Whilst I was waiting

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Whilst I was waiting

Psalm 40: 1-5 “..I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered..”

   Sadly we all to often these words ‘Your God must be very cruel, to let this person suffer this way’. I then would reply our God Almighty has a reason for keeping us around’. It may not be the answer they want, but I want you think of this way …
Genesis 3 : 1-8 ‘The Temptation of man’
… I’ll not show this chapter because it is a lot. It tells of the conception of Adam & Eve, how God gave them all they needed to eat, with exception of one tree. They had free will to as they pleased, but we know man can’t help themselves to do wrong. So you see it’s not a cruel God it’s man and his free will.

   This kind of conversation happens more than you think. I actually have a confession here. I do have to wonder myself from time to time, and more so when our Heavenly Almighty father is not forth coming to help comfort with a reply.

    In life it seems that we are always waiting, waiting for that special person to come along, waiting for the perfect job to come along, or tell you that your hired. When waiting it seem like an eternity, (as the old saying goes ‘ a watched kettle never boils’). These feeling often end up with impatience, and if unchecked these feelings will send you to being out of control with Anger/Frustration. These feelings if not sorted out will stop you from sleeping.

    We all are waiting for something, today what is that you are waiting for? Might it be one of these …

• Something exciting, like the birth of your first baby being born..
• It might be those all important test results..

   I know some of you might not want to praise the Lord, when you can’t see what to be joyful about, and not want to be joyful at all. OK, lets say your anticipating that holiday you have paid for since last year. Give praise for your job, and thus the means to pay for it as many are not able to do this. If you take time to stop and think there are many many things to give thanks for, green lights – when you to get somewhere in a hurry, you partner wishing you to have a good day at work, am I sinking in yet?

   On the other hand you could be waiting for your exam results? You could be waiting for a partner – to share your life with. NOW is the time to praise the Lord. Those of you that know how I met my wife. (One of these days I’ll share how we met & my testimony).
Psalm 27: 13/14 “..I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord..”

I hears a prayer that goes like this…

“It is hard to wait Lord, sometimes waiting takes a big toll on me, 

and in the midst of waiting and yearning I forget to praise you, 

help me to remember you whether I’m waiting for something 

potentially painful. Teach me patience and the gift of 

resting in your goodness as I fix my eyes on you”

   I’m sure that ‘discouragement’ is not discriminating, or does not matter which Country you come from, some seem to suffer more that others. For when evening falls across the land and a hush comes over the night. When getting ready for bed, which we all have our rituals, like washing your face; cleaning your teeth; letting the dog out; making sure the doors and windows are locked; even alarm set. ‘Discouragement’ comes in many guises, it could be a fit (like Epilepsy), that has been going on for years, it may also be born out of tense family feuding, or a physical ailment (of which I bear witness as I have a broken spine), or it could be a career that has left you some what down. May be your discouragement comes from a recent moment that has left you feeling discouraged and deflated.

   Oh dear, we have all felt the discouragement at one time or another. The question is what are we going to with it? It’s all to easy to to wallow in discouragement and turn your face away from hope. This sort of apathy is not of the Lords thinking. However it does deliver you straight into the devils hands, now the devil is laughing as your 100% focus is on the problem, instead of on our Saviour. Instead of wasting time & energy on things we need to worry about.
Psalm 31:9/10 “..Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! For my life is spent with grief..”

   I know many of you have felt this way, with many of you going through these times right now. If you are, before we go any further, stand up (come on don’t be shy), now shake your arms, now shake your legs, OK now your body, now sit and continue reading*. Having shaken off your old feeling, it’s time for a new feeling a new attitude. Now to help[ with reading the following I want you to stand again, then read the following Psalm ...
Psalm 31:14/17 “..But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake. Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You..

   Our enemies are wanting us to give up the fight, and for us to look down cast at the days to come ...1 Peter 5:8 .. “..Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour..” … The devil is sleeked, and wants nothing more for us than to trip us up and lying face flat down in the earth. He will use every trick up his sleeve to keep us there. It is time to put on those work books because no matter how discouraged we may feel there is always new hope for a better hope for tomorrow.

   In Romans 5:5 it clearly says that this hope does not disappoint us, God’s love has already been poured out in to our hearts .. Romans 5:5 “..Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us..”

   You may not feel a lot of love right now. You may not even see any victory a head of you, you don’t even know how you can change thongs. Because of this you may not have any thing planned out yet. Even not sure what it is you can do to turn things around. The thing is you don’t need things figured out yet, just lean on the only One who is the author of your unique life’s story. He will how ever use this disappointment your feeling, and turn them around for good. Always remember when your down, the good times are just around the next corner.

   When hope is your heart and the unfailing love of God is on your side, you can over come every obstacle in your path, for God is with you where ever you go. I read this next statement along time ago, but concludes this sermon perfectly …

“You may feel an over whelming sense of God’s hope permeating 

in your spirit tonight , as you approach the Lords throne, 

you may see God for He is - king over your life - and worship 

Him in gladness for He is doing a good work in you”

Our Prayer's

Types of Prayer . .
Prayer of faith . . This is the prayer of petition or to change things 'it never contains the word .. IF'
Prayer of Consecration . . This prayer Jesus used in the garden of Gethsemane .. “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done”   (Luke 22:42)
   Everything we do in life is governed by it's own set of rules. Example: 'You would not use the rules from Ice Hockey and apply them to Football, it would be funny to see, but impossible to do. The same is applied to Prayers. With out them we might as well talk to the fridge. Through prayer we can communicate with God.
Hebrews 5:7  "Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries
and tears to Him"

Listed below are just some other types of prayer's . .

Commitment
1 Peter 5 :7 "Casting all yours upon Him for care for you"
Worship
Luke 24:52/53 "And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen"
Agreement
Mathew 18:18/20 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them "
United Prayer
Acts 4 :31 "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness"
Intercessory
Romans 8:2 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning's which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes
intercession for the saints according to the will of God"
Prayer of Faith
   While here on Earth Jesus had a 'Hot-Line' to God. We would have to have a mobile strapped to our ear 24/7 talking to God, to come close. Don't walk around shouting prayers so all and sundry hear you. But, instead seek a quite place so as not to be distracted. This dose not mean you can't pray whilst walking down the high street, rather let it be personal. You might have someone ask for prayer, let it be between the 2 of you. Then there are times when in Church we are asked to pray for someone ill, or hear the leaders of the Church pray over someone or couple. I often in the quite of the night as I fall of to sleep send my prayers up at this time.
Prayers of Faith in Time of Distress
James 5:15 "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" ... So how is that we achieve such prayers and many others? May be we have to 'persist in' or 'Dwell', and perhaps 'reside'. .
John 15 v9 .. The Message: “I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love."
NKJ : “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."

    The word 'IF' is such a small and insignificant word. But can undermine the best of Prayers.Applied in this passage it can make or break your prayer life, and your connection with God. How can this be I hear you cry, well, which of the 2 statements below will have the desired out come you want. .
A . . you come to me and say I'm going to a job interview and I kind of want this position but I'm not fussed either way, I might need some help. Though I'm not fussed wether I get it or not. . . OR . .
B . . You come to me and say I've seen my dream job I really need your help, this is how you can help get it. . Well
. . This is how your prayers sound when God receives them. It's time to strip all the dross away and start having a break through in your prayer life. Time to stop saying IF it be thou will, of cause it is Gods will. What we have to do is stand on His promises, be careful of what you pray for it will come true!!!

Prayer of Consecration
    The world is far more populated than that in Jesus' time. So I bet you are wondering how your going to herd over and above others let alone God knowing who asked for what. We are as unique as our fingerprints set us apart from everyone else. God has no need for the telephone - Voice mail or E-mail. All our prayers are herd and will be answered in the fullness of God's time.
Luke 22:39/42 "Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying,“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done "

  Jesus is asking then saying that What ever is to come He will accept it, though He might not like it, He will know it's His father wishes that this must happen. So many times do we try and do things in our own strength when if we only prayed about it. Them letting God take over.
Exodus 13 v3 "And Moses said to the people: “Remember this dayin which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place"
   With consecration you are laying down a marker to remind you of what the Lord your God has done. lest you forget. Here are some terms of Consecration. . blessed (also blest), Holy, consecrated, hallowed, sacral, sacred, sacrosanct, sanctified
. . may these help you. You may be looking at the different types of prayer and say it's all well and good they wont help me because I need for prayer's of depression or feelings of guilt, well don't despair any longer. There is a book the I got recently By Beth Moore called :- Praying God's Word. For in this book she goes into depth on how to pray over a situation and then apply them. Your not alone. Don't forget to make your prayers personal, it's alowed you know.

Prayer

   Lord Jesus as your word shows how to pray, as we find many situations in today which we need your guidence. Show us your Word that will bring comfort and your Love. In our Father Gods Name, Amen.

The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

Isaiah 37 v 14-20

14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying: 16 “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 18 Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 20 Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.”

   We still today after revival healings, and many other great miracles. They all had humble beginnings, covered in prayers. Matthew 18:20  “where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Most prayers start in the heart, someone needs help, and some of them are born out of desperation, and not born out of greed.
   As for our verses, we see a great trouble had beset Hezekiah, the great King, because of the Assyrian invasion, and the imperious attitude of Rabahaketh the captain. ‘Trouble’ has been said to be “A divine diet for the new man”. It is more ‘profitable’ then it is ‘palatable’.

Here are 3 ways ‘The Power of Prayer’ can help, and direction and how simple prayers can overcome your troubles.
1) The Cause of his trouble
It was ‘a letter’, but a veritable one from ‘a messenger of Satan’, sent to buffet him. It is incredible in today’s techno-age one where we look at our ‘in-box’ for our ‘e-mails’ or maybe that of ‘Facebook; ‘Twitter’, or even ‘Instagram’. Yet still, the postman brings those dreaded ‘brown envelopes’, which here in the UK, would have normally meant a bill, or even that long awaited Hospital appointment. Or, deep within the postman’s bag there will be letters that bring warm regards from an old friend or family member. In fact who knows what the next post may herald. This was an attempt to ‘destroy his faith’ in God (v10), to dispossess him of ‘inheritance’, and to bring him into bondage. So much so the enemies of our souls are always active toward the same end. Their letters may be beautifully written, but they are terribly bitter.

2) What he did withit.
“.. he spread it before the Lord ..” (v14)
Because he did this solemn act, it revealed his faith in God. He never spread before the face of Heaven, instead before the face of The Almighty Personality. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him"
   While all I needed was the beginning of this verse, (as seen above) I reconsidered and included it all. Why this change of mind? Well, you will have to ask God, the next time you talk with His Almighty.
   I’m lead to say that this verse must go to show Gods thoroughness. It also shows that he spread it, he laid the whole matter ~ from the beginning to its end, all in front of Him. So, make sure your definite when you are dealing with God. In other words He wants your honesty, He wants you to be confident, as He wishes you to hold nothing back. Always remember, no matter what ails you, ‘mentally or physically’, He will always be interested, for after all He is our Heavenly Father.

3) How He succeeded
“.. The angel of the Lord..” (v36) ..became his defense. Whilst his argument was one of simplicity, it was also me that was so irresistible as well. “Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the Kingdoms of Earth may that you are Lord" (v20).
   When the Angel of the death spread his wings in the blast. Woe to those who fight the Kingdom of God .. “By the blast of God they perish, And by the breath of His anger they are consumed” (Job 4 v9). The unbelievers will scoff and say; ‘it’s all just mumbo-jumbo; blah blah, or the back sliders will say ‘He never did anything for me/them' etc.
   It causes me much heart ache to hear these words. You see there are a couple of words that must go with ‘pray/prayer’ they are, Faith, you must have faith that your prayers ‘will’ be answered. May be not today, or, maybe not this week, but they ‘will’ be answered. My second word is ‘Believe’, for you must believe in God’s word otherwise what’s the point? So put them together, and with God in the mix everything is possible, I always say “have faith and believe” your prayers ‘WILL’ be answered. Is there any sorrow too great, or, circumstance too perplexing that the prayer cannot bring comfort and deliverance?   N O



“.. if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say
to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move;
and nothing will be impossible for you ..”  Math 17 v20

Thirty days of Grace

53:181118

Thirty days of Grace

   Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. And those men said to him, “We became defiled by a human corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the Lord at its appointed time among the children of Israel?” And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.” Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord’s Passover. On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be cut off from among his people, because he did not bring the offering of the Lord at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin. ‘And if a stranger dwells among you, and would keep the Lord’s Passover, he must do so according to the rite of the Passover and according to its ceremony; you shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and the native of the land..”  Numb 9: 6~14

   In the scriptures there is Grace heaped upon Grace, wow just imagine that if you will for moment. What I’m talking about is of cause is the ‘Passover’. From this there is a question raised?...

Q  “ If a man was in a condition to observe that feast on the appointed day, was he to be debarred for a whole year? Some men found in this position were heard saying..’wherefore are we kept back” (V7)

   So, let’s look at FEAR, from 5 different points.

1) Unfitness. . . . . 2) Confession . . . . . 3) Provision . . . . .

4) Warning . . . . . 5)Invitation

   This was now a totally new difficulty, and Moses deal with it, just as in today, how we should deal with it all when it springs up before us. So without any hesitation Moses went out, and called upon our Lord God for direction.

   If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives to all, literally. The answer was plainly given, there has to be a special ‘Passover feast’, to be held on the fourteenth (14^th) day of the second day of the month. Though this has to be a special case, even all the provisions have been met. What would have to be made known, is that His Grace won’t always mean that these Riches’ are not of money, per-say.

1 Unfitness

“..Certain men were defiled that they could not keep

the ‘Passover’ on that day..”  (V6)

   The cause of their Unfitness to profit by the provision made by God on the fourteenth day of the first month was their uncleanness. There’ll be a number of you who will cry out, and profess they are without blemish. Here’s why we all have al sinned and so fallen short.  It’s what we do next on realization of committing sin. Due to this sin, we’re no longer in a place to receive God’s riches.

 “..If a person touches any unclean thing, whether 

it is the carcass of an unclean beast, or the carcass of unclean livestock … ‘Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it—when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters.." Leviticus 5: 2

   Being already sinners, not them, but only help to show their sinfulness. By the law knowledge of sin, unbelief unfits a man from receiving the benefits of Christ Jesus redeeming death. The defilement has been their own doing/making.  

2 Confession

“..And those men said to him, “We became defiled..” (V7)

   Passover was one of (if not the..) the most important dates on a Jewish Calendar, and today it is still as important. It was and is time they confessed Unfitness, and sought not to justify themselves. So, they presented themselves as ones disqualified because of their defilement, and begged for mercy & grace that these might reach and satisfy their souls.

   So many them can only try and imagine what it must be & feel like to be stoned by you community, even close friends as well as Family! Some would welcome being stoned because then they can try to heal at last the broken bones, with bruises fading over time.

#Confession will finally open the door#

   The grace of God, like a river that flows down into every crevice, or like the light of the Sun, will illuminate every corner, no matter how dark and dirty the corner may be, if only there was an opening toward it? 

#If only there was a man who open the door,

I will come into him#

(1 John 1:9)

“..if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us..” 
(1 John 1:9)

3 Provision

"..Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord’s Passover. On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.." (v9~11)

      I know what you’re thinking, boxes of chocolate, sexy clothes for your loved one. Cards professing our everlasting love, and so much more. Gentiles have taken this date ’14 February’, then told on this date told to spend a month’s wages. Just to tell and be told how much it is to be loved on this date.

#When truthfully it is Passover time and 

NOT valentines!# 

   Between the first and the second Passover there are thirty days, these are days of Grace. If you somehow were to manage to miss both, there was no possibility of receiving a Passover blessing for the coming year. That has to be unbearable? This little blessing was instituted for the benefit of those who were disabled, is a beautiful little picture of the grace of God devising a plan of salvation for the helpless sinful man.

   Moses was only able to say in V8 “..Stand still and hear what the Lord will command concerning you..”

#Salvation is of the Lord#

   The law was given unto Moses, but grace and truth come by Jesus Christ. It’s suggestive that this special grace for the defiled, or the man that was ‘a far off’ on an journey, and so could not keep the feast of Passover.

“..that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from

the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the

covenants of promise, having no hope and without God

in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were

far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ..”

Eph 2 : 13/13

  4 Warning

“..the man who is clean and is not on a journey,

and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be

cut off from among his people..” V13

   The Passover speaks of redemption. To those who willingly neglect this there is nothing for them but a fearful attitude towards ‘the Judgement day’.  There is no escaping this time when, all will be stripped bear, and all their life’s actions will be read out. Back then there was another action that was thought to be such a slight, that it would hold back all men that ‘not’ circumcised.

“..And the uncircumcised male child, who is not

circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut

off from his people; he has broken My covenant..” Gen 17: 14

 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  Heb 10: 26/31

  Surely to despise or even to neglect Grace, is to choose death?  Hoe can it have been seen that they would have escaped if they neglected even salvation?

5 Invitation

“.. If a stranger will keep the Passover so..” (V14)

   By invitation a total stranger (Gentile), may come with them and may be a participant of the blessing of this memorable feast. This action denotes of redemption by the blood of the Lamb is offered to all who will come into the camp.

“..Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying,

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood,

which is shed for you..”  Luke 22: 20

   How wonderfully fitting this is a typical of the great salvation, through the blood of the lamb of God. Through the sacrifice of our Lord, being covered by the blood has such power it should be one or the greatest gifts given unto us. But yet even today it still remains one of the most undervalued.

       “..And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.."   Rev 22: 17

  ^“.. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and 
to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members 
of the household of God..”

Eph 2: 17/19

Prayer

  In your love let all who are laden with burdens and worries, come freely and find shelter and rest. Let us ofer up our praises to the one true God in Heaven. No matter you concerns for today God has the answer. In our Lord Jesus' Name, Amen.

7 Points for Mose

7 Points for Moses

Exodus 3 v10/11   "Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

# 1  A Gods given dream establishes Identity. Moses asked God . . "Who Am I?" . . At this time he was seeking identity. God wanted Moses to become established in his in-identity in Him. Your identity in God is vital to fulfilling your dream. It lets you know that god is the author of your dream and NOT you.

# 2  A God given dream establishes Authority. In Exodus 3 v13/14 "Then Moses said to God, Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you" . . All the Authority that you need to fulfill your dreams are in God - the 'I AM' is the one who backs you all the way"

#3  A God given dream establishes Credibility. In Exodus 4 v1-5 " . . Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you. So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
   When you have a God given dream and you know your divine destiny. Some people will say what right do you have to doing what you are doing? They may be skeptical of the fact you are endeavoring to accomplish something well beyond your natural means. They may even criticize for you surpassing their expectations for you. However, when you have a dream, whether you have the praise of man or not, you know you have the credibility with God. Because He is the one who gave the dream in the first place.

#4 A God given dream establishes Ability. . Moses had a habit of talking about his inability. But, when God gave him a dream, it established in him ability. When you have a God given dream, then like Moses, you will have God's divine ability to get the job done.

#5  A God given dream establishes Courage. Exodus 4 v18 " . . So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive. And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace . .”
   After a long discussion in which he was extremely honest with God, he finally accepted the dream that God gave him. There for verse 18 tells us, and Moses went... The dream established within Moses the courage to do what God had told him to do. This kind of courage enables us to go after what God says is ours.

#6  A God given dream establishes Boldness. Here is Moses first confrontation with Pharaoh; Afterwards Moses & Aaron went in and told Pharaoh . . (Exodus 5 v1-2)   "Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go”
   Moses is no longer fearful. He's not afraid of stepping out in faith. This is not the same man who had been saying . . "I am not . ." or "I can't do . .". This man is now boldly demanding that Pharaoh "Let My people go"!

#7  A God given dream establishes Perseverance. You will see that the story of Moses that he had to continually approach and confront Pharaoh. He (God) had finally developed within him perseverance. He would not give up until he saw God's dream become reality. God is looking for you not to be afraid but to persevere. He is looking for you to be willing to talk more about what He can do, rather than about what you cannot do. God's divine ability is available to you if you will take the first step of faith to follow after what He has called you to, and refuse to quit until His dream if fulfilled. So as Moses was given . . 7 points we also will be given these to complete God's dream for us today.

Are you willing to take that first step?? If so then get ready to see your mission become possible, 

in the Almighty God's name.

One Thing Lacking ; (PT 2 of 2)

 53:241018

One Thing Lacking

(PT 2 of 2)

IV) A testing command
V22 “.So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

   Those who would have the ‘Eternal Life’, that is in Christ Jesus must be prepared let everything else go at His bidding …
Matthew 19:24 “again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
“Treasure in heaven” … is the coveted portion of all those heart is right with God. What so many of those who are rich, that can’t take it with them, and have thought ‘ I can’t but me the same life in Heaven’. They look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen & eternal.

“We may possess many good things and yet lack the 

one thing needful”

   All your life you worked hard, toiled and sacrificed so much to get where you are, and all the riches and comfortable life. We have our homes ~ sofa’s ~ beds ~ mobiles phones. Once my wife said ‘we may have these things too, but they have a softer cushion to full back on, as well as a larger to tie things up’. You see what she is saying they don’t worry because of their bank balance. The way we live is on a knifes edge, such is the way we live means it will take just one thing to bring our house/homes down. What treasure do hold up as having the most value? Now give it away, all of it. NO excuses, NONE.

# The one needful thing is a whole-hearted unstaggering [relentless] faith in the Lord Himself #

V) A sorrowful result
V23  "But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich..”
   I’m sure if the Pharaoh’s could see that all their riches, it bought nought, and was left behind for anyone who wanted it. Would they spend it on more fabulous statues and Pyramids? Although Christ gave him the Word of life. But the deceitfulness and the Pharaoh’s riches chocked it.
Matthew 13:22 “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
Proverbs 11:28  “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
   I feel if these 2 verses don’t make it clear that your riches, stat here for others, whom you know nothing of! Most of us have heard of the Chinese ‘Terracotta-Army’, this clearly shows that this got to show his wealth was ripe for grave robbers. It really did the ‘Emperor Qinshihuang' no good. We all come into this World with nothing, and leave this World with nothing.
   So don’t be foolish, and learn from others, don’t get blind and stop held back. It’s time to relieve the burden, most all in the UK here have heard of the broadcaster ‘Chris Evans’. Whose wealth was around 60 million pounds, turned around one day and shocked most by saying I don’t need all this money to live comfortable, thus he gave away 3/4’s of his wealth. Many called him insane/stupid/out of his mind. I’m sure all those calling him these names would not give one red cent, they must have felt threatened, in case they were expected to do like wise. If just these 3, Bill Gates- Oprah Winfrey & Elon Musk gave away ½ of their wealth, imagine what could be done in just the USA. That’s including the Arabs shaqs, the mountain load of Russian million & billionaires and others. NO poverty, Water wells dug for those in the African countries, and the list goes on.

VI) A Forcible Application
24 “..And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life..”

   It is easier for a camel to be unburdened, and to crawl through the narrow side gate into the City, and that would have been no light task. Jesus put it like this ..V25 “ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” .. My wife and I say how we would give helping some of our local charity's. Randomly visiting large and small supermarkets, like Tesco's for instance. We’d sit in the managers office, watching the tills out of sight, that is very important, as the blessing is not about us, but God. We would call a till and tell them to let the shopper know their food bill free today, and we pick up the bill instead. There are so many ideas like this we have that is meant to give God the glory not us.
   It may come as a surprise to many that, NO camel, by it’s self, could untie the obstructive bundles from it’s back. As no more, can the rich buy themselves free from their burdens of life, and love of their riches, but .. V27 “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” .. Peters response is one that those whom are rich need to remember their wealth counts for nought when we meet the Lord.

V28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

   Not that Christ Jesus needed reminded as He knew the sacrifice His disciples had already gave to follow Him. Our first ever sacrifice we make as Christians, is to turn our backs on the old sinful lives. To sacrifice our selves for the interests of Christ .. is to receive manifold more in this time, and in this World to come life everlasting.

Prayer ...

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your Word, may we take it's seeds into our bossom and grew them. So that we are NO  longer lacking in area of our lives we gave freely to you. Now we are growers lets plant your seeds in others, in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

55:151220

Christ Jesus is our Salvation (pt2) 

   Noah used the attacks and mocking, as motivation to work harder & faster. Here's a warning to us all that when the devil comes a knocking, don’t be a hiding. Tell him to be gone in Jesus name …
Math 4: 10 … “..Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve ..”

   Tell me, ‘do you run from your faith?’ OR, ‘do you press into your faith’? In other words, ‘is your faith that shallow, that’s all only for show’? We all have Gods ‘armour’, but you put is on? Your friend comes around, late and soaked through to the skin, do you put on a coat that is also soaked through, will you still go out? OR put on this brand new coat that you bought because you know you’ll be warn and dry?

   Next time the devil turns up, to beat you down and discourage you, don’t hide your faith, be strong and know you are not alone. Let God rise up in you and let His enemies scatter.

   Always remember that your children are forever watching you and from your behaviour learn how conduct themselves. Children are like giant sponges, they soak up everything you do ~ everything you say; your reactions to how your treated; as well as how you treat people. How can you expect them to grow up and with pride, this is my partner/wife/husband. When they see that you don’t treat their mum/dad with such pride. 

   The same goes for your faith, what do they see you do that shows everyone how much you value having Christ Jesus in your life…

• Mothers, what do you do, when your neighbour wants you to compromise you convictions? 
•  When they want your Sunday worship to be a one day thing, and your Worldly relations to for 6 (six) days with God. 

Mark 11: 22 “..So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God...”
… from an outsiders view, to see a bunch of people putting faith into something they have never seen ~ heard ~ touched, looks pointless. But we know better as we have faith in God/Jesus Christ presence.

Hebrews 11: 1 “..Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen..” 

   Noah could have just laughed at God, He told Noah about the flood to come, as there had never been told of before, nor nor had Noah seen one. When all was said and done Noah’s faith was such that he went ahead and built the ark anyway…
1 Thessalonians 5 5: 2&4 “..2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night… 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief..”
4: 16&17 “..16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord..”

   Why is that we don’t put any substance in this book in our hands, When ~ How ~ Why ~ What? ..

#by Reading, by Praising, by Praying# 

… how else. 

   Just as Noah built an Ark, so by doing these things daily without skipping a day, Or we will come to a day that we no longer have faith. This can happen in a blink of an eye, till we can’t be bothered to go to church, and no longer have any faith. If you want to become say a ‘carpenter’ you have to continually, persevere when trying to make joints, and so read how to do it. Here’s a saying I heard, and it summed up what I’m trying to say...

(("Perseverance is stubbornness with a purpose")) !! 

   You need to do all things daily to keep your faith strong. Like reading your bible daily, for instance every day I read ‘Proverbs’. Say it’s the 10th then I’ll read the 10th Chapter of Proverbs, and so on. You will find comfort in the Bible, it will illuminate the path for you to walk, in God’s direction for you. Don’t be ashamed of your faith when those around you start to pressure you, instead stand your ground, put the whole armour of God on. (Ephesians 6)

   Because Noah’s faith was strong, he put actions into his faith. His sons could see this, dad behaves as he believes. When Noah’s name is mentioned it is also known that he was able to save his family…
Genesis 7: 1 “..Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation..”
&V13 “..On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark..”

Hebrews 11: 7 “..Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household..”

2 Peter 2: 5 “..and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness..”

   It is that Noah was one of 8 (eight), so who were they? Well we all can work this out, have you guessed yet? OK OK I’ll put you out of your misery..
1~ is Noah 2~ Noah’s wife 3~ Shem     4~ Shem’s wife

5~ Ham     6~ Ham’s wife  7~ Japheth 8~ Japheth's wife
...but if they were all preachers, questions arise such as

• Where was the Church?
• Who Preached? 
• Surely what was the sermon on? 

    As old as Noah was when he died, it is believed that Noah ‘never’ stood behind a lectern during his life. He may have never had buildings with room to seat 500+. The adage says that ‘actions speak louder than words’. Just as then, it is the same, that ‘non-believers will hold us to a higher standard than themselves.

   Fathers what are you watching, saying; doing; treating family and friends. Your children are watching; listening; seeing how to behave around others, Then taking what have learnt from you, to take it in to school and their lives. Thinking if it’s OK for you then it’s OK for them to do like wise.

   What is it that you do daily that outwardly shows your faith to your family and others? .. without a word being spoken? Surely this has to be your best and most important sermon? The most important thing your children must have in you is .. trust. For without trust, your family will not follow you to Church. They won’t understand why you tithe. As a child, I’m sure either & both parents told you ‘I told you so’. The more you show your child, whilst they are young, and so seeing the benefits they will teach their children.

#Never underestimate the power of teaching through showing# 

   This is how Noah showed others his faith, and trust daily through showing. Parents, are you doing the same as Noah? This is not just for yesterday .. for today .. but for every day till your called up yonder. You need to be that lighthouse that helps them steer clear of danger. Or, are you someone that still looks out for number 1.

   Is your family saved, a Christian, because of your actions? Your family can't move forward when everyone else is against them unless you are someone who is for them. Noah's wife told him off or put him down the moment he and his sons got home. So long as you and your spouse are together in harmony then, the easier it will be for your children to follow your example. What example are you showing to others today? So even the rest of your family know where the 'Ark of Salvation' is?

• Do you old friends see you as before you were saved, or do they see you making a stand for what you openly believe in?
• Do you old friends see & hear you talk of Earthly things you were saved, hence why they don’t think of Heavenly things? 
• Do you old friends see you enter their homes with thanksgiving for Lord Jesus now you were saved? Do your Children see & recognise .. “..when 2 or more are gathered in His..”?  
• Do they recognise Gods sanctuary?  
• Do they recognise that in Gods sanctuary/house, burdens are lifted and yokes are made easy? And their chains of bondage are broken apart?
• Do they recognise in this place your sin is forgiven, and your body is healed of all that ails it?
• Lastly I ask they see you openly worship … praise and give thanks, that they see this is why life is so worth living! 

Do they? Do they? Do you? 

  It’s time to show them, not just for this or next Sunday but every Sunday ~ Monday ~ Tuesday ~ Wednesday ~ Thursday ~ Friday ~ Saturday, I think you can see where I’m going with this. What an awesome God we have indeed. Q: Children do you follow the example of you Parents have set before you?

   Noah’s sons ..Shem, .. Ham .. Japheth, did just as Noah and his wife, (of whom we were not told the name of). What an example they set for their boys. Are you doing the same? 500Yrs is a long time to be with someone. They never gave up after a few years. As each of the boys grew up they looked and were they same.
Proverbs 18: 22 “..He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favour from the Lord..”

   Today & tomorrow us husbands must need to tell our wives “I found a good thing or the Lord” Children you need to honestly follow and heed and obey your parents, for your own good. Don’t stand there and spout “your not the boss of me”. You need to agree and heed what your parents are trying two impart on you.
Ephesians 6; 1 “..Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right..”

   Surly this a good ~ cheap ~easy solution to having “..a long life..”, this out come from this simple and easy thing right? All this from obeying your parents, not bad hey?
James 2: 17 “..faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead..”

   Noah heeded gods warning about the flood coming, and because he listened to God, then obeyed Him. As is the attitude of today by many, they must have heard God but, just wanted Him to give them a boat for doing ‘Nothing’. God wanted to show us, but today instead we wanted to be told when and where the boat will be for us to get on. God wants to show us that faith needs effort put in if we want to get something back.

   God’s blessing is for everyone who is willing to put the effort in to your daily faith & Bible reading. Noah may well not have been perfect, but his faith was strong. When the flood comes you will not just need the ark, but also his blessed word of salvation. I often wonder in the planning of the Ark, he must have asked the Lord ‘Why so big, there is not even a 12 of us?’

   You see the flood I’m talking about is not one of water, as the flood that nearly covered ‘Yorkshire, here in England’. Instead I’m talking about the one of mankind, such of getting bad news from you Doctor it’s Cancer/Covid19. It’s being laid off after 20yrs of loyal service.

   Being laid off, for instance, you need to come home and call on the Lord and say that … “They, were not my provider, but you are my provider. You promised you will provide and meet my every need, according your riches and glory. You would open all the windows, and pour out so much blessings I’ll not be able to contain them”

   As Christian's, there is one thing for sure, ‘we should never .. never .. never panic or worry about what is before us, even ask why?’ Just give God an elbow in the ribs and remind Him of His promises for you. Everything is going to work out just fine, because God is on the throne yesterday, today, tomorrow and for ever and ever.

Why do you think we call God the ‘Omnipotent one?’ ...

• meaning: a deity as having unlimited power ~ all powerful ~ almighty ~supreme ~ pre-eminent 
• having great power and influence.

… So when it is said that He knows everything, trust me He does. When you can’t see a path through the troubles we’re in, He will shine a light to show us the way. He will provide provisions, where there are none, is this sinking in yet. All things are possible when you put 100% of our faith in Him who makes everything. 

#You can’t wait till the flood comes build your Ark today# 

   

   Jesus already told us 2000 years ago “..Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham ” Luke 19:9 .. So many put this off. Our loved ones need to be shown the light. I know this from a personal stand point. When are you going to stop those you love going to hell and damn nation. You families may thumb their noses at the idea of becoming a Christian, remind them that God forgives ‘ALL’ their sins, so please don’t give up on them now.

   It’s simple just have faith in god, yesterday is gone you can’t change it. With God by their side Tomorrow can be beyond theirs & your wildest dreams. Please to take to heart what I have been saying here, and grasp Gods Salvation with both hands and never let go. If you have read this and want God in your life, seek out someone who can pray with you, and or, I want you to pray this prayer with me ...

Lord God I come before you a sinner, 

I want to turn away from my old ways. 

I have come to be reborn. 

I have decided to accept my position in Christian, 

and sit with Him in Heavenly places. 

When people say ‘who do you think you are?’ 

I will say unto them .. 

I’m a chosen generation, a Royal Priesthood, 

a Holy nation and a peculiar person. 

I’m steadfast, immovable, and abounding 

in the work of the Lord, for I know that my 

labour is not in vain in God. I’m not weary 

for in due season I will reap, if I faint not. 

I prosper and I am in good health, 

even as my soul prospers. 

Greater is He who is in me that he 

who is in the world. No weapon that is 

formed against me can prosper. ”for if God is 

for me who can stand against me” 

   If you have prayed this prayer today, seek out a Church or someone who you know goes to one soon. May Gods word not return empty.

In Christ Jesus name Amen.