Yesterday we had the pleasure of attending our last prayer meeting for 2013 (special thanks to the Eternal Light Community). We were blessed to hear the word of prophecy given by two separate sisters in the church, exhorting us to enter into the fire of God's love (for those not familiar with prophecy or the Gifts of the Spirit, please read 1 Corinthians 14). As I began to ponder what the Spirit of the Lord was saying to me about God's love, the mirror of His Word began to reflect on my own heart, and the lessons that I learned this past year.
God's love demands our trust. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
God's love demands our total commitment. "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’" Matthew 22:37
God's love demands our forgiveness. "14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15
God's love makes atonement for our sins. "9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10
God's love casts out our fear. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
God's love doesn't let go of us. "37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
We wish you a Blessed and Christ-Centred New Year! Bask in God's love, allow it to transform you, to fill you, to comfort you and to renew you. God's love is accessible to us through His Son Jesus Christ, the Incarnate One. "GOD IS LOVE," 1 John 4:8
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Christmas can be a difficult, lonely and painful time for many. There are those who have lost loved ones, those who have never known true love, and those who have neither heat nor shelter to keep them warm, nor food to keep them nourished. There are others who are rushing around in a frenzied state, shopping for last minute gifts and dealing with the hustle and bustle of crowded malls.
We wanted to share the gift of JESUS CHRIST with you today. CHRISTmas is not only about JESUS' birth, but it is about what His birth signifies. JESUS is:
"...a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." Luke 2:32
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
"Immanuel (which means 'God with us')." Matthew 1:23
"The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29
If we take some time out, silence all the other voices around us and listen, we will hear Him saying:
“Behold, I make all things new.” Revelations 21:5
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10
"I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON!!
We wanted to share the gift of JESUS CHRIST with you today. CHRISTmas is not only about JESUS' birth, but it is about what His birth signifies. JESUS is:
"...a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." Luke 2:32
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
"Immanuel (which means 'God with us')." Matthew 1:23
"The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29
If we take some time out, silence all the other voices around us and listen, we will hear Him saying:
“Behold, I make all things new.” Revelations 21:5
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10
"I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON!!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Talk Tuesday-Jesus Is For All People
Jesus came for the Jew, the Gentile, the rich, the poor, the sinner, the saint. His birth was the fulfillment of the promise God communicated through His servants, the Prophets. The words from Isaiah 7:14 is confirmed in Matthew 1:22-23, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us').” When Jesus' birth was announced to the shepherds tending their flock in the fields nearby, the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord,” Luke 2:10-11. These words were spoken at the birth of the Saviour. Many words were spoken after His death and resurrection.
Peter and the disciples received the promised Holy Spirit after Jesus ascended into heaven. In the book of Acts Chapter 10, we meet a Gentile named Cornelius. The Bible describes him as 'devout and God-fearing', a man who 'gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly,' (Acts 10:2). An angel of the Lord appeared to him, saying, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter,” Acts 10:4-5. The Lord showed Peter all manner of unclean animals, according to Jewish custom, in a vision. He said, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat,” Acts 10:13.
When Peter finally arrived at Cornelius' home, there was a large gathering of Gentiles, to whom he said, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean,” Acts 10:28. Upon hearing of Cornelius' visitation by the angel, Peter said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,” Acts 10:34-36. The Bible says that while Peter was speaking to Cornelius and his people, “...the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God,” Acts 10:44-46.
This CHRISTmas let us remind ourselves and those around us that JESUS came for all people.
Peter and the disciples received the promised Holy Spirit after Jesus ascended into heaven. In the book of Acts Chapter 10, we meet a Gentile named Cornelius. The Bible describes him as 'devout and God-fearing', a man who 'gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly,' (Acts 10:2). An angel of the Lord appeared to him, saying, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter,” Acts 10:4-5. The Lord showed Peter all manner of unclean animals, according to Jewish custom, in a vision. He said, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat,” Acts 10:13.
When Peter finally arrived at Cornelius' home, there was a large gathering of Gentiles, to whom he said, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean,” Acts 10:28. Upon hearing of Cornelius' visitation by the angel, Peter said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,” Acts 10:34-36. The Bible says that while Peter was speaking to Cornelius and his people, “...the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God,” Acts 10:44-46.
This CHRISTmas let us remind ourselves and those around us that JESUS came for all people.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Talk Tuesday-When He Says Your Name
This week I was reading about the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. My heart grieved as I imagined the pain of the cross, the pain of suffering and the shock His followers felt, seeing Him crucified in such a degrading way. It was as though He willed Himself to endure it all to the bitter end, just so that He could declare, 'It is finished,' John 19:30.
I wanted the Resurrection without the Crucifixion. I wanted to experience the joy without the tears, the victory without the trial. Like most of us, I want to rejoice in eternity without ever knowing the valley of the shadow of death.
I read about Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom Jesus had cast out 7 demons.
“11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying?' 'They have taken my Lord away,' she said, 'and I don’t know where they have put him.'” John 20:11-13
I imagined her slumped over in sorrow, in the agony of confusion. Her Lord has been crucified, and now His body had been removed. Her Champion and Redeemer, the Restorer of her dignity and sense of worth, had simply vanished. Engulfed in anguish and despair, she heard the voice of the One who saved her, but did not recognize it.
“14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.'” John 20:14-15
Then next words shook my heart, causing me to weep as I realized how powerful they truly were.
“16 Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'” John 20:16
It caused me to think about the many times I have been so consumed by my own problems, and so overwhelmed by life's circumstances that I forgot He was even there. I remembered how it felt when I heard the Lord call out my own name, and how it felt to know that He was right there with me in the midst of the storm. I was never alone. We are never alone.
Sometimes people wonder how Christians can worship in the midst of suffering. They marvel at our ability to stand in faith when sight screams, 'there is no hope.' It is because of the One who says, “...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Matthew 28:29
I wanted the Resurrection without the Crucifixion. I wanted to experience the joy without the tears, the victory without the trial. Like most of us, I want to rejoice in eternity without ever knowing the valley of the shadow of death.
I read about Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom Jesus had cast out 7 demons.
“11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying?' 'They have taken my Lord away,' she said, 'and I don’t know where they have put him.'” John 20:11-13
I imagined her slumped over in sorrow, in the agony of confusion. Her Lord has been crucified, and now His body had been removed. Her Champion and Redeemer, the Restorer of her dignity and sense of worth, had simply vanished. Engulfed in anguish and despair, she heard the voice of the One who saved her, but did not recognize it.
“14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.'” John 20:14-15
Then next words shook my heart, causing me to weep as I realized how powerful they truly were.
“16 Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'” John 20:16
It caused me to think about the many times I have been so consumed by my own problems, and so overwhelmed by life's circumstances that I forgot He was even there. I remembered how it felt when I heard the Lord call out my own name, and how it felt to know that He was right there with me in the midst of the storm. I was never alone. We are never alone.
Sometimes people wonder how Christians can worship in the midst of suffering. They marvel at our ability to stand in faith when sight screams, 'there is no hope.' It is because of the One who says, “...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Matthew 28:29
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)