Month: April 2021

Sometimes it’s good to learn from those who’ve gone before us in the faith, but we need to realise that God has more for each subsequent generation.

I’ve spoken many times on this blog about the two God given Spiritual Fathers I had in the Faith. The first was very much local, based in N.Ireland and called Eddie, who got me moving in the gifts and speaking a little publicly. I had asked the Lord for someone moving in the gifts of the Spirit. I remember praying to the Lord and He said to me, ‘you asked Me to lead you to someone using the gifts and I LED YOU TO EDDIE’. The Lord ordained that connection in my life, part of His unique plan for me.

The second Father was Kjell (pronounced like ‘shell’) Sjoberg, who travelled the nations and ministered powerfully in prophetic intercession. He received strategies from heaven, how to pray for cities and peoples. I travelled to different nations as part of Prayer Teams with him and saw many wonderful things. I also met believers from other nations and travelled and ministered with them. The first land I visited after my initial prayer trip was Israel which was a wonderful experience. So in just over six months I’d been on a prayer trip around Spain and a trip to a conference in Israel, God had greatly widened my ministry experience.

Derek Prince gave a quote from someone unknown, ‘that the person with an EXPERIENCE WOULD NEVER BE AT THE MERCY OF SOMEONE WITH AN ARGUMENT’. When we’ve once experienced something personally in our own lives, it doesn’t matter how persuasive the argument against it, we’re unlikely to change. God in His wisdom, will allow each of us to experience certain truths in different ways that He wants to establish in our lives, like Pillars in our understanding. This process is not just a one time event, but is definitely part of His ongoing plan for our lives.

I have also mentioned before that on a trip to Israel with my wife Anne (her first visit), she felt that she needed something more from her trip. We’d gone into the coffee shop at Christ Church, just inside the Jaffa Gate and met a large man in a suit and bow tie sitting by a fire. He began to talk to me as I ordered tea and I recognised him as Canon Andrew White, known as the Vicar of Baghdad. He invited us to join him, gave Anne three signed books and shared Communion with us, in Aramaic, the language of Jesus. He also shared a word with us that he’d heard from the Lord when we came into the cafe. Our loving Father knew the desire in our hearts for something more and blessed us in a very special and personal way, which was perfect for us.

We can’t build our lives on experience alone, but neither should we dismiss the wonderful things that God has woven into our lives. They make us who we are in Christ and who we will be for eternity.

May the Lord continue to bless us with many wonderful signs of His special love and care for us.

God bless and keep you today.

 

How can we know the Sweetness of the Lord – by walking in step with Him.

We saw yesterday how David was inspired to write about the Sweetness of God’s Word. We rarely hear this mentioned but David despite all his struggles wrote of it.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
THEY(GOD’S WORDS) ARE SWEETER THAN HONEY,
THAN HONEY FROM THE COMB.

The third and final part of Psalm 19 is a prayer of David, the man after God’s own heart;

12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive (‘Cleanse me from’ NKJV) my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May the WORDS of my mouth and the MEDITATION of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

David understood that there were two kinds of sin in his life and he prayed about them here in these verses. The first sins he mentions are unconscious sins, which he wasn’t even aware existed. When Jesus was speaking to His disciples, before He returned to His and our Father He said;

12 ‘I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. John 16

He spoke about the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, coming to His Church after He’d gone and that has happened. The work of the Holy Spirit is progressive, step by step, in our lives and as He works our Light increases;

18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4

David then asked God to keep him from conscious sin, or wilful sins, that they wouldn’t dominate his life. Derek and Ruth Prince prayed and proclaimed these scriptures from Psalm 19 and were amazed with the issues that surfaced. GOD DOESN’T WANT TO CONDEMN BUT DELIVER US.

In yesterday’s Spreaker broadcast we were looking at Psalm 81, a psalm of Asaph, praise leader and prophet. God had given Israel over to their enemies after total disobedience and they were in a terrible situation. God Himself speaks directly for much of the psalm;

13 ‘If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
14 how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last for ever.
16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
WITH HONEY FROM THE ROCK I WOULD SATISFY YOU.’

God Himself promised Israel that He would give them the best when they would turn to Him and obey Him. Wheat to sustain, but honey to Sweeten.

Why not begin to declare Psalm 19:12-14, especially verse 14 over your life today and look for God’s blessings;

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock or Strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

God bless and keep you today.

Ask the Lord for something SWEET from His Word. It’s time to taste the Honey from God’s Word today! Psalm 19

David wrote over half of the 150 psalms during his life, he had a real heart for praising God, a true worshipper in Israel.

In a very simple look at Psalm 19, there appear to be three parts to this psalm. The first speaks about the heavens and how they give testimony or bearing witness to God;

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

The concluding verses in this first part end with a description of the sun, like a bridegroom and like a champion crossing the heavens. Both of these similes can also be used for Christ, the ‘Son’.

The middle section of this psalm tells of the unique value and character of God’s Word for His people. Psalm 119 is ‘the psalm’ on the Word but Psalm 19 has this powerful, brief description on God’s Word and all it does for us;

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
THEY ARE SWEETER THAN HONEY,
THAN HONEY FROM THE COMB.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

ALL the statements given by David about the Word are true, but it’s interesting that towards the end of his portrait David praised the SWEETNESS OF THE WORD. When was the last time we heard anyone praising the Word for its Sweetness?

Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. Luke 11:46

Too often God’s Word has been used to burden believers and make their lives even harder, rather than help and encourage them. David knew God through many desperate times and situations but he speaks of the SWEETNESS OF GOD’S WORD. Our Heavenly Father is not the tyrant that religion has often portrayed Him to be, He wants to help His people. David spoke these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, when people were under the Law. Through the sacrifice of Jesus we also know God as a Loving Father.

I Dared to Call Him Father: The Miraculous Story of a Muslim Woman’s Encounter with God by Bilquis Sheikh, April 2003

When you next sit down to read God’s Word, ask the Spirit to show something of the Sweetness and Kindness of our Heavenly Father to encourage you today. After all;

‘The heavens display the Glory of God’, not the Grimness nor Sternness of our loving Father.

God bless and keep you today.

Two voices, Wisdom and Folly, calling unceasingly for everyone’s attention. Which will we listen to? Proverbs 9

Proverbs chapter 9 is a brief allegory, a short story with an important message for all people. The story is about two characters, Wisdom and Folly, calling out to mankind. There are ONLY TWO VOICES in the story, no other alternatives to choose from! This is one of the chief lessons of this scripture, ultimately we’re all going to respond to one of them.

The chapter begins with the account of Wisdom’s invitation.

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up(Hebrew, hewn out) its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”

Wisdom’s house has seven pillars, speaks of completion or perfection.

Wisdom has prepared ‘meat and wine’, a substantial meal and her table has been set. Wisdom’s invitation isn’t a frivolous one, she has taken time and effort to prepare for her guests.

Wisdom has servants/maids going out to issue her invitation to come to her banquet. The wedding banquet of the Lamb is still to come and He wants people to celebrate with Him. The invitation is going out to people at the highest point of the city, couldn’t be missed.

Wisdom’s invitation to eat food and drink wine, celebrate, is given a further time for people to come and enjoy.

Leave your ‘simple ways’ and Live. The offer is to give Life… and Walk in the Way of understanding. A Walk that will bring us into growing understanding. Proverbs 4:18, 19

Folly is, loud, undisciplined and without knowledge. There’s nothing in this description to recommend Folly, but many are drawn to her ways.

Folly makes the same invitation from the same prominent position to the same people. She gives only ‘STOLEN WATER’ to drink and her food is to be EATEN IN SECRET. Anything that can’t be done in the Light is not of the Lord. God dwells in the Light.

The story ends by telling us that those who eat and drink with Folly are in the company of the dead.

Two very different outcomes from two invitations to eat and drink what’s being offered. We’re all feeding on things in our daily lives, but we must be sure to stay with Wisdom and not stray into Foolish ways.

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7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

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God bless and keep you today.

Either the Dove adjusts to us or we adjust to the Dove. (Quote by RT Kendall from a story told him in N.Ireland)

30 AND DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

In the Spreaker broadcast yesterday, Psalm 78:40,41 tells how Israel ‘GRIEVED God and Vexed the Holy One of Israel’. It may surprise us to know that God of the whole Universe can be ‘Grieved’ by the Attitudes and Actions of His people!

There’s a cross reference from V40 to Ephesians 4:30; ‘Do not Grieve the Holy Spirit of God’.

RT Kendall was told a story after he’d finished speaking in N.Ireland about a young couple who’d been sent as missionaries to a location outside Jerusalem. The house they’d been allocated, had a dove living in the eaves and they saw this as a seal of God’s confirmation on their ministry. After some time they realised that if they banged doors or got into an argument, that the dove would fly away. They became concerned that the dove might fly away and not return, hence the opening remark. Either they had to adjust to the dove or it to them. Having the dove so close to their home changed their lives! They could no longer afford to allow discord or strife in their home.

The verse following Ephesians 4:30 tell us firstly what NOT to do to encourage the Holy Spirit to stay. Get rid of all ‘bitterness and anger’, we can’t afford it in our lives if we want to know the presence of God’s Spirit with us. John the Baptist recognised Jesus as the Messiah because the Dove came down and Remained on Him. Unfortunately the Spirit of God often lifts off because of things prevalent in us.

RT Kendall made a couple of other interesting points. A younger pastor asked him what advice he had for him, just before he was getting ready to preach. His answer, ‘find out what grieves the Holy Spirit and don’t do that’.

He also gave a simple definition of Spirituality, how long between the time we sin and the time we acknowledge and repent or say sorry? Sometimes it can keep people apart for many years, what a tragedy.

If we really sense that this is something God is speaking to us about, then we could read, recite and think on these verses at the end of Ephesians 4:(29)30,31,32 several times each day as suggested in yesterday’s blog. If God is speaking to us we need to capture His direction and write this on our hearts.

RT KENDALL, has two messages on YouTube entitled, Sensitivity of the Spirit(he wanted to call it hypersensitivity) and ‘Pigeon Religion’, a follow on to the first message.

May God bless and keep you today.

What’s being written on the tablet of our hearts today?

We could also ask what are you or we writing on the tablet of our heart, which is closer to the scripture in Proverbs 7:3  The point is that there’s always something going into our hearts, whether WE’RE WRITING IT OR SOMEONE ELSE!

1 My son, keep my words
and STORE UP MY COMMANDS WITHIN YOU.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
WRITE THEM ON THE TABLET OF YOUR HEART.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call understanding your kinsman;
5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words. Proverbs 7

These verses tell us that the Word ‘IN OUR HEARTS’ will protect us from wrong relationships, but it will do more than that.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health(medicine) to one’s whole body(flesh).
23 Above all else, GUARD YOUR HEART,
for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4 NIV

23 Above all else, GUARD YOUR AFFECTIONS. For they influence everything else in your life. Proverbs 4 TLB

Everything in life flows from what we have in our hearts!

In both scriptures in Proverbs 4 & 7, we’re told that we have a key part to play in writing God’s Word on our hearts. The Word won’t just drop upon us or into us without some action on our part, although God can do all things.

There’s a saying that, LOVE IS SPELT ‘TIME’. The things that we love and some of them may be idols that need removing, normally get much of our time. What we love we spend our time on, simple as that. But we can give some of our time to writing God’s word on our hearts without it being too onerous.

Derek Prince has a little teaching called God’s Medicine Bottle, which tells how he received healing for a skin condition in the desert during World War 2. He simply read and meditated on healing scriptures after each meal and eventually got his healing. Quite a common instruction by doctors is, ‘medicine to be taken 3 times daily after meals’.

Another book, Scripture Keys for Kingdom Living, by June Newman Davies has a similar approach(God used her Scriptures to heal many). She tells people to read/repeat certain scriptures 4 times daily and 3 times each verse(s). First time speak/read the scripture, second time repeat saying, ‘it is written’ and last time say, ‘I believe’ before reading verse(s).

By repeating God’s Word several times daily we can and will write it on the ‘Tablet of our Hearts’ and it will eventually come forth in our lives.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call understanding your kinsman; Proverbs 7:4

This verse followed the instruction to write His Word on our hearts. I believe this scripture is worth repeating and being open to how the Lord will use it in our lives.

God bless and keep you today.

Hallelujah! Christ has risen.

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; HE HAS RISEN, JUST AS HE SAID. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: “HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD  and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” Now I have told you.’

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ Matthew 28:1-10

Wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Easter.

The death of Jesus (Matthew 27)

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, ‘He’s calling Elijah.’

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.’

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’

55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

The burial of Jesus

57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

Does all true prayer only come when our hearts have been touched? Not necessarily, but it helps. Nehemiah 1 & 2

Nehemiah heard the bad news from one of his brothers, Hananiah, about the state of Jerusalem and it’s people and he was deeply moved;

4 When I heard these things, I SAT DOWN AND WEPT. FOR SOME DAYS I MOURNED and FASTED and PRAYED before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah heard news which disturbed him greatly, but he was cupbearer to the king of Babylon. He spent time before the Lord First! His heart had been touched, but he was a captive in a foreign land and very much needed the Lord’s help. Queen Esther and her maids also fasted and prayed to God before coming before Xerxes, another king of Babylon.

As Paul said, ‘When I am weak, then I am strong’. 2 Cor 12:10

Nehemiah was planning to undertake something very important to the Lord, where he would face much opposition. God had to be sure he wouldn’t try to go in his own strength, but in dependence on Him.

The Bible doesn’t just tell us that he prayed, but records his prayer and models for us how an earnest servant in exile approached his God.

5 Then I said:

‘Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly towards you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

8 ‘Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”

Nehemiah confessed (said the same as God) the sins of his people and IDENTIFIED himself and his family as part of the problem. In short he humbled himself before God and took time in doing it! Then he reminded God of His own words, to Moses and asked Him to fulfill them. It’s always good to have scripture to base our prayer on and pray in line with God’s Word.

Nehemiah was still nervous going before the king, although not overawed, because he’d ended his prayer by asking for ‘Favour with this man’. He knew that God was much greater than any man, even a ruler.

‘The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven (sent up a silent prayer before speaking) and I answered the king’. Nehemiah 2:4

Nehemiah’s sincere prayers were answered, but he still had to stand before the king and make his request. He prepared his answers for the king, asking for leave to return to Jerusalem and help rebuild the city. He did all he could and trusted God to do His part. God is faithful, don’t be afraid to step out and trust Him to bless you today.