Month: October 2021

The Faithfulness of our God, what’s written in the Scripture.

⁹ Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; HE IS THE FAITHFUL GOD, KEEPING HIS COVENANT OF LOVE (God Loves His Children) to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7

Moses described Yahweh as ‘THE FAITHFUL GOD’ who’d made a LOVE COVENANT with His people; so different to the idols and demons worshipped by all the other people of that day (and this day). The God who’d keep His Covenant for a thousand generations to those who loved and obeyed Him. No one else in the whole Universe could make that statement, only our God!

⁸ ‘How can I give you up, Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, Israel? 

My heart is changed within me;
    all my compassion is aroused (God is merciful toward us). 

¹² Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
    Israel with deceit.
And Judah is unruly against God,
    even against the FAITHFUL Holy One. Hosea 11

God had every right to be angry with Israel, but He remained Faithful to them and showed them mercy instead.

What does the New Testament or New Covenant say?

⁸ He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is FAITHFUL, WHO HAS CALLED YOU INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. 1 Corinthians 1

Make no mistake, it was God who CALLED ALL BELIEVERS INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS SON. We only responded to His CALL and it’s Him who keeps us.

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And GOD IS FAITHFUL; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10

Others have endured and will endure the temptations or trials that happen in our lives. God is with us in temptation or trials and testing here on earth and promises to see us through, or make a way for us as He did for Israel. God has not turned away from us when we go through difficulty, He wants us to come through victorious.

Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians contain similar encouragement;

²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ THE ONE WHO CALLS YOU IS FAITHFUL, AND HE WILL DO IT. 1 Thessalonians 5

³ But the LORD IS FAITHFUL, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3

Two final scriptures from Hebrews;

²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL (The God of all has given us His Word). Hebrews 10

¹¹ By Faith Abraham even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren – was enabled to become a father because he considered HIM FAITHFUL who had made the promise. Hebrews 11

Isaac, was a miracle child and God is still the God of miracles for His children today.

³⁸ Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you. AMPC

The Lord has promised to bless those who bless and with the same measure that we bless. Why not sow into Father’s Love Ministry today and reap His blessing, it’s a sure promise. Donate now on our webpage;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

We are available to seek personal words of encouragement and direction for those who want them. We can also provide online counselling as needed. Contact us on the webpage above; a donation is required for this service.

DO WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO GIVE TO HIM TODAY – I DO!

A young woman called Christa Bullock was listening to TV in her bedroom whilst on a trip in the USA. The news was all about price rises and out of her mouth she spoke, ‘Well I’m glad I’m a giver’. Something inside her rose up and was thankful that she gave to God’s Kingdom.

God bless and keep you today.

We serve a supernatural God and we need to see His power manifested in new measure today.

Elijah and Elisha were divided and Elijah was caught up to Heaven by a fiery chariot and horses. 2 Kings 1

Jesus and His disciples were also separated at the end and Jesus was taken up in a cloud out of their sight. Acts 1:9-11

Elijah’s cloak or mantle fell from him as he was taken up and Elisha picked it up and used it to divide the Jordan River. Jesus disciples had to wait in the upper room in Jerusalem, behind closed doors, until the Holy Spirit fell upon each of them like flames of fire and they spoke in other tongues. Acts 2:3, 4

The prophets who were watching Elisha recognised that he now carried the same anointing that had been on Elijah.

¹⁴ He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. ‘Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. 

¹⁵ The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, ‘The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.’ And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 2 Kings 2

They saw a new authority in Elisha and bowed before him. These other prophets acknowledged that Elisha now stood above them and accepted the Lord’s anointing was on him in a greater measure.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Acts 2

The fire that fell upon the disciples in the upper room was soon the talk of all the Jews gathered in Jerusalem from many nations. The disciples were no longer hiding away, they boldly proclaimed the new message of salvation in many languages to the assembled Jews. The Fire of God’s Spirit brought a complete transformation to them and the Church was born in Jerusalem, right where they’d crucified Christ.

Paul was another man who had a supernatural encounter with the risen Lord.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’

⁵ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ⁶ ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ Acts 9

Saul, later Paul, was temporarily blinded and was led by the hand in great weakness into Damascus (his epiphany, a moment of great revelation). Paul, the highly trained religious Jew, was to be Christ’s apostle to the Gentiles. His whole life changed in a moment, when he encountered the Lord.

The Lord has kairos moments in history and in our lives when He seeks to reveal Himself in power and forever change the order of things. Will He do this again in our day? I believe He will!

God bless and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace.

This child, baby Jesus, ‘is due to cause the FALLING AND RISING OF MANY IN ISRAEL – so prophesied the elderly Simeon, Luke 1:34

King Ahaziah, shouldn’t have fallen (Name means ‘Yahweh has upheld’) but he turned away from God. 2 Kings 1

Ahaziah had fallen and injured himself, ‘so he sent messengers to go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron to see if I will recover from this injury.’

³ But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, ‘Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?” ⁴ Therefore this is what the Lord says: “You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!”’ So Elijah went.

Ahaziah learnt that it was Elijah who had intercepted his messengers and sent a captain with fifty men to bring Elijah to him, but fire fell from heaven and they all died. This happened a second time, but the third captain fell before Elijah and pleaded for his life and his fifty men. Elijah went to king Ahaziah at the angel of the Lord’s instruction and told him, because he’d gone to another god he would die. Ahaziah had a prophetic name and should have been ‘upheld by Yahweh’ but he turned to a false god, a Baal.

The Bible has much to say about falling and thankfully also about rising. Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms and prophesied the Falling (comes first and often humbling does) and Rising of Many (not just a few) in Israel. The presence of Christ and His Kingdom today will also determine the ‘Fall and Rise of many’.

¹⁵ Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,
    do not plunder their dwelling-place;
¹⁶ for though the righteous fall seven times, THEY RISE AGAIN,
    but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Prov. 24

A Mark of the Righteous is their resilience to ‘Rise after falling’; the Lord helps His people to Rise up and go on. Christ is greater than our stumbles or falls, Job rose again and received twice more than all he’d had before.

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? YET NOT ONE OF THEM WILL FALL TO THE GROUND OUTSIDE ‘YOUR’ FATHER’S CARE. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29

Jesus calls Him ‘YOUR FATHER’ and promised that His Care for us was all around us, all encompassing. Nothing can happen to us outside of Our Father’s Loving Care.

⁹ Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labour:
¹⁰ if either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up. Ecclesiastes 4

Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs, so they could help one another in the work. We should be aware that God may send us help on the human level, people around us who want to keep us going forward.

’The Falling and Rising of many’, may God enable us to Rise up into ALL THAT HE HAS FOR US TODAY. Hallelujah

God Bless and keep you.

Some wisdom from Proverbs 19 on this 19th October.

God places a high value on Truth;

¹³ Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, WITH THE BELT OF TRUTH BUCKLED ROUND YOUR WAIST, Ephesians 6 (the Belt holds everything together and is the first item of armour listed)

Proverbs 19 gives several serious warnings to those who abandon Truth;

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will perish. (Repeated twice)

²² What a person desires is unfailing love;
    better to be poor than a liar. 

Being poor is not desirable, but even that is better than telling lies; yet many consider it trivial today, but God doesn’t.

The first mark of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4 is patience and this verse tells us that wisdom gives patience, a great benefit in growing in understanding of the things of God. It is to ‘Our Glory’, brings us Glory, to overlook offence or insult. Never an easy thing to do, but the Lord didn’t retaliate when He was being attacked. Another corresponding verse from Ephesians;

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. Ephesians 4

My favourite verse from Proverbs 19;

²³ The Fear of the Lord LEADS TO LIFE;
    then one rests content (abides satisfied KJV), Untouched by Trouble (problems others face will never touch us).

Anything we allow to come between us and our loving God will ultimately be a poor substitute. He wants only the best for us, His children and He alone knows the way that we should take.

²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

May it be so in our lives today, God bless you and keep you.

Is the Call of God going out to someone today?

The prophet Elijah had a personal crisis, due to the corrupt National leadership in Israel – Jezebel had sworn to kill him. He fled for his life after the victory on Mount Carmel when the nation returned to their God and the prophets of Baal were all killed, their power structure in Israel was gone.

Elijah had an encounter with God at the cave on Mt Horeb and God spoke to him there with the next phase of his plan to secure total victory in Israel.

¹⁵ The Lord said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, ANOINT HAZAEL king over Aram. ¹⁶ Also, ANOINT JEHU son of Nimshi king over Israel, and ANOINT ELISHA son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah TO SUCCEED YOU AS PROPHET. ¹⁷ Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. ¹⁸ YET I RESERVE SEVEN THOUSAND IN ISRAEL – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.’ (God corrected Elijah, he had kept a group of servants faithful to Himself, Numbering 7000!) 1 Kings 19

The Call of Elisha and some things we can learn from it.

Firstly a Call can be ACCEPTED OR REJECTED, Elisha accepted.

Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. ²⁰ Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. ‘Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,’ he said, ‘and then I will come with you.’

‘Go back,’ Elijah replied. ‘What have I done to you?’ (Elijah told Elisha he could go back if he wanted to).

Second, Elisha was one of three people named by God and they had AN OVERLAP IN THEIR CALLINGS (to make sure God’s purpose was completed), to put to death God’s enemies. To finish what Elijah had begun on Mount Carmel!

Third, Elisha burnt his bridges, he slew his oxen, cooked the meat by burning his plough and gave it to the people, no way back to the old life! His Calling came abruptly and unexpectedly into his life.

²¹ So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the ploughing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. THEN HE SET OUT TO FOLLOW ELIJAH AND BECAME HIS SERVANT.

Elijah was faced with his own humanity (mortality), he’d told God he’d had enough and now he appointed his successor.

Fourth, Elisha wasn’t sent to the School of Prophets, like so many others. He was Elijah’s servant and depending on how that relationship faired, he could become the next National Prophet of Israel. Elisha wasn’t with the other trainee prophets, just one senior prophet, like a father and son. God’s plan was individually tailored to his life and Calling.

Elisha, who’d owned twelve yoke of oxen was now a servant (began by serving) to the senior prophet. If you’re willing to answer God’s Call on your life today, He’ll show you His perfect plan for your future.

God bless and keep you today.

We ended yesterday by recognising that the atmosphere of our relationships within the family can affect our prayer life.

Harmony in homes and families is a priority to God. Colossians 3:18 – 4:1

“Going to church doesn’t interest me nearly as much as to see that CHRIST IS THE RULER IN THE HOME! THAT HE IS THE HEAD, that we have peace in our homes and that we have harmony, that’s where we can hear the voice of the Lord”. Lydia Prince, Mother In Israel, Part 2 YouTube.

Quoting again the above statement by Lydia Prince, whose home was her place of ministry, to her adopted children and to all who called there. Will the home and family become an important centre for ministry in the days ahead as the world seeks to bring greater restrictions on personal freedom? It wouldn’t surprise me that the true body of believers, will in places have to move out of public view.

Peace and Harmony between the two genders, husband and wife. The cornerstone of the family (Christ is still head over the entire household when He’s permitted).

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

The first and most important relationship in the home is identified as that between husband and wife. Each of the relationships mentioned have two parts (nothing is one sided) and both need to be in place to bring peace and harmony.

Peace and Harmony between two generations, parents and children.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹ Fathers or parents, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Children are told to obey their parents but they in turn shouldn’t treat the children harshly or make their lives bitter. Again there two sides to every coin and every relationship.

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism.

The longest discussion of the three relationships mentioned is that of slaves and masters. Those serving must do it whether they’re being watched or not and with their whole hearts. This is way to ensure God’s greatest blessings on our lives, now and in eternity – serving with our whole hearts.

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Even the most important rulers here on earth still have a master in Heaven (whether we know it or not) and so the section ends with this warning to treat those serving well!

It’s interesting that the next section of Paul’s letter begins with the admonition to, ‘Devote yourselves to prayer!’ Unless these key relationships are in order, our prayers may not be answered by heaven.

We may be living here but our true life is in Christ. Colossians 3

3 SINCE, THEN (accepted as fact), you have been raised with Christ, SET YOUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, seated at the right hand of God. ² SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS. ³ FOR YOU DIED, AND YOUR LIFE IS NOW HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. 

This is a Powerful Statement, ‘we died and our Life is now hidden (not yet visible) with Christ in God’. Paul says that this should determine the focus of our hearts and minds, yet many believers still live in the present, as if this was all. Our lives here are only a preparation for the future and we should live with that in mind. Everything we see is passing.

God bless and keep you today.

Syncretism means Mixture; God’s Word warns us against it.

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? FOR WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD (Worth Remembering). 2 Corinthians 6

FIVE TIMES PAUL ASKS what relationship does Good have with evil? The answer is None, they cannot co-exist.

Paul was not personally known to the Church in Colosse, but he wrote his letter to warn them of the great danger of accepting the teachings of men in place of Christ. His warning is still applicable to many parts of the body today.

… in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, CHRIST, ³ IN WHOM ARE HIDDEN ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. ⁴ I tell you this SO THAT NO ONE MAY DECEIVE YOU BY FINE-SOUNDING ARGUMENTS. Colossians 2

The name anti Christ means ‘against or in place of’. Anything or anyone who is against Christ or is seeking to replace Christ is to be rejected and avoided, no matter how plausible or fine-sounding they may seem.

⁸ See to it that no one TAKES YOU CAPTIVE THROUGH HOLLOW AND DECEPTIVE PHILOSOPHY, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world RATHER THAN ON CHRIST.

Philosophy, literally ‘love of knowledge’, appeals to the mind. It may be high-sounding, but not Christ loving. Paul describes it as, ‘hollow and deceptive’ and warns the Church not to be taken in by it/taken captive by human traditions.

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come; THE REALITY, HOWEVER, IS FOUND IN CHRIST. 

Religious traditions and festivals are not what counts, yet so many today still believe they do, but Paul under the anointing of the Holy Spirit says not. It’s not about religious observance and traditions, but following Christ and loving Him.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him. Philippians 3

Paul said he was a Hebrew(Jew of the Jews), but once he met Christ he gave it all up and thought it dross.

¹⁸ Do not let anyone (doesn’t matter who they are or what position they hold) who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have LOST CONNECTION WITH THE HEAD, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Finally Paul warns the Colossians against those who boast about spiritual experiences, something we may all be drawn towards. Paul warns that they have lost connection with the Head, Christ, who oversees the whole body. Even spiritual things can replace the Supremacy of Christ Col 1:18, if we’re not careful and guarding against it.

May God bless and keep you today.

You’re more than a conqueror,
YOU’RE LORD OF EVERYTHING.

A  couple of lines from the old chorus, “Worthy, O worthy, are you Lord”, acknowledging the Lordship of Christ.

A dear brother from Jerusalem, the late Lance Lambert, was once asked if he had to give one piece of advice concerning the Christian believer’s life and walk, what it would be? Lance Lambert was a Hebrew scholar and a powerful orator and preacher of the Gospel, but his answer was quite brief;

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, SO THAT IN EVERYTHING HE MIGHT HAVE THE SUPREMACY. Col 1

In everything, ‘Christ must have the Supremacy’. Christ must be First in everything in our lives.

Christianity for many people in the UK is a religion – I call it ‘Churchianity’, for it is merely a ritual, with little attention paid to the Jesus of the Bible. David Pawson

In the life of Martin Luther, when a monk, he sought to ‘save  himself’ by following some religious practices. He prayed to saints three times a day, flogged himself, visited Rome and climbed the holy steps on his knees, but he found no peace! He was asked by his Superior, ‘If you take away all these things, what will you put in their place?’. Luther answered, ‘CHRIST, MAN ONLY NEEDS JESUS CHRIST Christ’ and so began the Protestant Reformation. Religion is always ‘Christ Plus’, doing something more in our own flesh, which is really saying Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary wasn’t enough.

Paul goes on in Colossians 3 to speak of believers living together in Peace and ends the chapter with a section on ‘Rules for Christian Households’.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Lydia Prince, first wife of the late Derek Prince, was called by God to leave her native Denmark and go to live as a missionary in Jerusalem. She became a Mother to orphaned children in Israel. She involved the children in praying to God for their needs, often for food. Then when the food arrived, maybe left in a bag at their door, she would tell them God had answered, so the children had an active prayer life from an early age, some were Spirit filled at six years old.

“Going to church doesn’t interest me nearly as much as to see that CHRIST IS THE RULER IN THE HOME! THAT HE IS THE HEAD, that we have peace in our homes and that we have harmony, that’s where we can hear the voice of the Lord”. Lydia Prince, Mother In Israel, Part 2 YouTube.

Lydia Prince lived in an atmosphere of miracles, through her prayer and the prayers of the children she loved. Christ was the Head in their home and she heard His Voice there.

God bless and keep you today.