Sunday Re-Cap (25th Feb 2007)

After God’s Own Heart
by Don Boots

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1 Sam 13:13-14

• David was a man after God’s own heart.
• He wrote the psalms and served God wholeheartedly.
• He had a “kindred spirit” with God.
  

Acts 13:21-22-The key to David’s relationship with God was that he did “all MY will”. He was obedient to God’s will for his life.

1 Sam 15:22-Obedience is better than sacrifice.

We see the progression of David’s life of obedience:

• 1 Sam 16-God’s opinion far exceeds man’s opinion.
• 1 Sam 17-David defeats Goliath in obedience to God.
• 1 Sam 18,19-David endures Saul’s persecution even though he was anointed as king.
• 2 Sam 11-David breaks 3 of the 10 commandments
• 2 Sam 12-David wholeheartedly repents before the LORD. When we sin, we sin before the LORD and not man. Therefore we need to repent wholeheartedly before the LORD as David did IN ORDER TO REMAIN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART.

To Have A Heart After God’s Own Heart:

1. We need to have a HEART of WORSHIP-Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
2. We need to have a LIFE of WORSHIP-Eph 5:18, 19
3. We need to have a REPENTANT and CONTRITE heart-2 Sam 12:13, 14-Choices are free but consequences are compulsory. David’s sin was taken away but he faced the consequences of his sin from that day onwards (son died, incest, rebellion in the family, etc).
   

Rom 2:11-We need to seek God as David did and we will have a relationship with God as David did. God has no favorites.

Application:
Prov 4:23-Everything we do has got to do with the heart. Our giving is not about money, it’s about the attitude of our HEARTS. Our serving has nothing to do with time or talents; it’s about the attitude of our HEARTS.

David was a man after God’s own heart NOT JUST because he was talented or wealthy or powerful; it was because of the attitude of his HEART.

Let’s seek after God and be a man/woman after His own heart!

Is the Bible the Word of God? Part 3

Is the Bible the Word of God? Part 3

In considering whether on not the Bible is the inspired Word of God we have considered the following evidences: Support from Jesus Christ; the Apostle Peters confirmation; evidence from fulfilled prophecy; and evidence from Israel. In conclusion let us discuss two more affirming evidences: The continuity of the Bible, and evidence from science and archaeology.

The continuity of the Bible is further confirmation of its authenticity. Through it was written over a period of fifteen hundred years by thirty-five to forty different writers with sixty-six different books, it has only one major theme—the salvation of lost mankind. This supports the claim that there is only one author—God.

Evidence from science and archaeology. While the Bible isn't a book of science, scientific facts that have been in its pages for at least thirty-five hundred years have come to light only in recent times. For example, many of the statutes and regulations in the Old Testament were given for health and hygienic purposes—knowledge that was unknown to the ancient world.

As I've quoted before, in his book, None of These Diseases, Dr. S.I. McMillen wrote, "When God led the Israelites out of afflicted Egypt, he promised them that if they would obey his statutes, he would put 'none of these diseases' upon them [diseases from which Egypt and other nations were suffering]. God guaranteed a freedom from disease that modern medicine cannot duplicate."¹⁷

Dr. McMillen continues, "I am confident that the reader will be intrigued to discover that the Bible's directives can save him from certain infectious diseases, from many lethal cancers, and from a long gauntlet of psychosomatic diseases that are increasing in spite of modern medicine."¹⁸

In the final analysis, however, it is up to each individual as to whether or not he or she chooses to accept or reject the Bible as God's Word. For those who want to believe it is, there is more than sufficient evidence to support this belief.

Furthermore, all who have accepted the Bible as God's Word, and have responded to Jesus Christ's invitation to receive him as Lord and Savior and live according to biblical principles, have a deep assurance that the Bible is God's Word, that it is true, and that they have been given the gift of eternal life.¹⁹

The greatest quest of man over the ages has always been to know: "Where did I come from? Why am I here? And, where am I going?" Only God's Word, the Bible, can give him the answers to these questions.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for all the evidences we have to affirm that the Bible is truly your Word to mankind. Please open the eyes of my understanding that I will always see clearly what is the truth regarding your Word, and what are lies. Help me to understand your Word and diligently apply its principles to my everyday life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Footnotes: 1. 2 Timothy 3:16 (RSV). 2. Luke 24:44 (NIV). 3. Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV). 4. See 2 Peter 3:15-16. 5. Genesis 3:15 and 49:10. 6. 2 Samuel 7:12-16. 7. Micah 5:2. 8. Isaiah 7:14. 9. Daniel 9:25, 26. 10. Psalm 22:16 and Isaiah 53. 11. Isaiah 13:5-22 and The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 621. 12. Leviticus 26:32-33. 13. Leviticus 26:44. 14. Ezekiel 36:24. 15. Amos 9:14 (TLB). 16. Isaiah 35:1. 17. McMillen, S.I., None of These Diseases (Westwood, New Jersey; Fleming H. Revell Company, 1963), p. 17. 18. Ibid, p. 18. 19. See John 17:17 and 1 John 5:13.

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Is the Bible the Word of God? Part 2

Is the Bible the Word of God? Part 2

In answering the question, "Is the Bible the Word of God?" today we present further evidences of its validity.

Fulfilled prophecy. Hundreds of years before Christ came to earth both David and Isaiah predicted in specific detail the sufferings of Christ and the manner of his death. David, referring to and "speaking for" Jesus Christ, wrote in the Psalms, "They pierced my hands and my feet."¹⁰ This is precisely what happened when Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross.

Isaiah also predicted the fall of the then mighty Babylonian Empire, saying it would be conquered by the nation of Media. This happened in 539 B.C.¹¹

Evidence from Israel. The nation of Israel is one of the clearest evidences for the validity of God's Word, the Bible. Its history is a continual story of biblical prophecy being fulfilled.

Some fifteen hundred years B.C., God said through Moses that Israel would turn from him [God] and be driven by enemies from their homeland. God said, "I will bring the land into desolation ... I will scatter you among the nations ... your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste."¹²

The result? In 721 B.C., the ten northern tribes of Israel were taken into captivity by Assyria and in 586 B.C. the two southern tribes were taken by Babylon. Seventy years later a small remnant of 40,000 Jews returned to Israel while the rest were scattered throughout the world. In A.D. 70 Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, and the remnant of Israelites was dispersed among the nations. Israel then became desolate as predicted 1,600 years before.

God's word also stated that the nation of Israel would be restored, saying, "Neither will I destroy them utterly."¹³ "For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land."¹⁴ "I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and live in them again,"¹⁵ and the nation "will blossom as the rose."¹⁶

The people of Israel have survived heinous atrocities committed against them by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, the Romans, Hitler and others. And even today there are those who would like to "wipe Israel off the map." Their repeated survival against overwhelming odds and the rebuilding of their nation—which is still taking place at this time, twenty-five hundred years after God said that it would happen—is irrefutable evidence of the validity of the Bible.

To be concluded ...

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that all the prophecies written years in advance in the Old Testament section of the Bible have been clearly fulfilled. Thank you, too, that this evidence assures me that all the prophecies in the New Testament will also be fulfilled in detail. Help me to be ready for every one of these—including the return of Jesus to earth to take all his true followers to be with him in heaven forever. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Note: Footnotes will be listed at the end of Part 3.

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Is the Bible the Word of God? Part 1

Is the Bible the Word of God? Part 1

Have you ever wondered why the Bible is one of the best-selling books of all time and why almost every home has a copy?

Some, I suppose, have a Bible as a sort of lucky charm. Others have a copy to maintain a form of religious acknowledgment. And many millions have a copy because they believe the Bible is God's Word.

But is the Bible God's Word and his special message to mankind, or is it simply a compilation of man-made messages? How can we know whether it is one or the other? What evidence is there to support the Bible's own claim that it is "inspired by God?"¹ Let us examine the following evidence:

Support from Jesus Christ. The fact that Jesus accepted the Bible as God's Word is important to note. In his day, only the Old Testament section of the Bible had been written. It was then known as the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, or simply as the Law. Referring to these writings Jesus said, "Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."²

He also said, "Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law [the Bible] until everything is accomplished."³

Peter's confirmation. The New Testament section of the Bible was written immediately following Christ's time on earth. A large part was written by the Apostle Paul. In speaking about Paul's writings, Peter—one of the better-known disciples of Jesus—equates what Paul wrote with the rest of the Bible.⁴

Evidence from fulfilled prophecy. The Bible boldly foretold events of major historical significance hundreds of years in advance—many of which have already been fulfilled.

For instance, at least fifteen hundred years B.C., God gave the first hope of a Savior (the Christ) who would come from Israel through the tribe of Judah.⁵ A thousand years B.C., the Bible said that Christ would come through the family of David.⁶ Seven hundred years B.C., Bethlehem was named by the prophet Micah as the birthplace of Christ.⁷ About the same time the prophet Isaiah wrote that Christ would be born of a virgin,⁸ and six hundred years B.C., the prophet Daniel predicted the time of Christ's coming.⁹ All of these predictions were fulfilled exactly as stated in the Bible.

To be continued ...

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you have given mankind 'a road-map of instructions' in your Word, the Bible, to guide us through life and show us the way to heaven and eternity. Please give me a desire to study and know your Word, the wisdom to understand it, and the good sense to live by it. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Note: Footnotes will be listed at the end of Part 3.

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Rapha Night Speaker

Rapha Night

The NAMES of GOD

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).

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.

1. Simon changed to Peter. (Mt 16:17,18)
2. Saul changed to Paul (Acts 13:9)
3. Jacob changed to Israel. (Gen 32:28)
4. 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)

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.

Sunday Re-Cap (28th Jan 2007)

Building Relationships
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.

Bro. Josef Chow's profile

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)

<:))))<><

Rapha Night

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

Ezra 9:9
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.

Haggai – Rebuilt the Temple = Rebuilding our spirit with the presence & righteous of Jesus.
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.

So church, let’s surrender our lives to Him. We don’t have the strength and we need the presence of the Holy Spirit.

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

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?

• 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.

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).

Special Meetings with Pastor Dong Campoy

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.

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).

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?

1. The WORD of God. (Josh 1:8)
2. Praying in the Spirit. (Eph 6:18; Jude 1:20)
3. Guarding our hearts and lips.(Prov 4:23-24; Prov 18:21 Rom 10:17; Matt 12:35-37)
4. 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

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!

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 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.

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!

GROW Christmas Programmes

Prophetic Ministry

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.

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.

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

1. 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.
2. It involves a breaking of paradigms.
3. What do we have that we can share with one another? Every one of us has a gift.
4. Start by practicing sharing in church and then we can expand it to sharing with the world around us.
5. It awakens us to the needs of the world around us.
6. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Step out in faith in getting closer to one another.

III. Partnership

1. Complementing one another's giftings. Don't covet one another's gifts.
2. Recognize one another's giftings in God and that they are unique for the building of the body of Christ.
3. Appreciate one another's giftings.
4. Encourage gifts. This will help us to avoid the path of cynism and move us to a lifestyle of encouraging one another.
5. 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.

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.

1. Where are we individually and as a church in reference to this benchmark?
2. Can we say that we are one in Him as Jesus and the Father?
3. What prevents us from arriving at this goal of the Father?
   
   There are three things that prevent us from arriving at this unity:

1. Js 5:16 Unforgiveness.
2. Js 4:1-10 Pride that leads to strife.
3. 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.