Faith: Now Testimonies

Jesus lives. He said: "My Father is working until now, and I am working". Testimonies abound to the truth of these words.

 
"Therefore [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
 
In recent days our family have twice seen our God Jesus intervene with intensely personal and uplifting help.
 
Like people everywhere, those near to me all experience trouble and difficulty; my understanding is that every generation sees troubles. We all think that we are very up-to-date and doing things in the very best up-to-date way, yet life is not perfectly smooth.
 
Job's friend Eliphaz was clear: "Humankind is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).
 
Jesus said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
 
When we see God's hand at work in our life we are encouraged. Our faith is affirmed and we know joy and peace. We find the strength to "press on" (Philippians 3:12).
 
 
Becky's and Chris's House - January 2026
 
Our youngest, Rebecca, married Christopher, then last May Sophie was born, she is now an 8 month old delight.
 

The couple have been looking for a house for some time. This is hard here because there is a severe housing shortage, people are immigrating here faster than homes are being built. Prices have been rapidly rising. Even so, every "for sale" property is quickly snatched up.
 

Becky and Chris are "young" Christians but have been hearing Trish's and my testimonies for years. We told them about Jesus undertaking for us when we moved to the country; He answered our prayers and helped sell our city properties in a very depressed market. This enabled us to buy our beautiful country acres where so much of our family history was lived out.
• This story is in PsalmsOfJohn.com post "Our Lord Will":
https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/06/our-lord-will-t3.html
 
I remember saying something like: "You may feel that you don't know Jesus well enough to ask for such a big thing as a house, but He's always known you and He loves you and put you together into a family, so pray. Pray simple prayers, ask for what you need, give detail".
 
Well, last night we received a message, their offer on a lovely house in a sweet part of the city has been accepted. It is near a primary school. Becky added: "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord". They will move in April.
 
One of our family responded: "You've done the almost impossible at the moment". So true. Thank you Jesus, who cares for us and answers prayer. Our faith is well placed in our faithful and loving God and Saviour. Amen.
 
 
An Old Man's Testimony of God's Goodness in Jesus - December 2025
 
Our time at camp down South in Busselton was especially precious this summer as it was my last camp in a tent, (though I did not know this at the time).
 
We had a few days with just Trish and I, then Becky arrived with her Chris and baby Sophie, followed by Frank and his Anlia and Jude, Hamish, Ada and Elroy. We had such great family time, lots of children, love, hugs, bush walks, fun in the sea and great food. Wonderful.
 
Jesus gave us a beautiful testimony. As we were gathering our camp gear, food, books and everything, I could see that this camp was beyond the now older me. (Last year was tough but ok, now I am notably weaker, less stable, less flexible, with less stamina).
 
But by then it was too late to say "not going"; Trish and I have so much "base camp" stuff that everyone always relies on, and they have no capacity to bring it along with their own camping and personal gear.
 
So I prayed that Jesus would undertake for me, give me strength, energy and alertness for the gathering together, loading up, travel, unloading and set-up.
 
We pressed on with the thousand-and-one tasks we have done dozens of times. The loading went so very well, Everything fitted, my Hilux truck was full, the trailer was full, even with three kayaks. We set off. 

When we were about half-way there Trish asked how I was going. My reply: "I am being carried, Jesus is carrying me along, it is Isaiah 40:31. I am not tired, I have energy, the load is perfectly balanced and I am enjoying this drive through our beautiful Western Australian countryside". Jesus’ spiritual reality was impacting our physical world (Matthew 10:7).
 
We arrived, unloaded and set up. Two old timers doing these big jobs. It went so smoothly. We had to have rests from time to time, we had brought lunch and drinks and pressed on in peace and harmony. The sun and the heat were ok, we were stretched but fine.
 
By about 4:30 we had a camp, it was not complete but was nicely livable. Then a swim in the ocean and a cool drink as the sun set in the West. A simple pre-planned dinner. Early to bed. Glorious.
 
That day we lived Isaiah 40:31 - it was answered prayer: "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint".
 
Jesus was manifestly present with us and gave us everything we needed to have a day accomplishing what was beyond us but was needed. We were at peace in the knowledge that we were in Jesus' hands for the purposes of restoration after a very big year for Trish, and for beautiful fellowship with family.
 
Praise Jesus.
 
Over the two weeks of camping I lost more than two kilograms in weight. Once we were home I needed to rest. I finished and posted "Faith: How We See" which I have been working on for a while, otherwise I tried to not do much. Our hearts are full. My "last camp" was an array of glorious moments – now poignant heart memories.
 
Meanwhile Trish is settling into being retired. This summer she does not have to plan her preparation for next school year but rather is thinking about visiting her brother in Melbourne and much more.
 
Hallelujah, our world may be in a worsening mess, but the Kingdom of God stands and is a glorious sanctuary for Jesus' people.
 
Amen.
 

And an old testimony I heard this week from my sister Dee. (Added 26th February 2026).

My Mother Wyn's Twelve Years

My mother had a heart attack. This was soon after I came to Australia and was living in a mining camp in the far Northwest. She was called Wyn, and I called her my Boffin, perhaps because she was the smartest person I knew.

Dee told me that our mother was not expected to go home from the hospital; the heart attack was caused by an unusual vascular problem that the doctors believed was beyond fixing.

She was offered Holy Communion and accepted it gladly. As she was eating the bread and drinking the wine of our Lord's Supper, Boffin felt a movement in her chest; she told Dee that "it was like a 'click', and I knew that God had put everything right". Soon she was able to leave the hospital, she later told Dee: "Jesus gave me twelve more years". 

Boffin and my father bought some acres on the Kapiti Coast, built a small house and developed a magnificent garden there. And she was able to come to Australia and spend time with Dee's family and with mine. Twelve years, thank you Jesus. She knew that it was Jesus who healed her in a way the doctors had not yet learned.

Dee tells me that my Dad got a huge lift in his faith from the truth of this healing. As I think about it, so do I, both my parents' faith was more profound than I had previously understood, hallelujah! 

Thank you Lord. Praise Jesus.

 
Favourite Bible Verses
 
When Jesus first drew me to Himself I asked for a Bible for my birthday. Trish gave me an NIV large print with a leather cover, very new at that time. This is where it opened; that day Jesus spoke to me in a way I knew was for me and have always remembered and valued. I am so grateful.
 

"Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you - you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also'" (Luke 12:22-34).
 
Praise Jesus our Creator, Saviour, Sustainer, Rabbi, Lord and friend. Thank you. Amen.

Permalink:  https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2026/01/faith-now-testimonies.html

Silence

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). 
 

When Jesus began His earthly ministry He told the people, "the Kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:15). Our participation with our Lord Jesus, however small our rôle may be in our eyes, is truly a part of that same Kingdom and the whole plan of God.

 
Every one of the Bible prophets added something unique and essential to our understanding of God's Kingdom, and of our relationship with Him, the God of all Creation, and of the whole history of humankind. Those prophets, their work and their hearts, speak to us still, even to today.
 
Nothing any person does is small when is in the will of God. Like the prophets of old, we hear from God, Father, Son and Spirit, and move forward with Him. We are part of all the purposes of God.
 
If you were to take your mobile phone and punch a hole right through it, as small as your little finger nail, your phone would no longer work; whatever parts you had cut out would prove to be vital to the working of all the many functions needed for your phone to be a phone.
 
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ .. As it is, there are many parts, but one body" (1 Corinthians 12:12, 20).
 
So also with our work in Jesus. We are needed, each one, our availability and our obedience is needed because our lovely God is working out His plan.
 
And we cannot obey unless we hear.
 
Perhaps the most famous Bible passage about God speaking into silence is when God told Elijah that He had something to say to him. Soon a mighty wind came, it was so strong it tore rocks apart. Surely this would carry the words of the Lord? God is big and He is mighty, isn't this how He would naturally come to us?
 
Then an earthquake came. I grew up in New Zealand and remember the terrible Christchurch earthquake of 2011. Earthquakes can tear chasms into the ground and destroy buildings and bridges. Is this how God spoke to Elijah? Then came a fire; we see news stories of vast forest fires. Movie makers love to show us heroic firefighters and terrible blazes. When Trish and I lived on our little farm I was a volunteer firefighter; the fires we fought and extinguished were fearsome, compared to our human size, they were big and dangerous.
 
Elijah heard God speak in none of these big things. We love big things, 60,000 seat stadiums will fill to see a rock group or a famous singer. We love a big family dinner or a "big night out".
 
And how does God speak? ".. after the fire a sound of gentle stillness and a still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).
 
The Hebrew of the Old Testament says "qō-wl də-mā-māh ḏaq-qāh" which translates as "a voice still small" (Biblehub).    
 
Often it is in the silence that God speaks. Let us stop, rest, quiet our life, be available to Jesus, listen. 

My testimony is that it is when I am quiet that I hear Jesus speak to me; I receive His guidance. Other times I may see Him, I will become aware that Jesus is standing nearby, watching, always with a soft and loving smile. A couple of weeks ago Trish and I were at a healing seminar. After one session a woman was chatting with me, she said "you see things, right?". I responded that I do have a prophetic gifting and then laughed, remembering, "O", I said, "did you see Jesus this morning, when we were singing? He was over there, in the aisle, near that woman in blue". Our friend Jesus was with us, enjoying us being His church.
 
Jesus began to visit and to talk with me after I asked Him. I would pray, "please Jesus, I have some time, please come and be with me". It took a few times of asking before I was able to see Him. Jesus is with us all the time (Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 60:19-20; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5), and sometimes we can hear His voice, feel His touch or see Him, it is spiritual.

Trish and I became enthusiastic students of a couple who had studied the spiritual gift of the prophetic (1 Corinthians 14:1,3). We, and a great many others, have been blessed since then. The gifting continues. I am sure that many others experience Him in ways I do not; He treats each of us uniquely, (just as we respond differently to each of our siblings or friends).
 
We are called Christian because we are "of Christ", (just as an Italian person is "of Italy"); we belong to Christ. It is the person of Jesus Christ who is the centre of God's attention and His love, the centre of history, (history - "His story"). Also Jesus is "the founder and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2), this is manifestly personal to every Christian.
 
(Colossians 1:16, 19-20) "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross".
 
All this fullness is available to us. See John 15 where Jesus tells His disciples that already they are clean (because they had been "washed by Jesus' word"); then He commands them: "Abide in me, and I in you [live, dwell, remain in me]. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4). 1st John 2:20 makes it clear that these words, calls and commands were not just for the people who saw Jesus in Bible times, but are to all believers everywhere: "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge". We have this anointing, by Holy Spirit, and this possibility of understanding, since we are saved, it is an essential part of us being a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15) in Jesus, under His "new covenant" (2 Corinthians 3:6).

 
There are so many ways that I am aware that God is, and that I am with God; a part of everything that is. This is a very big thought but also a great comfort to me. It means that I am on the "inside, with" and not on the outside or opposed. So lovely. I am a child in the family of Father God (1 John 3:1). My awareness is of Jesus being present, often I see him, just for a second or two, near, close, always loving - He will be at rest, He is never in a hurry. Three Bible verses fill my heart and assure me that this is real:
 
(Matthew 28:20 Jesus' words) "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age".
(Colossians 1:15) "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation".
(Colossians 1:19) "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him".
 
Those words from Jesus close Matthew's gospel. One day I suddenly saw how important they are, they show us "always". Long ago our family attended a church in New Jersey where a preacher had a profound impact on me, a young Christian. When he used a big word from the Bible he would pause, look all round the church to be sure he had our attention, then state the obvious, so that we would register its significance. Were he to read these words, he would have paused and declared: "'always' means 'always". That preacher wanted us to know in our hearts how very big God is, there is no time and no place where Jesus is not with us, each one. Always! 

I am blessed to have opportunity to be quiet, truly quiet, and to be surrounded by silence.
 
After my big "accident" four months ago, I suddenly became a "home body", almost a "shut in". Previously I would go to three, four or five prayer meetings every week and other Christian events too. They were of great importance to me; I consider prayer my "work" (Ephesians 2:10); prayer, intercession, standing in the gap - often for others who do not know to seek Jesus for themselves. Now I mostly stay home.
 
I have changed on my inside. I surprised myself while sharing about the accident with a friend, I said "it is as though I aged three years in a day", and saw that this is true. I am suddenly "older", less strong, and slower; less able to "do".
 
Now, day after day, I have time to read, pray and ponder. (I have medical appointments and family and household duties, but on other days I have many hours alone). Quiet.
 
I am at peace, I am learning more about "shalom", that very big Hebrew word which Jewish people seem to know from childhood. Matthew 28:20 is fully real to me, I am aware that Jesus is present "with" me. We share peace together, shalom, in the silence. This is like being married for so long to Trish, Jesus and I can be like this too.
 
Praise Jesus. Amen.
 
Favourite Bible Verses
 
(Psalm 62:5) "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him".
 
(2 Corinthians 12:9) "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me".
 
(Zechariah 4:6) "So he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit", says the Lord Almighty'".
 
(1 Samuel 16:7) ".. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart'".
 
(Ephesians 1:18-21) ".. having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come".
 
(Isaiah 42:14) "For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant".
 
Amen.
 
Permalink:  https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2024/09/silence.html 

 

Disciple: You?

We all want to be loved. Love is the ultimate expression of relationship, and more than anything else, we were created to be in relationship. This became so clear to me when I was pondering about being a disciple of Jesus.

When our spirit comes alive (Romans 8:10), we can see the truth that we are made in the image and likeness of God. The purpose for our creation is that we can truly "glorify God and enjoy him forever" (Westminster Shorter Catechism), and to do this we must know who we are in relationship with Him.
 
God is spirit (John 4:24). We also are spiritual beings (1 Corinthians 14:14-15). The spiritual world is real. God is love (1 John 4:8), and we are fully capable of being loving creatures as He is. Trish and my newest grandchild is just eight months old. His name is Elroy which means "God who sees me". Elroy knows love, and, even though we do not see each other very often, I know that he loves me and trusts me completely. I am a great believer that children learn about their world while they are still in their mother's womb; they get to know the voices of the people close to them, and to know if theirs is a peaceful home or one with disagreements, anger and tension. The kinds of music that is played around them has a lifelong effect on the baby; this is why so many musicians' children become musicians themselves, a mix of nature and nurture. 

When I have first met my grandchildren, I have been delighted to see their response when I first speak to them; their eyes may not yet be seeing but their ears can hear and know that my voice is familiar. Thus our relationship is already begun and only grows from there. 

This flows from the Creation; God is family, the first family of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is "the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now revealed to the Lord's people" (Colossians 1:26), and this is enough for me. Elroy and I are family just as God and I are family now that I have been made a son (1 John 3:1) as Jesus is a Son (Psalm 2:7; Hebrews 5:5). All this enables us to truly know that we are made in the image and likeness of God Himself (Genesis 1:27).
 
I spend time with recovering addicts, people who were abusive alcohol and drug users, (though happily most have been "clean" for a long time). It is amazing how grateful they are to have been rescued from what they had come to know as "the life", (using these words, "the life", suggests that there is something special about this group of people, that the "normal" rules of society can be suspended for them. It is only when they begin to recover that the addict sees the truth, that they were deluded and causing great pain and harm, particularly to people who love them).
 
Often they will tell that they really gained hope for their recovery when they identified with Father God and His Son Jesus who they now know as their Saviour. It is in identifying with Jesus, (not simply that they have received salvation), that they begin to know who they really are and their value and their potential, and that they are worth saving because they were given life by and for this same Jesus (Colossians 1:16) who came and rescued them, and even now continues to rescue them daily (Hebrews 7:25).
 
Disciples
 
Here we see the beginnings of discipleship: "Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men'" (Matthew 4:19). Discipleship can be said to comprise three elements: Jesus' call, ("Follow me"), Jesus changing us, ("I will make you"), and Jesus bringing us into participation in His work on the Earth, ("fishers of men”).
 
And then the response of those who became Jesus' twelve disciples: "Immediately they left their nets [or tax booth ..] and followed him" (Matthew 4:20). Later Jesus assured them (and us, each one): "And behold, I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20).
 
Jesus loved His disciples, He taught them about His Father, (now our Father (Matthew 6:9)), and the Kingdom of God (Luke 8:10), and He gave them power (Luke 10:9) and authority (Luke 10:19) to be His voice, His hands and His feet in the world after He went to be with our Father in Heaven (John 14:12-14).
 
Paul wrote about the object of discipleship: "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 4:1). As we learn and apply ourselves we grow as people and as Christians.
 
And we can work this out ".. by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2).
 
The "renewing of our mind" is where discipling can be so helpful. We all have biases and prejudices; a mature Christian walking with us can help us to see these and "renew" so that we come to have a Christian worldview and "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16), and be aware of spiritual truths.
 
Paul was a tireless worker for Jesus, often amidst great difficulties (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). He encourages us: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1); Paul was being a disciple, imitating Jesus who was always ready to do our Father's will (Matthew 8:20; John 15:10).
 
I have a friend who disciples. He is fully committed to Jesus and to serving Him. He leads a house church, is a busy intercessor and disciples a number of people in three Asian countries and here in our city. He travels overseas when he can, otherwise he spends hours at a time in international phone calls. It is truly awesome to see how the disciples have grown over the years; many face incredible difficulties in places violently hostile to Christians yet they maintain their Christian witness faithfully. Awesome. The fruit of a dedicated teacher living for and teaching Jesus (1 Timothy 4:6).
 
We can see that all this is not just Sundays, and it is not just one facet of our life, but rather we become Christian through and through. We truly do "identify with Jesus" (1 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3; 1 Peter 2:9). Having someone encourage and teach us over a period of years is so precious. 

Ideas
 
I see that much of being discipled in Jesus is that we learn who He is, and who we are, all this with a clear understanding of The Kingdom of God, and of this world, our home, our place that God has made for us.
 
Plato and Aristotle were famous thinkers more than twenty-three centuries ago. They developed two opposing ideas about reality which are still important, and vital that we understand.
 
Plato argued that beyond everything in the world there must be something else, something absolute by which everything else can be measured or tested. Thus ideas and meaning can be known or can be measured against a plumb line (Isaiah 28:17; Amos 7:8) or anchor (Hebrews 6:19). We Christians know this "absolute" to be God, our God who is personal to each one of us, the unchanging and infinite God of all the Creation and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
 
Aristotle, on the other hand, said that the individual and ideas are the centre, and that there is no final thing for us to relate to, just us and our ideas, ideals and behaviours which change with the fashions and the generations.
 
Ideas that are presently growing in the Western democracies are ideas of humanism (which may sound fine but in reality is a toxic form of religion). A tiny unelected minority of people we do not know have decided that "inclusion", "diversity", and "tolerance" are keys to a perfect world. They have redefined these words from what has been understood for generations. They also decide who may not be included and who has the wrong kind of diversity, and those whose tolerance is unacceptable so are to be shut out and excluded, and may have their career cut short and their reputation destroyed. This is the opposite of God's plan.
 
I have never understood this kind of thinking. I see that humankind are now building a new form of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). People in leadership are destroying our Western democratic cultures to make way for an unknowable future utopian class system ruled by "the state", where those same people will be the elite who have open access to the wealth and privilege. We saw this in the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, and in China under Mao and in many African, Asian and South American countries where totalitarianism has been forced on the people, then failed at huge cost in suffering and deaths.
 
Jesus is truth. Discipling will bring biblical truth into its right place in Christian minds and hearts. "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers" (1 Timothy 4:16)
 
Today
 
"Mentor" is likely the term we use today for what the Bible calls "disciple". I know some Christians who have been mentored, always over a period of years, and they have been hugely blessed. As they tell of their experience you can see that they have grown to love their mentor, and they know that they are loved by him or her. This has been a deep and rich experience for those few that I have met, they have grown in Christian understanding and in commitment because of the love shown them and the growth they have experienced. 

As I read my Bible I see that discipleship is a theme, especially in the New Testament, with Jesus leading off by commanding us to ".. make disciples of all nations, baptizing them .. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). We can see that it would be good were we all disciples, each with a mature Christian teacher and guide, while we, as we grow in Jesus, were drawn to "younger" Christians so we can disciple, or "mentor" them.
 
As I think about all this I see that Trish and I disciple one another, as do the men in the men's group I am delighted to be a part of. As husband to Trish, and as one of seven caring guys I really do know love; we have seen much answered prayer, healing and growth as Christians and as people. Our group is wonderful; we men arrange our week to be sure to join our Tuesday evening meeting, we meet where we can as circumstances change, this just takes a little determination (and sometimes Internet technology).
 
I notice too that I now come alongside some of my new acquaintances and share something of our Saviour's heart that is particularly for them. Perhaps it is this new form of sharing that has got me thinking about disciples and helping Christians to grow.
 
My own journey has been long, with mostly slow growth. Sometimes in January I would look back over the past year and see just the tiniest improvement, (but praise Jesus, never none at all); I can see now that a discipler or Christian mentor would have been such a treasure to me.
 
Our church structures do not lend themselves to such individual ministry. We have professional pastors who seem to be very busy all the time, administering the programs, services, buildings and infrastructure of the "church" institution they are paid to care for. And the rest of us fit into this scheme of things. As I read my Bible, particularly the final verses of Acts Chapter 2, I cannot see any of a typical pastor's rôles, but rather people living their lives in fellowship with their new-found Jesus at the centre as they one-another one another.
 
In the 1960s and '70s the hippies used to say, "tune in, turn on, drop out". They recognised that the world around them was becoming more and more complicated and conformist with poor values. They may have been onto something (even though, to my mind, their direction was wrong). Perhaps we could learn something from them and "drop out" of our 21st century worldly culture and seek life in Jesus and His people.

 
Ask
 
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:13-14)."
 
If you believe that discipling would be helpful for you, ask in prayer; our Father wants every one of us to have full understanding and a full life (John 10:10). Also, look to the people around you, ask Jesus to show you a person, then ask him or her would they be prepared to disciple or mentor you. Or, if you are a mature Christian, that He will show you someone you can come alongside and help. Pray that Jesus will guide you and help you. You both will be so enriched!
 
May I also suggest that you do not try to start a program or movement in your local church or denomination. This is Jesus' work; He will help with a one-on-one learning process, unique to each discipler and disciple.
 
Thankfully too, Jesus is always ready to continue His discipling of us, each one. We can always look to Him and His Word, the Bible.
 
Bless you dear Jesus, bless us all. Amen. 

Favourite Bible Verses
 
"If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed" (1 Timothy 4:6).
 
"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40).
 
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).
 
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).
 
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17); a verse well known to us in our men's group :-)
 
Amen.
 
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Emmanuel: God With Us

It is such a lovely thought .. God with us .. "Emmanuel" is a Hebrew name for God which says "God with us". Isaiah prophesied that Emmanuel would come to save the Jewish people. Matthew recognised that Jesus was that Messiah (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew1:23). Hallelujah! He is come! He is with us!
 

Back at the very beginning of history God created Adam and Eve, the first humans. He immediately established close and loving relations with them; they helped God in the Garden during the day, keeping it and stewarding its resources, then in the evenings they would fellowship together.
 
Since the Fall, when sin separated humankind from God, people have been seeking a god with whom he or she could find favour and relate.
 
The Creator God of Heaven was always there, but most people looked, (and many still look to this day), for another god who fits their image of what they want in their deity. Our Bibles tell about so many gods who are not our God. These gods usually demand costly sacrifice and religious obedience from their people but do not respond with intimacy or a loving relationship or a glorious future. Neither do they have the authority or power of our God who gives us miraculous help then great testimony of His working amongst us.
 
Often our hearts know that we need God. For me this is a need for Jesus my Saviour and Redeemer. This is very practical - Christians can know God's presence in the here and now. Jesus once walked the roads ministering to the people. He worked intimately with His twelve disciples and with the crowds who came to see and hear Him; they "marveled" (John 7:15) and "were amazed" (Matthew 7:28; Luke 2:47) at His "understanding of the Scriptures" (Luke 24:32), of Israel's history (Acts 17:26), and of the miracles He worked among them (John 2:1-12). All this brought to them the "Kingdom of God" (Mark 1:15) which was a term they had not previously known.
 
Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to those who were blind (Luke 7:21), the Bible tells that sometimes "Jesus healed all who came to Him" (Luke 4:40). Remember, Luke was a doctor, he was there, these are strong testimonies!
 
It is so good for us to know that there is coming a time when we will be with Jesus in Heaven, we will all be healed of our ills and sicknesses, be they spiritual, relational or physical.
 
People knew that Jesus was not just "with" them (1 John 1:3), but also "for" them (Romans 4:24) when they saw the many different miracles He performed.
 
When threatened with a great storm Jesus' twelve woke Him because they knew that He alone could help, and He did, He calmed the wind and the waves with the words "Peace! Be still!" (Mark 4:35-41). Often when I pray I will have a key thought and will talk for minutes. Jesus, who is an example to us, was so brief yet God heard Him and answered completely.
 
Praise Jesus, He is still with us, even though He is now ascended to Heaven and seated on His throne with our Father. He is still Emmanuel.
 
More and more these days I hear this name, "Emmanuel". People simply say the name, it is spontaneous .. Someone will begin to sing, and we will all join in:
"Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
"His name is called Emmanuel.
"God with us, revealed in us,
"His name is called Emmanuel". (Bob McGee, 1976)
 

Francis Schaeffer

Francis Schaeffer recognised our need to actively participate in this love relationship our God offers us in Jesus:

"Our purpose is to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength' (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30), and to know His glory [Hebrews 2:9]. Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?' (John 11:40).
 
"We are to stand, as we are, in love, as a created being before our Creator, by choice, having made the decision to do so. Not as proscribed by some authority [or religious edict], not uniformly, not as cause and effect, simply to love. Not in to the state, the government of where we live. Not in reference to our sexuality. Not in reference to our affluence or our success in the world. Without choice the word 'love' is meaningless. We were designed and purposed to live face to face in a loving relationship with the God who is there.
 
"God has made no evil thing. Evil comes from a choice of the heart. Hindus believe otherwise; they believe that both good and evil come from god/God and are equal. This does not make sense in the light of Jesus' death and resurrection" (1973).
 
Jesus Is Near
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him" (Acts 10:38). 
 
".. and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades" (Jesus' words, Revelation 1:18).
 
It is because Jesus is here with us that we can be close with Him, we can choose Him. This song is always sung with great heart:
"I have decided to follow Jesus,
"I have decided to follow Jesus,
"I have decided to follow Jesus,
"No turning back, No turning Back".
Verse 2: "The cross before me, the world behind me .."
Verse 3: "Though none go with me, I still will follow .."
Verse 4: "I have decided to follow Jesus .. " (Simon Marak)
 
Friends In India
A couple in India, now beloved friends, care for widows as part of their ministry. There are many widows nearby and many of those are forgotten and very poor, my friends give food and other practical help and teach skills so the widows can have work and an income for themselves and their children. The widows have lived their lives as Hindus.
 
The wife speaks, woman to women, to them, from Matthew 16:24-28: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me". The Hindus cannot understand the Christians, they say "we serve our gods, we wash religiously before attending to them, we eat or do not eat to please them, every day we prepare offerings for them, just as they demand, and we attend all the ceremonial days and perform in whatever way the gods demand .. But you Christians, you do not ceremonially wash, you do not even go to church unless you want to, we see no sacrifices that you have offered to your God, you are lazy".

My friend replies like this: "But we surrender all of our self, we become children of our Father and give our heart and our life to Him. Our Father and His Son Jesus love us and care for us all the time; we are deeply in relationship, our God is with us, here and now, we are secure with our God and know peace".
 
The widows are amazed, just as were Jesus' followers in ancient Israel (Matthew 7:28), many are finding room in their heart for Jesus, and are finding comfort and peace in Him.
 
(Since I first wrote these words, persecution in India has escalated. My friends are under daily threat, yet they are holding fast to Jesus, (Hebrews 10:23; Revelation 3:10-11), and continue to help these widows and others. Thank you, Jesus for caring for your own).
 
Who God Is
When we look at God's purposes, His nearness can be seen as who He is. God created the Creation so that He could be in community with creatures in His own image and likeness and we could share in his glory.
 
Abraham became the first Jewish person, and through his son Isaac, he became "the father of many nations" (Romans 4:17-18). At the very beginning of all this, God came into relationship with Abram (his birth name). The first time we encounter him is in Genesis 12:1: "The Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you'", a truly personal conversation, God was with Abram!
 
Abraham is one of my heroes, he made many mistakes and false starts on his long journey, he was a "late bloomer"; I can so identify with this. Most importantly, Abram, and then Abraham, knew his God so was accepting of his role of obedience "for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10). Jesus' disciples were in a similar position, they were asked to "Follow me" (Matthew 4:19), and they did because Jesus was personal to them and they knew to trust Him.
 
Already This Year - Testimonies
I have grown to love Christian testimony, it is people today telling about our God meeting them and bringing them through difficult, even impossible, situations, often by using His powers beyond the natural, using miracles. The Bible contains hundreds of miracles, from the creation of "the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) to the Spirit and the bride saying, "Come! .. And take the free gift of the water of life" (Revelation 22:17).
 
Easter Sunrise: On Easter Sunday, well before sunrise, a bunch of us gathered on the hill on the Eastern side of our church property. We do this every year to celebrate Jesus' resurrection, and the beginnings of our life with Him and His church family. Many of us were simply friends who came to share in this wonderful hour when we remember where our hope comes from; brothers and sisters together. We prayed, sang some lovely Christian songs and shared the Word of God together, then fellowship over a cuppa. A spiritually rich time, one of the highlights of my year!
 
I do not know if the people driving past below us were aware of us or what we were doing; we were a people set apart, sharing our love for and from Jesus, and rejoicing that He had come to the Earth and saved us, each one, all of us together in His church. Together with our Lord, with Jesus.
 

My Nose: I see a miracle in my latest cancer healing. for years there was a growing pain on the bridge of my nose. If my glasses slipped down .. OOO! Pain! No-one knew what to do about it; I asked dermatologists, my orthopedic surgeon, four or five GPs, and my optician. I even asked my dentist what she thought - no suggestions anywhere. I was afraid that soon I may not be able to wear eye glasses and would, effectively, be crippled. A few months ago I saw a lump on my temple .. Through a great series of seemingly "serendipitous" events I was booked to have the lump removed by the plastic surgery team at our nearby teaching hospital. As we waited for the anesthetic to work, I asked my surgeon, "Would you please look at my nose and tell me what you think?" She did and was immediately interested, there was nothing to see, but when she touched it my pain was real. I asked: "when you write up this excision, would you please add my nose to your notes?" "Yes", she replied and later, as I was thanking her and her team, she told me that she was writing up my nose "right now". Weeks later when her boss reviewed her (excellent) surgery on my temple, he asked, "what is this about your nose?" I told him my story. He and his student checked me out; they decided to do two biopsies; one showed a carcinoma cancer which has now been treated and is gone, and so is my pain and the threat that this mysterious growing pain presented.
 
Serendipitous? No, I don't believe so. It is extraordinarily difficult to get to see these plastic surgery teams; certainly the lump on my temple did not warrant their attention. But Jesus wanted them to see my nose because they had the skills to identify the problem and deal with it. I see Jesus' hand in all of this long, complicated chain of events. I am thrilled to be healed. My GP doctor was all smiles when I shared these thoughts ..
 
 
Is our God with me? Yes. With us? His Church? Yes. Our Jesus, who is the fullness of God (Colossians 1:19) is always present to every Christian (Matthew 28:20), even to the whole world. Always present.
 
 
Favourite Bible Verses
 
"We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:19-20).
 

"the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people.  To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26-27).
 
"Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).
 
Praise Jesus. Amen.
 
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New Covenant: Fellowship

'fellowship' - noun accusative feminine - Greek koinōnian κοινωνίαν - Strong’s 2842

• What is shared in common as the basis of partnership, community ..

• (lit: partnership) (a) contributory help, participation, (b) sharing in, communion, (c) spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit ..

We Are Called Into Fellowship

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9).

A clear call. A call from God Himself. The Bible translations I use all have "called" in this verse .. 

"That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).

Scripture is saying that fellowship with one another in Christ is vital for the local church. It is part of God's faithfulness that He desires to give us fellowship with other believers and also with Himself. A great blessing to all.

"Fellowship is the sole universal purpose of the local church. As we fellowship around the person of Jesus Christ, the true purposes of God are begotten by the Holy Spirit". Derek Prince: 'Rediscovering God's Church', 2006 (emphasis mine).

In Bible times God would send teachers and evangelists and apostles all around the place to help and strengthen the local churches, but it was the locals' job to do fellowship, and to do it in Jesus. This is where the people got to know Jesus, our Father and Holy Spirit, and came to know one another and to grow in relationships. From that foundation "rivers of living water" (John 7:38) flowed out from them, bringing "salt" and "light" (Colossians 4:6; Matthew 5:16; John 1:4) to their families and communities, and "the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47).

They saw miracles: "God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will" (Hebrews 2:4).

Don't we all want this?

Jesus is Head over all the church (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18); we, here on Earth, are His body (Ephesians 5:23). A body is one, all its parts joined and working together, inseparable (Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 2:19). 

We are called Christian because we belong to Jesus; we are "of Christ" .. "Christian". Amazing and awesome! It was an important day for humanity when this was first seen (Acts 11:26).

We are called into fellowship for a clear reason: 

".. so that you too may have fellowship with us [mature Christians]; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3). A call to join, in genuine community, with those already established in the faith and in their relationship with Father, with Jesus the Son and with Holy Spirit. Intimately. With God Himself.

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13).

".. included", even ".. marked". In all of humankind, in all of history, Christians are the only ones to be included in with the Godhead.

Jesus did not tell us to gather each Sunday in special buildings, join in singing with a near-professional and very loud group in the front, then listen to notices, listen to a "giving" sermon, then listen to a preaching sermon, and then go home.

No, He commands us to have fellowship in Jesus. Men and women, and children and youth too, high and low, mature Christians and new believers. All. Together. Worshiping, learning, praying, caring, working (ministering), and sharing lives. Fellowship. (See Acts 2:42-47).

More than just affecting their own people, the life of the early Christians impacted all of the heavenlies and all of society: "[God's] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 3:10). 

We learn that the "wisdom of God" is Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:24, 1:30, 2:7). 

Church

I have been pondering what it is to be church in our time. (I am not there yet). (I also find that some people are reluctant to talk about this). The Western church is not growing. We rejoice when new people are saved and join us in Jesus. But if the body is not growing, then for every new Christian there is another who drops out of the count. This is tragic. 

Trish and I were in a sizeable local church for many years. We grew there in Jesus and were part of things; we shared in many adventures and saw salvations, discipleship and miracles. We developed friendships and many ministries were begun by the people.

 

After major leadership changes other things changed; I began to feel uncomfortable and eventually stopped going. A while later Trish stopped going too. Good societal things were being done there, and there was praise and preaching .. but ..

What is church? What did this (changing) group of people have and then seemed to not have?

I found (and still find) that there are a great many Christians who appear to be as uncomfortable as me, and as mystified, and as separated from the raft of local churches around about. Others say that they "go to church" but are not able to connect and do not feel that they are being fed. Some have told me that they go because they believe that some kind of "church" attendance is necessary. (Remember the Derek Prince quote: "Fellowship is the sole universal purpose of the local church..")

Years have passed and Trish and I now belong in groups where we see Jesus' life among the people. This is very good news. The Lord assures us that when we earnestly seek Him with our whole heart we will surely find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13; Proverbs 8:17; Matthew 5:6)!

(Trish and I were never without Jesus, and were always able to rejoice in Christian fellowship with our family and friends and specially with one another. So we were never without "church", Jesus' "ecclesia").

Finding Fellowship

In her very busy life Trish leads a women's prayer meeting, praying "for families and the generations". Relationships are deepening among the women, they find their times together to be rich and purposeful. At school she teaches life skills in her Home Economics classes, and also "Bible"; she sees her relationships with her students grow in these classes.

I am part of a number of prayer and study groups. These also are rich and satisfying with growing relationships. And I write 'Psalms Of John' (and maintain the website). I love this work, it is a gift from Jesus, (even the name was given by Him); He and I work together. This is the most satisfying work I have ever done, it also deepens my relationship with our Lord, and  equips me for when I am in prayer and talking with people everywhere.

A year or so ago Trish and I found one local church, a half-hour drive from home, where there is a great Sunday evening gathering. We worship with rich Christian music, (much of it from Scripture and written by people in the group). There are opportunities for everyone to share and to pray for one another, also great teaching, and shared meals. Jesus is very present in these meetings. They call them "services" but I see them as Christian "meetings"; they are gatherings of God's people, not so much from-the-front and them-and-us (Acts 2:42)! 

A local church near our home held an "everyone welcome" combined-churches gathering one Sunday evening. Trish and I heard about it and went, (we were hungry for fellowship), and were delighted. The people there were very Christ centred. The songs, prayers, teaching and preaching were all full of love, full of Jesus, and were theologically sound. Many from different congregations contributed. We have been back there on other Sundays and are forming lovely connections among these Christians. We are beginning to think that this may be our new "home church".

To me all these events are "church"; essential to life in the ecclesia, or the gathered people of God. 

Definitions of ecclesia include a sense that they are a governing body, people who help keep the whole of society in good and righteous balance. Certainly a look at history shows that the most fair and egalitarian nations in the world had very strong Christian influence for centuries.

It was the Christians who established the first hospitals, schools and universities, and provided the first broad-scale welfare to the dispossessed. Christians fought for the vote for women and even for people who did not own land, they ended slavery, and pushed for better working conditions and paid vacations for employees. The list goes on. Christians were playing their proper rôle in societies.

Today we do not see this influence. Instead Christianity is progressively being marginalised in Western counties, as well as in India, the Middle East, Myanmar, North Korea and more. At the same time long established freedoms are being taken away. Freedoms of speech, of conscience, of privacy, association and religion, and the freedom to raise our own children according to our beliefs and values, (rather than according to a government defined ideology).

Perhaps most importantly, Jesus taught that every person is infinitely precious. From this grew the certainty that the people should always have more power and influence than governments and their officials; today our governments seem to be forgetting this.

Through Him

Jesus’ church just celebrated Pentecost Sunday, and where Trish and I went we saw a deep recognition of Jesus' love and care for His body. Not just us; the ministers fraternal for our part of this city have been drawing closer, coming into unity. They felt to call our regional ecclesia to a week of prayer, with a different local church hosting each evening - "from house to house" (Acts 5:42). Deep is calling to deep. Last night, Monday, there were about 30 of us gathered to worship and pray together. Trish and I know only a few of these brothers and sisters but by Sunday we, and more day by day, will be closer. We are connecting and Jesus is growing His people (Colossians 2:19)! Jesus is "building His church" (Matthew 16:18).

I am happy about Trish and me. We have fellowship and witness and Jesus' work and guidance, Jesus is providing for us (Luke 12:22-32). This is Jesus being Jesus, and faith in action.

With all the changes we see happening in the world it will be very good for each one of us to be in true and sincere relationships with a committed community of people who desire to live by, through and for Jesus and the Kingdom of God, just as in the early days of the church. Very good. Then we will all be better established in Jesus when we are in the world, helping (Ephesians 4:11-16).

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen" (Romans 11:36).

Jesus is Head over all the church, it belongs to Him and He is her Saviour (Ephesians 5:23). We cannot even see the church as she truly is. It is Jesus' job to shape her and to draw people into the joy and fullness of Christian life (Acts 2:47), so that His church will assume its ordained rôle in our world.

"Jesus gave Himself up for His church, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present her to Himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27 paraphrased).

To God be the glory. Let us pray that we may grow in fellowship .. and in loving and serving our Lord.

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14). 

Favourite Bible Verses

"Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live" (1 Corinthians 8:6).

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us — that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:1-3).

"Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident" (2 Corinthians 1:20 Message). 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:14).

Praise Jesus.

Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

Unless A Grain Of Wheat

Struck A Chord
 
There was a guy in Sydney who, for years and years, would pause wherever he happened to be, and write 'Eternity' in chalk on the footpath. His impact was immense. (Note 1).

From time to time a journalist would hear about 'Eternity' on a footpath and would take a photo for his or her newspaper or TV station. Millions would see this word, and the photos and the memories would last much longer than the chalk lettering on the concrete.

We all have an innate sense of 'Eternity', so the publishing of this word struck a chord in a great many hearts, right across our sun-burnt island continent.
 
Measuring Up
 
What does God say about our life that we can relate to this talk of 'Eternity'?
 
What does the world say? It may be that you don't feel that you measure up to the ideals of some movie star, royal person, or social media influencer. Does this affect you? Aren't you in your unique life that only you can live and will live for 'Eternity'?

Was He talking to you and to me? What did Jesus mean when He said: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).
 
I think that Jesus is saying that life with Him makes us fruitful and precious, and that it is also sacrificial. We give of our self as we relate to others and help them grow, as we ourselves grow, day by day. This is discipleship. We are all expected to disciple others as we ourselves are discipled in Christ. Jesus knows that this will not be easy; in His Word He warns us: "Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and follow after Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27).
 
Happily our Father God gives us what we need so we can live like this; He gives us Jesus who then baptises us with Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).
 
Jesus often spoke firmly like this. In John chapter 15 He is clear that we are to "abide in the vine" (John 15:4); "abide ..", not "remain .." as in some translations; "abide" means "live" or "dwell", it is a permanent position, not casual or transient.
 
Jesus makes clear that He is the vine and our Father is the vine dresser who wants only "fruitful" branches, all others will be "thrown into the fire" (John 15:6). To be "fruitful" is to grow in Christlikeness.
 
Even the good branches, (us), will be pruned so we "will be even more fruitful" (John 15:4). I am grateful when our Father prunes me; when I realise what is happening I see that He is correcting something I had not noticed, some wrong behavior which has crept into my life and, in His great kindness (Romans 11:22), God is sorting it out (John 15:3).
 
People remember things about grape vines, they are very special plants:
•  Our friend had a vineyard; his wife would call him from his pruning for lunch. When he returned to he would see that the branch he was next to cut had visibly grown, sometimes three or four millimeters in an hour!
•  Another friend saw that when a branch is cut from a grape vine it quickly dies. Other kinds of cuttings can last days, even weeks, but not vine branches, they quickly wither and die (John 15:6).
•  Yet another friend remembers that when he cut a major vine branch much sap poured forth. The supply of food from the roots to the branches is prodigious. I have known times of massive growth in me under Jesus' loving care, and seen it in many others too. We do experience this flow of life that He gives us (John 15:7-8).
•  The Lord appointed Israel to be His vine (Hosea 10:1; Psalm 80:8), expecting much fruit. Not a cedar or pomegranate, a grape vine.
 
Shepherd
 
Sacrificial living flows two ways. We are expected to follow God's example, giving of our self for others. We also learn from Father God, who gave His beloved Son (John 3:16), and from Jesus who tirelessly worked (John 5:17), doing the will of His Father that we might be saved and come into a full relationship with the Heavenly family (James 2:5). 

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).
 
Jesus wants us to commit. To many "commit" is a difficult word; they feel that freedom means the lack of commitment, the possibility of following whatever whim comes along, and not be tied to others. I don't agree. I see freedom as having an assured present and future because we belong to a One who cares for and guides us, each one, totally and completely. Part of the freedom Jesus gives us is that He is our shepherd (John 10:1-18,25-30), and we can totally rely on Him.
 
We are in a place where we have security, just like the sheep in the shepherd’s pen (John 10:1-5). 

We are in the safest place in the world! We know we are cared for and have a lifetime of worthwhile things to do.
 
Available And Obedient
 
Trish and I are part of Australian Prayer Network. When they were being formed the founders were determined to follow Jesus in every part and activity of the group. They prayed and asked the Lord what He required of them and how they were to be as intercessors for Him in these times.
 
God's response was very clear: He wanted total availability and radical obedience .. APN is now tens of thousands strong and continues to this day. We see miracles from the prayers our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus, and our Counselor and Helper Holy Spirit lead us into. Total availability and radical obedience. Not just then in those first days. Not just the leaders, every intercessor. Every day. So simple. But also so costly.
 
Availability means that we will give our Lord time. Time to hear His voice, time to get to know Him more, time in the Scriptures, time in prayer, time with Christians whose counsel and fellowship we value. All these make room in our heart to hear our Father's voice and to learn what He wants of us today. This may not mean that we are to join a program at our local church or to do what our friend is doing, though it may include these things. More likely it will be something where Jesus, from His Father and by His Holy Spirit has spoken into our heart .. and may even have awoken a passion deep within us.
 
Jesus sees each of us as an individual and has unique works for each one. Often these are small and quite do-able for us who do not feel especially gifted or well trained; or He may guide us into joining others in a ministry or work:
 
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). 

Total means total. Total availability is big. We need not fear. When we are willing Jesus will lead us into His will (Matthew 14:14). Amazingly, living like this grows faith as we see Jesus working.
 
Radical obedience means: ".. that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10), that we are to follow where Jesus leads (John 10:3) and to be His hands, feet, voice and heart on Planet Earth. Jesus is still known as One who "..  had compassion .. " (Matthew 14:14); it is now our task to demonstrate His compassion (2 Corinthians 5:20), as we live as ambassadors for Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:20).
 
Many times I have heard preachers say that we are to "die to ourselves" so that we can fulfill God's will for our lives. All true. What does this mean? How does this relate to this desire that we should have "life .. to the full" (John 6:63; John 10:10). Christian life is sacrificial; Jesus showed us this, as did John, Peter, Paul (1 Corinthians 15:31) and so many others. Even in the Old Testament we see God's people giving of them-self for others, time and again. When we do this our life grows into fullness; "fullness" is one of my favourite Bible words!
 
Francis Frangipane wrote: "If you want to be like Christ, you have to die for people's sins. You have to be an intercessor who 'stands in the gap'. 'The gap' is the distance between the way things are and the way things should be. You stand in that space, cast down the accuser of the brethren and intercede". 'The Three Battlegrounds', 1989.
 
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).
 
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).
 
"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).
 
Rich Yet Poor
 
Many in the Western World are having an identity crisis. We are so rich in material terms but seem poor emotionally, in who we are on our inside. We can do whatever we want with all our money; do we believe that we no longer need God? Is the loneliness of living alone less troublesome than the effort it takes to share our life with a spouse or a friend? (We are told that loneliness is another growing epidemic in our society).
 
With everything that is "trending" and with a myriad of fashion gurus to help us, we can build any identity we want. Right? We can then change it too, whenever we want. Does this help us?
 
Has something fundamentally changed in our world? People seem to be more watchful and more ready to be unpleasantly surprised. 

Over the past year or so, since the coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, people have been talking, or not talking, about identity. Many prayer requests reveal to me a personal lack of:
•  a strong and positive identity and sense of worth, and
•  a clear understanding of our position in Jesus, of our Christian-ness which comes from a close relationship with our Saviour and Lord, our Abba Father God and our counselor and coach, dear Holy Spirit.
 
Jesus takes us to Himself when we become Christian (Romans 1:6). This is something complete and lasting (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is not symbolic or temporary, but is a very big change that will last forever. We truly do become a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17), and remain so throughout this life on Earth and on into 'Eternity' in Heaven.
 
".. you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies" (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20).
 
A Survey
 
Trish and I helped ask questions for a survey in our local area. Our group surveyed a big range of people, some said they were Buddhist, others Hindu, others Christian, (We have various temples, churches and a mosque near where we live), and some said they had no faith or "religious" convictions, (though, in fact, everybody has heaps of them! They form our worldview and everyone has a worldview).
 
A key question was: "Do you believe that you will go to Heaven when you die?"
•  Almost all the respondents said "yes".
•  When asked why they had given this answer almost all of them said they were "a good person" and thus felt qualified for Heaven, for 'Eternity'.
•  None of the respondents said "I belong to Jesus, so yes, I will go to Heaven". (This is the true position of every Christian, but seems not to be widely known).
•  None said "there is no such place as Heaven; when you die that is the end of you".
 
When we summarised all our results and findings our group saw that few people have a coherent view of life or its purpose, or of their beliefs or their place in 'Eternity'. So it is not surprising to find that as our cultural landscape is rapidly changing, levels of self-esteem, self-confidence, self-assurance and sense of worth are declining in our societies while levels of anxiety, depression, isolation and other forms of mental illness are rising alarmingly.
 
A pastor and teacher friend who knows and is very concerned about these things says that youth suicide in Australia is frighteningly frequent and increasing more and more.
 
So where am I in all this? Where are you? We can only help others if we, our-self, have a sound sense of who we are. My testimony is that the people I know who have their identity in Jesus and in His Kingdom also have an assurance of their standing in the Cosmos and in 'Eternity', and are filled with hope (Romans 5:2).
 
It does not matter how "successful" we are in the world's eyes, we belong to Jesus and are about His business, His works (John 9:4). Jesus wants our life to be "full" on His terms, not "successful" in the world's view.

I ask, have I died with Jesus (Romans 6:10-11)? Am I "born again" (1 Peter 1:23) to "new life in Him" (Romans 6:4)? Am I like "a grain of wheat" with "good fruit" from my life? Praise Jesus, who daily helps me to "press on" (Philippians 3:12).

 
"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code" (Romans 7:6). 

In the book of Acts, (some translations call it "The Acts Of The Apostles"), we see the early Christian church in action, I love the pictures painted here; people simply absorbed their Christian-ness into their every-day lives. Their identity as Jesus' followers was so strong that it affected every part of their self and their day. Their levels of fellowship, empathy, generosity, and their desire for the Word of God were extraordinary.
 
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.  And all who believed were together and had all things in common.  And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,  praising God and having favour with all the people .." (Acts 2:42-47a).
 
The people around them saw how they lived, and responded:
 
".. and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47b).
 
Isn't this what we all are wanting?
 

The books of John, Romans, Ephesians and Colossians are favourites of mine; they reveal so much about Jesus, and tell us how to be as Christians, and what it means to belong and be part of the Kingdom of God. They tell about the spiritual world and the day-to-day world we know, and how to struggle, persevere and flourish and grow in Jesus. Wonderful. They teach that we will grow, even "until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature personhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). (Note 2).

 
We become ".. his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
 
".. as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived', the things God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
 

Praise Jesus.

Amen.
 
Favourite Bible Verses
 
"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).
 
"The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works" (2 Corinthians 12:12). 

"For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God" (1 Peter 2:19)
 
"Through Him we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope" (Romans 5:2-4).
 
 
Note 1
It was discovered that "Mr Eternity" was Arthur Stace. He had been a soldier and became a Christian in his mid 40s. He spread his message by inscribing the word "'Eternity'" in copperplate writing with yellow chalk on footpaths and doorsteps in and around Sydney from 1932 to his death in 1967 (Wikipedia).
 
Note 2
Other Bible books, like Revelation and the letters to the Corinthians and the Galatians show that even in the early decades of the church there were those who followed wrong paths. We see this still, with the corporate nature of the church, its craving after celebrity, presenting "services" which are entirely from-the-front, with the seeking after money, with the levels of isolation within the congregations. (Not to mention the systematic cover-ups of past sexual abuse and paedophilia by church people against those they were charged with nurturing. The church may think that this is all behind us now, but the world still see it as an unresolved scandal and many in our communities hold the whole church accountable).

Amen.

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Praise Jesus.