Month: March 2024

²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ John 19

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23

Wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Easter from Fathers Love Ministry.

‘Jesus came to’ …, it’s good to remind ourselves why Christ came.

¹⁸ ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ Luke 4, (part of a longer quote in Isaiah 61, entitled the, ‘Year of the Lord’s Favour’)

Jesus came to rescue humanity and to open the way back to God. There are so many blessings quoted in these verses and Jesus said very publicly in the synagogue in Nazareth that they were all fulfilled in Him.

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 5

Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. The Law and the utterances of the Prophets are Divinely inspired and they are completely fulfilled in Christ. He is the only acceptable approach to God. All the other religions are men’s futile attempts to reach a Holy God without obeying Him.

⁷ Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. ⁸ The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3

Jesus came to establish the Kingdom of God on earth by destroying the kingdom of the prince of this world. When Christ rose from the grave He went into hell and took the keys of death and hell, Revelation 1:18. That process is still ongoing but there is only one victor in this battle and all that has been written must come to pass.

The Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

APOLOGIES FOR DISRUPTION OF POSTS BUT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS!

29 “Sovereign Lord, AS YOU HAVE PROMISED, (God kept His Promise to His elderly servant, Simeon had waited a long time)
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2

The opening chapter of Luke’s Gospel has eighty verses and a lot of ‘Doubles’. What do I mean by this?

Well, there two visitations by the archangel Gabriel and two names were given from heaven, John and Jesus. Two major prophecies, Mary’s Song (The Magnificat) and Zechariah’s Song. I mentioned last week the meeting between Mary and Elisabeth, but this was another Double, The two ladies met but the babies in their wombs also connected for the first time on earth. God is often working out HIS PURPOSES in our lives on different levels at the same time!

I like the account of Simeon in Luke, he knew God had promised that he would see the Messiah, but not when or where?

26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 MOVED BY THE SPIRIT, he went into the temple courts.

Luke just says he was ‘Moved by the Spirit’ and oftentimes we may also be directed towards things God has for us and not even be aware, so long as we’re walking with God like Simeon. (I also believe that the Spirit often guides us away from people and situations that would be harmful, Praise God)

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. … She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2

God didn’t just confirm His Messiah had come through one devout man, the prophetess Anna also came on the scene. Both Male and Female stood and welcomed the Christ child in His Father’s Temple. We may often be unaware of others whom God is drawing with a similar calling to our own, but God is raising up an army in these days and we should be seek to align ourselves with the called ones.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

⁴³ But why AM I SO FAVOURED, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Luke 1

This was part of the exchange between Zechariah’s wife Elisabeth and Mary, both ladies now with child. Elisabeth uttered this prophetic outburst as soon as soon as Mary entered the home. We had a good friend, a lady now with the Lord, who told us more than once, ‘I heard my voice say’. God can speak through our own voices, even when we may not be expecting it. Elisabeth immediately declared that the baby Mary carried was her Lord. She felt unworthy of the honour of being in the presence of the King of Israel, even as an unborn child.

The next speech, Luke 1:46-55, is a powerful prophetic declaration by Mary.

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

Both Mary and Elisabeth had their own private worship time and the Spirit of God was powerfully present throughout.

Some in the body don’t acknowledge that the Lord can speak prophetically through ladies just as readily as men. The Law of First Mention is always significant, identifying the first time a subject is mentioned in the Scripture. This was the first meeting of John the forerunner and Jesus the Messiah/King, both still unborn. Both John and his mother recognised the presence of Christ. A private meeting in a home, but recorded for us in prophecy today.

We must be careful not to miss important things of God, just like the religious people of the day didn’t recognise the coming of Christ, standing in their midst. Lord open our eyes and help us to know you in our own time.

The Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

³ Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, IT SEEMED GOOD TO ME to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, Luke 1

The Book of Luke, so far as we know, was written by the only New Testament writer who was a Gentile. (Luke also wrote Acts) We know someone who is an investigator in their professional life, who loves this book and the style of the writing.

As I read the initial verses this morning I was impacted by Luke’s opening statements.

1 MANY HAVE UNDERTAKEN to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eye witnesses and servants of the word. Luke 1

Evidently Luke the Doctor wasn’t the only one with the idea of writing ‘an account’ of the life of Christ on earth, but Luke had decided TO MAKE HIS OWN CONTRIBUTION! He didn’t say some of the leaders in the Church told him to do it. (Luke travelled with the apostle Paul) Nor did he say he’d had a word of personal prophecy, to do it. Something which is very prevalent among Believers seeking guidance in the present day Church. No, ‘IT SEEMED GOOD TO HIM’, his gut feeling was positive.

Let me say two further things, Luke said, ‘he had CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED’. He had first hand access to the leaders of the early Church and he’d talked with them and heard all they had to say. When we begin to investigate or involve ourselves in certain situations then the Lord can open things up for us to know more. Careful investigation goes much deeper than a superficial glance and it may be that God’s Spirit is saying there’s more for us here to consider. Something alive and active within us may be God’s leading to go further.

The second point is that this was A GOOD FIT FOR LUKE. Luke the doctor was an educated man and had the ability to write an accurate account in his time. Many of us have significant gifts which the Lord can use when we begin to step out for Him. Luke only mentioned one person to whom he was writing, Theophilus. He may not have known that his account was to form one the four Gospels in our New Testament.

Is God speaking to some who will read this short message, to STEP OUT AND MAKE YOUR OWN CONTRIBUTION TO THE KINGDOM? Don’t worry that there are others on the field (other accounts), nor that very few (Theophilus) may initially here of it. If God has put something in your heart and it’s not going away, then you need to go forward and do something with it. Don’t hold back! There’s great satisfaction and fulfilment in taking up the challenge. He wants you to succeed and He’ll make sure you will.

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us!

 

⁹ ‘“I will look on you with favour and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. Leviticus 26

Few people read the Book of Leviticus because it speaks to the Old Testament dispensation or era, yet the Old Testament is the shadow of the New. (Hebrews 8:5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.)

Leviticus 26 opens with God telling Israel not to ‘set up idols, nor erect sacred stones in their land’. (Those who erected the Georgia Guidestones, 1980-2022 and almost twenty feet tall, marked that part of America in direct opposition to God today. Ireland today still has some ancient Stone Celtic Crosses with Bible history on them. Land can still be marked for good or evil.)

He goes on to tell His people to, ‘Observe My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary’.

The outcome of following these instructions will be tremendous Favour and Blessings from God to His people.

³ ‘“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, ⁴ I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. ⁵ … and YOU WILL EAT ALL THE FOOD YOU WANT AND LIVE IN SAFETY IN YOUR LAND. Leviticus 26

We have a better Covenant through Christ but many people today would relish some of the blessings God Promised Israel when they would align with Him. Christ alone is our Righteousness but we should be careful to live out our lives in ways pleasing and honouring to God.

⁶ ‘“I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. … ⁷ You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. ⁸ Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand .

God Promised peace and the complete routing of Israel’s enemies. Those who came against God’s people would flee in defeat from them.

⁹ ‘“I will look on you with favour and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. ¹⁰ You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. ¹¹ I will put my dwelling-place among you, and I will not abhor you. (God’s Spirit lives in His people now.) ¹² I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. ¹³ I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high. Leviticus 26

We have also been in slavery to a world system in this day, but God is working a mighty deliverance for His Children across the whole world. Great blessings are coming, no enemy will stop what God is going to bring in these times. The age of the Kingdom is upon us. Hallelujah

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked,
    BUT THE LORD’S UNFAILING LOVE
    SURROUNDS THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM. Psalm 32

THE BLOCKAGE IS NEVER ON GOD’S SIDE, BUT DAVID OFTEN HAD TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS UNTIL HE COULD SENSE GOD’S PRESENCE WITH HIM AGAIN.

Psalm 32 begins with David being THANKFUL for God’s goodness to forgive our sins and the blessings that flow from it.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

It’s easy to believe that words like these are just spiritual platitudes, but remember David had hundreds of people depending on him, including his own wives. David’s Faith was earthed in the real world. If it hadn’t worked for him he would soon have exited the scene of time and lost those he loved. Our unseen God is real and fully able to deliver us in every situation of our lives.

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    WHILE YOU MAY BE FOUND (There are times to seek God! DON’T ASSUME we can come to Him anytime it suits us);
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
⁷ You are my hiding-place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    AND SURROUND ME WITH SONGS OF DELIVERANCE (David began to sense God’s presence in thanksgiving and prayer) Psalm 32

Once David engaged with the Lord His Faith rose up and he no longer felt he was battling alone. The enemy will always try and keep us LOCKED IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, he knows that if he can stop us from seeing from Heaven’s perspective he will win. David was forced to turn to God again and again, but once he did in a genuine way, his whole outlook changed.

⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you and watch over you.
⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
    or they will not come to you.

GOD ONLY INSTRUCTS THE WILLING! Those who resist, or are indifferent to God, will never know His Guidance. I have listened recently to two talks on the Fear of the Lord, both suggested that it was lacking and much needed in the present day Church. David needed God because he fought in real battles and we may be about to enter such times in our own day.

¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked,
    BUT THE LORD’S UNFAILING LOVE
    SURROUNDS THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM. Psalm 32

May God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

¹ In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    deliver me in your righteousness. Psalm 31

It would be good to end the week with some positive declarations about the God we serve and David gives many in the opening verses of this psalm. God is a REFUGE FOR HIS PEOPLE AND DOESN’T WANTS US PUT TO SHAME.

² Turn your ear to me,
    come quickly to my rescue;
be my ROCK OF REFUGE,
    A STRONG FORTRESS TO SAVE ME. 
³ SINCE YOU ARE MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS,
    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

David recognises that God is the stronghold of his life. I imagine he was thrown back to depending on God time and again. His enemies were so much greater and a constant threat to him and those who journeyed with him. It was out of these days of relentless pressure that many of his psalms, songs of praise, were written. David had to contend for God’s prophetic plans for his life and no doubt we’ll all face similar times while we live here on earth.

⁴ KEEP ME FROM THE TRAP THAT IS SET FOR ME,
    FOR YOU ARE MY REFUGE.
⁵ Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

We need to ask God for His protection and guidance, to keep us out of harms way. David couldn’t afford to be careless or even casual in his daily life. I believe that many times God delivers us and we’re not even aware of it.

¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6

In Jesus’ model prayer He taught His own disciples to claim God’s protection against their enemy.

⁸ You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
    but have set my feet in a spacious place. Psalm 31

I believe the Lord has kept many of us from falling into the hands of our enemy. Circumstances have been difficult, but without the Lord’s help they would have been much worse. However the second part of the verse is still to be fulfilled and that’s our hope in the day we live in, THE SPACIOUS PLACE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE NOW, IN THE PRESENT DAY.

²⁷ ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6

Immanuel, God is with us!

 

What a difference the little word ‘BUT’ makes!

Proverbs often brings out the Contrasting position between the upright and the rebellious, by the use of the word ‘But’.

’But’ is usually a negative, really saying I don’t agree! Beware people who say ‘But’ a lot, they may see Obstacles more often than Solutions. Positive people want to get on board and help work things out.

‘But’ can also signal a change in thinking or position! We see this often in David’s psalms where his position overwhelms him, But then he ‘encourages himself in the Lord’. 1 Samuel 30:6-8

⁹ Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
    my soul and body with grief.
¹⁰ My life is consumed by anguish
    and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
    and my bones grow weak. Psalm 38

David often voices how overwhelmed he feels in lengthy bouts of  discouragement. He and his men were fleeing for their lives on many occasions, even from their own countrymen. Then his perspective changes and HE SEES GOD’S HAND HELPING AND SUSTAINING HIM THROUGH ALL HIS TRIALS.

¹⁴ BUT I TRUST IN YOU, O Lord;
    I SAY, “YOU ARE MY GOD.” (Trusting and Declaring/Speaking out God’s Goodness and Faithfulness is best way to rise above difficult circumstances!)
¹⁵ MY TIMES ARE IN YOUR HANDS;
    DELIVER ME from the hands of my enemies,
    from those who pursue me.
¹⁶ LET YOUR FACE SHINE ON YOUR SERVANT;
    SAVE ME IN YOUR UNFAILING LOVE.
¹⁷ Let me not be put to shame, Lord,
    for I have cried out to you;
BUT let the wicked be put to shame
    and be silent in the realm of the dead. Psalm 31

Forgive me/us Lord for having too many ‘BUTS’, help us to walk in a greater level of TRUST. You’re a good God who always wants the best for His Children.

The Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, He is with us.