This is such a nice feeling to be on holidays! We are off to Southport hoping that the sun will be there too! I personally feel so tired that I just want to close my eyes.. still there is a bit more packing to do..stuff to go in the caravane. Fortunately everybody else is full of energy so I just do what I am told to do!. Blessings to all.
N.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
28/05/2010
22/05/2010
20/05/2010
Under new management!
Today I accompanied Steven to an assembly in Hixon primary school. When he asked the pupils who was the new Prime Minister, lots of hands went up : David Cameron, he then asked who was the deputy-Prime Minister, and again, lots of hands, Nick Clegg. I thought that the previous week must have had so much impact on family discussions that even younger children were aware of those facts. When he asked them who was our member of Parliament and there again, hands up with the correct answer : Jeremy Lefroy.
When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit guides us so that our lives will reflect the character of Christ. Any positive change in our life is due to God's grace, not by ourself. As such Jesus is our King (as well as our friend) and we truly are under new management.
17/05/2010
Paul and Silas in prison.
Acts 16:16-40
Acts describe the acts of the Holy Spirit. After Act 5, we see quite a bit of persecution. Through Acts, the message of the Gospel is spread out to the community. What was the early message? Depending on where he is, Paul uses the local points to make the message more relevant. We also see Paul's strategic manoeuvres, he goes to synagogues or places of prayers to meet people seeking the Lord.
In Acts 16, we don't really know where they are! It starts with a problem, this slave girl with a prophetic gift not from God. She won't let go! Acts 16:18. Paul became troubled. Why did he tolerate it so long? Then he prayed in the name of Jesus and the Spirit left. That creates a reaction. The owners of the girl are annoyed and drag Paul and Silas to the magistrates. Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten for the Gospel! When is the last time you were persecuted for being a Christian?
Imagine Paul and Silas in chains, in a prison, are they grumpy and feeling sorry for themselves? not at all, they are praising God and singing!
Earthquake. All the doors pop open. Another reaction. The plight of another man about to throw himself on his sword. Paul hears his pleas and says: 'don't harm yourself'. The jailor : what must I do to be saved' and we can assume he means 'from the Romans'. He is desperate. Paul takes his words as an invitation: 'Believe and be saved! Paul is shifting the whole context.
With the creation of a new governement, politics is back on the arena. Is there room for you to talk about Jesus?
There is proclamation and then results, care. Paul and Silas are given care. The whole family of the jailor is rejoicing.
Midtrent churches need the Good News about Jesus crucified, resurrected and ascended to Heaven, Jesus who pours out the Spirit. We need to take every opportunity to proclaim this message.
The Word is for sharing.
Rev. S. A.
Acts describe the acts of the Holy Spirit. After Act 5, we see quite a bit of persecution. Through Acts, the message of the Gospel is spread out to the community. What was the early message? Depending on where he is, Paul uses the local points to make the message more relevant. We also see Paul's strategic manoeuvres, he goes to synagogues or places of prayers to meet people seeking the Lord.
In Acts 16, we don't really know where they are! It starts with a problem, this slave girl with a prophetic gift not from God. She won't let go! Acts 16:18. Paul became troubled. Why did he tolerate it so long? Then he prayed in the name of Jesus and the Spirit left. That creates a reaction. The owners of the girl are annoyed and drag Paul and Silas to the magistrates. Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten for the Gospel! When is the last time you were persecuted for being a Christian?
Earthquake. All the doors pop open. Another reaction. The plight of another man about to throw himself on his sword. Paul hears his pleas and says: 'don't harm yourself'. The jailor : what must I do to be saved' and we can assume he means 'from the Romans'. He is desperate. Paul takes his words as an invitation: 'Believe and be saved! Paul is shifting the whole context.
With the creation of a new governement, politics is back on the arena. Is there room for you to talk about Jesus?
There is proclamation and then results, care. Paul and Silas are given care. The whole family of the jailor is rejoicing.
Midtrent churches need the Good News about Jesus crucified, resurrected and ascended to Heaven, Jesus who pours out the Spirit. We need to take every opportunity to proclaim this message.
The Word is for sharing.
Rev. S. A.
02/05/2010
Pray? What for? Why? Does it work?
The following passage is one of my favourite as it made a real impact on my life: I discovered that I had a caring Father in heaven and this was in itself a revelation.
Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Also Luke 11:13
As Christians, we must not despair or worry but pray. You may think that it is easier said than done, I agree about that too. Still let's persevere!
Matthew 18:19-20 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
How strong is your faith? If you believe that Jesus is the son of God, that he died for our sins and he resurrected, then hear Him.
Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Let's take an even bigger step.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.
The name of Jesus is ever so powerful.
John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
The need to repent and confess is so important:
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
It's so enjoyable to spend more time with our family thanks to this long week-end. We had a wonderful time with friends round today and it didn't rain. I never thought it would be so cold though! Enjoy more of this week-end. Yours in Christ.
Visit http://www.riverpower.org. Here's what you'll find:
Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Also Luke 11:13
As Christians, we must not despair or worry but pray. You may think that it is easier said than done, I agree about that too. Still let's persevere!
Matthew 18:19-20 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
How strong is your faith? If you believe that Jesus is the son of God, that he died for our sins and he resurrected, then hear Him.
Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Let's take an even bigger step.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.
The name of Jesus is ever so powerful.
John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
The need to repent and confess is so important:
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
It's so enjoyable to spend more time with our family thanks to this long week-end. We had a wonderful time with friends round today and it didn't rain. I never thought it would be so cold though! Enjoy more of this week-end. Yours in Christ.
Visit http://www.riverpower.org. Here's what you'll find:
- Answers to questions such as Why does a loving God allow bad things to happen? How can one change bad habits? What does Jesus have to do with contentment? Why do Christians experience discontentment and discouragement? What is the difference between Christianity and other beliefs? How good does one have to be to go to heaven? and What is God like?
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