Talk Tuesday-We Are Being Called Forth

I feel the Spirit of God calling forth His people to a deeper walk with Him. It is as though He is calling us through the Refiner's fire, moulding and shaping us for His Kingdom purpose here on earth. We have been chosen live in such a time as this, in such a season as this and we must seek His will for our lives, not our own. It is difficult. Jesus says, “24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honour,” John 12:24-26.

If you have sin in your life, or feel unworthy of His calling, you only need to repent and receive His forgiveness. Don't let Satan deceive you into believing that you will never amount to anything, or that the clay cannot be reshaped for use by the Potter. Know that the blood shed on Calvary's Cross is meant to wash away your sins.

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

1 John 2:1-2 “8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-9

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

Let the Holy Spirit guide you in your quest to deepen your walk with God. Know Him and let the power of His Word feed your soul. He requires that we put HIM FIRST in our lives. “15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 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,” John 14:15-17.

“33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Commit your ways to Him. Seek Him and you WILL find Him. Know that He desires to bless you. Hold on through the fiery trial, and He will redeem your suffering. This life is short, filled with hills and valleys. If you choose Him, then CHOOSE HIM. Walk faithfully before the LORD. Let us take up our cross, follow Jesus Christ and encourage one another.

“12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Be blessed in Christ!

Talk Tuesday-Beyond the Gold Medal

Okay, today I'm going to share something very personal, and somewhat embarrassing. I cried, and cried and still continue to cry each time I read about the story of Keshorn Walcott, the 19 yr old Javelin thrower from Trinidad and Tobago, who won the first gold medal in a sport that has been dominated by the Europeans since American Cy Young won in 1952. Keshorn is from Toco, a fishing and farming community located in the North of Trinidad. He is the country's first Olympic gold medal winner in the 'field' component of 'Track and Field'; the second gold medal winner since Hasley Crawford in 1976. Keshorn projects a very humble demeanour and seems stunned at his own win, as well as the attention it has generated. Yesterday he was greeted by thousands of fans wanting to express their gratitude for putting Trinidad and Tobago on the 'International Sporting Map'. He was rewarded with great material wealth by a government pleased with his accomplishment. I began weep as I thought of a young man who lived in humble obscurity- one who the Mighty God decided to exalt among the people. I thought of God, His Word, His power and His wisdom. Several scriptures popped into my head:

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:12

He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. Daniel 2:21

It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. Psalm 75:7

My family is from Trinidad and Tobago. My father's family is from Toco. We have many happy childhood memories of vacations there. I always remember the humility of the people, their readiness to greet you on the streets, to gladly share the produce from their lands-I remember the friendly smiles and warm welcome upon their faces.

You see, we are all God's people-all the work of His hands. God is impartial. He is Sovereign. He is LORD. My tears express my rejoicing- that God would allow us to live, celebrate, work hard, and reap the rewards of our labour. Keshorn persevered, worked hard, and competed without the assurance that the Gold Medal would be his. We know that if we persevere, stay the course and follow Jesus to the end, the prize WILL BE OURS! So, we let the Word of God coach us:

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Onwards and upwards beyond the Gold Medal to the crown of eternal life in Christ Jesus!

Movie Monday - Muslim finds God

Part 1




Part 2



If you like looking at videos like this email me the link to any good videos that you come across on the net.

Thanks
Andrew and Tash

Talk Tuesday- Happy Easter!!!

This weekend while many of us prepare to celebrate Easter, the Jewish community will be celebrating Passover. In the book of Exodus, GOD spoke to Moses regarding the final plague that He would bring upon the land of their enslavement, in response to the hardness of Pharaoh's heart. The LORD commanded Moses and Aaron to instruct the whole community of Israel to choose an unblemished male lamb to be slaughtered. The blood was to be applied on the door posts of each house:

"Then they are to take some of the blood and put in on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs." Exodus 12:7

"On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn-both men and animals-and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will passover you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." Exodus 12:12-13

The angel of death passed through the land of Egypt but passed over the houses of those who had applied the blood to their doorposts. In the same way, the scourge of eternal death passes over once we apply the blood of JESUS to the door posts of our own hearts. JESUS CHRIST is the Passover Lamb that takes away the sins of the world!

"But now the righteousness of GOD apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of GOD, through faith in JESUS CHRIST, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS, whom GOD set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance GOD had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in JESUS." Romans 3:21-26

Have you applied the blood of JESUS to the doorpost of your heart? Have you received JESUS as the LORD and SAVIOUR of your life? Do you want to know how? The Bible says,

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'JESUS is LORD,' and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10

Do you want to receive JESUS' forgiveness now? Then pray this prayer with a sincere heart to GOD. He is waiting for you. He loves you. He sent His only begotten Son just to save you.

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my LORD and Saviour. In your name, I pray, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer to receive JESUS CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOUR, and need help to get started with your walk in the LORD, please feel free to email us at joinus@biblegrouponline.com