Category Archives: Discipleship

Are We Still Sinners?

Posted on 22/07/2024 | 2 comments

The Bible states that humans are naturally inclined towards disobedience and rebellion against God. Christians also believe that salvation from sin is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity. That changes everything!

However many want to think of themselves as sinners. So a lot of church liturgy demands confession, that assuming we always need forgiveness

Jesus does not go on accusing people of sin or calling us sinners!

Consider John 3 16-17:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  God’s picture of us now!

Consider the adulterous woman in John 8: Where are those who condemn you? Go and sin no more! (a promise not command).

Consider many of the parables: pictures of how God sees us! E.g., more joy in heaven over one who repents than over the 99 who need no repentance; the lost (prodigal) son; the Pharisee and the tax collector—who is justified?

Yes, Jesus did refer to some people as ‘sinners’ in the Bible. It was the church leaders, Pharisees who called some people ‘sinners’. For example, in Matthew 9:10-13, Jesus is criticized by those religious leaders for eating with tax collectors and ‘sinners’. Jesus responds by saying, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but ‘sinners’.”

Consider Paul:

Sin is something we experience, yes; but it’s not who we are. We have a choice! We can choose to say ‘NO’ to sin, even as we battle against it.  The Christian says “choose life.” Stop sinning!

But I say,  walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other,  to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit,  you are not under the law. . . . .   24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. see Galatians 5:13-26.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Eph 2:10

Romans 5 says we have all sinned but and come short of the glory of God, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Fit for eternal life! And while we were enemies Christ died for us.

Consider 1 John 1: “. . . our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” God is a loving Father who wants to bless His children. We are not his enemies, through Jesus we are his friends—He sees you as a friend! We have opened the door to Him and He has come in. This is our identity!

Consider famous Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s response to Richard Dawkins 2023

Her spiritual journey from Islam, to atheism to Christianity is extraordinary. Richard Dawkins criticised it, highlighting Christianity as being “obsessed with sin.” But Hirsi said I find that Christianity is actually obsessed with love. And that the figure, the teachings of Christ as I see it, and again, I’m a brand new Christian, but what I’m finding out — which is the opposite to growing up as a Muslim and the message of Islam — but the message of Christianity I get is that it’s a message of love, it’s a message of redemption, and it’s a story of renewal and rebirth.

And so, Jesus dying and rising again for me symbolises that story. And in a small way I felt like I have died and I was re-born.

I quote from a good article from the highly recommended Daily Declaration:

Tony Baines says it so well in this 9 May 2024 article:

“What is the true identity of man?

To discover that, we need an infinite, infallible reference point – God Himself.

Human beings cannot tell you what your true identity is. That can only be uncovered by going to someone infinite and infallible outside ourselves. You have to see yourself through the eternal eyes of God.

When we learn to see that way, we can view everything through love.

He is the One who saw you before time began. He sees your new creation spirit (Eph 2:10).

And when we see that new creation spirit, our eyes and ears open to Heaven’s possibilities. We can live out of the reality of our new identity, through His grace and truth.

Knowing our new inner identity (2 Cor 4:16), we can get to know the Holy Spirit through prayer. Our progress in building this relationship with God depends on several factors. What is our willingness to surrender to Him? What time will we give Him?

God is unchangeable and self-sufficient. He doesn’t live in the constraints of time. He lives in the realm of eternity.

Before you were lost in Adam, you were found in Christ Jesus. He chose you before time began and before you ever sinned (Rev 13:8). Let’s remember that we are unconditionally loved – and forever in His love (Eph 1:13–14). We are blameless in His sight, highly esteemed, adopted in His beloved Christ (Eph 1:6). This is the true identity of the one who has been born again (1 Peter 1:23).

Learn to see yourself through the eyes of the eternal God. If you see yourself through the wrong lens, it will introduce you to a world of shadows, following in the fallenness of Adam. In that place, we get lost in shame, blame, confusion and fear.

But if you hold to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, you will see yourself through the eyes of God — the One who held you in Himself before time began. You will see yourself in the new creation image of Christ (Eph 3:16).

If you do that, you’ll know your value and identity. You are blameless and without accusation in His sight through His glory and grace. Always!”

Prayer

“Jesus, we need You. Please help us Holy Spirit. Come in like a flood, help us love. May we have an overwhelming compulsion to dive deeper into the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, would You beautifully begin to reveal deep revelations of emotional healings necessary for each of us. May Your glory come upon us so strongly that wounds are healed and strongholds are torn down.

Please manifest Yourself within the new creation born inside every beloved believer. Let us deepen our foundational identity in Jesus. May we learn to cast aside our old selves, and instead live out the true reality of the new creation spirit.  Amen.”

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To Whom Do You Listen?

Posted on 23/10/2023 | Leave a comment

This article is by my good friend Jane Blakey

To whom then shall we listen?

We all remember this. 
Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up to a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”.
For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

‘And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son: hear Him“‘. (Mark 9:2-7)
Not to Moses AND Elijah AND Jesus.
But, listen to Jesus! Hear Him.

Over this weekend, I have been thinking very much of the New Jerusalem, the city that has foundations that Abraham looked forward to. That one whose designer and builder is God. That better country, a heavenly one where God has prepared a city. (Hebrews 11: 8-16)
I am thinking of the promises made to Abraham and his offspring – to one. To Jesus, the seed  of Abraham – and of those who are Christ’s and who thereby are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:16 & 27-29).

My thoughts are on the two Jerusalems: Mt Sinai in Arabia that corresponds to the earthly Jerusalem who is in slavery and of the one who is our mother – the Jerusalem above that is free (Gal 4.:22-31, especially 25 & 26).
THIS is the city and the better country that Abraham was looking for; the city of his seed Jesus and of Abraham’s descendants – those who are in Christ.
Here, ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’. (Gal.3:28)

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, HE said to her:
‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain NOR in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. But  the hour is coming and is NOW here, when true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is Spirit and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.’ (John 6:21-24)

There is almost an obsession in some Christian circles with the earthly city of Jerusalem and the land. 
Yet, how can there be a mixture of that which is of the Old Covenant and that which is of the New Covenant? This was anathema for Jesus. His analogies were stark!

“And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:22)

And again; “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. For the patch will pull away from the garment, and a worse tear will result.” (Matthew 9:16)

Paul perhaps was even blunter.
For Paul, the earthly Jerusalem was represented by Hagar and the one who was born of the flesh who persecuted the one who was born of the Spirit. Paul exhorted the believers in Galatia to do this: ‘Cast out the the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman. So, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman’.’

There seems to be confusion in the Christian church. A confusion of Covenants.
To whom do we belong and where is our city?
It is the city Abraham was seeking, the city of God, the HEAVENLY Jerusalem! The words of our Lord and God Jesus and the thoughts and writings of that great theologian Paul are profound truths.

Simple, Biblical Christianity.

Much love dear friend.
Jane.

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First Peter 2–More still

Posted on 26/09/2023 | Leave a comment

In Peter’s first letter and verse 18 we now come to what are sometimes called the “household codes” we find in some New Testament letters. These are typical of apostolic texts that are properly interpreted today only by understanding first centry Roman Empire contexts. These first-Christians lived within these social and domestic limits. They were urged to follow these codes within their overall commitments to following Christ.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds  favor with God.

Today we Christians do not have to be subject to codes like these. As we saw in the last post, verse 16 we are to “live as free men . . .”. Yes, we have the laws of our country which we are to follow. The whole intent of Peter writing is for his hearers to present an excellent presence in their world. We should do and be the same! That’s the whole tenor of Peter’s letter. As we saw last time Peter reminds us that Jesus “is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”(1 Peter 2:21)

Although today we do not have any similar structures, we can be guided by the Christian values that Peter promoted. He (like Paul in his letters) was not requiring anything new but addressing an existing social system in the Roman world.

Peter’s aim was to strengthen the importance of imitating Christ in household relationships, in spite of Roman culture. These passages can point us to Jesus.

It is essential to read these household codes together and not individually. When Peter writes “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands” (3:1) we must notice the context to understand what Peter meant by “in the same way.” there’s zero in the the preceding paragraph about men and women—it’s about masters and slaves. Paul put it similarly in his letters.

We must not impose modern-day marital dynamics using ancient social constructs. Wives in the Roman world, under pater familias, were regarded as chatels of their husbands and could be disposed of by the head.

s Gordon Fee explains in his “The Cultural Context of Ephesians 5:18-6:9: 

“In this kind of household, the idea that men and women might be equal partners in marriage simply did not exist. Evidence for this can be seen in meals, which in all cultures serve as the great equalizer. In the Greek world, a woman scarcely ever joined her husband and his friends at meals; if she did, she did not recline at table (only the courtesans did that), but she sat on a bench at the end. And she was expected to leave after eating, when the conversation took a more public turn.”

In their day, we can see just how radical Peter and Paul must have sounded when they instructed husbands to love their wives as much as Christ loved the church and to be willing to give their lives for them!  Or to remember that they too are slaves to Christ and have a master in heaven. Or not to provoke their children, but to be patient with them.

How sad that words that would have sounded so liberating to those who first heard them are today so often used to oppress and silence. The teachings of Peter and Paul under the Gospel encouraged multitudes of women into Christian communities.

So once again, our central question: Is the point of the household codes to declare pater familias the only godly household structure for all of time, or is the point of the household codes to declare Jesus Christ as the example to be followed no matter the societal norms? 

Let’s talk more next time.

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1 Peter 2 –more

Posted on 07/09/2023 | Leave a comment

As we look at Peter’s first letter to people in various places we see how he was encouraging them, preparing them for a most important, earth-shattering event was to take place. The Jerusalem temple and the Jewish religion as known for centuries, would be destroyed and replaced by a new creation (Mat 21:33-46). This would impact them and many Jews where they lived.

Here we look at the next section of chapter 2 beginning at 2:11-12:

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles (pagans)

, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Here Peter calls on his readers to be excellent people as they live before an observing pagan society. They are to be different, just if they were foreigners and exiles who stand out in contrast to those who live participating in sinful desires. By calling them foreigners and exiles he is not suggesting anything like the escapist mentality seen in songs like this:

This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through . . . . . . . And I Can’t Feel At Home anymore.’.

NO. The Holy Spirit is calling us today to live exemplary lives before a watching world. While God has put us here in this world, this is our home now. Paul wrote about being at home here in the body as useful for others though to be with Christ is far better. (Phil 1:22-25). At home here we are to be the ‘light of the world’ and the ‘salt of the earth’. Dispensationalism is a gross error and demon inspired with its ‘get me outta here’ mentality. This terrible doctrine has made countless Christians powerless and failures. That idea is far from the prayer of Jesus we find in John 17:15-18.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

Did you notice that Peter wrote ‘that they may glorify God on the day of visitation’? The original Greek strongly implies Peter was referring to the (second) Coming of Jesus! Compare this phrase to a similar used by Jesus in Luke 19:44. All the more reason for these people to be full of good deeds if Jesus was coming to visit his audience! (NASB footnote explains ‘I.e. Christ’s coming again in judgment’.)

 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Here Peter in these five verses continues to focus on their having exemplary behaviour because of ‘the Lord’s sake’. There are human institutions that are there in the Roman world to prevent lawlessness and chaos. Note he says these are sent by him’ (God)! This was at a time when believers were subject to persecution. It is always doing the will of God to do right. At least we today should be thankful to God if these powers maintain good law and order.

Clearly, Peter believed that believers were free under the gospel of the kingdom. But such freedom must not mean we are free to do evil but free to be doing right. They then, and we today, are to see ourselves as ‘bondslaves of God’—what a fantastic privilege—we are not bondslaves of men!

Why ‘honour all people’? Supremely because all bear the image of God. We don’t have to honour their deeds or character. But we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

‘Fear God’ is such a short command but so significant. It is the loss of the fear of God in people today that has led to the disappearance of morality. If there is no fear of God we have lost the basis for decency, goodness. Anything goes. Whatever I can get away with. If there is no fear of God, there can be no love of God. There is no higher authority than God. As Matthew Henry commented, ‘It is the fear, not so much of punishment as of his disapprobation; not so much the dread of suffering as the dread of doing wrong.’ It is the fear I felt lest while nursing in amy arms my newborn child she should slip out of my arms.

Honour the king, Peter enjoins his hearers. For us, we may be very devout in private but if our actions seen by people in society regarding lawful authority are defective and not proper it will be seen as of little value.

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Now here’s an amazing miracle

Posted on 27/08/2023 | 2 comments

by ~ Chris G. Bennett (UK)

For those of you who haven’t known me long, here is a healing testimony from 2009 in Denmark — when I was being launched into ministry by my mentor.

I was in Denmark, ministering one evening in 2009, I think it was. We were in a prayer meeting and we were asked by a lady, called Bente, if we would come to Copenhagen to pray with her husband Frank as he was very depressed.

A serious storm which closed all the bridges was stilled around the house while we were praying — but that’s another story.

Frank was a Christian biker who had been involved in a very serious accident. He, and his Harley, were mown down by a van driven, I believe, by a lady doctor, who saved his life at the scene!

He was very severely injured — shattered legs and many minor injuries. The Royal Copenhagen Hospital had told him that he’d never walk without help nor without pain again.

Just to give you an idea, one leg was so badly broken that it was now five inches shorter than the other!

Curvature of the spine had set in and many other injuries had manifested which “couldn’t be healed” — they gave Frank no hope — only drugs to lessen the pain.

The next day, three of us arrived at Frank’s second floor apartment in a Copenhagen suburb. Fortunately for him the lift worked. Frank was standing on his balcony, leaning on two walking sticks.

My mentor, Peter, called out to him, “Are you Frank?”

“Yes!”

“Are you ready to be healed?”

“Yes!”

Frank met us at the door. He had great difficulty manouvering even round his home. We learned that he’d just spent an enormous sum on hand-made built-up shoes that would allow him to walk a bit easier, but the hospital had told him that he’d only get worse until he ended up wheelchair bound and a hopeless cripple.

Peter, John, and I, our ‘team’ on that trip, prayed then turned to Frank. Peter called out words of knowledge — John and I prayed and ministered to Frank.

We sat him on a chair. We prayed first for his shortened leg. We knew something special was about to happen when his shortened leg grew those five inches!

The hair stood up on our necks!

Then we stood Frank up and I watched his spine straighten out — like dominoes, each vertebrae clicked back into its proper position!

He squared his shoulders and everything came up straight! He stood — straight.

For the next hour, Peter called a condition, John and I ministered, Frank was healed of 20-odd injuries and conditions.

Tinnitus, knee problems, various other leg and ankle problems, pelvic misalignment, double vision, various aches and pains — every single one was healed by first revelation, then by laying on of hands and prayer!

Frank began, gingerly at first, then confidently, walking around. He laid his two sticks down saying, “I no longer need these!”

We were all praising God. We left him and Bente singing praises.

The next day, Frank had a hospital appointment to discuss further therapy to help him maintain mobility.

The consultants didn’t even recognise him as he walked, unaided and completely upright into the office.

At Franks request, all medical checks to verify his miracle were formally attested and passed to a Christian doctor in Frank’s Church.

The consultant admitted to his miracle. What happened? “Jesus has healed me!”

He is a walking, talking miracle!

He still lives in the Copenhagen area; still rides a big Harley Davidson; still runs a Christian biker ‘gang’ spreading the good news of Christ among bikers.

Glory to God!!

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First Peter chapter 2—More

Posted on 20/08/2023 | Leave a comment

As we look at Peter’s letter to people in various places we see how he was encouraging them, preparing them for a most important, earth-shattering event was to take place. The Jerusalem temple and the Jewish religion as known for centuries, would be destroyed and replaced by a new creation (read Matthew 21:33-46). This would impact them and many Jews where they lived. Here we look at the second half of chapter 2. In this part of his letter, let’s look at several behaviour matters Peter calls on his readers. Please let’s start by reading verses 11-12 . . .

Peter dubbs his readers “temporary residents and foreigners” who must live exemplary lives in their society and amonng their neighbours. Note how this is linked in with ‘preserving their eternal souls’. Like us today, they were on Planet Earth for a very brief time. We too face a very short stay in this world. It’s as though we were aliens–‘Just a passin’ through’–we are en-route—as though merely on a journey. It is so important to reflect on how short our time is here. This ‘time’ cannot be compared to the eternal life we will experience, just no comparison. Right?

He continues the need of honorable behavior, so that their neighbours when they face their Maker, their Judge, they will have to give honour to God. Just imagine that all the unbelieving people we deal with and have related to in our lifetime will be forced to acknowlege God’s glory and his work in our lives! Now look at verses 13-17 . . .

Peter continues the theme of believers showing the best of behavior as believers “for the Lord’s sake”. The Lord’s sake is the important part. We live in His world and this is the day He has made. This is emphasised in v. 15 “the Lord’s will”. It’s all about the behaviour of Christians being seen as exemplory in the place where they (we) live. So our critics have no leg to stand on. We too must live a law-abiding life before a watching world.

Although you are free, he says (v16), yet don’t forget that you are God’s slaves! So important to understand we are free. This is very applicable for us today. We must never use that freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect is due to everyone: the family of believers and especially the fear of God. Obey the law and rules of the road. Respect the king? Which one? Yes, King Jesus!

Then follows vs 18-20 about relationships between slaves and masters. In the ancient world slaves were an essential part of the ecomony, In the Roman world there were more slaves than free. Was this God’s will? Of course not, and in due time slavery would be discontinued though it remains in our world today. It was the law that slaves obeyed masters, their ‘owners’.

That word ‘submit’comes up a few times here. The Greek original is hypertasso which according to Strong’s can carry the idea of a voluntaryattitude, giving in, cooperating, or assuming responsibility. Still for us today if we are employed and have an obligation to do what the boss tells you.

Note v.19-21: “God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.” Like those first century believers we might have to suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, following Christ’s example and “follow in his steps.”

Thus as Jesus (v22) never sinned or deceived anyone. Because he did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor must we. “He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly”. We are called to do the same, though our conditions have changed vastly compared to the Roman world.

In V 24 here are two exciting and wonderful promises: Because “he personally carried our sins in his body on the cross” the result is that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right! How good is that!

But not only that: By his wounds you are healed. Not will be healed some day. Not provisionally healed. Not possibly healed. Not maybe healed. Not were healed . But are healed!

What a great declaration this is (v25) . . . “Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” These two verses wonderfully echo Isaiah 53:5-6.

Let’s talk some more again next time.

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The Judgment of the Sheep and Goats

Posted on 06/02/2023 | Leave a comment

We read in Matthew 24, Jesus’ disciples asked Him two questions (Mat 24:3) and we read His answers in what is known as the Olivet Discourse which runs from Mat 24:4 and ends in Mat 26:1. We read many promises, encouragements and warnings in answer to His disciples’ questions.

Remember the original Greek has no chapters and there is no break in the discourse—the three parables in Matthew 25 are certainly part of the Olivet Discourse and in it Jesus gives some light to the disciples’ question “when will these things be . . . ?” (Mat 24:3a)

Like the other parables of Jesus in the Olivet Discourse, this parable is set in the context of Israel and the Jews and belongs to when Jesus returns. The scenes are Jewish, of Israel, not worldwide. Jesus words are addressed to the Jews of His day, not to us! The scriptures are written FOR us not to us

These parables are part of the encouragements Jesus gave to his disciples to not give up.

Many scholars say this as a reference to “the last judgment” which they place at the end of history. Does scripture ever say this? Does the Bible even call it The Last Judgment? I think not. This judgment passage is contextually set in the coming of Jesus: “when the Son of Man comes . . . .”

Who are the people of these two groups?  They are certainly not us today!

These represent people who had claimed to follow Jesus. Both ‘sheep’ and ‘goats’ were in the ‘sheepfold’ of the ekklesia. But when “the chief shepherd appears (his coming) who knows his own sheep and calls them by name” (John 10:27), he could easily separate the sheep from the goats.

Of course, Scripture teaches that all people who ever have been or shall be in the world will be judged. But what is described in this passage and demanded by the context, only concerns the many 1000’s who had  opportunity to react to Jesus’ words or to the ministry of ‘his brothers’ before his return (see John 1:11f).

So just who are ‘the least of these brothers of mine’ who are represented in this parable?

Consistently throughout the Gospel of Matthew, these are those who do His Father’s will (e.g., Mat 12:49-50). It refers to those who carry the good news of the Kingdom of God, Jesus’ disciples, His representatives, from the greatest to the least. Thus He told the disciples (Mat 10:1-42), not to take provisions with them but to rely on the hospitality of those who would receive them in His name. He ends declaring, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Mat 10:42) Not just the ‘least’ but ‘anyone’!

See Hebrews 2:11,17: “He is not ashamed to call His own ‘His brothers”. Note also Acts 9:4-5 where Jesus identified with persecuted believers saying to Saul “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

It is a serious error to teach that Jesus in this parable meant the poor and disadvantaged. Of course, Jesus’ people are called to render help to anyone in need. Paul put it well: “So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

Jesus spoke these words on the Mt of Olives that day, to encourage the disciples, reminding them of the sufferings and persecutions they would endure (Mat 10, 24:9-13). In the days to come, many would come to their aid when they are imprisoned, thirsty, homeless, naked, etc. The Book of Acts and the apostles’ letters record numerous instances of this. Likewise many would reject them and even persecute them.

Take away: Be encouraged in following Jesus and be active supporting those who are His representatives!

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Is One Greater Than Another?

Posted on 09/01/2023 | 2 comments

 by Deborah Waldron Fry

I have heard this saying before, that because someone has a “special” Anointing on their life, the enemy attacks them or their children more than others.

Another saying is, “Higher levels, different devils!”

I think many of you have heard this too and wondered about it.  This has always bothered me, because what parent would ever cause their children to have a target on their back, because of what they are called to do, whether it be apostle, or prophet, or evangelist, or pastor or teacher?

So I brought it to Father in prayer, asking, “Show me, Father, if this is true, I really need to know and others want to know.  And Father, in Jesus name, show us how to combat those attacks if true.”

And I heard the Sweet Loving Voice of the Father ask, “Is one of My Child’s Anointing, greater than another?”

“Well, LORD, we who are born again all have the same Holy Spirit in us, so I don’t think so.  We are ALL anointed.”

“Yes, My Child, when you are in Christ you are a “Christian” — which means “Little anointed one.”

It means you are LIKE CHRIST.  No one in My Kingdom has a “special” anointing, you are ALL ANOINTED by the Precious Holy Spirit. T here is no anointing greater or higher.

Is one gift or calling greater than another?  There is a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit, none is better than another, for ALL are needed.  There is a variety of service and activities but it is the same Lord who empowers all

A Body is made up of many members.  Each one needed and important.  I arrange the members in the Body, each one of them, as I choose.

If all were a single member, where would the body be?  It could not function.  As it is, there are many parts, yet one Glorious Body with Christ as the Head.

You are ALL My Body and you are ALL important, Beloved.  I have anointed you with The Holy Spirit and FIRE!

You all have a calling to be My Light in the darkness.  This LIGHT is what the enemy sees in you!

Not your gifts or your talents or callings, or a “special anointing”, but he sees MY SPIRIT in you.  He sees ME in you.

THE SPECIAL ANOINTING, Who is the Third Person of the Godhead, resides in all who are born again and filled with the Spirit!

Do you see now, My Child?  Do you see how special you are to Me?  You are ALL fearfully and wonderfully made! 

If one is attacked, you are all attacked for you are one Body and ALL come together to fight for the Victory!

The devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  It matters not to him what your calling is, or what body part you are but only that you are Mine.

He sees My Mark on you.  He sees My Fire burning in your heart and he wants to quench it if he can.

But do not fear.  I have you covered.  You are hidden in Christ.  I have armed you with My Word.

The weapons of your warfare are MIGHTY through your God!  This is a New Covenant we have, Beloved.

You are not like Job who lost everything he had.  Job did not have the Spirit dwelling in Him.  Job was not hidden in Christ.  You are a NEW CREATION with every spiritual blessing!

You are covered in My Glory!  Do not let fear enter your mind and heart.  I have not given you a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

I do not give the devil free reign in your life.  I AM a good, good Father.  Though bad things happen in this world and afflictions and tribulations abound, I have promised to deliver you from them all.

I have no favorites for you are ALL in Christ Jesus!  I have called you and chosen you and anointed you.

Therefore, if one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  Now you are the Body of Christ and individually members of it.

For thus says the LORD Who created you and He that formed you, “Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.”

I will bring your children from the east and gather them from the west.  I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring My Sons from far, and My Daughters from the ends of the earth; even EVERY ONE that is called by My Name — for I have created you ALL for My Glory, I have formed you; yea, I have made you and I will keep you!”

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REVOLUTIONIZE” your Christian walk

Posted on 09/12/2022 | Leave a comment

By Andrew Strom.

Practical steps that will “REVOLUTIONIZE” your Christian walk:

For many years now I have studied the accounts of past Revivals
and Revivalists. But when you study this topic, one of the things
you see very quickly is that we in the church today are living well
below the level of Christianity that should be considered ‘normal’.
(-Even a lot of “Spirit-filled” believers today). When you see what
kind of Gospel was preached and what kind of Christian life was
lived in the Revival days of old, you start to hunger for that kind of
Christianity again. And you start to see that there is a kind-of
“Revived” life that is very attainable for us all today – but so few
are walking in it – or are even told that it exists.

In many ways, what I am talking about is the ‘Normal’ Christian
life. It is nothing else but the “new creation” life found in Romans
chapters 6 – 8. There is nothing “amazing” about it at all. Yet it is
so far above the kind of Christianity that we have been led to
expect, that many think it “unattainable”. How very sad – because
it is the free gift of God to us all.

Is it possible to walk before God in a constant state of being
‘clean’ before Him – and knowing it? Is it possible to walk with a
truly pure heart and clean conscience as our “normal” state –
every day? Is it possible to live in true victory over sin – at a
practical level? Is it possible to have the strongholds of sin and
pride in our fallen nature so dealt-with that they hardly bother us at all?

The answer to these questions is ‘Yes’. And one of the key things
that our website has to be about, is how to come into this kind of
Christianity – how to literally have a “personal Revival”.

STEP ONE – MAKE a “LIST”

As all Scripture and Revival history shows – a true Revival begins
with “Deep Repentance”. And in our personal lives, it so often
begins with making a “list” – literally – of ANY sin or compromise
or “cloud” that is in our life – and confessing those sins to God
with real sorrow and repentance. Any person who cannot make a
‘LIST’ like that – and spend time confessing their sins before God
(-and forsaking them!) – is not really serious about becoming
‘Revived’. This is the first place to start.

In fact, please stop reading this right now. Please find a piece of
paper and write down a List of every sin or ‘doubtful’ thing in your
life. Ask God to “shine His light” into your heart and show you
everything that you need to repent of. Then simply get alone with
Him and go through that List – repenting of each thing one by one –
deeply confessing and forsaking them before the Lord.

I believe a lot of people will have a “Personal Revival” just through
doing that! -In fact, I know of many people who have literally been
‘revived’ through this simple process. So please – DO IT NOW! This
first step is so important that I do not believe there is any point
reading further until you have gone through it.

THEN – “WALKING” in it:

Now, after you have been through this Repentance process, what
you are left with is a CLEAN CONSCIENCE. [-This is assuming
that you have already been through the other basic steps found in
Romans 6 – 8. ie. WATER-BAPTISM (-a “death” to the old life)
and also RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (-without which we do
not have the ‘POWER’ to walk in a truly ‘Revived’ state). Please
see my other articles for more on these two steps if you need to].

Assuming that you have these basic things in place, and that you
have now REPENTED DEEPLY by confessing your sins to God
one by one, you should now sense a RENEWED COMMUNION
with God through having a totally CLEAN CONSCIENCE before
Him. Is that what you are sensing?

The Bible speaks many times of having a conscience that is
“sprinkled clean” by God. -And what a precious thing this is! In
fact, it is fair to say that the Christian life consists of- (1) GETTING
a clean conscience, and (2) KEEPING it clean! -It is pretty much
as simple as that!

So how do you “walk” in a ‘Revived’ state before God? -Simply by
walking in a way that KEEPS YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAN. That
is what Romans 8 is all about! -That is what 1 John 3 is all about!
-Keeping your heart PURE before God. -Getting a clean
conscience and WALKING IN IT – by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Special blessings to all.

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He rescues me

Posted on 28/05/2021 | 2 comments

I was recently asked to share a story in answer to the question “Have you ever been rescued?”

Yes!

The Almighty living true God, the One whom Jesus called Abba (Daddy) rescued me in May 1959.

He rescued me from a life of wondering what life was all about and transformed me into a new existence which biblical writers call “eternal life”.

I was blind, I was lost, I was enslaved to my own desires, imaginings and inclinations. My worldview changed overnight.

Yes, I have been rescued in every way.

God sent a black man from Uganda and his companion from Tanzania. As I listened to his story and saw his joy, I knew I had to have what this man, these people, so obviously had.

Yes, truly I have been rescued.

And I have been continually rescued day by day and year by year since then and today, more than ever, I am thankful.

The mighty God maintains each of my 70 billion body cells every second.

So I am so grateful to Him and to those two East Africans, whom He sent to rescue me.

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