New to the world

Many people today are searching for something meaningful in their lives. Some turn to riches, some to fame, others to sex, drugs and alcohol, but nothing seems to fill that deep void in their being. The truth is, it will never be filled. Not if you're misguided in your search that is. True wisdom and true life, true joy and peace and also love is found in the presence of GOD and by getting to know Him as revealed through Jesus Christ. True satisfaction and true purpose and meaning    A relationship with Christ brings both belonging and security. Which is what most people are searching for: something or Someone stable which will never fail, fall or give way. A lighthouse in the storm, a flow of abundance in pressure or famine. Something to cling onto when the tide is high and the waters roll in. A Rock. If you are searching for peace, for hope, then look no further than Christ Himself. Who loved this world (I mean all the people in it) that He laid down His life and died on the cross for you and for me. In other words we are able to draw near to GOD through the precious blood of Christ that was shed for you and for me. It's flow is the cleansing from sin and GOD's free offer of salvation still stands. The invitation to receive forgiveness of sins and be welcomed as a part of GOD's family. The debt has been paid (the debt that we owe). Jesus died to provide salvation. All we must do is place our trust in Him. A hope so firm, so secure, who would dare turn it down? GOD bless you, all who are reading this. Make the right decision. Choose to be free from your burden of sin. Only GOD can forgive and justify and we cannot earn salvation.

"That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:7-10

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)

Psalm 103:10 "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities."

To the world the idea that you can receive something so wonderful, a precious and priceless gift that cannot be earned or attained through effort is mind-blowing. But what does the Bible say:-

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)


Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Powerful Revelation of Truth

Hey everyone. This is a Word the LORD gave me just now when I was in my kitchen.

The Word of GOD is not open to interpretation. If humans could give it their own definition then it would no longer be the Word of GOD but the word of man. How then could it be applied to anyone’s life? The Bible is to be applied just like medicine. You do not decide where the medicine goes yourself if the instruction is written as to how and when you should use it. In the same way the Word of GOD is not to be misapplied but used in its appropriate context as to be healing to its user.

Thank You Holy Spirit for that Word of wisdom You are teaching me.   

Are you listening?

Reading taken from:  1 Samuel 3

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who only talks about themselves? Or better yet... have you tried talking to someone who doesn't quite pay attention to what you're saying? I'm sure you probably feel that talking with that person is a complete waste of time if you can't even effectively get your message across. Thus, it benefits neither the speaker nor the listener. We all love receptive listeners. Especially when we have something important to tell we would like to be sure that you have the listeners full attention.

In our friendship with GOD it is important to listen. He speaks with those who are prepared to listen. And we find that those individuals who are more atuned to the LORD's voice are more able to make wise choices and lead strong effective and fruitful Christian lives. Their lives are directed by Someone who knows what He's on about.

You must be listening first for GOD to listen to you. GOD speaks to those trusting and who are willing to listen. The voice of His Spirit is heard by the receptive, submitted and contrite. A humble listener who desires to hear the Word of the LORD. 

1 Samuel 3:9-10
So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” After Samuel had said this, the LORD delivered His message. My question to you is: Are you ready to hear from GOD?

The Bible says in Hebrews 3:15 and 4:7 "Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts."

The Bible also says that GOD rewards the diligent (Hebrews 11:6) and that He will be found by those who seek Him with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Trust in the LORD with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5), hear what He has to say. He has a future for you, a bright one. One filled with hope and success. A prosperous one. A destiny.

GOD is going to say something to you today. Maybe through a phone call, through someone you know, the pages of a textbook, or the Bible itself. So make sure you're listening. And if you are grappling with something, ask Him. He will more than listen. He will hear you and respond with your answer.

Whose Perspective

I saw a mural in my neighbourhood.When you look at it closely it looks like a mess, but when you take a step back you get the bigger picture. You see the beauty of it. (all the pieces work together) Life can be like that. (GOD also chooses us to work together) some of the things in life we see as needless. All the pain and the toil, all the grief and difficulties..sometimes we can’t make sense of them, but when we step back and allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten our hearts, He enables us to see things from His perspective..to get the bigger picture. On the grand scale of things we see that “all things work together for the good of those who love GOD and who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

The time has come

If you haven't trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I urge you to make that choice today. There is no way to get to Heaven or have a relationship with GOD without Him. All other religions are false hope. A mirrage.
For there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Holding His Hand

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/582#ixzz1uhH7BmhR



Do you remember that hymn? Well its meaning and implications still ring true today. We are required to trust and obey the LORD if we truly love Him and expect to see any furtherance in our relationship with Him. We are required to worship Him in spirit and in truth, for who He is, not just what He has done. We long to be like Him, and this requires having a childlike faith and spending time with Him. As we go through life it is important to know that He loves you and provides for your every need. The Bible says, "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you."

No Other Way

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Repentance Matters

2 Corinthians 7:2-16
vs 10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

Repentance is a very crucial part of the Christian life. In fact it is important to get into a lifestyle of repentance. Inevitably we will all sin, because nobody is perfect; which is why we need the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot live a life that pleases GOD without Him (His power working in us). For the Christian living a holy life is the 'rule' and sin is the 'exception'. However, when we do sin we must show remorse and this is demonstrated through repentance and true repentance is demonstrated through change. In simple terms: to make a U-turn. To turn around and change direction. To no longer follow in the pattern of your former lifestyle. To be so astranged from it that people will hardly recognize you. Jesus Christ does that to you (Romans 6). But first we must confess our sins (1 John 1:9-If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) and admit that we need Him. And this requires being humble. (1 Peter 5:6) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 
When we do this He will lift us up. He will elevate us; promote us to higher standard of living. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, 2 Corinthian 4:16 ) Whenever we sin we must be truly sorry for what we have done: bearing in mind that GOD knows our thoughts. If our sorrow is genuine it will lead to change and the rest is history.

Poem

Father GOD we give you now

Every action, thought and word

In complete submission we

Will let Your voice be clearly heard.

Govern our thinking, our lives, our heart

Let a precious fire start

Burning in our hearts within

Notifiying us of sin.

Committed: Come rain or shine

       
 One time I was in Watford walking down the high street and I saw a man running in the cold. It was truly cold weather. I was cold. And he had on shorts and t-shirt in the cold weather! He obviously had a commitment whatever the weather. He was clearly dedicated to what he had set out to do. Christ calls us to be this way. He expects us to be commited to Him and in all areas of our lives. When the world says: "What's the point?" We say: "I have a Saviour who loves me. He died for me and I will live for Him." Sometimes that is what following Christ is like. You will do things that will make you seem crazy or people will question you but if you’re truly committed to Him, if you have made a commitment then it won’t make any difference whatsoever.

Poem

No matter how difficult it may be  

Take up your cross and follow Me

Chameleon Christians

Have you ever seen a chameleon at work? These lizards change colour when placed in different environments. Are you someone who changes with the environment or is your character and integrity fixed and steady? Do people recognise you as you everywhere you go? Or have you split your identity? Who do you change in front of in order to impress? Who do you change your true colours for? These may seem to be uncomrfortable or confronting questions but something we should consider in our daily walk with Christ. Are we being true to Him or do we change with the tide and go with the flow? Our Saviour wants us to be consistently upright and true to Him. To out off falsehood and to live in His truth. Lies don't just come out of mouths. They spring from the heart and the Bible has a very interesting view of it.  "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23) Or from the King James Version-"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Jesus spoke of the heart in a similar way.

 ¹⁸ But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” (Matthew 15:18-19).

So a special effort must be made to guard one's heart. Are you keeping track of yours? Examine yourself today and ask GOD to help you with the rest. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Bad News, Good News

1 Corinthians 15:47  "The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven."

All of us enjoy hearing good news from time to time. But before we can truly appreciate the magnitude of it we must first know it's counter part; the "bad news". When Adam and Eve first sinned in the garden of Eden all of humanity sinned (Romans 5:12-15) and death came as a result of it. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." In order to truly appreciate the Good News of the Gospel of Christ you must first know what was at stake. When GOD created the world in 6 days He created it perfect. He said "it was very good"(Genesis 1:31). But then something happened. GOD had told Adam and Eve that they may eat of every tree of the garden apart from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For in the day they eat of it they "shall surely die"(Genesis 2:17). Despite GOD's clear warning Eve was deceived by the serpent and took of the fruit and she gave some to her husband and he ate it (Genesis 3:6). In that very day they did infact die: both physically and spiritually. They could no longer enjoy sweet fellowship with the living GOD. Their relationship was severed and they had to leave the garden of Eden. However, this is not the end of the story! Thanks be to GOD, He sent Christ Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. To pay the price we could not afford to pay.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4)
The Good News is this: You can receive eternal life by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world. Jesus Christ was the Substitute for your sins and mine. He died in our place. "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Will you accept GOD's offer of forgiveness today? The Bible says it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) The only way to be ready for this is to have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Will you do this? See restoration, have your sins covered, be assured of a certain hope, be eternally secure? GOD-who does not lie-is faithful. And He will keep His promise. 'For,(Romans 10:13)"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Flame On!

If I mentioned to you the human torch, what would be the first thing you would think of.

Have you ever noticed that the more that the more time you spend with someone the more like them you become? Like married couples for example, they spend so much time together that they develop the same characteristics, pull the same facial expressions and generally become so much alike that even their faces begin to forge into the same likeness. So we too in Christ are ever being conformed to His likeness. Becoming more and more like Him each day. Time in His presence leaves you radiant and allows you to radiate His glory to others. They will notice the change in you.

Something very similar happened with Moses; a man who experienced true intimacy with GOD and "whom the LORD knew face to face." The Bible says that Moses face shone so that the Israelites could no longer look at it. He resorted to wearing a veil over his face. That's what happens when you meet the radiance of GOD; you come out glowing. The only other account in the Bible where something of this sort happened was Jesus' transfiguration. When His appearance changed and His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. (Mark 9:3)

How close are you to the Lord? How much time are you spending with Him? If you want to shine brighter than the Sun, spend time with the Light of the world. Get closer.

Why Cry: Christ has Risen!

Happy Easter everyone! He has risen. Whatever you may be experiencing today, whether you're happy or sad remember that Jesus is alive and well. He's not sleeping, He's not dead, He's alive. Now there's a reason to sing. Jesus Christ the Son of GOD died on the cross for your sins, spent 3 days in the grave freeing the lost souls, rose from the dead on the first day and appeared to many of His disciples and then was taken up into Heaven; where He remains now to this very day at the right hand of the throne of GOD interceding for us. Christ defeated death. The Bible says in John 3:16, "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus Christ cares about you! GOD loves you. He loves you so much that He would die for you. No greater love was shown (John 15:13). Jesus suffered and died an excruciating death with one thing on His mind.. YOU!!! Will you accept His sacrifice this Easter. He paid your sin debt in full. He gave His life that you might live. He tasted death so that you never would! Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Further Reading from Luke 24

 "..but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words."
Have a blessed Easter everyone. Bye for now!

HE died for me

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

As many of you know it's Good Friday tomorrow. But have you really thought about the implications of that. It is the day when we call to rememberance what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ did for us in dying on the cross in our place. The Bible says in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." This is what Jesus did for us. The greatest expression of love ever to be shown was in Christ laying down His life for us. He paid our sin debt in full. He took the blame for all the wrong things we have ever done and He willing submitted Himself to the Father and died in our place; taking the punishment we deserve. That is why it is important to know why it is we celebrate Good Friday. GOD the Father sent His Son into the world, born of a woman (Galatians 4:4) to die in the place of sinners. Now isn't that just wonderful.

You don't have to be afraid: Submit to Him all your cares

Distorted View

Some time ago I used to study Art and Design. Whenever I would draw a portrait or some other thing it would turn out misproportioned or elongated. Since I was looking at it so closely and sitting down at the table when I was drawing, I could only see from a limited perspective. But once I stood the picture up, I could see what it actually looked like. And it usually was never how I had intended for it to be all the while I was drawing it. I hadn't seen the bigger picture . Sometimes it's like that in life. When we look to closely we miss things. But ask GOD for guidance, then take a step bak and stare at your own life from a different perspective. Then, you will see the bigger picture.

(By the way, what did you see in the picture above? An old woman or a young woman?) Try looking at things from a new perspective. Remember, GOD's ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:9)

He is watching us

So remember, no matter where we are, we are always under His watchful eye. He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)



We need Refocusing

When you focus on Jesus, all else is restored to it's righful proportions. Thanks to Jesus we can do this through the empowerment of His Holy Spirit, who leads us in all truth and places all things under His authority and loving control. With Jesus at the very core and centre of our lives we are less likely to shift focus. What's your lense fixed on?

Sometimes like a camera lense we can shift our focus so much that our lives are out of whack. But if we just reposition our focus to the Almighty One everything will become clear. Just focus your gaze on Jesus and He will lead the way.

Goodbye guys. Don't be afraid to change your view if you have to.

Ready, Set, Go!

Hebrews 12
 ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When you run a race, you go through extensive training. It may not be pleasant (at first) but it reaps a harvest of benefits. So my advice to you is joyfully pursue the LORD while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6). Spiritual fitness is key to spiritual growth and even more key to running the race that is set before us, with endurance (Hebrews 12:1).

Now let's look at that second verse.

² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When doing any physical training, in the presence of pain and tiresome hard work it is easy to forget why you are doing it unless you continuely set that goal before your eyes. You know what you want, that goal, that slim new figure, or that pay cheque at the end of the month, or those marriage vows, they keep you going. You fall but you keep on going because you remember WHY YOU ARE DOING IT.

  So it is with the spiritual life. If you don't remember your purpose or the One whom you favour with it can be easy to give into the sin that enslaves us and so easily tempts to lead us astray. But we must, we need to stay focused ON CHRIST! He, Himself with give us strength. He is our portion, the strength of our life, our stronghold, our Protector. He is able to keep us from falling and He will do it. He fulifills all of His promises (Psalm 145:13-14).

How does that verse go, in Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And again in Romans 8- "If GOD is for us who can be against us."

Focus on Christ Jesus. He will keep you going. He and He alone can help you to stand. It is in Him that you are saved. He is "the author and perfecter of our faith," and He "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." He did all this in order to bring about our redemption.

The Christian life is very much like a race. Sometimes you feel worn down and like you can go on. You feel dehydrated until you drink a nice cold bottle of refreshing water and leaves you feeling revived.

So don't get tired and don't give up, just take a long drink from the Fountain of Life. My Jesus. He can keep you til the end.

Watch this video and you'll know what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGqvnUSlQxw

The father in this video clip is much like how our heavenly Father looks after us when we fall. He is there to say "Don't worry my child. I'll wait for you. Just don't give up. We'll finish this together. I will never, ever leave your side. Keep going. I'm not going anywhere. I love you, my precious child."

Jesus said of Himself “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

There are many comparisons of the Christian walk to a race, in the Holy Bible. It is much like a race. But GOD is there.

Galatians 5

⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”

2 Timothy 4

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Need for Self-Discipline

 ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

There can be no passive Christians. You are either here or there, hot or cold, ready or not ready for Christ to come immediately and takes us to Heaven.

Are you ready?

 

More Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItFZNKPP_U&feature=fvst