Sunday Re cap (3rd June 2007)

Our Christian Response
by Rev Samuel Hari

Click here to listen

Luke 21:13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

1. An Occasion for testimony
We have prayed together with Christians in Malaysia and in many parts of the world. After having prayed, we may of may not have received the outcome we expected. So how do we respond? We have to believe that God has the better, best plan.
We need to come to the realization that every adversity is an opportunity for growth.
With every TEST there is a TESTIMONY.
Esther used her occasion as a testimony. She spoke up and God will raise many Esthers, Mordecais’ in this land for such a time as this.

2. Settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 
Not to use human reasoning or methods i.e. spread hatred, bitterness, anger, violence, rioting, etc. The moment we are bitter, we lose the battle. When we encounter adversity, things don’t turn out the way we pray, desire, we can either become BITTER or BETTER. Bitterness closes the door for God to move in our nation and in whatever situation we are praying over. God moves only through one channel; LOVE.
Rom12:2 ; 1Jn 4:18 

3. I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Not an earthly wisdom. 1 Cor 1:12-16 (NKJV).
He’s going to give us a different kind of mouth.
It’s a time of training the believer in all godliness for the events that are to come. We must begin to condition our spirit-man. An occasion to be transformed from worldly, carnal thinking to godly thinking and a way of life that follows that pleases the Father and brings forth a testimony to the world. That we may prove.
Rom 12:2b

4. You Will Be Hated By All For My Name’s Sake. 
The outcome of this situation is in fact well within the plan of God! They cannot understand because it is foolishness to those who do not know.
1 Cor 1:18-21

5. Not A Hair Of Your Head Shall Be Lost.
We need to understand that whatever the outcome, we will never lose out; even if we are put to death through physical death of death by defamation (at work, home, the press). We have the victory!

6. By your patience possess your souls.

Patience: cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

Don’t let your soul/emotions run wild. Don’t let it take the carnal, worldly course (anger, retaliation, bitterness). The key is through your patience. Let the fruit of patience increase through situations like these…When pray or desire patience, God uses situations like these.

Will you be the Esthers’ and Mordecais’ of today? At your work, school, business?

Lina Joy loses appeal

News update by The Star's newsdesk

PUTRAJAYA: Lina Joy lost her final round of appeal when the Federal Court dismissed on Tuesday her appeal against a ruling that the National Registration Department was right not to allow her to remove the word "Islam" from her identity card.
Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and Federal Court judge Justice Alauddin Mohd Sheriff delivered the majority decision dismissing her appeal.
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Richard Malanjum dissented.
On Sept 19, 2005, the Court of Appeal decided that the NRD director-general was right in refusing her application to drop her religious status from her IC on the grounds that the Syariah Court and other Islamic religious authorities did not confirm Linas renunciation of Islam.

Sunday Re Cap (27th May 2007)

Asking the Relevant Questions
By Michael Stubbs

Click here to listen (recorded in Victory Fellowship, Emporia, Kansas)

John 4: 1-30
Some points to note:

1. v7: People want to be INVISIBLE for many reasons i.e. sin. Don’t be INVISIBLE anymore!
2. v14: eternal life is supposed to a perpetual spring of living water DEEP inside of us. Not just droplets here and there.
3. For real transformation to take place we need to ask ourselves relevant questions. Jesus kept asking this woman; and now to us all these relevant questions.
4. Through these questions God wants us to move from superficiality to depth in our believe system and emotional maturity.
5. v28: God works many times through a “suddenly anointing”. Sometimes we need to keep pressing on and on for the truth with no apparent results. However, when we think nothing is happening, that’s when God is at work in people’s lives and ours.
6. We need to stop making everything a personal issue. We need to ask why? Why? Why?
   Sometimes the reason for this goes all the way back to childhood.
7. There must be a willingness to be vulnerable before God; only then can we change. The Samaritan woman kept being defensive (v20, 25).
8. We can be vulnerable before God by being repentant, by opening up ourselves to correction through the Word of God, through prayer.
9. When God asked Adam and Eve “Where are you?” it was an opportunity to repent and be vulnerable. However they missed that opportunity and suffered the consequences to this day. It was the same with Cain when God asked him “Where is your brother?” The purpose of the question was not because God did not know where he was but it was an opportunity to repent and to be vulnerable before God.
10. Emotions are not evil. They help us be vulnerable before God.
    
    

Conclusion
Our Christianity must go beneath the surface. If the heart is right then everything will be right. Let every area of our life be saturated with God-even the good, bad, pain, sorrow, joy-EVERYTHING!

Sunday Re cap (20th May 2007)

The LORD is My Shepherd
By Michael Lee

Click here to listen to this sermon

2 Chr 7:16
Many are called but few are chosen. Saul, Judas and Gehazi were called but not chosen.
We praise God that when we are called, we make the choice to follow the LORD. How? The key is found in Ps 23: 1-3

The LORD is My Shepherd I shall not want.
Matt 8:22: Instant obedience is required to follow the LORD. Delayed obedience is considered disobedience.
Disciples followed the LORD immediately when they were called.
Mark 8:34: We deny ourselves (self nature) when we follow the LORD.
I shall not want- we can be assured that even when we deny ourselves we will never lack anything.
We shall not have a desire or a need of anything when we have the Shepherd. He alone is all that we need. Seek Him first.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
He desires that we “settle” in a local church.
He is the one who makes us lie down in a place of rest when we have found a “spiritual” home.
We humble ourselves to His leading as He makes us lie down. There is no more agenda of self.

He leads us beside the still waters.
This speaks of our constant relationship with God. He leads us to the place of intimacy.
We can see ourselves when the waters are still. We see ourselves as we are in Christ alone.
He leads us to a place of rest in the midst of the challenges of our day-to-day life.

He restores our soul.
This is not speaking of the restoring that we think it is.
It is a restoring to God’s own pattern and design for our lives.
When we are not fishing, we are fighting. Instead of being fishers of men, we become fighters of men.
If we know we are rich in the LORD, we will not desire to steal.
We become without blame-no one will blame us if we do not blame anyone.
Restoring our soul is a dying to self.

Let’s remember 2 Chr 7:14-16
2Ch 7:14-16 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. (15) "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. (16) "For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.

Sunday Re-Cap (13th May 2007)

Be Faithful & Bring Forth
by Shireeni

We are to bring forth “Christ” in this generation. How? By rising up, being obedient to His leading. The spiritual birthing forth might be in different ways, for different purposes, for each of us. For Queen Esther, it was to rise up and deliver her nation. For Mary, it was to bring forth The Messiah. For Deborah, it was to deliver the Israelites.

What do you think about that with respect to yourself?
Are you one who is thinking yes, this is what I am already sensing?
Are you one who is thinking, not interested? I just want to finish the service and get out of here. Do my own thing.
Are you one who is thinking, I am no Esther, nor Mary, nor Deborah? I am just an ordinary person. How can I bring forth anything? Maybe when things are better in my life.

There are another 3 ladies in the Bible who were special to God. They were not queens, nor judges, nor the mother of the Messiah. They possibly died thinking that they were ordinary people just like you and I. But now we, looking back, can see that they had a mighty destiny and it was not ordinary. They obeyed and they brought forth. They brought forth, not when things were good and fine, but in desperate and overwhelming circumstances.

1. The first is Leah. There are many women today in this world who are in similar situations as Leah was in. Her husband had 2 wives and he loved the other (Rachel) more than he loved Leah. Eventually……. She probably died thinking she was an ordinary person and did not realize this great truth. What truth? She was part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. She was in the lineage of Jesus. Not Rachel, but her. Leah. You see God has the big picture. We have only bits and pieces. She just needed to be faithful where she was, trust Him, obey Him, move with Him. And she brought forth.

2. The second is Ruth the Moabitess. There are many women in this world who can identify in some ways to this woman. The loss of loved ones. The making of difficult choices. She had to make a difficult choice – to stay back or to follow her mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law released her to go back to her home and have a chance at a new life.
She chose to come out of her comfort zone. I believe she followed her mother-in-law not knowing completely her future or what was in store. Ruth stepped out in faith and followed her mother-in-law. And she was blessed. She did get another chance at a new life. She married Boaz and had a son called Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. She became part of the genealogy of Jesus. She was faithful, obedient to make the right choices and she brought forth.

3. The last is Rahab, the prostitute who helped the Israelite spies from being caught in Jericho. She realized the greatness of the God of Israel. She risked her life to hide the spies. Played a part in the victory over Jericho. She was probably an ex-prostitute when she married Salmon, and had a son called Boaz. So Rahab was the great-great grandmother of David. She became part of the genealogy of Jesus. We have to align our thinking to HIS WORD and not the world. I believe God is going to send people into the church who are different from us. Receive them with unconditional love because they are special to Him, because they have been accepted by Him as they come and believe in Him. Rahab – part of the geneology of Jesus. She was faithful and rose above any feelings of unworthiness she had. But she made a difference & she brought forth.

The enemy will lie to you to keep you from your destiny. We have to be faithful, obedient and bring forth what God has purposed for us to bring forth.

Sunday Re Cap (6th May 2007)

Enthroning JESUS
By Ps Samuel Hari

Eph 1:17-23

I. THE MORE WE ENTHRONE HIM, THE MORE WE ARE ON THE THRONE (COME INTO A POSITION OF kingship)

We can say JESUS is on the throne but our lifestyle will show if this is true. Just like there’s a battle for the real throne going on in the heavenlies, there’s a battle going on for the throne in our lives. The more we enthrone HIM, the more we are on the throne ; we accurately receive power and move in authority in every situation and circumstance in our lives. We position ourselves in kingship.

1. The spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, It doesn’t just drop from heaven or simply through the laying on of hands. It requires diligence, passion, and hunger on our part as well as these things. (seeking first matt 6:33; blessed are those who hunger and thirst…they shall be filled).

2.The eyes of your understanding being enlightened. PROVERBS 2:1-6.

a. That you may know (many don’t know, understand, confused, discouraged).

i. What is THE HOPE of His calling (the confident hope he has given to those he called--). Hope does not disappoint. (ROM 5); Abound in hope (ROM 15:13); NLT Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence (the confident expectation) that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

ii. THE RICHES of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance). Phil 4:19 God is able to supply…according to His riches in glory…) God’s view of riches and man’s view of riches are different. Daniel 3:16-18; man- you bless me I praise you. Godly mindset- I praise you no matter what.

iii. 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.

We need to get the whole picture of what God wants to do. Gather everywhere the word is spoken…CG, Prayer meeting, Sunday service. Get all the missing links. Fit the puzzle together. Eph 2:4-10

II. OUR UNITY ENTHRONES HIM.

Notice He
1. Made us alive TOGETHER.
He makes us alive together. Don’t forsake the gathering of the saints. Walk in the light as He is in the light, fellowship and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

2. Raised us up TOGETHER.
We go up together. We progress together. We advance together. No fun advancing alone. Use your talents, gifting to build together.

3. Makes us sit TOGETHER in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
All experience the power of God, the authority of God. All are far above principalities and powers and might and dominion and name in this age and that which is to come!

Its all or nothing for the Christian. For us to be sitting on the throne, we need to get this revelation. We need church, we need UNITY. It’s the place of connectivity. It’s where the throne is; where the church stands united. Endeavoring to keep the unity (Eph 4:1-6).

Music Video-MY REDEEMER LIVES!

How can we ever live the same again? It's so awesome...this love..

MY Redeemer Lives! Nicole Mullen

Communion-Third Day

Sunday Re-cap ( 29th April )

Giving JESUS the THRONE in our Lives
By Rev. Samuel Hari

Is Jesus really enTHRONEd in our lives? Is His THRONE in us strong?

Why do we need to ENTHRONE HIM?
Heb 12:2; Jesus is on the THRONE
Satan is afraid of the THRONE 1 Sam 5-7 esp chap 7.
Rev 3:21; We will sit down with Him and rule with Him- a place of power and authority.
What happens when we ENTHRONE HIM?
Rev 7:17 Guide us to the waters of life (refresh, renew us) and wipe away every tear from our eyes (remove every burden, sorrow, pain, sickness).
Ez 47:8,9,12
The river of God flows from the THRONE Rev 22:1-;Ps 46:4; Joh 7:37-38 Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! (38) He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
This speaks of fruitfulness in evangelism. Fruitfulness has one purpose: that is to bring people to Christ.

How can we ENTHRONE HIM?

Rev 4:8-11: When we give Him the HEADSHIP/LORDSHIP/RULERSHIP in our lives.
When we worship Him. His ATTRIBUTES. Ps 22:3; Rev 4:2 in the spirit we see His THRONE; When we worship we are singing His attributes.
When we recognize the strongholds in our lives and in the lives of those around us and at a higher level in the spiritual realms.
Eph 1:20-22 Jesus is on the THRONE; Eph 2:4-6 We have the power and authority to pull it down.
2 Cor 10:3-5

Eph 6: 10-18: When we take up the whole armor of God.
We give no room to the wiles/schemes of the devil v11.
Whose armor is it? God’s! We need not fear.
Do we put it on partially or WHOLE ARMOR?
Truth/The WORD: Daily Devotion, Bible study, cell group equipping. The counterfeit and the real are so close; rolex watches in Bt Frghi. Familiarize, build a strong foundation Matt 7:24-29
Righteousness: A revelation of JESUS in us.
Gospel of peace: Looking out for opportunities to share JESUS.
Shield of FAITH: Walk by faith and not by sight; whatever that is not of faith Is sin; Faith pleases God Heb 11.
Helmet of Salvation: The battle field of the mind. Constantly protect your mind. Renewing your mind. GIGO.
Sword of the Spirit: Application!

Jesus is seen when we ENTHRONE HIM.
(Rev 5:13) And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the THRONE, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."
Rev 7:9-17

Friends-A MUST read!!!

Excerpt from Grace@work

Still there is one factor that helps us feel more at home as we journey through this life --- friends. As Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton remind us:

"Great relationships lead to a significant increase in life satisfaction. Noted psychologist Ed Diener found that 'the happiest people have high-quality social relationships.' On the other hand Deiner and other researchers found that lonely people suffer psychologically."
(How Full is Your Bucket? New York: Gallup Press, 2004, p. 96)

The destructive nature of loneliness was appallingly highlighted by the recent killings in Virginia Tech. Why did Cho Seung-Hui shoot 32 people before turning his gun on himself? Sharon Begley suggests various factors that led to Cho's madness including the reminder that "Rates of criminal violence are higher in mobile and heterogeneous societies where it is hard to put down roots and establish the social glue that binds people into a community." (The Anatomy of Violence, Newsweek April 30, 2007, p. 30)

In the same article Begley refers to "the competitive, individualistic aspects of American culture." (p.30) She could have been talking about Singapore or Kuala Lumpur or any major urban centre in the world. With globalisation so many of us are moving out of our communities to live and work in other parts of the globe. How many of us are therefore bereft of the life giving nurture of friends? And even if we stay put how much time does the modern "competitive, individualistic" workplace allow for us to build and sustain friendships?

Way back in 1981 Henri Nouwen already observed:

"Boredom, resentment, and depression are all sentiments of disconnectedness. They present life to us as a broken connection. They give us a sense of not-belonging. In interpersonal relationships, this disconnectedness is experienced as loneliness. When we are lonely we perceive ourselves as isolated individuals surrounded, perhaps, by many people, but not really part of any supporting or nurturing community. Loneliness is without doubt one of the most widespread diseases of our time."
(Making All Things New, New York: HarperCollins, 1981, p.32)

If loneliness was widespread in 1981 it is pandemic today. My "lostness" also serves as a reminder of its violence.

How will I move beyond my present sense of "lostness?" I have to work at rebuilding my network of friends. I have a number of good friends in Singapore. And some new relationships are promising.

Still, there is no instant connectedness. I have to take the first steps to connect and to reconnect. I will. I am. I have to. Like the disciples on the Emmaus road discovered, sometimes, when you walk with a friend, Jesus comes along side and walks with you (Luke 24: 13-15).
And that's home.


Your brother,
Soo-Inn Tan
E Mail: sooinn@graceatwork.org

Sunday Re Cap (22nd April 2007)

The Second Coming of the LORD
By Rev Albert Jebanayagam

Rev 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

But we say “not too soon!” as we have many more things to be accomplished and set right with the FATHER.

Mt 24 gives us several signs of the last days especially

Mat 24:24-25 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before.

2 Tim 3:1-5 describes the last days even further.

Mt 23:13-39 especially
Mat 23:36-39 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (39) For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Rev 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.

How do we respond?
1. Build a strong foundation of the Word of God.
2Ti 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2. The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Pro_1:7; Pro_1:29; Pro_2:5; Pro_8:13; Pro_10:27; Pro_14:26; Pro_14:27; Pro_15:16; Pro_15:33; Pro_16:6; Pro_19:23; Pro_22:4; Pro_23:17; Pro_29:25;

3. Preach the Gospel.
Rom 10:13-17 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (15) How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" (16) However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" (17) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Speaker on 22nd April 2007

PRAISE THE LORD!

We're having ALBERT V. JEBANAYAGAM ministering at our church this Sunday. Don't miss it!

Sunday Re Cap (22nd April 2007)

THE THRONE OF GOD
^{By Rev Gilbert Carthigasu}

I. THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Rev 1:1 It is PRIMARILY the REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST.

Rev 4:1-11 Has numerous mention of “throne” and “thrones”. Why the THRONE?

Rev 1:12-17 In exile, John saw a new JESUS; THE ONE WHO IS TO COME.

The current popular eschatology is that we will be in heaven with JESUS forever (John 14:23; 1 Thess 4:13-17).

The eschatology according to the book of Revelation is that we will rule and reign with JESUS on the earth in HIS kingdom. (Rev 11:11-16; esp v15).

II. THE THRONE ON EARTH

God’s ultimate desire is to dwell with man. (Rev 21:3).

God has A THRONE ON EARTH where this can happen (Ex 25:21-22)

The TABERNACLE on Earth was a copy of heaven. (Hebrews 8:3-6)

That THRONE is in JERUSALEM (2 Kgs 21;4; 2 Chr 6:6; 2 Chr 33:7b; Jer 3:17).

III. THE EFFECT OF THE THRONE IN THE WORLD

NO THRONE (605-515 BC) and TEMPLE DESTROYED (70AD) were times of the birth of all other major religions and “isms” such as communism, etc.

IV THE STRUGGLE FOR THE THRONE

Satan wants GOD’S THRONE! (IS 14:12-15).

There are 12 gates around the new JERUSALEM (Rev 21:12-13). The purpose of gates in the BIBLE is ENTRY/EXIT POINT and A PLACE OF AUTHORITY.

Which is THE GATE that JESUS will return? Ez 43:1-5; Zech 14:4-5). THE EASTERN GATE which is also called The GOLDEN GATE.

The region facing this gate is one of the most turbulent places in the world (Terrorism, pestilence, bombings, etc).

THE LAND belongs to the LORD (Lev 25:23-24; Joel 3:1-2) and HE promised it to Israel(Gen 13:14-18; Gen 15:17-16:1) and to the people of the PROMISE. (Genesis 21:10-12; Galatians 4:30).

WHAT MUST WE DO?

1. Give JESUS the Throne in our lives by
1. RECOGNIZING who He is through His ATTRIBUTES (Revelation 4:8-11).
2. FEAR the LORD.
3. WORSHIP HIM by living our daily lives as pleasing unto Him.

2. Give Jesus The Throne In The Church
3. Give Jesus The Throne In The Nation.
1. Work for unity – Psalm 133, Acts 2:1
2. Connect with Jerusalem – Psalm 122:6, Genesis 12:3

Sunday Re-Cap (8th April 2007)

Resurrected Power
by Rev Phillip Jayabalan



Click Here to listen to this message.

Easter is the experience of the resurrected power in our life.

One word in our mouth can change and transform people’s lives. Ex “Auto-Raja’s” life in Bangalore, India was transformed by one girl's word.

Our life must change, can change.
Peter called by the LORD, walked on water.
And the last year of the ministry, Peter committed to follow Jesus even to prison and death. Lk 22:33

• Lk 22:54-60 the same Peter denied Jesus.Many of us make commitment to the LORD and don’t keep it.


• Js 1:22 says, "Be doers of the Word".


• Everyone has problems and this is time to see whether or not we have the resurrected power in our lives.


• Before we have Christ we don’t have resurrection power but after we have Jesus we have the resurrection power.


• Jn 21:2-3 Peter and disciples went back to fishing. Many run away from the ministry saying we can’t serve. Go back to share market, 4 digit, TOTO etc.


• Acts 2:14-17 (Joel 2:28) After Easter things happened. Are we BE (Before Easter) or AE (After Easter) Christians?


• The same Peter after the resurrection power was not afraid to proclaim Jesus.


• Acts 1:8.When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive the resurrection power.


• Without resurrection power, we cannot reach out to the lost.

We don’t just celebrate the resurrected power one day a year but each and every day.

Is it manifesting in and through our lives?

Sunday Re-Cap (1st April 2007)

The Name Of JESUS
by David Lai

click here to listen to this message

All the FULLNESS of the fullness of the JEHOVAH NAMES of GOD is in THE NAME OF JESUS. If the NAMES of JEHOVAH were sufficient and all powerful for the OT Jewish believers, how much more is the NAME of JESUS to the NT believers?

Mt 28:18-20

• ALL authority and power in the Name of JESUS.
• Evangelism in the Name of JESUS.

Mt 18:19-20 His very presence is in His Name

Mt 16:15-18 These signs shall follow those who believe…in HIS Name…

Mt 8:5-10 The healing of the Centurion’s servant.

v8: …but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed....

• When we say IN THE NAME OF JESUS…JESUS is there personally.
• The Centurion, like Adam only had authority in the natural realm. However, the Name of Jesus has authority over all realms i.e. the natural and the spiritual realms.

How did Jesus get this NAME?

1. He received this Name by INHERITANCE. (Lk 1:31; Jn 6:32-35).
2. He was CONFERRED this Name (Phil 2:9).
3. By CONQUEST (Col 2:15; Col 1:13).

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Faithful

Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful."

Beyond Hunger, Beals

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It was a stormy night in Birmingham, England, and Hudson Taylor was to speak at a meeting at the Severn Street schoolroom. His hostess assured him that nobody would attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. "I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper." Less than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries; and the rest were faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come.

W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, p. 242.

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Norman Geisler, as a child, went to a DVBS because he was invited by some neighbor children. He went back to the same church for Sunday School classes for 400 Sundays. Each week he was faithfully picked up by a bus driver. Week after week he attended church, but never made a commitment to Christ. Finally, during his senior year in High School, after being picked up for church over 400 times, he did commit his life to Christ. What if that bus driver had given up on Geisler at 395? What if the bus driver had said, "This kid is going nowhere spiritually, why waste any more time on him?"

Max Lucado, God Came Near, Multnomah Press, 1987, p. 133.

---

One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk said they were filled, as were all the hotels in town. "But I can't send a fine couple like you out in the rain," he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?" The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. The next morning when the man paid his bill, he said, "You're the kind of man who should be managing the best hotel in the United States. Someday I'll build you one." The clerk smiled politely. A few years later the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that stormy night and asking him to come to New York. A round-trip ticket was enclosed. When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where stood a magnificent new building. "That," explained the man, "is the hotel I have built for you to manage." The man was William Waldorf Astor, and the hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria. The young clerk, George C. Boldt, became its first manager.

Unknown.

---

Fred Craddock, in an address to ministers, caught the practical implications of consecration. "To give my life for Christ appears glorious," he said. "To pour myself out for others. . . to pay the ultimate price of martyrdom -- I'll do it. I'm ready, Lord, to go out in a blaze of glory. "We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking $l,000 bill and laying it on the table-- 'Here's my life, Lord. I'm giving it all.' But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $l,000 for quarters. We go through life putting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kid's troubles instead of saying, 'Get lost.' Go to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home. Usually giving our life to Christ isn't glorious. It's done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at at time. It would be easy to go out in a flash of glory; it's harder to live the Christian life little by little over the long haul."

Darryl Bell.

---

An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. "Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy." The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. "I feel it all," he replied, "but God knows I've tried to do my duty." On that day the minister's heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign. After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, "Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher--perhaps a missionary?" Again tears welled up in the minister's eyes. "Ah, this heals the ache I feel," he said. "Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher." Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa's most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish kirk. Lord, help us to be faithful. Then give us the grace to leave the results to you.

Wednesday Night Prayer 21st March 2007

Aligning Our Heartbeat to the Father's Heartbeat
by Angelina Boots

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Breakthrough Worship Conference (TAMIL)

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Seberang Perai Prophetic Conference 2007

First time in a long time! Don't miss it! Tell everyone in Seberang Perai.

Sunday Re-cap (18th March 2007)

THE RELEVANCE OF THE NAMES OF GOD IN THE NT**BELIEVER

by Pastor Sam Hari

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I. JESUS IS THE FULLNESS OF GOD IN BODILY FORM.

Col 1:16-20

V16-All things were created IN HIM, THROUGH HIM, FOR HIM.

V18-He is the head of the body, THE CHURCH.

V19-IN HIM is ALL the FULLNESS of GOD.

Col 2:9-10 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And you are complete in Him, who is the Head of all principality and power,

II. HIS FULLNESS IS IN US!

Eph 1:22-23 And He has put all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Eph 3:14-21

V14,15-we are HIS family with HIS NAME (the NAMES of GOD, HIS nature, attributes, power is now IN the NT believers unlike the OT** believer who only encountered HIM externally).

V17-Christ now dwells in the NT believer’s hearts!

V18, 19-we now come to a place of knowing the love of Christ that passes knowledge (beyond the OT believer and the law; beyond intellect and theological knowledge).

That LOVE acts as a bridge between the OT and the NT. Without that bridge of LOVE we cannot have the FULLNESS of GOD.

God’s intention in revealing HIS fullness was HIS LOVE for us. We are GREATLY LOVED! HIS NAMES dwell in us for HIS love’s sake.

V20-according to the power that works in us. The power of HIS NAME.

What is that power?

Col 1:26-27.. Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,

1Jo 4:13

1Jo 4:4 … because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Application

1. Unlike the OT, the Names of Jehovah are no longer for external application only. They are to be applied internally.
1. Jehovah Rapha does not just bring healing, HE is in us! Meaning healing is in us.
2. Jehovah Jireh is not just one who sees and bring provision, He is seeing and HE is provision and HE IS IN US!
3. Jehovah Nissi is in us…Tsidkenu, Makkadesh, Rohi, Sabaoth, Elohim, etc.
2. Don’t just ask Jehovah to manifest His nature for our situation, ask Him to manifest the nature of His name IN US and through us to the world around us.
3. The Names of God unlocks God’s treasures for us and IN US and through us!

**OT-OLD TESTAMENT NT-NEW TESTAMENT

Special Meeting

Living in a Boomerang World

Living in a Boomerang World

"When you ask [pray], you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."1 "God is near to all who call on him; to all who call on him in truth."2

There's a corny joke about the old Australian aborigine who was given a brand new boomerang for Christmas. Unfortunately he went crazy trying to throw his old boomerang away.

Life's kind of like that. Have you ever tried to throw away an old bad habit ... or a self-defeating addiction?

Someone said that the best way to break a bad habit is to drop it. Sure would be great if it were that easy. It isn't. However, if we don't break the habit or addiction, it will have a way of breaking us.

So how do we break a bad habit and/or a self-defeating addiction?

First, we need to admit that we have a problem and that it has us beaten. The only person God or anyone else can ever help is the one who admits, "I have a problem. I need help"—and genuinely means it and is prepared to do something about it. Bad habits and addictions rarely, if ever, leave us without a battle.

Second, we need to avoid playing the blame-game at all costs and accept full responsibility for our actions and our recovery.

Third, we need to realize that bad habits and especially addictions are a means to medicate some inner problem or pain that we have never faced, dealt with and resolved. Bad habits and addictions are almost always the "fruit of a deeper root."

Fourth, we need to seek qualified help, be it a support/recovery group and/or that of a qualified counselor/therapist. We need this support in order to keep us accountable and to help us stop acting out our addiction and thereby medicating (deadening) the pain. To heal it we need to feel it. Medicating it stops us from facing and resolving it.

Fifth, we need to pray the right prayer. Many people beg God to deliver them from their destructive symptoms but never think to realize that they need to pray that God will confront them with the reality of the cause or causes that drives them to act out in destructive habits and/or addictions. It is only as we face and confront the truth behind our destructive habits that we have any chance of recovery.

As Dr. Cecil Osborne used to day, "When we are hiding a deeper sin or fault we tend to confess a lesser one all the more vigorously." That is; instead of confessing the cause/causes of our behavior we get obsessed with and confess only the symptom. This tends to reinforce the addiction rather than overcome it because whatever the mind dwells on, the body acts on."

When we pray for truth and genuinely mean it, God always answers. Once we see the truth (cause) of our problem, we usually know what we need to do about resolving it. As God's Word says, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, no matter what problems I struggle with, please help me to see the real cause/s behind them and, with your help, accept full responsibility for dealing with them. Also, please lead me to the help I need to overcome. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: For helpful recovery and counseling resources go to http://tinyurl.com/85cel1. James 4:3 (NIV).2. Psalm 145:18 (NIV).

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Sunday Re-cap (11th March 2007)

My Spiritual Journey
Ps. Daniel Toh

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Text: Eph 4:1 & Heb 12:1-7

Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

How to live a life worthy of His Calling?
We ought to be the light of the world for God is light; and we are called to bring forth Christ in us; No longer I who live but Christ in me.

Heb 12: 1 let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us. We may be dragging our spiritual journey but don’t stop, just move on. Lay aside every weight and sin to overcome the difficulties of life. Ask God to increase our faith to overcome the flesh, world and the works of the devil.

To have endurance for this life you need to keep your eyes focused on Jesus.
We fix our eyes on Jesus by waiting upon Him, being in His presence, having constant fellowship and communion with Him. Through the Word of God we can be transformed into His will and purpose. So don’t say I have no time with Jesus because it’s in His presence that we are able to face life’s challenges and problems.

To live a life of Christ we need to have a life of total submission to the Lord. Remain in Him. We are one with Him in His Unshakable Kingdom. Our Goal is God’s unshakable kingdom and not heaven.

We need to bring forth God’s amazing love in us through constant communion with Him and remain in His presence.

So don’t be weary or discouraged, press in for we know what is set before us is the Unshakable Kingdom of God. This revelation of the joy gives us the strength to go on to resist the enemy.

Let’s remain In Christ and bear much fruit. (John 15:5)

Sunday Re-cap (4th March 2007)

We Are Blessed
by Ps Francis Peter

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Sunday Re-Cap (25th Feb 2007)

After God’s Own Heart
by Don Boots

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Click here to listen to RAPHA NIGHT sermon

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.