And He spoke all things pertaining to the Kingdom! Acts 1:3

What a final conversation! What a way to leave those who you have mentored and discipled – just as important as the first conversation; come and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus leaves the disciples before his ascension with one last conversation and He spoke all things pertaining to the Kingdom.

The Kingdom was so at the heart of everything Jesus was about: He lived it, expounded it, demonstrated it, taught it, displayed it, revealed it and gave access to it! Wow! And to top it off, Jesus’ final conversations with the very ones who were about to take hold of that very same kingdom baton had their final conversations with Jesus about the very same Kingdom!

I think there is something here that we need to pay very close attention to – what is the Kingdom? Where is this Kingdom? Who is this Kingdom and why was it so important that Jesus deemed it essential as His parting words and conversation to His disciples?

Do you recall in Matthew chapter 7:24 Jesus said, “therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, I liken to a wise man who built his house upon a rock and when the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house and it did not fall for it was founded on that rock!”

There is significant importance to be taken to what and when Jesus speaks. There is stability, assurance, knowledge, protection and future in all that He says. Jesus’ conversation throughout scripture all point to a Kingdom that must be enjoyed, lived in and embraced by all who have been given access to discover it.

Pay attention today to this conversation in Acts chapter 1 verse 3 as Jesus’ parting instruction in His will and testament before leaving their natural world to occupy His seat beside His divine Father – do you remember He said where I am you will be with me also…

And He spoke all things pertaining to the Kingdom…

Pastor Michael

A word of encouragement for you all in this hectic time

I just want to send a word of encouragement for you all in this hectic time.

I believe the Lord is sending new miracles and wonders to everyone of us. When we pray and ask for change, we expect it to come somewhere along our everyday lives and everyday schedules. But the truth of the matter is that change comes in God’s perfect timing.

Currently a lot of our minds are more compact and fuller than our closets/wardrobes. We need to know and stand steadfast on the fact that our God is always on the move and that he won’t just protect us and our loved ones from the Coronavirus, but bring us out stronger and closer to God than ever before.

By allowing our minds to panic and lean only on the understanding of the Government, we are closing our minds off from change and not allowing any room for new perspectives and levels with Christ. We all need to stay in God’s presence and make room for the new.

We need to be stationary in the will of God and the peace of God, and be planted by the streams of living water and then God will come to us and favour will come to us.

“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.” Acts 11:5 (New King James Version)

Let us all be calm and courageous in this opportunity to break the limitations that bound us to this earth. As the scripture says in the Bible, God came to Peter while he was praying, heaven came to him. We all need to be still and know that God is God. Let Him show us and the world that everything; new and good, comes from our King and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us not look for things to go back as they were but instead look forward unto the unknown and be expectant that our God has something more for our lives and glorious for us.

“Remember [carefully] the former things [which I did] from ages past;
For I am God, and there is no one else;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end and the result from the beginning,
And from ancient times the things which have not [yet] been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will do all that pleases Me and fulfills My purpose,’” (Isaiah 46:9-10 Amplified version)

– Troy Reid

On Bended Knee

ON BENDED KNEE

BY STACEY SPENCER

On Bended knee;

I’m going back to the place where Christ first spoke to me.

My life of strife must come to an end.

It’s time to turn back and make my amends.

I never said it would be easy,

Or that trials and temptations wouldn’t come your way.

But if through the power of my Holy Spirit

You can remain on a holy plane,

Then you’ll receive My crown of glory.

You’ll be alright.

My baby years were easy you see;

Drinking from the milk of those who lay their foundation way before me.

Living my life of little responsibility,

With very little, to no, accountability.

Christ came to set me free!

But pride is a killer,

And I’m swimming in mine but I just can’t see.

I never said it would be easy,

Or that trials and temptations wouldn’t come your way.

But if through the power of my Holy Spirit

You can remain on a holy plane,

Then you’ll receive My crown of glory.

You’ll be alright.

Life became harder.

My spiritual warfare a lot more intense.

Lust masquerading through things around me;

Branded bottles of emotional mental offence.

Milk could no longer sustain me,

Or my battles with sin.

I had to draw closer to the Cross,

Reminding myself of the Christ within.

I never said it would be easy,

Or that trials and temptations wouldn’t come your way.

But if through the power of my Holy Spirit

You can remain on a holy plane,

Then you’ll receive My crown of glory.

You’ll be alright.

I’ve learned to become satisfied by the meat of His Word.

To walk with the Holy Spirit in order to stay spiritually stirred.

Stripping off the old man to render the new,

In order for Christ to be revealed -

Not just in me but also in you.

I never said it would be easy,

Or that trials and temptations wouldn’t come your way.

But if through the power of my Holy Spirit

You can remain on a holy plane,

Then you’ll receive My crown of glory.

You’ll be alright.

.

On Bended knee;

I’m back to the place where I can truly be me.

No more pretending or contending with His voice.

He’s silenced my serpent,

So I ask you today, “What will be your choice?”

“And I will send you another…”

The beautiful thing about God is that He always has a plan – reconciliation (restoring man back to Himself). From the very beginning (Adam, Eve, Serpent and sin – Genesis 1-3) until NOW; God’s plan is to always restore us back to Himself.

 After the death of Jesus; before His passing he said,

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:16 (King James Version)

God’s ways and plans can sometimes be forgotten by man (universal context), even after we have acquired of them. We don’t always intend or desire to, but things get in the way – people, circumstances, situations.

God’s Word can also slip from our eyes, even though it should forever be before us (Deuteronomy 11:18) and not forgotten (Proverbs 4:21). But thank God He ALWAYS has a plan!

The Bible says,

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 14: 15-18 (New King James version) 

We have the GREATEST gift of all… the HOLY SPIRIT. Let us turn to Him and get back to our rightful place in God.

What do we need for 2019?

-       What truth do we need to be led into?

-       What do we need to return back to?

-       What do we need help with?

-       What do we need guidance on?

-       What have we forgotten or not yet learned? Etc.

Let us ask Him; the Spirit of Truth - He knows EVERYTHING.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7 (New King James version)

 Don’t walk in 2019 or beyond without Him.

BY STACEY SPENCER

Remember, Remember, always Remember the testimonies of the Lord

We have had some amazing breakthroughs and testimonies this year, but there was one that truly touched me as it showed the Lord’s ways so clearly.

It starts with Pastor turning 50; his year of Jubilee! A few months before the big day, he confessed, “I’ve been releasing people from their debts; even at work.” One of the messages on Jubilee went a bit like this:

Proclaim liberty, you will eat from the increase. This is a year of accumulation, there is a grace to gather significant resources. The ploughman is overtaking the reaper. Thank God for everything morning by morning. You are going to build and you are going to inhabit. You will plant vineyards which are business ideas that will continually bring a harvest. This is your season, walk like you’re ten feet tall. Everything is preparation and positioning to be an asset to this generation and region. Expect the unexpected, position yourself.

A mere four months later the Word was tried and tested, but our God in His foreknowledge sent a man with an instruction, “Pastor Michael, I saw you with a letter in your hand and there was a figure on the letter, and you began to declare the blood of Jesus over the letter.”

Sure enough the letter came; the figure was large, but not large enough for our God. 

The enemy or the testing seems to come in two’s in this house. Ding Ding, round two; fired on all cylinders, physically, spiritually and emotionally. The figure trebled; now this is more like it, talk about expect the unexpected. Rest was momentarily stolen and replaced with suggestive demonic dreams, and a weariness and strain took over the body.

But God aye Pastor!! A mere twenty-four hours later, I was privileged to be sitting in church listening to this story which ended with, “the lady on the phone said ‘in a few days time you will receive a letter saying this debt has been written off.’ ”

Cheers all around!

As I sat there smiling, what came to mind was…..do you remember when he was releasing people from their debts earlier this year? Our obedience today truly secures our victory tomorrow, everything we do matters. 

All this to say, “Our Father is sooo good.” If we obey the leading of the Holy spirit, when the time of provision or need draws near there will always be a ram stuck in the bushes offering a way out.

The song says, “my God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do.” This is why He said walk like you’re ten feet tall!

I’m not trying to create my own theology, but I reckon the more it seems impossible, the more excited the Lord is to show Himself strong. 

Faith is confidence in who…I AM.

BY LARISSA MATTHEWS

Part two: “Breaking Out”

Note from Author: 

This is a continuation of my series of allegories (a story in which the characters and events reflect a deeper moral or spiritual meaning). I recommend, if you haven’t already, that you read part one before reading part two. I have also written a set of questions to help you reflect and apply the story to your own personal life.

…..

Three months later... 

Ava and Olivia have come together for their usual weekly coffee and catch up. 

“I think I have figured it out,” Ava announces as she places sugar in her cappuccino. 

Olivia raises an eyebrow as she swallows her mocha and then questions, “you have figured what out?”

“I’m trying to be a butterfly without going through the larva and pupa process,” Ava explains as she avoids eye contact whilst stirring her drink. 

Olivia responds with a slight giggle in her tone. “I’m not sure what confuses me more, larva and pupa or the fact that you say you have figured something out and look so defeated.” 

Ava hands Olivia a piece of paper from her hand bag and explains, “this is a teaching from Bible study last week.” 

The Four Stages of Metamorphosis (changes)

Olivia reads the notes and looks at Ava with a smile. “Oookay, I understand what you mean by larva and pupa. You’re referring to stages two and three right?”

As Ava responds, Olivia continues to examine the paper to understand what Ava is explaining. “Yes. I’m trying to be a butterfly like stage four without going through the process of being a caterpillar in stages two and three.”

Olivia looks over the paper at Ava and clarifies. “So, are you saying that what you have figured out is that you are trying to be like Christ without becoming like Christ?”

Ava smiles. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. This is why I feel so boxed in. I’m trying to be one person to people, but on the inside it’s like I’m someone else.” 

Olivia looks at Ava with compassion. “I understand that very well. You can be saying yes to everyone physically, but inside your heart and mind is screaming no.”

Ava leans forward in excitement and takes the paper from Olivia and places it onto the table. Pointing, she says, “exactly, but if you look at stages two and three you will see what should be happening.” 

Olivia reads over the teaching again, but then looks at Ava confused and explains, “I’m not sure I understand.” 

Ava leans back into her chair. “The scripture used to explain stage two was Hebrews chapter four verse twelve. The Word of God should be cutting away the layers of our fleshy thoughts and the arguments in our heart.” 

Olivia looks up from the paper at Ava. “So, the Word should replace what I think and silence the arguments?”

Ava places her coffee back down and leans forward. “Yes… kind of, but it’s not that straight forward. If you look in stage three the key word used is ‘do.’ ”  

Ava takes another sip of her coffee whilst Olivia looks at the paper again. Then she continues, “I read the Word of God all the time, but I don’t always apply it.” 

Olivia agrees. “Yes I understand that. Reading to forgive and actually forgiving are two very different things.” 

Ava looks at Olivia seriously. “This is what God was telling me in the dream I had three months ago, ‘say yes to My Word.’ I am saying yes on the outside, but inside my heart has been saying no.”

Olivia leans forward excited. “Ooo that’s why you were on the table in the dream. In order to live, your heart must beat again. So, your heart must say yes to God’s Word.”

Ava laughs out loud and shakes her head. “You sound excited. I think you are forgetting that this means that God is saying that my heart is hard.” Ava’s facial expression changed as she accepted her words. 

Olivia gives Ava a warm comforting smile. “Hard truth, but God only corrects us because He loves us.” 

Ava smiles, “this is true.”

Olivia takes another sip of her drink then asks, “so how do you move forward with it all this?”

Ava takes a big huff. “I need to make the decision to stop taking short cuts. I think I have made great progress turning back to God over the past three months, but I need to start examining my heart with prayer and allow God to show me my short cuts of performance.”

Olivia smiles. “I’m happy to pray with you if you need support. To be honest I think I need to ask for the recording of this message.” 

Ava laughs. “Thank you and I will take you up on it. But breaking out of this mind set and habit to perform is about me being honest with myself daily and taking responsibility for my heart, my thoughts, my actions and my relationship with God” 

Olivia agrees with a nod. 

“But I know that If I don’t make the decision to change that I will continue to feel boxed in, which leads me to feeling like a failure; frustrated and disappointed. 

“So, when are you going to make the decision,” says Olivia.

“Today!” Ava looks at Olivia surprised with her own response, but then smiles in agreement. “Yes I decide to break out of the box today by allowing my heart to say yes to God and choosing the path to freedom.”

To be continued… 

Reflection Questions 

1.  Have you made the decision to break out of the boxes that hold you back from being who God has created you to be? Do your actions demonstrate your decision? 

2.  Do you need to examine your heart with prayer and allow God to show you your short cuts of performance? (There is no time like the present). 

3.  Looking at the four stages of metamorphosis, what stage of your metamorphosis are you? 

4.  What decisions and actions do you need to take in order to move to the next stage of your metamorphosis? 

5.  Do you have a spiritual support system? If not, how can you develop a spiritual support system? 

Sources

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

Information: The Academy of Natural Sciences.

GIVE UP the Ghost

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:’ and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:46 (KJV)

At the end of December 2017, I heard the words “give up the ghost.” During that specific moment in time, I had absolutely no idea what that meant but I KNEW God was speaking to me personally. That’s the thing I love about God, He gives you a Word in every season. He gives the Word to you in whatever way He speaks to you before you go into something or as you are going through something – a snippet before its fullness unfolds.  

Since that day; and even now, my life has become more of an INTERNAL battle. I can literally feel the war. The temper has flared up, frustration has climbed new levels, patience and tolerance are itching me, the tongue goes wild every now and then… BOOM! The bomb has really gone off. Paul’s words in Romans 7 & 8 resonate in my whole being. They’re becoming ALIVE on the inside.

At first, I was like “Lord, what is happening to me?” I automatically assumed that everything that was happening to me was a bad thing. Then I remembered the words of Pastor Philip, “let it come up and come out,” messages spoken by our Pastors and other ministers in church about our flesh being strong; we ourselves being too strong… DING DING DING!!! #LightBulbMoment.

The Word I heard came to mind again – give up the Ghost. Even though Luke 23:46 is referring to Jesus giving up His spirit; dying on the cross to move into the next phase of God’s divine plan for us, what God has been saying to me through this Word is GIVE UP YOUR FLESH. The scripture now takes on a new meaning for me. 

Through this Word, God is saying, “Stop fighting me. Give up your flesh.” I must give up MY WAYS. In order to go to the next level, the flesh MUST die. I must give up my ghost– my soul (will, mind, emotions), heart and spirit. EVERYTHING I am, I MUST give to Him. I must STOP FIGHTING HIM.

Welcome to the process friends… or as Pastor Isaac calls it, METAMORPHOSIS.

Of course the battle is intense because the flesh doesn’t like the spirit and the spirit doesn’t like the flesh – they’re at enmity with one another (Romans 8:7). The flesh doesn't want to die! You really begin to meet your other side… your Mr.Hyde. However, we must still give up our flesh. 

God has been telling us as a house that the Holy Spirit is coming in a greater measure and the Church will not be able to hold Him. Isn’t it ironic that this is one of the Words for 2018, but just before it God tells me to, “give up the ghost?”

I’m here to say that the struggle is real but SO IS GOD. God tells us to pick up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). As hard as it can be; especially when we don’t want to, WE MUST stay connected to God and daily give up our ghost – our flesh. It’s challenging but the more we find ourselves in His presence, the easier it will become because there is more of Him and less of us (John 3:30). 

Be encouraged to die and keep dying to your flesh… give up your ghost to receive His.

BY STACEY SPENCER

My Salvation

I wrote this in my book sometime last year as I was feeling overwhelmed by the Lord's sacrifice. Months later I’m back in this place; amazed at salvation, wanting its truths and all that Jesus has done for me to ever be before my mind and in my heart. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me.

Oh hallelujah, look what Yeshua has done.

Slain before the foundation of the world to make me a son.

How great a salvation, what a wondrous light.

No more a captive, but the object of His delight.

Redeemed by His blood alone.

He paid the price to make me His own.

And not just His because a father we now share.

A brother who would desire to make me a joint heir.

Hosanna, Hosanna, You are the greatest gift.

My mind can’t fathom, my heart can’t grasp it.

They downplay Your sacrifice. 

But You lift my eyes to see the truth.

Amazing grace, Your love abounds.

I once was lost but now I’m found.

Found in Your book, found in Your hand. 

Found in Your heart, found in Your plans.

Amazing love how can it be?

That the father’s son would die for me. 

Arms wide open, heart exposed.

You must now go out, there is more in this fold.

My house must be filled, the world needs to know. 

The only question is…

Will you go?

See your value in the Cross. Let your heart rest in this and this alone. You are loved. You are valuable. You are never alone.

BY LARISSA MATTHEWS

“I’m Boxed In”

Note from Author:

For 2018, I have decided to explore something different with my blog posts. I will be writing a series of allegories (a story in which the characters and events reflect a deeper moral or spiritual meaning). I have also written a set of questions to help you reflect and apply the story to your own personal life.

.....

September 12th 2017 5:30pm

       Ava storms past Olivia’s house upset and running. Being worried, Olivia runs after Ava. Ten minutes later, Ava; finally, has burnt out.

        "I’m … boxed … in!" Ava pants, throwing her knees to the ground and covering her face.

        "What box?" Olivia huffs, looking puzzled and trying to catch her breath. Olivia tries to identify their bearings.

       "Emm Ava, where are we?"

       Ava’s looks up at the unfamiliar territory around her with the same expression as Olivia.

       "Oh, you have got to be kidding? I’ve left my car open,” Olivia huffs in frustration as she turns around and starts walking back the way they came.

      "How have you got us lost?" says Olivia, turning with her hands on her hips, looking angry at Ava. Getting up and walking towards Olivia, Ava responds,

     "I didn't intend to get us lost. I just couldn't breathe."

     Scratching her head and then moving her hands to her face, Olivia questions,

     "Couldn't breathe? What? You was just running, have you gone mad?".

     Ava breaks down crying and Olivia comforts her. When Ava calms down she explains to Olivia that sometimes she feels like she is going mad. She explains that she is not referring to physical breathing but spiritual breathing. She feels overwhelmed, like change is impossible. Ava explains to Olivia the details of her life for the past year. How she feels boxed in, but not in a physical box. That she feels restricted, stagnant and limited in her mind, feelings, heart and relationships; especially her relationship with God.

    Regardless of her efforts, Ava remains spiritually frustrated in many areas of her life, causing her to feel overwhelmed like she cannot breathe. This is why she was running, she was trying to run away but gave-in because she realised you cannot run away from yourself. The box is internal, the inability and limitation is within. 

    Not knowing how to respond to Ava, Olivia comforts and encourages her, letting her know that things will get better. That she just needs to hold onto her faith in Jesus. Then they tried to find their way back home. 

September 12th 2017 10:00pm

    Later that evening, after getting her home in order, Olivia spends some quiet time thinking about Ava. Full of concern but feeling very powerless, she decides to pray for Ava. 

 “Dear Heavenly Father, I come to ask you to please help Ava breathe again. Lord you know and love Ava, please help her see and know your love at this time in her life. Father, I ask that you break the internal box that Ava feels she is in. Tear down the walls of her thinking. Melt the cement within her heart and stabilise her emotions so that she can breathe again, walk again and live again in a flourishing relationship with you. In Jesus name. Amen.”

September 19th  2017 12:30am

    Lying in the dark, tears running down her cheeks, Ava cries herself to sleep again.

    Ava finds herself in a theatre room, hearing the alarm of a monitor. A patient; covered, is on a table and the staff are just staring at the alarming monitor. 

    “Why is no one doing anything? Is the person dead?” Ava cries out.

    “Not physically dead,” speaks another.

    Ava looks around to find out where the other voice is coming from, but no one else is in the room. Ava, looking down defeated, whispering,

    “I don't understand?”

    The voice speaks again, “It’s like what you described to Olivia. It’s not physical death, but yes she is spiritually dying.” Ava looks up in surprise and asks,

    “How do you know what I said to Olivia?”

    “You know how I know Ava, just like you know who is on the table,” the voice replies.

    “Is it me Lord?” she whispers.

    "Yes, Ava it is you," the voice responds compassionately.

She falls to the floor in tears and asks, "why won't they help me?"

    "You know why?" the voice replies.

    Ava stands to her feet and examines the room as she shouts, "I do not know why!" She stands next to one of the staff, who is as still as a mannequin and throws her hands around in frustration and states,

    “I guess it's the same reason why everyone else can't help me… it's impossible!" The voice responds,

   “And that's why they can't help you because you do not believe you can be helped." She looks around in shock, then resigns speaking to the floor.

    "It is true… I'm too much of a mess."

    "Do you think a mess is impossible for me Ava?" the voice questions.

    "No Lord, but…" Ava looks for a distraction because He has caught her out. Walking over to the Doctors trolley, “Ahaha, that will do,” she thinks.

   "Why is there a big Bible on this trolley?” Ava asks.

   "My Word is waiting," the voice declares.

   "Waiting?" She questions.

   "Yes, for you Ava! My people are waiting for you, my Word is waiting for you and I am waiting for you," the voice announces. Ava, confused, asks,

   “Why are you all waiting for me, Lord?"

   "Because I have chosen you. I have presented life before you Ava. We are waiting for you to choose life," the voice boldly declares.

   “How do I choose life Lord?” she questions.

   “By saying yes to my Word,” the voice instructs.

    Ava wakes up and finds herself back in her bed, in the dark but something feels different… To be continued. 

Reflection questions

Place yourself in Ava's position and ask yourself:

1. Where am I at and what is going on inside me?

2. Am I seeking wise counsel?

3. Is God and those around me waiting for me to say "yes" to God’s Word?

4. What action can I take to move forward?

Place yourself in Olivia's position and ask yourself:

1.   How can I support those around me who are struggling?

BY CHARLENE KERR-SPENCER

All images courtesy of Pixabay

He Was Moved With Compassion

‘But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.’

Matthew 9:36 (King James Version)

It’s awesome how five simple words of a language can change a person. Who ever thought that five words could articulate what it means to be human? What human is to look like on the Earth… pretty amazing right?

Over the past few months these five words have been laid on my heart. Whether I am walking down the street, socialising with family and friends, writing, eating, sleeping; whatever it is that I am doing, these five words whisper to my spirit and circulate my mind.

What captivates me about them is that Jesus was moved with compassion. He wasn’t moved BY it but He was moved WITH it. Compassion was Him, built in Him; innate. God has been challenging me to move with and not by compassion, and it is this which I would like to share with you today.

If you know me then you will know that I am a lover of words and meanings. The key word that sticks out to me within these five words is with, which simply means, ‘accompanied by, characterised by, or having’ (Dictionary.com). Jesus functioned with the power of perceiving by touch, His whole being (EVERYTHING in Him) was compassion – ‘a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering’ (Dictionary.com).

Jesus’ compassion moved beyond what we know as our human emotions. He perceived (to become aware, discern) and desired (to wish or long for, request) change for others with His whole being. It was this characteristic in Him that allowed Him to move from one place to another to bring change, to move from one person to another to bring change, to be the sacrifice and die for us to bring change; ultimately to bring reconciliation (to cause a person to accept or be resigned to something not desired, restore – Dictionary.com). WOW, what love is this?

Jesus wasn’t moved by compassion because to be moved by something is not merely enough to bring a consistent, everlasting, internal change for yourself or another. The word by means, ‘to the extent or amount of, within the extent or period of’ (Dictionary.com). This means that there is a limitation when we are moved by something or someone, rather than moved with something or someone. It will only last a certain amount of time because it is not something that is built within our nature.

As humans we all have moments where we operate in our own strength when it should be the Lord’s strength, grace, and mercy we walk and operate in (Matthew 10:8, 2Corinthians 12:9). Our own forgiveness, tolerance, and grace towards people and situations can run slim because we are limited, which is why it is by the Lord’s that we must go in (Zechariah 4:6).  

In Luke 6:36 it reads, ‘You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate’ (New Living Translation). We are commanded; it being an absolute, to be compassionate. As we are to be it, it must be built within us (our minds and hearts), as it must last and not tarry only for a season. We must allow the Holy Spirit to build compassion in our hearts and minds. We always talk about renewing our minds (Romans 12:2), but we forget that we also need God to work on our hearts (Luke 6:45, Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 21:2). God said that He would give us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), but we must partner with the Holy Spirit to continually pursue and keep it renewed (Psalm 51:10, Romans 2:29). The heart is important, and before we can touch others we must be touched in heart too. 

So, considering all of this: Are you moved with or by compassion? What is the state of your heart today? Question yourself and invite God in… HE LONGS TO BRING YOU CHANGE; to restore you, to bring a better, everlasting change. It’s never too late, so let’s assess, change, and move forward in His grace together as one; the way we were created to.

BY STACEY SPENCER

Built to Last

Over the past few months I have been overwhelmed by the leading of the Holy Spirit. There is a call for us to come higher, to mature and give more of ourselves to God. This call requires a response not by word but by action. Sometimes I find giving God more of me or stepping out deeper in faith is overwhelming.

In order to manage this overwhelming feeling and to navigate through the tornados of life to climb higher with the Lord, I have been trying to learn to take selah moments. A selah moment is taking time to pause, reflect, assess, and then respond. I would like to invite you as the reader to use this time as a selah moment. Let's pause, reflect, and assess your walk with the Lord. So I pose the same question I have been contemplating for the past month:

Are you building to last? Are you building your spiritual life to last?

The word build has been used a lot within our church over the past few years. We call our Bible study Building in the Spirit, and we have also spent a lot of time on the topic ‘building a strong spirit.’ The word build is defined as, ‘to construct (something) by putting parts or material together; or to make, become stronger or more intense.’

So are you constructing your life to last? Are you building your spiritual life to become stronger so that you can overcome daily challenges with God; not with sin? Do your daily decisions and what you spend your time doing help you end your day connected to God? Are you as passionate and determined for the things of God, or are you now just going along with the form of Christianity denying that God is living and powerful?

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus teaches His disciples about building themselves on the right foundation. A person who builds himself on a rock is a person who hears what God is saying and does it. Jesus calls this man a wise man, he is able to stand in every type of weather and not fall. A person who builds himself on sand is a person who hears what God is saying and does not do it. Jesus calls this man a foolish man, he is unable to stand in bad weather and will fall.

Question: Are you a wise man or a foolish man? Are you building yourself on the rock or on the sand? Are you hearing what God is saying, and doing it; or are you hearing what God is saying and not doing it?

It is the action of doing or not doing that determines whether you are building to last. Let us not be ignorant to the enemies devices. Many have been a part of the body of Christ and have fallen away for this very reason; they built wrong. They heard but did not do.

We must think soberly so we do not fall into the same wrong pattern because let's be honest, it can easily be done. In 1Corinthians 3:10-11, Paul informs the church of Corinth that as a wise master builder he has laid the foundation, but he then warns them, ‘let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’

Let us hear the same warning today, ‘take heed how you build on your foundation.’ For your only foundation should be Jesus Christ and what He is saying because anything else cannot stand against the arrows of the enemy. We must build our spiritual life to be able to stand in every season. Regardless of how things may look or feel, we are called to trust and obey. There is no other way to STAND in Jesus.

Selah

BY CHARLENE-KERR-SPENCER

References

Definitions: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/build

Images: Pixabay.com 

Let Your Will Be Done

'I have glorified you on the Earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do’ (John 17:4). This is the scripture I received after hearing myself pray, ‘Let your will be done in me as it was in Christ Jesus’.

For me, the best moments of prayer are hearing God speak through you in English, not knowing what’s coming but being blown away as it comes revealing that it hasn’t been pre-conceived by you; in fact, in that moment my mind was saying, ‘that’s not the scripture Riss!’ But when God speaks you feel the substance of His words and I am learning that when He speaks its always an invitation to walk into something new.

I was seeking simplicity and as always, God the Father points to His beloved Son. The beauty of their relationship wonderfully illustrated through love, sacrifice and dependency. Let Your will be done in me as it was in Christ Jesus. We have been endued with the power to choose and even when we try to seek an alternative way out, through Jesus we find the nevertheless grace.

Nevertheless, not my will but Your will be done. Nevertheless, my grace is sufficient for you because in your weakness I am strong. I am afraid; nevertheless, if I perish I perish. In the Son, all eventualities have been covered and every path He leads you on, He desires to walk with you. Choose to do nothing without Him, choose to wholly abide, choose to surrender your heart. Let the will of the Father be done in you as it was in Jesus.

What’s your something new in this season? What is God inviting you into? What word of His is He asking you to stand on?

BY LARISSA MATTHEWS

Don’t forget: As you reach UP, reach OUT!

After a week with two hundred young people from varied backgrounds, I feel greatly inspired to devote this blog to some of those youths.

The week was a tremendous blessing and there were some significant times of encounter with God, especially during worship. The messages spoken during the sessions were clear and relative, and I truly believe that the hungry were fed and the thirsty were watered.

But the devotion of this blog is to those few. I really can’t quantify or say how many, but to those who arrived with many questions possibly left with many questions, and those who struggled to engage during sessions. Those who during the times of deep intimacy of the spirit during worship were overwhelmed by the atmosphere, the intensity of the praise and the revealing of Jesus through the Word; and felt lost, these few words are your thoughts written down.

For me; no matter how powerful the service was, or how profound; or practical, our teachings were, there were some “lost sheep in Israel” that were crying out right there in our midst. Crying out for love, for hope and for peace.

They were crying out through their frustration; even through their absence in sessions, to know more than just the practicalities of the youth camp. Their behaviour screamed I don’t want to be here but their tears and conversations told another story.

I guess my point to all of this is that the church must encounter God to touch people, to embrace Jesus and all his amazing qualities which then must lead to embracing our youth. To embrace those who may not have the language of church that says, “I need help!”

We cannot become religious in our pursuit of God and remain behind the four walls of a building, forgetting how to connect with people we are meant to serve.

As we strive as the church of Christ to encounter Him more and experience; and receive His grace, it should not be at the cost of isolating ourselves behind the stained glasses of traditional windows or the lights of contemporary churches and miss the amazing opportunity to share all that we have received with those who truly require it.

Let us not forget this week during our meetings, our studies and our worship times: As we reach up, let’s reach out!

Matthew 9:35 “and Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

­­– Pastor Michael

God is STILL God and soil is still soil…

I know exactly what you’re thinking… “He’s lost his mind,” or “What’s with all these crazy titles and posts?’. Ha! Let me explain…

I’m gonna get right to the point with this one; let’s look at the parable of the sower (Luke 8: 4-15). Jesus takes us through the understanding of this parable and explains about where the seed (the Word) lands, and the condition of the people that receive it. He makes it very clear that the sower (God) can and will sow seed to anywhere it is needed, but the focus is on the condition of the soil and its surroundings. The Bible teaches us that His word cannot return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11); void can also mean without result. This re-iterates the fact that the soil is a very important factor for growth and the condition of such is significant for the result.

Even from the beginning of creation, mankind was designed from the soil, dust, earth, and ground. The earth was historically considered to be the most valuable asset; this is the reason why God promised so much land, why Moses was instructed to help the people of Israel to inherit it, and why David was commissioned to possess it at all costs. Why? Because of the capabilities of the ground; its ability to reproduce and sustain growth.

The most common thing in the parable is the soil; notice that every instance where the sower spread his seed, there were still results. Even when the seed was sown on rocky ground (or shallow soil, in some translations), it STILL sprouted!! What does this tell you? That no matter what condition the soil is in, there is always potential for growth. Soil is still soil; whilst its capabilities may be hindered or reduced by other factors and conditions, it was designed to bring forth life. And so are we… No matter what life may throw at us, we still grow. Don’t get me wrong; not all growth is good growth. In fact, I would encourage you to be the best kind of soil you can be to get the best results. But a lot of the times this is not possible.

Life can challenge us in ways that we can become hidden from the proper conditions for growth. The more that we stay away from His presence, we lack the moisture of the Spirit, the daylight of His glory and the warmth of His grace. And guess what? We will continue to grow, but not the growth we truly need. Did you know that growth can still take place in darkness? We can even grow in crowded places with no substance, around people that have ulterior motives, ministries with false doctrines or teachings. We, being the soil, can have our own ideas about how to live right and serve God, instead of searching His word and following His mandate for us. Many times, we often think that we are rooted in good soil and don’t realise we’re setting ourselves up for a mighty fall.

Here's the beautiful thing; God is still God! The unchangeable, omnipotent, unshakeable God. The one who’s conditions for growth never change. The same yesterday, today and forever more (Hebrews 13:8). Where the sun always shines and the rain always falls; the perfect balance for all our needs. Yes, of course we will have times where we feel like we are out of our depth and storms will come to shake up the very core of our existence. Who doesn’t go through turbulence? I’ve sure had my fair share of tribulations; far more than I care to think about. But in all things, God has remained consistent: the clear blue skies, the radiant sun, the perfect temperature and even the amazing downpour.

Whilst God provides the perfect conditions for growth and reproduction, we must take responsibility for our “depth”. Good soil demands us to have room for roots to develop, in order so that when we grow, we become resilient and strong. It’s at this place where we can truly bear fruit (Luke 8:8, 15). We ought to grow, not because God demands our fruit and substance, but to distribute what we have manifested for the greater good of His kingdom. It’s important to remember not to take His unchanging nature for granted, Isaiah reminds us to call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6) so we must draw near to Him while we still have breath. Let’s be good soil and grow as He would have us to grow: strong, resilient and fruitful.

BY STEPHEN MCCORMACK

He Knows My Name

Hey guys, it’s Stephen… Yeah I know, it’s been a while!! I hope you’ve all been well.

Here at New Nation Destiny Centre church, we have some great revelatory truths and some equally challenging ones; but truths all the same. One Sunday, our Pastor, Apostle Michael DaCosta, spoke to us about the woman with the alabaster box (Luke 7:36-50), and although I’ve heard this story taught and preached hundreds of times, it was the way that our pastor pointed out something I hadn’t considered.

It wasn’t the obvious details that everyone knows about the story; you know, the example Jesus gave to Simon (the Pharisee), the anointing of Jesus’ feet, the woman being forgiven. No, it was the fact that what Simon was THINKING about that was wrong with this whole situation; verse 39 (KJV) says, “he spake within himself”, meaning he didn’t verbally say anything audible for anyone to hear. And yet, here comes Jesus and ANSWERS Simon’s thoughts! Wow!!

Put yourself in Simon’s shoes for a minute… What on Earth did he think Jesus wanted to say to him? Certainly not the very thing he was thinking about the woman who was a sinner!! But Jesus heard exactly what he was thinking and it needed to be addressed. This brings me to the title of this blog, “He Knows My Name”.

Now, I think I remember saying in a previous blog that God is omniscient, the all-knowing God! So, He doesn’t just know my name, He knows EVERYTHING about me, you and everyone else! So even when we choose not to talk to God, please know that He already knows all that we go through. I know… I hear you asking, “Stephen, if He already knows everything I’m going to say then why do I need to communicate with God?” That’s easy; God wants a relationship with us. He gave us free-will to do as we desire within the remit of His ultimate will for us. But He wants us to open up to Him willingly, to talk to Him like we would our friends and family. Not for His benefit, but ours! God is GOD!! There is nothing that we could ever give Him that He; in His infinite wisdom, power and authority, could gain from.

Hearing this word made me very uneasy at first, but I soon realised how important it is for me to keep a clear channel of communication with the Father. Having to hear, “Stephen, I have something to say to you…” has its pros and cons. It means that God is still speaking to me regardless but it also means that my thoughts can be heard as loud as thunder in a church hall. My thoughts have to be of a nature that is Christ-like, and not carnal. My thoughts; if misdirected, can turn into negative actions and manifest into undesirable behaviours. It’s only by His grace that we keep grounded but we cannot continue to operate from grace. Grace is the fail-safe, the “press button in case of emergency”, the back up plan, if you will. And with God, His grace is always there by the truckload. But in order to be who He called us to be, we have to walk in the same power and authority that Christ exuded every day.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying this isn’t a hard lifestyle to keep up. Trust me, let me be the first to say I struggle a lot with speaking to God and having positive thoughts. With all of the curveballs that life throws at me, I often drop the bat, run and hide in the bleachers. But sometimes, not swinging is not the same as giving up; for some of us, it might mean that we need to take a time out to re-strategise, change the size of the bat or choose a more comfortable stance. And in our Christian walk, we need to do just that; change things up a bit: adjust our prayer life, tweak how we study God’s word or spend more time with our brothers and sisters in the faith. The more open we can be about our current state, the easier it is to begin the transformation process. And guess what? The best part is that God never changes; He will still be the God who knows your name, knows your past, present and future, knows when you cry, and knows when you need Him the most.

Truth be told, we won’t always get it right. But we should endeavour to try. That’s all the Father would have us do. And I hope that with the sincerity of our hearts, we give Him all we have. Peace be upon us all and the love of Christ to all who read this.

BY STEPHEN MCCORMACK

Do you see this conflict play out?

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10 NKJV

Jesus declares he’s come that we may have life and life more abundantly. He also warns us that the thief has come to steal, kill and destroy. There is a battle! Jesus is giving you life, and the thief is stealing, killing and destroying. Do you see this conflict play out? 

To "kill" means to cause a death of, put an end to or cause the failure or defeat of something. 

Have you ever invested time, money, energy, heart and life into something that has suddenly come to an end, failed or been taken away? It was important and of value to you. It could be a person, relationship, career/ job, business, church, a physical or mental ability, home, car, dream or goal. 

Do you see this conflict play out? 

To "steal" means to take without permission.

For example confidence, self image self worth.

The discourager: You finally get the courage to write a song. You are happy with it and someone comes along, reads it without permission and gives an uninvited opinion: "maybe you should try something else because writing doesn't seem like your calling." End result: You screw it up, throw it in the bin and say to yourself, "I guess I'm not called to write music like Pastor prayed last week." 

Do you see this conflict play out? 

To "Destroy" means the end of existence of something by damaging or attacking it.

How many friends or family members have you had that you were once inseparable from, but now you’re lucky if you speak to them once a year? Yes; you have your reasons and justifications, but upon reflection you realise that they’re futile. How is everyone affected?

Do you see this conflict play out?

Lately, I’ve personally experienced several conflicts. It started with my health; causing me to no longer function as I used to. As a consequence I can no longer drive, my career is in question and my finances have taken a drastic plummet. So with the increase of these conflicts; plus the usual relational and emotional conflicts, I personally felt overwhelmed. 

We are warned of these conflicts in John 10:10, but when you’re experiencing them head on, it can cause internal chaos. Do you ever feel like you are constantly opposed, and regardless of what you do you don't seem to get a break? This is where I’ve found myself over the last year.

Through a personal study of John 10:10 I discovered:

Life is defined as the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity and continual change preceding death. 

Abundance is great quantity. 

These definitions caused me to question God: "Where is this development, progress, and continual change?" "Why am I not actively functioning?" "Why do I only see conflict, conflict, conflict; when you promised large quantities of life?"

Over the past year God has walked me through a process where He has answered my questions. I want to share His answers with you. 

We are making choices to change every day, whether we are going in a positive or negative direction depends upon what decisions we make. The choices we make are demonstrated in our responses. Our responses are a reproduction of what we think. 

Proverbs 23:7a (NASB) “For as he thinks within himself, so he is." 

It starts with what we think, and then we do it. Our thought patterns are the motherboard to our actions. We produce what we think. Our motherboards need to be addressed. 

Let’s break this down using the example of the discourager. You make the decision that the song you wrote is good and you’re confident it’s a good first piece. Then someone; without permission, proposes a different thought. Why allow their opinion to steal your confidence and choose to turn from something you have been told God wants you to do? 

In 2Corinthians 10:3-5, Paul teaches us to challenge and throw away arguments. Please don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting we don’t listen to constructive feedback but what I’m suggesting is that we wake up by acknowledging what we are thinking. Stop, reflect and question what we are thinking before we respond with an action. 

Rather than agreeing with the negative opinion, stop and question the suggestion. Ask yourself do I agree? Then make a decision to reject or agree. If you disagree, declare what you originally decided. It may be difficult at first but if you stand firm in your decision and agreeing with it, I guarantee you whilst it may not be your best song, it will encourage you to keep writing and produce songs like God has said. 

This point highlights the second lesson I’ve learnt - the power of agreement. We have been given the choice to choose what we agree with. Therefore, use it wisely because unless you renounce what you agree with, you have given permission for that thought to rule and dominate your life. 

The third lesson: in order to be an overcomer of daily conflict we must choose to mature. We cannot respond to conflicts like immature children and expect to overcome. We must address our attitude, perspective, behaviour and character. The days of whining are over. It's time to stand, think, be honest with ourselves and respond in the way Christ teaches us. We must walk in partnership with Christ. It'sonly by doing things Christ’s way will we ever truly be victorious. 

Jesus has come to give us LIFE but it does not work like a magic wand. Jesus does not declare abracadabra. Jesus didn’t say we are in a fairy tale and life will be easy. Jesus highlights we are in a battle. The Life Jesus has given us does not make the conflicts disappear. The Life Jesus is giving us is provision in the midst of the conflict. The life Jesus is giving is the wisdom of how to respond. The life Jesus is giving us is the strength to endure. The life Jesus is giving us is healing beyond the negative health report. The life Jesus is giving is peace so we can see things from a different perspective. Jesus declares that we may have life in abundance, so it’s not promised that we will have a little victory, peace, joy, or a bit of relief. No, He declares that we have it in abundance.

We must: rise, grow up, challenge, think, and allow the power of Christ to dictate our responses to the conflicts to our daily lives. Life is ours; believe it, receive and accept it! 

BY CHARLENE KERR-SPENCER

References

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/killhttps://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/destroy
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/stealhttp://www.dictionary.com/browse/abundant
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/life
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/growth
https://pixabay.com/en/insecurity-fear-isolated-worried-440229/https://pixabay.com/en/outlook-contemplate-think-discover-2208932/
https://pixabay.com/en/person-mountain-top-achieve-1245959/

The Silent Conversation

For one of my assignments I started writing a short story titled, The Silent Conversation. A story about a family sitting around a dinner table, eating dinner. As the meal progresses, the family enter into a stream of arguments and heated disagreements at the dinner table about the problems they have with each other, and things that have taken place: poor behaviour and mannerisms. At the end of the story the family are sitting in silence, eating and smiling with each other. The arguing that the reader read in the story, and thought was going on, was actually only happening in the minds of each family member. 

The point of my story was to reflect the internal speech of misplaced external behaviour. The concept of doing one thing, but REALLY saying something else in your heart and mind. Another example of the silent conversation is in the romance text- referencing the film in this specific example, P.S I Love You. Gerry and his wife Holly are having an argument.

Gerry: Do you want to have a baby?

Holly: Do you?

Gerry: Yes, I do.

Holly: See?

Gerry: See what?

Holly: I know what you're really saying even when you don't say it.

Gerry: You mean the two conversations thing. The one we're having and the one you think we're having. 

Source: http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/a1/ps-i-love-you-script.html

In just one line, Gerry conveyed complete understanding of the silent conversation. His words; I quote, are, “The one we’re having and the one you think we’re having.” This is exactly what I mean by the silent conversation. 

Why is this important? What exactly am I referring to here? Why am I touching upon the silent conversation? This is simply because we are in a season where God is going to deal with OUR silent conversations. The conversation- speech and physical actions (including verbal), we are expressing externally, versus the conversation- speech and mental actions, we are having internally in our hearts and minds. Saying one thing, but meaning, thinking or believing another. The things we are saying underneath the surface. The hidden things that can't be seen or heard by anyone other than ourselves and God.

In order for us to be completely naked and unashamed, completely intimate with God, and move to the next level, He has to deal with the silent conversations in our hearts and minds. He's going to deal with what we think and say about ourselves, about others, about praise and worship, about prayer, about the Word, about what He has said to us, about our families and friends, about our jobs, our communities, even His church- His house, etc. The list is extensive. 

He is going to challenge, align and/ or realign, shape, and mould and/ or re-mould EVERY area of our hearts and minds. Every area of our human reasoning or argument(s) that stop us moving forward and forming Christ on the inside of us. He is going to deal with our silent conversations because they are dangerous. Whilst we think our silent conversations are silent because they are internal or, “God knows” thoughts, and think they won't harm us, the manifestation of their thoughts and heart in seed form will become external. Their nature will deteriorate our character, short circuiting our assignment; our destiny.

In the film, Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Ultron says, 

“I'm going to tear you apart... from the inside!”

This is exactly what un-checked thoughts and heart motives do to us… tear us apart from the inside. Mark 7:15 “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them" (New International Version).

The seeds in our minds and hearts that are not aligned accurately; our silent conversations, will ultimately tear us apart from the inside if not dealt with. It is from within, not from without.  

I remember most recently a Word I received from the Lord, “BEWARE OF THE FOXES.” Soon after, the scripture Hebrews 12:1 came to me. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (New Living Translation).

God was warning me that I need to be aware of the things that are catching me out: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually- my silent conversations. It will be these things that derail me. The deep things growing on the inside of me that are self-destructive. As Pastor Michael has spoken about in the NNDC church series, ‘Rediscovering Discipleship,’ the flesh (the things in us that go against God and His plans for us) is self-destructive. There is an urgency for our flesh to die.

In the latter part of the last NNDC blog post, Go Low, it touched upon the heart. The condition of the heart, the condition of our hearts. Following on from this, we need to look at what our hearts are really saying. What our thoughts are really living. What we are speaking that cannot be heard, but undergird our truths: deceptions, visions, beliefs and values, lifestyles, etc. What is it that our silent conversations are really saying to us? What are we saying externally that does not match up internally? We are in a season where we need to start filtering the mouths of our minds and hearts.

God’s mercies and grace are with us. We have the Holy Spirit, and each other. Use this season as a time to start addressing your silent conversations. We have a responsibility and accountability for our lives, our hearts and our minds. For those and things in our world that our silent conversations may affect. What we do, say and think. Not only do they affect us personally, but also corporately. The consequences of not dealing with our silent conversations can be very costly. 

What is the cost of God dealing with your silent conversations? Count the cost of letting God deal with your silent conversations. Even pay it. Just like the family in my story, their minds were saying what they really thought, but their actions were expressing an illusion; a deception. They chose not to deal with their personal silent conversations, and continued internally dying with an external illusion of living. Don't catch yourself in the position of the family in my story. Let God deal with your silent conversations in this season. 

BY STACEY SPENCER

Image sources

Youtube (P.S. I Love You video clip)

Wendy Corniquet (WenPhotos from Pixabay.com) 

Go Low

I hear the words “Go low.”

In all humility go low.

In reverence go low.

In service go low.

The offended stand tall but lovers go low. 

The servant is not greater than his master. You do well to follow His example.

For He counted the cost, not regarding His reputation. 

He counted the cost, death on the cross.

He counted the cost, separation from His father.

He paid the price for Our redemption.

He paid the price for Our reconciliation.

As He is, so are we. 

As He is, so am I.

SO…

Go low in all humility.

Go low in reverence.

Go low in service 

The offended stand tall but lovers go low.

My understanding of the ‘Go Low’ I heard was in relation to the posture of my heart, my pride and selfishness. If we desire to be like Him, the state of our heart must be addressed. Jesus said a people draw near to me with their mouth but their heart is far from me. In His mercy He reveals to us what is in our heart, giving us sight to see our true condition outside of Him. Never leaving us there. He gives grace to the humble and shows us His way. He calls out: come follow me, learn of me for as I am so are you in this world. 

We must see Him to become like Him. Jesus, our picture of true love who endured all things for our sakes. Who had the right to be offended, put down His cross and could have called 12 legions of angels but chose to go low, so many could enter in.  

A note from Andrew Murray: 

Jesus humility is our salvation, His salvation is our humility.

Our one need is to study and know and trust the life that has been revealed in Christ as the life that is now ours. It waits for our consent to gain possession and mastery of our entire beings.

We must seek a humility that rests in nothing less than the end and death of self: that gives up all honour of men as Jesus did, to seek the honour that comes from God alone; that absolutely makes and considers itself nothing so that God maybe all, so that the Lord alone maybe exalted.

Humility, Andrew Murray 1993 edition Whitaker House.

BY LARISSA MATTHEWS

Image ownership: Peter Brutsch

Also appears on https://householdfaith.wordpress.com/tag/worship/

Life and Life are in the power of the tongue…

Yes… I know… To the people reading this, I know that’s not how the scripture goes…

As I sit down to write this, it is Monday 17th October 2016 and I woke up to some shocking news that has shaken the Gospel music community. Thomas “TC” Clay passed away in his sleep this morning, in his hotel room after ministering last night… He was an incredible singer, musician and well respected around the world; not only that, but so very down to Earth. He even extended his help and advice to me. I will be forever grateful for his ministry and friendship.

Now… I always knew what I was going to write about this time around and Thomas’ passing fits very well into what I want to talk about. Over the last few weeks, our church has been focusing on becoming who we are supposed to be and taking the appropriate steps, and measures to get there. Our Pastor, Marlene DaCosta, preached one Sunday and I can’t remember the words exactly but they echoed the last clause of Kirk Franklin’s “The Appeal”… Then Issac Carree sings, 

“When I die what will they say about me?

Will the work that I've done be enough to help someone? When I die, will I draw men's hearts to you? 

At the setting of the sun, 

I wanna hear you say well done when I die…”

For me, this is a huge lump of reality check and currently finding it difficult to swallow… To think that all may seem well on the surface and yet, we could be on the brink of death itself?! Whilst God has given every believer a mission or assignment to complete, who can really say they’ve done enough? Who can say that they are nearing the end of their assignment? Let me be the first to say I am nowhere near completing and fulfilling the call over my life… So many unfulfilled prophecies, unfinished songs, unwritten teachings, and so on. Does this make me a bad person? Not really… But it does mean that I have a responsibility to submit myself to the Father’s will, so that He is pleased with me. I cannot… WE cannot afford to waste our potential and sleep in the comfort of procrastination.

Procrastination… There’s that word again, coming back to haunt me!! What springs to mind is two scriptures that have etched in my heart and pricks me to my core;

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near” Isaiah 55:6 KJV

The misconception of this scripture is that often people seem to think God is going somewhere!!! Not so, my friends… God is omnipresent; the forever God!! Isaiah is telling us that whilst we have life and breath in our bodies, we should seek Him; for when we pass away, so do our opportunities. Whilst we are, He is near us.

“I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9: 4

Jesus describes the day as being we are alive and the night being when we have passed on, therefore we must complete God’s assignments whilst we still have function.

So… What does all of this have to do with the title of this blog? EVERYTHING!!!! I wrote “life and life” because I don’t want to speak death into my own. In fact, SCRATCH THAT!!! The things we should be speaking death over are depression, disease, poverty, rejection, evil and all the other negative things you can think of… And we must speak and pour life into everything positive God has placed into our hands, in order for it to grow and flourish in the way He ordained it. So speak life, and MORE LIFE. The word of God tells us we shall have it and MORE ABUNDANTLY!! So what are we waiting for? Let’s make the most of it while we still can.

Thomas Clay was a perfect example of someone who died on the job. He wasn’t perfect and invincible; he knew this. But he was exactly where God wanted him to be. Active, on duty, willing; with no excuses. And yes, he had some challenges, just like you and I; but he fought the good fight. Time for us to assume a fighting stance.

BY: STEPHEN MCCORMACK

Sources

Song: Kirk Franklin- The Appeal
Header image: Thomas TC Clay Facebook page

Let’s Grow…

Hey guys… I’m back!! Hope you are all well…

So, our church has been catapulted into a season where we are being forced to change; DON’T PANIC!!! This is a good thing, I promise… God is dealing with us in a very special way that will cause us to face truths about ourselves, truths we don’t necessarily want to accept.

Our fantastic leadership have been speaking to us a lot about cultivation. Every time I hear this word I picture a farmer on his land, tending to his crops or feeding his flock. Then I heard God say, “We must become a church that administrates spiritual agriculture…” WOW!! What does this even mean?

OK, well let’s look into it… If you know me, I love facts and how the world works. Let’s take a look at the wonderful world of farming and agriculture!! (Yippee!!). A day in the life of a farmer requires them to be an early riser, with a full day planned ahead of jobs to do and tasks to complete. 

In order for the animals to grow healthily they must be fed. For the crops and plants to grow they must be watered, nurtured and exposed to the correct environmental conditions. To sell crops and livestock they must all meet the given standards in order to be made available for retail. Hold up, Stephen, where are you going with all of this? Don’t worry, I’ll tell you.

What if I told you that we need to orchestrate our lives in the same way? I’m not saying you need to get up early each day (although it wouldn’t hurt to change ones lifestyle), but we DO need to have an attitude where our focus is cultivating our own lives. 

Cultivation by definition is first to prepare and use, and second, to grow and maintain. Abel did a great job of cultivating his flock when he offered it to God. The New International Version (NIV) says he gave FAT portions from the firstborn of the cattle, and God was pleased (Genesis 4:4). So how do WE apply this to ourselves?

We MUST pray daily; yes, I know this is hard sometimes but we have to do it. Can you imagine one day the farmer who usually gets up at 4am each day decided to get up at 6.30am instead? You may be thinking, surely he could get away with it for one day, but do you realise how much havoc it could create? How behind would the farmer be with his workload? The whole process would be out of sync and he would be playing catch up for the whole day… THIS IS EXACTLY like us!!! When we don’t pray, our lives are open to havoc and disorder.

We MUST read His Word. Let’s imagine everything is going well on the farm. It’s feeding time and the farmer feeds all the animals but he forgets to feed the cows and sheep!! Their growth and development suffers an imbalance, which in turn messes with the potential income the farmer could receive from his cattle. The same goes for us when we don’t read His word. Can you imagine the imbalance and malnutrition we suffer daily for not feeding ourselves with His Holy nourishment? 

Joseph gives an interpretation to Pharaoh about the years of plenty and famine. He warns that we must harvest what we have in order to prepare ourselves for hardship. We must do the same; we must feed ourselves and maintain our growth for when we face adversity and trials.

We MUST be in His house. Everyday the farmer takes the correct measures to ensure his crops and plants grow to their full potential. If this process is interrupted, the growth will be stunted and the produce will not be at its best. Hebrews 10:25 teaches us not to forsake the assembling of the saints (gathering together for church in our case), but to meet and encourage each other in God’s house. This is the perfect environment for spiritual growth and somewhere we can get guidance from our leaders when we find it difficult to bloom.

We ALL need to grow. Our Father needs us to grow and be spiritually mature. If we continue to cultivate every aspect of our being, God can use us in ways we can’t begin to imagine. Essentially, cultivation is practice; repetition with excellence and improvement. Let’s keep growing in Him and with Him.

BY: STEPHEN MCCORMACK