Month: July 2022

²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

³⁰ As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. AND IT WAS NIGHT. John 13

These must be some of the most poignant words in all of Scripture. Judas took the bread from the Lord and left those he’d been with for three years. He never was part of their company again. He left the Lord, the Light of the world and went out into the Night. Satan (The prince of darkness) was behind it all, but he needed a man to execute his evil plan. He still ensnares men and women today in his wicked schemes.

My Father will honour the one who serves me. (Amen)

²⁷ “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!” John 12

Jesus had known what was coming and had wrestled with the thought of all that lay before Him. It was at the very heart of His taking on human form and sacrificing His life for all mankind.

⁵³ Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. BUT THIS IS YOUR HOUR — WHEN DARKNESS REIGNS.” Like 22

Jesus spoke of this Hour (Greek, Hora) — it’s your time devil, to do your worst. It doesn’t mean a literal hour, but it was a time set by God Himself and it became Christ’s greatest hour and by Faith mankind’s greatest victory over the devil.

⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 1 Corinthians 15

Nicodemus came to Jesus at Night and had his inner darkness enlightened with Jesus words, ‘you (all) must be born again’. John 3:3, 7

Jesus healed the man born blind and told His disciples we must do God’s work during the day, ‘Night is coming when no-one can work’. John 9:4

The enemy’s time has been set by God and Jesus overcame the Night on these three occasions, unique to John’s Gospel. We live in unsettled times, but God is in control of and above everything, including the plans of darkness in our day.

Fathersloveministry is a faith based ministry, please Donate on our webpage today and help support the Father’s work;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

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. 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Lord is no man’s debtor, Hallelujah.

God rewards those who give to Him, don’t miss out on your blessings, give to Him today.

We are available to seek personal words of direction and encouragement for those who want them. Please contact us on our webpage above. We can also provide counselling online, contact our webpage. A donation is normally required for this service.

The Lord bless and keep you today.

9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9 (Only in John’s Gospel)

The disciples thought there must have been sin committed for a man to be born blind. But Jesus said to them;

³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴ As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵ While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 

Jesus warned that the work of God had to be done while it was still day, the ‘Night is coming’. In recent days much of man’s work ceased and it happened very suddenly. Jesus was the light in His days on Earth, but could there be a time when the work of God will cease, no work just waiting for His return? I don’t believe we’re at this time yet!

Jesus came to this man born blind, another man in darkness and healed his sight.

⁶ After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ⁷ “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 

Then the healing became public knowledge, some didn’t think he was the man born blind, they needed proof.  He was then taken to the Pharisees for them to confirm the miracle, but they threw up all sorts of arguments against it. The Bible records as much of their opposition as it does about the healing and Jesus’ subsequent words.

³⁴ To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

They couldn’t disprove the miracle, but neither would they acknowledge it. We might say they had a huge prejudice/ chip on their shoulder, against Jesus. That was how they rendered judgement, but the Lord’s judgement of them also follows.

³⁹ Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

⁴⁰ Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

⁴¹ Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

Religious people who didn’t acknowledge the proof before their own eyes were reckoned blind/in darkness.

Matthew 23, gives the Seven Woes Jesus pronounced upon the Religious leaders. In 23:16 ‘blind guides’, 23:17 ‘blind fools’, 23:19, ‘You blind men’. Jesus had no doubt that these people were in total darkness concerning the Kingdom of God.

To the church of Laodicea, the resurrected Christ said;

¹⁷ You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, BLIND and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire (Testing of our Faith), so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and SALVE TO PUT ON YOUR EYES, SO THAT YOU CAN SEE. Revelation 3

May the Lord open our eyes where we still need to see.

God bless and keep you today.

3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, … John 3

There are at least three places, found only in John’s Gospel, where it speaks of the Night. The problem with Nicodemus was that the darkness wasn’t only outside, but it was inside as well – he didn’t understand what Jesus was saying.

He was a member of the ‘Jewish ruling council’ and a Pharisee (usually Jesus’ religious enemies) but everything was about to change because of the One he’d come to speak with. Unlike many religious Pharisees, Nicodemus acknowledged that Jesus was from God because of the miraculous signs He had done. (²² Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:22)

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (or from above).”

Jesus immediately took Nicodemus into an area, that even as a religious leader he couldn’t fathom, it was beyond him. Nicodemus was perplexed and basically told Jesus that what He was saying didn’t make sense, but Jesus persisted.

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (That’s very important!) ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You (all) must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

V 6, things done in the flesh can never produce Spiritual results or fruit.

In my old Bible the word ‘born’ is repeated six times (6 is the number of man) in verses 3-8. Jesus really pressed home what He was saying to this earnest seeker. He was trying to expand Nicodemus’ understanding and THAT MAY ALSO BE THE CASE FOR SOME OF US. We come to the Lord with our own questions, groping in the dark and He’s trying to lift us up to His level. Our natural mind can’t accept the things of heaven, we have to get outside the natural and into the realm of the Spirit.

¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

Jesus did give Nicodemus a revelation of His purpose for being on earth.

¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Nicodemus came to the Lord in the darkness, nighttime and also within himself. Jesus answered him and explained that He would bring salvation for all people, an unthinkable change for an observant Jew. But somewhere Nicodemus had understood the Lord because he defended Him before the Pharisees and helped at His burial.

May the Lord also open our understanding to all that’s happening around us.

God bless and keep you today.

Two verses I read this morning in Proverbs 11 stood out.

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape. Proverbs 11

⁹ Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds. Proverbs 11 TLB (The Living Bible puts the verse very succinctly)

¹² Whoever derides their neighbour has no sense,
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

The link between hearing and overcoming. Revelation 2 & 3

⁷ “He who has an ear, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES. TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”  Revelation 2

The resurrected Christ appeared to John and pronounced Heaven’s evaluation/judgement of the seven churches. This time the Spirit was evaluating the character and deeds, good and bad, of different bodies of believers. Christ’s place as Lord of the Church, His body here on earth, is clearly revealed (part of the Revelation). He doesn’t reject any of the seven (merciful God) Churches outright, but identifies failings that have to be changed in five of them. (Smyrna and Philadelphia were already under duress and were told to stay faithful in their trials to the Lord). Both Old and New Testaments reveal a God who warns, often many times, before He judges and that’s true for these bodies of believers.

To all the Churches in Revelation, the Lord told them to listen and obey His commands and then finished with the specific rewards each would receive if they did. Corporate responsibility and blessings, for the Churches of which we are members and also the nations where we live.

⁷ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life (a reversal of the curse in Eden), which is in the paradise of God. Ephesus

¹¹ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. Smyrna

¹⁷ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. Pergamum

²⁶ To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations … ²⁸ I will also give that one the morning star. ²⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Thyatira 

Psalm 130 

5 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. GO NEAR TO LISTEN (Contrast between the Wise and Foolish) rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Ecclesiastes 5

The word to Listen is the same root word used in Proverbs 4, where the Father was speaking to his young son(s).

I knew an Icelandic pastor who told me that he always Listened for God to speak to him as soon as he entered the church building. That was one way that he heard from God, probably for his church as much as for himself. That pastor was fulfilling the scripture in Ecclesiastes, perhaps without intending it.

² Do not be QUICK WITH YOUR MOUTH,
    do not be HASTY IN YOUR HEART
    to UTTER ANYTHING BEFORE GOD.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5

Both ‘Wisdom Books’ emphasise the need to make Listening the priority when we come before God. It’s such a blessing when we do hear or see something from Heaven, truly worth the waiting.

The account of the young boy Samuel in bed near the Tabernacle  is also significant. Samuel was given to God by his mother Hannah soon after he was weaned. He’d spent all his young life there, under the supervision of Eli the priest. Yet when God began to speak to Samuel he didn’t understand, he was so dedicated to Eli and thought it was his voice.

3 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 1 Samuel 3

God spoke to Samuel three times and three times he went to Eli, until Eli realised it was the Lord speaking to the boy.

⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. (Samuel had to learn to know the Lord’s voice and so do we.)

⁸ … Then Eli realised that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (That was the beginning of a Prophetic Voice to all Israel!)

Samuel met with the Lord, knew His voice, while he was still young. He’d been set apart from before birth for this task, but he had to learn to lie still and hear when God was speaking. He had to switch from listening to Eli and hear directly from God. (Eli was the Priest for God’s people at Shiloh, but a ‘man of God’ was sent with a warning to him. 1 Samuel 2)

Samuel learnt to hear God for himself and the people. The Icelandic pastor also learnt to hear the same voice. God wants to speak to us, but it may take a time to learn to tune into His voice, but He’s our Father and He loves us.

God bless and keep you today.

4 LISTEN (or HEAR), my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding. Proverbs 4:1

In the earlier NIV Bibles the word ‘Listen’ is used three times in Proverbs 4. No matter what the translation, God’s emphasis is on Listening to Him. The Hebrew word, ‘Shama’ means ‘to listen intelligently’, not just something that passes by and is gone, but to really focus on what’s being said.

All three pictures are of a father speaking to His son(s). I have mentioned previously that in Jerusalem on Shabbat it is common to see fathers out walking with their sons. It’s a time set aside for fathers to bond with their young children, away from other responsibilities.

 ‘Pay Attention and gain understanding.
² I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.’ 

The object is for the son(s) ‘to learn’ from their Father.

³ For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.

This father was modelling how he himself had been taught as a child in the home of his parents – what a blessing for any young son. To receive instruction for his life and not just physical nourishment. The father figure is so often missing from the home today and young boys, soon grown men have no one to look to for guidance and advice.

¹⁰ Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
¹¹ I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.

The father seeks to give advice to help the son negotiate the paths of life, words that will speak to him and guide him in the years ahead. The discourse continues with the advice ‘to shun the course of the wicked and not to set foot it.’

The third reference to this fatherly advice regards health and life;

²⁰ My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear (Listen Closely) 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 to one’s whole body. (Medicine to our flesh)

Derek Prince called these verses, ‘God’s Medicine Bottle’, because he received healing through them.

The next verse is also very important;

²³ Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it. 

(²³ Guard your heart with all your strength,
    for everything there is in life comes out of it.)

What’s in our heart will determine the course of our lives.

God is speaking to us and telling us to ‘Listen to Him’, take His counsel for our lives. Many times we go on our own course and don’t Listen, but He’s very patient and caring. When we’re willing to focus on Him and walk in His ways life becomes more satisfying and purposeful.

May God bless and keep you today.

Happy Fourth of July to all our friends in America!

Some of us may be here today, for the sake of the coming generation.

King Belshazzar didn’t know where to turn to get his answer about the writing on the wall (his wisest advisers were of no help), but the Queen Mother remembered Daniel.

¹¹ There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. IN THE TIME OF YOUR FATHER he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. YOUR FATHER, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Daniel 5

When Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream he seemed to be emotionally involved for him.

²⁷ Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue (It eventually did and more).” Daniel 4

He had no relationship with this king and told him the writing had appeared because of his disrespect for God. Unlike all the other advisers, DANIEL KNEW GOD WAS THE SOURCE of the writing, but he told the King some things first.

Your father was given tremendous power and authority over many peoples. He did whatever he pleased until;

²⁰ But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. … until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

²² ‘But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, THOUGH YOU KNEW ALL THIS. ²³ Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven.

Belshazzar knew what had happened to his father and still went ahead and dishonoured the God of heaven. He was from another generation that should have known better.

Daniel did interpret the writing for him, his kingdom and his life were at an end. The feasting had ended in disaster for the Babylonians, their kingdom was divided and handed to a different king, Darius the Mede. It was another Suddenly, a judgment of God.

Daniel was rewarded exactly as the king had promised. Daniel 5:29 The king’s word had to be kept and it was certainly one of the last things he did. God’s word, the Great King, will also be kept and fulfilled in our day.

Daniel, the man of God, was enabled to reach down to the ruler in another generation and explain the purposes of God. It’s my belief that God will look for some to help those coming on the earth in these days.

Fathersloveministry is a faith based ministry, please Donate on our webpage today and help support the Father’s work;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

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. 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Lord is no man’s debtor, Hallelujah.

God rewards those who give to Him, don’t miss out on your blessings, give to Him today.

We are available to seek personal words of direction and encouragement for those who want them. Please contact us on our webpage above. We can also provide counselling online, contact our webpage. A donation is normally required for this service.

The Lord bless and keep you today.