This Is Not Even A Goat Thing, But A Sheep Thing.

This Is Not Even A Goat Thing, But A Sheep Thing And We Need To Be Scrupulous.

Ezekiel 34:17 & 22 speaks of God judging between the sheep and the sheep, between the fat and the lean sheep (vs 20). Here God’s saying He’s going to protect and save the vulnerable. He’s going to uphold the true believer. Those pastors who’ve been feathering their own nests. Those in the congregation who sit beside you, but go home to foul music and foul movies, illegalities and underhandedness – God is going to arise and bring forth His hand against them.

God is going to bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. God is searching the hearts of man, looking for those who are doing His will. This is not a final judgment, this is a word for now and it starts with His people, from His church; a sifting force separating the true believer from the fake.

This is not a wolves’ in sheep’s clothing matter. This is not a separation of goats and sheep. This is for those closest to God; those who call themselves Christian but don’t always act as such. God places an extremely high value on virtue and we need to be virtuous in all areas, showing ourselves to be worthy of God’s calling. Those falling short will see the hand of God move against them.

Nowadays there’s increasing anti-Christian works abounding; through governments, media, schools and with the giants of the land (big screen, big pharma, big corporation) and there will be a shift. The big players will fall away, but it doesn’t stop there. It will come right into the centre of your church. Those of you who aren’t living a Godly life, outside of Sunday morning, will be a target. Now is the time to set your house in order.

The bible states in Ezekiel 33:8-9; “When I say to the wicked ‘Oh wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”

So, it’s up to me to warn the people; do not die in your iniquity. If you’re doing something immoral, illegal, or ill advised – STOP! Repent and ask forgiveness. Get back on track and start living a holy life.

Remembering Jesus died for our forgiveness of sins and left us the Holy Spirit, so as to enable us to live a holy life. We don’t need to do this on our own. It’s much easier to get fit while at the gym with all its resources, than to try to get fit before you join. So, join a church or a home study group, read your bible, allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life and become the men and women of God, that the Good Lord destined you to be.

The Battle of our Lives; Virtue.

In 25 years of following God and His teachings, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sermon teaching on the value of virtue.

The Oxford dictionary defines virtue as; behaviour showing high moral standards.

Dictionary.com states virtue as being of moral excellence, goodness; righteousness, conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude.

The old testament speaks of virtue as strength and power. The new testament speaks of virtue as excellence or valour. The summation of the old and the new could be said; as a mighty force and an admirable character. I like the sound of that.

When the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, He said He perceived virtue leave His body. Can you feel virtue? Jesus obviously could.

2 Peter 12:11 writes that virtue should be the first thing a Christian strives to attain; with diligence - a necessary ingredient if you will. If this is so important, why aren’t we hearing about it from the pulpit? Are ministers failing to deliver, or do they think it’s just too hard a topic to cover?

What is virtue, if it isn’t good character and lofty thoughts, a high standard of excellence, as well as high morals and ethics as we strive towards good works, purity and innocence – not an easy task in today’s society.

Peter states if we strive to be diligent in our calling, we will never stumble, producing fruit, showing our calling as sure. Transformation of our character, intellect, emotions, actions and words, putting us on a straight trajectory towards the likeness of God, as we’re transformed into His image.

Words; the power of the tongue. The tongue, just a little instrument, but one which can invoke great damage when used incorrectly. Part of holding virtue is to use the tongue wisely. To be mature is to control our speech; to think first and talk less.

James 3 has a full chapter in the bible devoted to speech. James 3:10 reads; “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.” Slander, bitterness, envy, gossip and swearing should all be removed from our thoughts and our tongue.

As we aim to live virtuously, embracing an excellent life of purity and kindness, we realise just how important God’s grace is. We cannot live 100% virtuous, without an infusion of grace.

Remembering virtue isn’t perfection, but consistent excellence in all areas of life. When we intentionally choose to align with God’s principles, when we add temperance, prudence and fortitude, as we seek to honour the Lord, we find ourselves displaying the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If we aren’t showing the fruit, perhaps it’s time to lift our game. I for one, would love to go through life without any more stumbling, as Peter indicates. I for one, need to be virtuous. To some of us, being virtuous comes easy, for others, they may have to work a little harder to attain it, but with God at the helm we can’t lose. It’s worth fighting for.

I read once, that when we lose virtue, we can fall into depression, confusion, doubt, stagnation and trauma. Perhaps one should consider this, if they feel they’ve failed morally. It might be time for some to repent and ask God’s forgiveness. 

And when we have won the battle, when virtue is held at our forefront, then we are the Light of the World, able to point the way as we shine; a bright beacon for all to see.

 

We're Not Meant To Hope And Pray.

Do you know; we’re not meant to hope and pray?

At the moment I’m studying superstring theory – the relativity of everything – a form of quantum physics. That takes you right into protons, electrons, neutrons, quarks and Plancks. Planck; spelt with a ck. Super, super, super microorganisms, so small they’re beyond micro, so small, they cannot be broken down any further.

A quark; the atomic nuclei of protons and neutrons, is the building block of visible matter. A Planck is deemed the smallest particle in existence.

CERN - The European Organisation for Nuclear Research – houses the Hadron Collider, the most powerful particle accelerator in the world. CERN has been searching the building blocks of life, searching for the God particle, using the Higgs Boson, which they’ve nicknamed The God Particle.

My question; is there such a thing as a God particle?

A quantum perspective is to look for the unseen, in the hope of finding the seen; it’s looking at the nature of reality, how nature works and for me, how that affects prayer.

Coming back to my earlier sentence; we’re not meant to hope and pray; Christ says all things are possible to those who believe. We’re not meant to hope and pray; we’re meant to pray and believe. We can hope for things not seen, but to get there from here we need to pray and believe, for that is faith.  We have the knowledge of God in every situation and we should expect Him to manifest the wisdom to apply that knowledge into all things, big or small.

We need an expectancy that what we hope for we will experience. An expectancy that what we believe, when we pray, will come to pass.

Nowhere does it say Paul prayed over his handkerchiefs and yet these pieces of cloth healed, when given to the sick. Could that be quantum physics at work? Did these cloths of Paul’s emanate the same power Paul had, because he radiated the Glory of God?

If you look at a mirror, you’ll see a reflection of yourself. What God’s word says is to look at Him and you’ll be a reflection of Him, just as Jesus said; when you see Me, you see the Father.

When you see the beauty in all things, a sunrise, a flower, the wonderful diversity of birds and animals, you’re seeing the glory of God manifested and when you see that, you’re at your closest to manifesting His glory to others. You can’t see The Glory of course, just as you can’t see quarks or Plancks, but it’s still there.

I’ve heard of Spina bifida being healed, autism, even a new adult tooth growing, after its loss due to accident. I even heard a story of a woman who had metal plates and pins in her back, waking one morning and finding those very plates and pins in her bed. She was completely healed.

This is all well and good, these stories of the miraculous. But do you have your own? We cannot walk with Jesus and not see miracles. The creative realm will match what we desire, when we place our trust in Jesus. The God particle, if I can call it that, will jump from one station to another.

God’s word tells us to speak our testimony and we shall overcome. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… When others hear of our testimonies they grow in their faith, and they want what we have. It’s those first hand reports, not the story that happened to a friend of a friend of mine, which cause people’s amazement, in turn bringing their imagination into alignment with our own.

I have my own testimonies, of illnesses healed; including cancers, of broken areas fully recovered, relationships mended, poverty overcome, of walking out of the darkness and into the light. And when I tell my stories, it draws others to Jesus and they too, begin their own journey, finding their own stories to tell.

In quantum physics there’s such a thing as non-locality. Jesus has a non-locality and when He speaks, unlike the hankies of Paul which needed to be handed to someone, in the moment that Jesus speaks the non-local aspect becomes a reality somewhere else.

Cause and effect need a channel. If you turn on a light, the light doesn’t come on at the switch, but comes on at the light bulb, across the room. It follows a channel. Jesus doesn’t do that. That’s why He could heal without being on the spot, without being there.

He can speak the word here and it will affect the person over there. It doesn’t need a channel. Something transfers and that changes things. The Roman Centurion knew that, for he told Jesus; only speak the word and my servant will be healed, as written in Matthew 8:8. The Centurion knew that the word of Jesus was enough. He knew Jesus didn’t need to pass on a prayer cloth, or be in close physical proximity for healing to take place.

Everything is connected somehow in some way. Not that we can manipulate matter, but we’re part of a spiritual reality through which everything is connected. Distance, time and frequency can affect how bad the illness is and the spirit of the living God manifests change in the situation.

In our darkest moments we want a hope that things will get better; that what we hope for will come to pass. But we need faith to pull it off. We don’t want niceties, we want results. We want to be connected, taking what we say from over here and bringing the results to over there.

We are quantum entangled with God. Him in us and us in Him. As He is, so are we. Jesus could do miracles. He died so as to give us the power to work miracles and once we believe, over hope, we shall see miraculous results. And we need to be bold, we need to tell of our testimonies.

Jesus died for us, even though we were sinners. He gave up His life and in taking of the elements, we give acknowledgement and thanks for His great and wonderful sacrifice.

John 6:56-57 says; He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 

And so I ask you today, to take of the bread and the wine and give Him our greatest thanks.

For I Am A Jealous God

The Lord our God is a jealous God. He will not share His throne. It’s expected He and He alone is to be worshiped. Exodus 20:3 says “You shall have no other gods before me.” It’s the one of the 10 commandments, written in stone by Moses. That’s how highly God values the worship of Himself.

 

Exodus 34:14 says ‘for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

 

In the book of Ezekiel, there is a mesmerizing reference to the image of jealousy. Ezekiel 8:3 …the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of Jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy.

 

Ezekiel 8:3-5 recounts a spiritual vision where the prophet Ezekiel is lifted up by the Spirit and brought to Jerusalem. Specifically, he is taken to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court. At this location, he observes the image of jealousy.

 

The phrase “image of jealousy” signifies something that provokes jealousy. In this context, it refers to an idol - an object of worship that stirs God's righteous jealousy. Throughout the Old Testament, idols were considered abominations, and their presence incited God's displeasure.

 

While the exact nature of this idol is not explicitly described in this passage by Ezekiel, some commentaries suggest that it may have been associated with the goddess Asherah, or golden images, but that’s not important. What’s important is the act of idol worship which brings God to jealousy. 

 

It's essential to note that the term “image of jealousy” doesn't necessarily imply that God was envious of the idol itself. Instead, it highlights the seriousness of idolatry and the Israelites' unfaithfulness to the Lord their God.

 

The image's location near the north gate, within the temple precincts, underscores its significance, for it resides within the inner court, within the sanctuary of the Most-High God. It was positioned in a place dedicated to the worship of God, making its presence all the more provocative.

 

The image of jealousy in Ezekiel, represents an idol that evoked God's righteous indignation due to the Israelites' departure from true worship. Its existence within that sacred space symbolized their unfaithfulness and disregard towards God's commandments. This in turn, unveils the lost intimacy of the relationship between the Israelites and God. The passage serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the need for genuine devotion.

 

As Christians, we need to be mindful of where we place our trust. Is it in a special one who walks with us through life? Is it in our children, our home, or is it in our finances? It may even be approval of others, or addictions. It shouldn’t be. Our trust should always be, first and foremost, in God and God alone.

 

When we put something else in the place of God, we dissipate the capacity to hear from Him or to sense His presence. Our soul shrinks and we get “off track,” losing our ability to walk in His ways, as we head down pathways not meant for us. As we continue down this wrong path, life becomes more and more difficult. And that’s not what we want.

 

Once we’ve found ourselves in idol worship, the best thing we can do at this point is repent and the sooner the better. Repent immediately. Get back on track and draw close into His bosom once more. The Lord our God might well be a jealous God, but He is also a forgiving and loving God. He will apply His grace to your situation and show you mercy.

 

Turn to Him today, turn back to Him if you’ve strayed, for there is no time like the present. And a great place to start, is with communion. Search yourself, search your heart and ask God to forgive you, then take of the elements, with faithfulness and praise, giving all honour to the One True God, through the sacrifice of His one and only Son. Take a moment to do this right now and live in Holiness and Peace.

Christianity and the Church

Christianity is a rich and diverse faith which encompasses various practices, beliefs, and traditions. There are three essential aspects of Christianity: the Christian sacraments, Christian art, and the Christian Church.

The Christian sacraments are sacred rituals that hold deep spiritual significance for believers. They are considered outward signs of inward grace and are essential for the Christian journey. Key Christian sacraments are as follows:

1. Baptism: Baptism is the initiation into the Christian faith. It symbolizes purification, rebirth, and the forgiveness of sins. Through water immersion or sprinkling, Christians are united with Christ and become part of the Church.

2. Eucharist (Holy Communion): The Eucharist, also known as the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion, commemorates Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples. It involves the sharing of bread and wine, representing Christ's body and blood. It signifies spiritual nourishment and communion with God, as well as the healing offered by Jesus Christ.

3. Confirmation: Confirmation too, is a sacrament, in which baptized individuals receive the Holy Spirit. It is often associated with a public declaration of faith and commitment to Christ and is a vitally important aspect of the Christian faith.

Christian Art

Christian art has played a significant role in expressing and communicating the Christian message throughout history, starting as far back in history as 30 A.D., which is the same time as Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Some notable forms of Christian art are seen within the walls of the Roman catacombs. These are well documented and evidence of the life and death of Jesus.

Others include:

1. Iconography: Icons are religious images that serve as windows to the divine. They are used in Eastern Orthodox Christianity to aid in prayer and meditation. Icons depict Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, and biblical scenes.

2. Frescoes and Mosaics: Churches and cathedrals are adorned with frescoes and mosaics that depict biblical stories, saints, and angels. These artworks serve as visual catechisms, teaching the faithful about their faith.

3. Stained Glass Windows: Stained glass windows in Gothic cathedrals tell stories from the Bible. The interplay of light and colour creates a transcendent experience for worshippers. The beauty of what was done, through Christ, lights up these windows in a way which can be breathtaking for some.

The Christian Church

The Christian Church is the community of believers who gather for worship, fellowship, and service. Here are some aspects of the Church:

1. Denominations: Christianity is divided into various denominations, each with its distinct beliefs and practices. Examples include Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy.

2. Worship Services: Christians gather in churches for worship services, which include prayers, hymns, Scripture readings, and sermons. The Church provides spiritual nourishment and a sense of belonging.

3. Leadership: The Church is led by clergy, including priests, pastors, and bishops. They teach and guide the faithful, administer the sacraments, and provide pastoral care.

In conclusion, Christian sacraments, art, and the Church are interconnected elements that shape the Christian experience. They remind believers of their faith's depth, beauty, and communal nature.

With one more thing to add; the bible is the living word and the church is strong on promoting the reading and following of that word. If one wishes to move in the supernatural, as Jesus did, one needs to be reading the word, believing in the word and acting on what the word tells them to do. It’s not a book to be trifled with, nor taken lightly.

The Light of the World.

Three times in a row, I received a message on the Light of the world and so I thought I’d write about that here today.

Isaiah 7:15 Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose good.

Born to a land flowing with milk and honey, during a period of peace, Jesus was raised on a diet exactly as other children in the region (curds (milk) and honey), until He knew right from wrong at about three years of age, thus denoting His humanity in the world.

At around three years old, a child knows right from wrong. Nourished with proper food and assumed a proper soul, Jesus increased in wisdom and knowledge, as do all children raised in a proper manner.

It could be said that at this age, exercising between the pleasant and painful is the point of moral consciousness, which takes 10 to 12 years to fully mature. Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favour with God and man (Luke 2:52). His light was now just beginning to shine.

Those with no light in them shall pass through the land, hard-pressed and hungry, filled with gloom and downcast. Just as the light began to shine in Jesus, the light will shine upon the Gentiles too, as they draw close to the Light Bearer, imitating Him in all His ways. The Gentiles will increase in joy, for the Lord has broken the yoke of their burden and loosed the chains of their past.

Church is the place of the broken, all at various stages of healing. We start as empty vessels, full of fear, ill and fragmented. As a cracked pot, with seemingly no use, we are less than God intends for us to be. But add the light of God and watch your life change. Continue to put Christ first and you will see the miraculous work in your life.

The broken pot, that’s you and I, are to be filled with the light of God. A clay pot given a new use, as in Judges 7:16-21 where the clay pots of the army of Gideon, were used to carry the light of God; a light not meant to be hidden, but released to the world. Where the enemy fled in terror, when it saw the light of the army shine brightly.

2 Kings 4:1-7 tells us of a woman who was about to lose her sons as slaves, to the creditors. The Prophet Elisha told the woman to fill empty pots with the remaining oil in her house and sell the oil. You see, this woman was drained and depleted; scared, broke, in heartache. She had nothing and was ripe for the filling. At the end of this, she had more than enough to pay her creditors, see her sons safe and was able to “live on the rest.” More than enough, not scraping by.

The woman came to Elisha (a type of forerunner of Jesus), He blessed her and her yoke (burden) was lifted. Our answer is in our emptiness. In our brokenness. In our willingness to go to the Father and do what He tells us to do.

Gideon’s army of 300, were not given swords, spears, or arrows. They were each given a clay pot, a candle and a trumpet. An army without weapons, but an army who won the war. It is in those moments, the moments of supernatural movement, which draws others to the Light of God.

It’s in the telling of our testimony and by the blood of the Lamb that we overcome. Revelation 12:10-11 ...for the accuser …has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony...

The Light of Jesus Christ still shines brightly today. Choose what is good and right. Be that light which shines in the dark places. Be sure to fill yourself with Him and be a light for others, a light which draws others into the kingdom of God, for no matter where we are, that is what we’re called to do; heal the sick, make the lame walk, open blind eyes, cast out demons and raise the dead.

Let praise go ahead of you and thankfulness follow behind, for Jesus pointed the way, teaching us the password if you will, to walking in this light of His. First, He blessed the bread, second, He gave thanks, then the bread fed thousands.

Judah means praise. Judah always broke camp first, as the tribes headed to the Promised Land. Praise always goes first and we must remember to give thanks. Just as only one leper came back out of ten and gave thanks and he was the only leper made whole, so too, will we be made whole in thanksgiving.

Praise the Lord and give Him thanks. Tell others of your testimony, shine brightly and overcome the evils of this world.

Demons: A Contemporary Reality

In a world where scepticism often overshadows the supernatural, the existence of demons remains a topic both intriguing and unsettling. These malevolent entities, shrouded in mystery, continue to exert their influence in ways that defy reason. Let us delve into the shadowy realm of demons and explore their modern-day manifestations.

1. The Unseen Forces: Demons, though invisible, are not mere figments of imagination. Their history is etched across ancient texts and religious narratives. The Bible, for instance, speaks of their rebellion against God and their subsequent fall from grace. Their powers, though limited, persist — a reminder that evil is a real and present danger. We must not dismiss what we cannot fully comprehend.

2. Occult Practices: Blatant occult practices serve as conduits for demonic activity. Divination, ghost hunting, and witchcraft—condemned by God—are avenues through which these malevolent forces operate. Their influence lingers, tempting and ensnaring those who dabble in forbidden realms. The veil between the physical and spiritual worlds thins during the midnight hours, a time often referred to as the “witching hour,” allowing demons to cross over.

3. Socio-Political and Cultural Influence: Demons extend their reach into our socio-political landscape. The meta-political currents, cultural shifts, and ideological battles bear their imprint. As John 15:18-27 reminds us, the world’s hostility toward believers reflects a deeper spiritual struggle. The personal sphere, too, is not immune. Families grapple with unseen forces that seek to sow discord and destruction.

4. The Battle for Souls: Demons harbor an insatiable obsession: the destruction of human beings and scorn for Jesus Christ. Missionaries working in animist, Hindu, and Buddhist cultures witness firsthand the remnants of ancient practices intertwined with demonic influence. Voodoo, witchcraft, and spiritual warfare persist, revealing the ongoing battle for souls.

5. Our Response: Believers need not fear demons, for their power is limited in the presence of Christ. However, respect is warranted. Those without Jesus remain vulnerable. The counsel remains clear: flee to Jesus swiftly. Amidst the unseen, supernatural beings persist, urging us toward life or death, salvation or damnation.

In Conclusion: The devil’s flies—demons—buzz around us, seeking footholds. Their existence defies empirical evidence, yet their impact reverberates through history. As we navigate this complex world, let us remain vigilant, discerning, and anchored in faith. For in the unseen battles, our hope lies in the One who conquered darkness and offers redemption to all who seek it.

Here, we’ve merely scratched the surface of this enigmatic topic. The shadows deepen, and the struggle continues. But take heart—the Light of Jesus Christ shines brighter still.