Month: August 2020

STAY SWEET IN YOUR SOUL (Russ). Pastor Roy Walden Senior

I heard this quote from Russell Walden on ‘Outpouring America’ (new series on Spiritual Fathers/Mothers – Part 1) and it stayed with me. The Lord told Russ to leave his high level ministry position, deputy director of a denomination and serve his father, while working to support himself and his family. Russ was placed in a hidden/obscure role for a lengthy period(God’s dealings with us are thorough) after having having risen to prominence at an early age.

The Lord Himself, had to keep His own heart free of bitterness even while in great pain and suffering, hanging on the cross. Despite the mocking of the religious rulers Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”. He also forgave one of the two criminals hanging there with Him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise”. Luke 23:34, 43.

Paul, had to endure great hardship and physical abuse for the sake of the Gospel. Yet some of his own spiritual children in the Corinthian Church, caused him much grief.

So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?  I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. 2 Cor 2:1,2,3

David said, “Even my close friend whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me”. Ps 41:9

Often it seems that those closest to us and who have the power to hurt us the most are those used to wound us! Yet David, Paul and the Lord Himself kept their hearts right before God.

Two kings in the Old Testament, Asa who served the Lord for many years and Ahaziah, who appears never to have known the Lord, turned away from Him in anger/bitterness and died in pain and misery.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring (source) of life. Prov 4:23

The painful experiences and God ordained trials of this life will either make us BITTER OR BETTER. Many exclude themselves through anger or bitterness from their God given destinies.

STAY SWEET IN YOUR SOUL!

God bless and keep you this day.

 

 

 

Three things to remember, or commit to memory and declare that God has done for us!

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He has anointed us(1), set His seal of ownership on us(2) and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come(3). 2 Cor 1:21,22

Paul speaks of these three things that God has done from His side to help and enable us to stand firm in our faith, V24

The Anointing – Dear children, this is the last hour;…But you have an anointing from the Holy One and all of you know the truth. …As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you…the anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real… remain in Him. 1 Jn 2:18,20,27.

John speaks about the Anointing to believers as ‘Dear children’ and for ‘this last hour’, a word for us today. God’s Anointing ‘remains in us’ to teach us and be a safeguard for us. We all know things by the Spirit that we don’t know in the natural, through our minds. Don’t dismiss the thoughts which seem to come unbidden, God may be speaking to us.

Set His Seal of ownership upon us – marked us as His own. Company seals are used to authenticate legal or important documents, their mark of approval, not something which is given lightly.

We see way back in Genesis 38:18, Judah, the line for the Messiah, was treating Tamar, his daughter in law unfairly. She became pregnant directly through Judah and gave birth to twin boys; Perez was  recorded in the genealogy Matt 1:3. Tamar presented Judah’s seal, cord and staff to confirm that he was the father of her twins, indisputable proof. God’s Seal on us confirms beyond all doubt that we are His!

Put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come – God has made a down payment or deposit  on each of us(also in 2Cor 5:5), none other than His Holy Spirit living inside us. Jesus said, ‘It is to your advantage that I go away…if I go I will send the Helper to you’. Jn 16:7 NASB.

So God has done these three marvellous, irrefutable things for all of His Children. He has anointed us, sealed us and deposited His Spirit(God Himself) within us, as HIS GUARANTEE OF WHAT’S TO COME! Be thankful and don’t lose heart, we have the great and loving God with us.

God bless and keep you today and every day.

 

 

 

God stands ready to confirm His word and His will and it is a safeguard for us. Don’t be in a hurry to rush ahead, wait for Him to open the door fully before you go through it.

”…so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”. Deut 17:6, 19:15, Matt 18:16, 2 Cor 13:1, 1 Tim 5:19

In Luke 1, eighty verses, a number of things happened twice. Two visitations by the Archangel Gabriel (Zechariah and Mary), two miraculous births, two names from Heaven (John and Jesus) and two prophetic songs (Mary and Zechariah).

When Jesus was born, the rejoicing angels visited the shepherds in the open fields near Bethlehem, to tell them of His birth. The shepherds were nearby and alone when the angels appeared to them.

The wise men from the East came bringing their gifts for the King. They had seen the star that announced His birth and made the journey to Bethlehem to worship the King.

The story of the baby Jesus being taken to the Temple in Luke 2 also provides us with two witnesses to His real identity. The elderly Simeon who was moved by the Spirit and had been told he’d see the Messiah before he died. He prophesied over the child, his mother and the nation of Israel. ‘There was also a prophetess, Anna, very old, who never left the Temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem’. Two devout servants, a man and a woman, testified at Jesus presentation at the Temple.

Through these events God made it very clear that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, the Son of God Himself, come as a baby to earth. He gave repeated confirmations through many different people that this child was the Lord.

God wants us to know His will for our lives and to follow it, but He also knows and loves us. He wants to reassure us of His care and encourage us in the steps of Faith on our life’s journey. Don’t hesitate to ask Him for His confirmation for your life today and be at peace until the way opens.

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chron 16:9

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The Water of Life, a Living/Life Giving Water.

The Bible speaks a lot about water and in hot, dry lands natural water is life.

In the early part of John’s Gospel, Jesus spoke to two different groups of people about the ‘Water of Life’.

Jesus answered her(Samaritan woman), “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living Water. … 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”. John 4:10, 14

The Water of Life is meant to bubble up and spring forth in our lives. Natural springs of water are visible, so should God’s life in us be obvious to others.

Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will FLOW FROM WITHIN THEM. By this He meant the Spirit…” John 7:37,38

The Water of Life, God’s Spirit and Life in us, should be evident to all around us.

Isaiah prophesied centuries before Jesus the Messiah came, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost”. Isa 55:1

God’s invitation is to even the poorest, those who have no money are welcome to drink and eat at God’s Table.

The theme of ‘Living Water’ continues all the way to the last book and even to the last chapter of Bible.

“To the thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. They who overcome will inherit all this, and I will be there God and they will be my children”. Rev 21:6

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city… The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”! And let him who hears say, “Come”!  Whoever is thirsty, let them come; and whoever wishes, let them take the free gift of the water of life”. Rev 22:1, 17

It seems that God is emphasising right to the end of His Word that people can come and drink of this Life Giving Water and the price has been paid by His Son, Jesus our Messiah. What a wonderful, generous God, who wants to have children with Him to share all eternity.

God bless you and may you be blessed this day.

 

 

Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 2 John 8

We have to play until the final whistle/until God calls time. If we once stop going forward with the Lord we are in danger!

I have been looking at the lives of Judah’s kings recently and two of them stand out. They both started well but unlike king David they didn’t finish the course set for them.

Joash had been a good king of Judah, restoring the Lord’s Temple, the heart of the nation. His mentor and father figure the priest, Jehoida lived until he was 130 years old.

As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the Lord . 2 Chron 24:14

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king and HE LISTENED TO THEM. They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of the fathers, and worshipped Asherah poles and idols. 2 Chron 24:17

The king’s heart was turned away from God because he listened to people who DIDN’T FEAR THE LORD. One of the strongest influences in and upon our lives comes from other people, people like us! GODLY OR GODLESS INFLUENCE , which will WE choose?

The second king was Asa, King of Judah and he’d fought a battle against a much larger army. ‘The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah’.

They sought God eagerly and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. … there was no more war until the 35th year of Asa’s reign. 2 Chron 15:15, 19

Asa had enjoyed peace but ‘in the 36th year of his reign, Basha king of Israel(same people as Judah) laid siege to Judah’. After all those years, Asa decided NOT TO SEEK THE LORD but bribed the King of Aram to attack Israel, which successfully broke the siege, but the Lord wasn’t pleased.

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the Earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him(this verse is a great promise from the Lord). You have done a foolish thing and from now on you will be at war. 2 Chron 16:9

Asa imprisoned Hanani the seer, sent to him with the message and completely turned away from God. Somehow the enemy had twisted Asa’s thinking and his heart towards God.

In the 39th year of his reign Asa was was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in is illness he did not seek help from the Lord. 2 Chron 16:13

Our commitment, or covenant, to the Lord must be for our entire lives. Lord may we serve You wholeheartedly and for all of our lives.

Jesus said three times, ‘but the one who STANDS FIRM TO THE END WILL BE SAVED’. Matt 10:22, 24:13 Mark 13:13

God bless and keep you today.

 

Words, Wisdom and Wellspring… Prov 4 NIV

Chapter 4 begins with a father speaking to his young son; what a blessing to have a father’s instruction in the things of God when we’re young and impressionable, willing to learn. I’m reminded of Jewish Fathers in Jerusalem, out walking with their young sons on Shabbat, when God ordained that work should stop and the people rest.

“Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live(serious words, teaching the way of life). …do not forget my words or swerve from them”. Prov 4:4, 5

The instruction is ‘to hold onto the words for dear life’, and to keep and obey them. God’s Words are supposed to mound and shape our lives(Logos, general or written word of God).If God speaks to us directly, we need to write it down and capture it and meditate on it, (Rhema, personal word to us).

‘Wisdom’ is described a lot in Proverbs as a female person, difficult for our western minds to grasp. There are believers who claim to have met the person of wisdom in the spirit, which would help explain terms like ‘embrace and esteem her’.

Do not forsake wisdom and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have get understanding/whatever else you get. Esteem her and she will exalt you; embrace her and she will honour you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour. Prov 4:6-9 also Prov 3:13-18

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. Prov 9:12

Choosing wisdom instead of folly will save us much grief in this life. Wisdom is discerning and says no to what is harmful. Wisdom takes the longer view. Above all, it is God’s wisdom and not the wisdom of this world that we need.

The third word is ‘Wellspring’;

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring (source) of life. Prov 4:22

We have to guard our own hearts, no one else can do it for us. Whatever we allow in will affect our lives and probably come out of our mouths. Our heart is the source of our lives, so we need to give heed to what we are allowing in.

In 2 Chron 23 we read the story of Joash becoming king and the things that followed on from that;

He also stationed doorkeepers at the gates of the Lord’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter(We are the Temple of God’s Spirit today). 2 Chr 23:19

The sanctity/holiness of the Temple had to be preserved; no one or nothing unclean could enter. So we are told to guard our hearts, keep anything out of our lives that’s not pleasing to the Lord.

God bless and keep you today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight/direct your paths. Prov. 3:5,6

I have always been blessed by the third chapter of Proverbs and these two verses have an important message for us, namely, we’re not supposed to be directing our own lives.

God has a perfect plan for each of our lives, which has been drawn up in eternity and that’s the plan we need to seek and live out. Joseph had his dreams and was soon kidnapped and sold into slavery by his own brothers. Ended up running Potiphar’s house and then wrongly imprisoned in an Egyptian jail and yet he was right where God wanted him;

So then, it was not you(his brothers)who sent me here, BUT  GOD. He made me father to pharaoh, Lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt(God’s eyes are on His goal for our lives, we tend to be absorbed with the present). Gen 45:8

King David was anointed by Samuel to be the second king of all Israel, but he spent many years fleeing for his life from Saul and fighting the Philistines.

Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you(Jonathan)live, there is only a step between me and death. 1 Sam 20:3

We can choose to cooperate and look for Heaven’s guidance in our own lives. There’s a story of someone in a strange city and they knew a Christian couple lived there but had no idea where. They prayed for guidance before they left the place they were staying and as they walked along the street they felt to cross to the other side and there was the couple they wanted to meet, ONLY GOD!

‘Lord help me/us to be in the right place at the right time today’ is a good prayer to pray each day and only takes a moment.

‘…  then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will’. Rom 12:2

There are different levels of God’s will for our lives and we want His ‘perfect will’. Take some time to pray and commit yourself to God’s plan for our lives today.  It will bring peace and security in the days ahead, to know we are in His will and plan for our lives. Joseph and David had to endure many trials but ‘God was faithful’ to them and no less to us today in our time.

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We are available to seek the Lord for words of encouragement for those requiring personal help. Contact us at the ministry webpage above.

Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine. Prov 3:9,10