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THIS WEEKS SERMON
Tuesday 14th November 2006
God doesn't want us to live our lives in fear. Over and over the Bible tells us to fear not.
Yet with all the terrible things happening in the world, how can we not be afraid? How can we overcome the temptation to fear?
We must know and remember that God loves us and has a good plan for us: including a home in Heaven and going to be with Jesus when we die.
Also, we must know and remember the promises of God given in the Bible concerning protection from evil, accident, and harm in this life. For example:
PSALM 91:9-11 NKJ
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
This is not to say that victims of tragic events are sinners, or are not loved by God. Only that if we walk with God and heed His direction, God promises to protect us.
We know many good people have died unexpectedly and tragically. Yet the promise of God stands true and should not be doubted. There is a place of protection as you live close to God and walk in faith.
SAY THIS: God gives His angels charge over me, to keep me safe in all my ways.
provided by: www.churchforall.org
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February 16th 2006
By Geoff Bone
If you are reading this then it is probable that you attend a church somewhere in the world.
That church is the place you attend in order to worship with other believers and possibly minister to others using the God given gifts that are yours.
I want to suggest that you could increase your effectiveness by a simple action that won't take long to prepare.
First get a file or folder and a hole punch. Then a ream of A4 paper (500 sheets) On each sheet write the name, address and telephone number of the members of your church. If they are families seperate the names so you treat each as an individual.
Now focus on those who are single. It is likely they need more care and attention than someone already having a support group around them. Invite them to a Pizza Party at your home (or a restaurant if that isn't possible).
Get to know them. Don't preach at them or try to change them in any way. Learn who they are and what they think.
If you are a family with a home be sure to use your home as a centre for ministry and INVITE people to it.
Invite other families to come for dinner and an evening of fellowship.
Keep track of what you do in your file. Write everything down. Even if you call them on the phone! Write it down!
Use the file as a means to remind you who to pray for.
Get pictures of them to go in your file.
Go on a day out in the summer to a local place of interest and invite everyone to come. Make up a party and have a good time together.
Don't wait to get permission from the leadership.
JUST DO IT!
As you begin to know your fellow members they will trust you with their needs and concerns and you will find that you are being used as a Pastor, Counsellor, Prayer Partner.
Perhaps if you like, you can begin a Bible Study in your home. Your church may already operate home study groups but if not, then start one yourself.
BE PRO-ACTIVE!
Send everyone a Birthday Card.
Send a special Card if they have a Baby or some significant event happens in their life like marriage or retirement. These cards will cement your relationship.
If they have a financial need then give them some money to help out. It may not meet all their need but it will show you care about them.
I'm sure you get the picture.
Do all you can to build a relationship with the members of your church so that even if the building fell down you would continue just as before.
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Febuary 4th 2006
By Geoff Bone
An offensive Cartoon has this week brought millions of Moslems out to the streets in protest. The extremist elements have called for "Death to those who insult Islam" and "Behead them" Sentiments that can only inflame an already terrible relationship between Islam and Christianity.
Nobody in their right minds suggests for a moment that the "west" is Christian any more than India would claim to be Hindu. In todays world in every country there are religions of every type in every country. The prominent religion followed may be the one that history has given, but almost every country now in this "global village" encompasses and embraces those of differing cultures and religions.
The task at hand as far as I can see it, is to build bridges and understanding between people, no matter what background they come from. We should act responsibly as neighbours and not do things and say things that we know will anger those who share this world.
Having said that, we have to recognise that there is the matter of free speech. How far do we go in expressing opinions that are contrary to others and allow them the same privilege? In the ideal world, we would all keep our anger in check and be tolerant of those who offend us. But that is not the world we live in today, so laws have to be framed that limit our right to express ourselves, if those views are inflamatory and incite to hatred.
In the UK legislation has just been passed by Parliment to try to ensure a balance between Freedom of Speech and the ability to incite others to hatred of minorities. Eventually a compromise law was passed that does the job. It is easy to allow our countries to slide into Dictatorships and Police States, where the individual has no rights and is coerced by the authorities, I for one do not want that and I feel most readers will share my views.
We are living in an age where fanatism and fundementalism has the potential to destroy the world and all our futures. It is in the best interest of every human being to strive to build peace and harmony both locally and internationally.
Each can play a part. As a christian, you and I can seek out those of other faiths to become friends. Not to proslitize but to build genuine friendships and understanding. That may mean going to their places of worship and to their homes and inviting them to ours.
The more people share their insights and culture, the more we shall see peace rule and the less likeihood of war and destruction will be seen.
Terrorism has as its foundation a belief that whole cultures are our "enemy". The one who taught us to pray also taught us to "forgive those who despitefully use you". We need to be ever on guard againgst prejudice and anger in our own lives if we are to make a contribution to world peace.
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August 5th 2005
A POSSIBLE DREAM
By Geoff Bone
Imagine yourself stranded on a desert island, shipwrecked and abandoned to the elements. You are alone, the only survivor. Your place of safely contains valuable minerals which would, if mined, would make you a multi-millionaire! You stand on a fortune but the desperate need you have now is food and water, without which you will soon die. With all the potential under your feet for wealth and happiness, you would exchange it all for a supply of fresh drinking water and food enough to sustain you.
This story illustrates truth. Much of the population of the world faces a similar dilemma. The lands they live in contain resources that they can trade and thereby gain the conditions for a full and happy life. They could develop their potential and become accomplished artists, musicians, sportsmen and women, scientists, writers and poets, builders and craftsmen. Yet these people live in abject poverty and languish in filth and squalor, hungry, thirsty and diseased. Waiting for a painful death. Some, as you read these words, will draw their last breath, some as young as three or four, deprived of life and unable to ever enjoy the beautiful things that others take for granted. Some will survive, only to live as slaves to a system that keeps them poor and helpless. With muscles that ache with weariness and disease, they long for the day when they close their eyes never to awaken again. Yet they somehow continue, day by day, year by year, in the vain hope that those from the rich world will take pity on them and save them.
Being human beings, in spite of the hardships and the constant struggle for survival, they manage to smile and laugh, hug their children and feed them the scraps of food that they have managed to scavenge from the land, sometimes from the piles of rubbish thrown out by the rich and wealthy ones who pass them by in the streets as they continue their partying and pleasure activities. How inhumane they can be! Yet if you stop and think for one moment you realize that ‘you’ are one of ‘them’. You are educated, possibly work at a good job paying hundreds if not a thousand times what these ‘slaves’ will earn in a lifetime! You plan your next holiday, you test drive a new car, you play with your electronic ‘toys’ to while away the hours. You consume so much food that how to lose the extra pounds of stored fat is a constant worry! Yes. ‘You’ are one of ‘them.
But something within you tells you that something is wrong. You watch the pot-bellied, malnourished children on TV, with flies smothering their eyes and mouths and shed a tear. You genuinely feel sorry at their condition and wish that you could bathe them, feed them and lay them down in a snug bed, watching with delight as their peaceful smile gazes back at you. What a dream…. but one that you dismiss immediately as impossible. Your worlds are so far apart and you need to tend to your own affairs and your own children, meeting their needs and raising another generation of ‘haves’. You switch channels, hoping to escape the memory of those gaunt figures as you switch to a repeat of ‘Frazier’ and laugh at their subtle and sophisticated brand of humour. You rationalize and decide that ‘your’ world is not ‘their’ world. ‘Their’ problems are not ‘your’ problems. After all; you do your bit and have a standing order for a couple of quid a month for your favourite charity. What more can you do? After all, you are not in politics, making the policies to change the world, so you pick up the phone, order a Pizza and settle back to another night of comfort and relaxation.
I’m not writing this to make you feel guilty. It’s just the way things are. We’re ALL guilty when it comes to dealing with this issue. Nobody is on a higher moral ground, condemning you. I feel just as helpless as you do. Our economic system that has produced such wealth for some has also produced a world of misery for others. And now those ‘others’ are ready to strike back. They are sick of the oppression and the hunger. They listen to those who appear to have an answer. They are angry and will pay with their lives if need be, to change the system. It appears to them that the cost of their own lives is a fair price to pay to obtain justice for their loved ones, so with simple and cheap weapons they sacrifice themselves to a cause that they have come to believe in. This form of warfare is almost impossible to stop in a modern highly technical city and so we must, if we are to bring peace, begin the long process enabling diplomacy and politics to supersede violent action. The decision of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) is to be commended, for here we see that at long last, a very determined group have set aside their weapons for politics. This is surely the way forward for all mankind and all conflicts?
It’s so easy to condemn the terrorists, but always remember that had they been fighting for ‘our’ side, they would be considered heroes and awarded medals for giving the ultimate sacrifice in war. Though we don’t use those tactics now, imagine when we were up against a tyrant such as Hitler? We used every method we knew to defeat him and bombed whole cities in a massive destruction of civilian life. We used an Atomic bomb to flatten Hiroshima and Nagasaki, when even a demonstration of its power would have brought an end to the war. So we have no great moral crusade going on. War has always been harsh and vicious and will continue to be so. What we must do and do quickly is increase our efforts to put right the many injustices of the world and start to share the great wealth of the nations so that every man and women has a fair share and enough to sustain daily life.
The alternative is grim and unthinkable. If these terror tactics are continued and conventional weapons are replaced with chemical, biological or nuclear ones, then what we have seen till now will seem like a picnic. Don’t bury your head in the sand and imagine it couldn’t happen. The technology exists. Tomorrow your comfortable world could be shaken to the roots as nations face the ultimate challenge. Some of us saw the potential for this 50 and 60 years ago and attempted to warn the nation then. But our protests fell on deaf ears. The worldwide drive for more and more profits by giant corporations marched relentlessly on, oblivious to the cries of the suffering masses. We can no longer allow their cries to go unheard. The human race is one. Each and every individual is precious and of great value. We have to root out corruption in high places and empower the people to organise and plan for their future along with the rest of humanity. Unless we do this, the situation will only worsen and in the end everyone will suffer.
As the military plan and prepare for the worst case scenario in their ‘war games’ computing the results of nuclear war as if it could be survived, the rest of us go on with a pleasant life of ease, making sure that our future is secure. This article is a wake up call. NOBODY is secure anymore! There is nowhere to hide. George Orwell told a story about a future society where BIG BROTHER monitored every thought and controlled every action. Today we see much of his prophesy in reality as we slide slowly but surely towards the day when the words FREEDOM AND LIBERTY become ideals of a past age. What motivates me to write and continue to hope is that there exists another alternative. We can see the signs; heed the warnings and ACT NOW to create a society where our future generations can live in harmony in spite of differing ideologies and religions. If we mobilize the masses now into a vast anti-war, anti-poverty campaign that puts power and resources into the hands of the people then perhaps we stand a chance to survive the current crisis.
People do not want to starve, be tortured and die, so that a tiny minority enjoy untold riches and luxury. When six billion people stand together to say ‘not in my name’ then even these powerful forces will crumble under the pressure.
Then we can organize a world where all needs are met from the abundance that exists. Harmony can be restored to the environment, the animal kingdom can be cared for and multiply to provide not only for our needs, but also for our pleasure.
Such a dream is not impossible! What is needed is a mass movement that includes every human on the planet, a mass movement that will force through the changes that have to be pursued if technology is to become our salvation and not our destruction. If you leave it to ‘others’ to implement the changes then those changes may never occur. We cannot dump our personal responsibility onto others in a vain hope that some mysterious ‘they’ will take care of things. We must build a wall that will hold back the forces that seek to destroy us. We are at war. A war like none other in the history of man. The solutions are not simple. Each problem interweaves with another. It will take all of our strength and ingenuity to overcome and survive this century. But the good news is that it is POSSIBLE! And it will take YOU with your gifts and talents and insights to make his dream a reality.
Check my website at: www.ourchurch.com/member/g/g8team/
This article is copywrite free and can be copied
and distributed by all known media.
___________________________________________________________
TO WATCH ON WEBCAST GO TO:
www.kt.org
www.tbn.org
___________________________________________________________
In 1955, Brother Andrew, then a young Dutch missionary, went on a group tour to Poland. There he discovered a Christian church behind the Iron Curtain desperately in need of the Word of God. He distributed a suitcase full of Christian literature…marking the humble beginnings of Open Doors with Brother Andrew. Today Open Doors is working in 60 countries to strengthen the persecuted church, sustaining indigenous Christians in hostile lands so they can continue to spread the Gospel to the unsaved majority around them. The oldest international ministry to persecuted Christians, Open Doors will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2005.
His autobiography God's Smuggler details dangerous border crossings in his Volkswagen bug, KGB pursuits and Brother Andrew's courageous journey toward living radically for Jesus Christ. It has sold over 12 million copies in over 40 languages. His latest books are The Calling and God's Call. The books recount Brother Andrew's dramatic and often clandestine meetings with persecuted Christians and world leaders.
In 1997 Brother Andrew was the recipient of the World Evangelical Fellowship's Religious Liberty Award, recognizing his lifetime of service to the persecuted church and passion for spreading the Gospel.
"He is recognized worldwide as one of the premier spokesmen for the persecuted church. For nearly 50 years, he has delivered Bibles and preached to congregations of all sizes in some of the most restricted countries," said Jerry Kitchel, Communications Director for Open Doors USA.
Brother Andrew's work through Open Doors has led the organization into places where most Christians do not go. His underground network of indigenous Christians has aided in the distribution of millions of Bibles worldwide each year. Open Doors has trained thousands of Christian pastors and church leaders through seminaries and persecution seminars, assisted in economic relief, literacy training and vocational training in the most dangerous countries in the world.
In the last several years, Brother Andrew has focused his attention on the Islamic World. Still traveling extensively - mostly to the Middle East - he feels that the rapid spread of Islam could be, by far, the greatest challenge that he and Open Doors have yet faced.
YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT BROTHER ANDREW AND THE OPEN DOORS MONISTRY AT: www.opendoors.org
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"A DIFFICULT HILL"
He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
-Isaiah 40:29
Researchers at the University of Virginia have found that most people perceive a hill to be steeper than it really is, especially if they're tired or carrying a heavy load. When asked to estimate the slope of a hill, test participants consistently misjudged it, thinking a 10-degree slant was about 30 degrees, and rating a 5-degree slope as nearly 20 degrees. Hardly any of them believed they could be that far off.
When we're burdened and exhausted, even a minor problem can seem too big for us to handle. As we encounter a trial in life, we're tempted to sit down at the base of that difficult hill and stay there, convinced that the grade is too steep for us.
That is why we need the encouragement of God's Word. It draws our attention to our untiring God, who knows our need. Isaiah wrote, "The Creator of the ends of the earth neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength" (Isaiah 40:28-29).
Because we so easily misjudge life's difficulties, we need courage to keep going when we are tempted to quit. Take a step of faith today and join those who depend on the Lord, who run and are not weary, who walk and do not faint (v.31). In His strength, you can conquer any difficult hill. —DCM
As we live for Christ and follow Him,
The way may seem quite steep;
But if we trust His grace and strength,
Our steps He'll guide and keep.
—Fitzhugh
GOD ALWAYS GIVES ENOUGH STRENGTH FOR THE NEXT STEP.
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You Needed Me
By Anne Murray
You needed me
I cried a tear,
You wiped it dry.
I was confused.
You cleared my mind,
I sold my soul
You brought it back, for me.
And held me up
And gave me dignity,
Somehow you needed me.
You gave me strength
To stand alone again,
To face the world
Out on my own again.
You put me high
Up on a pedestal,
So high, that I could
Almost see,
eternity.
You needed me.
You needed me.
And I can't believe it's you,
And I can't believe it's true,
I needed you
And you were there,
And I'll never leave.
Why should I leave?
I'd be a fool,
'Coz finally I found someone
Who really cares,
You needed me.
You held my hand
When it was cold,
When I was lost
You took me home.
You gave me hope
When I was at the end,
And turned my lies
Back into truth again.
You even called me friend.
You gave me strength
To stand alone again,
To face the world
Out on my own again.
You put me high
Up on a pedestal,
So high that I could
Almost see,
eternity.
You needed me
You needed me
You needed me
You needed me
And yes............. I needed you.
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DON'T WORRY!
by Kathy Munn
"It ain't no use putting up your umbrella till it rains."
- Alice Caldwell Rice
Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with the weight of the world. Do you?
Last Sunday, I started feeling burdened by some things that really are out of my control. I could not stop thinking about them, until something inside me said, "Just don't worry about it. Everything will be o.k." I started to feel better, my burden lightened. What had happened? What had changed?
The only thing that changed was me - my attitude, my willingness to let go.
My experience tells me that things are hardly ever as bad as I imagine they can be.
Things happen in our lives. Some of them we influence, some of them come out of the blue sky.
We cannot always dictate what will happen, or how. We can decide how we will respond to them.
Today, I decide to live my life fully.
Today, I will not be fearful.
Today, I will not worry.
"God knows everything you need. Seek first God's reign, and God's justice, and all these things will be given to you besides. Enough of worrying about tomorrow! Let tomorrow take care of itself" - Matthew 6: 32b-34a
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When You Feel You're At The End
By Pastor Jack Hayford
Text: Revelation 1:1-20
Introduction
If you were to receive a letter of commendation from a well-known person, you might be inclined to put it in a frame and display it upon your wall, for it would be a treasure to know you were so well thought of by someone you admired.
Far more treasured is a personal letter from Jesus to His church contained in the Book of Revelation, especially in light of all the things that seek to break down our confidence, the stability of our circumstances, or even our character.
This letter is the revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave to His servants -- to you and me. John is the stenographer taking the letter and the mailman who delivers it. This message examines John’s circumstances as so like ours that we can identify with him, and shows so much of the character and person of Jesus.
A revelation of Jesus, not of prophecy. What is often overlooked in the Book of Revelation are the personal
implications for our lives. It is not a revelation of information or prophecies, but a revelation of Jesus
(v. 1). But because of its prophetic nature, it often becomes an object of sensation or speculation.
If you look at the circumstance in which Jesus wrote it, this letter is intended to teach people how to make their life work in the middle of a world that has every kind of challenge. Jesus wants us to see the victory, and to know that He is there at the end, whether it’s the end of time, or the end of your rope today.
The time is near. The reason Jesus reveals Himself is to help us keep things in perspective “for the time is near” (v. 3). Although these words were written long ago, and generations who believed Jesus was coming soon have passed
on, the Lord wants us to gain heaven’s perspective rather than earth’s time-space continuum, which tends to stampede us when distress comes.
Whatever you’re at the end of -- whatever the struggle -- it is brief in comparison to what your life is ultimately about. The Lord is not indifferent to your problems, but He wants you to know that your life is not about your present circumstances.
He’s here in our interest and He’s committed to seeing us through it all. He gives an incentive: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear…” (v. 3). If you want a regular blessing, read this Book and it will keep your eyes above it all.
This signature of Jesus (“He sent and signified it…” v. 1) means this letter is not only personal to us, He’s endorsing everything He says here. Death can’t keep Him down, and when you come to the end, nothing of the death syndrome in your world can keep you down either.
He gives us the promise of dominion as long as we walk in worship with Him. He says I’m going to see you through it all. I made you kings and priests unto God (v. 6) We are to be kings who war with victory; priests who, through their worship, draw the authority to function as kings.
Jesus reveals six things about His character in this letter to us.
1. You can never be in so forsaken a place My love won’t seek and find you (v. 9-10).
At that time, Patmos was a Roman penal colony in the middle of nowhere. You may feel you’re in a place called confusion or despair, or that you’re isolated on an island called rejection. But the Lord says, and John is reporting, Jesus came to me to reveal Himself when I was in the middle of nowhere.
2. You can never be in so bound a state that My Spirit can’t lift your soul with hope (v. 10). Though John is in prison he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” The
“Lord’s Day” can mean the first day of the week or the day of God’s judgment and visitation, the day God comes to change things.
Whenever you feel you’re at the end, you can identify your
surroundings and circumstances and say, These are the limits. Or you can transcend those limits by saying, "Father God, I come to begin to worship You and
get in the Spirit". John is saying what Jesus wants us to see: Got a problem? Get in the Spirit!
3. Your history can’t be written until I, Jesus, have the last word (v. 11).
However we would want to write about things as they are, Jesus is here as the One who is the Creator and Consummator of all things, as well as the Redeemer of everything in between. Jesus is telling us that it’s not the end of the story yet; He’s going to write the end His way, no
matter what the circumstances are, and you won’t be the loser.
4. You may think you know Me well, but you haven’t seen anything yet (v. 12-16).
No one knew Jesus better than John; he was with the Savior during His earthly ministry, and on the last occasion on which He was on earth.
Now John describes seeing the splendor of the reigning Christ, at the right hand of the throne of all power, and he is overcome with His majesty.
When we face times that we think are the end, the Lord says, Lift up your head a little bit higher because I’m greater than you think, more powerful than you think and closer than you think.
5. There is nothing you face that is unanticipated by My plan or unsurpassed by My power (v.15).
Brass in scripture denotes strength. The feet of Jesus, once wounded, have become feet of dominion. Walk in the trail of the One who has gone through the fire, and with Him, you discover what He found going through it.
At the cross, Jesus faced His greatest sense of aloneness (“My God, why have You forsaken Me?”), followed the next moment by His greatest abandonment to trust and rest in the Father (“Into Your hands I commit My Spirit”). It was the Father’s plan and power that brought Him through.
He says, That’s how My feet got this way; I want you to walk with Me and learn the same thing.
When you go through the fires that make you want to say, “I’m at the end of my rope and God’s not even in this situation anymore,” the Lord says: If you will just abandon yourself and trust Me, then you will go through that fire and find a pathway of dominion like My Son’s.
6. Just when Jesus seems to be out of reach to us, He says to us, I have you and your circumstance firmly in hand
(v. 16, 17, 20).
In Jesus’ right hand were stars–people in whom the radiance of the kingdom of God is invested -- a radiance intended to light the darkness of the world (Philippians 2:15). The same right hand reaches to John. Not just a few select people, but all of us are in His hand.
Whether you’re facing the end of time, or the end of your rope Hear the Word of the Lord: the promise of His presence, the certainty of His victory in us. Whether it’s the end of time or the end of your rope, the Savior says: I’m here, no matter how remote or out of touch it seems; Whatever you think I may have been like in times past, you ain’t seen nothing yet; I’m here in the middle of your circumstance to put My hand on you, to show My glorious power, to walk you through the fire; I’ve come to show you that compared to what your life is ultimately about, this is only a brief time, and I’m going to take you through
it.
All scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version of the Bible.
>To Learn More, Order:
>Soundword Tape #4479 © 1999 Living Way Ministries, Van Nuys, CA 91405
___________________________________________________________
THE BATTLE
By Pastor Geoff Bone
ONCE UPON A TIME
IN A REALM FAR FAR AWAY
A BATTLE RAGED
BETWEEN THE ONE TRUE
AND LIVING GOD
AND ONE OF HIS CREATIONS
AN ANGEL
CALLED LUCIFER WHO
AROSE WITH PRIDE
IN HIS HEART
AND WANTED TO TAKE GODS PLACE
AND STEAL THE GLORY DUE TO HIM
HE REBELLED
AND HENCE
THE GREAT BATTLE COMMENCED
HE WAS BANISHED FROM THE KINGDOM
AND CAST DOWN TO A PLANET
CALLED EARTH
ALONG WITH A THIRD OF THE HEAVENLY HOSTS
HIS EVIL WORK CONTINUED
AND HE WORKED
TO BRING HIS REBELLION
TO THE RACE GOD
CREATED THERE
HE WAS CRAFTY AND DECEPTIVE
AND ATTACKED
THE VERY CHARACTER OF GOD
.... HIS HONESTY
HE WON THAT BATTLE
..... AND THAT GOD'S PEOPLE
PAID THE PRICE
OF SPIRITUAL DEATH
THEIR COMMUNION WITH HIM WAS BROKEN.
BUT GOD HAD PLANS...
TO OVERTHROW THIS EVIL ONE
AND REGAIN THAT
WHICH HE HAD LOST
THE SCENE WAS SET FOR A BATTLE
THAT WOULD LAST FOR
THOUSANDS OF YEARS
HE CHOSE A SMALL TRIBE
AND MADE A COVENANT WITH THEM
THAT WAS ETERNAL
HE SENT MESSENGERS
TO DECLARE HIS AIM
AND TOLD THEM
THE FUTURE
THE BATTLE GROUND
WAS IN THE MINDS OF MEN
AND THROUGH THE AGES
THE ADVERSARY,
GAINED IN POWER
TAKING CONTROL
OF THE VAST MAJORITY
WHO ALLOWED THEIR MINDS TO BE HELD CAPTIVE
TO FEAR
BUT A SMALL
GALLANT BAND OF RESISTERS
GREW DAY BY DAY
AND ULTIMATE VICTORY
WAS IN SIGHT
GOD’S STRATEGY
PROVED EFFECTIVE
HE SENT HIS FINAL MESSENGER
INTO THE WORLD
TO BREAK THE CHAIN THAT
BROUGHT THE CURSE OF SPIRITUAL DEATH
TO MANKIND
AND BRING LIFE AGAIN
TO THE PEOPLE
THE BATTLE CONTINUES TODAY ....
To understand what is happening in the world today, we need to be aware of the context in which the battle between good and evil is being fought.
The StarWars scenerio above describes the very source of our troubles.
Without this knowledge we are like children, confused, puzzled, angry and helpless, unable to understand why the world surges from crisis to crisis, unable to solve the problems facing them.
We are truly on a collision course. In every area of human endeavour, the human race seems bent on destruction.
The battle to survive and create a world that is safe for our children is thwarted at every turn by wars, ecological disasters, eathquakes, disease, famine and crime.
Corruption in high places ensues that well meaning efforts to overcome these problems soon fail, leaving the watching world dismayed, angry and frustrated.
The rebellion which started in heaven spread to earth and we live with the result.
Early in life this rebellion manifests itself.
Discipline is required to restore some kind of balance. In the mind of the child, the battle is commenced.
Satan works his evil way, and corrupts the innocence they once knew.
The Holy Spirit is always reaching out to rescue us and bring us into the camp of the righteous.
But at the same time, hordes of demons, Lucifer’s agents, are busy challenging every step of progress.
Their aim is to bring that us to destruction. To take us out! The sooner the better.
Teenage suicide is at an all time high. Co-incidence? No way!
These are the victims.
He has messed with their brain.
Drugs, War, Starvation, AIDS, Disease, Gangs, Violence in the home, all these and more are the results of this battle.
This war cannot be fought without casualties.
But Good will win! Good will triumph!
And the story is told in a book we call the Bible!
From beginning to end, all has been revealed.
Sometimes in coded messages. Sometimes in poetry, sometimes in straightforward no nonsense talk. But always with one objective.
To bring to maturity a people who will fight the Devil on his own turf.
The veterans of this elite force are battle hardened and streetwise.
The weapons of their warfare are not natural, but spiritual.
They truly have ‘the force’ on their side!
Later, you will be able to get an understanding of the battleground, and you will have to choose which side you want to serve.
There is no middle ground.
Don’t make your decision now.
Wait till you have all the facts. Be an observer. Stand aside and try to get the picture clear.
The Holy Spirit will be guiding you.
You did not happen upon this site by chance.
It is your destiny.
God has led you this far.
Now with your co-operation He will take you further.
Are you ready to die for a cause?
Death is the beginning for those who choose to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
When you are ready to give up your life, God will bring to birth a new you, a spiritually alive you.
A person connected by the Spirit to the one who made you.
Your purpose and destiny will become clear.
Peace will flood your soul.
You will know a joy unspeakable.
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POSITIVE THINKING
by Durrell Watkins
"Psychologists tell us that every one of us thinks an average of between 65,000 and 70,000 thoughts a day and 90 to 95% of those thoughts are repetitive. They're the same thoughts we've always thought and they become the patterns of our thinking. Thought patterns create the experiences of our lives. Listen to your thoughts today. Are they
negative, self-limiting, self-diminishing? Or are they radiant with joy and life and creativity? We can change our thinking, and we can change the pattern of our lives. Herein lies the secret to authentic power." --Mary Manin Morrissey
Let's pray:
Dear God, I have developed some habits of thinking that I would like to change. I don't want to think of myself as unsuccessful, or unworthy of love. I don't want to assume from the beginning that the diet won't work or that the pain of my past will limit the possibilities of my future. I don't want to be so afraid that I don't even try new things. I don't want to believe that I can't accomplish more than I have so far. And I certainly don't want to believe that you have any desire for me other than my highest good. I am willing, God, right now, to release negative thought patterns. I am willing to have my fears relieved. I am willing to believe in my own enormous potential. I am willing to believe that the past is forever behind me and the future is full of wonderful possibilities. I am willing to believe that I am by nature a good person worthy of love and abundance and joy. I am willing to believe that you are with me today and everyday to guide me and to help me. Help me now, dear God, imagine myself as the wonderful child of God that I am. Help me now to have a vision for the future that is bright and joyful and exciting. Help me enjoy being who I am and help me believe that you believe in me. Help me feel safe in my world. Help me God become a positive thinker. And help me God open myself up to all the wonderful blessings you want to give to me. And as a blessed person, I will be a witness to your loving nature. Thank you God. Amen.
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SELAH....
"Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them"
-- J. Philip Everson
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WHAT IS TRUST?
By Ron Ackerman
What do you think about trust? Have you ever thought about it? What is trust? I think trust is something we all need. Trust is a investment in ourselves and others.
Trust is being able to reach out to others and communicate to them who we are, the real us. Being honest with ourselves and others. Trust is a responsibility we owe ourselves to help us live a good life.
In love you need trust, to care for each other, to be able to listen,, sympathize, and to feel for each other.
In our love to God, we need trust. Believing in Gods words, accepting Gods words without doubt. Keeping faith.
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Lord, please make your people one.
And answer the prayer of your dear Son,
that the world may see that we are one.
And give the glory unto you.
All around the kingdom fall,
but we hear our Father call-
You are safe, My children, with me.
Show my love, for I want the world to see.
Lord, You're making Your people one,
And answering the prayer of your dear Son,
That the world may see that we are one,
And give the glory unto you.
copyright 1977 Thank You Music
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NOW GO TO:
www.rejesus.co.uk
FOR FURTHER STUDY AND MEDITATION.
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.
by Pastor Joseph.
LIVE WITH AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!
You have probably heard it before,
but the truth of it is so important that
a little reminder doesn't do any harm.
Sometimes we get caught up with the
worries of life and forget
to be grateful for the small things.
Why not set up a page on your PC
and list down everything that you can be grateful for.
Then when you're feeling harassed you
can quickly review it.
Here's some starters:
Fresh air - in many in cities around the
world the people have to wear masks!
Food - millions of people today won't eat anything!
Some will starve.
Clothing - most of us get to choose what to wear!
Housing - millions around the
world live in shanty towns,
slums with no clean water and
sanitation or even on the
street with no roof over their head.
Car - a sheer luxury to
most of the world's population.
If not car – bicycle … or even legs.
(don't forget some people haven’t got any!)
Ability to read - most of the world are illiterate.
Friends - there are millions of
lonely people who are without
any friends at all,
totally alone in the world.
The ability to get up each day and welcome it,
so many are living with pain, because of disease.
To be able to see, so many around
the world have lost their sight or
are partially sighted and struggle.
Freedom, so many live with fear.
Family, so many do not have the
closeness of family support, and love.
Community, many places have lost that.
Computers.... many have no access,
or no idea that such a medium exists,
and is a luxury. Cyber-Space in its best
sense is bringing folk together
all over the world.
E-mail (DON'T USE THE GUEST BOOK FOR THIS PLEASE)
me if you can think of anything else.
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13th November 2006
I received a prayer request this week from Zack. He has opened his heart and I don't know whether or not he'll ever see this answer to him as he didn't leave his email address. what he wrote is below and after that my answer to him. I hope perhaps some other guys (and girls) going through similiar feelings will get something from my answer. Do give me feedback if you've been helped.
Hey, I'm requesting a prayer that I get the girl I've always wanted before this year is over with. I'm 19 years old and I have had it with meeting the wrong girls, running away from girls not my type, and being left out seeing couples and weddings everywhere I go when I don't have somebody I really like and I am at the short end of my rope with it! "you're still young" and "you have a lot of time" is simply no excuse for this kind of crap! I'm nothing but nice to these girls. I get the feeling at times that God doesn't care about any of this. I'm not the lustful type like most guys are either. I have standards and they are good and I don't feel any need to post them here since I know exactly what I want. When somebody tells me this type of pain is part of life, it just makes me hate life even more. If this kind of stuff doesn't stop before this year is over with, I will have no other choice but to choose death. It's a decision I really don't want to come to but I cannot have this anymore! The "Permanent Solution To Temporary Problems" is no longer a valid excuse. I will not spend another year putting up with this. I don't have very much faith left so I hope it's enough to make this work out for me. Thanks, Zack
Hi Zack, I'm not going to give you all the old cliche's that you have heard before. You're obviously hurting and frustrated and I really want you to be free of all that inner turmoil so you can be the great guy you are. The answer is for you to start to accept the situation as it is. You can't change the past so forget any mistakes you may have made. The only thing that matters is the present and what you have to appreciate is that you r decisions and choices that you make on a daily basis will determine who you become in the future. I want you to STOP looking for a girlfriend! Take a break and accept your singleness. Being single you can make a massive impact on the world. You have the time and the youthful energy that can help millions of people. I want you to start to look around you and find a need. Find something that you can feel passionate about. It may be helping disabled kids, or homeless or perhaps an organisation that reaches out to the Third World. Get a GOAL and pursure it with an intensity that involves your whole commitment. Whether you are working or studying, you can start to dream. Start to have a vision. Remeber the scripture that says "without a vision the people perish"? Well to be a succes you have to have a vision. By focussing on someone else's need you will in fact become very attractive guy and the girls will see someone who is good to be with. Let them chase you, not the other way round!!! Learn to be happy WITHOUT a girl. Just be friends with them and get them excited about the thing you are involved with. When they see your commitment and passion for helping others they will really want you! I know that at 19 all your hormones are screaming out for action but just believe me when iI say that as you dedicate your life to giving and helping others that side of life will automatically fall into place. You sound to me like a very decent guy and someone that will be popular and honoured for his love and compassion. There's so much to do in the world so choose your particular field of endeavor and "go for it". I wish you every blessing as you set out on this path and want to hear from you. Do please write and let me know how you are doing. Best wishes,
Pastor Geoff
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