Learning To Live The Word

Take No Thought

2012-01-26T09:37:00.000Z

As life begins to unfold God will put thoughts and desires in your heart as you take delight in Him. There comes a time when you know He is asking you to do something new, or move, or step out in faith. This might involve change of location, vocation or motivation. When this occurs it is important to remember that God never asks you to do something you can't do, because when He directs He also empowers. His spoken Word carries authority and, as it says in Isaiah 55, it always accomplishes what it is sent to do. Our response should be like that of Mary when she said to the servants at the wedding in Cana, "Whatever He says to you, do it!" He has already supplied everything you need to accomplish that which He asks of you, but as we see in the book of Joshua, for the grace to becoming effective we need to believe, but not only believe but act on those beliefs. James says I will show my faith by what I do.

"But what about this and that, and God, do you realise that I will need to find a job or home...etc" Jesus says in Matthew 6, "Take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or what shall we wear? or where shall we live?" I can't imagine God saying, "Oh wow, I had completely forgotten to take all of those things into account, I'm so glad you pointed them out to me because I didn't think of that!" Elijah was sent to a place called "there" because "there" is where the provision was. He had already commanded (past tense) the ravens to supply meat for Elijah, and when that stopped he was sent to another place where God had already (past tense) instructed a widow to provide for him.

Our response needs to be seek Him first and His righteousness and give Him the space and room to sort out the fine details. If you do what He asks of you, then He will do the rest. That's His business not ours. Ours is to trust and obey, believe and receive. When the word comes to step out of the boat, or the comfort zone (which is really becoming dissatisfying), or leave the job (which is safe money but no longer fulfills), you can trust that the Word is able to sustain and provide for you. God has said I will never leave you nor forsake you. He knows you have needs and He has already (past tense) supplied all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, or to put it another way as He has to me, "I will look after you".

So take no thought other than to do what He asks, do what He says, do it afraid if you have to, but be assured, the road maybe a bit bumpy but He will never leave you, never forsake you, never withhold His blessing, never give up on you, never cause you to stumble, and never stop loving you. His word over your life will come to fruit if you keep going and trusting Him, walking with Him, and just looking to Him and nothing else. Doors of opportunity will open up and ways will appear when there seems to be no way. Wait on Him, wait for Him, but when He speaks, be quick to respond.....and watch and see what he will do for you.

New Year, New Beginning

2012-01-14T13:27:00.000Z

It's amazing that so much has happened already happened in the first two weeks of the year, but that's nothing compared to what is in store, some of which I know, but mostly I have no clue, and even some of those things I do know, I really don't know how. I am grateful that I know the One who does know all these things and because He has promised to look after me I can let Him deal with the details, and I can just get on with what He wants me to do, which is mostly just spend time time with Him.

Towards the end of last year God spoke to me and said that opportunities were going to be opened up to me and already that is happening. He also said to me one Sunday morning "Chocks away!" and that means that those things that had been stopping me moving forward, whether of my own doing or the Holy Spirit restraining me, are out of the way and I am now taxiing to the end of the runway ready to take off.

But, of course, the enemy will try and disrupt as much as possible, by strewing things on the runway, trying to distract my attention, trying to plant doubt in my mind, but I have made my mind up...I'm taking off and it's God's wind under my wings that will keep me in the air. Recent events have made me stronger (as described in previous blogs) and now I just need to guard my heart, keep my eyes on Him, listen to His voice and do everything He asks of me, and He will do the rest.

I had this revelation the other day while talking to my students, that we do not need to have faith for anything. What we do need is faith in Jesus and what He has said. It's His Word that achieves everything so we need to know Him and what the Word says and then put our faith in Him and His Word. He will do everything we need if we believe Him. He who calls us is faithful and HE will do it. It's His Word that sustains me and I don't have to do anything except believe His Word. When we do that (putting His Kingdom first) then everything else comes to us as a fruit of our relationship and often we don't even have to ask for it because He has already promised to give us all we need. We can hang on to all His promises, both those in the Bible and those He has given to us personally and whenever we feel tempted to doubt, go back and remember those things, build ourselves up in the Word, encourage ourselves in the Lord and keep going.

When we get this into our hearts it actually liberates us from stress, worry and anxiety and fills us with hope, expectation and joy.

So onward and upward!

Cross.tv

2012-01-10T22:37:00.000Z

A friend of mine mentioned cross.tv to me today; a place for people, I assume Christians, to share stuff, whether by blogging, video, audio, events etc. I have signed up and will soon be uploading some of my teaching for those who wish to hear it. The web page is www.cross.tv and you can find me under DuncanJSherwin, strangely enough, or use this link in your browser: http://www.cross.tv/profile/575684?go=about

James 1 again....

2012-01-01T17:08:00.000Z

I would like to wish everyone who reads this a very happy, prosperous and peaceful 2012.

I have just read what I wrote in my last blog entry just a few days ago and it's good, but that was before I experienced a medical emergency involving my daughter. I won't go into details here but the last few days have been interesting to say the least, involving ambulances, hospitals, doctors and nurses, but in all of the danger and possible panic, I found such a deep peace, and I thank the Lord that He has revealed to me those things I wrote about last time. It's been testing and exhausting, and I have been angry and frustrated, but not for one second have I doubted God's involvement, ability, promises, peace and joy.

A thought came to me yesterday, something that I heard Joseph Prince say once, that when the devil spits out and tries to spoil things, steal things and disrupt things, it isn't because God is about to do something, but it is because God has already done something and the enemy responds by trying to distract us and take our focus away from God. So I can be encouraged and, just as I wrote last time, be of good cheer when trials come because I know God has spoken and everything God says will come to pass. In much the same way as when Daniel prayed, and God answered the prayer immediately and dispatched the angel, but the devil tried to stop the answer getting through, even now, although the devil no longer has dominion, he will try and steer us away from the answer God has already spoken.

It has by no means been a pleasant experience, and I have felt a range of emotions, but the peace and joy of God has been my shield. I am grateful for everyone who has prayed, supported and encouraged us and I am expecting some amazing things to come out of all of this because I trust God and He promises to make all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called to His purpose.

You know, the devil will try and do stuff and throw stuff at us to destroy us, discourage us, move us away from God's peace, but, like the palm tree that bends right over in the storm but returns stronger afterwards, I am drawn towards God and am stronger for it. God is good all the time and delights in His children. I know how much I love my daughter (and my son) and then I think that His love for me and her is much stronger, deeper, wider, broader than mine could ever be......and that's my Dad.

Be Convinced

2011-12-29T17:21:00.000Z

You know that bit in James 1 when he says "My brothers, consider it pure joy when you fall into various trials...." and then we stop reading because it doesn't seem like a good thing to read. The fact is that it is a barometer if you like of where our heart is regarding the truth of God and our relationship with Him. Jesus promised that will all encounter difficulties on the way through life, simply because we live in a fallen world or because we do something wrong which gives the enemy opportunity to steal from us, or because we do something good and the enemy wants to stop us, but remember that Jesus said He has overcome the world and because we are one with Him, we also are over-comers.....if we believe and respond in faith. So when we read James 1 and continue to read we can see that God will use those opportunities and circumstances to work into us and through us His character. It's all part of training us (remembering that God never causes us grief, hurt, pain, suffering or inflicts illness, sickness, poverty or hardship on us...He is good all the time!) so that we grow stronger, we learn to trust Him, we walk by faith in Christ and in what he has already achieved for us, not in our own strength, wisdom or understanding.

So when those things come against us, it is a good thing to see how we respond or react to them....do we get fearful? do we get anxious? do we get worried? do we lose heart? do we panic and lose all concept of how big God is? do we forget who we are in Christ? Those responses will show us where our heart really is because out of the heart flow the issues of life, and as we think in our hearts, that is who we are.....but all is not lost. When we see those responses and cry out to God, He will always take us on a learning journey to establish the truth and over time our hearts and therefore our responses will change and we will not be blown by every wind of doctrine, we will not allow our feelings and emotions to rule our actions, we will not speak out fear, unbelief and death but we will respond in faith, speak life, speak the truth and not merely factual words...Jesus responded every time to the devil when He was tempted, "it is written...!" The Word of God established in our hearts when spoken out in faith will always, always, ALWAYS overcome all the fiery darts of doubt, unbelief and temptation of the enemy.

James says the testing of your faith produces patience, and patient faith produces perfection! It causes us to stand in the face of adversity and hold our position in Christ. It produces life when mixed with the Word and it will cause the enemy to run from us. Every weapon formed against us will fail, every word spoken against us we will rebuke and we will see the victory of God in every area of our lives.

The battle for us is in the battle for the mind or heart. The way we think, the way we believe, the way we respond when the enemy comes against us, when circumstances try and steal our peace, when trials and temptations seek to take our joy....when the Word of Christ abides in us and when we use the sword of the Spirit we will always see victory, even if it takes time, a bit of effort and some bruises.

We need to get to that place like Paul when he says he is CONVINCED that nothing can stop the love of God towards us, and when we really know that God loves us, is for us and fights our battles then we can actually sit and eat in the presence of our enemies with the confidence that nothing can stand against us. The devil is like a roaring toothless lion, all noise and no teeth but he will try and stop us, steal from us an intimidate us, but greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world.

Even as I write, there seem to be many things working against me, and things do not look great and if "God doesn't come through I'm stuffed," and in the past I would have melted in the heat. It would have taking weeks or months to stop worrying and see that God is able. The reason I am sharing this right now is because I want to give glory and thanks to my God, my Father in Heaven who loves me with an everlasting love , because my response is so different this time and that is all down to Him. Where I used to panic and worry, now I get indignant at the thief who has the audacity to even try and rock the boat (you know, the one Jesus is in with me, the one He is piloting). God has taken the time to invest into me and He has brought me through fires and difficult times and He has used them in the very way James describes...He is perfecting me (some way to go, I know. I haven't arrived but I have left) and I get excited when I see Him working in and through me. I fully expect to come out on top every time now because I know He is able to do exceedingly above and beyond all I can ask or imagine according to the power of God that works in and through me.

It's all about Him, but I believe He gets excited when we get involved and walk by faith because that releases everything that is of Him to me and through me and affects every one I come into contact with.

God is good, He has a good life and plan for all of us and when we take the time to get to know Him, know His love and faithfulness, know the power of His Word and learn to walk in the light of it, then we will see God at work in us, for us and through us without us having to do anything except believe. If you abide in Him and His Word abides in you then ask whatever you will and it will be done for you. It's good isn't it....Thanks be to Him.

Being Dad

2011-12-28T10:34:00.002Z

This thought occurred to me today. My kids are with me for a few days during the Christmas holidays. I love being a Dad, I love my kids more than anyone else and having them with gives me a real sense of purpose, contentment and joy. I love to give them everything they need and I have already bought, supplied and prepared all they might want..as well as the necessities they also have the gifts I bought for them.....whether they use them, receive receive, take them, enjoy them or not, it's still all available to them. I would prefer that they would take it all and use and enjoy everything but that is up to them, I still love them even if they don't. It would make me happier if they did because I only want the best for them and I have given them the best of everything, but it's OK if they don't, that's their choice. And God is just the same, only more so. He has already prepared and supplied everything we will ever need or desire and all we have to do is take them and use them, but He still loves us even if we don't.....etc etc.

Times Are

2011-11-18T22:40:00.001Z

I wrote a poem once upon a time, May 5th 1988 to be exact, and I have been thinking about it somewhat lately because it seems to resonate with a few things going on here and now.

Times are I want to go back
When I hear or see something
Which reminds me of things past.
I sometimes want to go back
Either in my mind or in person,
Return to the place and experience
It all for a second time.
But You remind me that the bridge is down
And there is no way back!

So I'm standing here and looking
Across the gap where the bridge once stood
And I stare just for a moment;
Contemplating, reasoning...
Then coming to my senses, I turn, and look ahead
Not knowing what lies ahead of me.
But I know I will succeed
Because You are leading me
And guiding my every step.

So,
With my hand in Yours,
With my pack on my back,
My hat on my head
I begin to walk.......

Whereabouts Known

2011-11-07T12:16:00.000Z

As I was walking through the city from the railway station to my home at 2.00 am this morning, I was very aware that I was not answerable to anyone. I have no-one I particularly need to tell where I am, what I am doing, how late I am going to be. Sometimes I really miss that special person, but at other times it is quite liberating. It means I can go and do what God asks of me (I was in London leading worship) and take my time doing it. There is no rush to get anywhere, I can relax and enjoy the ride and using the trains makes it easier to do that. Sometimes in those situations I am tempted to feel sorry for myself and wish that there was someone there waiting for me, and I believe that time will come, but then I just remember that wherever I am, whatever I am doing, however late it is, God is always with me! He is speaking to me, keeping me safe, assuring me, loving me. This brings comfort, confidence, boldness, peace and rest.

I believe it is good to be accountable to people and there were some yesterday who knew where I was and what I was doing and I am glad to tell them, but sometimes just knowing He is aware is enough.

Stand!

2011-10-25T10:16:00.000+01:00

When you start to grasp the truth of God's word and start to believe and walk in it there is going to be opposition. I remember when I first started listening to teaching from Andrew Wommack about healing, teaching that I had never heard before, teaching that I knew was the truth...I got ill! When I had revelation about having a sound mind and keeping my eyes fixed on Him, my mind started to worry about so many things and my thoughts were all over the place. I could say this about so many things and at the time I got confused because the Bible said one thing, but everything else said the opposite..so what was actually true?

Mark 4:15 says that as soon as you hear the word satan comes immediately to steal the word that was sown in our hearts. He doesn't want us to grow in God. He will challenge everything and try and cause you to stumble. I have recently been teaching at the college and without exception, every subject I have taught on, I have immediately been challenged on for the next two or three days. James 1 says we should consider it pure joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, but that patience will bring you to perfection or maturity, complete and lacking nothing.

The Word of God is Truth and everything written in it is true and life giving. It is the bread of life and when we believe it and mix it with faith it works. So when we get a revelation on something, hang on to it despite the opposition of the temptation to give up because it will produce fruit; it may take time (seed tiiiiiiiiiime and harvest) but if we stand in the strength of God, if we confess our faith, speak the Word out and don't change our mind on it we will see the end of all things and grow into what God has for us. No, it's not always easy but God says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, greater is He that is in you than he who is int the world, and be of good courage for He has overcome the world.

We have victory through Christ, the battle is the Lord's and if we persevere, endure and make the joy of the Lord our strength we will see the goodness of the Lord manifest.

Don't Give Up

2011-10-17T11:31:00.000+01:00

The more I walk with the Lord the greater my need to trust Him and trust that he knows what He is doing. When you fully commit to seeking Him and His Kingdom, the more you realise that His ways are not your ways. When you pray for solution or direction in any given situation and He answers and gives you what you need and not necessarily what you want, how do you respond? When the answer is, perhaps, you need to step away from that place or let go of that person. Or when you have your heart set on something and you believe that it's the will of God, but the door closes and leaves you disappointed, how do you respond?

If you truly know that He loves you, He is for you, He is working in you and through you and He has a magnificent plan for your life then the answer is just keep going, keep seeking, keep responding to Him and keep a good attitude, because He is trustworthy, He is loyal, He is all-loving and He will make a way when there seems to be no way. God is kind enough to not let you off the lead until you have been fully trained to do what he has called you to do. If He has called you to a place of leadership He needs to build in a number of characteristics and strengths into you so you do not stumble at the first let down. He wants you to become strong in wisdom, understanding and of good character so that in the storms of life you can sleep in the boat next to Him.

I am encouraged that He is working those things into me and despite some discouraging news, or some hard decision I have to make or just hanging in there when the going gets tough, I know He is taking care of me and as long as I look to Him, the One who says I will never leave you, I will never forsake you, I am with even to the end of the age, then I know it will all work together not only for my good, but for the good of those who will come under my leadership. The word says that we comfort those with the comfort we have received and often we have to go through things so we can encourage others.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:10-11 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra -- what persecutions I endured. And of them all the Lord delivered me.

Psalm 84:5-7 says: Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears at Zion.

Sometimes we are delivered from things and sometimes delivered through them, but God will not leave us there. We need to look to Him, let Him be our guide and strength, trust Him and let Him lead you. Don't give up, be patient, persevere, hang on to His Word and His promises and let Him bring you through.

Physician, Heal Thyself

2011-10-13T11:55:00.002+01:00

I remember Joyce Meyer once saying that if someone comes up to you with an issue, what would be your counsel to that person? You would probably tell them to trust in the Lord, give thanks in all circumstances, stand on the word, believe in His promises, spend time praising and worshiping Him, cast all your cares on Him, speak to the mountain and rebuke the devil. All good and true.

So what happens when those things come upon you? What do you do? We should do exactly what we would tell others to do. God is no respecter of persons, in other words He does the same for everyone, treats everyone the same, loves everyone the same and has no favourites. What He has done for others He will do for each and every person who calls on His Name. The same God who delivered the Israelites, who parted the Red Sea, who spoke the world and the universe into existence, who fed Elijah by using Ravens, who died and was resurrected, the list goes on...He is the same God today as He has ever been. He will never leave you nor forsake, He will meet all your needs and then some.

So no matter what the world, the devil or life throws at you you can overcome because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. So take heart, do all of the above and watch God move on your behalf!

The Debt Is Paid

2011-09-28T12:29:00.000+01:00

It is a sad truth that I am unable to maintain my debts and I have had to call in the help of Christians Against Poverty (CAP). This isn't something I am proud of and I am a little embarrassed because it doesn't reflect well on God for one thing, but it is of my own doing. It is largely a result of, in the past, spending more than I earned, buying things I didn't really need and not being altogether a good steward and now I earn a lot less than I used to. So by handing the problem over to this wonderful organisation, they are now responsible for dealing with those who want their money back. They do all the negotiations, organise all the legal stuff and deal with any letters and debt collectors. I have to say when some of those letters arrive it is a bit un-nerving and unsettling especially when they start talking about legal action, but then CAP says just pass them on to us and we will deal with that. You don't need to worried or concerned, everything will be dealt with. I have to trust them and believe they are able to do what they say they will do and not worry about it. I just have to do what they ask me to do and leave the rest to them.

That got me thinking: I expect you can see the parallels already. When the world or the devil comes knocking making demands or threatening us, accusing us, demanding payment for where we have gone wrong in the past etc we can just say "Speak to my lawyer, Jesus by name. I think you will find He has dealt with all of that!" We can just pass everything over to Him and let Him deal with the creditors, make the payments and cancel all our debts.

I thank God for CAP and the work they are doing. I do trust them. I thank God more for Jesus because He has already dealt with all my debts, paid them all and allows me to live a debt free life!

If Love Was A Person

2011-09-14T10:04:00.003+01:00

I saw this on Facebook today and I was going to "like" it because it's rather lovely,

If kisses were raindrops, I'd send you a shower. If hugs were minutes, I'd send you an hour. If smiles were waves, I'd send you a sea. If love was a person, I'd send you me......

But love IS a person and His name is Jesus. God loves you so much that He sent Himself in human form and gave you everything that is His and took away all the horrible bits. If you let Him love you, He will change your heart, your mind, your life and make it so full of joy, peace and happiness.

Jeremiah Psalm 23

2011-09-12T21:31:00.000+01:00

I don't know if anyone else has ever seen this, but this is extraordinary. The first six verses of Jeremiah 23 and Psalm 23 are talking to each other. I have put the first verse of the psalm after the first verse of Jeremiah and so on...it's beautiful!

"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says the Lord

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

"Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed my people: "You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says the Lord.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

"But I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase."

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake

"I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the Lord

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

"Behold the days are coming," says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and righteousness in the earth"

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

"In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

World Wide!

2011-09-03T09:29:00.002+01:00

The new look Blogger shows where the people who read my blog are and I am amazed! My blog has been read a total of 3,590 times in the UK, USA, Canada, Singapore, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, Guam, Poland, Spain, India, Israel, Russia, China and South Africa.
Thank you to everyone and I hope you have been blessed and encouraged.

Happy New School Year

2011-09-03T09:13:00.001+01:00

It's hard to believe that four years ago I was about to embark on something that would completely change my life from the foundations up. If I had known what would happen maybe I would never have started, but I didn't know and while it has been a challenge to say the least, the benefits have far outweighed the down sides. That is quite a statement really because the downsides have been huge, but, as the Word says, where sin abounds how much more does the grace of God abound (slightly out of context but the principle is the same). There are many songs that we sing at college that would reflect those situations, for example, My God takes the broken and makes them whole, Faithful God, Oh No You never let go. He takes what we have and then molds us into what we really are and have in Him and over a period of time we come out the other side equipped and ready for the next step. For some that's a year, for me, it has been four years and now going into a fifth albeit as a member of the faculty and not a student. Having said that, we are all always in a state of learning and we never "make it" to the end of God.

I can look back over this period, which sometimes feels like five minutes and at other times feels like a long time, and see the road that I have come along and thank the Lord that I am still here, but more than that, I can see the changes, the growth, the maturing that has gone on. I have met some amazing people, made some very good friends, some for life, and seen the hand of God gently and lovingly bring me into a pasture of life, renewing my mind, restoring my soul, enlightening my understanding and invigorating my whole person. He has shown me things to come, where I am going and His amazing plans for me. He has provided for me at all times, even when I had no faith and worried myself to sleep, He kept close to me when everyone and everything else was gone and He has brought me to a place where I have boldness, strength and resolve. He brought me into a love relationship with Himself and in that I have found consolation, peace, joy and safety.

Our building has been transformed and developed and I believe that the new beginning in that sense is a sign of things to come for the students. Change is on the way for everyone, new beginnings, new developments, new lives as God uses His Word to change and restore hearts and minds. I am looking forward to the college life again this year, running the Night School, teaching the 3rd year students and generally being around and watching these wonderful people change and grow, seeing the grace and love of God in action, and being more background, seeing and helping people develop in their own calling. It's going to be great.

Something Has Changed

2011-08-29T13:39:00.003+01:00

I don't know where the last fifteen weeks have gone but next week we start back at college and welcome new students and returning 2nd and 3rd years. The last year has flown by, even though at times it seemed to drag. I have just returned from a week away with my children camping in Norfolk and it certainly doesn't seem like a year since we were there last time. A lot of things have happened over the summer and God has been showing me a lot about my heart, my priorities, my motives and agenda and how none of them were really up to scratch. Situations with money, relationships, where I put my trust, hope, security and expectations... you know, all the "minor" things.

The challenge I guess was to see that Jesus is enough and, in fact, more than enough for everything. There have been times where I have worried myself so much about what may or may not happen that I lost weight, got ill, lost my vision and lost hope to a large degree. This bothered me somewhat because I knew that this is not what God has called me to, but it did reveal a heart condition and I was not happy about the state I was in. But now, and especially over the last week, something has dropped into place and I know changes have happened. I don't know what or how exactly but something has settled and I know that Jesus is enough.

Learning to live each day at a time, using the grace of today, the opportunities of today, the strength for today is important. God calls us to relationship first and foremost and He has promised that if we seek Him first and His Kingdom, then He would look after everything else. It is so important to find peace and contentment in Him, knowing His love and care for us, how much He is at work on our behalf, preparing the way for us to walk in. When we know this it gives us confidence and boldness to just be who He has made us to be and let Him deal with everything else.

I had a picture earlier in the year about walking away from dealing with the circumstances of life and just sitting at His feet so to speak, and listening to Him, doing what he says (nothing more and nothing less) and leaving the details of the outworking in His hands. I knew what he meant by this but now having gone through a few things that picture actually makes more sense to me. It is becoming a reality of daily life. He calls us to cast all our cares on Him because He takes care of us. A friend of mine signs off messages with "take care" but He says take care for nothing. I know what she means and it is right that we do take care in some respects, we have responsibilities and principles, but God calls us to be carefree and everything that comes our way we can just pass on to Him and not take on our own shoulders and try and work things out. It's always better to let Him do it for us. It's like if we are involved with legal issues, we can pass all the letters, communications and the like to a solicitor to deal with and not get bogged down with the details ourselves.

Like I said, I can't put my finger on what has changed in the last week or so, but something has and I am expecting things to happen around me, for me, in me and through me but I am not going to waste energy trying to pinpoint them or work it all out. I feel free, confident, bold, content and ready for what is next but in the mean time I need to be diligent, faithful and maintain a good attitude in all I say and do and watch those doors open up to me.

God is good. God is faithful and God has a plan which He is bringing to pass and when you least expect it, because your eyes are fixed on Him, He opens a way where there didn't even seem to be a way and says "this is the way, walk in it".

Wait Patiently

2011-08-02T09:51:00.002+01:00

We have all been called by God. Some of us respond positively and when we do He takes what we have and starts to work with us. Jeremiah 29:11 says that we all have a hope and a future, an expected end. God has a plan for each or our lives, He has created us for the good works that He has already planned. We have all received the great commission to go and make disciples, to heal the sick, raise the dead and preach the good news. But what do we do when those things seem to be so far away from us and we are seemingly stuck in a rut and nothing appears to be working (I am choosing my words carefully)?

I am learning that these things take time, but not really that those things are taking time but God is taking time with us, to establish us, train us and equip us; learning to think as He thinks, do as He does and speak as He speaks. I have just watched all of the Star Wars films and in them the character called Anakin Skywalker is "the chosen one" but he is a real hot head, impatient, emotionally unstable and arrogant and, if you have watched the movies, you will know he tries to make things happen too quickly, too rashly and ends up going completely away from that which he was called to.

This is a real danger for the believer too, as I know for myself, but over the last few years God has shown me that to be content in Him in all things first is important. Waiting patiently for the Lord to establish His heart in us, transform us by the renewal of our mind, and seeking Him with all our heart so that His ways become our ways, His thoughts become our thoughts. Jeremiah 29:13,14 says we find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to reveal things that are to come but when He does it is not our responsibility to make those things happen. When God reveals our future to us, our vision, our "ministry" we need to take the attitude that Mary did and ponder these things in our heart, but keep the main thing the main thing, that is to seek first God's Kingdom and wait patiently for the Lord. I know that he will reveal the timing of all these things and when we walk with Him, those things will happen quickly.

We need to be ready, established, fixed and secure in Him and we need that time beforehand to spend with Him, seek Him, read the Word and let that become our guide and then we will be ready for the next thing. There is always time between the sowing and the reaping. If God has revealed your life to you, take a step at a time, seek Him with all your heart, wait patiently and allow Him to move you towards it. He equips the called. He doesn't call the equipped.

At the end of the films Anakin does fulfill His destiny but he takes a very long, hard route and is actually responsible for the suffering of a lot of other people on the way. I don't want to go that way and I am sure God doesn't want me to go that way either.

Jesus Is Enough Pt 2

2011-08-01T21:20:00.003+01:00

God Himself said it is not good for the man to be on his own. I have to admit there are times when I feel lonely. I miss my children, I miss the closeness of a relationship with someone special and I miss friends who have gone off somewhere over the summer or have simply moved on to bigger and better things. As I was pondering this just this morning I kept telling myself that Jesus is always with me, always available and always faithful, loving, constant etc. He said "never will I leave you, never will I forsake you!" It got me thinking again about Jesus being enough and the conclusion I came to is this. Even if I was in a any sort of relationship, even if I was with my family or friends or a lover would that be enough? Would that be completely satisfying and would that meet all my needs in every way all the time? The answer is a resounding "no!" because only Jesus is enough. If I really knew that Jesus is the answer to everything and was living in the fullness of relationship with Him, I would not need to look to others for fulfillment. Learning to be content in all circumstances is vital to our security, soundness of mind, stillness of heart, health of our bodies and well-being of our soul. Paul says in Philippians that he learned to be content (through Christ) in all circumstances and out of that contentment he was able to do all things.

As much as people do their best and have your best will at heart, they cannot, and I cannot, meet the needs that only God can but when I learn that in HIM I can do all things, any relationship outside of Jesus would just be enhanced because I am content in Him. People will let us down even unintentionally because we are all flawed, but when your life is taken up with Him, all things work together for good and all mistakes can be rectified and all failing is forgiven and not taken into account. That frees us to love one another freely and liberally knowing that He has forgiven us and continues to love us freely and liberally.

Learning to be content in all circumstances, giving thanks in all circumstances, rejoicing in all circumstances knowing who it is who loves us is vital.

Jesus is enough and I for one need to know that deep in my heart and when that is established nothing can stand against me and everything starts to work for me, the blessing comes to me, relationships come to me, friendships come to me, love comes to me. Be still and know that He is enough.

Jesus Is Enough

2011-07-25T09:13:00.003+01:00

So much stuff has been happening over the last month or two and it's been a real challenge to keep my thoughts fixed on God in it all.....and I haven't always been successful. What has happened has exposed where my heart really is and it has not been comfortable to discover. I have been frustrated with hardness of heart and unbelief. I nearly wrote "my" for both of those but I refuse to take ownership of them. The teaching I have been listening to and reading though has been a huge help and has started me on a course of responding to situations with faith and dealing with all those uncertainties in the light of who God is and what He is capable of and not what I can say, think or do. This is still ongoing and it probably always will be in one sense.

The truth is we are over-comers, we are more than conquerors and we have everything we need pertaining to life and godliness, but it is in Christ who lives through us and not in our own abilities. It's not by might, nor by strength, nor by reasoning, nor by activity but by and through His Spirit working through us that we conquer. Sometimes God will ask us to do something and we need to respond quickly but also to be patient when things don't appear to change instantly. When Jesus said "Let us go over to the other side of the lake" He didn't say "Let us go halfway across and drown!" Then He reprimanded the disciples for having no faith but they still got to the other side! Why? Because He SAID SO! Isaiah 55 says "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it." The verse just before that says "For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways," says the LORD."

I am (still) learning to let go and let God but also learning to do what He says for me to do, no more and no less, and wait patiently for the Lord (Ps 40) For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. (Hab 2). The important thing I am finding is learning to be thankful in all circumstances and situations despite what is going on inside and around me and feeding on the word that He has given me and not giving space to any other thoughts of despondency, disillusionment, depression. God's Word works but we have to believe it and receive it in even, or especially in the midst of the storm. Jesus said we will have tribulation in the world but the way we respond is important. These things come to pass and not to stay, we often walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but it's just a shadow. We do sometimes walk through the Valley of Baca (weeping) but we are heading to Zion!

Jesus is enough for all we need and as long as we stick with Him we will always come through to the other side of the lake. We may be wet, we may be cold but as long as Jesus is in the boat with us WE WILL WIN!

Doubt And Unbelief

2011-06-27T11:06:00.002+01:00

I sometimes get so frustrated with my own heart. The Bible is so clear when it comes to the promises of God about how He looks after us and provides for all of our needs. It seems to me that this is still little more than a theory sometimes and I get annoyed that I still don't grasp the fulness of this. This is despite numerous occasions where God has provided for me in many different ways and on many different occasions. I have been listening to and reading a lot about finances and stewardship recently and I know this is something we all need to address because the Bible says that unless we are faithful in the least then we cannot be entrusted with great riches, whatever form those riches take. When we find ourselves in dire straits and the money has run out, the first thing we need to do, according to Scripture, is GIVE, but do it in faith and in joy. God says give and you will be given, not get given and then give. He says sow the seed before the harvest will come because if you don't sow the seed the harvest won't grow no matter how much prayer and fasting you do.

This is another aspect of living by faith and one God has challenged me over. I am glad to say that because of His great grace I have responded but it isn't actually about money; it's about our heart. God wants our hearts and when He truly has them then obeying Him and trusting Him becomes less of an issue. Recently I heard the phrase faith works by love explained as I didn't understand it; but when we really know who loves us, who cares for us, who is working on our behalf then faith isn't a problem. This is true. When I meditate on God's great, abundant love, how much He has done for me and how much He is preparing everything for my benefit then it's a lot easier to believe Him and believe in Him.

So when doubt and unbelief rise in our hearts over usually trivial matters, but not always, it is so important that we spend time meditating on His promises, getting into the Word to hear what He says about any given situation and keep doing it until you do it. I don't know how anything is going to work out but I do know that He is faithful and He works all things together for my good and is able to do exceedingly above all I can possibly ask or imagine but according to the power that works in me, according to my faith. He has already established His covenant and promises and when we operate in faith those things begin to manifest in our lives. So we can cast all our cares onto Him for He cares, and boy does He care, for us.

Some things are easier to let go than others but when we seek His Kingdom, His righteousness, His ways, His thoughts everything else just works! He causes situations, circumstances, people, events and everything else to come to us. This is often easier said than done but that's all part of growing. When we know Him, then everything else becomes less important and we can allow Him to do what He needs to do without us ever being involved. We are under a covenant of blessing but we seek Him, not the blessing. His promises are Yes and Amen in Christ but we seek Christ not the promises.

Our Response To Any Situation.

2011-06-19T09:45:00.002+01:00

This faith walk is, at the very least, very interesting but it's so much more than that. It's tough on the mind and the flesh and the temptation is to give up sometimes, but that would be ludicrous, especially as there is no alternative. I need God to come through for me and I believe He will because He is a God of His Word. This thought came to me yesterday. If God asks us to do something for Him and we respond in love and faith and do what He asks, He is obliged to do His part, not because of my obedience but because of His Word. He has put even Himself under His own Word and He will never break His Word. If that doesn't give us courage to ask for whatever we need then nothing will.
I still have many questions about how and when things are going to work out and I am not really getting the answers I expect. He has asked me to do one thing specifically and today is the today I physically do it, but bearing in mind what I have already said I believe I can trust Him to respond accordingly, because He wants to, because He delights in me and He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me. However, the temptation to doubt is still strong sometimes so our response has to be in faith: speaking the word, believing the word and doing the word even when, and especially when, we don't feel like it! I need to stop doubting Him, stop thinking negative and speak out faith and see things happen.

The following is from Joseph Prince and shows the way Jesus did such things and is a real encouragement to do the same. To not look at the little we have but give thanks for what we have and allow God to multiply it. At the bottom is a link that somebody sent me which also addresses this issue. It's pastor Brian Houston from Hillsong Church and well worth listening to.

See The Miraculous When You Give Thanks

John 11:41
41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

Jesus lived a life of thanksgiving. He always thanked His Father for what He had and for always hearing Him when He prayed. That was how He released miracles in His life.

In the story of the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1–13), Jesus’ attitude was one of thankfulness. He took a little boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish, gave thanks and had them distributed. He gave thanks for the little that was there and the little multiplied. Not only did the people eat as much as they wanted, there were 12 baskets full of leftovers!

So when you see the meager balance in your bank account, thank the Lord for what you have. That’s your “five loaves and two fish”. When you give Him thanks that He is your provider and the source of your supply, in spite of the little you have, your little will become much, with leftovers!

Even when faced with the impossible, the solution was still, “Father, I thank You…” When Jesus stood outside Lazarus’ tomb, and the people took away the stone that was covering the tomb, He did not see the situation as hopeless and impossible. He simply lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” Then, He proceeded to call forth Lazarus, and the man came forth alive once more!

The raising of Lazarus, who had been dead for more than four days, was one of Jesus’ greatest miracles. And He accomplished this by saying, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” He thanked His way to an awesome miracle.

My friend, the next time you find yourself praying, “God, please do this for me! Please give me...” stop! Instead, say, “Thank You God, for hearing me. And because You have heard me, I thank You that I have what I asked for.” And when you thank God, the little that you have will multiply. Your impossible situations will turn around to reflect God’s provision. And resurrection life will hit you!

Joseph Prince

From Hillsong Church http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/hillsong-tv/20110613/

Surrounded By the Favour Of God

2011-06-16T09:57:00.001+01:00

Once again, God's timing is impeccable. He answers questions so quickly. This was sent from Joseph Prince and is just what I needed to hear....again....

Today, I want you to know that you don't have to live another day feeling insignificant or unimportant. Nor do you have to spend another day striving for success, praise or approval.

God's abundant and unmerited favor is surrounding you today because of the finished work of Jesus Christ! Knowing and receiving God's unmerited favor are so important to experiencing the victorious and abundant life you have in Christ. And the way to experience God's unmerited favor every single day is to believe that it's already yours—without you doing ANYTHING to deserve it. So many people fall into the trap of chasing favor or trying to earn it, which ultimately leads nowhere and only produces heartache, frustration and disappointment.

My dearest friend, this is not God's way. God wants you to focus on Jesus and His love for you, shown through what He did for you on the cross. Why? Because that is the only thing that is unchanging, sure, secure and eternal. It goes beyond the fickle nature and uncertainty of the world. And it will do for you what your self-effort cannot.

His love and His favor on you are what God wants you to stay focused on.

The Bible tells us in Romans 5:17 (NIV) ...how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Beloved, through Jesus' finished work at the cross, you've received His abundant provision of His grace and His free gift of righteousness to walk in an intimate and loving relationship with God, receiving His favor everywhere you go. That is how you reign in every area of your life!

Today, you can know with full assurance in your heart that Jesus loves you perfectly. He knows all your flaws and all your mistakes, yet He accepts you unconditionally and loves you perfectly. When you begin to understand this, you will realize that it is truly unmerited favor from Jesus that you know you do not deserve, did not merit and cannot earn for yourself that will perfect every imperfection and weakness in your life. Beloved, let's continue to turn away from our efforts and attempts to fix our external circumstances. I know that when you look only to Jesus, you will live in an abundance of His blessings and unmerited favor.

I Am Blessed!

2011-06-13T10:35:00.001+01:00

For a long time now I have been saying that I am blessed and I believe that it's true, but sometimes you get a rvelation of something and you get it in your heart. This often happens when you least expect it and aren't even thinking about things, but yesterday somewhere on the A14 heading towards the midlands, I had such a revelation. I know I am blessed!

I remebered something I heard from Pastor Lawson Perdue a while a go and I am sharing this with whoever happens to be reading this. This is my confession and I beleieve every word of it.

The favour of God is on my life. The favour of God is on my marriage. The favour of God is on my family. The favour of God is on my business. The favour of God is on my work. The favour of God is on my ministry. I have favour with God and I have favour with man and I have a good understanding. I am blessed by God. I am blessed in my marriage. I am blessed in my family. I am blessed in my body. I am blessed in my mind. I am blessed in my spirit. Everything that I touch prospers. Everywhere that I go, I prosper. People look at me and want to do business with me. People look at me and want to promote me. I am blessed by God. I am blessed in Jesus. I am blessed. God loves me. God has a purpose for my life. God has accepted me. God has given me those things that I believe for and God has reversed the curse in my life. I am blessed in Christ for good. Hallelujah!

Peace or no peace?

2011-06-03T22:18:00.002+01:00

This is another thought on faith.

I recently had a conversation with a few friends as we finished college for another year, one of whom shared her testimony with me. It was a powerful encouragement for those times when nothing really makes sense. If you know me at all you will know that I am a passionate person and sometimes get a little emotional, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but sometimes my emotions can become the deciding factor in some decisions. Emotions can sometimes be the antithesis of faith, so one has to be careful and learn to harness those emotions and not let them rule. This lovely lady shared with me how she was seeking God about whether she should marry this particular man but her feelings were throwing her one way and then the other, should she, shouldn't she etc... She prayed and God gave her a specific word and even gave her the date of her marriage and confirmed that this was His will.

The point she made was that she had to cling on to the word God had given her and not allow the lack of peace to rule. I know this flies in the face of some theology about allowing peace to rule, but I believe it is more important to just believe the Word. I understood what she was saying and it really encouraged me because there have been times recently when I had peace about a decision but that peace fluctuated on a day by day basis for a while, and my emotions would stir up, and my thoughts would go off on a "what if.." So I had to keep going back to God and reminding myself of what He has told me and stand in believing that His Word was enough. There are a lot of examples of this in the Bible when Jesus tells people to "only believe!"

So pray, get God's Word for you and stand on that, no matter what your feelings say, or what the circumstances look like, or what anyone else says to you. Guard that Word in your heart and "only believe" and God will "make it so". Isaiah 55 says "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it." What God has spoken He will accomplish so we can rest on His Word knowing it will come about for us.

More on Faith

2011-06-02T21:20:00.001+01:00

Did you know there is no future tense in the Hebrew language! Past or present only, therefore when you read the Bible, Deuteronomy 28 for example, God says "You are blessed" not "you shall be blessed"....We can do the same because as far as God is concerned we are already who He says we are and we have already everything He says we have.....believe you have received and you shall have it! which means any potential is actually already a reality. Therefore we can walk by faith knowing that whatever God says "in the future" has, as far as He is concerned, already happened!

Faith

2011-05-23T20:57:00.005+01:00

For many years I thought I had faith. To be accurate I do have it because it is a gift from God, and to believe in God one needs faith, but to walk by faith is a whole new dimension which I am really only just discovering. I haven't quite grasped the concept of why faith pleases God and why He asks us to walk by faith, but I am willing to submit simply because God says so and I trust Him. (which is faith in and of itself I suppose).

When something happens in life which leaves you desperate, alone, stuck and nowhere to turn, you soon discover if your faith is strong. I do believe we are all given the measure of faith and different people don't get a varying amount, but I do believe that faith needs to be used to make it stronger and more effective in your life. This is the position I found myself in three years ago when everything I thought I had was suddenly gone and I found that, despite believing that I was OK with God, in fact I didn't really know Him at all. My faith was found wanting but despite that He reached out to me in His grace and love and carried me until such time I could stand up at least. The time since then has been a time of growth, of change and of huge steps forward and I have seen Him work wonders in my heart and mind. I have been blessed.

Today I find I stand at a fork in the road. I have had some amazing conversations with my friend John lately and God has been showing me, through the Word, through prophetic pictures and words the way I need to go. It's proved to be a challenge because one road is clear, straight, full of potential blessing, and one can see a long way down; the other road is less clear, narrower, has bends in it and one can't see far down it at all. The one looks good and obviously well paved and the other looks a little daunting and a bit less inviting. However, one never knows where either end up and the one that looks good may end in disaster. One could pick up so much speed and and not really look where one is going only to discover that the road is a dead end or a cliff drop and there isn't time to stop! The other may appear like a windy country lane but then opens up into a wealth of blessing. The thing about windy country lanes is one has to travel more slowly but that gives you the chance to enjoy it more, take in the views, the smells and the beautiful art that is creation. God gives us a choice and I have had the choice about which road to take and I know that whatever path I walk God will bless me, will honour me and will make all things work together for my good, not because of my choice but because of His Covenant and because I am in Christ. He is a good God. But He also knows what is best for me and I have to allow that to be the deciding factor, along with having peace in my heart.

I have been thinking about David and Bathsheba recently and how God was so gracious. David did wrong and he tried to cover it up, but despite His actions, and because of God's great love, God blessed and honoured the subsequent marriage and the heir to the throne came from that union. Does that mean it was all God's plan? Absolutely NOT! but God is true to His word and He is able to make good come out of all situations, (I do want to make clear that the whole verse says "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." David was a man after God's own heart and he loved God and because He repented God was able to deal with it.) However, there were consequences and an awful lot of heartache for many people. It would have been a whole lot better if David had not done what he did.

God said to me recently that "because I had honoured Him He will give me my heart's desire". That was an amazing moment and for two days I wondered about it. Then I had to ask Him what that was because I wasn't really sure. I thought it was one thing but I had doubts. He has since showed me and the result of that is that I need to take the other road, the one I can't see very far down, the one which is a little obscure, the one which requires me to walk by faith because I don't see where I am going, well, in the flesh anyway. But then faith is all about trusting God and believing that the road He takes you down is not just good for you but the best for you. He wants us to have the best of everything and we have to trust that He is able to make it happen despite what the situations, circumstances of our feelings tell us. Our faith has to be in Him and in His word and if we have a clear word from Him then we can trust that He is able to do exceedingly above and beyond all we can ask or imagine, according to the power working in us. Faith in His word empowers us to believe that all things are possible. It's His word that performs so when we believe it then those things come to pass for us. Sometimes it may cost us but God always, always, always gives us back more than we could ever lose and He gives us the best of what we need and so much more.

The thing is, I have tasted and seen the goodness of God and just like Peter said after Jesus told His followers that His flesh is meat and His blood is drink and they deserted Him. He even asked the 12 if they were going to leave. Peter said "where shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!" He may not have understood everything but He knew that there was no turning back. I know too much to choose the wrong path. I know Jesus and I trust Him and love Him. I don't always understand the reasons He asks me to make certain decisions but "because You say so, Lord, I will do it" and I actually feel quite excited by that.

Maybe that's why faith pleases God. When we believe what he says then we receive the blessing and God wants us to have the best of everything that Jesus paid for. It gladdens His heart to give us all things........

Waiting

2011-05-11T19:28:00.000+01:00

I was in London recently and while talking to the Pastor of the church, or Ben as I like to call him, because that's His name, he said that he reads my blog (which is how we first got in contact with each other four years ago) so I need to keep going with it. It's been a bit quiet on here lately but that is more to do with the fact that so much of what has been going on is quite personal and not really for public consumption. Much of what I could have written concerns other people and I don't want to expose or embarrass them or myself by blogging too much. Many of the things God has spoken to me is just for me and my closest of friends and to divulge some of those things may cause concern etc. Having said all that I may be in a position to share more stuff soon but it will be have to be written retrospectively because I don't want to jeopardise anything by being to up front.

I have started a journal for my Jubilee Year and there may come a day when I can relay some of those things but until such a day occurs I need to keep my cards close to my chest, or as Mary would do, keep these thoughts hidden in my heart.

It's all good stuff by the way so watch this space!

Beautiful

2011-05-11T19:01:00.000+01:00

I have been somewhat amazed by the reactions of people following my close shave with the hair trimmers (many people don't seem to have noticed the beard has gone as well). So many have said how much better, younger etc I look. Today someone called me "beautiful" and another said "wow, you look amazing!" Sometimes I really don't know how to respond to such things, especially when one doesn't quite relate to them or necessarily agree with them. It's actually quite humbling but I am finding my confidence levels are rising (and just for the record it's not an ego trip: I am not fishing for such compliments). I am learning to accept them and receive them and say thank you because to disagree with them would actually be hurtful and disrespectful to those people who are kind enough to say such things. I was recently on the other end of this scenario when I told someone how beautiful they were and they threw it right back at me. I was amazed at how hurtful that was. My own reaction caught me by surprise.....so I got to thinking....

What is it like when for God when He continually tells us how beautiful and lovely we are only for us to throw it back in His face? When He says we are fearfully and wonderfully made and we say we are ugly and useless; when He says we are the apple of His eye and we say we are a waste of space. Bear in mind that God cannot lie, He only speaks the truth, so therefore what He says about us is always TRUE! We must learn to see ourselves as God sees us, we need to speak the truth of His words about ourselves, we need to accept ourselves and love ourselves as He does and when we embrace these things and believe them, then all the inner beauty that God has put inside us will start to come to the surface and then begin to overflow. Our faces will change, our demeanor will change, our stature will change and our confidence will grow and God will start to be seen in us. His beauty will be seen in our lives. That is what I believe people are seeing when they look at me now because I believe what He says about me and coming out from behind my hairy mask is a big step in the right direction. I am glad I did it.

Hair

2011-05-09T18:59:00.001+01:00

I want to thank everyone who has made such positive and encouraging comments about my recent new look, i.e. removal of hair and beard. It may seem a little thing to you but to me it was a big deal. I used the facial covering to hide behind following the break up of my marriage and since that time I have had my hair cut just once and shaved the beard off also just once. As I have said, it was a way of hiding and not having to look too closely at myself because of the way I felt about and saw myself. I know that I can't stay there though and I know that I have to move on and by doing this I have declared that i am ready to move on and make my life count again. I am still getting used to the new face and I feel very exposed and vulnerable too, but so many people have been kind, encouraging, flattering, and not just those at college but also many work colleagues and even customers. Most have said I look so much younger, one lady said about 20 years younger which is a little worrying, and so much better.

So thank you one and all. It means a lot to me.

Global Warning

2011-03-20T10:38:00.005Z

It is a very unstable world we live in, politically, racially, religiously and geologically but those of us who know Jesus can stand without fear because, if we know He loves us, then we can stand in boldness knowing that God will take care of us, no matter what may be happening around us.

I cannot begin to imagine the horror and devastation that the people of Japan have experienced. It just goes to show how fragile life is and how quickly events can happen and often without warning. It must be a frightening thing to hear the sound of gunfire and tanks and a mass of people screaming and chanting, and all the uncertainty of political upheaval as we are seeing in Lybia, Bahrain and Yemen. I try and picture myself in that situation and it's a scary image. And being a global village every other nation gets involved as the UN declares a new decree.

However the Bible warns us of these things in Matt 24:3-8 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."

These are very real situations now but these are only the beginnings. The next part of the chapter tells what is next. But I want to state very clearly that this is not God at work. The words are written to warn us that this will take place but they are nothing to do with God. God is a God of Love; He is the one who brings life, and it is the devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Romans 8:22 says that "the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." The earth is straining as a result of the fall of mankind, but the verses preceding this state "the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

Clearly from Scripture, we are in the last days but that doesn't mean we capitulate and just wait. There are many millions of people waiting to hear of the love of God and these events should cause us to wake up and seek Him. These are not acts of God but in all things God can cause good to come from them when we seek Him and love Him. We need to pray for these countries and see people helped in these awful circumstances and if we are able to assist, do so. But be warned....it's going to get worse and time is short. The church needs to take heed and act before it's too late.

Clearing Out The Clutter

2011-02-27T22:35:00.003Z

I did a lot of clearing out today, emptying drawers, getting rid of a lot of bits of paper and generally trying to organise things better. It’s amazing what you find when you do that, stuff you thought you had lost suddenly reappears. I think there’s a spiritual parallel here in that we need to get rid of all those things which we think are useful to God but really all they do is clutter things up. Much better to have just the essentials and chuck everything else, otherwise our drawers are filled with clutter and we can never find what we need when we need it. Keep it simple and straightforward. That way we know exactly where to go to get what we need when we need it. This applies mostly to our thinking of course. Think God, reap life and peace. Think anything else and we get frustration, confusion, despair and loss; all of which is filed under death.

Still have more to do...de-cluttering of drawers and thoughts but the process has begun and I know that I will probably gather more bits of paper and clutter but it's important to keep on top of it all and only keep that which is absolutely needed. The rest can be binned.

Jubilee

2011-02-19T10:46:00.002Z

Towards the end of 2010 God started to talk to me about this year we are in as a time of change for me. I know that with God change is always on the menu, but I know that He was talking about specific changes in my own life. He had already told me that my time with my employer would be coming to an end (soon). At least five people have spoken the same thing to me, but none of them had any specific words, but I trust all of these people and I received the words they had said.

As we moved into 2011, God showed me His remit for the year as I have shared in previous blogs, and I began to seek Him and ask Him to show me the changes. Almost immediately stuff rose inside me and I knew that the first changes were happening, and these involved the letting go of one thing in particular. This has proved to be a challenge but one in which I now have the victory, although it's still a tender spot, but I trust God to continue to work in that.

I know that most changes actually happen in my heart and the circumstances around me change afterwards as I start to see and believe the Word working for me (Psalm 34). It's been a tough time but I know that I can embrace the challenge and know God is doing a good work (James 1). I prayed that God would deal with me according to His purpose and that my heart and desires would line up with His (Psalm 37). I gave up trying to work things out and instead of praying that God would help me, I asked that He would do it for me, so it's all about Him and that is a prayer He is answering. (See my previous entry about Jehoshaphat).

I really didn't have much of a clue how the changes would happen but I know that is something I don't need to concern myself with because I believe the Holy Spirit will prompt me to do certain things at the right time. I have recently been in touch with my old church in Suffolk, they were on my heart and I had been prying for them. I contacted the leaders there (the pastor had recently moved on) offering support. I am so very thrilled about the fact that I have been offered a Sunday in July. I wasn't really expecting this and I am really looking forward to going there. I could share more on this but I will leave that for another time.

A lot of things have come to mind recently and there are some things I am asking God about and one day while trying to work out how something would happen (!) God spoke to me and showed me that there are stages in working things through. There is seed, time and harvest and He told me I was in the "time" bit. He said for "that" to happen, other things need to be in place and His timing was essential. I remembered when I was given a car in December after I had believed that I would need one, but I also needed to be able to run it and so the money had to be there and it was only after I received increase in my income did the car appear. It is important to wait for the Lord and in the mean time wait ON Him, seek Him, His Kingdom, His righteousness. It's so important to get one's hands off and really let Him have His way.

I'm getting to my point very soon so hang in there. This week at college I was sitting with students and friends and I was sharing some of these things with them and also how a couple of weeks beforehand while very briefly in Suffolk on a whistle stop visit to my children I felt as if I should be back in Suffolk. As I was driving around everything looked like there was bright pink glow around it (not sure what that meant) but I had real sense that this was home. Another thing I saw was a flash of the next step for me. I don't know if any of you out there ever have this experience but I often see myself in the future and know exactly where I am at. What I saw was me, strong, mature, confident, bold and having my emotions under control, standing on Truth and living in Faith in the One who has called me. I know this would happen soon as in the picture I was wearing the same clothes that I was wearing on the day I saw it. This is what the changes were all about: me beginning to move into the things that God has ordained for me.

I was feeling very excited about the possibilities and one of those with began to pray and speak good things over me. Then another friend said God gave him the word about God restoring the years the locusts have eaten. We looked it up in Joel 2:25 ff. It's all about the restoration of all things, bringing everything that has been lost back to us. Then I remembered Jeremiah 31 again about bringing Israel back to Jerusalem and restoring all things. That was given to me three years ago! Then a thought dropped into my mind. I asked, isn't the year of Jubilee the 50th year!? They said yes. My heart skipped a beat and I said, as of Wednesday I will be in my 50th year! The Year of Jubilee described in Leviticus is about all debt being cancelled, all slaves being set free, all land being restored to the original owner so nobody will ever lose their inheritance. RESTORATION of everything that God ordained for us and, along with Joel 2:25, an increase in quantity and quality of that which was lost.

God's timing is incredible! I don't know how He thinks of all this but I can only begin to imagine what is coming up in the next 12 months but my expectations are very high, but I am very aware that I seek HIM and nothing else and let Him bring all those things to me as I walk by faith and in obedience, which for me is a joy because I know who loves me. You can make your own mind up about what that may entail, but I am very excited.

For more information about Jubilee go to this web site

http://www.growthingod.org.uk/jubilee.htm and see how God moved in Jubilee years, when Abraham was born on the 40th Jubilee after Adam and Eve were created, when Israel left Egypt in the 50th Jubilee year, Solomon's Temple was dedicated in a Year of Jubilee, Israel left Babylon in a Year of Jubilee and Jesus was crucified in a Year of Jubilee. (and Pentecost was the 50th day).

So watch this space. I will update as much as I can for those who may be interested. My life has changed so much since moving to where I am now and I know that I have a great future but I also know that the need to put and keep God central in everything is my calling and out of that great and wonderful things are going to happen, at His Word, with His power and under His authority. It's all about Him, but I get the benefits. God is GOOD!

Looking Back

2011-01-23T22:25:00.002Z

I have just been browsing through the very first entries I made on this blog way back in 2007 and reading about all the exciting things that were happening, moving to Walsall, going to Charis Bible College, having our fees paid for plus other financial blessings to get us there. That and finding a school and a house and a job. It seems an awful long time ago now and so much has happened since then. It's a different life as far as I am concerned. The one I have now is so far removed from that one, so much that it feels like that was a dream.

It's good to remind myself of how God blessed and provided for us all at that time and continued to do so from then on, right up until now, despite the awful things that occurred. I read in Hebrews today that He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8) and that is my experience of Him. He is consistent and ever loving. I know that better now than I did then and I know there is so much more of Him yet to know and that is going to take eternity.

Life still has its challenges and some things never seem to end but I really do believe that He is able to meet all my needs according to His riches (not according to my needs) in Christ. I am more and more convinced though that I don't need to do anything except seek His Kingdom, to seek His face and dwell in His presence and all these other things start to flow. I am grateful for His Grace which is drawing me to HIM and His love for keeping me there and I am just loving Him back. That grace helps me to let go of all the things I think I need to try and sort or fix or work out, so I can be free to just walk with Him, look at His face, listen to Him and let Him take me wherever it is I am going (this was a part of a picture I had for a friend which really spoke to me as well).

This blog is called Learning To Live The Word and for good reason. It's an ongoing process and, at times, it's very challenging, but the more I do the more I realise I can trust Him in and for everything and anything. He is a good and faithful Father who looks after His kids. And it's good to remember those times when He came through and know He will do it again and again.

Who Am I?

2011-01-16T13:47:00.004Z

1 Tim 1:9 says: "The law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, etc etc."
2 Cor 5:21 says: "He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

That means I am righteous and therefore no longer under the law but under Grace. I am no longer a sinner but a saint! I am made in His image, created in His likeness and I am known by HIM. God calls me righteous, holy, saint, SON, beloved and if that is what He calls me, then that is what I am and that is who I am.
1 John 4:17 says "just as He (Jesus) is (right now) so am I in THIS world."

This doesn't make me arrogant, but confident because He who calls me is faithful and true and my confidence is in Him, in His Word and in His ability. On the cross the greatest exchange took place. He became sin so I become blameless, He became sickness so I become healthy, He became poor and I become rich, He became sorrowful so I become joyful. All of His is mine and I am now just like Him in my spirit. I am no longer my own but I am bought with a price, it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me and if I really believe all this (and because He said it, it is not only true but the TRUTH and knowing the truth sets me free) then I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

This is who I am.

Thank You

2011-01-13T12:27:00.000Z

I have been looking back over the last year and thinking about all the things people have blessed me with. I have received money, clothes, shoes, a car, a second job, some very meaningful and inspired gifts, and some awesome new friends plus the opportunities to catch up with old friends. I just want to take the time to say thank you so very much for the love and care shown me and the blessings you have bestowed upon me. My prayer is that, as you have given, God would return to you many fold, in kind, in material goods, in love and friendship and in health and prosperity.
I value you all very highly and if I can be of any help, just call me.
You are a blessing and I am truly blessed.

Outlook

2011-01-01T14:30:00.003Z

To go along with my previous entry God has given me a picture of myself which I will try and describe for you. I am standing and just looking out across everything, the world, the human race if you like and seeing what is going on. I am not doing anything, just observing. But I am on a high plateau and out of reach of everything going on around me, taking notice but not active in any other way. It's like I am above everything. Some things are catching my eye and I look a little harder at those but nothing is affecting me.

The Scripture that came to mind is 2 Chronicles 20 where King Jehoshaphat was under siege but God said through the prophet "And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 'Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 'You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."

We are above and not beneath, the Lord is our warrior and He fights our battles for us (if we let Him) and we are the benefactors of victory and gain the spoil. He is our shield and fortess, our very great reward.

2011. Time To Enter In.

2011-01-01T14:08:00.002Z

I had a great time with my brothers and sisters at church as we saw in the New Year together and this is what the Lord gave me to share about the coming year.

Joshua 1: 1-8 says: "After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." "

His command is to be strong, courageous and meditate on the Word of God. When circumstances, situations, people, the world and the devil conspire to throw us off course, God says we must stand firm on what He says and not be distracted. Sometimes we just have to be patient and wait, sometimes we have to speak out in faith and sometimes we do have to attack the enemy full on but it's not in our own strength or might but it's in the power of the Spirit and with the Word of God. (Zechariah 4:6 and Ephesians 6:10).

God has an awesome plan for each and every one of us but we need to do things His way and in His time. Before Joshua took the Israelites across the Jordan there was a time of preparation and consecration. Even when we can see the promised land we still have to be ready to go in and take it. Eventually the time came and just as they rose up the Angel of the Lord appeared and Joshua submitted to God and was obedient to the Word.

God is good and He has the best for us in every area of our life and He wants us all to rise up and take what He has for us, to be strong and courageous and not be swayed to the left or to the right, to keep our eyes and heart fixed on Him and we will succeed in everything, we will experience the blessing and we will see the fruit and abundance of the promised land.

It's time to look forward and not back. We have come out of Egypt and mustn't look back, the Egyptians are dead and have no hold on us. Isaiah 43:18,19 says: "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

So I encourage you, be strong and very courageous. Stand firm (Ephesians 6:11-18), believe God and walk in His ways and you will be successful, prosperous and and victorious in all your ways.

Only Believe

2010-12-29T18:35:00.003Z

It seems like yesterday that I was looking ahead to 2010 and now here we are again looking down the barrels of 2011. Time does seem to be going faster. It has been a good year on the whole and a lot of progress and growth has been made and I am further down the road and hopefully more mature. I remember God giving me a remit for the year, that being "Seek me first". I am not sure how much I have accomplished but my heart's desire has been and is increasingly becoming persuaded that God's way and timing is perfect. As I have sought Him, His Kingdom and His righteousness, He has opened doors for me and I have experienced the manifestation of the blessing that Jesus paid for. My heart continues to be assured of His faithfulness and He is going to open doors for me. In the meantime I am being faithful in what He has given me today and I seek to live today and wait for tomorrow. I have also been given material blessing, including a car so I can now get out and about again and visit old friends and family.

Recently a friend just declared that big things were on the way for me next year, and although he didn't mention specifics (and I wasn't particularly looking for them) he just said stuff was going to happen. I believe this is the truth because that is what has been stirring in my own heart. Just this week another friend rang me and showed me something specific from the Word that He believed was from the Lord. This again wasn't detailed but insight of the way God was going to work through me, for me and on my behalf as I just walk in His light, His strength and listen closely to what He says. There are things on my heart I would like to see materialise next year, but I know I need to be patient and wait for His timing.

God's remit for me for 2009 was : "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Tim 4:12-16). His remit for 2010 was "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." (Matt 6:33a). For 2011 it is simply "only believe" (Mark 5:36).

All three of them are ongoing and work together. I have no idea what is in store but I am trusting that the Spirit will direct my paths, inspire me and show the way to go at the rioght time. My responsibilty is to do what he has already told me to do as in the above Scriptures.

It's all very exciting.

Radio Radio

2010-12-26T10:44:00.001Z

My interview with Branch FM is being broadcast on Dec27th and Dec 28th at noon on www.branchfm.co.uk. Please listen in if you have time. Thanks.

Reason For The Season

2010-12-25T10:55:00.003Z

This is a text message from a friend of mine.

We say Jesus is the reason for the season, but actually you are the Reason for the season. He came to this earth to find you, rescue you and to transform you. His love for you never changes, never fails and never ends. He knows you and He loves you. You are the apple of His eye today!

Thank You Jesus.

Christmas

2010-12-25T09:35:00.003Z

It's Christmas Day 2010 and time for me to pause and think about a few things. I have some time to myself and an empty house. I am alone at the moment and the temptation is very real to get a little morbid, lonely and start to feel sorry for myself but I am not going to indulge such things. One of the names given to Jesus by Isaiah was Emmanuel, which means God is with us and days like today it's important to know that He is with me. He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me, though all may fall away, He will never fall away. He indwells me, He has set up His abode in me and His Spirit lives in me and through me. I am never alone. This brings me comfort and peace and knowing He loves me casts out fear, depression, anxiety, loneliness, which is all based in self-centredness anyway.

I may be on my own but I know there are many, many people who have all their family and friends around them at this time of year who still feel empty and lonely. Jesus is the only one who satisfies and fills us. I was thinking this week about such things, especially as I drove in all the snow delivering people's Christmas shopping, and that the whole year builds up to this time and people do get excited and happy at the thought but it doesn't last. Jesus said come and eat and drink of me and your hunger and thirst will be satisfied. I thank God for Jesus, my best friend, and His companionship, His love, His presence in my life. I know there are going to be many days ahead when it's going to be just me and Him, but He is all I need and in Him all my needs are met. As I seek first His kingdom all things are added to me, not just material things but ALL things: peace, joy, contentment, love, fulfillment, acceptance, deliverance, empowerment, enlightenment, wisdom, understanding. Those things are precious.

Having said all that, the Bible says it's not good for man to be on His own and He gives us those special people around us too and I do miss that. I long for someone to share my life with and be one with, but God has said she is coming soon, and in a short while I will have my children with me for a few days, and I have many friends around me for whom I am very grateful and looking forward to seeing later today. Having said that, my security and trust must be in Him and His love for me holds me close to Him and when the time is right He supplies ALL things and brings those people into my life and alongside me.

So wherever you are, whoever you are with, I hope and pray you have a fantastic Christmas Holiday and you are able to share love with your friends and family, but most of all I pray you know Him first and foremost and your peace and joy is complete because you know Emmanuel, God is with you.

Ponderings

2010-11-24T10:23:00.002Z

I was just pondering, as you do, and I started to think about a few things. The future is not for ours to see generally, although God does give us a glimpse now and then. Some say the only things that are certain in life are death and taxes, but even death has no hold on me anymore. And taxes can be kept to a minimum if you have a good accountant!

There are some things that really are certain but how we look at it all is very important. We have to learn to see things through His eyes, knowing that He knows the beginning from the end and all things are already established and in place, and if we walk closely with Him, He will just bring us into those lush green pastures, even if we have to walk down a few dodgy looking lanes to get there.

They say that change is here to stay! I have a strong feeling that next year, 2011, is going to see a lot of changes in my own life. I believe God has told me that my job with Iceland will be coming to end soon but I don't know for certain what will take the time that will leave. I know the vision I have and I know I am on the way to starting to see the first fruits of that, indeed I am experiencing a lot of those fruits already.

I don't know if or how my music will take off but I thank God that He has given me musical ability and skills and He will open doors for me and allow my gift to operate. I am getting a number of invitations to lead worship in various places as well as some interest in my own work.

I want to marry but I don't yet know who the lucky lady is, but I thank God that He is preparing me and my future wife for that day and the following life we will have together. I can thank Him now that my marriage will be awesome, fun, fulfilling, exciting and full of love.

I don't know where I will be living but I can thank God now that He supplies me with everything according to His riches in glory. I can thank Him now that He has the best home for me.

I can rest in Him and His peace knowing that He has nothing but good for me and I rejoice now, exercising my faith, that in Him it is all finished and He is taking me through life and I get to see the blessings come upon me just by turning up!

So it's important to not worry about the unseen but rejoice in it. I don't know what my future holds but I know who holds my future! Rest in Him, trust in Him, seek Him and He will bring you into a great, fulfilling, exciting future.

CD

2010-11-24T09:46:00.002Z

My new CD called "L'Amour" is now available. You can listen to some of the songs from the cd on this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oscar-Ripple/333462083417 and scroll down to the song player. If you would like a copy, please contact me via facebook or leave me a message here and I will give you details.

Thanks.

Grace

2010-11-24T09:44:00.001Z

How would you define Grace? Grace is one of those attributes of God that we can never fully define because it has so many facets. I have heard Grace defined as “not getting what we deserve” and “God’s unmerited favour”. These are both true but do not paint the full picture. I have discovered that Grace is much more than just a sentiment or a kind thought. For me Grace is the empowering and enabling to walk a holy life style. The more I understand Grace, the more I understand the heart and nature of God. God does not view sin lightly and He does not overlook it, but He has judged it and the punishment for it was poured out on Jesus at the Cross. He did this so that we could walk free of the power of sin. Jesus took our place in every aspect of life.

He took what was ours and crucified it so that we could inherit everything that is His. That is Grace. He has given us the very nature of God in our spirits so that we can live the fullness of life that is found in Him. That is Grace. There is nothing we can do or say that will in any way enable us to justify ourselves, but in Christ we are justified. That is Grace. There is nothing we can ever say or do that will earn the love of God, but God loves us anyway. That is Grace. We can do nothing in our own strength to achieve right standing with God, but in Christ we are made righteous. That is Grace. There is nothing we can say or do that will cause God to favour us or bless us, but because we are in Christ we are already blessed and have everything pertaining to life and godliness. That is Grace.

Grace is motivated by love. God’s love. He so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes on Him will not perish but have eternal life. And if He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? God is a giver, He has given us all things and does not withhold any of His promises from us. Everything is a free gift from God sent to us with love, because He loves us, because He is love. We can enjoy just being in His love and living free from the stress of having to perform or earn anything from Him. He wants us to know Him and all His goodness towards us and put our trust in Him that He is a good God, and faithful God and a kind loving Father who wants the best for His children. Grace enables us to live in the fullness of all the blessings He has bestowed on us without fear or anxiety wondering if He will treat us harshly or deprive us. No, we don’t deserve anything, but because of His great love for us we get to have it anyway.....that is Grace.

Update of Updates

2010-11-11T11:23:00.002Z

Further to my going to Yorkshire for the radio interview, I have also been asked to lead the worship at Dewsbury Gospel Church on the morning of the 28th.
visit http://www.branchministries.org.uk/ for more details.

The CD and artwork are with the printers as we speak/type/read and I should be receiving the first 200 very shortly.

Peace

2010-11-11T11:10:00.006Z

A friend of mine gave me a plant yesterday. It's called a peace lily and it sits next to me at my desk. It has made me think about peace and how precious inner peace is. Sometimes things happen and one can lose peace because one pays more attention to the situation than to the Peace Giver. Sometimes good things happen but can somehow distract you and before you know it there is an unsettling in your soul. It may look good but can actually become destructive (remember the devil masquerades as an angel of light).

God wants us to have the BEST of everything and He know's what is best and sometimes we have to wait for it, but we know the best is always worth waiting for. So now I check my peace and if it's fading or in someway diminishing I need to go back to the Peace Giver and see where I am missing it.

I have checked on the internet about looking after my peace lily and it doesn't take much for it to grow and prosper, but with the wrong care (even if you think it's good) I could kill it.

So now I look at my plant and I thank God for my friend, and our friendship and the peace we have but also thank the Lord I have His precious peace which keeps me on the right track, growing and prospering.

Trees

2010-11-07T15:47:00.003Z

Had a very pleasant day today and it's not over yet. Completed the artwork for the new CD, which took a few hours but very happy with the whole thing. I have just been for a walk into Wednesfield along the canal, talking to God about stuff that's on my mind and in my heart but mostly just praising Him for His goodness and kindness. Did my shopping and went and sat in a park for half an hour. That's when I noticed trees. Lots of them, all different varieties, all in various stages of losing their leaves and the colourful carpet of fallen leaves on the grass beneath them. And the back drop of clear blue skies and bright sunshine. I just started to look around and contemplate the planet.

I began to wonder why there are so many different varieties of trees, and then flowers and even grasses. Wouldn't life be a little boring if everything was the same? So much variety in everything. I found it astonishing to think that in all the universe we are the only planet on which life exists. (You may think differently but the Bible says that God has only one Son and he was sent to Earth to die for the human race. So He can't do it for anyone else as He died once for all.)

I began to ponder and marvel at God's creativity and wonder why He would do such a thing. It's because of us. He wanted us and He had to create somewhere for us to live. Creation was made because of us and not just for us. Revelation 4:11 says in the NLT "For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created." He made it to enjoy it and He made it for us to enjoy...and today I did just that. To look upon all He has made and enjoy it, appreciate it and give thanks for it

More Updates

2010-11-06T20:15:00.002Z

The CBC Night School is going really well. We have thirteen students meeting, with some of them travelling from London, Liverpool and Nottingham to attend at least once a week. Those who are more local attend both nights. It's awesome to see these guys receiving the Word and changing as they listen and learn. So many good things are happening and they are a terrific group of people. It's a real joy to be part of this.

Also occasionally travelling to Dagenham to lead worship at Tree Of Life Church.

November 20th: Leading worship at two meetings, along with my friend Lucy, in Tamworth, Staffordshire. This is being organised by Joy who is a first year student at CBC. Looking forward to spending the day with them and maybe doing some shopping.....

November 26th-28th: Travelling to Yorkshire to record a radio interview and showcase for my upcoming CD, "L'Amour" (plus a little sight seeing and meeting people). This came about after an evening at Night School when David Hinton joined us and shared a powerful message. Two of his companions, who I know through AWM, showed me the Cd's that Dave has and told me where I could get mine duplicated. While we were talking, another friend told me he knew a manager of a radio station called Branch FM, which transmits locally via the airwaves but also globally on the Internet. He spoke the the station manager and the result is I am off to do an hour long special. It's slightly mind boggling but totally exciting. God says He blesses the work of our hands so I am expecting something great to happen. You never know where some things will lead you.

The CD is actually finished and once the design and artwork is completed I will be making it available to purchase as a CD and I am also looking to get it on i-Tunes. I will also probably have to set up a web page.

Make a note of the title. "L'Amour" by Oscar Ripple.

The Fig Tree

2010-11-06T19:43:00.003Z

Genesis 3 tells the story of the deception of Adam and Eve and how they listened to lies of the devil when he said that God was withholding from them. We all know the consequences and still live with them to a degree today. Verse 7 says "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings." (NKJV). Move down to verse 21 after they encountered God and it says "Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them." The New Living Translation says He gave them clothing from animal skins.

Move forward a few thousand years to Mark 11:13,14 and we see this "And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it." The result was that the fig tree dried up from the roots.

The Holy Spirit showed me this was a picture of self righteousness. When we fail we try and cover ourselves up by doing things that we think will please God or earn His favour, or somehow try to justify ourselves. When Jesus cursed the fig tree, which represents self-righteousness, and said may no one eat from you again, He was declaring that self-righteousness was dead and a new righteousness would come. Just as God made clothing from animal skins, which involved the sacrifice and the shedding of blood from animals, in the same way the sacrifice and the shedding of the blood of Jesus would now clothe us in His garments; the garment of righteousness.

We are now clothed in the righteousness of God. He justifies us and qualifies us. We no longer have to try and earn His love and favour. He shows us His love by the Cross. So when He says to us "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness" all we have to do is believe and receive. 2 Cor 5:21 says "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Because he took on and became sin, we take on His righteousness and become righteous in His sight.

End of striving, beginning of Life.

Memories

2010-09-29T21:06:00.004+01:00

I was driving along the other day when I heard a song on my Walkman and got to trying to remember the album it came from. I could see the cover of the album in my mind because I remembered buying it in 1983 or whenever it was. Something Ships.....then about ten minutes later I got it....Dazzle Ships! ...and then I got to thinking, how does that happen? How is it that we can remember things? What an amazing concept. And stuff we forgot years before can come back to us if we trawl back through time. Simply amazing......Psalm 138 verse 4 says "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."

Lessons From Lot

2010-09-25T22:20:00.003+01:00

Here is an interesting lesson from Lot. Genesis 12 sees Abram leave his home in Haran, following a word from the Lord. Notice in verse 4 that “Lot went with him.” In chapter 13, they headed into Egypt during a famine and then Abram journeyed to the South and “Lot went with him.” Eventually they returned to the place where they had started from. Verse 5 refers to Lot “who went with Abram”. At this point they parted company. Lot went to the lush looking area in the valley near Sodom and Gomorrah, while Abram stayed in the more desert areas. Verse 11 says Lot chose for himself the plain of Jordan. Verse 12 shows that Lot camped and pitched his tent as far as Sodom. Verse 13 shows that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful.

Then we see Lot taken captive along with all his goods from WITHIN Sodom. Abram rescues Lot and his goods and they return to Sodom. The next time we see Lot is in chapter 19, when the angels arrive. Lot was sitting at the gate and he invited the angels to stay at his home. This is the night that the city was destroyed and only Lot and his daughters escaped.

Lessons from Lot: Firstly, he didn’t have his own vision. He just followed a man who did have one. He did prosper, but he prospered off the blessing and revelation of someone else. It is so important that we hear from God for ourselves. Following someone else’s revelation will only work for a short time and once we try and walk on our own, if we don’t have our own word, we will start to lose direction and the blessings will not follow as they did.

Secondly, when he looked for somewhere to take his flocks, he chose “for himself” what looked to be the best thing for him. He didn’t seek the Lord and ask God to help him choose where he was to go. He saw with his own eyes (bearing in mind Abram was told to leave his family when he left Haran. Lot shouldn’t have even been there). He didn’t see with God’s eyes.

Thirdly: He chose to place himself very close to the sinful world. Next thing we know he is within the city. If you camp near the world, it won’t be long before you start to live in it. What happened to all of his flocks and servants? We know he had “goods” but where was the rest? If you live in the world, the world will steal from you and take everything you once had and abuse you and try and make you subject to it.

Fourthly: When the city was destroyed Lot finally lost everything including his wife, apart from his daughters. It’s a dangerous thing to flirt with the world, to camp near it and be part of it because you could end up losing all the benefits that God wants for you. Yes, you will escape with your life but suffer the loss of everything else. God has blessed us with everything but if we try and live according to the world system and standards we won’t benefit from them.

Abram became even more wealthy after these events because he walked in the blessing, believed God and even in the desert places prospered more than any other up to that time. He chose to follow God.

This isn't very well written but I hope you see what God says through this. Walk His way, reap His benefits.

Jeremiah 29:11

2010-09-25T21:41:00.002+01:00

For the last month God has been popping this scripture across my path on a number of occasions in the most unusual way, including a chance encounter with a young man on msn messenger who closed the conversation with this reference. It has become a great source of encouragement for me because I was in a state of limbo and not really sure where I should be going. But He has shown me that HE knows and as long as I walk with Him I will encounter all of His great and precious promises for me.

With that in mind I did an in-depth study of the verse and this what I discovered it really means.

For I know, perceive, see, recognise, am acquainted with, admit, acknowledge and confess the thoughts, devices, plans and purposes that I think, plan, devise, esteem and regard toward you, says, declares (prophetically) the LORD, Jehovah (the Existing One); thoughts, plans, devices and purposes of peace, soundness, completeness, safety, health, prosperity, tranquillity, contentment and friendship and not of evil, malignancy, hurt, unpleasantness, unhappiness or sadness, not of calamity, misery, distress, injury or adversity but to give, bestow, grant, ascribe, devote and produce an expected end, hope, expectation and outcome that lasts for all time.

Good isn't it?

Words

2010-08-15T21:52:00.004+01:00

So, wife sits on sofa watching TV and some bloke comes on and she says, "Phwaor! haven't seen a man lately that I fancy but I really fancy him" within earshot of husband. Or she could just shoot her husband in the heart with both barrels from a shot gun. Both have the same effect.

To the wife, your husband should be to you the most amazing, fantastic, best looking, sexiest man on the planet. He needs to hear it and see it, because comments like the above will damage and eventually destroy him. The bible calls it murder. And if you see a man that makes you think otherwise, give thanks that your husband is the most amazing, fantastic, good looking and sexiest man on the planet. Speak it out, because as you speak it it becomes the truth to you even if you don't always mean it. As you speak it out, your husband will change because there is power in your words.

Matt 11.23 says "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." The second part of the verse says that you will receive what you SAY when you believe it. If you don't believe, speak it out anyway until you do.

And by the way...husbands, love your wife as Christ loves the church. The same rules apply the other way as well.

You know, Philippians 2:3 tells us we should esteem one another above our self, and Ephesians 5:21 says we should submit to one another even if the other person doesn't deserve it. We don't deserve anything from God and we all have many faults and failings (Romans 3:23) but God forgives us and still gives us everything, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us. We are all called to love unconditionally and bear with each other. If husbands do what they are called to do in a marriage relationship and wives do what they are called to do it will work. If one or both don't then they run the risk of losing the love, joy and eventually the marriage. I know this to my own cost.

I am for marriage and God is more for it but we need to to what the Word of God says and love as Christ loves; unconditionally and without reserve.

I truly hope your marriage is strong and powerful, but be careful what you say about your spouse, because words have power and you will receive what you SAY!

Updates

2010-08-12T11:34:00.004+01:00

Just a few things about to take place for me.

Weekend 21st and 22nd August I, along with Matt, will be at Tree Of Life Church in Dagenham to lead worship and support the church for an evangelistic and healing weekend with Rev Melvin Brooks. Details can be found at http://www.treeoflifechurch.org.uk/

September 6th-10th Charis Bible College Welcome Week at Walsall http://www.cbcuk.net/and also at Charis Bible College in Holland http://www.charisbiblecollege.nl/ I am hoping to be able to get to both of these events.

September 14th sees the start of Night School at CBC Walsall, which I will be running on behalf of CBC. Details of this can be found at http://www.cbcuk.net/index.php?p=nightschool

It's going to be a busy time and in the middle of all that I will be having a holiday with my children.

Friendship

2010-08-12T11:28:00.002+01:00

A few thoughts came to me the other day about friends and freindship.

A true friend will sit with you and say nothing if that’s what you want to do. They won’t interrupt while you speak, they will listen to what you are saying and what you are not saying. They will not offer opinion or advice unless you ask them and when they do, it is always to encourage you, and even correction is brought with love. They won’t bring the subject back to themselves. They won’t judge, criticise or put you down. They only seek the best for you. They will not talk about you behind your back or divulge confidential information. They always speak highly of you in front of others and support you and defend you when others try to talk you down. They will wait for you, be patient with you and stay up all night with you. Friendship gives until there is no more to give....and then gives more. If you have a friend like that then you are truly blessed. If you don’t, then go and be that someone to someone else and you will receive what you give.

I realised that I have such a friend. One who is always with me, never leaves me nor forsakes me. He is always there when I need Him, always ready to listen and never criticises me. He just loves me in everything, through everything and despite everything.What a friend I have in Jesus.

The Future Is Bright

2010-06-05T09:39:00.003+01:00

It's been a while since I wrote anything here but I think it is time to take up my virtual pen and begin to track my day to day goings on again. So much has happened but it's not always easy to describe commit to words. I have now completed my three years ay CBC and I am now contemplating my next move. For the time being I will stay in the midlands and wait for direction. I still have my job and because wy work is predominantly afternoons I have some spare time in the mornings. With this time I intend to pray, study, read and reflect on the life that God has given me. I am also recording a new cd of love related songs which I am hoping will complete within the next month or so.

If one could go back and see the future I am not sure if I would have come to CBC but thankfully that is not an option. All I will say is, despite the setbacks, the upsets, the losses and crazy circumstances I have come to a place of freedom, contentment, peace and satisfaction. Not because of these things but because in all of these things I have found a true relationship with my Father God and the peace I have is from Him. I am not content because of or with the circumstances but I am content IN them because I am in Him.

The future is bright. I have an amazing life ahead of me and God through CBC has equipped me and shown me that in all things I am an overcomer and the peace of God reigns in my heart. He has promised me great things, great adventures, great victories. But it's all about Him. He calls me, He equips me, He fights for me, He overcomes through me and I enjoy the spoils of battle and live in the benefits of His great plan.

So, taking time out to meditate on Him and His Word is the best thing I can do and as He speaks to me and directs me, all I have to do is believe and receive all He has for me.

I am blessed.

Beware The Counsel of Balaam

2010-03-07T11:21:00.003Z

OK so the picture is not Balaam but a baa lamb...it's the best I could do.

I was having my morning shower and got to thinking, as you do, about what i would do if I was challenged about my faith. I will say now that there is absolutely nothing anyone can say or do that will unconvince me that Jesus is Lord and the creator of the all we see and don't see. I know Jesus personally and I know what He has achieved and one for me.

Then I thought about the story of Balaam in Numbers and how a king tried to get him to curse the Israelites but all he could do was bless them simply because God had spoken the blessing over them. But we see in Revelation that he counselled Balak to infiltrate Israel using enticing words, temptations and deception and Israel fell because they listened to the lies of the enemy.

There is nothing we can do to remove our self from the blessing that God has already spoken over us. What we can do is allow the enemy to deceive us, lie to us and cause us to bring about our own downfall. Psalms 57, 108 and 112 remind us to fix our heart on God and let no thoughts settle in our mind which speak against such blessing.

This is spiritual warfare...the battle for the mind.

True Friendship

2010-01-30T22:03:00.003Z

If you have a friend with whom you can share everything and talk about anything without embarrassment, shame or fear of it being broadcast; someone who knows all about you and still loves you; someone who prays for you and shares what they receive; someone who has your best interests at heart and will do anything and everything to make your life good; someone who wants to see you happy, blessed and at peace and will do everything to help you achieve it, then you are a blessed person. I am blessed to have such a friend. I am blessed.

Destiny

2010-01-25T23:07:00.003Z

What do you do when your future is partly in the hands of someone else and there is little you can do about it?

Kick back and remember the following:

1. God says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

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

3. God says, "In Him we live and move and have our being."

4. God says, "I am your rock and your fortress."

5. God says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

6. God says, "He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth [shall be your] shield and buckler."

7. God says, "Fear not, for I [am] with you; Be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' "

And rest..........................

2010

2010-01-01T12:14:00.010Z

It doesn't seem like five minutes since we saw in 2009, but here we are again beginning another year. I don't tend to look back and peruse what has occurred because the Word exhorts us to press on.Phil 3:13,14,12 says 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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Besides which 2009 was a testing year for me and I do not wish to revisit many of those situations, even though I know they were for the testing of my faith to prove it, establish it and strengthen it.

I am grateful that God has brought me through many things and has developed character and steadfastness within my heart. I still want to grow in those things but I am really hoping the method of attaining this is a little easier. But I am willing and I want to grow and become useful to Him so He can use me and I know there are many layers that need to be stripped away and thought patterns that need to be altered and renewed.

As tough as it is I know it is for my benefit. God has been showing me that He really does want me to prosper and have all the best of Him, but for me to receive and move into all of those things I need to get out of His way and let Him have His way. Not easy, but necessary. His desires and dreams for me are far greater than mine and I want what He has for me because I know it is the best. Laying down everything is not easy and the flesh complains, but even as I have begun to do this I can see results and that encourages me to walk on. I have seen needs met in unusual ways and often before I have even "prayed about it" on several occasions.

So the remit for the summer was all of the above. His remit for me for the next stage is very clear to me. Matt 6:33 says seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. I know that seems obvious and logical and we often overlook the depth of it because we quote it so often and freely. This was a clear word for me and something deep in me has responded already and I know that this year I am going to see great things, receive great blessings and a few surprises along the way as long as I am doing what He says! I need to make the main thing the main thing and keep it real. I will observe the Hand of God working for me as I am obedient. But the best thing I feel in my heart is that I want to do this because I know how much He loves me and how much He cares for me, and how much He wants me to live in the prosperity of His Life. He has called me, anointed me, appointed me and blessed me already with everything I need.

His agenda is top priority, and there are many things that have to be removed from my priority list because he says that as I seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, everything else I need will be given to me. I trust Him that He is a God of His Word and His Word is Truth. He has the words of eternal life and eternal life is knowing God and His Christ. His Word is Life, His life, abundant life.

I wish all who read this a very joyful and prosperous new year.

Upon Reflection

2009-12-27T15:04:00.002Z

I don't normally like to look back but sometimes it's good to reflect on what has happened and maybe glean some nuggets. I remember this time last year and looking forward to 2009 and thinking this will be the best year of my life so far. So was that a correct prediction? I have to say that, especially since around August, it has certainly been one of, if not the hardest year(s), in a lot of ways. Hard in the sense that I have found all those things I put my security in have one by one been removed and have had to deny the flesh and lean heavily on God. He did warn me in May/June that he wanted to build character into me so that my faith would be grounded, refined and honed. I have found that to have certainly happened. Even very recently God showed me that He disciplines those He loves, but His discipline is always for our bettering. By implication I know He loves m. Hebrews 12:10,11 says Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. I can vouch for that, but reading the second part encourages me to keep on. verse 12 continues Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
So it has been a year of letting go: letting go of relationships (my divorce is pending), self-sufficiency (which is a form of pride), releasing my children to Him (which is the hardest thing of all), financial control (as I don't have any money), my car (my means for getting to see my children and a certain amount of independence). Having said that, I have also seen the blessing of God in so many other ways: I have made some amazing friends, i have been given so much love and encouragement, I have had my needs met on many levels, have been well looked after and helped when I needed it, I share my college life with awesome people, I have had money given me just when I needed it, I have had my vision expanded, I had an awesome trip to South Africa, I graduated from college, and my heart has been evangelised by the love of God. I have so much to be grateful for and I really do believe that the pouring out of God's abundance is just around the corner. All these things have been for my growth and benefit. I know God wants to give me so much but in order to do that the things I value have to be let go so He can give me better and more valuable things, friendships, relationships and a ministry that will succeed and bless others. Jesus said let us go to the other side of the lake. He didn't say let us go halfway over and drown. My boat is full and I'm cold and wet but Jesus is in the boat with my and He said..let's go...so I'm going. He has the words of eternal life, where else is there to go? I don't know what 2010 holds for me but I know who holds 2010 and I know who holds me. One step at a time....let Him lead and guide and as hard as the road may be sometimes it is always worth persevering. 2 Peter 1 says His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
That's His will and my desire.
So that was the year that was, tomorrow is a new day with new grace, new mercy, new hope and all the resources I will need. He is my strength, my fortress and my shield and He has called me to be an overcomer, but it's not by my might or my strength but by His Spirit in me. And I will get to the other side!

Seven

2009-12-11T09:30:00.002Z

This is a quick thank you to everyone who has encouraged me in my blogging. I wasn't sure if I should carry on but having heard from people who are inspired and encouraged by what I share I am certainly going to continue and probably increase my ramblings. I see it as a part of the gift of encouragement that God has given me. I am particularly blessed that seven people are following it, especially as I haven't met four of them. Thank you for the feed back and I hope God will continue to bless you as I share what is on my heart and how He shows me stuff in life.

Green

2009-12-11T09:21:00.005Z

Last year, while enduring things, I used to spend a lot of time just praying and trying to get my head round everything. I used to be very aware of the presence of someone with me, whom I knew to be Jesus. In my spirit I could see Him very clearly and He would often just come and sit with me. The thing I noticed was an emerald green sash across his chest with what appeared to be some sort of crest on it. I often wondered what the significance of the colour green was. This week, thanks to the Internet and a heraldic web page I discovered green signifies "Hope, joy, and loyalty in love". I don't think that what I saw was a coincidence. God was showing me that Jesus is my hope, my joy and He is completely and utterly loyal in His love towards me! Awesome.
The web site I found is http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm Take a look and see what God is saying to you through colours.

Why Me?

2009-12-06T12:41:00.002Z

At the end of Exodus 35 God raised up two men and filled them with His Spirit and gave them wisdom and skill and the ability to teach others, they being Bezaleel the son of Uri
and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. It made me wonder why He chose those two specifically and not someone else. Then the Spirit showed me, I am asking the wrong question and showed me what a privilege and an honour it is to be chosen by God. Does it matter why certain people are called to do certain work? I am just very grateful that I have been called by God in the first place and as I get to know Him I just want to do whatever He asks of me. He says in His Word that He will give me the desires of my heart (i.e. He puts His desires in my heart) as I seek Him and open myself up to Him. I want to do whatever He calls me to do and He always equips the called. So when I ask Him, Why me? He says, because I know you will. I am excited about what lies ahead knowing that He who calls me is faithful, and He will do it. He does the work, I get the reward and He gets the glory!

Face To Face

2009-12-06T12:16:00.002Z

It may be apparent from the number of blogs today that I am getting so much from God as I read through Exodus. Been fascinated by the conversations between God and Moses especially in Exodus 33 where they talk face to face (well actually not face to face because God says no-one can look upon Him and live). Moses is very bold and asks to see His glory and God obliges but has to hide Moses from seeing His face (see above). I was just thinking how amazing that must have been but as I pondered the Holy Spirit reminded me that I can do that all the time AND I can look upon His face!!!!! I know He is in this room with me, I can feel His presence and He, Almighty God, is talking to ME!!!!!! Wow and a half!

Healing

2009-12-06T11:08:00.002Z

I have just read this. Exodus 30:12 says “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them." (NIV). This is a revelation to me...No plague (disease, sickness, illness) will come upon me because Jesus has paid the ransom for me! I am numbered in the beloved of God! Sickness is therefore dead to me and I am dead to it! Yay!!!!!! I think I finally get it.....

The Fight of The Faith

2009-12-06T10:30:00.003Z

1 Timothy 6:12 says "Fight the good fight of the faith." (NIV) I am beginning to learn what this means and it's quite simple and straightforward. This last week has been a test in that respect. I get to a place each day where I am full of faith and I really believe what the Bible says about whatever the subject happens to be. I have learned to dismiss my own thinking and bring my thoughts into line with the truth of the Word of God, and my feelings soon follow. My speech is changing and now I am speaking out the word, mixing it with faith and seeing changes. These changes are not necessarily apparent in the physical realm but I know in the spirit realm there is a change taking place and it's only a matter of time until I see the manifestation. Psalm 34 shows how David magnified the Lord and all his fears departed. He spoke out in faith believing that God was with him and for him. We have an advantage over David in that God is also IN us.
Each morning this week I have woken up and found that I appear to have stepped back and all the faith of the previous day has dwindled. Previously I would have just said "oh well" and thought it wasn't working. Now I think, my feelings have nothing to do with the truth so I start to build myself up again. Each day has it's own grace etc and new mercies every morning. Each day is a day to rise up and fight the good fight of the faith. And each day it takes less time to get that joy,peace and power flowing. I remember all the good things God has done, I remember that He is for me, He is my strength, my power and my Father who delights in me. He loves me and wants to bless me with all good things. I pray in tongues, I read the Word, I confess what God says about me. This is becoming easier each day because as I do all these things my heart is strengthened and joy comes, and that joy is the strength I need to overcome. It's a cycle and it's powerful. God is good, He has great things for me and as I call on Him He renews my strength in all areas of my life. He meets my need according to HIS riches in glory, He heals ALL of my afflictions and restores my youth.....He is a good Dad.

God Hears

2009-12-01T09:06:00.002Z

What does one do when stuff happens? There always seems to be something going on....however. My initial response is (still) how am I going to work this one out? This is not the correct response of course, but it shows where my heart really is...and that bothers me a little. But rather than wallow in my own inadequacies it is important to know that I can walk freely into the throne room of God knowing He will receive me because of what Jesus has done. This from Joseph Prince was a timely reminder.

God Hears Your Prayers
Romans 4:7–8 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”

Some people think that if they were more “right” with God, then He would hear their prayers. For example, they sometimes believe that if they had not quarreled with their wives or had those bad thoughts earlier in the day, then God would answer their prayers.
God is not like that. He wants you to know beyond any doubt that you can always come to His throne of grace with boldness and have every confidence that you will receive His mercy and grace. (Hebrews 4:16) You see, because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, you are already right with God. You don’t need to do anything to make yourself more right with God.
In fact, by faith in Jesus, you have received the righteousness of God Himself! (2 Corinthians 5:21) And no matter how many mistakes you make, you will never lose that righteousness because in the first place, God gave it to you apart from your works. (Romans 4:5–6) In other words, God did not impute righteousness to you because you were good, but because you believed in Jesus.
Because of what Jesus has done for you at the cross, all your sins — past, present and future — are forgiven. God will by no means ever remember your sins or count them against you! (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17)
My friend, because Jesus has been punished for your sins, today, God is not counting your sins against you. This means that your sins won’t stop Him from hearing and responding to your prayers. So you can always run into His presence knowing that you can boldly stand in and enjoy His presence and His love.
When you know this truth, it is going to set you free in your relationship with God. You can talk to Him without fear or any sense of condemnation. You can practice His presence and trust that He always hears you. Should something happen at home or at work, you don’t always have to call for your church leaders — you pray and God hears you!

Money

2009-11-22T12:42:00.003Z

Here is an interesting observation. I have just been reading in Matthew 19 about the rich young ruler. He came to Jesus and asked Him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. There is a lot in this passage but the thing I noticed was the reaction of the disciples when Jesus said "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." The next verse says, "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? " Why would they have responded this way? Could it be that THEY were wealthy too? We know that Judas was the bursar and if you need a bursar then you must have money! God isn't against you having wealth, but He is against wealth having YOU! It's a tool and we are called to be good stewards.

Church Discipline

2009-11-22T12:23:00.001Z

A subject often avoided but I lie what Andrew Wommack has to say about this in his Life For Today Commentary.

Matthew 18:17
Life For Today Study Bible Notes
These verses are dealing with church discipline. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, God judges the lost, but He committed the judgment of the members of His church to the church. This discipline can be divided into three major areas.
1. The first area is what Paul called disorderly conduct in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. In that instance, he was dealing with the specific problem of a brother in the Lord who refused to work and had become a busybody.
2. Paul states that there are certain doctrinal issues which should not be tolerated but rather disciplined (1Ti 1:19-20 with 2Ti 2:17-18). The angel (or pastor?) of the church at Thyatira was rebuked for allowing Jezebel to teach false doctrine, implying that the Lord expected him to discipline her (Re 2:18-29). Those who are heretics would fall into this group (Tit 3:10).
3. Sins of immorality should be dealt with by the church as illustrated in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.
Discipline, (as this word implies), must always be for the purpose of correction and not damnation. The man whom the church at Corinth turned over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh (1Co 5:1-13) repented and Paul instructed the believers to receive him back into fellowship (2Co 2:7-8). The scriptural commands concerning church discipline are designed to help restore the brother or sister who is in sin just as much as they are designed to protect other members of the body from that sin. If the person being disciplined repents, the objective has been achieved and no further action should be taken.
This instance spoken of here in Matthew 18:17 would fit into the first category of discipline. It could involve any dispute among brothers or sisters (1Co 6:1-8) or disorderly conduct by one of the body. The first step to take is to try to work things out between the parties involved. As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:23-24, we are supposed to take the initiative in this reconciliation even if we are not to blame.
If the other person will not reconcile, then we are to take one or two other believers with us as we again try to solve the problem. This accomplishes two main things. First, it verifies all of the charges in the mouth of two or three witnesses as God commanded in case the matter has to be brought before the whole church. This keeps someone from "railroading" a person they dislike through church discipline without justification. Second, it brings in the perspective of a third party. In many cases, this could solve the whole conflict, because most of us have a big weakness of not being able to perceive the beam in our own eye. Having a third person present who has no vested interest is much like bringing in arbitration.
If this doesn't solve the conflict or cause the person to repent of his disorderly conduct, then the problem should be brought before the entire church. If the entire church is united in its judgment of the situation, this should cause the offending person to repent. Most people are not into so much pride and deception to think that they are the only ones who are correct. This group pressure is very effective, especially if the person being disciplined really loves and respects the others in the church.
If there is still no repentance, then the last step is for the entire church to treat the person in rebellion as they would a lost man. That does not mean that we quit walking in love towards him. We are supposed to love the lost, too. It does mean that we withdraw our fellowship (1Co 5:9-11; 2Th 3:14-15) so that the person will be ashamed and repent. There is also a retaining of his sins unto him as Jesus spoke of in John 20:23, and that is what turning a person over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh is about.
All of this church discipline is dependent on the church being a praying, loving, healthy church. If a church is not abounding with love among its members, then withdrawing fellowship is meaningless. A person won't miss what he never had. Also, a withdrawing of our intercession for a brother or sister, as when we turn them over to Satan, is meaningless if we never prayed for them in the first place.
Church discipline today is also weakened by the division in the Body of Christ. All a person who has been disciplined has to do is walk down the road and start attending another church group who will begin to fill that void of fellowship. In the first century church, this was not the case, but broken fellowship with the believers was a devastating discipline. Love and unity in Christ's Body today would restore the effectiveness of church discipline.
However limited the results of this discipline might seem to us, we are still commanded to do it. The more a church has this unity among members and an effective intercessory prayer life, the more effective the discipline will be.—Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary

Jacob/Israel

2009-11-14T09:07:00.002Z

I am in the process of reading through the Bible in a year again and I have come to the story of Joseph. Since going through the Old Testament survey in CBC I try and read these stories differently, scanning for Jesus in all the pages, looking for applications to my own life and hopefully learning from other people's lives, mistakes and situations. I have just noted the following: Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold to the Ishmaelites, he was about 30 when he became ruler of Egypt, then another seven years at least passed until he met with his family again, possibly up to ten years. So that would make him about 40 years old. The thing I noticed this time was how self-pitying, negative and morbid Israel still was over the "loss" of his son all those years ago. He was mourning the death of someone who was still alive! He was grieving for something that had not happened. God brought about a restoration and ultimately a far greater relationship and riches than he had before; wealth, status, family and all the best the world could give him. He spent twenty three years feeling sorry for himself and I am sure that would have resulted in missing out on so many blessings.
This really spoke to my heart that God is often doing things in the background out of our sight, but we really should not be worrying or concerning ourselves with HIS business. Our focus and attention should be on Him, our relationship with Him and enjoying His presence. If we constantly look at the bad, the negative and the perceived loss we will lose out on His blessing, we will be horrible to be around because we are so negative and possibly lose everything else too.
He always brings good out of the bad and is a God of restoration. He restores those things we lose if we walk in His light and in obedience to His Word and He always give back more and better than we could ever imagine. Look to Him, keep your eyes on Him, and let Him do what he needs to do in your life, do it with joy, hope and expectancy knowing our God is bigger than anything we can ever face.

I'm Still Standing

2009-10-28T21:28:00.002Z

I have to confess I don't particularly like the song "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John but the title is appropriate. Way back in the mists of time around May this year the Lord told me He wanted to build character into my life and pointed me to two scriptures about endurance, perseverance etc etc in James and 2nd Peter. Me being me thought it was just for the summer. That was a bit naive really because one never ceases to be stretched if we are walking with the Lord. These last few weeks since being back at college have certainly convinced me this is an ongoing situation but I have been very much aware of Jesus saying to Peter in Luke 22:31-32 that satan had asked to sift Peter like wheat but Jesus prayed that Peter's faith would not fail. I believe Jesus prays the same prayer for me. So much stuff has happened recently...I have experienced attack in my finances, my relationships, my work, my health, my mind...it seems someone is getting upset with me getting (or really Jesus getting) my life in order and he is throwing everything at me. In the past this would have had a devastating effect on me but now I am finding the peace, strength, joy, love and resilience that comes from knowing Christ. All these things have made me draw closer to Him than ever and I know He is fighting these battles for me. I still get the thoughts running through my mind to give up and go home but that is the last thing I will do. God is taking me places and this is all about building my character so I can become useful to Him. There have even been times when I have literally laughed at the devil and his plans. And when thoughts of despair come I simply open my mouth and praise and thank Jesus for His faithfulness and love. A lot of the situations haven't yet been resolved but God has promised me that they came to pass....they didn't come to stay...and abundance of Grace is mine and soon I will see the outpouring of His blessings in material form...which is why I will not capitulate. It's not easy in the flesh to deal with it all but in my spirit, which is one with His Spirit I have already overcome. I am learning to live by faith and let go of self-sufficiency and by the Grace of God I will succeed. I know it's none of my doing but all of His and His Word says the victory is ours, the battle is the Lord's and He gets all the glory! He fights for those He loves and those He loves reap the benefits of His victory.

A Hundred Fold

2009-09-25T19:46:00.004+01:00

I got a real buzz this morning. During the worship time at college one of the first year's named Pamela shared a scripture about how God would give back a hundred fold for all the things we leave to follow him. The text is in Matthew 19:16-30. but it was particularly verse 29 that made me tingle. "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life." I have heard it before and even prayed it back to God but this morning it was like a rhema word to me. I have nothing in the world to speak of but God has promised to those who forsake everything for the gospel will be given back a hundred fold in this life, as well as inheriting eternal life.
God is good and He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). He is no man's debtor.

More CBC

2009-09-23T22:12:00.003+01:00

I am so enjoying the apprenticeship year at CBC. It is such a joy for me to be among the students and to have input into their lives. We started the Discipleship Evangelism (DE) classes this week. Bert and I lead a group of just three others, although we had a visitor this week, and we are going through the whole series together. Week one was on Eternal Life, what it is and what it isn't. Very basic stuff but still a revelation to one of our group....at least.
I have also been very involved with the worship too. This is a surprise because I thought I had done with all of that, but I am playing every instrument (not at the same tome obviously) as well as leading on occasion. And I think because I was not expecting it, I am enjoying it all the more, and I am getting some good encouraging feedback too. Thank you Jesus.
We have a lot to do within the college as well as our own studies and classes. I am loving every minute of it.
Next week we have the honour of having Arthur Meintjes (http://www.kingdomlifeministry.com/) back with us for a few days including one evening session. All are welcome to join us at CBC.
Leland Shores will also be with us in October. He works for the minsitry in Uganda and a new CBC will be opening there in January.
CBC England has a new web site and a new promotional video made for us by God TV. It looks very professional and well made. You can see it at http://www.charisbiblecollege.org.uk/. On there you can also find out about the Grace and Faith Camp in May 2010. This is a replacement event for the CBC weekend. This has come about simply because we can't house the conference anymore because it has become too big. So next year it's moving to the Stoneleigh Park Showground. It will also be the graduation weekend for students.

Mr Jessop

2009-09-23T22:01:00.002+01:00

In my job as a delivery person I get to meet some interesting people. One springs to mind a lot...Mr Jessop. Mr Jessop lives in a wheelchair. I don't know why but it looks like he has some paralysis. I often see him whizzing around Aldridge in his electrically powered wheel chair thing. He relies on carers to make his meals for him, to cook for him and I am guessing a lot of other things too. It is obviously a difficult way to live but I have never heard him complain about anything. He is always cheery, happy and grateful. It takes a lot of courage and humility to accept help for everything and I admire his courage immensely. I am often challenged by his attitude. He knows he needs help and he accepts it gladly and makes full use of the services available to him. He knows his limits and relies on others to do everything for him. If we, as Christians, had that sort of attitude towards God and just take what Jesus is offering us instead of insisting we do things in our own strength, if we would just humble ourselves before Him and admit we can't do a thing for ourselves then maybe we would all be like Mr Jessop...happy in just being alive.

Rainbow

2009-09-23T21:57:00.003+01:00

I saw a rainbow yesterday. Whenever I see one I always remember that God said whenever He saw the rainbow He would remember His covenant and never flood the earth again. And then I remembered all His other covenants with mankind, the one He made with Abraham, with Moses, with Jacob, with Isaac and right through to the one He made in Jesus. If you look carefully at these covenants you will see He actually made them all with Himself and in so doing made them unbreakable by sinful men. That is why His covenant with mankind will not and can not ever be broken. He thinks of everything. God is so good and merciful towards us.

And Another Thing.....

2009-09-10T21:40:00.003+01:00

A few more things to report this week. The fantastic welcome week we are having has been a great event. There have been a consistently high number of people coming though the doors and we are even getting people signing up to start college which is awesome. I had a five minute slot to give a short testimony this morning. I used to think I could never speak for five minutes, now I find there is so much to share it's almost impossible to keep it down to five minutes.
I had some cold symptoms earlier this week, headache, sore throat, ear ache, very tired...so I rebuked it all and next day all gone! Thank you Jesus for the authority you gave us.
Today someone came up to me and said they would like to help me with my college fees. Thank you Jesus for your provision.

CBC Pt3 Day1 Proper

2009-09-07T21:38:00.003+01:00

Wow, so many people at college today and immediately I have identified an issue. I am really bad at talking to people I don't know...and I so need to work that one out and quickly. I have to take the responsibility to speak to visitors and new students alike (although I don't know which is which yet) and show the love of God to all I meet. Thought that wasn't a problem but it is. I am in a position of leadership and I have to take up the gauntlet and forget about me and my little foibles. Got to be more vocal and expressive, more outgoing and friendly, be genuinely interested in those people who are probably a little out of their depth and not quite sure what to do or say yet. Must remember how I felt when I walked in the first time. Tomorrow I will be more assertive and not hide behind my bass guitar.
There was a great atmosphere and people were very enthusiastic, especially when Will Graham spoke to us. It was so good to see friends again as we related how quickly the last one or two years had gone etc. There is genuine love in the place and I truly believe this will be a great year and definitely the most important one for me so far. I say that every year but it is still true. The world is going to open up before me and I truly believe God has a few surprises for me, and because they are from Him they will be good. I am being challenged to dream big dreams and let my imagination run away in God and He will thrill and delight me as I wait on Him, seek Him and obey His Word. It's going to be great!!!!

Provision

2009-09-01T21:05:00.002+01:00

Hi, God is able to do exceedingly above an beyond all we can ask or imagine. One of the things I am finally beginning to grasp is just how GOOD God is. There is a verse that says "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32). God longs and loves to give His children GOOD things, the best of everything and He always makes provision for us. One thing I am very keen on doing is bringing the full tithe to Him, (we bring it because belongs to Him) because He is then able to bless the 90% left for me and multiply it. He also opens doors to gain more wealth. I can always use a little more money as I have debts, college fees and general bills to pay, but I am learning to be more obedient in the realm of giving so whatever I give will be multiplied back to me. Today at work I was offered an extra eight hours on Saturday to drive for another store. I thought about it for a while. Saturday would have been a day off for me but would more than likely be unproductive, coupled with the fact that this was a gift from God to earn a little extra to pay for that tyre that needs changing. Money doesn't just drop out of heaven, but opportunities do and I am glad to take those. God says as we are faithful in small things He promotes us and gives us bigger things. He gave me a promise last year and being faithful to His Word is the opening into receiving that promise. Thank you Lord for your provision.

CBC Part Three

2009-08-26T19:55:00.002+01:00

It's that time of year again when I start to think about the next nine months and how things are going to pan out. I have my new RED lanyard and I started back at college on Monday along with around twenty others for the two weeks or apprenticeship training and orientation. It has already been a very interesting experience and I am loving being back. It's quite relaxed as none of the other students have arrived yet and won't until Sept 7th.It was a strange experience walking in through THOSE doors again at the start of another academic year but something kicked in as soon as I did....it's like i grew up! Well a bit, anyway, but there is a buzz among us we listen to various speakers about the new apprentice programme. So watch this space and I will do my best to keep this blog running smoothly. Below is a copy of a general e-mail I sent to a few friends and family with some details of what will be happening along with other news.

"I had an interview two weeks ago to discuss the next year at college and have a plan in place now. The third year apprenticeship program has been drawn up based on a successful version being run in the colleges in USA and involves a lot more teaching for the apprentices. I am also undertaking to teach between 6 and 10 lectures of 45 minutes on a subject which I have yet to choose. These will take place before college classes in the mornings running on one day a week. This will be a huge challenge for me as I have only ever done the odd sermon in the past and to find enough to speak on for a whole 4 to 6 hours will be interesting to say the least, plus the amount of time needed to prepare. We will also be asked to do a thirty minute talk once a term on any subject that Andrew Wommack teaches and this will be critiqued, with the view of improving our teaching/preaching techniques. I will also have a mentor and certain other assignments to fulfil. This is all on top of the usual work, which is running classes, speaking at Communion and offering times, running a discipleship course with the first and second year students once a week, and overseeing discussion groups and preparing and marking test papers. All in all it will be busy.
I was concerned at one point about the hours of college as I need to keep working in order to fulfil some financial commitments and still eat! Fortunately I can do college around my work schedule which will mean I can do both. This will be tiring probably so I will need to pace myself.
The apprentices start tomorrow (24th) and we have will two weeks training etc before open week (7th Sept) and then the week after college restarts proper.
I have joined a new church in the centre of Walsall called Arise and Shine. It's an interesting place where everyone is involved. Many of the people are college students and the church is run in a way to encourage people to use their gifts. We don't have a sermon as such but everyone is encouraged to share whatever God has but on their hearts. It flows very well most of the time. I have the privilege of leading the worship there with another person.
I appreciate all you prayers and support while I am on this journey. I do not know what is next but I know that God will show me and doors will open. There have been a few rumblings already but I am waiting for His timing and direction.
A couple of prayer requests...I need to find £500 for college fees as soon as possible and I think I will need to change my car very soon too. Little red lights keep appearing and I don't feel very confident driving it any more. I believe God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory but the Word also says we need to ask in faith believing that we have already received, and it will be done for us. So faith is the key....Happy to receive any wisdom on these counts."

August 14th

2009-08-14T22:54:00.000+01:00

Today was August 14th........and nothing happened. It's a long story.

More On Love

2009-07-13T09:18:00.001+01:00

This came through today from Joseph Prince.

Set Your Love Upon Jesus

Psalm 91:14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name."

Jesus was in a house in Bethany when a woman came to Him with an alabaster flask containing very costly fragrant oil. She poured the oil on His head. (Matthew 26:6–7) This woman loved the Lord. She had set her love upon Him.
But those who were present considered what she did a great waste because the oil could have been sold for an amount equal to one year’s wages, and the money given to the poor instead. Even Jesus’ disciples were indignant and asked her, “Why this waste?” (Matthew 26:8)
But Jesus defended her, saying, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.” (Matthew 26:10) Not only that, He accorded her the highest honor when He added, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Matthew 26:13)
Two thousand years have passed since this woman anointed Jesus with the expensive oil. She never expected in her wildest dreams that her act of love would be told down through the ages. Many kings and rulers have come and gone. Their great acts have faded from the memories of men. But what this woman did for Jesus is still told today around the world as a memorial to her!
When you get a revelation of how much Jesus loves you, you will set your love upon Him. And when you act out of love for Him, though others may see it as a waste of time, energy or money, He will defend you and deliver you from your critics. He will also set you on high. Your ministry will become powerful and life-changing. Your work will be highly esteemed among your peers. Your company will be prominent and highly successful. And it will not just be a job that you have, but a position of influence to impact many lives.
So set your love upon Jesus. Make Him the love of your life today, and He will defend, deliver and set you on high!

Choices

2009-07-13T08:43:00.004+01:00

I know it has been a while since Father's Day here in UK but I was just looking at the card my son gave me. It's designed like a tool box and says, "Being a Dad is a tough job, but you have the tools to do the job right!" and as you open it up there are some tools, but they are labelled...sense of humour, dependability, loyalty, understanding, patience, warmth. It brings tears to my eyes. My son knows I am flawed and get things wrong but he chooses to see the best in me. I was chatting to a friend on msn last night and I said something about choosing to be happy when things weren't going well. They said that wasn't possible...well, I believe it is. You can choose to overlook other people's faults and see the best in them, you can choose to not let your emotions rule you, you can choose to let offences go. It's not always easy but we have the spirit of God in us and He empowers us. We can't always help what happens to us or how other people treat us but we can choose how we respond. The Bible says self-centredness is the root of all grief and strife. If we aren't thinking of ourselves then it is impossible to take offence, we only get annoyed with someone when we are thinking of ourselves. We can choose to not take offence and choose to love those who would be against us. It is the power of the love of God that overcomes and as we understand and dwell in His love then His love flows through us out to others and that love is far more powerful than anything that can attack us. That is how Jesus operated and because we are just like Him in this world and we can do all things through Christ and these things shall we do and greater things...we can choose to be just like Him.

Remember

2009-07-08T10:47:00.002+01:00

It's good to remember what God has done and I get encouraged by reading back over my own blog. I forget so easily but when I read back and see my own responses it causes me to stand up on the inside again and move forward. That's my primary reason for writing this and I hope it encourages you as well dear reader.

Praise God In All Things

2009-07-08T09:31:00.003+01:00

Do you ever have those moments when God sends you an encouraging e-mail just at the right time? I got one today that speaks right into my new current situation, it's the answer to all my thoughts, doubts, speculations and wondering. I have to find somewhere to live and when one looks at the physical situation it doesn't look good and it will require a miracle to solve but then my God is a God of miracles. It would be easy right now to get despondent, fearful and curl up in a corner and cry and feel sorry for myself....but after two years of Bible School and a relationship with the creator of the Universe and a character built on the Word of God, I will not do that. Instead I will lift my eyes to heaven and recover my sight, I will remember who I am in Christ, I will remember that my Father in heaven will never leave me, forsake me, abandon me nor allow me to suffer. I will remember that Jesus came to give me life and life in abundance. I will remember that He is my Rock, my very great reward and in Him I can and will do all things. I have everything I need living and dwelling in side me and I will put my trust and confidence in Him. He not only has but IS the answer to all my questions and He will guide me, show me the way to go and He will open doors unexpectedly for me to walk through and bring me through. He promised me last month that my faith will be tested but for my good and not to destroy me. He has brought me through so much in the last year and He is not going to let go and stop now. It's onwards and upwards. My responsibility is my response to His ability, to cast all my cares on Him for He cares for me and not lean on my own understanding but to delight myself in Him and He will give the desires of my heart. I love Him, I trust Him and I am fully convinced that He will come through despite how I feel, despite how things look and despite how impossible the situation seems. Read 2 Kings 18 and 19 and see how God delivered His people without a fight just because Hezekiah sought the Lord, and we live in a better covenant with better promises (Heb 8:6). The e-mail I got was from Joseph Prince Ministries and is as follows:

Thanking God At All Times

Hebrews 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.

Lifting up your hands and thanking God is spontaneous and easy when you have just received a wonderful blessing: “God, I can’t thank You enough for this miracle!”
“Thank You Father, for answering my prayer!”
“Father, thank You for the windfall!”
Perhaps you came close to being in a fatal accident, but God plucked you out of danger just in time. Or your grandmother, an unbeliever for many years, finally received Jesus as her Savior and got healed of a long-term disease.
But there are times when you don’t feel like lifting up your hands to thank and praise God, yet you do it. Perhaps you feel very discouraged lately. Perhaps everything is going wrong for you and you feel like your life is in a mess. You can’t hold back the tears. Yet, you make a conscious decision to lift your hands and thank God for being in the situation with you. You open your mouth and begin to praise Him even though you really don’t feel like doing it.
In the midst of the trial that you are going through, you praise Him that He is your righteousness in spite of all the mistakes you have made. You thank Him that He is your Prince of Peace, and that His peace will arise in you and still the storms in your life.
My friend, God sees and appreciates such times when, despite feeling so discouraged, you offer a freewill thanksgiving offering to Him. In fact, your thanksgiving during such times is more highly prized by Him than your thanksgiving during those times when you are feeling joyful because you have just been blessed.
And when you choose to thank Him for His unfailing love, and His faithfulness to deliver, protect and provide for you even when you don’t see the blessings yet, before long, you will find yourself experiencing and enjoying the blessings! So lift your hands and praise the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)

All You Need Is His Love

2009-07-02T07:42:00.003+01:00

At 7.15 am I was just waking up and in that in-between stage of sleep and being awake with these thoughts running through my mind.
It is impossible to love unless you know that receiving the love of God comes first. If you don't understand that you are loved by God you will never be able to love another, including yourself. To be loved is to acknowledge that God's love comes first and above all other things. The love of God is of paramount importance because it is the dynamic you need and the motivation you need to live a life of love. It is better to give than to receive but without receiving, knowing and truly experiencing the love of God you have nothing to give. God's love is not selfish in any way and seeks no requisition, however when that love is received and returned the power within that love increases exponentially and is multiplied rather than added to. Love therefore abounds when one is "in love with" or in the love and surrounded by the love of God. One could say, this is God's love, let us abide and walk in it.
At 7.18 am I received a text message which says " "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"...I've had on my mind lately "small choices I make that favour God make big differences which favour me" "
This really spoke to my heart and is similar in thought to what the Spirit was speaking to me. When I choose to allow the love of God to be my dwelling place then that increases within me exponentially. It is a choice. Love is not a feeling, it's an act of the will. Sometimes we have to love whether we feel any thing or not. We are commanded to love one another with the love of God and when we choose to do that, we will, most likely begin to feel that love. If we wait for the feelings to come we will never love anyone. This includes loving God and loving ourselves. And we can only do that when we really open ourselves up to the love of God. And we can do all things, we can love, through Christ who strengthens us. It's His love in us and flowing through us that loves and when we allow that, we find that we also love that annoying, unlovable, flawed individual whom God created in His image.
I don't normally get up this early...but this seemed very important to me and I needed to write it down. You are blessed.

Fun

2009-06-30T09:21:00.004+01:00

June 30th and halfway through another year. College seems a long time ago now and I am into a new routine and relaxing and taking time for myself. I thought this long summer break would be a lot more challenging than previous years but by resting and sometimes frankly, blobbing, it's given me a chance to ponder and think on things, some of them quite serious. For example it's a very sunny day, so which beach/mountain/city shall I spend the day at, on or in. If you have read the last entry you will see that rest in grace is important for many things and I spend very little time being concerned about things that I can do nothing about, after casting them on the Lord and leaving them there. And I've started to not feel guilty about enjoying life again because God came to give me His life and I am sure God's life does not consist of worry, anxiety, depression, bewilderment and consternation but love, joy, peace, fun, and adventure. Yes there is a serious and responsible side of life but even that can be joyful. I am still weighing up my options but there is no hurry to get things done. I'm still on African time, hurry up and wait, but while waiting, chill, have a coffee and have a laugh!

Grace And Rest

2009-06-30T09:16:00.003+01:00

I love reading Joseph Prince's words. He says things in a way that I can understand and get excited about. Todays offereing is as follows and taken from The One Thing Daily Devtional.

Rest And Find God’s Grace

Luke 2:4040 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
The verse says that the grace of God was upon Jesus. The Bible also says that where sin abounds, grace abounds much more. (Romans 5:20) And when you put the two together, you may find yourself asking, “If the grace of God was upon Jesus, does it mean that He sinned?”

No, Jesus did not sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21) So there must be another explanation as to why God’s grace was upon Jesus. There must be another explanation as to why someone can abound in God’s grace even when he has not sinned.

Let’s look at the word “grace” when it is first mentioned in the Bible. Genesis 6:8 says that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”. Noah’s name means “rest”. So the verse is telling us that rest found grace. In other words, when you rest, you find grace!

So grace was upon Jesus because His life was a life of rest and trust in His Father. He said, “The Son can do nothing of Himself. He can do only what He sees His Father doing.” (John 5:19)

Likewise, grace comes upon you when you rest and trust God. If you have a wayward child, stop nagging at him and trust God to handle the problem. Say, “Jesus, I commit this boy into Your hands. I cannot control him. You can.” If you have a persistent pain in your body, bring it to the Lord. Say, “Jesus, I hand all my worries about this pain to You. You work on the pain.”

“Pastor Prince, what if nothing happens?”

Honestly, if after you have given the matter to Jesus and nothing happens, what can you do? If Jesus Himself can’t do anything about it, do you think you can? But praise God, once the problem is handed over to Jesus, He can and will do a perfect work of taking care of it for you!

So live a life of rest. Have this attitude and tell the Lord, “I can do nothing of myself. I just rest in You Lord and I trust You.” Beloved, what you will see is the grace of God upon you in every situation of your life!

Exciting...

2009-06-19T09:42:00.002+01:00

I've been sitting here for twenty minutes looking at the screen and trying to think of something to write. Five weeks since college finished and nothing especially exciting has happened, just a walking out of those things that God has already shown me. Not that that isn't exciting because walking with Holy Spirit is always exciting because He shows you new things in Scripture, often things I have read many times before, but they come alive just when you need something. Have had some great times with friends in the past week which has been encouraging in many ways. One thing that still humbles me is the love people show towards me and so many have said they have been thinking of me and praying for me. I still struggle a little with acceptance because I know what I am like and yet these people think I'm wonderful. Have to swallow my pride and receive the love. God also has been showing me how He responds to me with delight and joy when I spend time with Him. I had a long chat yesterday with Him after work and He again reiterated His unending, unfathomable love for me. This brings me joy and strength, peace and contentment knowing that God is good all the time, but more than that, MY God is good to ME all the time. This was capped off with a brilliant conversation with my big brother on the phone who always encourages me just by sharing what he is up to and what He is seeing of God.
God is a good God, a great Father and a loving Provider and He has promised to look after me in every way. And that is exciting!

Shower

2009-06-11T10:54:00.004+01:00

I seem to get a lot of inspiration while having my morning ablutions. I don't know why but God speaks to me there, maybe because it relaxes me. The Holy Spirit gives me ideas and direction and shows me all sorts of things. I think my showers are getting longer because of this, so sorry if I use all the hot water! The last two days He has given me so much encouragement by showing how I can set up my ministry, contacting various people and basically how He will open doors for me. I have a clear vision of the future but it's the first steps that are often the most important and one of those first steps is to contact as many people as I can and make myself available to them. I now what my calling is and this morning I had such a strong heart of love and concern for those people around me, especially those in Suffolk and my CBC fellows. My heart is to encourage the hearts of the believers and build them up and bless them in any way I can, by prayer or phone calls or visits. If anyone reading this has any need I would love to help you, pray for you and stand with you. God has given me a name for the ministry and I will be speaking to one or two people about web sites, funding, and practicalities very soon. It's very exciting and I believe God will open the doors for me as I do as He asks. I don't have all the answers to everything but the Holy Spirit who speaks through me does and I know that when I am about His business He will fill my mouth with the words of God. Early days yet but this is the first step. If you are on my contact lists through e-mail, facebook or on my phone you may well be hearing from me soon in one way or another. Hope that is OK.

Dancing

2009-06-10T09:30:00.003+01:00

This painting is by a friend of mine and has become very famous in certain circles. It has been criticised too, for what reason I have no idea. In the last two months or so I have seen similar things in my heart as God has shown me how much He cares for me and how much He delights in me. He gets excited when I say "Hi", He watches over me when I sleep and often wants to wake me up just so He can spend time with me. He has so many things He wants to share with me, to give me, to bless me with. Is this an accurate picture of my Father in Heaven? Well, there are times that I want to do just the same with my own children. I long for them, just to be with them, talk to them and give them things and show them my love, and I am made in the image of God so I'm guessing that I am just like Him only He is so much bigger. Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet [you] with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." " This is a true experience for me. I have seen it.

An Apology

2009-06-04T22:51:00.004+01:00

Yesterday at work one of my colleagues was in a very bad mood. Normally she and I get on very well and we are quite good friends, but yesterday she wouldn't speak to me, look at me or even acknowledge me. I knew it wasn't anything I had said or done because the last time I saw her was on Monday and everything was fine. This isn't the first time this has happened so I kind of guessed where she was at and let it go. As much as I tried to be friendly and chatty she was having none of it. It made me feel a bit put out and I began to wonder if it was worth the effort. Do you know what? The Holy Spirit said to me, how do you feel? I told him just as I have written above. Then He shared with me a little insight. That is exactly how people feel about you when you deliberately and conscientiously ignore, blank and reject them. She isn't born again. You have no excuse, it's just selfish, childish and immature. It's not nice to be on the receiving end of one so obnoxious. Talk about being straight with me! So, having learned the hard way I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone that I have treated in this despicable way and I will endeavour to remember that I have a choice and I have the Spirit of God to be kind, responsive, friendly and polite even when and especially when I don't feel like it. And you have my permission to put me straight if I ever do it to you.

Challenge

2009-06-03T10:57:00.004+01:00

I was driving back from work one day recently from Aldridge to Walsall. There is a speed camera along Walsall Road and I noticed how many people break the 30 mph speed limit and then slow down for the camera. I try and stick to the limit but occasionally stray and the speed cameras cause me to check my speed and adjust accordingly, which is what they are properly designed to do. Further down that road there is a dual carriageway with a 40 mph limit and the police are often there and catch people because they don't know they are being watched. As I passed that particular camera the Holy Spirit spoke to me about how important it is to live a godly life when nobody is watching you and not just when you come across a spiritual speed camera. He challenged me and said, who you are when you are on your own in your house is who you truly are, or as I often say, if you want to know what people are really like, put them behind a steering wheel of a car. God calls us to righteousness and holy living but that has to be a fruit and not a purpose. God rewards those who diligently seek Him and submit to authority. He raises you up and promotes you when He sees you are faithful in the smallest of things, especially when you are on your own and no-one is watching you. That, for me, is a challenge but through Christ I can do all things. I have the choice to obey and receive the blessing or not and receive the consequences. Col 3:22-24 says, Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Time

2009-05-31T17:38:00.003+01:00

Leona Lewis sang "It'll all get better in time." Forgive me, Leona, but that is utter nonsense. Time is not a healer. The longer my family situation goes on the harder it gets for me. I have just had a brilliant week with my children, which just flew by far too quickly as usual and I miss them incredibly. Every time I have to leave them or they have to leave me it grieves my heart more than words can say. I long for them so much, they are the best company, the best fun and the most alive people I know. They bring out the child in me and when I am with them I have a ball. Yesterday I had to deliver them back to Suffolk where I met my estranged wife at a supermarket. We had a cup of tea and all four of us were together and it felt so normal. She had just come back from Ibiza staying with friends and she looked so beautiful. My heart was longing for her so much, to be with her again. I am so in love with her but she wants nothing to do with me. That cuts so deep still. So time does not heal, it just makes one forgetful. The point of all this? I was talking to God about it and He asked me what will I do when my kids are grown and out on their own and may not see me for months at a time? How will I spend the time between visits? Pining and wasting time or getting on with life and make the most of every day? I think about the future and how it may or not pan out and spend so much time feeling hard done by etc. Again the Holy Spirit spoke to me about this and simply said "Delight yourself in the Lord" and stopped there without completing the verse. It's a change of mindset and the devil wants me to worry and ponder about how I will cope etc which is actually self-centredness and that is the root cause of grief, and I have been grieving. I have had a real issue with rejection, whether perceived or actual, all my life and I still have times when it seems I am unwanted, unloved, useless, not good enough, rejected and thoroughly lonely. None of these things is actually true because there are many people who love me, including my kids, and many people have expressed real love towards me, but rejection can become a mindset and I can sometimes not receive this love, usually because the ones I want to love me don't. My response is to push people away and then wonder why no-one wants to be my friend. How stupid can you be and still breathe? But of course God loves me unconditionally and will never leave me nor forsake me nor push me away nor ignore me. But I still need to believe this and receive it for me. When that happens and I start to rest, walk and live in the love of God, all these other things fall away. God wants me to fix my eyes and thoughts on Him and delight in Him and He will sort out all the rest when I take my hands off. I again asked God about this, about how do I delight myself in the Lord (I ask a lot of questions these days because a lot of scripture can become cliche and we need to understand what it really means)? The very next afternoon I listened to a teaching from Joseph Prince who was talking about Mary and Martha in Luke chapter 10 about Mary choosing the good part, to sit at Jesus feet and learn from Him, as opposed to Martha who was "troubled about many things". This really spoke to me and answered my question. God is good and wants the best for us but the best thing we can do is to sit at His feet and draw from Him and He will sort everything else. I may not get what I wish but if I dwell in Him and delight in Him He will empower me to overcome, dwell in Him and be set free from the worries and anxieties that so easily beset me. Not easy letting go (I have to do it on a daily basis) but He calls us to cast all our cares on Him (present continuous tense) and He will take care of us. It's all about trust and relationship with our Father in heaven.
I just needed to get that out my system and encourage myself. All is not lost, God hasn't fallen off His throne wondering how He can possibly sort out my huge list of issues. The fact is, He already has in Jesus. Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. This is not a promise so much as a certain outcome, it's the way the Kingdom works. So, to conclude, when all seems lost and hopeless that's the time to praise God for His goodness, His victory and His dependability knowing that whatever happens it's a win/win situation for the believer. He is able to do above and beyond what we can ask or imagine according to His power working in us (in other words when we believe it).

Double Back

2009-05-24T09:21:00.002+01:00

When stuff happens, Jesus is always enough. He justs asks us to believe. I was encouraged by this from Joseph Prince on how God blesses us despite what we go through and what we do. He blesses us because of our position in Christ and what Jesus has done for us.

Double For Your Trouble!

Zechariah 9:12 12Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.
I am sure that you have heard the expression, “When life throws lemons at you, make lemonade!” Well, I want you to know that when the devil throws lemons at you, God Himself will make lemonade for you! After all, the Bible says that God works all things together for your good. (Romans 8:28)And He does it with style — He restores double for your trouble! Beloved, if you have lost a husband or wife through divorce, or a precious child through death, God can restore double to you, so that you end up having more than before, if not in quantity, then in quality!Consider Job in the Old Testament. When he lost everything, his wife told him to curse God and die. He refused and, instead, responded to God in faith, and “the Lord gave to Job twice as much as he had before”. (Job 42:10)When David lost the child he had with Bathsheba, he stopped pleading and started worshiping God because he trusted in the mercies of God. Later, God blessed David and Bathsheba with another son named Solomon, who became the wisest and richest king the world has ever known.Today, God promises to restore double for your trouble — “Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.” If He declared it, He will do it! So you cannot but have hope that things will be even better than before. That is why in the same verse, He calls you “prisoners of hope”. My friend, hope in the biblical sense means a confident expectation of good things happening in your life. You are a prisoner of that! You can’t help but wake up feeling hopeful. You can’t help but expect good things to happen to you!So when trouble comes from the devil, don’t give up and say, “It is hopeless!” Don’t worry or get angry. Worship God like David did and see that trouble as an opportunity for God to bless you with more than what you originally had. And because God has declared it, be confident that you will get double for your trouble!

Crown Of Thorns

2009-05-23T09:16:00.002+01:00

I have often wondered at the significance of Jesus wearing the crown of thorns. I always thought it was just a mockery by the Romans, but this is what Joseph Prince says on the subject.

If hard work is the formula for prosperity, then everyone who works hard should be prosperous. But this is certainly not the case. Many people who work very hard are still poor!I am not advocating laziness. What I am saying is that working hard by the sweat of your brow is not how God’s prosperity comes. In fact, if you have to work overtime all the time and are stressed out, you are probably operating under the curse.What curse is that? It is this curse: “In the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread…” (Genesis 3:19). And it refers to the stress, struggle and anxieties that come with working hard and yet producing little. Now, work itself is not a curse since God gave Adam work before the fall — Adam was to tend the garden of Eden. It was only after he sinned that the land was cursed and it brought forth thorns, and man had to toil to eat of it. (Genesis 3:17–18)But praise God, Jesus wore the thorns on His head to show you that He has borne this curse for you and redeemed you from it. He wore the crown of thorns so that you can work stress-free and yet have the results. You don’t have to be worried and stressed out day and night like the people of the world just to get ahead in life. Your heavenly Father can get you there without the worries and stress. (Matthew 6:31–33)Beloved, every curse that was supposed to fall on your head fell on Jesus’ head, typified by the crown of thorns. He wore the crown of thorns for you so that you can have peace of mind. He wore the crown of thorns for you and took your curse so that you can wear the crown of glory and take His righteousness, and all the benefits of that righteousness!Today, don’t labor and toil like the people of the world. Instead, expect to see the blessings of God come into your life without blood, sweat and tears because Jesus wore the crown of thorns for you!

Abundant God

2009-05-22T18:56:00.002+01:00

Today I went to Walsall sorting office to collect a package. Just as I got to the Post Office I prayed and asked Father it would be great to see someone I know. As I came out someone called my name. It was someone from college. My heart swelled because God answered, but it didn't stop there. I saw two more friends as I walked home and then I got a text message from another. God wants to super abundantly bless us and always wants to give more than we want to receive. He is interested in all of our lives not just parts of it and gives and gives and gives. It pleases Him to give to us and He wants us to take more of Him. I was so blessed by these four people today. They may not know how much an answer to a short prayer they were..unless they read this or I tell them.

Character Building

2009-05-19T23:04:00.006+01:00

The Holy Spirit reveals things to you when you least expect sometimes. I spent the morning yesterday listening to Joseph Prince teaching from Nehemiah and I was enjoying what he was revealing. I guess what it did was open my heart to the Spirit because in the afternoon while I was at work cleaning some home delivery crates (which I enjoy because it gives me a time of reflection during my busy working day) the Holy Spirit showed me what he wanted to do for me over the summer. I have heard it said of ministers (and probably anyone in a leadership role) that personality will get you somewhere but it's character that will keep you there. God wants to build character into us so we continue to walk with Him and do what He asks of us even when the going gets tough, when we feel lonely, when nothing around us seems to be working. He told me which scriptures to look at and I want to share these because it's important having just graduated from two years at Bible College that I continue to grow, relying on God and listening to the Spirit. The equipping is done but the work has yet to be started and I need to persevere in my studies and relationship with Him without relying on the atmosphere of college, the support of my fellow students and turn my life completely over to Him. Here is what He wanted to show me:
James 1: 2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
1 Peter 1: 3-7 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, [being] much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:2-8 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that [pertain] to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption [that is] in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, [you will be] neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He wants us to grow. Notice that God has already given us what we need and has imparted everything to us through the Spirit but we have responsibility to use what He has given and when we do we will grow and develop and become what He has called us to be. This is my remit for the summer, to learn to rely on Him for everything and to not look to men to meet the needs that only God can meet. Yes He uses people to get the blessing to us but we need to recognise the source of the blessing.
When Jesus spoke to Peter in Luke 22 about satan coming to sift him, Jesus did not pray for the problem to leave or for satan to stop but he prayed that Peter's faith would not fail. It didn't, and you can see from Peter's letter that he learned it and was able to pass on the same instruction knowing that from his own experience that the testing of his faith produced character. That character helped Peter endure and finish the work set before him. God wants the same for all His people. Not easy but if we are going to impact the world and change situations in our lives and in the lives of others it is a necessity.
So out of the frying pan and into the fire, but the Son of God is in the fire with us and we will come out not even smelling of smoke if we put our trust in Him.

The Law vs Grace

2009-05-19T22:57:00.003+01:00

This thought came to mind the other day as I was travelling in a 50 mph zone. If someone was doing 52 mph in the 50 mph zone and he was overtaken by someone doing 80 mph, which of them are in the wrong? Too many times we compare ourselves with others and yet we ignore the fact that ALL have fallen short of the standards of God. The bible says to compare ourselves with ourselves among ourselves is foolishness. Jesus is the standard and Jesus is the express image of God in the world. The bible says that if we break one part of the law then we have broken the whole law, we can't apply certain standards to ourselves and ignore the rest. Thank God that He is gracious and He does not hold any of our sins against us. When we call out to Him because we cannot keep His standards he forgives us all of our sins and cleanses us from all our iniquity. Just a thought.