Connecting to the world

Acts 10:44-48

2023-03-06T16:05:00.000+10:00

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening. 45 Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. 46 Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God. Peter said, 47 "These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them." 48 Peter ordered them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days.

How did the disciples know that the people in Cornelius’ household were filled with the Holy Spirit? Acts10:46. Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.

There are many examples of the baptism in the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. In almost every example there is one common experience either stated, or implied. When these early believers received the baptism in the Holy Spirit they began to praise God speaking in tongues. The gift of praying in the Spirit is given as a sign of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4 The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. This is the account of the first infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:17 says; - Everyone who believes me will be able to do wonderful things. By using my name they will force out demons, and they will speak new languages. 18 They will handle snakes and will drink poison and not be hurt. They will also heal sick people by placing their hands on them. “Try to do that without the Holy Spirit; it does not work. When we pray in the spirit we are using a language that we have not leaned with the mind. It is given by the Holy Spirit, but it is up to us to use our mouths to speak it out.

Romans 8:26-27; - 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

How can I pray in the Spirit, firstly you must be born again and you must be hungry for the fullness of the Spirit. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Ask to receive and expect to receive. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:13. Act in faith. Speak out in the spirit. It is a supernatural gift, it requires our Co-operation to speak it out.

The Indwelling Holy Spirit declares the truth about Christ (John 16:13-14) 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so ever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you. 15All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.

Endowers us with power for gospel proclamation (Acts 1:8) 8But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Pours out God’s love in our heart (Rom. 5:3-5) 3 but that is not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. 4 And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope 5 that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.

Makes intercession (Rom. 8:26) 26 in certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we do not know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.

Enables the fruit of holy living (Gal. 5:22-24) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. 25If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.

Strengthens the inner being (Eph. 3:14-21 with note on verse 16) 14 for this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. 16 I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, 17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, 18 so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. 19 Yes, may you come to know his love---although it can never be fully known---and so be completely filled with the very nature of God. 20 To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: 21 to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.

We can live the victories life in the Spirit

In the written Word, the Holy Spirit inspired men to record God's dealings with His people.

(2 Tim. 3:16 ;) 16Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. 17That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

(2 Pet. 1:21) 19 so we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the prophets. You will do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all else, however, remember that none of us can explain by ourselves a prophecy in the Scriptures. 21 For no prophetic message ever came just from the human will, but people were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God.

The New Testament understands the Holy Spirit to be the assurance of the risen Lord Jesus indwelling believers in salvation

Regenerates the believer (Titus 3:5) 5not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Sanctifies the believer (2 Thess. 2:13-15) 13 If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful. Christ cannot deny who he is." 14 Do not let anyone forget these things. And with God as your witness, you must warn them not to argue about words. These arguments do not help anyone. In fact, they ruin everyone who listens to them. 15 Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message.

Completely indwells the believer (Acts 2:1-4) 1 on the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. 3 Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. 4 The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

We are to focus on building up others, not ourselves. God does not want us to be in disorder, but in harmony and peace full of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Is my motivation fear or pleasure

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Many preachers believe the purpose of preaching is to explain the Bible, or to interpret the text, or to help people understand God’s Word. But these all fall short of what it really is. Paul gives us God’s purpose of preaching in Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV): “Christ gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Jeremiah 6:16 The LORD said to his people, "Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk in it, and you will live in peace."

But they said, "No, we will not!"

When the Lord has His day of vengeance, no sinners of any age or rank or of either sex will escape. Be careful not to set your mind (life) upon the world, and be carried away by the love of it. Judge your sin by God's word and do not give into it. Who are our worst and most dangerous enemies, those who flatter us in a sinful way! Pray that we are wise for our souls! Ask for the old paths; the way of godliness and righteousness has always been the way God has owned and blessed. Ask for the old paths in the written word of God. When you have found the good way, go in it, you will find abundance at your journey's end. But if you do not obey the voice of God and flee to his appointed Refuge, it will plainly appear at the Day of Judgment, that you are ruined because you reject God's word.

Jeremiah 31:31 The LORD says, "The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband to them, they did not keep that covenant. 33 The new covenant that I will make with the people of Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

The people of God shall become numerous and prosperous. The covenant made with the disciples of Jesus Christ is not a new law; for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it; but the law shall be written in their hearts by the Spirit. The Lord will, by his grace, make his people willing people in the day of his power. All shall know the Lord; all shall be welcome to the knowledge of God, and shall have the means of that knowledge. There shall be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, at the time the gospel is published. No man shall perish, but for his own sins; no one who is willing to accept of Christ's salvation will perish.

Romans 8:28 “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” Read Romans 8:28 to end of chapter.

Every Godly blessing leads to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking us off from sin, bringing us nearer to God, weaning us from the world, and fitting us for heaven. When the saints act out of character, corrections will be employed to bring them back again. And here is the order of the causes of our salvation, a golden chain, one which cannot be broken. 1. Whom he foreknows, he also did predestine to be conformed to the image of his Son. In this life we are in part renewed, and walk in his steps. 2. He called us from self and earth to God, and Christ, and heaven, as our end; from sin and vanity to grace and holiness, as our way. This is the gospel call. The love of God, ruling in the hearts of those who once were enemies to him, proves that they have been called according to his purpose. 3. Whom he called, them he also justified. No one is justified but those who are called - those who stand with the gospel call. 4. Whom he justified, them he also glorified. The power of corruption being broken in the calling, and the guilt of sin removed in justification, nothing can come between that soul and glory. This encourages our faith and hope; for, as for God, his way, his work, is perfect. The apostle speaks as one amazed, and swallowed up in admiration, wondering at the height and depth, and length and breadth, of the love of Christ, which passes all knowledge. The more we know of other things, the less we wonder; but the further we are led into gospel mysteries, the more we are affected by them. While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness.

So let us walk as great people – being fixed on things above and not on things below – there will always be strife on earth – let us as God’s people walk in His holiness.

Remember;-

Great minds discuss ideas;

Average minds discuss events,

Small minds discuss people.

I would like to finish tonight with a few thoughts for each of us;-

When living out your dreams, always remember what is most important.

It is not having everything go right; it can be facing what is going wrong;

It will not be without fear; most important is having the determination to go on;

It’s not where you are at; it’s the direction you are going in.

You will have bad moments; Remember you are bigger than moments and

God has equipped you with everything you need to overcome;

You cannot take away all injustices;

But you can rise above them to see the righteousness of the Christ in this world;

Remember to live this day and do not take todays troubles into tomorrow.

Everyday ends and brings exiting new things tomorrow. Love where the Lord has placed you

And be the best person you can be for God, and always remember God can make your dreams come true.

When I know the ministry I am shaped for, I will find - Fruitfulness and fulfillment

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"(God) has given... pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry,

So the body of Christ may be built up." Ephesians 4: 11-12

Ministry is in three directions: -

1. To the LORD (Acts 13:3)

2. To other BELIEVERS (Heb. 6:10)

3. To UNBELIEVERS (Matt. 5:13)

Church structure: -

The Elders, Deacons (church leaders) are the administers

The People are the ministers

Ministry is in three areas;

1. To peoples PHYSICAL needs

"(God says) I was hungry and you fed me, … thirsty and you gave me a drink… needed clothes and you clothed me… sick and you cared for me… in prison and you visited me… Whenever you have done this to the least person, you did it to me."

Matthew 25:35-36, 40

"If, as my representative, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42

2. To people's EMOTIONAL needs

"… Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14

3. To people's SPIRITUAL needs

"God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

2 Corinthians 5:18

"We proclaim Christ, counselling and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:28, 29

THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY

There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving. The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church. All of you together are the one Body of Christ and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

THE PRIORITY OF MINISTRY (Why should I be interested?)

1. I HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR MINISTRY!

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

2. I HAVE BEEN SAVED FOR MINISTRY!

"It is He who saved us and chose us for his holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was his plan long before the world began…” 2 Timothy 1:9

"We are saved to serve!"

3. I HAVE BEEN CALLED INTO MINISTRY!

"God, in his grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him." Galatians 1:15

"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ephesians 4:1

"… You have been chosen by God himself – you are priests of the King… you are God's very own – all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of darkness into his wonderful light! Once you were less than nothing, now you are God's own!" 1 Peter 2:9-10

"… You will serve as holy priests…” 1 Peter 2:5

I am not who I think I am

I am not who you think I am

However, I really am who God says I am!

A LIFE CHANGING TRUTH IS MY PRIMARY IDENTITY

I AM A MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST!

4. I HAVE BEEN GIFTED FOR MINISTRY!

"God has given each of you some social abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessing." 1 Peter 4:10

5. I HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED FOR MINISTRY!

"(Jesus said) All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples…” Matthew 28:18-19

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors…” 2 Corinthians 5:20

6. I AM COMMANDED TO MINISTRY!

"(Jesus) your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve…” Matthew 20:28 "(To Archippus) take heed to the ministry you've received from the Lord and fulfil it."

Colossians 4:17

7. I AM TO BE PREPAIRED FOR MINISTRY!

"God gave pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry so that the body of Christ may be built up…" Ephesians 4:11-1

8. THE BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS MY MINISTRY!

"All of you together are the one body of Christ and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

Ministry always functions in the context of the CHURCH FAMILY

"When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said, `The harvest is great but the workers are few. Ask the Lord to send our workers into his harvest field.'“ Matthew 9:36-37

9. I AM ACCOUNTABLE FOR MY MINISTRY!

"So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:12

The Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:14-30

10. I WILL BE REWARDED FOR MY MINISTRY!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”

Colossians 3:23, 24

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!” Matthew 25:23

The Habit of Prayer

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(Romans 12:12) Talking with God; Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.

a. Approach prayer with the right attitude

Matthew 6:

Verses 5 and 6: “When you pray do not be like the hypocrites! They love to stand up and pray in the houses of worship and on the street corners, so that everyone will see them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.”

b. Use the model Jesus gave us.

verses 7 and 8: “When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that God will hear them because their prayers are long. Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask Him.

c. Begin prayer by praising God.

Our Father in heaven:

May Your holy name be honoured (Matthew 6:9b)

Adoration - Praising God for who He is

Thanksgiving - Praising God for what He has done

Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise,

Give thanks to Him and praise Him. (Psalm 100:4)

Some examples from the Bible of Gods character to help us praise Him

'I, the LORD, am not easily angered, and I show great love and faithfulness and forgive sin and rebellion. Yet I will not fail to punish children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for the sins of their parents.' Numbers 14:18

God is our protector; “No one is holy like the Lord; there is none like Him, no protector like our God.” (1Samuel 2:2)

God loves; Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8)

Praise is the basis for our boldness in making request in prayer.

God answers the prayers that acknowledge who He is!

d. Prayer is to have purpose.

Matthew 6

Verse 10 “May Your Kingdom come; may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Pray for God’s will to be done...in my family...my church.... my ministry...my job...my future...my town...my nation...in the entire world.

“So then, my brothers, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect.” (Romans 12: 1-2)

e. Prayer is to ask for God’s provision.

Matthew 6; Verse 11 “Give us today the food we need.”

What can I pray about? All my needs

And with all His abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.

(Philippians 4:19)

In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? Certainly not God, who did not even keep back His own Son, but offered Him for us all! He gave us His Son - will He not also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)

You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill; you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it. (James 4:2)

The key to getting things is to ask God!

Write down your request, claim them with the promises from the Bible, and expect an answer!

Write them in your prayer book so you remember to always prayer for them

Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart. (Philippians 4:6)

f. Prayer is to ask for God’s pardon.

Matthew 6 Verse 12 “Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us.”

Steps to Forgiveness

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal every sin in my life.

Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Confess each sin to God.

You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. (Proverbs 28:13)

Make peace with others when necessary. Repentance is the key to a fruitful life.

So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.

(Matthew 5:23-24)

By faith, ask for God’s forgiveness.

But if we confess our sins to God, He will keep His promise and do what is right: He will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. (1 John 1:9)

g. Prayer is for others.

Matthew 6

Verse 12 “Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us.”

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgiving be offered to God for all people. (1Timothy 2:1)

To learn how to pray for others: read Ephesians 1:15-20; Colossians 1:3-13;

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Be a prayer partner by

Make a prayer list of people you want to pray for

h. Prayer is for protection.

Matthew 6

Verse 13 “Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the evil one.”

Christians face a spiritual battle everyday.

The tempter wants to defeat you through temptation and fear.

By praying for protection, you will have the confidence to face every situation during the day.

But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world. (1 John 4:4)

The habit of Fellowship.

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Hebrews 10:25. Being a committed team for God; Fellowship with believers in a small group or small church.

n Participating in God’s Family

Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer. (Hebrews 10:25)

Why is Fellowship so Important?

1. I belong in God’s Family with other Believers.

So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith. (Galatians 6:10)

So then, you gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now fellow citizens with God’s people and members of the family of God. (Ephesians 2:19)

In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body (Romans 12:5)

Important

v Christians who are not committed to a fellowship as active members in worship, praying, serving each other, and tithing are not obedient to the Lord. ‘They are most definitely not in the will of God. It does not matter how vocal he or she may be in their knowledge of scripture they are not obeying the Lord.

2. I need other Christians to grow spiritually.

Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.

(Hebrews 10:24)

Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it’s just too bad, because there is no one to help him. If it is cold, two can sleep together and stay warm, but how can you keep warm by yourself? Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

3. I need encouragement to grow spiritually.

People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs 27:17)

Instead, in order that none of you be deceived by sin and become stubborn, you must help one another every day, as long as the word “Today” in scripture applies to us. (Hebrews 3:13)

My brothers, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too. Help carry one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2)

4. Christ is present when we fellowship together.

For where two or three come together in My name, I am there with them. (Matthew 18:20)

5. There is cooperation when people pray together.

And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)

6. Fellowship is a witness to the world.

I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they be one, so that the world will believe that You sent Me. (John 17:21)

7. I am a servant to every other Christian.

Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God. (1Peter 4:10)

There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served.

All of you are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it. (1Corinthians 12:5 and 27)

The “0ne Another’s’ of Fellowship

A. Serve one another Galatians 5:13

B. Accept one another Romans 15:7

C. Forgive one another Colossians 3:13

D. Greet one another Romans 16:16

E. Bear one another’s burdens Galatians 6:2

F. Be devoted to one another Romans 12:10

G. Honour one another Romans 12:10

H. Teach one another Romans 15:14

I. Submit to one another Ephesians 5:21

J. Encourage one another 1 Thessalonians 5:11

K. But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling.

L. Keep yourself in training for a godly life. (1Timothy 4:7)

The purpose of Spiritual Maturity

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Ephesians 4:14-15

Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful men, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, Who is the head.

Misconceptions about Spiritual Growth

Ø Growth is automatic: "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again." Hebrews 5:12

".. .Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13

ü The truth is that Spiritual growth is intentional.

Ø Growth is mystical and intended for a few: “But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a Godly life.” 1Timothy 4:

ü Truth: Spiritual maturity is available to all believers but there are no shortcuts!

Ø Growth is instant

ü The truth is that Spiritual growth is a process that takes time.

Ø Growth is only knowledge: "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." James 2:18

"For though once your heart was full of darkness, now it is full of light from the Lord, and your behaviour should show it" Ephesians 5:8

"You will know them by their fruits." Matt. 7:16

ü The truth is that Spiritual maturity is demonstrated more by how you act than by what you know.

Ø Growth is only personal: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good works. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." Hebrews 10:24-25

"For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." I John 4:20

ü The truth is that Spiritual maturity requires family-like relationships

Ø Growth is through study only

ü The truth is that Spiritual maturity requires all the purposes of God in your life.

Spiritual growth begins with a commitment, is a gradual process, involves developing habits, and is stimulated by the relationships that you find in the church.

So a great commitment to the Greatest Commandment and Great Commission will produce a Great Christian

".. .Your faith in God has become known everywhere." 1 Thessalonians 1:8

"Any of you who doe’s not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33

u Disciples are known by what they are committed to

To grow up in every way to Christ takes commitment to the habits necessary for Spiritual Growth

“But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.” (2Peter 3:18)

u So what is “Spiritual Maturity”?

“And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God: we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ’s full stature.” Ephesians 4:13

u Spiritual maturity is being like Christ.

“Those whom God has already chosen He also set apart to become like His Son, so that the Son would be the first among many brothers. And so those whom God set apart, He called: and those He called, He put right with Himself, and He shared His glory with them.” Romans 8:29-30

u Spiritual Maturity is not a gift.

“There has been enough time for you to be teachers- yet you still need someone to teach you the first lessons of God’s message. Instead of eating solid food, you still have to drink milk. Anyone who has to drink milk is still a child, without any experience in the matter of right and wrong.” Hebrews 5:12-13

u Spiritual Growth is intentional

Spiritual Maturity takes DISCIPLINE: “But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling.

Keep yourself in training for a godly life.” 1Timothy 4:7

u We become what we are committed to

FEATURE ARTICLE - 10 MYTHS ABOUT REDEFINING MARRIAGE

2015-06-14T09:21:00.000+10:00

AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

FEATURE ARTICLE - 10 MYTHS ABOUT REDEFINING MARRIAGE

by Peter Sprigg, Senior Fellow for Family Policy Studies at Family Research Council.

As the battle to defend traditional marriage hots up in Australia, as Christians we need to have it very clear in our mind as to why we oppose changing the definition of marriage to exclude same-sex marriage. This article brings responds to the arguments put forward by those intent on establishing "marriage equality" and why they are false. We trust it will empower more Christians to take a stand in defence of traditional marriage, particularly in writing to our parliamentary representatives to put forward our views. Advocates of redefining "marriage" to include same-sex couples use a number of arguments that can best be described as "myths." The reality is often quite different. For example:

MYTH: A "one man and one woman" definition imposes a religious definition of marriage on civil society.

REALITY: The definition of marriage is rooted in nature itself. The sexual union of a man and a woman is what reproduces the human race. The durable commitment of that man and woman to one another is what provides children with a mother and father. This is important for people of any religion or of no religion.

MYTH: Children don't actually need both a mother and a father.

REALITY: An overwhelming body of social science evidence demonstrates that children raised by their own mother and father, who are committed to one another in a lifelong marriage, are happier, healthier and more prosperous than children raised in any other household setting.

MYTH: Marriage can't be about procreation, because infertile couples are allowed to marry.

REALITY: Laws are based on the rule, not the exception. While not all heterosexual couples do reproduce, it is indisputable that only heterosexual couples can do so naturally. No homosexual couples can do so. That fact provides a clear bright line for limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples.

MYTH: Legalizing homosexual "marriage" would have no effect on other marriages and families.

REALITY: "The law is a teacher," and if we change the definition of marriage we will change what we teach about all marriages and families. For example:

. We would teach-wrongly-that procreation is no longer a uniquely important public interest.

. We would teach-wrongly-that children do not need a mother and a father.

. We would teach that adult desires, not the interests of society or the needs of children, should drive the definition of marriage.

MYTH: Defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman is "discrimination."

REALITY: Every individual has the same access to marriage, but no one has been permitted to marry a child, a close blood relative, a person who is already married, or (through most of human history) a person of the same sex. Removing the last restriction would cast doubt on all the others.

MYTH: Homosexual relationships are the same as heterosexual ones.

REALITY: Research shows that homosexuals are less likely to enter into long-term partnerships, be sexually faithful, or have relationships last a lifetime. Legal recognition of same-sex unions in Scandinavia has led to a weakening of society's commitment to marriage across the board.

MYTH: Homosexuals suffer serious harm because they're denied the "protections" of marriage.

REALITY: Many of these "protections" are already available to same-sex couples through the use of private contractual arrangements, such as wills, durable power of attorney, health care proxies, and life insurance policies.

MYTH: Homosexuals are unable to care for their own children if they cannot "marry."

REALITY: A biological parent has the same rights whether the individual is heterosexual or homosexual. States, if they choose to, can provide for homosexual couples to adopt children without changing the definition of marriage. However, recent research shows that children of homosexual parents suffer significant disadvantages. It is not in children's interest for society to actively affirm a family structure that may harm them.

MYTH: Laws "banning same-sex marriage" are the same as the old laws that banned interracial marriage.

REALITY: It is actually the supporters of homosexual "marriage" who resemble the opponents of interracial marriage. Both groups sought to exploit the marriage laws in pursuit of a social goal irrelevant to marriage. Neither racial segregation (in the one case) nor the social affirmation of homosexual conduct (in the other) was or is related to the basic public purpose of marriage, which is promoting responsible procreation and the rearing of children in the optimal family setting.

MYTH: Legalizing homosexual "marriage" would not affect anyone's religious liberty or conscience rights.

REALITY: All taxpayers, consumers and businesses would be forced to provide allowances for homosexual relationships, whether they want to or not. Schools would teach children that homosexual relationships are an option fully equivalent to heterosexual ones, even in opposition to parental teaching. Faith-based organizations and individuals would be forced to compromise their beliefs, or be punished or driven from the public square.

As Australian Parliamentarians consider the arguments on whether people of the same-sex should have the "right" to marry, they-and the public-should be wary of falling for these myths.

THE four most important Spiritual Habits

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Putting Christ first in my Time, Relationships, Money and prayer to worship God

Time alone with God each day. The habit of a daily time with God (Reading God’s Word)
James 1:22 & 25. Personal Bible reading and prayer each day. Mark 1:35, James 1:25 and Romans 12:12
The habit of Fellowship Hebrews 10:25. Being a committed team for God. Fellowship with

believers in a small group and church.

4. The habit of Tithing; revealing our heart to God and giving to invest in the future through a weekly tithe to God 1Corinthians 16:2; 2Corinthians 8:7; Matthew 6:19-21. 1Timothy 6:18-19 and

2Corinthians 9:6

The habit of Prayer Romans 12:12.

By developing these four habits we will; -

1.Know the Word of God

2.Have the mind of God

3.Have the heart of God

4.Do all to the glory of God

5.Have the character of God

Mature Believers are called Disciples:I cannot be a Disciple without being disciplined

The more disciplined I become the more God can use me. Jesus said, “Whoever does not carry his

own cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

So Jesus said to those who believed in Him, “If you obey my teaching you are my disciples; you will

know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Attitudes of Disciples

1. They confess their sin to be open daily to hear God's Word. “So get rid of every filthy habit and all

wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the Word that He plants in your hearts, which is able to

save you.” James1:21

2. They do not get so preoccupied with life’s problems and distractions that they do not hear God Word. “That is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away.” Hebrews 2:1

3. They are serious and act on what they hear and learn. They are not superficial.

“Do not deceive yourself by just listening to His word; instead, put it into practice.” James 1:22

4. They memorise God’s Word. “Do what I say and you will live! Be as careful to follow My teaching as you are to protect your eyes. Keep My teaching with you all the time; write it on your heart.” Proverbs 7:2-3

It helps to resist temptation. Psalm 119:11
It helps to make wise decisions. Psalm 119:105
It strengthens when there is stress. Psalm 119:49
It comforts us when we are sad. Jeremiah 15:16
It helps us to witness to unbelievers 1Peter 3:15

5. They meditate on God’s Word “I remember the days gone by

I think about all that You have done, I bring to mind all Your deeds. Psalm 143:5

This is: -

The key to maturing to be like Christ. Proverbs 4:23
The key to answered prayer. John15:7
The key to successful living. Joshua 1:8
Meditate on God’s Word to Apply God’s Word
Disciples read the Word and Hear the Word

Ephesians 4

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This chapter of this letter is an encouragement to walk as a Christian. Paul was now a prisoner at Rome; and he was the prisoner of the Lord, or in the Lord. Considering what God has done for us, we should walk to approve ourselves as good citizens of the kingdom of God, and live up to our profession and calling; We walk according to the grace that God has brought us with. We are called to God's kingdom and glory; and we must keep this in mind, and walk as heirs of the Kingdom.

Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. We walk as Abraham did, before God by lowliness, understanding humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men slow to anger, and not easily to be provoked or offended. We are not to walk in the offence which is one of the sins choking the church today. We are to walk as people of victory not as victims. As we walk this way we will find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive ourselves; so we will not find it hard to forgive others. There is one Christ in whom all believers hope, and one heaven they are all hoping for; so we should be of one heart. They had all one faith, one object, one Author of our nature and power. We are to believe the same as to the great truths of God; We have all been admitted into the church by one baptism, with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the sign of regeneration. In all believers God the Father dwells, as in his holy temple, by his Spirit and special grace. Without this grace this would not be possible – man does not have the ability to restore himself apart from God – however with God we have all the ability; Applying this ability is by our own will. Without God we have no ability to live by the law; with God we have all the ability to live perfectly by the law. Abraham walked in fellowship with; He did things with God; this is what life is to be all about; living with God.

To every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given from Christ to every one who lives as God's child. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. The gift to love to be disciplined by God. There is a fullness in Christ, and a measure of that fullness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we never come to the perfect measure until we come to heaven. God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the child's growth should bring the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love of God grounded and rooted in his heart.

The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Christ and lord, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vainness and carnal affections, walking in the vanity of their minds? We need all the more today to distinguish between real and nominal Christians. They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They dislike and hate a life of holiness, which is the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live with him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness. The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in the Lord Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of different parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but give them more misery; and bring them destruction in the end. These must be put off, as an old filthy garment.

But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forward by God's almighty power not man vainness and corrupt ways.

Notice the particulars we should live with. Take control of every thing that is contrary to truth. No longer flatter or deceive others. God's people are children who will not lie, who hate lying. Take control of anger and uncontrolled passions. If there is an occasion to express displeasure at what is wrong, or to approve of what is right, do this without sin. We give permission to the devil, when the first thoughts or actions of sin are carnal; when we consent to them; and when we repeat an evil deed. This teaches that sin, if given into, lets in the devil in and we are not able to resist evil. We need to understand that anger is an emotion that is God given and at times we will use it. However we need to control it as well.

Idleness makes trouble for us and exposes us to temptations and keeps us from doing good. We need to keep busy and live live honestly so we can give to others what God wants for them.. What then must we think of those called Christians, who grow rich by fraud, oppression, and deceitful practices! Give to be accepted by God and what we give must not be gained by unrighteousness and robbery, but by honesty and work. God hates offerings not earned by honesty and our own work. They are someone else gift to give.

Filthy words come from corruption (sin) in the speaker, and they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of all such actions. It is the duty of all Christians by the blessing of God, to bring people to think seriously about their life, and to encourage and warn believers by their conversation. Be kind one to another. This sets the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Mark how God's forgiveness causes us to forgive. God forgives us. We must forgive, as he has forgiven us. All lying, and corrupt talk, that stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt passions of bitterness, wrath, anger, lustfulness, evil-speaking, and malice, grieve the Holy Spirit. The last thing we need is for the Holy Spirit to withdraw His presence and his gracious influences. The Lord's plea is that your salvation is used to build the nature of Godliness in you.

The Great Multitude Christian Daily Devotional and Daily Verse Written by Members Worldwide. Inspired by Revelations 7:9-12.

2015-02-19T13:19:00.000+10:00

FaithWriters Great Multitude Christian Daily Devotional

You Are Not That Important-by Buife Nomeh

"The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying, Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you." (Jeremiah 31:3, Amp.)

The author of a book I read late last year wrote that he'd built the habit of constantly reminding himself that he was not that important or special enough for God to break His words or promises in and for his life. Now, that's eye-popping!

The Word of God says that God hates sin (Proverbs 6:16-19); yes, including that lie you told yesterday or the anger you felt this
morning, but He loves you. Let me repeat. God hates the sin we commit, but He loves us. Despite the fact that God loves us, He cannot and will not condone our sins!

We are not that important for God to break His heart of everlasting love for us nor are we special enough for Him to begin to "have a thing" for sin because it is we (whom He loves) who commit them. No. There is a "balance" though.

"If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]." (I John 1:9,Amp.)

Buife is a Christian blogger who believes in and loves to share the knowledge of God's love with others. Contact

Place Devotional on Your Site or Blog- Find Christian Articles and Writers - Free Reads for Reviews - LEARN ABOUT JESUS - Free Highly Rated E-Book on Evidence for God's Existence and Identity

http://www.faithwriters.com/devotional.html

Living in God's world

2015-01-13T17:40:00.000+10:00

Acts 2:42

God expects us as believers to practice some exercises – excercises that happen to train believers.
We have communion to remember what God has done for us.
Why read the Bible? To know God. If you are going to help someone at work, if you make friends, are married you need to get to know them.
Don't do what Man wants, do what God wants. Reading Bible is not to gain knowledge about God, but to know God - relationship. Abraham was a friend of God. This is what we want to be.
Learn about God and learn about fellowship. Fellowship- get to know each other's heart. The things that tick you off and the things that don't.
Breaking of Bread - to remember what God has done for us. Prayer - (like the walkie talkie). How you live your life and how you talk with God. Everything you say goes up to God. He hears it all.

What is this verse describing?

The Church.

What Can We Learn From Our ANZAC Forefather’s

2014-11-26T19:14:00.003+10:00

Courage!

“I will at least have laid down my life for you and my country, which is the greatest privilege one can ask for.” (G. McCrae Aust. Light Horse 1916)

One would have to admit that today’s society is more than a bit lacking when it comes to anything requiring courage. We live in the ‘anxiety society’ – fear is rampant today, in fact it’s in plague proportions.
Indeed our modern world seems to breed fear, we are threatened by everything from Muslim terrorists flying planes into New York buildings, to the latest disease such as ebola, swine flu and AIDS. Not to mention global warming, nuclear reactor meltdowns, tsunamis, earthquakes, lunatic Middle Eastern despots threatening nuclear war or the elimination of Israel. There are problems with the sun, the water we drink, the food we eat, the earth is either warming up or cooling down (depending who you listen to) and on top of that we have a huge rise in crime, drugs, family breakdown and the biggest financial disaster since the Great Depression. The word ‘terror’ is almost a daily byword in many news reports, yet it rarely raises an eyebrow. Soon we have to invent new superlatives to generate a higher degree of fear. We grow up fearing everything from war to dying alone, going bankrupt to being sued, being mugged, shot by a criminal bikie, blown up or being beheaded by a crazy terrorist! We fear losing our jobs to losing our minds, everything in and on our bodies from the mole on our back to any strange pain. We pop pills and drugs more than any other generation. Yet fear is considered normal today, in actual fact, according to News magazine; “Ordinary children today are more fearful than psychiatric patients were in the 1950s”.

Even more sadly, some churches actually add to the problem by prophecying and preaching doom and gloom! So what can we learn from our ANZAC forefathers that could possibly be relevant today? Perhaps courage and mateship would be a good place to start. I believe the words to the song ‘Here’s to the Heroes’ sums up the debt we owe to our ANZAC forefathers.

Here’s To The Heroes By Barry, John/Black, Don

Here’s to the heroes, Those few who dare,

Heading for glory, Living a prayer.

Here’s to the heroes, Who change our lives.

Thanks to the heroes, Freedom survives.

Here’s to the heroes Who never rest.

They are the chosen, We are the blessed.

Here’s to the heroes, Who aim so high.

Here’s to the heroes Who do or die.

Col Stringer Ministries
http://www.colstringer.com/

Giving to the Lord

2014-11-26T18:52:00.002+10:00

Each of us needs to develop a relationship with God – that way we develop the heart of God..
A scriptural example of this is found in 2 Corinthians 8 where Paul is talking about the churches in Macedonia says to the Corinthians in verse 1 "we make known to you the GRACE OF GOD bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:" that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality (generosity).
The Macedonian churches TRUSTED GOD. They were only able to do this through the grace of God bestowed upon them and then as it says (in verse 5) "first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God". Paul is using the Macedonian churches' giving as an example to the Corinthians.
Paul exhorts the Corinthian church 2 Cor 9:4 "to prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.
May I exhort you (I'm preaching to myself as well) to seek the Lord about what you should give (not on Sunday morning, but during the week when you are having your devotions with the Lord) and as Paul says to the Corinthian church in 2 Cor 9:7 "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver". The desires and the purposes of your heart are; I believe; placed there by God as you develop your relationship with HIM. There is a promise from God in this form of giving in the next verse. 8 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" also in Verse 10 where it says "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.”
Paul’s wrote in Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." What a wonderful example from our God.
Thank You Jesus

About God

2014-11-15T10:50:00.000+10:00

How can I know?

God’s Warning

The Lord tells us that many people are going to be lost, only few are going to be saved. In Matthew 7:13-14 He says, "Enter by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it".
Now this should get your attention. According to the Bible the majority of people will be lost. Sadly the majority of people still walk the wide road of sin into eternal damnation. We must take this warning from God at face value. The Lord says only a few people will be saved.

So how few can few be?

In 1 Peter 3:20 (KJV) we read, "When once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water." The conservative estimate of the number of people on the face of the earth in the days of Noah is two hundred million (200,000,000) people. But only eight (8) out of the estimated two hundred million (200,000,000) were saved - Not very good odds.

Even though the Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is "not willing that any should perish". Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 concerning eternal life in Heaven that "there are few who find it". The vast majority of people will spend forever and ever in the eternal fires of Hell that will never be extinguished. Why? The vast majority of people are not really interested in going to Heaven, but you are or you wouldn't be here or you wouldn’t be concerned about your eternal salvation.

There are only two roads to eternity and we are on either one or the other. According to what the Lord says, only few will make it to Heaven, but the vast majority will be lost in eternal punishment. This is both frightening and sad. There are some things we need to be selfish about, this is one of them. I certainly want to be among the few who are saved, don’t you? We make the choice ourselves as to where we will spend eternity. We are free agents. This is how we differ from the animals. We have been made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26 says, "Then God said let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness". Also in Genesis 2:7 we read, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul". Yes, we posses a soul that will live forever and ever in either Heaven or Hell.

God does not want anyone to be lost, but the choice is ours. In 2 Peter 3:9 we read, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance". God does not want us to go into eternal punishment. He is not going to force us to serve Him; otherwise we would be mere robots. That is important to understand.

1 Timothy 2:4 says concerning God, "Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth". It is God’s will that all be saved, but we know that is not going to happen. Only few are going to be saved in Heaven and the majority are going to be lost forever in Hell.

Also, as the verse says, before we can be saved, we must "come to the knowledge of the truth." Jesus says in John 8:32, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." What is the truth that will make us free? In John 17:17 Jesus says, "Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth." So only the instructions contained in the word of God is the truth that will make us free so that we can go to heaven. Even though we can see the creator God in all the earth – yet we still need to know the truth. The truth is not information – it is the source of all knowledge – knowing God.

What is your eternal destiny?

If you miss Heaven, you will be thrown into the eternal fires of Hell. One of the saddest things about going to Hell is the fact that it could have been avoided. The majority of people will be lost in spite of what the Lord has done. A person who goes to Hell is his own worst enemy. Hell is not what God does to us, but Hell is what we do to ourselves. If one ends up in Hell, he only has himself to blame.

Nehemiah 1:1-11

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Nehemiah was the Persian king's cup-bearer. When God has work to do, he will never want instruments to do it with. Nehemiah lived at ease, and in honour, but does not forget that he is an Israelite, and that his people are in distress. He was ready to do them all the good he could; and that he might know how best to do them good, he makes inquiries about them.

Point one: We should inquire especially concerning the state of the church and the gospel. Every Jerusalem on this side of heavenly will have some defect, which will require the help and services of its friends. Nehemiah's first application was to God, that he might have the fuller confidence in his application to the king. Our best pleas in prayer are taken from the promise of God, the word on which he has caused us to hope. Other means must be used, but fervent prayer of a righteous man is what is needed most.

Point two: Communion with God will best prepare us for our dealings with men. When we have intrusted our concerns to God, the mind is set at liberty; it feels satisfaction and composure with all the difficulties

Point three: Through grace, faith had set up the altar, and the Gentiles had had nothing to do with it, except by the voluntary service God had placed in them; but when the city is to be rebuilt, it is the governor appointed by the Gentiles who holds the prominent place, God having touched the heart of these Gentiles leads them to favour His people. We see in Nehemiah himself a heart touched with the affliction of his people, a precious token of the grace of God; and He who had produced this feeling has the king's heart to grant Nehemiah all he desired for the good of the people and of Jerusalem.

Some biblical scholars believe Nehemiah was a priest. They refer to the author of the Maccabees, 2 Macc. 1: we are told that he offered sacrifice.

Nehemiah's station at the court of Persia was as the king's cup-bearer. Kings and great men probably looked upon it as a piece of state to be attended by those of other nations. By this place at court he would be the better qualified for the service of his country in that post for which God had designed him - a place of great trust, as well as of honour and profit. Nehemiah can teach about being humble and modest, and slow to speak of our own importance.

1. That when God has work to do, he will never want instruments to do it with.

2. That those whom God designs to employ in his service will find out proper ways both to be fit for it and the call to it.

3. That God has his remnant in all places; even in king’s palaces.

4. That God can make the courts of princes sometimes nurseries and sometimes sanctuaries to the friends and patrons of the church's cause.

The holy seed was miserably trampled on and abused, in great affliction and reproach, insulted upon at all occasions by their neighbours, and filled with the scorning of those that were didn’t care that the holy city was exposed and in ruins. The wall of Jerusalem was still broken down, and the gates were, as the Chaldeans left them, in ruins. This made the condition of the inhabitants both very despicable under the abiding marks of poverty and slavery, and very dangerous, for their enemies might when they pleased make an easy prey of them.

The temple was built, the government settled, and a work of reformation brought to some head, but here was one good work yet undone; this was still wanting. This is the security of God’s people – this is another reminder to today’s Church of this responsibility.

ROMANS 7:23 – 8:6

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There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus Rom-7:23. Waring against the law of the mind; burden and grief to the soul as the worst drudgery and captivity could be. I give my life to the Lord Jesus and it brings me into captivity. (Rom-7:25), with the flesh I serve the law of sin; that is, the corrupt nature, the unregenerate part, is continually working towards sin. Rom-7:24, O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? This is the body of death; either the body of flesh, which is a mortal dying body (while we carry this body about with us, we shall be troubled with corruption; when we are dead, we shall be freed from sin, and not before), or the body of sin, the old man, the corrupt nature, which leads to death, that is, to the ruin of the soul. (Heb-9:14), original corruption is a dead body. It was as troublesome to Paul as if he had had a dead body tied to him, which he must have carried about with him. This made him cry out, O wretched man that I am! A man that had learned in every state to be content yet complains of his corrupt nature. Yet Paul, would have said, “O blessed man that Iam, an ambassador of Christ, a favourite of heaven, a spiritual father of thousands!” But in his own account he was a wretched man, because of the corruption of nature. Yet he complains who shall deliver me? He speaks like one that was sick of it; that would give anything to be rid of it, looks to the right hand and to the left for some friend that would part between him and his corruptions. The remainders of indwelling sin are a very grievous burden to a gracious soul. 2. What he comforts himself with: The case was sad, but there were some allays. Three things comforted him: - (1.) His conscience witnessed for him that he had righteousness in him. The rule of this righteousness which he had was the law of God, to which he here speaks of having a threefold regard, which is certainly to be found in all that are sanctified. [1.] I consent unto the law that it is good, Rom-7:16, I give my vote to the law: Wherever there is grace there is not only a dread of the severity of the law, but consent to the goodness of the law. “It is a good in itself, it is good for me.” This is a sign that the law is written in the heart, that the soul is delivered into the mould of it. To consent to the law is so far to approve of it. It is the greatest honour and happiness we are capable of. [2.] I delight in the law of God in my inward man, Rom-7:22. His conscience bears witness to complacency in the law. He did herein concur in affection with all the saints. All those are born again delight in the law of God delight to know it, to do it - cheerfully submit to the authority of it, and take a comfort in that submission, never better pleased than when heart and life are in the strictest conformity to the law and will of God. The soul is the inward man; it is the renewing of the inward man, 2Co-4:16. (3.) His great comfort lay in Jesus Christ (Rom-7:25): I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. In the midst of his complaints Paul breaks out into praises. It is a special remedy against fears and sorrows to be much in praise: many a poor soul has found it so. And, in all our praises, this should be the burden of the son, “Blessed be God for Jesus Christ.” Who shall deliver me? (Rom-7:24), (for, as Jesus is the mediator of all our prayers, so he is of all our praises) - to bless God for Christ; it is he who stands between us and the wrath due to us for this sin. If it were not for Christ, this iniquity that dwells in us would certainly be our ruin. He is our advocate with the Father, and through him God pardons us. It is Christ that has purchased deliverance for us in due time. Through Christ death will put an end to all these complaints, and waft us to an eternity which we shall spend without sin. Blessed be God that gives us this victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! If Christ be in you, the Spirit is in you, Christ is in you. He dwells in the heart by faith, Eph-3:17. “And I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love” Now we are here told what becomes of the bodies and souls of those in whom Christ is. The body is a frail, mortal and is dying; it is a house of clay, whose foundation is in the dust. The spirit, the precious soul, that is life; it is now spiritually alive When you are born again you do not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear “There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus” 1. How we come by these privileges - the privilege of justification, that there is no condemnation to us - the privilege of sanctification, that we walk after the Spirit, and not after the flesh, which is no less our privilege than it is our duty. 2. The law could not do it, Rom-8:3. It could neither justify nor sanctify, neither free us from the guilt nor from the power of sin, having not the promises either of pardon or grace. The law made nothing perfect: It was weak. Yet that weakness was not through any defect in the law, but through the flesh, through the corruption of human nature, by which we became incapable either of being justified or sanctified by the law. We had become unable to keep the law, and it left us as it found us. Heb-10:4. 3. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus does it, Rom-8:2. The covenant of grace made with us in Christ is a treasury of merit and grace, and thence we receive pardon and a new nature, are freed from the law of sin and death, that is, both from the guilt and power of sin - from the course of the law, and the dominion of the flesh. 4. Observe how we may answer to this character, Rom-8:5, etc. By looking to our minds. How may we know whether we are after the flesh or after the Spirit? By examining what we think about, the things of the flesh or the things of the spirit. Carnal pleasure, worldly profit and honour, the things of sense and time, are the things of the flesh, which cannot be regenerated. The favour of God the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity; are the things of the Spirit, those that are after the Spirit. The man is as the mind is. The mind is the forge of thoughts. “As he thinks in his heart, so is he,” Pro-23:7. Which way do the thoughts move with most pleasure? On what do they dwell with the most satisfaction? The mind is the seat of wisdom.

Do we remember a baby Christ?

2012-12-24T23:02:00.001+10:00

The lord came and lived here on earth and ministered to people. Some loved Him - some did not love Him.
No matter what think of Christ, He lived and ministered the Father's love. In the western world today we are in great need of the Father's love. The enemy has stolen the idenity of many men today - even among Godly men the temption to fill our lives with all sorts of ideas, instead of God's Word - To know the purpose of our life.

The Lord left instruction to remember His death - In His death He fullfilled the requirement of the Law for all time. He did not ask us to celebrate His birth - the baby grew into a man to fullfill His purpose for coming to earth.

The only way we find the purpose of our lives is to surrender our life to the Lord Jesus Christ - to the man who died upon a cross.

The Change That Changes

2012-09-14T12:45:00.004+10:00

Several years ago Keith Miller wrote a book, A Second Touch, in which he tells about a twelve year old boy who had a conversation with his dad. The boy was unhappy and resentful. He had no friends. He was having trouble in school. He thought his classmates were the problem and they needed to change.

This young boy noticed a change in his father. He wanted to talk to his father about it. His dad replied, “Well, son, I was making a mess out of my life. A big mess, and I decided to let God take it over and to show me how to live it.” And then he said, “I don’t know how else to say it, except to say that it has made all the difference in the world to me.”

That boy said to his father, “Dad, I think I would like to do that too.”

Then an interesting thing happened. The father was out of town for a couple of weeks. When he returned home from his business trip, his twelve year old son met him at the airport. As they were walking through the concourse the young man said something extremely perceptive and true. He said, “Dad, do you know what God has done?” “No,” said the father, “what has God done?” The boy said with a big smile on his face, “Dad, God has changed every kid in my class!”

It is very interesting in life that when we have trouble with other people, we are always asking God to change them, or the situation. What really needs changing is not other people, but me. When God changes me other people begin to change.

Moses says in Deuteronomy 10:16, “change your sinful hearts and stop being stubborn.” He later says to the people when he talks about their possibilities of carrying out his will, “The Lord your God will cleanse your heart and the hearts of all your descendants so that you will love him with all your heart and soul, and so you may live!” (Deuteronomy 30:6)

Topics: Change, Relationships, Transformation
Source: John Ed Mathison's Blog, September 5, 2012, John Ed Mathison, Learn more
Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 4:36:34 AM. Contributed by Matt Neace.

Participating (living) in God’s Family

2012-06-17T07:56:00.000+10:00

It was more than we could have hoped for! First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God’s will they gave themselves to us as well. (2Corinthians 8:5)

Hebrews 10:25 tells us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, we are to encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

So why is Fellowship so Important?

You see you and I belong in God’s Family with other Believers. Galatians 6:10
So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.

We are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but we are numbered among the saints as the family of God. We resting on the base of the Apostles and prophets, and Jesus is the chief keystone, and He keeps all rightly joined together as the holy house of God. (Ephesians 2:19 - 21)
And though we are many different people, we are one family and we are all joined to each other by Jesus Christ as different parts of one family (Romans 12:5)

You see I need other Christians to grow spiritually. Hebrews 10:24 tells me to be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it’s just too bad, because there is no one to help him. If it is cold, two can sleep together and stay warm, but how can you keep warm by yourself? Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break.

Proverbs 27:17; tell me I need encouragement to grow spiritually. People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.

We are not to be deceived by sin and become stubborn. We must help one another every day, as long as the word “Today” in scripture applies to us. One of the main things we need to do as members of God’s family is to protect the unity of the family
(Hebrews 3:13) - (Galatians 6:1-2)

Matthew 18:20 tells us that Jesus Christ is present when we fellowship together.
For where two or three come together in My name, I am there with them.

Where there is cooperation when people pray together God will act.
And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19) Let us think about that.

Who knows John 17:21; this is one of the verses The Lord gave to this church. I believe that fellowship is a witness to the world and this is Jesus prayer for us as God’s people.
I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they be one, so that the world will believe that You sent Me.

I am a servant to every other Christian. 1Peter 4:10 tells us that each one of us are to be good managers of God’s different gifts and use for the good of others the special gift we have received from God.

There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served.
All of you are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it. (1Corinthians 12:5 and 27)

We are to serve one another and accept one another. As Jesus forgives us we are to forgive one another. The Lord calls each of us to greet one another and to bear one another’s burdens.
We are to honour one another, teach one another and be devoted to one another. Our Father wants us to encourage one another and to submit our lives to one another.

Important; “Christians who are not committed to a fellowship as active members in worship, praying, serving each other, etc. are not obedient to the Lord. ‘They are most definitely not in the will of God.’ It does not matter how vocal he or she may be in their knowledge of scripture they are not obeying the Lord.”

Scriptures;
Romans 16:16
Ephesians 5:21
1Thessalonians 5:11
Galatians 6:2
Romans 12:10
Romans 12:10
Romans 15:14
Galatians 5:13
Romans 15:7
Colossians 3:13

Whatever it takes

2012-05-23T11:13:00.002+10:00

John 17:20-2520 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.

Bible references: John 17:20-25; Acts 4:34-5:11; 1 John 1:10; Psalm 63; Luke 14:27; Luke 14;33; Luke 9:23; John 8:31-32; James 1:22; Psalm 143:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16-18; Ephesians 4:13; Romans 8:38-39

We all sin, to believe othewise is self deception.We're all sinners - the difference is that Christians are saved by GRACE. We often try to create the appearence of something other that what we are - hiding. Example: Adam & Eve (Genesis) God sees it all.Salvation doesn't come from people's opinions, it comes from God.
When it comes to your story (testimony) people want to know what God has done in your life. To be a disciple means to do whatever it takes. Don't be just a believer - even the enemybelieves. Be a disciple - one who puts themselves under the Teacher - Jesus Christ- and does whatever it takes to become like Him.

Psalm 63 (v1-5)You, God, are my God,earnestly I seek you;I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,in a dry and parched landwhere there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

'What is truth?' Pilate asked. John 18:38

2011-09-18T07:23:00.001+10:00

John 18:36 Jesus said, "My kingdom does not belong to this world; if my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. No, my kingdom does not belong here!" 37 So Pilate asked him, "Are you a king, then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me." 38 "And what is truth?" Pilate asked. Then Pilate went back outside to the people and said to them, "I cannot find any reason to condemn him.

What is 'Truth'? Is anything really THE truth?
In our postmodern times, it is popular to think that all things are equally true. Buddhism is true for some, Hinduism is true for some, and Christianity is true for some in this age. Of course, like the Christian, the Hindu believes Hindu doctrine is true, and so cannot agree with the Postmodernist, just as the Christian cannot believe. This dilemma fits for many. It seems that perhaps the person who wants to believe whatever he wants to believe is the only person who claims that there is no truth. If he is wrong, then the truth will eventually catch up to him and prove him wrong. But HOW can we know what the TRUTH is? This question has been asked by mankind for a long time. The question can be wrapped up nicely in the question asked of Jesus by Pontius Pilate:

Interesting enough, for a postmodernist to make the claim that 'everything is relative' or that 'there is no absolute truth' is hypocritical, since he is making a truth claim! Using his logic, why would we believe that his statement is true? His own statement is self-defeating. Besides, we instinctively know that there are truths in the world. Throw yourself off a tall building and you will fall to the ground. This is absolute truth. We call it the 'law of gravity'. There are many examples of other 'laws' which are 'Truth' under another name. For instance, it is truth that our bodies need sustenance, love and warmth. To not conform to these 'truths' is dangerous. Anyone who might disagree may find their lives in peril. But are these 'laws of nature', or are they an example of 'established truth'? If they are simply laws of nature, then where did they come from? Can order and stability (the natural laws) come from chaos with no exact limits as the learners of knowledge proclaim? Some claim that science alone can render truth about the world and reality. They have a strictly scientific worldview and they claim it necessary to do away with religious claims. They say the truths the bible proclaims cannot be supported by the scientific method. In essence, they see science as the absolute and only justifiable access to the truth. Or perhaps the Bible teaches that there is a hint of something beyond us, something that established the order of things, and to which we must be subjected to for our greater good?

Of course, the Christian believes the latter. Those who deny God's sovereignty believe the former. This condition was described by the Apostle Paul when he said: “They [those who deny God's sovereignty] exchanged the TRUTH of God for a lie...” Romans 1:25. They exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever! Amen.
This is where we need to fight our war today as Christians.

Truth can be thought of in several ways. First, it can be simply logical truth, such as 'It is raining on my yard today' (assuming of course, it is!) Truth can also be reality. This is the closest to the meaning of the attribute of God. If God is, the Creator of all, the Sustainer of all, the Sovereign of all, and the basis of all reality, then by definition he is the source of all meaning, and this meaning is the TRUTH.
So what is the truth?
Anything that aligns with God's will or nature.
This is the basis of all of realities, and if we act in ways contrary to God's will or nature, we are not 'in truth'.

God gave us a means to comprehend His Truth through the Scriptures, the Law, and the prophets. But the ultimate and most meaningful revelation of His Truth is evident in His incarnation, in Christ. We see that Jesus claimed to be Truth in bodily form:
He said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.”

John 1:14; We have seen His [Christ's] glory, the glory of the one and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Indeed, Christ claimed His purpose to be based upon the Truth:

John 18:37b; For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.

It was to this statement that Pontius Pilate asked his famous and timeless question, as pointed out before.

Since Truth is of God's nature, it is then by definition absolute (unchanging). This is the important part for us to understand. As Christians, we pursue the Truth (God's nature and His will):

John 4:24; God is spirit, and his worshiper must worship in spirit and IN TRUTH.

John 8:31b, 32; If you hold to my teaching...then you will know the Truth, and the truth will set you free.

The bottom line of the Truth of God is that “all things must pass except the things that are of Him.” In other words, God is the TRUTH, and anything that is not of God (conforming to His nature and His will) will not be left standing in the end.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35

1 Peter 1:24-25: As the scripture says, "All human beings are like grass, and all their glory is like wild flowers. The grass withers, and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever." This word is the Good News that was proclaimed to you.

Your word, Oh Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:152

Dreams

2011-07-17T20:09:00.004+10:00

Thought to Cherish - Deuteronomy 31:23

“The Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you will take the Israelites to the land I have promised them, and I will be with you.’”

What dreams have you had come true? What did you do to bring them to pass? Perhaps you dreamed of a career that you are now pursuing. Maybe it was of having a family, which you now enjoy. You may have dreamed of close friends with whom you could share your struggles in life. Perhaps you desired to make a difference in this world and have searched for the opportunities to do so.

God is a dream-giver; He has dreams for each of us that He intends to bring to pass if we listen and obey. Because of His greatness, He is able to fulfill those dreams if we follow His lead and direction.

Joshua followed God’s dream. It was not a new dream, but rather it was one that God had given hundreds of years beforehand to Abraham. It was the vision of a land.

George Bernard Shaw wrote that “the reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

One thing I have come to know by experience is that if something is widely accepted by people then you should doubt it. Just because something is “common sense” and “common knowledge” does not make it the truth.

Looking through history, and even in contemporary times, it is clear that the people that have made a difference and excelled above their generation are those that challenged the general view of things during their time.

They are people who ask why and find the answer before they accept something as truth. If they do not find a satisfactory answer they change their perceptions and views in accordance with what they have found to be the truth.

A little over one hundred years ago, it was a generally held view that you could not catch voices from the wind and hear people speaks who were hundreds of miles away. It took the invention of the radio to challenge this view and to change the world. Today, you can not only hear that person, you can see them as easily as though they were seated next to you. The internet and television have made this possible.

Who would have believed in the eighteen hundreds that man would be able to fly faster than any bird in the nineteen hundreds and beyond? The Wright brothers did. They challenged the view of their day and dared to dream. They were unreasonable men. All the people that have changed the world in a big way were unreasonable people. Being unreasonable is being senseless, not level-headed, illogical or impractical. Sensibility, practicality, level-headedness and logic are good qualities no doubt and qualities that are invaluable to any dreamer as they pursue their dreams.

But while it is good to be like that when you are actually working on your dream, it is not advisable when it comes to defining your ultimate dream.

Dream Big – be unreasonable and senseless

Your ultimate dream should be unreasonable and senseless. If it is not, you are not dreaming big enough. When you have a dream that is big enough it will be totally mind-blowing. It will be one that will challenge you and scare you at the same time. It will be a dream that is so huge you will get excited and question your own sanity at the same time.

Your senses enable you to see, smell, hear, taste and touch. The senses exist in the physical realm in that they are designed to perceive the physical environment around you. So your senses cannot perceive things that are of a spiritual nature.

That is exactly the problem for us: we are too sensible with our dreams. We plan according to what we perceive by our senses to be the truth. We plan according to how much money we see in our bank accounts or pockets, what we hear people say about us and our situation or the economy, and the resources and things we can touch as being available to us. We are restricted by our senses.

Yet, our senses were never designed to perceive spiritual, mental or abstract things. Our dreams begin with our thoughts, which are a spiritual process. Our thoughts are or should be superior to our senses. Whatever is manifested in the physical realm to the senses begins in the mental or spiritual realm.

If you are a dreamer you have to place more trust in your thoughts than in your senses. You must be unreasonable and senseless. Then your mind will be free to dream and to explore the possibilities of the potential God has given you.

Free yourself from your current physical limitations such as how much money you have, what papers you have, your current job, where you live and what you own. Your dream should be illogical and definitely not practical. If you have a clear idea right from the start as to how you would achieve your dream with every detail worked out, it is flawed. You are more than likely – boring.

If you have a dream that is big enough, you will not know how you will achieve it all when you start. Sure, you will have an idea of where to start, but not the whole picture. The “how” is not important, only the “what.” It is cliché, but take heed to the saying: “where there is a will, there is a way.”

Here is a decisive test for your dream: if most people agree with you that your dream is achievable and that it is reasonable, chances are it is not worth dreaming about. If, on the other hand, when you tell people your dream they look at you as if you are a fruitcake, then you are probably on the right track. Do not be limited by an inability to see beyond your present circumstances. Do not be controlled by your senses or circumstances. As a dreamer, you must realise that life is lived from the inside out and not from the outside in. It all starts in the mind to the spirit to the physical. That is the real battlefield of life. That is where the war is raging. Your soul is formed and identifies who you are. If you can create your ideal life in your mind and live that life like a reality everyday in your mind, you have won the battle. It will have no choice but to manifest itself in the physical.

Success, riches, happiness, joyfulness, fulfillment, Godliness, holiness, identity, destiny, recognition and all, do not come as a surprise to dreamers when they get those things - because they have been living it in their minds all along. It had to happen. The physical world cannot resist the spiritual and mental world. In the hierarchy of life it was designed so. One has to obey the other. The physical has to obey the spiritual and mental.

I know it is hard in our daily lives to keep "thinking about things above, not things on the earth" (Col 3:2)

Dream big – conclusion

The spiritual and mental aspects of a man are limitless, boundless, free in every respect and more powerful than we could ever understand. They are unreasonable and senseless.

In the book of Hebrews 11:3 this principle is well illustrated because “through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Learn to utilize this power within you. Be unreasonable.

You are all you can be. Go on and be it.

And remember that He has not given us a spirit of fear but He has given us a spirit of power and love. And that He is faithful to those He calls.

L.I.F.E. - Growing the Person

2009-12-06T07:26:00.001+10:00

L. Learning
I. Impacting
F. Friendship building
E. Experiencing

How can we encourage one another and build one another up?

How can each of us change to a life grounded in friendship building?

How can people who do not have a habit of reading and a drive to be educated, be encouraged to do so?

How can we encourage those who are not comfortable with sharing their experiences to do so?

Learning is as much about growing friendships and community that produce relationships that last. Where we can impact each other with real information and we learn to be accountable to each other (not for each other). With learning, it is as important to grow friendships numerically as we ourselves are growing personally. To do otherwise is a waste of energy and time.

So what is L.i.f.e.?
Life is not a university course. It allows and encourages the sharing of life experiences in light of the knowledge we have through education and relationships.

Life is not a programme but a lifestyle. This is who I am, my friends, my interests, and what consumes my time.

Life is simple to implement. It requires a commitment to use the knowledge we have and to be accountable to each other to do this.

Life is reality based. It creates regular opportunities to build relationships in a natural and non threatening manner.

Start today!
There is a saying – I went out to find friends and they were not there;
I went out to be a friend and friends were everywhere.
Life is too precious to waste
Start now!
My call is not for everybody else – it is for me. The person who has the greatest impact on my life is me – and I do not intent to waste it.
Your life is your call!

My Message

2009-11-29T20:54:00.003+10:00

Is My life affected by my circumstances or do I build on my dream

I have a friend who spent several years in prison. When he was released he made a comment to me that everyone he seen after his release was a lot happier. What he came to realise was that he was the one who was happier. Because he was happier he spread this where ever he went. You see he had made some decisions for his life and these decisions were not based on his circumstances but on what was important to him. So when something went wrong it did not alter his happiness. His focus was on where his life was going and not on what went wrong. He would count his blessings and name them. It is like the saying – two prisoners looked out the window – one saw stars and one saw bars. It is important to take in to build up our lives – it is also important to give out, this also builds up our lives. We learn as much from giving of ourselves as we do from taking in.

What we speak with our tongue needs to be guarded.

So when we lift others up we also do the same for ourselves. People who achieve in their lives are always aware to do this. Encourage another and build a friendship. You have someone who then has your interest at heart. They want you to prosper. Working together brings an added strength we would not other wise have. It is like a rope with 2 strands or 3 strands – the more the stronger – the more load it will carry – the less the load is on each strand. Building positive relationships is a wonderful way to live. For example - it is better to have a friend than a title. A title is a function – a friendship is life. Life is best fulfilled when you learn to give away. What is your message? Is your tongue speaking things that are wise – do you use your tongue to build people up? What you speak out you will receive in return. Voice out negative words and that is what will have most effect on your life. Speak positive truthful words towards others and be amazed at the return you will receive.

The Wise People

2009-11-12T20:05:00.001+10:00

Proverb: - “A wise person harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace”

Are you lazy? Not me. I'm busy. Up early, up late. My schedule is filled from beginning to end. I love what I do and I love getting stuff done. I attack a daily to-do list with the same intensity I have for spending a day of pleasure at the beach. It's great to keep busy and accomplish stuff, isn't it? What is keeping you busy? How could you reorder your schedule this week to achieve even more?
If we grasp what true diligence is all about as presented in this Proverb, we may discover that we are simply being hectic sluggards. Here's why. This Proverb describes the diligent person as busy and wise. In other words, a diligent person uses both his brawn and brain. He analyses his situation and makes wise decisions in his labour. He knows how to act and speak in different situations. He doesn't back down from challenges, but seeks to navigate around or through them with wisdom. He knows that wisdom doesn't imply superior IQ. It is using the brain you have been given.
A diligent person also works in anticipation of the harvest. He has a clear goal to accomplish and he applies appropriate action at the right time by harvesting in the right season.
He recognizes that busyness does not make him immune from laziness. People can be busy and still not accomplish anything of true value. They can be busy, but with doing the wrong things and at the wrong time. And the things that they should be doing are left undone.
Diligence flows from analysis, anticipation, appropriate action, and accomplishment. When considering our schedules, pursue priorities and projects that are derived from wise plans. To be diligent does not mean simply being busy.