)

2011-10-12T00:50:00.000+08:00

Abraham-THE CALL & THE BLESSING

Gen 12:1 The Call of Abraham; Gen 12:2-3 The Blessings/Promises to Abraham

Matt 28:18-20a (THE CALL); Mt 28:20b (THE BLESSING) is Christ’s calling upon Christians.

So is the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:1-3) A PROMISE OF BLESSING or is it a CALL OF GOD?

This is found in WORLD MISSION. An Analysis of the World Christian Movement, published by the William Carey Library when it mentions these verses:

This biblical text is one of the foundation stone of the Christian missions.

“The church of God is a multinational missionary community, under orders to evangelize until Christ returns” John Stott

The purpose of today’s message is to bring greater clarity to what was THE CALL and what is THE BLESSING in the LIFE of ABRAHAM. Only then can we see how it PROPERLY relates to us:

1. Why study THE CALL of Abraham?

As we look at his life, we get a better picture of our call in Christ. Our call in Mt 28:18-20 is the full expression of Abraham’s call Gen 12:1-3.

2. Clearly define THE BLESSING.

He gives us ALL the BLESSINGS we need to fulfill HIS PURPOSE, not ours! It is the supernatural enablement, timing, resources, gifts of the Holy Spirit, talents, finances, contacts.

3. Understand that we are LIVING for the CALL and not for The BLESSING.

What is the difference between a pilgrim and a drifter? A pilgrim lives for THE CALL of GOD. In the process he is BLESSED with everything he needs to fulfill that CALL…and MORE! A “Christian” drifter lives for the BLESSINGS. In the process he loses HIS BLESSINGS and everything else.

Conclusion

What are we living for today; THE CALL or THE BLESSING?

Sunday Re Cap (18th Sept 2011)

2011-09-23T11:45:00.000+08:00

Abraham-Not of this world

Gen 12:1-9

As we look at the life of Abraham, we are going to see his heart and his attitude towards God.

1. Abraham chose to Obey God. The first thing we notice is that Abraham had a choice and he chose to obey this call.

• Matt 10:37-39

2. Abraham had a promise Gen12:2-3. Five times bless...God will do it. Not within us. Every good gift from Abraham..Imagine Abraham sharing with Sarah about living in tents... will have children...promise to make them a great nation.

3. Abraham would be a blessing. “You will be a blessing”. How? The blessing... to make your name great.

• Abraham I will take away your name and give you a far better name… Jesus

• God takes away our identity to give us a far better identity.

4. Bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you….

• Melchizedek & Abimelech blessed Abraham and they were blessed, Hagar cut off because she despised her mistress Sarah, the Canaanites who persecuted and troubled the Jews are gone. Greeks who overran Palestine and desecrated the Temple were overrun by the Roman Empire; …..God blesses those who bless Israel.

• Ps 122:6:9 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

• Through Abraham, all families of the earth blessed. Nations, people groups…are blessed with JESUS! What a promise!

5. Abraham was not PERFECT. We do not need to be perfect to be heroes…it is not because of our gifting, talents, attributes, it is simply God’s call…we are the called. Now, we need to make the choice to obey the call wholeheartedly.

6. Abraham Preached. Peopled acquired-slaves or souls? Although Abraham was still in his journey, not seen any fulfillment of God’s promise, Abraham preached! V6.

7. Abraham Worshipped.

• His heart of worship even though not seen the promise. More to this life.

• Bethel (House of God) before me, Ai (the dump/world) behind me…where I am, I will continue to worship…Abraham established an altar…

Like Abraham, we are not of this world. What does the life of a pilgrim look like?

A life faith demands that we are not of this world, this is not my home, a pilgrim, declare the praises. A sojourner, a pilgrim.

Col 3:1-4; Rom6; Matt 6 19; 1jn 2:15-17 The pursuit of things creates emptiness.

We are pilgrims not drifters...we have a goal-to be with the King..build tents, preach, worship! Build tents but don’t expect to take it with us.

Sunday Re Cap (4th Sept 2011)

2011-09-09T22:41:00.000+08:00

A Modern Day “Hall of Faith” by Don Boots

Text: Hebrews Chapter 11

In verse 32, it talks about some very interesting people of faith.

Gideon – Judges 6: 11 – 13
Barak – Judges 4: 6 -8
Jephtah – Exodus 20: 13
Samson – Judges 16
We see these people as flawed but God sees them as people of faith.
We look at the outward appearance but God looks at the hearts.

1 Samuel 16: 7

What will the Books of History write about us?

If Hebrews Chapter 11 was being written today, what would this faith chapter say about us?

V4. Abel brought an offering
V5. Enoch walked with God
V7. Noah built an ark
V8. Abraham was called ‘God’s friend’
V31. Rahab – the prostitute – believed God’s promises for over 40 years

Daniel 3: 17 & 18

“My God is able to deliver me from you”

“But even if He doesn’t, I won’t serve your false gods!’

Do we have this kind of Faith in God today.

Do we trust Him?

Do we trust Him to make the final decision about our future?

Do we really trust that He has our best interests at heart?

Hebrews 11: 38 – 40 (The Message)

Let us then be an example that others would like to follow.

Let us put our trust in the King and the Kingdom of God today.

Let us trust God with our whole lives.

Sunday Re Cap (7th Aug 2011)

2011-08-12T11:00:00.000+08:00

We Are Favored

It's hard to say that when some of us face sicknesses, challenges in our families, trials in our homes, working places or even mounting debts? The last thing we feel like is that WE ARE FAVORED. It’s important that in this day and season, we focus on God and what He has said in HIS Word.

Just as God called Abraham out from his own land, family and people, God has called us out as a people from our old life, comfort zones and in the bigger picture he is still calling us out to step out and walk by faith. Walking by faith involves stepping out.

Gen 12:1 -3 The Abrahamic Covenant outlines God’s redemptive purposes for the world through God’s people; “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Gen 12:3b

What RIGHT do we have to this COVENANT?

Gal 3:6-9 ⁹ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

1. God told Abraham wherever you go, I will make you into a great nation. Today, wherever you and I go, God wants to establish a great nation, HIS KINGDOM, Through US! How?

2. By blessing us…what is THE BLESSING? It’s not just favor, influence or prosperity which Abraham had…we have a blessing that is far greater than anything that Abraham had; we have JESUS who is THE BLESSING. Abraham experienced BLESSINGS but we have THE BLESSER! Today THE BLESSING is not just material things or health or influence; We are THE BLESSING of GOD to the dying world around us. This means that irrespective of the circumstances we find ourselves in, we are still God’s BLESSING to the world in CHRIST JESUS simply because we are BLESSED by THE BLESSER to be a BLESSING!

3. Why isn’t it happening? We are ignorant, don’t believe, think we are too small, don’t care. God is waiting. WHO WAS ABRAM?? A shepherd in the desert! Some of us want the blessing and don’t get it because we want it for ourselves… let’s be honest…James 4:1-6

4. I WILL…NOT you will…He wants to expand our spheres of influence…and make us a BLESSING…some are tapping into it but get overwhelmed and forget why they are blessed.

5. Whoever curses, we need not curse! He will curse…what are we to do? To bless…NOT CURSE! ALL will be blessed through us! Matt 5:44-48

6. What do we need to do? It’s all GOD! Abraham believed God and it was accounted to Him as righteousness…accounting was not based on Abraham’s reputation, talent, wealth, good deeds; but simply based on obedience!

It is so important that we recognize God’s favor over our lives in these challenging days. The only way we can make an impact is by constantly being aware of God’s presence and promises through Christ.. Christ is the link between the Abrahamic Covenant and us. To ABIDE in HIM is TO ABIDE in THE BLESSING!

Rev. Samuel Hari @ GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (3rd July 2011)

2011-07-07T22:52:00.000+08:00

The Insignificant Significant

Text: 2 Kgs 5:1-27

Today’s message shows how God can use the insignificant to do significant things for His purposes.

1. The Israelite Slave Girl (2Kgs 5:1-3)

The Hebrew term suggests a girl below 12 years of age. The contrasting situation of the helpless young slave girl and the famous battle hardened general is difficult to ignore.

We learn some very powerful lessons through this unknown slave girl.

i. She Kept Her Focus On God.

She could have easily been discouraged and bitter but she chose to maintain her focus on God. If we focus on ourselves then our response will be our own strength, our failure, weakness. We will end up having a victim mentality. If we focus on God and His power working through our lives, then whatever happens, we have a victorious mentality.

ii. She Chose To Do The Right Thing.

She had every reason for resentment towards her captors or even God for her circumstances but we see her doing the exact opposite.

iii. She Became A Powerful Influence For God.

What happens when we keep our focus on God?

It was not by chance that she was placed in the home of a powerful official. She was put in a place where she could be an influence where no one else could. She responded well. Read 2 Kgs 5:3-6

In today’s context, this account is a great encouragement to Christians. Although we may sometimes be in an unpleasant situation, God is able to use us in our situation to point others to Christ.

samhari@yahoo.com

Sunday Re Cap (19th June 2011)

2011-06-20T20:12:00.000+08:00

The Call of a Father

Eph 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” NIV

Ephesians disclose the awesome blessings of grace and the awesome dimensions of spiritual authority over evil (“according to the power that works in us” (3:20)). But this is after the believer accepts the discipline of unity (4:1-16), purity (4:17-31), forgiveness (4:32), and walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit (5:1-21). With this, every relationship at every point must be in order (5:22-6:9), the idea being that true spiritual power flows from true obedience to divine order in relationships and personal conduct.

1 Avoid Exasperation (“do not exasperate your children”)
The first duty is negative we are told to “not exasperate our children.” This is a caution or warning designed to put us on guard against stirring up anger in our kids either purposely or unknowingly.

Some common ways that fathers can exasperate their children:
1. Overprotection.
2. Overindulgence.
3. Favoritism.
4. Unrealistic Goals.
5. Discouragement.
6. Neglect.
7. Excessive Discipline.

2  Provide Nurture (“bring them up”)
The NIV translates this verb as “bring them up”. This is the same phrase that is used in 5:29 referring to the husband’s role of “feeding and caring” for his wife.

3 Provide Discipline (“training”)
It’s important to understand the difference between discipline and punishment. The purpose of punishment is to inflict penalty and focuses on the past. The purpose of discipline is to promote growth by looking to the future.

4 Provide Instruction (“instruction”)
Our goal is not merely to get our kids to outwardly conform to a list of rules. Our mandate is to develop children who seek to glorify God with their lives. It is not enough to teach them to do good things; our job is to teach our children how to develop a lifestyle of kingdom servanthood.

Fathers, you don’t have to make all these changes on your own. In Malachi 4:6, the prophet looks ahead to the ministry of John the Baptist and writes this: “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

Let us be encouraged in knowing that:

1. There are no perfect fathers, except our Heavenly Father.
2. We can all be better fathers if we will work at it.
3. We do not father alone. That’s why we need to pray daily for our families.

Samuel Hari (GROW BM)

Sunday Re Cap (22nd May 2011)

2011-05-27T11:23:00.001+08:00

What is Your Sign?
Reasons for Obedience (Phil 1:28b-30).

Text: Phil 1:28b-30
This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Introduction:
The Christian life can be described as Spiritual Warfare. It will come to us one way or another.The warfare can sometimes get so intense that we can become discouraged and feel like giving up. Last week we heard HOW we should conduct our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel. This week we are going to look at Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians Christians as to WHY they are to live as citizens of heaven.

Testimony of Steadfastness (v28b).
a.   Christians to stand firm in one spirit, contend as one man for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way because this would a testimony of their courage (“a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”).
The courage of Christians is a sign. Just like the courage of an army is a sign to their enemies that they are up against formidable opposition. Illustration: Ex 15:13-15; Josh 2:9-11; 5:1; are some examples. We may think that we are the only Christians in our families, workplace, schools but if we stand firm, our courage becomes a sign to our families, colleagues and classmates that God is with us and that they need the Lord. This is more powerful than eloquent preaching!

b.   Christians to stand firm in one spirit, contend as one man for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way because of the grace that they have received (“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,”).

Suffering is a gift of God as much as the act of believing in Christ.

A direct translation of Phil 1:29 from the original text implies the meaning “you have (graciously) been granted the privilege of suffering for Christ”

Their suffering was no accident, nor is it a mark of divine punishment as though God were angry with them. On the contrary it is a sign of His favor; it comes as a gift of His grace. To suffer on behalf of Christ which can mean the same as “for the faith of the gospel” is actually a privilege given by God. Christ Himself is identified through the affliction of His followers.

c.   Christians to stand firm in one spirit, contend as one man for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way because it is their duty as soldiers of the cross (“since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”)

To stand firm in one spirit and to contend as one man has the connotation of soldiers at their battle stations. Likewise the duty of the soldiers of the cross is to have the privilege to courageously fight for the gospel to spread.

Conclusion
Whatever happens, Christians should conduct themselves as loyal and patriotic citizens of God’s Kingdom because this would testify to their opponents of their impending destruction and that God is saving the Christians; God has graced them with suffering along with salvation, as faithful soldiers of the cross.

Sunday Recap (27th Feb 2011)

2011-03-02T23:07:00.000+08:00

Faith Talks

Pro 18:20-21 ..Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Words of FAITH bring LIFE and words of unbelief bring forth death. Find out how to fill up on God's Word and start saying things that truly make a difference.

Where does it word of faith begin? The heart or the mouth?

Pro 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

However, a few verses before:

Pro 4:20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

Luk 6:45: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The good treasure or bad treasure comes from the source where we heard it from.

Luk 6:47 "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like:

Rom 10:8-10
Faith starts with the mouth. God’s mouth! The Word of God tells us what is in God’s mouth. Our confession must begin with God and His word in our ears. His word in our mouth.

The devil is out to steal our faith. How? By talking yourself out of your healing, or your prosperity or whatever else you have been trusting God to give you.

Words are crucial and the devil knows it. Words of faith are your connection with the supernatural power of God. Words of unbelief cut off your source of power.

Mark 11:23
Jesus connected speaking with believing. Faith and words. They are inseparable. Faith is a supernatural force from heaven that flows into your heart, comes out of your mouth through your words and changes this natural world.

Real faith always shows up in two places: in the heart and in the mouth. Faith talks! That is one of its distinguishing characteristics. The apostle Paul put it this way, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;...” (2 Corinthians 4:13).

It is only when faith comes out of your mouth that it begins to change things in the natural world.

Sunday Re Cap (2nd Jan 2010)

2011-01-07T14:32:00.001+08:00

Jump Into The Field Of Faith

Introduction
Jesus has never rebuked his disciples for having too much faith; "O you of too much faith!". NEVER! What was His rebuke?

Matthew 8:26
But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 14:31 NKJ; Matthew 16:8 NKJ
However, Jesus marveled at GREAT FAITH!

Matthew 8:10 NKJ
When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! Matthew 9:2 NKJ; Matthew 9:22 NKJ

Matthew 9:29 NKJ
Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

All this verses brings us to one conclusion. Faith has no limits. Why? Because Our Father has no limits! It can accomplish anything and overcome every obstacle we face in this natural world. All we have to do is walk in it by speaking and believing God's Word. Discover how to plant scripture in your heart and release your faith...and get ready to reap an abundant crop of God's promises.

"Lord, increase our faith!"

That was the cry of Jesus' first 12 disciples…and it's been the heart cry of untold millions of believers ever since. And why shouldn't it be?

Again and again in the New Testament we see people receive miracles from God…according to their faith. We hear Jesus say, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed…nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20). We read the words of the apostle John who wrote, "…this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4).

The Bible makes it absolutely clear: Faith can overcome anything in this world order. There is literally no limit to what faith can do.

Why then aren't more Christians enjoying the limitless blessings that faith can produce in their lives? Primarily because we've limited ourselves to this natural realm. We've spent most of our time looking at the things we can see with our physical eyes, and believing what our natural senses tell us. We haven't cultivated the vast field of faith that's available to us.

You might say, we've fenced ourselves in by unbelief.

It's time for us to jump the fence of unbelief into the limitless field of Faith in God! In the few weeks that follow, we are going to learn how to plant the word of God deep inside our hearts and release our faith; Get ready to see God move in every area of our lives!

Ps Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (31st Oct 2010)

2010-11-02T11:30:00.005+08:00

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)

2010-10-21T10:40:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-10-05T08:43:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-10-01T10:14:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-09-08T12:15:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-09-02T05:52:00.000+08:00

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)

2010-08-27T13:23:00.001+08:00

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

2010-08-03T09:19:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-06-25T09:12:00.000+08:00

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

2010-06-18T11:58:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-06-18T11:37:00.002+08:00

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)

2010-06-04T10:03:00.004+08:00

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

2010-06-01T09:07:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-05-13T09:22:00.001+08:00

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

2010-05-04T13:24:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-04-30T09:51:00.001+08:00

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

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.
Decide not to live in condemnation. Live believing that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
Most importantly, cultivate a daily loving relationship with Jesus every day. Remember His finished work.

Samuel Hari

Sunday Re Cap (18th April 2010)

2010-04-20T12:04:00.001+08:00

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

Sufficiency of ourselves- of ourselves we are incompetent. Ex 19:8, Ex 24:3,7
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

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)

2010-04-15T19:28:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-04-06T09:43:00.001+08:00

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.

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.

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.

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

2010-03-01T09:13:00.001+08:00

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

2010-02-22T11:28:00.006+08:00

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)

2010-02-19T09:23:00.001+08:00

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

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).
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.
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)

2010-02-08T14:57:00.001+08:00

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

2010-01-25T09:29:00.002+08:00

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

2010-01-18T19:37:00.004+08:00

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)

2010-01-15T15:26:00.001+08:00

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)

2010-01-07T03:04:00.001+08:00

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:

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!
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.
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

Sunday Re-Cap 27 December , 2009

2009-12-30T21:47:00.002+08:00

God’s Presence our Daily Bread
by Ps. Abel Phillips

Luke 2:10–11
10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord

Jesus is the mighty Savior. He came to save His people. He came to save you and me. So even if you are in a cold, dark period of your life, don’t be afraid — the Savior has come and He will save you to the uttermost!

Presents Or Presence?
In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. —Psalm 16:11
“It is not God’s promises we need, it is [God] Himself.” Presents may make us happy for a time; earthly gifts from God may make us happy temporarily, but fullness of joy comes only when we remain in a right relationship with God.

We experience God’s daily presence by abiding in the Word of God, abiding in the anointed Holy Spirit and in His Son, Jesus Christ) – 1 John 2:24-29 Word of God – (Written word reveals the Living word- Jesus)

It is no wonder that Proverbs 4:22 tells us that God’s words are “life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh”. So if you are under the weather or if symptoms are attacking your body, double up on God’s medicine. Simply feed more on God’s Word, and you will find life and health flowing through your body again.

1 John 2:28-29 - And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

Abiding in Christ means that a person continues in the Word of Christ and knows the truth, that a person lets the Word of God abide in his life, that a person experiences the indwelling presence and witness of the Spirit, and that a person has power to live like he should. Abiding in Christ means that a person dwells in love and in unity and fellowship with all other believers, and it means that a person bears fruit and lives a very fruitful life. Abiding in Christ means that a person loves others, that he lives and walks in love toward others.

- God’s presence with us is one of His greatest presents /gifts to us. Matthew 1:23 “… and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
God has promised you His constant presence (Hebrews 13:5- “I will never leave you nor forsake you. When we are conscious of His presence every day, we will experience a peace that gives us rest, joy inexpressible in our spirit and a power that nothing in this world can offer. In fact, we will begin to be peaceful and powerful like Jesus. we will speak and behave like Him. This is because we cannot be in God’s presence without His beauty, love, peace, power and glory rubbing off on you.

So, we can enter this New Year with a sense of God’s presence if we look to Him in each of these directions. He is there to help us through every trial, temptation and task no matter what it is. He is all-sufficient for us for the coming year. So let each of us resolve to “run with patience the race that is set before us,” looking to Jesus to find the way. He’s there to meet us each and every step of the way.

Sunday Re Cap (13th Dec 2009)

2009-12-15T13:31:00.001+08:00

Health and Wholeness Through the Holy Communion (Part II)

What is the basis of Christ as our Passover Lamb? Is 53:7; 1 Cor 5:7-8; Jn 1:29; 1 Pet 1:18-25, John 19:32 & Exodus 12:46 (No bone broken).

Exodus Chap 12:

V8- Why the roasted lamb? Fire speaks of the wrath of God; and this was the picture of God's fire of wrath upon Jesus on the cross. Rom 5:9; 1 Thess 5:9.

V9-why not raw? Eating the roasted lamb signifies feeding on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Not half baked or half cooked gospel. Half of our own efforts and half Jesus' finished work on the cross. Accepting that the full fury of God's judgment went upon Jesus. That is the only way to partake the HC.

V10-sorrow for only the night but joy comes in the morning! Psa 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. God's anger burned for a moment in time upon Jesus so that we can enjoy His favour for life! Here we are, thinking God is still angry for every sin against us. The HC is to remember that HIS FAVOUR IS FOR LIFE! Is 54:7-8, Ps 103:8-9. That moment has come and gone through the cross! God is no longer angry or will He ever be angry with us. Rom 5:8-9; 1 Thess 1:10. To say that God is angry with us is to say that the cross was insufficient!

If God had exercised and exhausted His fury and wrath upon Jesus on the cross; then what about Ananias & Sapphira? Acts 5:1-14.

The writer of Acts who was Luke was a very detailed man (physician). He uses certain terms to describe a believer or an unbeliever. Ananias was described as "a certain man" in Acts 5:1.

Certain man usually used for non believers in Acts. Acts 3:2, 5:1, 8:9, 9:33, 14:8, 19:24; Except Acts 18:7 and 25:14. In these cases, Justus was given a description (as one who worshipped God and the status of Paul was not Dr.Luke's words but the words of another non-believer.
Certain disciple usually used for Christians. Acts 9:10, 9:36, 16:1
This situation is not a norm in the New Testament church but a single event. A whole doctrine of judgment cannot be based on a single event.
God may have used this event to establish apostolic authority in the early church.
As Ananias and his wife were non believers, this outcome serves to remind the church that the Holy Spirit will avenge anyone in the church who was being taken advantage of.

Continued next week…

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (6th Dec 2009)

2009-12-07T23:09:00.001+08:00

Receiving Forgiveness of Sins Enables Us to Receive Our Father's Love

Rom 8:38

³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2Ti 2:13
¹³ If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

"God does not need our love; in order to love us". We are not the initiators of that love but God is! He first loved us! Even when we don't feel like loving God; we can be assured that He loves us. His love is constant.

Do you and I need to love God? Same answer as, "Does God need our money"? He owns the cattle over a thousand hills. God IS LOVE! There is no shortage of LOVE in heaven. The Bible says God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son who is a manifestation of love. God IS LOVE No shortage of love in heaven! Our need is not to love God but to FIRST receive His unconditional LOVE.

1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

The key to receiving God's love is by receiving forgiveness of sins through the finished work of Jesus on the cross!

The purpose of the Cross was love. God the Father Himself initiated the cross. HE DID! He put to rest the matter of love through the cross and said He would love us forever because of what Jesus had done on the cross. We don't need to do anything to earn that love.

Up to the cross, God's love for His people was subject to their obedience and how they failed and again and again! However, after the cross, God's love for His people was based on Christ ultimate sacrifice and obedience on the cross! It's not your obedience that saved you or will ever save you; it's Christ obedience!

Does that want us to go out and sin? NO! Let's see what Jesus had to say about that. How many will believe if Jesus said something?

Luk 7:40-43 These verses clearly show that when we are forgiven, we do not go out and sin more BUT we LOVE more!

Then someone might say what about the unforgiving servant? Let's read what happened to him when he received forgiveness and then went out and used that as a license to sin against his brother? Matt 18:23-35

Mat 18:34-35 He remain tortured as he received GRACE for himself but applied the LAW on others. Always remember as recipients of GRACE, we show that same GRACE to others as well.

What is the purpose of God forgiving us? Love! We don't need to love Him but when we come back to the realization of His forgiveness of sins, we cannot but LOVE! The issue is not how much we love God because that will change with circumstances; but the real issue here is receiving the forgiveness of sins!

1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

When we feel unloved, a failure, do you feel like going around saying "I love you" or "I love God" to anyone? Honestly? We feel dry, discouraged. Then when we turn and look at the cross and God's great love for us, what happens? We are overwhelmed and now, we can love again!

When we are touched by that LOVE, we give, we love naturally. Don't try to love God. Allow Him to love you and watch your own response!

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re-Cap 22 November 2009

2009-11-24T11:29:00.004+08:00

Confidence in the Last Days (1 John 2:18-29)
by Ps. Abel Phillips

We believe that, according to Scripture, we are living in the last days.
The Bible says that perilous times are coming, and we need to be prepared.
We need to be ready because of:
i. The intercession factor – we need to be praying for people.
ii. The soul-winning factor – we need to be telling folks about Jesus Christ.
iii. The family preparation factor – as parents and grandparents, we need to be teaching and training our children in the ways and truth of God.
iv. The comfort factor – when we know what the Bible says about coming events, then we don’t have to worry; we understand that Jesus is coming again.

I) THE TIME IS THE LAST DAYS – BE AWAKE (1 John 2:18)
- Be prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ. After the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus, we entered into a period of time called the last time.
- The rapture of the church is imminent; we’re not waiting for the fulfillment of a sign or prophecy. The rapture may occur at any moment.
- We are to be expecting the coming of the Lord Jesus at any moment: Thessalonians 1:10 ; Philippians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Hebrews 9:28 & Titus 2:13
- We are not to look for a sign; we’re to be looking for our Lord Jesus.

II) THE TYRANNT IS THE COMING ANTICHRIST – BE AWARE (1 John 2:18-26)
A. The antichrist has many aliases, including the son of perdition, the man of sin, the wicked one, the man of lawlessness, and the beast, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 & Revelation 13:1.
The prefix “anti” has two meanings: “against” and “instead of”. The antichrist will come against Christ by substituting himself for Christ (instead of Christ).

B. Attributes of the antichrist:
1. Devilish - 2 Thessalonians 2:4
2. Divisive –
1 John 2:19 – speaks of other antichrists that have entered the world, many of whom were once a part of the church. This Scripture says that “they were not all of us,” meaning that they were never saved.
1 Timothy 4:1
3. Deceptive
His primary objective is to deceive men about who Jesus is.
1 John 2:20-23; 1 John 2:26; 1 John 4:1-3 & 2 John 7-11
4. Destructive
His objective in deceiving men about Jesus has an ultimate goal of condemning the souls of men.
1 John 2:24-25

III) THE TRUIMPH IS THAT JESUS IS COMING – BE ABIDING (1 John 2:24-29)
We need to abide in the Word of God.
-1 John 2:24
We need to abide in the Spirit of God.
- 1 John 2:20;1 John 2:27;Ephesians 4:11-12;2 Timothy 2:15;John 14:26
We need to abide in the Son of God.
- 1 John 2:28-29

So be abiding that when He appears you will have the confidence and will not be ashamed or alarmed before Him at His coming.

Sunday Re Cap (15th Nov 2009)

2009-11-19T14:28:00.001+08:00

Forgiveness

Text: 1 Cor 1-10; James 1:2-4

Quote: Bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to drop dead.

It's a matter of ATTITUDE!

Daniel 12:10 "Those who are wise will understand".

Rev 22:11 "and those right with God keep on being right with God".

Holy- AWESOME, BEYOND BELIEF.

Salvation- PRESERVATION FROM DESTRUCTION.

1 Cor 13:13 Above all, LOVE!

Rom 5:1-5 Never give up/live with great expectation.

Paul says-In the future we will BECOME, until then, we OVERCOME! GROW!

James 1:2-4

Time for CHANGE; Time to POSTURE ourselves.

How?

Establish the right atmosphere. Mark 6:3,5,6 "Is that the carpenter?"-They took offense.
1. At the cross Jesus took ACTION; NOT OFFENSE.
2. Jesus saw the BIGGER picture.
3. Taking OFFENSE leads to BITTERNESS.
4. Holding on to OFFENSES impedes life's posture for action. Blocks the atmosphere for the INCREDIBLE.
5. Jesus gave up the RIGHT to be RIGHT at the CROSS.
Posture for the EXTRAORDINARY. Dan 10:12.
1. "I have come because of your WORDS". Why 21 days? Needed to overcome spiritual challenges.
SERVE only God's Purposes.
1. Extraordinary comes with much prayer.
2. Greatest ministry in the waiting period.
3. Take positive action; NOT OFFENSE!
4. Let LOVE flow through us.

Re Connect

Faith to LIVE.

Hope for the LIVING.

Love for the LOST

Grace to our LIVES.

Peace to all.

James 2:14

Are we Citizens or Sojourners? Are we Potted or Planted? Are we Ambassadors or Terrorists?

Angelina Boots

Sunday Re Cap (8th Nov 2009)

2009-11-09T12:38:00.001+08:00

Holy Communion (Part I)

The Holy Communion was instituted for the purpose of wholeness and healing. This will be a study that will help God's people to understand the full significance of the HC. To start our study, we need to go back to the Old Testament where it all began. To understand HC we need to fully appreciate the Passover.

Ex 12:1-13; 22-24 The Passover instituted.

V2-The Beginning of months-New Beginnings (The Passover signifies a new year).

V3-a lamb for himself and for his household-the lamb is not just for you but Jesus is for the whole household. When God sent Jesus, he did not only see you but your household. Your household is blessed because of you.

V4-Household too small! The Lamb is not too small. God's provision always exceeds our needs! Jesus is more than enough. God's blessings over our lives are meant to overflow to others. Not just kept for ourselves. JESUS IS MORE THAN ENOUGH. Twelve baskets full! Net breaking boat sinking load of fish. Wonderful to call for help when we are too BLESSED! How many would like to experience such a day? God is extravagant with His love! Don't be jealous with others. Don't be stingy as that doesn't reflect the heart of God.

V5-Lamb without blemish; first year, very sweet and adorable. Purposely not 2 or 3^rd year lamb. It represents Jesus, the one without blemish. "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!".

V6-14^th day, meaning lamb kept for 5 days to bond with the family. Also to see if in the midst of the household if it has any blemishes. To fully appreciate that a sinless animal died on their behalf. Jesus came and dwelt among us, became one of us. Jesus was examined for 5 days faults-John's baptism, paying tax,

V7-the cross! The blood applied outside. Judgment on the outside but mercy on the inside!

V13-The Lord sees the blood and not what's in the heart of the people; not their goodness, charity, contributions. People were also conscious of the blood and not their sins. Even if they were, God's protection was still upon their lives as God only sees the blood. However, they would not be able to enjoy the time while awaiting their deliverance because of they did not receive! The blood on the doors of the Israelites differentiated them from the Egyptians' homes. As we said the last 2 weeks, the Egyptians represent sin. What separates us from the Egyptians? Sin? It's the blood!

Even in the OT the Passover was a picture of God's mercy. Why then do God's people treat the Holy Communion as a place of judgment for their sins? Even in the original Passover God did not judge sin but provided the blood of a lamb without blemish. Who needs to be without blemish? The lamb or the one that is sacrificing the lamb?
To be continued…

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (1st November 2009)

2009-11-03T12:09:00.001+08:00

What REALLY Happened At Baptism/The Cross? Part III

There are 2 significant events in the life of a believer which we saw the parallel in Ex 12 and Ex 14.

The Passover (Exo 12:24-27) is a "type" of The Holy Communion (1Co 11:23-25)

Red Sea Crossing (Exo 14:26-30) is a "type" of The Baptism (Rom 6:6-7 & Rom 6:9-10)

Both events point the believer to the victory of Christ on the cross on behalf of us.

The Baptism is identification with the cross and the Holy Communion is a remembrance of the cross.
The differences between these 2 events are the identification only occurs once and remembrance is celebrated as often as we can in remembrance of Jesus.
Baptism is also most of all a powerful declaration of the end of the observance of the law and the beginning of the walk of grace. (Rom 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace).
Holy Communion is a continual reminder that we are under grace.

What is REPENTANCE?

Acts 2:37. 38.Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins ; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What is this Repentance that Peter was talking about? Not a repentance of sin; otherwise Peter would have said REPENT FROM SIN!

We get another clue about the true meaning of repentance from Peter's next statement "you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit". When did Jesus mention this and under what conditions? John 14:16;26 When Jesus returned to the Father having fulfilled all the requirements of the LAW on our behalf! The Holy Spirit could only be given IN FULL MEASURE when Jesus finished His work on the cross and having fully dealt with sin. The fact that we have the Holy Spirit is a proof that sin has been totally dealt with on the cross! The Father no longer sees us as sinners but fully redeemed by grace! We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. IT IS FINISHED!

So what REPENTANCE is Peter speaking about in Acts 2:38?

Heb 6:1-not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works,

In Acts 2, Peter was laying a foundation of repentance. What is that foundation? Not repentance of sin but repentance from dead works! Dead works speak about the LAW.

Heb 9:11-15 ¹¹ cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ¹⁵

We are NOT against repentance. However we need properly understand repentance. There is a difference between Old Covenant and New Covenant REPENTANCE. Repentance that unveils sin is of the LAW! NEW COVENANT repentance unveils CHRIST! The curtain of the law of our hearts is torn and we see Jesus and His finished works on the cross! Notice what Peter what doing right up to the point where they were cut to the heart. Acts 2:36 summarizes everything he was saying, he unveiled Christ to them! Their eyes were opened! Then Peter said "REPENT!" Open your eyes and see JESUS instead of the LAW (DEAD WORKS).

REPENTANCE is allowing the blood of Christ the continuously cleanse our conscience from DEAD WORKS to serve the living God. That is why Judas died (Matt 27:3-4) and Peter lived (JOHN 21:7 It is the LORD!). When it's a repentance that unveils sin, it leads to condemnation and death! When it's a repentance that unveils Christ, it leads to LIFE and LIFE more abundantly!

Let us go unto perfection (Heb 6:1) by not going back to "dead works" to serve the living GOD! This is Bible Repentance.

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (25th Oct 2009)

2009-10-28T16:48:00.001+08:00

What REALLY Happened At Baptism? Part II

What is really Baptism? To which act of Jesus is it pointing to? These verses themselves are so pregnant with so much of truth concerning Jesus. Baptism points to the CROSS!

Rom 6:1-11

The parallel for this scripture is found in Ex 12-14

Ex 12: The LORD instituted the Passover. The Passover is a shadow of the Holy Communion. Jesus on the same night that He was betrayed shared the Passover meal where He instituted the Holy Communion and spoke of the New Covenant. The Passover is celebrated by the Jewish people annually to this day. It is a continual reminder of the victory over Egypt. Ex 12:27. This is why we repeat the Holy Communion "as often as we partake of it".
However what happened after that? The Crossover. What happened at the Red Sea? Ex 14:13-31. They crossed over the Red Sea. How many times? Once. Why? Because Jesus went only once to the cross! Heb 10:12-14
As far as the children of Israel were concerned, they were no longer slaves to the Egyptians. The parallel is we are no longer slaves to SIN! Sin has lost its power over us. We are no longer slaves but we are sons The Baptism is a picture of Cross which is a picture of the Red Sea Crossing. We have crossed over!
Now will sin still be there? Yes. The children of Israel had the Amalakites, Jebusites, etc…but we are no longer slaves to them but we have mastery of them! They went back to The LORD and found direction, strength and triumphed over their enemies (sin). We go back to the Holy Communion! Sin is still there but we don't face sin as slaves but we overcome it as sons!
NOTE: Even in the NT Jesus celebrated the Passover before He went to the Cross (Over).

Let's read Rom 6:1-10 again. Do you see the parallel? Let's allow the Holy Spirit to unveil Christ! Let the truth set us FREE!

V3: What is baptism? It is a powerful picture of the cross shown to the world and the devil hates it! It reminds him of his failure and it is a reminder of our victory once and for all over sin. (v9-10).
V4: We were buried just as Christ was buried in a tomb. But the tomb could not hold him. A new life under the new covenant!
V5: Likeness of His death. Likeness of His resurrection. What does the baptism unveil of Christ? He is resurrected in a new body, glorious, healed, whole, complete! As He is so are we.
V6: Sin has no more body; virus needs a host to latch onto. However if there's no body, it cannot land! We are no longer sinners.
V7: God cannot punish sin again and again. When His Son took our place, it was as if we were there. And because Jesus paid the price in full, it is as if we have paid the price and punished. It is finished; God cannot punish it again! We are now FREE!
It is a reminder of the finished work of the cross. It does not need to be repeated. What is the significance of that? We don't need to repeat our sins again and again to God. It has been paid in full! That is why baptism is only once in a lifetime!
The more we bring ourselves under grace, Sin can no longer bully us into believing that we are under the law.
V11: Reckon yourself: The key to breaking the power of sin. Consider, (esteem, judge) yourself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus our LORD.

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (18th Oct 2009)

2009-10-21T13:05:00.001+08:00

What REALLY Happened At Baptism? Part 1

Text: Acts 2:38, Acts 8, Is 53-54

Definition of Baptism

The word baptism itself comes from the greek root word "Bapto" which means immerse, dip (Liddel and Scott Lexicon) as opposed to pour or sprinkle.

Thayer Definition:

1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge, to wash, to overwhelm

Act 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent
(not just from sin BUT change your mind about the law (righteousness through works), about rejecting Jesus as the way to salvation, the Son of God), and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8: 13: Simon (spiritual senses sensitized, he was amazed)

Acts 8:26-39

Philip preached beginning from that scripture (Is 53), Jesus (righteousness by faith, unveiling of Jesus).
Condition for Baptism; "if you believe with all your heart you may"
The water was a reminder from Is 54:9 (which is after Is 53) of God's covenant to Noah of peace and mercy upon a coming generation of people of the NEW COVENANT! We are that people. No wonder the eunuch wanted to get baptised so quickly!
They went INTO the water and came up OUT of the water.
The Eunuch went away rejoicing (a fresh consciousness of Jesus and righteousness by faith).

Where did Jesus die to sin? NOT AT BAPTISM. It was at the CROSS. That is why He gave us the baptism. It is a typology of the CROSS! Just like Holy Communion, it is not a new event every week but a reminder of one significant event that points to the FINISHED WORKS of JESUS on the CROSS!

It does not only mean death to our old life, it means death to the law, self consciousness, sin consciousness and its consequences; and alive to GRACE, Alive to Christ, Alive to RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Mat 3:15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he *permitted Him.

Gen 1:26: when God made man in His own image, He said, "Let US make man in our own image". Who is us? It's the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Notice that at the baptism, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit were present as a firstborn among many brethren. At baptism, man was restored to the original design; in the image of God! Clothed with glory and honour again, back at the 2^nd creation of man; man came back into a full cycle and relationship with God!

In Summary:

Is Baptism important? It was important to Jesus, to the early church and even to the devil. Matt 10:32
When do I get baptized? In general, when we have an awareness of our sinful condition, that we cannot overcome sin in our own strengths.
Is Baptism the guarantee of going to heaven? Am I a Christian only when I get water baptized? NO! It is the profession of faith that saves us. Rom 10 especially verses 9-10; John 5:24, 3:36
Do I need to get water baptized before I'm allowed to take Holy Communion? The Bible places no such restrictions. It is not in the heart of our heavenly Father to place restrictions on coming to Him. Everything He does, He does to remove barriers because His whole objective is to love us and to make himself known to us.
Do we need to get baptized often? It's up to our own personal convictions. Jesus never did it, neither did any of the disciples and unlike the Holy Communion, Jesus never used the phrase "do this often". Having said that, we can understand if anyone wants to get baptized again as it is such a beautiful sense of identification with our LORD JESUS. Declaring to the world, "I am a child of God".

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Lord, I Cannot, But You Can!

2009-10-07T11:20:00.001+08:00

Philippians 2:13
13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Have you ever tried to break a bad habit on your own? You probably found that when you tried to stop it by sheer willpower, you saw improvement for a while, and then bounced back to square one. Worse, you found yourself binging on the very thing that you were trying not to do. And your condition is worse than before you started your "I'm going to quit" program!

The changes were temporary because it was you doing it.

A church member who had been a chain-smoker used to believe that with willpower, he could quit smoking. He would tell himself, "If there is a will, there is a way!" But he discovered that with willpower, he could stop smoking for a week or two, and then he would succumb to the pull of nicotine again.

When he turned his life over to God and learnt about God's grace, he told God, "I realize that I cannot stop smoking. I cannot, but You can break my habit, Lord." And every time he lit up, he would say, "Lord, I am trying to stop smoking, but I cannot. I am trusting You." He would even say, "I am still righteous because of Jesus' blood."

Well, in the very same year, all his cravings to smoke vanished! When asked how he succeeded, he would say, "It is entirely God and none of me! It is all by His grace." This man lost all the desire to smoke. That is true transformation.

When you receive the grace of God to do for you what you cannot do, you will experience effortless and permanent change on the inside, which in turn changes your actions on the outside. The Bible tells us that God works in us to give us both the will and ability to perform what He desires. It is God who removes the old want to's and gives us new ones. And He even gives us the power to carry them out!

Beloved, look to His grace to do what you cannot do. Say, "Lord, I cannot, but You can!" Then, what you experience will not merely be behaviour modification, but true and lasting inward transformation!

Pastor Joseph Prince @ New Creation Church, Singapore

Sunday Re Cap (27th September 2009)

2009-10-01T11:50:00.009+08:00

The Year Of Great Favour

Is 60:1-4

Even though darkness is covering the earth and deep darkness the people, we are reminded to arise and shine for our light (Jesus) has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon us. We do not need to strive to shine; these verses declare that the Lord will arise upon us and His glory will be seen upon us. He WILL do it! There is no effort on our part that can increase that; we only need to receive. This speaks of God's great favour upon us as sons of the New Covenant. Only slaves need to strive for favour; sons simply receive!

What is this New Covenant? Was it spoken about in the Old Testament?

Heb 8:10-12 is actually quoting from Jer 31:33-34

The New Covenant was long prophesied in the Old Testament. The Old Testament is truth concealed and the New Testament is the truth revealed. The Old is the shadow and the New is the substance. So what is seen in the New Testament is nothing new but a revelation of what has already been foretold in the Old Testament.

How do we appropriate the New Covenant?

LET GO. Is 43:18-19

Let go of the former things and receive the new things. Let go of strive, self effort, worry, fear anxiety and receive God's rest and promises and provision for us.
Let go of the LAW mentality and receive the Grace mentality. The Law tries to make evil men good and fails miserably; but Grace makes dead men LIVE and succeeds wonderfully!

RECEIVE. 2 Cor 5:17

Receive the fact that we are no longer the old creation but a new creation.
Receive the atoning work of Christ on the cross and enjoy his blessings of healing, health, protection and provision.

PRACTICE. Ps103:1-5

Our Heavenly Father is eager to load us with benefits daily! As we receive, He is BLESSED!
Each time we take The Holy Communion, we are reminded that God has forgiven our sins and healed all our diseases through the atoning work of Christ on the cross. V3
We can then receive all the other benefits that are listed in V 4-5 which are:

Our life is redeemed from destruction. Jesus body was broken that ours might be made WHOLE.
We are crowned with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Jesus' was given the crown of thorns that we might have the crown of LIFE!
Our mouth is satisfied with good things. Jesus held back his words before the crucifixion that we could open it wide and receive "good things".
Our youth is renewed like the eagle's. Jesus' gave up His youth that we could have ours renewed.

LET GO, RECEIVE AND PRACTICE to enjoy the GREAT FAVOUR of GOD for 2009!

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (20th Sept 2009)

2009-09-23T11:01:00.002+08:00

Where Sin Abounded Grace Abounded Much More!

Where does Self consciousness and Sin consciousness originate from? For this we need to go to the very first book of the Bible.

Gen 2:9; 2:17; 3:6-11

In The Garden of Eden when Adam partook of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil instead of the tree of LIFE, Adam and Eve became conscious of their nakedness, conscious of their sins (they hid behind the bushes and behind fig leaves and eventually from GOD). The AGE OF SELF CONSCIOUSNESS BEGAN!

Rom 7:8 The LAW makes us conscious to SIN; but GRACE makes us conscious to the SON. We can only choose one; Law or Grace. Either Sin or Son Consciousness. One produces death and the other produces LIFE and LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY!

So what are we saying? Isn't the law holy? Isn't it good?

Rom 7:12 ¹² Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

The LAW is simply like a mirror. It's great! But can it clean us up?

Many well meaning Christians believe that God forgave our sins only up to the point of the cross. They recognize the quality of the sacrifice but somehow have doubts about the quantity of that grace that is available. This one of the most erroneous teaching in the body of Christ and it insults everything that Jesus has done and completed on the cross. It also robs God's people from receiving His blessings, healing and abundant life!

Let's look scripture to determine the quantity of GRACE. Rom 5:17 (the ABUNDANCE of GRACE).

Rom 5:20: ….where^G3757 sin^G266
abounded,^G4121 grace^G5485 did much more abound:^G5248

G4121-pleonazō-increase ; G5248-huperperisseuō-abound much more, exceeding.

What did God do? He did the unthinkable!

Rom 6:11-14 He REMOVED SIN out of the EQUATION! THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY MAN COULD COME BACK INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH A HOLY GOD. HOW?
Through the shedding of the perfect and sinless blood of His Son.

Jesus sacrifice on the cross was an overpayment for our sins. Jesus 'sacrifice was not just an act of grace, it was the very manifestation of GRACE! John 1:17

How can we respond to this truth?

If we don't hear about it, we remain under condemnation. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of Christ. Rom 10:17. The unveiling of the finished works of the cross. Luke 24:27
We can say "I don't believe it!".
We can remain doubtful and continues to find ways to justify ourself.
We can be overjoyed and grateful.
We are no longer conscious of our sin. Initially, we may be self conscious but then day by day our confidence grows. Has the debt been paid, yes! It doesn't matter how we feel, it's not there anymore! The TRUTH is the debt has been paid!

Jesus' gift of righteousness and the abundance of grace will cause us to reign in life! Rom 5:17.

It takes FAITH to believe that we have been made righteous by God. John 3:30: Self consciousness must decrease that Jesus may increase. 1 Jn 3:2 When there is a revelation of Jesus (instead of self); we shall be like Him! Let there be more and more revelation of Jesus in our worship, communion, preaching that we shall be like Him!

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (13th Sept 2009)

2009-09-18T10:50:00.001+08:00

Why does Jesus say "Do not worry?"

Because by default we always fall back to worry! When we worry we take control and God loses all control to bless us! We feel miserable but at least we are now in control! Remember, to worry is to respond and return to our flesh and works instead of resting in what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross.
Because we are choosing to trust in our own efforts, we are on shaky ground. Uncertain about God's blessings and provision.
It is an indication of pride. We no longer depend on His grace. James 4:6-7. It takes humility not to worry. 1 Pet 5:6-7
When we worry, we are saying God cannot be trusted. We have made Him unworthy.

The antidote to worry is PEACE!

Mat 11:28-30

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When He says "Come to Me…" He's saying come to the Prince of Peace.

Labour and Heavy Laden-worried to the point of being wearied. Why? Everyone is yoked to something. If we are yoked to something that is not synchronized with us then we get tired. Ex: Ballroom Dancing with the wrong partner makes us tired.

Maybe some of us are synchronized with the wrong partner? When we are synchronized, then there's less effort and more effectiveness. Jesus is the best partner! Perfectly synchronized. That's how Jesus intends for it to be. When we're yoked with him our yoke is easy and our burden is light! We're supposed to be dancing through life, work, family, business, and ministry! Are we yoked to the right partner? He takes the lead and we follow.

How is this connected to the Holy Communion? It comes back to BELIEVING the main clause of the New Covenant.

Every time we partake of the Holy Communion, we put ourselves back on solid ground. The New Covenant is not uncertain (based on our own efforts, works, performance) but it is on solid ground (based on Christ Character and goodness).
Jesus and Paul reminds us that "this is the blood of the New Covenant" in Matt 26:27,28 and Mark 14:24 and 1 Cor 11:25
1 Cor 11:28 "Let a man examine himself" is obviously not about confessing our sins because the 4^th clause of the New Covenant says "our sins and iniquities are remembered no more" Heb 8:12. It is examining our hearts to see if we remember that it is all about what Jesus has already done for us! "Do this often in remembrance of ME" and not YOU and your sins and weaknesses. Jesus remembers it no more; why should we?

We are encouraged to partake of it often! The more we partake of it, the more we are reminded that we are in the New Covenant and therefore solid ground instead of the shaky and uncertain ground of being worried. Our flesh easily goes back to works and performance. We partake of it to remember that Jesus has done it all! Now we can really say, "no worries!"

Sunday Recap (6th Sept 2009)

2009-09-10T12:25:00.001+08:00

How To Overcome Worry

Mat 6:30-34 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? (31) What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. (32) People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. (33) Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (34) "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (The Message Bible)

The wonderful thing about the Holy Spirit is that He not only instructs us "Not To Worry" but also tells us how to do it.

The Message Bible defines worrying as fussing. Best example, children of Israel in the wilderness. If we fuss it's a sign that we're in the wilderness. Fussing is an external manifestation of an internal issue-WORRY. A person who fusses constantly is one who has a stronghold of worry. V32 says people who fuss, don't know God and don't know how HE works.

Definition-Worry-Merimnao (Gk)

to be anxious about (YLT): - (be, have) care (-ful), take thought (KJV).
a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress and pressure. (Spirit Filled Life Bible).

This same word is used in the parable of the sower. However the word used there is cares. Mark 4: 18-19

So when we worry:

We don't reach our destination. The children of Israel were not able to reach the Promised Land and experience the land flowing with milk and honey.
We live in anxiety, stress and pressure. This also affects those around us.
It causes the seed of God's word to become unfruitful in our lives. It's no wonder that sometimes we can be in church and experience barrenness.

How Do We Overcome Worry?

There are 5 keys found in the same passage:

By resting in knowing that our Heavenly Father attends to us, takes pride in us and will do His best for us. (v30).
By letting go of our preoccupation with getting so that we can respond to His giving. (v31).
By knowing our Heavenly Father and how He works. (v32).
By giving attention to God reality, God provision and God initiative instead of our own. (v33).
By giving attention and celebrating
TODAY what our Heavenly Father is doing instead of waiting for the manifestation of His promises sometime in the future. Celebrate and Rejoice Now! (v34).

Remember, to worry is to respond and return to our flesh and works instead of resting in the accomplished work of Jesus on the cross. The key to overcoming worry and to live a burden free life is to focus and receive from our Heavenly Father through the atoning work of His Son.

Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (30th Aug 2009)

2009-09-03T17:43:00.001+08:00

Do Not Worry

Text: Mat 6:25-34

In this portion of scripture, Jesus himself gives us a very important principle to receiving ALL things.

If you notice, there is a recurring word or phrase that is used in the above portion of scripture. "DO NOT WORRY!"

When we worry, we cannot receive the unmerited favour of God. We are relying on our own strength and abilities.

What are the areas we are NOT TO WORRY so that we can receive GREAT FAVOUR? Picture it this way to see it better. There is a GOLDEN pipeline from heaven flowing into our lives with "ALL THINGS ADDED". However, every time we worry, we are squeezing that line and the blessings cannot flow.

The 1^st area: Our LIFE! This speaks about our health. We need to REST on the truth that God desires GOOD HEALTH for us. The key to receiving healing is DO NOT WORRY! Good health is part and parcel of God's covenant with us through the finished work of Jesus on the cross!

"Griefs" and "Sorrows" in Is 53:4 are interpreted as "Infirmities and "Diseases" in Matt 8:17.

Rom 10:9 that if^G1437 you confess^G3670 with your mouth^G4750 Jesus^G2424
as Lord^G2962, and believe^G4100 in your heart^G2588 that God^G2316 raised^G1453 Him from the dead^G3498, you will be saved^G4982;

sōzō G4982: to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

"So why am I not getting well?" Don't give up! Keep believing. We are not meditating and resting enough on God's promises; human nature!

2^nd area: Jesus not only tells us not to worry about our life but the QUALITY of our life. "LIFE more than FOOD and BODY more than clothing". He not only wants to bless you but the blessing comes from the inside out!

3^rd Area: area Jesus speaks about is WORK!

IF we want to have creativity, be productive in any job, it's important first of all not be stressed out. Stress confuses, clouds the mind. Stress kills, brings diseases. Jesus already knows that no one can perform to their full potential under stress. When we get rid of the stress and worry, then we perform even better!

4^th Area: Do not worry about "tomorrow". Give us this day our daily bread. Our future in is in God's hands. Instead dwell on the promise that God's plans are good plans to give us a future and a hope. No matter how difficult today may seem, He will cause ALL THINGS to work together for good for those who love God. What is our part to simply love God!

DO NOT WORRY and RECEIVE FAVOUR!

Ps Samuel Hari © GROW BM

Sunday Re-cap (16th August,2009)

2009-08-16T18:05:00.001+08:00

How to live prepared in these last Days
Ps. Abel Phillips

2 Tim 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come
Perilous – stressful times, there is more stress today than ever before on the human personality, Even though we are wealthier, having vast improved freedom in comparison to all of the world’s history. Even though we have all the advancement in technology, political realm, economy, medical advancement it doesn’t translate to the elimination of stress.
- Man will be loves of money, global economic system, or one world government –Anti-Christ.

If the Lord truly is coming in the clouds, how do we live prepared in these last days?
1. Don’t’ be deceived; know the truth
Mt 24:23-26; 2 Tim 3:1-5 (read)
Jesus says don’t be deceived by the false prophets & false Christ.
Jesus says in another passage –they will come declaring peace, peace...Don’t believe them.
The world and its system with human instruments & proposals can’t give the lasting peace; there is only one lasting peace that comes from the prince of peace.

John 14:27 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.

How we don’t be deceived - Jesus said simply know the truth & the truth will set you free.
The Truth is not a body of information but truth is a personality. The truth is Jesus-I am the way truth and life.
What will keep us from being deceived? Is to know the Real Christ because for all the others will be very difference in appearance and in ways.

2. Watch & Pray
Lk 21:36- 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Lord says “Watch and Pray” because by this we will wake up to the thing going around us and we will be prepared for the last days.

3. Patience
Jas 5:7 - 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
- Impatience will allow the enemy to take full advantage of us. So allow the fruit of the spirit to operate in us.

3 Little hopes we look forward when Jesus comes back:
1. Complete Transformation – no limitation & having the full righteousness like Jesus.
2. Complete and total Freedom – we are redeemed by Jesus.
4. Complete Authority - The reason Jesus is coming back is that he wants us to rule and reign
with Him. He wants us to have the full possession of His kingdom.

Sunday Re-Cap (09th August,2009)

2009-08-11T17:02:00.001+08:00

Trials That Transforms
By Richard Yeoh

A) Truths that hold is steady
1) There is a purpose: -
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-3

2) Trials are common to all
“No temptation/trial has seized you except what is common to man.” 1 Cor 10:13

3) Trials are bearable
“And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted/tested beyond what you can bear.”
1 Cor. 10:13

4) Trials work out God’s power and provision
“But when you are tempted/tested, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Cor. 10:13

B) Motives of Trials
1) To bring good out of bad
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

2) Testing of our faith
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Heb 11:6

3) Conform to the image of Christ
• “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His son.” Romans 8:29
• “..who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Phil 3:21

The Transformed Man
HUPOMONE : Persevering & Enduring
DOKIME : Matured & complete Christ-like Character
MAGIMAY (Tamil) : Bringing Glory to GOD

Sunday Re-Cap (2nd August,2009)

2009-08-04T11:01:00.002+08:00

Living a Life of Gratitude
By: Ps. Abel Phillips

Thanksgiving is memorizing what God has done and being thankful for that. (Ps.100).
List all the good things and count your blessings and name them one by one.

1) Reviewing our Past
Ps. 103:2&5 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
1 Sam 12:24 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
Ps. 30.4 4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name

2) Refocusing Our Present
Ps. 30:12 - 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Ps.69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Ps. 75:1 We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near
Ps. 92:1-2 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
Ps. 105:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!
1 Thess 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Heb 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

3) We restore our perspective - Expressing of Gratitude
Col 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it[a] with thanksgiving.
James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

4) Rehearing Our Praise
Ps 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Eph 5:19-20 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ps 107:8, 15&21 (same phrase repeated)
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

5) Renewing Our Passion
We should always strife by the grace of God with passion to express gratitude first of all to Him, and to all those whom God has blessed us with in our lives.

We give thanks to God, we give thanks to all the people but there is something that goes beyond just the words. It requires us to sacrifice. That’s why it says in Hebrew-“Sacrifice of praise, the sacrifice of our lips.”
So, let’s live a life of Gratitude!

Sunday Re Cap (26th July 2009)

2009-07-31T05:01:00.001+08:00

Do you know that ABBA knows your name?

Exo 33:12-14

We were saved for good works; good works cannot save us! Eph 2:8,9
Do not go back AGAIN to the yoke of slavery, bondage but meditate on your sonship! Rom 8:15, Gal 5:1
We need to cultivate a sense of "God knowing us by name!" We are not a face in the crowd. He knows us personally. Eph 1:4-5

Application

When we cultivate a sense of ABBA knowing us by name:

We have DIVINE FAVOUR (unmerited, unearned and undeserved) in His sight. Exo 33:12
1. God will bring the right people at the right time because we have His favour!
2. The only favour we are to seek is the favour of God and that we have when we KNOW that God knows us by name!
We will have DIVINE GUIDANCE. Exo 33:13
1. It is our Father's prerogative, His initiative to show us His ways.
2. It's the Father's initiative to teach and not the child's to learn! He will keep teaching us until we get it because we are His children! This is what the word chasten means in Heb 12:6
3. He will give us "his ways". Divine strategy. Joh 15:16
We will know Him. DIVINE KNOWLEDGE. Exo 33:13
1. Moses realises that as He rests on Divine Favour and submits to God's ways (Divine Guidance), He also learns of God (v13) (Divine Knowledge). Moses agenda of working, performing is to "that I may know you".
2. Many times, we have been told, "you got to know God more! MORE!" or "The reason you are not blessed is because you have not spent time knowing God and knowing His ways!" How much do we need to know God before we receive our INHERITANCE?
3. Through the process of continuously cultivating a sense that "God knows me by name"; we will know Him.
DIVINE PRESENCE: His presence will go with us.Exo 33:14.
1. We can be ASSURED of HIS PRESENCE when we know that HE KNOWS US BY NAME!
He will give us DIVINE REST. Exo 33:14
1. Many Christians are living in ignorance and cannot rest. Prov 29:18; Luk 10:20.

We need to have a revelation that HE KNOWS OUR NAME! GO AHEAD SAY IT; "HE KNOWS MY NAME" (3 Times).

Mat 11:28-30-Coming to Jesus is coming to His finished work of the cross. It's only there can we find rest.

Sunday Re Cap (19th July 2009)

2009-07-20T12:01:00.001+08:00

Stronger
by David Lai

Job 1:12 Power was given to Satan by words. Satan has no power of himself. We can hear ourselves when we talk and know if we have given the power to the adversary.
Satan does not know what we think except when we talk.
Do we really believe what we say? Is there a voice of defeat?
There are irritations around the world which will try to derail us back to Egypt. Like Jacob and his family during the time of famine. The economic situation, political climate around the world are irritations that may try to derail us.
However we need to understand that God will simply reposition us to engage with the marketplace, (our Egypt, place of irritation) to position ourselves for a greater stage!

1Sam 17:32- David said-let no one's heart fail. It is important not to allow our hearts to fail and to keep strong through our words! We are also not to be intimidated by the words of the Goliaths' around us. Our victory depends on staying strong with God's Word.

Job 1:4-5; Job 3:25-Job reinforced what he feared thorough his words. Therefore it manifested. Many times, we reinforce our fears instead of our faith through our words. Death and Life are in the power of our tongues (Pro 18:21)

1 Sam 17:33-37-memory of past defeats, failures-how do we break them?

David recalled his past victories through God and used it to strengthen himself through his words to Saul. He did not allow Saul's words of discouragement to affect him but instead recounted God's faithfulness boldly even though Saul was far more experienced and powerful positionally than him.
Through Imaginations-God took Abraham to see the stars.Gen 15:5. New imagination. A new mindset that is stronger than the past. Jeremiah made excuses based on his personal experience-God showed him a new imagination-almond tree. Jer 1:6-19

The Word of God is powerful. It has substance. Even our words describing something sour in our mouth can cause us to squirm. The Lemonade illustration. How much more the word of God!

1 Kgs 17:9-12 The widow was probably angry and offended with Elijah for being the cause of the draught hence her harsh words and selfishness which was substantiated. How many times do we justify our wrong words because of our circumstances?

However, Elijah's words brought a new imagination which changed the widow's circumstances. V14-15.

Heb 11.13-16-the children of Israel had the opportunity to return. Where? Firstly, in the mindset and then the natural manifestation!

Let's get STRONGER through God's Words! Satan has been driven out of the presence of God and can no longer accuse us.(Col 2:14-15). In his place is our King of kings, Jesus Christ, who is the High Priest of our confession.(Heb 3:1). God watches over His word to perform it (Jer 1:12) As we speak words that are according to Jesus' finished work on the cross, Jesus also confesses them and the Father brings about the manifestation. Speak words of healing, provision, protection, NOW! Begin to imagine BIG!

Sunday Re Cap (12th July 2009)

2009-07-15T11:43:00.001+08:00

Where is Your Security?

By Dr. T. Moses

Text: Matt 14:22-31

1) "JESUS IS ALWAYS WATCHING US."
They were sailing upon the Sea of Galilee, just the 12 of them. Jesus told them to SAIL to the other side and He was going to the mountain to be alone and pray.
His disciples were being completely obedient to what Jesus had commanded them to do. Sometimes people think that IF they ARE doing what Jesus told them to do, then there will be no storms for them to sail through; everything will be mountain experiences. But such thinking is not always true and real.

- Knowing Christ and making Him known is what we are called to do.

2) GOD WALKS TOWARD US:

v.25 "Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea."
God is always walking towards His people who are struggling and wrestling with their needs.
That means He is there every day of our lives, regardless of what storms we sail against; Jesus never wants us to be fearful, but to place all our confidence, hope and assurance in Him.

- Jesus Christ will come on time; He will meet each one of us where we want to meet Him. God is interested in each one of us individually.

3) JESUS WORKS FOR US
Jesus walked on the water toward them and the disciples thought He was a spirit, a ghost. Peter cried out, "Lord, if it is You, bid me to come unto you."

- And in the very midst of the storm, the winds blowing and the waves rocking; Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. He had his eyes on Jesus.

- Jesus will knock on the door, but never force the door open. In Jesus Christ each one of us will be spotted anyway, anytime and everywhere.

4) DO NOT DOUBT (Matt 14:30-31)

³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

- Peter fell because he doubted. How much do we doubt Jesus who is our personal Saviour?

John 14:1
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

BELOVED, THAT IS THE KEY TO OUR DELIVERANCE AND OUR VICTORY. NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE AND NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE BATTLING AGAINST, IF WE KEEP OUR EYES CONSTANTLY FIXED UPON JESUS, WE HAVE VICTORY AND ASSURANCE.

-Where is your security? Is it in Jesus Christ?

Sunday Re Cap (5th July 2009)

2009-07-07T12:02:00.001+08:00

When Abba knows you by Name!

Exo 33:12-14 Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people!' But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, 'I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.' (13) "Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people." (14) And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."

Observation

Moses is anxious to know "who", "how to", etc. Many times we are given an assignment at work or school and wonder who is going to help us and how are we going to finish the task. We may have challenges at home or work and need God's favour and guidance daily to overcome.
The Lord seems to connect knowing Moses by name to finding favour in His sight.
We need to cultivate a sense of "ABBA knowing us by name!" We are not a face in the crowd. He knows us personally. Eph 1:4-5

Application

When we cultivate a sense of ABBA knowing us by name:

We have divine
favour (unmerited, unearned and undeserved). Exo 33:12-13
1. We don't need to worry "who" will help us anymore! Who's going to help me in my assignment? My problem at work? With my children?
2. Many times we try to seek to be known by men and then we are let down when they are no longer in power or a place of influence.
3. The only favour we are to seek is the favour of ABBA and that we have when we KNOW that ABBA knows us by name!
4. ABBA will bring the right people at the right time because we have His favour!
5. It is not a matter of how much we know Him because our knowledge of Him is limited and fluctuating. His love for us is consistent whatever the circumstances. It is our sense of ABBA knowing us that brings us favour!
We will divine guidance. Exo 33:13
1. We don't need to be worried about "how?"
  1. We only reveal our detail plans to those we know intimately. When we know that ABBA knows us, He will reveal His most detail plans for our lives and we don't need to get fearful or anxious! Joh 15:16
  2. BETTER COVENANT, BETTER PROMISES! Heb 8:6. He was talking about the law (our ways, strife, stress) versus His ways (rest, secure, inheritance).
  3. STOP getting stressed out and striving. Remember this is the biggest cause of sickness and disease.

What is the key to ABBA's FAVOUR and GUIDANCE for every situation? REST and KNOW that ABBA knows you by NAME!

Sunday Re Cap (28th June 2009)

2009-07-03T11:15:00.001+08:00

Receiving All Things (Pt 1)

Invoking The New Covenant

Heb 8:10-12: 4 Clauses Of The New Covenant.

The frequency that invokes the first 3 clauses the New Covenant:

"For YOU will be merciful to my unrighteousness, and my sins and my iniquities YOU will remember no more."

Invoking Full Rights as Sons

Gal 3:29: And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

Heir-klēronomos (klay-ron-om'-os): one who receives his allotted possessions by right of sonship

How do we receive our full allotted possessions? We receive our allotted possessions because we have the right to be sons! Not in the future; NOW!

Gal 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (5) so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Sons-uihos (hwee-os') : the placing as a son, that is, adoption (figuratively Christian sonship in respect to God): - adoption (of children, of sons) Or A mature full grown son.

Gal 4:6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Heir-one who receives his allotted possessions by right of sonship.

We invoke our sonship by crying ABBA Father. Cultivate the sense of intimacy and sonship.

Some examples of Invoking the Frequency of SONSHIP:

Gen 33:9-11 Jacob and Esau-Sons have everything!
Rom 8:15 Spirit of sonship casts out the spirit of bondage again to fear.
Matt 4 Jesus refused to perform for the devil and maintained His position as a BELOVED son
John17:11 (sense of protection), 26 (sense of His love)
Num 13:25-55-Not just filled but FLOWING with Milk and Honey for SONS!
Num 14:22-24 Possession is a matter of spirit.
Lk 15:24-Hwee-os'-mature full grown son
Lk 15:31-Teknon-older brother-child
2 Kgs 2:12 Elijah and Elisha-invoking the Double Portion of the Anointing by crying "My Father, My Father!"

Continued next week….

Sunday Re Cap (21st June 2009)

2009-06-23T11:59:00.001+08:00

How does the Father See Us? Why Are God's Children Not Possessing Their Inheritance?

Nehemiah (The type of The Holy Spirit) asks for 3 things and HE reminds believers to keep 3 things in perspective to possess our inheritance. Neh 2:6-8

Time- Now is the time to possess
Letters-Bible, will and the testament of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!
Timber-keep in perspective the cross! This is the focus of the Holy Spirit.

On This Father's Day; what is it that will please our Daddy God the most? That we possess our inheritance.

Gal 3:29 We are heirs! Not heir apparent.

Gal 4:1
Many times misinterpreted saying we need to mature, grow up spiritually to possess. Many times we are taught that; we don't possess because we are a child and need to grow spiritually.

Gal 4:2-3 This term of "children" does not refer to immature, imperfect believers and Christians who are born again at all; but refers to the Jews, including Paul, who were held under the law. The law was the guardian until a specific time!

Gal 4:4-7

Paul uses another term here. "Hwee-os"
The placing as a son, that is, adoption (figuratively Christian sonship in respect to God): - adoption (of children, of sons).
mature full grown son.

So if we are "hwee-os'" why are we not inheriting?
- V6-the spirit of sonship operates by this spontaneous cry of ABBA, FATHER!
- Cultivate the spirit of sonship and this spirit will cast out that very spirit of fear!
Elisha cried out "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" 2 King 2:12
This is picture of the church when Jesus was taken up and the double portion of the mantle of the Holy Spirit fell upon us!
Elisha perform double (16) the miracles of Elijah (8).
What was the key that released this? The cry "My Father, My Father".
Jesus said the things that I do you will do and greater things because I go to My Father! The same picture as Elijah and Elisha! Double portion! John 14:12
Christians are still looking for the mercy of God from the outside when God has said that out of your belly shall flow "rivers"! John 7:38
Our healing is within us and the more we cultivate the spirit of sonship, the more we will receive the spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will quicken our mortal bodies. Rom 8:11
How do we stir it up? The right frequency, when we say "ABBA FATHER".
It's RIVERS of LIVING WATERS.

Let's tune in to the right frequency!

Sunday Re-Cap (14th June 2009)

2009-06-16T11:35:00.005+08:00

The Presence of the Living God
By Ps. Abel Phillips

Ex 33:13-15
13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

God wants to give His presence to each and every one of us as we proceed in the highway towards our promise and purpose that God has for each one of us.

Four Aspects of the Presence of God
1. The Common /General Presence – for everyone Act 17:28 the apostle says: In Him we move, live and have our being - Omnipresent.

2. The Relational Presence of God
This relational presence is what all of us should seek for that the reason why Jesus Christ came for 2000 years ago– relational presence of God to be restored. Relational presence is where our impurity is taken away by God not by ourselves

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Mt 7:21-23; 1 John 1:5-7 & 1 John 3:3-6)

3. The Working Presence of God (Active)
2 Chronicles 20 – King Jehoshaphat and Israel was invaded by the neighbouring nation, and they hear the WORD of the Lord saying: Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

As a result of Jehoshaphat’s obedience and the songs of God’s people, Israel was delivered from the hands of the invaders. That’s the active presence of God; and Israel did not do anything to win that war.

4. THE TRANSCENDENT PRESENCE
The Lord wants us to have the presence that goes beyond the earthly; goes beyond our dimension. God wants to do that for every single one of us, church. Not just for some selected Christians, He wants to do it for everybody.

Peter who denied Jesus before the servant girl, now on the Day of Pentecost was able to preach to thousands with no intimidation because of the change through the Transcending Presence of God.

Without the Presence of the Living God:
Ø WE HAVE NO SUSTAINABILITY – If we allow His presence; He sustains us because He is the author & finisher of our purpose in life. Israel in the desert for 40 years was sustained by God.

Ø WE CAN’T FULLY BE PROTECTED -When people abandoned God’ presence they have no protection and Moses understood that concept. He couldn’t move into the next dimension and everything that God has for him. E.g. Daniel’s friends saved by God from the furnace of fire.

Ø WE CAN’T DISCOVER GOD’S ANSWERS - He wants us to have His presence so that he will help us discover His answer for a situation.

Ø WE LACK GOD’S COMPANIONSHIP - Without His presence, we don’t have companionship that produces peace.

Ø WE CAN’T MAKE THE NECESSARY RE-ADJUSTMENT TO OUR SITUATION - God helped Joshua to re-adjust and win in Ai; which they lost before. We all need to allow God’s presence to make re-adjustment to our situation.

Sunday Re Cap (7th June 2009)

2009-06-11T07:41:00.003+08:00

Citizens of the Kingdom: Getting REAL with GOD

Text: Matt 6:33

Introduction

We are citizens of the kingdom and are supposed to be enjoying ALL THINGS added to us each and every day of our lives. However, why aren't we enjoying these benefits every day? We live in a world with real challenges. There are sometimes sicknesses, pain, suffering and we receive them as part and parcel of life. However, is this the real world? Is God real? How can we get REAL with GOD?

(2Co 4:18) we not considering the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are not lasting, but the things which are not seen are everlasting.

What we see, the pain, the sickness, the suffering are not lasting. They are temporary. Not just in the next world, but here and now. These are facts and facts are SUBJECT to CHANGE. God is the author and finisher of our faith and if we will allow HIM to, HE writes our stories. Let HIM write your story. The TRUTH, JESUS, never changes. HE is the same yesterday, today and forever. The things which are not seen, the promises of God, the TRUTH never changes and are everlasting. THIS IS THE REAL WORLD.

(2Co 5:7) for we walk by faith, not by sight;

Again, we do not walk by sight in what we see, feel, and hear by our natural senses. These are facts. We are a NEW CREATION (2 Cor 5:17) created in Christ Jesus and we have different senses i.e. spiritual senses. However, these need to be developed over time. How? Through the renewing of our mind with the Word of God. (Eph 4:22-24; Rom 12:2).

Rom 3:23-28 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (24) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; (25) whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness through the passing by of the sins that had taken place before, in the forbearance of God;

Many a times, we quote Rom 3:23 but do not see the following verses. We have been justified freely by GRACE (the unmerited, unearned, undeserved favour of GOD) through Christ. It is appropriated by FAITH in His blood; not by works. God has forgiven us completely. God the Father honours the finished works of His Son; so must we. This is REAL. It is not just a matter of head knowledge, but God offers us a direct, personal intimate relationship with us through the finished works of His Son. Healing is REAL! Prosperity is REAL! Whatever, state we live in, we do not have to remain in it. It is temporary. SUBJECT TO CHANGE!

Luk 15:21-24 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son. (22) But the father said to his servants, Bring the best robe and put it on him. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. (23) And bring the fattened calf here and kill it. And let us eat and be merry, (24) for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.

We sometimes see the graciousness of God in this story of the prodigal son and sometimes may even think that this is an exception where the sins of the son goes unpunished and the younger son is lavishly blessed! This was even the perspective of the older brother.(Lk 15:28-30). However, this is REALITY! We are forgiven and we are blessed lavishly by our father in Heaven. Is this fair? Why no punishment? No repentance? No consequence of our sins? This was what the older brother was asking.

Was there really no punishment and no consequence? The father says in v23, "And bring the fattened calf here and kill it. And let us eat and be merry". The fatted calf was not sacrificed somewhere else. It was sacrificed right in front of the younger son. The son was unclean; but the sinless, fattened calf was pure and undefiled. There was an exchange made. All of the sins of the son, the punishment, consequences were put of the calf and it was killed. All of the perfection of the animal was put on the son. The younger son SAW this as the perfect sacrifice and was therefore able to enjoy the blessings of the father!

GOD is a FAIR GOD! Jesus, the perfect sacrifice took all of our sins, punishment and the consequences thereof and made us perfect in the Father's sight. We are now sinless and spotless like the son. As he is, so are we in this world (1 Jn 4:17). When we see the perfect sacrifice of the SON of God, we too can enjoy the lavish blessings of our Heavenly Father!

1 Pet 3:6 6.like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Women, you are not called the daughters of Sarah by any chance. Sarah was the only one in the Bible that received the gift of renewed youth. It was very real. The king wanted her for his harem!

How do we receive this REAL blessing? By doing what is right i.e. believe in the finished work of His Son and do not give way to fear! Fear of the FACTS! What we feel in our natural bodies, joint pains, wrinkles, and what the world says about old age! Keep believing that you are daughters of Sarah. Confess JESUS and do not give in to FEAR!

Conclusion

Jesus is REAL. Allow the Father to write the story of our lives by believing in the finished work of His Son on the cross. Everything is subject to change i.e. our pain, suffering, calamities. Let us continue to develop a deep and personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. Do not receive the FACTS. Receive the TRUTH! Jesus and HIS FINISHED WORKS are the TRUTH!

Sunday Re Cap (24th May 2009)

2009-05-26T11:54:00.001+08:00

Citizens of the Kingdom VI

Matt 6:33

Jesus said seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and ALL things be added unto you.

It is through a revelation of Jesus Righteousness that we unlock the blessings of the Kingdom. To unlock something, we need the keys. What are the keys and what do they unlock?

What does it unlock? What is added?

Right believing produces right living and right behaviour Heb 8:10-12.
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation. Rom 1:16. Soteria: It also means deliver, health(Strong); deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation (Thayer). WHOLENESS!
Matt 16:19 The key to powerful prayers.

So what are the keys? There are 4 keys:

The key is intimacy with God.
1. This is accomplished through Worship, Holy Communion.
2. Phil 3:6-9: Intimacy with God produces TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS as opposed to RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THE LAW (SUPPOSED RIGHTEOUSNESS, IN THE SIGHT OF MAN-basically the religions of the world).
  1. Why wasn't Paul satisfied with Righteousness by the law? It did not produce intimacy. Legalism made him look good in the eyes of the world and the eyes of man but it made him a wretch on the inside.
  2. God was supposedly hard and difficult to please. Nothing you do is quite enough. Even with all his achievements!
  3. There was a deep longing in his heart to draw closer. How? Righteousness by faith which is right standing with God through the perfect and complete work of Jesus on the CROSS! Jesus became HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Continued next week….

Sunday Re Cap (17th May 2009)

2009-05-21T10:12:00.001+08:00

Citizens of the Kingdom V

Matt 6:33

Jesus said seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and ALL things be added unto you.

OLD COVENANT VS NEW COVENANT

We need to be absolutely righteous to have ALL things added to us.

In the Old Covenant God left the people to seek their own righteousness through the LAW. "THOU SHALL, THOU SHALL NOT, THOU SHALL, AND THOU SHALL NOT!" I.e. performance, strife, hard work, and basically ALL religions of the world practice this principle. DO GOOD GET GOOD, DO BAD GET BEAT! RIGHT BEHAVIOUR PRODUCES BLESSINGS. Rom 2:5-11

The CROSS changed everything.

In the New Covenant, God said seek His kingdom and HIS righteousness.

2 Cor 5:17-21 New Creation Realities, We are given the gift of righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Rom 5:17: Says that when we receive the gift of Righteousness and the abundance of God's unmerited grace we shall reign in life!

God invites us to intimacy, He says HE WILL, HE WILL, He WILL! Heb 8:10-12

Righteousness is no longer obtained right doing but right standing. When we stand in the right place "HE will" do it!

It is through a revelation of Jesus Righteousness that we unlock the blessings of the Kingdom. To unlock something, we need the keys. What are the keys and what do they unlock?

What does it produce?

Right believing produces right living and right behaviour Heb 8:10-12
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation. Rom 1:16-What is salvation? It is more than saving us from our sins.
1. Soteria: It also means deliver, health(Strong); deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation (Thayer). WHOLENESS!
2. For everyone who believes! The condition is simply, believe! Do you believe that the gospel is salvation to everyone who believes? "I believe, therefore I have health, salvation, healing, protection, safety!
Matt 16:19 The key to powerful prayers.

So what are the keys? There are 3 keys:

The key is intimacy with God. This is accomplished through worship, Holy Communion.

Continued next week….

Sunday Re Cap (26th Apr 2009)

2009-04-30T11:06:00.001+08:00

Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 2)

Text: Matt 6:19-34

We are lovingly instructed by our LORD to seek 2 things to help keep us in perspective.
1. Seek God's Kingdom.
2. Seek His Righteousness.
3. The Result? all these things shall be added to you.

Need to emphasize that all revelation has to line up with the word of God. God will not tell us to commit adultery, murder, cheat, lie, crime, etc. Our church stand is we are opposed to sin but we love the sinner because Jesus died and rose again for the sinner to free us from our sins. We are vehemently opposed to sin.

Most of us have a pretty good idea of what the Kingdom of God is all about. So why aren't we seeing all things being added to us?

No revelation of RIGHTEOUSNESS! Without a revelation of righteousness, we cannot appropriate the benefits of the Kingdom.
Righteousness unlocks the KINGDOM within us!

When Paul said that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, he meant that just as Jesus is righteous before the Father, so are we. (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Jn 4:17).
2 Cor 5:21 also says that God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. This means that even though Jesus did not commit any sin, He was punished as if He had committed sinful acts. God is completely just and fair and because of Jesus punishment for sins that he did not commit, we are deemed righteous for righteous acts as if we have done them!
Does this mean that we will go out and sin and just say, "we are the righteousness of God in Christ"?
- Heb 8:10: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.
- I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
- (11) "AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.
- (12) "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."

These are the 4 clauses of the New Covenant. When we get a revelation of v12, we allow God to perform the first 3 clauses. We allow God to write His laws on our hearts, God will be our God and we His people and finally, we will know God intimately! How can we sin?

Continued next week….

Sunday Re Cap (19th April 2009)

2009-04-24T11:10:00.001+08:00

Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 1)

Introduction

Read Matt 6:19-34

Are we citizens of the Kingdom of God? Citizens have benefits. What are the benefits of that Kingdom? Why aren't we living and receiving those benefits? How do we live under a constant flow of those benefits instead of receiving it here and there and in pockets?

We are lovingly instructed by our LORD to seek 2 things to help keep us in perspective.
1. Seek God's Kingdom.
2. Seek His Righteousness.
This ensures that we will remain in the continuous flow of all the benefits of the Kingdom.
We are citizens of the Kingdom of God the day we receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
1. We are told to seek first the KOG. What is the Kingdom of God? It is where God is King.
2. When we follow the "laws" of the Kingdom, we receive the benefits. Rom 8:1-2.
3. What are benefits of being citizens of the Kingdom? Ps 23. Ps 103.
4. The Kingdom of God is GOD!
5. How do we get information and revelation of the Kingdom? Reading the word, prayer, church attendance, listening to Christian music, testimonies, messages, fellowship with Christian believers, etc.
So if we are only going to seek the KOG, how are we going make a living? We can earn by either serving God or mammon. Serving mammon is having the love of money. (1 Tim 6:9-11; 2 Tim 3 :1-3).
1. When we have the love of money, we have many other "things" following us; sicknesses, depression, disease, FEAR.
2. When we seek FIRST the kingdom of God, we have "kingdom" benefits following us; love, joy, health, provision, protection, etc.
3. A third category of people. Those who have been blessed by seeking God BUT now have NO time for God. Ask God for wisdom. Not everything may be of God. Don't forget God. Prov 30:7. When it takes your time with God that means there are things we need to let go off. Ex: cannot come to church (to "seek first").

Continued next week….

Sunday Recap 12 April 2009

2009-04-14T22:34:00.001+08:00

The Three Aspects of Resurrection
By Rev. Jeff Padgett

Luke 24:44-49
Parallel to the book of Deuteronomy (the 2nd Teaching), where Moses reminds the Israelites not to forget who God is and what He has done for them. He reminds them that the LORD has delivered; protected, provided and always loves them. Likewise Resurrection is total recall; to reminisce or to remember with complete detail of what the Lord has done for us. We need a daily resurrection to humble ourselves and appreciate the LORD.

Luke24:44 – Jesus fulfilled all that was written in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms.
Luke 24:47-48 “…and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.”
- Jesus reminds the disciples what they have to do from the time of His Resurrection till His return.
Paul reminds the Corinthians to stay fresh in the resurrection of Christ or the Passover Lamb sacrificed with full humility.

1. The Resurrection Factor
The tomb is empty – Jesus has restored eternal life. He restored everything to His Father’s original intent.

Psalms 16:10 He gives form to the formless. He has given us form. Jonah in the fish belly, symbolic like being in the grave was set free. Lazarus wrapped in linen (the blindness of Satan) was removed and set free.

Rapid growth of the Church because Jesus rose from the death – Peter stood up to preach and got 3000 souls saved.

2. The Resurrection Fashion
We are called to put on the Resurrection fashion – Humility.
Humus means earth or stay low, close to the earth. Reminds us where we came from.
Jesus clothed in humility by wrapping a towel around His waist and served to wash his disciples’ feet.

Isaiah 61- Put on the Garment of Praise.

We are clothed in power; we have influence because of the resurrection power that dwells within us.

3. The Resurrection Faith
As we embrace the Resurrection, we have Resurrection Faith. He opens our minds to understand the scriptures. (Luke 24:4-5)

Peter who denied the Lord three times, stands up and preaches with full of courage.

Paul transformed from a persecutor to the one proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Rom 16 – Paul greets by name each one whom he would have killed and persecuted but now he loves everyone.

The power of resurrection cannot be contained so “LOOK ALIVE” and share the Good News and impact others!

Sunday Re Cap (22nd March 2009)

2009-03-25T23:27:00.001+08:00

Unveiling Jesus through the Scriptures

We began to touch on the subject that every time we see the unveiling of Christ in the WORD of God, faith comes, power comes.

Luk 24:13-35

Let's see what happened to the disciples on the road to Emmaus when they heard the exposition of Jesus:

They SAW Jesus! Importance of Holy Communion again. The purpose is to see His grace rather than ourselves and our failures. When we see Jesus, we see His grace. His undeserved, unearned and unmerited favour. We have great faith and receive His blessings like healing upon our lives.
Their hearts began to burn. It was cold, sad, depressed, discouraged. Ever been in that place of hopelessness? Religion and works cannot help us out of this. Only a revelation of Jesus just like what happened to these disciples.
Their physical bodies were rejuvenated. They had walked seven miles, the day was almost over; this coupled with discouragement, confusion. However after they heard the word which revealed Jesus to them, they were rejuvenated.
We receive healing for our bodies. Emmaus-warm baths. There were hot springs beside these roads where people came to be rejuvenated and receiving healing no unlike what we see today.

Do we see these benefits of seeing Jesus? We can have these benefits. How? By seeing Jesus in every scripture.

When we see that we are righteous on account of what Jesus has done and not because of "working" at it.
When we see that He was wounded for our transgressions that we do need to be wounded anymore, we are able to believe for and receive healing!
When we see that He became poor that we might become rich
When we witness, we are not there to point out one another faults or demean other gods and religion but are there to unveil Christ!

How can Bible Study ever be boring again? It is the revelation of Jesus. When we read and confess the word, it is taking captive every thought to the obedience of CHRIST (2 Cor 10:5)! Not ourselves, not psychology. When are feeling sick, discouraged, we look at what Jesus has done! The finished works of the cross and begin to receive healing and restoration. We begin to live in dominion. Hallelujah!

Sunday Re Cap (15th March 09)

2009-03-15T16:14:00.002+08:00

Conquering Our Thought Life
Ps. Abel Phillips

Eph 6:10-11 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil.”

- The devil’s method is makes a roadway into our minds, into our heads there releases explosives power into our lives. Your thought life is the road that Satan uses to get access into every area of your life.
- The devil (‘Diabalos’-Greek) throws accusations /lies at us. Devil keeps throwing at you until he penetrates or YOU resist those thoughts! And TAKE THEM CAPTIVE!
-This is how the devil operates and that is why the Bible says, “Don’t be conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds” (Rom 12:2).

-The truth makes us free; but lies destroy us!
That’s why we have to deal with the lies of the devil. The liar has been defeated, but the lies remain.

When your thinking lines up with God’s thinking –Word of God; then Satan says oh dear, I can’t get in. He can’t penetrate: because, you have the breastplate of righteousness on, you have the sword of the spirit; you have the shield of the faith…..and he can’t have any activity in your life when you have closed the access point through your thoughts. (Eph 6)

3 John 2- Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

2 Cor 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

- Bring every thought captive with the right image. Good life is made up of series of good decision and bad life is made up of series of bad decisions in your life. We got to learn how to make the series of good decisions. – take every thoughts captive – one by one captive –so fast from wrong thinking; creating a new image of ourselves. Creating strongholds that will influence our decisions.
Make decisions that lines up with God’s word and it will produce God’s results.

You conquer every thought by speaking the Word of God. Your mind is the road that Satan uses to get access to enter your life; so we need put the road block.

I have POWER in my life right now. Through the Holy Spirit in me, I have the power to overcome sin; the power to change my life for the better, the power to be healed; the power to forgive; the power to praise God no matter what; the power to speak God’s Word and see His promises show up in my life. I choose to remember what God has already done which takes the limits off of my life and my expectations. I expect favor today, wisdom, understanding, and God’s blessing as I abide in Christ and in His Word! In Jesus Name. Amen!

Sunday Re Cap (25th Feb 09)

2009-02-24T13:09:00.002+08:00

Sons Reign Everyday!

God's desire is for every single son in to reign in life.

The power to reign doesn't depend on your family background, experience, educational qualifications. The power to reign is based on Jesus and Jesus alone.

Rom 5:17 ¹⁷ For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

Reign-basileou (Greek): Reign in life as a King, to have kingly rule and to possess a kingly dominion.

The secret to reigning in life lies with receiving everything that Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross.

A life of defeat, condemnation, sickness, financial lack, broken relationships is not intended for us. Based on the authority of God's word, we are designed to reign in every aspect of life!

Receiving versus Achieving

Our reigning in life is based on receiving and not achieving. Achieving involves performance and performance is tiring and wearying.

Stop trying to do, do, do and receive the gift of righteousness and abundance of grace to reign in life! Focus on His finished work and be at rest in every area of our lives.

Heb 10:12-14 ¹² But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

The Bible says we have been perfected forever. Many still don't believe that and still think that they still need to do something to reign as sons. How can we be assured that we have been forgiven all our past present and future sins FOREVER?

Notice that after Jesus offered His life as a sacrifice and payment for all our sins, He "sat down"!

Heb 10:11 ¹¹ And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

The work of the priest is never finished and that is why they can never sit. No article of furniture for them to sit in the tabernacle.

Only Jesus work is finished. Not only did He sit down at the right hand of the Father but we are also seated with HIM!

Eph 2:4-6 ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Stop depending on your self-efforts to earn and qualify for God's blessings in your life. God's grace does not make us lazy. On the contrary we labour more abundantly for the glory of God.

In the New Covenant, God's way is to bless you FIRST, and the knowledge of His blessing gives you the POWER to labour more abundantly! In other words, we do not labour to be blessed but we have the power to labor BECAUSE we HAVE BEEN BLESSED!

1 Cor 15:10¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Jesus has accomplished a full and completed work on the cross. Our part is simply to trust in His perfect work and RECEIVE with open arms the GIFT of righteousness and the ABUNDANCE of grace and begin to REIGN IN LIFE!

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to begin to teach us how to depend on God's grace rather than our self efforts. This is the key to wholeness, success and victorious living WHICH OUR FATHER INTENDS FOR EVERY SON!

Ps Samuel Hari

Sunday Re Cap (15th Feb 2009)

2009-02-20T09:31:00.001+08:00

Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

"The Starbucks Experience", an amazing book written by Joseph Michelli, full of strategies, comments and principles taken from the Bible. If these principles have caused a secular company to be one of the most successful companies in the world, how much more THE CHURCH if it begins to rediscover these principles and begins to apply them TODAY!

5 Principles for Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary. (1 Cor 15:46)

The Biblical principles found in this book include BEING rather than DOING. Starbucks wants to BE the place where everyone wants to come because of the coffee.

Make it your own.
1. God has no grandchildren.
2. Each of us needs to be responsible to develop our personal relationship with the LORD.
Everything Matters.
1. Everything we do affects our Christian walk and often the people around us.
2. How we act or RE-act. (2 Pet 3:9)
3. We are all important to God.
Cause Surprise and Delight.
1. Mat 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
2. Phil 4:5 Rejoice, let your gentleness be known to all men.
Embrace Resistance.
1. Most people resist resistance, they don't embrace it.
2. Don't be threatened by resistance, embrace it.
3. Work at fulfilling God's plan for your life (Jer 29:11)
4. Write on your walls, "It doesn't matter!" (Rom 12:18,21)
Leave Your Mark.
1. Desire to leave a mark for the LORD (Phil 3:13-14)

So, it's not about the coffee but all about the LORD and how we can all serve Him profitably!

William Carey-"Expect Great Things FROM God, Attempt Great Things FOR God"

Remember Acts 17:6-our goal is to turn the world upside down.

Rev. Don Boots

Grace Revealed-George Thomas

2009-02-05T13:37:00.001+08:00

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak...'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?' 'Just some old birds,' came the reply.

'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.

'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time' 'But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'

'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'

The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'

'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'

'How much?' the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!'

'What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.

Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!'

'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly. 'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked

'Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!'

'How much?' He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 'All your blood, tears and your life.'

Jesus said, 'DONE!'

Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.