The Names of God
by Lambert Dolphin
Old Testament (The Hebrew Scriptures, or Tanach):
EL: God ("mighty, strong, prominent") used 250 times in the OT See Gen. 7:1, 28:3, 35:11; Nu. 23:22; Josh. 3:10; 2 Sam. 22:31, 32; Neh. 1:5, 9:32; Isa. 9:6; Ezek. 10:5. El is linguistically equivalent to the Moslem "Allah," but the attributes of Allah in Islam are entirely different from those of the God of the Hebrews.
ELOHIM: God (a plural noun, more than two, used with singular verbs); Elohim occurs 2,570 times in the OT, 32 times in Gen. 1. God as Creator, Preserver, Transcendent, Mighty and Strong. Eccl., Dan. Jonah use Elohim almost exclusively. See Gen. 17:7, 6:18, 9:15, 50:24; I Kings 8:23; Jer. 31:33; Isa. 40:1.
EL SHADDAI: God Almighty or "God All Sufficient." 48 times in the OT, 31 times in Job. First used in Gen. 17:1, 2. (Gen. 31:29, 49:24, 25; Prov. 3:27; Micah 2:1; Isa. 60:15, 16, 66:10-13; Ruth 1:20, 21) In Rev. 16:7, "Lord God the Almighty." The Septuagint uses Greek "ikanos" meaning "all-sufficient" or "self-sufficient." The idols of the heathen are called "sheddim."
ADONAI: Lord in our English Bibles (Capitol letter 'L ', lower case, 'ord') (Adonai is plural, the sing. is "adon"). "Master'' or "Lord" 300 times in the OT always plural when referring to God, when sing. the reference is to a human lord. Used 215 times to refer to men. First use of Adonai, Gen. 15:2. (Ex. 4:10; Judges 6:15; 2 Sam. 7:18-20; Ps. 8, 114:7, 135:5, 141:8, 109:21-28). Heavy use in Isaiah (Adonai Jehovah). 200 times by Ezekiel. Ten times in Dan. 9.
JEHOVAH: LORD in our English Bibles (all capitals). Yahweh is the covenant name of God. Occurs 6823 times in the OT First use Gen. 2:4 (Jehovah Elohim). From the verb "to be", havah, similar to chavah (to live), "The Self-Existent One," "I AM WHO I AM" or 'I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE" as revealed to Moses at the burning bush, Ex.3. The name of God, too sacred to be uttered, abbreviated ( . . . . ) or written "YHWH" without vowel points. The tetragrammaton. Josh., Judges, Sam., and Kings use Jehovah almost exclusively. The love of God is conditioned upon His moral and spiritual attributes. (Dan. 9:14; Ps. 11:7; Lev. 19:2; Hab. 1:12). Note Deut. 6:4, 5 known to Jews as the Sh'ma uses both Jehovah and Elohim to indicate one God with a plurality of persons.
JEHOVAH-JIREH: "The Lord will Provide." Gen. 22:14. From "jireh" ("to see" or "to provide," or to "foresee" as a prophet.) God always provides, adequate when the times come.
JEHOVAH-ROPHE: "The Lord Who Heals" Ex. 15:22-26. From "rophe" ("to heal"); implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing. (Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1) God heals body, soul and spirit; all levels of man's being.
JEHOVAH-NISSI: "The Lord Our Banner." Ex. 17:15. God on the battlefield, from word which means "to glisten," "to lift up," See Psalm 4:6.
JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH: "The Lord Who Sanctifies" Lev. 20:8. "To make whole, set apart for holiness."
JEHOVAH-SHALOM: "The Lord Our Peace" Judges 6:24. "Shalom" translated "peace" 170 times means "whole," "finished," "fulfilled," "perfected." Related to "well," welfare." Deut. 27:6; Dan. 5:26; I Kings 9:25 8:61; Gen. 15:16; Ex. 21:34, 22:5, 6; Lev. 7:11-21. Shalom means that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one's fellow man.
SHEPHERD Psa. 23, 79:13, 95:7, 80:1, 100:3; Gen. 49:24; Isa. 40:11.
JUDGE: Psa. 7:18, 96:13.
JEHOVAH ELOHIM: "LORD God" Gen. 2:4; Judges 5:3; Isa. 17:6; Zeph. 2:9; Psa. 59:5, etc.
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU: "The Lord Our Righteousness" Jer. 23:5, 6, 33:16. From "tsidek" (straight, stiff, balanced - as on scales - full weight, justice, right, righteous, declared innocent.) God our Righteousness.
JEHOVAH-ROHI: "The Lord Our Shepherd" Psa. 23, from "ro'eh" (to pasture).
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH: "The Lord is There" (Ezek. 48:35).
JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: "The Lord of Hosts" The commander of the angelic host and the armies of God. Isa. 1:24; Psa. 46:7, 11; 2 Kings 3:9-12; Jer. 11:20 (NT: Rom. 9:29; James 5:24, Rev. 19: 11-16).
EL ELYON: 'Most High" (from "to go up") Deut. 26:19, 32:8; Psa. 18:13; Gen. 14:18; Nu. 24:16; Psa. 78:35, 7:17, 18:13, 97:9, 56:2, 78:56, 18:13; Dan. 7:25, 27; Isa. 14:14.
ABHIR: 'Mighty One', ("to be strong") Gen. 49:24; Deut. 10:17; Psa. 132:2, 5; Isa. 1:24, 49:26, 60:1.
BRANCH: (tsemach), The Branch: Zech. 3:8, 6:12; Isa. 4:2; Jer. 23:5, 33:15.
KADOSH: "Holy One" Psa. 71:22; Isa. 40:25, 43:3, 48:17. Isaiah uses the expression "the Holy One of Israel" 29 times.
SHAPHAT: "Judge" Gen. 18:25
EL ROI: "God of Seeing" Hagar in Gen. 16:13. The God Who opens our eyes.
KANNA: "Jealous" (zealous). Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 5:9; Isa. 9:7; Zech. 1:14, 8:2.
PALET: "Deliverer" Psa. 18:2.
YESHA: (Y'shua) "Savior" Isa. 43:3. Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Joshua." The latter is a contraction of Je-Hoshua. ("Christ", the anointed one is equivalent to the Hebrew Maschiah, or Messiah).
GAOL: "Redeemer" (to buy back by paying a price). Job 19:25; For example, the antitype corresponding to Boaz the Kinsman-Redeemer in the Book of Ruth.MAGEN: "Shield" Psa. 3:3, 18:30.
EYALUTH: "Strength" Psa. 22:19.TSADDIQ: "Righteous One" Psa. 7:9.
EL-OLAM: "Everlasting God" (God of everlasting time) Gen. 21:33; Psa. 90:1-3, 93:2; Isa. 26:4.
EL-BERITH: "God of the Covenant" Used of Baal in Judges 9:46. Probably used originally to refer to the God of israel.
EL-GIBHOR: Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
ZUR: "God our Rock" Deut. 32:18; Isa. 30:29.Malachi calls Messiah "The Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2).Isaiah calls Messiah "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God (El Gibhor), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6).'Attiq Yomin (Aramaic): "Ancient of Days," Dan. 7:9, 13, 22.
MELEKH: "King" Psa. 5:2, 29:10, 44:4, 47:6-8, 48:2, 68:24, 74:12, 95:3, 97:1, 99:4, 146:10; Isa. 5:1, 5, 41:21, 43:15, 44:6; 52:7, 52:10. "The Angel of the Lord: " Gen. 16:7ff, 21:17, 22:11, 15ff, 18:1-19:1, 24:7, 40, 31:11-13, 32:24-30; Ex. 3:6, 13:21, Ezek. 1:10-13. Seen in the theophanies, or pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God in the OT (See I Cor. 10:3 NT).
FATHER: Num. 1:9; I Sam. 16:6; Ex. 4:22-23; 2 Sam. 7:14-15; Psa. 2:7; Isa. 63:16, 64:8; Mal. 1:6.
THE FIRST AND LAST: Isa. 44:6, 48:12.
New Testament Scriptures, (Greek):
KURIOS: "Lord" Found some 600 times in the NT.
DESPOTES: "Lord" 5 times: Lu. 2:29; Acts 4:24; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4; Rev. 6:10.
THEOS: "God" (equivalent to the Hebrew Elohim), 1,000 times in the NT. In the NT all the persons of the trinity are called "God" at one time or another.
I AM: Jesus upset his generation especially when He said, "Before Abraham was, I AM," John 8:58. Note also his claim to be Jehovah in such phrases as "I AM the Light of the world," "the bread of life," living water," "the Resurrection and the Life," "the Way, Truth and the Life" in John's Gospel. From the Hebrew OT verb "to be" signifying a Living, Intelligent, Personal Being.
THEOTES: "Godhead" Col. 2:9; Rom. 1:20.HUPSISTOS: "Highest" Mt. 21:9.
SOTER: "Savior" Luke 1:4 7.
JESUS: Derived from the Hebrew "Joshua" (Y'shua) or "Je-Hoshua" meaning JEHOVAH IS SALVATION.
CHRIST: is equivalent to the Hebrew 'Messiah' (Meshiach), "The Anointed One."Other NT Titles for Jesus: Shepherd of the Sheep; Master; King of kings; Lord of lords; Bishop and Guardian of our Souls; Daystar, Deliverer, Advocate, Last (or Second) Adam, Ancient of Days, Branch, Chief Cornerstone, Immanuel, First Born, Head of the Body, Physician, Rock, Root of Jesse, Stone, Potentate; Chief Apostle; Great High Priest; Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith (or Author and Finisher); Lamb of God; Lamb Slain before the Foundation of the World; Lord God Almighty.
LOGOS: "The Word of God" John l; Rev. 19:13.
SOPHIA: "The Wisdom of God," referring to Christ, refers back to Proverbs (I Cor. 1,2)
Father, Son, Holy Spirit: Christian orthodoxy has always understood God to be One God in Three Persons (Elohim). In The NT each person of the godhead is called "God" and "Lord" at least once.
Names for the Holy Spirit: Counselor; Comforter; Baptiser; Advocate; Strengthener; Sanctifier; Spirit of Christ (not the same as the spirit of Christ); Seven-Fold Spirit (Rev.); Spirit of Truth; Spirit of Grace; Spirit of Mercy; Spirit of God; Spirit of Holiness; Spirit of Life. Symbolized in OT and NT by (l) breath or wind; (2) fire; (3) water; (4) oil; (5) light; (6) a dove.
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ: Most Study Bibles have notes which give references to the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is what the Scofield Study Bible Notes say:
(1) In the intimations and explicit predictions of the O.T. (a) The theophanies intimate the appearance of God in human form, and His ministry thus to man (Gen. 16:7-13; 18:2-23. especially v. 17; 32. 28 with Hos. 12:3-5; Ex. 3:2-14). (b) The Messiah is expressly declared to be the Son of God (Psa. 2:2-9), and God (Psa. 45:6, 7 with Heb. 1:8,9; Psa. 110. with Mt. 22:44; Acts 2:34 and Heb. 1:13; Psa. 110.4 with Heb. 5:6; 6. 20:7. 17-21; and Zech. 6:13). (c) His virgin birth was foretold as the means through which God could be "Immanuel," God with us (Isa. 7:13, 14 with Mt. 1:22, 23). (d) The Messiah is expressly invested with the divine names (Isa. 9:6, 7). (e) In a prophecy of His death He is called Jehovah's "fellow" (Zech. 13:7 with Mt. 26:31). (f) His eternal being is declared (Mic. 5:2 with Mt. 2:6; John 7:42).
(2) Christ Himself affirmed His deity. (a) He applied to Himself the Jeho-vistic I AM. (The pronoun "he" is not in the Greek; cf. John 8:24; John 8:56-58. The Jews correctly understood this to be our Lord's claim to full deity [v. 59]. See, also, John 10:33; 18:4-6, where, also "he" is not in the original.) (b) He claimed to be the Adonai of the O.T. (Mt. 22:42-45. See Gen. 15:2, note). (c) He asserted His identity with the Father (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 14:62; John 10:30; that the Jews so understood Him is shown by vs. 31, 32; John 14:8, 9; 17. 5). (d) He exercised the chief prerogative of God (Mk. 2:5-7; Lk. 7:48-50). (e) He asserted omnipresence (Mt. 18:20; John 3:13); omniscience (John 11:11-14, when Jesus was fifty miles away; Mk. 11:6-8); omnipotence (Mt. 28:18; Lk. 7:14; John 5:21-23; 6. is); mastery over nature, and creative power (Lk. 9:16. 17; John 2:9, 10:28). (f) He received and approved human worship (Mt. 14:33; 28: 9, John 20: 28, 29).
(3) The N.T. writers ascribe divine titles to Christ (John 1:1; 20. 28; Acts 20:28; Rom. 1:4; 9:5; 2 Thess. 1:12; 1 Tim. 3:16; Tit. 2:23; Heb. 1:8; 1 John 5:20).
(4) The N.T. writers ascribe divine perfections and attributes to Christ (e.g. Mt. 11:28; 18:20, 28:20; John 1:2, 2:23-25; 3:13; 5:17; 21:17; Heb. 1:3, 11, 12 with Heb. 13:8; Rev. 1:8,17,18; 2:23; 11. 17; 22:13).
(5) The N.T. writers ascribe divine works to Christ (John 1:3. 16:17, Col. 1:16, 17; Heb. 1:3).
(6) The N.T. writers teach that supreme worship should be paid to Christ (Acts 7:59, 60; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 13:14, Phil. 2:9, 10; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 1:5, 6; 5. 12, 13).
(7) The holiness and resurrection of Christ prove His deity (John 8:46; Rom. 1:4).
Philippians 2 is the great Chapter on the kenosis or self-emptying of the Lord Jesus Christ when He became a man. His equality with the Father as the Son of God is stated here.
Note also John 5:18 "This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God."
A well-known NT passage of mine is Romans 9:5 "...to them (the Jewish race) belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Messiah (who is) God who is over all, blessed for ever. Amen."
ALPHA AND OMEGA: The First and the Last, The Beginning and The End (Rev. 1).
Monday, February 12, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (11th Feb 2007)
The Name of The LORD
by Ps Samuel Hari
1 Chr 7:12-16
V12-God desires a House of Sacrifice.
V13-three things that is essential for every believer-an open heaven, blessing and healing upon our land (the works of our hands) and physical healing.
V14-conditions for V12 and V13
God’s Name is only upon a House of Sacrifice.
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.
We are the house of sacrifice in the NT. No longer the sacrifices of bull and goats but to offer the sacrifices of praise which is the crucifying of self.
Names are important in the OT as it speaks of the destiny, calling. Gen 29: 32 -35
Change of Name means a change of personality/call.
by Ps Samuel Hari
1 Chr 7:12-16
V12-God desires a House of Sacrifice.
V13-three things that is essential for every believer-an open heaven, blessing and healing upon our land (the works of our hands) and physical healing.
V14-conditions for V12 and V13
God’s Name is only upon a House of Sacrifice.
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.
We are the house of sacrifice in the NT. No longer the sacrifices of bull and goats but to offer the sacrifices of praise which is the crucifying of self.
Names are important in the OT as it speaks of the destiny, calling. Gen 29: 32 -35
Change of Name means a change of personality/call.
- Simon changed to Peter. (Mt 16:17,18)
- Saul changed to Paul (Acts 13:9)
- Jacob changed to Israel. (Gen 32:28)
- Abram changed to Abraham. (Gen 17:5)
So we can conclude that in the Name of God are the personality, character and attributes of God.
1) There is IDENTIFICATION in the Name of the LORD (Gen 4:26;Jn 1:12)
(1) then began men to call themselves by the name of the Lord (marg.) i.e., to distinguish themselves thereby from idolaters; or
(2) then men in some public and earnest way began to call upon the Lord, indicating a time of spiritual revival.
2) There is PROTECTION in the Name of the LORD (Pro 18:10)
3) There is PROVISION in the Name of the LORD (John 14:13)
4) There is SALVATION in the Name of the LORD (John 12.32; John 1:12; Rom 10:9 -11)
a) There is HEALING AND WHOLENESS in the Name of the LORD (Acts 3:16)
b) There is POWER, BOLDNESS in the Name of the LORD (Acts 4: 7 -13)
5) There is VICTORY in the Name of the LORD (1 Sam 17:45)
The Name of the LORD is above every other name! (Phil 2: 9 -11)
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (4th Feb 2007)
A Blessed and Chosen People
By Michael Lee
2 Chr 7:16: For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
Ps 65:4: Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.
Ps 33:12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
We are a blessed and chosen people.
The Name
When David battled against Goliath, Goliath used a spear, javelin and sword which are all made by hand; but David used pebbles which are made by God. We are better than the pebbles in that we are made in the very image of God. He has placed His name upon us.
2 Chr 14:11: And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, "Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!"
The Eye
Matt 6:22-23; Ps 32:8; Ps 33:18-20
-When the eye is dark-we get lost, can’t see and may stumble and fall.
-The eye of the Lord keeps us alive in famine.
-We have the joy of the Lord in famine.
2 Chr 16:9a: 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Jer 24:6; Deut 11:10-13 God gives us a good possession and His eyes are constantly upon it.
The Heart
Jer 24:7: God gives us a heart to know Him.
Jn 7:38: He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
1 Sam 16:7: The Lord looks at the heart.
God desires to give us His Name, Eyes and Heart. Are we ready?
Matt 9:17:
The old wineskin speaks of an un-crucified life. This cannot “contain” His name, eyes, heart.
The new wineskin speaks of a kingdom mentality, a crucified life and a changed mind-set. Only to these will be given the name, eyes and heart of the Lord.
By Michael Lee
2 Chr 7:16: For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
Ps 65:4: Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.
Ps 33:12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
We are a blessed and chosen people.
The Name
When David battled against Goliath, Goliath used a spear, javelin and sword which are all made by hand; but David used pebbles which are made by God. We are better than the pebbles in that we are made in the very image of God. He has placed His name upon us.
2 Chr 14:11: And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, "Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!"
The Eye
Matt 6:22-23; Ps 32:8; Ps 33:18-20
-When the eye is dark-we get lost, can’t see and may stumble and fall.
-The eye of the Lord keeps us alive in famine.
-We have the joy of the Lord in famine.
2 Chr 16:9a: 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Jer 24:6; Deut 11:10-13 God gives us a good possession and His eyes are constantly upon it.
The Heart
Jer 24:7: God gives us a heart to know Him.
Jn 7:38: He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
1 Sam 16:7: The Lord looks at the heart.
God desires to give us His Name, Eyes and Heart. Are we ready?
Matt 9:17:
The old wineskin speaks of an un-crucified life. This cannot “contain” His name, eyes, heart.
The new wineskin speaks of a kingdom mentality, a crucified life and a changed mind-set. Only to these will be given the name, eyes and heart of the Lord.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (28th Jan 2007)
Building Relationships
by Josef Chow
The mark of a true Christian:
by Josef Chow
The mark of a true Christian:
- Jn 13:34-35 All of us desire to be loved and appreciated. We love one another.
- Jn 14:7-11 If they have seen us, they have seen the Father.
- Jn 16:13-15 Trinity-there is unity, authority and submission. It must be the same in a Christian.
- Jn15:12-15 We go from being servants to friends of God. All friendship & relationship are progressive.
- 1 Jn 4:7-8 He who loves little has little love. God wants to fill us with His love. Just be hungry for it.
All relationships such as husband/wife, parents/children, church/pastors are fragile and must be guarded. How are relationships broken? Through hurts by the tongue:
- Js 3:3-12 The power of the tongue.
- Jer 17:9 All of us have a wicked streak. It is expressed through the tongue.
- Js 1:26 If we do not bridle/control our own tongues, we deceive our hearts.
- Prov 18:21 The power of our tongue is just like the power of a judge. It can sentence to death or give life. Many mental cases are a result of tongue abuse i.e. their own or someone close to them.
- Phil 4:8 Let us choose to see the good in others and also in every situation.
- Prov 12:18 The tongue can be sharp and hurtful. However, it can also promote well.
Use our tongue to promote health, build relationships.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The Person God Uses
"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."1
In God's order there is work for everyone to do. He doesn't call many to be a "Billy Graham or a Mother Teresa," but he does call all of us to be faithful in using the gifts and abilities he has given to us. In case we don't feel worthy to be of much use to God, it can help to look at the frailties of many of God's servants in the Bible.
Somebody has pointed out that: "Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos's only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Timothy had ulcers. Peter was afraid of death.
"Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Jesus was too poor. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worry-wart. Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter as did Paul."
True, we all have areas of weakness and have experienced failure at some level, but God will still use every one who makes him or herself available to God. So let's be sure we are serving God by faithfully using the gifts and talents he has given to each of us. It's a great privilege and a great opportunity—plus it has eternal rewards.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the want-to-be what you want me to be and the want-to-do what you want me to do using the gifts and abilities you have given to me—and help me to love and serve you faithfully all the days of my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV)
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In God's order there is work for everyone to do. He doesn't call many to be a "Billy Graham or a Mother Teresa," but he does call all of us to be faithful in using the gifts and abilities he has given to us. In case we don't feel worthy to be of much use to God, it can help to look at the frailties of many of God's servants in the Bible.
Somebody has pointed out that: "Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos's only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Timothy had ulcers. Peter was afraid of death.
"Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Jesus was too poor. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worry-wart. Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter as did Paul."
True, we all have areas of weakness and have experienced failure at some level, but God will still use every one who makes him or herself available to God. So let's be sure we are serving God by faithfully using the gifts and talents he has given to each of us. It's a great privilege and a great opportunity—plus it has eternal rewards.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the want-to-be what you want me to be and the want-to-do what you want me to do using the gifts and abilities you have given to me—and help me to love and serve you faithfully all the days of my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV)
<:))))<><
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Your Future According to God
Your Future According to God
Chip Ingram
Satan once put his tools up for sale in a garage sale. All of them were there: hatred, envy, jealousy, deceit, pride-each with an individual price tag. Off to the side was a harmless-looking tool, well worn, but priced very, very high. One of the shoppers asked him what that tool was and why it was so expensive.
That's discouragement, he said. It's more useful to me than all the others put together. I can get at someone's heart more deeply with discouragement than with anything else. It's so worn out because I use it on almost everyone. And the best part is they rarely know I'm using it.
The enemy still uses discouragement as a tool, and he uses it on each of us day in and day out. Because discouragement often comes from pessimism about how things will turn out, one of the best ways to overcome it is to get God's perspective of our future. In order to do that, we have to let go of two myths.
The first myth about the future is that our situation will always be this way. If your job has always been terrible, you'll eventually embrace the myth that it always will be. Same goes for a marriage, a home, parents, children, or whatever else you struggle with. Discouragement interprets the past and present as an unbreakable pattern, which leads to more discouragement. If we want to see life from God's perspective, we have to reject that myth.
The second myth about the future is that when we make a change for the better, we expect things to start improving almost immediately. Many people find themselves in an overwhelmingly difficult situation and begin praying, going to church, studying the Bible, and overhauling their lifestyle as a result. And when they've stuck with it for a week, a month, or even a year, and nothing seems to be getting any better, they feel like they've gotten a raw deal. Never mind that they've been sowing bad seed into a career or a family situation for twenty years. Most of us feel that if we've made the right changes, we ought to see the right consequences happen pretty soon. And while God mercifully works that way sometimes, He doesn't always. Sometimes the fruit of our obedience takes a long time to grow.
God's perspective on our future is this: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). That's a great promise. It encourages us that things will change; whatever we feel stuck in now isn't permanent. But this promise also reminds us that change requires perseverance. It doesn't usually happen overnight. God honors loving obedience and faith that can stick it out over time. And the reward for enduring is a crown of life.
God promises deep fulfillment and rich joy beyond your wildest dreams. When you come through your trials, you begin to experience it. That's why, if you've ever met a gentle, loving, wise person who radiates the love of Jesus, I can almost guarantee that he or she has suffered deeply. The way God produces that kind of person is through adversity. They don't give up, the life of Christ begins to manifest through them, and they have an inner joy and fulfillment from God that can't be touched by circumstances now and that is greatly magnified in heaven.
Are you looking at your future through the lens of whatever problems you face today? Or do you see it through the certainty of God's promise? Don't give up and don't give in. God says you will receive a reward when the test is finished. You'll get a fulfilling life on this earth in communion with Him, and you'll receive an eternal heavenly crown. And discouragement will be an old, worn-out tool never to be used on you again.
Sunday Re-Cap (14th Jan 2007)
Rebuilding Our Spirit & Soul Foundation by Ps Dong Campoy
He revived us so that we were able to rebuild the Temple (spirit) of our God and repair its ruins. He has given us a protective wall (soul) in Judah and Jerusalem.
Neh 1:3; 2:10, 19 – Rebuilt the wall of the temple – Rebuilding our soul - attitudes.
Rev 21:2 & 9 –Every city has a wall – an attitude. The bride is a person/church.
The soul is all about our attitude. We must be imparted with the Spirit of Jesus so that the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ will be in us.
1. Rebuilding our Spirit Foundation:
a) What is happening in the natural will happen in the spirit. Our belief system will affect our value system (Pr 23:7).
b) For the fire of God to come down, God requires not just a sacrifice (1 Kgs 18:24) but a righteous sacrifice (1 Kgs 18:37-38).
c) Isa 43:18-21 – Behold I am doing a new thing- do you not perceive it? God’s part is to do a new thing and our part is to perceive/believe it.
d) Ps. 51 – I was conceived by sin. No capacity to do the will of God.
e) “Jacob” meant deceiver / trickster; so God renamed him Israel.
f) Jacob was created; Israel was formed. This clearly depicts the need for our spirit foundation, the spiritual Israel, to be rebuilt/formed.
g) Eze 36:25 - I will put a new spirit in you – impart a divine capability & capacity.
h) Haggai 2:8 – Jesus is in us. He gives power inside us. The Holy of Holies is our spirit / heart = the presence of God.
The Holy Place is our soul = our character / attitude.
2. Rebuilding our Soul Foundation:
a) Ps. 51-12 & 17 – Restore to me the joy of salvation. A broken & contrite heart God will not despise. Are we the Temple of God or the temple of Babel (flesh)?
b) Matt 16:13-17; 22-23, Mt 17:3-4 ~ Peter received the revelation knowledge but end up in the flesh – inaccuracy in life.
c) Acts 2:14 – Peter was stirred up by the Spirit of God and he was restored. He understood that Jesus is the Master of His life.
d) Eph 2:6 - God gave grace to raise our standard- The chosen people of God carrying the identity which is a victorious life of Jesus.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Turning a Church in Bondage from Darkness to Light by Mike Genung
"And I said, `Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, `I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. `But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' Acts 26:15-18
In the past 90 days, the following has happened:
A young friend of my son's is watching his parents divorce because his father is not willing to give up sexual sin.
When my wife gave a copy of my book to a neighbor who lives several doors down, she revealed that her full grown son, who is a married father, is losing his marriage and family because of his unwillingness to deal with his struggle with porn addiction.
A dear sister of mine told me she spent Christmas day at work, without family. She lost her marriage a few years back to her husband's sex addiction.
Recently, I watched as a brother of mine tell me through tears that he's filing for divorce, his marriage a victim of both his and his wife's problems with sexual addiction.
Ted Haggard, pastor of a 14,000 member church here in Colorado Springs, resigned his position after his lifelong struggle with homosexual sin was exposed.
Another pastor in a large church in Denver resigned, confessing his own problems with homosexuality.
A few weeks prior, as another pastor was showing his congregation a PowerPoint presentation, a porn image came to the screen. He later resigned, confessing his addiction to pornography.
Another sister in Christ told me this past week that, in spite of her entreaties, her Christian husband sees nothing wrong with his porn habit. She's quoted him Matthew 5:27-28 where Jesus said "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart," but even in the face of God's word he still refuses to relent.
How can pastors like Ted Haggard, men who have ministered to many others and are undoubtedly surrounded by believers to whom they could turn for help, carry on a lifelong battle with sexual sin without asking for help?
How can so many Christian husbands and fathers, many of who sit in church every Sunday, tell their wives to their face that there's nothing wrong with masturbating to pornography?
We receive many emails from wives, every week; all too many read like the one from this wife and mother:
I am fighting a battle with this porn addiction that my husband has. My husband seems to think he is doing nothing wrong. He tells me most men do this… and they get bored. I have heard every excuse there is. It has made me feel that I am not good enough, not pretty enough and especially not skinny enough. I have even said if I was to give him a choice and he would have to choose me or porn, I honestly think it would be the porn. Please tell me how to deal with this for I am so hurt. There are not many days that I don't cry. I have fought this for 13 years and it has just gotten worse. I need to know how to get my husband to understand the hurt I feel and how important it is for him to stop. I have asked him to please not do this while my kids are here. My kids are old enough that they know what is going on... I love my husband with all my heart and I can not imagine my life without him.
Many of God's people are in bondage, captive to Satan's lies that "a little porn doesn't hurt anyone." Others are chained to their sin with the iron shackles of shame, terrified to ask for help for fear of what will happen when the truth comes out. "You can't tell anyone about this," Satan's minions hiss, and so the sexually broken stay in the shadows, not realizing that they're playing right into the hands of the prince of evil.
As a result, the lives of men, women and children are shattered; and God's church isn't the source of light, truth and peace He wants it to be.
Many don't understand the depth or intensity of the bondage of sexual sin. In a recent interview on the Blazing Grace radio show, Ted Roberts of Pure Desire, who has ministered to thousands, said it takes an average of two to three years for the average struggler with sexual sin to break free. Ted shared that he walked away from alcoholism, but that it was a daily fight for several years before he broke free from lust.
One wife who lost her husband to his sexual addiction recently posted the following on our forums:
When I read posts on this site from people whose husbands are sex addicts and quit (getting help), I just want to cry. They need to know how serious this is. It's just as serious as alcoholism. If their husband is not in counseling, they are losing the battle. I honestly don't believe my husband wanted to give up his family for this disgusting addiction. But the first to go is the family.
(You can read more like this in our forums and on the prayer request page of the website.)
If this was a problem that just a few people were struggling with it wouldn't be as bad, but the statistics show that at least 50% of Christian men at every level of the church, plus many women are struggling with some form of sexual addiction.
Sadly, we are all too often our own worst enemy.
One man recently posted the following in our forums:
I'm doing a class about porn addiction for men in nine different congregations of our church. I'm in a significant local lay leadership position (which I asked to step down from, given my "recovering porn addict" status, but was asked to stay). I am aching to let these men know that "I know that close to half of you are addicted; I've been there, and there's hope". However my lay leader says not to say anything, since it would be an embarrassment for the church. Same for the addiction recovery support group that I'm starting up for church members in our city.
And another said in response:
I am saddened by the approach your lay leader is taking. But it is all too common. I too tried to get my pastor to address this issue and hit a stone wall. I was talking to a good friend about this last night. After I had given him the statistics on sexual sin in the church I asked how many sermons he's heard in the last 10 years on the subject. His answer; none! I know our pastor has talked about sexual purity, but taking an honest look at the men and women in the church and calling them out has never happened. When I told him the statistics, all I heard was silence. I don't think he believed me. I am going to take one more run at this with him, and then I will probably just start something on my own.
My experience has been that our concern for our reputation is often one of the primary reasons the church at large has yet to effectively step up and take a hard look at addressing the porn epidemic. Embarrassment of talking about the topic of sex is another, but if we're really honest I think we'll have to admit that this is often fueled by concern over what other people think. Since God devoted a big chunk of the Song of Solomon to graphically describing a sex act between husband and wife, we should have no fear of boldly discussing the same.
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? John 5:44
Every man, woman and child is precious in God's eyes; these are His marriages and families. What grieves me is that many lives would be saved from shipwreck if we were only willing to speak out with boldness and clarity about the issue, and take effective action.
As God sent Paul to turn His people from darkness to light, so should we. Here's what leading our hurting ones to the light looks like:
Face the truth
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
Saying that 50% of Christian men have a porn problem sounds surreal; hard to believe. We don't want the numbers to be this high, because if they are then the church is in big trouble.
The truth is that the numbers are that high (if not higher), and we are in trouble. (See www.blazinggrace.org/pornstatistics.htm for more information, including the results of a survey on porn of the church I attended in 2004.)
Speak the truth in love
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:2-16
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices… Colossians 3:9
The truth that so many are struggling with sexual sin in the church should be proclaimed on a Sunday morning before the entire congregation. Why? Because we dare not miss a single soul with our message of hope; many are dying in shame and/or pain; craving answers, comfort and encouragement. Some have hard hearts and are spitting on their marriages, and need to hear the convicting power of the truth. Leading our people from darkness into light means we're willing to face the hard truths and be bold in pointing our people to God's light. We no longer pretend to be something we're not; instead, we confess what we are as a body: broken, hurting, and in need of God's grace, peace and healing.
Give them a safe place to go.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. Proverbs 28:13
Breaking free from the bondage of sexual sin is a long, often bloody process; Sunday sermons are the beginning of the battle; the doorway to hope, not the end. Those who struggle need a safe place where they can break out of isolation, expose what's going on in their heart, and find healing through the power of God's grace— and the freedom from shame that comes from the acceptance and love of others who support and encourage them in spite of their ugliest sins.
A Strength in Numbers group will provide your people with a safe place where they can move from darkness to light and find such grace. See www.blazinggrace.org/strengthinnumbers.htm for more information.
Pray, surrender, and follow
and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me John 15:4
Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Mathew 9:39
You can expect to come up against opposition if you want to encourage the church to take a hard look at itself and deal effectively with sexual sin. Satan has many strongholds in the church: silence, fear, concern for reputation, pride, the love of pleasure, love for the world, lack of knowledge of God's word, lack of surrender to God, and love for comfort and the status quo. You will more than likely come up against at least a few of these in the battle to lead the hurting from darkness to light.
This battle must be fought with God's power and anointing, not man's, which means ongoing prayer is a must. Enlist as many people as possible to pray with you for God's leading, power, protection and guidance.
Blazing Grace could not survive without the prayers of God's people; I've had more issues with spiritual attack in the past two years than in my entire 44 years of existence. Leading the broken to the light happens when God's people pray, surrender the control of their ministry and lives to Him, and then allow Him to work in His power, ways, timing and methods through them.
Never forget that we are broken clay pots in need of His power, wisdom and love. Where those in ministry blow it is when they try to charge the hill alone in their own strength. Pride is a poisonous viper that snaps at the heals of all who would go into ministry, and the antidote is to live in the truth of our brokenness and stay dependant on the power of the Living God to accomplish His purposes.
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment… John 16:7-8
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ' Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. Zeccariah 4:6
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
We know that God's heart is to lead every man, woman and child from darkness to light. Living in bondage to sexual sin is living in darkness, and His heart is that His people be set free from this terrible plague that is shredding so many families.
My prayer is that He would send many of you to reap the ripe harvest of healing and restoration that lies in our midst.
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you. Psalms 81:16
In the past 90 days, the following has happened:
A young friend of my son's is watching his parents divorce because his father is not willing to give up sexual sin.
When my wife gave a copy of my book to a neighbor who lives several doors down, she revealed that her full grown son, who is a married father, is losing his marriage and family because of his unwillingness to deal with his struggle with porn addiction.
A dear sister of mine told me she spent Christmas day at work, without family. She lost her marriage a few years back to her husband's sex addiction.
Recently, I watched as a brother of mine tell me through tears that he's filing for divorce, his marriage a victim of both his and his wife's problems with sexual addiction.
Ted Haggard, pastor of a 14,000 member church here in Colorado Springs, resigned his position after his lifelong struggle with homosexual sin was exposed.
Another pastor in a large church in Denver resigned, confessing his own problems with homosexuality.
A few weeks prior, as another pastor was showing his congregation a PowerPoint presentation, a porn image came to the screen. He later resigned, confessing his addiction to pornography.
Another sister in Christ told me this past week that, in spite of her entreaties, her Christian husband sees nothing wrong with his porn habit. She's quoted him Matthew 5:27-28 where Jesus said "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart," but even in the face of God's word he still refuses to relent.
How can pastors like Ted Haggard, men who have ministered to many others and are undoubtedly surrounded by believers to whom they could turn for help, carry on a lifelong battle with sexual sin without asking for help?
How can so many Christian husbands and fathers, many of who sit in church every Sunday, tell their wives to their face that there's nothing wrong with masturbating to pornography?
We receive many emails from wives, every week; all too many read like the one from this wife and mother:
I am fighting a battle with this porn addiction that my husband has. My husband seems to think he is doing nothing wrong. He tells me most men do this… and they get bored. I have heard every excuse there is. It has made me feel that I am not good enough, not pretty enough and especially not skinny enough. I have even said if I was to give him a choice and he would have to choose me or porn, I honestly think it would be the porn. Please tell me how to deal with this for I am so hurt. There are not many days that I don't cry. I have fought this for 13 years and it has just gotten worse. I need to know how to get my husband to understand the hurt I feel and how important it is for him to stop. I have asked him to please not do this while my kids are here. My kids are old enough that they know what is going on... I love my husband with all my heart and I can not imagine my life without him.
Many of God's people are in bondage, captive to Satan's lies that "a little porn doesn't hurt anyone." Others are chained to their sin with the iron shackles of shame, terrified to ask for help for fear of what will happen when the truth comes out. "You can't tell anyone about this," Satan's minions hiss, and so the sexually broken stay in the shadows, not realizing that they're playing right into the hands of the prince of evil.
As a result, the lives of men, women and children are shattered; and God's church isn't the source of light, truth and peace He wants it to be.
Many don't understand the depth or intensity of the bondage of sexual sin. In a recent interview on the Blazing Grace radio show, Ted Roberts of Pure Desire, who has ministered to thousands, said it takes an average of two to three years for the average struggler with sexual sin to break free. Ted shared that he walked away from alcoholism, but that it was a daily fight for several years before he broke free from lust.
One wife who lost her husband to his sexual addiction recently posted the following on our forums:
When I read posts on this site from people whose husbands are sex addicts and quit (getting help), I just want to cry. They need to know how serious this is. It's just as serious as alcoholism. If their husband is not in counseling, they are losing the battle. I honestly don't believe my husband wanted to give up his family for this disgusting addiction. But the first to go is the family.
(You can read more like this in our forums and on the prayer request page of the website.)
If this was a problem that just a few people were struggling with it wouldn't be as bad, but the statistics show that at least 50% of Christian men at every level of the church, plus many women are struggling with some form of sexual addiction.
Sadly, we are all too often our own worst enemy.
One man recently posted the following in our forums:
I'm doing a class about porn addiction for men in nine different congregations of our church. I'm in a significant local lay leadership position (which I asked to step down from, given my "recovering porn addict" status, but was asked to stay). I am aching to let these men know that "I know that close to half of you are addicted; I've been there, and there's hope". However my lay leader says not to say anything, since it would be an embarrassment for the church. Same for the addiction recovery support group that I'm starting up for church members in our city.
And another said in response:
I am saddened by the approach your lay leader is taking. But it is all too common. I too tried to get my pastor to address this issue and hit a stone wall. I was talking to a good friend about this last night. After I had given him the statistics on sexual sin in the church I asked how many sermons he's heard in the last 10 years on the subject. His answer; none! I know our pastor has talked about sexual purity, but taking an honest look at the men and women in the church and calling them out has never happened. When I told him the statistics, all I heard was silence. I don't think he believed me. I am going to take one more run at this with him, and then I will probably just start something on my own.
My experience has been that our concern for our reputation is often one of the primary reasons the church at large has yet to effectively step up and take a hard look at addressing the porn epidemic. Embarrassment of talking about the topic of sex is another, but if we're really honest I think we'll have to admit that this is often fueled by concern over what other people think. Since God devoted a big chunk of the Song of Solomon to graphically describing a sex act between husband and wife, we should have no fear of boldly discussing the same.
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? John 5:44
Every man, woman and child is precious in God's eyes; these are His marriages and families. What grieves me is that many lives would be saved from shipwreck if we were only willing to speak out with boldness and clarity about the issue, and take effective action.
As God sent Paul to turn His people from darkness to light, so should we. Here's what leading our hurting ones to the light looks like:
Face the truth
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
Saying that 50% of Christian men have a porn problem sounds surreal; hard to believe. We don't want the numbers to be this high, because if they are then the church is in big trouble.
The truth is that the numbers are that high (if not higher), and we are in trouble. (See www.blazinggrace.org/pornstatistics.htm for more information, including the results of a survey on porn of the church I attended in 2004.)
Speak the truth in love
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:2-16
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices… Colossians 3:9
The truth that so many are struggling with sexual sin in the church should be proclaimed on a Sunday morning before the entire congregation. Why? Because we dare not miss a single soul with our message of hope; many are dying in shame and/or pain; craving answers, comfort and encouragement. Some have hard hearts and are spitting on their marriages, and need to hear the convicting power of the truth. Leading our people from darkness into light means we're willing to face the hard truths and be bold in pointing our people to God's light. We no longer pretend to be something we're not; instead, we confess what we are as a body: broken, hurting, and in need of God's grace, peace and healing.
Give them a safe place to go.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. Proverbs 28:13
Breaking free from the bondage of sexual sin is a long, often bloody process; Sunday sermons are the beginning of the battle; the doorway to hope, not the end. Those who struggle need a safe place where they can break out of isolation, expose what's going on in their heart, and find healing through the power of God's grace— and the freedom from shame that comes from the acceptance and love of others who support and encourage them in spite of their ugliest sins.
A Strength in Numbers group will provide your people with a safe place where they can move from darkness to light and find such grace. See www.blazinggrace.org/strengthinnumbers.htm for more information.
Pray, surrender, and follow
and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me John 15:4
Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Mathew 9:39
You can expect to come up against opposition if you want to encourage the church to take a hard look at itself and deal effectively with sexual sin. Satan has many strongholds in the church: silence, fear, concern for reputation, pride, the love of pleasure, love for the world, lack of knowledge of God's word, lack of surrender to God, and love for comfort and the status quo. You will more than likely come up against at least a few of these in the battle to lead the hurting from darkness to light.
This battle must be fought with God's power and anointing, not man's, which means ongoing prayer is a must. Enlist as many people as possible to pray with you for God's leading, power, protection and guidance.
Blazing Grace could not survive without the prayers of God's people; I've had more issues with spiritual attack in the past two years than in my entire 44 years of existence. Leading the broken to the light happens when God's people pray, surrender the control of their ministry and lives to Him, and then allow Him to work in His power, ways, timing and methods through them.
Never forget that we are broken clay pots in need of His power, wisdom and love. Where those in ministry blow it is when they try to charge the hill alone in their own strength. Pride is a poisonous viper that snaps at the heals of all who would go into ministry, and the antidote is to live in the truth of our brokenness and stay dependant on the power of the Living God to accomplish His purposes.
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment… John 16:7-8
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ' Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. Zeccariah 4:6
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
We know that God's heart is to lead every man, woman and child from darkness to light. Living in bondage to sexual sin is living in darkness, and His heart is that His people be set free from this terrible plague that is shredding so many families.
My prayer is that He would send many of you to reap the ripe harvest of healing and restoration that lies in our midst.
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you. Psalms 81:16
Friday, January 12, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (7th Jan 2007)
A People of Destiny: God’s Promise of Restoration in 2007
The text of our theme for this year is Jer 29:1-14. The background of this theme is God’s promise of restoration for the children of Israel that were being held captive in Babylon. God is a God of restoration. He wants to restore us and restore us perfectly.
Jer 29:1-9
Who are these who prophesy falsely?
The text of our theme for this year is Jer 29:1-14. The background of this theme is God’s promise of restoration for the children of Israel that were being held captive in Babylon. God is a God of restoration. He wants to restore us and restore us perfectly.
Jer 29:1-9
Who are these who prophesy falsely?
- These are the ones who advocate the “name it and claim it” principle.
- These are the ones who subtly educate us in the principles of instant success and deliverance.
- These are the ones who were teaching that we can plan and dictate things according to our own time table and not God’s.
- As a result, we become impatient, disheartened, discouraged when we don’t see it happen according to our time table and we begin to question God.
- We even lose our passion for God and our first love because God did not do as He promised in His word.
Jer 29:10
- Only God’s timing is the right timing.
- He is often teaching us to wait. Is 40:31
- The purpose of waiting is renewing (châlaph) our strength. Not depending on our old strength. He desires to empty our old strength and replace it with His strength. Ex: Like driving into a service station and emptying our old oil and putting in new oil. Moving on, forward, transitioning out.
- There is a process involved. Don’t get impatient, let His processes work through for restoration to take place.
How do we get this re-NEW-ed mindset? This requires spiritual disciplines:
- The WORD of God. (Josh 1:8)
- Praying in the Spirit. (Eph 6:18; Jude 1:20).
- Be filled with the spirit continually (Eph 5:18).
- Walking in the spirit (revelation knowledge) and not lust of the flesh (sense/carnal knowledge)(Gal 5:16),
- mind of the spirit (Rom 8:27; Eph 4:23; 17-32)
- Guarding our hearts and lips.(Prov 4:23-24; Prov 18:21 Rom 10:17; Matt 12:35-37)
- Serving-humility, teachability (humility and repentance).(Lk 22:26; Jn 12:26;Heb 12:28)
We do these because we want to have a fresh encounter daily with God Himself (John 5:39).
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land
2Ch 7:14-16 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (15) Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place. (16) For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Power of One
The Power of One
"I [God] sought for a man [person] among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one."1
Have you ever felt helpless in light of the seemingly overwhelming problems we face in today's world—either at home or abroad? The truth of the matter, however, is that one person can make a world of difference to at least one other person and, more often than not, to a host of other persons.
Some time ago a friend sent the following anonymous poem to me. I'd like to share it with you today.
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam can light a room.
One candle can wipe out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see it's up to YOU!
As another has said, "All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of one small candle." And as Edward Everett Hale so eloquently said, "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do."
Don't ever forget how very important you are in your world and remember too, that "One person is very important to God, too." Most of his work on earth has been started by one person. God is always looking for people who will do his work on earth. Will you be the one he is looking for today?
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I'm available. I want to say yes to you today and be one you are looking for. Please use me to be a part of your plans in what you are doing in the world in which I live. Please show me where I can begin. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV).
Friday, January 05, 2007
Just Suppose
"My son [and/or daughter] give me your heart ... for out of it are the issues of life."
Zig Ziglar tells the story about an elderly man playing an organ in a cathedral in Europe. He was playing sad and melancholy music. It was sad because this was his last day as organist of the cathedral. He was being replaced by a younger musician.
Zig Ziglar tells the story about an elderly man playing an organ in a cathedral in Europe. He was playing sad and melancholy music. It was sad because this was his last day as organist of the cathedral. He was being replaced by a younger musician.
At dusk, somebody stepped into the cathedral. Seeing the younger man, the organist stopped playing, locked the organ and slipped the key into his pocket. He was approached by the young man, who simply said, "Please, the key."
On receiving the key, the young organist went to the organ and began to pay.
While the old man had played beautifully and skillfully, the young man played with sheer genius. Incredible music came rolling out of that beautiful old organ.
This was the world's introduction to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The old man, with tears in his eyes, said, "Suppose—just suppose—I had not given the master the key!"
Have you given the Master of Life the key—the key to your heart and to your life?
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I surrender the key to my heart and life to you. Please make me the man/woman of God you want me to be. Do with my life as you will. Please use me to be a part of what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Proverbs 23:26 with 4:23 (NIV & KJV).
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (31st Dec 2006)
A New Mindset for the New Year
Mat 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
The LORD wants to give us new wine for the New Year but before He can do that, do we have new wineskins? The new wine speaks of a fresh anointing and enablement of the Holy Spirit to face the challenges of the New Year and to be more than conquerors. A new wineskin speaks about a new kind of mindset, a Kingdom Mindset rather than a carnal or earthly mindset. Is it possible that all this time, we operated out of our carnal sense knowledge i.e. touch, see, feel, taste and hear? However, for the New Year, The LORD wants us to operate out of revelation knowledge.
The natural man operates out of sense knowledge and the spiritual man operates out of revelation knowledge.
What manner of man are we? What kind of wineskin do we have?
We need to have a Kingdom mindset in the following areas to have new wine:
1. Finances
A new mindset is having a breakthrough in our giving and not getting. (Mat 19:21; 2Co 9:8)
2. Health
A new mindset is believing what the word says about our healing and health. (Is 53:5)
3. Influence to reach out.
A new mindset is that we have influence in the market place. (Ps 2:8)
4. Soul care
A new mindset is watching what we say and guarding our hearts (Prov 4:20-27)
How do we get this new mindset?
- The WORD of God. (Josh 1:8)
- Praying in the Spirit. (Eph 6:18; Jude 1:20)
- Guarding our hearts and lips.(Prov 4:23-24; Prov 18:21 Rom 10:17; Matt 12:35-37)
- Serving-humility, teachability (humility and repentance).(Lk 22:26; Jn 12:26;Heb 12:28)
This is not just a formula and an end in itself. If we only did these four things, then we would soon burn out and find our Christian lives empty and dry. Why do we read, pray in the spirit, etc? We do it because we want to have a fresh encounter daily with God Himself (John 5:39). The shepherds in the fields were changed because of an encounter with God (Lk 2:9). Paul was changed because of an encounter with the LORD (Acts 9:3-4). The disciples were changed because of an encounter with God and the list goes on and on.
Are we ready for an encounter this coming year? Only He can give us the new wineskin but we must be willing and position ourselves for it. Are you willing?
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land
Monday, January 01, 2007
Visit to Homes on 30th Dec 2006
Blessed New Year Grow-ites! Tis truly a season to give and be a blessing. On the 30th of Dec 2006, some of us went to Rumah Ceria, SONshine home and Grace Home to bless "Him" by giving to the "least of our brethren". Let it not end here but lets really touch God's heart this coming year by being and "action" church and not just a "talking" church.
Love you and may the LORD be with you!
Love you and may the LORD be with you!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Sermon Re-cap (24th Dec 2006)
The Reason For The Season
Christmas is a season for us to remember that Jesus’ coming to the world is for the purpose of redemption.
Why do we need redemption?
- We have all sinned.
- Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,
- We are deserving of death because of our sins.
- Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- However, Jesus has taken our sins upon himself and died on the cross for all of us.
- Rom 5:8 But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
- Therefore, when we receive Jesus into our lives, our death sentence is revoked and we are saved.
- Rom 10:9-10 Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
- We now have life because the Son of God lives in us.
- 1Jo 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Let this Christmas season be a meaningful one as we understand the true meaning of Christmas. Let Christ alone reign in our lives.
Ps Samuel Hari
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (10th December, 2006)
Christ in You is the Hope of Glory
Ps. Rey Benito
Col 1:26-27- Because of CHRIST in us we can now experience the glory of God.
Ps. 105:8-15 God remembers His covenanted people forever. He protects, blesses and keeps them from harm.
Those who are in Christ, God brings every favour, grace and blessing that they will be a blessing to others. God brings His glory through us for Christ is the Spirit of Glory in us:
1. He comes to beautify our lives
a) Eph 2:10 We are now God’s workmanship – God accepts us as we are but the Spirit of Glory (CHRIST) transforms us from glory to glory and makes all things beautiful.
b) 2 Peter 2:9 We are a chosen generation and belong to the Kingdom of Light.
We are children of God and a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
c) Heb 12:22-24 Our names are registered in heaven because of Jesus Christ – church of the general assembly of the firstborn. The church on earth is a representative of the church in Heaven; we are Christ’s ambassadors, representing Christ – we shine to others Christ’s glory.
d) 1 Cor 2:16 We have the mind of Christ. We can receive ideas / thoughts from God. God says, “my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”
2. God gives us an excellent spirit.
Dan 1:20- Daniel had the spirit of excellence. The glory of God is the best charisma we can have (Dan 6:3)
3. Brings bounty in our lives
2 Cor 9:10 We need to plant seeds of the Word of God – increase the fruits of your righteousness.
How to allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in our lives?
1. Commit totally to God.
2. Acknowledge what the Word of God says about you.
3. Arise and shine. Isaiah 60:1- Show our good works to the world and touch people.
4. Patience & perseverance – we have to believe, respond and persevere like Joseph till God placed him in a position of glory.
So church, lets allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in our lives till the Glory of Christ is seen.
Ps. Rey Benito
Col 1:26-27- Because of CHRIST in us we can now experience the glory of God.
Ps. 105:8-15 God remembers His covenanted people forever. He protects, blesses and keeps them from harm.
Those who are in Christ, God brings every favour, grace and blessing that they will be a blessing to others. God brings His glory through us for Christ is the Spirit of Glory in us:
1. He comes to beautify our lives
a) Eph 2:10 We are now God’s workmanship – God accepts us as we are but the Spirit of Glory (CHRIST) transforms us from glory to glory and makes all things beautiful.
b) 2 Peter 2:9 We are a chosen generation and belong to the Kingdom of Light.
We are children of God and a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
c) Heb 12:22-24 Our names are registered in heaven because of Jesus Christ – church of the general assembly of the firstborn. The church on earth is a representative of the church in Heaven; we are Christ’s ambassadors, representing Christ – we shine to others Christ’s glory.
d) 1 Cor 2:16 We have the mind of Christ. We can receive ideas / thoughts from God. God says, “my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”
2. God gives us an excellent spirit.
Dan 1:20- Daniel had the spirit of excellence. The glory of God is the best charisma we can have (Dan 6:3)
3. Brings bounty in our lives
2 Cor 9:10 We need to plant seeds of the Word of God – increase the fruits of your righteousness.
How to allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in our lives?
1. Commit totally to God.
2. Acknowledge what the Word of God says about you.
3. Arise and shine. Isaiah 60:1- Show our good works to the world and touch people.
4. Patience & perseverance – we have to believe, respond and persevere like Joseph till God placed him in a position of glory.
So church, lets allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in our lives till the Glory of Christ is seen.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (03rd December, 2006)
Unity
Ps. Samuel Hari
God is ready to intervene in the affairs of man.
Heb 11:1, 6 Faith is … Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The hope that is found in the Bible is a deep yearning / assurance of what God is doing.
Rom 5 – Hope doesn’t disappoint.
Ps. 133 – How Good and Pleasant for brethren to dwell together.
Not Many things in life are both GOOD and PLEASANT. Exercise, discipline, studying, medicine, constructive criticism is good but may not necessarily be pleasant.
John 17:24 Jesus’ definition of Unity – that we may all be one as the Father is in Jesus and Jesus in the Father. That we may be one in THEM that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus. It’s Koinonia relationship. It’s much deeper – sharing, close association, partnership, participation, a communion, contributory help. An intimate bond of fellowship.
Acts 2:42 The believers who were baptized in the Holy Spirit were literarily devoted to this kind of covenant relationship- through communication and unity with God and one another.
Eph 4:3 Endeavor – Pressing in / making the effort to continue steadfastly in the God (apostles’ doctrine and prayer) and in one another (fellowship and the breaking of bread).
Acts 3 – Peter & John healed the lame man (Powerful miracle); Acts 4 persecution and opposition came along. When there is unity there will be opposition, but it’s faith that brings the miracles.
We need to understand the deception that is around us (Acts 4:13-17). The eyes that are blinded or those who even consciously reject the LORD even after seeing and admitting for themselves the manifestation of God’s power and presence. Here we also learn that it’s not always miracles that bring people to the LORD but it’s a revelation of who He is / an encounter with the living God.
Acts 4:24 - with one accord raised their voices (covenant prayer) to God
Acts 4:31-33 – the place was shaken and they:
1. Assembled in ONE place.
2. They PRAYED
3. They were filled with the HOLY SPIRIT
4. They spoke the Word of God with Boldness – direct reference with verse 18; which is EVANGELISM)
Church lets put all effort to live in the Koinonia relationship and experience the power of Unity in the Body of Christ!
Ps. Samuel Hari
God is ready to intervene in the affairs of man.
Heb 11:1, 6 Faith is … Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The hope that is found in the Bible is a deep yearning / assurance of what God is doing.
Rom 5 – Hope doesn’t disappoint.
Ps. 133 – How Good and Pleasant for brethren to dwell together.
Not Many things in life are both GOOD and PLEASANT. Exercise, discipline, studying, medicine, constructive criticism is good but may not necessarily be pleasant.
John 17:24 Jesus’ definition of Unity – that we may all be one as the Father is in Jesus and Jesus in the Father. That we may be one in THEM that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus. It’s Koinonia relationship. It’s much deeper – sharing, close association, partnership, participation, a communion, contributory help. An intimate bond of fellowship.
Acts 2:42 The believers who were baptized in the Holy Spirit were literarily devoted to this kind of covenant relationship- through communication and unity with God and one another.
Eph 4:3 Endeavor – Pressing in / making the effort to continue steadfastly in the God (apostles’ doctrine and prayer) and in one another (fellowship and the breaking of bread).
Acts 3 – Peter & John healed the lame man (Powerful miracle); Acts 4 persecution and opposition came along. When there is unity there will be opposition, but it’s faith that brings the miracles.
We need to understand the deception that is around us (Acts 4:13-17). The eyes that are blinded or those who even consciously reject the LORD even after seeing and admitting for themselves the manifestation of God’s power and presence. Here we also learn that it’s not always miracles that bring people to the LORD but it’s a revelation of who He is / an encounter with the living God.
Acts 4:24 - with one accord raised their voices (covenant prayer) to God
Acts 4:31-33 – the place was shaken and they:
1. Assembled in ONE place.
2. They PRAYED
3. They were filled with the HOLY SPIRIT
4. They spoke the Word of God with Boldness – direct reference with verse 18; which is EVANGELISM)
Church lets put all effort to live in the Koinonia relationship and experience the power of Unity in the Body of Christ!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (19th November, 2006)
Be Perfect don’t settle for second best
Ps. Daniel Toh
Our God is Holy and Perfect and so He wants us to be likewise …holy & perfect!
Eph 4:1 - I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.
We all fall short of the glory of God; no one is perfect except God alone. The Bible says a young rich ruler asked Jesus, what he ought to do to obtain salvation and was told to sell his wealth and give them to the poor. Jesus said this so that he would be set free from living in the pattern of this world, the wealth of this word and its pressures. God wants us to depart from living in the patterns of this world and follow God’s pattern – holy & perfect.
Matt 5:48 -Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
This is not an instruction but a Command from the lord.
We can be perfect if only our minds are renewed through the word of God and we start thinking according to God’s way.
Rom 12:2- And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Restoration of the mind:
2 Cor 10:5 - 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,
Resurrection power is in us, so don’t wait use this incomparable mighty power to practice to take authority over the stronghold of our minds and all the other harmful habits.
Eph 1:19-21- and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Phil 3:12-14 - Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Rev 3:1-6 - "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God…
So be renewed in the mind, be more and more like Jesus and bring all things under submission to the ways of God and prepare to reach perfection. Don’t’ settle for second best.
Ps. Daniel Toh
Our God is Holy and Perfect and so He wants us to be likewise …holy & perfect!
Eph 4:1 - I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.
We all fall short of the glory of God; no one is perfect except God alone. The Bible says a young rich ruler asked Jesus, what he ought to do to obtain salvation and was told to sell his wealth and give them to the poor. Jesus said this so that he would be set free from living in the pattern of this world, the wealth of this word and its pressures. God wants us to depart from living in the patterns of this world and follow God’s pattern – holy & perfect.
Matt 5:48 -Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
This is not an instruction but a Command from the lord.
We can be perfect if only our minds are renewed through the word of God and we start thinking according to God’s way.
Rom 12:2- And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Restoration of the mind:
2 Cor 10:5 - 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,
Resurrection power is in us, so don’t wait use this incomparable mighty power to practice to take authority over the stronghold of our minds and all the other harmful habits.
Eph 1:19-21- and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Phil 3:12-14 - Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Rev 3:1-6 - "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God…
So be renewed in the mind, be more and more like Jesus and bring all things under submission to the ways of God and prepare to reach perfection. Don’t’ settle for second best.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (12th November, 2006)
Linger in God’s presence, do the things of God and reach out to others.
Ps. Francis Peter
We are called to be children of the Living God. Jesus Christ has constant prayer & fellowship with the Father that caused Him to do great things. Like wise we ought to spend time with God before we go out and reach out to others about God’s love and gift of salvation.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
- We speak to God more only through prayer and God speaks to us most of the time through his word (Bible).
- We ought to be doers of the Word. ( James 1:22)
Matt 28:18-20 We are call to Go out and witness
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
Eze 22:30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Jesus Promises to be with us to help and guide us to do the things of God, Jesus will never leave or forsake us as we continue to linger in His presence and be witnesses to others
Ps.37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
Isa 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
1 Peter 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Mt 28:20 .. and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen
Luke 11:9-10 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
John 14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Jer 33:3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
1 Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
So spend time with God, linger in His presence and have a heart for the lost souls of our relatives, friends and neighbours because they are dying without Jesus Christ in their lives.
Ps. Francis Peter
We are called to be children of the Living God. Jesus Christ has constant prayer & fellowship with the Father that caused Him to do great things. Like wise we ought to spend time with God before we go out and reach out to others about God’s love and gift of salvation.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
- We speak to God more only through prayer and God speaks to us most of the time through his word (Bible).
- We ought to be doers of the Word. ( James 1:22)
Matt 28:18-20 We are call to Go out and witness
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
Eze 22:30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Jesus Promises to be with us to help and guide us to do the things of God, Jesus will never leave or forsake us as we continue to linger in His presence and be witnesses to others
Ps.37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
Isa 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
1 Peter 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Mt 28:20 .. and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen
Luke 11:9-10 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
John 14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Jer 33:3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
1 Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
So spend time with God, linger in His presence and have a heart for the lost souls of our relatives, friends and neighbours because they are dying without Jesus Christ in their lives.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap (5th NOV, 2006)
Fellowship-Koinonia
by Ps Samuel Hari
Jn 17:20-21 Jesus defines UNITY. Does the UNITY in our fellowship line up with this desire? Why UNITY? It brings both individual and corporate blessings. Acts 2 and Ps 133.
The desire of our heavenly Father is that we be one in Him.
Acts 2:38-42: The model of UNITY in the early church.
They were in fellowship with one another (v42). What is fellowship? Is it only sharing food as we sometimes know it?
Fellowship found in this verse is koinonia (Gk). It is a compound word that means the following:
I. Sharing
by Ps Samuel Hari
Jn 17:20-21 Jesus defines UNITY. Does the UNITY in our fellowship line up with this desire? Why UNITY? It brings both individual and corporate blessings. Acts 2 and Ps 133.
The desire of our heavenly Father is that we be one in Him.
Acts 2:38-42: The model of UNITY in the early church.
They were in fellowship with one another (v42). What is fellowship? Is it only sharing food as we sometimes know it?
Fellowship found in this verse is koinonia (Gk). It is a compound word that means the following:
I. Sharing
- In every aspect. Gospel, testimonies, etc. In a deeper sense it a sharing of lives; letting go of the comfort zones. No cliques. Like a close knit family.
- It involves a breaking of paradigms.
- What do we have that we can share with one another? Every one of us has a gift.
- Start by practicing sharing in church and then we can expand it to sharing with the world around us.
- It awakens us to the needs of the world around us.
- One statistics say that 20% if the church does 80% of the work. We can break out of this by the power of the Holy Spirit.
II. Close Asssociation
- When the Holy Spirit filled the early church they became less and less associated with the world and more and more closer to each other sometimes even without realising it.
- There is a risk of becoming closer to one another. We can get get offended, hurt, discouraged. However the key to getting closer is our relationship with God. With the Holy Spirit in the combination, we can overcome and grow stronger and closer.
- The closer we get to God, the closer we get to one another. Don't attempt to do it in our own strength. Ask the Holy Spirit for grace.
- Step out in faith in getting closer to one another.
III. Partnership
- Complementing one another's giftings. Don't covet one another's gifts.
- Recognize one another's giftings in God and that they are unique for the building of the body of Christ.
- Appreciate one another's giftings.
- Encourage gifts. This will help us to avoid the path of cynism and move us to a lifestyle of encouraging one another.
- Avoid flattery.
As we meditate on Koinonia type of fellowship, we understand better the flavor of Holy Spirit empowered UNITY in the early church. Let us stir up one another to love and to serve God with a cheerful heart.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap (29th OCT, 2006)
The Quality of Unity
by Pastor Samuel Hari
Text: John 17:20-21
Before the church can be effective in reaching out and touching the community physically, emotionally or spiritually, the church must have a certain level of unity. What level is that?
We can worship and believe that our worship impacts our community but without UNITY, the effect is limited; although not entirely ineffective.
The church in Acts 2:1 was together in one place in one accord. There was a Quality of Unity that was present in the early church. What was the benchmark? Jesus said in Jn 17:21 that we may be one in the LORD as Jesus and the Father are one.
This is the quality of unity that is being sought out by the Father.
by Pastor Samuel Hari
Text: John 17:20-21
Before the church can be effective in reaching out and touching the community physically, emotionally or spiritually, the church must have a certain level of unity. What level is that?
We can worship and believe that our worship impacts our community but without UNITY, the effect is limited; although not entirely ineffective.
The church in Acts 2:1 was together in one place in one accord. There was a Quality of Unity that was present in the early church. What was the benchmark? Jesus said in Jn 17:21 that we may be one in the LORD as Jesus and the Father are one.
This is the quality of unity that is being sought out by the Father.
- Where are we individually and as a church in reference to this benchmark?
- Can we say that we are one in Him as Jesus and the Father?
- What prevents us from arriving at this goal of the Father?
There are three things that prevent us from arriving at this unity:
- Js 5:16 Unforgiveness.
- Js 4:1-10 Pride that leads to strife.
- 1 Jn 4:7-8 No revelation of God’s LOVE. Murmuring, Complaining, Grumbling, seeing evil in everything. In one word, the FLESH. Solution: A crucified life.
In the book of Acts, the Father was so impressed by the Quality of Unity that he poured out the Holy Spirit without measure upon the early church.
The blessing upon the church was both individually and corporately and we can expect the same today. Not only were they blessed individually by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the whole community around them were also blessed by an outpouring. Does our community need an outpouring today? Do we need an outpouring today? Then the answer lies in the Quality of Unity that we have. Love IS the KEY to EVERYTHING we do for JESUS is the SOURCE of it all!
Let’s believe God for that same QUALITY of UNITY and expect a mighty outpouring upon us individually, as a church and as a community.
The only unanswered prayer of Jesus is the UNITY of the believers. The answer is our response.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap (15th OCT, 2006)
Weapons Of Warfare
By Pastors Hank & Myrene Morrison (COTW Van Nuys CA)
Introduction:
There are 2 Kingdoms that are at war with each other which are The Kingdom of God and The Kingdom of Darkness.
Kingdom Of God-Love, Light, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness.
Kingdom Of Darkness-Hate, Darkness, Fear, Pain, Torment, Anger, Violence, Cruelty.
Kingdom Of God brings UNITY and Kingdom Of Darkness brings DIVISION.
Eph 6.12: Each of these Kingdoms wants ultimate rule.
2 Cor 10.4-5: What are these WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE?
By Pastors Hank & Myrene Morrison (COTW Van Nuys CA)
Introduction:
There are 2 Kingdoms that are at war with each other which are The Kingdom of God and The Kingdom of Darkness.
Kingdom Of God-Love, Light, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness.
Kingdom Of Darkness-Hate, Darkness, Fear, Pain, Torment, Anger, Violence, Cruelty.
Kingdom Of God brings UNITY and Kingdom Of Darkness brings DIVISION.
Eph 6.12: Each of these Kingdoms wants ultimate rule.
2 Cor 10.4-5: What are these WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE?
- The TRUTH. John 8.32
- The BLOOD of JESUS. Rev 12.11 Lev 17.11
- The Authority of the name of JESUS. Mark 16.17
- The word of their TESTIMONY. Rev 12.11
- The WORD of God and the SWORD of the SPIRIT. Eph 6.17
- LOVE. 1 Jn 4.18
- FASTING. Matt 17.21
- Anointing with OIL. Is 10.27
- Laying on of HANDS. Luke 13.11-16, Luke 4:40-41, Acts 19:11-12
- Songs of DELIVERANCE. Ps 32.7
- Binding and Loosing. Matt 16.19, Matt 18.18
- Warfare Prayer in Tongues. Matt 12.28
- Prayer of Agreement. Matt 18.19
- PRAISE. Ps 149.6-9
- Gifts of the SPIRIT. 1 Cor 12-14
- Prayer of REPENTANCE. 1 Jn 1.8-9
- WARFARE SHOUTS. Jer 50.15; 51.14
- Hands at WAR. Ps 18.34
Q. When do we use which weapon?
A. Lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge HIM and He shall direct your paths. Prov 3.5
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (08th October, 2006)
Don’t settle for anything less when your heart asks for more
Pr. David Lai
Mark 10:46-52 - Blind Bartimaeus determined in his mind & heart to get his sight.
The devil doesn’t want us to have more. He wants to kill, steal and destroy us from having more.
Genesis 37:3 – Joseph was hated by his brothers because he had more. Likewise when we have more the devil wants to destroy us. But we need to rise up and allow God to bless us move that we can impact nations.
Daniel - Served four kings but finally he had more and became a prophetic voice to the nation.
Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-27) – Saul a handsome guy was selected to be the king of Israel but Saul with his own mind and perspective say I’m from the smallest clan of Benjamite and tries to avoid the more that God wanted to bless him.
We just need o allow God to touch our hearts for His blessings are unlimited, we need to change our believe system so that we can trust on what the Word of God says; only then our spirit-man will line-up towards God’s plan for us.
1 Sam 10:9, 26 – God gave Saul another heart, a changed heart to do His will. Learn to pull down every stronghold in the mind in Jesus’ name.
Gideon (Judges 6) – Gideon had the same mind set like Saul that he was from the smallest and weakest clan, but he wanted move- to see the deliverance of the nation of Israel. Since he wanted more, he became a mighty leader. God is a God of Much More!
Jabez (1 Chron 4:9-10) – “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!"
2 Chron 25:6-9 - God has power to help and to overthrow - "The Lord is able to give you much more than this."
Eph 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
So don’t settle for anything less when your heart asks for more in the things of God!
Pr. David Lai
Mark 10:46-52 - Blind Bartimaeus determined in his mind & heart to get his sight.
The devil doesn’t want us to have more. He wants to kill, steal and destroy us from having more.
Genesis 37:3 – Joseph was hated by his brothers because he had more. Likewise when we have more the devil wants to destroy us. But we need to rise up and allow God to bless us move that we can impact nations.
Daniel - Served four kings but finally he had more and became a prophetic voice to the nation.
Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-27) – Saul a handsome guy was selected to be the king of Israel but Saul with his own mind and perspective say I’m from the smallest clan of Benjamite and tries to avoid the more that God wanted to bless him.
We just need o allow God to touch our hearts for His blessings are unlimited, we need to change our believe system so that we can trust on what the Word of God says; only then our spirit-man will line-up towards God’s plan for us.
1 Sam 10:9, 26 – God gave Saul another heart, a changed heart to do His will. Learn to pull down every stronghold in the mind in Jesus’ name.
Gideon (Judges 6) – Gideon had the same mind set like Saul that he was from the smallest and weakest clan, but he wanted move- to see the deliverance of the nation of Israel. Since he wanted more, he became a mighty leader. God is a God of Much More!
Jabez (1 Chron 4:9-10) – “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!"
2 Chron 25:6-9 - God has power to help and to overthrow - "The Lord is able to give you much more than this."
Eph 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
So don’t settle for anything less when your heart asks for more in the things of God!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (01st October, 2006)
Do You Really Know God
Bro. Daniel Jacob
Gen 19:1 -15 ~ Sodom & Gomorrah were punished.
Gen 18:20 – Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of their sin. Ezekiel 16:49 says their sin was that they did not help the poor, were haughty and did detestable things.
The main reason God destroyed them was because they did not help the poor and the needy.
Gen 18:20 – Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of their sin. Ezekiel 16:49 says their sin was that they did not help the poor, were haughty and did detestable things.
The main reason God destroyed them was because they did not help the poor and the needy.
Gal 2:9-10 ~ The Apostles and Paul had the same desire that is “to remember the poor”.
Jeremiah 22:16 ~ To have compassion on the poor. That compassion must do something, and
not just having good intentions but without actions. The Bible says that Jesus was moved by
compassion to do something.
Lev 19:1-10 ~ The Lord told how the harvesters must consider the poor & needy by leaving some at the edge, whatever falls don’t pick up, so that the poor may collect them.
We have to heed the call of the poor and needy.
Pro 21:31~ Don’t shut the cry of the poor and remember what we sow is what we will reap.
Mt 25:31-46 – Jesus mentions that whatever we do to the least of the brethren, we do it unto Him.
Eph 2:8 By grace we have been saved through faith. James says ‘Faith without works is dead”. If we have faith, the natural result is action to do something.
We become selfish and self centred if we do not give or help the poor. When we are insensitive to something, we are oblivious to the problems around.
Poor are those who due to circumstances in life are not able to help or fend for themselves due to ill health, death of sole provider, lack of opportunity, oppression from outside.
We should proactively want to help the poor & needy.
Pro 22:9 – Generous giver will be blessed.
Deut 15:10 – Give without grieve and God will bless all your works
Pro 19:17 – He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD…
You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving!
So to what extend do we help the poor & needy? The picture of a true Christian is one who blesses the poor.
Conclusion: God is interested in people, especially people in difficulty. Give without expecting anything in return!
Bro. Daniel Jacob
Gen 19:1 -15 ~ Sodom & Gomorrah were punished.
Gen 18:20 – Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of their sin. Ezekiel 16:49 says their sin was that they did not help the poor, were haughty and did detestable things.
The main reason God destroyed them was because they did not help the poor and the needy.
Gen 18:20 – Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of their sin. Ezekiel 16:49 says their sin was that they did not help the poor, were haughty and did detestable things.
The main reason God destroyed them was because they did not help the poor and the needy.
Gal 2:9-10 ~ The Apostles and Paul had the same desire that is “to remember the poor”.
Jeremiah 22:16 ~ To have compassion on the poor. That compassion must do something, and
not just having good intentions but without actions. The Bible says that Jesus was moved by
compassion to do something.
Lev 19:1-10 ~ The Lord told how the harvesters must consider the poor & needy by leaving some at the edge, whatever falls don’t pick up, so that the poor may collect them.
We have to heed the call of the poor and needy.
Pro 21:31~ Don’t shut the cry of the poor and remember what we sow is what we will reap.
Mt 25:31-46 – Jesus mentions that whatever we do to the least of the brethren, we do it unto Him.
Eph 2:8 By grace we have been saved through faith. James says ‘Faith without works is dead”. If we have faith, the natural result is action to do something.
We become selfish and self centred if we do not give or help the poor. When we are insensitive to something, we are oblivious to the problems around.
Poor are those who due to circumstances in life are not able to help or fend for themselves due to ill health, death of sole provider, lack of opportunity, oppression from outside.
We should proactively want to help the poor & needy.
Pro 22:9 – Generous giver will be blessed.
Deut 15:10 – Give without grieve and God will bless all your works
Pro 19:17 – He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD…
You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving!
So to what extend do we help the poor & needy? The picture of a true Christian is one who blesses the poor.
Conclusion: God is interested in people, especially people in difficulty. Give without expecting anything in return!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Sunday re-cap (24th September 2006)
In Spite Of…..Unconditional Devotion Part II
Pr. Vincent Liew
Introduction
The danger of backsliding in our devotion to God may not be present only in difficult times but also in the ‘good’ times when our lives are a ‘breeze’. This trend was very typical of the Israelites in OT times. When they were ‘high and dry’, they cried out to God for help, but when they were having a good life, they reverted back to their old rebellious ways, forgetting who their God was (Hosea 13:4-8).
However, Christians can model their lives after 3 persons in the OT whom, in spite of their success, continued to be unconditionally devoted to God. Their devotion to God was reflected in their;-
A. Fear of God – Gen. 39:1-10 (Joseph – Slave to Prince)
i. Joseph resisted Potiphar’s wife’s sexual advances because he had the fear of God. He had the revelation that whenever someone sin, first and foremost, he or she sins against God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In spite of being ‘the man’ now in Potiphar’s house, he did not compromise his devotion to God. Sin is not only about the physical realm, but more importantly; it has drastic implications in the spiritual realm too.
ii. Quote: “When we lose the fear of God, by default we will inherit a thousand lesser fears.
B. Faith in God – Esther 4:15-16 (Esther – Peasant to Queen)
i. Esther became queen of Persia almost overnight. The king was ‘head over heels’ in love with her. She could have asked and got anything she wanted. But when her people, the Jews, were in trouble, Esther turned to God for help. In spite of success in the Persian court, she knew her limitations and she chose to put her faith in God rather than in herself.
ii. The more gifted or talented we are, the stronger the temptation to rely on self rather than God. God becomes our plan B.
C. Fellowship with God – Daniel 6:1-10 (Exile to Governor)
i. Daniel was a VVIP in Babylonia. He was one of the busiest politicians. God had blessed him with favor and everybody wanted a share of him. Even the king maintained a personal relationship with him. However, in spite of his popularity with royalty, Daniel continued to keep his personal fellowship with God like he had always done. Although the situation was not favorable, yet he did not neglect his quiet time with the Lord.
ii. The key to a strong personal fellowship with God is consistency.
Conclusion – Read Ecclesiastes 12
We should strive to remain unconditionally devoted to God by fearing Him, having faith in Him, and fellowshipping with Him even when everything is well in our lives.
Pr. Vincent Liew
Introduction
The danger of backsliding in our devotion to God may not be present only in difficult times but also in the ‘good’ times when our lives are a ‘breeze’. This trend was very typical of the Israelites in OT times. When they were ‘high and dry’, they cried out to God for help, but when they were having a good life, they reverted back to their old rebellious ways, forgetting who their God was (Hosea 13:4-8).
However, Christians can model their lives after 3 persons in the OT whom, in spite of their success, continued to be unconditionally devoted to God. Their devotion to God was reflected in their;-
A. Fear of God – Gen. 39:1-10 (Joseph – Slave to Prince)
i. Joseph resisted Potiphar’s wife’s sexual advances because he had the fear of God. He had the revelation that whenever someone sin, first and foremost, he or she sins against God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In spite of being ‘the man’ now in Potiphar’s house, he did not compromise his devotion to God. Sin is not only about the physical realm, but more importantly; it has drastic implications in the spiritual realm too.
ii. Quote: “When we lose the fear of God, by default we will inherit a thousand lesser fears.
B. Faith in God – Esther 4:15-16 (Esther – Peasant to Queen)
i. Esther became queen of Persia almost overnight. The king was ‘head over heels’ in love with her. She could have asked and got anything she wanted. But when her people, the Jews, were in trouble, Esther turned to God for help. In spite of success in the Persian court, she knew her limitations and she chose to put her faith in God rather than in herself.
ii. The more gifted or talented we are, the stronger the temptation to rely on self rather than God. God becomes our plan B.
C. Fellowship with God – Daniel 6:1-10 (Exile to Governor)
i. Daniel was a VVIP in Babylonia. He was one of the busiest politicians. God had blessed him with favor and everybody wanted a share of him. Even the king maintained a personal relationship with him. However, in spite of his popularity with royalty, Daniel continued to keep his personal fellowship with God like he had always done. Although the situation was not favorable, yet he did not neglect his quiet time with the Lord.
ii. The key to a strong personal fellowship with God is consistency.
Conclusion – Read Ecclesiastes 12
We should strive to remain unconditionally devoted to God by fearing Him, having faith in Him, and fellowshipping with Him even when everything is well in our lives.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (17th September, 2006)
WHAT JESUS TOOK BACK TO HEAVEN
Text: Acts 1: 9-11
By: Ps. Abel Phillips
Introduction: The Bible has much to say about the first coming of Jesus and what he brought from Heaven to earth. But not much is said about WHAT JESUS TOOK BACK TO HEAVEN. In this message we will look at WHAT JESUS TOOK BACK TO HEAVEN.
1. HE TOOK OUR PARDON - JUSTIFICATION - Romans 5: 8-11
Jesus died for our sins and arose for our Justification --- The Pardon is Signed In His Own Blood, Delivered to the Father, And Sealed In The Vault of Heaven Until That Great Reunion Day. We stand before God in the righteousness of Jesus!
2. HE TOOK THE NAIL PRINTS OF HIS SUFFERINGS
Nail Prints, in his hands and feet! --- The devil appears before God to accuse the saints! --- Jesus stands and shows the nail scared prints to the devil, and presents the nail scared prints to the Father… Jesus says I died for them on Calvary and here are the nail scared prints to prove it. Get lost devil, This is a redeemed Child of God!
3. HE TOOK THE AUTHORITY TO SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 16:7 - "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send Him unto you."
THE 120, WAITING IN THE UPPER ROOM KNEW JESUS HAD MADE IT HOME, WHEN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT COME UPON THEM.
Gal 5:20-22 – We ought to live and operate by the fruit of the Spirit.
4. HE TOOK AN INTERCEDING SPIRIT
Hebrews 9:24 - "For Christ is not entered into the Holy places made with hands, which are the figure of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
I John 2:1 - "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, ye have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
5. HE TOOK THE BLUE PRINTS OF OUR HEAVENLY HOME
John 14:2 - "In my Fathers House are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." Wait to you see my brand new home!
6. HE TOOK WITH HIM THE DESIRE TO COME AGAIN
Acts 1:11 - "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
John 14:3 - "And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also."
B - "For the Lord HIMSELF, shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Conclusion
1 John 5:1-5 - Have faith in the Son of God. Be eager and anticipate in His Return by being obedient to His Word and the Holy Spirit's Guidance on daily basis.
Text: Acts 1: 9-11
By: Ps. Abel Phillips
Introduction: The Bible has much to say about the first coming of Jesus and what he brought from Heaven to earth. But not much is said about WHAT JESUS TOOK BACK TO HEAVEN. In this message we will look at WHAT JESUS TOOK BACK TO HEAVEN.
1. HE TOOK OUR PARDON - JUSTIFICATION - Romans 5: 8-11
Jesus died for our sins and arose for our Justification --- The Pardon is Signed In His Own Blood, Delivered to the Father, And Sealed In The Vault of Heaven Until That Great Reunion Day. We stand before God in the righteousness of Jesus!
2. HE TOOK THE NAIL PRINTS OF HIS SUFFERINGS
Nail Prints, in his hands and feet! --- The devil appears before God to accuse the saints! --- Jesus stands and shows the nail scared prints to the devil, and presents the nail scared prints to the Father… Jesus says I died for them on Calvary and here are the nail scared prints to prove it. Get lost devil, This is a redeemed Child of God!
3. HE TOOK THE AUTHORITY TO SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 16:7 - "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send Him unto you."
THE 120, WAITING IN THE UPPER ROOM KNEW JESUS HAD MADE IT HOME, WHEN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT COME UPON THEM.
Gal 5:20-22 – We ought to live and operate by the fruit of the Spirit.
4. HE TOOK AN INTERCEDING SPIRIT
Hebrews 9:24 - "For Christ is not entered into the Holy places made with hands, which are the figure of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
I John 2:1 - "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, ye have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
5. HE TOOK THE BLUE PRINTS OF OUR HEAVENLY HOME
John 14:2 - "In my Fathers House are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." Wait to you see my brand new home!
6. HE TOOK WITH HIM THE DESIRE TO COME AGAIN
Acts 1:11 - "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
John 14:3 - "And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also."
B - "For the Lord HIMSELF, shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Conclusion
1 John 5:1-5 - Have faith in the Son of God. Be eager and anticipate in His Return by being obedient to His Word and the Holy Spirit's Guidance on daily basis.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Sunday re-cap (10th September 2006)
In Spite Of (Unconditional Devotion to God)
Pr. Vincent Liew
Introduction: James 1:2-3 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.(NKJV)
i. It is natural for all of us to desire that everything goes well in our lives; our wealth, our health, our family, our relationships, etc.
ii. However, in reality, not everyday is a ‘beautiful Sunday’. We will definitely experience ‘good days’ as well as ‘bad days’. So what do we do?
We will look at three specific yet unique scenarios where those who were involved had to make a choice to either abandon God or follow Him in spite of their circumstances.
A. Scenario 1: Provisions – Habakkuk 3: 17-18
i. Fig tree, grapevine, olive, grain, and flocks covers the entire range of agricultural produce that Israel was dependent on for their livelihood
ii. We are not talking about the luxuries of life but the very basic needs in life. Imagine losing our jobs, having no food to feed us or our children, no money to pay our water or electric bills, and etc.
iii. But in spite of the seemingly bleak situation, Habakkuk could still rejoice in God his salvation. His confidence did not rest in visible yet temporal blessings, but rather in an unshakeable relationship with God. God is still God whether He continues to provide these things for his people or not. Habakkuk was determined to rejoice and exult in the Lord even though there may not be any visible or external signs of His presence or favor.
B. Scenario 2: Persecution/Deliverance – Daniel 3:15-18
i. Three good friends of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced life and death situation. Bow down and worship a false idol or be thrown into the blazing furnace.
ii. In spite of staring death in the face, obeying God was more important than life to these three, so if God chose not to deliver them, they will still be devoted to Him. They did not know how God will deliver them, but dead or alive, they knew they were God’s treasured possession. God may be trusted to protect us, but our honoring Him is not conditional upon His preserving us. The three were not delivered from the fire, but in the fire!
C. Scenario 3: Physical Wellbeing/Healing – Job 2:7-10
i. Apparently hopeless case. In spite of all his afflictions (material, emotional, physical) Job did not sin against God. He had disproved Satan’s claim that he would sin with his lips by cursing God if he was physically struck down.
Conclusion
We can rise above the circumstances because our God is with us and He will never leave us nor forsake us. He the One who gives us strength and grace to be more than overcomers.
Pr. Vincent Liew
Introduction: James 1:2-3 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.(NKJV)
i. It is natural for all of us to desire that everything goes well in our lives; our wealth, our health, our family, our relationships, etc.
ii. However, in reality, not everyday is a ‘beautiful Sunday’. We will definitely experience ‘good days’ as well as ‘bad days’. So what do we do?
We will look at three specific yet unique scenarios where those who were involved had to make a choice to either abandon God or follow Him in spite of their circumstances.
A. Scenario 1: Provisions – Habakkuk 3: 17-18
i. Fig tree, grapevine, olive, grain, and flocks covers the entire range of agricultural produce that Israel was dependent on for their livelihood
ii. We are not talking about the luxuries of life but the very basic needs in life. Imagine losing our jobs, having no food to feed us or our children, no money to pay our water or electric bills, and etc.
iii. But in spite of the seemingly bleak situation, Habakkuk could still rejoice in God his salvation. His confidence did not rest in visible yet temporal blessings, but rather in an unshakeable relationship with God. God is still God whether He continues to provide these things for his people or not. Habakkuk was determined to rejoice and exult in the Lord even though there may not be any visible or external signs of His presence or favor.
B. Scenario 2: Persecution/Deliverance – Daniel 3:15-18
i. Three good friends of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced life and death situation. Bow down and worship a false idol or be thrown into the blazing furnace.
ii. In spite of staring death in the face, obeying God was more important than life to these three, so if God chose not to deliver them, they will still be devoted to Him. They did not know how God will deliver them, but dead or alive, they knew they were God’s treasured possession. God may be trusted to protect us, but our honoring Him is not conditional upon His preserving us. The three were not delivered from the fire, but in the fire!
C. Scenario 3: Physical Wellbeing/Healing – Job 2:7-10
i. Apparently hopeless case. In spite of all his afflictions (material, emotional, physical) Job did not sin against God. He had disproved Satan’s claim that he would sin with his lips by cursing God if he was physically struck down.
Conclusion
We can rise above the circumstances because our God is with us and He will never leave us nor forsake us. He the One who gives us strength and grace to be more than overcomers.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Sunday Re-cap (03rd September, 2006)
Know your Calling
Ps. Alfred Ee
Text: Matt 14:15-21; 15:32-39 & Rom 12:3-8
Eph 4:7-16 Everyone of us are called into the Ministry, not only the 5 fold Ministry. Let each one function within their gifts / calling.
Three Meaning Grace:
1. Salvation Grace / Unmerited favour – Saving grace of God
2. Dynamic power of God – Don’t operate in your own strength. Be strong in the Lord and not in your own ability.
3. Grace as gifts and ministry (Eph 3:1-3,8)
Because of God’s Grace we go to heaven; because of God’s mercy we don’t go to hell.
Five Fold Ministry (Eph 4:11-16)
1. Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Evangelists
4. Pastors
5. Teachers
Function:
i. Equipping of the saints for the work of ministry
ii. Edifying of the body of Christ
iii. Unity of the faith, Knowledge of the Son of God
The Seven Fold Ministry (Rom 12:3, 6-8)
1. Prophesying
2. Serving /Ushering
3. Teaching
4. Encouragement / Exhorting
5. Giving with Liberality
6. Leading / Leadership
7. Gift of Mercy
So know your calling / gifting. If you are not in the Five Fold Ministry, then through the grace given to us, serve through the seven fold ministry according to Roman 12:6-8
Ps. Alfred Ee
Text: Matt 14:15-21; 15:32-39 & Rom 12:3-8
Eph 4:7-16 Everyone of us are called into the Ministry, not only the 5 fold Ministry. Let each one function within their gifts / calling.
Three Meaning Grace:
1. Salvation Grace / Unmerited favour – Saving grace of God
2. Dynamic power of God – Don’t operate in your own strength. Be strong in the Lord and not in your own ability.
3. Grace as gifts and ministry (Eph 3:1-3,8)
Because of God’s Grace we go to heaven; because of God’s mercy we don’t go to hell.
Five Fold Ministry (Eph 4:11-16)
1. Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Evangelists
4. Pastors
5. Teachers
Function:
i. Equipping of the saints for the work of ministry
ii. Edifying of the body of Christ
iii. Unity of the faith, Knowledge of the Son of God
The Seven Fold Ministry (Rom 12:3, 6-8)
1. Prophesying
2. Serving /Ushering
3. Teaching
4. Encouragement / Exhorting
5. Giving with Liberality
6. Leading / Leadership
7. Gift of Mercy
So know your calling / gifting. If you are not in the Five Fold Ministry, then through the grace given to us, serve through the seven fold ministry according to Roman 12:6-8
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