Sowing and Reaping

Reaping what one sows has and is a favourite verse of scripture. It is a warning to us personally. However in saying this, We need to be careful we don't tell God how and when or if he should put circumstances in our lives so reaping what is sown is a reality. Hearing a saying one time "Grace will trump Karma" Although Karma is Hindu, it is fair to say if and when God offers Grace to a person, then Grace will trump reaping what is sown. Therefore, reaping what is sown is a warning, But in finality it's up to God if he is going to cause a person to reap what they sow or if He will give a person Grace. God's Grace is given through forgiveness. If it were remembered all the things we have done wrong in our lives, then reaping what is sown would be like carrying a monkey on our back, but God in his wisdom has given us Grace through His patience with us. In saying this, In many cases asking for forgiveness is the answer to avoiding reaping what is sown. Also, there has been times when God has given us Grace anyway, yet there have been times reaping whats sown is a reality to us. Yes, we should take the warnings from scripture seriously, ultimately it's totally up to God how he deals with what we've sown. Will he give us Grace or will we reap what's sown? This question isn't up to us to determine, but up to the sovereign will of God. Let's not try to tell God what He needs to do. What do you think?

Jesus is the Bread of Life

After feeding the five thousand the crowd realised that Jesus wasn’t with them. The crowd went to Capernaum in search for Jesus.

John 6:28-33

28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

30 So they asked him "What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will  you do?

31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "

32  Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

In verse 28; They then asked Him “what works must they do to do the works of God.”

In verse 29 Jesus answered “to believe in the one that was sent.”

They then asked for a sign. They referred to the manna of heaven that their ancestors ate.

                            

It is only Jesus that can give life as we feed on Him. He has given Himself to the world. He only asks us to feed on Him by His word.

First Written 0n April 12:2015.  Edited on 3/09/2017 8:58 PM  

Jesus is the Light of the World

Kath and I were talking last night about "light and darkness." This discussion was brought on by a video which was posted on a social media site. Kath and I discussed how that God created the light as in Genesis1:1-5. We also discussed how that darkness couldn't be understood but light could be understood. Therefore Jesus is the light of the world and can be understood but the darkness of our hearts isn't comprehensible.

I find we spend too much time dwelling  about the darkness in our lives such as the darkness of circumstances instead of learning about Jesus, The true Light.  Darkness of circumstances and  thoughts come from satan and can't be understood. When I woke this morning, a verse came on a social media in my face "I am the light of the world" John 9:5. I believe God was telling me to stop focusing on the darkness and to focus on the true light of the world.

1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

2. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3. And God said "Let there be light,"and there was light.

4. God saw the light was good and he seperated the light from the darkness.

5. God called the light "day." and the darkness he called "night," and there was evening and there was morning - the first day.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 9:5.

We as Christians may see the darkness in others but it is most disturbing that we don't understand the evil in others.

In the verse I read  this morning it says in...

 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5

We are to shine as lights in the world.

'In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God 2 Cor 4:4.

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness is the one who has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ 2 Cor 4:6.

There are those that don't understand the Holy Spirit of light that is in us and will distract us from the light to try to understand their darkness. Yes those that don"t understand are blinded, because there is no comprehension of the light. It is with this in our hearts and minds that Christ shines by the Holy Spirit from our hearts to penetrate the darkness. It is easier to share the love and light by the Holy Spirit than to understand the evil and darkness of mankind.

The encouragement for me...is to have our minds set on Jesus Christ and His light than to have a mindset about others because of the blindness of their sin and darkness.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.

Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God 

Written 22:3:2016 Edited  29:8:2017

Homosexuality and Us

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

We have been very negative in our thinking toward homosexuals. If we look at the gospel preacher "Sy Rogers" a Christian evangelist who was a homosexual, and cross dresser, and now married with one daughter, we would probably eat our words, so to speak, about what we have said against them. We are all sinners before God, yet we place a higher condemnation on homosexuality than what we do of our own sin.


Governments in various countries have placed condemnation of Bible teaching in our schools, which has affected us greatly. In other countries, governments are also trying to implement non bible teaching in schools. It has been falsely accused by unbelievers the bible teaches homosexuality because Jesus is male. In reality, the Bible teaches the Godly way to live, that is, man with woman.

The remnants of this is bullying in the schools. As Christians we believe that the bible isn't in error. We sob like cry babies and say, but we want to teach the Bible to our School kids. But what have we said about the homosexuals in the past? Yes! Yes! Yes! God will hear our cries. The cries of a Christian to our Lord Jesus Christ is a dominate force in our lives.


Listening to a DVD "One of the boys" by “Sy Rogers I realised that God has given me the discernment over many years to believe what is right. It is great to hear a sermon to confirm what is believed. I believe homosexuality is a program of which one is brought up. Myself as a married man encourage my boys to spend time with Christian families where there are Christian men and women who are stable.


In society today there are many women bringing up young boys without the influence of a good stable home of which God intended to be. God in His creation created man and woman and the woman is to bear children from her husband. In no way is this a negativism against single mums but rather an encouragement for young boys to have the influence from stable families with good Christian leaders.

Before we get carried away let us forget about the saying that God meant marriage to be "Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve." This saying doesn't help the unsaved sinner who commits homosexuality any enthusiasm to become a regenerate believer.


Let's face it, What do you and I think about in our private lives which no-one else can see? I'm not going tell you what I think about, and need to refrain from. Yet, regarding homosexuals we as Christians don't give them a chance to be redeemed by our negativism against them.
Having said all this, I will cry out to God for His Gospel to continue to reach out to Children in schools. I will cry out to God to raise good Christian men as leaders in our society. I pray for those that practice homosexuality see the Godly love which is in us as believers toward them. After all,
I would hate my sins be judged by others every day of my life.

August 22 at 5:19pm

A week after the Resurrection.

^{http://encouragetalk.blogspot.com.au written by Phil Barrington. (Available on ipod and smart phones)}

Aim: to show the importance of believing. We can have life in His name and have assurance of eternal life in Heaven.

^{Thanks Daniel for the Ressurrection message Sunday night. Those that believe have started their eternal life  inclusive of heaven.}

A week later his disciples were in the house again,

and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:26-30

The Death of Lazarus in chapter 11

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Bible Niv version

My fb ministry.

 

There is a story told about a man who was reaching out to the people sharing the gospel of Christ. He started to pray he would see the results of his ministry. God answered his prayer. He was arrested and put into prison. During his term in prison he engaged with the prisoners and found those who had committed themselves to Christ through his ministry.
Who Jesus saves maybe not in our best interest to know; so that We may give him the glory and our lives be protected to continue to share the Gospel of Christ.

Written by Phil Barrington

Romans Road

 

Please follow me here.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:10.
We have all sinned. We have all disobeyed God's law in one way or another. We arn't better than one another. This disobedience to God is known in our own hearts yet we try to brush it asside and think we are a good person. Isn't that human nature or the nature of sin? So what is the difference between a believer and non-believer in Christ? Stay tuned because i'd love to tell you. Speaking to me also is the realisation that I have sinned. Are we all able to recognise this fact? if we do then it is a step in the right direction toward knowing God and what he has in store for you and me.

 

So, what is the difference between a believer and non-believer in Christ?

Are we good inside and if not how does a person become good or are we ever good? Also what is the result if we don’t put ourselves right with God?

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

First the difference between a believer and non believer is this… A non believer there is a spiritual separation from God. This separation is on this earth and eternally for ever. If a person doesn’t except Christ as their personal saviour it is then an absolute reality separation from God is in the now and eternity. In this state we will voluntarily miss out on the blessings of which God is patiently waiting to freely give. In a sinful state there is a death which can only be empowered and made alive in God by accepting God’s own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ by letting the Holy Spirit to enter our lives.

The result of not accepting the Lord Jesus Christ makes us bad. It is Sin which makes us bad. From the beginning of the fall with Adam and Eve, sin had entered the world with a vengeance. The only way back to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ. Then in God’s eyes this will make us good. Oh, yes we will sin, but once we have accepted Him, The bible says we have and advocate (someone who will plead our case). This is the Lord Jesus Christ. But how can Jesus plead our case if we refuse HIm as our Lord Jesus Christ. e.g If we went to court and refused to have a lawyer speak on our behalf, How then can he plead our case?

The final result not accepting Christ are… No life here on earth to receive his amazing blessings. Cries for help will be hindered in difficult times on this earth which we live and Satan is going too and fro in your life and mine. A separation from God eternally so when we die, He never knew you. And Just a little encouragement , (please remember Satan can and will go too and fro in our lives but, but, but God is everywhere present all of the time). I know who I love to follow.

More to come. An invitation is to you to accept The Lord Jesus Christ now and the Holy Spirit will enter in. It is only then, Only then the full blessings of God can be extended into our lives and have the victory in Him.

Accept Him now. Just pray.

 

10 as it is written:“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;no one does good, not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes

It is well appreciated from us all, good things are done in our community and the world i,e. helping the poor, and other good deeds to help others. While it’s true that these things make us feel good, we don’t have the innocence which proclaims a righteousness before a Holy God. In many cases Christians and churches do help out in the community. We are instructed as believers to help the poor and do good deeds.

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. Proverbs 14:31

So yes, it is Christian like and God like to help the poor and other good deeds. Are we good inside and if not how does a person become good or are we ever good? Also what is the result if we don’t put ourselves right with God? You see it’s what’s in our hearts and our lives which determine if we are good. If we are only doing things in our own strength without God in our lives then our good isn’t worth anything. Our outward efforts need to match our inward heart knowing a Holy God.

What then do we need to do? Stay tuned.

It’s impossible to judge and get away with it.

Do Not Judge
"Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

2"For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.…Matt 7:1-2

This verse says if we judge another then the same is going to come back upon us. This can happen by our  actions or what is in our own mind. To counteract this we need to know the mind of Christ in our lives. To bring a comparison to mind, is when man meets woman, he doesn’t really know her. But spending time with that person over time a man will get to know her and fall in love with her. The only way we can have the mind of Christ to keep our minds and hearts clear is to fall in love with our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we have that intimacy with our Lord? The answer is getting to know Him on a daily basis. The reaping of this great relationship is we won’t be prone to be judging others.

Luke 6:37
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Who hates being judged? I know I do. I would love to leave a legacy in this world of being a righteous man. We are all sinful by nature. It is imperative we don’t judge another to avoid being condemned. This doesn’t mean by us not condemning that we aren’t going to be condemned. The world is full of smutty sin that we can so wrongfully be accused of ill acts which goes into a dark place of destruction. This hurts our very being. It’s only by grace we can forgive. Sometimes the damage has been done to where we are at the point of despair. At this point of desperation we need help from God ultimately but also other believers who can have faith and trust in the one who has been deeply hurt. 

Luke 6:41
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

In the past, I have had people judge me, only to find out as time prevailed that something worse was in their own life. Has this happened to you? I am sure that we don’t want to show up everyone’s unholy acts. The result could be showing up your extra unholy acts. The only way we can remove planks in our own lives is confessing them to the Lord Jesus as sin in your life. The same with those who have, as it were, saw dust in their eyes, That is, small things that may be hindering your relationship with Jesus Christ.

John 8:7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
 

Remember this part of scripture! They were stoning her because she had committed adultery. But Jesus had stopped them, ok you think you haven't sinned. you throw the first stone. “Please don’t throw stones at me…” we might all say. But how many stones have we thrown at someone today. We are all sinners saved by grace.

 

Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Here is the proof. when you judge you are condemning you. Because you do the same as the person of whom you judge. It is clear it’s not your responsibility to judge. but God’s only.

Romans 14:10
You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

If you are judged remember that we all are going to appear at the judgment seat where we will be judged. To make our lives easier to live on this planet that God gave us, we need to leave the judgment to the heavenly realm when we appear before a Holy God.

Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Judgements can put a stumbling block in our lives which can stop ministries of which that person could have been successful in reaching people for Jesus and God’s heavenly kingdom. Do we really want to do that? I think not! I think that God and his angels would be very displeased and anti God honouring.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

When the Lord comes He will know our hearts. Even the motives of which we may have. We are exhorted to judge nothing, i.e, a big fat zero. It’s not for us to bring it to light whatever is hidden in darkness.

James 4:11
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

It is finally clear we shouldn’t speak or judge a brother or sister. Most importantly we need to follow Christ. We today have the Holy Spirit in our lives. We don’t want to be going ahead of our Lord and judge others before we go to heaven. Judgement belongs to God only. Therefore we must wait until then for judgement. Then we’ll see.

The Second Promise to Women

^{Please go to blog site to read all.. http://encouragetalk.blogspot.com.au} 

^{(Also available on iPhone and iPod view)}

^“To the woman he said,“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;with painful labor you will give birth to children.Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

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I want to us to look at this second part of Genesis 3:16 for a moment. You are probably wondering what I am going to say with verses in the New Testament are quoted. It’s not as bad as one might think. Please let us look at this, in a reasonable scripture context.

Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16 (second part)

                                                       _________________

But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 

Here in 1 Corinthians 11:3 is very clear the man is the head of the woman. This is another statement stating the obvious. Is this humorous?  If we look closely at the verses below carefully, women it’s not as bad as you may think.

                                                       _________________

 

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour.

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

and to present her himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:21-27

It is quite clear we need to submit to one another. To submit doesn’t give the man the right to rule with an iron fist or abuse. In the bible reference above it say’s for the man to love their wife. This means to listen to them, and after seeking God’s wisdom to then make a ruling. Then the wife needs to submit.

“But my man is wrong a lot of the time.”

ok he may be wrong.  First God will deal with the man. This isn’t your responsibility. He needs to learn by his own mistakes. If he loves you he will take time to think things through of whatever you have suggested to him during the discourse of a debate.

Next thing which needs to be considered is “God has a plan” He ‘God’ has brought you both together for a reason. God can stop any plan your man may have in the making. You need to trust the almighty God to deal with him when and if he is about to make the biggest mistake of his life.

Let me give an example: Your man has just injured his back. He is nearly recovered. Then he gets this awesome opportunity to apply to work as a truckie unloading heavy machinery. Because of shortage of money he bull headedly goes to the interview that could potentially change his life. But you know this is a very bad situation.  The only thing that is open and possible to you is prayer and your faith in God that he won’t land this job. He then comes home with his tail between his legs (so to speak) He is upset because now he is back to looking for another job. You have submitted to your man, but God has taken care of a bad situation that could have occurred through your faith and prayers.

You see God will bless your submission to your man. Men have a more of a responsibility, because if you love your wife as Christ loves the Church and gave himself for it, it is only then you have a sacrificial love for your wife. It is also then that decisions made together and the proper roles in the home are integrated that God can bless two couples together in the decision making of the home.

Yes, sometimes men we need to step up and make some serious decisions for our wife and family, but let us do it in love, not in an abusive way with an iron fist. 

But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,…1 Corinthians 11:3  NOT YOU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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God is Spirit

First, let me be clear. I believe God is a Spirit. I believe that Jesus by the authority of God sent His Holy Spirit to be in us once we believe in the death of our Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross of Calvary for our sins past present and future. Also I believe we ourselves are mortal human beings. Jesus came to this earth as both God in the form of human flesh. We as human beings aren't little gods as some would believe.

Having said the above lets look at some verses that may cause us some concern in this area of God a Spirit and God coming to this earth through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ as a flesh and blood. Also in the old Testament (Old Covenant) are some examples when God took the form of a man.

Lets look in Genesis

²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26

When God first made man and woman, they were without sin. God didn’t sin or has sinned. When the fall took place, man moved away from God and His fellowship with Him. As we look back on this, if we take this literally, I believe we were made in the image of God, only we have the sin nature because of the fall.

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. John 15:26

Here is God the Spirit In John 15:26. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is GOD (the trinity) the three in one. Because the Holy Spirit had already came from the Father (God) through our Lord Jesus Christ when John wrote the Gospel of John it is rightly said in John 4:2 that God is Spirit.

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:2

God did produce himself in the promise statement of “Let us make man in our own image.” The “US” there I believe is God in trinity the three in one Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” This happened in the fiery furnace of  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego recorded in Daniel chapter Three. We see that four men appeared in the furnace not three. God appeared as a man.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (This verse KJV)

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, … Daniel 3:24-27

What do we then do with these verses regarding that God is Spirit and we were made in the likeness of Him. I want to take a simple view without getting tangled up in views that we may speculate on.

In Genesis it says we were made in the likeness or in His image. I Believe this can be explained in a literal sense.

 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Luke 24:39

The Later verse is also true. No the Bible doesn’t contradict itself. God sent His Son into the world in the likeness of man did he not? This happened because God had a perfect Holy plan that Jesus would look like us when He died on the Cross for you and me. This is also revealed In Isaiah fifty three

3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴ Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,and by his wounds we are healed.

⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:3-6.

If God didn’t have a plan at the beginning in creation, then where would prophecy of Jesus be today?

This was also revealed in the burning bush that God had something for Moses to look upon that wasn’t safe for Moses to see.

⁴ And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

⁵ And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

⁶ Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

You can’t look on a Spirit. God Is a Spirit being without any denial from me. When we refer to God we more than likely are talking about The Holy Spirit Is the Holy Spirit God? Yes! Was Jesus God and man in human form? Yes! The Holy Spirit came from God through Jesus Christ before He left the earth.

 

 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth...John 4:24

Here is God in Holy Spirit form sent from God Himself, So then because we have the Spirit of God living in us we should worship him in “Spirit and in truth” of whom is God himself.

As He is God, if He so desired could turn himself into or turn something into what ever He desires. But He has chosen not to. The only thing He desires of you and me, is to be more like Him before we leave this earth.

God had a Holy plan for us to be His image, yet His Spirit abides in the believer. We are an image of what God wanted us to be. From the very beginning after the fall, had a plan of fulfilment of His Son coming to earth by HIs Holy will. He also had a plan to form us into an image that is pleasing to God. Now we must do our part and be transformed to be more like Him in our daily lives. We are always going to look the same on the outside as someone special that God has made, but we need to change on the inside to be more like Christ by the renewing of His Spirit in our lives daily.

I pray that God will reveal Himself to you today.

God’s Promise To Women.

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^“To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children….” Genes 3:15 (first part)

Stating the obvious sometimes can be fun. This verse has the intent of stating the obvious. This isn’t fun. There is pain in childbearing. Not experiencing it myself, I can only go on what has been told. Is pain in childbearing happening today? Yes! Is it happening in the Church age? Yes! Did it happen in the old and new covenant? Yes! Lets have a look.

Verses in the Old Testament (Old covenant)

“Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor.” Psalm 48:6

“At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see.” Isaiah 21:3

“We have heard reports about them, and our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.” Jeremiah 6:24

9 “Why do you now cry aloud-- have you no king? Has your counselor perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?”

10 “Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.” Micah 4:9-10

God, I am sure willing will allow me to get to prophecy later. But it is clear in the Old Testament (Old covenant) that the process of child birth women bore pain. God promised this to every woman including Eve.

Some New Testament Verses of the Bible is relevant to giving birth is pain for a woman.

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” John 16:21

Although painful for a woman to give birth, there is wonderful joy when that baby is born. Especially that first born. She forgets her pain because the Joy is so overwhelming.

“She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.” Revelation 12:2

Friends, it is obvious today women do travail in pain giving child birth. This was a promise given by God. As a father, I know the joy that was ours when we had both our Children. As fathers we need to respect what women go through to multiply on the face of this earth to make a difference to our world.

It is also recognised that in this age of Grace Christian, non Christian alike will go through pain in child birth. There is no difference between the Old covenant, the new covenant and the child bearing society we live in today.

Verses from the bible are quoted from the NIV New International Version 

Add other verses and quotes if you like in relation to this topic. Willing to be challenged. Author has the right to delete comments and challenges if so desired. Phil.

 

 

 

God’s first Promise

God fulfils His promises in Scripture and is revealed in the New Testament or New Covenant It is with a saddened heart that many will say it doesn’t apply because that was in the Old Testament or Old covenant.  I assure you that Satan is real today; he still lives on and proved He does in confronting moments in Jesus’ life.

In Genesis 3:14-15… God talks to the Serpent. 

14 The LORD God said to the serpent,“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

In Revelation 12:9… The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

The good news is that in the New Testament or New Covenant Satan is going to be destroyed.

 

Romans 16:20 …The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Colossians 1:13
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

My friends this is how he was defeated. We have been brought in the light of the gospel. This is how Satan was bruised. God in human form took our place on the cross and was bruised for our Iniquity.  When we come to know Him. We are His forever. John 10:29…  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

Because of  Jesus Christ God’s only son died on the cross for us, we are His forever and more powerful than Satan. 

1 Peter 2:24 …"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."

 

Matthew 4:10,11  When Jesus was in the wilderness…

10. Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only,

11. Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Let us then Worship The Lord our God and continue to defeat the Devil by the Holy Spirit in the age of the Church as the Old covenant  is revealed in the New Covenant which includes the Church.

John 16:11… and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Bible References come from NIV

I don’t know why

There is a lot of questions in life that come our way which we don’t understand. It is with grief and sadness when those have got something to offer for the gospel’s sake in church, or Christian service are not asked to do so. Sometimes we volunteer and still not accepted to do that which we volunteer to do.

A lady came up to me not long ago and had complimented me on the way I have brought up my children. They are mid to late teens now. My goal in life after marriage is to quality time with my children. This has been a joyous and growing experience. What if I was fully in the ministry? Would I be where I am today?

My job is almost done in raising children. What is my next task that God wants me to do? It would be great to share my walk with God over the years and the personal experience I have had with Him. Many times I can relate to Scripture in a very personal way. This is a privilege we have as Christians or those who know the Lord in a very personal way.

Paul in the Scriptures was a very intelligent man and a very intellectual scholar but what about those who have a genuine heart for God? Are we forced to sit in a rocking chair for the reason that God was committing us to a different task over some years..   I think not. I believe that the intellectuals need to let those who have a heart for Jesus in to encourage other believers in their Christian walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we go through this Christmas we may be thinking how the minds and hearts of man can be changed, so the Gospel won’t be hindered. We need to pray that the bars be taken away so the gospel cannot be hid by others.

God has a plan

We are nearing a holiday season when we can reflect on our hardships, blessings, encouragement and discouragement. I meditate on Pauls life when he said... "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil 4:12 I think I can speak of all of us when I say there have been times this year "I wish I had more" but in the times of need I have seen Gods grace at work. I guess you all have heard the song now "It's all about dat Base no Treble." Well, someone put up on their church notice board "It's all about dat grace no devil." And that's what it's about, His grace abounding on us. Some have gone through terrible things over the years and maybe this year also. He maybe want to teach us something special or prepare us for something great. Whatever the need and no matter what age you are. till your one hundred and twenty, God has a plan especially for you. Sometimes that plan is to protect us from the unknowing and we may not know until we we get to heaven why he alowed it. I have been praying for situations and circumstances which sometimes encumbers me with stress. Their are desires in my heart and life of which is on my heart and troublesome present. But God knows, so with His presence He reminds me of  contentment in Him. I have learnt to pray about those desires, which suggests to God I am happy with His plan in my life. I don't say all this to spill my circumstances or life problems on any one of you, but rather to encourage you all what has been on my heart and that is...God has a plan.

God bless. Phil

My Faith a Challenge.

Midst our Faith in Good times comes challenges. The question is do these challenges pull you up or pull you down? I believe it depends on our closeness to God. Some things in our lives God wants us to trust wholly on Him. I praise God for bringing me up in a way which pleases Him in my faith. God has given us more than what we could even imagine. He has overflowed blessings toward us because of our faith in Him. I heard a sermon about Abraham and Sarah recently. With Abraham and Sarah being so old and promised a son at their age, then the wait on top of that must have been agonizing for results of Abraham becoming a father of a great nation through his son Isaac. Then we might think of the very absurdity of God to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. There are those in the walk of faith that have forgotten how far we have come. Not only in our christian walk but also in our faith in God over His provisions.

But God has a plan. I say it again: Our "Wonderful" Saviour (He is called "wonderful" in the scriptures) has a plan for you and me no matter how old we are. Because we belong to Him. He brings us through things regardless of the wait for good things, so we can be more like Him. Abraham at his age taking his son which is believed to be "calvary" was going through a faith test. No we havn't reached the end of testing of our faith yet, but let us not forget from which we came. Sometimes there those who are now in a different situation expect us to be in the same sphere of their faith regardless if they have forgotten their faith tests or not. I wonder what would have happened if on the way to the place where Isaac was brought for the burnt offering if people grabbed him and forbade him to offer his only son? Faith needs to be carried out regardless of what others may have against what we are doing.

A message from Tammy

• A member on here sent me the sweetest email I believe I've ever seen & just in time
• I had posted my request in the prayer room
• Let me go find it
• Sister Tammy, In times as this, I think Philippians 4:6-7 is the cavalry in bringing light on the unknown spell. (6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen. Tammy, you have been the stalwart source of strength coming alongside many brothers and sisters at this site in their times of need. Now it's our turn to stand in prayer and supplication for you, our sister and friend. May the Lord God Almighty, in all His glory, shine the magnitude of His light and power on the dark and questionable corners of your world, resolving any issues which may be of discomfort to you and yours. The Lord bless you, and keep you. The Lord maketh His face to shine upon you, And be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.

My Dream a Reality

4 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet^[a] you do not have because you do not ask.

³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

⁴ Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts,you double-minded.

⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

As I dreamed a dream the other night it brought me to a reality that resisting the devil is not as easy as it seems.
I dreamed this dream. I dreamed I was at the back door of the inside of our house. The door was open. For some unknown reason I had a stone in my hand. I through the stone from the inside of the house as far as I could down the back yard. After the stone was thrown I struggled to push the door shut. There was a resistance. I pushed and pushed with all my might until the door was slowly pushed with the preasure of the force behind it.

Bringing it to reality from the dream, resisting the devil isn’t an easy task. As we fight against the devil, it is going to be a continuous battle. This battle could be within our own being and heart. It could be in the will of other believers to be unkind. Or it could be from the world itself. The battle could be from the mail or internet. I have a little joke when I go to the letter box which consists of  “Does anyone love us or hate us today?” The reference being to bills as hate and other mail is that someone loves us.

We should not give the devil an opportunity to enter the door of our house, internet or our lives. If we are one that perpetrates devilish attitudes, we need to search with all our hearts to see if it’s right in the sight of God. We need to question ourselves would Jesus be doing this. The devil has no right in our lives, nor to give out anger and discomfort to other brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ our Lord. 


As my dream depicted, stones will not remove devilish acts but rather we need to shut the door on those things which are evil, though it be a struggle. May God help us in the name of Jesus through His divine Holy Spirit. 

The refresh button in relationships

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?¹⁵ What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believerhave in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them and walk among them,and I will be their God,and they will be my people.”
¹⁷ Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate,says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.
¹⁸ And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Can we press the refresh button in our lives?  Yes we can. Does this mean we need to divorce or not have a relationship with others because we have made mistakes? Mistakes and sin is from the sin nature. This tells us, we aren’t perfect. Taking this in consideration where do we need to start our refresh button to have a new start?

First we need not blame ourselves but recognize it as sin in our lives. We have an advocate who is Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.  Forgiveness starts with us having a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. It is then we can have fellowship with God and others. We have been hurt, upset or our testimony nearly destroyed. Young people have broken relationships. Married people have their difficulties and hurts. Friends and relationships are torn by accusations. We need to be reminded that Satan is seeking those he can destroy, especially in relationships.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8.

We need not blame ourselves. for what others have done to us. In the real world a rape victim blames themselves. It is not until they realize they arn’t to blame that they can start to be healed and move on with their lives. Real forgiveness comes from God and He alone through His grace can interrupt the destruction Satan wants to do to our lives and relationships.
What does these verses tell us?

1. Let Jesus walk among you and let His Holy Spirit guide you,
2. Stay away from those that would hurt us until a spiritual fruity change happens and is apparent in our lives. 3.God promises to be a father to us as you let Him lead your life.

Our love will happen for those people who hurt us will be with us as we walk with Him. But the refresh button Happens with us.

I don’t deserve to be here

I don’t seem to do what people expect me to do. Their are those that want me to live and do what they want me to do. I am getting  tired of living in this world with others sin thrown at me. I can’t seem to do it right because everyone’s right is different to mine. What am I suppose to do? It is impossible to ask a question because others seem to think they are being accused of things. I am expected to be and do what others want. My sin is the same as everyone else’s yet my sin in their understanding seems to be larger than anyone else’s. I have been accused of acts of immorality that I never have done. accusation of lying has been thrown at me when I find they have lied to me. I find I need to fall into some kind of emotional blackmail so I can love them. My finance should be different in their understanding than what I feel it should be therefore I should live up to their expectancy. I have been accused of arrogance yet I find they don’t stop to listen. I find that others want to bring up the past when I was a kid yet now I am fifty-nine years old. My gained knowledge and experience doesn’t seem to amount to anything according to others.

FORGET IT!!!

I’ll do what God wants me to do. No-one has the right over my life. I would have been dead or punished if I’d been under the Old covenant. I am under the New covenant Saved by Grace In 1 John 1:9 it says “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and CLEANSE us from ALL UNRIGHTOUSNESS.

We should have Love in our hearts and our love shouldn’t be demanded from others. If others lie or throw their sin at me, be aware I will give it to the Lord Jesus Christ the Holy one, and let him deal with it. It isn’t likely I can be the sin bearer of your sins, only the Lord Jesus Christ can, therefore, I don’t need it and I will pass the buck to my advocate the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only in Christ I deserve to be here!!! I have much work to do. Glorifying attacks from Satan working through others will prove my faith in Christ. My past won’t hinder my belief and relying on Christ alone but will hinder a walk with God and the robbing of service to God in one’s life. 

Are you Born Twice?

In 1 Chronicles 1:5-27 and Genesis 11:10-26 We see a genealogy of people that were born fathered and died.

 ^“As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.” Genesis 9:7.

The Genealogy for me is that people did multiply. Today women are still giving birth under that same instruction from the Lord to multiply. Birth is the most wonderful thing a parent can experience in their life.

It was Gods purpose after Adam and Eve sinned for the woman to give birth and the husband is to work the field. Today, we have all sorts of work for men and women. It still remains our responsibility to multiply.

It is also known, many have gone away from the instruction of the Lord. This is evident when God’s sacrifice of His son is not accepted. To accept God’s further instruction in our lives we must first accept Him as our Lord and Saviour for the Salvation that He wants us to have to meet him in heaven. We need to be born twice, first, the physical birth and then the birth born of His Holy Spirit.

1. Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. ¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John 3:1-21

The Rainbow of Promise

“The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.” Gen 8:21

^{13 “}I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” ¹⁷ So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth” Gen9:13-17

After Noah left the ark he built an alter to the Lord. The Lord smelled a pleasing aroma or scent coming from the alter. The blessing of the Lord came into a promise that He wouldn’t destroy man and creatures as he has done ever again.

I believe God wants to smell a sweet aroma from us. Not in a burnt offering because the Lord has already given himself as a living sacrifice on the cross. The sweet aroma He wants from us is our worship, service and thankfulness for Him regardless of our hardhsips. It must have been a bad time to see God destroy man and his creatures on the earth, but Noah still thanked the Lord for what he went through.

God set His rainbow in the sky as a promise He will never do it again. There maybe something we have gone through in our lives that hasn’t been the best of circumstances. Have we thanked our Lord for bringing these hardships in our lives? Noah did with his burnt offerings and God blessed him and the whole earth.

The rainbows of promise won’t come into our lives unless we first give Him the thankfulness of hearts as he much deserves. I pray that we will find our rainbow of promise that God is waiting to give us upon offering up thankfulness to Him for the hardships we have in our lives.

Drifting from the Heart

To the woman he said,

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
with painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

I have been reading “Cover to Cover Complete through the Bible as it happened.”

One of the very basic elements that has been placed in the heart of a woman to her husband is her desire to him and his rule.

In today’s world this very rule has drifted away by women opposing their husbands or the husband abusing the woman because it’s in the heart of men to rule over their spouse.

¹⁷ To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’

“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
¹⁸ It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
¹⁹ By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.”

Men we have a responsibility to provide food for our wife and family.

It is built in the heart of men to work. Because of sin, today, we have inherited this element in our own lives.

If everything was done in God’s order of instructions their will always be a perfect and peaceful relationship between husband and wife that can be emulated to our children. But we have this battle in our lives of trying to do the right thing. If we trusted God and His instructions we would have a sustainable and happy life in marriage and great relationship to our children.

²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[b] her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body. ³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[c] 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Eph 5:25-33

Paul here isn't only referring to marriage in the Church, but also the instructions of what God had said in the garden of Eden. I believe that Adam loved Eve. In reality as husbands we blame our spouse for our own mistakes. To take our own responsibilities as men we become God’s man for God’s glory.

Many times the success of a man comes from a loving and obedient spouse. You see, marriage relationships work in unison.

Men are to love their wives. Let us not abuse them because we have in our hearts to have rule over them.

We can’t blame the woman. If we parallel Genesis 3:16 to that of John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. we can understand that from child birth we all have sinned in the site of God.

We need to allow latitude of understanding that we all have sinned when men rule and wives submit. Let us all pray in Faith as we lead as men and wives submit. God bless.

A testimony of New Life.

I was saved when I was about ten years of age. Hearing the Gospel in my bedroom from my brother I believe Salvation by the Spirit of God had entered my life. Unfortunately what ever the circumstances were I don't know, but being brought up in a Christian home there still wasn't enough for me to have assurance of Salvation. Growing and thinking deeply till I was in my teenage life, I was invited to the Billy Graham crusade. All I remember there were hundreds of people there at a venue which looked like a football ground. I took the plunge to bring myself before God and committed my life to Him. 

Growing in stature and wisdom, I came across some challenges in the working life. There was something different about me. Everyone else around me looked like Aliens compared to my life and the way I looked to them was out of this world. Still going to Church, I intently listened to Bible teaching. I grew in knowledge and Faith. Having my character put in a dim light many times, I came to realize I have gifts to be used of God. I realized I have the gift of faith and helps. I praise God for his everlasting power to help me to conquer those negative acts of others in my Life in order to help me present myself as a dominate Christian.

Jesus is the Only Answer

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me John 14:6.

Watching a T.V show “Dr G,” I was horrified. The show is about autopsy’s of those who have passed away. Some deaths when she examines them are very unusual. Some people have died of accidents, over-dose, suicide or illnesses which nobody knew about.

With Dr G’s experience she didn’t understand why this particular lady would burn herself as a means of suicide. She took her car to a field and set her self alight with a cigarette lighter. She got in her car and drove home where her son found her moaning on the floor. Before her son found her she was able to dial 911.
Her reason for suicide  in her mind, she owned a business which went down and was struggling. Her husband had separated from her, but still loved her.

In  John 14:6 it say that Jesus is the Way, Truth and life.

I know most of us don’t know how much we can take or how this lady was feeling. Keeping this in mind, there’s no-one but Jesus. Businesses, and what we own, and even though I put a great price on marriage and children we should place our trust in Jesus’ life for our life. I know if this person found her way and the Lord Jesus as her rock and shield then things would have been different by having the light of God’s spirit in her.

People, don’t give up on life! Trust God, Christians we have the job and ministry of showing others the Way, the truth and the life worth living for the Glory of God.

Word of Encouragement-Happy New Year! from Julie Gorman on Vimeo.

Testimony through High Blood Pressure

This writing will be sent to others in an attachment but I thought it also would be good for the whole world to see. As you read this whole writing, you will find a specific, sharing, prayer request.
I was woken up early this morning with a thought in mind that I couldn't shake off. I believe it was the Lord speaking to me to write on a recent experience.

There are many things in our lives which we don't want to share. We have boundaries that we set up through life experiences or what God brings upon us through those experiences. Believing in the immediate family i.e. that which comprises of the husband, wife, and children, most boundaries are lifted except for those topics or knowledge we as parents may want to keep from our children. Even then our children grow up and the things we wouldn’t have told them when they were in primary school, we may tell them in secondary school.


Having said the last paragraph, we as parents want to live lives which in such a way we will set boundaries toward our parents and siblings. These boundaries are set in motion because of our experiences in life. We all have our own lives to live. We are busy in our own way. Some may have studies, some may be dealing with their own family issues, like my self with two teenage boys. Some may have issues regarding older family members. Whatever the situation we find our selves in, we cannot intrude on someone else’s life. Sometimes we may expect other family members to do something for us, but to explain why we can't do the very thing that is asked would be an intrusion on their lives. Many times a family member doesn't need to explain, and if they do, it needs to be volunteered by them.

Having said this, from the date of the time I wrote this, about a week ago, I went to the doctor. The doctor said “Phil we haven’t taken your blood pressure for a while;” It was high! He gave me a referral to have it monitored. Phoning them up they told me I wouldn't be able to get in for a month.

The next day, I went to the Chemist to get my blood pressure test done. It was more high. The girl assistant at the Chemist looked at me horrified. Then she told me what my blood pressure was; I was horrified. I phoned my wife and said I was headed straight to the doctor. After convincing them that I needed to see a doctor urgently; The doctor gave me some medication to tie me over till I could see my regular doctor. When I saw my regular doctor the blood pressure was still high. He then changed my medication differently and higher dosage. Would you believe at one time my blood pressure at it's highest was 198/167. After seeing the doctor again after a couple of days my blood pressure was 140/80. Yes we seem to have it under control.

You see, God and his grace has saved me. Yet, it isn’t my desire to share when I'm going through something, as this is one of my boundaries. Why? Because I want to share with others after going through God's grace and mercy. You see, we need to be careful as Christians how far we want to extract information out of others because we want something for some reason. We don't know what they may be going through. By letting others to be free by God's grace, we have the opportunity for them to share the blessings of God to others after experiencing the difficulty of life of which they endured.

I hope this testimony will help you to live a rich and fuller life in Christ Jesus.
Phil.

Are You Saved?

Propaganda and the “Titanic

In my childhood and growing up into manhood, I was always interested in the “Titanic” Although interested, I didn't ever follow the events through like some scientist have in recent years.

It has been said before the Titanic left the dock that “Not even God could sink this ship.” unfortunately I still have not been able to substantiate this saying, only to say, that it is inserted the “English” had made this remark.

Herbert Selpin was a man which was refused to enter the German army because of a medical problem with his leg which was caused by Polio. He wanted to prove his worth to the German constituents that he was worthy to fight the war of world war two. In his desire to emulate himself to be worthy of being a soldier, he went into film making the most expensive production of the day, “Titanic.” Herbert portrayed England as a nation of greed and extreme wealth and of material gain. This idea would enable Germany to fuel the war toward England not only for the German army but also for the civilians. During the production, Herbert Selphin was arrested because he was reported by Zerlett-Olfenius, his friend and co-writer, to the Gestapo, for calling a meeting of which he made comments which weren’t tolerable toward the Kriegsmarine officers. He was found in his cell of which is believe was suicide, but there have been speculation, he could have been murdered. In the end the film was believed to be completed by Werner Kingler.

The real facts of Herbert Selpin started out to be propaganda for the war at hand and to feed propaganda to the common people of Germany. This led to his own demise or destruction. Although German officials may have had ideas of their own regarding the war, It is also possible that Herbert Selpin contributed to the war to fuel the fire of propaganda.

Why all this information? It is a sobering thought that people in our own world of 2012 that we could be sharing propaganda to those around us. Wow! If there isn't enough evidence that one in history such as Herbert Selpin who fuelled propaganda, and caused his own demise and the emulation of thoughts to others in Germany, then what is?

I know from past experience, people can say words and pass on information which can hurt someone else and cause a war in their own hearts against another person. This may not only bring consequences to their own lives but also the demise of others that they may or may not know personally.

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth
Prov 26:20

1.From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2.Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:1,2

12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matt 7:12

13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Prov 11:13,14

1Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
Exodus 23:1

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity
Prov 21:15

Interesting note: The name “Titanic” could refer to “Titan” of Greek Mythology.

Some are Mixed Up.

There is a mix-up amongst Christians through messages and writings. It is my observation, we take what is said and apply it to others. Brother or sister in Christ, God's word is for you. Before I write or speak I usually consider myself first, taking this in our thoughts, the criticising finger should not come back at me. God has already spoken to me before I write. I cannot write pointing the finger with out first getting rid of what is in my own life or at least be dealing with it before a just God.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Matt 7:3

Taking this verse into consideration, you may say that there is things in my life which I haven’t dealt with yet. While this is true, if I can be blunt, It's none of your business. Why is this? God deals with us by the grace of God to perfect us to the day when we are called home to be with Him. Therefore what I write I try not to refer to an individual situation but rather from a variety of observations.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14.

It isn't a competition to see who is best in front of each other, but rather it is a mark which we need to aim for which is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Cor 9:24

This is what I am aiming for. We shouldn't be sticking sticks and stones into each other or trying to trip them as we run. We are all running the same way with our faults and failures. Don't point the finger but rather make sure we haven’t got a beam or a log in our own eye which we need to deal with first. My prayerful concern from this writing and message to consider yourself and don't think of me as you ponder this writing but consider your own race toward heaven with God and don't divert to the path of mix-up.

Salty is showing Light

13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:13-16

8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Eph 5: 8-21

I have been struggling with the reality of light and darkness in the believer in relation to finding scripture to back my thoughts. The reality is to be the very essence of a preservation which is lasting which results in lighting our whole lives for God and exposing the darkness which maybe in others.

We must realise to be lights to each other there must be an understanding that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23. I think though, we use this as an excuse to do what we want to do to others because God says that we all have sinned. We need to examine ourselves to make sure we are living in the light while exposing others who are walking in darkness, of a truth which may be basic to the Christian walk .

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible.” This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Eph 5:1314

We need to wake up from our own sin. We need to face the reality that we are not like we are because we came from a gene from a relative or passed down from a family member. We are like the way we are because of Adam's sin. We need to follow Jesus, in his walk on earth by exposing sin, leading and rebuking when necessary. To bring someone out of sleep out of a darkness which is pronounced in someone's life is true love.

Before one can pronounce a sin by exposing an individual, we need to be careful of a false mind-set It is so easy for us to be wrong when dealing with exposing another’s pronounced sin. Yes, we need to be walking in the light; we need to be the salt of the earth

Can someone show your faults when they aren’t the salt of the earth or showing the light of Jesus in their lives? The answer I believe is emphatically; Yes! Why is this? God will bring someone in your life to show you a particular sin in your life, so that your light will show to the person who has endeavoured to correct your life. It is embarrassing but also effective to change your life to have our faults exposed by a non believer or someone who is walking in darkness.

Final thought: Exposing someone's fault is true love and will make you a better person.