Category Archives: Discipleship

LONGING FOR GOD’S DESIGN FOR HIS BODY

Posted on 20/01/2019 | 2 comments

As more people read the New Testament and see what it actually says about ‘church’ and what is God’s design for us in the New covenant in contrast to the Old they begin to long for something more authentic, more participatory–what God actually wants.

Many are leaving the religious institutions. Yet they have not left the Lord Jesus.

What is the alternative?

We are certainly not to abandon fellowship.

The Lord has clearly provided the most glorious pattern for us–the Lord Jesus, himself, his example, His commands, His works and His constant obedience to what the Father said.

If He was so obedient then so must we also. God will show the way.

Just ‘as Moses was ‘faithful in all his house’ so Jesus is faithful in His house which He is building and gathering, a house not being built by earthly hands. His Design originating in the heavenly places!

The believers we read about in the N.T., though not perfect yet obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit and the instructions of the apostles found for example in 1 Cor 1, 11-14. They carried out the plan.

But since from as early as 2ndC (and even earlier as we see trends in some N.T. letters & Revelation’s 7 assemblies) men have had their own ideas and preferred them to God’s plan.

We have thought we could change from the word of God, that we could do better ourselves. Such arrogance. Such disobedience.

The result is sectarianism, pharisaic attitudes, false teaching, mono-ministry, programs, monetization, entertainment, the loss of supernatural power and authority, timidity, maintenance of buildings, open competitiveness . . .

There is such a need to simply repent, change our minds, humble ourselves, weep and begin to radically OBEY. To admit that we have disobeyed the plain teaching and examples of Jesus and His apostles.

This will require humility, the will and some searching to do only what the Father wants and to be willing to suffer reproach loss of friends and loneliness.

A decision must be made. Either . . .

  • You keep on disobeying the word of God by continuing this ‘church’ stuff founded on what men have decided is best and trying to get God to agree with it and to bless it, or
  • You change your mind (repent) to what God wants—be founded on the words of Jesus and his apostles alone and humbly seek His guidance in actually doing it.

Then being obedient to God, you will know you are asking God to do His will and you can expect to see Him pouring out His rivers of living water—the glorious work of the Holy Spirit.

2 Comments

Posted in Assembling, church, Bible Study, Discipleship, Uncategorized

Spiritual Treason

Posted on 18/10/2018 | 3 comments

Originally posted by Mark Taylor, . See https://www.hiskingdomprophecy.com/spiritual-treason/

 

The Spirit of God says, “Why are My people attacking one another?  Why are My people engaging in friendly fire?

Friendly fire will not be tolerated!  Just because you disagree with that person, doesn’t give you the right to murder that person with your words.

“Thou shall not murder!”  Repent!  You will be held accountable for every word you speak.

The religious, legalistic and critical spirits that are on My people are creating division and chaos.  Can you not see that you are being used by the Kingdom of Darkness?

You are aiding the enemy!  How can you take on an enemy that you are a part of?  You are using My written word as an intellectual weapon against My people.

You Brood of Vipers!  My written word was meant to be wielded against the enemy not the people of God.  Repent, you who commit Spiritual Treason!

You think because you know My written Word that you know Me!  But your hearts are far from Me.  Your intellect, your so called knowledge, has created a spiritual arrogance, and your pride is separating you from Me.

If the written Word was alive in you, you would not use it to attack My people.  Repent!”

The Spirit of God says, “‘Where is the sound of unity?  Where is the mercy and grace that I have shown you?

Why are you not showing it to others?  Why has your love grown cold?

Put your petty differences aside.  My love is unconditional.  Love each other deeply.  Love covers a multitude of sins and My mercy endures forever.  The love, mercy, grace, and unity that I AM looking for will be what it takes in these days ahead to push back the forces of darkness so My gospel can go forth.

These attributes are what’s needed to be a part of My Army.  I AM looking for men and women of God to put their differences aside, come together in unity, for this common cause in forwarding My Kingdom.

My Army is making great strides against the Kingdom of Darkness!  Taking ground!  Holding ground!  They will be an unstoppable force in the days ahead.  Unify, unify, unify!

I AM calling on My troops to unify now!”

3 Comments

Posted in Discipleship

What’s new in the new covenant?

Posted on 08/10/2018 | 2 comments

A covenant . . .

  • is a binding agreement between 2 persons (e g marriage)
  • Is initiated by one to another who agrees—says ‘I will!’
  • has stated terms and conditions
  • Is solemnly sealed in front of witnesses by a significant act

 Covenant is the same word as Testament in the original biblical (Greek) language.

So New Testament means New Covenant.

Are you living in the New Covenant? let’s see.

This is what the New Covenant looks like in contrast to the old according to the Scriptures:

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So why are so many trying to live by the Old Covenant?

Are you a part of the old system which most people refer to as church? Look at the list on the left and ask yourself ‘am I living under a system like this’?

Does the old covenant list look anything like what Jesus taught?

To obey Jesus you need to be living under his Lordship and be united to him, one with him, in this new covenant in his blood. Jesus is everything. You need to be freed from the dominance of an old system. The old wineskin is inadequate for the new wine.

The Lord God is about to judge his people. It’s time to obey Jesus, the mighty son of God.

More on this in my next post. Soon. God willing.

 

2 Comments

Posted in Bible Study, Discipleship

Psalm 64

Posted on 29/09/2018 | 10 comments

As I read this psalm today my heart grieved for that transparently good man of the greatest integrity who in Washington DC, is being accused of sexual attack on a woman decades ago and without any corroborating evidence. Mere accusation. This could happen to anyone. Of course the victim must be able to start court proceedings even though the accused may be innocent of the crime. This eminent person with his loving family has been through a terrible hell.

Also I thought of the way they treated Jesus.

We prayed. We cried to the Lord, the Lord of justice and righteousness and loving-kindness, before whom every one of us will have to give an account some time up ahead.

We prayed this psalm for him. Like David 3000 years ago he has been accused and declared guilty by his many apparent prosecutors who have undertaken to destroy him. Ps 64 says it all – how David was surrounded by enemies unjustly. And how he called on his God, his Saviour,

1 Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear.

5 They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares;
they say, “Who will see it?”
6 They plot injustice and say,
“We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

7 But God will shoot them with his arrows;
they will suddenly be struck down.
8 He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
9 All people will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.

10 The righteous will rejoice in the Lord
and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him!

Will you also who read this join Joan and me in crying for righteousness, for justice, for uncovering of the crimes in many who operate together in unheard of  wickedness in the U.S. but not only in that nation, but in the whole world—the most awful things are happening in secret mostly. Join us in crying out for our PM who faces hourly difficult decisions and for Australia and who has many enemies.

But we have received a kingdom which cannot be moved. It is an everlasting kingdom which endures throughout all ages! It is the Kingdom of God, nothing less and we need nothing more. The Kingdom of God has arrived with Jesus and is present with us if we have the eyes and ears open.

 

This kingdom knocks all other kingdoms out flat as the prophet Daniel saw. And the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and of His Christ! And he shall reign for ever and ever. Hallelujah!

 

“ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

10 Comments

Posted in Bible Study, Discipleship, Famous persons, Good versus evil, Kingdom of God, Personal

When that which is perfect comes

Posted on 18/07/2018 | 5 comments

If the age of healing, signs and wonders has passed with the original apostles—the ‘perfect having come’ (1 Cor 13:10) as some teach— then what else has ceased? What other promises and instructions which we read about in the New Testament have now passed away as being ‘childish things’ (I Cor 13:8-12)?

What about all the things Jesus commanded, prophesied or promised us such as . . .

Mat 28:19. ‘Go and make disciples of the gentiles, teaching them to observe ALL I have commanded you’ and ‘I am with you even to the end of the age’

Mark 16:17-20.  ‘These signs shall follow those who believe . . . . . ‘

John 4:24. Worship of the Father in spirit and truth.

John 7:37-39:  rivers of living water for any who thirst and comes to Jesus after He is glorified.

John 14:12. ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.’  

John 14:13. ‘Whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’

John 14:14. ‘If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.’

Acts 2:39  ‘. . . this promise (the gift of the Holy Spirit) is for you and your children and to as many as are far off, to those who call upon my name’

So many promises found in the letters of Paul (Romans 8, 2 Cor 3, etc) and Peter.

What else then may we doubt applies to our times? The grace of God? The indwelling of the Father and the Son? The fullness and power of the Holy Spirit? The guidance of the Holy Spirit? His convicting of sin? Our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit? Marriage only between a man and a woman?

Has healing of our sicknesses now ceased and if so what about the forgiveness of sins? Is it suddenly no longer the will of God to heal the sick (these go together in many scriptures!) Has the new covenant ceased too? Do we set aside the Lord’s supper as being childish? Do we now doubt the resurrection of the body?

Then we also see many other things Jesus commanded have been forgotten or ‘wiped’ unceremoniously in the teachings of many denominations and sects, such as spiritual gifts for each believer, the spontaneous exercise of edification and sharing in the ekklesia, the form or pattern of meeting as the simple gathering together in Christ, the prayer of faith that saves (heals) the sick, the baptising and the fullness of the Holy Spirit, the work of Christ in the believer—I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

In the place of what Jesus gave us, Christianity, ‘the church’, has largely left us with mono-ministry, a paid clergy class, clerical titles, the laity concept, man-made liturgies, programs and strategies, reliance on finances, dependence on holy buildings, and so on. I think you know what I mean.

Let’s admit it: we have failed miserably in ‘teaching them to believe all things I have commanded’ and instead taught so many things that are alien to Jesus, unknown to the NT writers, and counter-productive to the Kingdom of God.

So for us post-apostolic times, are we really just left with teachers and theologians deciding which things to believe still apply? Or do we each one just pick and choose what doesn’t apply now?

That is unthinkable.

“Let God be true and every man a liar.”

5 Comments

Posted in Assembling, church, Bible Study, Discipleship, miracles

What happened in 70 AD changed everything

Posted on 12/07/2018 | 2 comments

Here is a most odd thing about the New Testament : the momentous event–the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 when the Roman armies destroyed the ‘holy’ city and the Jewish temple was utterly and completely wiped from the surface of the land, and that is never once mentioned as an event of the past anywhere in any of the 27 documents of the New Testament corpus. Never once!

This event was the single most climactic thing to have taken place in that period and in the lives of the first Christian believers (all Jewish) some of whom were alive when these terrible things that took place.

Some of these believers had put the words, actions and sufferings of Jesus down in writings which we know and read today as the four gospels. Three of these authors, Matthew, Mark and Luke the historian, wrote down what Jesus emphatically told the disciples : this momentous event of the destruction of the temple by foreign armies, would take place while some of them would be still alive.

This is amazing. It leaves us to believe that these 27 documents were penned before this awesome historical event took place–before 70 A D and just as Jesus foretold. Written down so very early after the events. Believe it.  

This same Jesus also foretold his sufferings and death at the hands of the occupying forces the Romans and the collaboration of the Jewish leadership of the day which took place about 30 A D. At the same time he also predicted that after three days he would be alive again. He appeared to his incredulous followers in the flesh, alive again. It changed everything.

Momentous.

These historical events changed everything. The shockwaves are still rebounding right around the world and even more today in 2018 A D.

Can you afford not to believe these things?

The earth will be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

 

 

 

 

2 Comments

Posted in Bible Study, Discipleship, Eschatology

Making People Righteous is the Power of the Gospel

Posted on 26/04/2018 | 6 comments

Making People Righteous is the Power of the Gospel

by Jeff Weddell

 

Justification is often viewed as God switching us from the Unrighteous column to the Righteous column in His heavenly ledger book.

Being counted righteous, or being justified, is not just a switch in God’s mind about you.

To be counted righteous, to be justified, means you have been made righteous!

Actually, in a real-life way, you can be made righteous, to the extent that righteousness shows up in your life.

This is the regenerating power of the Gospel!

You who were born in sin, a child of wrath, have been reconstituted, remade to do what is righteous!

Nothing else has that power. Nothing and no one can make unrighteous people suddenly do righteous things except God alone.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ rebirths us. It raises us up to newness of life. It is the power of God unto salvation.

There is power, re-creative power, in the Gospel. It frees from sin, it liberates the soul from the clutches of Satan and his evil, and frees you to do righteousness.

Nothing else can do this. You can’t do it. The law can’t do it. Good intentions can’t do it. Happy thoughts can’t do it.

Christ alone can do it.

And He does every time someone believes that He can.

The whole point of God redeeming a person is so they would do righteousness.

We are created to do good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

He redeemed unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Salvation is not there so when you die you don’t go to hell.

Salvation is here to transform your life. To remake you with a desire and the ability to finally be able to do what God desires.

This is the longing of the soul that Christ answers. This is the glorious water of life that is poured into those who thirst after righteousness.

Unfortunately, we’ve sucked the Gospel’s power away. We tell people they are saved because they did a thing we told them to do and then pat them on the back as they go back to their sin.

We bring people to the Gospel without even mentioning sin or a new life. We make it about what happens after death. We make it all about later and nothing about now.

Release from sin now is what the Gospel can do. To not want to be released from sin is to not want the Gospel.

Instead of dealing with the sad fact that most people don’t want the Gospel, we invent a false Gospel that tells people “Jesus is fine with your sin. Nothing can stop it, you have to sin.” Oh well, guess even Jesus and the Gospel can’t stop your awesome power to sin.

How sad. If only God were more powerful than sin. Imagine what the Gospel would look like if that were true?

Guess what? It is true!

Stop believing lies and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel’s power, which is able to make you a child of God, freed from sin, and released into righteous service.

6 Comments

Posted in Bible Study, Discipleship

What Good News?

Posted on 29/03/2018 | 4 comments

We rejoice always in the good news of the resurrection of Jesus following  his death for our salvation.

We rejoice in this amazing grace not just once a year but continually.

But it seems that it is only good news to those who recognise their need of salvation and the merciful redemption of Jesus.

It is good news only to us who understand and feel Jesus’ assessment of our horrible condition which required such momentous events such as God sending his Son and then the killing of the Jewish Messiah and his wondrous raising from the regions of nethergloom.

It is obvious to us, but solely through the grace of the Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit and so we have believed in Jesus and his work on the cross.

But to the sea of paganism and unbelief around us and the almost monolithic habit of ignoring God the Father and His wonderful love for us here in Aussie land, it is not good news.

It is a nuisance, even an offence. Often anger is expressed or a resentment held against God when an attempt is made to point out that we are all under the judgment of God and will have to give an account.

There can be no excuse for ignoring the one who made us and sustains us.

Two days ago I spoke to Jo, a checkout lady, all smiles. And her friendly and cheery manner changed dramatically to anger when in answer to her question about the cheating cricketers, I said that cheating and deception is endemic in our culture (‘everyone does it’) but we will all face a future judgment by our loving Creator.

As far back as 1940, C. S. Lewis observed in his classic The Problem of Pain, that in modern times a recovery of the sense of corruption and badness, the illusion of “I’m good enough” or “better than that person”, and the horror of deserving judgment, is essential.

In the time of Jesus, the Gospel had a more immediate application amid the recognition by people of the dominance of darkness and hopelessness and the sense of shame and failure: “what must I do to be saved?”

How much more do we need to see the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in our day and in our society without which I feel our efforts are in vain.

Miracles are essential, especially the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit to open the hearts and minds enslaved and blinded by the god of this world.

Walking in the Spirit is called for if the people we approach with good news will have a prior consciousness of sin and the awful condition they are in: slavery, blindness, deafness, hypocrisy, given over to serving self and the denial of shame and guilt.

How impossible it is for anyone to come to Jesus “unless the Father who sent me draws him”. John 6:44, 65.

Yet “with God nothing is impossible”.

Rejoicing with you all in the good news that HE LIVES and he lives in us.

4 Comments

Posted in Bible Study, Discipleship, Famous persons, miracles

CONVERSATION WITH LIAM

Posted on 27/03/2018 | 4 comments

Met Liam a few days ago and spoke with him while he was checking out my shopping and filling bags at the supermarket.

I overheard him tell the shopper who preceded me that he was looking forward to his big trip overseas.

Liam is a likable young man, happy to talk to customers—a real asset to his employers.

As we locked eyes, I spoke “so you’re looking forward to your big trip?

Yep.

Bet you’re excited.

Sure am.

How soon?

About 3 months and I can hardly wait.

Though of course in the total of our understanding of time, it’s very short.

Yes, sometimes time is not our friend.

So I said : I am also looking forward to the trip of a lifetime. And boy am I excited about it!

Oooh, where ya’ going?

Goin’ to Heaven!

Oooh! not so soon surely! he said smiling, trying to guess my age.

Well as you said a few seconds ago, in the total of our understanding of time, it’s very short.

So where are you heading ultimately? Heaven or the other place?

Oh I hope I go to the good place.

Liam, do you know who will go there, who will make the good place?

Hmmm not sure.

Well, it says that those who love God their Creator, and listen to his son Jesus for their salvation, will be looking forward to it and will be at home there.

Those who don’t want God as Jesus revealed him, will not be at home there, will be judged (who hasn’t sinned?) and be located to Hell, whatever that is like. Not good by Jesus’ reckoning. To be avoided at all costs.

Do you think about that?

Yes. I know about that (maybe good Catholic upbringing)

But have you thought seriously about it?

I know about it. But I havn’t really considered it.

Please consider. Please don’t put it off.

We parted friends, Liam and I, shopping bags packed.

Next time at the checkout?

But Time is not his friend.

Nor ours, eh?

             

 

4 Comments

Posted in Discipleship, Go Forth

Billy Graham’s Faithfulness

Posted on 04/03/2018 | 2 comments

We have all heard recently of Billy Graham’s change of address, his home-coming which he constantly spoke of with joyous anticipation. What a life! what an example! How focussed he was always on Jesus–his death, his rising, his saving grace.

I watched some of the ‘live-stream’ online of his final journey through North Carolina and to Washington to lie in state for a couple of days in the Capital Hill Rotunda, an honour so few have been  granted by the US people.

The producers gave viewers two inspiring addresses from Billy in which he showed his unwavering belief in the Word of God–‘the Bible says . . .’

These bold statements remain for me to think about afresh:

Jesus went to hell for us on the cross, so that we trusting in what he did there we we have wonderful assurance of eternal life.

God loves you, God loves you! –balanced by Jesus’ warnings to avoid at all costs the just retribution for our sin by the free gift of eternal life through and only by, the cross.

Jesus called people to follow him publicly — and to confess him before others.

God’s eternal word/warning ‘rebel against me and my word and you surely die’ and that God will not, can not, change his word, cannot lie, it is everlasting.

I thank the Lord for the life, the consistency, the graciousness, the integrity, of Dr Billy Graham and pray that the Lord of the Harvest will raise up and send many like him, as we think about his good and faithful servant.

2 Comments

Posted in Discipleship, Famous persons