OUTLOOK CHURCH

Price Tag - Left for Dead

2011-09-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

18 September 2011

Brent Brading

Too little too late:

John 19:38-42 in a time when someone has died. Family come from all over come to be together. Now Jesus is dead. Surely the price is paid. But what about too little too late. Nicodemus and Joseph a Pharisee and a member of the Ruling council. These were two men of great influence and resources, men who could possibly have prevented Jesus from suffering like he did. They secretly believed in Jesus and watched an innocent man die and did nothing about it.

Some of the most painful hurts are when we know people who could help but have done nothing. It is a painful thing. John 3:16 was quoted to Nicodemus. Maybe Jesus was looking at them. Have you been in one of those situations. Or where you were like Nicodemus or Joseph know you should do something but have done nothing. Scripture still paints these two men in a positive light.

Can you imagine these two men taking down the body of Jesus it must have been such a mess and they took him, wrapped him and cleaned him. Just for a few minutes the body of Jesus was in their hands. It is the same for us now. For a brief moment now, the body of Jesus is in our hands the church. Are we going to do too little too late or are we going to make a difference to the body of Christ.

Some people at a funeral have a broken relationship with the deceased and they grieve even more because of the broken relationship. A fear is that we come to the end of our lives and live with regret for how we have lived our lives.

How we don't drop the ball:

1) Serve, sacrifice and suffer for the body of Jesus, the church. This is what Paul believed and this is why he was so effective. Col 1:24-25. Eg Mother Teresa. Ephe 4:15-16 each part of the body doing its work.

2) Stay fully connected with the head of the body, not like a chicken with it's head cut off. We need to stay connected with Jesus our head. Col 1:18-19 pride causes us to loose connection with the head. Do we call on Jesus as our Lord as well as our Saviour? It takes humility to live in unity.

3) Don't miss your moments. Are we going to be sensitive and available to do what God is calling us to do. Esther 4:14 for such a time as this. Don't miss your moment. Ephe 2:10 God has prepared good works in advance for us to do.

The body of Christ is in our hands what are we going to do with it? Let's not miss it, stay connected.

Rands and Sense - Financial Freedom

2011-09-18T23:02:00.000-07:00

18 September 2011

Brent Brading

Financial Freedom

Recap from part one

1) Gal 5:1 Jesus has set us free stand free and don't let yourself be yoked again by slavery, debt, greed and slavery
2) use your freedom and serve or lose your freedom to slavery. Gal 6:7 are you sowing to the sinful nature or towards the Spirit? 2 Cor 9:6-8 God loves a cheerful giver and he is able to make us abound.

Traps to freedom:

1)Greed

2)Poverty mentality

3)Debt (covered last week)

4)Unrighteous in our finances. Matt 6:33, Hag 1:6.
Types of unrighteousness: stingy, cheating with our tax, fraud, theft, bad business ethics. Where money has become there god.

Seek first his Kingdom.

5)A lack of financial unity in marriage. No financial agreement.
Hebrews 2:14, Prov.17:1 better a dry crust with bread and peace and quiet then feasting, with strife. Eph 5:31 the two will become one flesh. Separate accounts is not one flesh.

Potential marriages conflicts,

Spending patterns, are we being selfish with my money?
Manipulation and control, using our finances to hurt our spouse.
No communication or disclosure of financial position or situation.
No shared values or shared budget.
No leadership from the husband.
No financial vision.

Price Tag - Murdered

2011-09-12T03:50:00.000-07:00

11 September 2011

Brent Brading

Centre Stage:

John 19:16-37
One of the ironies of life is living in an age where man has taken centre stage. The irony is that never in the history of the world has there ever been so many depressed people.

Do we judge our self worth through others or through the eyes of our creator?

Have you ever serviced your car and then had a huge amount to pay and you want to know where all your money went. Jesus paid such a great price on the cross what exactly did he accomplish for us on the cross?

5 Old Testaments Pictures of Jesus death.

1) The fig leaves - Gen 3:7 Adam and Eve tried to cover up there nakedness. But it is impossible for man to save himself the fig leaves would never, the works of man will never do. We cannot cover up to appear our conscience. Is64:6 our righteous acts are like filthy rags. God had to cover their shame and nakedness. Heb9:22 everything needs to be cleansed with blood. Rom6:23

2) A son in sacrificed - Gen22:7-8 Abraham and Isaac. God himself will provide the lamb. The agony of the father willing to pay the ultimate price. It also shows the outworking of the covenant. The Father will provide the ultimate sacrifice.

3) The Passover lamb - Exodus 12:21-23 the blood of the lamb will cause the angel of death to Passover. John 1:29 Jesus is theLamb of God. And judgement is coming. Heb9:27-28 we will all face judgement.

4) The scape goat - Lev16:21-22 The sins of the people were placed on the goat and the goat carried them on itself into the desert. Heb 13:12-13 out side of the city Jesus carried our sins. Psalm 103:12 as far as the East is from the west so far has he separated our sin from us.

5) The snake on a stick - Num 21:7-9 those bitten by the snake run to the poll to look at the snake on the stick. We just need to look to Jesus and we will be saved. 2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. Jesus took on our sin and became like to snake to save us. Sin has a deadly nature. We are born with the venom inside of us. 1 Cor 15:55 where oh death is your sin. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus Heb 312:2.Look to Jesus.

Reasons Jesus died for us:

Because we can't save ourselves
Because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin
To complete full fill the new covenant
To show the price the Father was willing to pay
To show that God would supply the sacrifice Because Jesus knew there was a judgement coming Because He had taken the sin of the world on his own head
To separate us completely form our sin
He died to conquer the sting of death He died so that when we look to the cross we will live

We respond with the sacrifice of our lives and lips. Heb 13:15

Price Tag - Falsely accused

2011-09-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

4 September 2011

Brent Brading

Ultimate Price

John 19:1-16 How valuable are we to God? He paid the ultimate price for us His son. Rev - by His blood he purchased men for God. The pain and the price of being falsely accused, it is a hard to bear. Phil 2:6-8 Jesus gave up everything in obedience to His Father gets accused of blasphemy. This is part of the price Jesus paid.

Accusations

We can get labelled and can feel isolated with a true sense of justice. Jesus knows what that is like He is our High Priest who can empathize with us. Jesus also came to minister to the accuser. We can often jump to conclusions and make judgment, bring accusation. Pro 18:17 the first to present his case often seems right till the second gives their case.

How did Jesus respond to all the accusation when he rose? Acts 6:7 because of Jesus repines a great number of priest became Christians because Jesus ministered grace to the accusers.

Democratic Spirit

What about Pilot? Was Pilot going to stand up for what he believed in or was he swayed by the crowd. It is what I call a democratic spirit. When your destiny is in the hands of others. it is like being an approval addict. You need .people to like you and want to accept you. John 19:4 Pilot knew Jesus was innocent. But Pilot was an insecure man.

What are the characteristics of a democratic spirit?

1) Vs8 they are ruled by fear. Decisions are based on fear, failure, etc. 2 Tim 1:7 God did not give us a spirit of fear.
2) Vs9 they withdraw into their cave. Mat 25:24-25 This kind of insecurity stops us from taking risks.
3) Vs10 they get flustered when they are put on the spot to make decisions. They are always worried about letting people down.
4) Vs12 they are half hearted. They don't have the courage of their convictions. Pilot tried to set Jesus free... Not really he was just covering his tracks.
5) Vs12 they are easily threatened.
6) Vs16 they compromise. They are ruled by the will of others.

Theocratic

Truth and conviction is compromised. We live our lives to keep others happy. Addicted to approval. But there is hope Jesus was in the same boat. But Jesus knew his destiny was not in the hands of the people but in the hands of His Father. This revelation will bring security into the lives of the insecurity. Jesus had a Theocratic spirit. John 12:42-43 democratic. Matt 20:25-27 autocratic. Duet 33:27 Theocratic. Father my life is in your hands. The only words Jesus spoke were not to defend him but to correct Pilots Theology.

Whose hands is your destiny in? Maybe it's time for a re- election.

Price Tag - 2

2011-09-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

4 August 2011

Brent Brading

Investment Strategy

Do you know people who have been sucked into an investment scheme that just let's you down in the end. There was a church where they completely changed their investment strategy. Acts 4:34-35 There was no needed people among them. Those who owned lands and houses sold them and gave it to the apostles to be used. These were wealthy people who decided the best investment strategy is to invest in the Kingdom of God.

The foundation of our finances is Jesus.

Jesus was the tithe on our behalf. We don't live on a foundation but we need to build on that foundation. Malachi 3:10-12 the blessing spoken what does it actually mean? God is saying because of the tithe Jesus he will open the flood gates of heaven and bless our farming. The best farming environment has been given us.

How do we learn to become farmers?

If we were given the perfect farming environment what would we do? Start farming. We need to stop thinking like economist and accountants but as farmers.

1) You have to build on the foundation of Jesus.

2) God wanted a people how did he get it? Sowing and reaping. God had one seed Jesus and He gave Him to the world. John 3:16, Gal 6:7 God cannot be mocked He reaps what He sowed. Romans 8:29 God sowed His son and is reaping the world. Jesus Christ is the sowing and reaping of God. Sowing and reaping work. The whole earth is a garden and we now need to learn to farm it.

3) Have you watched the Perfect storm? It is where two storm systems converge. It is like the sowing and reaping converging with knowing that Jesus Christ is the very generosity of God. Generosity is giving your very best. God gave Jesus His very best. Romans 8:32 when it comes to sowing and reaping God controls the reaping side. 2 Cor 9:6 but we control the sowing side. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. We control the measure. Luke 6:38 the measure we use is the measure that will be measured to us.

4) So how do we apply these things to our lives?
How do you give? Mat 6:3,4 do it secretly.
We give cheerfully 2 Cor 9:7 – with Joy
Give generously 2 Cor 9:6

Where, to whom and what do we give?
To the poor, needy, orphans, levies, apostles, widows. All giving was done through trusted leaders. Acts 4:34,35; 1 Cor 16:1-2. Find leaders you trust to invest in and through into the Kingdom of God.
How much should we give? Give as much as you have got faith for but trust God to expand the grace on your life. 2 Cor 8:1-2. Give according to grace and not according to your means. Vs 7 see that you excel in the grace of giving. Learn to think in terms of percentage instead of amount. Mark12:41-44 Jesus and the widows mite. When you start aim at giving 10% work your way up to it. That is like subsistence farming. But it is not about how much do you want to give? Or is it how much do you want to reap. God wants to bless us.
When should we give? First, because if we wait till the end of the month it will not happen. It has to be a faith step. Mat 6:33.

5) Questions and answers.
What if I don't want to?
There are two parts to our heart flesh and spirit. The flesh will always fight you, but the Holy Spirit can quicken your heart to give because he is the most generous God in the universe.
We can’t even make ends meet so how then are we to live?
If you were a poor Farmer but had some seed what should you do? Eat the seed or take some for food and plant the rest. We can trust our Father and sow, think bigger picture and get some seed into the ground. 2 Cor 9:10-11 God supplies seed to the sower and bread for food.
How long does it take from sowing to reaping? It is not a set time, it can be instant other times it can take time. But God knows and he is responsible for the timing.
If I'm not earning what do I do?
Sow anyway Can I sow my time instead? Sow time reap time, sow money reap money.

How should we respond? Thank the Lord for setting us up for victory. Own these revelations.

Remember God is in charge of the reaping so let's go farming.

Price Tag - Misunderstood

2011-09-06T05:29:00.000-07:00

28 August 2011

Quinton Preen

Heavy Price to Pay

John 18:28-40

Why is being misunderstood a heavy price to pay? It was a big thing for Jesus because firstly he was asked what is truth? John 1:14 and John 16:1 and John 18:37 Jesus is the truth. Truth was defined in Jesus and Herod questioned that.

Is our truth subjective? Your truth may not be my truth. That is what the world wants to tell us. People are constantly questioning what is truth? But Herod should not have asked what is truth but who is truth. We need to turn our what questions into who questions. Remember Jesus is the answer to every question.

John 14:5-6 who is truth - Jesus says I am the way the truth and the life.

1) Jesus is the way
Hebrews 9:13-14 Vs 26-28, 10:8-10. In these verses Jesus is the way. In Genesis Adam and Eve where deported since then we have needed Jesus as our validity to get back into relationship with God.
2) Jesus is the truth.
Mat 5:18, 26, 6:2 He speaks the truth. He is the truth carrier; we are those who need to hear the truth. John 10:10 focuses on the who - Jesus the truth.
3) Jesus is the life.
John 10:10 I have come that you may have life. Psalm 23:1-6 our Shepherd - we need to focus on the shepherd and not on what he will do for us, for he will lead us to the good pastures.

How do we turn the what into the who?

John 16:7, 12-16 Jesus is the truth but the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of truth and he will always lead us to Jesus the truth. We need to let the Holy Spirit to guide us to Jesus. Allow the Holy Spirit to do His job.

A whole nother level

2011-08-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

Women's conference

Lucinda Dooley

20 August 2011

Whole nother level

Whatever your situation is God wants to do it for us. God want us to enlarge and keep taking ground. Gen1:27-28 fill the earth, fruitful, reign, multiply. God wants us to go to a whole nother level. Our confidence, faith, fruitfulness, capabilities, anything can go to a whole nother level. Mediocrity is not our portion in life.

One in a million

Numbers 13:27-33 God wants to take his people into the promised land. But out of the twelve spies 10 of them did not make it to a whole nother level. Only two made it Joshua and Caleb. What was it about them that took them to a whole nother level. We must want to be one in a million.

1) We need to see with a supernatural eye and not a natural eye. Vs28 are we seeing the giants or are we seeing the hand of God. Take your eyes off the giants and look for God's supernatural answer. We need to shift our dish. Move the receiver. Pick up God's supernatural solution. His ways and thoughts are high above ours we need to look to him and see Him. Is the glass half full or half empty? Our God is sovereign and with our great God all things are possible.

2) vs 30 Caleb tried to quiet the people. We are going to have to silence the wrong voices in our lives. We will have to silence the voices in order to live for God. People will always try and minimize what God has called us to do. Even our friends, family, church people will say stuff that wears us down. We need to silence the wrong voices. Listen the the voice and call of God not what others say. Know what God has called you to, live radically.

3) vs30 Caleb was sure, certain that they could conquer the enemy. Do not throw away your confidence.

4) Vs 32 They spread a bad report. But we need to see past that. Be those who are always able to bring a good report. Don't allow things to get into your heart. Stop the negative thoughts. Get a good perspective. We need to watch the negative monster and don't allow negativity to take hold of you. Don't surround yourself with negative people. Who you associate with will affect you. Guard your heart above all else. Bad company corrupts good character. Psalm19:14 let the words of your mouth and meditation of your heart be acceptable to God.

5) Vs 31 Never compare yourself. There will always be someone better, gifted, etc. 2 Cor 10:12 to compare yourself is unwise. We are all called to be in community and be together how then can we work together. God has made you, you unique gifted and talented. Be yourself.

6) Vs 32-33 What we believe will definitely affect what we receive. Our decisions will affect our families. We need to realize our thoughts and decisions are not about us but about all those around us. We can't make decisions and act in isolation. It is very important what we believe about ourselves. We can feel like grass hoppers. We are not that. We are called to rise up and conquer and to be mighty on the earth. What we think affects what we say, what we do and how we are perceived. This can go both way. We can only change the influences in our lives. Make the Bible our greatest influence in our lives. Romans12:1 take our ordinary life and place it before God. Fix your attention on God and you will be changed from the inside out. When we look in the mirror we should see what God sees and how he has made me. A warrior, a person of influence.

With our God all things are possible. Let's go to a whole nother level.

You are full of it

2011-08-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

Womans' conference

Lucinda Dooley

19 August 2011

You are full of it.

It is The potential that God has placed on our lives. Potential is what is possible, what we are capable of, being the capacity for growth and development. Our potential is enormous. We all have 24hours in the day rise up and use every minute for God's glory. We are all created in the image of God what amazing potential do we have because of that. We all have degrees of distinction but God is bigger than that. It is time to rise up like never before and take hold of the potential that God has placed in us.

2 Cor 6:11-13 open up your lives and live openly and expansively. We were never meant to be fenced in but to live free. When we walk in the room something should happen. The potential for our marriages and children is incredible.

3 Thoughts

1) God sees the potential in you even when you don't see it.
God looks past the externals to our hearts. God sees in us what no one else sees in us. His plans and visions for our lives are so much more than we could imagine. All we have to do is take whatever God has done in you see the potential in someone else and give away what you have got. Look past the exterior. Jer 1:5-8 when God looks at us he sees what we could be not what we are. We have to be each others greatest cheerleaders to encourage each other in the potential on our lives.

2) We are not ordinary but extra ordinary. " our deepest fear is that we are more powerful than we think we are" let your light shine. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is inside of us. Ephesians 2:10 we are a master piece. That is how Jesus sees us. We are not ordinary because the living God is inside of us. We have the resurrection power living inside of us.

3) We need to make a decision to fulfill the potential inside of us.
We need to decide now that no matter what the trial is that we are resolved to follow Jesus, no turning back. Hold the coarse God is not looking for our talents but that our hearts are fully committed to following Jesus. No matter what, keep rising up and pushing through to fulfill all that God has planned for our lives.

Psalm 1 delight in the law of the Lord then you will prosper in all you do. And you will bear fruit in each season. Do not follow the advice of the wicked. Where do you get your advise? Or stand in the seat of mockers, where do you position yourself? Where we stand makes a difference in our lives. Make time for the Word of God, love His word and he will keep speaking to you. We need to love the Bible. Delight is our pleasure longing and purpose is on the Word of God. Meditate is like a roar, to roar on the inside. God's word must roar on the inside of us.

God has only just begun with us.

Price Tag - Deserted

2011-08-22T05:22:00.000-07:00

22 August 2011

Brent Brading

How much are we worth to God?

John18:15-27 Simon Peter waited for Jesus outside the door when Jesus was taken. Peter denied that he was one of Jesus disciples.

The agony of abandonment.

Happens at the time when you need someone the most, you get abandoned. Peter let Jesus down like that. The good news is that Jesus is our High Priest and He does know what abandonment feels like. And He can sympathize with us and He was able to forgive the one who abandoned Him. When Jesus rose from the dead the first thing He did was go and restore Peter. John 21:15-17 three times Peter denied Jesus three times Jesus asked if Peter loved him. Then He placed His trust back in Peter.

Peter came to a revelation of Jesus. He realized that Jesus knows all things, Jesus knows the true you. Sometimes we don't even know ourselves but Jesus knows us. John 13:37 Peter said he would lay down his life for Jesus but Jesus knows the real us, He knew Peter would deny Him.

How does this revelation of Jesus knowing us, change our lives?

1) To fix it He needs to reveal them to us.

Often the parts that are the most broken are those that are hidden inside. Jesus needs to bring them to the surface so that He can heal them. John 8:36 If the Son sets you free you are free indeed. We don't know the extent of our brokenness. Peter was no lying he just did not know his own heart.
2 Deut 8:2-3 God tests us to know what is in our hearts. Not for His sake but for ours.

2) To be broken is a painful thing.

We sometimes don't know that the pain is for a reason. Like a child getting their vaccination. We don't always see that it is for a reason. When Jesus was next to him, Peter was brave and did wonderful things. But what happened when Jesus was not close. Even the girl at the door intimidated him. 1 Peter 2:8 a stone that makes men stumble or a rock that makes us fall. Will we let Jesus break us open.

3) How we respond in our brokenness is everything.
How do you think Peter left every time the rooster crowed. Angry, guilty and depressed. What did Peter do when he saw Jesus again. He jumped into the water and ran to be with Him. Both Judas and Peter would have felt similar but with two different responses. Our response in our brokenness can mean our greatest healing depending on our response. Turn to Jesus and run to Him.

What we do with the broken moments in our lives and see, how we truly are? These can be the times of greatest healing if we run to Jesus.

The First Quality

2011-08-22T04:56:00.000-07:00

22 August 2011

Brent Brading

When you receive a gift

In the moments when someone gives you a gift. What do you do? What does it feel like when you see something for the first time what comes to mind? What about how you feel about the church. How does scripture capture the moment of when the church was first born? Acts2:42 they devoted themselves.

Devotion

The first quality of the early church is that they were a people devoted. Devoted - loving and loyal, or given up to something. Devotion is loving something so much that you are willing to give up something for it. What are we devoted to.

Where did the early churches devotion come from?

It took a move of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can change a human heart. We need to be hungry for the Holy Spirit to touch us.
It takes a revelation of just how devoted Jesus was.
Primarily to His Father. Phil 2:6-8 He made himself nothing for the purpose of His Father.
He was also devoted to His Bride, us the church.Ephe 5:25-27 Jesus gave His life for us His bride.
Devotion can be robbed by the enemy. Matt6:24 when another master creeps into your heart. 2 Cor 11:13 our minds can be lead astray by the enemy. That is what happened to Solomon. 1 Chron 29:19, Eccles 1:13 Solomon lost the plot and devoted himself to study and not to God who gave him the wisdom. 1 Kings 11:14 Solomon's wives also turned his heart.

Don't give your devotion away.

What should we be devoted to?

Mark 12:30 we need to be totally devoted to God and to love Him with all our hearts. Eg like what happened with Abraham and Isaac.

1) To the Apostles teaching - we need to be devoted to His Word. Ezra7:9 was the first to coin the phrase of the gracious hand of God because he was devoted to God's Word. 1 Thess 2:13 . To be devoted to God's Word might mean you have to give up something for it; sleep, etc.

2) They were devoted to the Fellowship. The gathering and the people of God. 1 Cor 16:15.

3) Devoted to breaking bread. To purity of heart. Ezekiel 33:31 live purely before God. Living lives of repentance and reconciliation.

4) To prayer- prayer takes hard work and effort.

There is fruit to devotion.

Positive fruit - Matt 6:33. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.
Negative fruit - in the Old Testament sometimes God wanted the enemy to be fully devoted to God. What happened when we hold back on our full devotion? Joshua 6:17-18 when that did not happen and acted unfaithfully, God's anger burnt against them. They kept devoted things for their own possessions so God said they could not stand against the enemy until they gave back the devoted things. The Old Testament is there to warn us. We when let something steal our devotion to God there are consequences. We need to be fully devoted to God, or there will be damages and consequences. 1 Cor 7:35.

Price Tag - Betrayal

2011-08-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

14 August 2011

Brent Brading

The best and worst day in History.

How valuable are we to God

The day Jesus was murdered. It is such a frustration walking into a store and then there is no price tag on the item. What if we could scan ourselves to see how much we are worth. How valuable are we to God. Romans 3:23

Cup

John18: 1-14 sometimes we drink something not because of what is in the cup but because of who has given us the cup. Jesus drank the cup because His father gave it to him to drink. Sometimes the cup we have been given is nice hot chocolate but sometimes it is a cup of something not so nice. But when we know it is given to us by our Father who loves us we will learn to drink it no matter the cost.

What of this cup of betrayal? It can hurt more than death. Betrayal is one of the most painful emotions to feel. But Jesus went through that even to the point of forgiving the betrayer.

What went wrong with Judas that he got to the point of betraying Jesus?

1) Judas never really believed that Jesus was the son of God.
John6:63-64 even after walking with Jesus and seeing him heal and set people free.

2) Judas had a secret lust for money. Lust is for self satisfaction. John12:6 He was a thief, Jesus knew that but gave him the money anyway. He even tried to keep it from Jesus.

3) Then came the trigger, Judas was triggered by offense.
John12:4 he took offense because the woman poured perfume on the woman's feet. We wanted to money for himself and was offend because he was publicly scolded. Behind betrayal is the clash between lust and love.

4) Judas was given opportunity. The devil is great with his timing. He waits for an opportune time. Luke22: John13:27-28 these are the seeds of betrayal. Judas felt remorse but he did not repent. He did not go back to God and plead for mercy. Matt27:3-5 he felt bad but did not repent. Godly sorrow should lead us back to God.

Communication channels

The difference with Peter how did he respond to Jesus betrayal. The law of the first response what do we do with betrayal? Quick with the sword? Are we the aggressive type? Are we pragmatic? Are we the passive aggressive type? Get moody and negative. What happens when we pull out the sword the ear gets chopped off. Communication breaks down. Put your sword away. Jesus then reached out his hand and restored the persons ear. Jesus can restore the channels of communication.

The Father's will

How did Jesus respond to the betrayal? Jesus protected his friends, healed the enemy, and he drank the cup the Father had given him to drink. Part of receiving the glory of God is also drinking some of the suffering that comes with being a child of God. But we need to have faith that the lamb that was slain will become the glorious King. Jesus did not want the cup either but he drank it because it was the Fathers will.

Don't resist drink the cup but remember it has been given to us by the King of Kings who loves us and wants the best for us.

The son who thought he was a slave

2011-08-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

14 August 2011

Brent Brading

Sons
Luke 15:25-31

When we think of our dad it can have two different affects, either good thoughts or bad ones. But our father in heaven is only good.
We as believers know we are his sons but do we really live in that sonship? We are not just sons by status but through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit inside of us cries dad - Abba.
Through Christ we are now sons.

We can know this in our heads but do we know this in our hearts? What box have you been placed in that you should just break free from? What patterns of thinking are holding you back? God says now we are his sons.

Two symptoms of feeling like a slave

1) He was angry with his father because he felt his father was being unfair. God's ways are not our way and he does not and will not think like we do.
2) He was unhappy because he felt like his father was so demanding. But the son put the burden on himself not the father on the son. He felt like he never got to celebrate.

Three differences between sons and slaves

1) vs 29 slaves work for a master, sons work with their father. As we lead our Christian lives are we doing it for God or with God. Matt4:21 the sons of Zebedee worked with their father thats maybe why Jesus called them, they knew sonship. John8:29 even Jesus said he knew his Father is with them. Sons love working with their father.
2) vs29 slaves earn but sons inherit. It is not about our hard work but about our position as sons. Our inheritance has nothing to do with how much we do. The work we do, we do it because we passionately love Jesus. A slave thinks in terms of you as opposed to our. There is a sense of ownership. It's not just about your rules but about our shared values.
3) vs29 slaves have no authority sons have a growing authority. This son was waiting to gain something that were already his. It is about growing up not being fed anymore but learning to feed yourself. The father, hands over authority. We cannot live with a hand out mentality or with a passive mentality as we grow up in God we need to take responsibility, and stop thinking like children.

Relationship is the key to sonship. Children want to be with their father. We need to spend time with our heavenly father in order to know true sonship. This son in the story had a distant heart from the father he was always far from his father. His father had to go and find him.

Sonship is the key to resources. When we are with the father he makes everything available to us.

Romans8:32
God gave us his son how much more will he give us all things?

God's guide to good communication

2011-08-07T22:24:00.000-07:00

7 August 2011

Richard Schouten

What is communication?

Depositing part of yourself into another. John15:4 without God there is something missing. And it is the same thing in our relationships. Finding a way to say what we have to say. We cannot rely on people knowing what is going on in our minds.

Communication break down comes when Gen 2:25 there are things that are hidden. When there is no reason to protect yourself communication happens. But once Adam sinned there was a break down in communication. Our past experience can cause a break down in communication. We have filters and barriers to communication. We also have lenses that can interfere with communication. James 1:19 quick to listen slow to speak. No predictive texting. Slow to become angry, don't let the devil get a foothold of anger. Ecc 6:11 the more words the less the meaning.

The power of communication.

The power to build or the destroy. Peter speaking about Jesus at Pentecost everyone just understood. But at Babel God destroyed the speech to put the people back into place. Communication is good relationship food. That is in all relationships with each other and with God. 1 Peter3:8, John 13:34 commanded to love each other this takes communication.

How are we doing with our communicating?

It takes on going effort to communicate. It is God's will that we communicate well. Satan wants to destroy our communication channels. He wants to plant bombs that will get in the way. Things that automatically get in the way of communication, eg words like always and never.

Defuse the bomb first or build another bridge before the bomb goes off.
Anger Is a bomb, that can make us miss the promised land.
Past hurts can be a bomb. It obscures our view.
Our own self worth- were we can be intimidated and afraid to speak. False beliefs from others put onto us. Pride- not willing to be vulnerable. Arrogance can cost us not willing to listen to the truth, when something can be done better if we just listen.

Simple communication:
Believe in the word of God that says; Eph 4:15 speak the truth in love. If we speak the truth in love we will communicate better. Truth without love will wound, find the right way to say things. Love with out truth will never allow for growth in the relationships.
It takes time, practice and patience.
Defuse the bombs before they destroy.
Use the tools of humility, love and patience.
Be aware of your body language.
Humbly with your hands and lovingly with your lips.
Patiently with our eyes and ears. Help me understand.

Just do it just like Jesus.

Vision - 3: Connected to your call

2011-08-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

7 August 2011

Brent Brading

Raising the bar

Eph 4:1Have you ever wondered in life if there is a bar that you need to clear? Like a high jump bar. Or a morality bar for getting into heaven? No Jesus did that for us. Col1:10 but we can lift up our lifestyle to be worthy of Jesus. Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Jesus is the bar for us and so is our calling. But God does not set the height of our bar we do. Phil 3:16 we must live up to what we have already attained.

How do we live up to the calling we have received?

Eph 3:7-9 the heart of calling is service, by God's grace, and empowered by Him. What grace has God given you to serve Him? We are first called to BE something, our character, remember the bar is Jesus. God to has given us specific grace. Eph 4:11-13 it is to build up the body for the King and His Kingdom. 1 Peter 4:10 each one should use the gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering the gift received.

How does calling work with the work we do?

Around our calling is a boundary fence of things we needs to take care of.

1) God has called us into salvation. 1 Cor 1:9, 1 Peter 2:9 called to take care of our relationship with Jesus. We need to be growing in the relationship.
2) We are also called to stewardship 1 Tim 5:8 over everything that we have to look after.
3) We are called to mission Mat 4:19 from fishermen to fishes of men. Mat5:14-16 let your light shine to bring glory to God. We are to be urban missionaries. Bring glory to God even when under pressure.
4) Ministry- all called to minister full time. It is not just a Sunday thing. All week we are called to be minister of Christ. There should be no distinction between the clergy and the laity 1 Cor 12:7 for each one the working of the Holy Spirit has been given for the common good.

We are to mission out there but also to minster to each other. But there is a danger that can slip into our lives. What happens if something else becomes a focus? Like career then calling is excluded. But when calling is the focus everything else like career and family fit. When anything other than calling is the focus then things get out of kilter.

Statements to fulfill calling:

1) I believe that Jesus is passionately in love with His church.
Are you?
2) Jesus wants to display His glory through the church. Eph 3:10.
Do you?
3) We all have a role to play in building the church. Eph 4:16.
What are you doing?

Kids Compassion

2011-08-05T06:04:00.000-07:00

31 July 2011

Brent Brading

How do you convey Jesus compassion?

Mat 9:36 Jesus had compassion on the crowds.
Kids are busy studying crowns of character. We are looking at the character of Jesus and today it is compassion.
Compassion: care and tender hearted. It is feeling sad with someone enough to go and help them. Lam 3:22-23 compassion is a heart that wants to help people. His compassion never fails they are new every morning.

Bartamas who was blind begging for money. Jesus walked by and heard Someone calling him. The crowd wanted to keep him quiet. But he shouted louder. Jesus stopped and called him, He had compassion on him and healed him. Jesus gets sad when we get sad and helps us.

He even had compassion on us when he died for our sins. The died so that we could be reconciled to Jesus.
What do we do when we see someone bullying in the playground?
Join in the taunts or go and help them.

Let's us show those around us compassion.

VISION

2011-08-03T03:07:00.000-07:00

31 July 2011

Brent Brading

Values reminded of at Hillsong. Connect people with Christ and your calling..

Vision

Remember what Jesus died for.Luke19:10. Jesus vision to seek and save that which was lost. Our vision is to connect people with Jesus. But we don’t do it alone. We are all links in the chain. Pray for the unsaved, set an example, get involved in the church to welcome people in. Focussing on the unsaved must never leave behind the older Christians. It is all about knowing our place and doing what Jesus has called us to.

The Heart of the call

A vertical vision is not enough, not enough just to connect people to Christ but it is also about connecting Christians with their calling. The heart of the call of God on your life can be a profound thing, an amazing encounter with God. Eg. Samuel, Paul, Billy Graham. Or it can be just letting the word of God speak to you. Often the clearer the call the greater the price to pay. This thing of calling can be glamorous, but we need to de glamour fy it. Our calling is a grace empowered service. It is nothing we have earned. We work with the Holy Spirit and He does the heavy lifting. But it is a service and it means we become a servant.

Walk in the call of God

To walk in the call of God we need to give ourselves in the service of God and His church. How many of us want to walk in the call of God on our loves? How many of us are willing to become a servant for Christ and His church. Are we still on board with the vision of the church. How do we start? Simply start serving. Ask what you can do to help. God has arranged the body just as He wants us to be. But it is easier to direct something that is moving than a blob. God will then begin to arrange the body as He sees fit. Don’t be scared to start small and do anything.

How do we go about it?

Have a revelation of Jesus the servant. Mat20:28, Phil2:6-7 Jesus made Himself nothing to serve us. All called to serve no job too low for us.
Understand the point of service. We do it as an act of worship to God. It is about giving our lives to God. Eph6:7, Rom 12:1 give ourselves to God.
We got to make a decision. Put off pride and just serve. Sometimes there is something more valuable than money and that is time.
Try and start at the very bottom the job no one else wants to do. We never out grow service, start where there is a need.

Andrew Murray: "the way to step us is to step down".

Serving is much more fun when we are doing it as a team.

Calling is where we find fulfillment and significance.

Healing

2011-08-01T02:18:00.000-07:00

31 July 2011

Brent Brading

Practical Faith - Healing

James 5:13-20

What do you do when you are sick?

Call the elders or look for the physical solution? Sick, in James, means feeble lacking power or impotent. When you are sick the initiative lies with you and not the elders.

Why is this important?
It takes faith, your faith.

Authority:

Why do we call the elders? Mark16:17 anybody who believes can lay hands. In this scripture it is talking about authority. Authority and faith are very closely linked. God's power flows through authority. Act10:38 those who need healing are under the power of the devil. It is not just a medical thing but a spiritual thing.
Matt 8:5 healing is about authority. It takes faith to understand authority. Faith is needed in the sick and in the one who is praying. Anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
The oil is the picture of the sheep and the shepherd. Psalm23 the oil was to keep the ticks off the sheep and soothed their skin.
The oil also represents the Holy Spirit to bring the power of God. The prayer of faith releases the power of God. This is not a maybe but a promise of God. Faith will make the sick person well. It is not our prayers but Jesus who will raise them up. It may not be an instant thing, it's not always the timing as for Jesus it was 3 days but for the cripple it was instant. Hold on, not to what we see but to what God's word says.

Unconfessed Sin:

In some cases the root of the sickness is sin. But not in all cases. Often physical things are a result of a spiritual thing. E.g. unconfessed sin. What door may you have left open for the enemy? Psalm38:3 what happens on the outside is linked to the inside. Therefore confess your sins and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. John9:2-3 it is not always sin but a means by which to display God's glory.

The confession of sin releases us from satan's clutches

Faith:

The prayer of faith in Jesus 1Peter2:2, Col 2:15 Jesus has won the victory for our healing.
The prayer of the righteous man. Those who understand that we stand in the authority of Christ.
1 Cor 1:30, 2 Cor 5:21. Jesus is our righteousness. It is also the prayer of the humble man. The Bible shows that even EIijah was just like us. 1 Peter 5:12 It's ernest prayer. 1 Kings18:42-44 we just have to keep praying. Seven times Elijah went back and prayed. Just keep praying.

God of exceedingly abundantly more

2011-07-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday, 17 July 2011

Kate Brading

He started by showing me He knows where I’m at
Then told me He wants to overwhelm and that I need faith to receive it
He spoke into my identity and accepted me in spite of me
He showed me the beauty of His presence
And reminded of the great privilege to lead
He feeds me from His bread of life
Each word He spoke a seed
He released me from having to be perfect and something that I’m not
He told me to focus on my gifts and not what I can not
He taught me how to put margins into my life to rest
To spend time focused on His Word to truly be blessed
He showed me that even good things need boundaries to stop them becoming sin
He Healed my Heart to worship that I might sing again
By His kindness not his Heavy hand He led me to repent
And now I’m walking in His light alive and free, content
He showed me He knows my Heart but will give me what I need
Then He opened doors for me fulfilling both desirer and my needs
He showed me that with patience I’ll gain access to the presence of my King
He taught me it’s not the songs, or words or team- that makes me sing
He showed me that I have this IT the thing for which I’m called.
And that I should use it boldly for the Glory of the Lord.
He gave me space to run amid the busyness of life
To see the beauty of the world, He gave fullness of life
He showed me that He has every aspect of life covered for me and for my man
He told me how not to listen to satan’s endless harangue
Not to focus on the lows or the Roosters crows that want to resound above the Spirits flow
He drowned out the voice of the enemy when His wind blows He sets me free
He knows our every Heart’s desire but does not leave it there,
He blesses us in doing them just to show how much He cares
God has made a place for me the same is true for you
And I am in His place for me and my being different is His will too.

VOLUNTEERS

2011-07-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday, 17 July 2011

Brent Brading

Clear Vision

When one is walking through a dense jungle it’s hard to see where you are going, but climb a tree and you gain perspective and can see where you are going. Hillsong was like that. It gave perspective and focus. Not huge changes but little adjustments to keep us on track.

I wear glasses - In the optometrists chair when you are looking at the letters they put lenses in front of you till your vision becomes clear. For us as at church we know that God has called us to seek and save the lost. And that vision once again has come into focus and has become clear. For the Hillsong conference there were 4000 volunteers. Deep inside their hearts of every volunteer there is a clear emphasis to connect the lost to God. Every one of the functioning groups at Hillsong were doing there best to connect the lost to Christ.

Connecting People with Jesus

It is clear in scripture that the lost are the focus. John3:16, Luke 19:10, Mat4:19, Mark16:15. Vision is powerful it defines our priorities. We must make it easy for people to connect with Jesus. Everything we do we need to ask how we can connect people with Jesus. The car park guys, yours could be the first face they see when they come to church. Are we conveying Jesus to people right from the get go. Worship guys make sure you connect the unsaved with Jesus. Kid’s ministry. In every area we function in our goal is to connect people to Jesus.

Vision defines what the score board looks like. It’s not about whether everyone is happy. That is not a vision to die for. A vision to die for is to connect people to Christ. That is what it is all about.

When we understand the vision we will know the process of how to get there. Salvation does not happen normally on its own. There is normally a chain of events that lead to some ones salvation. You could be a link in that chain. We are all part of the chain but the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. We need to learn to do what we do with the right focus.

Rewards

To buy into a vision we need to know it is rewarding. And getting people saved is that. It is significant rather than selfish. It is rewarding because it is eternal rather than temporary. The only thing we can take with us to heaven is people. It is rewarding because is leads to rejoicing. Luke 15:10

Doubling and Motivation

2011-07-04T23:56:00.001-07:00

22 June 2011

Leaders Forum

Brent Brading

Joshua 13 and14.

Doubling

Having faith for double in all areas in the life of the church. Capacity, needs, people, fruitfulness, etc. Double the faith to see these things happen. Ask God to double our capacity for the things of God. Josh13:1 there are still many lands to be taken over. Our job is not complete. This is a faith challenge, don’t settle down. Let Jesus stir something inside of us. 14:10-12 Caleb I am just as vigorous to go out to battle. Have you still got that vigor inside of you to extend the Kingdom of God? Let Jesus stir you. Gal 6:9 Don’t become weary in doing good because in due time you will reap a reward. Don’t slip into a maintenance mode. Joshua 15 vs 16-17

Motivation

Need volunteers to throw open doors for the Kingdom Of God. What motivation do you need to step out of your comfort zone and take ground for the King? Is our love for Jesus enough to motivate us? Vs18 the daughter asked for a field and for springs. With a fresh inheritance we need a fresh spring to go with it. Ask God for it. Vs 63 Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites so they lived with them. Looking at your heart are there things that instead of dislodging them you have learnt to just live with them. Co- lodge with things that are not God’s desirers. This is not God’s will on our lives we need to change our Theology for a truly Biblical one. Joshua 16:10 They did not try and dislodge the people but used them as forced labour. They did not even try. Right there they sentenced their children to many battles. Are there things in our lives where we just don’t address them because they feel convenient to us?

Let Jesus stir you today to take new ground, fight till break through, deal with hidden areas that we are just ignoring.

Four ideas to be intentional about.
1) Be intentional about hearing God.
2) Be intentional about developing and fanning into flame the gift God has given you.
3) Be intentional about trying to multiply yourself.
4) Be intentional about pursuing satisfaction in God. At the heart of every sin is a dissatisfaction with God. Then you won’t be driven but drawn.

Dummies Guide to Wisdom

2011-06-22T05:50:00.000-07:00

19 June 2011

Brent Brading

What does Biblical wisdom look like?

James 3:13-18

Computer operating system is the controlling software that sort out all the other programmes and machine work. E.G. Windows.
Our hearts have an operating system as well it is wisdom. We need to switch from an earthly wisdom to a heavenly one.

1)Wisdom that comes from heaven – Jesus and the Holy Spirit came down from heaven.
2)Earthly wisdom nonspiritual – pragmatic based on seasoning, logical.
3)Of the devil – wisdom always aligns it ‘self to something. It can align us to self.

Solomon in Proverbs 1:7 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Any other wisdom is of the devil. Only one kind of wisdom aligns it self to heaven.

What is our wisdom aligned to?

1) The Seed
Heavenly wisdom the seed is from heaven, an external wisdom a gift that is given. It always points to the glory of God. James1:5 we can ask God for wisdom. 2Chron1:10-12 God gave it to Solomon, it is not about intellect or experience. 1Cor12:8 wisdom from the Holy Spirit

Earthly wisdom comes from self.

2 ) The Root

Heavenly wisdom's root – is in humility 1Cor12:13, Prov15:33, 22:4 it is not about putting ourselves down but on putting the focus on God.
Earthly wisdom's root – bitter envy and selfish ambition. About us getting ahead and bring the best.

3)The Fruit

Heavenly wisdom bears fruit – Godly wisdom is very fruitful, with wisdom comes all the other things. Biblical wisdom is more about what is seen then heard. Fruits of this wisdom goodness it is pure, peace loving, considerate, Luke7:35 wisdom is proved right by her children.

Earthly wisdoms fruit - is disorder (a lack of good government and no peace) and every evil practice. 1Cor14:40, Col2:5 Orderliness is a sign of Good government. Earthly wisdom has a distinct lack of peace.

4) Pruning
John15:1,2 Earthly wisdom needs to just be cut off.

5)Sowing
Godly wisdom is to be sown.

What kind of operating system is running in your life Godly wisdom or earthly wisdom?

Weapons of war: Prayer as a weapon

2011-06-22T01:03:00.000-07:00

19 June 2011

Brent Brading

Acts1:14 Constantly in prayer
Acts2:42 Devoted to prayer.
Acts4:24 Cried out to God in prayer.
The early church was gripped with a passion to pray. They were earnest, attentive and vocal in prayer.

As a church our revelation of prayer seems not to be to strong. To see more of the power of God in the church we need to be convinced of the power of prayer and get praying. Acts12:1-7 Peter in jail as the church was earnestly praying for him. He was facing persecution but the church was praying.

We are surrounded by needs in our families and city, what if the church was earnestly praying for them? Elijah was a man who understood prayer. James 5:16-18, 1 Kings18:42-45 prayer with his head between his knees continually till he saw God’s will coming into being.

Three things that build our revelation of prayer:

1) The disciples became earnest prayers after the Holy Spirit was poured out. Before that they feel asleep when they should have been praying. Eph 6:18, Rom8:26 the Spirit helps us to pray. It is about offering ourselves a vessel of prayer for the Holy Spirit to use.
2) Effective prayers cheat. They only ask God for things that they already know God wants for them to pray. They pray for God’s will to be done. James4:3 we will not get what we want when we ask with the wrong motives. Earnest prayers ask for what God wants. Spiritual warfare is the clash of two wills. Earnest prayer is faith based prayer. Mat21:22
3) Effective prayers never stop praying till the job is done. For Peter they never stopped praying till God opened the doors for him. For Jesus three hours till he was convinced of what he had to do, total surrender. Mat26:44. Dan10:12-13 continued 21 days till the angel was released to come and help. Persevere till the prayer is answered. Luke18:1-8 the widow looking for justice from the unjust judge. Her persistence gained her justice. Earnestly pray till we see the break through.

Earnest prayer is powerful and effective and if we want to see more of God’s power released we need to avail ourselves to being earnest prayers for the King and His Kingdom.

Weapons of War: God’s Word as a Weapon

2011-06-20T02:38:00.000-07:00

12 June 2011

Brent Brading

What is spiritual warfare – what is this war really about?

Jesus taught us to pray:

Mat 6:9 "This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
Mat 6:10 your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

In a nutshell spiritual warfare is about:
- getting God’s will to be done in our lives and on earth
- extending Jesus’ Kingdom, His rule and reign

Here are some warfare scriptures:
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Spiritual warfare is against spiritual forces wanting the devil’s will, not God’s will to be done

2Co 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
2Co 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
2Co 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Spiritual warfare is against demonically inspired thought patterns and ideas designed to block people understanding and obeying God’s will

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Spiritual warfare is against doubts and fears that keep us from walking by faith in God’s will
Mat 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

Spiritual warfare is to displace the way of the world (demonically inspired ideologies and ways) with God’s ways
Mat 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Mat 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Spiritual warfare is about using the revelation of God to overcome the ways of the world

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS THE CLASH OF GOD’S WILL AND SATAN’S WILL IN OUR THINKING AND SOCEITY

You think that spiritual warfare was when everything seems to go wrong!
- the car breaks down, you lose your job, your health takes a knock, the kids manifest like demons
- no, those are called HARDSHIPS – and God uses those to mature us

Jas 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Jas 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Jas 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
- hardships test faith, force us to endure and so we grow up as stronger men and woman of faith

Heb 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Heb 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
- hardships train us to hold onto God’s Word under pressure which produces righteousness and peace in our lives

HARDSHIPS ARE NOT SPIRITUAL WARFARE, BUT ARE OFTEN THE BATTLEGROUND FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE-
it is often when we are under pressure that the devil’s will and ways seem so much easier and preferable to God’s

HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

1.TEMPTATION – when the devil is trying to extend his kingdom by getting you to do his will instead of God’s will. Devil’s goal is to get you to SIN
2.REVELATION – when God is wanting to extend His Kingdom by revealing His will and ways that expose old ungodly thinking and ideas. God’s goal is to get you to REPENT

SPIRITUAL WARFARE ULTIMATELY HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH WILL AND WAYS, TRUTH AND LIES
WHICH IS WHY THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD, IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT WEAPON

LEARNING HOW JESUS USED GOD’S WORD IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

LUKE 3:21 – 22 & 4:1 - 15
PRE-BATTLE:

1. Jesus is baptized (3:21)
• Baptism is symbolic of our submission and surrender to Jesus – by faith embracing his work on the Cross for us
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• Spiritual warfare must be fought from a place of submission to Jesus

• Also, baptism symbolizes our CLEANSING from sin
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
• In spiritual warfare you MUST CHOOSE WHOSE SIDE YOU ARE ON!

2. Jesus hears His Father speak (3:22)
• The ‘Word of God’ became a voice from heaven – logos becomes rhema
• Heard God speak into his IDENTITY, STRENGTH & ACCEPTANCE
• Jesus was literally ‘under the word’ – God’s word is God’s authority
• In spiritual warfare you only have authority to the degree that you are under authority
• Quoting scripture at the devil doesn’t work – he knows it better than you and can quote it back faster!
• Can’t use the Bible as an authority over the devil if the Bible doesn’t have authority over you!

3. Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit (4:1)
• This is one of the most important points – what we are about to see is that the Bible is a weapon, but not our weapon!
Eph 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
• Whose sword is it? It belongs to the Holy Spirit – so if you want success best we be full of the Spirit!
• Spiritual warfare is spiritual – we need to be full of the Spirit

ARE YOU READY FOR BATTLE?
• Submitted to Jesus
• Confessed all known sin
• Hold the Bible as the authority of your life
• Full of the Spirit

BATTLE:

4. Jesus was led into the desert (4:1)
• Deserts are not the place you want to live! Deserts represent LACK – thirst, fruitlessness, barrenness, hunger
• It is where the FLESH IS NOT HAPPY - HARDSHIPS
• Could be financial desert, relational, spiritual, emotional etc.
• So why did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus in?

Deu 8:2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
Deu 8:3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD .

• Deserts are not DESTINATIONS but CROSSING POINTS to get you to what God wants for your life
Luk 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

• Spiritual warfare usually takes place when your flesh is not happy, but is a crossing point to get you to where God wants you to be

5. Jesus was there for 40 days of tempting (4:2)• Spiritual warfare could be for a day, a season or a lifetime!

Eph 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Deu 8:2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

• Cant avoid the desert, but can influence the length of the stay!
• Spiritual warfare is not about quoting the right scripture but holding to the scripture till the test is over
• For some that is a season, for some a lifetime!

6. Jesus heard the devil speaking (4:3)
• Always wondered if he was there as a scaly fire breathing dragon or a whisper in his mind
• The devil uses our own thoughts to speak to us

Jas 1:14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

• What did the devil say?
o Give your flesh what it wants – you deserve it!
o Make a deal with the devil and get the glory!
o Let’s see if God really is as faithful as He says He is

Gal 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

• Spiritual warfare is about the clash of two wills

7. Jesus answered with the Word (4:4)
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double--edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

• This is why it is such a great idea to devote your life to the study of the Word of God
• God’s Word is LIVING, ACTIVE, SHARP, PENETRATING, DIVIDING, JUDGING, UNCOVERING• Everything the devil does is to CONFUSE, DISTORT, DISTRACT, DECEIVE, CLOUD THE ISSUE
• The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, the WORD OF GOD, reveals God’s will, exposes the root
• Spiritual warfare is about holding onto God’s Word, under extreme pressure, for dear life – by the amazing help of the Holy Spirit

• Spiritual warfare is not just about quoting scripture but holding onto the truth of scripture until the test has passed

POST BATTLE:

8. Jesus returns in power (4:14)• Sometimes the devil may flee – instant victory
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• Sometimes the devil may just eventually leave – persevering victory
Luk 4:13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

But when he leaves you walk in a new level of power and fruitfulness!

Eph 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

You and I have to TAKE IT

we will face spiritual battles
we have been given the weapons to fight them and win
let’s take up the bible like never before:
read it
submit to it
filled with the Spirit
hold onto it
and walk into our inheritance!

Real Faith

2011-06-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

5 June 2011

Brent Brading

Thess1:8 be a church of faith – “your faith has become known everywhere”
Col 2: Faith is what is important to God.
Heb11:6 without faith it is impossible to please God.
You faith is of greater worth than gold.

Our faith could either be alive or dead. We need to assess our own hearts. Between what we claim and what is really real. We often miss understanding real faith. It is not merely belief but has action to it. Real faith has action to it. But our righteousness is not based on what we do. People also got lazy and let their faith die. It takes spiritual and emotional effort to keep our faith. It means fighting off fear, logic, experience…

The work of God is to believe in the one He sent – Jesus. It is the fight of faith. When God says: we need to do in spite of what the circumstances are saying. But it takes a spiritual and emotional effort. Is you faith living or dead what are you claiming verses what is real.

How do we know the difference between real faith and presumption?
E.g. counterfeit money people were trained to tell the difference by the feel of the note.

James gives us examples of real faith in scripture.
• Real faith is a whole lot more than words. It has action, steps that have an effect. Is our faith just talk, thoughts or is it action. Faith needs to be accompanied by action.
• Real faith has two components. Belief and action and not just belief and emotion. Even the demons believed and had an emotional response. Abraham on the other side believed and actioned by offering Isaac on the alter. Heb11:17-19 Abraham believed in the promise and trusted God with His son. The result was it was credited to Abraham as righteousness. Vs24 justified by what he does not faith alone? The work of Jesus justifies us fully. Faith is enough but real faith has action attached to it. Eph2:8-9
• Practical examples believing that the following statements are real: If you believe this … then you should be doing that…
If you believe…
That Jesus died on the cross because he loves us then…
 Stop holding onto sin
 Embrace the fact that you are clean in God’s sight
 Let go of the feelings of sin and condemnation
 See yourself as loved and cleansed
 Let go of offenses
That Jesus is alive and the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and is coming back for us.
 Then we should bow down and worship Him
 Surrender to His Lordship ,full obedience and service
 You’ll put His kingdom before our own
 Trust His provision and protection
 Would study His ways and walk in His will
That God wants to provide for His children.
 Then we can turn over our finances to Him
 To be generous, laying up treasures in heaven
 Live debt free and according to scripture –
we choose the measure for God to fill through our faith and generousity.
That God really heals.
 Then we will pray first before we go to the doctor.

Faith requires ACTION – we are to be do-ers not just talkers. We need to have faith adrenaline, pump with zeal and excitement about faith steps, if it is not out of your comfort zone then is it really faith? Time to walk on the water. Gal 5:6 The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

FAITH = ACTION driven BY LOVE

Lazy Believers - James

2011-06-11T11:51:00.000-07:00

29 May 2011

Errol Atterbury

James2:17-19 you believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.

What do the words faith and belief have in common? They are very similar Greek words.
Belief – “pissuo” - to have faith in believe in and trust Him.
Faith- “pisstus” - persuasion a conviction of truth.
We can know something but have no mental agreement with the truth. We need to grow up in our faith. Believing is good but we need to grow up into faith.

What is faith? Heb11:1 being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Being persuaded without the evidence. Perceiving as real fact that which has not impacted the senses. Faith needs to be without seeing, feeling, touching, tasting. Faith is holding fast till it sticks. Like gluing on the donkeys ears just need to hold them on for a little longer. Rev1:7 when all see Jesus they will believe, but that is not faith. We need faith in order to get saved. Does God’s Word fully persuade you?

Faith without action is dead. Faith is dead when we are not exercising it in helping others and meeting the needs of others. Deed faith is speaking about something but not acting on it.

We prove our faith by our actions. No one can consistently live with a belief and not act upon it. What we believe impacts on our behavior. Faith that is alive is demonstrated by practical caring and generousity. Is the Kingdom of God being advanced by our faith? Faith is an action. Actions speak louder than words. After all is said and done let us hope that all that was said is done.

Worship Training - Part Two

2011-06-07T03:07:00.000-07:00

21 May 2011

Wikus Stander

The Prophetic in worship.

Psalm 8:1-9 Lord How majestic is your Name. Great theology precedes great worship. Vs4 what is man that you are MINDFUL of him – to mark, to recognise him? One of the marks of God’s people is that we are prophetic.

Reason for it:

Acts2: God wants everyone to prophesy, to bring clarity and revelation. To be prophetic is not to be predictive. It encompasses all the things above. It is to hear God and to tell others what God is saying. 1Cor12: 1-4,14:1-4 for the peoples strengthening, encouragement and comfort and edify the church. 19 instruct vs26 everyone has a hymn… all for the strengthening of the church. The prophetic builds us up. Clarity, it must be clear – shouldn’t need interpretation!

To instruct – to inform and teach, To ‘echo’ what has been said before – the scriptures. We echo the truth of the Bible. We need to sing scripture and doctrine the truths of the scripture.
To reveal – to take off the cover. Open things up to us.
The prophetic is good to be filtered through the leadership of the church.

Wise ways to handle the prophetic. Treat it like being a postman. Bring it and deliver it don’t fiddle with the message. If they can’t sing well let someone else sing it. Be open handed with the prophetic words we receive. Realise that our own devotions may not be what the church needs to hear. If it is directional then give it to the elders during the week. Make sure if there is a tongue there is an interpretation of it. Words of knowledge should be used in worship too. Don’t stop worship for small individual words. A weakness in the prophetic will result in a weak and un-built up church.

Expect the unbeliever in the Sunday meetings and make sure that the worship represents God well, in an extraordinary way. Each one must have something, but not each one gets to share.

The Strength of worshipping Him:

Exuberant worship

We need to not be able to contain ourselves in God’s presence. I give God what He does deserve because He gave us what we don’t deserve.

1) Tool:
Not having the right tools is very frustrating. But God has given us the right tool for worship, our body. Love God with your heart, soul, mind and strength and they are all packaged into one, in the body. From the lips of children you have ordained strength. God given strength.

2) Trademark:
We are made in God’s image He has placed His trademark on us. The body and soul are intricately related. The Greeks indulged in what ever the body wanted, they idolized the body. The Bible tells us our body are instruments of worship. The Greek philosophy has crept into our thinking. We don’t have to do anything, inactivity. But our body should express what is going on, on the inside. Jesus set the example by becoming man. He gave His body as a living sacrifice.

3) Temple:
What is man that God would care for us, or to visit us. John2 Jesus says you break down this temple and in three days I will rebuild it. Jesus showing that His body is the temple of God and we will worship together there. Old Testament, the presence of God would only fill the Temple every now and again. But the presence of God was always on Jesus. 1Cor6 Jesus became the temple so that we could become the temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus made it possible for us to receive the Holy Spirit. Fully immersed in the Holy Spirit in GOD. When God inhabits us we need to be radical in God’s presence. Psalm33:1 to be at home. You don’t visit your home, the righteous are at home in the presence of God.

Worship Training - Part One

2011-06-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

21 May 2011

Wikus Stander

1 Chron25:1-31

1)You are a Brother before you are in a band: vs7 there were literally relatives, a close brotherly connection to the team and to each other.

2) Your Character qualifies you: vs1 there is a ministry weight to it. It is the second most prominent part of church life. Make sure that our lives are imitatable (able to imitate). They will copy your music taste, your dress, how you speak. It is a profile position so you will be copied. You need to learn how to handle the profile. Both the positive and the negative comments. Character involves your internal, heart, soul and mind even being true to your emotions. But don’t be a slave to them, be true to God - He is always good. Be able to worship despite the circumstances. If you find that you are up and down emotionally then you need to muscle up and get them under control. You pick your weather – choose to be happy.

3) Proficient: vs7 all of them trained and skilled. Always give your best and look out for each other giving their best. Malachi 1 the priests were giving their second best and it made God angry. When we always give our best then God will give us more. When we are faithful with the small God will give us more. Ex36 Bezahal and Aholium – God enables them to be creative. God will anoint you to be able to teach others. Then you will grow in your gifting too. Look at your church and realise that there is a standard of music in the church. Don’t set the bar to high or to low and try to always lift the general standard. Don’t get offended if you need to be part of the team.

4) Willing to worship: What does a worshipper look like?

A) Serve – behind the scenes, a bond servant, someone willing to labour without wages. Even his time is not his own. He treats everything his masters. God choose every skilled person and just those who were willing to do the work. Don’t be a bear minimum believer, give your all in serving.

B) Be willing to sow in seclusion – send time seeking God, worship is a journey start walking the road early in preparation. Lead worshippers must have spent time in the presence of God. Arrive at any meeting with a song in your heart.

C) Plowing in public- wear your heart on the sleeve.

Battling - Fighting Back

2011-05-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

29 May 2011

Brent Brading

Preach not for life enhancement but Kingdom advancement. Make Jesus the center of everything. It’s not about us. If we are not focused on Jesus then we are not focused.

With a greater impact comes greater opposition. We are safe next to our Dad, our Father in heaven. When we are humble. Sin gives satan authority – repent and turn to Jesus and live in His righteousness.

Fighting back – the weapon of praise.

2 Chron20:1 The enemy was attacking Jehoshaphat. But he turned straight to God, not knowing what to do, yet he fixed his eyes on God.

1) Vs15 Realise that the battle is God’s and not ours. We need to understand that we have a covenant with God. His enemies are ours and ours are His. God is on our side. Rom8:31 If God is for us who can be against us. God is with us. It’s not about our performance but about our great God. Jesus is perfect in everyway on our behalf. Rom12:19 leave room for God’s wrath and God’s solution.

2) Vs16 March down against them. Take up your position and see the deliverance God will give you. Stand up in faith. Jesus did not come to make us safe but to make us brave. We need to face up to the battle and stand strong in faith. 1Tim6:12 fight the good fight of faith. In vs7:9 if you do not stand firm in your faith you will not stand at all.

3) Vs18 Learn humble dependence and not arrogant independence. Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground. 1Pt5:6 humble yourself under God’s mighty hand.

4) Vs19-24 Then you have to start praising. They praised God with very loud voices. As they began to sing the Lord sent ambushes against the enemy. And no one escaped God’s wrath. 1Thess5:18 give thanks in all situations, for this is God’s word to you. Praise releases power.

5) Vs25 The Plunder of Praise. There was so much plunder it took three days to collect it. You need to fight first and then you will collect the plunder. Rom14:17 The Kingdom Of God is full of righteous ,peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

6) Vs26 They meet in the valley of Berecah- the valley of praise. Valleys can always feel like low points in your life. Joel3:14 the valley of decision. We need to turn those valleys into valleys of praise.

7) Vs27-30 Peace comes after winning the battles. God gave him rest on every side. Don’t give up; keep on praising till the battle is won. Fight for the Kingdom of God.

Love our City

2011-05-30T01:24:00.000-07:00

22 May 2011

Quinton Preen

James2:14-16.

Be the lighthouse that beams Gods light to the city. Remember we cannot earn our salvation, but we do have a job to do. Rom3:21-26, Eph2:6-10 saved by grace and not by works.

Do you know your neighbour and are we relevant to them and to our city? In today society we isolate ourselves which is in the opposite spirit of what Jesus asks us to do. Have we made the effort to go out of our way to meet our neighbour and get to know them where they live? Luke 10:25-37 The Story of the Good Samaritan do we have a heart and are we prepared to make the time to help people, even the undesirable.

We need to do good deeds by faith.

1) First the man took pity on the Samaritan – he allowed God to soften his heart. He closed the gap between himself and the Samaritan. Sometimes this is not a physical journey but a journey of the heart.

2) He also identified where the man was injured and treats the wound. Then he followed up on him to ensure that the man was fully restored. Seek the to listen to the Holy Spirit and do what He says to help those who are in need.

3) God has prepared good works for us to do. We need to know that and then seek in God strength to do them. Is64 God is the potter we are the work of God’s hand 2Cor4:6-12 we need to let God shape us so that we can impact on those around us.

4) John4:34-35 “my food is to do the work of Him who sent me…open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. It is time to open your eyes and see what God has put before you. Like those 3D pictures – allow God to bring things into perspective. Open your eyes.

5) John6:6 we need to realise that we don’t have to come up with the plans. God already knows in His heart what he wants to do.

Can we trust God and do the things He wants us to do so that we can make an impact in our City. God has given us each a task we need to get out there and Just DO IT.

Righteousness from God

2011-05-30T01:18:00.000-07:00

22 May 2011

Wikus Stander

Rom3:21-31

1) Our Righteousness

Rom1:16,17 a righteousness from God is revealed, from first to last. In the middle chapters Paul speaks about how all creation points to Jesus so there is no excuse. But man chooses to worship their idols, and suppress their consciences. The law is about how I look and behave but righteousness is about how we look in God’s sight. God looks at our hearts. We sometimes fail to spot “mans” righteousness. Phil3:8,9 not a righteousness from man but from God. All our righteous acts are like dirt. Is64:6 we have all become like one who is unclean, all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. So why do we try and display our righteousness it is just like filth. Good deeds can keep people out of heaven more than bad deeds. We need to repent of trusting in ourselves, and repent of good deeds where we are trying to earn our salvation. When we realise what Jesus has done for us it will produce change in us.

2) God’s Righteousness

How can a Holy God declare an unholy people holy without compromising His holiness or without sweeping our sin under the carpet? It is through the cross. Rom3:25 Atonement is God turning aside His wrath and taking away our sin. Jesus absorbed the anger of God (Propitiation). We need to understand God’s wrath to understand the great love He showed in Jesus receiving the punishment on our behalf. Know God’s anger in not unrighteous – His anger is only ever directed towards sin. So who absorbs the wrath? We cannot because our righteous deeds are not good enough. John 4 But a holy God turns His anger towards himself in order to fulfill all righteousness. Even the Old Testament sacrifices where given by God. God himself, gave Himself to satisfy His anger. Jesus is our shield and protects us from God’s anger. This understanding will produce sanctified people. If we understand the fullness of the grace of God, He can demand anything from us and we would happily pay the price. The grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodliness. We are not motivated by guilt but by gratitude.

Follow the "guide"

2011-05-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

20 May 2011

Wikus Stander

If you have spent any amount of time in Richards Bay you would have seen the port helicopter flying around the harbour, out to sea and back again. It’s pretty impressive as far as helicopters go.

Question – anybody know what the helicopter is doing?

Answer – taking the harbor pilot out to the ships that are looking to enter the harbor

Question – why does a ship need a harbor pilot if it has its own captain?

Answer – the harbor pilot is skilled in directing the ship to it’s berth and is very familiar with what the ship can and can’t do while within the harbors waters.

Metaphor - Life is the big wide ocean that is happening out there, we are those ships in the ocean (some big and some small, some drifting and some not) and the harbors are the places that God has for us where we can look to get away from the storms and rough seas. The Holy Spirit is like that harbor pilot that has been tasked with guiding / directing/steering your and my life into a place of peace, safety and equipping.

Keep this analogy in mind as we read today’s text – John 16:5-16.

For me the key verse in this text is the first half of verse 13, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth”. I would like us to unpack this idea of the Holy Spirit being a guide and to do so I want us to ask and from scripture answer 3 questions:

1) How does the Holy Spirit look to guide us?
2) How do you know it is the Holy Spirit guiding/talking and not your own desires or thoughts?
3) How should we respond?

1st question: How does the Holy Spirit look to guide us?

We find the answer to this in verse 8 – it tells us that He, the Holy Spirit, will convict the world of guilt. The Holy Spirit will expose the guilt of the world in relation to certain things, by presenting us with the truth and fact of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will present us with a choice: either in faith and under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we look to repent of our wrong way of life of sin or else we choose to continue unrepentant and hence unchanged. This convicting of the world relates to the unsaved primarily. The job of the Holy Spirit is to first convict and to convince us of our helpless state without Christ. It points out how sinful we are in relation to Christ. Then when we take the step of faith the Holy Spirit comforts us into salvation and takes us to the place of realising we now in Christ have a righteousness of our own.

By revealing God’s Word to us.

By showing us our righteousness in Jesus.

By showing us the enemy is defeated and faces judgment.

The Holy Spirit can only guide those that follow.

2 Corinthians 7:9 - 10
It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth as well as the comforter. The Holy Spirit came to continue what Jesus began. It is said of Jesus in John 1: 14, that Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth.

2nd question. How do you know that it is really the Holy Spirit guiding us?

Let’s look at vs 13 and 14.

2.1) “he will not speak on his own, he will speak only what he hears ………”

The testimony of the Holy Spirit will always concur with the Word of God. In other words the guiding and leading of the Holy Spirit will ALWAYS line up with scripture.

With us as people on earth often “our word and our spirit” clash and disagree with each other. We say one thing and do something else confusing ourselves and often those around us. We compromise ourselves and our testimony by behaving like that. James speaks about being a double minded man being unstable in all he does. Not only does the Holy Spirit concur with the Word of God but he clarifies the meaning of God’s word and reveals to us some of the mysteries hidden there in.

2.2) “he will bring glory to me …………”

The Holy Spirit will look to bring glory to Jesus by revealing God’s Word and ways to us. The Holy Spirit will not glorify an individual, a church or anything else.

If the Holy Spirit works through us, our response should be the same as that of the apostles in Acts 3:11-16.

When we are led by the Holy Spirit we should point people to God.

2.3) Convicted of sin.

2.4) There is a radical change of behavior. Gal 5:1 no longer gratify the desirers of the sinful nature. Or you feel a conflict inside you where the Spirit is wrestling with the flesh. Signs of not living by the Holy Spirit Gal 5:19-21

2.5) you feel like you are being led somewhere.. .you have new vision

2.6) you are at peace because the Holy Spirit is the comforter. You may be convicted at first but this should lead to repentance and then comfort in the assurance of receiving Christ’s righteousness.

3rd question: What do we do once we have heard and believe? How do we respond to the Holy Spirit?
Submit to His leading
Acknowledge that He Knows where HE is going
Repent
Keep in step with the Holy Spirit – Gal5:25
Hand over the controls of your life to Him
Trust in His guidance
But don’t ever take back the contols
Start bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The answer to this question is found by defining what a guide does. A guide leads / directs / steers people to a destination, just like the harbor pilot directs the ship to the correct berth.

In verse 13 where does it say the Holy Spirit will guide us to. Answer – “ALL TRUTH” Are we walking in freedom – truth sets free.

What does this mean?

All – To have life and life to the full
fullness of understanding – 2 Cor 4:4-6
fullness of experience – 2 Cor 3:16-18

TRUTH – destination or place of truth is evidenced by being free and living a life of freedom – read John 8:31-32

Do we realise the wonderful gift we have been given in the Holy Spirit? If we are aware of what the gift cost Jesus’ death on the cross then we will value the gift more. Jesus died so that each one of us could have the person of the Holy Spirit inside of us to lead us and guide us, to remind us of the things written in God’s Word. To comfort us and give us peace. What would we do without this gift. Hand over the controls of your life and you will see that even the roughest sea will become a place where we can rest. Troubles will come but we will have an inner peace that will not be shaken. The mind and heart can deceive us but with the Holy Spirit our soul will stand strong.

How do we respond?

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

Our Relationship with Jesus

2011-05-19T03:18:00.000-07:00

15 May 2011

Bruce Mac Alpine

We need to be walking daily hand in hand with Jesus. Not just a quick hug and kiss and then leave Him for the day. Or who is driving your car? Is Jesus in the passenger seat or is Jesus driving the car. Is He taking you on a drive for your life or are you taking Jesus for a ride in your life. Gen3 after the fall God is looking for Adam. There was an incredible intimacy in the garden before the fall.

There are two words for life:
1) bios life- eating and breathing life.
2) Zoe life of God the soul connection to God.

Nicodemus loved God but he was a lost man. He never had a full relationship with Jesus. To be born again is a complete new life Zoe connection to God. Jesus is our example of how we are to connect to Jesus. All Jesus’ communing with God was done through the Holy Spirit just like we have to.John10:1 - the parable of the God shepherd: Jesus connects His relationship with the Father as our relationship with Him. The sheep know the shepherds voice, the modern equivalent is the GPS but Jesus is to set the destination and not us.

1 )Vision –action what to do and how to do it.Luke22:7-13 Mark 14:12-16 Matt 26:17-19 God is very specific with the instructions that He can give us. What to do and how to do it. Jesus even took care of the logistics. John5:19 The son can do nothing by himself but what the Father is doing. Jesus was prepared to acknowledge that He could do nothing without the Father. We need to acknowledge God in all things the what AND the how. Not just the what. That does not mean we just do nothing. John15:9 remain in me, apart for me we can do nothing. But Man chose to go his own way. John5:20 God wants to show us because He loves us. When we doubt God’s character and nature we are in trouble.

2) What to say and how to say it- John5:30 Jesus hears the Father speaking. John 12:49-50 Jesus spoke what the Father commanded him to say and how to say it. Body language is as important as what you say. God knows that different people need different approaches. Mat10:19-20 God will speak through us if we are listening and willing to speak.

3) God can tell us who we partner with.in life and business. Luke6:12 Jesus spent the night waiting on God as to who His disciples were to be. If we spend time praying over those people so that we make the right decisions.

4) God can tell us who to minister to as well. Like Jesus with the woman at the well.

5) God can tell us the timing in God for making decisions. John7:1-10 Jesus knew when the time had not yet come and then when the time had come .We need to be meek like Jesus. Huge strength under control.

6) God can even tell us where to get the money. Mat17:24-27 Jesus paying His taxes from the mouth of the fish. Wait for a supernatural answer for an earthly problem.

Living like this, fully waiting on God for everything, should become the pattern of our lives. Heb 4:9-13 Prov 23:4 Don’t weary yourself out to get rich Prov 10:22 the blessing of the Lord brings wealth and adds no trouble. Prov22:29 If we are skilled we will serve before kings and not obscure men. Live to see the two greats of Jesus lived in your life. The Great Commission and the Great Commandment. The goal is not wealth but an intimate relationship with Jesus.

What is motivating and moving you?

Postion for Battle

2011-05-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

15 May 2011

Brent Brading

Peace makers – make peace they bring the two parties together and make peace. God allows battles to take place because God wants to equip us to fight for us and His Kingdom. Peace keepers keep warring parties apart.
God has an inheritance for us. Dreams for our health, jobs, finances, emotional wellbeing, for our families, marriages, friendships and relationships and our call. God has inheritance for us as a church. iGod wants to prosper us and to give us hope and a future. But it is something that we need to fight for it such as the Israelites wandering around the desert instead of going in. Numbers 13:30 If God has said it we can certainly do it.
How do we position ourselves for battle?
When the arrows are flying, get under the shield of protection. When you are under attack spiritually get under the shield. Eph6:13 When the day of evil comes – there are days when the enemy attacks. So what is the shield.
Two aspects
1) The legal aspect – never changes, we have been taken out of darkness and into His light we are positioned in Christ.. When God looks at us he sees the righteousness of Jesus.
2) But our lifestyle position is something completely different. John14:30 We live in the Kingdom of God but we have a very real enemy. Therefore Gods will is not always done. Is it safe in SA? Not really but you learn to live safe in an unsafe place.
How do we learn to live safely in the Kingdom of God?
1) Relational Position – as we get closer to trouble we need to draw closer and closer to God. Psalm91:1-16 There is an incredible offer of protection. If we draw closer to God then He can protect us. Jam4:8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.
2) Submission Position – Deal with Pride. God opposes the proud.James4:6-7 God gives grace to the humble, resist the devil and submit to God. 1Peter5:5-9 Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand. Realise it is a hostile territory out there, carrying pride is like a blood trail for the sharks to come and pick you off. There is protection in submitting to authority, Husband and leaders, etc.
3) Our Righteousness Position – The enemy is out to body search us till He finds the chink in our armour John14:30 The enemy had no hold on Jesus. 2 Cor 2:10-11 we can position ourselves inside the life of God or through sin position ourselves outside of God’s will. Mat 6:33 If we seek anything other than God He can take away other things from us.
Battling starts with our position lets us start close to God, stay humble and stay righteous.

The Prayer of Jesus - Prayer of unity

2011-05-10T23:09:00.000-07:00

8 May 2011

Brent Brading

John 17:20-26 Brought to complete unity. Unity is a funny word you hear about a lot but see it so little. What is complete unity? Unity is togetherness? It is a whole lot more than that. Is it the absence of conflict? Eph 4:3 keep the unity of the Spirit, vs13 unity of the faith. Eph 1: live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

It speaks into our relationships. Keep completely humble and gentle. Unity is simply corporate humility. Be patient. Jam1:19-20 man’s anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. Deal with conflict by being quick to listen slow to speak and slow to become angry. Reconciliation – bear with one another in love. Deal with broken relationships; make every effort to restore those relationships. Mat18:32-35 Jesus has cancelled our sins so what we need to do is have mercy on those who have offended us and forgive. Mat6:14-15 If we forgive men the Father will also forgive us. Forgiveness is a debt we need to cancel those debts. This is about heart unity.

It speaks about a unity of Faith. Faith is how we act because of what we believe. E.g. Ants all working together, with a common goal and purpose. Eph4:11-16 God has given us gifts for works of service. Each part must do its work. This is about hand unity. We all have our parts to play. What is it that God has called you to do? Start doing it. Then the body of Christ will arise. Find you grace and YOU WILL FIND your place.

Complete unity is peace + purpose, heart + hands. It is synergy tow or more things functioning together to produce a result not independently possible. 1Cor 12:11-14 The body and its part, each part given by Christ.

Why is it so important? To let the world know that we love Jesus and that he loves us. We are to be God’s advert to the world. We are to let the world know we are on a God mission. This is done through complete unity. Psalm133:3.

James: Is my Faith Fake

2011-05-10T23:04:00.000-07:00

8 May 2011

Richard Schouten

How do you know that your faith is not fake?
Jas 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Do I have the deeds to prove my faith? What kind of deeds count?
Jas 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[4] ?
Jas 2:21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

Jesus said it like this:
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

How do we show our faith?
1. Church attendance?
2. Jesus said that even casting out demons and healing in His name does not guarantee salvation!

Might have Jesus as a ‘friend’ on FaithBook, but is there reality to the relationship?
Gal 5:5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Real faith is expressed in love

Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Eph 2:9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

As Christians we are tested – how we respond reveals how real our faith is

What's the condition of your heart?

2011-05-09T01:44:00.000-07:00

1 May 2011

Shaun McMillan

Rom13:9,10 All the commands are summed up in loving your neighbour. Sin is not just the deed but what is happening in your heart. Any sin is breaking the whole law. The Royal law - -the law of love. Sin breaks fellowship with the object of the law the creator. If you break a mirror in one place the whole mirror is broken. Mat5:21-22 Even those who are angry will be subject to judgment as much as the murderer. We cannot show favouritism with anything - it is tantamount to sin. Don’t look at the big sins all sin separates us from God, including discrimination. God wants to look at how our hearts are even to other cultures and races. We need to allow God to deal with our hearts.

Speak and at as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. Rom8:1,2 The Holy Spirit will never guide us into anything that is contrary to God’s law. We have this as a law of liberty not bondage. 1Cor3:11-15 The foundation to our lives is Jesus. What will build must be built on Jesus alone all else is worthless. We as Christian have to give an account for our words and our deeds. 1 Cor5:10 we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Rom14:10 we will all stand before God’s judgment seat – to give an account for our lives. Matt16:27 each will be rewards according to what he has done. Rev22:12 we have a responsibility in serving God to live lives worthy of the calling we have received in Christ. We have a purpose and calling in this life. God is eager for us to live this out.

Be merciful, mercy triumphs over judgment. Matt18:23-35 The master and the un merciful servant. Are we prepared to cancel the debts owed to us just as God has been merciful in cancelling our debt? We need to be forgivers from the heart. When we judge and discriminate against people we are not showing mercy. In the Arc of the Covenant the mercy seat was over and above all else. This shows God’s focus on mercy. One day we will be standing and facing judgment how will we fair in regards to the Royal Law. Our goal is to become more like Jesus. Nothing but ourselves can stop us becoming more like Jesus.

So what is the condition of our hearts? Ask Jesus to expose the condition of our hearts. The goal must to be, to be more like Jesus and live the Royal Law.

What’s up with the Resurrection?

2011-04-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

24 April 2011

Brent Brading

What's up with the Resurrection?

Remember as kids fighting over whose got the strongest dad? Actually our Father in heaven is the strongest dad and at Easter we should remember just how strong God is. How did God create the world? He said first “let there be light”, And He won the first battle against darkness. Then He battled water and made land. We also see His authority over water when He parted the sea for the Israelites. God is able to battle anything and win. We see with Jesus on the boat – at His command it was calm. Then back at creation when there was nothing on the earth God commanded and there were plants and birds and animals. When He breathed man into life, God beat lifelessness. Our God loves a good battle. Jesus facing the demon possessed man. The demons were afraid of Him, He cast them out. Once again Jesus won the battle. Jesus always wins the battle.

1Cor 15:26 tells us “The last enemy to be destroyed is death”. God is the greatest and strongest in the world. Our Father is the strongest. He won the greatest victory of all conquering death and sin.

The world is so quick to overdose on all the wrong things; chocolates, alcohol, possessions, etc. We need to remember what Easter is all about.

Remember 3 things this Easter:

1) Easter is to remind us that God has the ultimate victory. Think about God’s Ultimate Victory. So much bigger than Jericho, and David beating Goliath or even feeding the five thousand. Gen 2:16,17 What is the greatest victory? The law of the Garden of Eden was to not eat of the wrong fruit (or sin) because that will produce death. Rom6:23 Man came under the curse of sin and death. But God took the sin of the world and placed it on His son. How much sin do we have in our lives when we have faith in Jesus? None! Jesus took it all. Acts2:24 death could not keep it’s hold on Jesus because He was sinless. Col2:15 The Resurrection is the ultimate sign of Gods victory. That is why we celebrate

2) Secondly we must remember the Resurrection is our second chance. It is the mulligan – the redo over again, like it’s the first time, as if our past had never happened. John3:3 In Jesus we can be born again. Rom6:3,4 We are immersed in Christ’ death and now we too may live a new life in Jesus. Col2:12 buried with Jesus and our faith, in the power of God, brings us Resurrection in life. The Resurrection is the wave of God that enables us to ride the wave of salvation to eternity.

3) Thirdly we are to be reminded that the Resurrection speaks about eternal hope. Like when you are paragliding and you hit a thermal and defy gravity and it goes up and up. The Resurrection is like the thermal of God that can bring life and hope to everything. Rom8:34 Jesus intercedes on our behalf. We should never be a hopeless people. Col3:1-4 Our lives are hidden with Christ now. Eph 1:18-21 we have His incomparable power working in us. The Resurrection means there is always hope.

The Resurrection is God’s greatest Victory and its power is released through faith in Jesus. Col2:12 Do you have faith in the power of that Resurrection?

Ladies Meeting - To the One who Is...

2011-04-21T00:16:00.000-07:00

To the one who is merciful
To the one who is my refuge
God Your power and love
are ever a mystery to me

In days and nights of anguish
You Oh God were there
A protector of my being
The saviour of my soul

For no man offers the protection
No man offers the Love and Power
That you Oh Lord have given
In you, the one who is .....
My Saviour
Forever, I will be

Ladies Meeting - I will rejoice

2011-04-21T00:14:00.000-07:00

I will rejoice

And I will rejoice
In all that you’ve done.
And I will be glad
Cause I am Your chosen one.

From beginning of creation You set me apart.
To know Your deep desires and to capture my heart.

The price You paid for freedom
And the grace in Your hand
Your heart of compassion
My inheritance You’ve planned

And I will rejoice
And tell of all You’ve done
I will be glad for I am
Your chosen one.

You called me out of darknees
Wrapped in the praise of the world
Gave me hope and a future
When my vision was obscured.

And now I live only for You
Now I live changed and re-newed

Ladies Meeting - My God My Joy

2011-04-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

My God, my God, how awesome it is to call You my own.
As high and as might as You are,
You love and car for me.
You made a plan to have me drawn to You.
Your Grace has covered my soul.
Your love has given me all.
Your sacrifice has cleansed my inner core and I am Yours.
I have felt Your touch, so gentle and pure
When I’ve spoken Your name, the enemy has fled. In times of trouble and pain, Your peace has overwhelmed me!
Just the knowledge of Your faithfulness leads me to trust You in all things
I know Your hand as it leads me; I hear Your voice when I quieten mine
When I lean on You, You give me relief
My life is dull without You
You are my life.
Praise You Lord

Ladies Meeting - Sing Praise

2011-04-20T06:34:00.001-07:00

I praise You my God
I praise You for You are Great.
I praise You for Your sweet presence,
Your mighty splendour and Your Greatness.
I praise You because I am part of You,
Your daughter, Your Gem in Your crown.
You are Great and awesome to be praised.
You brought me out of storms out of deep holes, dark places into Your Glorious light.
Your mighty hand has moved mountains
In my live
Father I praise You always
In my life
Father I praise You always
Lift Your name up high,
Glorify You from sunrise to sunset.
From mountain tops I shout Your Glorious praise.
For You are my Father, are the only one
I long to praise.

Ladies Meeting - Rejoice

2011-04-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

Rejoice

Let us rejoice for he is worthy of all praise as we are chosen by him.

He will lift us up above circumstances by the the power of his hand.

He has everythìng mapped out before we were born the good and bad times and he wants the best for us all.

So again I say rejoice for God has our inheritance at our feet to take in our hands and heart listen to Him as He speaks ever gently but powerfuly.

Gail

The Royal Law

2011-04-19T05:45:00.000-07:00

17 April 2011

Brent Brading

The Royal Law

They early Christians had lost something of their moral compass. Like an adventure race – finding there way by compass. God has given us a spiritual compass, the royal law.

1) What is this Royal Law – love your neighbour as yourself Lev19:18. Watch the little lawyer inside that tries to find the loop holes in this command. Eg The Pharisees Luke 10:29 The story of the good Samaritan. Mat5:43-44 There no one excluded even those who persecute us. John13:34 We need to love each other as Jesus has loved us, it’s not about how we love ourselves. It is expressing the love of God to others in every situation.

2) Why is it called the Royal Law? – Mat5:21-22 it is higher than any other law. Like anger being equated to murder. It is authoritative. It is over all the other law, it fulfills all the Ten Commandments. It is also the Royal Law because it applies to Royalty. 1Pt2:9 we are a chosen people a royal priesthood…called out of darkness into His wonderful life. Esther4:14 you have come to royal position for such a time as this.

3) The royal law is a secret identity it is also know as –

a) The greatest command Mark 12:30-31 We cannot love one another without loving God first. It starts with an all out commitment to loving God.

b) Gal6:2 carry each others burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 1Cor9:21 under Christ’s law. John13:34 Jesus lifted our burden and fulfilled His own law.

c) Rom3:27-31 the law of faith – we just need to put faith in what Jesus has done for us.

d) the law of the Spirit of life – 2 options swim between the flags or let the life guard stay with us. That is exactly what happened from the Old Testament To the New Testament. We now have the Holy Spirit as that life guard to God. As long as the Holy Spirit is with us. Rom8:1-2.

e) The law of freedom – laws can sometimes rob us of freedom. But this law brings freedom James2:12 the law that gives freedom. James1:25 The royal law sets free.

God has called us to be royalty and to live free. We do this by walking in the Royal Law to love each other.

Prayer of Jesus

2011-04-19T05:11:00.000-07:00

17 April 2011

Brent Brading

John17:1-5 The Prayer of Glory

Jesus first spoke of eternal life. He spoke of it not in terms of quantity but in terms of quality, to truly know God, the absence from all sickness, death and decay.
Have you received this eternal life by faith?

Father glorify Your son so that Your son may glorify You.

1) It starts with timing – Jesus said the time has come. It was when Jesus was arrested. Like in a prison lock up there is a call box on the wall where you can call for help. This was Jesus’ call for help. This is a call for help.
2) Glorify Your son – what is glory? Shininess? Rev21:11 It shone with the glory of God. What is the source what’s behind the shine? Ex33:19 I will proclaim my name and show you my goodness. Ex34:5-7 God’s glory is who, He is His nature and character.
3) What does it mean to be glorified? It is not about a moment in the sun. It is about goodness. Luke18:19 None is good except God alone. It is not about personnel glory. 1Pt4:14 the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Glory. That can rest upon us. Coll1:27 Christ in us the hope of Glory. 2 Pt1:17 when Jesus was baptized he received Glory the presence of a dove the Holy Spirit. The Root of Glory has nothing to do with us. Gal5:22-23 just like the fruits of the Spirit is from God not us. Filling and empowering of the Holy Spirit His nature and presence.
4) Jam4:3 If prayers don’t get answers it is because we ask with the wrong motives. Our motives for asking to be Glorified needs to bring God glory and not ourselves. This prayer is about getting the power from the outside in. That is what we need to get through trials and testing. We need God’s glory to glorify God.

How do we glorify God?
1) Through doing God deeds. John17:4 Doing the work God gave us.
2) Through Fruitfulness. John15:8 The more connected the more fruitful.
3) Through acknowledging God as the source of all we do and accomplish
Rev5:13 praise, honour, power and His goodness.
4) Through genuine Faith – holding on to faith in spite of everything else.
1Pt 1:75)When people come to salvation Phil2:11.
When we represent God well.
6) Through hearts of thanksgiving even when the going gets tough.
2 Cor4:157)Even death can glorify God John21:198) Every part of our lives we
can live to God’s glory. 1Cor10:31 do it all for the glory of God.

We need God’s Glory to Glorify God.

Biblical Leadership 101

2011-04-14T04:55:00.000-07:00

12 April 2011

Brent Brading

As a leadership body, we have to deal with the Religious Spirit Warfare to see it broken. Religious Spirit is about what it does for me. It robs us of JOY. Real religion is about serving the King. It’s not about the price but the priveledge. We have an inheritance which comes in laying down our lives. We don’t do what we do out of obligation but out of Love in His Joy.
• Do things when you don’t receive - Serve
• Sacrifice = Gain = Joy ( to live as Christ and to die is gain)

BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP 101
We need the vision to see more people released into the calling on their lives. Jesus makes the leaders and we neeed to trust God to do the work and to light the fire in peoples lives. Leadership is important to get the job done.

1. CALLING
every call requires a response – at once, prepare to leave something – make your calling an election sure and not about the price tag. How do people get called? Through His word, led by the Holy Spirit, a deep sense of knowing and desire to function in a certain area. Ask God the question what am I called to do? When you function in your calling you should see God’s hand of grace. An unquenchable desire to lead.

In terms of calling you must be as Paul who could say:

Romans 1 vs 1 – Paul a servant of God, called to be an apostle
1Cor 1 vs 1 – Paul, called to be an apostle
1Peter 1vs2 – Who have been chosen
2Peter 1 vs 10 – make your calling an election sure
Matth 4 vs 18; 19 – “come, follow me.”
Acts 9 vs 3-6 – “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

2. ANNOINTED
You need to be anointed by the Holy Spirit. John 3 vs 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. There is a huge difference between flesh leadership and spiritual leaders, anointed leaders are spiritual leaders and not flesh leaders.
Leaders need to be bold, have an opinion and willing to stand up and be counted.
Romans 12 vs 6 We all have different gifts, according to the grace given us – If we desire leadership then we need to pray for the gift of leadership.

3. CHARACTER
1Tim 3 – places great emphasis on character.
Flowing in the fruits of the spirit it starts with the heart.
A. There needs to be a heart desire for leadership.
A God desire not selfish ambition
B. Above reproach, means being uncatchable.
C. One wife – to be satisfied in one partner – singular devotion
D. Temperate – even keeled, not emotionally ruled
E. Self controlled – not given to addictions
F. Respectable – someone you can look up to
G. Hospitable – open house open heart

To be continued.

Biblical Counselling

2011-04-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

10 April 2011

Brent Brading

Allowing God’s word in
Nuclear fusion; two atoms opposing each other but when they come together they are explosive and give off massive amounts of energy. That is like our hearts that want to repel God’s Word. We need to overcome that force and let God’s word in. Then the energy released will do Amazing things.

Biblical counseling is not about solving the problem.

How are we then to respond to peoples needs?

The Pando Principal
We need an attitude convinced that in God’s word is the answer to all the problems that people face. Not the wisdom of the age or Oprah or pragmatism or just by ignoring the problem.
A) Truth sets free John8:31-32. First you got to do it then you will know it. See it in God’s Word then do it.
B) Truth is absolute Math7:24-27. If you want to build a solid life build it on God’s Word. Truth is not relative, we don’t get to define truth it is God’s Word. It’s not about what it feels like to you.

Enemy Agents
We need to route out those enemy agents in our heads who want to betray us from the inside. 2Cor10:4-5 Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. We need to identify those thoughts, and enemy agents. In our beliefs we could have stopped trusting God to provide all of our needs. Rom12:2 transformed by the renewing of your mind. Transformed behaviour comes from a transformed mind. Repentance is confession plus renewing of our minds. Change the code and rid yourself of he rogue agent.

The Ouch or Eish factor
Like with a thorn you got to get a needle and dig for the thing. The Word of God in the hands of the Holy Spirit is Sharp and should produce an ouch in us. Eph6:17, Acts2:37 Cut to the heart. Heb4:12-13 sharper than a two edged sword. 2Cor7:10 Godly sorrow leads to repentance. That leads to salvation.

An Action Plan
be a good listener. James1:19 quick to listen, hear what they are not saying. Most people can solve their problems if they can just speak them out. It can catalyze our thoughts. Ask good question will help people get the route of the problem.
expect that the Holy Spirit will help you. EG the woman at the well John4. 1 Cor12:7-8 the Holy Spirit is given to help people with words of wisdom and knowledge. James1:5 If you lack wisdom ask God who gives generously.
Let God’s Word do the ministering. Martin Lloyd Jones a doctor prescribed God’s word for people so they knew what part of God’s Word applied that they needed to meditate on daily. Our thinking does not change in a day we need to meditate on God’s Word to change it.
Speak the Truth in Love. Eph 4:15. Prov27:6 wounds of a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Lets be bold like James was and confront when we need to.

Suffering

2011-04-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

10 April 2011

Brent Brading

John 16:17-33

Learning to suffer biblically
Just like riding a bike it takes time to learn how to, but with practice you can do it well. Can suffering be like that too? Can we learn to suffer well? Yes we can. Jesus wanted to give the disciples handles on how to get through suffering well. As Christians things do not always go well. Jesus was murdered, so too Paul.

Perspective
Get your Perspective on suffering right – it is for a time and will come right. Like being sick you have to endure. But like a pregnancy, you know there is a reason for it. It gives you a different perspective on the illness. You can take the suffering. Biblical suffering verses worldly suffering, think pregnancy not sickness. It will birth something glorious into the future. vs22 So with us. Rom8:17 Share in His suffering to share in His glory. Rom5:3-5 Hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out His love. 1Pt4:12-13 Don’t be surprised, rejoice when His glory is revealed.

The Promise
What does suffering give birth to? The Promise – ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete. In that day you will see me. The day when Christ is revealed to us again we will receive. It is a new revelation of Jesus. Revelation is the key to provision. Ask God how He is trying to reveal Himself to us in this situation. 2Cor12:8-10 my grace is sufficient to you, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. 2Cor1:3-5 we get comfort so that we can give comfort. Phil4:12-13 the secret of being content...He gives us strength.

The Pain
Vs32 The Pain of suffering – believers are never alone in their pain. People can neglect you. There is loneliness because no one understands, or you want to be by yourself, with no one in your space. But we are not alone our Father is with us. IN the midst of our crisis God is there. Psalm23 I will fear no evil for you are with me. God allows suffering so that we can learn to find Him as never before. Phil3:10-11 The fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. Jesus the one who understands all that we go through.

His Peace
vs33 God’s plan is that we will still know God’s peace even through our suffering. In Christ we have peace in the world we have trouble. Which zones are we living in? The world or in Christ. Our focus must not be inward or outward but upward to Jesus. Phil4:4-7 present your requests to God. Rejoice in the Lord. Be thankful. When we learn this skill it will open up the boundaries of our lives. There is pain but we are never alone, there is peace if you stay in the zone.

Suffering

2011-04-12T23:17:00.000-07:00

Brent Brading

Ladies Meeting

2011-04-07T01:55:00.000-07:00

2 April 2011

Gaynor Richter

Rare and beautiful treasures
Picture of a tree with bark stripped off, by the elephants, who are devastating the areas. Some trees need it and prepares us for new growth. Prov 24:3,4 The treasure revealed and the lifestyle pleasing to God. We are the rare and beautiful treasures, in God’s house. God is well pleased with us for who we are not what we do. We just need to love him. We don’t need to prove ourselves as woman. Gen 1:27 we are made in God’s image and likeness. We don’t want to bring witch craft into the home through trying to control our husbands.

Home
Our homes are pivotal to the community functioning. The core of love, laughter, respect, generousity and servant hood.
Is 33:6 What history do we have to remember. It’s good to remind ourselves of where we have come from. But don’t live there. Our homes are to be a treasure to be displayed for the community. Don’t rob the community. We can never out give God. Hospitality is a gift we are given is that we can give.
Phil1v6.
2 Timothy
Knowing that you will do even more then what is asked of you. Don’t just do the bear minimum that is how we refresh each other. That is where we step into the supernatural realm. That is where God dwells. We need to trust Him and take one step more. Serve one another in friendship and relationship without gossiping and murmuring. We are quick to listen and slow to speak. We need to be good listeners.

How do I understand and work with my heavenly Father and know where I fit in. Like a puzzle where there is one piece missing. We all have a part to play. We need to be doing our part.
How do I function in this
1- Be aware that we are as he created us to be. Settle our overall image in God.
2- I am a good friend and take friendship very seriously. You can trust that friendship, not to take advantage. Able to address the areas that can be harmful to us. We are secure and know that we are not going to break that friendship. Know that life is going to throw you a curve ball every now and again. Deal with it.
3- A companion equal with our husbands not there to change him, communication is the key. We are still a mystery to our husbands keep it that way.
4- Pro 11:16 Be gracious, in femininity, serving, loving. What idols have we made in our lives that can do nothing for us? What do you do with your time?
5- Discreet, Pro 11:21 about who we talk to and what we are discussing. Beware the enemy is listening.
6- Pro 12:4 we are the crown of our husbands, lay hold of the Word of God for you even is your spouse is not making you feel that way.
7- Careful, Pro 9:1-6 Don’t be ruled by your emotions. We can’t be on edge all the time. Control your emotions
8- We must not be the contentious Wife where everything is an issue for you. Put the blame where it belongs on yourself. We need to be an asset for people.

Worthy of praise
Ruth What is God and others saying about you. Our testimony must go before us. We need to create an atmosphere in the presence of God. Quick to repent.
• Be cautious to avoid the characteristics of a seductress. Show no intention towards other men. It is wicked and inappropriate behavior. Raise up sons who know how to be gentlemen. We must be guarded in our behavior. Is 3:16• Eph5:22 Submissive
• Modest clothes, 1 Tim2:9 reflecting a focus on God.
• Trustworthy in all aspects of life, ministry. Able to hold confidence.
• 1Tim5:1 Be willing to help woman in need.
• 2Tim3:6,7 be grounded in the Word of God, teachable. Be learners.
• Faithful 1Cor10:6 follow the example of the woman of the Word.
• A lover of the Word of God, lover of life, family, peace makers. Song of Songs – does your life have a fragrance about it?
• Joyful, passionate, generous, givers, alive with the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God wants to come and breathe on us. Let Him come.

North Coast Leaders

2011-04-06T01:31:00.001-07:00

1 April 2011

Bruce Richter

Given Instruction
1 Tim3:14 we need to be challenged by God’s word He gave instructions and not suggestions. We are not here to give suggestions. Not like road signs which seem to be suggestions like the speed limit no one listens to them. In this day there are actually instructions to be obeyed. That lack of standards cannot be in the church. We as leaders need to understand the instructions of God. We need to have God’s Word as those instructions in our lives. We cannot operate like the world in the church. We are not the world and we have to break that stuff in our lives.

Servant Heart
James1:1 The people must not have to backslide to get to our level of leadership. We are called to a higher level of calling.
Rom1:1 Paul a SERVANT set apart for the gospel. We need to bring the servant heart back into the church. Give to Jesus what belongs to Him. God wants to bring us to maturity so that we lack nothing. We hate to be tested. We can cry out to God as to why He is testing us. We need to teach our leaders about the testing of God and not to shy away from it. We want the inheritance but we don’t want God to test our faith. We need that faith tested so that we can stand. God does not spoil His kids but He strengthens them. We need to count it joy. God wants to grow our faith. As leaders we need to be asking God to test our faith as tough as it is.

Listen
James 1:19 Quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry. Get rid of all moral filth and humbly receive the word firmly planted in you. The Word of God in us, will save us. We cannot be lead by anger but by God’s Word. In the world we live people don’t want to listen they want to speak. Are we listening? To others and to what God is saying to us. Ask the question, are you listening? We must be quick to get instruction from God.

Bugs on the windscreen, impairing our vision
James 2:1 Do not show favouritism. All car wind screens get bugs. It is the same with all kinds of people. No matter their status they all have bugs on their windscreen. We have to treat all people equally. We all need the instruction of God in our lives. God has given us authority as leaders to speak to all kinds of people and to bring them all under the authority of God. We need to work with all of them. There must be no division racial or otherwise. We cannot live above the instructions of God. We need to humbly accept the instructions of God. It is for all of us. We need to be humble so that we can minister to all kinds of people. We must be careful that we are not teaching God’s people to be vegetarians. We need to be giving people the meat of God’s Word. We need to be fully dependant on Jesus. Stand firm in faith.

We need to heed the strong instruction of God, to build the bridge of faith in our lives to carry the weight of testing that we face and come through them well mature and complete.

Servicing your marriage

2011-04-06T01:31:00.000-07:00

5 April 2011

Bruce and Gaynor Richter

Hitch Hikers
We can pick up unwanted hitch hikers in our marriage and end up with a road wreck. We need to service our marriage regularly so that our marriage does not wreck. There is a war on for marriages. The institution for marriage is designed by God. We need to keep our marriages alive and not let them end up on the scrap heap.

Who is fixing your marriage?
Don’t let the wrong people try and fix your marriage.
Marriage is a mystery and is like the relationship between Christ and the church. The enemy hates that fact and wants to rip apart marriages. We need to run to God and come under the authority of God and his protection.

What is the key to successful marriage?
Money! Great sex! Submission! Religion! No it is about learning the art of communication.
Eph4:29-31 No unwholesome talk – only what is helpful, don’t grieve the Holy Spirit… be kind and compassionate. Talk to your spouse nicely like you do with others. Tell them how much you love them often.

What do we communicate on?
EVERYTHING. Our spouse needs to be our best friend. You can’t have best friends outside of your marriage. You may need to change the way you listen to your spouse. Give each other time to talk without putting you comments in between. Men don’t try and fix it. No - no-entries - in the marriage.

When do we communicate?
At an appropriate or arranged time. Husband be proactive in dealing with things. Wives don’t give your husband a list of things to do. We need to communicate well on financial issues. On mother in law issues.

What will hinder our communication?
Relatives and their baggage.
Stress and tiredness. Let the kids sort out themselves when you get home give the first 20min to communicating with each other. Talk, plan your evening.
Financial pressure.
Extreme or lack of confrontation.
Busyness.
Laziness or indifference.
Lack of commitment.

How do we communicate?
Physically – we do this in different ways, tenderly.
Verbally – how we talk to each other, lifting each other up.
Spiritually – be on the same page spiritually, pray together and let the husband pray over the wife. When we are in unity we are going to be able to resist the devil.
Romantically – God has put romance into us. It starts in the morning, set a platform for the day. Learn to talk to each other about what we enjoy.
Sexually – likes and dislikes. Women are much more complicated sexually. Find the right buttons to push.

The Mystery
Men don’t let your wives loose their spunk. Women don’t hen peck your husbands. Men were sleeping when woman were created. He has no idea how woman was made. She is a mystery to him. Make sure her fears and anxieties are eased – that she is in a safe environment, physically and emotionally, that the kids are in a safe environment.

Learn to do what your spouse likes.

It’s difficult but with God it is possible.

Follow hard after your inheritance

2011-04-05T03:13:00.001-07:00

3 April 2011
Gaynor Richter

On the property here you feel people.

Reaching in and following hard after, your inheritance. We can cause a stir in the spiritual world. If we get off our buts and do something. Don’t settle into the status quo.

Lay Hold of Your Inheritance
Is 49:8,9
Some men have laid down the sword and the weight has just got too heavy. Listen to the Word of God. In the time of the Lord’s favour I will answer you. I will keep you and make to restore the land and re – assign our inheritance. But it is desolate we need to go and lay hold of it. We have been given a treasure we need to go and see what God has for us.

Faith
2 Kings 4:1-7
The story of the woman and the oil.
What do you have in your house? All we need to make a difference is what we have in our hand. Accept a little oil, accept a little faith, accept a little seed give it to God and allow Him to multiply it.

When in need?
2 King4:8-32
The Shun Amite woman – she went the extra mile for Elijah so he asked what can be done for you? A son. God wants to give us what we have need of even before we ask.

He knows exactly what we have need of. She knew where to go to when she needed help. We need to be going to our leaders for help. Elijah wanted to know the condition of her family. She said everything is alright when he asked her. She had full faith in Him being able to help her.

Breath of life
We can’t allow our dreams to die. Allow God to rekindle that in your life. We need to lay on our inheritance, eyes to eyes - hand to hand - breath to breath. Are we prepared to lay upon it and breathe life into it.

Legal U Turns
Allow God to resurrect the dormant areas of our lives. We need to dare to believe in God. Lay hold of the promises of God for your life. Allow the rain of the Holy Spirit to fall on the desolate waters of our lives. This is the impossible becoming possible. We have to fight for our mind don’t let the enemy have his way with your mind. Make a legal U Turn now. We have a choice. We have to be good for ourselves. Why do we want to damage ourselves?

Where will God meet us
Acts16:11-15
Lydia- God will bring people across your path to meet with you when you are seeking the Lord. When we are at the right place at the right time God will meet with us. She met with the woman to pray. The place of prayer is the place to be. That is where God will meet with us. This is the time to be vigilant. We need to be aware of the seasons, where we come alongside each other and lift each others hands up. This is not a game it is about our life.

Work for your inheritance
He will not for sake us but we need to trust Him. Ruth a destiny door knocker. Faithful to the community. Be faithful to the community. Be committed don’t be jumping around, be faithful to her. Then God will be in our midst. Follow hard after her inheritance. Ezra 4v24 where some of the work had come to a stand still. Invest into your inheritance. Carry on sowing and trusting in God for Your inheritance. Prophesy and cherish each other.

Don’t wait forever
2 Tim 4:21 come before winter. Things will not wait forever. Seasons are changing and times are not getting easier. Don’t procrastinate. Deal with things now.

Who says what?
What is God and others saying about you? Our testimony must go before us. We need to create an atmosphere in the presence of God. Quick to repent be conscious to avoid Ecclesiastes 7v26 – the characteristics of a seductress. Show no intention towards other men. It is wicked. Inappropriate behavior, Guard against Isaiah 3v16. 1Tim 2v9 be modest in your dress – Do the mirror check. Raise sons who know how to be gentleman.

Respect
1Tim5v1 – must be willing to help a woman in need

Submission
Ephesians 5v22

What is our Fragrance?
Lover of the Word of God, life, family, peace makers. Does your life have a fragrance about it. Be joyful, passionate, generous, givers – Be alive the Spirit of God wants to come and breathe on us. Let Him come in.

Fighting for our inheritance

2011-04-05T03:13:00.000-07:00

3 April 2011

Bruce Richter

We want to honour each other so that we can honour God and to sit under the authority of God. We need to be challenged and changed by the word of God.

Fight for your Inheritance
Our inheritance – that which Christ has given us. No one comes to the Father but through Jesus. True Inheritance the crown that will not fade. We don’t have the right to anything, but Jesus allows us the privilege of much. Be aware that our inheritance and salvation is under siege by the enemy. We need to get onto the offensive and fight for our inheritance. The enemy is real and he hates everything about us because of our Father. Jesus gave us the authority to deal with the enemy. He comes in as the deceiver to sneak his way in. He gets us to question who we are. He leads us to sin and robs us of our authority and intimacy with God. But Jesus has come to set us free and give us back our authority.

Submit
We need to take back the keys of our lives. We need to value the price paid for the keys which we have been given. Jesus’ life. We have the authority to defend our lives. Don’t allow yourself to be robbed, open your eyes to see Jesus and His authority. When it comes to the inheritance the meek will inherit the earth. Have a heart of submission. If we want to walk in authority we need to submit to God. Get your head beneath the heart. The head needs to come into line. Are we prepared to leave our children and family for God. We need to get back to the place of respect. Put God first in everything and then God will give us all we need. Then we will take our inheritance but there is an enemy out there who wants to kill you for your inheritance.

Walk carefully
People filled with the wrong spirit will try and come and sneak into our marriages. Don’t let the bully steal your money. We must not get into a place where we will give up our inheritance for a bowl of soup. Walk carefully, circumspectly. The wicked and sexually immoral will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Nor can flesh and blood inherit the Kingdom of God. The enemy has asked to sift you like sand. Know the way to counter act that. May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened to know the glorious inheritance in the saints.

DEALING WITH TRAUMA AND TRAGEDY

2011-02-08T01:46:00.000-08:00

We may not know about tragedy in our lives, but God does. He lost Jesus and hundreds of disciples. The Bible is written to bring us healing and completeness.

Why is there so much suffering?

When we have bad Theology + Eastern new age philosophy = Christians who say everything happens for a reason or if it’s meant to be it’s meant to be. Then we are saying that that is God’s will. But it is not.

We need to adjust our theology.
• God’s will is not always done eg. Adam in the garden. Mat 6:9-10 we need to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. 1 Tim 2:3-4 God’s will is for all to be saved. God’s will is not always done.
• God still does impose His will onto human History. History is His Story. Eg. He sent Jesus to save us. And He will send Jesus again. God always has a plan.
• God hold backs much more trauma and tragedy then we can imagine. God’s grace to us. Romans 1:28-32. God can give us over to what satan wants for our lives. When we turn our back on God.

How do we deal with it?
• Don’t let the enemy lie to you about God’s character. 1 John 4:8-10 know that God is love. He is not just loving but He is love, he cannot not be loving. 2 Corinthians 10:5 demolish the pretention that set it’s self up against God.
• Rom 8:28 God can and will work it to His good and His glory. 2 Cor 1:3-5 God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may comfort others.
• Don’t let tragedy become a triumph for the enemy. How does the enemy do this? He creates bitterness in your heart. Eph 4:26-27 don not give the devil a foothold. Heb12:15 see to it that no bitter root grows up. Mat 6:14-15 If we do not forgive God cannot forgive us. The enemy also wants to allow fear to take hold of you. Now is the time to stand up and fight. 2 Tim 1:7 God does not give us a spirit of fear but the enemy does. God gives us a spirit of power, love and of self discipline. 1 Peter 3:6 do not give way to fear. We need to drive out fear by the power of Jesus. 1 John 4:18 there is no fear in love. God is love.
• Don’t let a crisis draw you away for Christ and the body. Stay connected as sheep we need each other. Phil 1:29 let suffering draw you to Jesus not push you away. 1 Peter 4:12-13 rejoice in suffering as Jesus suffered. 1 Cor 12:26-27 If one part suffers every part suffers. We need each other we are all part of the same body.

Conclusion: Psalm 91:9-11 We can’t bumper sticker our lives from trauma’s but God can place a hedge of protection around our lives Job 1:9-10. God hedges in those who love Him. Psalm 91:14 because he loves me I will rescue him. That hedge has a name Jesus. He is our hedge of protection we are hidden in Jesus.

Spring Clean you life – the man hiding behind religion

2010-09-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Story of Monica from friends- Monica’s cupboard the mess behind all the rest of the sparkling clean house. Some people look good on the outside but have a Monica’s cupboard in their hearts.

John3:1 Nicodemus, a Pharisee, the teacher of the law, holding a place on the Jewish ruling council. He carries respect and authority. But he can to Jesus at night. Why? He had a secret cupboard. He confessed that the Pharisees knew that Jesus was from God, but were also plotting to kill Jesus.

Jesus did not get mad with the repentant sinner but with the Pharisees. Mt 23:25-27 Woe to you Pharisees. On the outside you appear righteous but on the inside you are unclean. What do we look like on the inside and out? What is the true nature of our hearts?
What does this religious spirit look like?
1) Defined by hypocrisy- judging others, presenting a false front.
2) They have wrong priorities- they major on the things people can see.
3) They have a wrong emphasis, nit picking the unimportant things and miss out on the real life issues.
4) Self righteousness, we make ourselves look important to God.
5) It’s just built on pride and arrogance.
6) There is no spiritual life in religion, but serve out of duty.

So too does the religious person need to repent of their religion. What did Jesus say to Nicodemus?
Three things
Vs 5 be born again. Like in snakes and ladders- getting to the top and then going down a snake and starting again. For those at the top to slide all the way back to the beginning. There is no mid coarse correction. Start again and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you on the journey.
- Vs 8 be born of the Spirit. Like a tree in the wind not in the box controlled by the law. Learn to let go of control into God’s hand. Be lead by the Holy spirit.
- Vs9 and John 3:14-16 Learn to look to Jesus and Jesus alone. Like with the Israelites and the snakes in the desert. When they were bitten the only hope of salvation was to look to the bronze snake on the pole. This is a picture of Jesus on the Cross. Faith in Jesus alone saves us. Nothing that we do can save us.

John19:38-40 Nicodemus helped bury Jesus’ body. He had a saving life adjusting moment in his life as he bowed the knee to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

What is in the secret cupboards of our lives? Let Jesus in to clean them.

LEADERSHIP SERIES 'The faith to lead'

2010-08-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

Don’t you want to see what God wants to show you?

God has plans for us but how much are we prepared to go after them?

Gen 12:1 - 4. Why we need faith to lead – “go to the land I will give you”
Abram listened to a God he hardly knew and went to a land he hardly knew.

1) We need faith to recognize God’s call vs1.
Abram could articulate what God had said to him and how God had called him. Eg. Ex3:10 Moses and the burning bush. He knew exactly what God wanted him to do. Josh1:6. To lead the people to inherit the land. Judges 6:14 Gideon- save Israel. Matt 28:19 Disciples. Acts 26:16-18 Paul to get the gospel to the Gentiles. – God has called ME.

How did God speak? Samuel – God called him, but he at first did not know it was God. We too may need others to refine the call on our lives. Leaders and friends. Paul – Ananias helps Paul interpret the call via a prophetic word. Disciples– sometimes a general word that becomes specific to you, even through God’s Word.

The better we can articulate it, the more powerful it will be for you.

2) We need faith because it will require us to make some big decisions.
Gen 12:1 Abraham it was to LEAVE:
• Country- culture, identity, comfort zone.
• People – peer pressure, friends. Sometimes we need to break from the pack.
• Father’s household- old identity and old destiny need to be left behind. The things that used to define us. Eg. Elisha – burnt the cart and oxen and left.
Abram wasted about 75years of his inheritance by staying in his father’s house in Haran. The things that hold us back is the price that we have to pay for the call of God on our lives.

3) We need faith to begin the journey before we know its end.
Biblical vision is blurry because our eyes need to be on God and not goals. Implications: we usually don’t know how it is going to end up, or how you’ll get there, we can doubt ourselves and abilities.
By faith we have to start and God will get us there. Respond to God and keep your eyes on Him. Heb12:1 - 2 Run with perseverance the race marked out for you. You only know where you going when you go but you only see the markers when you fix your eyes on Jesus.

4) We need faith for God’s intervention.
“I will”… says God. Josh1:9 God will be with us. Judges6:12- “the Lord is with you.” Mat 28:19 GOD IS WITH US.

Gen12:1 Faith for God’s blessing, capacity, protection and provision. Trust God for the impossible.

5) We need faith to take the first step.
Gen12:4. Faith always acts. The hardest step is always the first one. What this mean practically:
• Learn to lead yourself – the hardest person to lead!
• Work at leading your wife and family well
• Be faithful – Paul said to find reliable men (2 Tim 2:2)
• Leaders open doors so build a good relationship with your leaders
• Blow wind in another man’s vision – prove yourself as a good follower before wanting to be a good leader

Questions
1) What has God called you to do? Write it down!
2) What is hindering you? Is it worth losing some of your inheritance?
3) Has your vision been earth bound, self bound or heaven bound looking for the markers?
4) If you don’t have to depend on God for the vision then it is probably not from God! What are you depending on God for?
5) What is the next step you need to take?

PRACTICAL WISDOM SERIES: How to stay married for 50 years! #2

2010-06-17T01:39:00.000-07:00

#2: When reaping overtakes sowing

Many people hit year five or six of the marriage and come face to face with the reality of sowing and reaping. This Bible truth means that when we do things God's way LIFE is the consequence. When we do things our own selfish way, DESTRUCTION is released. Not right away, in fact it often takes five or six years to 'reap what we have sown'. BUT, we will reap. Galatians 6:7 makes this super clear! You are deceived to think that God doesn't see what goes on - good or bad.

So how does this apply to marriage? Simple: Sow junk into your marriage and you reap a junk marriage. Exactly the reason why many hit the wall after five or six years together.

So what to do? Bible solution ALWAYS involve REPENTANCE. It means recognizing the truth and then realigning with the truth. I challenge you to take your spouse on a date and vulnerably go through this list of 'Bad Seed'. Ask for honesty about where you are sowing bad seed and ask for help in identifying what seed need to take it's place.

6 DEADLY SEEDS

1. The seeds of selfishness (Phil 2:3 - 4)

• lazy – not willing to serve, to help, to carry the load
• self-absorbed – self pity, self importance, self obsessed
• selfish with time – ‘me time’ more than ‘we time’
• neglect – of yourself - fitness, weight, hygiene
• with words, compliments, affirmation
• selfish sexually – failing to recognize your spouses sexual needs
• refusing to forgive
• failing to prioritize what your spouse does
• independent spiritedness – refusal to come to shared values

2. The seeds of personal sin (Gal 6:7 - 10)

• Un-dealt with character defects – anger, depression, paranoia
• Hidden idols of the heart – greed, lust, secret sins
• addictions – alcohol, drugs, medication, porn - mercy and compassion have now become desperation
• the ‘I don’t have to live like this anymore’ attitude has taken root

3. The seeds of poor communication (James 1:19 - 21)

• Every discussion ends in a fight
• Bringing up the past
• Quick to accuse
• anger is building – frustration, defensive
• unrealistic expectations – sets the bar so unrealistically high
• inability to express true feelings – withdraws into the cave
• not willing to share true feelings in case it is used against you
• inability to say sorry, take blame or see the problem
• nagging
• no date nights

4. The seeds of poor financial management (Mat 6:19 – 21; 24; Rom 13:8)

• Never talk about finances
• Don’t really know your true financial position
• Have separate bank accounts
• Have many credit cards and accounts
• Often fight about money
• Have completely different financial values

5. The seeds of disrespect (Eph 5:33)

• talked down to your husband – treating him as you would a child
• belittling him in front of the children or others
• competing for authority – always have to have the last word, having a quarrelsome spirit
• never voluntarily submitting – arguing your point not offering it
• using derogatory terms
• comparing your husband to others in a negative way
• using manipulation to get your own way
• using sex as a weapon
• not looking after your appearance

6. The seeds of poor leadership (Eph 5:23)

• Not taking responsibility for the state of the marriage and family
• no vision for your marriage
• no planning
• no positive decisions being made – expecting your wife to carry the load of decision making
• no good family rituals or fun traditions
• not setting an example ‘Do as I say not as I do’
• not realizing that you set the emotional climate of the home
• your wife is run down, exhausted and emotionally drained
• your wife is scared of you

This date could change your life. Do it - it may just mean the difference between a so-so marriage and a great one!

If you have read this, please leave a comment below.

PRACTICAL WISDOM SERIES: How to stay married for 50 years! #1

2010-06-09T00:53:00.000-07:00

Like most engineering projects the best place to begin is to know where you want to finish. So instead of just drifting through marriage like most do, why not aim for a marriage that will last at least 5o years? Then reverse engineer some of the practical habits and faith handles needed to get there. So what kind of things does the Bible tell us we need in place to get us to the goal?

#1: FRUITS REVEAL ROOTS

Roots refer to the things that have gotten hold of your heart - like the Holy Spirit, or a spirit of fear, lust, love of money, bitterness etc.
Fruit refers to the resulting character that the particular root results in - eg. Galatians 5:22 speaks of the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience etc.) while verses 19 - 21 reveals not such great fruit (you guessed it - all the bad stuff).

So lets be honest,being married to someone full of love, joy and peace will be a whole lot easier than someone full of sexual immorality (in thought if not action), stressed out or grumpy!

Now, you can't change the fruit - try it if you want but after a few days you will agree. Trying to stick apples on an orange tree is just stupid. HOWEVER you can change the ROOT. That means pulling up the roots of self and sin and replacing them with the roots of the Holy Spirit.

HOW TO GROW THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Roots are planted when our hearts SUBMIT to something - submit to unforgiveness and root of bitterness starts to grow. Submit to fear and anger, depression etc. start to grow. SUBMIT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT AND LOVE, JOY PEACE ETC. START TO GROW.
To submit to the Holy Spirit is another way of saying bowing down to the Lordship of Jesus Christ - literally handing over the steering wheel of your life to Jesus' control.
Pro-actively keep on 'acknowledging Him in all of your ways' Proverbs 3:5 - 6. This is what it means to 'keep in step with the Spirit'
Be patient! Fruit doesn't grow in a day.

By starting to work this out on a daily basis you have begun to give your spouse the very best wedding present ever - a YOU fully yielded to Jesus and His Spirit. You are now building towards a better marriage. Keep at it and you will see the fruit!

To be continued ... #2 Five years in: when reaping overtakes sowing